High-end gaming PCs have earned quite a reputation in the past few years, becoming an increasingly mainstream way to kick back and play video games with more power than a console can traditionally offer. The Origin PC Chronos is one such high-end gaming rig, packing a powerful enough punch to run even the sharpest games on the market, but it would be doing the system a disservice to say that its benefits end there.

The Origin PC Chronos can pack impressively large hardware into a reasonably small amount of space, with the guts of the PC itself being built into a case about half the size of a full tower, though Origin doesn't outright call it a Mini-ATX tower. It boasts an aesthetically pleasing design, letting the users see the insides at work through a tempered-glass side, and offering RGB control through Corsair's iCue software. Plus, the entire build is whisper-quiet, so there shouldn't be any fears of annoying background hums or sounds.

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The Chronos PC is customizable on Origin's website and there's a wide range of hardware available, so mileage will vary depending on how much users are willing to invest in a new gaming desktop. Prices for completed builds start at $1,540, plus shipping costs. The spec provided to Game Rant, which has an MSRP of $3,179, contains:

  • CPU: Intel Core i7 10700K 8-Core 3.6GHz (4.9GHz TurboBoost)
  • Motherboard: MSI MEG Z490I UNIFY
  • GPU: NVIDIA 10GB GeForce RTX 3080
  • Memory: 16GB CORSAIR VENGEANCE 3200MHz (2x8GB)
  • Cooling: Corsair H60 Hydro Series 120mm
  • Primary Drive (OS): 512GB OPC Powered by Samsung
  • Storage Drive: 1TB Samsung 870 QVO Series
  • Power Supply: 750 Watt CORSAIR SFX Series

The Origin PC Chronos is available here.

Much of the system's technical appeal comes from the 3080, one of the newest cards in Nvidia's lineup. The card represents a significant leap over the 2080, and the difference between the two will be immediately noticeable for those that are upgrading, especially to anyone that skipped the 20-series cards, and may still be rocking a 10-series Nvidia GPU or older. The 3080 is still nearly impossible to find, so some may even be tempted to jump onto a system like Origin's Chronos PC for the upgrade, and considering the cost of a 3080 on a site like eBay right now, it isn't a horrible idea, especially for those looking to completely overhaul their setup.

The Origin PC Chronos offers just about the best possible gaming experience out there right now, and that's unlikely to change for a few years. Even while playing recent triple-a titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla with maxed out settings, there were only rarely performance dips. Those running games in 1080p should have no trouble getting the most out of their games visually without running into any FPS slumps, but bumping things up to 1440p or higher may run into trouble occasionally, especially whileutilizing ray tracing. However, those issues were minimal in our testing, even across a broad range of titles.

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Similar to its traditional PC gaming experience, playing in virtual reality was buttery smooth in pretty much every instance. Using the Oculus Quest with Oculus Link, VR games were just as smooth as any other title tested, an essential element for games that rely so heavily on consistent performance. Plus, there's a USB-C port on the front of the tower, which makes it easy to shift around the setup when using Oculus Link.

That convenient port selection is mirrored throughout the entire system. Everything one could ask for is here, minus older video outputs like VGA and DVI, but anyone opting for a rig with a 3080 should be using a display port for full effect anyway, so the other ports aren't necessary. Plus, the computer has a healthy selection of audio output options, so there's certainly plenty of versatility.

The only consistent quirk across multiple titles involved tabbing in and out of games, which would sometimes cause sharp performance declines for about a minute. Throughout our testing, we were unable to determine the exact cause of this issue, though it was more of an annoyance than a critical flaw, as it didn't happen all that frequently. Still, it's something that those with single monitor setups might get tired of, especially if they're constantly fiddling around with apps like Spotify or Discord in the background.

Final Impressions

Buyers are absolutely getting what they pay for, but that still comes at a hefty cost, and the price tag doesn't factor in the cost of a fancy gaming monitor or any other peripherals that once may want to pick up. Those that are looking for the most out of their games — and willing to pay for that privilege — will be hard-pressed to find anything better than the Origin PC Chronos built out the right way. It's one of the most impressive pieces of hardware available right now, both aesthetically and in terms of performance. Plus, there are customer service and warranty benefits that come with buying a pre-built unit.

The Origin PC Chronos is a stellar option for hardcore enthusiasts looking for the best of the best. It's a considerable investment, but one that offers unbridled power and a relatively space-conscious form factor. Its customizability is worth admiring, as is its RGB integration and port selection. Origin offers a few different bundles to sweeten the deal, often a free game or piece of hardware, which does take away some of the sting of its cost, so on the whole, those aching for a top-tier gaming setup need look no further than the Chronos.

The Origin PC Chronos is available now. Game Rant was provided a unit for this review.

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