Origin's Genesis: Flagship Bling
by Dustin Sklavos on April 2, 2011 2:00 PM ESTConclusion: Good Value, Mixed Results
One thing that's important to keep in mind is that for what's fundamentally a boutique desktop gaming machine, the Origin Genesis (at least in our review configuration) delivers. The performance is there to do what you need to and then some, and the SLI GeForce GTX 560 Ti proves to be the right call for getting a good balance of price and performance.
That's really the tack I want to take with the Genesis, too: the price is right. Our configuration is pretty beefy and uses a lot of the latest and greatest, but I don't feel like the pricetag is particularly onerous. Origin will overclock the i7-2600K to these speeds basically for free, and none of their upgrade prices are particularly outlandish. Paying north of $2,500 for a machine feels steep, but everything in this build is quality. Putting together a similar configuration on NewEgg runs roughly $2,200 (including the Windows 7 license), so Origin's markup on the Genesis feels reasonable for what you get.
Well, everything except the processor in our review unit and the cooler, apparently. The overclock was properly tuned to use an offset voltage, but there seemed to be no fan control on the cooler, which just ran like a maniac and made reviewing the Genesis less than enjoyable. The push-pull fan configuration just meant two fans making a racket. And then the voltage the processor needed resulted in high power consumption and thermals. We can't really ding Origin for that since overclocking is a crapshoot to begin with and even their techs told us the processor was a little more power hungry than the norm, but we can ding them for the mediocre cooler.
As a whole, though, the Genesis is easy enough to recommend given the quality case and otherwise optimal components Origin chooses to use in the build. The bling of the LEDs isn't going to be for everybody (remotes are included to change the colors!) but the Graphite 600T's more austere appearance makes up for the gaudiness to an extent and prevents the machine from looking full-blown spinning-rims crazy. Of course, you can choose another case for your build, too, and Origin's selection doesn't have a weak link among them.
But when you order, be sure to have a power screwdriver and someone with good upper body strength on hand to help you open that wooden crate.
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KoolAidMan1 - Monday, April 4, 2011 - link
I am too, I own an 800D myself. That said, the 600T is also a good case. It has quite a few of the features of the 800D, things like its cable management, and it is very well built. It is a pretty great deal given that you can find it for around $140 on Amazon.bigboxes - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - link
I'm tired of this kind of posts. You know this is not geared to the normal pc builder on AnandTech. It's geared towards those that can't or won't do it them selves. Yeah, I'm one of them, but egads the horror that someone may actually make a profit on putting together a computer. Why would they make their own parts. They put together the computer with quality parts. What else could you ask for? Your complaint that they don't make the motherboard? The cpu? The case? I'm at a loss to understand your complaint. I just checked out their website. You can choose a windowless design. Still got complaints? Then nothing is going to satisfy you. I am with you, but I do not make stupid posts knocking others for doing so. Why? Because I'm the exception. I'm the builder. Most are not. I would have more respect for someone who bought one of these than a Dell or HP. Not everyone is an idiot because they don't build their own pc.ArKritz - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - link
Lift with your legs, man! :ptacobff - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - link
Starts at 1337$Awesome.
Ninhalem - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - link
Took a look at the options they offer for all the different components and frankly it is overwhelming the number of options they have. I haven't seen anything like that ever before. If I was going to do something like that, I would need to sit down with the Anandtech GPU bench system to choose the correct gpu configuration because there are so many options.As for what other case I could choose? The Cooler Master Cosmos case comes to mind. Personally I think that case is a lot better than the Corsair case, but that's a personal preference.
Xorp - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - link
Anyone know the make and model of that SATA Hot-swap bay?Dustin Sklavos - Sunday, April 3, 2011 - link
I don't have the model number offhand, but it's a Lian-Li dual drive hot-swap bay if that helps.ooiman92 - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - link
Starting at $1,337I LOLed :P
skyshiro - Saturday, April 2, 2011 - link
Where on Earth did they get the side panel? No one is selling one, I'd love to get a 600T if I could get my hands on a side panel for one.JarredWalton - Sunday, April 3, 2011 - link
"Origin is also in a privileged position with Corsair and as a result are among the first to get their hands on the new windowed side panel which they make use of by illuminating the internals with strips of white LED lights."I'm guessing Corsair will make the window available at retail at some point, but right now you'd have to roll your own.