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The latest ASUS gaming tower adds more than just flashy lights
ASUS didn't have many brand-new computers to show off at CES 2018, since it seemed to focus on unveiling unconventional routers instead. But it did release a new gaming tower via its Republic of Gamers sub-brand, which features a few updates. The ROG Strix GL 12 now comes with an overclockable eighth-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, NVIDIA GTX 1080 graphics and an easily swappable SSD tray that ASUS says is "eSports-ready".
Maingear announces Alpha 24 Super Stock AIO: NVIDIA graphics and Ivy Bridge power for $1,349 and up
Maingear is relatively new to the all-in-one space, having released its Solo 21 just this March. Now it's introducing the Alpha 24 Super Stock, an AIO with a 24-inch, 1080p touchscreen and some solid specs under the hood. Processor choices include a Core i3-3240 chip clocked at 3.4GHz and a Core i7 option (both Ivy Bride, of course), and the AIO is configurable with up to 16GB of SO-DIMM memory. For storage, you're looking at up to a 3TB hard drive and up to a 256GB SSD. Being a Maingear machine, the Super Stock is all about the graphics: an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 GPU comes standard, but that can be switched out for a GeForce GTX 680 chip. There are also two 8-pin PCI-E power connectors on board for good measure. Also in line with the company's DIY mentality, the machine meets Intel's thin-mini ITX standard for assuring that next-gen components can be swapped in. Rounding out the feature list are an optional CableCARD tuner, an optical drive, HDMI, three USB 2.0 ports and a SD card reader. The Alpha 24 Super Stock will go for $1,349 and up starting today -- check out the full press info below the break.
NZXT hosts rave in your PC case, charges $33 for entry
You've got the music, the air conditioning, and the chemicals. All you need now is Hue -- an RGB case light controller from NZXT that fills up a spare drive bay with dials to set the color, brightness and pulsation of a bundled two-meter, 24-LED light strip. Fake some ID, hand over $33 and reach for the lasers.
Velocity Micro relaunches Overdrive gaming desktop: overclocked to 4.6GHz, with trio of GeForce graphics
After furnishing its latest machines with fresh Ivy Bridge processors, Velocity Micro has decided to tend to its high-performance gaming machines. The desktop's Overdrive BigBlock GTX promises to be "the new benchmark for extreme speed and luxury." It reckons it accomplishes this with a Core i7 3960X processor, "hyperclocked" to 4.6GHz, 32GB of quad-channel memory, three (yes, three) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 graphics cards in Tri-SLI and two SSDs backed up with a weighty 2TB hard drive. The machines will also get treated to a splash of sports car-style paint, aiming to mirror the likes of Ferrari and BMW. Naturally, all that top-drawer tech corresponds to a similarly top-drawer price tag. The gaming rigs start from $8,000, which helps soften the blow of another recent product launch.
ASUS intros three new ROG TYTAN gaming desktops, Ivy Bridge on board
Those of you looking for a fresh, Ivy Bridge-powered gaming rig may want to look ASUS' way. The Taiwanese outfit just welcomed a trifecta of new ROG TYTAN machines to its lineup, which include the CG8580, CG8270 and CM6870 -- all sporting similar aesthetics as that CG8490 we showed you a while back. For starters, the higher-end CG8580 packs a quad-core, 4.6GHz Core i7-3770k CPU alongside a single-touch Turbo Gear button for overclocking, a twin 128GB SSD and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX680 graphics card. As for the CG8270 and CM6870, you can choose between Intel's third-gen Core i5 or i7 for processing power, up to 16GB of RAM and, of course, a DVD or Blu-ray player. ASUS hasn't given official pricing yet, but we're sure that's going to depend heavily on how souped-up you want your future gaming beast to be.
