Überclok Reactor: Balanced Performance
by Matt Campbell on October 10, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Specifications
The specifications below are for the system as tested. Our original review system actually shipped with a GeForce 9800 GX2, which seemed stable until we started doing some of the 3D testing and it began a rapid decline to the dead parts box. We contacted Überclok and they provided us with a GTX 280 as a replacement, which is an available configuration option on the Reactor. However, some recent changes have made the current Reactor slightly different from the review system shown below, which we will discuss in the Pricing section.
| Uberclok Reactor System Specifications | |
| Processor | Intel Core2 Quad Q9450 |
| Motherboard | EVGA nForce 780i |
| Memory | 2x2GB G.Skill DDR2-1066 |
| Video Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 |
| Power Supply | Cooler Master CMPSU 1000W |
| Case | Cooler Master Cosmos S |
| Hard Drive | Seagate 500GB, Western Digital 300GB |
| OS | Windows XP Professional Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit (dual-boot) |
| DVD Burner | LG Blu-Ray/HD-DVD and Burner, Lite-On DVDRW |
| CPU Cooler | Xigmatech HDT-S1283 |
Exterior
Once again, the system arrived in a plain cardboard box with some Überclok stickers on it. The Cooler Master Cosmos S is encased within it its own product box and bag.
Nothing too interesting here - the case box is well cushioned and arrived undamaged. The owner's manual is still very well-done and a great addition at this price point. We do wish they'd include just a few performance benchmarks in the opening pages. Those results can serve as a baseline measurement, so if you find your system scores i.e. 10000 in 3DMark06 and the initially shipping system scored 12000, you know it's time for a tune-up.
Interior
The Cosmos S has a monster (200mm) fan on the side.
Wire management is reasonably good, as it was with the Ion.
The button on the Cosmos S is interesting - it's essentially just a depression on the case that's touch sensitive. Once you get the hang of it, it works reasonably well, though it's a little twitchy at times for our taste. It's difficult to see from the pictures, but the Cooler Master power supply has a nice mirror finish.
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emilyek - Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - link
You could buy these parts on newegg for close to a third of that.Maybe I should start my own company. I wouldn't even need a wholesale license.
Why 1k watts? Because it's a Cooler Master PSU. You'll find lots of those in pre-builts on e-bay; they can be had cheap, and anyone foolish enough to buy that box will be totally impressed by the high number.
TheGoat Eater - Sunday, October 12, 2008 - link
as you can tell by the subject line that pictured HSF (http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/2008/ub...">http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/2008/ub... is not the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...tem=N82E... the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 has 3 heatpipes and the one pictured clearly has 6 heatpipes.Just a FYI...
Uberclok - Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - link
Quite correct - sorry for the confusion. We built this unit for Anandtech ove a month ago, when we were using the Thermalright Ultima-90 HSF. Not long after we shipped it, we switched to the Xigmatek. Both are heatpipe-based air coolers, not a liquid/air hybrid as a previous poster suggested.Matt Campbell - Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - link
Thanks for the catch!Zebo - Saturday, October 11, 2008 - link
Like any regular reader here is going to buy this overpriced computer.Whens Anandtech going to start reviewing the Bugatti Veyron or Caviar?
CEO Ballmer - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
These people are suing us over the "Vista Ready" stickers, this could solve the problem. All we need to do is send one of these to all of those cheap PC owners!http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com">http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
Stas - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
so, aside from the fact that I can build the same system for almost half the price, the 1KW power supply is stupidity. The efficiency cannot be more than 75% even at max load. I would put a Corsair HX520 in it, maybe 600. Cheaper and more efficient. Probably hit 85% at max load, ~80 idle.Stas - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
I guess it makes sense for the sake of marketing, as been said, that way customers could put 2xHD4870x2 in it. Which in my opinion is stupid, considering it comes with a $500 card already (just get another one of the same to match in SLI), but whatever. If it sells, it sells.GaryJohnson - Saturday, October 11, 2008 - link
I'm interested in how well it does sell. I really think these system reviews should be written from the 'here's what the competition is doing' perspective, as I think an AT reader is more likely to be selling pre-built systems than buying them.mgmason - Friday, October 10, 2008 - link
Is the CPU vCore really set to 1.44 volts as we see on the bios screen, or the more reasonable 1.37? Still seems a bit high, I'm getting a stable 3.2 Ghz out of my Q9450 using only 1.22 volts. I get CPU temps of about 60 degrees under load using air cooling with an Arctic Freezer Pro 7.