Mesh Matrix Titan GTO

Conclusions

Performance: With a mid-range dual-core processor and not-quite-state-of-the-art graphics, the Mesh Titan GTO wasn’t ever going to blow our benchmarks away. But its performance was entirely respectable. We found it perfectly capable of running many games at the supplied TFT’s native 1,280 x 1,024 resolution, with at least some quality settings enabled. FEAR was just about playable at 1,280 x 960 with 2x AA and 2x AF, but you won’t be able to play Tomb Raider 4 Legend with Next Generation Content at any acceptable frame rate.

Specification: Everything included is midrange, albeit at the higher end of that range. But there’s no particular area of weakness. The processor is dual-core, the graphics adequate – and even better if you’re willing to flash it to a X1800 XL and overclock the result. A premium sound card is provided, with decent matching speakers. Even the monitor is an acceptable choice for gaming, although it doesn’t support higher resolutions.

Form factor: Dare we say ‘middle’ again? The midi-tower is one of the most popular choices of chassis for a reason – it offers a good compromise between expansion potential and size. The Matrix Titan’s case, which looks suspiciously like a custom version of a Chieftec Apollo AL-03, is a classic example. There’s not enough space for a massive RAID array, but adequate room for sensible upgrades and no sense of being cramped inside.

Value: Although this is a midrange PC, you do get plenty for your money. Price up all the components and you’ll find it hard to put this system together yourself for the same cash. Mesh is known for its good value, and the Matrix Titan GTO continues that reputation.

Final thoughts

It’s much easier to get overly excited about an expensive, no-holds-barred dream PC. So when you’re faced with a sensible system which takes careful account of the pennies, the temptation is to damn with faint praise. But that would be an unfair thing to do to the Mesh Matrix Titan GTO. It’s no powerhouse, but it does give you a decent bit of everything for a reasonable price. So even if it isn’t a Ferrari GTO, it could be a Golf GTi. This is a PC you can use every day, but which also has a respectable amount of poke under the hood.