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Maingear Touts New Rig As "Planet's Greenest Gaming PC"

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bold-claims dept.

Maingear has just unveiled what they are calling the "planet's greenest gaming PC." Built using a small form factor and coming with Intel's new Ion graphics as the default option, this little powerhouse is built with a definite eye toward energy consumption. "Said configuration is available with Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs and an 80+ certified 300-watt power supply; those who care more about frame rates than Ma Earth can opt for a GeForce 9800 GT ECO, which — despite being a discrete, power-hungry GPU — still swallows some 40 percent less power than a standard 9800 GT. You'll also find WiFi support, room for an optional Blu-ray drive and TV tuner, upwards of 8GB of RAM and room for a single 2.5-inch HDD or SSD. The whole box checks in at just 7.6- x 8.3- x 11.4-inches, and it's available for order right now starting at $799."

20 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. The only green move by laurensv · · Score: 4, Funny

    is not to play

    1. Re:The only green move by conspirator57 · · Score: 4, Informative

      and if you do, keep your current machine as long as possible. the manufacturing process is the most ecologically unfriendly aspect of computer manufacture, followed by landfill at end of life. and when you do finally replace your machine, try to replace components. your case is still good and there's usually no need to demand a new one be made for you. and when you replace components, try to recycle them. even in bfe rural virginia my county accepts electronics for recycling. chances are good that your municipality does too. if not, then many big box stores are starting to as well.

      --
      "If still these truths be held to be
      Self evident."
      -Edna St. Vincent Millay
    2. Re:The only green move by SomeJoel · · Score: 4, Funny

      the manufacturing process is the most ecologically unfriendly aspect of computer manufacture

      Is it really?

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  2. Ummm... by Darkness404 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I don't think this really qualifies as either a real gaming PC or a green PC. Sure, it will play games, but I wouldn't call it a gaming PC. Same thing with green, it uses a bit too much power to be considered really all that green. Sure, its a good compromise but I don't think its really that green or really that much of a gaming PC.

    --
    Taxation is legalized theft, no more, no less.
    1. Re:Ummm... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 4, Interesting

      What part of this machine does "not qualify as a real gaming PC"? The GeForce 9800 or the Core 2 Duo? Is it the 8gig of RAM?

      Or is it "not a gaming PC" because it doesn't have neon lights, racing stripes and tinted glass?

      Which game will this computer not play at very high levels?

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    2. Re:Ummm... by Darkness404 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Having read TFA I see no mention of 8 gigs of RAM. The Core 2 Duo isn't exactly blazing fast, though it could play some games reasonably well. The small case also hurts it because most gaming PCs are designed for expandability, which is also quite "green" because it saves you from buying a new computer. Also, most gaming PCs are overclock-able, and have large enough PSU to upgrade decently.

      --
      Taxation is legalized theft, no more, no less.
    3. Re:Ummm... by ShadowRangerRIT · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The Core 2 Duo isn't exactly blazing fast...

      No game I've played has even been constrained by my Core 2 Duo (E6600). Heck, I keep it downclocked to 1.6 GHz (vs. 2.4 GHz standard) most of the time and often forget to reset the clock to normal before launching a game. I rarely notice the difference. Of course, it follows that at this point, overclocking the CPU is a pointless exercise. The GPU matters, but on smaller monitors (read: 1680x1050 or less), most games can't even max out the capabilities of a high end two year old graphics card.

      Also, a gaming PC is a gaming PC based on performance, not expandability. Yes, I built my home desktop on a huge chassis to allow expandability, but from age 5-24 I used pre-built gaming PCs that rarely had an upgrade more extreme than an extra stick of memory.

      The lack of expandability is an arguable knock against its greenness though, for exactly the reason you gave.

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  3. Eco what? by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Slap together some mid range components, an ugly case and call it Prius... err Pulse.
    It's "eco-conscious" says the article/advertisement/press release.

    Too much power usage to be truly green. Too little performance to be a real gaming rig. Lame.

