Syber Vapor A - Steambox type finally done right? Almost

[Misanthrope]

Well here it is

 

 

And here are the specs:

 

Gaming Chasis: SYBER VAPOR PC Gaming Console Chassis (White Color)

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 840 3.1GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Quad-Core Processor

Freebies: None

CPU / Processor Cooling Fan: AMD Certified CPU Fan & Heatsink

Motherboard: MSI A88XI AC FM2+ mITX, AC Wi-Fi 802.11 + Bluetooth, USB 3+ SATA 6GB/s GbLAN, 1 Gen3 PCIe x16

RAM / System Memory: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)

Video Card: AMD Radeon R9 270 2GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 x16 Video Card (Single Card)

Freebies: None

Power Supply: 250 Watts – Standard SFX Power Supply

Hard Drive: 500GB 5400RPM SATA300 Hard Drive

Secondary Hard Drive: None

External Optical Drive: None

Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO

LCD Monitor: None

Cables: 6-FT HDMI Flat Cable, V1.4, Supports 3D & 4K Resolution, Gold Plated Connector Cable (1 piece)

Speakers: None

Internal Network Card: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network

Remote: Mini QWERTY Keyboard with Touchpad

Keyboard: None

Mouse: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge

Mouse Pad: None

Headset: None

Controllers: Logitech F710 Wireless Gamepad

Gaming Gear: None

External Wireless Network Card: None

Wireless Routers/Hubs: None

Docking Station: None

Video Camera: None

Power & Surge Protection: None

External USB ADAPTER: None

Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 8.1 (64-bit Edition) and Office 365 FREE 30 Days Trial

Office Suite: None

Games: None

Rush Service: RUSH!!! READY TO SHIP IN 3 BUSINESS DAYS

 

So it appears that Cyberpower has done a lot more things right than Dell/Alienware (which imho didn't do that poorly but this is just better) by putting together an actually solid kill-your-console SFX based system. It has an actually capable GPU, it's fully upgradeable and still includes a controller and tiny keyboard.

The bad part? 250 watt PSU. I must say....WAT....Seriously I'm surprised this system is even stable enough to power on at all and it makes your upgrades mostly theoretical until you purchase a silverstone SFX PSU at the very least since any other GPU (with the exception of maybe an upcoming 960 since that is maxwell and it should require even less power than the 970) will likely bring the PSU down to it's knees. 

Still though this is what I envision as an excellent way to tell someone "You don't wanna build your own? Want a couch experience? For 600 you can actually do 1080p 60FPS and get truly next gen looks unlike your console"

 

Here's Joanne's video on it too

 

 

Sauce: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/SYBER_VAPOR_A

[Lays]

r9 270

 

1080p 60FPS

 

maybe at low settings...?

[Mooshi]

I'd still rather have a Wii/PS4 or build a SFF PC myself with this case towards the left.

 

 

There is no such thing as a steambox, it's just another SFF build with a special Linux which doesn't make much sense since the bulk of gaming is on Windows.

[Misanthrope]

r9 270

 

1080p 60FPS

 

maybe at low settings...?

No it can do medium on several titles. It's not the greatest card out there but it's certainly more powerful than the consoles and should manage ok. Even on high settings on some games:

[Misanthrope]

I'd still rather have a Wii/PS4 or build a SFF PC myself with this case towards the left.

 

-pic-

 

There is no such thing as a steambox, it's just another SFF build with a special Linux which doesn't make much sense since the bulk of gaming is on Windows.

I agree I would rather build those as well and regarding steambox, I did said "type" in my title implying it's no steambox, but steambox-like.

[ShadowCaptain]

Hmm its not bad though its not as cute/small as the Alpha, and it does not have the controller driven interface, so its basically just a small windows PC

 

$500 (without keyboard, wireless mouse and gamepad)

 

So for $600 its actually a pretty good deal considering you get windows AND the peripherals included

 

(note used an 860k cos the 840 was not on ppp)

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($77.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: MSI A88XI AC Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard  ($98.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($42.49 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital AV-GP 500GB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($40.98 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card  ($131.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Silverstone ML07B HTPC Case  ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Certified SFX Power Supply  ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $499.40

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-17 10:54 EST-0500

[Misanthrope]

Hmm its not bad though its not as cute/small as the Alpha, and it does not have the controller driven interface, so its basically just a small windows PC

 

