The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Maingear introduced the APEX Force and an upgraded APEX Rush on January 7, 2025. The distinction is straightforward: Force is a full tower with separate CPU and GPU cooling loops; Rush is a smaller mid tower with one loop serving both. Both are custom-built gaming PCs aimed at buyers who want a visible, configurable liquid-cooling system—not a maintenance-free prebuilt.
What Maingear launched—and what changed later
The January 7, 2025 announcement introduced the APEX Force and upgraded the APEX Rush. Maingear positioned both as hand-built, configurable systems combining high-end components with custom-loop cooling. The CES 2025 announcement and launch coverage describe that launch.
APEX specifications and availability have since evolved. Maingear issued another APEX announcement on September 30, 2025; its current product pages promote later hardware options, including GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 configurations. Those current options should not be mistaken for a list of components available on launch day. See Maingear’s later announcement listing and its current APEX overview.
APEX Force vs. APEX Rush
| Feature | APEX Force | APEX Rush |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Full tower | Mid tower |
| Cooling layout | Separate CPU and GPU loops | Unified loop for CPU and GPU |
| Radiators | Two 420-mm radiators; Maingear’s current page lists them as 60 mm thick | Two 360-mm radiators |
| Fans | Launch coverage described six 140-mm, 30-mm-thick fans | Maingear’s current description lists six 120-mm fans |
| Starting price | From $2,147, as listed on Maingear’s product page in August 2026; price can change | From $1,714, as listed on Maingear’s product page in August 2026; price can change |
| Best fit | Buyers prioritizing a larger showcase build, separate loops, and expansion room | Buyers wanting a more compact custom-loop system |
Maingear’s current product pages provide the latest model descriptions: APEX Force and APEX Rush. The launch-era fan details and current descriptions are dated differently, so they should not be treated as one fixed specification sheet.
#1 Best Overall
- Mayhems thermal performance focused premixed PC coolant for water cooling computer systems and loops.
- Mayhems longest operational lifetime coolant with great levels of thermal performance
- Prolongs the life and thermal cooling efficiency of your liquid cooling computer components
- Specially formulated to protect your liquid cooling computer components from corrosion and scale build up.
- Colour: Ozone Clear Blue (clear but turns ice white with a subtle ice-blue aura/haze under UV lighting)
What the custom cooling means in practice
Force: two separate loops
Force routes the CPU and GPU through separate loops, each with a 420-mm radiator. That is the more elaborate architecture and the larger radiator arrangement of the pair. Maingear’s launch material also described vertical airflow, with cooler air drawn in low and warm air exhausted higher in the chassis, plus 65 mm of bottom intake clearance.
Rush: one loop, two radiators
Rush uses a unified loop that serves both the CPU and GPU, with dual 360-mm radiators. It offers substantial radiator space in a mid-tower format, without Force’s separate-loop layout.
Neither design should be confused with a typical sealed AIO CPU cooler. An AIO is generally a closed, low-maintenance unit for one component; an open or custom loop uses tubing, fittings, a pump and coolant, and can cool multiple components. That brings more options for appearance and thermal design, but also more parts to service and more potential failure points.
Rank #2
- Mayhems thermal performance focused premixed PC coolant for water cooling computer systems and loops.
- Mayhems longest operational lifetime coolant with great levels of thermal performance
- Prolongs the life and thermal cooling efficiency of your liquid cooling computer components
- Specially formulated to protect your liquid cooling computer components from corrosion and scale build up.
- Colour: Neon Sunset Orange
Radiator size and loop separation describe the hardware, not measured gaming performance. The available product and launch information does not establish specific temperature, noise, or frame-rate advantages over other systems. A game’s performance still depends heavily on the selected CPU and GPU, resolution, settings, and software.
Hardware choices and personalization
Launch coverage described configurations using high-end Intel and AMD processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics cards. Its Force specification section listed Z890 and X870E motherboard options, up to 48 GB of DDR5-8000 memory or 96 GB of DDR5-6400, up to 8 TB of Gen4 M.2 NVMe storage, and power supplies up to 1,600 W. These are reported configuration ceilings, not a guarantee that every combination is available in every build.
