iBuyPower Element Gaming PC Review: i7-8086K and GTX 1080 Ti Inside
by Joe Shields on July 6, 2018 10:00 AM ESTConclusion
iBuyPower and system builders like them present users with an expedient option for buying a custom PC, taking all the building and testing hassle away and just leaving the 'plug it in and play' portion for the user. iBuyPower gives potential buyers a broad array of options to choose from including the case, down to wire lighting so it can really be a one-stop shop for those who may not want to build or feel uncomfortable building their own PC.
The Element system we have runs for $2199. If someone decided to build a system like this themselves, the cost would be around $250 less, but of course it wouldn't be built, configured, and tested out of the box for you. It takes hours to install hardware properly and route cables neatly as well as additional time to set up your OS and system, including overclocking as you like it. In some cases that process can be rewarding, and in other cases the desired reward is saving that time – albeit at an additional expense – something that can be worthwhile even for those who can put together their own PC. There is also a matter of tech support which a system builder provides, but when building your own, users are generally left to fend for themselves and find homes in forums such as ours. This is the value system builders can bring to the user.
We saw in our performance testing the iBuyPower system performs as it should out of the box which is what is to be expected. The overclock to 5 GHz for all cores on the Core i7-8086K processor improves performance across the board, making quick work against the lower clocked stock i7-8700K. One item of note with overclocking this system is to be sure adequate cooling is selected. Though the 120mm CLC kept things under the throttling point after a bit of tweaking, it was already at the limits so a warmer than average room (my office is kept at ~22C) it may be a tipping point. Because of this overclocking further, expecting to pass a stress test under 90C was a reach. Cooler is usually better and I would recommend a 2x120/140mm CLC for this processor if you want it to run at 5 GHz with little worry.
So where does that leave us? As someone who has built PCs with my own hands for well over 20 years, it can be difficult to find a lot of value in any system builder. But taking a step back and putting myself in the other 90% of people's shoes who do not have the experience and the worry removed from building a system and getting it set up for you can be priceless. The amount of time it can save and still have a quality system on your desk can easily be worth the price premium. The website, though it can be intimidating with so many options, was easy to work through and build systems with. Users can select to choose within the framework of their signature lines or build a completely custom system using the substantial catalog of parts they offer. Be it an AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA fan, small form factor or full tower, iBuyPower can put together some great looking and performing PCs and have done so with the nicely configured Element we had to play with.
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Death666Angel - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
The use of stock photos with an SLI configuration is a bit weird.I'm not a fan of these big cases anymore. Look at all the wasted space inside. This configuration could have been done with an ITX motherboard and corresponding case that fits the radiator. Or at the very max mATX if you want to have some expandability. I'd also rather see a beefy CPU heatsink instead of the middle of the road H60. If you go CLC in such a big case, at least get a 240 / 280mm radiator. Shipping issues of an attached 1kg+ heatsink might have prevented going down that road. The only thing this large case is used for is to hide all those cables in a really messy way.
DanNeely - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
I've got to agree about the stock photos. 1 vs 2 GPUs is just too different. If it was just a different mobo and 2 vs 4 dimms I wouldn't've cared even if I noticed (and if just the mobo I probably wouldn't).WasHopingForAnHonestReview - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
For those of us who like expand-ability and room to work, these larger cases are a must.Death666Angel - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
How much expandability will someone do, that buys a pre-configured PC? Ease of use, I give you that. But again, if someone buys a ready made PC, I doubt he will do a lot of work on it. At least that is my experience.I've personally used three non GPU PCIe expansion cards in the last 10 years. One soundcard, one ethernet card and one NVME SSD adapter. I've also never seen someone use more than three PCIe cards in one PC. So I still maintain that ATX cases and motherboards should be considered the niche these days, not mATX or ITX. If you need more than the motherboard offers you, mATX gives you two to three non GPU PCIe slots and if you need more than that, you are likely using some exotic things.
philehidiot - Saturday, July 7, 2018 - link
I have a double width Corsair Carbide case and, aside from the size occasionally getting in the way, it makes it loads easier to work inside and you just never even have to consider the size or number of components. Also gives loads of space to mount radiators and have large, slow spinning fans rather than smaller noisier faster ones. I can however see the use for smaller cases and why people would want them. I just can't be arsed fiddling.3ogdy - Saturday, July 7, 2018 - link
Big cases are awesome. Better airflow, more space to route the cables and keep them hidden...more space for further upgrades / additions. All this nanoscaling in everything is just crazy.imaheadcase - Wednesday, July 11, 2018 - link
Well prepare yourself, because soon upgrading wont be a think at all. All-in-ones are going to be the norm sadly. If business and gaming is what drives upgrades, then the way the games and businesses are going to reason to upgrade much anymore. The most popular PCs for business are cheap $200 hubs with built in everything. Gaming the most popular games fot years now dont require anything special.bigboxes - Sunday, July 8, 2018 - link
No, desktops are niche these days. For those of us that are enthusiasts, a larger case is easier to perform maintenance and upgrade. You're right about today's motherboards have more on-board features and quality parts. However, you may not need be as much of as enthusiast as you once were. I remember putting in all video cards, tv tuner cards, sound cards, ethernet cards, usb cards, firewire cards, etc. Whenever you want to do more than what your motherboard came with you have to use expansion cards if you want to keep it all inside the case. I also upgraded my P6T Deluxe v2 a few years ago with updated USB and SATA expansion cards. Can't do that without expansion slots.hansmuff - Monday, July 9, 2018 - link
For an 'average user' desktop, you're certainly correct. For an enthusiast, the amount of airflow alone makes a larger case worthwhile in terms of noise. I have two 140MM intakes on 'low' and another 2 140mm as exhausts, also on 'low', ML fans all of them. Coupled with a 115i I can NOT hear my system unless the graphics card goes under high load. A small case would have maybe 1/2 the airflow, MAYBE, and then the fans would have to spin much faster and be louder.DigitalFreak - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
" The PC sits in styrofoam shell protecting the PC inside. "Wouldn't static electricity be a concern?