CLX CLX Gaming Desktop - Intel Core i7 14700KF 3.4GHz Review

This mini PC packs a CPU in the 89th percentile and storage in the 97th, but its reliability scores in the 21st percentile are a major red flag. It's a powerhouse in a small box with a huge 5TB of total storage, but you're taking a risk on an unproven system. Great for raw specs, questionable for long-term use.

This CLX gaming desktop is a bit of a paradox. Its CPU performance lands in the 89th percentile, which is genuinely impressive for a mini form factor, and its storage setup is in the 97th percentile thanks to that 1TB NVMe SSD paired with a massive 4TB hard drive. You're getting a 20-core Intel Core i7 14700KF that can turbo up to 5.6GHz and a GeForce RTX 4060 Ti with 16GB of VRAM. But then you look at the other numbers, and the story gets more complicated. Its RAM configuration sits in the 37th percentile, which is odd given the 32GB total, and its reliability and social proof scores are in the low 20s, suggesting it's a bit of an unknown quantity.

Let's talk about where this thing shines and where it doesn't. That 89th percentile CPU score is the headline. The 14700KF is a beast, and in a mini PC, that's no small feat. It's cooled by a liquid system, which helps keep those boost clocks stable. The GPU is solid, sitting in the 72nd percentile. The RTX 4060 Ti with 16GB is a good match for 1440p gaming, though it's not the top dog. The real star is the storage. A 97th percentile score means you get a fast 1TB NVMe boot drive and a cavernous 4TB HDD for your game library. The 600W power supply is adequate, but it doesn't leave a ton of headroom for future upgrades.

At $2,016, you're paying for that high-end CPU and the enormous storage in a compact box. The price per performance is decent for the raw specs you get, especially the CPU and storage combo. However, you have to weigh that against the low reliability percentile and the fact that you could likely build a similar or better-performing system in a standard tower for less, with more upgrade flexibility. The mini form factor commands a premium, but the internal component choices feel a bit unbalanced.

Compared to something like the HP Omen 45L, you lose the easy upgradeability and potentially better cooling of a full tower, but you gain a much smaller footprint. The Omen might offer similar CPU performance but likely with a better overall system balance. Against a Dell Alienware Aurora, you're looking at stronger brand reliability (Alienware scores higher there) but often at a much higher price for similar specs. The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is a more direct competitor in a traditional case, often with better RAM configurations and similar prices. This CLX's main unique selling points are its mini size combined with a top-tier CPU and huge storage, but that comes with trade-offs in other areas.

Skip this if reliability is your top concern. A 21st percentile score is a glaring red flag in our data. Also, if you plan on frequent upgrades, the mini form factor and 600W power supply will be limiting. Gamers who prioritize a proven track record and strong customer support should look at more established brands like HP Omen or Lenovo Legion, even if it means a slightly larger case.

We can only give this a cautious recommendation if your priorities are extremely specific. If you absolutely need a mini PC with a CPU this powerful and you value massive storage above all else—including long-term reliability and a proven track record—this CLX fits a niche. The data shows its strengths are very high, but its weaknesses are alarmingly low. For most gamers, a slightly larger system from a more established brand would offer better balance, higher reliability scores, and more peace of mind for a similar investment.