Maingear Potenza Super Stock

Bottom Line

Optimum performance and a cool design -- literally -- make the Maingear Potenza Super Stock experts' favorite gaming desktop. A semi-loaded version costs less than $2,000 and "would be welcome in a hard-core gamer's home," PCMag.com says, and you can customize your Super Stock for even mightier performance.

Performance

A gamer's delight. Overclocking is the secret to the Super Stock's "stellar" performance, CNET says; it wrings up to 40 percent more speed out of its Intel processor. Experts test it with the Intel Core i7 3770K, a $195 option, plus a $70 30 GB solid-state cache for "class leading performance" at PCMag.com and elsewhere.

Quite simply, the Potenza has no problem with any game testers throw at it, even the shadowy, post-apocalyptic "Metro 2033," "a game that traditionally brought systems to their knees" at HotHardware.com. Graphics upgrades help: HotHardware.com tests it with the MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti Power Edition (*Est. $195), while CNET and PCMag.com get the Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 (*Est. $405) .

Tons of upgrades are available from Maingear. This is a good thing, critics say, because the Super Stock's small case is crammed so full that it's tough to work in, even for experienced do-it-yourselfers.

Design

It cuts a different figure. The square column-shaped Super Stock is "certainly one of the more unique systems we've seen," PCMag.com says. "Sleek and dark," HotHardware.com calls it. "Attractive," CNET says; "you can put this system pretty much anywhere." Black brushed aluminum panels clothe the sides, with a black plastic mesh lid and only a simple red Maingear logo for decoration unless you opt for one of the eight alternative paint colors (*Est. $50), including fuchsia and burnt orange metallic.

The monolithic design is a bright idea, CNET says, because it puts the motherboard, graphics card, ports and -- most important -- vents on top. It keeps things cool and nearly silent, experts say. But it also means all of your cords will snake out of the top. That can be convenient if your Super Stock sits on the floor, but on your desktop, it "makes the system look a little hydra-like," PCMag.com says. "It's not a deal breaker, but it may prompt you to put the system out of sight rather than displaying it proudly on your desk."

With a small footprint of just more than 7 by 9 by 15 inches and not too heavy at 20 pounds, the Maingear Potenza Super Stock does fit nicely on a desk. Although it's light, its aluminum chassis is "extremely sturdy," HotHardware.com says. "It sits solidly on the desk and won't tip when bumped by accident."

"Portability is a big draw, of course: carrying your computer through the parking lot to a LAN party is much easier if it happens to be an SFF system," HotHardware.com adds. "And some of us just take a lot of pleasure in knowing that our tiny, unassuming PC will drop a few jaws when it's game time."

If you set it on the floor, the Potenza's top-mounted ports are especially convenient. You'll find four USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports, plus eSATA/USB, HDMI, DVI and DisplayPort jacks. Ethernet and Wi-Fi jacks are also located on top; there's a slot-loading DVD burner and Blu-ray is optional.

It's really easy to get into the case, because the panels are held on with clips instead of screws. That's ironic, CNET says, because the Potenza is so hard to upgrade due to the cramped interior. Various displays, speakers, keyboards and more are available as add-ons, but experts don't test them. Zero bloatware is a plus.

Support & reliability

Generous warranty. Maingear backs the Super Stock with a hefty warranty: lifetime labor and U.S.-based phone support, three years parts and 30 days of two-way shipping. Remote virtual desktop diagnosis is available, as is on-site service, but only if Maingear feels it's warranted.

Value

Terrific performance at a fair price. "The Maingear Potenza has just about everything you'd want from a high-end system," HotHardware.com says, and at a reasonable price. Although you can find budget-priced gaming desktops for less, experts don't hesitate to recommend the Maingear Potenza Super Stock as a great value.