Building a customized gaming PC from scratch is a frightening prospect. Choosing from the sheer number of obtainable parts, every delivering various ranges of efficiency, together with the fluctuation in value from one half to the subsequent is overwhelming, even for the skilled gamer. Enter Redux, which guarantees to alter the narrative with easy pre-built configurations with a $100 construct price and no markups.
And though Redux is a comparatively new title, the corporate is an offshoot of famend boutique gaming PC programs builder Digital Storm. The tie-in ought to encourage confidence even amongst hardcore players, as Digital Storm’s premium Aventum X tower can value upwards of $25,000 for a completely configured construct with twin graphics choices. Even in case you’re not loaded with money, Redux patrons can relaxation assured that Digital Storm has largely delivered on its claims of delivering a performance-packed PC expertise for these with tighter budgets.
Redux PC: Pricing and availability
To streamline the lineup, Redux solely gives three important builds — in comparison with Alienware’s 16 normal configurations — with twelfth Gen Intel processors, which helps maintain issues from overwhelming the customer, with a great, higher, and finest configuration. Additional customization choices are additionally obtainable if you wish to finetune your construct.
The base “good” configuration begins at $1,325, and it comes outfitted with a 6-core Intel Core i5-12400F processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card. Unlike mainstream builds, neither a keyboard nor mouse is included within the base value.
| Specifications | Redux “Best” PC configuration |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 Home with USB restoration key |
| Ubuntu desktop (Install solely, no help) | |
| Processors | twelfth Gen Intel Core i3 by way of Core i9 |
| AMD Ryzen 5, 7 (5000 collection) | |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
| NVIDIA RTX 3060 by way of RTX 3090 Ti | |
| Memory | 16GB DDR4 Dual Channel |
| 32GB DDR4 Dual Channel | |
| Storage | 500GB by way of 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Additional 2TB HDD | |
| Ports | Front: 2 USB-A, headphone jack, microphone |
| Rear: 5 USB-A, 1 USB-C, HDMI, ShowPort, serial, digital audio, 2.5Gb LAN, Wi-Fi jacks | |
| On GPU: 1 HDMI, 3 ShowPort | |
| Dimensions | 8.54 x 19.41 x 18.43 inches |
Our upgraded “Best” construct is available in at $2,859, and it consists of Intel’s 12-core Core i7-12700F processor, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Founders Edition card, 32GB of DDR4 dual-channel RAM, a 1TB NVME M.2 solid-state drive, and an 850W energy provide.
AMD players should dig deeper into the customization choices in Redux’s construct device, which makes use of gimmicky loading graphics and gun crosshairs as a mouse cursor device. AMD configurations are restricted to Ryzen 5000 processors, with Radeon graphics not supported.
Enthusiast Intel players can use the customization menu to max out their configuration with as much as a 16-core Intel i9-12900KS processor for optimum energy.
Redux PC: What you may love
Build high quality on this desktop is stable, because the case advantages from using metal all through the chassis, and DIYers and tinkerers will respect the tool-less design. Once the glass aspect panel is eliminated, there may be loads of inside house, making upgrades a cinch.
The tower itself can accommodate ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX measurement motherboards. Our unit comes with an ASUS Prime Z690-P motherboard. Upgrades are straightforward, and you’ve got entry to 2 3.5-inch drive bays, 4 2.5-inch SSD bays, and 7 growth slots.
There are loads of ports on this PC so that you can join all of your peripherals. On the entrance, you may discover a pair of USB-A ports, and 5 extra on the rear, of which two of those are SuperSpeed ports. Other important ports on the rear embrace one lone USB-C port, a 2.5Gb LAN port, and video connectors for HDMI and ShowPort.
Cable administration, which is accessible by way of a metal door on the other aspect because the glass panel, could be very properly organized. Despite being extra of a finances premium system, the eye to element with this construct is prime notch. The system got here properly packaged, and expandable foam was used within the within the tower to stabilize the big GPU and stop injury. Custom logos printed on the followers and AIO cooler assist this construct stand out towards cheaper pre-assembled gaming rigs.
A radiator and liquid cooling assist maintain temperatures in test. To additional assist with thermal administration, there are three air consumption followers on the entrance, one within the rear, and vents up prime.
