Top 20 Power Desktops

SUMMARY

Sys Performance AX-500P3 PRO: Extremely fast; good features; big, easy-to-use monitor; lots of room to add components CON: Support and documentation not the best

Every office has people who crave PC power. Whether they're scuttling through overgrown, formula-choked spreadsheets, rendering complex graphics, or performing any other task that soaks up processor time, this NT 4.0 workstation can handle the job. With a PC WorldBench 98 score of 287, this $2479 system outruns every other NT PC we've tested, and it comes well configured. Unfortunately, lackluster vendor support quality kept it from reaching the Best Buy promised land.

Sys Technology outfitted its Performance AX-500P3 for an active corporate life. The PC comes network ready, with a preinstalled ethernet card. Spreadsheet and database wranglers will appreciate the unit's crisp and spacious 19-inch monitor with exceptionally intuitive image controls. And if you frequently install programs, you can't go wrong with the supplied 14X­40X CD-ROM drive--unless you truly need DVD. The 10.1GB hard disk, while not huge by today's standards, offers plenty of storage space for most users.

The Logitech mouse feels looser than the Microsoft IntelliMouse that comes with most PCs, and it lacks a finger-wheel for convenient document scrolling. But the keyboard felt solid and made little noise when we typed on it. The only components that don't make sense are the Altec Lansing ACS295 speakers and subwoofer. Sure, they sound great; but most cubicle dwellers can't crank 'em up, so why bother? Sys should supply headphones instead and trim the PC's cost.

The AX-500P3 looks good under the hood. The case of this midsize tower feels a bit flexy, but the interior layout is pristine, and the four free slots and five free drive bays offer plenty of upgrade room.

One nice touch: Sys stuck a toll-free support number label on the PC's case. The company stumbles a bit, however, in actually supplying the support. It backs its products with a long five-year labor warranty and around-the-clock support hours, but the company reps' advice rated as only fair. Finally, this PC's documentation--consisting of separate manuals for the motherboard and peripherals--will leave even some IS people at a loss.