NZXT Launches DIY PC Building Kits with Everything You Need (Even a Video Card)

Some of us have been assembling our own custom PCs using roughly the same techniques for going on 20 years now, but the process can still be intimidating for the uninitiated. Not only do you need to physically build a custom PC, you have to know enough about the components to choose the right ones. NZXT is looking to streamline this entire process with its new BLD kits. For one price, you can get all the parts you need to build your own PC, complete with beginner-friendly instructions.

There are currently two BLD kits: One that costs $1,400 called Starter Pro and another dubbed Streaming Plus for $1,600. Even if you’ve never been elbow deep in a computer chassis, these kits should have everything you need, including the components, tools, hardware, and documentation to show you how to assemble it. You also get customer support and a two-year warranty on all the parts. That’s not dissimilar to the deal you get when buying a pre-assembled computer, but this way you get to do it yourself.

The cheaper BLD Starter Pro kit is less “starter” and more “pro,” in my opinion. This build should have no issues playing most of today’s popular games at 60 fps or higher. NZXT makes plenty of its own PC hardware, but most of the components are a bit cheaper than NZXT’s gear. However, you do get the excellent H510 case. Inside that, buyers will install a B560 motherboard (either Asrock or MSI, by the looks), an Intel Core i5-11400F, a 1TB SSD, 16GB of RAM, a Windows 10 license, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. Yes, it comes with the video card, an unexpected luxury in this day and age.

If you want a little more juice, the Streaming Plus kit steps up to an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X and an RTX 3060 Ti. You also get one of NZXT’s well-regarded all-in-one liquid coolers (the Kraken M22). It’s just a 120mm radiator, but that should be fine if you don’t overlock.

Both kits come with an instruction manual, and it’s very high-quality. That’s probably surprising if you’ve spent years relying on dense, poorly translated hardware manuals. This one is fully illustrated, with explanations in plain language, and it even has QR codes that link to how-to videos. I believe anyone with even mild technical knowledge could assemble these systems in a snap.

The nice thing about these kits is you know all the parts will work well together. You just need to pick a kit and follow the instructions to get a fully functional rig. Hopefully, NZXT releases more of these kits in the future.

Continue reading

Mercedes-Benz Unveils 56-Inch ‘Hyperscreen’ Dashboard Panel

Ahead of the now-virtual CES 2021, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the MBUX Hyperscreen, a 56-inch-wide, curved cinematic display that stretches across the entire dashboard, from the left air vent to the right.

Alder Lake Extravaganza: Intel Unloads Details on its Next-Gen CPU

Intel's desktop CPUs have been stuck on 14nm for over six years now, and the cracks in that process node have been showing for at least two. The manufacturer was finally ready to share details on Alder Lake, Gracemont, and Golden Cove with us, and it had a lot to talk about.

Researchers Use AI to Design Plastic-Eating Enzyme

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin may have discovered a new way to deal with plastic waste — an enzyme that breaks down plastics in days that would otherwise persist for centuries.

Newegg Throws a ‘Bonanza’ Sale For GPUs, Motherboards, Related Gaming Gear

The floodgates have finally opened, as Newegg is offering steep discounts on a lot of gaming gear.