Uberclok Reactor February 21st, 2008 | by Josh Norem
Video ReviewFull Review
Features and Design CPU Overclocking GPU Overclocking Motherboard Overclocking Chassis and Cooling Storage Software bundle Vista or XP?
Since the hallmark of this system is its overclocked status, let’s delve into that first. Uberclok doesn’t just overclock the CPU and call it a day. Oh no, it overclocks the CPU, the GPU (graphics processing unit, or videocard to the layman) the PCI Express bus and the system memory.
The Reactor we sampled came with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, which runs at 2.4GHz in its native state. Uberclok has overclocked it all the way to 3.2GHz, and uses an aftermarket heatsink/fan to keep it chilly. If a quad-core CPU isn’t your cup of tea just yet and you want a dual-core processor, you can also opt for a Core 2 Duo E8400 overclocked to 3.7GHz.
The Reactor includes an NVIDIA 8800 GTX videocard, which is one of the fastest videocards available today. The card in our system has its core clock, shader engine and video memory overclocked. You can also opt for a second GTX for SLI, or even order 8800 Ultra(s) if you have recently inherited a lot of money.
Our last stop on the overclock express is the motherboard, which is an eVGA 680i SLI board. Uberclok has taken the time to overclock its 2GB of Corsair XMS2 Dominator memory from 800MHz to 850MHz. It has also overclocked the frequency of the PCI Express bus by 33%.
Uberclok has chosen the Antec 900 as its chassis of choice for both of the PC configurations it sells, and it’s easy to see why. This is a long-time favorite among gamers due to its tremendous airflow, good looks and spacious interior. Since everything in this PC is overclocked, airflow is supremely important, and the Antec 900 delivers with two 120mm intake fans in the front, one 120mm exhaust fan on the back, and a giant 200mm fan on top of the case.
You can choose any case you want, as long as it’s the Antec 900. We love this case, so our feelings are not hurt.
Three drives are included with the Reactor: two optical and one magnetic. The optical drives are Lite-On models, and include a DVD writer with LightScribe as well as a DVD reader. The lone hard drive is a gigantic 1TB Hitachi 7K1000 with 32MB of cache. If you don’t want this much storage (what’s wrong with you?) you can opt for a 500GB drive or a 150GB WD Raptor. RAID options are included in the configuration step on the website if you are looking for a mirrored or striped array.
Nobody likes bloatware (trial software), and apparently neither does Uberclok. The Reactor came with no trialware installed whatsoever, but the company did pre-install several software titles. The pre-installed software includes stuff most of us would install ourselves, including iTunes, Mozilla Firefox, CCCP codec pack, nTune, Adobe Flash Player and Reader, Divx, Quicktime, Java, Nero Essentials and Extract Now for unzipping RAR files.
The Reactor we sampled came with both Windows XP and Windows Vista Ultimate installed in a dual-boot configuration. When configuring the system you can choose whatever OS you want; XP costs the same as Vista Home Premium. Or you can dual-boot, which will cost you an extra $170 USD for the additional OS as long as its Vista Business or Home Premium.
by Damian McCormick on November 8, 2009:
“I contacted Thomas Glen and asked if he would build a machine for me. I explained to him what I wanted (Cosmos Case) 150 Raptors, Dual SLI, Creative Labs Fatality. I gave him my list of desired components and asked his opinion if some were over kill or...” More...