$500 (without keyboard, wireless mouse and gamepad)

 

So for $600 its actually a pretty good deal considering you get windows AND the peripherals included

 

(note used an 860k cos the 840 was not on ppp)

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($77.98 @ OutletPC) 

Motherboard: MSI A88XI AC Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard  ($98.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($42.49 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Western Digital AV-GP 500GB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($40.98 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card  ($131.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Silverstone ML07B HTPC Case  ($68.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Certified SFX Power Supply  ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Total: $499.40

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-17 10:54 EST-0500

The one thing that jumps out is that you went for a more capable PSU. I guess Cyberpower had to cut cost to get a bit more margin somewhere but I am not a fan of that move myself.

[Guest]

The video review is a bit of a joke.

No measurements of sound or temperature levels, no gaming benchmarks.

[ZetZet]

r9 270

 

1080p 60FPS

 

maybe at low settings...?

it runs bf4 at more than 60 on ultra. maybe high, 270x definitely runs it on ultra preset at like 80 with mantle.

[RelentlessAF]

There is no such thing as a steambox, it's just another SFF build with a special Linux which doesn't make much sense since the bulk of gaming is on Windows.

Valve has/ is working with a lot of devs to start bringing a lot of major titles to Linux. The newest Borderlands is a good example.

[Mooshi]

Valve has/ is working with a lot of devs to start bringing a lot of major titles to Linux. The newest Borderlands is a good example.

 

I'm not knocking Linux, I actually wish some Windows only stuff I use was native to Linux since WINE only goes so far. I'm more speaking for the present time where the bulk of gaming is still Windows. Now if we can squeeze beefier specs, keep the console footprint and have some Windows only software finally native to Linux, I can see myself getting one of these types of devices in the future.

[Volbet]

The included keyboard seem a rebranded Chill keyboard (atleast it's the same OEM). http://www.chill-innovation.com/en/bluetooth-keyboards/15-chill-kb-1bt-wireless-bluetooth-micro-keyboard-uk-5711045075629.html#.VJGpA7ACJA

If that is the case, I would recommend getting a different keyboard. The track pad isn't all that good, and the keys can be difficult to press. 

 

The price of the system doesn't seem to bad.

I would have like a part about thermals and acustics in the video. For me it would be dealbreak if it sounded like a jet plan and/or heated up my whole livingroom.

[RelentlessAF]

I'm not knocking Linux, I actually wish some Windows only stuff I use was native to Linux since WINE only goes so far. I'm more speaking for the present time where the bulk of gaming is still Windows. Now if we can squeeze beefier specs, keep the console footprint and have some Windows only software finally native to Linux, I can see myself getting one of these types of devices in the future.

Sure, the point being though that the gaming aspect will transfer over with the release of Steam OS.

[Guest]

I would have like a part about thermals and acustics in the video. For me it would be dealbreak if it ... heated up my whole livingroom.

 

That is such a weird and common misconception. Chip temperatures are not an indicator of how much heat gets transfered into surrounding air. Power consumption is what determines the heat output and high chip temperatures only signify that the mechanism for transferring the heat from chip to air is insufficient.

[ShadowCaptain]

The one thing that jumps out is that you went for a more capable PSU. I guess Cyberpower had to cut cost to get a bit more margin somewhere but I am not a fan of that move myself.

 

I literally picked the cheapest SFX psu on pcpartpicker

 

250 watts is fine, but if you want to upgrade the pc in the future you are basically going to have to gut the whole thing and replace the PSU

[Volbet]

That is such a weird and common misconception. Chip temperatures are not an indicator of how much heat gets transfered into surrounding air. Power consumption is what determines the heat output and high chip temperatures only signify that the mechanism for transferring the heat from chip to air is inefficient.

I never talked about the chip temperatur? I was talking about the thermals of the system, not the CPU/GPU. 

Of course it shouldn't throttel the chips, but aside from that I don't care.

[unperfect paul]

I would rather spend the extra 20$ on this then buy that but I would not blink an eye to recommend that to someone who did not want a custom build.(idk why they wouldn't want one)

 

I upgraded the hard drive, the psu and a case that I just like better

 

.http://pcpartpicker.com/p/V7qqVn

[Psykomantis00]

Implying the alpha is bad. 

 

 

[Misanthrope]

Implying the alpha is bad.

