MaxForce Reviewed: 3-Way SLI and 4 GHz+
The Revolution GTX3
While MaxForce is all about tailoring a computer to the individual’s specifications, it went all the way with this test system, using a high-end overclocked quad-core CPU, a DDR3 motherboard, and no less than three of the fastest video cards money can buy. Let’s have a look at what the Revolution GTX3 offers in the way of specifics :
CPU | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3 GHz, 12 MB Cache o/c to 4.05 GHz, FSB 1800 |
CPU Cooler | Tuniq Tower 120 |
Motherboard | EVGA 132-CK-NF79 nForce 790i Ultra SLI BIOS 6.00 |
RAM | 2GB (2x 1GB) Supertalent DDR3-1800 CL7-7-7 |
Graphics | 3x XFX GeForce GTX 280 (SLI), GPU (602 MHz) 1024 MB GDDR3-2214 (Per Card) |
Hard Drive 1 | WD WD3000GLFS, 300 GB, 10000 RPM, 16 MB Cache |
Hard Drive 2 | WD WD6400 640 GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB Cache |
Sound | Asus Xonar DX |
Case | Antec Twelve Hundred |
Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
Power | Thermaltake Toughpower 1200W |
Optical | Samsung SH-S203N Lightscribe 20x Dual Layer DVD+/-RW SATA Drive |
Card reader | Super Talent INT-AIN1-C All-in-one USB 2.0 Internal Card reader |
OS | Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit |
Extras | 1BG USB Flash Drive, Assassin ’s Creed (game) |
Warranty | Two Year (minimum) on parts, lifetime on labor |
Price | $4,897 |
CPU : Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 3 GHz o/c to 4.05 GHz
The QX9650 has a reputation for hitting 4 GHz with relative ease and is a good starting point for a high-performance PC. Note that MaxForce has recently changed to the new Q9650 CPU as opposed to the older QX9650, so a new comparable machine with the new CPU would come in quite a bit cheaper at $4,176.
CPU Cooler : Tuniq Tower 120
This massive passive cooler has an excellent reputation for keeping hot CPUs cool. Frankly, our preference for this high-speed machine would have been liquid cooling, but if you’re going with air, the Tuniq Tower 120 is certainly one of the better options.
Motherboard : EVGA 132-CK-NF79 Nforce 790i Ultra SLI
Nvidia’s 790i chipset is the way to go for triple-SLI performance paired with fast DDR3 memory. The EVGA board that MaxForce chose for our setup is a completely reference design. Our favorite is actually ASUS’ Striker II Extreme, which we reviewed in our 790i roundup. However, the EVGA board should suffice.
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RAM : 2GB Super Talent DDR3-1800 CL7-7-7
Super Talent’s DDR3 has a reputation for overclocking, and it offers reasonable performance despite DDR3’s latency. The raw clock speeds do a good job of powering through that limitation, however. Note that the system comes with 2 GB of RAM. Most 32-bit Vista installations can only use somewhere north of 3GB, so MaxForce’s choice in capacity makes sense. However, with an ultra high-end processor configuration and three GeForce GTX 280 graphics cards pushing huge performance, 4GB and a 64-bit operating system could be considered more appropriate. Check out this recent high-end gaming roundup for a better idea of the balanced setups we have in mind here.
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neiroatopelcc "xtras 1BG USB Flash Drive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_drive , Assassin ’s Creed (game)" on page 2 - sure u don't mean 1GB?Reply -
wahdangun "a GDDR3 motherboard, and no less than three of the fastest video cards money can buy"Reply
hmmm i think it have alot of typo in here -
random1283 OK maybe GDDR3 is a typo but GTX280s are the fastest SINGLE GPU video cards out there and I think thats what he meantReply -
Pei-chen 3 years warranty and water cooling don't go together. Water cooling requires too much maintenance compare with high-end air cooling.Reply
The choice of 2GB memory and Vista 32 sounds like a joke. Think of telling your friends your $4000+ system is running 2GB and Vista 32. 4GB should be minimum and 8GB optional. -
rubix_1011 Are you kidding me? Offering 2GB of RAM and a 32 bit OS shouldn't even be a consideration when paying $4000+ for a performance machine. Give me a break: OEM builder Vista 64 is like $80 and I am sure you can get 'volume' discounts for boutique builders like these. Tossing in the other 2GB of DDR3 shouldn't set you back any more than $50 (again, volume purchase discounts).Reply
I say OS switch-out is negligible cost. You MIGHT see minor price increase due to 4GB RAM as opposed to 2Gb...but still 4GB should be the starting point in a system with this hardware.
Running 3 280's? You are using over 1/2 your available system memory allocation due to GDDR. 64 bit only. -
cleeve rubix_1011Are you kidding me? Offering 2GB of RAM and a 32 bit OS shouldn't even be a consideration when paying $4000+ for a performance machine.Reply
Please tell me you're not serious. 2GB and Vista 32 is no good for a gaming machine? What are you guys smoking?
If you guys can provide some evidence that Vista 32 can't stand up to Vista 64 when gaming, I'd be real interested in seeing it. 2 GB or not.
It sounds to me like you gents are getting caught up in leetness without looking at the bottom line. Vista 64 and 8GB of RAM aren't going to supply higher framerates, gents.
I thought we were about tangible performance, not bragging rights.
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cleeve Pei-chen3 years warranty and water cooling don't go together. Water cooling requires too much maintenance compare with high-end air cooling.Reply
Falcon and HP managed to do it, admittedly with a slightly lower warranty. Frankly, chances are it will keep the CPU working longer.
On a side note, MaxForce let me know that they will install custom kit like water cooling at the customer's request.