P4 PC

Based on the P4 processor, this PC sports a P4 2 GHz processor, 128 MB RDRAM, 56X CD-ROM drive, and a 7,200 rpm 20 GB Seagate Barracuda ATA IV hard drive. Considering its configuration, we were a little disappointed to see the Riva TNT 2 display card. Cards based on the Riva TNT2 chipset are not too well equipped to handle today’s demanding games like Quake III Arena and Series Sam. Expansion wise the PC is pretty good with five PCI slots, one AGP slot, one CNR slot, and four USB ports. Sound is onboard, so you don’t have to spend extra on a sound card and also save a PCI slot.

To check the PC’s performance we ran our regular set of tests, which test the PC in specific areas such as productivity applications, high-end applications, and gaming. In BW (Business Winstone) 2001 the PC managed a score of 51.8, which is excellent. It managed to repeat the good show once again in Content Creation Winstone, managing an amazing 56.4. CCW in theory is same as BW, but instead of running productivity applications, it runs high-end graphics applications like PhotoShop and DreamWeaver. In the next set of tests, focused on graphics and gaming, the scores were a bit disappointing. In 3D Winbench, it managed 18.1 fps which is a below par result. Quake III Arena also yielded pretty low frame rates. At 800x600x16 it had a barely playable frame rate of 34.8 fps, which dropped to just 19.5 at 800x600x32.

The PC comes bundled with a head phone, a PC cover, stereo speakers, a mouse pad, a power strip and a bunch of CDs containing games, Macmillan Dictionary, Bitware for windows, etc.

Overall, the PC’s configuration makes it perfect for home, corporate or business users wanting a high-performance machine. Hardcore gamers, however, might find the weaker display card to be a hindrance.

Sachin Makhija at PCQ Labs