Corsair One i500 review — small PC, big performance

The Corsair One i500 ($3,599 as configured) is a small wonder. While not exactly a mini PC, this hardware is smaller than many gaming PCs. Due to its relatively small size, you will not have difficulty finding a place for it on your desk. The stylish faux wood front panel also ensures this machine won’t look out of place in your home office.

This equipment is small in size but big in power. Our test unit’s Intel Core i9-14900K CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super GPU and 32 GB RAM made the device best computer games smoothly at maximum graphics settings. While the Corsair One i500 can get pretty hot, it runs much cooler and quieter than other gaming PCs I’ve tested.

While the Corsair One i500 is undoubtedly a beast, it’s not perfect. At the time of this writing, only two configurations were available, and both were very expensive. Although you can replace the components, this is not easy to do due to the compact size of the machine. If you want to replace the GPU you’ll have to send the computer to Corsair, which is a bummer.

The Corsair One i500 may be expensive and difficult to configure, but there’s no denying that it’s one of the best. best gaming computers I’ve ever tested it. Learn more in my full review.

Corsair One i500 review: Cheat sheet

Why? Corsair One i500 is a powerful gaming PC small enough for most desk setups
For whom? For people who want a powerful gaming PC that doesn’t look like your typical gaming rig
How much does it cost? The Corsair One i500 we reviewed is priced at $3,599, configured like this: Corsair’s website.
What don’t we like? High price, lack of configuration, and you have to return the GPU to Corsair for replacement.
What do we like? Incredible performance, stylish design and how quiet it runs.

Corsair One i500 review: Features

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Header Cell – Column 0	Corsair One i500 (tested)
Price	$3,599
Processor	Intel Core i9-14900K
GPU	Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
data store	32GB
to store	2TB
ports	Front: 2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack \| Rear: 7x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 7.1 Audio port
Dimensions	15.3×11.8×7.6 inches
Weight	15.8 pounds

Corsair One i500 review: Improvements

The Corsair One i500 impresses thanks to its small size and great gaming performance. It’s a bonus that it works great and looks good doing it.

Compact design

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

Most of the desktops I test are generally large towers. The gaming rig in my house is also pretty big. So the Corsair One i500 is a welcome change. Although larger than previous Corsair One PCs, the i500 is still relatively compact at 15.3 x 11.8 x 7.6 inches. While 15.8 pounds isn’t exactly lightweight, it’s easy to lift when you need to readjust it at your desk or move your computer to another room.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

The Corsair One i500’s wood panels and fabric edges give it an air of elegance you wouldn’t normally associate with gaming PCs. If personal computers had existed in the 1950s, I think they would have looked like this. However, tasteful RGB lighting on the front and back lets you know that this is indeed a gaming rig. Pressing or dragging your finger on the thin black strip that runs across the front panel allows you to change the lighting pattern, which is a nice feature.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

This hardware may have a small profile, but it packs more than enough ports. On the front, there are two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, plus seven USB-A ports, a USB-C port, HD audio ports, a single HDMI 2.1 port port and three DisplayPorts. back.

excellent performance

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

The Corsair One i500 may have a sleek look, but inside its chassis lies an absolute performance beast.

Thanks to our review unit’s Intel Core i9-14900K CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super GPU, and 32GB of RAM, I had no trouble running modern graphically demanding games at maximum graphics settings, and 4K resolution. Doomsday Eternal At these settings it ran at an incredible 220 frames per second Cyberpunk 2077 In the mid-60s, the frame-enhancing Nvidia was browsing without DLSS enabled. This is exactly the performance I expect from a machine costing over $3,600.

We also compared many games during our lab tests and saw equally impressive results. Like games in 4K resolution Assassin’s Creed MirageBorderlands 3, dirt 5And Far Cry 6 As you can see above, it ran at close to or above 100 frames per second.

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Game benchmark results (@4K resolution)
Header Cell – Column 0	Corsair One i500	MSI Aegis RS2 14
Assassin’s Creed Mirage	101fps	99fps
Border Region 3	91fps	90fps
dirt 5	137fps	135fps
Far Cry 6	97fps	95fps

Considering the powerful components under the hood, the Corsair One i500 won’t break a sweat when performing less intensive tasks like surfing the web, streaming videos, or running errands. This gaming rig handled my typical workflow, which usually consists of 30+ open tabs and the occasional interruption. YouTube video—without any hitches.

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Header Cell – Column 0	Corsair One i500	MSI Aegis RS2 14
Geekbench 6 (single core)	2,294	3,203
Geekbench 6 (multi-core)	25,130	20,115
Parking brake (minutes:seconds)	2:04	2:04

Our lab testing backs up my experience. In Geekbench 6, which tests overall CPU performance, the Corsair One i500 achieved impressive single-core and multi-core scores. These figures are comparable to the MSI Aegis RS2 14 ($2,699), which has the same GPU, 32GB of RAM, and Intel Core i9 CPU. As our Handbrake test showed, Corsair’s gaming hardware can instantly convert 4K video to 1080p.

Cool and quiet

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

Despite its powerful components and compact design, the Corsair One i500 runs very quietly and remains cool to the touch.

This is due to the three intake fans on the back and the two fans on the top. The water-cooled CPU and GPU also keep the interior relatively cool. And even when all the fans are spinning, the computer makes no noise; This ensures that your gaming session won’t be disrupted by noisy fans.

Corsair One i500 review: Negatives

Corsair One i500 offers an amazing gaming experience. But some drawbacks may make you think twice about purchasing this expensive piece of equipment.

Easy to open but difficult to raise

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

Turning on the Corsair One i500 is relatively easy. Once you remove the magnetic fabric panels, all you have to do is remove the metal panels by unscrewing the four screws on the back (two screws on each side) to access the interior. But after that things get more complicated.

You can upgrade the CPU, RAM, and storage, but it’s a bit difficult to do because the interior is so tightly packed. It’s not impossible, but if you have big hands like me, you may have a hard time moving around in this rig. Then there is the GPU…

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

If you want to upgrade the GPU, you will need to return the Corsair One i500 to the company so that employees can do it for you. This is probably because the GPU is liquid cooled and Corsair doesn’t want you to potentially damage the system. While this is understandable, sending back even a small piece of gaming hardware like this isn’t much fun.

With such high-end components you probably won’t need to upgrade anything for many years. But if you want to replace parts, especially the GPU, don’t expect an easy time.

Expensive

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

This may seem like an unfair criticism, since gaming PCs are often the most expensive on the market. But the price could be a serious hurdle for anyone interested in the Corsair One i500. Even the “cheaper” model is among the most expensive computers I’ve reviewed. It’s annoying that you can’t configure your PC to use more cost-effective components.

However, if price isn’t a concern and you don’t want to mess around trying to create a configuration that balances performance and price, the cost of this hardware won’t be an issue.

Corsair One i500 review: Verdict

The Corsair One i500 is certainly expensive and difficult to upgrade, but if you’re looking for a machine that can run games at 4K and well above 60 frames per second, this machine will more than get the job done. Not only does it deliver excellent performance, but it does so in one of the most unique designs I’ve seen for a gaming PC. If I could afford this machine, I wouldn’t consider buying it for myself.

If you’re looking for a gaming PC that won’t bomb your bank account, Alienware The Aurora R16 ($1,249) offers great performance and has a no-frills chassis. The Dell XPS 8960 ($899) is an even more affordable option that still offers a fun gaming experience.

Price aside, the Corsair One i500 is an overall beast of gaming hardware. If you can handle the cost, you won’t be disappointed.