XMG STUDIO X: A fully customisable high-end desktop PC for creatives and gamers, designed to minimise DPC latency
Leipzig, 24 August 2023 – With the XMG STUDIO X, XMG is relaunching its STUDIO series: the largest model in the product family features numerous measures to reduce DPC latency, including customised BIOS profiles and components specifically selected for this purpose. As a result, this desktop PC is aimed not only at gamers, but also at creative professionals. Thanks to a wide range of graphics card options, including professional GPUs, this all-rounder is suitable for audio production as well as photo and video editing, rendering, and 3D CAD applications. To ensure optimal airflow and quiet cooling, XMG has opted for Fractal Design’s Torrent case with its spacious interior.
Freely configurable performance
The performance of the freely configurable XMG STUDIO X is determined solely by individual requirements. A range of processors is available, from the Intel Core i5-13600K up to the Core i9-13900KS. The choice of graphics cards is particularly extensive. These range from opting out of a dedicated GPU in favour of Intel’s integrated UHD graphics unit, through gaming graphics cards including the top-of-the-range NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 or AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, to professional NVIDIA GPUs (formerly Quadro) such as the RTX A6000 (Ada generation).
The reason for this wide range lies not only in the different areas of application but also in the impact of the GPU choice on DPC latencies: whilst NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards can cause short-term latency spikes even with Studio drivers, this effect is less pronounced when choosing an AMD pixel accelerator and is even lower with a professional RTX graphics card (this statement is based on our own measurements using the latest drivers at the time of the product launch). Those prioritising the lowest possible DPC latencies for audio production will achieve the best results by using Intel’s integrated UHD graphics chip – however, this only allows two external monitors to be connected to the desktop PC. It is therefore possible to equip the STUDIO X with a dedicated graphics card for high-performance applications, whilst still being able to temporarily operate up to two monitors via the iGPU using the motherboard’s ports, specifically for audio recording, should the individual use case require it.
Focus on minimal DPC latencies – approved by Zardonic
Particularly in the field of professional audio production, the demands placed on the PC system itself are more specific than in primarily performance-focused, visual content creation applications or gaming. Accordingly, XMG placed particular emphasis on minimising DPC latency during product development and put the new system through its paces prior to the official launch. Zardonic, a DJ, remixer, composer and audio producer with over 100 million streams worldwide, is already using the desktop PC in continuous professional operation. In addition to an extensive catalogue of his own tracks, the musician has made his mark with acts such as Bullet For My Valentine, Owsla and Fear Factory, whilst also leaving his stamp on the game soundtracks for Superhot, Synth Riders and Redout 2.
The most striking optimisation is the provision of customised BIOS profiles for various use cases. Of fundamental interest to all users are the quiet and energy-saving “Eco Silent” profile (with CPU power limits capped at Intel’s officially specified value of 125 watts, as well as a flattened and thus quieter fan curve), and the “Allround” preset (where the CPU’s PL1 and PL2 power limits reach a sustained 250 watts). In addition, there are three special profiles with presets designed to reduce DPC latencies. In the “Latency WIFI” setting, the motherboard’s onboard audio chip and the Intel processor’s C-states are disabled to prevent parts of the CPU from being shut down. “Latency LAN” also disables the onboard Wi-Fi controller. As the most aggressive option, “Latency Pro” offers the “Latency LAN” settings and additionally shuts down the processor’s E-cores. The rule here is: the more drastic the profile settings, the better the DPC latencies.
XMG complements these measures with adjustments to the operating system and software. The brand, known for its bloatware-free installations, modifies the power-saving options at the factory and ensures that as few of the often unnecessary background services and apps as possible are running. Finally, the choice of hardware and components is also geared towards DPC latency optimisation. The two selectable motherboards – an ASUS Prime Z790-P as the entry-level option and an ASUS ProArt Z790-CREATOR WIFI as the premium upgrade – were specifically selected with this in mind. Whilst the premium option features a fast, DPC-latency-friendly onboard controller for 10-Gigabit Ethernet, XMG equips the motherboard in the base configuration with a Gigabit Ethernet expansion card featuring an Intel 82574L chip.
High-airflow concept – optionally with or without RGB lighting
To realise a quiet high-airflow concept, the XMG STUDIO X utilises Fractal Design’s large-volume Torrent case, which ensures well-ventilated and cooled components with two 180 mm fans at the front – available either in the fully enclosed version with a metal side panel (Black Solid) or with a tinted tempered glass side panel (Black TG Dark Tint) to reveal the interior. The company also offers a free choice as to whether RGB lighting is desired: both non-illuminated and ARGB fans are available for this purpose. This applies both to the two factory-fitted 180 mm models at the front and to the fans that can be selected as options in the bestware PC configurator: up to three 140 mm fans at the base of the case and one at the rear. It is also possible to configure Noctua models with a 120 mm frame width instead of the 140 mm Fractal Design fans; however, these do not feature RGB lighting.
