iBuyPower Element Gaming PC Review: i7-8086K and GTX 1080 Ti Inside
by Joe Shields on July 6, 2018 10:00 AM ESTBIOS
This particular setup from iBuyPower is using the ASUS TUF Z370-Plus Gaming motherboard from the TUF lineup. ASUS's TUF lineup used to be more of a premium type of motherboard with loads of built-in sensors and physical armor for protection, but has since seemed to become a bit tamer in its look as well as forgoing the plethora of sensors it used to have. That said, it is still a very capable board and seems to be able to handle a flat 5 Ghz i7-8086K without flinching. The BIOS includes both an EZ Mode (pictured below) as well as an advanced mode for further tweaking of the system.
The EZ Mode portion of the BIOS offers a view of the system in its current state as well as allowing a few options to be edited. It shares information such as motherboard BIOS version, installed CPU and Memory speeds as well as CPU and motherboard temperature and CPU Core Voltage. Users are able to enable XMP profiles for the memory, enable Intel Rapid Storage technology, change the boot order, and access to the QFan control for adjusting fan speeds and profiles as well. There is also an EZ System Tuning section for one-touch overclocking. Overall the EZ Mode is a useful tool for system status and high level information needed at a glance, but the advanced section is where most of the options reside.
The Advanced section of the BIOS gives access to everything the BIOS has to offer from overclocking capabilities to enabling and disabling hardware. The BIOS has several headers across the top with each section housing a group of functions. The first section is labeled Main and is generally an informative tab disclosing information about the BIOS version and processor information. The only item that is editable is the system language.
The Ai Tweaker section is where overclockers will find their home. This section houses everything needed to overclock the processor and get the most out of it including BCLK and CPU ratio as well as voltage adjustments and power options. Since this is coming in a system, it is likely some options are already raised from default (as seen in the screenshots). All CPU adjustments including BCLK and CPU ratio as well as voltages are all located under the Ai Tweaker heading.
The Advanced section gives users options to adjust certain functions on the system from the storage configuration attached to the chipset to other onboard devices.
The Monitor section displays system information from temperatures to voltages on the processor and from the power supply. Users are able to access the ASUS QFan functionality in order to adjust fan speeds and create custom cooling profiles to balance performance and quiet.
The Boot section is where users are able to adjust boot priorities as well as enable fast boot and other boot-time options.
The Tool section is a landing pad for a couple of BIOS utilities that can help with BIOS flashing as well as a repository for any overclocking profiles. The ASUS EZ Flash 3 utility is used to flash the BIOS while the Overclocking profile will hold any BIOS settings for easy retrieval.
Software
The ASUS TUF Z370-Plus Gaming motherboard used on the board includes a driver disk (though it says Z370-A Pro) that has all the drivers needed to get a user up and running in case of a system update or failure. It includes the chipset and realtek audio drivers, the Intel Management Interface along with Rapid Storage Technology drivers and a value add software piece in Norton Security. Being a pre-built, the drivers were already installed at the factory.
The disk also bundles ASA utilities such as AI Suite 3 - a complete app that is used to monitor and control the motherboard, Turbo LAN for network traffic management, as well as AURA to control lighting. The latest versions of these applications can be found online at the ASUS webpage for this motherboard.
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Joe Shields - Monday, July 9, 2018 - link
Yes, it was extremely difficult to get good pictures with all of the reflections. I would have had to purchase black sheets and string them up all around my office to prevent reflections (amount of room isn't the problem, its the other surfaces constantly reflecting off the glass). so I went with the stock photos in parts. If you will notice, The stock photos used were the only ones available at the website which showed a 'max' config. I see I should have been more clear but figured the as configured specs table immediately below the the images would clarify things.Cellar Door - Saturday, July 7, 2018 - link
Yeah.. but the few real pics in the article, show a product that is nowhere that of the stock renders - highlighting the importance of why it is important to include even mediocre real pictures.Joe Shields - Monday, July 9, 2018 - link
Yes, I understood that point already. Just explaining the method to the apparent madness. Your input is appreciated.PeachNCream - Monday, July 9, 2018 - link
Pretty much this stuff. AT is a hardware review site. We'd be remiss were we to expect or even want professional photography. Get the point across accurately, which stock photos in this case simply do not do, and that's good enough.Joe Shields - Monday, July 9, 2018 - link
Again, please accept my apologies. Next time, I will not take for granted readers know that iBP can build different systems including using multiple GPUs. I assumed, apparently incorrectly, readers would look at the as configured specs table, found on the first page, and see there is a difference. Moving forward I will strive to take better photos of difficult subjects (I do have a lightbox, lights, etc) and when using stock photos to be even more clear they are stock and the internal configuration may not match.Sttm - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
Doesn't look too bad. Though I don't really like these cases with front fans and very limited front air intakes.Of course the real sticking point is that we are a few months out from new GPU's, so buying any system is rather silly.
Thunder 57 - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
Wait, was this an ad, or a review?Ryan Smith - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
A review.WasHopingForAnHonestReview - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
Good lord, the amount of ridiculous comments here is #toodamnhigh! They did a review and there are nothing but complaints. Go outside guys, go for a run or something. Your attitudes are crap.Death666Angel - Friday, July 6, 2018 - link
I see a lot of valid responses to the article and to the tested product. Your comment, however, offers nothing to the review or the discussions. Better follow your own advice, matey.