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Manufacturer: PurePC
Review unit specifications: Intel 3.33 GHz Core i7 980x CPU (water-cooled), twin ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics cards in Crossfire, ASUSTek Rampage 3 Extreme motherboard, 6 GB Kingston HyperX DDR3 RAM at 1333 MHz, 1 TB Western Digital Caviar Black 7200 rpm SATA-II hard drive, 80 GB Intel X25-M Mainstream solid-state hard drive, Asus 12X BD-R Blu-ray optical drive (250 ms), Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OS
Price as configured: $4,525.00
Base price: $2,940.00
One of the reasons why the PC is the superior gaming platform is its flexibility. Game developers are limited by console hardware characteristics, which have changed very little (if at all) since the beginning of the current console generation. But with a PC, a developer is free to let his imagination run wild, because he knows that PC hardware is constantly evolving. The downside of all of this technology is its expense. A pre-built, mid-range gaming PC is quite an investment, and some bleeding-edge rigs can be priced higher than a decent used car.
Taking a bit of the edge off of gaming-PC sticker shock is PurePC, a new boutique system-builder based in the USA. They offer three desktop rigs (Bliss, Thrill and Power), ranging from around $1,000 to $3,000 with standard equipment. Each can be configured with substantial upgrades to their core components, including CPUs, graphics cards and storage devices. For the last week or so I’ve been putting one of their Power PCs through its paces, and the results are most impressive.
 Let’s start with what the Pure Power has under the hood. For my review rig, Pure replaced the standard Intel Core i7 950 quad-core CPU with the i7 980x six-core, running at a non-overclocked 3.33 GHz. Keeping it cool is a custom water-cooler that makes the system so quiet, you barely notice it’s on (except when the case fans trigger, after which you definitely know it’s running). Gamers will appreciate the twin Radeon HD 5870 graphics cards in Crossfire mode, and the 6 GB of Kingston HyperX DDR3 RAM. System storage is handled by a smokin’-fast Intel 80 GB solid-state hard-drive, partnered with a 1 TB Western Digital Caviar SATA drive. Strangely missing from the Power’s standard equipment are a sound card and a wireless Internet device. Onboard motherboard audio has made great strides in years past, but a good sound card is usually better at bringing games to life. And in today’s media center-ready households with Internet devices in almost every room, a wireless card is almost a necessity. Both items can be added to all of Pure’s loadouts as options.
Housing all of this hardware is the very attractive NZXT Phantom full-tower case, featuring individual speed controls for up to five case fans, and more than enough room inside for today’s monstrous graphics cards. When you look inside the case, you see what is a wonder in case wiring; all of the various cables have been tucked away under the motherboard tray, making it incredibly easy to navigate inside the case. However, the Phantom also has two USB jacks placed on top. I’ve never been a fan of top-mounted USBs; if you put the tower on the floor, they’re fine, but if you put it on your desktop, wires can sometimes get in the way. Also, NZXT has replaced case feet with rubber strips, which prevent you from easily sliding the case across a desk. This forces you to lift the case to move it, which wouldn’t be so bad if the rig wasn’t so heavy, and if the front faceplate didn’t come off so easily (be careful where you grip the case before you lift it).
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It appears the original (long and thorough) Avault review format is back, and I cannot be happier!
Even though I build all my own computers and would never trade that for a pre-made, it is clear to me that PurePC is a great choice for those who have not the time, desire, or the knowledge to do so.
I wonder how your review rig would compare to mine current “Glorious Gaming Rig.” I have a slightly slower CPU, but slightly faster RAM. Also I have a significantly faster drives (both the system SSD, and the storage HDD.) Not sure how my motherboard compares to the one you have, and, unlike the PurePC one, my system is air cooled. If you happen to have a copy of Metro 2033, could you run the included benchmarking tool with everything on Maximum, DX11, and 2560×1600?
Anyway, one thing I feel I must disagree with you on is the onboard vs. dedicated sound issue. I was a big proponent of dedicated sound cards back in the day, and had a number of cards from the original Sound Blaster to Audigy2. Right now, however, I insist that there is absolutely no difference between integrated and dedicated sound hardware. In fact I would say that having an on-board one is preferable for a number of reasons, such as power consumption, airflow, temperature, driver compatibility, etc.
