6/17/08 – Hypersonic built themselves as a company that builds computers for gamers. Much of this business is built around notebook computers with high end discrete graphics cores, but they also make a line of gaming desktop computers. The Sonic Boom OCX is their current top of the line gaming system that is based upon the Intel Core 2 processor line. Let's see what they have to offer ...
Processor:
Users have a very wide selection of processors they can get in the Sonic Boom OCX system. Users can select from the various 45nm Core 2 Duo E8200, E8400 or E8500 models or from three Core 2 Extreme quad core processors including the QX6850, QX9650 and QX9770. Overclocking is standard along with certification of stability of the overclocked level. It is interesting that users can also select between an NVIDIA nForce 790i or Intel X48 motherboard. This plays more of a role about what graphics cards are supported than anything to do with the CPU.
Memory:
Typically companies offer users memory bundles when ordering a system. Hypersonic instead offers users to select the module pairs for the four memory slots. This gives it great flexibility with memory sizes of 2GB up to 8GB in size, but can cause complications. Memory speeds come in a variety of different options ranging from 1333MHz up to 2000MHz DDR3 speeds. It is important that users wanting to use all four slots are best to match the memory pairs up. Also, to fully utilize more than 4GB, a 64-bit OS needs to be installed.
Hard Drives:
Hypersonic offers a variety of hard drives for use with the Sonic Boom OCX system. They range from a 64GB solid state drive up to one terabyte hard drives. A total of four hard drives can be purchased with the system letting it have up to a maximum of 4 terabytes of storage space, far more than any individual might actually require. Options for RAID 0, RAID 1 or RAID 5 are available for multiple drives.
CD/DVD Drives:
There are only two choices for optical drives from HyperSonic. The default selection is the new 18x DVD+/-RW burner from Plextor. If you would rather have a drive that can support the high definition media, Hypersonic also offers a new LG Blu-ray burner that supports the new 6x recording speeds for the BD-R media. Of course, the Blu-ray drive also supports reading and burning to CD media as well.
Graphics and Display:
The latest version of the Sonic Boom OCX has a large variety of graphics options. The actual options are limited by the motherboard option originally selected. Graphics cards available inclide the GeForce 9600 GT, 9800 GTX and 9800 GX2 or the Radeon HD 3870 or 3870 X2. All of these cards are available in two graphic card options for SLI or CrossFire (depending on the board). If the NVIDIA 790i motherboard was selected, then it is possible to get three of the GeForce 9800 GTX cards for a triple SLI configuration.
Audio:
Previously Hypersonic offered users a choice of cards beyond the Creative Sound Blaster monopoly. They have since given up that by providing the option of using either the integrated 7.1 audio or selecting an X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty FPS. It would be nice to see a larger selection of audio cards available. Users will need to supply their own speakers as none are offered with the system.
Software:
No productivity or security software is offered with the Sonic Boom OCX, but they have a wide range of options for the operating system. In fact, they will even let you purchase the system without any operating system installed at all if you so desire. All versions of the Windows Vista operating system are offered including 64-bit versions of the Business and Ultimate editions. Windows XP Professional in 32-bit and 64-bit editions are also available for those that
Overall Impressions:
Hypersonic tends to fall between the price ranges for their performance system. It is not as inexpensive as offerings from companies such as ABS, Gateway or Dell but not as expensive as those found from companies such as Alienware, Falcon and Voodoo. Of course, they have begun increasing their options where it is not possible to produce one just as expensive as the Voodoo.
Many of the extremely expensive computers offer a high level of personalization in terms of the case design and colors. Hypersonic now offers this on their Sonic Boom lineup for a fairly high cost. A total of nine different colors are available from their Reflexxion Series color lineup. It is also possible to have the external mouse and keyboard painted the same color as the system.
Performance is quite strong with the Sonic Boom OCX, especially when it comes to PC gaming. Those choice of components is very well suited to playing current and upcoming games at high resolutions and frame rates. The optional liquid cooling helps reduces the noise from all of the parts that would otherwise require fans. Silencing material for the fans is included in the cost, but it won't make much difference in the noise.
Overclocking is something that is fairly common with many high end systems. Users have the option of getting the system overclocked at no additional cost by Hypersonic. They do not guarantee any specific levels of overclocking and instead state that the level of overclock will be highly dependent upon the components that you select.
So, does the Hypersonic Sonic Boom OCX make the cut as a gaming system? It certainly will appeal to those looking for the performance. The price and features make it a tough call though. There are system that offer similar performance for slightly less, but it is cheaper than those that offer a high level of unique case designs for personality.
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