MAXXIMUS
Kentsfield class, 2007
Current Status: Decomissioned / Dismantled
Maxximus [a deliberately altered spelling of the Latin - maximus (meaning "greatest")] represented a significant technology leap for VerTecX21 over Bellerophon when it was commissioned in 2007. It was the first machine to be designed over a six month period and constructed exclusively by VerTecX21 Labs under Ciaran Creedon himself with input from Mr. J. Meade and Mr. M. Whitehouse.
Boasting the first ever Intel quad-core desktop CPU nestled on an IP35 chipset, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a PCI-E GPU with 640MB of GDDR3 VRAM, a modular 600w PSU and a 24" LCD HD display with which to see the Windows Vista OS. it was described as "most impressive" by peers including Mr. J. Dutton and Mr. E. Twohig upon it's construction on 11th Sep 2007.
Maxximus received significant upgrades in 2009 in the form of a Blu-Ray player and a Logitech LX 8 Cordless Laser Mouse which was the first VerTecXneT wireless device. The following year it's graphics potential was increased with a GPU upgraded to the Radeon HD 5850. It was again significantly upgraded on 15th Jan 2012 when it was replaced by Apophis as Primary System.
On 12th Jul 2015 before it was scheduled to be replaced as the Secondary System and after slowing processes and a series of RAM failures, Maxximus was given it's final upgrade to keep it running at maximum efficiency to serve in the role of an Entertainment System.
Maxximus was finally permanently deactivated and dismantled in February 2022 after 14.5 years of continuous service, setting a clear record for a VerTecX21 system.
Original specification for Maxximus, finalised: August 30th 2007
CPU: Intel "Kentsfield" Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, Socket LGA775, Stepping B3 with L2 Advanced Smart Cache - 8MB ( 2 x 4MB (4MB per core pair) )
MOTHERBOARD: ABIT IP35 PRO, (Intel P35 Express / Intel ICH9R), Silent Otes2, 2xGbLAN, 2x PCI-E x16
PSU: Seasonic M12-700 700W Modular PSU
RAM: Corsair XMS2 6400C4 Xtreme Performance DDR2, 2GB (2x 1GB) 240 pin DIMM with E.P.P Technology
GPU: XFX Nvidia GeForce 8800GTS 500M 640MB GDDR3, PCI-Express, 2x DVI / HDTV / HDCP, 320-bit
AUDIO PROCESSING UNIT: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer, EAX advanced HD, DTS, Dolby Digital EX and THX certified with 24-bit Crystalizer,
HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB, SATA 3Gb/s, 16MB buffer, 7200RPM spindle, (1TB Total Storage Capacity)
OPTICAL DRIVE: NEC DVD-recorder ND-3500A IDE, DVD±RW (+R DL), Read 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD), Write 48x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 4x (DVD+R DL), Rewrite 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)
CPU COOLING: Thermaltake BigTyp 120 VX, 16-24dBA
CASING: Gigabyte 3D Aurora GZ-FSCA1-AN Silver Aluminium Full Tower Body with 3x 12cm fans.
DISPLAY: LG 24" LCD L245WP-BN TCO-99, 1920x1200 native resolution, 8ms response, VGA / HDMI / HDCP
Significant changes to original specification:
02/06/09 - Installed Logitech LX 8 Cordless Laser Mouse [First VerTecXneT wireless device]
29/07/09 - Upgraded Optical Drive to Liteon IHES208-31 SATA Lightscribe Blu-ray reader combo DVD writer, BD-R, BD-RE, BD-ROM Single or Double layer, DVD-ROM and CD-ROM read and double layer DVD+/- R9 recording; DVD +/-R, DVD+/-RW, DVD+/-R DL, DVD-RAM, CD-R, CD-RW writing.
