6/9/07 - ABS Computers has really shifted its focus away from being a general computer provider to simply one that builds high performance desktop PCs for gaming. In this shift, they have also reduced the number of models they offer. The Ultimate X Striker desktop is focused on Intel's Core 2 platform of processor along with NVIDIA's graphics technology. It may not be the latest and greatest but it still is designed all for performance. Let's take a look at what they have to offer ...
Processor:
Since this system is all about performance, users have the option of two of Intel's Core 2 Extreme processors. The first is the Core 2 Extreme QX6850 quad core processor. This is an older Intel processor that uses a larger architecture but still provides some very strong performance. A newer Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor that runs at the same clock rate but with a higher amount of cache and smaller traces is also available. Because this processor uses the 45nm design, it runs cooler and has a bit more potential for overclocking. Factory overclocking is available at an extra charge for either a 10% or 20% boost.
Memory:
The Ultimate X Striker is designed around the older NVIDIA GeForce 680i SLI chipset. Because of this, it uses the DDR2 memory standard that limits its performance and overclocking potential but helps keeps the costs down. Surprisingly, ABS only offers two memory options of either 2GB of Corsiar XMS2 TwinX PC2-6400 DDR2 or 4GB of Patriot eXtreme Performance PC2-6400 DDR2. It would be nice to see an option for up to 8GB of memory on the system or faster DDR2 memory for better overclocking.
Hard Drives:
Hard drive selections are fairly limited with the Ultimate X Striker. There are three drives to choose from on the system. The default setup uses two Western Digital Raptor 150GB 10,000rpm Serial ATA drives in a RAID 0 setup. This gives it limited storage space but very fast performance. Larger drive options are available with a 500GB or 750GB Western Digital Caviar SE16 drive. These drives if purchased in a pair can be configured in RAID 0 for performance or RAID 1 for data reliability. A third drive is also available for extra storage.
CD/DVD Drives:
Optical drive selection is extremely limited for the ABS Ultimate X Striker. Users essentially have the option of either a single Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7190A 20x dual layer DVD burner or having two of them in the system. It would be nice to see an option for a newer Blu-ray compatible drive being offered with the system now that the format war has been settled.
Graphics and Display:
As the Ultimate X Striker is based off NVIDIA technology, it is no surprise that most of the graphics options use NVIDIA based cards. Users have the choice of either the new GeForce 9800GTX single core card or the GeForce 9800GX2 dual core card. Two identical cards can also be setup in the system to generate either a dual or quad SLI configuration to provide the system with some outstanding 3D graphics performance. If you would rather use an ATI based card, ABS does offer a Radeon HD 3870 card.
Audio:
Integrated audio has come a long way in the PC market. Because of this, ABS has decided that the default audio setup for the Ultimate X Striker is to use the integrated ADI AD1988B HDA compatible solution on the motherboard. This is a very strong audio configuration that provides very clean audio. A Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer expansion card is available for those that want a hardware audio solution that also supports EAX for added audio effects in PC gaming. Speakers do not come with the system but an optional Logitech 5.1 audio setup is available.
Software:
For operating systems, users can select between the 32-bit versions of Vista Home Premium, Business and Ultimate editions. No 64-bit versions are available at all which explains the 4GB limit on memory. No other productivty, security or gaming software comes with the system. Users will need to suppl all other software themselves.
Overall Impressions:
The Ultimate X Striker is designed for the PC gaming market and it does do well in this segment. It does fall short of being a truly top performing though from some of the basic architecture decisions. The system is based around an ASUS motherboard using the NVIDIA 680i SLI chipset. This is a somewhat older chipset that can't fully support many of the newest processors and memory. As a result, it falls behind systems for processing power compared to a system using DDR3 and the QX9770 processor.
What the Strike does make up for those is the graphics. Most of the Intel based platforms that support DDR3 cannot support the NVIDIA SLI configurations. They may be able to run multiple ATI cards in a CrossFire setup, but ATI's graphics cards are still behind those from NVIDIA. In addition, the power supply and motherboard can even support the quad core SLI using two of the 9800GX2 cards. This gives it some superb 3D graphics performance.
Extra performance is available from the Striker through factory overclocking, but it comes at an additional cost. Many performance gaming systems now seem to offer this service for free or at least included with the base system cost. It does use a liquid cooling system that could conceivably allow for higher performance, but the Galaxy II system isn't know as one of the higher performance cooling setup. The optional Zalman air cooling system will likely perform just as well.
One other area that is a bit disappointing for the Ultimate X Striker is the software. The 64-bit versions of Vista are really the only way to support more than 4GB of memory in the system and it doesn't have many of the compatibility issues as it did when it was first released. This leaves me to wonder why ABS does not offer it with their system.
The end result of the ABS Ultimate X Striker is that it is a strong PC gaming platform, but it fails to really reach the top of performance that is available. It certainly is a good option for those looking to get a strong gaming system. It is just a bit too bad that there aren't more options available to compensate for some of the performance gaps of the architecture.
Manufacturer's Site
Read/Leave Comments
