Digital Storm Aventum X Evaluate: The Lamborghini of Gaming PCs
The attract of Digital Storm’s Aventum X isn’t all about energy. You could find related ranges of class-leading efficiency elsewhere, and certain at extra inexpensive costs. The Aventum X is about model.
Because the Lamborghini of gaming PCs, the Aventum X delivers agile efficiency in a package deal that highlights the know-how inside because it does the outside design. Full of dual-flagship Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics playing cards, an unlocked octa-core Ninth-gen Intel Core i9 processor, and a customized HydroLux Professional liquid cooling system, the Aventum X is an over-engineered PC that masterfully celebrates players.
Customized constructed to satisfy particular person wants, the Aventum X begins at $three,365, and our upgraded configuration prices as a lot as a used automotive at $9,503. However should you’ve obtained the money to drop, the Aventum X delivers unbridled efficiency that may make you the envy of any gamer.
A customized job
Just like the Aventum three earlier than it, there’s no denying that the Aventum X is constructed like a tank, and the desktop’s towering stature is required to accommodate the insane energy that’s packed inside this rig. Sharing related dimensions to the Aventum three, the X measuring 28.5-inch tall by 25.Eight-inch lengthy by 10.5-inch deep, making it one of many bigger full-sized desktops. Each items might be configured with related ranges of efficiency, however the X improves on the three’s tower design, changing the glass and steel panel design with two all-glass facet home windows that present unobstructed views into the unit’s internals. This small design change provides the Aventum X a extra fashionable really feel, regardless of its boxy-shaped physique. It’s a factor of magnificence.
Chuong Nguyen/Digital Traits
Digital Storm’s on-line configuration software provides loads of choices to customise the outside end, trim, and inside parts. Our assessment unit ships with a matte black end, a entrance plate that’s completed in a Storm Blue unique paint job, and two tinted tempered glass facet panels that showcase the HyrdoLux liquid cooling system. The see-through design allows you to peek on the glitzier parts, just like the GPU card and complicated LED lighting, whereas on the identical time hiding among the much less glamorous items, just like the cable administration system.
Given the burden and dimension of the Aventum X, we’d prefer to see Digital Storm add some ergonomic options, like handles or wheels, to make maneuvering this unit simpler. Getting this previous the entrance porch isn’t any straightforward job. Nevertheless, when you set it up, you’ll simply impress onlookers with the LED mild present from behind the glass home windows.
When you set it up, you’ll simply impress onlookers with the LED mild present from behind the glass home windows.
Our upgraded unit comes with an Asus ROG Maximus XI Hero motherboard with an Intel Core i9-9900Ok processor and twin Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics with SLI NVLink, making the system each VR- and ray tracing-ready. If you happen to want much more energy, you may improve to dual-Nvidia Titan RTX graphics or add an HPC processor for extra demanding duties. Including three Nvidia GP100 GPGPU will add an extra $23,520 to the configuration, bringing your whole value into luxurious automotive realm.
The full value of your Aventum construct will dramatically enhance relying on the upgrades you need. Manufacturing facility CPU overclocking provides $99 to the price, and Digital Storm additionally provides cable administration choices, airflow management, inside lighting, fan selections, and varied cooling system upgrades. Our upgraded $760 HydroLux Professional improve delivers cooling for 2 graphics playing cards together with the processor.
Cool air consumption is dealt with by means of vents on the rear, and 4 LED-lit followers on either side of the unit helps with airflow. A further three followers assist push out sizzling air by means of grated vents on the prime, making a complete of 11 followers. Because of the HydroLux Management Heart software program that comes pre-installed, you may even hyperlink the LED lighting to the thermal system to provide you a fast visible verify on system efficiency by glancing on the tower.
Peeking underneath the hood
Although the Aventum X lacks the curves and sculpted angles that contour pre-built rigs from rivals, the unit feels very fashionable thanks largely to the 2 massive glass panels that take up your complete sides of the tower.
The adage that magnificence issues simply as a lot on the within because it does on the surface actually does apply to Aventum X’s design. The massive home windows truly let the inner know-how and engineering turn into part of the general design. Right here, Digital Storm made the circuitry and the parts a purposeful a part of the tower’s aesthetics. And since you may see into your complete PC, the corporate took nice care in cable administration to make issues look tidy. The pipes that ship liquid cooling appears like a portal to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Chuong Nguyen/Digital Traits
While you want entry to the internals, eradicating the glass panels is a tool-free affair – every window is secured by 4 massive thumbscrews. I did discover a minor hairline scratch in one of many glass panels out of the field. Whereas this small defect by no means impacts the efficiency of the Aventum X, for a unit this costly, we wished Digital Storm took extra care into overlaying the glass with plastic movie to forestall scratches throughout transport.
