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HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition gets unboxed
Apparently some folks have $6,600 to toss on a gaming PC, and thankfully, those folks -- we won't mention names -- invested in a camera to let us all live vicariously. HP's Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition, which packs a pair of NVIDIA's potent GeForce GTX 280 cards, has landed in the home of one lucky gamer, and there's a good selection of pictures to prove it. You know where to head from here.[Thanks, bioender]
HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition nabs NVIDIA GTX 280 graphics
Alienware was making some noise earlier today about being first out the gate with NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 280 cards, but HP's gaming division isn't about get shown up: it's launching the HP Blackbird 002 Exhilaration Edition which features two GTX 280 cards in SLI today, and it says it'll be shipping almost a month sooner than Alienware for $6,600 -- just over a thousand dollars less than a similar Area-51 setup. That's fightin' talk, people -- hopefully these two will get their prices down to something actually reasonable by the time this is all over.
HP's Blackbird 002 gets exclusive configuration for retail launch
Just because you haven't seen one on every street corner doesn't mean that HP's Blackbird 002 gaming rig hasn't been around the block a time or two. Still, those of you who haven't found the nerve (or spare change) to pull the trigger can look forward to being tempted even more this summer. Starting soon, the Blackbird 002 will be available in an exclusive configuration at Amazon, NewEgg and select Best Buy, Circuit City, J&R and Micro Center locations. This launch marks the first time the unit has sashayed into B&M outlets, and packed within will be an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 processor, dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT graphics cards, 4GB of Corsair Dominator RAM, 500GB SATA drive, 7.1-channel onboard HD audio, a 15-in-1 multicard reader, 900-watt power supply and an nForce SLI motherboard with RAID support. Said config will run customers $3,299, and a list of locations from which to buy it will be made available on June 29th.
HP Blackbird 002 alpha hits with Intel QX9650 Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor inside
Drop five grand on a HP Blackbird yet? Good, that means you don't have to start crying right now, because HP just unveiled its "best of the best" alpha system, complete with a Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor, for a cool $5,499. There's also a PhysX card inside, and Dual CrossFire ATI Radeon X2900 XT 1GB graphics, but you still have to spring a few more hundies if you want Vista Ultimate and 4GB of ram -- Home Premium and 2GB come standard. Oh, and you'll also be thoroughly depressed the moment HP unveils some sort of "alpha alpha" system with that upcoming QX9770 processor inside. Good thing everything's upgradeable.
Blackbird 002 gets a little cheaper for the holidays, now starting at $2,399
The Blackbird 002 has always been a little pricey, but HP is taking a little of the sting out for the holidays, letting gamers score the base model of the high-powered system for $2,399 instead of the usual $2,700. The limited-time deal includes a liquid-cooled 2.66GHz E6750 Core 2 Duo, 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT graphics, 2GB of RAM, and a Logitech gaming mouse and keyboard. HP is also throwing in a copy of Valve's The Orange Box, and you can bump the OS up to Vista Ultimate for free if you're so inclined. There's no word on how long this price will last, however, so interested gamers might want to start shaking out their couch cushions sometime soon.
HP Blackbird 002 gaming rig reviewed
If the HP Blackbird 002's good looks weren't enough to justify is sky high price tag for you, than perhaps HotHardware's review of the top-end gaming rig will be enough to push you over the edge. The folks there got their hands on a pre-release version of the system, loaded with a Core 2 Extreme QX6850 processor factory overclocked to 3.67GHz, 4GB of Corsair dual channel DDR2-8500 RAM, and two GeForce 8800 Ultra cards running in SLI mode, among other desirable specs. Not surprisingly, with all that under hood the system couldn't help but impress, with it delivering a few benchmark scores higher than any other machine they've tested. They also, of course, dug the system's case design, which not only looks good but makes upgrading an ease (they replaced a hard drive in 12 seconds flat). On the downside, they found the system to be "somewhat noisy," and the slot-loading optical drives could limit upgradeability further on down the line. Then, of course, there is the price, which starts at $2,500 and tops out over $7,000 when packed to the gills.
HP's Blackbird 002 gaming rig up close
Here it is, the HP Blackbird 002 we've been hearing about. Built with "Voodoo DNA" (marketing term for love), this all-metal monster is ready to rumble in a variety of user-specified hardware configurations, and with options for air or liquid cooling (either CPU or CPU and GPU). Highlights you'll want to scope out in our gallery include easy access everything, the mood-lit aluminum foot, and the pop-up media reader. %Gallery-6939%
HP Blackbird 002 PC springs from nest
As previously leaked, HP has just launched its Blackbird 002 PC, the first team-produced product between HP and previously acquired VoodooPC. This high-end computer fits in the question mark of HP's food product pyramid, one step below the VoodooPC luxury treatment.The Blackbird 002 is a customizable, built to order system that offers customers a choice of Intel or AMD motherboards and processors. Options from graphics rivals ATI and Nvidia are also available. Buyers even pick between Vista and XP.HP touts the user-upgradeable design as a main selling point; PCI cards, drives, and other parts can be swapped without tools, and the wiring elegantly runs though the back of the aluminum case to avoid tangles.%Gallery-6915%
HP announces the Blackbird 002 gaming machine
We'd heard it was coming Monday, but HP apparently decided to wait until today (because nothing else was going on, obviously) to launch its Blackbird 002 gaming rig. While HP still hasn't told us exactly what you'll be getting for that $2500 - $7100 price tag, whatever chips you order will be liquid-cooled, fully overclockable via a completely open BIOS, and be easy to get at via the tool-less chassis. Check the gallery for some more beauty shots.%Gallery-6941%
HP Blackbird 002 coming on Monday?
We, along with a number of other publications, just got tipped off to HP's plans to launch a new desktop called the HP Blackbird 002 next week. (Sorry, no, we think it's separate from the HP Virtus we already saw.) The email's after the break, but the long and short of it is Voodoo seems to be marrying its high performance PC line with HP branding. The short list of what you need to know: BIOS-based overclocks Heat-optimized aluminum chassis and foot Liquid cooling system for CPUs and GPUs Tool-free upgrades for CPU, GPU, drives Pricing between $2500 and $6500, ouch! More after the break.
