AWD Ignis Aqua 290X 250D Mini ITX PC Review

The AWD Ignis Aqua 290X 250D Mini ITX PC is an impressive looking build thanks to the inclusion of an XSPC custom watercooling kit paired up with ‘blood red' fluid. In a dark room the liquid glows menacingly under the red lighting of the fans.

First impressions are positive, AWD wanted to build a small system for space restricted locations and subsequently opted for the diminutive Corsair Obsidian 250D chassis. We reviewed the 250D some time ago, and it scored well due to its versatility, build quality and support for high end partnering equipment.

AWD have selected a commendable checklist of components for this build, including Kingston 2,400mhz memory, Samsung 840 Evo SSD, Gigabyte Z87N-Wifi Motherboard and AMD R9 290X graphics card. This is a serious checklist of performance hardware and all set up to run with a minimum of noise, even under heavy load.

I have to admit, when I first saw the checklist and £1,499.99 inc vat asking price, I had expected the system would ship with a Core i7 4770k processor. I was disappointed to see AWD decided to install a Core i5 4670k instead.

There is no doubt that Intel's Core i5 4670k is an excellent processor, but in a system at £1,500 it seems to be a little outclassed, especially when partnered up with a watercooled, AMD R9 290X graphics card.

This leads me to point out that I feel certain aspects of this build are a little inconsistent. Using an XSPC custom watercooling kit is a great idea, it differentiates the Ignis Aqua from the majority of systems we get to review fitted with a simple ‘all in one liquid' cooler from the likes of Corsair.

AWD have clearly given thought to the hardware configuration and the attention to detail in regards to the build is first class. But why include a Core i5 4670k and only overclock it to 4ghz when cooled by such a high performance kit? A few tweaks in the BIOS and we had the 4670k running at 4.4ghz without any problem, a notable 400mhz increase. It only required a little extra voltage, and temperatures never peaked past 65c under load.

You could argue that a 400mhz clock increase will give a minimal performance boost, but when you are using a R9 290X it is important to try and elimate CPU limiting. It is also worth pointing out that a system listed with a 4.4ghz clock speed looks more appealing to the audience without advanced knowledge of a BIOS.

While our particular sample shipped with Windows 8.1 installed, AWD do offer Windows 7 64 bit (at no cost) if you prefer the older operating system. It is important to add that the latest Windows 8.1 has enhanced support for Ultra HD 4K monitors, so it may be worth opting for the new operating system and installing an application such as Start8 from Stardock (or one of the free alternatives) to bring back the traditional Start Menu.

I enjoying using the Ignis Aqua over the last week. AWD clearly know how to build a lovely looking system however this particular configuration is a little unbalanced. If they had pushed the processor harder it would have earned our WORTH BUYING award, as it stands it claims our Worth Considering award.

You can buy the system direct from AWD, over HERE.

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Pros:

• fantastic build quality.
• good selection of components.
• very quiet.
• runs cool.
• all liquid cooled.
• GPU has been overclocked in software.

Cons:

• 4770k would have made for a better balance between CPU and GPU.
• 4ghz overclock is weak with this level of cooling.

Kitguru says: A great looking system, but at £1,499.99 it needed a bigger overclock or an overclocked Core i7 processor.

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