2019-09-01_Computer_Shopper

ISSUE 379|COMPUTERSHOPPER|SEPTEMBER 2019

The motherboardalso enablesmultiple
upgradesthroughits large collectionof PCI-E
slots: there are three PCI-E x16 and three x1 slots,
with only one of each alreadyoccupiedby a
component.Twoempty RAM slots also make it
easy to add more memory,and with room for
up to two 2.5in drives and two more 3.5in
drives, additionalstorage supportis decent,too.
Be warned,however,that in order to install 3.5in
hard disks, you must remove the drive cage
completely,before installingthe storage and
reinstallingthe cage.
There are just acouple of noteworthy
omissions:front-mounted intake fans, fordrawing
in cool air,and higher-end connectionson the
rear I/O panel. In the latter’s case,you’ll have to
make do with six USB3 ports, two PS/2 sockets,
an Ethernetport and three 3.5mm audio jacks,
althoughan extra two USB3 ports are included
on the front of the case.
The graphicscard’s VirtualLinkport means
you’ve still got afast USB Type-C port, as it can
handle data transfers as well as video output.As
forthe latter,there’s also achoice of HDMI and
DisplayPort connectors, so you shouldn’t run out
even with multiplemonitors and aVRheadset.
The lack of front fans has been compensated
for, too. Aroof-mounted exhaustfanhelps out
with keepingthe system cool. The usual rear
fanhas been replacedwith the fan/radiator
combinationof the AIO watercooler,sowhile it
is doing avaluablejob in ventingout heat, it
would struggleto deal with hot air from the
other componentswithouthelp from the

added rooffan. Youcould add one or two

120mmfans to the front mountsyourself,if

you’re really worried,but our time with the

Vortex S2 was never marredby excessiveheat

or fannoise from trying to deal with it.

GO FORASPIN

If features such as an S/PDIF audio slot and

multipleUSB3.1ports are vitally importantto

you, the Intel i7 Supernova might be more

suitable.Nonetheless,even thoughthat PC

also has afaster SSD and higher CPU clock

speeds,it doesn’t detractfrom how the

Vortex S2 is fantasticallypriced foranRTX

2080 system –especiallyone with its own

share of little extras, and fewreal flaws besides.

JamesArcher

SPECIFICATIONS

Windowsoverall

Multitasking

DirtShowdown

Metro:LastLight

0% -50 Reference + 50 + 100

Seepage108forperformancedetails

PROCESSOROcta-core3GHzIntelCorei7-9700F•RAM16GB

DDR4•FRONTUSBPORTS2xUSB3•REARUSBPORTS6x

USB3•GRAPHICSCARD8GBNvidiaGeForceRTX2080•

STORAGE256GBSSD,2TBharddisk•DISPLAYNone•

OPERATINGSYSTEMWindows10Home•WARRANTYThree

yearslabour, oneyearparts,onemonthcollectandreturn•

DETAILSwww.pcspecialist.co.uk•PARTCODEVortexS2

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