MaximumPC 2003 12

and we didn’t experience even a whiff
of instability throughout testing.
Therein lies the rub. Although this
box delivers “insane” performance,
the 128MB Radeon, Lite Brite styling,
and Velcro faux pas mar an otherwise
Kick Ass package. If history is any
judge, though, we’re sure TAC will
address these small issues in its next
review system.
For now—Kick Ass award denied!
—JOSH NOREM

Smoldering performance, three-year warranty.

TOTALLY AWESOME

THE TV SHOW BLOSSOM

Tacky Velcro tabs on the case door, second-best

videocard, fugly overall appearance.

$5,400, ($3,800 w/o speakers and display)

http://www.totallyawesome.com

MAXIMUMPC VERDICT 9

DECEMBER 2003 MAXIMUMPC 99

We can understand why TAC used Velcro tabs to hold the Reviews

case lights, but did the tabs have to be on the visible portion

of the case door? Also, when we opened the door for the

first time, the middle cathode light came unplugged. Note

the Velcro tabs but no light. Whoopsie-daisy!

The Zalman CPU

heatsink/fan looks

like an Awesome

Blossom from

Chili’s, which is apt

because it keeps

the CPU so cool.

Logitech’s

stellar Z-680s

are almost

as loud as

the “light

package”

shining

through the

TAC’s case

window.

The 20-

inch NEC

2080UX-BK

is both phat

and flat,

and runs at

1600x1200

native

resolution.

It’s wicked

for desktop

work, but

next-gen

games

might balk

at the high,

high native

resolution.

nVidia’s nForce3 chipset

packs fewer features

than the nForce2,

but its performance

is incredible, and we

experienced zero

stability problems.