14 DAY TRIAL // As it was to be expected, the official introduction of Intel's next-generation Core i7 processors has led to the unveiling of a number of new desktop computer systems from major PC makers, coming to embrace the technological advantages delivered by the latest high-performance desktop CPUs. Major companies such as Dell, Alienware, Gateway, CyberPower, Commodore Gaming or SmoothCreations, which we already mentioned yesterday, have already come forth with their latest Core i7-enabled PCs, all of which are specifically designed to meet the power requirements of gaming users.
Dell and Alienware have introduced three new desktops systems, with Dell letting loose an XPS 730X, which starts at $1,999, and Alienware expanding its Area-51 lineup with the X-58 and ALX X-58 models, coming at $1,649 and $3,699, respectively. While the Alienware systems can provide a maxim memory of 12GB DDR3 memory, Dell's XPS 730x can only deliver up to 6GB DDR3, which should, however, be more than enough for any of the latest gaming applications, and even to provide an excellent Windows Vista experience. Additional features include support for both ATI and NVIDIA multi-graphics technologies, as all systems are compatible with ATI's CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI, while storage can go up to as much as 2TB on the XPS system and 4TB on Alienware's models.
Details on one of Gateway's FX6800-series desktop PCs were initially leaked on the Internet earlier this month, but Acer's subsidiary had to wait until the official word from the Santa Clara, California-based chip maker to go public with it. The new desktop system has also been designed for gaming, and comes to take advantage of the latest in desktop computing technology, including two of Intel's new Core i7 processors, the 920 and 940 models, as well as of the newest ATI Radeon graphics cards. The "entry-level" model is priced at an MSRP of $1,2499.99, offering a Core i7 920-based configuration that also equips an HD 4850 graphics card with 512MB of video memory and 3GB of triple channel DDR3 memory. The higher-priced FX6800-05 model is set to come with an MSRP of $2,999.99, and will provide users with a Core i7 940 processor coupled with 6GB of GDDR3 memory and the world's fastest consumer graphics card, the HD 4870 X2. Also, this configuration has been built to take advantage of a fast 80GB SSD storage solution, ensuring more performance and speed to consumer PCs.
CyberPower has also decided to unveil its latest desktop gaming rig, which comes to take advantage of Intel's fast Core i7 processors. Simply dubbed CyberPower Black Pearl, the new system is built inside a CoolerMaster ATC S840 Black Pearl full tower case. It boasts an MSI X58 Platinum motherboard based on Intel's X58 chipset, and combines 12GB of DDR3 memory with two ATI Radeon 4870 X2 graphics cards. Also, for extreme performance, the system uses a RAID 0 with two identical Western Digital 300GB Raptor 10.000RPM hard drives. Additional storage is provided by a 1GB SATA 32MB Cache hard disk drive. All of the above come for an estimated starting price tag of $3,999.
Commodore Gaming, another high-end PC maker has also just announced the availability of the new X58-based motherboards and Intel new Core i7 processors, coming to offer users a new level of performance. "This is really an exciting time for PC gamers," commented Bala Keilman, CEO of Commodore Gaming. "The Intel Core i7 processor technology is going to take the PC gaming experience to another level and thanks to our close relationship with Intel we are proud to be one of the first that will be offering this experience to our customers."