Velocity Micro unveils three Ivy Bridge desktops, starting at $849
From Acer and HP to Maingear, PC makers across the board are releasing Ivy Bridge desktops before the family of CPUs makes its much-anticipated debut on notebooks. Velocity Micro is following suit, with the announcement of three customizable PCs powered by Intel's third-generation Core processors. Starting at $849, the Vector Z70 comes standard with a 500GB, 7,200RPM hard drive, 4GB of RAM and a 2.6GHz Intel Pentium G620 CPU (upgradeable all the way to a Core i7 processor, clocked at 3.4GHz). The $999 Edge Z40 is a middle-of-the-road model, shipping with a 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 450 GPU, a 2.8GHz Intel Core i5-23000 and 1TB of storage spinning at 7,200 RPM. On the premium side, the Raptor Z90 is a full-on gaming machine, with GeForce GTX 680 graphics and an Intel Core i7-3770 CPU, plus eight USB 3.0 and four USB 3.0 connections. All three systems are immediately available -- click through to the product pages for the complete configuration options.
Acer dips its toes into Ivy Bridge, refreshes two of its desktops with new processors
Now that the Ivy Bridge cat is out of the bag, you can expect to see a deluge of press releases from PC makers over the coming weeks, each of them saying that this computer or that is getting refreshed with Intel's latest processors. From Acer, at least, we expect multiple announcements: it's only ready to talk about a couple of desktops today, with news around laptops and Ultrabooks coming later. Right now, you can choose from several configurations of the Predator AG3620 gaming tower, with the top-shelf $1,200 model packing a 3.4 GHz Core i7 3770 CPU, NVIDIA GT630 graphics, 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage space. On the budget end, the $799 Gateway D4860-UR14P will feature a 3.1 GHz Core i5 3450 processor, 6GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive. Both are available now -- you know, if you've been waiting for precisely this sort of thing.
Digital Storm launches Aventum range with Cryo-TEC cooling system
The last thing you want when things are getting hot in the battlefield, is for things to start heating-up under your desk too. Digital Storm's been back in the lab, looking for ways to prevent just that, and thinks it's cracked it with the new Aventum system. It's the first to be kitted out with the PC-maker's Cryo-TEC liquid cooling mechanism, and boasts a thermal exhaust, five software-regulated "zones" and no less than 13 configurable fans. The range starts with an Intel i7 2700K core, 16GB RAM, 120GB SSD (1TB HDD) and a GeForce GTX680 for $3,859. If your pockets are even deeper, then you might fancy the 2x dual Xeon E5-2630 hexacore-totin' system with 32GB DDR RAM, and three-way SLI (with the same GeForce GTX680) for a jaw dropping $7,856. With a price like that, however, it's probably your credit card that'll need cooling down. Digital Storm is taking orders as of today, and full details of the range in the PR after the break.
Reveling in darkness, iBuyPower unveils Erebus GT at CES
Fresh for the crowds of gadget worshipers in Las Vegas is the Erebus GT from iBuyPower. While in all reality, it's just another box of gaming glory, this one is named for the Greek god of darkness. Built specifically for overclockers and those who insist on maximum cooling capabilities, the Erebus GT features better airflow, larger 140mm radiators and removable hard drive cages. Even with these additions, the company has managed to make the GT smaller than its predecessor. In all, three radiators now pump 4.5 gallons of cooling liquid through the system every minute, which allows the company to confidently overclock the Erebus GT by up to 30 percent. Perhaps iBuyPower could have named this after a god of wind, or speed, or even radiator fluid... but darkness? Really? Full PR follows the break.
Maingear says it will offer the AMD Radeon HD 7970 in its Shift, F131 and Vybe desktops
When AMD announced its latest flagship, the Radeon HD 7970, we knew it was fast and efficient (because reviewers said so!), but gamers were told they'd have to wait until the new year to try it themselves. Now, precisely on schedule, the card is available for purchase, and we're starting to hear word of systems that will be refreshed to include the 28nm card. Maingear just said that it will offer the 7970 inside its Shift and F131 desktops, followed by the Vybe at some later date. If you recall, the card has a 925MHz engine that can be overclocked to 1.1GHz, 2,048 stream processors and an unusual 384-bit memory bus serving 3GB of GDDR5 -- not to mention, it's capable of a mere 3W power draw in "long idle" mode. Need even more of a recap on how awesome this card is? Find the full PR after the break.
Ask Engadget: best prefabricated gaming desktop?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Wilfred, who needs a new gaming rig (but ain't interested in buying the time to build one). If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I'm going to buy a powerful computer, so naturally, I am looking to buying a gaming computer. I know about Alienware and iBuyPower desktops, and while I know others exist, I don't know which one is superior. Looking for a Core i7 and enough horsepower to chew through today's latest titles, but I'd prefer a company that's reputable and known for above-average service. Thanks!" We know you're probably passionate about [insert PC builder here], but let's keep the banter civil down there, cool? Cool.
