There is a cliché that states something to the effect of “it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” How is that appropriate when it comes to MAINGEAR’s X-Cube desktop computer system? Well, to keep in line with that dog analogy, the relatively diminutive casing on this machine may make one think of a Yorkshire Terrier, but once you see the ferocity of this gaming rig, you will quickly realize that this is a pit bull in disguise.

As is usually the case with machines of this nature, while the casing is rather small, it’s what is inside that counts the most and the X-Cube has a ton of power to back it up.

The system specs are as follows:

• Intel Core i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67 GHz

• 6 gigs of RAM

• 64-bit Windows Vista Ultimate OS

• nVidia GeForce GTX 295 video cards x2

• Realtek High-Definition audio

• 700 gig hard drive

• LG dual-layer disk drive

• USB ports front and rear

• Card Reader/Writer

• 750-watt Multi-GPU approved power supply

• Case dimensions are 12” tall, 11.5” wide and 14.5” deep

The X-Cube package received also came with a few peripherals as part of the bundle that merely added to the power and range of this system. A Razer Lycosa keyboard and mouse were along for the ride as well as a 21” Samsung SyncMaster 2233RZ monitor and nVidia GeForce 3D Vision Glasses. In order to enable the GeForce glasses, you have to set up the transmitter and then actually dump the video drivers and only reinstall them after the glasses have been set up. While the glasses are not that comfortable for prolonged gaming session, they work very well for an hour or two at a setting, and you can easily disable the 3D effects with the button on the front of the transmitting device.

The monitor setting was top end for the system at 1680x1050, which, if you are used to running games at even 1440x900 is a huge improvement in resolution capability.  

The Core i7 processor is vital to pulling all this together. With its memory controller capabilities, propensity to allow tech-savvy users to overclock their systems, and power management, the Core i7 processor is a benchmark processor for Intel.

The system was put through its paces with several MMOs (some can be mentioned and some cannot because of the beta stage or alpha stage of the build) that included, but was exclusive to EverQuest II, EVE Online, Age of Conan and Lord of the Rings. In addition, other PC titles were run through the system, like Call of Duty: World at War, Far Cry 2, The Last Remnant and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

At one point in the review process, the system started to emit a high-pitched whistle from attached speakers, but a restart eliminated that.

When it came to playing the games, the X-Cube was simply a joy to play on. The system pulled every graphical nuance possible from the games and rendered them out beautifully. Ok, it still won’t turn Final Fantasy XI into a 2009 visual treat, but it does capture the definition and bump mapping available in other games, even on their highest settings.

A key component in this system is obviously the case size. There are both good points and bad when looking at it. The upside is the size makes it fairly unobtrusive – in other words, it does not hog desk space. But everything is packed tightly into the case and that leaves little room for upgrades; not only that, but if you are the type of gamer that likes to play later at night and use a headset so as not to disturb the family, the X-Cube does not have any inputs available on the front to plug in earphones or even a microphone.

The price point quoted for this bundled system ran at about $3,400 – which is a bit pricey. But when you consider the components, especially the video cards, you are still talking a competitively priced system for the power it contains.

Still, there is little denying that the X-Cube was massively fun to use – and this coming from someone who is not all that fond of the Vista OS. The system was run 24/7 for several weeks and aside from that one little noise issue, performed amazingly well.

Pros:
Dual high-end video cards and 6 gigs of RAM make for a system that is fast and runs games at the highest settings without much fuss. The bundled items are also a huge plus. Case size is also a good thing simply because this is not a system that will devour desk space.

Cons:
At approximately $3,400 this system is a bit pricey, but on the other side of that, you get a machine that will do just about anything you want it to do for a long time to come. And room inside the case is very limited, which might not leave space for future upgrades.  

Overall: 9.5
Upgrading might be a problem and the bundle is a bit pricey, but you are getting a heck of a system for the price. The graphical output, and the way the system handled multiple jobs was very impressive. This system is a winner.