Wired2Fire Fury VX-4 desktop PC

This desktop computer is very much a ‘base-unit' model – all you get is the main processing unit, not a monitor, keyboard or mouse, or even a power cable.

It's most useful, then, if you're upgrading from an existing desktop PC and you already have all of those devices, but even if you don't, it's not too expensive to add them.

The main unit came with a piece of paper stuck to the front informing us that the computer had been packed internally with foam that had to be removed before starting it, which requires a screwdriver as the case uses standard screws.

This gave us a look inside the case which has plenty of room for internal expansion: two of the four memory slots are available, as are all the PCI Express slots for expansion cards and several drive bays for mounting internal hard disks or other types of device.

In keeping with the basic theme, the computer is supplied with the 64-bit edition of the Windows Home Premium operating system, but not much else in terms of software.

The internal components were impressive: the processor is an AMD Phenom II X6 1055T, which is one of the mid-range models in AMD's line-up. That's combined with 4GB of memory and a 1TB (1,000GB) hard disk, as well as an optical drive that will read and create all CDs and DVDs and will read, but not create Blu-ray discs.

There's no separate graphics card but the motherboard incorporates a graphics processor itself, and this one worked reasonably well. Oddly, it crashed every time we tried to play our usual test game, Racer, but it achieved a playable result on the popular title, Portal.

It's not up to the standards of a decent £60 graphics card but games will certainly be playable on this computer, though the detail levels will have to be turned down a little.

In general use, it breezed through our rigorous DVD-copying test and it was happy to play three high-definition videos at once, something with which lesser computers would struggle – office and internet tasks will pose it no problem and nor will intensive jobs such as video-editing.

On the rear panel are the network socket, DVI, VGA and HDMI sockets for attaching all manner of monitors and flat-panel TVs, surround sound outputs, four USB sockets, two faster USB 3 sockets, and sockets to connect Firewire and eSata devices.

The front panel houses two more USB sockets and headphone and microphone connections as well as the reset and power switches.

Although the gaming graphics could have been better, this PC is a good all-rounder for those looking to upgrade an older model, but if you're starting from scratch a full system may be better.