Review: MESH Elite Extreme SLI System - Core 2 Extreme X6800

Thoughts, HEXUS.awards and HEXUS.right2reply

This is the first Core 2-based pre-built system we've reviewed. In the relatively short time we've had to work on it, to enable us to bring you this review on Core 2 launch day, we have to say it's a real eye-opener.

The MESH Elite Extreme SLI is the fastest pre-built system we've seen in our labs. The Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 processor is, of course, the main driving force behind this, but MESH has taken this new CPU and built a suitable system around it. The storage subsystem could be better, but other than that, the base unit fares very well.

And the peripherals to backup the base unit result in a system that, overall, not only performs well, but looks good. It's not imposing, or aggressive, it's power that's kept somewhat civilised by its environment.

Weighing in at £2,499 including VAT and coming with a three-year onsite warranty, it looks to us like a well priced-system, too. Of course, it's hard for us to call such a sum inexpensive; it's most definitely not, but for what's under the hood, we reckon it's worth it.

We expect there to be a lot of interest in the MESH Elite Extreme SLI system and justifiably so. It's fast, really fast, but perhaps a little too fast for its 7900 GTX graphics cards. Still, it's not going to get much quicker until the next round of GPUs surface. We look forward to pitting this system again other pre-built Core 2 systems in the near future. In the meantime, we give the MESH Elite Extreme SLI the HEXUS.award for speed in the extreme. Who'd buy an off-the-shelf AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 machine now? Answers on a postcard.

MESH Elite Extreme SLI

HEXUS Where2Buy

Update 27/07/06: The MESH Elite Extreme SLI is now available for purchase, priced at £2499 inc. VAT.

HEXUS Right2Reply