Benchmarks: GPU
The 3XS Performance GTX doesn't have the quickest CPU that money can buy, but it does have the quickest GPU.
With the GeForce GTX 680 at the helm, it scores a staggering 3,242 in 3DMark 11. That's fractionally ahead of the £2,000 3XS Velocity SLI that came equipped with two pre-overclocked GeForce GTX 560 Ti graphics cards running in SLI.
Of course, the £3,000 3XS Cyclone SLI still leads the pack due to its two pre-overclocked GeForce GTX 580s, but the 3XS Performance GTX packs a real punch for a machine that costs less than £1,200.
The 3DMark numbers are nice, but are existing games able to tap in to the GTX 680's new architecture?
Apparently so, as Aliens vs. Predator at 1080p with high-quality image settings run at over 70 frames per second. The 3XS Performance GTX is easily the quickest single-GPU system in our line up.
Just Cause 2 provides confirmation; the GeForce GTX 680 used by the 3XS Performance GTX makes it a real beast for gaming. But a word of caution; if you are playing at resolutions limited to 1,920x1,080 or below, the GTX 680 could be deemed overkill for most existing games.
