MaxForce Reviewed: 3-Way SLI and 4 GHz+
Application Benchmarks
Both iTunes and LAME show that the 300 MHz advantage of the SBM machine is probably responsible for a slight advantage in this race.
We see a little spice in the video benchmarks, with TMPG slightly favoring the MaxForce PC with its faster DDR3 memory and CloneDVD slightly favoring the SBM system’s higher overclock.
When it comes to 3D rendering, the systems are once again neck-in-neck, with the SBM machine still showing that clock speed is often the deciding factor when it comes to real-world applications.
Given our experiences with Photoshop, this is where only having 2 GB of system memory is really hurting MaxForce’s configuration.
It doesn’t get any closer than this, folks—WinRAR shows us exactly the same scores for both platforms.
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
-
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.
-
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.