At the core of the T3120 system, the processor is what you'd expect--a 1.8GHz AMD Sempron 3100+ processor. Although it's the budget CPU from AMD, the Sempron still has enough oomph for most any computing tasks, including high-performance gaming. And eMachines pairs that CPU with 512MB of 400Mhz DDR memory in these home desktop computers, a decent amount for running Windows XP and handling multimedia. The motherboard supports up to 2GB of memory, so it's no problem to add more RAM later if you want better multitasking performance.

A nice find on this budget desktop computer is the 100GB 7,200rpm hard drive. This large drive gives you a good amount of room for storing lots of multimedia files and installing applications. You can even partition it into big chunks, making system backups and restores an easier process.

There's no DVD writer at this low-end price point, although these home desktop computers do ship with a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive. This drive plays back DVD movies and can also burn audio and data CDs at 48X speeds--not the fastest CD-RW speeds on the market, but pretty dang close.

These home desktop computers ship with integrated graphics, but at least it's NVIDIA's GeForce 6100 graphics. The 6100 chip still shares video memory with the main system RAM, but they outperform other integrated graphics options such as those from Intel. And unlike a lot of budget systems, the T3120's motherboard features a PCI-Express slot--so if you decide to upgrade the graphics to a dedicated video card, you'll be able to use one of the latest and greatest boards.

There are a couple of omissions at this budget price, including a floppy drive and a monitor. The floppy drive isn't that big of a deal in this age of USB thumb drives, but you'll definitely need a display. If you want to add one of eMachines' own monitors to your home desktop computer, look for their 17-inch CRT that sells for around $120 or their flat panel line that starts at $220 for a 15-inch model.

There's both a modem and a network interface in these desktop computers for home users, so you'll be able to connect your T3120 to the Internet either via a dial-up or a broadband service provider. Audio is integrated on the motherboard of these home desktop computers as well, although it's six channels of sound output. EMachines even includes a two-speaker set with the T3120, but they're on the basic side.

The input devices are rather basic as well. The keyboard and mouse for this home desktop computer don't offer any extra features or functionality, but they work well enough for basic tasks.

There are two USB 2.0 ports on the front of the gray and black midsize tower, making it easy to connect high-speed peripherals such as a digital camera without having to reach behind the system. Four more USB 2.0 ports are on the rear of the system for peripherals such as printers and scanners that you'll keep more permanently connected.

The T3120 ships with Windows XP Home edition and a decent software bundle, including Microsoft Works 8.5 for writing school papers or bringing some office work home. EMachines also includes Microsoft's Encarta Online and Money 2006 financial software. The six-month subscription to AOL gets you online right away, and eMachine's BigFix software can help troubleshoot any problems that arise.

EMachines offers a one-year warranty on this line of home desktop computers which includes telephone tech support and their expanding support Web site, offering online courses in various areas of using and troubleshooting your desktop computer for home users.

EMachines has been known for their low cost--and often low performing--budget systems. But the T3120 series of desktop computers for home users offers decent performance at an excellent price, with some room to grow if you want to add more memory or a high-end graphics card and expand its capabilities.


Pro: Excellent price, decent core power
Con: Integrated graphics, no monitor

Warranty
1-year limited