Despite the huge number of system integrators on the market, very few creations really capture people's attention and instigate discussion about new form factors which could become more prevalent in the near future. The advent of overclocking ITX motherboards and stackable HBM memory means it's possible to acquire astonishing performance numbers in a compact design. Of course, it's still the case that increased volume allows for beefier cooling solutions and more airflow to heighten thermal dissipation. Saying that, some commentators argue that gaming PCs will become much smaller and full towers might be resigned to water cooling enthusiasts who enjoy creating a spectacular custom loop. Already, there's been a noticeable shift towards mid-tower cases and premium builds based on highly regarded designs like the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX have made a noticeable impact.

Not so long ago, MSI unveiled a fascinating new concept entitled, the Vortex which features an innovative form factor and superb build quality. This particular product was initially showcased during CES 2016 and I instantly became enamoured with its cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the unit contains customizable RGB illumination which adds a vibrant look. Currently, you can choose between two models; the more expensive option we?re looking at today incorporates an Intel Core i7-6700K running at a frequency of 4.0GHz, 16GB DDR4 2133MHz memory, dual Samsung SM951 NVMe drives via an RAID0 configuration and GTX 980 SLI. Please note, the graphics section revolves around dual MXM modules and won't be able to match the performance of two discrete GTX 980 which you would find on a traditional desktop. Nevertheless, it's going to offer better performance than the GTX 980M in SLI. Clearly, the naming scheme is confusing because the chip has been classified as a desktop variant but it's provided in a small module. I have to say it's still a remarkable achievement given the 450-watt power supply to house two chips with excellent gaming credentials.