  4. Next up, world's most efficient sports car by merreborn · · Score: 4, Funny

    And for their next trick, they're targeting the auto industry, planning a sports car that gets 40 mpg.

    Sure, it may have an unimpressive 0-60 time of 8.4 seconds, but they've gotta hop on this "green" bandwagon while they still can!

  5. I'm conflicted... by BobMcD · · Score: 5, Insightful

    On the one hand, this seems like a good alternative. On the other, the notion is basically incompatible. After all, wouldn't the greenest thing of all be to simply unplug and go till your garden?

    I fear that 'green' is becoming more about fashion than it is about the Earth, and the notion of a green way to do a very non-green thing seems to support that. Sort of like a hybrid SUV, an eco-friendly landfill, or a more merciful way to kill whales.

    Some things just aren't green...

    Why do I feel the need to go buy carbon credits just for posting this?

    1. Re:I'm conflicted... by Uniquitous · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I came here to say that. "Green" is just a trendy buzzword now. The current crop of airheads trying to out-do each other at who can be the greenest... have any of them read or even heard of the Mother Earth News, tried building a solar heat catcher to lower their heating bills, hell, done anything beside throw their plastic in the bin at Whole Foods and patted themselves on the back?

    2. Re:I'm conflicted... by Talderas · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I fear that 'green' is becoming more about fashion than it is about the Earth

      Wait, it hasn't always been about fashion?

      --
      "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
    3. Re:I'm conflicted... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Some things just aren't green...

      There might be some people who like to play games but still want to keep their power consumption down a bit. Of all the gizmos in a person's house, the computer is not really the most power hungry, nor does it waste the most power.

      Just because some things are not generally associated with conservation does not mean an effort should not be made to make their power consumption more efficient. Driving cross country isn't generally considered "green" but I'd still rather do it in a Prius than a Hummer.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
  6. That's kind of a stretch. by FireballX301 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Those parts are outdated for anyone who cares to be on the 'bleeding edge' in gaming, and anyone who doesn't can build their own version of that rig at about half the price (ignoring the form factor).

    Given the probable lifetime energy savings of that $800 box over the $400 DIY job, plus the base environmental costs of building all those parts, you're essentially spending money to have someone else make you feel better.

  7. 300 Watts is green? by Yvan256 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Then what the hell is the Mac mini at only 110W?

    Sure, it's not a "gaming PC" but it does have a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and the nVidia 9400M is about the same as Ion graphics too, not to mention that the Mac mini is smaller and cheaper. And yes, you can install Windows on it if you want.

    So what's special about that not-so-small Maingear "green" PC again?

  8. BOFH on green computing by Eil · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oblig. BOFH:

    "A REAL computer has ONE speed and the only powersaving it permits is when you pull the power leads out of the back!" I blurt. "In fact, a REAL computer would have a hole in the front to push trees into and an exhaust pipe out the back for the black smoke to come out of."

  9. Sort of... by sbeckstead · · Score: 3, Funny

    Strikes me as World's Greenest Gaming PC, is equivalent to Worlds Gentlest Rape.

    --
    Why bother
  10. Greenest Gaming PC by Daimanta · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Is like the most fuel-efficient Hummer. Who cares about it?

    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
  11. Re:Typo by amoeba1911 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That's a pretty big typo, writing intel instead of nvidia and throwing in the word "gaming" in there somehow when this thing isn't a gaming PC at all. This whole article is one big typo. I wish I could unread it.

  12. Re:I hate the word "rig" by HikingStick · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Hmmm...I've been kicking up dust on this planet for a good long while now, and have used "rig" regularly any time I'm referring to something that is a complete configuration or package:
    • fishing (rod, reel, tackle)
    • specific fishing tackle conifigurations
      • Lindy rig
      • Texax rig
      • Carolina rig
    • a bike (rims, wheels, fenders, rack, paniers, lights)
    • an outdoor dumbwaiter for a treehouse (box, pulleys, rope)
    • sailing (masts, lines, sails, winches)

    The word isn't as narrow as I think you'd like it to be.

    --
    I use irony whenever I can, but my shirts are still wrinkled...