IbuyPower’s Trace X Gaming PC Is the Fishbowl You Want to Swim In

At a glance:

• IbuyPower’s Trace X features a striking "fishbowl" design with RGB lighting and a transparent side panel, prioritizing aesthetics over ease of use.
• The prebuilt PC includes a Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU, RTX 5080 GPU, and 32GB RAM, priced at $3,450 as of May 2026.
• While the Trace X offers strong gaming performance, its complex cable management and noise may deter users seeking a hassle-free setup.

Design and Aesthetics

The iBuyPower Trace X’s most defining feature is its "fishbowl" case, which transforms the PC into a glowing aquarium of components. The transparent side panel allows a full view of the internal hardware, with RGB lighting cascading from the bottom of the case through the top exhaust vents. This design, while visually stunning, comes with trade-offs. The case’s glass panels are prone to fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning to maintain its pristine appearance. The front panel is secured with two thumbscrews, making it relatively easy to access, but the rear panel demands more effort. Despite these quirks, the Trace X’s design has drawn praise for its uniqueness, with one Gizmodo reviewer noting it "could potentially stick with this design over several generations" if AMD continues supporting the AM5 CPU socket.

The case’s internal layout is optimized for visual appeal rather than practicality. The power supply unit (PSU) is housed in an aluminum shield, making it difficult to access the cables beneath the GPU. This design choice, while enhancing the aesthetic, complicates future upgrades. The front panel’s USB-C, USB-A, and headphone jack ports are positioned at the bottom, which some users may find inconvenient. However, the Trace X’s side fans and 360mm AIO liquid cooler contribute to a calming ambiance, with the liquid cooler’s HDMI output allowing for direct monitor connections without relying on the GPU.

Components and Specifications

The Trace X is configured with high-end components, including an AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU, and 32GB of RAM. This setup, priced at $3,450 as of May 2026, positions it as a premium prebuilt option. The GPU is sold separately in its original MSI packaging, requiring manual installation into the top PCIe Express slot. The motherboard, an Asus X870 Max Gaming ATX, includes a range of I/O ports, such as two 40Gbps USB-C, three USB-A 2.0, and a 10G USB-A port. The inclusion of an HDMI port on the motherboard ensures monitor connectivity even if the GPU fails. However, the Trace X’s components are not without drawbacks. The supplied keyboard and mouse are basic, and the case’s tight cable management can make future upgrades challenging.

The Trace X’s pricing reflects the cost of its high-end components. A similar build using the same parts via BuildCores would cost roughly the same, but prebuilt options like the Trace X save time and effort. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a slightly overclocked version of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, offering marginal performance gains. The RTX 5080 is a more affordable alternative to the RTX 5090, which has seen significant price increases since its 2025 launch. Despite these costs, the Trace X’s design and components make it a compelling choice for users prioritizing aesthetics over ease of use.

Performance and Benchmarks

The Trace X delivers solid gaming performance, with the RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9850X3D combination handling 4K titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Black Myth: Wukong with ease. In 3DMark benchmarks, the Trace X outperformed the HP Omen Max 45L in lower-power tests like Fire Strike and Wild Life, though it lagged in higher-end GPU tests such as Steel Nomad. The CPU’s performance in Cinebench 2026 showed a 1% improvement over the Maingear Rush desktop with the same GPU and CPU. However, in Blender rendering tasks, the Trace X was six seconds slower than the Maingear Rush, highlighting the Ryzen 7 9850X3D’s limitations in multi-threaded workloads.

Thermal management is a mixed bag for the Trace X. Under heavy load, the CPU reached 80°C, which is within safe limits but higher than expected given the 360mm liquid cooler. The case’s airflow design, with three side-panel fans and four exhaust fans, creates a negative pressure environment that may contribute to increased noise. The HP Omen Max 45L, by comparison, maintained lower temperatures with a more balanced airflow configuration. Despite these challenges, the Trace X’s performance in gaming scenarios, such as Total War: Warhammer III, remains competitive, though it struggles with CPU-intensive tasks at 4K resolutions.

Comparison with Competitors

The Trace X’s design and performance place it in direct competition with other high-end prebuilt PCs like the HP Omen Max 45L and Maingear Rush. The HP Omen Max 45L, priced at $6,000+, offers a Ryzen 9 9900X3D CPU and RTX 5090 GPU, delivering 24% better multithreaded performance in Cinebench 2026. However, the Trace X’s RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9850X3D combination provides a more cost-effective option for users prioritizing 4K gaming over rendering tasks. In Black Myth: Wukong, the Trace X outperformed the HP Omen Max 45L at 1080p, achieving 20% higher frame rates, but the HP’s RTX 5090 dominated at 4K, with a 20-22% performance advantage.

The Trace X’s Asus X870 Max Gaming ATX motherboard includes a variety of I/O ports, such as two 40Gbps USB-C and three USB-A 2.0, making it a versatile choice for users with multiple peripherals. However, the HP Omen Max 45L lacks an HDMI port on the motherboard, requiring reliance on the GPU for monitor connections. The Trace X’s 360mm AIO liquid cooler also provides a more visually striking setup compared to the HP’s standard air cooling. Despite these advantages, the Trace X’s complex cable management and noise make it less practical for users seeking a hassle-free experience.

User Experience and Practicality

The Trace X’s fishbowl design is a double-edged sword. While the transparent side panel and RGB lighting make it a standout on any desk, the case’s glass panels are prone to fingerprints, requiring regular cleaning. The rear panel is more difficult to access, and the PSU’s aluminum shield complicates cable management. Users who prioritize aesthetics over practicality may find the Trace X’s design worth the trade-offs, but those seeking a more user-friendly setup may prefer alternatives like the Hyte X50 case, which offers better airflow and easier access.

The Trace X’s included peripherals—a basic keyboard and mouse—are functional but not high-end. Users looking for a more premium experience may need to invest in additional accessories. The front panel’s USB-C and USB-A ports are conveniently placed, but the headphone jack is located at the bottom, which some users may find inconvenient. Despite these limitations, the Trace X’s clean cable management and efficient rear cable routing make it a visually appealing option for users who prioritize aesthetics.

Future Considerations

The Trace X’s AM5 CPU socket support from AMD is a key factor in its long-term viability. The company has promised long-term support for AM5, which could allow the Trace X to remain relevant for several generations. However, the RTX 5080’s performance may become outdated as newer GPUs like the RTX 5090 and RTX 6000 are released. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D’s slightly overclocked performance offers a balance between cost and capability, but users seeking future-proofing may need to consider higher-end CPUs.

For users who value customization, the Trace X’s transparent case and RGB lighting provide a unique opportunity to showcase internal components. However, the complex cable management and noise may deter those who prefer a more straightforward setup. The HP Omen Max 45L and Maingear Rush offer more balanced performance and practicality, but the Trace X’s aesthetic appeal and high-end components make it a compelling choice for users who prioritize visual design.

Conclusion

The iBuyPower Trace X is a striking example of a gaming PC that prioritizes aesthetics over practicality. Its fishbowl design, high-end components, and strong gaming performance make it a standout option for users who value visual appeal. However, its complex cable management, noise, and higher price point may not appeal to all. For those willing to overlook these drawbacks, the Trace X offers a unique and immersive experience, blending cutting-edge technology with a design that turns the PC into a work of art. As the gaming hardware landscape evolves, the Trace X’s AM5 socket support and RTX 5080 GPU ensure it remains a viable option for the foreseeable future.