Graphics cards are definitely getting cheaper - a few years ago you would have had to pay hundreds of pounds for the top performance models.

Now the equivalent cards can be picked up for much less, and there is one such at the heart of Mesh's G92 Pulse Pro.

The basic power of the computer comes from the Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 processor, which runs at 3GHz, one of the fastest processors we've seen.

It's combined with 2GB of memory and the aforementioned graphics card, which is an Nvidia Geforce 8800GT, with 512MB of its own memory.

Those three components make up the core of an extremely fast computer. In our labs testing it scored extremely highly for its games performance, largely as a result of that graphics card, with stellar results for its general performance as well, as you would expect (game graphics are typically the hardest thing a PC has to cope with, so in most cases if its good at them, it'll be good for most things).

The case isn't particularly attractive and unlike many gaming computers, it doesn't scream about its power or have any silly additions such as water cooling, fluorescent lights or see-through panels. What it does have are a multi-format DVD writer that can burn Lightscribe discs (that is, it can burn a label into special discs).

It's well designed inside and out, though, with plenty of room for expansion. Three of the four large drive bays are free (one is occupied by the DVD writer), and there are two more bays free inside to fit 3.5in hard disks - one 500GB disk is already fitted, and loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium.

There are also a memory card reader, two USB ports, Firewire, headphone and microphone sockets at the front of the case. At the back are four more USB ports, another Firewire sockets, an eSata port for newer external storage devices, and audio outputs. The graphics card includes two DVI ports so it's possible to stretch your Windows desktop across two monitors, and a TV output. It comes with a decent 22in monitor.

Inside there are two memory slots free, as well as two PCI slots for more expansion (for a sound card, for instance). The graphics card can also be augmented by adding another of the same type (using a technology called SLI), just in case it's not already fast enough for you.

As well as Windows Vista Home Premium, the computer comes with Works 8.5 for basic office tasks, a reasonable Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, and a pair of speakers with a sub-woofer. A one-year on-site warranty is included, although this only covers the British mainland.

One qualm we always have with computers that are powerful in a technological sense is how much electrical power they use. The power supply in the G92 Pulse Pro is capable of drawing 550W if it's running at full stretch, which is roughly twice what you'd expect from more energy-sensitive computers, and could result in a substantial addition to your annual bill. But realistically that much power is required by a powerful computer, and that is certainly what the G92 Pulse Pro is. It's true that only gamers will really make use of all its capabilities, but we can't fault it for that.

Vista compatible: Yes