Mesh Matrix XP 2600+TI Pro

Christmas is coming, and both Intel and AMD are churning out new, faster processors at a rate of knots. Rumour has it that Intel intends its processors to acheive 3GHz before the end of the year, and that AMD will release a 3000+ processor to compete. For the time being, though, we'll have to settle for this, one of two AMD chips released this month, the XP 2600+.

These new chips are the first from AMD to break the 2GHz clock speed barrier. While Intel broke this a long time ago, performance from AMD chips has meant they still compete when it comes to pound for pound value, even despite this lack of technical prowess. The 2600+ chip featured here runs at a respectable 2.13GHz, while the other released by AMD this month is the 2400+, running at 2GHz.

The rumour mill also tells us that these are the last Athlon XP chips we'll see from AMD to use a 266MHz front-side bus (FSB). The next chip update, the 2800+, is likely to use a 333MHz FSB, and the Asus motherboard featured in this system supports exactly that, giving weight to the speculation.

However, AMD is keeping very tight-lipped, so we'll have to wait and see.

Beside the processor is a 512MB stick of PC2100 DDR memory, which is more than enough for the chip, but leaves two Dimm slots free to upgrade should you wish.

Overall performance in Sysmark 2002 was 212. While this is faster than a Pentium 4 running at the same clock speed, it doesn't equate to AMD's PR rating that estimates it would compete adequately against a 2.6GHz P4.

The rest of the system is excellent, as the Matrix 2600+TI Pro comes with every component you'd expect for £1,200. The 120GB worth of storage is a 7,200rpm model from IBM, and Teac's 40-speed CD-RW drive is certainly fast enough. A 16-speed DVD drive from Pioneer is also supplied.

The motherboard provides plenty of expansion and upgrade options, although the lack of USB2 or Firewire ports on the board itself is disappointing, considering the rest of the system's specification. That said, there are four USB1 ports around the back and Creative's Audigy card does give you a Firewire port. The inside is neat and tidy, with all cables tied down.

Mesh has used IDE cables encased in cylindrical rubber to make them more compact. This gives you easy access to components, should you wish to upgrade. We found the heatsink and fan awkward to remove, but you won't have to take out these components often.

One of the six PCI slots is filled by Creative's Audigy Player sound card - still one of the best cards on the market. This is partnered with Creative's excellent Inspire 5300 speakers. The other occupied PCI slot houses a 56K modem, leaving four free for expansion.

Graphics-wise, Mesh has treated us to a Geforce4 TI4400 graphics card. While it's not the fastest card on the block, it still manages a score of 10,990 in 3Dmark. A score of 93.5 frames per second (fps) in Jedi Knight II is respectable, proving it's no slouch when it comes to OpenGL games.

Mitsubishi's Diamond Pro 920 monitor is a solid performer with a 1,600 x 1,200 max resolution and a great image. Besides Windows XP Home Edition, Mesh has supplied just Lotus Smartsuite 9.7. It's not the best office suite, but considering the price point, we couldn't ask for more.

The Matrix 2600+TI Pro is an excellently specified PC for under #1,200. When compared to the 2.4GHz Pentium 4 PC from Evesham it is slightly slower overall in Sysmark, but the drop in processor power is made up for by a faster graphics card and office software.

SPECS

• Athlon XP 2600+
• 512MB of PC2100 DDR Ram (266MHz)
• Asus 8x Athlon DDR 333MHz motherboard
• IBM 120GB hard drive
• Teac 40x 12x 48x IDE CD-RW
• 16x DVD drive
• Geforce4 Ti4400 graphics card
• 19in Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 920
• Microsoft Internet keyboard & Intellimouse
• Creative Soundblaster Audigy (Firewire)
• Creative Inspire 5300 five-point speakers
• 56K modem
• Windows XP Home
• Lotus Smartsuite 9.7
• 3yr RTB warranty

DETAILS
Price: £1,174 (£999 ex VAT)

Contact: Mesh 020 8208 4700
www.meshcomputers.com