SYBER Launches Vapor Xtreme Console With GTX 980 GPU
CYBERPOWERPC subsidiary SYBER introduced the Vapor Xtreme gaming console packed with Nvidia's freshly-baked GeForce GTX 980 graphics card. This "console" could have been deemed as a Steam Machine had it included SteamOS and the Steam Controller; however, this machine arrives with Windows 8.1 (64-bit) and Logitech's F710 Wireless Gamepad, and it boots directly into Steam's Big Picture mode.
"Thanks to the use of standard off the shelf components, with the SYBER Vapor line of PC Gaming consoles, you will never be locked in to your hardware specifications and experience degraded performance as games become more demanding," the press release said.
The specifications show that the default configuration includes Intel's quad-core Core i7-4790K clocked at 4 GHz, Nvidia's GeForce GTX 980 with 4 GB of GDDR5 VRAM, 8 GB of DDR3-1600 MHz memory and a 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA 3 hard drive. Powering this "console" is a 450 watt power supply.
The "Xtreme" model also comes equipped with one USB 3.0 port, two USB 2.0 ports and an audio/microphone jack on the front. On the back, the device includes headphone and SPDIF HD audio jacks, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI 4.1 output and a DVI-D port. There's also a Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to a wired network, and it has Wireless N connectivity.
If the cost of the Vapor Xtreme is out of your price range for a console, the company also offers the Vapor A for $599.99. This model includes an AMD Athlon X4 740 CPU clocked at 3.2 GHz, an AMD Radeon R9 270 graphics card with 2 GB of GDDR5 VRAM, 4 GB of DDR3-1600 MHz memory and a 500 GB SATA 3 hard drive. This rig is powered by a 250 watt power supply, and it comes with Windows 8.1 and the Logitech controller.
There's also the Vapor I, which costs $100 more than the "A" model. This machine packs an Intel Core i3 processor clocked at 3.5 GHz and Nvidia's Geforce GTX 750Ti with 2 GB of GDDR5 VRAM. Other hardware features include 8 GB of DDR3-1600 MHz memory, a 1 TB SATA 3 hard drive and a 250 watt power supply. Like the other two, this "console" includes Windows 8.1 and the Logitech controller.
The company also stresses that customers can modify the base configuration through CYBERPOWER PC's VenomX service. Customers can change the CPU and the graphics card, add memory and more. However, the SYBER website shows the Vapor Xtreme as "coming soon" whereas the other two can be pre-purchased now. The release date for the Vapor I and Vapor A is October 27, 2014.
The company points out that Vapor Xtreme will be ready for the Linux-based SteamOS platform whenever it becomes available, meaning this console is waiting patiently to become an official Steam Machine. But don't expect that to happen until 2015, as Valve is currently trying to spit-polish the Steam Controller for mass consumption.
That said, you can download SteamOS already, but Valve recommends that the majority of gamers wait until the platform is ready for the general public.
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You guys should even set a Core i5 with a GTX770 as a fouth option. ;-)
Having said that, the takeaway from this article is that the card is comfortable with a 450W power supply, as opposed to the specced 500W. I suspected as much, but it's nice to see a company doing some testing on it.
It'd be better with a 600W though... less noise from the PSU fan under load.
And that God awful LED light on the front... someone didn't think this was going in dark living rooms, apparently.
That's why I build my own.
counterpoint 1: you also get a warranty from the manufacturer
counterpoint 2: that is one snazzy looking case...
Is there a typo in the "HDMI 4.1"? Is it a 1.4, ins't it?
Hum ? logic ?
If you use PCPARTPICKER and try to build your own system with these specs you spend at least $1350 (including Windows and the controller).
For the extra $100 or $150 you get a much smaller, pre-built computer that hopefully is also much quieter.
I'd personally save almost $350 by using a GTX970 and i5-4690, then spend $60 to add a 120GB Sandisk SSD but if we just compare the specs as given it really is reasonable.
Here's hoping for a $999 setup in the next year with a GTX970, i5 and SSD/HDD combo.
In order to compete with consoles price-wise, you have to dodge the Windows tax. That's what the SteamOS is designed to do, and it succeeds it enables OEMs to build systems with a controller included that beat all next-gen platforms at sub $500 price points. Nothing else matters, because SteamOS can't compete at the mid- or high-end of the market - it simply lacks the compatibility of Windows.
Also, what about my i5 4570? Should be fine right?