Falcon Northwest Tiki: A Compact Gaming Behemoth

The world of desktop computers often conjures images of hulking towers, imposing figures dominating a desk space. When the word "gaming" enters the equation, those images are often amplified, embellished with a dazzling array of RGB lighting and aggressive angles. The assumption is that serious gaming power demands a massive chassis. But Falcon Northwest, a boutique PC builder known for its meticulous craftsmanship and high-performance systems, is challenging that notion with the Tiki, a compact gaming powerhouse that punches far above its weight class.

The Falcon Northwest Tiki is a testament to the idea that big things can indeed come in small packages. This Small Form Factor (SFF) system manages to cram an impressive amount of hardware into a surprisingly slim and elegant frame. Imagine a desktop that doesn’t hog your desk, a system that fits neatly into tighter spaces without compromising on raw gaming performance. That’s the promise of the Tiki.

Inside the svelte confines of the Tiki lurks the heart of a modern gaming beast: an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor paired with an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU. This dynamic duo is ready to tackle the most demanding games and applications, unleashing visual fidelity and frame rates that would make larger systems blush. Whether you’re battling hordes of virtual enemies or engaging in creative endeavors, the Tiki is equipped to handle it all.

The Tiki’s appeal lies in its ability to deliver maximum gaming power without sacrificing precious space. This makes it an ideal solution for apartment dwellers, students, or anyone who simply prefers a cleaner, more minimalist setup. However, this performance and compactness come at a premium. The Tiki is not a budget-friendly option.

Despite its small size, Falcon Northwest offers a wide array of configuration options for the Tiki, allowing you to tailor the system to your specific needs and budget. From different processor choices to varying amounts of RAM and storage, you have the freedom to create a Tiki that perfectly aligns with your gaming aspirations.

Unfortunately, like many other PC manufacturers, Falcon Northwest is facing the sting of tariffs, which inevitably leads to price increases that are passed on to the consumer. While a 5% price increase might seem insignificant at first glance, it can add a considerable chunk to the overall cost, especially when you’re already dealing with high-end components.

To illustrate, the base model Tiki, equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor, starts at a hefty $5,407. This configuration also includes an Intel Laminar RH1 Cooler, 32GB of Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR4 6,000MHz RAM, an Asus ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi Motherboard, a 2TB Kingston Fury Renegade PCIe M.2 SSD, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU with 16GB of VRAM, and a SilverStone SX SFX-L Platinum 1,000W PSU.

For those who prefer AMD, a base model featuring an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X CPU is available at a slightly lower price of $5,354. This configuration includes the Noctua NH-L9a-AM5 Chromax Black Air Cooler.

The review unit tested boasted a more powerful configuration, priced at $5,740. It featured a 2.5-GHz Intel Core Ultra 9 285 CPU, 64GB of Kingston Fury Beast RGB DDR4 6,000MHz RAM, and a 2TB Crucial T705a PCIe M.2 Gen 5.0 SSD. This specific build also included an RGB-backlit Falcon emblem and a custom UV print.

Regardless of the chosen configuration, all Tiki systems come pre-installed with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro and are backed by a 3-year parts and labor warranty, providing peace of mind and assurance.

The Tiki’s chassis is a work of art in itself. Crafted from black anodized aluminum, it exudes a premium feel and a sense of understated elegance. The thick base ensures stability, preventing the system from tipping over or sliding around on your desk.

Falcon Northwest also offers custom UV prints for the Tiki, allowing you to personalize your system with unique designs and artwork. The company boasts the "highest resolution UV printer in the industry" at 600 dpi, ensuring crisp and vibrant prints. The review unit featured a pre-made circuit board print with a semi-glossy finish, giving it a cool embossed look. The company’s Falcon mascot is proudly displayed on both side panels, and the cut-out emblem on the front panel is RGB backlit, adding a touch of flair.

The top panel features geometric vent cutouts for optimal airflow, along with a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and the power and fan buttons. The rear panel houses a comprehensive array of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2, USB-A 2.0, USB-A 3.0, USB-A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, Wi-Fi antenna connectors, and the AC input jack.

Opening the case is a straightforward process, requiring only the removal of two screws. Inside, the components are meticulously arranged, with the GPU occupying the top quarter of the space and the CPU, motherboard, and RAM taking up the rest. Despite the compact layout, there’s even room to upgrade the RAM to 96GB if desired.

Measuring just 4 x 13.6 x 13 inches, the Tiki’s slim frame makes it a perfect fit for tight spaces. While compact, the system carries some weight, starting at 18 pounds, depending on the components.

The Tiki’s performance is comparable to that of a much larger gaming PC. Equipped with an Nvidia RTX 5080 Founders Edition GPU, it can handle virtually any game or application with ease.

In benchmarks, the Tiki consistently delivered impressive frame rates in demanding titles like Black Myth Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077. While it occasionally trailed slightly behind a larger system with a similar GPU, the differences were often negligible.

Beyond gaming, the Tiki also excels at productivity tasks. Its powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and ample RAM make it a capable workstation for video editing, content creation, and other demanding applications. The system handled a heavy workload of Chrome tabs, G-Suite apps, and video editing software without breaking a sweat.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Tiki traded blows with a larger system featuring an AMD Ryzen 9800X3D processor. While the AMD-based system edged out the Tiki in some tests, the Tiki consistently outperformed it in others, particularly in video transcoding and Blender rendering.

The Falcon Northwest Tiki is a remarkable achievement in SFF PC design. It combines high-end components, exceptional performance, and a stylish chassis into a compact package. While the price is undeniably steep, the Tiki offers a unique and compelling solution for gamers and content creators who value performance and aesthetics without sacrificing space. If you can afford it, the Falcon Northwest Tiki is an exceptional pre-built system that is sure to turn heads and deliver an unparalleled gaming experience.