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BEAST Computers' ultimate Intel Core i7 machine

by Tarinder Sandhu on 7 November 2008, 17:44

Tags: Aphros Core i7, Beast Computers

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qap36

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Christmas come early?


Who needs Christmas lights when you have this?

 



The refulgent colours add a soothing glow the power PC.


A look at the other side with the side-panel taken off. Cabling is tidy, if not immaculate, and the system's fans are controlled by the T-Balancer system that's situated on this side.

Powering the BEAST is a Cooler Master 1,100W ULTIMATE PSU that requires a special mains connector. We doubt that even a system such as this would consume that kind of wattage under load, but, in keeping with specification, there's no reason to opt for anything much lower.



Firing up the monster, we found that the T-Balancer kept the system's noise to an acceptable level. Not as quiet as a Dell mid-range system, of course, but neither loud enough to draw particular attention to the masses of cooling.



Coming back around, you'll note that the X58 northbridge on the Intel DX58SO motherboard is also watercooled. We're not sure that this is absolutely necessary, because the reference motherboard's is passively cooled. Still, why waste an opportunity to add another pipe or two, right?

Corsair recently us pictures of its next-generation TEC-and-watercooled RAM cooling, and we expect BEAST to use it when it becomes available. Eagle-eyed readers will note that the RAM isn't setup for tri-channel mode. We made the necessary adjustment by swapping the bottom module around, but the reason it shipped in this state has more to do with how fussy the Core i7 920/Smackover X58 combination is at booting that anything else, and I speak from personal experience of testing it earlier this week.


The colour of the lights and braiding is completely customisable, as is the internal powder-coat finish, so it's best to contact BEAST directly and discuss individual requirements before contemplating ordering.  

BEAST uses what it terms a Para-flow cooling system that we discussed in a previous article.

Para-flow revolves around two radiators being installed in a specially-separated section at the front of the chassis. Cool air is pulled in, passed over both radiators and pushed out through both sides instantly. The result is that the warm air never makes its way into the system's main section, according to BEAST.