Bull3t
Regular Member (100+)
Uberclok Reactor - Review
Uberclok is relatively new to the custom PC scene, and the Chicago-based builder offers pre-overclocked gaming systems to provide customers good price-to-performance value.
Currently, Uberclok offers two models: the Ion and the pricier Reactor. The Reactor we evaluated is an example of a midrange gaming configuration. You could upgrade to dual GeForce 8800 Ultras, a 37GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6850, and add as much as 8GB of system memory.
To maximize airflow to the overclocked components, Uberclok uses an Antec Nine Hundred case, which features a perforated front bezel with two 120mm fans, one 120mm rear fan, and a 200mm fan at the top of the case. Additionally, the Reactor included a Tuniq Tower 120 heatsink with a 120mm fan in the center of the heatsink's fans that's perpendicular to the CPU to blow air directly out to the 200mm top fan. Surprisingly, the Reactor ran fairly quiet with the five fans. Aesthetically, the all-black case isn't going to drop any jaws (currently, Ubcrclok docs not offer custom paint jobs), but with a DVD±RW DL. a DVD-ROM, a 6-in-l card reader, and top-facing FircWirc and USB ports, the Reactor gave the impression of a no-nonsense power user PC. The case appeared roomy from the window side panel, and you have room to work inside the case thanks to Uberclok's tidy routing of cables.
The Reactor we tested includes both a 150GB Western Digital RaptorX and a 1TB Hitachi Deskstar, so you have plenty of storage. And the Creative X-Fi Xtreme-Gamer audio card and D-Link DWA-556 wireless card arc nice inclusions that provide a well-rounded lineup of hardware on the system. As for overall parts selection, Ubcrclok lets you choose from a few options for every component but the motherboard and the case. We particularly liked thc choice of a DVD±RW DL, BD-RE, or HD DVD ROM drive. Our Reactor came packed with components, so there wasn't too much room for expandability, but there were two empty hard drive bays.
[BREAK=Specs & Performance]
Specs:
The graphics power in the system comes from two BFG 8800 GTX OC2 cards, and Uberclok updated the Reactor at press time to offer the option of two 8800 Ultras. The Tuniq Tower 120 CPU cooler let Ubcrclok raise the Intel Core 2 Quad from 2.4GHz to 3-2GHz, and the 4:01 (minutes:seconds) and 1:30 Cinebench 10 results show the benefits.We experienced some issues with Crysis at the 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, but a rein¬stalling of our graphics driver got the Reactor to run the game at the highest settings with AA disabled. (And Uberclok was quick to answer our tech support call and was helpful dealing with the problem.)
Overall, the Reactor delivered good scores for a midrange gaming system, particularly the overall 3DMark06 score of 15382 and 64tps in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Despite the issues with Crysis, the over-clocked components seemed stable, and the Reactor offers plenty of ventilation to keep the components cool. Oberclok systems come with a 30-day guarantee and a three-year parts and labor warranty, including the overclocked components (of course, provided you don't further overclock them).
Uberclok is relatively new to the custom PC scene, and the Chicago-based builder offers pre-overclocked gaming systems to provide customers good price-to-performance value.
Currently, Uberclok offers two models: the Ion and the pricier Reactor. The Reactor we evaluated is an example of a midrange gaming configuration. You could upgrade to dual GeForce 8800 Ultras, a 37GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6850, and add as much as 8GB of system memory.
To maximize airflow to the overclocked components, Uberclok uses an Antec Nine Hundred case, which features a perforated front bezel with two 120mm fans, one 120mm rear fan, and a 200mm fan at the top of the case. Additionally, the Reactor included a Tuniq Tower 120 heatsink with a 120mm fan in the center of the heatsink's fans that's perpendicular to the CPU to blow air directly out to the 200mm top fan. Surprisingly, the Reactor ran fairly quiet with the five fans. Aesthetically, the all-black case isn't going to drop any jaws (currently, Ubcrclok docs not offer custom paint jobs), but with a DVD±RW DL. a DVD-ROM, a 6-in-l card reader, and top-facing FircWirc and USB ports, the Reactor gave the impression of a no-nonsense power user PC. The case appeared roomy from the window side panel, and you have room to work inside the case thanks to Uberclok's tidy routing of cables.
The Reactor we tested includes both a 150GB Western Digital RaptorX and a 1TB Hitachi Deskstar, so you have plenty of storage. And the Creative X-Fi Xtreme-Gamer audio card and D-Link DWA-556 wireless card arc nice inclusions that provide a well-rounded lineup of hardware on the system. As for overall parts selection, Ubcrclok lets you choose from a few options for every component but the motherboard and the case. We particularly liked thc choice of a DVD±RW DL, BD-RE, or HD DVD ROM drive. Our Reactor came packed with components, so there wasn't too much room for expandability, but there were two empty hard drive bays.
[BREAK=Specs & Performance]
Specs:
The graphics power in the system comes from two BFG 8800 GTX OC2 cards, and Uberclok updated the Reactor at press time to offer the option of two 8800 Ultras. The Tuniq Tower 120 CPU cooler let Ubcrclok raise the Intel Core 2 Quad from 2.4GHz to 3-2GHz, and the 4:01 (minutes:seconds) and 1:30 Cinebench 10 results show the benefits.We experienced some issues with Crysis at the 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, but a rein¬stalling of our graphics driver got the Reactor to run the game at the highest settings with AA disabled. (And Uberclok was quick to answer our tech support call and was helpful dealing with the problem.)
Overall, the Reactor delivered good scores for a midrange gaming system, particularly the overall 3DMark06 score of 15382 and 64tps in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Despite the issues with Crysis, the over-clocked components seemed stable, and the Reactor offers plenty of ventilation to keep the components cool. Oberclok systems come with a 30-day guarantee and a three-year parts and labor warranty, including the overclocked components (of course, provided you don't further overclock them).