By Alan Dexter
published
A sensible spec and plenty of RGB make this a deal worth grabbing.
Nvidia may have just released the last card of the Ampere generation with the RTX 3090 Ti, but it's the RTX 3060 that still stands out as one of the best options of this generation. At least it is as far as sensible money is concerned. Sure, the likes of the RTX 3080 and AMD's Radeon RX 6800 XT may be where it's at for 4K gaming, but if you're happy to play at 1080p, then the RTX 3060 is where it's at.
This $1,199 machine from ABS from Newegg takes that capable GPU and plays to its strengths while keeping an eye on the overall system price. I'll admit that I'd prefer to find a 12th-gen Intel CPU inside here instead of the 11th-gen Core i5 11400F, but that CPU will still manage to keep the GPU fed when it comes to the vast majority of games, and surely that's all that matters here. This is a 6-core, 12-thread CPU that can still hit 4.4GHz under pressure, which is nothing to turn your nose up at.
As with most system builders right now, ABS doesn't specify which particular RTX 3060 model you'll get inside the machine you buy. Don't worry, though; in real terms, there isn't a lot separating any of them, at least not when it comes to raw performance—some are cooler, some are quieter, but when it comes to gaming, there are only a few frames per second in it. The important thing is that the RTX 3060 is a beast when it comes to 1080p gaming, and even 1440p isn't out of the question.
ABS Master Gaming PC | Nvidia RTX 3060 | Intel Core i5 11400F | 16GB RAM | 512GB NVMe SSD | $1,399.99 $1,199.99 at Newegg (save $200)
The RTX 3060 is the graphics card you want for high-end 1080p gaming, and it'll even turn its hand to 1440p action too. ABS has built around that card sensibly here, ticking all the major spec boxes in the process. The CPU may be last-gen, but it's still plenty powerful, and importantly won't hold the GPU back.
You get 16GB of DDR4-3000 and a 512GB NVMe SSD for your money, solid for any gaming machine in 2022. You also get Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth support included, which should see you covered for your networking needs, although there is a gigabit ethernet connection if you'd prefer to stay wired. All this is encased in the Rosewill Spectra D100 chassis, which isn't a bad-looking shell.
This system ships with Windows 10, but you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free if you want to see what all the cool kids are using—at least this way you have the option of which OS you use. You also get a keyboard and mouse thrown in with the system as well, which is better than nothing.
Overall, this is a decent saving on a solid 1080p gaming rig. The real star of the show here is obviously the RTX 3060, but the rest of the spec is reliable too, and this should serve you well for at least a few years.
PC Gamer Newsletter
Sign up to get the best content of the week, and great gaming deals, as picked by the editors.
Alan has been writing about PC tech since before 3D graphics cards existed, and still vividly recalls having to fight with MS-DOS just to get games to load. He fondly remembers the killer combo of a Matrox Millenium and 3dfx Voodoo, and seeing Lara Croft in 3D for the first time. He's very glad hardware has advanced as much as it has though, and is particularly happy when putting the latest M.2 NVMe SSDs, AMD processors, and laptops through their paces. He has a long-lasting Magic: The Gathering obsession but limits this to MTG Arena these days.
More news
See comments
Most Popular
By Nick Evanson
By Rich Stanton
By Rick Lane
By Rick Lane
By Nick Evanson
I'm an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of PC gaming and technology, with a wealth of knowledge about the latest hardware and components. My understanding spans from graphics cards to processors, and I stay updated on the latest releases and industry trends. Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article:
-
Nvidia RTX 3060:
- The article highlights the RTX 3060 as one of the standout options of its generation, especially for those focusing on 1080p gaming. It is noted for being a capable GPU that can also handle 1440p gaming.
-
ABS Master Gaming PC Specs:
- The featured ABS Master Gaming PC is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, an Intel Core i5 11400F (11th-gen) CPU, 16GB of DDR4-3000 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD. The system is priced at $1,199.99, with a $200 discount from its original price.
-
CPU Performance:
- The article mentions a preference for a 12th-gen Intel CPU but acknowledges that the 11th-gen Core i5 11400F is still powerful enough to complement the RTX 3060 for gaming. The CPU is described as a 6-core, 12-thread processor capable of reaching 4.4GHz under pressure.
-
RTX 3060 Model Variations:
- The article notes that the system builder, ABS, doesn't specify the particular model of the RTX 3060 included in the PC. However, it reassures readers that, in terms of raw gaming performance, the differences among various RTX 3060 models are minimal.
-
Memory and Storage:
- The ABS Master Gaming PC comes with 16GB of DDR4-3000 RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, meeting the requirements for a solid gaming machine in 2022.
-
Networking and Connectivity:
- The system includes Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth support, offering flexibility for networking needs. Additionally, there's a gigabit ethernet connection for users who prefer a wired connection.
-
Chassis:
- The gaming PC is housed in the Rosewill Spectra D100 chassis, described as not a bad-looking shell.
-
Operating System and Extras:
- The system ships with Windows 10, but users have the option to upgrade to Windows 11 for free. The package also includes a keyboard and mouse.
-
Overall Assessment:
- The article concludes that the ABS Master Gaming PC offers a decent saving on a reliable 1080p gaming rig. The RTX 3060 is highlighted as the star performer, while the rest of the specifications are deemed reliable, ensuring the system's effectiveness for gaming over the next few years.
In addition to the specific details about the ABS Master Gaming PC, the article provides insights into the author's background, mentioning Alan Dexter's extensive experience in writing about PC tech and his enthusiasm for testing the latest hardware, including M.2 NVMe SSDs, AMD processors, and laptops.
