MAINGEAR F131 Maximum PC Review

[wallace.santos]

"Hoo-hoo! That’s an exact recreation of the noise we made when opening the box containing Maingear’s F131 desktop rig. But “rig” might be too generic a description for the bright-blue machine; “behemoth” seems more appropriate. For in every direction—processor power, graphics, and even the freakin’ weight of the beast—the F131 seems to dwarf its competition."
http://www.maximumpc.com/2007/01/maingear_f131.html


I like so much! Hi-Five!! ;-)

[DarkStar]

Great review, congrats!

Also I am impressed in that from what I've seen and read you take steps to correct what reviewers find wrong with your systems, as opposed to just making excuses for the faults.

BTW how was Vegas? :)

[RottynDawg]

Great review! Keep up the awesome work!

[spincut]

the review knocks you guys for the maingear sticker but it doesnt appear to be present in the F131 pics on the site, did you already fix that because of that review? cause that would be really quick since it was this month.

it's also too bad it got knocked for noise, but i'm guessing that in the larger f131 case it probably would be a little louder due to the lauded extra airflow. (as i've noted in other posts i have a thing about noise since it's a very difficult thing to advertise or research the level of, even if there is a Db rating which often, especially for a full system, there isn't.....then again i dont have the green for a watercooled setup from you so i just got to hope the prelude is quieter if i end up with one :evil: )

-but it doesnt sound like either was a big deal since it got a pretty uber high school anyhow, congratulations

[Plan1x]

I don't believe the review knocks us. Especially after a 9 out of ten plus a kick ass award. But I can see how the impression is given. We actually take every one of our reviews seriously and try to improve on each one of them immediately. As for the badging of the machines that is not an issue. We have several ways of badging our machines and we chose that one for the review because it is big and no matter who looks at the page it is undeniable that it is a MAINGEAR. We may have chosen the wrong way to badge that particular machine with to the editors of MaximumPC standards but it was definitely not a mistake.

As for our cooling, we make it no surprise or hidden secret that our water cooling machines are a bit noisy. Those buying a unit are informed about this subject.

[theDreamer]

Loved the review when I first read it.

~Must agree, those points taken off are nothing to be fearful for.
Maybe the noise, but if you order WC its not always the "quietest," but
maybe more helpful with OC.

I don't think I have seen MaxPC give a 10/10 on a PC ever, maybe on individual parts used in the magazine, but never a whole PC.

Grats on the awesome review though, just another reason to pick you.

[spincut]

oh no i just said "knock" because that's the term they used for describing those two peeves, and yeah one was very insignifigant.

but i bet the only thing stopping it from getting a 10 was the noise complaint (the sticker one was obviously not important)

I also wasn't even aware that the watercooled system was particularily noisy, i would have figured the opposite (although i'm assuming the F131 in general is a little nosier because i'm told it's a bigger case with more fans for airflow on top of that).

I think it's interesting what you said about the badging options, but i'm presuming that just applies for your review systems that you send out and how you want to present them? or do you randomly select those sticker options for the regular f131's as well (i didnt notice any menu options for them and i dont think i've seen a new f131 with that big maingear sticker)?

but of course as i said before that's a top top review.

[Plan1x]

I also wasn't even aware that the watercooled system was particularily noisy, i would have figured the opposite (although i'm assuming the F131 in general is a little nosier because i'm told it's a bigger case with more fans for airflow on top of that).

it really depends on the watercooled system you get. We have used water cooled systems that were silent as can be, but our CoolIt systems are a bit noisy. I'm am not saying its like an airplane going by but it can be noisier then a fan. However, like our user NiC has said about his machine (I believe on hardforums) we where able to overclock his machine from 2.4 to 3.6 and keep it cooled at the level a stock cpu fan would. The water cooled machines we use allow us to do that. Now if your playing a game or listening to music, even talking on the phone, the computer will probably go unnoticed. Except for its glaring Beauty. (had to throw that in)



I think it's interesting what you said about the badging options, but i'm presuming that just applies for your review systems that you send out and how you want to present them? or do you randomly select those sticker options for the regular f131's as well (i didnt notice any menu options for them and i dont think i've seen a new f131 with that big maingear sticker)?

You got it! We do not randomly select anything. So don't worry about the product cart not having an option. We used to badge our machines the way it was in the review. We also like to use that way in our review becuase like I said it is noticable and big. Right now the badge is across the window if you get one in the f131 or without a window just in the front with a little square badge, like you see in RottynDawg's pics



but of course as i said before that's a top top review.

All the Thanks has got to go to our build team and of Course Wallace, who without him none of this would be possible.

[spincut]

well from what i've seen all your machines get the little square badge, but i see what you're saying now about how you badge your f131's, it's a better placement if you get the f131 with a window, and if it doesnt have a window then the big badge isn't put on, that's good to know though.

i also think it's interesting about the coolit systems being nosier, alot of people get water because it's so quiet, but i guess since it's marketed as an overclocking machine (as you just noted) that option makes more sense for that even if it's noisy (you cant have everything).

i imagine you would say though that the prelude is quieter than either the aircooled F131 or the liquid cooled (well, at least the new louder one anyhow, i presume the non coolit version whenever it was made was rather silent) right?

[Plan1x]

You will actually be suprised at how quit both our Prelude and aircooled F131 systems are. The bigger F131 case can also be quiter. More airflow less stress on the fans.


Yes it was the liquidcooled machines were quiet. Your best bet if your that concerned with noise is to call in and see what the techs can offer you. When your ready to order even if it is not with us and you want to configure a full machine confident in the parts you want call them and they will help recommend a quit config for you.

[XBarbarian]

I say Grats on yet another Impeccable Maingear rig.

The Momentum is growing! can ya feel it? I CAN!

Stoked to get my F131!

[spincut]

well actually since i dont think in the prelude or f131 reviews did i ever actually here a complaint about noise anyhow.

still, the standard f131 is quieter than the prelude? i wouldn't have supposed that.

that's cool about calling in although i'm not sure what could be done or if i'd want to (since really the only option is the one they give you about the CPU fan), i was just curious about the noise levels, i bet they're both relatively ambient (although i figured the prelude would have been quietest).