Dell XPS 720 H2O Edition Gaming Rig Delivers Stellar Performance without Losing its Cool

[Darksaber]

Dell today expanded its internationally recognized line of desktop gaming systems with the XPSTM 720 H2C Edition, a performance junkie's dream built around a variety of premium technologies designed for overclocking.

The XPS 720 H2C Edition pushes the limits of extreme performance with Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP) memory technology. The system ships with 800MHz Corsair DOMINATORTM EPP memory modules (factory overclocked1 to 1066MHz) combined with Intel multi-core processors (factory overclocked up to bin+3). Additionally, BIOS switches allow users to manipulate the speed of the front-side bus and chipset through the Windows operating system and third-party applications such as nVIDIA nTune.


To help ensure optimal operating conditions, Dell's patent-pending, two-stage liquid H2C Ceramic cooling technology can deliver optimized thermal controls with minimal power.

"Hard-core gamers and technology enthusiasts continue to challenge us to push limits, and we relish turning those challenges into reality," said Glen Robson, general manager, Dell's worldwide gaming products. "Dell is committed to delivering the best PC gaming experience available, combining leading-edge hardware and accessory innovations with the most extreme games, and the XPS gaming products are designed to do exactly that."

Technology Advancements Deliver Extreme Gaming
The XPS 720 H2C Edition showcases a number of other technology advancements. For example, "Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa," by NCSoft, due out this fall, delivers new levels of environmental complexity with its multi-threaded code primed to take advantage of multi-core processors. The recently released "CellFactor: Revolution," by Artificial Studios, Timeline Interactive and Immersion Games, takes full advantage of the AGEIA PhysXTM Processor to deliver realistic movement and environmental interaction at incredible speeds without degrading overall performance.

Systems configured with dual SLI-enabled nVIDIA GeForce graphics cards will be ideally suited to take on this year's highly anticipated DirectX 10 gaming titles, as well as next-generation OpenGL titles. The cards also support connections to large high-resolution displays without impacting realism or fluidity of game play. Hard-core multi-taskers can set up dual or even quad-display stations to combine game play with productivity applications.

Let There be Light - with Dell's LightFX Technology
Dell has expanded the LightFXTM toolkit, originally introduced on the XPS M1710 notebook computer, to the XPS 720 H2C desktop. LightFX is a unique application that allows users and developers to manipulate the multi-colored perimeter lighting LEDs incorporated into the XPS 720 H2C Edition.

With LightFX, enthusiasts control three light zones (back, front/top, front/bottom), eight intensity levels, and 16 colors, with the capability to create unique lighting scenarios that match specific game activities such as breathing or heartbeat. The technology also supports the development of custom lighting effects including flashing, strobe, chasing and cross fades between colors and zones, or tie lighting effects to gaming events such as fire, damage or life drain. More about Dell's LightFX technology and the software developer's kit is available at http://www.dell.com/lightfx.

The Nitty-Gritty Details
With a starting price $5,999, the XPS 720 H2C Edition features:

• Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor QX6700 at 2.66GHz (factory overclocked to 3.46GHz) combined with nVIDIA nForce 680i SLi MCP (D)**
• Dell H2C thermo-electric/liquid cooling system
• 2GB 800MHz Corsair DOMINATOR DDR2 memory featuring EPP (factory overclocked to 1066MHz)
• SLI-enabled dual 768MB nVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX graphics cards
• Dual 160GBsc3 SATA 3GB/s 10,000RPM hard drives that support RAID 0, 1 0+1 and 5
• 2X Blu-ray disc drive
• Sound BlasterTM X-Fi XtremeMusic (D)** sound card
• 24-inch UltraSharp 2407FPW widescreen digital display with Dell AS501 10-watt flat panel speakers
• Choice of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows XP Media Center
• 2.44mm-thick aluminum case with high gloss Piano Black paint and 1KW power supply
• One year At Home limited warranty6 service and support

** Certain components may differ from the retail version

Optional Upgrades

• Intel Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor QX6800 at 2.93GHz (factory overclocked1 to 3.73GHz)
• SLI-enabled dual nVida GeForce 8800 Ultra graphics cards
• AGEIA PhysX Processor
• 27-inch UltraSharpTM 2707WFP widescreen digital display
• Dell WL6000 5.8GHz Wireless rear 5.1 speaker system with subwoofer

More information is available at http://www.dell.com/gaming. The XPS 720 H2C is available immediately in the U.S. and will be available the next few weeks in Europe.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit http://www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to http://www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit http://www.dell.com/RSS.

