Blogs @HP

August 16, 2016

Desktop Computer

Unleash domination-level gaming with OMEN X by HP

OMEN X redefines gaming desktops with power and performance, plenty of room for DIY

By Pierce Baker, Corporate Communications Intern, HP News

People use personal computers for a number of different reasons. Some users are data crunchers or video editors while others are social media surfers or binge watchers.

And then there are gamers.

In a class all their own, video game enthusiasts are a subset of PC users with a unique set of needs. For one, they want the best. They’ve got high expectations for unflagging processor speed, massive memory and true-to-life graphics. Many of them also have the know-how to tinker with their devices to customize their experiences. HP understands that and has worked hard to give them what they want.

With the release of the OMEN X desktop PC today , HP continues to build out the OMEN lineup, following the OMEN gaming laptop unveiled in May.

The OMEN X desktop was built for serious gamers who need fierce performance out-of-the-box in a fully customizable chassis – something not typically available from traditional PC manufacturers,” said Kevin Frost, vice president and general manager of consumer personal systems at HP.

But as an innovative company, HP hasn’t stopped there. The new lineup includes the not only the desktop, but also curved display, a suite of matching accessories by SteelSeries and a new 17.3” diagonal OMEN laptop designed with standout features they didn’t even know they wanted, including a new cooling system, the ability to customize and the power to experience virtual reality games.

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Diamond design for keeping cool

Specifically, HP looked at ways to improve the PC cooling system to reduce instances of lag, which could compromise the gaming experience with slow-downs or moments of buffering or worse yet, induce instances of “VR nausea.” HP’s engineers looked out of the box – literally—to make that happen.

First up was the design of the PC tower itself. In traditional designs, five sides of the unit are exposed as the PC rests on its sixth side. The OMEN X utilizes a diamond-shaped tower that rests on one edge – almost as if it were levitating in mid-air – so that all six sides are exposed, maximizing the ventilation and promoting airflow.

That diamond design allowed the engineers to create an internal “tri-chamber” approach that separates components into three areas: the motherboard, CPU and GPU (general processing unit) in one area, the hard drives in another and the power supply in the third. By keeping these components separated from each other by walls - and including a set of independent fans and vents in each chamber – the air flows in a more efficient way, allowing for an improved method of self-cooling.

At the same time, three 120mm liquid cooling radiators have been placed inside the tower to provide continuous circulation of cool air to critical components. Similarly, strategically installed exhaust ports enables hot air to have a constant flow away from the inside of the unit.

DIY rig

Even though the OMEN X has been designed to meet the unique needs of gamers, HP also understand that “one size fits all” doesn’t always apply. The OMEN X is powerful already – equipped with most advanced 6th-generation Intel® Core™ i5/i7 processors and up to the dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1080 and AMD Radeon R9 Fury X graphics cards, which support 4K displays.

Learn more about OMEN X specs, pricing and availability

But it’s also available as a standalone chassis for those who take a custom approach to their builds. The customizable unit that allows gamers with technical skills to embed standardcomponents into a base framework that contains the same cooling benefits and top-of-the-line industry standards as the pre-configured model.

Also new to OMEN X (and new to HP) is the switch from using proprietary parts and connectors to industry-standard ones for easier customization. The OMEN X uses standard USB headers, 120 mm fans (the most common size available) and leaves plenty of real estate in the chassis to tinker with aftermarket parts.

VR ready

Likewise, the OMEN X is also giving gamers a chance to experience the world of virtual reality games by including the powerful dual AMD Radeon R9 Fury X graphics card, which is configured to maximize the VR experience.

After all, no gamer wants to be in the middle of exploring virtual space or immersed in high-speed race along a virtual highway only to have the PC get choked up and ruin the immersive gameplay experience.

The OMEN X is a product that’s engineered by HP “so that the true enthusiast can always be up to date with the latest hardware to maintain peak performance with a customized rig,” Frost said.

HP OMEN Challenge at TwitchCon

HP also announced it will host a live tournament at the official TwitchCon after party on October 1, featuring the “Heroes of the Storm” by Blizzard.


The HP “Heroes of the Storm” OMEN Challenge will span across 13,000 square feet and feature four teams of five gamers playing “Heroes of the Storm” while in an enclosed gaming chamber for a chance to win the U.S. HP OMEN Challenge Championship. 

@OMENbyHPand the hashtags #DominatewithOMEN and #OMENCHALLENGE.

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