Is there a better alternative?

If you’re okay with Intel’s last generation processors, HP’s Omen Obelisk is very competitively priced for its specifications. Asus’ competing ROG Strix, for example, costs approximately $1,200 more than the Obelisk at $3,299. At that price, you’re getting a newer 9th-Generation Intel Core i7-9700 processor. Dell’s Alienware Area-51 desktop costs the same price as the ROG Strix, but you’re getting an eight-core Intel Core i7-7820X processor, 16GB RAM, and 128GB M.2 solid-state drive coupled with a 1TB hard drive.

　　Boutique PC manufacturer Origin PC’s Chronos desktop also comes in a similarly compact package. When configured with an Intel Core i7-9700K processor and an RTX 2080 graphics card, the Origin starts at $2,432, which is a $400 premium over the Obelisk. Origin offers far more customization options if you like to trick out your rig, but the Chronos doesn’t come with HP’s single-pane window design.

　　If you’re a more serious gamer, you’ll want to wait for the 2019 version of the Omen Obelisk that HP announced at CES. The 2019 Obelisk maintains the same aesthetics and design as our review unit, but the improved configuration maxes out with newer Intel Core i9 processor, better RTX 2080 Ti graphics, and a radiator for liquid cooling. This updated model is expected to deliver more power for computational tasks and improved gaming performance. It’s slated to arrive in March starting at $2,249, so pricing on the 8th-gen Intel configuration could drop at that time.

　　

How long will it last?

Regardless of which configuration you settle on, the HP Omen Obelisk will satisfy your gaming needs for years to come. All the internal components are upgradeable, and if you opt for an RTX series graphics card, you’re buying a future-proof PC. The challenge for most gamers who purchase this and other RTX-equipped system is waiting for developers to add support for ray tracing into their titles, and that process can take a while.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you don’t have the patience to source your own parts to build your own PC, HP’s Omen Obelisk is a great pre-built alternative that’s competitively priced and well equipped to deliver the performance most gamers need. Though it’s a gaming tower that’s targeted at mainstream gamers, it’s got enough features – ease of upgrade, RTX power, and a modern design – that makes this desktop appealing to the enthusiast.