Meet The Eclipse, Digital Storm's New SFF Gaming Machine

By Kevin Parrish
published

If we didn't know any better, we'd say that Digital Storm has launched its own unofficial Steam Machine called the Eclipse. This small form factor PC looks console-like in appearance and packs plenty of power that should make the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 shed a tear. However, the cost isn't quite so console friendly, with a starting price of $699.

Digital Storm offers the new Eclipse gaming PC in four configurations. The $699 Level 1 model consists of an H97 chipset motherboard, an AMD Radeon R7 260X graphics card with 2 GB of video memory, an unlocked Intel Pentium CPU, 8 GB of 1600 MHz memory, and a 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drive. The $899 Level 2 model upgrades the Eclipse with an AMD Radeon R9 270X graphics card with 2 GB of video RAM and an Intel Core i3-4350 CPU. An optical drive is optional.

For the $999 Level 3 model, Digital Storm has thrown in the Nvidia GeForce GTX 760 graphics card with 2 GB of video RAM and Intel's Core i5-4590 CPU.

However, for the $1,299 Level 4 model, Digital Storm has built an entirely new setup that uses a Z97 chipset motherboard. This model consists of a Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 graphics card with 4 GB of video RAM, an Intel Core i5-4690K CPU, 8 GB of RAM, a 120 Samsung EVO SSD, a 1 TB 7200 RPM HDD, and a DVD writer. Good stuff.

The product shots show that the Windows 8.1-powered Eclipse provides four USB 3.0 ports, two Ethernet ports, two HDMI ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a DVI connector, audio output jacks and more, on the back. On the front, users will find two USB 3.0 ports and jacks for headphones and a microphone. All four models include integrated sound and a 400 watt Digital Storm certified power supply. The Eclipse measures just 15 inches (L) x 4 inches (W) x 14 inches (H).

"ECLIPSE fills a gap in the PC gaming market," said Harjit Chana, Chief Brand Officer Digital Storm. "There are multiple high-end SFF systems like our own BOLT II, but fewer mainstream options focused on an affordable HD gaming experience."

To configure and order an Eclipse PC now, head here and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

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Kevin Parrish
15 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Robert Ostrowski
    its supposed to plug into a tv.
    looks like the Silverstone raven itx case. not a bad little system.
    Reply
  • 2Be_or_Not2Be
    14790099 said:
    its supposed to plug into a tv.
    looks like the Silverstone raven itx case. not a bad little system.

    Other than the red color, it seems like it is the Raven RVZ01 from SilverStone. Guess we know who Digital Storm is buying from with this little system!
    Reply
  • TechyInAZ
    You can buy that case easily, i would just do my own DIY with that case.
    Reply
  • alextheblue
    "This small form factor PC looks console-like in appearance and packs plenty of power that should make the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 shed a tear."

    Not so much in the base $700 configuration. The 260X is somewhat bandwidth limited and the two-thread Pentium needs to be overclocked heavily to really shine... which would be easier if it was in a slightly larger case with better cooling.

    Once you get up to the $900 mark it starts to look more impressive, but at that point it's three times the price of an XB1 (particularly once you factor in a controller and the free game).
    Reply
  • falchard
    For something called 'Eclipse' the color choice is dumb. We often equate gaming equipment with Red and Black, but in this case I don't find it appropriate.
    Reply
  • Tiberio Ferreira
    Will it support Steam OS?
    Reply
  • mcjeeba
    lol. My RVZ01, in my entertainment center, has had a 4570 and 780 in it for a year. My next-gen console.
    Reply
  • Ninjawithagun
    @ mgilbert

    "A GTX970 and no DisplayPort? Forget using it with a UHD monitor..."

    You seem a bit confused. Let me help! The motherboard does not have a DisplayPort connector. All GTX970s come with a DisplayPort connector. So yes, this system equipped with a GTX970 will support any UHD monitor. Whether or not playable frame rates @ 4K can be achieved using a single GTX970 is another issue altogether...
    Reply
  • Haravikk
    Not too interesting IMO; when it comes to Steam Machines and the like I'm not really bothered by models that are made entirely from components I could just get myself, a manufacturer should have the resources to do something more innovative than be a glorified boutique vendor, as they can get bespoke components made to do something different.
    Reply
  • jessterman21
    $900 for a $600 PC? Mmm no.

    The base configs for these Steamboxes need to be i3 + GTX 750Ti or R9 265 for $500 to make any sense.
    Reply