Benchmarks: GPU
The 3XS Cyclone SLI showed impressive CPU credentials, but it's on the GPU front that this machine really stretches its legs. Armed with a pair of overclocked GeForce GTX 580s, the system scores close to 35,000 3DMarks, and as expected, that translates to stunning real-world performance.
Playing either Aliens vs. Predator or Just Cause 2 at full-HD resolution with all the trimmings is easy, and the system barely breaks sweat as it churns out frame rates in excess of 100 frames per second.
In many ways, the GTX 580 SLI configuration is overkill for 1080p gaming, but it proves its worth in more extreme scenarios. For example, we raised the in-game resolution to 2,560x1,600 and re-ran the benchmarks, and the Scan system had no trouble in coping. It returned 64.8 frames per second in Aliens vs. Predator, and an impressive 95.2 frames per second in Just Cause 2.
There's plenty of graphics horsepower right out of the box, but it's worth mentioning that the 3XS Cyclone SLI is limited in upgrade potential. Scan's chosen Gigabyte motherboard doesn't offer a third PCIe x16 slot, so there's no option to add a third graphics card in three-way SLI.
