I don't know about Alien Ware. I've looked at their computers and prices. While they do use quality components, their prices seem way too high. Not only that, their default prices never include a monitor. Maybe I'm just wrong though.
Tom,
I see that you took my adivice from your other thread and dumped the SB Live in favour of the Hercules card. If you want to save a couple of bucks, go for their Fortissimo III card. It doesn't have all the DD/multichannel sound goodness of the GTXP but it's still a solid card and has...
Brand name computer will always pale in comparison to a build your own/bought from a PC store computer.
Brand names always use proprietary components. Sometimes you can do some upgrading but there is always a limit. And that limit is usually the motherboard which is SO proprietary that it's...