$849 PC Featuring Intel Arc B580 Offers Over $1,200 Worth of Components
The ABS Flux II Aqua gaming PC, sold at Walmart for $849, is packed with Intel Core i5-14400F, Intel Arc B580, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, with components valued over $1,200.
According to a report by Stephen Warwick of Tom’s Hardware, the ABS Flux II Aqua gaming desktop PC currently sold at Walmart is being offered at a price significantly lower than the market value of its components. This PC features an Intel Core i5-14400F, Intel Arc B580, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, priced at $849 (discounted by $150 from the usual $999). When purchased individually via PCPartPicker, these components amount to approximately $1,158, and when factoring in the cost of a CPU cooler, case, power supply, and Windows 11 license, the total value of the pre-built system exceeds $1,200.
The Epitome of Cost-Performance
The standout feature of this product is its ability to deliver such advanced specifications within a sub-$1,000 price range. The CPU is a Raptor Lake Refresh generation Intel Core i5-14400F (valued at approximately $178), boasting 10 cores (6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) and 16 threads, with a maximum boost clock of 4.7GHz. For graphics, the system includes the Intel Arc B580 (valued at around $309), equipped with 12GB of VRAM and 2,560 cores. The memory comprises 32GB of Patriot DDR5 RAM (around $400 in value), and storage is a 1TB SSD (valued at roughly $150).
The motherboard is an ASRock B760M, paired with a 650W 80+ Gold-certified power supply. Cooling is handled by an air cooler, and the system comes pre-installed with Windows 11. When factoring in assembly costs and software licenses, the total cost of building a similarly spec’d PC would far exceed the retail price of this pre-built option.
Performance Benchmarks
According to benchmarks conducted by Tom’s Hardware, the Core i5-14400F achieves an average of 123 fps in a 1080p test suite. The Intel Arc B580, on the other hand, delivers an average of 80 fps in Assassin’s Creed Mirage at 2560x1440 ultra settings, outperforming NVIDIA’s RTX 4060. Its 12GB VRAM ensures sufficient memory for titles with high-resolution textures, offering a robust gaming experience despite being an entry-level GPU.
However, this system is not designed for high-end 4K gaming. It doesn’t feature X3D CPUs or GPUs on par with the GeForce RTX 5080, focusing instead on maximizing performance for 1080p to 1440p gaming scenarios.
A Budget Alternative to Steam Machines
The appeal of this system is partly due to pricing challenges faced by Steam Machines. Valve’s Steam Machines aimed to provide a console-like living room experience but were often priced higher than similarly capable gaming PCs, limiting their market traction. The ABS Flux II Aqua, priced at $849, delivers solid gaming performance and could serve as a viable alternative to Steam Machines. For users looking to replicate a SteamOS-based gaming experience on Windows, this PC offers a clear cost advantage.
Points to Consider Before Purchase
The $849 price tag is part of a limited-time sale, with the regular price being $999. Prices may vary depending on stock availability. Additionally, while the Intel Arc B580 offers excellent performance in newer titles, its driver support is still maturing compared to NVIDIA and AMD. As a result, performance may not meet expectations in older DirectX 9/10 games or certain specific titles. It is recommended to check compatibility with your preferred games before purchasing.
Editorial Opinion
In the short term, this disruptive sale could accelerate the market adoption of Intel Arc GPUs. Amid persistently high GPU prices, a pre-built PC featuring a $300-range GPU for just $849 is highly appealing to budget-conscious gamers. Over the next 3–6 months, similar bundled deals may emerge from competitors.
From a long-term perspective, if Intel improves the driver quality and game compatibility for its Arc GPUs, it could establish a strong foothold in the entry- to mid-range GPU market. However, Intel’s discrete GPU business still faces profitability challenges, and it remains unclear if such aggressive bundling strategies are sustainable. Over a 1–3 year horizon, the continuation of Intel’s GPU business could significantly impact the market landscape.
The editorial team views this PC as an ideal solution for gamers looking to play current titles comfortably while staying within budget. However, potential buyers should also consider risks such as the possibility of Intel halting driver updates for Arc GPUs and limitations on future upgrades (e.g., motherboard chipset or power supply capacity).
References
- ” This astonishing $850 gaming PC contains well over $1,200 worth of parts, including $400 of 32GB DDR5 alone — get a potent Steam Machine rival thanks to this budget Intel Arc desktop ”, by Stephen Warwick — Tom’s Hardware, 2026-07-23T10:31:08.000Z (ARR)
- Source URL: https://www.tomshardware.com/desktops/gaming-pcs/this-astonishing-usd850-gaming-pc-contains-well-over-usd1-200-worth-of-parts-including-usd400-of-32gb-ddr5-alone-get-a-potent-steam-machine-rival-thanks-to-this-budget-intel-arc-desktop
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the power supply capacity of the ABS Flux II Aqua?
- It comes with a 650W 80+ Gold-certified power supply, which provides sufficient headroom for the combination of a Core i5-14400F and Intel Arc B580, with some capacity for light upgrades in the future.
- What types of games are best suited for the Intel Arc B580?
- The GPU excels in newer titles based on DirectX 12 and Vulkan. It recorded 80 fps on Assassin’s Creed Mirage at 1440p ultra settings, outperforming the RTX 4060. However, compatibility issues may arise with older DirectX 9/10 games due to driver limitations.
- Can this PC be used as a replacement for a Steam Machine?
- Yes, though it runs on Windows 11, users can use Steam’s Big Picture mode to replicate the SteamOS living room experience. Installing SteamOS is also an option, but note that Intel Arc GPUs have limited Linux driver support.
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