Xi Computer Corp. Computer - Desktop, Workstation, Server

Reviews

Xi MTower 2P64 PCIe @Xi Computer Corp. 800.432.0486
www.xicomputer.com/
Cadalyst Labs Grade: A
Price: $5,999

Original URL: http://management.cadalyst.com/cadman/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=165725&&pageID=2

Cadalyst readers who've followed our testing of systems based on dual AMD Opteron processors know that their performance has been problematic. @Xi Computer has gotten it right, and those past problems did not manifest themselves in this speedy workstation.

The XI MTower 2P64 PCIe from @Xi Computer set a new performance record on the Cadalyst Labs C2001 benchmark test.

The Xi MTower 2P64 PCIe system we tested is housed in the well-designed midsize tower case that @Xi has used for some time. These cases provide ready access to drive bays and feature a lockable swing-away drive bay cover for security. The case measures 17.88" X 7.88" X 17.5" (hXwXd) and is available in silver and black

Inside the case, the Xi MTower 2P64 PCIe system is based on an ASUS K8N-DL motherboard that features two new AMD Opteron 252 2.6GHz microprocessors—the first such system we've tested. The ASUS motherboard uses the NVIDIA NFORCE Pro chipset and offers Hypertransport at 2000MT/s. The system came with 2GB of DDR 400 REG ECC RAM, with 4GB possible on a completely populated motherboard. A SONY DVD-RW DW-26A Double Media 4.7/8.5GB 16X DV optical drive was also included.

The Xi MTower 2P64 PCIe system offers ten USB 2.0 and two FireWire 1394 connectors, as well as four externally accessible 5.25" drive bays, two externally accessible 3.5" drive bays, and another five internally accessible 3.5" bays. This largesse in expandability is supported by a 550-watt Enermax power supply, so there's definitely room for the system to grow.