Corsair One ELITE Review (W/ i7-8700K and GTX 1080 Ti)

1. Introduction2. Design3. Specification4. Testing Methodology 5. Cinebench R156. SPECviewperf 12.17. SSD Performance8. 3D Mark (Time Spy & Fire Strike)9. Gaming10. Thermal Dynamics and Acoustics11. Closing Thoughts12. View All Pages

The Corsair One Elite deploys upgraded components to target both enthusiast gamers and those looking for a fast productivity machine, and this all-rounder certainly delivers plenty of power.

The six-core processor has the ability to handle a wider range of work tasks – only the select few who use seriously demanding software will need anything beyond this. There’s loads of memory, the storage is solid, and networking is also good.

A new GTX 1080 Ti delivers enough grunt to handle 4K and VR gaming, and the stock-speed card inside this tiny machine almost keeps up with full-sized, overclocked rigs.

Indeed, the amount of hardware inside this system is truly impressive. It’s smaller than almost anything out there while offering more power, and Corsair’s clever design means that the upgraded One remains whisper-quiet and relatively cool, no matter the task.

Of course, you are paying for the privilege of having such a small system – if you buy a full-size tower for this price you’ll get far more power, or you can replicate the One’s specification in a larger machine and save plenty of money. Those larger machines and more conventional mini-ITX rigs will also offer more build versatility and upgrade room.

If you’re looking at this PC, though, you’re probably not interested in future upgrades or delving inside the case. Instead, you’re likely looking for a gaming or productivity rig that can get the job done without causing a fuss – or without taking up too much space. If that’s what you’re after, nothing is better than the Corsair One Elite.

The model we’ve reviewed here is available from Corsair for £2,799.

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Pros

• Impressive gaming performance – including 4K and VR
• Solid, versatile Coffee Lake processor
• Loads of memory and ample storage
• Rock-solid, tiny and clever design
• Near-silent operation in all scenarios

Cons

• More expensive than most rival systems
• Tricky to access the important components
• No real upgrade room

KitGuru Says: Corsair’s updated One doesn’t change the design, but it didn’t need to – it remains ingenious. This compact rig uses every square centimetre to deliver loads of power inside a chassis that’s cooler and quieter than almost anything else. It’s expensive, but it justifies its cost with high levels of quality throughout.

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