Mesh Elite Game Changer 980 Gaming PC Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging and Bundle3. Mesh Elite Game Changer 980 System4. Testing Methodology and Configuration5. Tests: 3DMark6. Tests: Sandra7. Tests: Maxon Cinebench R158. Tests: Gaming9. Tests: Storage10. Test: Thermals and Acoustics11. Closing Thoughts12. View All Pages

The Mesh Elite Game Changer 980 is a capable gaming system. The combination of the Intel Core i7-4790K and MSI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 is potent for even the most demanding recent titles, as our GTA V test in particular shows. It's not perfect in every respect. All the fans make it a slightly noisy beast, and the SSD isn't the quickest available. But there's performance where it's needed most, and the system is both aesthetically pleasing and well constructed, apart from the stiff side panel which will make upgrading more painful than it should be.

Fortunately, apart from the SSD, the component choice is exemplary, and should make this system a capable gaming platform for some years to come. The 16GB of memory won't need updating for a while, and unless you feel the need for the absolute top end of graphics performance, the GTX 980 should be capable with new titles over most of that time too – whilst, of course, it's also about the easiest component to upgrade.

It is slightly irritating that the PSU is hidden inside a cover, should your upgrades require extra power, although this does ensure that the interior remains neat and looks good through the side window. The modular PSU design and supplied extra cabling supplied mean that you will be able to use this when the time does come.

At £1,499 inc VAT, the Mesh Elite Game Changer 980 isn't exactly cheap. For example, the Chillblast Fusion Barbarian system we used as comparison is £400 less. However, the latter is also noticeably slower, and we also appreciated the colour-coordinated bundle of premium peripherals included with the Game Changer.

The two year warranty on parts, with collect and return thrown in for the first year as well, is decent if not outstanding. Overall, the Mesh Elite Game Changer 980 is about the right price for what you get, making it a good choice if you're after a fast and reasonably stylish gaming system from one of the oldest UK brands in PC system building.

Pros:

• Intel Core i7 4790K and MSI GeForce GTX 980 make great combination for gaming.
• Future-proofed 16GB of memory.
• Premium bundle including gaming keyboard, mouse and headset.
• Colour-coordinated peripherals with chassis.
• Attractive chassis.
• Neat interior build.

Cons:

• Side panel hard to remove and replace.
• Relatively slow SSD.
• A 2TB+ secondary hard disk would have been preferable in a system this price.

KitGuru says: The Mesh Elite Game Changer 980 is very competent at its main task of gaming, whilst the design and peripheral bundle are very well focused on this area as well. It's not a cheap PC, but you do get what you paid for.

Become a Patron!