Gateway offers overclocked Core 2 Extreme PCs

Gateway has launched a trio of dual-core, multi-GPU desktop PCs pitched at gamers and computer enthusiasts - and it's offering to overclock them before shipping the machines to customers.

The FX530 series comprises the FX530XG, FX530XT and FX530XL. The former is based on an Intel Core 2 Duo E6700, while the XT and XL use the Core 2 Extreme X6800. All three use motherboards based on Intel's 975X chipset and ship with at least 2GB of 667MHz DDR 2 SDRAM - 4GB in the case of the XL.

The three systems all incorporate an 8x dual-layer DVD multi-writer and a Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi card. Each ships with a pair of AMD ATI Radeon X1950 XT cards in CrossFire configuration. The XG and XT ship with two 10,000rpm 150GB 1.5Gbps SATA hard drives, while the XL has two 750GB, 7,200rpm 3Gbps SATA drives.

The machines are Intel Viiv certified and are ready for Windows Vista Premium.

Gateway didn't go into details about its overclocking activity, simply listing "over-clocked processors" among the line-up's "advanced features". Over-clocked systems will be "fully tested and backed by Gateway limited warranty", the company said. Presumably, it will clock each chip as far is it will go and still run smoothly.

Available shortly, the FX530XG, XT and XL will retail in the US for $2,500, $4,000 and $5,000, respectively. ®