Maingear Vybe review: An excellent gaming PC with a wealth of customization

If you’re looking for a gaming PC, the options are endless. Many people choose to build their own custom rigs, but it can be a little daunting if it’s your first time, or maybe you just don’t want to put in the effort. On the other side, you can opt for a gaming desktop computer from one of the major PC manufacturers like HP, Dell and Lenovo.

The middle ground is to order a custom build from a company like Maingear or one of the many other custom builders. One of Maingear’s most versatile PCs is the Vybe, which starts at $699 but can run into several thousand dollars depending on how you equip it. Here is an overview of the resistance of the Vybe and the value of your money.

Maingear offers several different preconfigured versions, as well as the ability to configure your own version. For this review, Maingear sent a Vybe equipped with an Intel Core i9-9900K processor, an NVIDIA RTX 2080 SUPER graphics card and 32 GB of RAM. This unit is part of Maingear’s pre-built fast ship program, which promises to ship PCs within two business days.

The number of customization options for each category is vast, with around 17 different graphics cards, including some from our picks of the best graphics cards, and 19 different processor options available. There are also multiple motherboards, SSD and HDD types, and cooling options to choose from.

what are you going to like about Vybe Core Gear

The Maingear Vybe is a mid-size PC, so it will satisfy those looking for a full-sized computer with plenty of airflow potential. Maingear has done a great job of managing cables inside the case, leaving plenty of open space inside. The overall aesthetic inside is incredibly clean, making it pleasing to the eye, especially through the tempered glass side panel.

The exterior of the case is one of my favorite parts of the build though. At first glance, the matte black finish with the Maingear logo on the front gives a fairly plain look. However, the front I/O ports are located on the side of the case, just in front of the tempered glass panel, which is the most convenient place for them than any PC case I’ve used recently.

For RGB fans, the Vybe comes equipped with plenty of flash. There is a LED strip inside the case and the logo on the front also lights up. The system comes with a remote that lets you cycle through tons of different colors and effects, and it can look quite stylish once you set your preferences.

The set is excellent and, aesthetically, looks great. The tempered glass side panel adds a premium feel to the case, and the black exterior acts as a blank slate for the RGB to shine.

In terms of performance, nothing is missing here. The model sent to me, featuring an Intel Core i9-9900K processor and NVIDIA RTX 2080 SUPER, is everything you could ask for when it comes to gaming and general computing tasks. Adding 32GB of RAM gives you plenty of room for RAM-intensive tasks and programs.

I’ve tested the Vybe with a range of games, from Destiny 2 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider to less intense games like World of Warcraft. In each, I didn’t notice any hitches in gameplay. Frame rates remained high and smooth, often running between 70 and 120 fps at 1440p, depending on game and settings.

For 1440p and 1080p gaming, the particular configuration Maingear sent me will work with aplomb. I suspect you could dial things in for 4K gaming with this build as well, but you’ll want to adjust your game’s quality settings accordingly. Luckily, I didn’t experience any thermal throttling, likely thanks to the superb water-cooling setup Maingear has included on the CPU here.

If you need to add some extra horsepower, the Core i9-9900K also allows for overclocking.

what are you going Do not like about Vybe Core Gear

I only encountered two issues with the Maingear Vybe that can rub people the wrong way.

If you’d rather have the quietest system possible, the Vybe isn’t a jet engine, but it’s not quiet either. Under load, the fans can get quite noisy. It’s not something you’ll notice if you’re using headphones anyway, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

The version I tested used water cooling for the CPU, so I suspect the fan noise will be more bothersome if you don’t opt ​​for water cooling at all. With water cooling, you only have to worry about the case and graphics card fans.

Another disappointing part of the Vybe is that the model I tested didn’t come with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on board. Instead, Maingear included a small USB Wi-Fi adapter that struggled to deliver solid speeds. My internet speeds hit around 200Mbps on Wi-Fi pretty much everywhere in my apartment, and the USB adapter included with the build struggled to maintain 30-40Mbps consistently.

If you’re going to run a cable to the PC for internet anyway, that won’t be a big deal. However, for such a high-end PC, it was disappointing to see Maingear skimp on Wi-Fi. Similarly, the lack of out-of-the-box Bluetooth is by no means a deal-breaker, but it’s nice to have.

Should I buy the Vybe Core Gear gaming desk?

The Maingear Vybe is a great option for anyone looking to get their hands on a custom PC build without strive to build their own. The build quality of the Vybe’s case is excellent, and the thoughtful cable management and front port placement make it a pleasure to use and look at. The wealth of customization options is also a boon, especially given its low starting price.

4.5
out of 5

There is no reason not consider the Vybe if you want to choose a custom PC build without building your own. The starting price of $699 gives you plenty of leeway to customize your build however you see fit. If you’re willing to shell out a few thousand dollars, you can get yourself a PC that can handle pretty much anything you can throw at it.