Final thoughts and rating
The arrival of Intel's Ivy Bridge CPUs leaves system integrators facing a challenging question; how do you introduce new PCs that are fundamentally better than the outgoing Sandy Bridge crop?
Sandy Bridge was so good that it's easier said than done, and Ivy Bridge's make-up doesn't lend itself well to this particular task; CPU performance isn't a big step up, and the third-generation processors don't overclock quite as well their predecessors.
These potential stumbling blocks are perfectly visualised in the 3XS Z77 Performance GTX. In the interests of longevity Scan isn't willing to overclock the PC beyond 4.6GHz, and a meaty CPU heatsink has been employed to keep temperatures in check. The Ivy Bridge upgrade, then, isn't what really makes this PC tick, and Scan has instead improved the overall package by implementing an SSD as standard, a dedicated ASUS soundcard and of course the hard-hitting GeForce GTX 680.
What we're left with is a well-rounded gaming rig that utilises cutting-edge components to deliver excellent performance in all of today's latest titles. There's still room for improvement - the rig as a whole could be made to run quieter - but if you're looking to pick up some of the best gaming hardware that's currently available, Scan's 3XS Z77 Performance GTX offers a lot for under £1,300.
The Good
Excellent gaming performance
Power efficient for a high-end rig
Includes an SSD as standard
Top-notch build quality
Two-year warranty
No bloatware
The Bad
Could be quieter
Overclocked to just 4.6GHz
HEXUS Rating
Scan 3XS Z77 Performance GTX
HEXUS Awards
Scan 3XS Z77 Performance GTX
HEXUS Where2Buy
The Scan 3XS Z77 Performance GTX desktop PC is available to purchase from 3xs.scan.co.uk.
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.
