The Gateway SX2800-01 Review

PCMAG-The Gateway SX2800-01 ({$499.99 list) is a compact small form factor PC along the lines of the Dell Inspiron 537s and HP Slimline PCs. While the SX2800-01 cuts a slim profile, it doesn't skimp on features that a multimedia user might want: 4GB of memory (expandable to 8GB), PCIe x16 graphics card slot (though it's only half-height), and eSATA, FireWire, and SPDIF ports. Most importantly, it has an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor, giving the media-addicted a powerful CPU to render and edit photos, videos and music with. If you regularly use software that has "Dual core required, Quad core processor recommended" listed in the technical specs, this is one of the most inexpensive ways to get your recommended daily allowance of CPU power.

Design
The SX2800-01 moves Gateway to a new design ID, away from the big boxy cases (like the Gateway LX6820-01) and toward curvy. The system is definitely in the small form factor (SFF) category at around 11 by 4 by 14 inches (HWD), which is smaller than the HP Slimline s5120f. Like the HP s5120f, the SX2800-01 has a lot of glossy black plastic, though it is a little more organic looking and less blocky. It's also a lot smaller than the Dell Inspiron 537s, another mid-range SFF consumer PC.
The SX2800-01 moves Gateway to a new design ID, away from the big boxy cases (like the Gateway LX6820-01) and toward curvy. The system is definitely in the small form factor (SFF) category at around 11 by 4 by 14 inches (HWD), which is smaller than the HP Slimline s5120f. Like the HP s5120f, the SX2800-01 has a lot of glossy black plastic, though it is a little more organic looking and less blocky. It's also a lot smaller than the Dell Inspiron 537s, another mid-range SFF consumer PC.




Though the SX2800 is small, it has a lot of internal expansion room, including two free RAM DIMM slots (the Dell 537s and HP s5120f don't have open slots), a PCIe x1 slot (occupied by a modem), and a PCIe x16 half-height slot for a graphics card. Both PCIe slots are half-height, limiting which cards you can buy for the system, but then again any expansion is better than none for the multimedia user. There isn't any interior room for a hard drive, but you shouldn't have any trouble finding a place to plug one in: There are nine USB ports, one FireWire, and one eSATA port for additional peripherals. There's even a SPDIF port for digital audio connections, which makes the SX2800-01 a good choice for home theater use.

Features
The system has Intel GMA X4500HD graphics, which make it a good choice to support high-definition video via the built-in HDMI port (VGA is also present for connectivity to older monitors). The system is quiet, a plus for media PCs. Web HD video playback was smooth and jitter-free thanks to the quad-core processor, and the system should support an aftermarket external or internal Blu-ray drive. Gateway currently doesn't offer pre-installed Blu-ray on the SX2800 series.



The SX2800 has a lot of great features, but it also includes the bane of retail systems: a load of bloatware (the stuff that mucks up your system and makes it look like a flea market). Basically there's all the stuff you'd find on Acer, eMachines, or Gateway systems (Acer owns all three brands). Microsoft Office 60-day trial, eBay, offers for NetZero and Earthlink dial-up Internet, and Gateway (Wild Tangent) games. Thankfully the SX2800-01 has a modem, so the dial-up services actually make some sense, unlike other systems with the offer, but no modem. Norton Internet Security is only 60 days instead of the 12-15 months we'd prefer. Since I'm picking nits, the plastic is improved over the older Gateway FX6800-01e and Gateway LX6200-01, but the eject button for the optical drive requires too much pressure compared with other SFF desktops.
Gateway SX2800-01

Performance
The SX2800-01 excels at performance, particularly for a $500 system. Its quad-core processor and 4GB of RAM help it get a 48-second score at Windows Media Encoder and 1:39 at PhotoShop CS4. Dual-core systems in this price range score over a minute at WME and around 3 minutes at CS4. The SX2800-01 even runs our Crysis and World in Conflict 3D gaming tests, though understandably the video-oriented integrated graphics only return unplayable singe-digit frames per second scores. This is a system built for photo editing and video hobby work on the cheap.



In terms of expandability and performance, the SX2800-01 blows both the Dell Inspiron 537s and HP Slimline s5120f out of the water. While all three systems come with 4GB of memory, only the SX2800-01 allows you to expand to 8GB. The SX2800-01 actually has better graphics than the Editors' Choice for value desktops (defined as systems falling between $600 and $1,000) Dell Inspiron 545, but the 545 still wins out with more features, an included monitor factored into its higher price, and ultimately the fact that the Dell has no bloatware. The Editors' Choice for budget desktop (i.e., those below $500) Compaq Presario CQ5110f hold on to its title by virtue of having a great bang for the buck at under $400, and in this race a savings of $120 can be very persuasive in the buying decision.


So should you get the Gateway SX2800-01? If you need quad-core power on the cheap, put the SX2800-01 on your short list; just be prepared for the bloatware.