Comments on: Maingear gives power-efficient game PCs a Pulse

Maingear introduces a new power-efficient gaming PC designed to compete with HP's Firebird.

[crazybiker6]

I just cannot believe my eyes on this. First let me explain that this system just does not tell the truth in several areas.

1. the ION platform is the combination of an Intel atom CPU + the NVidia 9400 chipset IG. This motherboard has a socket 775, thus it is not an ION platform. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVIDIA_Ion

2. The IG is not the 9400. It is in fact a 9300. I can tell because the motherboard used in this system is the 9300 WIFI edition created by Zotac. You can even see Zotac on the chipset in the pictures of the pulse. Here is a link to pulse http://www.maingear.com/products/desktops/pulse/ and a link to Zotac 9300 http://www.zotacusa.com/zotac-geforce-gf9300-d-e-itx-wifi-lga-775-mini-itx-intel-motherboard.html

3. Also with a case length of only 8", that severly limits the upgrade path of the cards used in this system. Except for specially made shortened versions, most normal mid-range cards will not fit. 4850, GTS 250, 4770, normal 9800GT all will not in this system. There really is no upgrade path regarding GPU in this system.

So all in all, Maingear lied about platform, IG chipset, and GPUupgradability.

[thallwyn]

Pardon me, but this system is in fact an ION based system, as sanctioned by NVIDIA.

1) You are correct, that's a 9300 GPU - Rich typo'd - it happens.

2) Read what NVIDIA had to say about the Pulse, from their management:

?The Maingear Pulse with NVIDIA graphics is perfect for anyone who wants a small, energy efficient, and stylish PC. With its NVIDIA ION-based motherboard, the Pulse delivers the best graphics solution available for low-power, small form factor designs? says Drew Henry, general manager of the desktop GPU business unit at NVIDIA. ?By adding the GeForce 9800 GT ECO, gamers can enjoy superior performance in a design that saves both energy and space.?

3) Considering we can upgrade this system from its integrated graphics to one of three graphics solutions, how did we lie?

[thallwyn]

Pardon me, but this system is in fact an ION based system, as sanctioned by NVIDIA.

1) You are correct, that's a 9300 GPU - Rich typo'd - it happens.

2) Read what NVIDIA had to say about the Pulse, from their management:

?The Maingear Pulse with NVIDIA graphics is perfect for anyone who wants a small, energy efficient, and stylish PC. With its NVIDIA ION-based motherboard, the Pulse delivers the best graphics solution available for low-power, small form factor designs? says Drew Henry, general manager of the desktop GPU business unit at NVIDIA. ?By adding the GeForce 9800 GT ECO, gamers can enjoy superior performance in a design that saves both energy and space.?

3) Considering we can upgrade this system from its integrated graphics to one of three graphics solutions, how did we lie?

[rhbrown]

It says 9400 in my notes from the interview with Maingear prior to posting. Could be a typo in the notes, which also happens, but I definitely meant to say 9400 in this post. In any case that appears to be incorrect, and I'll update accordingly.

[thallwyn]

Rich, didn't mean to pin it on you - we definitely got our wires crossed. I remember talking to you about the updated ION platform spec which was 9300/9400 + Intel as per NVIDIA. I must not have made it clear that our base configuration was a 9300, not the 9400.

[kasbuh]

does the $799 include monitor and keyboard and mouse?

if not this is definitely not worth it:

estimating:

Zotac 9300-ITX-wifi $150
Core 2 Duo E7500 $150
power supply and case $100
_________________________
total: $400

even if it includes monitor and mouse they'd better be worth $400

[thallwyn]

Pulse memory, operating system, hard drive, optical, assembly, packaging, support, and profit.

Why does everyone expect companies to sell a product at cost and yet stay in business?

[stepyourgameup]

Don't forget, they also have to pay for their ridiculous executive salaries, "business" lunches at a strip club, $100k company cars, conferences in Vegas, etc, etc.

[kev7773]

Because Thallwyn, most of the people who write in the commentaries are 14 year old kids who don't understand real-world economics and want everything for free.

[rnaoncfixd]

@stepyourgameup

No one goes to business lunches at a strip club, they don't have good lunch deals and glitter gets in the food. Everyone knows that you have business lunches at the hookah bar down the street. Don't you know anything about economics?! GEEEEEZ!

[kev7773]

estimating:

Zotac 9300-ITX-wifi $100
Core 2 Duo E7500 $100
power supply and case $100
Hard Drive $50
Optical Drive $50
OS (Microsoft Tax) $100
Memory $50
Labor/Packaging: $90
_________________________
total: $690
Retail: $799

Profit Margin: ~16%

[solis852]

Kevin is that you

[Frost7331]

Sorry, kev, that's more like 20-25% profit margin...

[tipoo_]

I wish they made a non-gaming PC with the Firebird case, that things purdy!

[Saltiva]

Small and Energy Efficient! This is not a gaming PC then- it's a Green PC!

[CtotheJ]

Why the hell do we care how small it is? It's not portable so what does it matter?

The small size is a negative in my book...not that I would ever spend $700 on something that I could make 200% better for just a few extra dollars.

[jasimf]

$799 is a bit high for entry-level. I'm not a gamer, but I would like to use this as a HTPC. Can anyone provide their thoughts on how the entry level process will handle flash video from youtube and Hulu. How about HD video from YouTube. Also, will it be able to display mkv and divx on a 50 in lcd without hiccups?

[thallwyn]

Hi jasimf - as flash video from youtube and hulu are currently mainly decoded via the CPU, you're in much better shape with Pulse (ION + Core 2) than with ION + Atom. This system features desktop CPUs at 65w, 45nm. I'd recommend the Q8200s for best performance. The base configuration with the GeForce 9300 is also more than adequate and includes HDMI. And yes, you'll be fine with mkv @ 1080p.

[creative36]

What the hell is wrong with strip clubs?

[logos]

Yeah, I agree. I think his comment was uncalled for and there are exceptions to the rule on lunch deals and glitter free dining.......or at least, so I was told :-)

[EdGuess]

Does anyone want a condom with that? [Top right of page]

(Why Trojan feel the need to advertise on a tech site I will never know...)

I fail to see the benefits of a small form factor 'energy efficient' gaming pc. The nature of the games market is to graphically push the top end of the market to the limit, and use any cpu leeway on poor coding.

The pc above is capable of playing 1080p. That should be a given for anything above the $500 mark. My question is whether I can play Crysis without too much framerate spasms and still make a MEANINGFUL energy saving.

As environmentally friendly as I am, I won't buy a 'green' gaming pc until it can give me all of the above.

My advice?
Re-label this as a multimedia pc that's capable of gaming. Add a tv card. Stick in a passively cooled mid-high range gfx card and redesign for minimal sound.
I think anyone who appreciates a quiet background will be willing to pay $799 for that.

[jake.foxx]

So nobody feels this is worth buying...