Review: Scan 3XS Z87 Performance GTX

Conclusion

It's fair to say that an Intel Haswell upgrade alone isn't enough to create a gaming rig that's far superior to last-generation equivalents. System integrators are going to need to integrate new discrete GPU solutions and work hard to achieve overclocks that, ultimately, will still appear less impressive on paper.

Though, perhaps that's no bad thing. It has been all too easy to throw-in a quicker chip, ramp up the frequency and attach a new price tag with each previous generation. Haswell has given system builders food for thought, and Scan Computers has stepped up to the challenge by focussing not only on core components, but on the system as a whole.

For £1,200, the 3XS Z87 Performance GTX is one of the most well-rounded gaming systems we've tested in recent years. The use of a fourth-gen Intel Core i5-4670K processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 770 graphics card is enough to propel the rig to the top of almost every performance benchmark in our suite, yet it's in the overall package that Scan scores well.

The inclusion of a dedicated sound card, case lighting, a custom SD card reader, extra front-facing USB 3.0 ports and overclocks on both the CPU and GPU are all examples of the company looking at the bigger picture. Coupled with Scan's typically excellent build quality, this is a formidable gaming rig. If there's a caveat, it's that the 4.4GHz overclock may prove too hot and too hungry for the more discerning gamer; it seems gone are the days of dizzying overclocks, and in this case we'd willingly sacrifice a smidge of performance in favour of the cooler, quieter 4.2GHz option.

The Good

Armed with fourth-generation Intel Core processor
GTX 770 delivers high-quality gaming experience
CPU and GPU overclocked as standard
Case lighting and card reader are a nice touch
Excellent build quality
No bloatware

The Bad

4.4GHz might be too hot and hungry for some
No SLI support as standard

HEXUS Awards

Scan 3XS Z87 Performance GTX

HEXUS Where2Buy

The 3XS Z87 Performance GTX gaming PC 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.

[06/06/2013] James Gorbold, Scan Computers Technical Marketing, issued the following right2reply:

Scan was really pleased to read the very positive review that HEXUS has written about our new 3XS Z87 Performance GTX system and we’re delighted to see it receive a Performance Award.

However, we thought that HEXUS readers might like to hear more about the two ‘Bad’ points that the review raises.

Firstly, we know that every customer has different requirements when it comes to performance, heat and noise, so our online configurator does offer several options to choose from. In the case of the 3XS Z87 Performance GTX we offer two CPU overclocks, 4.4GHz and 4.2GHz. We chose to send the 4.4GHz variant to HEXUS to demonstrate the very best performance you can expect from a Haswell PC, but recognise that this option may not be to everyone’s taste. For example, we do describe the 4.4GHz option in the configurator as an ‘Extreme Overclock - 4.4GHz - Tuned to absolute safe maximum - Performance prioritised over acoustics.’ Therefore for readers who value acoustics and temperatures over absolute performance  we’d recommend the 4.2GHz option which is described in the configurator as an ‘Optimized Overclock - 4.2GHz - Within wider safety margins for balanced thermal & acoustic characteristics.’

Secondly, on the raised point of no SLI support in the default spec, that’s precisely what we sent to HEXUS – the default spec. In other words, an SLI motherboard can be selected in the online configurator. However, for most reviews we chose not to submit a system with SLI capabilities as we’ve found over the years that most customers do not add a second graphics card in SLI, but chose to upgrade the graphics card instead. Therefore, asking customers to pay a premium for a feature that they’re unlikely to use strikes us as providing poor value for money to our customers.