Configuration and Exterior

Puget Systems sent us a PC based on the new Sandy Bridge-E and X79 platform but rather than a traditional gaming rig, it was a workstation-class machine.

Puget Systems has slowly grown to be one of our favorite system builders for those looking to buy rather than build their own PC.  Using off-the-shelf components might seem like a negative but in our mind mixing an upgrade path with small niche features like noise dampening material and a great overall customer buying experience really hit the spot.  For the Sandy Bridge-E launch late in 2011 Puget wanted to send over something just a bit different than normal – a workstation class computer.

The result is the Genesis I based on the Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition processor from Intel, the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe motherboard, 32GB of memory and 250GB Intel 510 SSD.

Puget Systems Build Process

One of my favorite things about the Puget Systems system purchase process is the customer service you get.  The website isn’t anything unusual but is completely functional for even novice users. Despite my knowledge of hardware I actually appreciate the fact that Puget does NOT inundate buyers with a selection of 30 motherboards and even the graphics card options are limited to a handful of selected "best choice" by the staff.  

We have previously taken a look at Serenity and Deluge systems from Puget and have been impressed with the build quality and attention to detail they apply.  Each build is continually updated throughout the process and communicated to the buyer via emails with a site portal for photos of your specific rig and even including thermal images of the PC running under load and idle.  It is nice touches like this that really show the company cares about its customers and wants to them to feel attached to the process.

The primary specifications for our Genesis I build include:

  • ASUS P9X79 Deluxe
  • Intel Core i7-3960X
  • 8 x 4GB Patriot DDR3-1600
  • PNY Quadro 2000 1GB
  • Intel 510 250GB SSD
  • WD 2TB Caviar Black HDD
  • ASUS 12x Blu-ray burner

Genesis I Externals

The Puget Genesis I is built around the Antec P183 V3 chassis with the classic gunmetal gray exterior finish.

The branding on the case is kept minimal and classy on the lower right of the chassis door.

Though you might already be familiar with the Antec P183, we are going to point out some of the key features here for those that aren’t.  This front door actually swings completely open against the side panel if you want and reveals the optical drive bays, intake fans and the memory card reader included by Puget.

Both intake fan doors open up for cleaning of the mesh filters.

The top of the case includes an exhaust opening the Puget has filled with a very quiet 120mm fan.

On the back of the case you’ll see the bottom mounted power supply along with the expansion slots and top-left mounted fan controller.  The P183 V3 still has the older style of USB 3.0 front panel connection that required the routing of a cable out the back to plug into a USB 3.0 port.  It is crude but still just as effective.

Look at the external panel of the ASUS P9X79 Deluxe motherboard shows off a lot of the features the Genesis I sports including 6 USB 3.0 ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth and WiFi radio integrated and dual eSATA/USB ports as well.  This system offers workstation users a lot of expansion capability thanks to the ASUS board selected.

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