Überclok Reactor: Balanced Performance
by Matt Campbell on October 10, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Specifications
The specifications below are for the system as tested. Our original review system actually shipped with a GeForce 9800 GX2, which seemed stable until we started doing some of the 3D testing and it began a rapid decline to the dead parts box. We contacted Überclok and they provided us with a GTX 280 as a replacement, which is an available configuration option on the Reactor. However, some recent changes have made the current Reactor slightly different from the review system shown below, which we will discuss in the Pricing section.
| Uberclok Reactor System Specifications | |
| Processor | Intel Core2 Quad Q9450 |
| Motherboard | EVGA nForce 780i |
| Memory | 2x2GB G.Skill DDR2-1066 |
| Video Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 |
| Power Supply | Cooler Master CMPSU 1000W |
| Case | Cooler Master Cosmos S |
| Hard Drive | Seagate 500GB, Western Digital 300GB |
| OS | Windows XP Professional Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit (dual-boot) |
| DVD Burner | LG Blu-Ray/HD-DVD and Burner, Lite-On DVDRW |
| CPU Cooler | Xigmatech HDT-S1283 |
Exterior
Once again, the system arrived in a plain cardboard box with some Überclok stickers on it. The Cooler Master Cosmos S is encased within it its own product box and bag.
Nothing too interesting here - the case box is well cushioned and arrived undamaged. The owner's manual is still very well-done and a great addition at this price point. We do wish they'd include just a few performance benchmarks in the opening pages. Those results can serve as a baseline measurement, so if you find your system scores i.e. 10000 in 3DMark06 and the initially shipping system scored 12000, you know it's time for a tune-up.
Interior
The Cosmos S has a monster (200mm) fan on the side.
Wire management is reasonably good, as it was with the Ion.
The button on the Cosmos S is interesting - it's essentially just a depression on the case that's touch sensitive. Once you get the hang of it, it works reasonably well, though it's a little twitchy at times for our taste. It's difficult to see from the pictures, but the Cooler Master power supply has a nice mirror finish.
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PClark99 - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
Looks to me that the PSU in the actual computer is a Coolermaster unit and not the Corsair 1000W modular that you have listed in your specs. Not that it should make much difference, 1000W is way overkill here.JarredWalton - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
Corrected. Unless Matt can state otherwise (i.e. they changed PSUs for currently shipping systems), this is definitely a Cooler Master PSU.Matt Campbell - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
My fault on that one, I just didn't check it closely enough. Currently shipping units definitely list the "Corsair CMPSU-1000HX 1000-Watt", as shown here: http://www.uberclok.com/rPSU.html">http://www.uberclok.com/rPSU.htmlap90033 - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
Holy crap those things are pricey...Christoph Katzer - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
And again, what use is the 1000 watts PSU? They can build in half of the size, maybe a little more to keep it quieter, but 1000 watts....nomagic - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
I personally would not mind getting a 1000W PSU because it leave more options open to future upgrades.After all, this is an enthusiast PC. There are many that are too lazy to build their own rigs from ground up, so instead they order one with all the basic parts assembled and cable management done. Then they can upgrade their rigs to their hearts' desire. (SLI, Crossfire, RAID...) They can even overclock it further if they like.
Therefore, having a 1000W PSU installed is a plus.
Souka - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
Might wanna take a read before buying a 1000w PSUDebunking Power Supply Myths
http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=3413">http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=3413
JarredWalton - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
As stated below, at idle efficiency is likely to be somewhat poor, but at load it should get very good efficiency. I'm not saying it's an exact match (because I'm sure it isn't), but as an example the http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.a...">Zalman 1000W is above 83% efficiency with 120VAC from a load of 200W to 800W, and above 80% from around 150W to 1100W.If we take a baseline 80%, at 195W from the outlet the system idles at 156W, and at medium load it will use over 200W (so above 83%). That's of course assuming this is a good PSU, which I have no reason to doubt -- nearly all of the 1000W PSUs come from one or two ODMs, and with higher margins they also tend to use good components.
Is a 1000W PSU required? Absolutely not. Is it desirable? That depends on what you're doing. This system can go up to SLI GTX 280 cards if you want -- or even Tri-SLI I think? Probably to keep things simple Uberclok isn't giving a ton of PSU options. Now, if you were thinking of getting the Reactor with a GTX 260 and dual-core CPU, the 1000W PSU would drop below the 80% efficiency range at idle most likely. Personally, though, I'm not going to freak out about a 2-4% difference in efficiency. Features (i.e. number of connectors) are more important on a high-end PSU than rating and efficiency, IMO.
Souka - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
Might wanna take a read before buying a 1000w PSUDebunking Power Supply Myths
http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=3413">http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=3413
Christoph Katzer - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
I guess at $3230 buying price you don't need to care about ~$200 less...