What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
HotHardware’s April 2022 review found its $4,797 ORIGIN PC NEURON 4000X fast, well assembled and capable of trading blows with a pricier RTX 3090 system in the games tested. The verdict came with an important caveat: its Core i9-12900K reached 95°C in a sustained stress test under the fitted 240mm-class liquid cooler. The review describes one premium configuration, not a fixed model or a current price list.
What did HotHardware review?
The NEURON 4000X was a configurable gaming desktop built around a Corsair 4000 Series mid-tower. HotHardware’s April 2022 sample paired Intel’s 12th Gen Core i9-12900K with an ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Ti. The complete tested system cost $4,797 at the time.
| Component | HotHardware’s 2022 review build |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i9-12900K, with 8 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores (16 cores and 24 threads total) |
| Motherboard | MSI MPG Z690 Force WiFi with DDR5 |
| Memory | 32GB Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB, two 16GB modules at 5200MHz |
| Primary storage | 1TB Corsair MP600 CORE Gen4 SSD with Windows 11 |
| Secondary storage | 2TB Samsung 870 QVO |
| Graphics card | ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 3080 Ti |
| CPU cooler | Corsair iCUE H100i Elite Capellix AIO liquid cooler, with 120mm radiator fans |
| Case | Corsair 4000 Series mid-tower with tempered-glass front and side panels |
| Price as tested | $4,797, as reported in HotHardware’s April 2022 review |
HotHardware also cited a historical $2,299 starting price for a lower-spec NEURON with a Core i9-11700K and GeForce RTX 3060. That was a different configuration and an April 2022-era figure, not a current quote or the price of the reviewed machine. Read HotHardware’s review and its testing context.
How fast was it for gaming and everyday work?
In HotHardware’s 2022 test suite, the system finished near the top of the Cinebench R20 results, led the Speedometer 2.0 chart, earned the best overall PCMark 10 result in that comparison, and placed near the top in 3DMark Time Spy. Those are results within the review’s specific comparison set, not universal rankings.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors#1 Best Overall
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 14.1" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy ergonomic support with the integrated cushioned wrist rest.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a sleek black carbon color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.8 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
In the games HotHardware tested, the NEURON often matched or traded blows with a more expensive Falcon Northwest system equipped with an RTX 3090, including at 1440p and 4K. The comparison is useful evidence that this RTX 3080 Ti build delivered high-end gaming performance in those tests; it does not establish identical results across games, settings, drivers, or other system configurations. HotHardware noted that system, operating-system and browser differences affected some comparisons.
How hot and loud did the review build get?
The most consequential qualification was CPU cooling under sustained load. HotHardware recorded a 95°C CPU peak during Prime95; after about 15 minutes, reported clock speeds were around 4.05–4.2GHz. The reviewer said the CPU could benefit from a larger cooler. In the gaming run, the CPU was about 83°C, a different workload from the sustained Prime95 stress test.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
| Review condition | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Idle power | About 88W, measured by HotHardware in 2022 |
| Combined Prime95 and Furmark full-load stress test | Approximately 735W drawn from the wall, measured by HotHardware in 2022 |
| Metro Exodus Ultra game loop | Low-500W range, measured by HotHardware in 2022 |
| Prime95 CPU stress test | 95°C CPU peak; around 4.05–4.2GHz after about 15 minutes, reported by HotHardware in 2022 |
| Gaming run | About 83°C CPU temperature, reported by HotHardware in 2022 |
| Furmark GPU load | 66°C GPU core and roughly 75°C GPU memory, reported by HotHardware in 2022 |
| Full gaming workload | About 42dB at two feet from the case front, measured by HotHardware in 2022 |
These readings belong to HotHardware’s one sample and test conditions. They should not be treated as guaranteed figures for other NEURON configurations, or as a substitute for checking cooling and power behavior on a current build.
Was the case practical, and what ports were on the front?
HotHardware praised the Corsair 4000 Series enclosure for its mid-tower footprint, cable-management space, fan mounting options and room for upgrades. The review says it supports up to six 120mm fans or four 140mm fans, a front-mounted 360mm radiator, or a roof-mounted 280mm radiator. The reviewed system had fans in the available positions.