The liquid cooling is the star of the present. If you happen to’ve by no means used a liquid-cooled PC earlier than, you could be in for a shock while you’re greeted with the sound of trickling water while you energy on the PC. The noise disappears after issues heat up, nevertheless it’s one thing to remember. Not solely does it look wonderful, Digital Storm’s HydroLux cooling system does a wonderful job of protecting issues cool too.
The adage that magnificence issues simply as a lot on the within because it does on the surface actually does apply to Aventum X’s design.
If it’s essential improve the motherboard or graphics playing cards, the HydroLux Professional cooling system comes with disconnect valves at key junctions to make disassembly simpler. Different parts, just like the 32GB DDR4 G.Talent TridentX RAM, 1TB M.2 Samsung 970 Professional NVME solid-state drive, a 6TB 7200 RPM exhausting drive, and a 1200W Corsair AX1200i energy provide on our unit, are additionally upgradeable. The unit additionally comes with eight storage bays.
Our unit got here with two RTX 2080 Ti playing cards, however the Aventum X helps as much as 4 graphics playing cards. The closest factor to a competitor with a quad-GPU setup is Origin PC’s Genesis desktop. Given the efficiency of a single RTX 2080 Ti card alone, a setup with 4 graphics playing cards can be overkill for many customers. Nonetheless, it’s good to know that the Aventum X might be infinitely upgradeable, permitting you so as to add or swap out current parts as know-how evolves.
Although there is no such thing as a scarcity of ports on this method, accessing the rear-facing ports might be awkward, requiring you to lean over the unit’s tall dimension or attain round to the rear. Luckily, when you join your mainstays – like energy and show outputs – you will have quick access to 2 USB-A ports, a USB-C port, two audio jacks, and a full-size SD card slot on the highest.
Chuong Nguyen/Digital Traits
On the rear, every of our GeForce RTX 2080 Ti playing cards gave us entry to 3 DisplayPorts, a single HDMI port, and a USB-C port for connecting screens or VR headsets. The motherboard itself gives you entry to a different set of HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C ports. Moreover, you’ll discover 5 high-speed USB-A ports, two USB 2.zero ports, a serial port, Ethernet connector, WiFi antenna connectors, and your audio enter and output ports.
Agile efficiency
Loaded with among the finest specs in the marketplace, the Aventum X has the horsepower wanted to ship excellent efficiency. Processing efficiency is in keeping with methods equally configured with Intel’s Ninth-Era Core i9-9900Ok CPU, just like the Asys ROG Strix GL12CX. Each methods delivered related Geekbench ends in single- and multi-core benchmarks, and the Ninth-gen processor is extra highly effective at multi-core duties than the Falcon NW Tiki, which falls roughly 6,500 factors brief. That is to be anticipated, nonetheless, because the Falcon NW Tiki is a compact desktop that ships with an older Intel Core i7-8700Ok processor.
This efficiency distinction turns into noticeable in our video encoding check utilizing Handbrake. Once we encoded a brief video file, the Aventum X and the Core i9-equipped Asus ROG Strix GL12CX was capable of full the duty in underneath 1 minute and 20 seconds. The Falcon NW Tiki took greater than twice as lengthy.
The Aventum X’s speedy efficiency is additional aided by way of a 1TB solid-state drive. Although the drive that shipped inside our system isn’t essentially the most spacious of the methods we’ve examined — that honor goes to the Falcon Tiki — the Aventum’s SSD remains to be speedy. The Samsung 970 EVO Professional in our unit handily beats out the Samsung 960 EVO SSD on the Digital Storm Equinox in each learn and write efficiency. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a bit slower than the Falcon Tiki’s Intel SSD, clocking in with 1,444 and 1,249 for learn and write speeds, in comparison with the latter’s 2,867 and 1,504 marks, respectively.
The Aventum X, like its predecessor, might be configured with both AMD or Intel processors. If need to max out your unit, you may add as much as 128GB of DDR RAM, both a normal 4TB solid-state drive or a 2TB SSD within the M.2 type issue, and as much as eight extra drives.