That minor point aside, it’s an excellent article! This is the sort of powerful computer that marks a true hobbyist so far as real PC gaming is concerned. Go PurePC! =)
Alaric,
I totally agree with you on the on-board vs. dedicated sound issue. There’s absolutely no need for dedicated sound as on-board options are now very advanced. My PurePC’s on-board sound solution powers two Harman Kardon GLA-55 speakers and a Sonance (Son of Sub) sub-woofer with perfect execution and clarity. Also, the PurePC on-board sound can power a full 7.1 surround system with no effort or discernible distortion.
Angel
Guys:
We’ll have to agree to disagree on the sound card issue. I had the Pure Power rig with onboard sound sitting right next to my personal PC, which has an Auzentech X-Plosion sound card and Logitech THX-rated 5.1 speakers, and I found the difference in sound to be noticeable. They both sound fine, but I have to give the edge to the system with the sound card. And if you could see how much empty space there is in the Power PCs case, airflow would not be an issue. Drivers were a problem when Vista was first released, but not anymore.
Actually I have a technical question for PurePC designers.
I just looked at the pictures, and was a wee bit surprised to see that only the CPU is liquid-cooled, while the video cards (which generate the majority of heat and noise) are left as is. Also, what do the two fans on top do? Since nothing seems to be blowing hot air inside the case, what is the purpose of that outtake? With the PSU and videocards already removing air, do the motherboard, memory and the drives generate enough heat to warrant so many (top, side, and front) fans?
Why have both the air cooling and the liquid cooling systems in place? It seems the entire point of liquid cooling is defeated by having so many smaller (and therefore noisier) fans. It would make sense to either just put a regular heat sink on the CPU and get rid of the pump altogether, or liquid cool the motherboard and video cards, which would allow it to lose all the fans. Or am I way off?
Michael – In what ways was the sound difference noticeable? Was there a larger sound stage? More definition? Better output throughout the 5.1 speakers? Better mid-range?
I play my games with headsets and music with the 2.1 speakers so I’m curious to determine what criteria you are using to judge the sound differences.
You are absolutely correct in both observations. We offer complete system liquid cooling systems – including the video cards. However this system was spec’d with CPU cooling only because the video cards are very well designed, quiet and never showed any signs of over-heating in our lab and consideration for over clocking the CPU. Having said that, we consider liquid cooled systems, custom designs and when a customer selects liquid cooling, all the options are discussed in details with the customer in advance to address concerns such as yours.
We elected to leave the fans in place merely for aesthetics. The Fans can be turned off from the top fan control and even when they are on max speed they produce 37 dBa (on the bigger 200 mm fan), barely audible. Thank you for your input and let us know when we can build you one
Personally as a gamer, i see no problem with on-board sound. It’s gotten to the point where it does everything i could ask it too and more. That being i said i am sure at some point depending on the sound set up and how sensitive your hearing is there’s going to be a difference in quality.
The real question is, is that quality up substantial enough to warrant spending more money on something that is almost redundant?
For me, no. For someone who is an audio person and craves the perfect sound maybe.
All in all the computer looks clean, wire management is fairly aggressive which is great in my book. It’s an art i have sadly failed to master completely.
thanks, avault. i was exploring ways to built a dream machine and this give me a good baseline on components require. i can expand from these spec and probably go wild …
Pre-made PCs is the right choice for the ones who don’t have the time and patience to build one from “scratch”, some of my friends have some pre-made ones.
And this PowerPC, oh my… i7, Radeon… I want one
No, I want two… eheheh
Albert:
Good luck! Be sure to write back when you’re done and let us know how you did.
Angel:
I don’t normally play PC games with a headset. I looked at channel separation, subwoofer effectiveness and the general quality of the sound field. The difference is not huge, and as John mentions above, whether that’s worth the extra $100 for a sound card is purely a matter of preference. If I were ordering the Power PC, I would spend the cash for the Creative Titanium card that Pure offers. But that’s just me…:)
I had a Titanium and removed it. Money is not the primary issue for me, just that I honestly could not hear a significant improvement in audio quality. But if you say you can I will re-test it and report back.
@Alaric – I’m pretty sure the two fans on the top are part of the radiator used to cool the liquid.
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