Systemax Intel X58 Core i7 Build To Order Performance Gaming Desktop PC

12/18/08 - Systemax calls their system Build To Order because users can select a variety of different component options for this Intel X58 and Core i7 based system. The problem is that buyers have a very limited set of customization options and worse yet can't upgrade the memory or even to the 64-bit version of Windows. While the performance is decent and the case is one that is easy to work in, there are better Core i7 based systems available from other companies with more options or features.

12/18/08 - Systemax's Intel X58 Core i7 Build to Order system is based around Intel's new processor and motherboard. The base system comes with the Core i7 920 processor with options for the two higher models. With the built-in memory controller of the Core i7, the 3GB of DDR3 memory is very fast to access with the triple channel configuration. It is a shame that Systemax does not allow users to purchase any other memory configurations though.

Storage is a bit disappointing on the system. The base Seagate 250GB drive is smaller than what can be found in budget desktops costing a third of this system. Since it is a build to order system, Systemax does offer higher end offerings including use of one or multiple 10,000rpm Western Digital Raptor drives. Only a single dual layer DVD burner is available with no options for newer Blu-ray compatible drives.

One of the great new features of the Intel X58 motherboard is the ability for it to use either dual NVIDIA or ATI graphics cards in an SLI or CrossFire configuration. Systemax only offers users the option of ATI based graphics cards. At least they use the newer Radeon HD 4000 series graphics cards with the 4850 series with 512MB as the base card. This is sufficient for most basic PC gaming but can run into issues at higher resolutions such as 1920x1200.

A big disappointment with the system is the operating system options. The system only comes with either the 32-bit version of Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate. No 64-bit versions are available which will cause issues for anyone looking to push the memory past 4GB.

The end result is that Systemax's Build To Order system just has too few options for buyers to really get a truly customized systems. Competitors offer similar systems with more options and at lower prices as well.

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