Maingear Apex Power Gaming PC: A Customized Liquid-Cooled Masterpiece

	Maingear Apex Power PC: Beginning at ~$6000 Maingear’s beefiest gaming PC pairs stupendous specs with {custom} cooling to create a machine that’s each lovely and bad-ass.
	Impeccable Consideration To Element Extravagant Maximalist Design Quiet, Regardless of Its Energy Simple Upgrades & Upkeep	Cumbersome And Heavy Awkward Motherboard I/O Angled Base Forces Customized Tubing Angles

Maingear is a reputation that will likely be acquainted to PC fans and particularly HotHardware readers. We have reviewed many a Maingear machine over time, however this Apex Power is really the “apex” of the boutique builder’s efforts. By combining the most effective of DIY PC ingenuity with a rigorously curated collection of potent elements, Maingear has crafted one thing actually superior on this newest system.

Once we initially picked up the Maingear Apex Power on the firm headquarters in New Jersey, the group wasn’t positive if we would handle to get it again for testing with out help. Maingear chosen a Phanteks NV9 full-tower PC case that weighs in at 43 lbs earlier than you even put any {hardware} in it. Add the requisite parts and weight of the liquid cooling system, and we’re creeping near the 100-pound mark. With that in thoughts, you may want a second particular person that can assist you transfer and unbox the Apex Power.

Maingear Apex Power: {Hardware} and Specs

Maingear Apex Power Inside And Out

Customized-cut acrylic tubing runs neatly and easily to the a number of reservoirs at a slight 10-degree offset angle. This can be a intelligent alternative made to circulate with the case itself, which is designed with an angle to raise the parts for extra airflow. Maingear’s design additionally minimizes cable muddle as a lot as doable, with solely the mandatory GPU and motherboard cables seen. Even these mandatory parts are ornamental, although; Maingear makes use of beautiful {custom} braided cables that add to the attraction of the inside. For our machine, Maingear has creatively tuned the RGB to be set to a firey purple and blue, maybe as a nod to the HotHardware theme. The eye to element continues as Maingear additionally provides a {custom} badge for the Apex Power, a private contact for its proprietor.

The big measurement of the Phanteks NV9 case and quick access to the rear and sides additionally makes upkeep and upgrades comparatively easy. To be truthful, that is nonetheless one thing that can require some data and care, so it isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. Maingear has put thought into the method, although. The Apex liquid cooling system has quick-disconnect drain ports that enable the tubing to be eliminated with out leaking. The thought behind this ingenious inner design is that Maingear’s technical assist can information an proprietor of the Apex Power by many upkeep duties on this rig. Our evaluation unit has clear clear acrylic tubing, which seems beautiful with the purple and blue liquid. Maingear has varied choices for tubing and colours, starting from acrylic to metallic, and matte variations too.

Stepping round to the far aspect of the PC is the place we discover the cable administration space and the facility provide bay. It’s closed off initially by a hinged door, which swings open to disclose the rear reservoir. The outstanding heatsink-like piece on the rear seems hanging. Nevertheless, this does make it tougher to plug in sure smaller USB dongles when you method it from the mistaken angle or if the case is on the ground

Presently, the Maingear Apex Power isn’t but, however potential patrons can put down a $100 reservation that’s refundable. On the time of evaluation, remaining pricing data was not but obtainable, however Maingear estimates {that a} related Apex {custom} construct with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 GPU will value someplace round $7,000. The Maingear Power “Shroud Version” that doesn’t function Apex cooling begins at $5999. These costs are definitely lofty, however contemplating the workmanship and care that goes into the meeting of such advanced techniques, the pricing is de facto par for the course for techniques with this stage of energy and professional customization.

Maingear Apex Power: Software program Expertise

When first turning on the Apex Power, you’re greeted with a clear Home windows 11 set up. No bloatware right here, as Maingear prides itself on a minimalist {custom} OS installations. You will get simply the naked requisites, such because the motherboard RGB software program and brand-themed wallpapers. We actually recognize this method and lack of third get together bloat onboard, because it makes for a a lot smoother expertise.

As talked about beforehand, the motherboard chosen by Maingear is the ASRock Phantom Gaming X870E Nova WiFi, which makes use of ASRock’s Polychrome Sync RGB software program. Along with the Phanteks NV9 case, the addressable RGB headers actually do coordinate fairly a present, and naturally they are often configured to a plethora of mixtures. We’re large followers of the purple and blue theme ourselves. The included Phanteks D30 RGB followers additionally placed on a blinding show with D-RGB lighting, together with the Group T-Power Xtreem DDR5 RAM, which might each be managed through the identical software program.

General, our out-of-the-box expertise was completely flawless. Boot-up was quick and error free, a WiFi 7 connection labored instantly and there have been no glitches or abnormalities throughout many weeks of each day use. System drivers had been additionally up to date to the very newest on the time of our testing. The NVIDIA GeForce App makes GPU driver downloads easy, together with the built-in Home windows NVIDIA Management Panel for high quality tuning issues resembling decision and refresh charge.

Now that we’re conversant in the Apex Power, let’s put it to the check with some benchmarks and see the way it stacks up…