Eclipse Computers Nebula VR GTX 1080 Gaming PC Review

Introduction

Virtual Reality has the potential to provide a more immersive gaming experience and evoke a strong emotional response. Even though this technological marvel is quite expensive, the benefits are clear to see and consumers have warmed to the idea of using VR equipment. Given the excitement surrounding VR, it’s important to offer end-users the hardware capable of driving VR games and ensure they’re not disappointed with the level of fluidity. Of course, the huge array of components claiming to be VR ready can be confusing and I’ve received many queries asking what’s required to construct a VR-compliant system.

Today, we’re talking a look at a pre-configured build designed with VR in mind. The Eclipse Computers Nebula VR doesn’t make any concessions and employs the highest grade of hardware. As you can see, the system opts for an Intel Core i7-6700K overclocked to 4.6GHz, 16GB of DDR4 3000MHz RAM, and the stunning Asus STRIX GAMING GTX 1080. Not only that, the CPU is managed by the Cooler Master Nepton 240M and there’s enough storage to make the system feel responsive while installing a large number of games. This configuration is powered by the Cooler Master GM750 PSU and contained in the sublime Cooler Master MasterCase Maker 5 chassis. Interestingly, this PC was built by the Twitch personality and renowned cosplayer, Riiri Chan and you can check out the entire process here. Priced at £2056.70, the Eclipse Computers Nebula VR is a serious investment but it has an extraordinary component selection which I’m expecting to flourish in a wide range of benchmarks.

Specifications

• Name: Eclipse Computers Nebula VR
• Case: Cooler Master MasterCase Maker 5
• Motherboard: Asus Intel Z170 Pro Gaming/Aura
• Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K Overclocked to 4.6GHz
• Processor Cooler: Cooler Master Nepton 240M
• System Memory: Crucial Ballistix Elite 16GB (4x4GB) DDR4 3000MHz
• Main Boot Drive: Crucial MX300 275GB SSD
• Additional Storage Drive(s): Western Digital Black 2TB 7200RPM 64MB Cache
• Graphics card: Asus STRIX Gaming GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5X
• Power Supply: Cooler Master GM750 750-Watt Bronze Semi-Modular
• Peripherals: N/A
• Monitor: N/A
• Optical Drive: N/A
• Wireless: N/A
• OS: Windows 10 Home
• Warranty: 3-Year Collect and Return (1-Year Parts, 30-Days Collect, Lifetime Support Line)
• Price: £2056.70

Packaging and Accessories

The system arrives in an enormous box which weighs a considerable amount and isn’t too easy to carry. Ideally, I’d like to see some handles to properly lift the package without having to bend down in an awkward manner. Saying that, the handles would tear quite easily given the hefty weight. While not pictured from this angle, the box has a number of precautionary stickers informing the courier to handle the system with care. To prevent the packaging from buckling under the substantial weight, durable straps are deployed which work rather well.

Once opened, we can see the main chassis box is surrounded by thick cardboard inserts. These heavy-duty strips enhance the box’s structural integrity and help to keep the main system in a solid, upright position.

The chassis box is also protected by an assortment of foam packs which add essential cushioning and ensure the system can withstand the journey without any mishaps.

The Cooler Master MasterCase 5 box is really sophisticated and contains gorgeous snapshots of the internal layout and front section.

Rather impressively, the case inserts are unbelievably thick and built to an impeccable standard. As someone who hasn’t encountered this particular chassis before, I was blown away by the exemplary packaging materials. The system’s power cord is neatly contained in a small cutout and shouldn’t rattle around even if the courier adopts a heavy approach.

Eclipse Computers’ attentive approach when it comes to packaging deserves credit and they’ve used a combination of foam blocks and air bags. The end result is absolutely fantastic and well beyond what I’d normally expect. The foam pieces above and below the GPU eliminates sagging and stops any pressure from being applied to the PCI-E slot. This is essential because the system is really heavy and put under a great strain during delivery. The internal packaging is possibly the most important area of protection and dramatically reduces the probability of hardware damage.

Please note, no accessories barring the power adapter were included with the review system. This is a policy many system integrators rely on because accessories, documentation and other extras are usually lost by the media who have loads of products hanging around in their office. I’d expect the situation to be different for consumers, though.

CPU-Z

GPU-Z