35%
Input 01Gaming capability
GPU class, VRAM, CPU gaming behavior, expected frame-time consistency and suitability for the target resolution.
Editorial standard · version 2026.08
How we turn listings into a ranking.
The short version: verify the exact ASIN, separate source types, score the hardware for its intended use, then pressure-test the verdict against price and repeated buyer-feedback patterns.
The scoring model
Four inputs, one 10-point score
Public buyer feedback remains a separate qualitative signal. We do not blend marketplace star averages into the Rig Index editorial score.
25%
Input 02Value at the checked price
The exact configuration is compared with nearby alternatives. A good component list can still score poorly at an inflated price.
20%
Input 03Ownership quality
Cooling, power-supply overhead, storage, ports, warranty, support and repeated reliability themes in public buyer feedback.
20%
Input 04Upgrade runway
Socket life, memory generation, free storage capacity, power connectors and whether the case makes normal upgrades practical.
Source hierarchy
Facts first. Context second.
Exact Amazon ASIN
Title, model number, included components, gallery media and warranty language come from the exact public listing checked on the stated date. Current price and availability stay on Amazon.
Manufacturer and silicon documentation
Architecture, feature support and platform facts are evaluated against manufacturer specifications for the listed CPU, GPU and system model.
Published component-level benchmarks
Performance outlooks use comparable CPU/GPU results. Unless explicitly stated, they are class estimates—not measurements from the exact prebuilt chassis.
Aggregate buyer-feedback patterns
We summarize repeated themes such as setup, noise, reliability or power-supply concerns. We avoid quoting individual reviews as if one experience represents every unit.
No borrowed certainty
“Official listing” means the fact or image was present on the exact Amazon ASIN when checked. Prebuilt vendors sometimes substitute component brands while preserving the advertised performance class.
“Amazon buyer signal” is a paraphrase of repeated public customer-feedback themes. It is not a lab result, warranty-rate database or Rig Index star rating.
“Expected performance” is a reasoned estimate for the listed CPU/GPU class. Game version, resolution, settings, cooling and driver changes can materially alter FPS.
“Live Amazon price” means the current seller, price, coupons and availability are intentionally left to the linked Amazon listing rather than copied into a static article.