Final thoughts and rating
Cutting to the tasty bits, Scan's 3XS Cyclone PC fits a 4GHz-clocked Intel Core i7 CPU and a watercooled, pre-overclocked GeForce GTX 480 GPU into a mid-sized Cooler Master CM 690 II Advanced chassis. The end result is a fast, fast system that has no real performance-related weaknesses.The provision of a quality waterblock and effective reservoir/pump and radiator makes the Cyclone's GPU the quickest we've ever tested, albeit with no memory overclocking, and Scan does a good job of building around the graphics card.
Performance is good in a range of benchmarks and the Cyclone shows that the GTX 480 shines when kept in check by a decent watercooling system - overclocking right up to 880MHz core in brief overclocking tests.
The very aspect that makes the Cyclone special is also the system's Achilles heel, however. Expansion is limited by the GTX 480's tubing and 650W PSU, and the system isn't the quietest when idling, not helped by cramming some high-wattage components inside a small chassis.
What's more, going by Scan's configurator, it's actually cheaper to have two air-cooled GTX 470s, which provide even GTX 480 OC-beating performance.
We come away with the feeling that on the one hand Scan has done a very good job in specifying a well-overclocked CPU and watercooled GTX 480 GPU in a £1,650 base unit, with the latter feature making it somewhat unique. On the other, our sensible disposition would insist that a larger chassis packed with two GTX 470s or Radeon HD 5870s would be a better bet. Which side of the fence do you sit on?
Bottom line: Scan's 3XS Cyclone PC will have a polarising effect on our readers, we imagine. Some will love the fact that it ships with the world's fastest single-GPU card, others will see much better value elsewhere. Whatever else, it provokes commentary.
The Good
Houses the world's fastest single-GPU graphics card
Scan's done a good job integrating the components into a small-ish chassis
4GHz Core i7 chip provides a well-balanced, powerful machine
The Not So Good
650W PSU will limit upgrade potential, although this can be changed at point of sale
Can build a faster machine for the same outlay - two GTX 470s or Radeon HD 5870s, for example
Noisier than we'd like when idling
HEXUS Rating
Scan 3XS Cyclone PC
HEXUS Awards
Scan
3XS Cyclone PC (for watercooled GTX 480)
HEXUS Where2Buy
The Scan 3XS Cyclone PC can be purchased from Scan and configured in a number of ways:
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As always, UK-based HEXUS.community discussion forum members will benefit from the SCAN2HEXUS Free Shipping initiative, which will save you a further few pounds plus also top-notch, priority customer service and technical support backed up by the SCANcare@HEXUS forum. |
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HEXUS Right2Reply
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