The Systemax Ascent XX A22 is like nothing else seen here. The system has triple top-mounted cooling fans over a radiator (as in a car), a sealed liquid cooling system, black and yellow striped cooling cables, and interior lighting (visible via the transparent side of the chassis cover). It even comes with a backpack for carrying to gaming parties. According to the digital temperature readout on the front of the case, the unit never exceeded 91 degrees in testing, even with the 1.8-GHz Athlon XP 2200+ CPU overclocked to 1.9 GHz (up to 2.1 GHz works reliably, according to Systemax). This is not a great digital-creation box; it lacks a DVD- recordable drive and some software. Dual 120GB hard drives, a 17-inch LCD, and a 5.1-channel Klipsch ProMedia speaker system are pluses. But unless you're a die-hard gamer or a PC fanatic, you'll want to shop around.

MULTIMEDIA SCENARIO
Music: () PlayCenter's MP3-ripping and -burning capabilities team up well with Nero Burning ROM's music and data burning.

Photos: () Unfortunately, the XX A22 lacks ports on the front panel, and MS Paint is the only software option.

Video: (Not applicable: no DVD-recordable drive.) Because there's no DVDÐrecordable drive, we did not test video editing and creation. If you buy this hot-shot machine for digital creation, upgrade to a DVDÐrecordable drive.

UPGRADABILITY
() The XX A22 has three free drive bays but only one free PCI slot. To add more drives, you need to add an IDE or SCSI card or cables. You can pop out the heat sink and move the components to install upgrades.

PERFORMANCE
(On a 60-point scale)
Business: 31.2
Multimedia: 35.6

SUPPORT
The system, including the overclocked processor and graphics card, comes with a three-year parts-and-labor warranty but no on-site coverage. For $99, you can extend the warranty to five years with on-site service and lifetime toll-free technical support.