Planet Computers X-7 machine not only looks great but drives like a dream at a great price

Let’s face it – we are a visually oriented society. If something looks good, we are attracted to it and will likely give it our initial attention before moving on to something less attractive. Now, when it comes to computers, usually we think that we are getting a rather obscure – or anonymous – looking exterior because what is inside is what truly counts. Some companies have given their computers’ outer shells a touch of personality, but we are really more concerned with the interior aspects.

Then there is the Game X7 Viper machine from Planet Computers. Not only does it look great, but the review version received had eye-popping power for the value price of about $1,500.

Ok, the machine received and reviewed was pre-built, but Planet Computers allows consumers to specify what they actually want in a machine and have it custom built for their needs.

Let’s break down what this test machine came with: AMD Athlon 64 FX-53 processor (rated at 2.41 gigs), 1 gigabyte of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce 6600 GT video card, a Realtek AC’97 audio card, LITE-ON Combo CD-Rom – all in a ‘sexy’ red Viper case. Also packed in with the tower was a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard, which was a nice touch. The machine was loaded with Windows XP Home. Planet Computers customizes all their machines and base configurations are now much higher than what this machine had. Prices, of course, vary with components.

First off, the casing on this machine is rather impressive. With top handles, easily accessible power switches and USB hubs (top of the machine in a covered ‘hump’), and a LCD display on the bottom, which displays the internal temperature of the machine and how many hours it has been operating, this is one attractive casing. Throw is a side panel with a clear cutout (in the shape of the viper for which the machine is named) that provides a view to the inner workings and you have a casing that is a showcase for the hardware inside.

The processor is rather amazing. The AMD Athlon 64 FX-53 chipset is fast and was built to challenge Intell’s Pentium 4 Extreme Edition chipset for sheer processing power. How does it do? Well, head-to-head with a machine that sported a Pentium 4 3.4 gig processor and an Nvidia GeForce 6800 card (same RAM), the Viper’s processor/video card combo actually was equal to, if not slightly better. Using the beta of a game with rather high requirements (at this time, the online game has yet to be optimized), the Viper provided smoother processing framerates. Tests have actually shown the FX-53 to be one of the top performers in memory bandwidth tests.

While it would be easy to cite tech reports, the bottom line for any computer user lies in how fast the machine performs and the AMD 64 FX-53 was a top-line performer. What makes this motherboard so exceptionally fast is the way it processes information. Rather that absorb data into the front bus, send it to the memory, back to the bus, then to the video card and back yet again, the AMD processor uses a bridge allows for simultaneous data transfer – what that means is you will load a lot faster.

The video card, the GeForce 6600 GT is supposed to be a more affordable version of the GeForce 6800, offering nearly the performance but at a lesser cost. This was a 128-meg card (just like the 6800 card in the other computer), but for what the machine was asked to do, there was no noticeable difference between the two.

And for those considering a new computer purchase, do not mess around with the RAM, get at least 1 gig. The games on the horizon will be asking for almost that much, and the days of the 512 megs of RAM are slowling fading away.

The only drawback to this system was the Realtek audio card. It could not push the Klipsch/THX 5.1 system as well as a Creative Labs Audigy card could. For those who are running multiple speakers, and who value the ability to manipulate and create immersive sound experiences, you may wish to change to the Creative Labs card. (As Planet Computers makes machines to specifications, you can simply order the card pre-installed, if you wish).

Of course, throw in 1 gig of RAM and you have a machine that dances circles around some Intel machines with motherboards clocked a lot higher.

The Viper X-7 gaming machine was incredibly responsive and fast. The machine described in this review weighed in with a retail price around $1,500, and for that price, this is a machine that is very hard to top. From programs with lesser systems demands to the games that really put the CPU to work (like EverQuest II), the machine was simply amazing. Head-to-head competition with an Intel machine (P4, 3.4 gig processor with an Nvidia 6800 card) gave the edge to the Viper in load times and rendering times. And the eye candy pouring out of the 6600 GT card were delicious.

To turn this from a great machine to the optimum machine, consider a bigger hard drive and a second disk drive (CD R/W would be preferable). Nvidia does have higher-end graphics cards on the market, but not too many games currently in release, or pending release, really require those cards – at the moment.

Pros:
The AMD 64 FX-53 chipset sports processing times that gamers (and non-gamers) want from a PC. The looks of the cabinet, and the 6600 GT graphics card, coupled with the gig of RAM, rate this a clear winner of a machine.

Cons:
If there was a drawback, it would be the audio card in this particular machine. A Creative Labs Audigy card fixed that easily.

Overall: 9.5
This is a truly impressive machine with great features, both inside and out. Power and looks – and at a great price to boot.