Updated: Scorptec's unique Core i7 870-based gaming system!
Scorptec, also known as Scorpion Technology, has been in the Australian market for quite some time and their experience with building computers is pretty unmatched.
We asked them to throw together what they thought was a pretty hardcore gaming rig, and thanks to the recent launch of the P55 Express Chipset with Core i7 870 chips they've been able to deliver.
It's got great specs for a decent price ($2195) and while it misses out on a few luxuries like a stock overclock or aftermarket cooler, performance should more than make up for any drawbacks.
The case might not scream 'gamer' at first look either, but these specs definitely do:
CPU: Intel Core i7 870 (2.93GHz) upgraded from Core i7 860 MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD5, Intel P55 Chipset MEMORY: Corsair 4GB Kit (2x2GB) PC-10600 (1333MHz) VIDEO: Gigabyte Geforce GTX275, 896MB HDD #1: 60GB OCZ Vertex Series SSD, 64mb Cache HDD #2: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black SATAII, 32mb Cache OPTICAL: 24X Liteon DVD Burner CASE: Fractal Designs Define R2 Case PSU: Corsair 620W HX Series O/S: Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows 7 Upgrade
CPU: Intel Core i7 870 (2.93GHz) upgraded from Core i7 860
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P55-UD5, Intel P55 Chipset
MEMORY: Corsair 4GB Kit (2x2GB) PC-10600 (1333MHz)
VIDEO: Gigabyte Geforce GTX275, 896MB
HDD #1: 60GB OCZ Vertex Series SSD, 64mb Cache
HDD #2: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black SATAII, 32mb Cache
OPTICAL: 24X Liteon DVD Burner
CASE: Fractal Designs Define R2 Case
PSU: Corsair 620W HX Series
O/S: Windows Vista Home Premium with Windows 7 Upgrade
It's all cabled well, built nicely and in a unique case - so jump into the gallery of pics then pick up a future issue of Atomic to see how this system performs!
Update: This system (now confirmed as the Redback Limited Edition) costs $2195 for the above specs with a Core i7 860, and an additional $380 for the Core i7 870 upgrade, making our sample cost a total of $2575. We also got confirmation about the monkeyplastic material directly from Fractal Designs, and here is what Managing Director Hannes Wallin had to say:
They had some questions about the "monkeyplastic" noise absorbing material. The material is bitumen, which is about the same as asphalt. This material is quite commonly used as the bottom part of "regular" noise absorbing mats, widely available in the market. We skipped the top foam because that is not giving so much effect and only taking up space. They say in the review that they think it's odd that the side and top holes are covered from beginning, but the idea, which we call "ModuVent" is that the user can have either open or closed, to reach both the user group that wants optimal silence and the user group that wants optimal ventilation/performance.
They had some questions about the "monkeyplastic" noise absorbing material. The material is bitumen, which is about the same as asphalt. This material is quite commonly used as the bottom part of "regular" noise absorbing mats, widely available in the market. We skipped the top foam because that is not giving so much effect and only taking up space.
They say in the review that they think it's odd that the side and top holes are covered from beginning, but the idea, which we call "ModuVent" is that the user can have either open or closed, to reach both the user group that wants optimal silence and the user group that wants optimal ventilation/performance.
There you have it, so a big thanks to Scorptec and Hannes for providing some additional information!
Issue: 133 | February, 2012