Best Pre-Built So Far: ABS Challenger ALI521 $1000 Gaming PC Review & Benchmarks

The ABS Challenger ALI521 is the next on our list of pre-built reviews, and thus far, it has been the most impressive of the other 3 we reviewed. It has faults, but is built competently overall.

The ABS Challenger ALI521 has a GTX 1660 Super and an Intel i5-10400F CPU. At $1000, it *is* expensive compared to the DIY approach, but it has become clear to us that this is roughly the average price for these two primary components in the current pre-built market. The weakest part is the power supply, but ABS makes up for many deficiencies of its competitors by running two sticks of RAM (16GB, too, which is better than the 8GB found in other options) and better airflow and intake on the case. ABS is a house brand of Newegg, as is Rosewill, and so the two components get the benefit of being sold directly by a retailer that has shelves of parts. We're benchmarking gaming performance, thermals, noise levels, power consumption, build quality, and more.

We buy these pre-builts out of pocket to help inform your decision making. It's our goal to eventually find a couple that are good (without modification) so we can make some recommendations. If you'd like to help fund our ability to do this while also getting something in return, consider one of our Mouse Mats, Pads, or Modmat PC building surfaces:



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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - ABS Challenger ALI521 Pre-Built Review
04:35 - Tearing Down the ABS Challenger Gaming Computer
05:09 - Almost Immediately: Weird Front Panel
08:36 - MSI Continues to Disappoint
09:40 - CPU Cooler Flames & Mounting Pattern
12:18 - Power Supply & Smuggled LEDs
15:13 - Pre-Built Gaming PC Thermals (ABS Challenger)
16:04 - Gaming Benchmarks
16:30 - Cyberpunk 2077 Best Gaming PCs for $1000
17:08 - Rainbow Six: Siege (1080p, Framtimes, & 1440p)
19:43 - Hitman 3 CPU & GPU Benchmarks
20:07 - Red Dead Redemption 2
20:40 - Noise Levels
20:54 - Power Testing
22:08 - Instructions, BIOS, & Other Observations
26:16 - Conclusion & Bad Customer Support

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Host, Test Lead, Writing: Steve Burke
Testing: Patrick Lathan
Video: Andrew Coleman
Video: Keegan Gallick

[GamersNexus]

We buy these pre-builts out of pocket to help inform your decision making. It's our goal to eventually find a couple that are good (without modification) so we can make some recommendations. If you'd like to help fund our ability to do this while also getting something in return, consider one of our Mouse Mats, Pads, or Modmat PC building surfaces:

[JunkieCS]

“I’m relatively impressed” now that is the biggest compliment ABS will ever get

[titaniummechanism]

On the ABS marketing page tomorrow:
"I'm relatively impressed" - Steve Burke, Gamers Nexus

[Kevin-xdyv]

I'll likely never buy a pre-built, but I can't stop watching reviews of them.

[Liqtor]

Starting off with the crooked "ABS" logo on the front is fucking hilarious.

[ClellBiggs]

I just bought an ABS PC (got it today) based on this review and it's incredibly well built. Couldn't be happier with it. Thanks to all you guys at GN for doing these pre-builts videos.

[briand]

The winner is the one that makes you ask WTF the least. Sadly today's prebuilts reflect the fact that in this market people will buy whatever they can get their hands on.

[KinKaray]

I can imagine ABS Using the "Better than Dell" on their web page, with a picture of Steve with both thumbs up!

[PoulWrist]

It's impressive that 2 systems with the same components, basically, can have one lead the other by almost 100%.

[THC]

I’d actually like to see, even if it never actually gets sold as a real product but made more as a hypothetical concept, a Gamers Nexus pre-built computer. A complete functioning “protoype” with their choice of components and set up the way they wish more pre-builders would set their machines up. As well as an in depth mock review and teardown like they do with these pre-builts, then put up the chart comparing the performance of their pre-built vs these pre-builds. They could call it the GN-1 or Nexus-1 or something like that and even incorporate their logo and color scheme in the design. It could also be a fun challenge to see what’s possible price wise if trying to compete with the other pre-builts at their price ranges when it comes to component selections and combinations.

[krazybonnie]

i've been waiting for this since the community post

[meownime]

We can literally see it!, back to you steve is the best thing ever hehe

[obake]

Reduced standards to "capable of turning on without a problem." Wow this market has gotten fucked up.
The last prebuilt I bought was an eMachines that came with Windows ME. Back then the prebuilts might not have been great machines, but at least working wasn't generally a concern.

[BrendanGeormer]

I saw an ABS some months ago that was a pretty good deal at the time. The thing that stood out to me most was that they included all the books and addons that came with the different 3rd party parts like graphics and CPU

[joker]

"Is that a pre-built?"
"No, it's the RELATIVELY BEST pre-built"

[zSHREDHEADz]

Hey Steve, I just wanted to let you know that you have inspired me to pursue a career in computers and IT. The level of knowledge and care that you take with each video and product is unmatched. You made me realize my over analyzing way of thinking and constant search for improvement can actually be a valuable tool in my career rather than a burden to those around me. I cant thank you enough for the hope you have given me.

[jamezxh]

I’m still stuck on the molex centipede from the last one 😂

[jasonvandyke]

When Steve says "Not how I would have done it, " that makes me want to see a GN pre-built

[MooseMoto]

I got an ABS due to its price point with what it had in it a few years ago. Its actually been impressive. The biggest issue was I didn't built it myself, but it worked wonders! Biggest issue with ABS is it is hit or miss with each tower sold.

[fridaycaliforniaa]

The "Pre-Built Wars" is now my favorite YT show about computery crap. You earned a sub, Steve 😁😁