I Tested IBuyPower's Latest Pre-Built Gaming Desktop, And It's A Better Deal Than Big Brands Like Alienware

The screwless side panels pop off for quick interior access. Our model’s Asus Prime X870-P motherboard, which might differ from what iBuyPower provides in the configuration now, stands out with its silver heatsinks and solid expansion capabilities: four M.2 slots, four DIMM slots, PCI Express 5.0 support, plus Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 wireless. The case’s rear I/O is also excellent, with two USB4 ports, eight USB Type-A ports (including one 10Gbps, three 5Gbps, and four 2.0 ports, one reserved for BIOS updates), a 2.5Gbps Ethernet jack, and audio jacks. The USB4 ports are convenient for high-speed external drives and support DisplayPort output.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Our review unit included the MSI Ventus 3X OC Edition GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. While its triple-fan cooler looks substantial, its lack of RGB lighting seems like a missed opportunity. The GPU ships uninstalled to prevent stress on the motherboard during shipping. While installation is straightforward—I had it up and running within minutes—users unfamiliar with PC assembly may need to seek assistance. Not all iBuyPower systems are this way; I noticed the company offered buyers the option of having the GPU preinstalled on custom models.

The minimal cabling in the main chamber is cleanly routed, though the unsleeved GPU power cables detract slightly from the premium feel. Cable management in the opposite chamber is tidy enough, with zip ties keeping things in place. The non-modular 850-watt power supply contributes to the cable clutter in the lower compartment. The desktop’s expansion space features two 2.5-inch bays located behind the motherboard tray and a single 3.5-inch bay in the lower compartment, although accessing the latter requires removing the intake-fan bracket.

The Element Pro does a decent job with acoustics. At idle, the fans emit a low hum that blends into ambient noise. CPU-intensive activity cause the dual 120mm fans on the radiator to ramp up, but the overall noise level is controlled and unobtrusive.

The included peripherals of the iBuyPower RDY Element Pro

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

The bundled Chimera KM7 keyboard and mouse combo from iBuyPower is basic, yet a cut above the generic fare often included with prebuilt systems. Neither device supports software-based controls, but both offer on-device adjustments. The mouse features a button underneath to cycle through colors and lighting patterns, with the option to turn off illumination entirely. The keyboard utilizes key combinations: Fn+Scroll Lock to switch modes, Fn+Page Up/Down to adjust brightness, and Fn+Pause to turn off the lighting.

Ergonomically, the mouse is only for right-handers. It fit my medium-size hands comfortably and worked well with my palm-grip style. It includes two side buttons plus a five-step DPI toggle located behind the textured scroll wheel. Meanwhile, the keyboard delivers slightly rubbery but responsive tactile feedback; I had no trouble reaching my usual typing speed in the MonkeyType test. While these peripherals won’t rival premium offerings, they’re perfectly serviceable for getting started.