iBuypower Revolt 2 Review: A Powerful, Portable Gaming Desktop
Introducing The iBuypower Revolt 2
In addition to being lots of fun, LAN parties also afford hardcore gamers and enthusiasts a forum to show off their rigs. Dusty, ho-hum home systems are the norm, of course, but there are also some modded systems, decked out with custom cooling, lighting and paint jobs. And, of course, there are the high-end, boutique-built gaming systems as well.
Sporting slick cases and the latest hardware, custom gaming PCs always stand out, but they are usually huge beasts that aren’t meant to be carried around regularly. That’s where iBuypower’s Revolt 2 comes in. Designed to deliver head-turning looks and performance, it’s also meant to make your next LAN party trip less of a back-breaker.
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| Operating System | Windows 10 Home (X64) |
| Processor | Intel Core i7-6700K (Quad-Core, 8MB Cache, 4GHz/4.2GHz Turbo) |
| Motherboard | MSI Z170I Gaming Pro AC Mini ITX |
| Graphics | MSI Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti VR-Ready |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4-2400 (8GB x2) |
| Optical Drive | None |
| Storage | 256GB Adata SP600 SSD 1TB Western Digital WD Blue 3.5-inch WD10EZEX |
| Cooling System | Corsair Hydro Series H90 140mm Liquid Cooler |
| Connectivity | Gigabit LAN, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Front Panel Ports | 2 x USB 3.0, Headphone and Mic |
| Rear Panel Ports | 3 x USB 2.0, 4 x USB 3.1, HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort, DVI, PS2, Wi-Fi antennas, S/PDIF Out, Surround Sound, Clear CMOS button |
| Power Supply | 600W 80 PLUS Bronze |
| Dimensions | 15x18x9 inches (HxWxD) |
| Weight | 18-25 pounds |
| Warranty | 3-Year |
| Extras | iBuypower MEK Mechanical Gaming Keyboard & iBuypower Gaming Mouse |
| Pricing | $1,793 (as configured) - Find iBuyPower Systems @ Amazon |
Although we usually discuss a system’s weight and dimension later in our reviews, we’re mentioning it here because the Revolt 2’s portability amounts to one of the system’s most important features. Anyone who has lugged a full tower across a parking lot (and through the chaos of a LAN party set-up) has considered picking up a smaller system for these events. Where many systems weigh more than 40 pounds (the Alienware 51 we recently tested rang in at 61 pounds), the Revolt 2 is 18-25 pounds, depending on the hardware inside. Most people will be able to carry the Revolt 2 comfortably; some of us can even tuck it under one arm.
The Revolt 2’s portability also explains its hardware, which, while impressive, isn’t as outlandish as we often see in gaming systems. The chassis has room for just one graphics card, so iBuypower makes it count. Our review system features an Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 Ti from MSI with 6GB of GDDR5 memory. If you have room in your budget, you can opt for the 8GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080.
The small chassis demands a small motherboard too, so iBuypower installed MSI’s Z170I Gaming Pro AC mini ITX board and then plugged in an Intel Core i7-6700K quad-core CPU, which is iBuypower’s most powerful processor option for the Revolt 2. It rounded out the system with two 8GB DDR4-2400 memory modules, a 256GB, 2.5-inch SSD and a 1TB, 3.5-inch hard drive. A 600-watt PSU powers it all.
Ethernet connections are easy to come by at serious LAN parties, but the Revolt 2 has you covered either way. The system features a Gigabit Ethernet port and 802.11ac wireless connectivity, with dual detachable antennas.
Buying a custom-built system has its perks. For one, iBuypower offers overclocking services (for a fee). If you’re buying a gaming system because you don’t feel comfortable building your own, this is an easy way to squeeze some extra performance from your rig without putting the Revolt 2 at risk. The PC maker also offers multiple options for most major components, which is good news for tech-savvy buyers who want more control while shopping. Want to swap out the 600W power supply for an EVGA 1000 GQ with an 80 Plus Gold rating? No problem.
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Buypower also offers loads of PC accessories on its website and shipped two with our Revolt 2: a gaming mouse and the iBuypower MEK mechanical keyboard. Even with the accessories, the system we tested rings in at $1,793, which is a fairly tame price for a gaming desktop. The Revolt 2 starts at an even more budget-friendly $899, but packs less of a punch in its default configuration.
