PC Base Units


  • PC Base Units (123)
  • Reviews (967)
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1
Dell OptiPlex 980-Desktop (Core i5-660)
Listed since 06/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Dual-Core
"... Dell has left no stone unturned here, and there's plenty to get your teeth into on the software  …
1 Review
 
 
2
Mesh Elite GTX 460
Listed since 07/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Quad-Core
The Elite GTX 460 is an affordable yet powerful desktop PC which is aimed squarely at gamers, as its Nvidia GTX  …
1 Review
 
 
3
Listed since 07/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Quad-Core
The P6110D is a good, if somewhat middle-of-the-road computer for general use, with a midrange AMD processor powerful  …
1 Review
 
 
4
Listed since 07/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Dual-Core
"... It's the first time we've seen the Intel Core i5-660 processor, and its 3.33GHz clock speed  …
1 Review
 
 
5
Listed since 07/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: 6
"... The combination of X6 1090T processor and ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics card returns blistering benchmark  …
1 Review
 
 
6
Lenovo / IBM ThinkCentre A58 (SMK7RGE)
Listed since 02/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Dual-Core
"Lenovo's ingenious engineering is partnered with decent components for a tempting and practical business system."
1 Review
 
 
7
Listed since 09/2009
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Quad-Core
"An incredibly good deal at £399 even though it doesn't include a screen - just make sure you get to  …
1 Review
 
 
8
Gateway DT10G
Listed since 09/2009
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Dual-Core
"A spacious and upgrade-friendly case, with some powerful components inside. It's a touch too dear, though."
1 Review
 
 
9
HP Z800 Workstation (KK629EA)
Listed since 06/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Quad-Core
"Pros: Two superfast CPUs. Quiet. Toolless case. Cons: Expensive. No GPU included. For specialists only."
1 Review
 
 
10
Water Dragon 3.6
Listed since 04/2009
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Quad-Core
In direct competition with Chillblast's Fusion Stinger, Yoyotech's Water Dragon 3.6 comes out ahead in graphics and style. While it'  …
1 Review
 
 
 
 
11
Fujitsu-Siemens Esprimo P5925 EPA
Listed since 11/2007
Base Units
Flaunting its green credentials is what the the P5925 EPA is known for. The secret to its green success is its  …
1 Review
 
 
12
Lenovo / IBM ThinkCentre M57
Listed since 05/2008
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Dual-Core
Lenovo's ThinkCentre M57 is and excellent machine that allows for the possibility of further expansion because  …
2 Reviews
 
 
13
Pavilion Slimline s.3150.uk
Listed since 09/2007
Base Units
"Overall, we were completely sold on this HP. The niggles aren't enough to outweigh its considerable charms, and although this isn'  …
1 Review
 
 
14
Pavilion Elite m 9000 series
Listed since 02/2008
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Quad-Core
"Whichever way you look at it, the HP Pavilion Elite m9000 series ... is a good PC. Better value can be had elsewhere, but its quad  …
1 Review
 
 
15
Palicomp Excalibur CORE6 1055OC35
Listed since 06/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: 6
"... The graphics card's a tad on the noisy side ... The combination of processor and graphics card delivers  …
3 Reviews
 
 
16
Advent Firefly FP9004
Listed since 02/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Dual-Core
"... Its relatively old motherboard technology makes the Firefly look old fashioned next to Ion based nettops  …
2 Reviews
 
 
17
Dell Precision T1500 (Core i7-870, 4GB RAM, 640GB)
Listed since 06/2010
Base Units
"The Dell Precision T1500 is a very powerful workstation without the pretension of a high-end gaming or consumer PC. It'  …
1 Review
 
 
18
HP Compaq 8100 Elite (SFF, 160GB, 2GB RAM)
Listed since 03/2010
Base Units
"... with a choice of either an Intel Core i5 or a beefier Core i7 processor. We reviewed the cheapest configuration - the WM193PA - but it'  …
1 Review
 
 
19
Dell Studio XPS 435 Core i7 920 500 GB
Listed since 08/2009
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Quad-Core
"With a charming case design and strong configuration at a relatively fair price, our Dell Studio XPS 435  …
1 Review
 
 
20
Asus Asus Nova Lite PX24 Mini PC
Listed since 08/2008
Base Units
The Nova Lite 2L is not the fastest machine on the planet but it is certainly one that you can rely on. CNet.co.uk  …
1 Review
 
 
  Gateway DS50
Listed since 06/2010
Base Units; Number of processor cores: Dual-Core
Although the performance of the Gateway DS50 should be sufficient for most businesses, PC Advisor don't think  …
3 Reviews
 
 
 
 
"Advent Firefly FP9004 review"
1 Desktop
Expert Reviews
Published on 3/2010
On test: Advent Firefly FP9004
"Advent's Firefly FP9004 is a very smart-looking PC, which we think looks considerably more expensive than it is. This mini-tower has a white LED strip that runs straight down the centre of the fascia. LED lighting usually looks tacky, but this succeeds in being stylish. The power and reset switches are on the top of the case at the front, making them easy to reach if you place the Firefly beneath your desk." Review details: Single Test.    Test results
"MSI Wind Top AE1900"
1 Desktop
Register Hardware
Published on 10/2009
On test: MSI Wind Top AE1900 WT
"All-in-one PCs have been around for ages and it’s not hard to understand their appeal. They feature the wire-free tidiness of a laptop, combined with the big screen of a desktop PC. The concept sustains many admirers, with Apple’s iMac range doing very well indeed with just such a form factor." Review details: Single Test    Test results
"Advent AIO101 review"
1 PC Base Unit
PC Advisor
Published on 9/2009
On test: Advent AIO-101
"A mysterious new AMD processor and ATI graphics card upgrade the AIO100 into the Advent AIO101 all-in-one PC." Review details: Single Test. One budget desktop PC was reviewed and rated on build quality, features and value.    Test results
"Asus Eee Box B204"
1 Desktop
Computer act!ve
Published on 7/2009
On test: Asus Eee Box B204
"Turning the nettop into a suitable device for home media centre use, Asus' original Eee Box lacked the power to present HD video. The new Eee Box B204 has been upgraded with an 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor and ATI Mobility Radeon HD3450 graphics chip to provide just that." Review details: Single Test    Test results

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PC Base Units

If you are upgrading your system buying just the computer base unit is a great way to save money and some of those treasured accessories you have built up over the lifespan of your current computer. A base unit will provide you with the heart of the set-up, leaving the choice of monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse up to you. The benefits of this are that your old input devices and screen can simply be plugged straight back into the new system and can often be of better quality than many of the budget devices that system builders bundle with their packages on all but the most high-end models.

When buying just the base unit it is thus possible to bump up the specs by offsetting the cost of extras. Nowadays 2GB of RAM is a must, most systems only come with 1GB or even as low as 512MB, which is simply not enough to run software such as Windows Vista or a video editing suite. Also look out for a large hard drive as this will allow you to store more data, leaving you free to go wild on iTunes (other online music stores are available) and still have enough space for the 1000 holiday snaps you shot in Cancun to document the cultural legacy of the Aztec civilisation on modern day dance-hall architecture and costume.

A dual-core processor is a must for any new system, allowing for higher efficiency when multitasking and also providing some much needed relief in terms of heat-production and power consumption, offering, in result, lower electricity bills and an all-round eco-friendlier system.

The minimum outlay for a new computer base system will be around the three hundred pound mark. Granted this will not include a monitor, which will add a further hundred pounds onto the price, but the flexibility of being able to choose you own accessories means that you could end up with a better system for only a small price premium.