Meet the Gaming Review Team
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| Dear God, what a machine! |
Very smooth game play. |
Too good. It's perfect! |
Super detailed. |
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| An all round quality machine. |
Very sweet! |
Very optimal. |
Could use restore disks. |
Introduction
Why do we buy computers? Are they necessary for doing household financial planning, tax preparation, maybe even homework? Well, sure. But there's something more than 'real' work when it comes to certain types of computers. You know what we're talking about here "" gaming machines! Ladies and Gentlemen, let me present the HyperKore HK-Xtreme!
FastLaneHW was fortunate enough to get this high-end gaming system to review from the boys over at HyperKore. This isn't just any gaming machine, buy the way. It's the same machine reviewed by Computer Power User magazine in their April 2006 issue. The only thing that's different here is the custom laser-etched window (oh, it's so sweet...) and the review process that we have used. The HK-Xtreme was placed in a LAN gaming session with five other machines at the home of Big Al's Computers. We are going to see how real gamers, guys just like you and me, think the HK-Xtreme performs with real games "" forget the benchmarks. Not only that, we're going to take a peek inside this beauty. You will soon understand what a good wiring job is all about. Believe me, it's been a humbling experience for me and my custom builds.
(click to enlarge) | | The HyperKore HK-Xtreme arrived with a custom laser-etched window for www.fastlanehw.com! |
What's It All About?
Big Al's Computers, when it comes right down to it, is basically my basement filled with gaming machines that I have built over the past few years. I'm what you call a frustrated engineer (I have an MSEE), since I don't do much engineering design work at my regular job. So I make up for that by building and modding computers. Anyway, I enjoy hosting LAN gaming sessions periodically. Its fun for the local gamers and it helps justify the expense that comes along for the ride. My main gaming machines are the OsbornAgain (a rebuilt 1983-era CP/M portable computer now running an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual core CPU), the Printer-to-Computer-Deja-Vu (two complete AMD Athlon XP 2500+ systems stuffed into an old HP LaserJet 4MX), and some more typical case machines (Ella, Tufts, and Tom) that are also running the AMD Athlon XP 2500+ CPU. The HK-Xtreme is running the Intel dual-core Pentium D 950 CPU. Videocard wise, OsbornAgain has a BFG 7800 GT OC, while the Printer-to-Computer-Deja-Vu has dual PNY 6800 GTs. Can my machines measure up to the HK-Xtreme's Asus ATI Radeon EAX1800XT with its 512MB of on-board RAM? We're going to find out...
But first, let me say a few words about HyperKore. The company was founded in November 2003 by three guys "" Thomas, Chris, and Adam. Thomas has the artistic talents "" he graduated from the prestigious School of Visual Arts in New York. Chris finished his studies with a Masters in Information Systems, and he has tons of experience with the wireless industry. If you need help with digital film and editing on high-end personal computers (like the HK-Xtreme), Chris is your man. Adam brought in the sales experience and works the marketing aspects. Each system is built by hand. Each of these guys is a system builder. There are no assembly lines, no mass production. One system builder handles the entire process of obtaining the hardware, assembling the system, tweaking and testing. Then a second system builder validates everything the first system builder did. Each system is built like it was their own personal computer. A support staff takes care of the other aspects of running the business, so these guys can remain focused.
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