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

	Maingear Apex Drive PC: Beginning at ~$6000 Maingear’s beefiest gaming PC pairs stupendous specs with {custom} cooling to create a machine that’s each stunning 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 probably be acquainted to PC fans and particularly HotHardware readers. We have reviewed many a Maingear machine over time, however this Apex Drive is actually 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 really superior on this newest system.

After we initially picked up the Maingear Apex Drive on the firm headquarters in New Jersey, the staff 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 elements 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 will help you transfer and unbox the Apex Drive.

Maingear Apex Drive: {Hardware} and Specs

Maingear Apex Drive 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 selection made to circulate with the case itself, which is designed with an angle to raise the elements for extra airflow. Maingear’s design additionally minimizes cable litter as a lot as potential, with solely the mandatory GPU and motherboard cables seen. Even these needed elements are ornamental, although; Maingear makes use of beautiful {custom} braided cables that add to the enchantment of the inside. For our machine, Maingear has creatively tuned the RGB to be set to a firey crimson and blue, maybe as a nod to the HotHardware theme. The eye to element continues as Maingear additionally presents a {custom} badge for the Apex Drive, a private contact for its proprietor.

The big dimension of the Phanteks NV9 case and easy accessibility to the rear and sides additionally makes upkeep and upgrades comparatively easy. To be honest, that is nonetheless one thing that can require some information 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 concept behind this ingenious inner design is that Maingear’s technical assist can information an proprietor of the Apex Drive via many upkeep duties on this rig. Our overview unit has clear clear acrylic tubing, which seems to be beautiful with the crimson and blue liquid. Maingear has numerous 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 ability 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 to be placing. Nonetheless, this does make it tougher to plug in sure smaller USB dongles if you happen to method it from the incorrect angle or if the case is on the ground

At the moment, the Maingear Apex Drive just isn’t but, however potential patrons can put down a $100 reservation that’s refundable. On the time of overview, ultimate pricing data was not but accessible, however Maingear estimates {that a} comparable Apex {custom} construct with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 GPU will price someplace round $7,000. The Maingear Drive “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 complicated methods, the pricing is basically par for the course for methods with this degree of energy and knowledgeable customization.

Maingear Apex Drive: Software program Expertise

When first turning on the Apex Drive, you might be greeted with a clear Home windows 11 set up. No bloatware right here, as Maingear prides itself on a minimalist {custom} OS installations. You may 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 celebration 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 massive followers of the crimson and blue theme ourselves. The included Phanteks D30 RGB followers additionally placed on a blinding show with D-RGB lighting, together with the Staff T-Drive Xtreem DDR5 RAM, which might each be managed by way of the identical software program.

Total, 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 every 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 superb tuning issues equivalent to decision and refresh price.

Now that we’re conversant in the Apex Drive, let’s put it to the take a look at with some benchmarks and see the way it stacks up…