ASRock Phantom Gaming Alliance System Build (8700K + RX 580)

[crazyeyesreaper]

ASRock has recently created the Phantom Gaming Alliance brand as a way to help various manufacturers fine tune their products. By doing so, they can guarantee compatibility, reliability, and performance. This should allow them to better deliver a top of the line gaming experience to all users, and in this regard, I can say they exceeded my expectations considering the system's more entry-level focus.

Show full review

 

[Casecutter]

Crazyeyesreaper this is not a reflection of the work you went through. And I actually enjoy these kinds of write-up, and sure it a sponsored project and you get what you get, but it-be fun to tinker with the mix and see what we find.

But yea, something not right... There's some $527 in just a CPU, Mobo, and CPU cooler and we can't pull more form that 8700K?

I'd rather seen the Ryzen 2700X with a Wraith Prism Cooler ($300) and on a ASRock Fatal1ty X470 Gaming ($138) and save $90. All while getting some acceptable OC'n and really see what that memory has in it.

Or, start with a Ryzen 2700 (for as little as $220), go with a nice AIO 240mm set-up, say the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240R RGB AIO for $90 (-AR$10). Could even think of working from their ASRock B450 Steel Legend AM4 Promontory for $100 (-AR10), while then with that savings go with their RX 590 (appox $220). CPU OC'n would up performance even more, while holding with stock clocks on the GPU, although that's approximately a 20% bump at 1080p, and all while still saving $80.

Having all that beautiful MasterBox case screams... need more Bling and plenty more Bump!

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Yea, something not right. There's some $527 in just a CPU, Mobo, and CPU cooler and we can't pull more form that?

I'd rather seen the Ryzen 2700X with a Wraith Prism Cooler ($300) and on a ASRock Fatal1ty X470 Gaming ($138) and save $90. All while getting some good OC'n and really see what that memory has in it.

Or, start with a Ryzen 2700 (for as little as $220), go with a nice AIO 240mm set-up, say the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240R RGB AIO for $90 (-AR$10). Could even think of working from their ASRock B450 Steel Legend AM4 Promontory for $100 (-AR10), and go with their RX 590 (like $220). That would up performance even while hold with stock clocks on the GPU all while still saving $80.

Having all that beautiful MasterBox case screams need more Bling and plenty more Bump!

Theres always cheaper options, or faster options. This is also just the beginning stages of ASRocks Phantom Gaming Alliance. As noted in the review they need to grow that and offer a wider selection for it to make a huge difference on buying decisions. However having motherboard / gpu / case / cooler / all match the same theme is a nice option for those liking color coordinated parts or just tend to be OCD about a system theme.

 

[Mescalamba]

I dont get reason for these things, but good review, definitely!

 

[Caring1]

I like the look of the mesh case, pair that with a decent AM4 Motherboard and chip and i'd consider it depending on price.

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

$1k+ that has an i7-8700K & RX580 is decent. My only gripe here is they could have opted for a cheap M.2 PCIe SSD as main storage while a 500GB 2.5in SSD being the storage with potential for installing large capacity drives. They also could top up a little bit more for a Asetek-rebrand 120mm AIO kit.

 

[Redwoodz]

Good move making colors/paint scheme homogenous. The build is obviously not spec'd perfect but it works. Not sure if ASRock is aiming the Phantom Gaming scheme towards the gaming but not overclocking crowd. Using the same brands except PSU I would rather match up something like this ASRock.
CM MasterCase H500P Mesh Phantom ed. $170.
CM MWE Gold 550w mod. psu $80.
CM Master Air MA620P 6pipe RGB cooler $60.
ASRock X470 Gaming K4 $138.
ASRock RX 590 $230.
AMD Ryzen 5 2600X 6 $185.
TEAM EXCALIBER 3200MHz 2x8GB RAM $135.
TEAM MP32 512GB NVMe SSD $75.
total $1,072

 

[chaosmassive]

8700K could be swapped with 8500/8400 instead as B365 cant do OC anyway
and go for GTX 1660 Ti in place of RX 580

 

[Redwoodz]

8700K could be swapped with 8500/8400 instead as B365 cant do OC anyway
and go for GTX 1660 Ti in place of RX 580

Sure, except ASRock doesn't make 1060's. Would be nice if they did.

