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Looking like a cheap and cheerful 1990s CD player, the Mega PC case is roughly the same size as those from Shuttle, yet with more features than you'd expect from a box this size.
It can be used as a standalone radio and MP3 and audio CD player, as well as being a proficient PC.
The case is currently only available for use with Pentium 4 chips, and won't use the latest 800MHz front-side bus (FSB) revision: 533MHz is as fast as this FSB goes.
The chipsets are the Sis 651 and the 962 southbridge, so there are integrated graphics but not enough for decent games.
There is an AGP slot, but no spare power connectors - that is, unless you don't want an optical or hard drive. The slot is so close to the power supply and CPU that we struggled to get it in.
As the CPU's fan is on the side of the heatsink and it is drawing its air from next to the graphics card where it is already warm, it did get hot quickly, but never reached its automatic shutdown temperature of 85 degrees.
MSI recommends only processors under 2.8GHz be used. Installing components was fiddly, as you'd expect with a case this size.
The only order in which to attach them was processor, hard disk, then graphics card followed by memory. The fastest memory supported is DDR 333MHz, and there are two slots.
Inside is a PCI slot for those who wish to upgrade the onboard sound from Realtek or install a TV tuner.
However, the system comes with no way of connecting the Mega PC to a TV; you'll need to put in a graphics card with an S-Video connection to use it in your living room.
Modem and Ethernet are on the motherboard. There are serial, parallel and video-outs, two USB2 ports and two PS/2s.
Open the flap at the front and you'll find two more USB2 ports, a FireWire, mini-FireWire, headphone and mic sockets and an S/PDIF.
There is also a card reader option above this that you can replace with a floppy drive.
Using it as a standalone radio or CD player is simple - you don't even need to boot up the PC. Controls are easy and the remote has all you need.
For a little more than a Shuttle case, you are getting far more features and a CD player and radio that wouldn't look out of place in your living room. It's not the quietest, or the most efficient at cooling, but is still a bargain.
Systemax has used this case with high-quality components and bundled it with a CTX 17in LCD to create a £999 PC; the box alone is available for £699 ex VAT.
The 2.6GHz Pentium 4 gave a high Sysmark score of 266, and the Geforce FX5200 got 8,109 in 3Dmark 2001.
This model is the first to come with Nvidia's Personal Cinema remote which is supplied as well as MSI's own. Resembling ATI's Remote Wonder, this controls on-screen functions and media playback.
Considering the small form factor, the 3602 is good value, but you are paying a premium for the extra features.
As a living room PC it's almost ideal and, with a three-year on-site warranty, it's a tempting proposition.
MSI MEGA PC
Price: £292.58 (£249 ex VAT)
Contact: Scan
www.scan.co.uk
Specifications:
- Socket 478 533MHz FSB support
- Sis 651 graphics
- 2 x DDR333 Dimms
- 1 x PCI, 1 x AGP
- 6 x USB2, 2 x FireWire
- 6-in-1 card reader
- Realtek AC97 audio
SYSTEMAX ENCORE 3602
Price: £1,174 (£999 ex VAT)
Contact: Systemax
www.systemax.com
Specifications:
- Windows XP Home
- Intel Pentium 4 2.66GHz
- 512MB DDR memory
- 120GB hard disk
- CD-RW & DVD combo drive
- Geforce FX5200 graphics with Personal Cinema
- CTX 17in S700B LCD monitor
- Realtek AC97 Audio
- Videologic ZXR-500 speakers
- Modem
- Lan
- Ability Office
- 3yr on-site warranty
See also:
A stylish and silent performer that makes a great second PC 15 Aug 2003
Great things come in small packages, and Dell has squeezed a lot intothis compact PC. 18 Feb 2003All Desktops
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