Multivision Vision 320 LT

If you're after a budget PC for internet access and general office use, then you don't need a £1,000 machine with the latest in 3D graphics.

This £449 PC is based on the new ATI Radeon 320 IGP. It is ATI's first attempt at a motherboard chipset featuring built-in graphics based on its Radeon 7000 chipset. This can share up to 256MB of system memory. Multivision has configured this system to use 32MB.

3D performance is adequate for office work, but it's unlikely you could play many games on a 3Dmark score of 1,508. On the Sapphire motherboard, you get ATI's TV-out, which is one of the best on the market.

The board has two memory slots, one of which is filled with a 256MB module of DDR SD-Ram. There's also an AGP slot, giving you the option to upgrade.

The Sapphire is a microATX motherboard so you only get three PCI slots, one of which has been fitted with a PCI modem.

Below this is the TV-out bracket, and below that is another bracket with the second serial port as the VGA port is where this should normally be.

The Vision 320 comes with an Athlon XP 1800+. While far from cutting edge, it's still a capable processor, producing 143 points in Sysmark. You also get a 41.1GB hard drive, 32-speed CD-RW and 16-speed DVD-Rom.

The Ali southbridge provides stereo sound and the speakers, a set of Creative SBS-15s, are stereo only and give mediocre sound. Hansol's 710D is a fair monitor for a PC in this price range.

Overall this is not a bad system for the money, as long as you don't expect earth-shattering performance.

Specifications:

• Athlon XP 1800+
• Sapphire ATI IGP 320 motherboard
• 256MB of DDR memory
• 41.1GB hard drive
• 32x 12x 40x CD-RW
• 16x DVD-Rom
• Integrated ATI Radeon 7000 graphics
• Onboard sound
• Creative SBS-15 speakers
• Windows XP Home
• Hansol 710D monitor
• 1yr on-site, 4yrs RTB labour-only warranty

Price: £527.58 (£449 ex VAT)

Contact: Multivision 0870 066 0885
www.multivision.co.uk