Gateway FX530XT

Overclocked single graphics card performs like recent dual graphics solutions. Overclocked performance without esoteric cooling methods. Blu-ray and HD DVD drives available (Blu-ray in this configuration).

BTX form factor. Comes with nVidia card, but not SLI-compatible. Could use an extra data hard drive.

Gateway slips in a single-card gaming system that performs like more powerful and expensive dual-graphics-card systems

High end graphics. Quad core power. 4GB system memory. Hefty graphics card brackets. TV tuner. Fans quick to react, quiet when idle. Wireless mouse and keyboard. Overclocked without using esoteric cooling methods.

Vista isn't ready for gaming (stay tuned for drivers). Gateway's displays top out at 24 inches. No Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. External CrossFire dongle.

More Desktop Reviews:

A quad-core system in a compact case ; Attractive 24-inch wide LCD monitor

Little internal expansion room

Medium-sized system offers the quad-core CPUs and strong performance; but, its compact case has little room for expansion.

Intel quad-core CPU (overclocked to 3.20 GHz). Latest ATI CrossFire graphics hardware. Good price/performance for a high-end system. TV tuner and X-Fi sound card round out the multimedia goodness.

It's just a new paint job on the same case. No Gateway high-end monitor available. CrossFire graphics solution still somewhat immature.

more desktop reviews: • HP Z2 Mini G3• Acer Aspire Z3 (AZ3-715-UR15)• Origin Neuron• Dell OptiPlex 7450 All-in-One• Microsoft Surface Studio• more

The Gateway FX530XT outperforms more expensive competition due to aggressive component overclocking; no other gaming PC in this price range includes an HD DVD drive.

Messy interior; legacy motherboard limits graphics card upgrade possibilities.

Gateway's reinvigorated flagship desktop offers a compelling combination of high-end features and fast 3D gaming and multimedia. Unfortunately, the motherboard hasn't caught up, limiting its upgrade potential. That's a small flaw, and otherwise this PC...

Crisp exterior; updated offering includes Windows Vista.

Outdated 3D cards lack support next-generation Vista gaming graphics.

We liked this system when we covered its Windows XP-based debut back in November. The big news here is that Gateway has added an option for Windows Vista. Unfortunately, it's an awkward time for high-end gaming PCs to use Microsoft's new operating...