We could not get the Gateway DX200X to run our Half-Life 2 gaming tests, but we were able to run older games at low resolutions without a problem. We were able to get playable frame rates, for example, with Unreal Tournament 2004 at 1,024x768.
A 15-inch Gateway FPD1560 LCD monitor and a pair of generic desktop speakers are included in the price of our test system. The display offered a decent image, but we recommend spending the additional $80 for the roomier 17-inch model if the DX200X will serve as your primary or only PC. Likewise, you can upgrade to 2.1-channel Logitech X-230 speakers for $45, currently offered with a $50 mail-in rebate. A basic multimedia keyboard and optical mouse are also part of the package.
The default operating system on the DX200X is Windows Media Center Edition. Windows XP Home and Professional are also available, although Pro will set you back an additional $100. Though Media Center is the default OS offered, a TV tuner is listed as an upgrade option. We don't recommend using the DX200X as both a DVR and a PC. Bundled software is limited to Microsoft Works 8, CyberLink's PowerDVD 5, and an OEM version of the Nero CD/DVD burning suite.
Gateway's colorful documentation is easy for casual users to understand, but its stingy Desktop Value Service Plan covers parts and labor for only 90 days. Add $49 to upgrade to one year of Desktop Value Plus coverage, which includes onsite service, but for both plans, Gateway has ditched the toll-free phone number. You'll have to make a long-distance call to reach the company on the phone. Upgrading to the $99 one-year Total Protection Plan seems like a bargain in comparison, with a toll-free number, no phone-tree menus, and its own dedicated support staff.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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Find out more about how we test desktop systems.
System configurations:
Dell Dimension E510
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 3GHz Intel Pentium 4 531; Intel 945G chipset; 512MB DDR2 SDRAM 400MHz; ATI Radeon X300 SE; Maxtor 6L160M0 160GB 7,200rpm Serial ATA
eMachines T6524
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 2.2GHz AMD Athlon 64 3500+; ATI Radeon RS482 chipset; 1,024MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip using 128MB shared memory; WDC WD2000BB-22GUC0 200GB 7,200rpm EIDE
Gateway DX200X
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005; 3.06GHz Pentium 4 519; Intel 915G chipset; 512MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; integrated Intel 915G graphics chip using 128MB shared memory; Seagate ST3160023AS 160GB 7,200rpm SATA
HP Compaq Presario SR1620NX desktop PC
Windows XP Home SP2; 2.0GHz AMD Sempron 3400+; ATI Radeon RS480 chipset; 512MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip using 256MB shared memory; Seagate ST3160021A 160GB 7,200rpm EIDE
HP Pavilion a1250n
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2; 2.0GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+; ATI Radeon RS480 chipset; 1,024MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics chip using 256MB shared memory; Hitachi HDT722525DLA380 250GB 7,200rpm SATA
