MAINGEAR SHIFT Pro Reviews

I am sure there many of our readers at this point shaking their heads and telling themselves they could build a much better system for less money than the MAINGEAR Shift we are featuring here today. And you're right. But there are still many people that are dedicated PC gamers but appreciate the build quality, the ability to custom select your own components and the dedicated support team and warranty that companies like MAINGEAR provide. It's not for everyone, and surely not a $6000+ system, but there are niche audiences for every product. This isn't our first MAINGEAR review but it is my first time with a Shift and I must say that I am impressed by the build quality and system design. We have seen other retail cases with the 90 degree rotation but MAINGEAR was the first system builder to implement it and continues to push forward with innovative updates like the custom built water coolers and the Epic Audio system. The system components are not unique though - that is a problem for all system builders to differentiate - but MAINGEAR is one of the few builders to really find ways to stand out.

We really like the SHIFT. MainGear deserves top honors for taking the risk of building a non-standard chassis and for delivering real benefits as opposed to slick marketing drivel. The case is fully compatible with all standard PC peripherals with just a scant handful of exceptions and the improved airflow gives the system the best acoustics of any system we've tested to date.

You might not find a faster (or flashier) system than Maingear’s Shift, but that doesn’t mean this beautiful monster is perfectly priced for its performance.

It topped $7,000 in our test configuration, but this over-the-top hyper-PC is a true tech showpiece - and its superior custom case is available even in its $2,199 base model.

Maingear's Shift is the boutique vendor's new flagship gaming PC. It brings almost everything we expect to find in such a system, from expert craftsmanship to fast overclocking to a case that makes a statement. We found a few minor sticking points, but, on the whole, this PC sits comfortably alongside the top tier of luxury gaming boxes, and we recommend it if you have the means.

The Maingear Shift both promises and delivers a more mature gaming experience. That's not to say it's solely for Mature-audience games, rather it's the hardcore gamer's PC for when he's older (and wealthier).