Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/7277/overclockersuk-release-8pack-range-of-worlds-fastest-systems
OverclockersUK release 8Pack Range of ‘World’s Fastest Systems’
by Ian Cutress on September 5, 2013 5:15 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- Gigabyte
- Asus
- Overclocking
For users in the UK, OverclockersUK is one of the major e-tailers for computer components. In a country where off-the-shelf components are almost non-existent except from a few independent stores, we have to go online to get our fill. Today, OverclockersUK invited media the the launch of their new pre-built enthusiast systems. These systems are built to be some of the the world’s fastest systems, and are co-authored with their in-house overclocker and UK #1, 8Pack.
The flagship of the new systems will be called the SuperNova: an i7-3930K clocked at 4.9 GHz, water cooled, featuring three GTX Titans overclocked to 1200/1700 and water cooled all in a dual loop:
CPU |
Intel Core i7-3930K at 4.9 GHz+ 6 Cores / 12 Threads |
---|---|
Motherboard | ASUS Rampage IV Extreme |
GPU |
3x ASUS GTX Titan 6 GB Overclocked to 1200/1700 |
Memory |
TeamGroup DDR3-2400 4x4 GB Improved Sub-Timings |
PSU | Corsair AX1200i |
SSD | 2x Plextor M5 Pro 512GB in RAID-0 |
Storage | 3TB |
Case | Modified CaseLabs |
Radiators |
8x120 total for CPU+Motherboard Loop 6x120 total for GPUs |
Price |
£9500 inc. VAT $12500 w/o tax |
Obviously such a system comes with a price tag to match - £9500 after VAT (ca. $12500). OCUK will offer some customization options, and the system will be rated for a Fire Strike Extreme score of 13500 with every component still stable.
The purpose of these systems is all in the pre-testing. 8Pack personally tests dozens of CPUs for each system, to find the ones with good speed-voltage characteristics.
For example, the high end Haswell system being launched today is the Hypercube, and takes the highest bin processor, the i7-4770K with a base speed of 3.5 GHz, all the way up to at least 4.9 GHz at a lowly 1.3 volts. As an overclocker, this is an insane target. 8Pack has mentioned how in the first batch of 150 CPUs he tested, only six to eight hit 4.9 GHz at that voltage target, and two of those go to 5.0 GHz at the same voltage. The Hypercube will also hold three overclocked GTX 780s in a Gigabyte Z87X-OC Force motherboard.
CPU |
Intel Core i7-4770K at 4.9 GHz+ 4 Cores / 8 Threads |
---|---|
Motherboard | Gigabyte Z87X-OC Force |
GPU |
3x Gigabyte GTX780 Windforce Overclocked to 1100/1700 |
Memory |
Avexir Orange DDR3-3000 Running at 2933 with better timings |
PSU | Corsair AX1200i |
SSD | Plextor M5 Pro 512GB |
Storage | 3TB |
Case | Modified CaseLabs |
Radiators |
6x120 total for CPU+Motherboard Loop 6x120 total for GPUs |
Price |
£6600 inc. VAT $8600 w/o tax |
As an overclocker, I appreciate the fact that testing lots of CPUs (a process we call binning) to find ones that hit a target is a time-consuming endeavor, as well as immensely expensive if you end up having to perform it personally without any form of corporate sponsorship. In order to claim to sell the ‘World’s Fastest Systems’, a lot of that binning has to take place to get the right hardware and still provide it, as a System Integrator, with a guarantee. This is why the systems come at such a price.
Part of the platinum treatment these systems get, OCUK will professionally photograph the system ordered and place it as the high resolution background for the system installed. Each system will be shipped by a specialist two man courier team who will unpack the system from its flight case (!) and set it up. If for any reason the system needs to be returned, the same courier will package the system up to take it back to OCUK. Included in the price is a two year warranty and a special customized certificate showing 8Pack’s testing and benchmark scores achieved with that exact system. The pack will also contain 8Pack’s business card for direct contact to the man himself, and OCUK will offer an upgrade service such that users can update to the latest GPU/CPU with no labor charges.
So, for the 98% of CPUs which do not hit the grade, what happens then? These are funneled through to OCUKs other pre-built systems which do not require such demanding speed, or sold on as pre-opened stock.
The final system being launched is the Polaris, using an Ivy Bridge i7-3770K CPU to 5.0 GHz and 16 GB of 2400 C9 Corsair Dominator Platinum memory. This memory has specific Samsung ICs for high efficiencies, and OCUK are aiming the Polaris at high resolution setups for when a user must have a Multi-monitor / >4K arrangement. As such, the system comes with two overclocked and water cooled GTX Titans, running at 1200/1700.
CPU |
Intel Core i7-3770K at 5.0 GHz+ 4 Cores / 8 Threads |
---|---|
Motherboard | ASUS Maximus V Extreme |
GPU |
2x ASUS GTX Titan 6 GB Overclocked to 1200/1700 |
Memory |
Corsair Dominator Platinum 4x4 GB DDR3-2400 C9 Samsung ICs for better sub-timings |
PSU | Corsair AX1200i |
SSD | 2x Plextor M5 Pro 512GB in RAID-0 |
Storage | 3TB |
Case | Modified CaseLabs |
Radiators |
5x120 total for CPU+Motherboard Loop 4x120 total for GPUs |
Price |
£7700 inc. VAT $10000 w/o tax |
Both the Polaris and the Supernova will feature a complete USB Fan controller package that allows users to control the fans either by the panel and the software. Due to the amount of radiators and Scythe GT fans being used, 8Pack was adamant that in all situations only 50% fan speed should be needed to keep the systems cool.