Digital Storm's ODE gaming PC brings the heat
It may look like a space heater (in the best way possible, of course), but what you're looking at is actually Digital Storm's very first pre-built gaming system, the ODE. Available in your choice of "Good," "Better," "Best," or "Ultimate" configurations, the rig packs a Core i7-2600K processor that can be overclocked to 5.0GHz, along with NVIDIA GTX 570 graphics (SLI in all but the lowest config), a standard 8GB of RAM, plus a regular 1TB hard drive that can be paired with an SSD up to 120GB -- not to mention that nice red glow, which shouldn't actually give off much heat thanks to some liquid cooling. Check out the gallery below for a closer look, and hit up the source link to place your order if you like what you see -- this one starts at $1,499. %Gallery-124350%
Origin PC takes Genesis and Big O gaming desktops to 5GHz with overclocked Core i7 2600k
Who says you need a vat of liquid nitrogen and a voided warranty to push your gaming rig to 5GHz? Here at CES, Origin PC has just announced one killer upgrade for its Genesis and Big O desktop range: an overclocked Core i7 2600k processor that's pushed to 5GHz from the factory. Naturally, the release coincides with Intel's new Sandy Bridge rollout, with this particular chip touting Turbo Boost 2.0 and an integrated memory controller. You'll also get three-way SLI, a customized liquid cooling setup (phew!) and a refreshed EFI BIOS from ASUS that features "convenient mouse controls and an entirely new user interface." If you're looking for something a wee bit more portable (but not exact bantam), you'll be thrilled to know that its Eon 15 and 17 gaming laptops will also start shipping soon with Intel's second-generation Core i5 / i7 CPUs; pair that with a GeForce GTX 485M, an optional TV tuner and four slots of DDR3 memory, and you'll have yourself a sufficient little LAN party rig. There's no mention of dollars and cents, but we're confident the build sheets will be updated soon on Origin's order pages.
Digital Storm's liquid-chilled gaming PC includes 4.6GHz Core i7-980X, equally chilling price
Mmm, overclocking. If you've been looking to treat yourself this holiday season, there's hardly a better way than with a shiny new gaming PC. Better still, a shiny new gaming PC with a liquid-chilled processor... one that just so happens to be warrantied with a 4.6GHz clock speed. Digital Storm's Hailstorm desktop is now available with a so-called Sub-Zero cooling system, which is described as a series of TEC peltier coolers that work in conjunction with other high-end liquid cooling components to keep Intel's Core i7-980X from boiling over. On the high-end rig, you'll also get 6GB of DDR3 memory, a trio of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 (1.5GB) GPUs, a 1200-watt power supply and a bank-breaking $6,903 price tag. Cost-conscious consumers can opt for two lesser systems, with a $4,390 build being equipped with a Core i7-950 and the $3,899 unit creeping by with only a single GTX 460 GPU. But hey, what's a few grand among friends? Promo vid is after the break. %Gallery-108029%
iBuyPower debuts AMD-powered Mage XLC M1 gaming desktop
Who says Intel deserves to have all the fun, huh? If you're looking to go a little counter-culture, or you just genuinely prefer AMD's silicon, iBuyPower has a new rig for you to consider. The outfit's Mage XLC X1 has been introduced into its range of liquid cooled solutions, packing a NZXT Phantom enclosure (in black or white, mind you) and a host of configuration options. AMD's Phenom II X6 1055T, 1075T or 1090T can be selected, and the whole lot of 'em will be cooled by Asetek's maintenance-free 240mm large radiator liquid cooling system. Prospective customers can also load it up with 8GB of DDR3 memory, AMD's Radeon HD 5770 graphics card, 1TB of storage space and Windows 7 Home Premium -- among other niceties, of course. Hit the source link if you're looking to say goodbye to (at least) $1,099.