I'm actually one of the only persons around that did like the alpha. But the thing is that you're getting a better and upgradeable system here.

[dmegatool]

I would rather spend the extra 20$ on this then buy that but I would not blink an eye to recommend that to someone who did not want a custom build.(idk why they wouldn't want one)

 

I upgraded the hard drive, the psu and a case that I just like better

 

.http://pcpartpicker.com/p/V7qqVn

 

Plus the Windows license, plus the controller, plus that mini keyboard... 

[Psykomantis00]

I'm actually one of the only persons around that did like the alpha. But the thing is that you're getting a better and upgradeable system here.

I'd rather have the intel based system. The alpha is super small compared to the xbox and ps4. This syber looks big and the name is silly, plus the controller looks shitty. The alpha for 550 for the i3 is a better deal I think. If you plan staged upgrades every year when you can find things at low prices (around black friday) you can upgrade to an i5 (i7 is overkill) and 8gb of ram. I think that the 1tb hdd is perfect here and don't really recommend an SSD unless you can get a 1tb and don't care about the extra money. The speed increase won't really help much more than boot times and if you use it as intended and only as a steambox then you won't need the speed as much as you would think. Take the alpha for 550, add 150-200 and upgrade the cpu/ram if you can budget it after the first 6 months or so and you're golden. Then you just upgrade to an ssd when you have extra cash. I think with the latest price drops of the consoles the alpha might be a harder sale, but it's still a competitor as dell has offered gift cards and discounts before the thing was even available. 

[Victorious Secret]

Will these guys EVER realize that just cause its for gaming, doesn't mean it needs to look like some 12 year old designed and put it together? 

You know why consoles look the way they do, especially the hunk of old school VCR known as the One? 

CAUSE THE BLEND IN WITH HOME THEATRE EQUIPMENT SEAMLESSY. I don't keep my shit moving around on my stands. It stays in one place. Having things that match is kinda nice. My Blu Ray player is black. My Pioneer Elite TV is black. My Pioneer receiver is black. Its all blended especially when its dark. 

I don't need THAT. That looks awesome. Figure out your home theatre equipment aesthetics first, they matter a hell of a lot to people who keep these things out in the open. 

[Misanthrope]

I'd rather have the intel based system. The alpha is super small compared to the xbox and ps4. This syber looks big and the name is silly, plus the controller looks shitty. The alpha for 550 for the i3 is a better deal I think. If you plan staged upgrades every year when you can find things at low prices (around black friday) you can upgrade to an i5 (i7 is overkill) and 8gb of ram. I think that the 1tb hdd is perfect here and don't really recommend an SSD unless you can get a 1tb and don't care about the extra money. The speed increase won't really help much more than boot times and if you use it as intended and only as a steambox then you won't need the speed as much as you would think. Take the alpha for 550, add 150-200 and upgrade the cpu/ram if you can budget it after the first 6 months or so and you're golden. Then you just upgrade to an ssd when you have extra cash. I think with the latest price drops of the consoles the alpha might be a harder sale, but it's still a competitor as dell has offered gift cards and discounts before the thing was even available.

Those CPU upgrades are mostly meaningless to gamers: The only upgrade that will matter is a new GPU like a 960 or 970 ITX down the road. You will certainly not be "golden" in fact the opposite: You'll be held back by the integrated laptop GPU

With no upgrades taken into consideration, then yes I can see why you would prefer the more compact and cooler running alpha.

[Victorious Secret]

I'd still rather have a Wii/PS4 or build a SFF PC myself with this case towards the left.

 

 

 

There is no such thing as a steambox, it's just another SFF build with a special Linux which doesn't make much sense since the bulk of gaming is on Windows.

 

People draw too much wood over SteamOS and Steamboxes as if they are some brand new invention that will revolutionize everything. 

 

[Psykomantis00]

Those CPU upgrades are mostly meaningless to gamers: The only upgrade that will matter is a new GPU like a 960 or 970 ITX down the road. You will certainly not be "golden" in fact the opposite: You'll be held back by the integrated laptop GPU

With no upgrades taken into consideration, then yes I can see why you would prefer the more compact and cooler running alpha.

The i5 would be a great upgrade, the i7 would be overkill. That isn't a terrible gpu. I'm not intending to play games on ultra at 120fps at 4k. That isn't the purpose of the machine. As long as it performs as well as an xbox one or ps4 or better, that's all that matters.