CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme Review: Style and Value, But Loud
▼ Summary
– The CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme delivers strong 1080p gaming performance at a budget-friendly price of $1,099.
– It features a Core Ultra 5 225F CPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM, a 2TB SSD, and an RTX 5060 GPU in a stylish case with RGB lighting.
– The system’s loud CPU cooler is a significant drawback, producing noticeable noise even during idle use and gaming.
– It includes a bloat-free Windows 11 installation and comes with a basic keyboard and mouse, making it suitable for budget-conscious gamers.
– Despite lower performance in CPU-intensive tasks and 4K gaming compared to pricier systems, it offers good value for its cost.
For budget-conscious gamers seeking strong 1080p performance without breaking the bank, the CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme presents a compelling package. Priced at just $1,099, this system delivers solid components and stylish aesthetics, though its notably loud CPU cooler may be a dealbreaker for those sensitive to noise.
Our review configuration features an Intel Core Ultra 5 225F processor paired with 32GB of DDR5-6400 RAM and an MSI GeForce RTX 5060 graphics card. Storage is handled by a capacious 2TB NVMe SSD, providing ample space for game libraries. The system arrives in a Phanteks NV5 mid-tower case that showcases its internals through tempered glass panels while offering extensive ventilation and multiple fan mounting points.
Connectivity proves comprehensive with both top-panel and rear I/O options. The top includes a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and dedicated RGB controls. Around back, you’ll find additional USB-C, multiple USB-A ports across different generations, DisplayPort, HDMI, 2.5 Gb Ethernet, and audio jacks. The Asus B860M motherboard provides solid upgrade potential with four DDR5 slots, multiple M.2 slots, and several PCIe expansion slots.
Gaming performance demonstrates the system’s sweet spot lies squarely at 1080p resolution. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider at highest settings, it achieved 128 FPS, while Far Cry 6 at ultra settings yielded 109 FPS. More demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing enabled proved challenging, managing 39 FPS at 1080p. When compared to more expensive competitors like the Gamer Supreme and iBuyPower Y40 Pro, the performance gap becomes understandable given the significant price differences.
Thermal management during extended gaming sessions proved adequate, with the CPU maintaining temperatures around 71 degrees Celsius and the GPU staying at 69 degrees during stress testing. However, the noisy 120mm CPU cooler creates an audible distraction even during light desktop use, becoming particularly pronounced under gaming loads. This represents the system’s most significant compromise.
Productivity benchmarks revealed expected results for this configuration. The Core Ultra 5 225F delivered competent single-core performance but showed limitations in multi-threaded workloads compared to higher-core-count alternatives. Storage performance stood out as exceptional, with the included SSD achieving transfer speeds nearing 2,000 Mbps in our testing.
CyberPowerPC includes basic peripherals with the system, a NOHI 2 RGB keyboard and Elite M2 gaming mouse, that serve adequately for getting started. The clean software installation without bloatware or trial applications receives particular appreciation. Warranty coverage varies by retailer, with Costco purchases receiving two years of protection.
Multiple configurations exist beyond our review unit, including a Best Buy exclusive with a Core Ultra 7 processor and RTX 5060 Ti graphics at $1,599. For the money, the Gamer Xtreme delivers impressive value with its generous memory, storage allocation, and capable 1080p gaming performance. The primary trade-off remains acoustic, as the system’s cooling solution generates noticeable fan noise that might disturb quieter environments. With a quieter cooling implementation, this would be an exceptional budget gaming solution.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware)
