Many DIY-ers out here extol the glory of building your own gaming rig, but plenty of shoppers just want a plug and play. For some, a readily-built saves them the time and others feel that its cheaper that way. Either way, it comes down to taste and preference, but the cost of building a beefy desktop for PC has never been low. The CyberPowerPC Gamer GXiVR8040A5 is one gaming PC that delivers smooth playability to most PC gamers in the market for a new rig.
It is priced at almost half what you’d spend if you opted to build one for yourself with almost the same components. For a VR-ready system with an AMD RX 580 graphics card and a fresh Intel “Coffee Lake” processor, smooth HD gaming and proficiency for general multitasking is a brim of excellence.
Design
The Gamer GXiVR8040A5 has the same looks as its GeForce GTX 1060 sibling, the CyberPowerPC GXiVR8060A5, with a standard tower measuring 17.9 by 7.9 by 18.5 inches (HWD). It carries the same black aluminum case, with red LEDs across the panel. The sides and front panel are made of tinted tempered glass doors, that lets you access and view interior components easily.
Did I mention there are LEDs everywhere? Of course, it’s a gaming rig and we expected some bling, signed by a trio of concentric circles on the front panel. Despite the prevalence of light, they fit so well into the overall design without making the system ostentatious, and the tempered side with a view of interior components is easy on the eyes.
Ports
As early as 2016, PC manufacturers decided that we don’t need optical drives on notebooks, and by late last year, they had affirmed it that we don’t need the same on desktops PCs, as well. It was cast on stone, and you don’t have an optical drive on the Gamer GXiVR8040A5, not as long as you can download all your games from digital services like Steam and Origin.
For now, you can do with a couple of easy access ports on the upper deck –two USB 3.0 ports, microphone and headphone, a reset button and Power button. Around the back are more ports including: four USB 3.1 Type-A ports, audio ports, an Ethernet port, two USB 2.0 ports (for connecting the bundled keyboard and mouse).
There’s also an HDMI and DisplayPort on the graphics card for connecting to external displays. For a VR-Ready system with HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift, having more ports is a bonus. Wireless connectivity comes via an 802.11AC Wi-Fi adapter.
Performance
Last year’s models of CyberPowerPC’s gaming desktops already came with all the components to toss performance on their favor, but the Coffee Lake upgrade puts the newer models on a newer echelon of power. With two more processor cores in tow, the latest Gamer Xtreme features an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8700 (3.2GHz, 6-Core) processor, 8GB RAM, 1TB hard drive and AMD’s Radeon RX 580 (4GB) graphics card. It doesn’t get a solid-state-drive (SSD) as part of the storage solution, but if it justifies the pricing, we’re OK with the 7,200RPM hard drive.
If needed, there’s a free slot where you can easily install an SSD later –they aren’t that expensive lately. Compared: the CyberPowerPC Gamer GXiVR8060A5 (we reviewed it recently) features an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8400 (2.8GHz, 6-Core) processor, 8GB RAM, 120GB SSD + 1TB hard drive and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1060 (3GB) graphics card. That’s an SSD solution right there for those who need it seriously, but the model we’re reviewing is using a Core i7 chip, and it doesn’t get so expensive for that matter.
For both systems, though, performance on most tasks including photo editing, video encoding and other complex projects is done with little fuss. Their real prowess can be seen in multimedia tests, where they both leave all but a few similarly expensive systems in the dust. The new Coffee Lake Intel Core i7 processor offers breakneck performance for productivity enthusiasts of any kind.
Gaming Performance
The AMD RX 580(with 4GB) graphics card is direct competitor to Intel’s GeForce GTX 1060, and helps the Gamer Xtreme hold its own against competing rigs, eking out smooth playability at 1080p resolutions. As expected, it doesn’t fare as well on 3D gaming and falls short of systems outfitted with GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 GPU and 16GB, as they have more potential topping up frame rates. And, you’ll spend more to get there. However, if you get a 4K compatible screen like the LG 34UC79G-B, it’s possible to play most modern titles in 4K seamlessly.
Nevertheless, you can play a good deal of modern titles at the mentioned resolutions and the Gamer Xtreme won’t bat an eye. It puts a great show on modern games played at 2560-by-1440 (QHD), including: Hitman (61.3fps) and The Witcher 3 (40.9fps). In all instances, the AMD 580 outperforms AMD’s RX 480, which isn’t surprising though.
VR Ready
If you hadn’t already guessed from the extra ports on the front and back, the Gamer GXiVR8040A5 is a capable virtual reality (VR) machine. The eighth-generation Core i7 chip and the AMD RX 580 are around the basic requirements for both Vive and Oculus. For that, it’s a perfect exit from gaming consoles and, you won’t be spending too much for that matter. If you’ve always fancied a reasonably priced desktop that packs enough power to drive a VR headset, you can easily start here.
Bottom Line
PC gaming conjures images of beastly designed rigs with impossible intertwined lighting and cooling setups. The CyberPowerPC Gamer GXiVR8040A5 manages to catch the aggressiveness in a standard tower while retaining the attitude of a custom-built system in both style and function. It has plenty of power, and the fact that the components can be swapped out makes it quasi-future proof, for anyone who needs a system that can grow into something bigger in future. Apparently, you might not want to add a thing down the line, since this PC comes with some of the latest components including the latest Coffee Lake processor, but can add an Optane Memory Module to boost the hard drive, which is cheaper than installing an SSD, altogether.
That said, when prices soar critics may complain that they can build one of these systems for less on their own money, but that’s just a bluff –components used on this system are pricey. Even if that was still the case, the extra buck you’re paying for the builder’s expertise, technical support and more importantly, a high-end system that you’ll need to spend months working on and fallbacks along the path.
This CyberPower Gamer falls squarely into the high-end category, not only for impressive frame rate at 1080p, but also decent ones at 4K, and additional processing capabilities you’ve never had before for the price. Factoring all this together and throwing into the mix forward-looking potential, we have no qualms naming the Gamer GXiVR8040A5 as one of our top picks for midrange gaming desktops. If you’re not in the headspace to go the DIY route, this PC is one of the most compelling options around.
Recommended Configuration
CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC, Intel i5-9400F 2.9GHz, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6GB, 8GB DDR4, 120GB SSD, 1TB HDD, WiFi Ready & Win 10 Home (GXiVR8060A7, Black)
The Review
CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR GXiVR8040A5
The CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme VR GXiVR8040A5 delivers butter-smooth 1080p gaming and Core i7 pep at a very affordable price, making it an attractive bargain for gamers who need to work and paly at the same time.
PROS
- Performance dynamo, including 4K gaming
- VR Ready
- Clean, well-designed interior
CONS
- Lacks an SSD
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
