We examined some desktops running
Microsoft' Windows 8 operating system.
Arbico QC3578 Pro
Arbico is a good PC with all good features
and performance. In the black CiT Jupiter chassis, the style is good enough for
the job, but it still has the necessary vitality to attract gamers.
Inside, Intel Core i5-3570 processor runs
at 3.4GHz, and can be increased up to 3.6GHz in Turbo mode. This quad-core
provides more power for all but the most demanding users, but it is not the
version of "K" overclocking presence of a number of competing
systems. In computers equipped with a SSD drive, Arbico's system is slightly
inferior to opponents in PCMark 7 tests.
Arbico
QC3578 Pro
While overclocking is not recommended for
most users, this PC is a system that can handle it: MSI Z77A-G45motherboard
installed comes with built-in automatic overclocking features while large
third-party CPU fan is installed.
The motherboard also has some other useful
features, with Intel Z77 chipset provides the ability to charge the smart phone
quickly through the support of USB, 3.0 USB and 6Gbps SATA.
1TB hard drive included, in addition to the
OCZ Vertex SSD 4 120GB drive boot, leads to faster startup and shutdown time,
and better system performance in general. In this SSD doubled capacity of the
SSD drive that we see is set to come with the PC.
Arbico are equipped with a AMD Radeon HD
graphics card 7850, MSI brand. It can easily cope with most games at high
detail settings, and only faster version of overclocking selected by Eclipse
overtook it in our game tests.
Arbico avoided problems of potential touch
screen of Windows 8 by providing system with no screen. Make sure this is a
wise decision: When we did it, no affordable screen has been provided full
support for Windows 8. However, this PC when compared with other systems here,
remember to take into account of the screen if you do not have.
However, the combination of Blu-ray/DVD
drive and 16GB RAM made the price at $1,200 of the Arbico 750 become
competitive.
Info
§
Price: $1,200
§
Supplier: www.arbico.co.uk
Verdict
§ With
components updated and other useful features, this PC is extremely suitable for
daily computing tasks and gaming. 120GB SSD drive is a plus although we'd like
to see the Core i5-3570K processor.
§ Designs:
4/5
§ Features:
3.5/5
§ Performance:
4.5/5
§ Value:
4/5
§ Total:
4/5
Braebo Hermes 8
Hermes 8 is cheap Windows 8 system but
useful savings by removing the graphics card and other features, but it will
not impress people love overclocking.
With only 550 (except for the screen),
Hermes 8 is significantly cheaper than any other PC in this group, but the
overall performance in PCMark 7 tests was very well, showing that it have
ability in the general tasks.
Braebo
Hermes 8
If you are not a gamer, you really do not
need graphics cards, especially when Intel Core i5-3570K processor of PC has
the best integrated graphics HD 4000 of Intel. You will be able to play most of
the game which is set up at low details - Braebo even is able to handle Crysis.
Perhaps the most notable cut cost is the
use of MSI H61M-P31/W8 motherboard, which has the Intel H61 Express chipset.
This motherboard lacks support for these features for overclocking people such
as the processor, USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gbps.
Hermes also has limited upgrading
potential. There is one PCI Express 3 slot for optional graphics card, but it
is the only slot available on the motherboard. If you do not like the game,
consider plus 1 USB 3.0 card here.
As you might expect at this price, the
chassis of Hermes is not attractive. It feels cheap and does not offer cable
management or the accessible features inside, making a mess of cable suspended
between chassis.
It felt unlike most PC in the group, Hermes
8 accompanies with a DVD drive rather than Blu-ray/DVD disc. Additional useful
8GB RAM with 2TB hard drive and Kingston 60GB SSD drive bring large increases
for overall performance. However, you will need to manage the file carefully
since the 60GB will be quick
Braebo also includes 500GB free online
storage, effective in PC Lifetime. Warranty time does not much - one year
warranty policy is defeated by many opponents.
Info
§ Price:
$880 including VAT
§ Supplier:
www.braebo.com
Verdict
§
Despite these minimized features and low-cost
components, Braebo Hermes 8 offers good overall performance. It is difficult to
be upgraded, and the lack of USB 3.0 support is likely important restriction.
§
Designs: 2.5/5
§
Features: 3/5
§
Performance: 4/5
§
Value: 4/5
§
Total: 3.5/5
Chillblast Fusion Galaxy
Chillblast's Fusion Galaxy uses motherboard
Asus P8B75-M LX, which has the Intel B75 Express chipset. It does not support
overclocking, but it provides support for USB 3.0, SATA 6Gbps and LucidLogix
Virtu. The after allows you to access dedicated graphics card and graphics
integrated with the CPU.
With 8GB of RAM and 2TB hard drive, but
Chillblast excludes the drive SSD. It has led to significantly lower scores in
PCMark 7 compared with opponents. System will take a long time to start up or
shut down and feels slower in general use.
Chillblast
Fusion Galaxy
Graphics cards AMD Radeon HD 7770 brings
VTX brand, represents a huge leap from integrated graphics processor; however, it
is slower than the Radeon HD 7850 selected by Arbico and Ecplise. Of course, you
can play this game on the PC even though it was not designed as a heavy gaming
machine.
Chassis surface XIGMATEK Asgard Pro is
better than most low-cost PC chassis we've ever seen. It includes 1 USB
connector that faces front, 1 Paint to confront inside and outside, 1 additional
fan and 1 convenient cable management.
The price at $1,278 includes a Blu-ray
drive and a Logitech MK260 wireless keyboard, with two Logitech S220 speakers
and 1 subwoofer. But perhaps the most interesting accessory is the ST2220T
multi-screen preset.
With 22 inches diagonal, it is
significantly smaller than some opponents, but offers 1920x1080 resolutions for
full-HD video playback. It also has a high-quality IPS screen, which provides
image quality overtaking the cheap opponents. Swivel allows it to fold
backwards almost flat to bring a touch screen experience great.
Like most touch screen, this screen has a
point hindering fingers while you are performing gestures from outside the
screen. Optical two-touch interface should be considered a bonus rather than
input method.
Info
§ Price:
$1,278
§ Supplier:
www.chillblast.com
Verdict
§ A
multimedia system has great value with everything you need are there as
standard, including high-quality speakers and touch input method. Add more SSD
drive if you can afford to.
§ Designs:
4/5
§ Features:
4/5
§ Performance:
3.5/5
§ Value:
4/5
§ Total:
4/5
