3DBoxx S3: Boxx Technologies' Intel-based workstation.(Product/Service Evaluation)

Boxx Technologies manufactures several workstations for 3D graphics professionals. The S3 reviewed here is a dual-processor, Intel-driven machine that is part of the 3DBoxx family, which also includes dual-AMD powered machines and single processor units.

The sides of the Boxx S3 are jet black and the front grille is brushed metal; a mean look and a nice change from traditional beige. But what's important, of course, is what's inside.

Under the hood, the S3 includes dual Intel Xeon 2.2GHZ processors. The review unit was equipped with 1GB Of RAM and an Nvidia Quadro 4 900XGL graphics card. Although the motherboard can handle up to 2GB of RAM in four RIMM slots, this particular unit maxed out the chip slots with its 1GB configuration. So yon could expand, but you would have to get rid of some extant chips in the process.

Within the massive tower case are two 64/66 and four 32/33 PCI slots, which leaves room for expansion. Four USB slots, including two conveniently located at the front of the case, are standard. Also inside the case are four internal hard drive bays, three 3.5-inch exposed drive bays, and two 5.25-inch bays.

All this processor power and hardware require big fans--three of them. Although the fans undoubtedly keep those hot processors alive, they create a veritable roar. Even when I was listening to music, I could hear the fans pumping away in the background. Another drawback is that although there is plenty of room for new devices, the IDE cable in my review unit wouldn't reach a second device in the second 5.25-inch bay. I checked this on the S3 review machine and my own Boxx Rli--both had an IDE cable with a slave plug--but the plug wouldn't reach devices in either slot. A new cable of the appropriate length was overnighted to me as soon as I called Boxx technical support, however.

The Boxx S3 was ready to go "out of the box." I installed a slew of applications, including Alias|Wavefront's Maya and Maxon Computer's Cinema4D XL, with nary a hiccup. There were no problems with drivers or any included devices. The shipped components even included DVI adaptors for the Nvidia video card.

I tested the S3 against my own Boxx Rli equipped with dual ...