Expert: Bobbert - 9/2/2006

Question
I want to buy a computer with an AMD procesor.  I have looked at computers with AMD and at companies that one can configure their own computer.  It seems that I can get more for my money with a brand such as Systemax.  Are such configured computers built with reliable parts?
Would such a 'non brand' computer be as good as any major brand?  

Answer
Not sure if this question is still valid, saw it in the question pool with a rather old date stamp, so I'll take a stab at it.

Brands such as Systemax are variable, even within a single brand, some product lines from Systemax are very good, others, not so much. You might consider just building the system yourself, so you get all of the parts you want, and save the money of having someone else assemble it for you.

I know that Hewlett-Packard offers AMD processors, and has for some time, and that Dell offers AMD processors on a few product lines, if you really want to stick with a "known to work" solution. AMD should still have a page up for building a system with AMD parts, and ATi used to have a page on building a "CrossFire Compatable" system, you could follow something like that (or nVidia's "SLI Compatable System" page from SLI Zone) and just not add the second card (or, if you actually want that feature, add the second card). I suggest this because CrossFire and SLI approved hardware will be decent quality and will work with other CrossFire or SLI approved hardware (SLI with SLI, CrossFire with CrossFire, some will be intercompatable (for example SLI compatable video cards on a CrossFire compatable motherboard, but you can't run CrossFire on an SLI motherboard, or SLI on a CrossFire motherboard, most SLI compatable PSUs are also crossrated as CrossFire compatable)).

-bob