Cronus
Our Cronus system is the ultimate in gaming harware. Featuring not one, but two of the most powerful graphics cards commercially available, it can blast through even the most demanding games with ease.
The full system spec is as follows, please scroll down for additional information on each of the components that we have selected:
- Intel i7 965 Extreme 3.2GHz processor
- 6Gb DDR3 1866 RAM
- 80Gb Intel X25-M solid state hard drive
- 2 x 1000Gb (1Tb) Samsung F1 hard disks
- 2 x 1792Mb BFG nVidia GTX295 graphics cards in SLI
- Foxconn Blood Rage motherboard
- 1050W Enermax power supply
- Pioneer Blu-ray drive
- Windows Vista Ultra (64 bit)
- Coolermaster ATCS 840 case
- Creative X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty sound card
- Custom ultra-quiet cooling system
- Dell 2709W widescreen monitor (1920 x 1200)
- Razer Lycosa keyboard and Razer Diamondback Diamondback
- System Price - £4,750
- Price includes VAT and Delivery
The Processor:
The Intel Q9650 is one of the most powerful processor currently available. It features 4 cores, each running at an impressive 3.0GHz, with a copious 12Mb of L2 cache. To ensure consistent running, it has been fitted with a substantially uprated cooling system as all that power produces a fair amount of heat. This makes sure that your processor is both cool and also whisper quiet.
The Memory:
At the time of writing, DDR3-1800MHz is near enough the fastest memory commercially available. The 4Gb matched pair set are specifically optimised for the Core architecture, effectively allowing the 2 sticks to run in parrallel. This means that whether you are gaming, or maybe doing a spot of video or image editing, your data is with you as quickly as possible so that you get a smooth experience.
The Motherboard:
DFI are the leaders in the manufacture of enthusiast computer motherboards. They boast the fastest data transfer speeds, more efficient than most other motherboards. However, they truly come into their own when it comes to overclocking quad core processors, a discipline at which they are without peer. The flip side of this for the non-overclocker is that the quality of the components in this board is incredible, meaning they last for years and years.
The Graphics Cards:
The ATi 4870 x2 is the flagship graphic card available today. On its mammoth PCB, it contains not one, but two of the latest RV770 graphics chips available today. Coupled with 2GBs of high speed memory, this is the ultimate graphics card. Oh, did we mention that we have 2 of these cards in this system for some really awe-inspiring performance
The Operating System:
The Cronus system comes with an installation of Windows Vista Ultimate (64bt Edition). This space here really isn't enough to do justice to all the different facets, features and improvements in Windows Vista, but do have a look at the Microsoft Windows Vista site for more information.
The Monitor:
The rightful successor to the Dell 2407WFP that won Custom PC's last monitor mega-test, the 2408 keeps the bar high for the competition. Featuring a stunning 3000:1 contrast ratio and a suitably fast 6ms response time, this monitor is perfect for any gaming enthusiast.
The Hard Drives:
Solid State hard drives have come on in leaps and bounds in the past year, and this 64Gb module from OCZ is the first one that we can genuinely recommend as being comparable with something like the Western Digital Velociraptors. Solid State units have always had the most enviable of read speeds, but have been let down in the past by comparitively slow write speeds. Now however, we have something that is good on both fronts. In this system, they are running in a RAID 0 configuration that allows for even more speed on data transfer.
The Case:
The Lian Li Tyr X2000 is a very new case (only just released), and it is a radical step forward in the world of case design. Firstly, it is running a 1 x 140mm array of fans, and it is near enough unique to find anything bigger than 120mm in a case. This cooling means that it can deal with even the most exothermic systems with comparitive ease, and without sounding like a small jet engine! Another notable change is that the drive bays are coming out of the side (either right or left). This leads to a beautiful unbroken front panel, and is our vote for the prettiest case out there at the moment.
The Cooling:
Because of the unique design of this case, there is a lot less work required to get the system up to our usual high standards. All the case fans are left as the stock ones (with the fan control switch on the back so that you can optimise the fan speed to what you are doing). Further inside, we have the superb Thermalright HR-01 PLUS cooling the CPU with the addition of the 120mm Scythe 1600rpm fan keeping the airflow moving over the cooler.
The Power Supply:
Despite their many years of producing award winning memory modules, Corsair are a relative newcomer to the power supply world. However, they are more than making up for any sense of lost time with a stunning range of units across the power spectrum. The 1000W unit is their flagship model from a near enough faultless line up, and ticks all the boxes for providing smoothe and accurate power delivery.
The Sound Card:
Asus are also another newcomer, at least as far as the world of sound cards are concerned. Using the famous X-Fi chip, this unit is one of the best sounding cards you can buy. A significant part of this is the electromagnetic shielding on the unit that keeps interference to a minimum. You'll never listen to things the same way again. Explosions come to life, water splashes make you turn around, gun fire will make you jump from your seat as the Dsonar produces some of the most realistic sound on the market today.
The Speaker System:
Speakers are one of the more personal choices when it comes to a complete computer setup. In light of this, we don't actually list one in our sample systems, but instead present you with a range of options. For those who want perfection from a seriously high end setup, we can also provide recommendations about setting up a full hifi level sound surround system.
The Keyboard and Mouse:
Razer are held in wide regard as making the best gaming peripherals going. In reflection of this, we include both the Razer Tarantula keyboard and Razer Diamondback mouse in with our ultimate sample system. Both come in a matching black and blue colouring. The Tarantula comes with 10 programmable keys, media controls and various other shortcuts. The Diamondback is all about the 1600dpi sensitivity that makes it super-responsive.