The PowerSpec G479, available at Micro Center, is a high-performance desktop designed to meet the needs of gamers, content creators, and professionals requiring cutting-edge computing power. With its impressive components to handle demanding workloads such as 4K gaming, 3D rendering, and video editing. This review will provide an in-depth analysis of the PowerSpec G479. So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
Micro Center PowerSpec G479 Gaming Desktop PC, Intel Core i9 14900KF CPU Processor 3.2GHz, Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4080 Super Aero OC 16GB, G.Skill 64GB...
- Intel Core i9 14900KF (3.2 GHz) CPU: Unleash uncompromised gaming performance with 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) and 32 threads. Achieve smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and rapid responsiveness with a leading max clock speed of up to 6.0 GHz.
- Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super Aero OC 16GB GDDR6X GPU: Experience stunning visuals, ultra-fast frame rates, and AI acceleration with this powerful Graphics Card. It features 16GB GDDR6X memory, WINDFORCE cooling, dual BIOS, and a protective metal back plate. Ideal for gaming and creative applications.
- MSI Z790 Edge Wifi Motherboard: Designed for non-stop gaming, the MSI Z790 MOBO features an enlarged heatsink with heat-pipe, MOSFET thermal pads rated for 7W/mk, and additional choke thermal pads. The M.2 Shield Frozr Heatsink keeps your system cool even under heavy loads.
- Lian Li RGB 206 Mesh Case: A powerful and stylish all-white mid-tower PC case with optimized cooling support. It features airflow-optimized mesh panels at the front and top, with a magnetic dust filter. Your PC case comes equipped with two front 160mm ARGB PWM fans and customizable ARGB lighting. The solid steel metal frame features 4.0mm tempered glass and support for a 360mm radiator. PC Case Dimensions: 462mm (D) x 220mm (W) x 488mm (H).
- G.SKILL 64GB DDR5-5600 RAM | Western Digital 2TB Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD | PowerSpec 850W 80+ Gold PSU | 2.5GbE LAN, 2x2 WiFi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3 | Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
Micro Center PowerSpec G479 Specifications
Here’s a detailed spec sheet for the PowerSpec G479:
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i9-14900KF, 24 cores, 32 threads, 3.2GHz base, 6.0GHz boost |
| Motherboard | MSI Z790 Edge WiFi |
| Graphics Card | Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4080 Super Aero OC, 16GB GDDR6X |
| Memory (RAM) | G.SKILL 64GB DDR5-5600 |
| Storage | Western Digital 2TB Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Power Supply Unit (PSU) | PowerSpec 850W, 80+ Gold Certification |
| Networking | 2.5GbE LAN, 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 11 Pro |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 18.25″ x 8.7″ x 19.25″ |
| Weight | 47.9 pounds |
| Cooling | Air cooling system with multiple fans, 360mm liquid cooling |
| USB Ports | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, Type-C, additional USB 3.2 ports on rear panel |
| Display Outputs | HDMI, DisplayPort for multi-monitor setups |
| Audio Ports | Headphone jack, microphone input, audio-out |
| PCIe Slots | Multiple PCIe slots for expansion (e.g., additional GPU or storage) |
| RGB Lighting | Customizable LED strip on the front panel |
Design and Build
The PowerSpec G479 sports a sleek, modern design with a chassis that blends performance with aesthetics. Measuring 18.25″ in depth, 8.7″ in width, and 19.25″ in height, and weighing in at 47.9 pounds, it’s a sizable machine, exuding a premium feel with its black metal exterior and angular edges. The front panel is equipped with an LED strip that can be customized for a personalized look, appealing to those who enjoy a touch of gaming flair in their setups.
On the inside, the spacious layout offers easy access for upgrades and cable management. The inclusion of an MSI Z790 Edge WiFi motherboard ensures a solid foundation for expansion, with ample room for additional storage devices and PCIe slots for extra peripherals. The cooling system is efficient, with strategically placed fans that maintain airflow to ensure the components stay at optimal temperatures during demanding tasks. The GPU, a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4080 Super Aero OC, fits seamlessly within the chassis, providing enough space for air circulation around the powerful graphics card.
The case is well-built, with sturdy metal construction and a robust interior that protects the components from external factors. However, the machine’s size might be considered large for those with limited desk space. Despite its substantial weight, the build quality is solid, with attention to detail ensuring both performance and aesthetics are prioritized. This machine is clearly designed to accommodate the high-end specifications inside without compromising on the exterior presentation.
