The ultimate PC megasystem

Compucon's SuperGraph 250S performs like a workstation

by Graeme Bennett

Compucon SuperGraph 250S
System configuration: 128 MB RAM, 200 MHz Pentium Pro, 4 GB fast/wide SCSI hard drive, Windows NT 4.00.1381, Leadtek L2500 (Glint 500TX-based) graphics card
Price: under $9,000, including CD writer

There is a saying in the computer industry (from a writer at PC Magazine, as I recall) that "the computer you really want always costs $5,000," (5,000 US dollars, that is). Personally, I've always had enough budgetary constraints that the computers I've bought have tended to cost as little as possible, focusing on delivering a superior user experience (read: ease-of-use) and as much performance as possible without breaking the bank.

This has led me through a range of high-value platforms over the years, including Commodores, Amigas, Atari STs, IBM clones and even Macintosh compatibles.

Invariably, there is a trade-off when one attempts to balance the demands of performance and budget. Generally, you put up with annoyances. The old 8-bit Commodores had appallingly slow disk drives, a slow CPU (1 MHz!) and a limited 64KB-bank-switched memory architecture. Amiga computers had great graphics but were notoriously unstable-a condition that also plagues Macs and Windows 3.1 to a certain extent. Atari ST computers suffered from their GEM operating system's architectural weaknesses and a few too many cut corners, not to mention the company's continued ineptitude at successful marketing. PC clones? Well, let's just say that I wish "industry standard architecture" and MS-DOS would just go away.

Budget be damned

But what if things had been different? What if money were no object? What system would I choose? Naturally, I'd try to address all of these issues in my perfect computer:

fast disk drives
fast CPU(s)
flat memory model
robust operating system
great multitasking
elegant operating system
better expansion architecture
serious butt-kicking graphics performance.

The good news is that, as I write this, I have a system sitting on my desk that addresses all of these issues to my satisfaction. Unix, OS/2 or Macintosh fans may prefer to spend the big bucks on their favorite platform, but, for better or worse, much of the software I want to run is of the 32-bit Windows variety-and in that light, Windows NT is it.

The bad news is that the old US$5,000-to-get-what-you-really-want axiom still holds true. This baby costs a whopping $8,899 (in Canadian dollars, at least as of the Jan. 1997 issue of TCP), stuffed to the gills with 128 MB of RAM, a 4 GB Ultra SCSI drive, built-in CD writer (cool!) and the hottest video card I could lay my hands on-the Leadtek Winfast 3D L2500. Yes, it's expensive but, man, does it fly.

This graphics card, powered by the Glint 500TX and Glint Delta, is simply stunning in its performance.

Running a benchmark test under Windows NT 4.0, the WinFast 500TX scored 119 on a test in which the Matrox Millennium (no slouch, either!) scored 52 and the ATI 3D Expression+ PC2TV scored, um, 34. It's worth pointing out that the Winfast 3D L2500 is considerably more expensive than these lesser cards-a fact due, in part to its 8 MB VRAM frame buffer and 8 MB EDO local buffer.

Running under NT3.5.1, the 500TX scored even higher, ranking 128, compared to the ATI card's score of 27. According to a spokesperson at Fastech (which graciously loaned us the machine for testing), this is because the Leadtek card's 4.0 drivers are not yet fully optimized. In other tests I've seen, NT4 often scores higher than 3.5.1 in graphics and I/O benchmarks.

Back to reality

For those of us with less than nine grand available on our credit cards, there are a few compromises that bring the price considerably closer to earth.

In fact, for my own PC at work, I chose the same basic machine-a CompuCon Pentium Pro 200-and chose the L2200 graphics card (which scored a respectable 108 on the above-mentioned benchmark). In day-to-day use, it is only slightly less awesome than the L2500, and its under $500 price is much more within the budget of those of us who demand "almost the best."

By installing this card, a more modest 32 MB of RAM, and foregoing the CD writer (sniff!), I was able to reduce the price to within spitting distance of $5,000 Canadian. Now, that's the machine I really want.

Contact: Fastech Computer Ltd. Tel: 604-279-9686. Email fastech@compucon.com

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TCP Online February 1997 Issue