Maingear’s later APEX pages promote RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 graphics options and support for AMD Ryzen 9000/9000X3D and second-generation Intel Core Ultra processors in some configurations, including selected overclocking options. Check the live configurator for current component availability rather than assuming these later choices were part of the January launch lineup.
Rank #3
- NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 5060 Ti 8GB GDDR7 GRAPHICS — Built for high-refresh 1080p gaming with the performance for 1440p in many popular titles. Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell with DLSS 4, Multi Frame Generation, advanced ray tracing, and 8GB of fast GDDR7 memory for responsive frame rates and exceptional visual detail.
- INTEL CORE ULTRA 5 225F 10-CORE PROCESSOR — Combines 6 Performance-cores and 4 Efficient-cores with 10 threads and boost speeds up to 4.9GHz. Its balanced hybrid design delivers responsive gaming performance and dependable multitasking for streaming, productivity, and everyday use.
- ALL-NEW, UPGRADEABLE MG-1 MK. II — Built around standard ATX hardware including 32GB DDR5-6000 memory, a 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSD, a Z890 motherboard, and an 850W 80+ Gold power supply for straightforward future upgrades. Reinforced construction, expanded airflow, an improved component layout, and refined RGB lighting elevate the MG-1 from the inside out.
- ZERO BLOATWARE. COOLED, TUNED AND STRESS-TESTED. — Start with a clean Windows 11 installation free from unnecessary preinstalled software. A 360mm AIO liquid cooler, seven chassis fans, and custom fan curves balance cooling and noise, while CPU, GPU, and memory stress testing verifies reliable performance under demanding loads.
- BUILT AND SUPPORTED BY MAINGEAR — Hand-assembled by enthusiast technicians in New Jersey and supported by the same in-house team. Includes a 1-year limited warranty, award-winning lifetime technical support, protective double-layer packaging, and a custom GPU support bracket.
Customization covers appearance as well as components. Depending on model and configuration, buyers can select coolant color and opacity, tubing materials, fitting finishes, cable-sleeving colors, and RGB lighting. Maingear says its APEX options allow more than 10,000 aesthetic combinations; that is the company’s claim, and particular choices may affect cost and build time.
Rush also offers optional Artist Series case designs, which Maingear names Night Drive, Machina, and Good Fortune. The Force emphasizes a more traditional large-format showcase, while Rush’s smaller chassis provides the artwork option.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Maintenance and ownership
Maingear explicitly warns that APEX systems require periodic maintenance. The systems include accessible drain/fill ports and pump access; quick-disconnects are intended to make servicing easier. Easier access does not make a custom loop maintenance-free, and the published information does not establish a universal coolant-service interval.
Rank #4
- Mayhems environmentally friendly PC coolant concentrate for water cooled computer systems and loops.
- Mayhems X1 coolant combines good levels of thermal performance and operational lifetime. Some of the most advanced water cooling fluid on the market
- Based on a proprietary blend of refined vegetable extracts that are fully biodegradable
- Specially formulated to protect your liquid cooling computer components from corrosion and scale build up.
- Colour: Ice Crystal Clear
Before ordering, ask Maingear which coolant is used, how and when it should be replenished, what owner-performed servicing is permitted, and how loop service or modifications affect warranty coverage. Maingear says its PCs are hand-built in New Jersey and undergo testing and quality assurance; that is a manufacturer statement. The available information does not establish long-term pump reliability or leak rates.
- Transport: A large, liquid-cooled system is less convenient to move than a simpler desktop. Ask the builder about safe transport and any preparation required.
- Upgrades: Changing a GPU in a custom loop may involve draining or rerouting tubing, unlike swapping a card in many air-cooled systems.
- Support: Launch-era coverage cited a one-year standard warranty, an option to upgrade to three years, and lifetime technical support. Confirm the current warranty and service terms for the exact new configuration; outlet products can have different coverage.
