Deal verdict: which mid-range gaming PC is worth it?
This comparison examines two gaming PC deals aimed at mid-range buyers, weighing a discounted liquid cooled desktop against a cheaper Intel Core i5 gaming system to show which offers better value for sustained 1080p and entry-level 1440p play.
If you want a mid-range gaming PC and can stretch your budget beyond pure entry level, the ABS Kaze II Aqua’s huge discount on a liquid-cooled gaming desktop available through Newegg is the headline deal. It is currently marked down by USD 1,010 (approx. RM4,640), which is a steep cut for a system positioned for higher-end thermal performance. Meanwhile, the Stormcraft Sirius lands at USD 899.99 (approx. RM4,130) after USD 200 (approx. RM920) off, making it the more affordable budget gaming system built around Intel’s Core i5-14400F. In short, the ABS goes for cooling and performance headroom; the Stormcraft focuses on price and ready-to-go value.
Quote: “At USD 899.99 (approx. RM4,130) after USD 200 (approx. RM920) off, the Stormcraft Sirius includes a keyboard, mouse, and Windows 11 Home out of the box.”
ABS Kaze II Aqua: liquid-cooled power on deep discount
The ABS Kaze II Aqua is a liquid-cooled gaming desktop available through Newegg, and its defining feature is an aqua cooling setup tuned for higher-end thermal performance under sustained load. With a USD 1,010 (approx. RM4,640) markdown, it falls firmly into the list of notable gaming PC deals for buyers who care about long play sessions and lower temperatures. A gaming PC with aqua cooling in the name suggests this system is positioned for buyers who prioritize sustained performance under load or plan to run demanding titles for extended sessions, making it an appealing mid-range gaming PC if you worry about heat and noise.
On top of the core discount, Newegg is also offering an additional 5% off with promo code DREAMBUILD5, though that offer is noted as limited. That extra cut helps bring the effective price closer to many air-cooled competitors, while still giving you the thermal performance edge of liquid cooling for modern games. As long as that promo code remains live, the Kaze II Aqua stands out as a liquid cooled desktop that trades a slightly higher upfront price for quieter operation and better stability during long gaming marathons.
Quote: “Newegg is also offering an additional 5% off with promo code DREAMBUILD5, though that offer is noted as limited.”
Stormcraft Sirius: budget Intel Core i5 gaming with RTX 5060
The Stormcraft Sirius (SI1440FBB-560N2) is a mid-range gaming desktop built around Intel’s Core i5-14400F, a 10-core 14th‑gen processor with 20MB of L3 cache, paired with 16GB of DDR4 3200 RGB memory and a 1TB Gen 4.0 SSD. At USD 899.99 (approx. RM4,130) after USD 200 (approx. RM920) off, this budget gaming system includes a keyboard, mouse, and Windows 11 Home out of the box, powered by a 650W 80+ Gold supply on an Intel B760 board. The headlining component is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 with 8GB of GDDR7 memory, a Blackwell-generation GPU with a VR-ready designation that gives it some headroom compared to older cards in this price tier.
This setup is geared toward 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming, where the RTX 5060 and i5-14400F combination should handle most current titles without much friction. That makes the Sirius a strong Intel Core i5 gaming option for buyers who want a ready-to-go rig and do not plan on heavy overclocking or extreme workloads. The Gen 4.0 SSD keeps load times short, and the 16GB of DDR4 covers everyday multitasking alongside gaming without needing an immediate upgrade. For players who would rather avoid building their own PC, the included peripherals and pre-installed OS lower the barrier to entry and help keep the total system cost down.
Which gaming PC deal fits you?
Both systems clearly target the mid-range gaming PC segment but follow different strategies: the ABS Kaze II Aqua leans on liquid cooling and a steep USD 1,010 (approx. RM4,640) discount to appeal to buyers who prioritize thermal performance and sustained gaming sessions, while the Stormcraft Sirius focuses on being a budget entry point for 1080p and entry-level 1440p gaming with an Intel Core i5-14400F and RTX 5060 at USD 899.99 (approx. RM4,130) after USD 200 (approx. RM920) off. The ABS deal makes the most sense if you value lower temperatures and plan to run demanding titles for extended periods, whereas the Stormcraft is ideal if you want an affordable, plug-and-play mid-range gaming PC that still hits modern performance targets without extra spending on peripherals or a Windows license.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the ABS Kaze II Aqua if you want a liquid cooled desktop with higher-end thermal performance for long gaming sessions and can take advantage of the USD 1,010 (approx. RM4,640) discount plus the limited 5% promo code.
- Skip the ABS Kaze II Aqua if you care more about the lowest possible upfront price than about liquid cooling or sustained performance under heavy load.
- Buy the Stormcraft Sirius if you want a budget gaming system at USD 899.99 (approx. RM4,130) after USD 200 (approx. RM920) off that is ready to game with an Intel Core i5-14400F, 16GB DDR4, RTX 5060, peripherals, and Windows 11 Home included.
- Skip the Stormcraft Sirius if you need more than 16GB of RAM out of the box or plan to push beyond entry-level 1440p gaming performance in the near term.
- Buy the ABS Kaze II Aqua if you prioritize quieter operation and cooler temps over time, and see value in a mid-range gaming PC tuned for sustained performance with aqua cooling.
- Skip the Stormcraft Sirius if you prefer to invest more now in a higher-tier liquid cooled desktop rather than a more affordable Intel Core i5 gaming tower focused on 1080p and light 1440p gaming.