 

[Space Lynx]

$1k+ that has an i7-8700K & RX580 is decent. My only gripe here is they could have opted for a cheap M.2 PCIe SSD as main storage while a 500GB 2.5in SSD being the storage with potential for installing large capacity drives. They also could top up a little bit more for a Asetek-rebrand 120mm AIO kit.

no its not... you could easily sacrifice the k variant for a non k and make that a 1660 ti... which blows the 580 out of the water.

this is a bad buy imo

8700K could be swapped with 8500/8400 instead as B365 cant do OC anyway
and go for GTX 1660 Ti in place of RX 580

oops didn't realize you said same as me lol

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

the board could be a Z370 by adding a few more dollars for the "cheapest" one. Ditching the 580 for a 2060 would make it slightly over $1200 ish but that'll be good.

 

[notb]

the board could be a Z370 by adding a few more dollars for the "cheapest" one. Ditching the 580 for a 2060 would make it slightly over $1200 ish but that'll be good.

This PC is not intended for OC. Cooler: CM 212, PSU: 550W. Adequate for the parts used, but without big margin.
8700K is noticeably faster than 8700 even without OC.

oops didn't realize you said same as me lol

ASRock is simply trying to get rid of the unsold mining cards.

I dont get reason for these things, but good review, definitely!

You don't get the reason for off the shelf PCs? Really?

 

[Space Lynx]

ASRock is simply trying to get rid of the unsold mining cards.

Y?

good thinking. i had forgotten about that actually. i feel bad for people who buy this rid haha. i could build something almost twice as fast in 1080p gaming for less than 1 grand.

 

[Caring1]

good thinking. i had forgotten about that actually. i feel bad for people who buy this rid haha. i could build something almost twice as fast in 1080p gaming for less than 1 grand.

Only in America, as the saying goes.
I'd love to "only" spend a grand on a decent PC here.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

I find it funny that people seem to think this is a prebuilt. its a DIY system built with off the shelf parts supplied by ASRock (8700K was supplied by me)

They basically wanted to demonstrated the Phantom Gaming Alliance and what it brings to the table. However rather than do a shitty unboxing I build the system and properly tested it. As noted in the review a swap to an I3 8100 would be the best bet for this system Its 4 cores with an RX 580 makes a far better mix. Drops cost significantly and i would have used one if I had an 8100 however I don't so I used what i could to test the system and see what it could do.

I mean its kinda spelled out in the title but i think people missed it thinking this is a prebuilt ready for sale rig.

ASRock Phantom Gaming Alliance System Build

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

toning down to an i5-8400 would be better since you still have 6 cores instead of 4.

 

[notb]

I find it funny that people seem to think this is a prebuilt. its a DIY system built with off the shelf parts supplied by ASRock (8700K was supplied by me)

So OK, it's not an off-the-shelf PC. But it's surely not a "custom build", when you only supply a single part - even an important one. It's a "DIY kit" - you got many parts that go together and you had to assemble them.
Similarly, we could call most of my home "custom built" because it came in IKEA boxes.

At very best, it's a disassembled barebone PC.

 

[Caring1]

I find it funny that people seem to think this is a prebuilt. its a DIY system built with off the shelf parts supplied by ASRock (8700K was supplied by me)
They basically wanted to demonstrated the Phantom Gaming Alliance and what it brings to the table.

Not sure how you got that impression.
In my instance I was thinking out loud what options would sway me, if the "Phantom Gaming Alliance" had the parts I desired. Of course I could always buy the mesh case and assemble any old parts in there not caring about continuity of design.

 

[znd125]

More themed builds like this please.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Not sure how you got that impression.
In my instance I was thinking out loud what options would sway me, if the "Phantom Gaming Alliance" had the parts I desired. Of course I could always buy the mesh case and assemble any old parts in there not caring about continuity of design.

wasn't direct at you.

Just the do this they should have done that blah blah. People do realize they offer multiple GPUs, 2 coolers, SSD , Memory , 2 cases, and then what was it 7-8 Phantom Gaming themed motherboards.
I didn't get to pick the parts if I had the system would have been better balanced for sure to deliver a more compelling option.

 

[bug]

8700K could be swapped with 8500/8400 instead as B365 cant do OC anyway
and go for GTX 1660 Ti in place of RX 580

Reading through the review, I was thinking "8700k + +B365 + RX580, what an uneven combo". And this is noted as such in the conclusions.
The extra HP on that CPU could be seen as buffer for future GPU upgrades, but that still leaves you with a chipset unable to overclock.

