Reviews - Scan 3XS system review: Twin GeForce GTX 480s in SLI

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We take a close look at our first SI-built PC featuring two GeForce GTX 480 cards.

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Read more.

No big surprises there really. It makes sense to offer that kind of configuration as an option for buyers, but you've got to appreciate that it's going to be loud... there's no avoiding that.

The only thing I would say is that the lack of an H50 seems odd... when you're spending that much money, it's 1% extra on the build and would surely keep it a little bit cooler internally? Or maybe it's a case of 1 degree at best... hard to tell.

I think at the end of the day, if you're going to shell out that kind of money on a desktop, with that kind of graphics power, it would be a bit daft not to go watercooled. Not really a comment on the build - it makes sense to offer both options - I just think when you're spending that much why not go the extra mile.

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Originally Posted by snootyjim

The only thing I would say is that the lack of an H50 seems odd... when you're spending that much money, it's 1% extra on the build and would surely keep it a little bit cooler internally? Or maybe it's a case of 1 degree at best... hard to tell.

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I don't think it would make much difference - the CPU isn't the main heat generator in that system - and it's pretty much exhausting straight out the case anyway.

Watercooling those 480s though.. that would make a difference as they do radiate into the case.

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Originally Posted by kalniel

Watercooling those 480s though.. that would make a difference as they do radiate into the case.

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We have options for watercooling the 480GTX cards in other 3XS extreme builds.

The systems online configurator has an option which allows you to keep them babies nice and quiet under water should you choose to do so :)

Jesus. Those idle/load power draw figures are why I'm steering well clear of nVidia hardware this time around. Absolutely ridiculous considering the tiny (if existent at all) performance improvement.

And my cabling looks nowhere near as awesome as this :(

Perhaps the most popular game at the moment, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2

O RLY:mrgreen:

why did you compare it to a dual radeon system... makes no sense what so ever.

Correct me if im wrong but isnt the point of this review to prove that scans choice of equipment used to facilitate a dual GTX480 system is the most sensible therefore the most obvious factors to vary would be anything other than the chosen graphics cards.

Also this makes me laugh

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Originally Posted by Hexus

NVIDIA recommends that reviewers evaluate the noise profile of the GeForce GTX 400-series GPUs when enclosed within a well-ventilated PC engineered by responsible system integrators. The Scan system represents an ideal opportunity to investigate NVIDIA\'s claims.

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Because PC componant reviewers clearly dont have a clue how to build a well ventilated and engineered PCs?!

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Originally Posted by Biscuit

why did you compare it to a dual radeon system... makes no sense what so ever.

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Seems to make a lot of sense to me. Many people will want to know how performance, power and typical noise/heat stack up between the two. Granted, the conditions for the latter are not 100% consistent, but the former should not be so variant as to make it a pointless exercise.

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Because PC componant reviewers clearly dont have a clue how to build a well ventilated and engineered PCs?!

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I'm guessing there are plenty out there who will happily stick a 480 into an mATX build just because it fits.

I think it's probably just so they can deflect all the negative press from reviewers who will probably use a testbench.

And somehow claim that airflow in a proper "well-ventilated case" would change the game completely and the 480 will sound like a gentle sea breeze, as opposed to a broken Dyson.

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Originally Posted by kalniel

Seems to make a lot of sense to me. Many people will want to know how performance, power and typical noise/heat stack up between the two. Granted, the conditions for the latter are not 100% consistent, but the former should not be so variant as to make it a pointless exercise.

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If i wanted to see how 2 x GTX480 compared with 2 x Radeon HD5870, i would look at the review specifically done for that purpose. The title of the review is Twin GeForce GTX 480s in SLI therefore that should be the constant. Personally i think comparing the Scan system to a radeon build is a pointless excersize as it doesnt add anything to the understanding if the selection of parts made by Scan is correct.

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Originally Posted by kalniel

I'm guessing there are plenty out there who will happily stick a 480 into an mATX build just because it fits.

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Maybe your average Joe on the street but not professional tech site reviewers.

confused about why scan used the megahalem, and not the venomous x

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Originally Posted by Biscuit

Personally i think comparing the Scan system to a radeon build is a pointless excersize as it doesnt add anything to the understanding if the selection of parts made by Scan is correct.

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I think comparing the 480SLi to the Crossfire system makes a huge sense in this review, because everyone can see that the 480s consume 60% more power and don't offer anything whatsoever in terms of gaming performance for the ridiculous price premium (as shown it can be even slower).

Thanks for the review.

but that was shown in a previous review which was there for that exact purpose...

Feel like im talking to a wall here

I feel the point is to see if a decent SI can tame the heat, noise and power consumption. Seems that they kinda failed compared to the Radeons, but that has been known since day 1.