The prevailing knowledge is that pre-built techniques are nonetheless one of the simplest ways of getting an up-to-date graphics card. As costs for graphics playing cards normalise this is probably not the case within the not too distant future, however proper now, it is nonetheless our suggestion for probably the most sought-after playing cards. Playing cards just like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 you may discover inside this new Wired2Fire Reaper gaming PC.
Wired2Fire has sought to piece collectively a machine that provides first rate worth for cash, balancing the spec in an effort to hit its £1,649 worth level. So whereas it employs one of many newest Intel Alder Lake CPUs, it is not the highest mannequin, however the extra inexpensive Core i5 12600KF.
Do not let that put you off although, this can be a phenomenal chip and certainly is our top recommendation for gaming CPUs proper now. Certain, there are sooner chips on the market, however this hits that worth for cash candy spot higher than every other in relation to gaming in 2022.
With that in thoughts, it should not come as an excessive amount of of a shock to be taught that the Reaper ships with DDR4 reminiscence versus the newer DDR5. Whereas it might have been nice to have DDR5 in right here—just because it is the most recent customary and absolutely supported by this CPU—this choice implies that the machine comes with 32GB of DDR4 for lower than it might have price to ship this with 16GB of DDR5. That is a trade-off I can undoubtedly get behind.
Reaper specs
CPU: Intel Core i7 12600KF
GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070 8GB
RAM: 32GB DDR4-3600
Motherboard: MSI Z690-A Professional WIFI DDR4
CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
PSU: MSI MAG A650BN 650W 80 Plus Bronze
Connectivity: 6x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB Kind-C, RJ45, 6x Audio, Wi-Fi 6, PS/2 keboard/mouse, HDMI, DisplayPort, entrance audio
OS: Home windows 11 Residence
Guarantee: 5 12 months
Value: £1,649
Together with a top quality graphics card within the form of the RTX 3070, an superior CPU, and a whopping 32GB of DDR4 reminiscence, you additionally get a top quality motherboard within the form of the MSI Z690-A DDR4 WIFI, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and a top quality CPU cooler. All of that is constructed neatly right into a Lian Li Lancool II Mesh case.
Because the title suggests this can be a mesh fronted case affording loads of airflow, and due to the three RGB followers behind that mesh, it makes for fairly the sunshine present as nicely. It is annoying that the entrance panel USB Kind-C port has been blanked out although, particularly as there’s a connector on the motherboard. Not less than there’s a USB Kind-C port on the rear IO.
The one actual mark in opposition to the Reaper is that the put in SSD is a PCIe 3.0 mannequin. Whenever you’re dropping as a lot cash as this on a system, you need extra than simply competent, you need one thing particular, and the Lexar 1TB SSD you may discover inside this machine comes up quick on this entrance.
This drive produced one of many slowest loading instances in Last Fantasy XIV at over 11 seconds. PCMark 10’s storage index additionally turned its nostril up on the drive, with an index of 966 (the place loads of trendy techniques hit 3,000 or so). When it comes to straight throughput, AS SSD benched the drive at simply 1,871MB/s sequential reads and 1,347MB/s writes, lower than half that of even inexpensive PCIe 4.0 SSDs.
You possibly can improve the storage on the time of buy to a 1TB Samsung 980 Professional for an additional £75, which appears somewhat steep, however you may nearly triple the throughput should you accomplish that. And when you might argue that storage is not that necessary, the approaching launch of DirectStorage might come again to chunk you on the ass right here.
We do not know the complete necessities for DirectStorage at this stage, however round 5,000MB/s appears possible, and that is notably in need of that.
After all, it is gaming efficiency that issues most and the Wired2Fire Reaper places in a great present for itself on this entrance. At 1080p you are silky-smooth body charges in just about any sport you’ll be able to throw at it. After all, the RTX 3070 is a card that is been constructed with 1440p in thoughts, and positive sufficient, you are very sturdy body charges in our sport assessments there, too.
I’ve in contrast this machine to the Novatech Reign Sentry, which prices the identical because the Wired2Fire Reaper however encompasses a Radeon RX 6700 XT and a Ryzen 5 5600X (and a WD_Black SN850 SSD). The £1,055 CyberpowerPC Infinity X125 can also be included in these graphs so you’ll be able to see what the additional £600 will get you—silky {smooth} 1440p efficiency mainly.
Enjoying at 4K is a little more of a problem and, whereas there are video games the place you may see nicely over 60fps, it is a totally different matter once you begin flicking on ray tracing. Cyberpunk 2077 for example continues to be playable at 1440p, with ray tracing pushed to Extremely and DLSS set to Balanced you are 59fps.
At 4K although you are a a lot much less pleasing 32fps. Metro Exodus with ray tracing tells the same story, and whereas 51fps continues to be playable, you would be higher off having fun with every part maxed out at 1440p with smoother body charges.
In case you’re less-gaming centered workloads, then there’s a lot to love right here as nicely. The Cinebench R23 results of 17,227 reveals that this machine will deal with 3D rendering nicely, as does the x264 video encoding of 52fps. Whereas there are sooner machines on the market, you are going to must pay significantly extra for the privilege.
I am positive Wired2Fire’s system builders love a problem
There’s nothing mistaken with the cable administration on this machine however Wired2Fire additionally gives an ‘Excessive Cable Administration’ possibility for an additional £60 that can apparently “be certain your system is wanting one of the best it will probably”, which sounds great if somewhat expensive. It does suggest upgrading to a modular energy provide in an effort to get probably the most from this service, however , I am positive Wired2Fire’s system builders love a problem both means.
One of many benefits of higher cable administration is improved airflow, though simply how a lot distinction a barely tidier set of wires will make is hard to name. Because it stands the Reaper has completely no issues on this entrance, nonetheless. In testing, the CPU peaked at 69°C and the graphics card by no means acquired any hotter than 63°C. Each of those are cool, and nicely under what could possibly be thought of an issue.
It is also the explanation why this machine is so quiet working.
It is price drawing consideration to the spectacular guarantee supplied by Wired2Fire for its machines too—5 years in complete, with 2 years gather and return and 5 years labour. Clearly, you should have no issues with a machine you purchase, however this provides you loads of peace of thoughts ought to something go mistaken.
Wired2Fire has produced a tempting, inexpensive gaming machine with the Reaper. The core pairing of the Alder Lake CPU with an Nvidia RTX 3070 makes for a potent gaming machine at 1440p, and with 32GB of RAM to name on, it ought to final you for years of gaming while not having to pop open the tool-free case.
The very fact it runs so cool and so quiet should not be neglected both. Issue within the wholesome guarantee as nicely and there is a lot to like right here. It is only a disgrace the SSD is such a sluggish beast.