When companies put together products like these, they sure don't inspire confidence. I mean, the system is ok overall, if a bit expensive, but it just says "that's about as far as we could bother".

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Reading through the review, I was thinking "8700k + +B365 + RX580, what an uneven combo". And this is noted as such in the conclusions.
The extra HP on that CPU could be seen as buffer for future GPU upgrades, but that still leaves you with a chipset unable to overclock.

When companies put together products like these, they sure don't inspire confidence. I mean, the system is ok overall, if a bit expensive, but it just says "that's about as far as we could bother".

Nah the problem is the disconnect between marketing and actual power users / consumers.

Not enough people picking and choosing this stuff actually BUILD systems based on it and you end up with situations where things are mismatched. Still looking at the Phantom Gaming Alliance and what that offers for a build. ASRock has a lot of untapped potential here. Hopefully they do something with it.

 

[bug]

Nah the problem is the disconnect between marketing and actual power users / consumers.

Not enough people picking and choosing this stuff actually BUILD systems based on it and you end up with situations where things are mismatched. Still looking at the Phantom Gaming Alliance and what that offers for a build. ASRock has a lot of untapped potential here. Hopefully they do something with it.

Power users? I'm power user, I've been building my own PCs for like 20 years now. I would never buy anything like this for my home PC.
This is aimed at more casual buyers who kind of pay more than they should on a needlessly expensive CPU.

Where you see potential, I see overconfidence (entering a new market without paying the utmost attention). Let's hope the future proves me wrong

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

Power users? I'm power user, I've been building my own PCs for like 20 years now. I would never buy anything like this for my home PC.
This is aimed at more casual buyers who kind of pay more than they should on a needlessly expensive CPU.

Where you see potential, I see overconfidence (entering a new market without paying the utmost attention). Let's hope the future proves me wrong

ANd your going to now harp about a needlessly expensive CPU... why? Its already stated I supplied the CPU because I had it. Many seem to miss the fact I specifically stated multiple times due to CPU / board selection that an i3 8100 would be the far better option here since its a proper quadcore and more than enough to drive the RX 580. also drops the system cost by around $200. You might be a power user but you are missing the disconnect between marketing people BEING power users or just average employees. I see it a lot in many review opportunities where they want to push the highest end product possible period with no thought as to what the reasoning is.

So your focusing on a needlessly expensive CPU I provided, not ASRock, your debating the power user angle while not taking into account I mean it from a marketing perspective. General consumers want nice looking systems that perform well. ASRock certainly provides that here. Tempered glass and RGB are the new it thing it sells. They provide it and the ecosystem works as it should.

RGB is on everything many vendors use proprietary connections or separate software or other headaches. Big draw of Phantom Gaming Alliance is any part listed fits the build theme and RGB works. This system has 5v and 12v options and they synced just fine. The memory was the odd duck but its understandable to an extent.

The fact remains thought that ASRock offers with partners a color coordinated lineup for memory, SSD, GPU, motherboard and case. It will sell it will likely do fairly well. Its not different than ASUS/ TUF Alliance of w.e but at least ASRock isn't using a nasty yellow.

 

[bug]

ANd your going to now harp about a needlessly expensive CPU... why? Its already stated I supplied the CPU because I had it. Many seem to miss the fact I specifically stated multiple times due to CPU / board selection that an i3 8100 would be the far better option here since its a proper quadcore and more than enough to drive the RX 580. also drops the system cost by around $200. You might be a power user but you are missing the disconnect between marketing people BEING power users or just average employees. I see it a lot in many review opportunities where they want to push the highest end product possible period with no thought as to what the reasoning is.

So your focusing on a needlessly expensive CPU I provided, not ASRock, your debating the power user angle while not taking into account I mean it from a marketing perspective. General consumers want nice looking systems that perform well. ASRock certainly provides that here. Tempered glass and RGB are the new it thing it sells. They provide it and the ecosystem works as it should.

RGB is on everything many vendors use proprietary connections or separate software or other headaches. Big draw of Phantom Gaming Alliance is any part listed fits the build theme and RGB works. This system has 5v and 12v options and they synced just fine. The memory was the odd duck but its understandable to an extent.

The fact remains thought that ASRock offers with partners a color coordinated lineup for memory, SSD, GPU, motherboard and case. It will sell it will likely do fairly well. Its not different than ASUS/ TUF Alliance of w.e but at least ASRock isn't using a nasty yellow.

Oh crap, I missed that. Then it's ok, it's a decent rig.