£938 inc. VAT for the Ultimate Gaming machine?

Right, before we get into the specifics of Computer Supermarket.com's new Ultimate Gaming machine, let's take a look at what Computer Supermarket has to say about it. Here are just a few of our favourite self-loving quotes:

"We think you should know that this machine is ground breaking, and we love it."

"It's the first machine in the world to have 8GB of memory as standard. It was the first machine to incorporate an Intel Quad Core Q6600 CPU."

"It is a simply stunning machine which will not be beaten on either specification or price by anyone, anywhere."

"A full 8GB of the fastest DDR2 memory ensures that games load rapidly and applications run at optimal speed."

"With a huge dedicated 512MB nVidia 8600GT PCI-E graphics card, you will be able to play any game on the market today with a level of definition and clarity that you will struggle to believe, especially with the HDTV/HDMI connector."

"Instead of just bundling a standard monitor with this system we've gone the extra mile on your behalf by giving you a 22 inch multimedia screen. We know you'll be watching lots of DVDs on this system, we've therefore made the Monitor widescreen for amazing viewing."

There's plenty more, but we think you get the idea. Computer Supermarket well and truly loves this machine.

Available now from computersupermarket.com, the Ultimate Gaming machine retails at £938.38 inc. VAT and features the following default specification:

• Intel Quad Core Q6600 Processor
• 8GB DDR2 Ultrafast RAM
• 750GB SATA II Hard Drive 16MB Cache
• nVidia FX 8600GT 512MB Graphics Card 128Bit DDR2 – DVI, SVGA and HDTV connectors
• Designer ATX Gaming Case with multiple cooling fans
• LG Dual 18x DVD/RW DL RAM Dual Layer ReWriter
• 500W ATX Switching Power Supply
• 6 USB2 ports (2 front, 4 back)
• Integrated Firewire port
• Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Network Card
• Integrated 7.1 channel surround sound
• 22 inch LCD Multimedia Monitor
• Black PS2 Keyboard and Mouse
• Multimedia 2.1 Channel Speaker Set
• Genuine Windows 64 bit Vista Premium
• 1 year Collect and Return warranty

The 22" widescreen monitor carries the following specification:

• LCD Display 22inch Wide Aspect TFT active matrix panel
• Display Size 473.76(H) x 296.16(V) mm
• Pixel Pitch 0.282(H) x 0.282(V) mm
• Resolution Maximum WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050) @60Hz
• Max. Display Color 16.7M colors
• Brightness 300 cd/m2 (typ.)
• Contrast Ratio 1,000-1 (typ.)
• Viewing Angle Horizontal 160o (typ.)
• Response Time (Tr+Tf) 5 ms (typ.)
• Signal Input D-sub, DVI-D / HDCP
• Input Frequency Range Horizontal 30 to 82KHz
• Vertical 56 to 76Hz
• LED Indicator Active: Green / Power saving: Orange
• Plug Play VESA DDC/CI compliance
• Speakers 1W x 2

In addition, you'll also get a software bundle consisting of Windows Vista Home Premium, Nero 7 Essentials, Power DVD, Power Producer and Acrobat Reader 7. It's a touch strange that the "Ultimate Gaming" machine doesn't ship with Windows Vista Ultimate as standard.

Computer Supermarket’s Ian Bird says "If there’s a better value premium gaming system on the market today we’ve yet to find it."

We'll put that to you, our HEXUS readers, is there a better value gaming system available today? Let us know in the HEXUS forums.