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Posted 08/27/08 at 12:30:00 PM by The Maximum PC Staff

A Dream Machine graced the inaugural issue of Maximum PC back in 1998, and the tradition of building an annual no-holds-barred PC beast has continued unabated since then. True to form, this year’s rig is the most audacious, most powerful dream rig to date. Equipped with no fewer than eight processing cores, four graphics cores, and five hard drives, DM2008 is probably also our most controversial build. But as Lando said, it’s not our fault.

In the old days, we would just pick the very best hardware available. But those were simpler times, when parts vendors all got along and their sole mission was to provide you with badass gear. Sadly, the stakes are so high today that politics has an undue influence on hardware configurations.

To find out who's on our naughty list, and see an in-depth kick-ass examination of our Dream Machine, hit the jump! And hold onto your hat.

Comments: 40
TAGS: dream machine, hardware, features, kick ass, rigs, dream machine 2008

FeaturesBehind-the-Scenes: How We Built the 2008 Dream Machine!

Posted 07/21/08 at 12:00:00 PM by David Murphy

We've given you the gear. Now take a trip into the Maximum PC Lab with an exclusive Web-only look at how we constructed this year's Dream Machine 2008--the fastest PC you can buy, hands-down. Be there for all the heart-wrenching fluid leaks! The painstaking storage decisions! The bits and pieces we had to break just to achieve our Dream Machine...dreams!

If you have yet to check out what we packed into this rig, be sure to catch up on our first, second, and third looks at the parts of this over-customized rig. But if you're ready, then pop open the Lab door by clicking that little "Read More" link and take a look at how Maximum PC master-builders brought forth this year's PC powerhouse!

Comments: 85
TAGS: maximum pc, dream machine, hardware, 2008, build a pc, rigs, behind the scenes

FeaturesThe Dream Machine Revealed--Part Three of Three!

Posted 07/14/08 at 02:10:00 AM by David Murphy

And thus, the grand story of the Dream Machine 2008 comes to its final edition. And do we have a reveal for you! We're going to show you the ultra-secret case that encloses the mighty guts of our speedy Skulltrail machine. We're also giving you a first-look at the not-quite-as-secret videocards powering the graphics of this hefty rig. Before it catches ablaze, we'll also show you the cooling setup and what we used to rock out whilst checking the cooler for leaks.

That's right. Today, you're getting the case, the graphics, the cooling and the sound--an epic conclusion to the most powerful rig we've ever built. If you're just joining us, you'll want to check out the beginning of the story as well as the second edition of the Dream Machine saga, where we officially showed off this machine's spankin'-fast processors.

But enough small-talk. Click that little "read more" link and prepare thyself for greatness.

Comments: 126
TAGS: dream machine, optical drives, motherboards, Memory, hardware, blackbird, cpus, build a pc, rigs, 4870x2

FeaturesThe Dream Machine Revealed--Part Two of Three!

Posted 07/07/08 at 11:45:48 AM by David Murphy

Here we go again! It's time for our second look at what's going into the Maximum PC Dream Machine 2008! If you're just joining us, here's the skinny: once a year, the Maximum PC staff descends to its underground lair. After a number of bizarre and dark technological rituals (we sacrifice an iMac), the team emerges with a gift blessed by the Gods of Technology themselves: the Dream Machine. It is, hands-down, the single-greatest computer you could ever hope to assemble based on the year's best (and sometimes unreleased) products!

This is an epic three-part series, and you're on step number two. If you want to start from the beginning, check out our unveiling of the rig's keyboard, mouse, display and hard drive(s). If you're ready for more Dream Machine action, we're taking a look at the system's CPU(s), motherboard, optical drive, and memory this time around.

Grab a cold beverage and prepare to feast your eyes on splendor by clicking that little "Read More" link.

Comments: 74
TAGS: dream machine, optical drives, motherboards, Memory, hardware, cpus, build a pc, rigs

FeaturesThe Dream Machine Revealed--Part One of Three!

Posted 06/30/08 at 12:36:25 PM by David Murphy

Are you ready? Every year, Maximum PC builds the de-facto, pants-shattering, best-system-ever. We crown this stunning achievement of manufacturing gusto the Dream Machine. This is its eleventh incarnation, and perhaps its most controversial: the equipment, the enclosure, the build--not a single part of this year's rig was without debate.

In this epic three-part series, we're going to give you a first-look at exactly what's going in this holiest of rigs. And we're also going to walk you through its actual construction--coolant leaks and all--in one of the most demanding chassis we've ever slapped a machine into.

Start your grand journey into the heart of Maximum PC lab by clicking that tiny "Read More" link, and enjoy.

Comments: 65
TAGS: dream machine, mice, hard drives, hardware, keyboards, build a pc, rigs, displays

NewsDream Machine Unveiling Begins on Monday! Sign Up For Our Newsletter to Receive an Exclusive Sneak Peek

Posted 06/27/08 at 04:14:48 PM by Norman Chan

As the magazine turns 10-years old next month, we’re celebrating by building our most stunning Dream Machine ever. And the perfectly timed launch of our new website is a great opportunity to share with you the details of our sacred tradition. Sign up for our newsletter to get an early glimpse of this year’s Dream Machine, in addition to other behind-the-scenes peeks of Maximum PC. The newsletter will also include lab notes from our editors with insightful commentary about the stories they’ve written for the magazine and website, along with original tips and tricks for the PC enthusiast. Consider it a golden ticket to discover the wonders within MaxPC headquarters*, delivered straight to your inbox every two weeks. Make sure you sign up as soon as possible!