This is an inexpensive yet potent gaming machine that is small and neatly built. It's worth considering if you are after a machine that can play the latest games.

This PC has a user-friendly case and the latest CPU technology, and it doesn't look too bad. It's aimed at gamers, content creators, video editors and just about anyone who has demanding uses for their PC.

Acer has made a valid attempt at creating a monster of a PC in an Alienware-like vein, but ultimately, its attempt falls short because the high-end model doesn't include options for the latest in memory and graphics technology.

If you're a serious gamer, you need a serious machine — and a serious wallet. This $5011 Altech NRG PC is about as serious as they come. It's beautifully built, has a GeForce GTX 280 SLI graphics card configuration and plenty of straight-line speed thanks to its overclocked quad-core CPU.

This is a well-built and affordable gaming system with a difference: you get a Xeon CPU and the 64-bit version of Windows Vista. It's well-worth picking it up if you're after a very fast system for under $2000.

Big, bold and perhaps beautiful to some, the XPS 730 is a heavy-duty machine with plenty of heart. It could use faster graphics card options, but its twin-8800GTs should do a reasonable job of satisfying most gaming urges.

This machine is very well suited for gaming as well as other multimedia activities. It lacks a few key features, such as FireWire and a memory card reader, and its case isn't very solid, but it is relatively affordable.

For its price this machine isn't as strong a performer as we'd hoped, but it is still going to please gamers and editors of video or photos plus the Blu-ray drive is a big bonus.

For LAN gamers this is a great choice, but its limited upgrade options may put some people off.

A typical custom PC with plenty of power and a touch of room for upgrades, the Mega PC MPC Quad Fortress is an easy choice for those who don't want to build their own PC.

With quality components and quality peripherals you can't go wrong. The Excel SG-685X performed well in our tests and is bound to please any gamer looking for an upgrade.