Items tagged with Gaming PC
Boutique, custom-built Gaming PCs from some of the more prominent brands are almost always a cut above mainstream pre-built computers from larger OEMs. However, even among premium boutique brands, build quality, design aesthetics and cost can vary greatly. Maingear has delivered its share of ultra-high end killer gaming rigs to us for evaluation over the years, but perhaps nothing so custom and so premium in design as the machine we're about to dig deep on today. We got a look at Maingear's highly custom F131 back at CES 2018 in Las Vegas, and though we came away impressed at the time, it...
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Boutique gaming, performance enthusiast and workstation custom PC builders are a burgeoning breed in the computing market and there are some impressive custom builds out there that we've seen recently. It goes without saying that many of these custom, liquid-cooled marvels of technology go above and beyond what the average DIY enthusiast PC homebrew builder might be able to achieve on their own with off-the-shelf components. The likes of Origin, Digital Storm, Falcon Northwest and newcomers like Xidax, have all graced our pages here at one time or another, but never have we seen the kind of custom...
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The Alienware brand is as venerable a name as any in the gaming space. As Alienware celebrates over twenty years in business, its computers have become instantly recognizable thanks to distinctive, out-of-this-world styling, and science-fiction references. Dell purchased Alienware in 2006 to complement its own competing line of XPS-branded gaming machines. However, Dell has kept a largely hands-off approach, allowing Alienware to grow its own business and continue meeting consumer's expectations. So far, it has served both brands well. Alienware currently maintains three desktop families from the...
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Windows 10 is finally here. The new OS has been spit-shined and primed for an official release. As advertised, Windows 8/8.1 users can upgrade to the new operating system, provided that current Win8 installs have been properly activated. Make sure you check our comprehensive Migration Guide for details on upgrades and clean installs. MSFT's new operating system ushers in a host of new features and functions for media lovers and productivity. Part of the kit and caboodle is a brand new browser, embedded Microsoft Office, Cortana search assistant inclusion and most importantly for us gamers--the...
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Not everyone can afford a Lamborghini of a PC gaming machine, and with that in mind, Lenovo has crafted a solution that offers a considerable amount of value and performance. Meet the Lenovo Erazer x510, a mainstream gaming rig with a slick black case and convenient OneKey overclocking, among a handful of other handy features. Priced at $1,349 (as configured), the Lenovo Erazer x510 isn't a budget build, but it's doesn't break the bank either... Lenovo Erazer x510 Gaming PC Review...
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We have seen a rapid influx of entry-level to enthusiast-class gaming systems and hardware over the last few months. The Maingear Rush we recently evaluated targets the most demanding PC users with its twin AMD Radeon R9 295X2 (8GB DDR5) video cards, killer Intel i7-4960X processor and fast storage. Weighing in at a hefty $8,393 as configured though, the Maingear Rush might offer a ton of performance, but you've got to pay to play. Not everyone can afford a Lamborghini of a PC gaming system, and with that in mind, Lenovo has crafted a solution that offers a considerable...
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Lenovo has some good news for gamers today. The PC maker is adding new gaming systems to its desktop and laptop lines and has a sleek new 8-inch tablet. Some gamers will undoubtedly scoff at the idea of a mainstream PC maker like Lenovo building gaming rigs, but we’ve seen big names (including Lenovo) put together competent gaming PCs before. And, Lenovo certainly knows the mobile device arena these days. The ERAZER X315 is a gaming PC that’s meant to strike a performance/price balance. Info on specs is light at the moment, which isn’t too surprising, considering that the system...
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Building a small form factor gaming PC is a tricky business. For one thing, there simply isn’t enough room to fit as many components as you would put in a mid- or full-size gaming PC. Multiple graphics cards aren’t likely, and oversized power supplies (not to mention CPU heatsinks) usually present major challenges. The other issue is the heat: with space at a premium, good airflow becomes even more important, but all the harder to preserve. And don’t expect your customers to give you leeway on performance, looks, or (and this might be the toughest target of all) noise. But it’s...
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Building a small form factor gaming PC is a tricky business. For one thing, there simply isn’t enough room to fit as many components as you would put in a mid- or full-size gaming PC. Multiple graphics cards aren’t likely, and oversized power supplies (not to mention CPU heatsinks) usually present major challenges. The other issue is the heat: with space at a premium, good airflow becomes even more important, but all the harder to preserve. And don’t expect your customers to give you leeway on performance, looks, or (and this might be the toughest target of all) noise. But it’s...
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On the test track, Alienware notebooks have racked up some of the best performance numbers we've seen and the company's desktops rank right up there as well. One shape the Aliens have never assumed previously, however, is the small form-factor desktop. And let's be honest, systems in this weight class generally aren't known for their gaming prowess but usually serve as home theater or mainstream PCs. The folks at Alienware have a different sort of vision for their next alien life form and if you weren't paying attention, you'd almost mistake it for a game console rather than a...
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Dell's enthusiast gaming PC division has built a legacy on designing over-the-top desktops and notebooks, that push the boundaries of performance and style with an unmistakable design flair. We've been pretty impressed with the Alienware systems we've looked at thus far, and though they tend to run a premium in terms of price, performance and design quality generally scale along with that higher price tag. On the test track, Alienware notebooks have racked up some of the best performance numbers we've seen and the company's desktops rank right up there as well. One shape the Aliens...
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This weekend the weather has been acting up here in the Northeast. We've had some torrential rains causing localized flooding and the wind has been fierce, giving us the feeling that Mother Earth has decided to kick up her wrath a bit, forcing us all to seek shelter indoors. Or, perhaps, the change in atmosphere has nothing to do with dear ol' Mother Earth and more to do with what landed on the HotHardware.com loading dock last week. Perhaps the atmospheric disturbance we're dealing with is a result something extra-terrestrial that has invaded the test area now at HH. See, this...
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CyberPower isn't resting on its laurels here at the beginning of the new year, as it has taken the opportunity to upgrade a rig that it originally announced back in June of '09. The Black Mamba gaming PC was already a force to be reckoned with, and now it has been completely redesigned as to give the Fang Series a new look. The chassis is new, a custom water-cooling option has been added and DirectX 11-capable hardware has been added. Corsair's Obsidian 800D chassis is now encasing the innards, while the Xtreme Hydro custom cooling kit keeps things cool when the gaming heats up. You'll also find...
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You're stuffed full of turkey, you somehow managed to erect a Christmas tree, and you're still recovering from Black Friday. Without a doubt, you've had one whirlwind of a holiday. But before you get too comfortable in that chair of yours, we should probably remind you that the gift giving day you've all been waiting for is only a few weeks away. If you've been thinking of replacing that aging gaming rig of yours with something a bit more powerful as a gift to yourself (so to speak), we've rounded up a few solid options in varying price ranges that just might fit the bill. Oh, and you don't even...
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