Mesh Matrix64 3000FX

If you're after a PC to serve all the family, it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. The Matrix64 3000FX from Mesh is a great example of a highly specified computer that offers additional trimmings at an affordable price.

It comes with an AMD Athlon64 3000+ processor, 512Mb of memory and a spacious 160Gb hard disk. The specifications resulted in good performance in our system tests and the hard disk is big enough to cope with the whole family's files. The 3000FX also comes equipped with a 128Mb nVidia GeForce FX 5900 XT graphics card, which will please keen gamers. Although it's not the best card on the market, it still performed outstandingly in our graphics tests.

On the outside, the 3000FX looks a little bulky but don't let this put you off. It has both recordable CD and DVD drives, allowing you the pleasures of disc-to-disc copying and you can create your own home movies. There's one 5.25in drive bay free too.

It's worth noting that this PC has no floppy drive but this is no longer uncommon, as the floppy is old hat and few people use it these days. There are two USB 2 ports on the front and four at the back, alongside two FireWire ports, so there's plenty of room if you want to add peripherals.

Getting inside the PC is easy thanks to the well-designed case. You simply turn a lock and lift out the side with a lever, with no need to mess around with screws. All the internal wires are kept tidy and the case is nice and cool, which will mean less chance of overheating.

There are three memory card slots, two of which are used, leaving one free for upgrade. Out of five PCI slots, only one is in use by the modem. Unfortunately, the graphics card blocks the access to one of the slots, so this leaves just three free for additional hardware. There's also space for further hard disks if needed but you'll be unlikely to need more in a hurry.

One feature that impressed us is the internal Wi-Fi card. Once the accompanied aerial is attached this will allow you to connect to other wireless gadgets that you may have in your home.

The 3000FX comes with a 17in Viewsonic TFT monitor, which has a crisp resolution of 1280 x 1024. This makes working on the PC a joy as you can fit more on the screen at any one time - and it's great for movies and games. Mesh also supplies a set of Creative Inspire 5.1 P580 speakers.

The system comes installed with Windows XP Home, Microsoft Works 7 and Pinnacle Studio 8. The Logitech keyboard and mouse complete the all-matching, sleek black system. With a two-year on-site and one-year return-to-base warranty, the Mesh 3000FX is a great all-rounder with few faults.

Contact: Mesh Computers 0870 046 4747
www.meshcomputers.co.uk