iBUYPOWER Element 9 EBI5N5601 2025, Core Ultra 5 225F, 32GB, 2TB SSD, RTX 5060, Black

The iBUYPOWER Element 9 EBI5N5601 is a solid 1440p gaming desktop with an RTX 5060, 32GB of DDR5, and a 2TB NVMe SSD. It's a great value at the low end of its price range, but the USD 1,350 to USD 1,900 spread means you need to shop carefully. Reliability is a concern, so factor that into your decision.

The Core Ultra 5 225F is a 10-core chip that handles gaming and multitasking without breaking a sweat. It's not the fastest CPU we've ever tested, but it's well above average for this price class. The RTX 5060 with 8GB of VRAM is the star here. In our database it ranks in the top quarter of GPUs, which translates to smooth 1440p gaming at high settings in most modern titles. Don't expect 4K ultra with ray tracing cranked up, but for the vast majority of games, this thing gets the job done.

The 2TB NVMe SSD is a standout. It's in the 92nd percentile for storage, which means load times are quick and you won't be uninstalling games every other week. The 32GB of DDR5 RGB RAM is also strong, sitting around the 80th percentile. That's more than enough for gaming, streaming, and having a dozen browser tabs open. The 600W power supply is adequate for this config, though it doesn't leave a ton of headroom for future GPU upgrades.

Compared to the HP OMEN GT22-3080, the iBUYPOWER gives you more RAM and storage for a similar price, but HP's build quality and reliability track record are better. The Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 is probably the closest direct competitor. It's often cheaper, has a cleaner design, and Lenovo's warranty support is easier to deal with. But the iBUYPOWER's 2TB SSD and 32GB of RAM are hard to beat at the low end of its price range.

The CLX SET TGMSETRTU5204BM is another option worth checking. It tends to offer better component transparency and sometimes a stronger PSU for future upgrades. If you're a creator, the Apple Mac Studio M4 Max is in a completely different league for video editing and rendering, but it costs significantly more and can't game the way this can. For pure gaming value, the iBUYPOWER holds its own as long as you don't overpay.

Value is tricky here because the price spread is huge. We've seen this exact config listed from USD 1,350 to USD 1,900 across two US listings. At the low end, this is a genuinely good deal for a 1440p gaming PC with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. At the high end, you're paying a premium that's hard to justify when competitors like the CLX SET TGMSETRTU5204BM or Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 offer similar specs for less. If you're buying, check Newegg first. Their listing tends to sit at the lower end of that range, and their customer service is generally solid for prebuilt PCs.

The iBUYPOWER Element 9 EBI5N5601 is a mid-tower gaming desktop that sits in the budget-to-midrange bracket for prebuilt PCs. You get an Intel Core Ultra 5 225F, an RTX 5060 8GB, 32GB of DDR5, and a 2TB NVMe SSD. On paper that's a solid 1440p gaming rig for most people, especially if you're coming from something older or a laptop. The price floats between USD 1,350 and USD 1,900 depending on the vendor, so shopping around matters more than usual here.

Is the iBUYPOWER Element 9 good for gaming? For 1080p and 1440p, yes. The RTX 5060 is a capable card for high settings in most titles, and the 32GB of RAM means you won't be closing Chrome tabs before launching a game. It's also fine for streaming and light video editing thanks to the 10-core CPU and fast NVMe storage.

One thing to know up front: this is a big, heavy tower. At 16.33kg and 422mm tall, it's not a compact machine. If you're tight on desk space, that's a real consideration. But the included keyboard and mouse mean you can plug in and start gaming right away, which is exactly what most prebuilt buyers want.

Skip this if you're tight on space. At 16.33kg and 422mm tall, the Element 9 is a chunky tower that won't fit under a low shelf or on a small desk. It's also not for anyone planning serious future upgrades. The 600W PSU is fine for the current config, but it'll choke if you try to drop in a more power-hungry GPU later. If reliability is your top concern, look at the HP OMEN GT22-3080 or Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 instead. Their track records are better, and Lenovo's warranty support is easier to navigate. And if you're a video editor or 3D artist, the Apple Mac Studio M4 Max is the better tool, just be ready to pay for it.

Should you buy the iBUYPOWER Element 9 EBI5N5601? If you can find it near USD 1,350, yes. It's a well-rounded 1440p gaming PC with enough RAM and storage to last you a few years. The RTX 5060 is a solid midrange card, and the 32GB of DDR5 means you won't need to upgrade memory anytime soon.

But if you're seeing prices closer to USD 1,900, walk away. At that point you're paying a premium for a machine with a below-average reliability score and a power supply that limits future GPU upgrades. The included keyboard and mouse are nice, but they're budget peripherals, not a reason to overspend. Shop around, compare with the Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10, and don't be afraid to wait for a sale.