On the software program entrance, issues are very clear with no added bloat. This minimalist method helps to solidify Redux’s positioning within the premium phase of the gaming market, and the proficient quantity of RAM helps maintain issues speedy.
| Benchmark | Test bench (Core i7-12700K) | Redux PC |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 5 | 1,935 | 1,935 |
| 12,879 | 14,586 | |
| CPU-Z | 852 | 797 |
| 9,877 | 9,296 | |
| Cinebench R23 | 1,939 | 1,945 |
| 22,812 | 22,967 | |
| PCMark 10 | 8,528 | 8,576 |
| 7-Zip | 94 | 92 |
| 1,307 | 1,356 | |
| 3DMark Time Spy (RTX 3080 Ti) | 20,890 | 21,236 |
| 3DMark Fire Strike (RTX 3080 Ti) | 35,054 | 35,213 |
| 3DMark Port Royal (RTX 3080 Ti) | 12,990 | 13,008 |
The clear construct and stable alternative of PC parts assist make the Redux stand out, and the rig’s efficiency backs up Digital Storm’s guarantees with this PC. The Core i7 processor and RTX 3080 Ti Founders Edition card scored extraordinarily properly throughout a lot of benchmarks, protecting tempo with a few of Redux’s dearer, however equally configured rivals.
Though aggressive players could bemoan the dearth of a top-shelf Intel Core i9 processor, stepping all the way down to a 12-core Core i7-12700K configuration nonetheless delivers spectacular outcomes however at a extra wallet-friendly value. You’re saving practically $200 alone for going with Redux’s 12700K.
Performance is to be anticipated with the Core i7, because the Redux’s rating sits squarely between a Core i5 construct and the Core i9-powered HP Omen 45L with the identical twelfth Gen Intel silicon on exams like CPU-Z, Cinebench R23, and PCMark 10. The Redux’s i7 Geekbench 5 rating locations it inside the vary of different premium desktops, trailing solely the AMD 5950X and the i9-1200K, exhibiting that it may be a formidable gaming silicon.
The twelfth Gen processor coupled with a robust RTX 3080 Ti offers the Redux enviable gaming efficiency. This nimble gaming desktop outclasses different equally configured rivals, together with the premium CLX-Ra desktop, a rival that prices greater than twice as a lot as a result of expensive RTX 3090 graphics card on that construct however is hampered by a barely older processor. If you want most GPU efficiency on a pre-built desktop, Maingear’s rigs will be configured with the beastly RTX 3090 Ti, however do not count on something shy of $5,000.
The Redux’s extra trendy CPU and its robust RTX 3080 Ti may give you almost as a lot energy at a major value financial savings for many who want energy on a finances.
Across 720p, 1080p, 1440p, and 4K resolutions, the distinction in body charges between the i7 and i9 in our gaming check was marginal. In Battlefield V, Borderlands 3, Civilization VI, Metro Exodus, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the i7 was at most 5-10 FPS behind its extra highly effective sibling, with the largest efficiency hole discovered on Far Cry 5 the place the i7 trailed the i9 by as a lot as 15 FPS in 4K. When paired with the RTX 3080 Ti, the i7 by no means managed to drop beneath 80 FPS.
And with one of the highly effective graphics playing cards obtainable right now, even non-gamers will discover a lot to like with our Redux PC construct. The RTX 3080 Ti is a particularly succesful graphics card that can deal with artistic workflows with ease. This permits the Redux to be a flexible system that may transition between a strong workstation throughout the day to a robust gaming rig throughout your off-hours.
Redux PC: What you will not love
The undeniable fact that Redux advantages from guardian firm Digital Storm’s expertise in constructing customized PCs is fairly obvious with our evaluation pattern. The construct high quality is prime notch, and there was little or no to not like about this PC.
Our largest criticism is the location and positioning of the AIO radiator. On our evaluation unit, the tubes on the radiator are on the highest of the unit. Ideally, the tubes ought to come out from the underside of the radiator, or, alternatively, your entire radiator ought to be mounted on the highest of the case quite than on the entrance aspect. Because the tubes lengthen from the highest of the radiator, there’s a probability that air bubbles may get caught within the cooler. The outcome could be elevated system noise — we positively observed some whining beneath heavier masses — and a shortened lifespan for the radiator.
