MESH Matrix II 920 (Phenom II) PC System
External Appearance & Internals
Published: 8th January 2009 | Source: MESH | Price: £749 |
The NZXT HUSH is a massive improvement over the generic and quite tacky looking plastic fronted cases used on the original Matrix series. Both the top and side panels of the case are finished in glossy black paint that gives the case a certain wow factor while also remaining quite durable (yes we accidentally put it to the test!). The front of the case is quite stylish and features a swing-open door that conceals the DVD-RW drive and card reader, while the V-shape cut-out at the bottom of the door gives unobstructed access to the power and reset switches.
Our only gripe about the choice of case is the total lack of any front-facing USB ports, which makes plugging in devices such as digital camera's and USB flash drives quite a chore. Unfortunately this is further compounded by a limited number of USB ports at the rear that leaves you with only three ports after plugging in the wireless dongle for the keyboard and mouse.
With the entire system set-up on a desk the silver and black detailing of the speakers and case make the entire system look like it was designed to work together. This is certainly more than can be said for systems from most integrators who often throw a PC together using whatever components work out best on paper.
Internal Layout
Of course there's more to a PC than what it looks like on the outside, and while we already know that a large number of the components on the inside are from well respected brands such as HIS and ASUS, there are still plenty of areas where quality compromising cost cutting can be made. With this in mind, let's have a nose around inside the belly of the beast.
On opening the case the first thing we noticed was the sound dampening material lining both of the side panels and carpeting the floor. This is actually a feature of the NZXT HUSH chassis rather than anything MESH have added themselves, but it's still extremely good to see that such a well featured case has been chosen.
The overall system build is clean and professional with a fair amount of attention being paid to cable routing and bundling, which combined with the two 120mm fans placed at the front and rear, should provide decent airflow through the case.
Bonus points definitely needs to be given to MESH for choosing to use the HIS 4850 IceQ inside the Matrix II. Not only does the card provide an excellent balance of price and performance, but the non-reference cooler is extremely quiet and does a great job of keeping the card cool.
Equally, the ASUS M3A78 Pro motherboard is also worthy of a mention. MESH could have easily cut corners here, saving a few quid by going for a lesser motherboard. Instead they chose a board that provides full 1080p High-Definition output via HDMI, Hybrid Crossfire support and ASUS' Express Gate technology.
The installed PSU is a rather generic-looking 550w model manufactured by HEC. In the 3 years of reviewing PSU's here at Overclock3D this is certainly not a brand we've ever come across in the past, but MESH assure us that it has been used in a large number of their previous systems over the years and has always proved to be stable and reliable.
Now let's put these components through their paces in our tests over the next page...
Most Recent Comments
(FC2 graph didn't push the YoYo stat through for me, it stayed on zero)
Have to be honest, I`m impressed by the cost and gear presented in this package.
I'm not surprized by the AMD offering mind u, as over the last week or so I`ve seen phenom based pre-build pcs popping up in a number of stores - and been shocked at what on the surface looks like real value, I`ve seen £399 for something basic`ish, but hey it still had everything with it. Decent monitor size, pleasant on the eye - and can actually do gaming/work to a more than acceptable level, considering we're talking prebuild status.
Sure, I`d seriously consider point some1 in this direction. Doubly sure I`d probably make an image of the harddrive (or switch it out) and do a fresh, non bumfph install to improve things that little %, but u have the backing of the company should anything go wrong with it.
If MESH are good c/s wize, I`d not hesitate suggesting.
Have to be honest, I`m impressed by the cost and gear presented in this package.
I'm not surprized by the AMD offering mind u, as over the last week or so I`ve seen phenom based pre-build pcs popping up in a number of stores - and been shocked at what on the surface looks like real value, I`ve seen £399 for something basic`ish, but hey it still had everything with it. Decent monitor size, pleasant on the eye - and can actually do gaming/work to a more than acceptable level, considering we're talking prebuild status.
Sure, I`d seriously consider point some1 in this direction. Doubly sure I`d probably make an image of the harddrive (or switch it out) and do a fresh, non bumfph install to improve things that little %, but u have the backing of the company should anything go wrong with it.
If MESH are good c/s wize, I`d not hesitate suggesting.
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Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'
(FC2 graph didn't push the YoYo stat through for me, it stayed on zero)
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Fantastic system at a great price imo.
Also makes me happy in my pants that it looks like AMD are releasing a great new CPU with some potential
Also makes me happy in my pants that it looks like AMD are releasing a great new CPU with some potential
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Originally Posted by name='Kempez'
Fantastic system at a great price imo.
Also makes me happy in my pants that it looks like AMD are releasing a great new CPU with some potential |
I think for the first time in a while you can go green without feeling like people on the blue team are having more fun than you are.
mesh do have pretty good prices overall, but i found their customer service useless >.>
Wooh 3.5gHz, nice 
That's going to be a hell of a clocker
Nice review Jim, and I'm looking forward to the phenom 920 with an enthusiast motherboard
That's going to be a hell of a clocker Nice review Jim, and I'm looking forward to the phenom 920 with an enthusiast motherboard
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Originally Posted by name='monkey7'
Wooh 3.5gHz, nice
That's going to be a hell of a clocker Nice review Jim, and I'm looking forward to the phenom 920 with an enthusiast motherboard |
Price looks great and i am sure they would sell a few of them cause of that fact. As well as the System must be ideal for gaming with a setup it has.
Right, I'm gonna scream this in my cousin's face since he wants a new pc and was thinking of getting an Alienware.
I really think the performance shouldn't be a 8.5 but a 9.0 minimum at least imo.
Any reason not to scream this in my cousin's face?
I really think the performance shouldn't be a 8.5 but a 9.0 minimum at least imo.
Any reason not to scream this in my cousin's face?
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Originally Posted by name='zak4994'
Right, I'm gonna scream this in my cousin's face since he wants a new pc and was thinking of getting an Alienware.
I really think the performance shouldn't be a 8.5 but a 9.0 minimum at least imo. Any reason not to scream this in my cousin's face? |
He doesn't like building.
And I'm not gonna build for him either.
Already have too many projects/jobs.
And I'm not gonna build for him either.
Already have too many projects/jobs.
Nice review, you have convinced me to get a Phenom II when I am less poor, I hope you are proud of yourself... there goes another few hundred 
Nice review, it does seem a great chip for the price and that MESH system seems great value for money even if some parts seem a bit cheapo
Nice review, it does seem a great chip for the price and that MESH system seems great value for money even if some parts seem a bit cheapoQuote:
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Originally Posted by name='GavX'
Nice review, you have convinced me to get a Phenom II when I am less poor, I hope you are proud of yourself... there goes another few hundred
Nice review, it does seem a great chip for the price and that MESH system seems great value for money even if some parts seem a bit cheapo |
It's only money - think of the new hardware smell.....mmmmmm *sniiiiif* Phenom II!spittle the reason why you shuldnt scream in his face...plus dell, sorry alienware do not warrant the uber high end price...if your intelligent enough to warrant a salary that allows you to spend on alienware your intelligent enough to build yer own system (That rule does not apply to professional athletes)
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MESH Matrix II 920 (Phenom II) PC System