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[d44ve]

so it sounds like it is running a setup similair to the Freezone

 

[PVTCaboose1337]

STARTING PRICE $5999.99

Wow I must have it for that amazing price.

 

[kwchang007]

STARTING PRICE $5999.99

Wow I must have it for that amazing price.

lol. what i don't like about this system that it's not true liquid cooling. if they cooled the gfx cards as well, they could also factory overclock them. it's surprsing to see an oem provide overclocking options, the factory overclock is not new, but they usually do not let you tune the fsb like this does. very interesting step for oem's, but much to expensive.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Its a combination of watercooling, tec cooling and something else they have concocted. Ive read a bit about this and I think its an awesome move and technology. Of course, you can get the same from Alienware for a few hundred cheaper, I believe, minus the TM H20 Edition cooling.

 

[Casheti]

Could be built for less.

 

[BetterThanYou]

DELL! Computers for idiots™


for 6k, I could build two rigs that run circles arround that one, just as silent, and works at safe operating temperatures.

 

[a111087]

DELL! Computers for idiots™
for 6k, I could build two rigs that run circles arround that one, just as silent, and works at safe operating temperatures.

yep, Dell is overpriced ridiculously :shadedshu

 

[russianboy]

nice

cool case too!

 

[tkpenalty]

Even though its expensive... it sure is sexy... NOONE can make a case that nice.

 

[ex_reven]

DELL! Computers for idiots™

for 6k, I could build two rigs that run circles arround that one, just as silent, and works at safe operating temperatures.

Just because its not custom built doesnt mean its made for idiots.
You cant custom build a hundred or more computers for companies like Valve for them to do their business, its not very practical to do so. Im pretty sure Valve are using these exact systems atm (minus the peltier cooling) and with a couple of 32" screens for each person working on the dev team (according to what I saw in a previous Valve announcement).

Your probably correct in saying you could build a better or cheaper system, im not going to argue with that. But id like to indicate that not all OEM users are idiots .

@TK, I agree with you man. Very beautiful system aesthetically

 

[tkpenalty]

Now im jealous... fark. I could make that case, but it would take a considerable amount of time with all the acryllic bending.

 

[ex_reven]

I could make that case, but it would take a considerable amount of time with all the acryllic bending.

Acrylic?

2.44mm-thick aluminum case with high gloss Piano Black paint

 

[hv43082]

QX6700 $1000
4GB Dominator $350
Mobo DFI 680i $300
2 8800GTX's $1100
PSU 1KW $350
Sound Card $150
Physics Card $200
UFO Case $350
Custom H2O, thermo, etc cooling $400
Misc stuffs $100
Total $4300
By next year $3000, the year after $1500....At time like this I miss console (4yr life span).

 

[ex_reven]

You forgot about the 2 Blu ray drives that they included.
So that would mean to match their build it adds on at least another $1000

What about the 24" Screen? Thats gotta be at least another $800-1000

 

[tkpenalty]

You forgot about the 2 Blu ray drives that they included.
So that would mean to match their build it adds on at least another $1000

What about the 24" Screen? Thats gotta be at least another $800-1000

The case is godlike...

 

[hv43082]

You forgot about the 2 Blu ray drives that they included.
So that would mean to match their build it adds on at least another $1000

What about the 24" Screen? Thats gotta be at least another $800-1000

The screen is like $600 here in US. You really don't need a blue ray drive right now. A blank blue ray DVD cost more than the authentic blue ray movie. A PS3 can be had for $600 and it will serve its purpose plus gaming. I do like their case though. Nice glossy piano black finish.

 

[Wile E]

The screen is like $600 here in US. You really don't need a blue ray drive right now. A blank blue ray DVD cost more than the authentic blue ray movie. A PS3 can be had for $600 and it will serve its purpose plus gaming. I do like their case though. Nice glossy piano black finish.

The BD drives aren't a question of need when comparing this to a home built system, it's a question of want. If you want a system of these specs, building it yourself won't be uber cheaper, like everyone makes it out to be. Now, if you don't want these features, then yes, your home built rig will be much, much cheaper, but it also won't have comparable features.

 

[Easy Rhino]

what?? no 8800 ultra in sli? cheap bastards...

and i wonder how many home users buy these real expensive rigs. sure it makes sense for people over at valve to have them for development since it makes perfect business sense, but how many people actually drop 6 grand for a computer? are there that many rich people out there gaming?? or are most people paying for it on credit?

 

[ex_reven]

the ultras are an optional upgrade

 

[DrunkenMafia]

I bet they sell heaps of these to those snotty little rich kids that tell their parents its exactly what they NEED to play games......

Cheeky little shits!!!