Performance
The PowerSpec G479 is powered by one of the most potent processors available in the consumer market today: the Intel Core i9-14900KF. This processor boasts 24 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock speed of 3.2GHz and the ability to boost up to 6.0GHz, making it an excellent choice for both multitasking and single-threaded applications. Whether running demanding software, gaming, or rendering, the i9-14900KF offers exceptional processing power that can tackle virtually anything thrown at it. For gaming enthusiasts, this CPU ensures smooth performance even in CPU-intensive titles, providing the necessary speed for next-generation gaming experiences.
Paired with the i9-14900KF is the MSI Z790 Edge WiFi motherboard, which supports the latest connectivity standards and provides room for future upgrades. The motherboard is designed to maximize the performance of the CPU, ensuring stable overclocking, fast data transfer, and sufficient power delivery for sustained workloads. This is a solid foundation for a performance-oriented build and works seamlessly with the rest of the system components.
For graphics, the PowerSpec G479 is equipped with the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4080 Super Aero OC, a powerful GPU capable of handling 4K gaming, AI-assisted workflows, and heavy graphical rendering. The RTX 4080 supports ray tracing and DLSS, allowing for highly realistic visual effects and smooth frame rates even in the most graphically demanding titles. This makes the G479 ideal for gamers and content creators who need top-tier graphical performance. The GPU’s 16GB of VRAM ensures that it can handle large textures and complex render tasks without any issues.
In terms of overall performance, the PowerSpec G479 stands out as an all-around powerhouse. It can easily handle resource-intensive tasks, such as video editing, 3D rendering, and complex simulations. Gamers will appreciate the smooth, high-framerate experience at 4K resolution, even with demanding titles. The machine remains responsive even when multitasking with multiple applications and browser tabs open.
Memory and Storage
The PowerSpec G479 is equipped with 64GB of G.SKILL DDR5-5600 RAM, which is ideal for heavy multitasking, creative work, and gaming. DDR5 technology is designed to offer faster speeds and higher bandwidth than DDR4, which directly impacts performance when running resource-intensive applications such as video editing software or 3D rendering programs. The 64GB of memory ensures that the system can handle large datasets, numerous applications, and virtual machines without experiencing slowdowns or performance degradation. For content creators, professionals, or users who need to run memory-hungry applications, this ample memory capacity is a huge benefit.
The Western Digital 2TB Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD offers lightning-fast read and write speeds, courtesy of the PCIe Gen 4 interface. With sequential read speeds of up to 7,000MB/s and write speeds nearing 5,300MB/s, it provides excellent responsiveness for large file transfers, application launches, and game loads. The 2TB capacity ensures that users have ample storage space for their files, media, and applications without worrying about running out of space too soon. The SSD is perfect for those who require fast access to data, whether for video editing, gaming, or software development.
Connectivity and Ports
The PowerSpec G479 provides an array of modern connectivity options to cater to the needs of a variety of users. It supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), offering faster wireless speeds and lower latency compared to previous Wi-Fi standards. This makes it an excellent choice for gamers, content creators, or anyone who needs a reliable, fast internet connection. The addition of Bluetooth 5.3 ensures that the G479 can connect to a wide range of Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as wireless headphones, speakers, or peripherals.
The 2.5GbE LAN port is another standout feature, offering faster wired network speeds for tasks such as large file transfers or gaming, where a stable and high-speed connection is crucial. The machine ensures high-speed internet connectivity, whether through Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet.
The I/O ports are well-suited for a variety of peripherals. On the front panel, users will find USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A and Type-C ports, which provide fast data transfer speeds for external drives and devices. The rear panel includes additional USB 3.2 ports, as well as HDMI and DisplayPort outputs for multiple monitor setups. A dedicated microphone input, headphone jack, and audio out port ensure that audio devices can be connected easily for both professional audio work and gaming.
For users who need further expansion, the G479 includes PCIe slots for additional storage, GPUs, or other peripherals. With an abundance of connectivity options, this machine ensures compatibility with most modern devices and supports future upgrades.
Thermals & Cooling
The PowerSpec G479 is designed to handle the heat generated by its high-performance components with an efficient and well-balanced cooling system. Equipped with both air and water cooling options, it provides users with flexibility in managing thermal output, ensuring that the system maintains optimal performance even during demanding tasks.
