Dell's European operation has extended the range of desktop systems it offers that are based on AMD processors. Following the September launch of AMD-based Dimension PCs, Dell has now begun selling AMD-equipped Optiplex machines too.

The system in question is the Optiplex 740, offered with a choice of single-core Athlon 64 3800+ or dual-core Athlon 64 X2 3800+. The former CPU is fitted in a machine with 512MB of 667MHz DDR 2 SDRAM; a 160GB, 7,200rpm SATA II hard drive, Gigabit Ethernet card and 48x DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive.

The dual-core machine ups the memory to 1GB and adds an AMD ATI Radeon X1300 graphics card with 128MB of video RAM. It also comes bundled with a 17in LCD monitor, which the lower-end 740 lacks.

These are the baselines specs, of course - built-to-order customers can tweak to add faster dual-core CPUs, up to 4GB of 800MHz DDR 2, and bigger or faster hard drives.

The basic dual-core model costs £599, the low-end machine will set you back £349 - both prices exclude VAT and shipping. ®

Thanks to Reg Hardware reader Jurgen for the tip