14 DAY TRIAL // Those end-users that are not just interested in gaming and multimedia may be aware that Adobe recently made the day of creative professionals by releasing the latest suite of high-end software, known as the Creative Suite 5 (CS5). This new suite promises the highest amount of creative features but, consequently, has the highest need for powerful hardware if it is to run smoothly. Seeing this as both a worthy cause, as well as an opportunity, MAINGEAR made haste in introducing its specially-designed Quantum SHIFT workstation.
MAINGEAR has a reputation for making bleeding-edge computers but this particular monster literally has no mercy when it comes to both its competition and its prospective purchasers' life savings (or fading life signs as a cause of awe-induced shock, for that matter). This fact can be easily noticed even when looking at the CPU options alone, not to mention memory and graphics.
The liquid-cooled central chip can be either an Intel Core i7 or a Xeon 5600 Series (or two), which means maximum memory capacities are of no less than 24GB and 96GB, respectively. Obviously, it's not every day that end-users get to see a system with a higher memory capacity than many older-generation HDD and current-generation SSDs. Even the graphics capabilities are significant, with three professional NVIDIA Quadro FX 5800 adapters promising the utmost video capabilities and GPGPU power. Alternatively, interested customers may choose three GeForce GTX 480 cards if they want DirectX 11.
The list of amazing to outrageous system specifications doesn't end here, however. In fact, inevitable feeling of awe is even further enforced by the Quantum SHIFT's storage capability, which, through use of as much as six hard disks or solid state drives, can reach an astounding 12TB. Fortunately, the product is not all out of this world, as it still manages to keep some more 'common' elements, such as the DVD or Blu-ray drive. The PSU used can have either 1kW or 1.5kW of power.
“Adobe CS5 fully leverages the advantages of NVIDIA’s Quadro FX GPU accelerated technology,” said Wallace Santos, CEO and Founder of MAINGEAR. “Quantum SHIFT optimizes both technologies with enhanced performance and airflow, providing creative professionals with the most advanced workstation PC ever created.”
MAINGEAR's Quantum SHIFT definitely has high enough specifications to claim that title but, regrettably, not many mortals will be able to get near it because, even though its starting price is almost approachable (at $3,399, or $3,995 for the Xeon version), the price tag doesn't shrink away from reaching as high as $30,879.99. The product comes with a one-year warranty.