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Review: PC Specialist Fusion Curve

by Parm Mann on 27 October 2016, 15:00

Tags: PC Specialist, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qadaeo

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Conclusion

...for users seeking something more elegant than a traditional tower, Fusion Curve delivers high-end performance in a sleek all-in-one package.

PC Specialist's Fusion Curve attempts to reinvigorate the all-in-one gaming category with powerful hardware, a high-resolution, ultra-wide display, as well as the upgradability that enthusiasts have come to expect from performance PCs.

Packing a quad-core Intel Core i7-6700K and potent GeForce GTX 1080 graphics behind a curved 34in display is an impressive feat, and for users seeking something more elegant than a traditional tower, Fusion Curve delivers high-end performance in a sleek all-in-one package.

There's enough on offer to suggest that all-in-one gaming systems will feature prominently in system integrator catalogues in the year ahead, but there are still a few hurdles to overcome. Cooling and associated fan noise ultimately detracts from the overall package, and for customers considering spending this amount of money on a high-end rig, there needs to be a truly outstanding display. Fusion Curve's 3,440x1,440 panel is perfectly enjoyable, but given that the display is one element that isn't easily upgradeable, the use of OLED, G-Sync or 120Hz technologies would make it a more attractive long-term investment.

Bottom line: Fusion Curve is the fastest all-in-one PC we've ever tested, and though there's room for improvement the form factor could be a harbinger of gaming PCs to come.

The Good
  
The Bad
Gets rid of the desktop tower
Outstanding all-in-one performance
Games look great at native resolution
Core components easily upgradeable
Enjoyable ultra-wide 34in display
Three-year warranty
  
Fan noise is a real nuisance
Stand lacks height adjustment
Misses out on G-Sync



PC Specialist Fusion Curve

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The Fusion Curve all-in-one PC is available to purchase from PC Specialist.

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At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.


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HEXUS Forums :: 6 Comments

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Posted by Sim0n - Thu 27 Oct 2016 15:35
Is it a deal breaker? That depends entirely on how often you wear headphones, but in our experience, noise output, emphasised by the close proximity of the fans, is a tad too high for comfort. Would the fan run much quieter if the processor was swapped from the 91W Core i7-6700K to, say, a 65W Core i5-6500? That's a good question.

Surely you possibly have a 6700 (non K that is also lower wattage), and/or a 6500 around the offices?

It would be great to find if the 6700K's extra power is what is potentially ruining this. Considering its not even overclocked!?
Posted by tomthum - Thu 27 Oct 2016 15:45
For what it is its just to expensive worth no more than £1000
Tom G
Posted by Sim0n - Thu 27 Oct 2016 16:02
tomthum
For what it is its just to expensive worth no more than £1000
Tom G

Are you commenting on the right review? The GPU and CPU alone total £1000, without having a complete system, or even the monitor included?
Posted by qasdfdsaq - Thu 27 Oct 2016 18:34
Sim0n
Is it a deal breaker? That depends entirely on how often you wear headphones, but in our experience, noise output, emphasised by the close proximity of the fans, is a tad too high for comfort. Would the fan run much quieter if the processor was swapped from the 91W Core i7-6700K to, say, a 65W Core i5-6500? That's a good question.

Surely you possibly have a 6700 (non K that is also lower wattage), and/or a 6500 around the offices?

It would be great to find if the 6700K's extra power is what is potentially ruining this. Considering its not even overclocked!?

Which matters why? The 6700K has fully tunable multipliers and turbo/non-turbo power budgets. Set the 6700K to the same TDP and clockspeeds of a 6500 = done. There's zero advantage of a 6500, arguably the 6700K would be more efficient while downclocked, yet retains full flexibility to turbo if you want it to. Could easily be offered as a build-time option given it's a full-size socketed CPU.
Posted by ChewieJ - Fri 28 Oct 2016 09:00
With the type of fan used for the cpu cooling arrangement, your gonna get a lot of noise when its hot.

The fan is what, 60-70mm?

But one thing that could be improved on, is having venting over the fan itself so its not just dragging air around the case and then force it through the cooler. Have a vented section right above it to allow cooler air more directly into the cooler funnel.

It might make it run cooler and quieter, or it might make it just a few decibels louder. But at the point where it becomes an issue, whats 2dB when you'll have the sound from your game/video playing over the top of that.

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