Review: Scan 3XS Gamer Aura

Conclusion

The PC gaming landscape is changing dramatically. The launch of Intel's seventh-generation Core processor has been met with muted applause, as the chip giant continues to shift its focus from maximum performance to overall efficiency.

And it isn't only the CPU that has seemingly stalled. DDR4 hasn't proven to be a giant leap, SSDs arguably still aren't cost effective enough to fully jettison the hard disk, and multi-GPU graphics technologies such as CrossFire and SLI are becoming increasingly irrelevant in modern titles built using the latest APIs.

Such developments make ultra-high-end rigs harder to specify, and we've recently seen an overclocked Kaby Lake system with dual GeForce GTX 1080s struggle to justify a £3,000 price tag because, well, Intel's latest isn't a giant step-up and SLI remains an expensive gamble.

Scan Computers has responded accordingly with the 3XS Gamer Aura, a £1,300 base unit that doesn't dazzle but ticks enough of the right boxes to make sense for the keen PC gaming enthusiast. The combination of a stock-clocked Core i5-7500 processor and GeForce GTX 1070 is a trusted pairing and Scan's implementation is well-rounded. 16GB of DDR4 memory and a 256GB SSD are logical accompaniments, as is the B250 chipset and 450W PSU, and it's all tidily built into an NZXT S340 chassis that helps show off the internal Asus Aura lighting.

Gaming performance is excellent at FHD or QHD resolutions with generous levels of image quality, and with a few minor tweaks the system could be elevated from good to great. We'd opt for a larger, more commanding CPU cooler, as well as a chassis designed with sound-proofing in mind, and there's a temptation to drop the hard disk in favour of a larger SSD.

Bottom line: looking to spend around £1,300 on a base unit primed for high-quality gaming? Scan's 3XS Gamer Aura is a safe bet and, with a tweak here or there, could be an excellent choice.

Scan 3XS Gamer Aura

HEXUS.where2buy

The 3XS Gamer Aura is available to configure and purchase from Scan Computers.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.