Out of the box, the G479 comes with multiple strategically positioned air-cooling fans. The system is designed to allow maximum airflow across key components such as the CPU and GPU, keeping them cool under load. The internal layout of the case ensures that hot air is efficiently expelled, while cool air is directed towards the components. Even under heavy gaming sessions or resource-intensive tasks like video editing or 3D rendering, the G479 remains relatively quiet and effective in maintaining temperatures.
For users seeking even better cooling performance, the G479 supports the installation of a 360mm radiator at both the top and front of the case. This allows for liquid cooling, which can outperform air cooling in terms of heat dissipation, especially when dealing with the high heat generated by the Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU and the GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. The water cooling setup offers superior thermal management, reducing the likelihood of thermal throttling and ensuring sustained high performance, even during long gaming or rendering sessions.
The case also features a spacious design that facilitates proper airflow, helping to prevent heat buildup around the components. With the option for both air and water cooling, the PowerSpec G479 provides excellent thermal performance, maintaining low temperatures for extended periods of intensive use.
User Experience and More
The user experience with the PowerSpec G479 is a seamless and highly efficient one, thanks to its powerful hardware and intuitive design. With Microsoft Windows 11 Pro pre-installed, users benefit from the latest operating system features, including better support for multitasking, enhanced security, and improved performance for gaming and professional tasks. The system boots up quickly, thanks to the fast NVMe SSD, and performs tasks effortlessly, whether it’s handling demanding applications or running high-performance games.
The machine runs quietly, thanks to its efficient cooling system, even during heavy workloads. The fans keep the internal temperature low without producing much noise, which is a significant advantage for users who work in noise-sensitive environments or who want to enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions. Additionally, the cooling setup is designed to keep the system running at optimal temperatures, preventing thermal throttling and ensuring sustained performance under load.
While the system is large and somewhat heavy, the build quality ensures that it remains sturdy and durable. The case allows for easy access to the components for future upgrades or maintenance, making it a user-friendly machine for those who like to tinker with their systems over time.
Conclusion
The PowerSpec G479 from Micro Center is a top-tier desktop PC that delivers exceptional performance, sleek design, and robust connectivity features. Equipped with the Intel Core i9-14900KF processor, the system is capable of handling any task with ease, from 4K gaming to complex rendering tasks. The inclusion of the GeForce RTX 4080 GPU makes this machine future-proof for gaming enthusiasts who want to play the latest AAA titles at 4K with ray tracing enabled. It is also ideal for content creators for 3D rendering, and simulations.
Although the PowerSpec G479 is large and heavy, its build quality and easy upgrade potential make it an appealing choice for users looking for a high-performance machine that will last. The cooling system ensures that the machine stays quiet and efficient even under load, while the customizable RGB lighting adds a personal touch to the overall aesthetic.
Micro Center PowerSpec G479 Gaming Desktop PC, Intel Core i9 14900KF CPU Processor 3.2GHz, Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4080 Super Aero OC 16GB, G.Skill 64GB...
- Intel Core i9 14900KF (3.2 GHz) CPU: Unleash uncompromised gaming performance with 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) and 32 threads. Achieve smoother gameplay, higher frame rates, and rapid responsiveness with a leading max clock speed of up to 6.0 GHz.
- Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super Aero OC 16GB GDDR6X GPU: Experience stunning visuals, ultra-fast frame rates, and AI acceleration with this powerful Graphics Card. It features 16GB GDDR6X memory, WINDFORCE cooling, dual BIOS, and a protective metal back plate. Ideal for gaming and creative applications.
- MSI Z790 Edge Wifi Motherboard: Designed for non-stop gaming, the MSI Z790 MOBO features an enlarged heatsink with heat-pipe, MOSFET thermal pads rated for 7W/mk, and additional choke thermal pads. The M.2 Shield Frozr Heatsink keeps your system cool even under heavy loads.
- Lian Li RGB 206 Mesh Case: A powerful and stylish all-white mid-tower PC case with optimized cooling support. It features airflow-optimized mesh panels at the front and top, with a magnetic dust filter. Your PC case comes equipped with two front 160mm ARGB PWM fans and customizable ARGB lighting. The solid steel metal frame features 4.0mm tempered glass and support for a 360mm radiator. PC Case Dimensions: 462mm (D) x 220mm (W) x 488mm (H).
- G.SKILL 64GB DDR5-5600 RAM | Western Digital 2TB Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD | PowerSpec 850W 80+ Gold PSU | 2.5GbE LAN, 2x2 WiFi 6E (802.11ax) | Bluetooth 5.3 | Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
