Most hardcore enthusiasts will tell you it’s better to build your own gaming system rather than getting one pre-built. If not for the enjoyment of putting all the components together yourself, then simply to ensure you’re getting high quality parts at the best possible price. More »
You may remember the tangerine terror that was the Acer Predator. Well, that was the 2008 model. The 2010 model has now been revealed, and while it drops the “tangerine”, it certainly retains the “terror”. More »
We’ve spoken of the Acer Predator gaming PC previously. Mostly on account of its gorgeous, Patlabor-meets-Transformers aesthetics. Today, we write about it on a more serious note. Because some Predators are melting themselves to death. Yes, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “The insulation on the computer’s internal wiring can become bent or stripped, causing the wires to overheat while the product is in use”. And what happens when the wires overheat while the product is in use? Well, according to two cases reported to the CSPC, the computers short-circuit, “resulting in melted internal components and external casing”.
Believe it or not, this contraption is indeed a high-specced gaming machine, even if its outward appearance suggests the melding of Mica-coloured SS Commodore and an autobot. Launched by Acer yesterday, I’m sure the G7700 made more than a few people wet themselves – some over its looks, others over the price (we’ll get to this).
Inside this metallic box sits an Intel 3GHz QX9650 (or a 2.66GHz Q9450 if the budget won’t stretch); not one, but two NVIDIA 9800GTXs in SLI; 8GB of RAM (or less for the thrifty); a Creative X-Fi sound card; and “advanced” liquid cooling. All this adds up to 45kg of raw power, or cooked power, if the cooling happens to give.
How much is this majestic compilation of hardware? Just a ball-snapping $4,500, including GST. Yeah, I’d still prefer to build my own for much less as well. Love the case, though.
Hit the jump for additional mighty-morphin’ pictures and an epic press release. More »
This is Acer’s new dedicated gaming PC, the “Predator”. I could tell you the specs (Intel Core 2 Extreme, Nvidia nForce 780i SLI, 8GB memory), but really, that’s not why we’re here. We’re here for that case. That ridiculous, completely unnecessary, completely awesome case that looks more like a writhing Patlabor fetus than something you use to keep your PC’s delicate bits away from the elements. I mean, just look at it. It doesn’t just “flip open”. It transforms from a closed state to an open one. And before you start, yes, it’s “just” a case, but this is probably the first and only time I’m going to gush over one, so indulge me for a minute, could you?
Acer Predator [Acer]
Here’s the deal with regards to Acer’s supposed “games machine”: they weren’t talking about a “games machine” at all. Company VP James T Wong was just misinterpreted! A compay red has since said:
Unexpected, this. Apparently Acer, makers of desktops and laptop PCs, are poised to enter the games hardware market. No, really. German site Gamestar are reporting that the company’s senior vice president, James T. Wong, cited the closed, proprietary nature of consoles as the inspiration for Acer’s move, as he announced their plans to create an open-standard, PC-based “games machine”. Not much more than that to go on at the moment, so until there’s something a little more concrete – and a with a little less “why in God’s name would you do that?” – let’s call this one a rumour and get on with our days. Spielekonsole geplant [Gamestar, thanks Jim!]
