Systemax Sabre Intel Core 2 Extreme Gaming PC
Introduction and Product Specifications
What's in a name? So often hardware companies name their products to paint a mental picture, or set the tone for how they want potential customers to view their particular component. The names chosen are meant to invoke feelings of speed, performance, size or perhaps the supposed exhilaration you will experience when you see that piece of hardware in action. With the latest gaming PC to hit the HH labs, we take a look at the Sabre Intel Core 2 Extreme Gaming PC from Systemax and start off by asking: What's in a name?
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines a sabre as:
Main Entry: sa ber
Variant(s): or sa bre /'sA-b&r/
Function: noun
Etymology: French sabre, modification of German dialect Sabel, from Middle High German, probably of Slavic origin; akin to Russian sablya saber
1 : a cavalry sword with a curved blade, thick back, and guard
2 a : a light fencing or dueling sword having an arched guard that covers the back of the hand and a tapering flexible blade with a full cutting edge along one side and a partial cutting edge on the back at the tip -- compare EPEE, FOIL b : the sport of fencing with the saber
In the case of the Sabre Intel Core 2 Extreme Gaming PC, it's safe to say that "cutting edge" is the tone Systemax is trying to set with the "Sabre" name. From its fire engine red mid-tower case to its illuminated keyboard and mouse that glow red, the Sabre grabs your attention. Topped off with the latest Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800 processor, dual ATI Radeon X1900XTXs and fast 10,000 RPM SATA hard drives in a RAID 0 configuration, the Sabre Intel Core 2 Extreme Gaming PC is comprised of cutting edge components and built for speed.
Weighing in at a retail price of $3499, the Sabre Intel Core 2 Extreme Gaming PC aims to bring premium performance at a relatively reasonable price compared to some other boutique system builders. In the pages ahead, we'll take the eye-catching Sabre Intel Core 2 Extreme Gaming PC for a spin and put it through its paces, sizing up its features, performance and options. We'll line it up against a number of reference test beds as well as several complete gaming systems that cost over $1000 more to see whether the Sabre Intel Core 2 Extreme Gaming PC truly is the cutting edge powerhouse that it appears to be.
|
Desktop Specifications Operating Systems - Microsoft Windows XP Pro-SP2 Platform - PC Orientations Allowed - Vertical Form Factor - Mid-Tower Bays -2 - 3.5" Drive Bays -3 - 5.25" Drive Bays Internal Bays 4 - 3.5" Drive Bays PCI Slots (Total) - 2 PCI Express X16 Slots (Total) - 3 Expansion Slots -7 Media Ports PS/2 Keyboard Connectors - 1 PS/2 Mouse Connectors - 1 Serial Communication Ports - 1 Parallel Ports - 1 USB Ports - 6 FireWire Ports - 1 LAN Ports - 1 Audio Out Jacks - 2 Line In Jacks - 1 Microphone Jacks - 2 DVI Video - 4 S-Video Connectors - 2 S/PDIF Connectors - 2 Processor Specifications Processor Brand - Intel Processor Class - Core2 Duo Processor Number - X6800 Processor Speed - 2.93EGHz Processor Interface - Socket LGA775 Processors Supported - 1 Processors Onboard - 1 Additional Technologies -Dual-Core Technology -Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology RAM Memory Specifications Memory Type - DDR2 Memory Size - 2.0GB Total Memory - 2.0GB Memory Speed - DDR2 800 (PC2-6400) Memory Slots (Total) - 4 Memory Slots (Available) - 3 Maximum Memory Supported - 8.0GB Hard Disk Drive Specifications Interface - SATA/150 Capacity - 300GB RAID 0 (2x150GB) Speed - 10,000RPM Optical Drive Specifications Optical Drive Type - DVD +/-R/RW Dual Layer Interface - SATA |
Optical Drive 2 Specifications Optical Drive Type - DVD-ROM / CD-RW Combo Interface - EIDE Supplemental Drive Type - Floppy Capacity - 1.44MB Media Types - Floppy Disk Supplemental Drive 2 Type - Media Reader Capacity - 9-in-1 Audio Specifications Audio Description - Integrated Audio Audio Chipset - High Definition Channels -8 Graphics Specifications Graphics Description -Crossfire Mode -PCI-Express Video Card GPU/VPU - ATI RADEON X1900 XTX Video Memory - 512MB Memory Video Interface -VIVO -2 DVI Maximum Resolution - 2560 x 1600 Secondary Graphics Specifications Graphics Description -Crossfire Mode -PCI-Express Video Card GPU/VPU - ATI RADEON X1900 XTX Video Memory - 512MB Memory Video Interface -2 DVI -VIVO Maximum Resolution - 2560x1600 Communications Communications Description - Integrated LAN Support Interface Type - RJ-45 - Ethernet Connector Data Transfer Rate - 10/100/1000Mbps Power Management Power - 600 Watt Mouse Specifications Mouse Type - Gaming Buttons - 3 Scrolling Capability - Vertical Connection Type - USB Keyboard Specifications Keyboard Type - Gaming Connection Type - USB |
As we review the system specifications of the Systemax Sabre, it's clear that the system is fully loaded. From its CPU, graphics cards and memory to its hard drive configuration and PSU, the Sabre has some of the most potent components currently available on the market today. The icing on the cake is an illuminated gaming keyboard and mouse which help solidify the Systemax Sabre's aesthetic appeal. However, looks and a specifications list doesn't paint a clear enough picture to draw any conclusions. What it does do is whet our appetite for more, and more is what we're going to give you in the pages ahead.