CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme FTW: Performance at Any Cost
by Dustin Sklavos on June 1, 2011 1:05 PM ESTApplication and Futuremark Performance
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I expect that outside of StarCraft II, the CyberPower Gamer Xtreme FTW will be the fastest tower we've ever tested. (And yes, the irony of the number of times I've wound up saying "fastest tower/machine I've/we've ever tested" in these reviews is not lost on me.) It boasts what is arguably the fastest processor we've ever seen (there are a few cases where a similarly clocked SNB chip will beat the 990X), the fastest storage subsystem, and the fastest graphics hardware. So how does it pan out?
And that's basically how things turn out. The instant Sandy Bridge's clock-for-clock performance lead is taken away, the Gamer Xtreme FTW tears to the front of the pack with a commanding lead. You'll note we've dropped PCMark05 from our benchmarks; we're adding PCMark 7 (which the GX FTW scored 5601 in) and Cinebench 11.5 (which the GX FTW scored 11.47 in), so in future reviews expect to see graphs for those benchmarks.
It looks like these settings are mostly CPU-limited in 3DMark06 with this configuration, and keep in mind it does require a substantial amount of additional processor horsepower to drive four GPUs instead of two.
In keeping with our benchmark refresh, we've also dropped the lion's share of 3DMark benches and added two. From this point on, 3DMark Vantage will be tested with the "High" preset (I'm eschewing the "Extreme" preset due to its 1920x1200 resolution instead of 1080p), and 3DMark 11 will be tested with the "Extreme" preset. The scores for the Gamer Xtreme FTW are 41485 in 3DMark Vantage, and 5644 in 3DMark 11.
So far, CyberPowerPC has acquitted themselves fairly well. Let's see what happens in real world gaming testing.
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Dustin Sklavos - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of the case's aesthetics, but the thermals are stellar. It gets the job done.nuker - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
Can we have the noise levels please?Excellent review! I'm just wondering if it's better to have an Ibuypower's Erebus system rather than a Level10 case, they cost nearty the same with equal hardware specs.
Dustin Sklavos - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
I can try getting an Erebus in for review, but in the meantime I'll also be reviewing the Level 10 GT on its own sometime soon.IdioticLoginSystem - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
It's me or it's not SO impressive as it seems?The Geforce GTX 590 aren't as impressive as the HD 6990 in the benchmarks I've seen. In fact, the 6990 beats the crap out of them in high resolutions with AA activated, due to their higher vRAM size. Plus, 6990 clocks nearly 300 mhz faster, and while Fermi architecture is superior, 300 mhz is, well....a lot of difference.
The SSD is also a bad choice. Intel has never done any SSD comparable to an OCZ Vertex 3 (or an OCZ PCIe-based one, aka VeloDrive). Besides, who the hell needs 2 terabytes of disk space?
I don't know if it's performance-wise or what, but 6x2 GB's modules seems a waste to me. If you want to upgrade (it's "only" 12 gb's of RAM after all), you've to throw away one or more of them.
At least the price seems "correct", but to claim this is the "fastest system ever"...I'm not impressed at all.
szimm - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
I kind of agree with you on the graphics part, but the difference is neglible. The SSD is not a bad choice, though - the Intel 510 is probably the fastest option out there right now, according to benchmarks, and assuming you have an MB that supports 6Gbps. And yes, the RAM configuration is horrendous - a system like this should have absolutely no drawbacks. At that price point, nothing less should be expected. But - there's bound to be a few idiots with enough disposable income. I'm sure CyberPower (hate that name) is betting on it...Dustin Sklavos - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
The difference between the 6990 CF and GTX 590 SLI is going to seem at least somewhat academic given the results I had with the GTX 590 SLI config. And personally, I'd make the trade-off: the GTX 590 runs much quieter than the 6990 does.3DVagabond - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
This system was built to sell to people with some, but not a lot, of PC knowledge. Thus Intel drives and Geforce graphics. The 6x2 GB RAM just helps to confirm it. It's cheaper and still says "12GB" on the side of the case. Although it's not the way anyone would build a system for themselves. Add to it a case with aesthetics that set it apart, and the thinking that went into the design seems pretty obvious.I'm not saying it's a bad design from a business POV. Just the opposite. Well thought out on the marketing teams side.
IdioticLoginSystem - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
The price WOULD BE correct if that config is tagged at "$1,565"If "As configured $5,017" is the full system with the specs we see, then it's pure and absolute crap. If Sandy Bridge-E gets out before October, I'll be able to build a system that kicks it's ass for 500$-1000$ less.
Spazweasel - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
With that power draw, consider the possibility that you will need a dedicated circuit to power it. It's drawing as much power as a microwave (9 amps@110v), and microwaves typically get their own circuit. Most home circuit breakers are 20-amp units (again, US voltage), and you don;'t want to exceed 75% of capacity. Add in the power draw of a pair of 30" monitors and a sound system, and you don't have much room left for anything else on that circuit.Also consider your line conditioning. At that power draw, the run-of-the-mill 700Va home UPS ain't gonna do it. You'll want to protect your $5000 worth of computers and $2000 worth of multiple 30" monitors (you're not getting this to drive a 24" 1920x1200 display, after all), and to do so at that load you're looking at another kilobuck; your UPS will have to be a low-end data center piece instead of a consumer piece.
Is this worth $5000 to you? The better question is, is it worth $8000? If so, go for it. Just consider all the extra expenses, above and beyond the power bill and the computer itself.
meshugge - Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - link
Have to say that I bought a $3K Cyberpower pc last month based on recent reviews here - they sent me a defective machine and have not responded now to three separate emails over the last two weeks requesting support or return information. If that is the service they provide to customers, not quite sure why you are bothering to review their machines.