How we test
| System name | Scan 3XS SLI 480 OC PC | HEXUS high-end enthusiast system (Q4 2010) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7 950 @ 4.0GHz | Intel Core i7 980X @ 3.33GHz |
| Cooler | Prolimatech Megahalems Super 6/Akasa fan | 980X reference cooler |
| Motherboard | ASUS R3E X58 | ASUS P6X58D Premium |
| Memory | Corsair DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 | Corsair DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 |
| Memory timings and speed | 9-9-9-24-1T
@ 1,600MHz |
8-8-8-20-1T @ 1,600MHz |
| Graphics card(s) | 2 x EVGA GeForce GTX 580 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 |
| Disk drive(s) | Corsair
Force F120 SSD 2 x 1TB Samsung F3 in RAID1 |
Corsair
Force F80 SSD 1TB Seagate 7200.12 |
| Optical drive(s) | LG CH10LS20L Blu-ray reader | Pioneer BDR-205BK Blu-ray writer |
| Chassis and PSU | Cooler Master HAF X and Corsair AX 1,200W | Corsair Obsidian 700D and Corsair HX 1,000W |
| Operating System | Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit | Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit |
| Warranty | One year (hardware), return to base, parts and labour | None |
| Notable extras | Overclocked CPU, twin GeForce GTX 580s | None |
| Base unit price, including VAT | £2,549, including VAT | £2,250,
including VAT (no
warranty) |
Benchmarks |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench | A cross-platform benchmark used to measure memory and processor performance. Run using high-performance mode. | |||||||||||
| CINEBENCH R11 | Using Cinebench's multi-CPU render, this cross-platform benchmark stresses as many cores as possible. Run using high-performance mode. | |||||||||||
| x264 HD encoding | The multi-threaded test's second pass frames per second are noted. High-performance CPUs do well here. | |||||||||||
| Aliens vs. Predator |
2,560x1,600 resolution, 2xAA, 16xAF, very high quality | |||||||||||
| Call of Duty: Black Ops | 2,560x1,600 resolution, 4xAA, 16x AF very high quality | |||||||||||
| Just Cause 2 | 2,560x1,600 resolution, 4xAA, 16x AF, very high quality | |||||||||||
| Mafia II | 2,560x1,600 resolution, AA, 16x AF, high quality, built-in benchmark | |||||||||||
| 3DMark Vantage | Run at the 'high' preset | |||||||||||
| Temperature | Noted for CPU idling, under Prime95 all-core load, and for GPU playing Aliens vs. Predator | |||||||||||
| Power consumption | Noted for system idling, under Prime95 all-core load, and for GPU playing Aliens vs. Predator | |||||||||||
| Noise | A
PCE-318 noise level meter is placed at the front of the chassis. Noted for system idling, under Prime95 all-core load, and for GPU playing Aliens vs. Predator |
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We're using a comparison system that features in all of our high-end testing. The obvious differences are a) one GTX 580 vs. two in the Scan b) a Core i7 980X chip, instead of a 950 OC and c) a self-build with no warranty.
The benchmarks take in three CPU tests, five gaming tests, and pay close attention to temperatures, power-draw and noise. The GPU-based tests will show just how well the GTX 580 scales when in SLI.
