Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage
Print
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
More…The Xi MTower IGE is a powerful system with a quad-core processor, lots of memory and disk space, and an impressive set of features. It's also expensive: Our test configuration was priced at $4149 (the system is available later this month).
Xi Computer Xi MTower IGE
- Spec Navigator
- Processor
- Memory
- Storage
- Multimedia
- Software
- Optical Drives
- Expansion Slots
- Display
- Modem / Networking
- Case
- Other Features
- Interface Connection
Multimedia
| Audio Adapter Model | AD1988B-8CH Dolby Master Studio |
| Audio Channels | 7.1 surround |
| Graphics Board RAM Type | DDR4 |
| Video chipset | ATI RADEON X1950XTX |
| Installed video memory | 512 MB |
| Video bus | PCI Express |
Software
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows XP Professional |
| Included Software |
|
Optical Drives
| Optical Drive Speed | 8 |
| Optical Drive Type | DVD±R DL/DVD±RW |
| Second Optical Drive Speed | 16 |
| Second Optical Drive Type | DVD-ROM |
Expansion Slots
| Open PCI Express X16 Slots | 1 |
| Number of PCI slots | 3 |
| Open PCI Express X1 Slots | 1 |
| PCI Express Slots | 3 |
| Slots | 5 |
Display
| Included monitor | No |
| Monitor model number | Viewsonic VG2021m |
| Display type | LCD |
| Display size | 20 inches |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Desktops »
Pros
Plenty of room for expansion
Cons
No illumination to show off components
Some loose cabling inside the case
Bottom Line
This Intel quad-core CPU-based systme provides plenty of processing power for multimedia and multitasking chores.
Xi MTower IGE
Xi MTower IGE Review, by Richard Baguley November 1, 2006
You get a lot of computing muscle for the cash, however. The machine uses Intel's new quad-core processor, the 2.6-GHz Core 2 Extreme QX6700, and 2GB of RAM. It produced a score of 155 on our WorldBench 5 tests. While impressive, that score is not dramatically higher than the marks of systems equipped with a dual-core CPU; note, though, that some of the programs WorldBench 5 uses don't take advantage of the extra processor cores. In general, you should be able to see improved performance in comparison with a dual-core system on such tasks as video encoding and 3D rendering. See "Test: Intel's Quad-Core CPU Speeds Video" for more details on the new processor and how it performs.
The MTower IGE turned in very good gaming performance, as well. Using an ATI Radeon X1950 XTX graphics card with 512MB of video memory, the system managed an impressive 155 frames per second in our test game Doom 3 at 1280 by 1024 resolution--that bodes well for the system being able to keep pace with the latest 3D games.
The PC's large ThermalTake case has a clean design. Some users consider interior case lighting--visible through a window on the side of the case--a cool asset; if you fall into that category, you may find this system's paltry interior lighting a letdown.
The case offers plenty of room inside to maneuver and to add components. Our configuration came with two 10,000-rpm 150GB hard drives striped together in a RAID 0 array, a DVD burner, and a DVD-ROM drive. Even with all that, the system still had five additional drive bays open (two internal bays and three externally accessible ones). Several cables were left untied, however, and cables connecting the motherboard to the front ports blocked one of the five open expansion slots.
Our model came with Logitech's Cordless Desktop MX3000 mouse and keyboard, a wireless package that was comfortable to use. The keyboard includes several programmable keys as well as media keys for quickly accessing your favorite programs and files. The system also bundles a remote control.
The MTower IGE is a well-rounded, nicely constructed system that provides a lot of processing power. Just a few minor issues (such as some loose cabling and the large window with no internal lighting) detract from the package.
Richard Baguley
Show Less 
0 Comments | 0 Topics | Print Only This Review
PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
-
85
-
71
-
79
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar Desktops
85
94
82
87
Performance
| ACD Systems ACDSee | 371 |
| Adobe Photoshop | 228 |
| Adobe Premiere | 264 |
| Ahead Nero | 168 |
| Discreet 3ds Max DirectX | 211 |
| Discreet 3ds Max OpenGL | 263 |
| Doom 3 with AA, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 136.23 |
| Doom 3 with AA, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 122.77 |
| Doom 3, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 157.07 |
| Doom 3, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 155.1 |
| Far Cry with AA, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 178.59 |
| Far Cry with AA, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 163.35 |
| Far Cry, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 181.65 |
| Far Cry, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 182.67 |
| Microsoft Office XP | 510 |
| Mozilla | 266 |
| Multitasking | 283 |
| Musicmatch Jukebox | 359 |
| Overall Graphics Score | Very Good |
| Roxio VideoWave | 201 |
| Windows Media Encoder | 209 |
| WinZip | 194 |
| World Bench 5 Score | 153 |
| World Bench 5 Word Score | Very Good |
User Reviews
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
Shop for the Xi Computer Xi MTower IGE
Sorry, the product you requested isn't currently available from any of our sellers.
Desktops similar to the Xi Computer Xi MTower IGE
We recommend these Desktops for their similarities to the Xi Computer Xi MTower IGE in features, specs, ratings, and user interest.
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
Latest Prices » |
|
|
|
Latest Prices » |
|
|
|
Latest Prices » |
- Before you buy
- How to Buy a Desktop PC
People who looked at the Xi Computer Xi MTower IGE also looked at:
Start New Topic Don't see the answer to your question? Ask it here!
Featured APC Accessories
-
APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
-
APC Smart-UPS Loaded with cutting-edge features, unique battery life predictor, unbeatable on-line efficiencies and software agents allowing remote UPS monitoring. Get 10% off your entire kart purchase!