Turbo-charged graphics
The place the Aventum X shines is within the graphics division, due to its multi-GPU assist. Our unit is configured with two Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics playing cards with 11GB video RAM every, which delivered the very best 3DMark outcomes of any system that we’ve examined to this point.
When benchmarked with Underwriters Laboratories’ graphics exams, the Aventum X leaves the Asus ROG Strix with its single RTX 2080 GPU and older twin GTX-1080 GPU methods just like the Alienware Space-51 R5 within the mud. Although the Aventum X’s dual-card setup actually didn’t produce outcomes that have been twice as excessive because the Strix in each benchmark, Digital Storm’s flagship carried out 20 % higher than the Strix on the Sky Diver check, 46 % higher on Hearth Strike, and greater than 100 % higher on Time Spy. That’s spectacular.
The 2 graphics playing cards on the Aventum are linked by Nvidia’s SLI NVLink bridge, which, in concept, delivers spectacular efficiency due to a latency structure. Exterior of benchmarks, nonetheless, the rise in efficiency isn’t almost as massive, provided that not many video games assist NVLink at the moment. Avid gamers gained’t be capable of instantly unlock the potential of an NVLink-bridged multi-GPU setup till builders construct in assist, not not like the scenario with the ray tracing characteristic on RTX graphics.
Avid gamers gained’t be capable of instantly unlock the potential of an NVLink-bridged multi-GPU setup till builders construct in assist
In gaming benchmarks, titles like Civilization VI and Rocket League, carried out equally as nicely on the Asus ROG Strix’s single-GPU setup as they did on the Aventum X’s dual-GPU configuration. Given how spectacular efficiency is generally on Nvidia’s high-end card, the similarities in outcomes aren’t worrisome from a efficiency perspective, nevertheless it simply implies that that you simply’re not realizing any positive factors for the extra GPU, which prices round $1,199.
Then again, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, carried out higher on our dual-GPU system. Right here, the Aventum X readily beats out the single-GPU setup of the Strix by greater than greater than 50 % on 1080p decision at excessive settings, and the distinction extends to greater than 100 % when the sport is performed in 4K in extremely efficiency.
Equally, the Aventum X was nonetheless capable of edge out competing methods in our Battlefield I check. In comparison with the ROG Strix GL12CX, the Aventum X delivered 75 % extra frames per second when the sport was performed in 4K with the very best doable settings. At decrease 2K settings when the sport was performed underneath medium settings, the Aventum X outperformed the ROG Strix by 26 %. In different phrases, the Aventum X’s potential turns into clearer when the system is underneath heavy stress.
Titles like Fortnite and Battlefield V seem buttery clean, however nobody ought to be shocked by that. We determined we needed to throw the toughest gaming check we might at it: Battlefield V with ray tracing. That’s when the Aventum X flexed its muscular tissues. In comparison with our single-RTX 2080 benchmark, the dual-RTX 2080 Ti playing cards on our Aventum X confirmed little perceptible loss in body charges when Battlefield V was performed at as much as 2K resolutions at 60Hz with ray tracing enabled. And although you’re not getting a 100 % enchancment when doubling the variety of graphics playing cards, we discovered that the Aventum X gained’t decelerate as a lot as a single-RTX setup when the system is confused.
However not even the Aventum X might keep over 60 FPS in 4K with ray tracing cranked. Which may change if DLSS anti-aliasing finds its technique to extra video games, however once more, that might take some time.
Creatives seeking to choose up the Aventum X for work shall be pleased to know that video modifying utilizing Adobe Premiere Professional CC was equally snappy. Nonetheless, with a excessive sticker worth and what actually is a marginal enchancment in efficiency in comparison with single-RTX setups at the moment, the Aventum X and different multi-GPU methods gained’t make sense for most individuals, particularly since so few video games presently assist ray racing. Till extra video games and functions assist the capabilities of Nvidia’s RTX graphics and unlock the potential behind the sooner NVLink bridge, the dual-GPU setup stays a bit extreme. Sooner or later? Who is aware of — possibly this a lot energy may have a stronger use case.
