Novatech Enigma PC 1224 review

The Novatech Enigma is the first PC we've seen to use one of Intel's new Core i7 processors.

These new CPUs are the fastest you can get, and while the i7-920 here isn't the top-end model, it's still a fearsome performer. Don't be put off by the modest 2.66GHz clock speed; its benchmark score of 243% beats Core 2 Duos running at much higher speeds.

Novatech has housed this monster in a suitably imposing case, the Antec 900 Ultimate Gamer. Gamers are among the users who are likely to demand this sort of processing power, and the Enigma partners it with an ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics card. That's not quite the fastest card you can get, so tyros may gripe, but it's capable of romping through the latest games, and along with the i7 it delivered a ludicrous 3D score of 387%.

This all sounds like good value for under a grand, but keeping the price down has meant there's little left in the budget for the accessories. The most obvious sign of corner cutting is the monitor: the widescreen Hanon display is sharp and colourful, but at just 19 inches it's cramped, and its tiny speakers are a long way from hi-fi. It certainly won't get the best out of 3D games, nor is it ideal for immersing yourself in a high definition movie. In any case, the system doesn't come with a Blu-ray drive, only a standard DVD writer.

There are similar economies to be found under the bonnet. The Enigma's 500GB hard disk, coupled with 3GB of RAM, is a reasonable amount of memory and storage space for demanding tasks like photo or video editing, but other PCs in this price range come with 4GB of memory and bigger drives. The Enigma's Intel motherboard will accept up to 16GB of RAM, but the installed 3GB wastefully leaves only one memory slot free, so you'll have to chuck some of it to max out the RAM. On the plus side, the motherboard offers a generous eight USB ports as well as two eSATA connectors, which are great for getting maximum performance out of an external hard disk, should you want more storage later.

Strange lights

The Enigma's compromises are all the more frustrating when you see how much money has been spent on that case. The Ultimate Gamer is a high tech monolith, with three large fans illuminated by menacing blue LEDs. Their speed is adjustable, so you can set the degree of cooling you need without excessive noise (and be warned, they make quite a racket at their maximum setting). Inside, the modular design lets you move the front fans and drive cages around and install up to five extra hard disks. It's the perfect case for die-hard enthusiasts who love to tweak and upgrade, but for the rest of us it's pointless, and we wish Novatech had picked something cheaper. The money could have made a difference elsewhere.

Don't get us wrong: the Enigma is a hell of a performer. But it's also aptly named, because it's a mystery who'd buy it as it stands. If price is no object, you'll be turned off by the several bits of penny pinching that characterise this configuration. And if you're on a budget, it makes no sense to pick a Core i7 system at all; go for a PC based on a more affordable processor, with a less extravagant chassis, and you'll get a far better all rounder for less money.

It's great to see what the Core i7 can do, but you'll need to spend a bit more, and more wisely, to take full advantage.

Author: Darien Graham-Smith