Prebuilt gaming PCs have become increasingly popular, offering a convenient alternative to the often-complex process of building one’s own machine. These systems generally fall into two categories: those from large manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Lenovo, which often feature unique cases and custom components, and those from boutique builders who combine off-the-shelf parts, sometimes within a custom-designed chassis. The Starforge Explorer III Pro firmly belongs to the latter category, relying entirely on readily available components. Notably, its pricing remains competitive not only with larger brands but also when compared to the cost of sourcing the parts independently.
The Explorer III Pro, priced at $3,900, boasts a high-end configuration. It comfortably houses its components within a substantial case, exhibiting well-managed cabling and effective airflow. The system’s aesthetic is characterized by a minimalist design, prioritizing a consistent black color scheme over flashy RGB lighting. While a smaller form factor would have been preferable, the Explorer III Pro delivers strong performance and value with few compromises.
Starforge Explorer III Pro Specifications
| Price as reviewed | $3,900 |
|---|---|
| Size | 68 liter (20.27 x 10 x 20.57 in/515 x 254 x 522 mm) |
| Motherboard | MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi |
| CPU | 3900MHz Intel Core Ultra 7 265K |
| Memory | 64GB DDR5-6000 |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 5080 |
| Storage | 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSD (boot) (T-Force TM8FFW002T) |
| Networking | 5GbE, Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750x 802.11be, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Connections | Thunderbolt 4 (x2 rear), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (x1 front, x1 rear), USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (x3 rear), USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (x2 front, x4 rear), USB 2.0 (x4 rear), 3.5mm audio connector (x1 front, x2 rear), SPDIF, 5Gb Ethernet, HDMI 2.1 FRL (x1 on motherboard, x1 on GPU), DisplayPort 2.1b (x3 on GPU) |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro |
The Starforge Explorer III Pro is available in three configurations: Core, Pro (tested), and Elite. All share similar cooling hardware, including a Havn BF 360 Flow case, six case fans, a 360mm Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 AIO CPU cooler, an MSI Z890 Tomahawk Wi-Fi motherboard, and Windows 11 Pro. The Core model starts at $3,300 and features an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K processor, 32GB of DDR5 memory, 1TB of storage, and an RTX 5070 Ti GPU. The Pro model, reviewed here, upgrades to 64GB of memory, 2TB of storage, and an RTX 5080 GPU for $3,900. The Elite tier, priced at $6,000, adds a second 2TB drive, an MSI MAG A1000G PCIe 5 power supply, an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, and a 24GB RTX 5090 graphics card.
Starforge’s pricing is reasonable, with a markup of approximately $500 over the cost of building a comparable system with the same components. The cost of components, particularly RAM, has fluctuated, with the Teamgroup T-Create memory used in this build recently experiencing price increases. At the time of review, the Explorer III Pro was even available for $3,200 on sale, making it less expensive than building the system yourself.
The Explorer III Pro delivers excellent performance across the board. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, effectively cooled by the 360mm radiator, achieves impressive scores in Geekbench 6 and Cinebench R24, approaching the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K found in more expensive systems. Graphical performance is equally strong, with the RTX 5080 achieving leading 3DMark scores compared to competing prebuilt systems.
This translates to exceptional gaming performance. The system achieves high frame rates at both 1080p and 4K resolutions. In 1080p, it ran Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 251 frames per second with maxed-out graphics settings. At 4K, it maintained triple-digit performance in most titles, even with demanding features like ray tracing enabled.
While performance is strong, the Explorer III Pro isn’t the absolute performance leader. Systems equipped with AMD Ryzen processors can offer a slight advantage in some gaming scenarios. However, the Explorer III Pro’s overall performance and competitive pricing make it a compelling option.
The system’s build quality is commendable. The Havn BF 360 Flow case provides ample space for components and supports a wide range of hardware configurations. The case features easily removable dust filters and a clean aesthetic, prioritizing a minimalist design with an all-black color scheme. Cable management is tidy, and the system offers plenty of expansion options, including additional M.2 slots and PCIe slots.
The Explorer III Pro’s primary drawback is its size. The large case requires significant desk space. The system’s cooling solution, while effective, results in some audible fan noise under heavy load. However, the noise is not excessively loud or irritating.
The Explorer III Pro offers a comprehensive selection of ports, including two USB-A and one USB-C on the front panel, as well as a variety of ports on the rear I/O panel, including Thunderbolt 4.
the Starforge Explorer III Pro is a well-built, high-performing gaming PC that offers excellent value for its price, provided you have the space to accommodate its substantial size.
