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Review: SCAN 3XS Triad 'G80' PC

by Tarinder Sandhu on 8 November 2006, 18:58

Tags: GeForce 8800 GTX , SCAN, MESH Computers, Alienware (NASDAQ:DELL), XFX (HKG:1079)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qahal

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Thoughts, awards, right2reply, where2buy



There's no denying the pedigree behind the SCAN 3XS Triad system. SCAN has taken the enthusiast's approach and included only the components that constitute the very best on offer. Intel's Core 2 Extreme QX6700 CPU, SilverStone's TEMJIM TJ09S chassis, Corsair Dominator PC8500 RAM, Galaxy 1kW PSU, and Seagate's 750GB hard drive being obvious cases in point.

To differentiate the SKU further from a number of system integrators that could put together a similar PC, SCAN has added in a watercooling kit from Alphacool that's situated on top of the chassis and in the prototype model we received it solely cools the CPU.

We'd like to, and expect to, see SCAN ship full-production models with concurrent GPU/CPU cooling with both components overclocked. SCAN's assured us that the non-overclocked nature of the prototype lies with the engineering sample mainboard and processor, and once retail editions have been procured and tested, the Triad will ship with elevated clocks. We'll take another look at it then, dear reader.

Ā£3,099 is a helluva price to pay for a base unit, no matter how pretty the specification. We'd expect perfection at that price, with attention to detail that normal S.I.s simply cannot factor into their lower prices. We'd urge SCAN to list the final price of the SKU with a 3-year on-site warranty absorbed into the price, simply for peace of mind. We'd also like the full-production models to be a little quieter (even though the E.S. uses rheobus-controlled fans), and, finally, we'd add in some noise-reducing material to the chassis' innards.

In summary, SCAN has taken the very best bits of hardware currently available, headlined by Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 and NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX and sprinkled in some other enthusiast-class componentry to create, arguably, the fastest base unit we've seen thus far. We'll be eager to see a full-production edition, complete with a few minor changes and some serious overclocking on both the CPU and GPU fronts.

Got three grand in your pocket and want a dream PC in exchange? SCAN's 3XS Triad should definitely be put on your shortlist. It may even go to the top once you've read our full-production take, so stay tuned.

HEXUS Awards

The SCAN 3XS Triad is awarded the HEXUS Extreme Speed gong for being, on balance, the fastest and most feature-rich PC we've come across.

Extreme Speed
SCAN 3XS Triad

Extreme Recommended
SCAN 3XS Triad

HEXUS Where2Buy

You can access the online configurator here.

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS.net, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any of SCAN's representatives choose to do so, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

HEXUS.links

The SCAN 3XS Triad G80 PC technical evaluation makes up only one-quarter of our G80 coverage today. Please head on over to the links below for more in-depth coverage.

HEXUS' comprehensive, in-depth GeForce 8800 GTX analysis

ASUS GeForce 8800 GTX retail graphics card review

XFX GeForce 8800 GTX retail graphics card review

You may also be interested in some of the latest hardware used in reviewing the GeForce 8800 GTX.

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 quad-core CPU review

Corsair Dominator TWIN2X2048-PC8888 DDR2 RAM review

Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850W G80-approved PSU

HEXUS.community

We're very eager to hear your thoughts on our GeForce 8800 GTX coverage or, for that matter, on any topic you like. You're most welcome to participate the friendly HEXUS community. We look forward to seeing your comments there.



HEXUS Forums :: 21 Comments

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Makes my p.c look a bit like a P166mmx.
nice case, but the multi-coloured front of the system looks a little nasty :(
Chimpanzee
Makes my p.c look a bit like a P166mmx.
makes mine look like a p100(sans mmx:crazy: ) :shocked2:
I think it's time for another win for free compo ;)

Thats an amazing machine, just wish I had the 3grand to get myself one :P
Have to agree that the front needs a little more work, but when you put so many different things in something is bound to stick out, would stop me buying it.
I'm extreamly tempted assuming that the GPU gets water cooled and fingers crossed it will.

Something happened yesturday that hit home to me how short life can be. So spending money on things you love is worth it.

Will be quite an upgrade from my p4 3ghz, 9800pro.

Just need to decide what monitor I'd want and If I care if it's hdcp complient or not.

I'd be tempted to go with a normal x-fi rather than a fatality and replace the fatality front panel with a second silver optical drive. I think that would remove the colour problem at the front. Cheaper too and I'm not sure the fatality offers much over the x-fi music to me.

Will have to see what scan say in the right to reply section about the gpu cooling today but all looks good so far.