KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
As we expect from PC Specialist, the Enigma Pro arrives effectively packaged; the system joined only by the standard builder branded welcome pack. The pack contains component manuals, cables and spares bits and bobs, and of course the Windows 10 disc. No motherboard or graphics boxes here, and they needn’t be.
Out of the box, we get a first look at the system, which is encased in the Corsair’s Carbide Spec-04. It’s a sensible choice for an affordable gaming system and makes a good first impression. It’s smart, has a dash of colour to draw the eye, and a slightly geometric front panel seemingly devoid of I/O or ports. In fact, the I/O is at the top of the front-right edge, and populated by 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, headset jacks and a reset button.
The Spec-04 has a perspex window, which is fine for casual glances but naturally we want a closer look. Behind the side-panel our first impressions are that of neatness. This case lacks any soft or subtle cable management, so PC Specialist has internal structure and good old cable ties to work with. It’s done well with both, and the cabling is as effective as this case allows for.
On aesthetics PC Specialist has largely eschewed the Spec-04’s red detail, sticking to monochrome parts in a PRIME Z370-P motherboard – although the silver detailing of the motherboard is reminiscent of the Spec-04’s front panel. The PCS FrostFlow 100 Series CPU cooler sports a 120mm fan with red corners which is a nice nod to case continuity.
Elsewhere the cooling is limited. A solitary front-fan comes pre-fitted in the Spec-04, and although a tower cooler and one front fan should do the job for the65W Core i3-8100, the we have a GTX 1070 with a single fan.
A look around the other components finds 8GB (2x 4GB) of Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4. The Core-i3 8100 supports DDR4-2400, but the RAM here is specced at 2133. PC Specialist doesn’t appear to provide DDR4-2400 DIMMS, so you may prefer to add more 2133 or swap out for DDR4-2666 modules.
Below the RAM sits the understated Geforce GTX 1070 – another component true to the smart monochrome interior. Below the graphics card, Corsair’s VS-550. This power supply is 80 Plus white rated – the entry rating – for efficiency. Still, without serious expansion, system draw won’t be an issue for this cost-effective power supply.
In the drive bays is a single 3.5” drive, a 1TB Seagate Firecuda SSHD. This hybrid may not have the speed of an SSHD, but it does offer ample storage for an OS, applications and games as well. Finally, when powered on, some white illumination comes from an LED strip running at the foot of the case – a little bit of light to lift the system’s appeal.
Be sure to check out our sponsors store EKWB here