Guarantee
Though Digital Storm’s restricted three-year guarantee seems to fall in keeping with what rivals supply, studying between the traces reveal a unique story, as there are separate stipulations for elements and labor. The guarantee solely covers labor prices for 3 years, whereas faulty elements are solely backed by a one-year restricted guarantee. Some elements, nonetheless, might carry an extended guarantee interval, relying on the producer of the part.
Given the price of the Aventum X, customers might need to go for Digital Storm’s non-compulsory prolonged guarantee upgrades. Like the bottom package deal, these prolonged guarantee plans additionally include staggered elements and labor protection durations. Some competing boutique PC builders supply extra beneficiant and simple warranties. Falcon-NW, for instance, provides a three-year guarantee on each elements and labor, whereas Origin PC provides a beneficiant lifetime labor and one-year elements guarantee on its Genesis system.
Our Take
The Aventum X is a gaming rig that feels bigger than life. Constructed to satiate the calls for of the fanatic gaming group with assist for the newest Intel Core i9-9900Ok processor, as much as 4 graphics playing cards, and as much as three HPC processors, the Aventum X is essentially the most highly effective desktops we’ve examined. Priced beginning at $three,365, Digital Storm delivers with distinctive construct high quality and extra energy than what most players will truly make the most of or want on this over-engineered PC. If in case you have the necessity for pace, be ready to shell out a hefty premium for all of the improve choices to totally package out this rig.
Is there a greater various?
Although you’ll be capable of configure different build-to-order PCs with related specs as our dual-GPU Aventum X assessment unit, none can match the ability and capabilities of Digital Storm’s flagship with its assist for HPC processors. Our $9,503 assessment unit is, for instance, $1,845 dearer than a equally configured Falcon NW Mach V with an Exotix paintwork end. You simply gained’t discover see-through glass panels on the Mach V, leaving Falcon Northwest’s design to cover, moderately than showcase, the insides.
If you happen to don’t want a dual-GPU setup, HP’s Omen Obelisk comes with a big, single-glass facet panel and might be configured with as much as a single RTX 2080 GPU beginning at $1,999. Given that the majority video games gained’t be capable of unlock the potential of an NVLink-bridged multi-GPU setup simply but, going with a single-GPU setup might negate the necessity for extra complicated liquid cooling designs and prevent important cash within the course of.
Asus’ ROG Strix GL12CX, which comes with a barely weaker Ninth-Era Intel Core i7-9700Ok processor and a single RTX 2080 GPU, is priced at $three,299, however comes bundled with a mechanical keyboard and mouse. Asus’ pricing is extra similar to the bottom Aventum X. At an identical worth, the entry-level Aventum X comes with weaker specs that embrace a single GeForce GTX 1050 GPU, making it pricier and bulkier in comparison with the Strix. When in comparison with our upgraded assessment unit, the Strix is a 3rd of the worth, whereas delivering related efficiency underneath most conditions.
With assist for 4 liquid-cooled GPUs and two all-glass facet panels, Origin PC’s Genesis is the Aventum X’s closest competitor. When configured equally to our Aventum X unit, the Genesis prices $Eight,203, which is $1,300 lower than what Digital Storm costs. The Genesis comes with a extra beneficiant lifetime labor guarantee, however falls brief by way of pure efficiency. It has simply 5 storage bays as a substitute of the Aventum X’s eight and doesn’t ship with manufacturing facility overclocking choices or HPC assist.
How lengthy will it final?
For severe players who need to cling on to their investments for the lengthy haul, the Aventum X comes with the potential and efficiency that may final you for years of gaming. It’s geared up with the newest processor from Intel and comes with two of Nvidia’s strongest client graphics playing cards. As extra video games unlock the potential of Nvidia’s RTX sequence playing cards, like ray tracing and extra superior AI-based rendering, the Aventum X will start to point out its worth as a future-proof system which you can purchase in the present day for tomorrow’s video games. And when newer parts arrive, the Aventum X comes with loads of room for upgrades.
Do you have to purchase it?
The Aventum X is an insanely highly effective PC that gained’t decelerate it doesn’t matter what you throw at it. However by crafting essentially the most highly effective PC, Digital Storm has priced the Aventum X out of the attain of most players. If you happen to do have the money, for all of its excesses and decadence, the Aventum X is an unmatched efficiency in a sexy design that won’t depart you wanting for extra. Till builders construct in NVLink and ray tracing assist, the Aventum X stays a superbly costly proof of idea that showcases the potential for the way forward for gaming.
