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The term “desktop computer” often conjures up images of a bulky machine, and when combined with “gaming,” the visualization is amplified with a plethora of RGB lighting. However, not all gaming desktops need to be massive. A case in point is the Falcon Northwest Tiki, a compact powerhouse that packs a punch with its Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU, making it the perfect solution for those seeking maximum gaming performance without the bulk. The only drawback is the hefty price tag.

Falcon Northwest Tiki

The Falcon Northwest Tiki squeezes an impressive array of powerful components into an ultracompact chassis

Pros


  • Exceptional gaming and overall performance

  • Sleek, eye-catching design

  • Customizable prints available

  • Quiet fans

Pricing and Configurations

A more affordable option is the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X CPU base model, priced at $5,354, which includes a Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 Chromax Black Air Cooler. The review unit, costing $5,740, boasts a 2.5-GHz Intel Core Ultra 9 285 CPU, 32GB Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR4 6,000MHz RAM, and a Crucial T705a 2TB PCIe M.2 Gen 5.0 SSD, as well as an RGB-backlit Falcon emblem and a three-sided custom UV print.

Design/Build Quality

The Falcon Northwest Tiki is an exemplary example of a well-designed small form factor (SFF) system. The compact chassis, made from black anodized aluminum, features a sturdy base that prevents the system from tipping over. The company also offers custom UV prints, available for $149 for a single side panel or $399 for all three sides, utilizing a high-resolution UV printer with 600 dpi.

Left side shot of Falcon Northwest Tiki on wooden table
Photos: Charles Anthony Davis/DreamSmith LLC

The review unit features a custom UV print that mimics a circuit board, complete with a semi-glossy green paint finish and an RGB-backlit Falcon emblem on the front panel. The top panel boasts geometric vent cutouts, a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, and two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports. The rear of the Micro-Tower includes a range of ports, such as Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2, and HDMI 2.1.

Shot of Falcon Northwest Tiki opened from the right resting on wooden table
Photo: Charles Anthony Davis/DreamSmith LLC

Accessing the interior is straightforward, and the components are thoughtfully arranged to maximize space. The system measures 4 x 13.6 x 13 inches and weighs around 18 pounds, making it an ideal solution for those with limited space.

Gaming/Graphics

The Falcon Northwest Tiki packs a significant punch, thanks to its Nvidia RTX 5080 Founders Edition GPU. In benchmarks, the system delivered impressive results, including 76 fps in Black Myth Wukong at 1080p, 116 fps with DLSS, and 89 fps with ray tracing.

Front shot of Northwest Falcon Tiki with green and white Xbox Scuf controller on wooden table with Gizmodo sign in the back
Photo: Charles Anthony Davis/DreamSmith LLC

The system also performed admirably in Cyberpunk 2077, with 189 fps at 1080p, 371 fps with DLSS, and 361 fps with ray tracing. At 4K, the Tiki achieved 143 fps without effects, 270 fps with DLSS, and 267 fps with ray tracing.

Top-down shot of Falcon Northwest Tiki on wooden desk
Photo: Charles Anthony Davis/DreamSmith LLC

Performance

When not gaming, the Tiki’s 2.5-GHz Intel Core Ultra 9 285 processor and 64GB of RAM make it an excellent choice for productivity tasks. The system handled demanding tasks with ease, including video editing and running multiple applications simultaneously.

Close up shot of Falcon Northwest Tiki's interior
Photo: Charles Anthony Davis/DreamSmith LLC

In synthetic benchmarks, the Tiki performed well, with a close score to the CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme in the PCMark 10 test. The Tiki also excelled in the Cinebench 2024 benchmark and transcoding video, taking only 2 minutes and 31 seconds to transcode a 4K video to 1080p.

Verdict

Falcon Northwest has consistently demonstrated its ability to pack powerful components into a compact space without sacrificing performance. The Tiki is an excellent example of this, with its sleek design and impressive gaming capabilities. Although the price may be a barrier for some, the Tiki is an excellent pre-built system for those who can afford it.


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