Rank #3
- Note: Not suitable for MacBooks released after 2023 or devices with a protruding front camera; Not applicable to full-screen or notch-style tempered glass screen protectors; Do not use on the rear camera of the phone.
- 💻 Why Do You Need a Webcam Cover Slide? — Safeguard your privacy by covering your webcam with our reliable webcam cover when not in use. Don't let anyone secretly watch you. Stay protected!
- ✅ Thin & Stylish — Enhance your laptop's functionality and aesthetics with our 0.027" ultra-thin webcam covers. Seamlessly close your laptop while adding a touch of sophistication.
- ✅ Fits Most Devices — Compatible with laptops, phones, tablets, desktops! Keep your privacy intact on Ap/ple, Mac/Book, iPh/one, iP/ad, H/P, L/novo, De/ll, Ac/er, As/us, Sa/msung devices.
- ✅ 365 Days Protection — Our upgraded 3.0 adhesive ensures a strong hold that won't damage your equipment. Experience reliable, long-term privacy protection day in and day out.
Front I/O was limited to a combo headphone/microphone jack, one USB-C port and one USB-A port. Rear connectivity depended on the selected motherboard and graphics card, so it was not a single fixed port layout for every configuration.
What was setup and ownership like?
The sample arrived in a wooden crate with foam protection, cables and manuals. It came with Windows 11, Corsair iCUE and MSI Center installed; HotHardware described the preinstalled software load as minimal. Those details describe the reviewed shipment and software, not a guarantee about current packaging or configuration.
Rank #4
- Anti-Slip Surface - Transform your laptop into a mobile workstation with the AboveTEK portable laptop lap desk. The anti-slip surface provides a strong grip for laptops up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), while the double rubber strip on the bottom ensures a stable display or typing experience on your lap, couch, or bed.
- Retractable Mouse Pad - Retractable laptop mouse pad extends on both directions for the left/right handed with elevation along the edges for stopping mouse from falling off. The size of laptop tray is 14" X 9.7" and the size of mouse pad is 7.4" X 6.1".
- Effective Heat Shield - The effective heat shield made of sturdy and thick material protects your laptop from overheating. Prioritizes your comfort and safety, an ideal lap pad or board for working anywhere.
- EASY to Carry and Store - With an ergonomic and simplistic design, the lap desk is portable to store in a backpack. Only 15" in size, 2.2 lb of weight and with slim 0.6 inch thickness, it is ready to be easily carried around.
- Widely Applicable - The smooth platform accommodates laptops and tablets up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), making it a versatile accessory and one of the best gifts for mom, dad, students and professionals. Perfect for use as a laptop bed tray or tablet holder anywhere at home, library, or park.
CORSAIR’s November 23, 2021 announcement said initial shipments of Intel 12th Gen and DDR5-equipped ORIGIN systems, including NEURON, were underway. That announcement supplies company context for the platform launch, rather than independent evidence for HotHardware’s benchmark results. Read CORSAIR’s announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Origin PC Neuron 4000X worth it?
For its specific 2022 sample, HotHardware recommended the NEURON 4000X, praising its build quality, component selection, performance, GPU thermals, acoustics and the reviewed configuration’s pricing. It also cautioned that the very top configurations were expensive and that the i9-12900K could use a larger cooler. That is the reviewer’s judgment in 2022, not a current value comparison.
Best Value
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Today’s ORIGIN PC NEURON page presents a newer configurable product family, with current-generation AMD and Intel processor choices, newer graphics options, DDR5 memory, NVMe storage and multiple warranty options. It does not establish that the old review parts remain orderable, that current prices match the 2022 figures, or that current systems reproduce the review’s results. No present-day price for a comparable configuration is established here. Check ORIGIN PC’s current NEURON configurator and support options.
For a current buying decision, compare the complete configured price and parts list, gaming performance at your target resolution, sustained CPU cooling, noise and power, case expansion and front ports, and warranty/support terms. Also consider whether stepping down from the most expensive configuration would preserve the gaming performance you actually need; the historical review alone cannot answer that current price question.
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.