Tinkers can simply treatment the less-than-ideal radiator positioning by reversing the AIO cooling system, however the scenario is barely problematic on this case as Redux is focusing on players who could not know their method across the within a tower.
As with any gaming PC or workstation, working at full load will lead to audible fan noise, however noise right here was about on par with different desktops we have examined. Under common masses, the fan was barely audible.
AMD players will bemoan the truth that Redux’s method to sustaining a easy product household signifies that — not less than for this technology of builds — there isn’t an possibility for Radeon GPU configurations. The two AMD Ryzen processor configurations are hidden behind deeper customization settings that may be onerous to find.
Additionally, these with plenty of USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 peripherals will really feel very restricted by this construct. There’s solely a single USB-C port and no Thunderbolt 4 on board. Another notable addition with our “Best” construct is that DDR5 is not supported on the motherboard.
Minor quibbles we had with Redux are associated to the system design. The thumbscrews for tool-less entry into the PC’s internals have been quite giant, and so they stick out a bit farther than we’d like.
On the rear, there is a skinny metal sheet that frames the ports, and that sheet seems to be barely bent or wobbly, detracting from the case’s in any other case stable development. None of those points affected the system’s design, however we might like extra consideration to element given Redux’s roots within the Digital Storm household.
Redux PC: Competition
When it involves desktop gaming rigs, there are many choices spanning quite a lot of value factors. Digital Storm’s Lynx, for instance, comes with a extra enticing customized case that begins at $1,249. When configured equally to our Redux configuration, the Lynx is available in at $3,558, or a virtually $700 premium.
If you don’t want the Ti efficiency from NVIDIA’s graphics, you possibly can step all the way down to a typical RTX 3080 on the Legion 7i Tower from Lenovo. Similarly configured with the identical processor, that desktop is priced at $2,299. Alienware’s Aurora R13 with an Intel Core i7-12700KF processor and RTX 3080 Ti graphics, liquid cooling, and glass aspect panel design goes for $3,407.
With Redux, pricing is extra clear than the competitors, and the corporate lists the worth of all of the PC parts that’s a part of your construct. In our configuration, the worth of the Intel processor is listed at $359, for instance. However, we observed that some parts have been proven to be above their MSRP value. The NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti Founders Edition was listed at $1,499 — that card was introduced with a steered retail value of $1,299 by NVIDIA.
Redux PC: Should you purchase it?
You can buy this if …
- You don’t need to make investments time in constructing your personal gaming PC from scratch
- You want Intel’s or NVIDIA’s newest silicon and don’t need to take care of the worldwide semiconductor scarcity
- You need a spacious tower for future upgrades
- You need a performance-packed PC at a comparatively inexpensive value
You should not purchase this if …
- You want a extra compact system and don’t have room for a mid-sized tower
- You need to select each PC element of your subsequent gaming rig
- You’re a loyal AMD gamer who performs on Radeon GPUs
- You simply want a primary desktop construct
When contacted, Redux’s staff informed me that there isn’t any markup with element costs, and that the corporate makes its cash on the $100 construct price, which additionally features a two-year restricted guarantee and technical help. Likely, the distinction in GPU pricing could possibly be as a result of international semiconductor scarcity, which has resulted in huge value fluctuations lately.
Another merchandise that provides to the general value of your Redux construct you can’t take away is the $120 price for Windows 11 Home and the USB restoration drive. That mentioned, an improve to Windows 11 Pro is just not obtainable by way of Redux.
Despite these points, the Redux PC represents an incredible worth for players with higher-end configurations. If you are choosing a lower-end configuration, an entry-level Dell XPS or Inspiron desktop outfitted with a succesful GPU could also be a greater wager.
Redux’s gaming PCs construct on guardian firm Digital Storm’s heritage and experience, delivering enthusiast-grade efficiency at an inexpensive value. Given the semiconductor scarcity, getting a pre-built Redux PC could also be an incredible different to upgrading to the most recent CPUs and GPUs in the marketplace.