MaxForce Reviewed: 3-Way SLI and 4 GHz+

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Gaming Benchmarks

Let’s start off with Crysis—this is one title that really appreciates the GeForce architecture. Two GeForce GTX 280s perform on par with two Radeon 4870 X2 cards, and the triple-SLI setup in the MaxForce rig decimates its competition. With or without AA enabled, 3-way SLI is the way to go in this game on a 32-bit platform, and the MaxForce delivers. If you remember from the Gaming System Shootout, the Radeon’s reclaim the lead upon switching over to 64-bit mode.

Supreme Commander shows us what the AMD camp can do, with the two Radeon 4870 X2 cards really handing it to the GeForce solutions. We’re not seeing any real difference between SLI and 3-way SLI in this title.

Let’s move on to Unreal Tournament 3:

Unreal Tournament 3 is showing another strong performance by the two Radeon 4870 X2 cards, but there is at least a tangible benefit to the 3-way SLI solution in the MaxForce PC. Of course, with the frame rates so high on any of these powerful systems, there is little real-world difference.

World in Conflict Benchmarks

Finally, World in Conflict demonstrates more SLI-friendly behavior, allowing the MaxForce and its three GeForce GTX 280s to win the benchmark. Once again, the frame rates between all three solutions are so high that there is little real-world difference.

Don Woligroski
50 Comments Comment from the forums
  • neiroatopelcc
    "xtras 1BG USB Flash Drive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_drive , Assassin ’s Creed (game)" on page 2 - sure u don't mean 1GB?
    Reply
  • wahdangun
    "a GDDR3 motherboard, and no less than three of the fastest video cards money can buy"

    hmmm i think it have alot of typo in here
    Reply
  • random1283
    OK maybe GDDR3 is a typo but GTX280s are the fastest SINGLE GPU video cards out there and I think thats what he meant
    Reply
  • Pei-chen
    3 years warranty and water cooling don't go together. Water cooling requires too much maintenance compare with high-end air cooling.

    The choice of 2GB memory and Vista 32 sounds like a joke. Think of telling your friends your $4000+ system is running 2GB and Vista 32. 4GB should be minimum and 8GB optional.
    Reply
  • Shadow703793
    Good luck for MaxForce. Hopefully their customer service comes close to Flacon.
    Reply
  • rubix_1011
    Are you kidding me? Offering 2GB of RAM and a 32 bit OS shouldn't even be a consideration when paying $4000+ for a performance machine. Give me a break: OEM builder Vista 64 is like $80 and I am sure you can get 'volume' discounts for boutique builders like these. Tossing in the other 2GB of DDR3 shouldn't set you back any more than $50 (again, volume purchase discounts).

    I say OS switch-out is negligible cost. You MIGHT see minor price increase due to 4GB RAM as opposed to 2Gb...but still 4GB should be the starting point in a system with this hardware.

    Running 3 280's? You are using over 1/2 your available system memory allocation due to GDDR. 64 bit only.
    Reply
  • smyter_m
    their website down? www.solaris-pc.com?
    Reply
  • cleeve
    rubix_1011Are you kidding me? Offering 2GB of RAM and a 32 bit OS shouldn't even be a consideration when paying $4000+ for a performance machine.
    Please tell me you're not serious. 2GB and Vista 32 is no good for a gaming machine? What are you guys smoking?

    If you guys can provide some evidence that Vista 32 can't stand up to Vista 64 when gaming, I'd be real interested in seeing it. 2 GB or not.

    It sounds to me like you gents are getting caught up in leetness without looking at the bottom line. Vista 64 and 8GB of RAM aren't going to supply higher framerates, gents.

    I thought we were about tangible performance, not bragging rights.
    Reply
  • cleeve
    smyter_mtheir website down? www.solaris-pc.com?
    The website is www.maxforcepc.com
    Reply
  • cleeve
    Pei-chen3 years warranty and water cooling don't go together. Water cooling requires too much maintenance compare with high-end air cooling.
    Falcon and HP managed to do it, admittedly with a slightly lower warranty. Frankly, chances are it will keep the CPU working longer.

    On a side note, MaxForce let me know that they will install custom kit like water cooling at the customer's request.
    Reply