When is an 1800 processor not an 1800 processor? No, it's not a joke, it's AMD's new AthlonXP, the processor at the heart of this PC from Mesh.

When you see the ads for this PC, you will assume the 1800 in its name refers to a processor clocked at 1.8GHz; but things are often not what they seem in the complicated world of home PCs.

The clock speed of the processor here is in fact 1.53GHz. AMD has called its 1.53GHz XP processor an 1800 because it is fed up with the attention Intel is getting with its eye-catching Pentium 4 range of processors which sport the highest clock speeds around.

Clocking on

You see, the clock speed of its processor is one of the key selling points of a PC. AMD insists that its 1800 processor, with a clock speed of 1.53GHz, matches the performance of Intel's 1.8GHz processor. This may lead to confusion among PC buyers and seems underhanded. However, our tests prove AMD has a point.

The Matrix is one of the most powerful machines we have reviewed and its performance is equivalent to that achieved by a PC with a 2GHz Pentium 4 processor.

This is more amazing when you consider that Pentium 4 PCs are much more expensive. Mesh has crammed a lot in to this PC. As well as the Athlon XP processor there is a massive 512Mb of memory, which goes a long way to explaining the impressive performance of the machine. It will power through tasks like David Beckham through a free kick.

Bumper bundles

To ensure that this power does not go to waste, Mesh has included Microsoft WorksSuite 2001, a handy software bundle which covers areas such as word processing, spreadsheets and publishing, as well as including Encarta's Interactive World Atlas.

Also bundled are capable CD-recording and DVD movie-playing software which will help you to get the most out of the separate CD-R and DVD-ROM drives in this machine.

If you are accustomed to grinding through office applications with all the agility of Ironside chasing a villain through wet cement, this PC will revolutionise your work.

The appearance of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system is more a case of evolution than revolution, but it should provide better stability than previous consumer versions of Windows such as Me and 98.

Pump up the action

The theme of high-value components continues with the GeForce 3 graphics card, which will pump new life into your gaming. This PC is in the highest bracket of games machines we have tested and once again, considering the price, amounts to a pretty outstanding deal.

The GeForce 3 looks like keeping its position as the dominant graphics card for a long time to come. We predict it will capably handle any game you'll want to play.

The excellent Cambridge SoundWorks DTT2200 setup comprises five speakers and a subwoofer. Hooked up to the Creative SoundBlaster Audigy sound card, they sound great and complete the illusion that you're scoring a cup-winning goal rather than playing a tired old computer game.

Monitoring the situation

There is no doubt this machine has a lot going for it, but there are a couple of small flies in the ointment. First, the 17in CRT Mitsubishi monitor, with a viewable area of 16in, is a little small. This is highlighted by the truly towering case that houses the main bits of the PC.

Having said that, the monitor produces a bright, even picture that is high on quality.

A more serious cause for complaint is the 40Gb hard disk. This is by no means a small amount but if you use some of the sky-high potential of this PC then it will rapidly fill up with MP3 music, games and files of all kinds.

Staying power,p>The PC market is going through a rough patch at the moment but PC companies relentlessly continue to churn out new, more powerful PCs with plenty of enticing features. The Mesh 1800, even though it hasn't got a 1.8GHz processor, is certainly one of these and at this price it's a bargain.

If you're looking to buy a PC that will last for a good few years, look no further.Contact
Mesh Computers: 020 8208 4709 www.meshcomputers.com

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****Computeractive, Issue 93