The ZT Affinity 7221Xa is a welcome change: an affordable ($599.99 list) PC that's ahead of the curve thanks to its triple-core processor, DX10-compatible integrated graphics, and availability (it's sold direct and in Circuit City). In addition, it has a good deal of upgrade potential, as long as you don't mind cracking the case open. Overall, 7221Xa is a very good basic home PC that gives you a little more performance over competing brands.

The 7221Xa is pretty boring on the outside, but it's spacious within. It uses the same case as the Intel-powered ZT Affinity 7225Xi: a utilitarian-looking, grayish minitower free of adornments. Inside the case (you'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver to get in), you'll find the AMD 790G-based motherboard and the AMD Phenom X3 8450 triple-core processor. There's a decent amount of space for expansion in the case: two free DIMM slots, a PCI slot, and two PCIe slots (an x1 slot and an x16 graphics card slot). You can also swap out the included 56K modem if you need another PCI slot. The system can support three additional SATA drives, but there is space for more. The 300W power supply will certainly support a few more drives and expansion cards. This is a great starting point if you have a tinkerer on your hands.

The system comes with the basics: keyboard, optical mouse, and small stereo speakers. It's all enough to get you started, and the system build isn't too shabby, either. The 7221Xa comes with very little crapware on it: There's the ubiquitous 60-day Office trial and an ad for upgrading the included Nero 7 Essentials up to Nero 8 Ultra. I am annoyed at the measly 90-day subscription to Norton Internet Security 2008, but a little protection is better than none at all on an inexpensive system like this. My advice would be to look for free tools such as AVG antivirus on the Internet if you're computer savvy, or go ahead and spring for the full-year subscription upgrade if you're not.

The 7221Xa's triple-core AMD Phenom X3 processor enables the ZTa to perform better than the slightly cheaper PCs with dual-core processors we've covered recently, at least at video-encoding tasks. The sub-$500 Editors' Choice Lenovo ThinkCentre K210 transcoded video on our Windows Media Encoder test in 1 minute 32 seconds, while the 7221Xa did it in a speedy 58 seconds. However, the triple-core processor doesn't automatically translate into better scores across the board. The Pentium and Core 2 Duo-powered value systems outpaced the 7221Xa's Phenom X3 on the Photoshop CS3 test, since CS3 is optimized more for Intel processors, but the 7221Xa's 1:01 score is nothing to scoff at.

The 7221Xa has integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics on its AMD 780G–based motherboard, so the system can load DX10 games like Crysis and World in Conflict. That doesn't necessarily mean that you can play them, though: both games were unplayable with single-digit frame rates (6 frames per second for Crysis, 7 fps for WiC). For better game play, you'd need to drop in a midrange graphics card. That said, the system is easily powerful enough to play casual games like Bejeweled, Diner Dash, and older 3D games. You're not buying this system to play those high-end games anyway, right?

The ZT Affinity 7221Xa sits midway between a bargain-basement value PC and the power-user system that costs around $1,000. Its upgrade potential, triple-core processor, DX10-compatible integrated graphics, and reasonable price are all attractive features that make this a very good desktop.

Check out the ZT Affinity 7221Xa's performance test results.

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