iBuyPower revamps Gamer Mage / Paladin desktops with Radeon HD 6800 GPUs
You're already sold on ATI's new Radeon HD 6800 series, but your existing motherboard and CPU just feel too aged to become home to such a shiny, fresh piece of silicon. We hear you. So does iBuyPower. Rather than forking out and upgrading just your GPU, these guys are hoping you'll ogle the newly revised Gamer Mage D295, Gamer Mage D355, and Gamer Paladin F820, all three of which are available with the HD 6870 and HD 6850. The Gamer Mage D295 gets housed in a Thermaltake V9 enclosure and ships with a liquid cooled Athlon II X4 640 quad-core CPU, 4GB of RAM, a Radeon HD 6850 (1GB), LG Blu-ray reader / DVD combo drive, 1TB of HDD space and a 700 watt power supply -- all for the low, low price of $899. The D335 (starts at $1,239) steps up to a liquid cool Phenom II X6 1055T, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a Radeon HD 6870 GPU, 64GB SSD and an 800 watt PSU, while the F280 (starts at $1,369) goes all-out with a liquid cooled Core i7 950, 6GB of DDR3 memory, an HD 6870 GPU and NZXT's Guardian 921 R case. Hit the links below to get your customization on. %Gallery-106087%
CyberPower gets diminutive with LAN Party EVO SFF desktop family
Look out, Shuttle -- CyberPower's getting all up in your territory with its new LAN Party EVO series. Introduced today, this foursome of minuscule monsters relies on mITX and mATX motherboards and plenty of high-end internals to deliver solid gaming performance in a desktop that's at least somewhat portable. The Party EVO Mini is wrapped in a Silverstone SG-07B enclosure, while the Xtreme, Commander, and Ultra tout In-Win's Dragonslayer. Aside from integrating its Max Airflow Package to keep things a couple of notches below "Molten Lava," the whole crew is equipped with a 64-bit copy of Windows 7, a three-year warranty and free lifetime phone support. As for specs, the Mini ($1,079) gets a Core i7-870 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5770 GPU and a 1TB HDD, while the Xtreme ($799) steps down (oddly enough) to a Core i5-760 and an HD 5670 on the graphics front. The Commander ($999) includes a Core i7-950, 6GB of DDR3 RAM and NVIDIA's GeForce GTS 450 (1GB), and finally, the Ultra ($759) branches out with an AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 memory, ATI's Radeon HD 5670 GPU (1GB) and a full terabyte of hard drive space. So, which is going to be, buster?
Digital Storm Black|OPS series brings NVIDIA 3D Vision for triple-headed 3D gameplay
It's time to step up to triple-screen 3D gaming, son. NVIDIA has been teasing us with 3D Vision Surround capability in its GPUs for months, and now Digital Storm wants to put it on your desk with its latest Black|OPS line of gaming rigs. For a starting price of $2,670 you can get yourself a rig with dual NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 graphics cards in SLI powering three 23-inch 3D LCDs from Asus. Naturally, though, the price goes way up from there with just a few clicks on those customization boxes. Can you resist their siren call?
Acer Aspire Predator AG7750 available, currently trying to kill Adrien Brody
If you've seen this bad boy there's no way you can forget it: from the DeLorean-esque cover to the two-tone paint job, the Aspire Predator AG7750 is the gaming desktop you don't want to leave alone with your children or small pets. Starting at $1999, you get Windows 7 Home Premium, an Intel Core i7-930 CPU, 12GB SDRAM, NVIDIA GTX 470 graphics card, all sorts of storage options, and more. Is it just us, or are these things getting progressively sillier as time goes on? Available now at "select retail outlets" (that would be "select" as in "selected," not as in "privileged"). PR after the break.
Acer's updated Predator gaming desktop swoops down from the trees to decapitate the competition
When launched back in 2008, Acer's Predator desktop was a mean gaming rig -- and we don't just mean because it had a tendency to actually set things on fire. We're pretty sure the new, just announced revision of the desktop won't suffer the same ailment, a non-customizable update that sports a 2.8GHz Core i7 930 CPU, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470 GPU, 1.5TB of storage, 12GB of DDR3 RAM, and an asking price of one buck under $2,000. That's a solid deal, and the new black and orange case design looks solid too, every bit as loud as old orange and black one. It's just perfect for showing your opponents just how serious you are about your gaming, though we're thinking it might have been even more popular if the Stanley Cup had gone the other way.
