Gateway Unveils Value-Priced Quad-Core Desktops

Is your PC still bumping its head against a low memory ceiling? Bogging down when asked to run three or four applications at once? According to Gateway, there's no longer an excuse for muddling instead of multitasking -- not with two affordable desktops that combine quad-core processing power with ample memory, storage, and multimedia muscle.

For $610, the DX4200-11 offers a 2.2GHz AMD Phenom X4 9550 processor with 2MB of shared Level 3 cache, a hefty 750GB hard drive, and 6GB of DDR2 memory, as well as ATI Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics plus a PCI Express x16 slot for future graphics upgrades.

Stepping up to the Gateway LX6810-01 for $800 gets you 8GB of dual-channel memory and Intel's Core 2 Quad Q8200 -- a 2.33GHz processor with 1333MHz front-side bus and 4MB of Level 2 cache. A 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT120 dedicated graphics card is standard, as is a 6740GB hard disk and analog/digital TV tuner for keeping an eye on CNN or CNBC.

Both desktops feature a Labelflash DVD±RW burner for creating presentation CDs and DVDs; a FireWire port and 15-in-1 flash card reader with one-button image copy to load your digital video and stills for editing, plus an HDMI port for sending high-definition video to an HDTV or LCD; Gigabit Ethernet networking; and the 64-bit edition of Windows Vista Home Premium.