Price, availability, and buying routes
Maingear’s product pages showed starting prices of $1,714 for Rush and $2,147 for Force in August 2026. These are changeable “from” prices for configurable product families—not prices for a fully upgraded RTX 5080 or RTX 5090 build. Premium components and aesthetic options can raise the total substantially. Check the live pages for current pricing: Rush and Force.
At launch, Maingear described a refundable $100 reservation deposit to hold a place in the build queue. The CES announcement said the amount would be applied to a purchase or refunded, with 48 hours to complete an order after notification; otherwise, the deposit could become store credit if the customer did not buy or request a refund within that window. Those were launch-era terms, not a statement of current checkout policy. Confirm the current terms before paying.
Recommended Free Tools
Best Value
- NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 GRAPHICS — Built for smooth, high-refresh 1440p gaming. Powered by NVIDIA Blackwell with DLSS 4, Multi Frame Generation, advanced ray tracing, and 12GB of ultra-fast GDDR7 memory for responsive frame rates and exceptional visual detail in demanding games.
- AMD RYZEN 7 7800X3D 8-CORE PROCESSOR — Built on AMD Zen 4 architecture with AMD 3D V-Cache technology, 8 cores, 16 threads, boost speeds up to 5.0GHz, and 96MB of L3 cache. Its large cache and gaming-focused design deliver exceptional high-FPS performance with responsive multitasking for streaming and everyday use.
- ALL-NEW, UPGRADEABLE MG-1 MK. II — Built around standard ATX hardware including 32GB DDR5-6000 memory, a 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSD, an X870E motherboard, and an 850W 80+ Gold power supply for straightforward future upgrades. Reinforced construction, expanded airflow, an improved component layout, and refined RGB lighting elevate the MG-1 from the inside out.
- ZERO BLOATWARE. COOLED, TUNED AND STRESS-TESTED. — Start with a clean Windows 11 installation free from unnecessary preinstalled software. A 360mm AIO liquid cooler, seven chassis fans, and custom fan curves balance cooling and noise, while CPU, GPU, and memory stress testing verifies reliable performance under demanding loads.
- BUILT AND SUPPORTED BY MAINGEAR — Hand-assembled by enthusiast technicians in New Jersey and supported by the same in-house team. Includes a 1-year limited warranty, award-winning lifetime technical support, protective double-layer packaging, and a custom GPU support bracket.
Maingear also advertises financing through Bread, subject to approval and transaction terms. Cash price is the clearest basis for comparing systems; financing costs and eligibility depend on the offer shown at checkout.
Outlet inventory is a separate route from ordering a new custom APEX. It can include open-box or recertified PCs with different specifications, warranty terms, and return restrictions. For example, recertified APEX Force listings around $6,257–$6,285 were listed; outlet stock and prices are volatile; those listings are not launch prices or a current quote. Check the Maingear outlet and the terms attached to the individual listing.
Which APEX system—and whether to buy one
Choose Force for the larger dual-loop build
Force makes sense if separate CPU and GPU loops, a full-tower chassis, extensive cooling hardware, and room for a prominent showcase build are priorities. It is a poor match for a small desk, frequent moves, or a buyer who values simplicity above the cooling architecture.
Choose Rush for a more compact custom loop
Rush is the more space-conscious option for buyers who want a liquid-cooled CPU-and-GPU system but do not need Force’s full-tower dual-loop arrangement. Its Artist Series option may also appeal to buyers who want the chassis itself to be part of the display.
Choose a simpler PC if maintenance or value comes first
A high-end air- or AIO-cooled prebuilt is the more practical choice if you do not want recurring coolant upkeep, expect to move the PC often, or are primarily seeking value per frame. A DIY custom loop offers more control for experienced builders, but shifts assembly, leak testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance onto the owner.
What the published information does not prove
Maingear’s launch and product pages describe design, options, and intended positioning; they are not independent comparative tests. They do not establish standardized gaming-FPS gains, temperatures, acoustic levels, power consumption, overclocking headroom, long-term pump life, or total ownership cost against a DIY loop or other boutique systems. Treat claims such as quiet operation or superior cooling as manufacturer positioning unless supported by measurements.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
