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THE BOTTOM LINE
EDITORS' RATING
EXCELLENT
The iBUYPOWER Element MR 9320 is that PC that easily handles modern games and productivity tasks with ease, better than a typical gaming console without costing too much.
When we sit down and think of the purpose of boutique PC builders in 2020, everything points to creating some of the most fantastic PCs that you can’t do yourself. The iBUYPOWER Element MR 9320 arrives at a time when its predecessor the iBUYPOWER Element 9260 is still shining in the limelight as one of the best custom PCs for 1080p gaming productivity. It offers all you’d need in a midrange rig; power, versatility, and a unique chassis that’s a sight to behold.
So, the iBUYPOWER Element MR 9320 is basically a refreshed iteration of the base model, and while it gets a newer 10th generation CPU, you aren’t paying a huge premium for what amount to a pretty solid build.
For instance, the configuration we’re reviewing includes an Intel i7-10700F (Comet Lake) chip, Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti GPU, and 16GB memory, but will set you back almost the same amount you’re paying for a Core i7-9700F-powered machine. That’s a huge chunk of saving for new components.
Design
Now, sure, there are more expensive custom-built PCs out there, but the fact remains that the Element MR 9320 uses a custom-built PC case that you would legitimately find somewhere else, but it looks great. The case does get the job done, with three LED rings on the front panel and a tempered glass side panel through which you can see the neat interior, and makes for tool-less access in case you need to access the interior components.
Measuring 22 x 12.6 x 21 inches (HWD) and weighing 31.4 pounds, this standard tower is in the same ballpark as most of its competitors, so it won’t take much space on your desk.
Ports
Port selection on the iBUYPOWER Element MR 9320 is excellent, meaning you have most of the ports you’d need to connect all your peripherals. The front easy-access ports include separate microphone jacks, a pair of USB Type-A ports, and a power button.
Around the back, you have four USB 3.0 ports, a pair of legacy PS/2 ports, an audio/mic combo, and video outputs (DisplayPort and HDMI) for multiple monitor setups. Wireless connectivity comes via 802.11AC Wi-Fi. Also bundled into the package are a gaming keyboard and RGB gaming mouse.
Performance
The iBUYPOWER Element MR 9320 we’re reviewing packs a 10th-Gen Intel Core i7-10700F processor, Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti (6GB) graphics card, 16GB DDR4 memory, 240GB SSD, and a 1TB hard drive for storing all your games and pretty much everything else. These are respectable specs these days, to be sure, and are more than capable of playing modern PC games at 1080p without issue. And, when. Not gaming, you can run productivity tasks like photo editing and media creation hassle-free.
In game, the iBUYPOWER Element MR 9320 is a solid performer, too, with the machine hitting an average of 138 fps and 105 fps in Battlefield 1 and Far Cry 5, respectively, played in 1080p (high settings). That’s remarkable, but the frame rates drop to 99 fps and 81 fps when played at 1440p, which is still acceptable considering the GTX 1660 Ti is an entry-level GPU that can’t compete with Nvidia’s RTX 2000 Series cards.
The Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti card used here supports Virtual Reality (VR) such as Oculus Rift and HTV Vive, averaging a perfect 8 in tests, something you can’t easily find at this price range.
Bottom Line
You’ll enjoy using the iBUYPOWER Element 9320. It provides smooth gaming performance for 1080p games, along with productivity options when not in the game. The chassis hasn’t changed from last year’s model but it looks great; connectivity options are superb; and it’s not too expensive, as gaming PCs with newer components go.
That said, this configuration is a perfectly good choice for gamers who want to upgrade from a tired rig or those who want to join the PC market but aren’t quite comfortable enough to build their own gaming machines from scratch. And given the iBUYPOWER Element MR 9320’s easy upgradability, this gaming PC is easily more future-proof than your typical gaming console.
Editors' Choice
iBUYPOWER Gaming PC Computer Desktop 1000iV2 (Intel i7-10700F 2.9GHz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 480GB SSD, 2TB HDD, WiFi Ready, Windows 10 Home)
