BEST Intel Gaming PCs at PAX East

The video documents the conclusion of the Intel Extreme Rig Challenge at PAX East 2017, where seven finalist teams display highly customized gaming PCs built around seventh generation Intel Core i7 processors and 600p SSDs. The host walks through the four judging categories: Most Creative, Best Engineered, Highest Performance, and Community Choice, detailing how each team approached their build and what made them stand out. In the Most Creative category, CyberPowerPC, Zidax, and NC PC are highlighted for bold design choices such as copper piping, a frame chassis, and vibrant orange accents, along with a dramatic monochrome water cooling scheme and external lighting controls that enhance the visual impact. The narrative emphasizes the judges’ votes and how voters ultimately crowned CyberPowerPC with Zidax and NC PC tying for second, underscoring the competition’s emphasis on aesthetics and ingenuity. In the Best Engineered category, NCX, Zidax, and Ava Direct are praised for cable management, clean color palettes, and sophisticated water cooling, with Ava Direct earning first place for its refined presentation and meticulous craftsmanship. The Highest Performance category spotlights Ava Direct, Zidax, and IBuyPower, highlighting performance metrics and unique features such as IBuyPower’s Snow Blind build with a translucent monitor side panel and a rain meter setup. Finally, the Community Choice Award, decided by fan votes, crowns Origin PC for offering dual VR-ready systems within an eye-catching blue chassis, illustrating how value and versatility can drive audience preference. The video closes by thanking participants, Intel for sponsoring the event, and inviting viewers to suggest future iterations while praising the impressive hardware on display. Each segment demonstrates how form and function are balanced in high-end gaming rigs, and the overall takeaway is that these builds push the boundaries of custom PC design while delivering solid performance. The final verdict shows a blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and community engagement as the event culminates.

Topics · technology events · hardware · gaming PCs · PC hardware optimization