Gateway DX4870-UR11P

Gateway DX4870-UR11P

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 ($849 list) 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. 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.