01/04/10 - Installed ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB GDDR5 PCI-e 2.0 [GPU upgrade]
14/01/12 - Removed LG 24" LCD L245WP-BN [Monitor Malfunction]
14/01/12 - Attached Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 8ms
25/01/12 - Removed Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 8ms
25/01/12 - Attached Dell UltraSharp U2412M 61cm (24'') monitor VGA,DVI-DP (1920x1200) Black [New monitor]
15/02/12 - Installed Gigabyte GA-P35-S3G, (Intel P35 / Intel ICH9R), GbLAN, 1x PCI-E x16 [Mainboard Upgrade]
15/02/12 - Installed Corsair XMS2 6400C4 Xtreme Performance DDR2, 2GB (2x 1GB) 240 pin DIMM with E.P.P Technology [Increasing total RAM to 4Gb]
15/02/12 - Installed Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 120GB S-ATA 8MB cache 7200RPM NCQ + Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB SATA 8MB 7200RPM, [HDD downgrade]
15/02/12 - Changed CPU cooler to Thermaltake Blue Orb II CPU Cooler, 17dBA
15/02/12 - Detached Dell UltraSharp U2412M 61cm (24'') monitor VGA,DVI-DP (1920x1200) Black [Required for Apophis]
15/02/12 - Attached LG 24" LCD L245WP-BN TCO-99, 1920x1200 native, 8ms response, VGA / HDMI / HDCP + Philips 19" LCD 190S5FS, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 12ms + Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 8ms [3 Displays]
15/02/12 - Installed NEC DVD-recorder ND-3500A [Optical drive downgrade]
15/02/12 - Installed Display-Link USB 2.0 to DVI/VGA/HDMI Graphics Adapter Converter [to power 3rd Display]
01/10/14 - Uninstalled Corsair XMS2 6400C4 Xtreme Performance DDR2, 1GB 240 pin DIMM with E.P.P Technology [RAM failure]
01/03/15 - Uninstalled Corsair XMS2 6400C4 Xtreme Performance DDR2, 1GB 240 pin DIMM with E.P.P Technology [RAM failure]
11/07/15 - Installed OCZ GOLD Series Desktop Gaming Memory RAM OCZ2G8002GK DDR2 4x1GB [RAM upgrade]
11/07/15 - Installed Corsair Force 3 120GB 2.5" SATA-600 SSD
20/09/15 - Detached LG 24" LCD L245WP-BN TCO-99, 1920x1200 native, 8ms response, VGA / HDMI / HDCP + Philips 19" LCD 190S5FS, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 12ms + Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 8m [Maxximus will no longer require PC monitors]
20/09/15 - Uninstalled Display-Link USB 2.0 to DVI/VGA/HDMI Graphics Adapter Converter [required by Apophis]
20/09/15 - Installed TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Adapter [enabling WiFi connectivity]
Unknown - Installed Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS
Current status of parts:
XFX Nvidia GeForce 8800GTS 500M 640MB GDDR3, PCI-Express, 2x DVI / HDTV / HDCP, 320-bit: Installed in Kerberos 01/04/10
Thermaltake BigTyp 120 VX: In storage 15/02/12
ABIT IP35 PRO: Unknown 15/02/12
Corsair XMS2 6400C4 Xtreme Performance DDR2, 1Gb 240 pin DIMM with E.P.P Technology: Disposed 01/03/15
LG 24" LCD L245WP-BN TCO-99, 1920x1200 native resolution, 8ms response, VGA / HDMI / HDCP: In storage 20/09/15
Philips 19" LCD 190S5FS, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 12ms + Samsung 19" LCD Syncmaster 913N TCO03, 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz, 8m: Attached to Apophis 20/09/15
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer: In storage (date unknown)
Intel "Kentsfield" Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz: Reboxed /In Storage 20/02/22
Gigabyte GA-P35-S3G: Reboxed / In storage 19/02/22
OCZ GOLD Series Desktop Gaming Memory RAM OCZ2G8002GK DDR2 4x1GB: Baggie storage 19/02/22
ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB GDDR5 PCI-e 2.0: Reboxed / In storage 19/02/22
Corsair Force 3 120GB 2.5" SATA-600 SSD: Reboxed / In storage 19/02/22
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 120GB S-ATA: Reboxed / In storage 19/02/22
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB SATA 8MB 7200RPM: Destroyed 18/02/22
TP-Link 300Mbps Wireless N PCI Adapter: Reboxed / In storage 19/02/22
Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS: Baggie Storage 19/02/22
NEC DVD-recorder ND-3500A: Disposed 20/02/22
Thermaltake Blue Orb II CPU Cooler: Reboxed /In Storage 20/02/22
Seasonic M12-700 700W Modular PSU: Reboxed / In storage 19/02/22
Gigabyte 3D Aurora GZ-FSCA1-AN Silver Aluminium Full Tower Body: Reboxed /In Storage 20/02/22
Costing:
The total cost of all new components for the Maxximus system was €2302.52 (UK£1 561.11) (US$3133.73) [Aug 30th 2007 exchange rate]
