But that cost cutting doesn't impair the core power of the system, which features an Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology. At the starting price, this means a 2.8GHz CPU, but you can max it out at the 3.4GHz version (although that'll run you a hefty $330 extra). You also get 512MB of PC3200 DDR system memory--an excellent amount of high-speed RAM at the baseline price.

Your S6000T system also includes a nice-sized 80GB 7200-rpm hard drive. If you're planning to install a lot of games or store a lot of audio and video files, you can beef it up to a 120GB drive for only $30 or double the original size to 160GB for $60.

The cost-cutting did affect the optical drive; the default drive is only a 16X DVD-ROM drive. While you can play DVD videos or read DVD-ROMs, you won't be able to create discs of your own.

The well-designed black and gray tower features two USB 2.0 ports and one FireWire port on the front (with four and one more of each, respectively, on the rear). This means you can transfer video from your digital camcorder to your system easily via whatever connectivity it supports. There are also headphone and microphone jacks on the front of the tower so you can plug in your audio accessories without crawling behind the system. You can pick up an HP USB drive key for $39 (although this is a bit spendy for only a 16MB USB key drive).

Unlike other mid-range home systems, which often feature only integrated graphics, the S6000T series comes standard with a 64MB NVIDIA GeForce MX 440 graphics card. You can make a cost-effective upgrade to the 128MB ATI Radeon 9200 for only $30. If you're planning on high-end gaming, you can upgrade the card to a 256MB ATI Radeon 9600 for $120.

The sound card is integrated by default, and true audiophiles might want to opt for the SoundBlaster Audigy 2 sound card, a $60 upgrade that provides THX-certified sound and 6.1 speaker support. Speaking of speakers, the S6000T line ships without speakers. You can opt to add the JPL two-speaker set, a basic set that does clip onto the sides of certain monitor models. For more complete sound, you can get the Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speakers for $140 or the lower-wattage-but-more-speakers Altec Lansing 251 5.1 speaker set for $80.

The base monitor option with the S6000T line is the 17-inch Compaq cv7500 ($149), a decent display, but not as sharp as the rest of the system. For more aesthetics (and desk space saving), you can opt for one of the Compaq LCDs, such as the 15-inch FP15 flat-panel display for $349 or the 17-inch FP17 flat-panel display for $449. (Rebates for the monitors might be available.)

For those users who like to bring some work home, HP does include an office suite with the S6000T line. The default suite is Microsoft Works 7.0. If you need Microsoft Word, you can upgrade to the 2003 version of Works for only $19. You can also choose from either the Basic or Small Business editions of Microsoft Office, but they're a bit pricier at $159 and $309, respectively.

With both a modem and a network interface, you can connect your S6000T system to the Internet via dialup (with three months of free America Online included) or broadband. If you have a wireless network at home, you can also tack on an 802.11b USB wireless adapter from Microsoft for $75 and connect the system from anywhere in your home.

Speaking of wireless, you can upgrade the standard keyboard to a wireless version for $60, which will also upgrade the mouse to optical. Otherwise, the basic set serves most needs fine, with smooth and comfortable typing and some extra shortcut keys for quick access to Web sites or applications.

HP offers only a one-year limited warranty on the S6000T series, but you can extend that to two years for $85 or three for $99. The company offers extensive help files and support options on their Web site. The extensive user's manual covers all the Presario lines, so you won't find a lot of specifics for your system, but it does include a wide range of information from setting up the system to using all of the optional components.

If you're looking for a robust system that stays under the $1,000 ceiling, HP/Compaq's Presario S6000T series offers PCs with high-speed processors and a good amount of storage space.

Pro: Great performance, starts at less than $800.

Con: One-year warranty.