Gateway DX4870-UR11P

• Pros

  Robust quad core processor power. USB 3.0. Integrated Wi-Fi. Decent expandability.

• Cons

  300W PSU limits GPU upgradeability. Heavy on the bloatware. Somewhat pricey for its class.

• Bottom Line

  While it could have benefited from a stronger GPU, the Gateway DX4870-UR11P breezes past its mainstream consumer desktop peers thanks to its mighty processor, all while nipping at the heels of beefier entry-level gaming desktops.

• While it may look fairly unremarkable, the Gateway DX4870-UR11P ($849 list) packs a solid punch beneath the surface, mostly due to its mighty 3.4GHz Intel Core i7-3770 processor. Given the fact that it nips at the heels of beefier, more expensive entry-level gaming desktops despite its not-as-impressive integrated Intel HD graphics processor, it comes as no surprise that the Gateway DX4870-UR11P $799.99 at Amazon towers above the rest of its mainstream desktop class. Although it had a good run as our Editors' Choice for mainstream consumer desktops, the Gateway DX4860-UB33P ($599.99 list, 4 stars), can't measure up to the performance of the DX4870. Despite a few shortcomings, the DX4870-UR11P earns its place at the head of the table, and is our new Editors' Choice for midrange desktop PCs.
  
  Design and Features
  The DX4870 comes in an unassuming and relatively modest metallic chassis. Like the Acer Aspire AM3970-UR11P ($699.99 list, 3 stars), it has a side-mounted release for accessing a 16X DVD+R/RW SuperMulti optical drive. Similarly, the release, an additional side-mounted button also releases a removable 3.5-inch bay that can accommodate an additional internal drive to supplement the system's 2TB SATA hard drive. A curved lip protrudes from the top of the tower, wherein you'll find two USB 2.0 ports, a reader (SD/xD/MMC/MSmulticard reader), and microphone and headphone jacks. Beyond these flourishes and a silver Gateway logo on the front of the system, there's not much else to look at.
  
  The DX4870's minimalist design doesn't scream for attention, and it's a low-key affair for the most part. As with most mainstream consumer desktops, the majority of the DX4870's ports are located in the rear. There, you'll find four additional USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI- and VGA- out, audio ports, Ethernet, and PS/2 ports (for mice and keyboards, even though the ones bundled with the system are USB 2.0). One of the system's three PCIe x1 slots is occupied by the built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi card. The other two PCIe x slots are available, as well as a free PCIe x16 slot, bringing the total number of free PCI slots to three. As far as expandability goes, the DX4870's 10GB DDR3 RAM occupies three of the four DIMM slots on the motherboard, leaving a single vacant slot for RAM upgrades.
  
  The DX4870's minimalist design doesn't scream for attention, and it's a low-key affair for the most part. As with most mainstream consumer desktops, the majority of the DX4870's ports are located in the rear. There, you'll find four additional USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI- and VGA- out, audio ports, Ethernet, and PS/2 ports (for mice and keyboards, even though the ones bundled with the system are USB 2.0). One of the system's three PCIe x1 slots is occupied by the built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi card. The other two PCIe x slots are available, as well as a free PCIe x16 slot, bringing the total number of free PCI slots to three. As far as expandability goes, the DX4870's 10GB DDR3 RAM occupies three of the four DIMM slots on the motherboard, leaving a single vacant slot for RAM upgrades.