Sys Technology Performance 3200+

Rather than the bland beige case we typically see from Sys, our latest review unit arrived in a more modern-looking glossy black chassis--a definite improvement. The system comes with a 3.2-GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 1GB of DDR400 memory, which helped it pull down a high PC WorldBench 4 score of 127--right in line with comparably equipped systems. At $2550 it's also more affordably priced than many other systems we've tested with the relatively expensive 3.2-GHz Pentium 4. However, it lacks a rewritable DVD drive, an accessory most systems on our power list currently sport. (Adding a DVD+R/RW drive when you order the system adds $202 to the system's price.)

The 3200+ has plenty of features geared toward playing games and watching DVDs. Its Gigabyte GV-98P128D graphics card is based on an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics chip with 128MB of DDR SDRAM. Our graphics performance tests yielded solid numbers at demanding resolutions of 1280 by 1024 and 32-bit color, hitting almost 300 frames per second in Unreal Tournament 2003 and outperforming pricier gaming machines on some tests. The 19-inch, flat-screen ViewSonic P95f+ CRT that came with the 3200+ displayed sharp, vivid colors in our image tests. We saw rich hues in games, a DVD movie, and our photo test screen. (One of the monitor's preset brightness controls lets you brighten up dark scenes in games.)

The sound was great, both in movies and in games. Our test model arrived with the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card and Inspire 6.1 6600 speakers. This match produced excellent surround sound with full bass notes and crisp trebles during DVD playback. The software that came with the 3200+ was heavy on gaming, with several (mostly older) titles, such as MotorCross Mania, Need for Speed: High Stakes, and Serious Sam. Another addition that gamers should like: a wireless keyboard and a high-end Logitech MX700 optical mouse with a cradle for recharging its battery. The mouse has extremely responsive front and side click buttons, which might give you an edge during game play.

We found five open drive bays (three internal for hard drives and two externally accessible that can take removable or optical drives), three open PCI slots, and four free memory sockets. Not only are there plenty of expansion options, but the tidy case interior means you won't have to struggle with tangled wires when you upgrade components.

The documentation included with the Performance 3200+ consists of a spiral-bound manual with sections for basic setup, upgrading, and troubleshooting. The manual's handy tabs help you quickly locate specific sections, but the manual isn't very detailed. In addition to the previously mentioned gaming bundle, Sys also includes an OEM version of Corel WordPerfect Office 2002 and software for burning CDs.

Upshot: Sys's black tower puts more emphasis on speed than on high-end features. It's an attractive package for gamers or power users with modest budgets.

Mick Lockey