So I enjoy a nicely modified system, and pricing the high performance end of these pre-built systems near the range of brand new cars is a bold move for OCUK – they know they are not going to sell many, but this helps in the custom nature of such a system. I managed to get a quick word with the man himself for a few questions.
A side note on 8Pack himself – he currently holds the #1 spot of all UK overclockers at the HWBot.org overclocking database. In the latest Pro-Overclocking league contest (which lasted three months with five specific benchmark setups), he competed with 24 other teams of up to five people per team, and on his own finished third overall.
He holds (as of 9/5) several overclocking world records, including 3DMark Vantage on one GPU (Intel i7-4960X at 6.14 GHz, MSI GTX 780 Lightning at 1530 MHz), 3DMark06 on tri-GPU (Intel i7-4770K at 6.5 GHz, three HD 7970s) and 3DMark06 on quad-GPU (Intel i7-4770K at 6.5 GHz, two HD 7990s). 8 Pack also took home the top prize at the Corsair/Intel overclocking event in Computex this year, netting a cool $5000 for his score in SuperPi 32m.
His credentials are one of the clear reasons OCUK find him a positive staff member to have, and as part of this event he was on hand for interview.
Q: 8Pack, why the name 8Pack?
A: Before I competed properly in overclocking, I was a personal trainer that had good abs but also a good lower torso. Combining the two led to my nickname 8Pack, two more than a six-pack, which is the name I now use on overclocking forums and contests.
Q: Where did the idea for a line of ‘World’s Fastest Systems’ come from?
A: When my overclocking prowess caught the attention of OCUK, it formed an integral part of my interview when I came to work for them. They were interested in creating a range of super-fast systems, some of the best in the world. That combined with my intense work ethic to be the best spawned the systems we released today, as well as a series of 8Pack inspired systems to be released at a later date.
Q: What is your role in developing/creating these systems?
A: Everything. From the ground up, I decided the components, I dictated what speed we should aim for and in the end I am the one that actually builds the systems in our warehouse. Certain features like the powder coating on the Polaris we called upon the expertise of our team to suggest better ways of doing things, but in terms of getting the right hardware and putting it all together, I am the man for the job.
Q: How long does that take?
A: We started formalizing our builds in January regarding design and what they were aimed for. After that it was a case of getting in the cases, coating them, getting the 8Pack designer grills, etched windows, the right water blocks and so on.
Q: Can you explain a bit about the binning process for these systems?
A: For every batch of OEM CPUs we get in house, we do a quick test to see if any of that batch are good – 5 GHz on air at 1.3 volts for example, and see if it boots into the operating system. If it does not, it gets put into the pile for other systems, but if it passes, it gets put into a pile for further testing. That was the ‘speed binning’ part of the process, but when we get a good batch of CPUs, we will go to Intel and buy a lot more of the same batch with the hope that they will be perform as well as the 20 or so we test internally.
Q: Where do you keep your best CPUs?
A: The ultimate ones are what I use for benchmarking and breaking world records. In fact I have both of my best Haswell and Ivy Bridge-E CPUs in my bag here today, but back at the warehouse I have a tray of CPUs that push the limits. With some extra time over the next few weeks I hope to claw back some of my world records that were taken recently.
Q: Would you consider developing a sub-zero system for sale, or perhaps a submerged liquid system?
A: We have considered a sub-zero system, to the point where I used my personal single stage cooler on some of our CPUs. The problem with using a compressor at that CPU voltage/power draw is that you actually need a really good and efficient compressor to be able to deal with the heat. The downside of such a compressor is that it is loud, and thus not ideal for our systems that have to be used in the home where noise is often an issue. We have not looked into fully submerged systems as of yet, but it is an idea for the future.
Q: What do you run in your home system?
A: I run an Ivy Bridge i7-3770K at 5 GHz in a Maximus V Gene, all watercooled, with a HD 7990, also water cooled. This is paired with some nice DDR3-2400 memory in a Phanteks case.
Q: How long have you been overclocking?
A: As I mentioned in my presentation, I started overclocking around 15 years ago with the AMD Thunderbird range. Since then I have been willing to push my systems further and further, but only recently did I decide to take it to the next stage and actually push for world records. This initially cost a lot of time and money, however due to my scores I was offered to turn my hobby into my career. I have been a proper professional overclocker now for a good 12 months, and developed many contacts in the industry to help push the boundaries of overclocking.
Q: What is your best moment in overclocking?
A: The one that sticks out in my mind would be winning the top prize at the Corsair/Intel OC event at Computex this year. While getting world records, like the first time I took the 3DMark Vantage world record, are great, the fact that the Corsair/Intel OC event was done under time-limited conditions and against 20+ of the world’s top overclockers means a lot.
Q: With unlimited budget and time, what product would you like to see on the market, OCUK or other?
A: The next step I guess would be to do a Fatal1ty, and get 8Pack branded PC components. I have a will to work with manufacturers to get 8Pack motherboards or GPUs, ones that perform better than any others. It would be a great showcase of the UK overclocking scene for that to happen.
I would like to thank 8Pack for his time.
I asked 8Pack and other OCUK staff regarding Ivy Bridge-E, and why none of these systems featured Intel’s latest high-end CPUs. The response (as expected) was timing – as Ivy Bridge-E has just been released they have not had time to test a number of CPUs to have a feel for the type of performance 8Pack would want from a system. However in time these CPUs will form part of potential upgrades to these systems if users want them.
I also asked OCUK at the event regarding worldwide availability. One of the issues raised was the fact that as the systems cross country lines (or go via air/water), they get passed around by various couriers that might not be able to perform the service they want these systems to have. OCUK is owned by CaseKing, which will in time offer these systems to mainland Europe at least, however no word on North America as of yet.
For the UK however, OCUK have pushed their new systems live.