Final Titan X(P) Build Help

My Core 2 Duo system, which I built, is literally about to die. I created a post here a couple months ago looking for initial help.

I'm ready to click the order button now after realising that I would always be waiting to the latest and greatest to be available. One thing for certain, I am certain DS is the company for me. Please help me identify any overkill or areas of improvement.

Budget:
Approx $5000-6000

Expectations:
To get 5+ years out of the system with only the need to upgrade gpu's and maintain my LC system.  I will initially move to 1440p res (from 1080p) and eventually 4k when the new monitors are released and have been out a while.

Usage:
Gaming - Civ VI, BF 1, Overwatch, Star Citizen/Squadron 42.
Productivity - Surfing, MS Office, etc
Video Editing - 4k Video shot from my new drone and posting to Youtube.

Some questions:
1) I would like to know if I order the Corsair fan upgrades, will DS use the Corsair static fans for the radiators and Airflow fans for case fans?
2) Will the cpu and chipset be LC'd as shown in the main picture for the Velox or would I have to special order that block for the Maximus VIII Hero mb.  



Here's my October configuration.

Configuration Code: 1499135
Total Price with Instant Savings: $5,908.00

Direct Load URL: https://www.digitalstorm.com/configurator.asp?id=1499135

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Digital Storm Velox
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish

Processor: Intel Core i7 6700K 4.0GHz (Codename Skylake) (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO (Intel Z170 Chipset) (Up to 5x PCI-E Devices) <br><strong></strong>
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Corsair Dominator Platinum DHX (Extreme-Performance) <br><strong></strong>
Power Supply: 850W EVGA SuperNOVA <br><strong></strong>

Expansion Bay: Option Not Available
Optical Drive: Blu-Ray Player/DVD Writer (Play Blu-Ray and Burn DVDs) (Internal) <br><strong></strong>
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD M.2 (512GB Samsung 950 PRO) (NVM Express) (Extreme Performance) <br><strong></strong>
Storage Set 2: 1x SSD (512GB Samsung 850 PRO) <br><strong></strong>
Storage Set 3: 1x Storage (2TB Western Digital - Black Edition) <br><strong></strong>
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)

Graphics Card(s): 1x GeForce GTX TITAN X 12GB (Pascal) (NVIDIA Founders Edition) (VR Ready) <br><strong></strong>
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks

Extreme Cooling: H20: HydroLux PRO: Exotic Custom Cooling System (1x Graphics Card + CPU) <br><strong></strong>
HydroLux Tubing Style: Flexible Tubing (Requires HydroLux Liquid Cooling System)  <br><strong></strong>
HydroLux Fluid Color: Blue Fluid (Requires HydroLux Liquid Cooling System) <br><strong></strong>

Cable Management: Exotic Cable Management - Blue - (Cable Combs with Custom Color Sleeved Extension Cables) <br><strong></strong>
Chassis Fans: Corsair Airflow Performance Edition (Up to 6 Fans) <br><strong></strong>
Internal Lighting: Digital Storm RGB LED Lighting System (Requires Thermal Management Control Board & Software) <br><strong></strong>
Airflow Control: Digital Storm Thermal Management Control Board & Software <br><strong></strong>

Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks

Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock CPU - Up to 4.4GHz (Depends on Cooling and Motherboard)
Boost Graphics Card(s): Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability <br><strong></strong>
Boost OS: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system

Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD)
Virus Protection: FREE: McAfee AntiVirus Plus (1 Year Service Activation Card) (Not Pre-installed) ($35 Value)

Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 5 Year Limited Warranty (5 Year Labor & 3 Year Part Replacement) <br><strong></strong>



Edited by Boc3phus - 26 Oct 2016 at 5:30pm

Thanks for the quick reply DST4ME.

Honestly, I chose the MB because it was the cheaper of the 2 ASUS MB's with the decent onboard sound that EK makes the kind of monoblock that I want to cool my motherboard.

I would go 4k now, if I could get a good recommendation and if I knew monitors with better 4k refresh rates were not right around the corner.

I was thinking about remove the HDD from the system and just going with 2 SSD. I was just worried about having enough storage.

Yes, I'm prepared to work on the LC system. When the time comes if I believe I do not want to mess with the system to upgrade my gpu, i can send the sytem to DS to have it done.

Here is the picture of the Velox, I was talking about with the type of block in question.

http://www.digitalstorm.com/img/products/Velox/splash-Velox-v2.jpg

I understand and accept the risk/reward for LC. The only thing I worry about is what condition it will be in when I recieve it. Any damage and it will be sent back automatically.

The motherboard and waterblock I wanted are all aesthetic really. I figure if you're going baller LC, why not let it look the best. Really, isn't that why we are choose a company like DS to build our pc's instead of going to best buy or building it ourselves?

I really wanted a single gpu solution but it seems outside of super OC'ing the Titan, which requires very good cooling, it may not get what I want. I've tried SLI in a couple different generations of Nvidia gpu's and always ended up going single due to issues. I'm not sure what to do there except go single 1080 and 1080p until a single gpu can do 4k justice.

Anyway, I do appreciate your time and now maybe you can see why it has taken so long for me to pull the trigger on a build. Maybe go Titan and 4k on High instead of ultra high. it seems a single 1080 will have the same issues with handling ultra-wide 1440p res.

I agree. I didnt mean every little thing that goes wrong, just want to be perfect when it arrives, etc.

I like how you think DST4ME. You are correct. I have been afraid of the horrible reviews of the reference cooler and got LC on the brain from it.  I really have been looking at the many Velox suggestions you and others have had in the last couple of months.

Let me know what you think. I like the idea of the Titan on air, possible adding sli later, etc.

Thanks for that last post DST. I like that idea. I feel that I am comfortable enough to add a 2nd card in the future, like you mentioned. If I go that route and add Hydrolux Pro, will they supply the QD's in the necessary position or would I have to explain it. I will go this route.

If I went this route, what would your idea config be?

Take a good look at that build for example that 2TB ssd is $1000, I put that in there because you were worried about running out of space with 2 ssds and an hdd.

My advise is to go with a 1TB 850 evo instead and then you can always add another ssd later if needed and its very easy. save a lot of money that way so then it would be the above but with the mentioned ssd:

Here you go Ticket# 1499739 --- $5,557.00 (To see this build click here)




Edited by DST4ME - 05 Oct 2016 at 2:55am

The mobo I picked has better rating than the other 2, so if you want to pick between delux hero and maximus, I go maximus, also it should last long time.

We can go velox if you like but aventum is better, it has more room and allows us more room for rads.

Congrats

but you jumped the gun. As I mentioned we need to make some custom adjustments.

I want you to email Alex and ask him for the same setup (aka 2 rads and etc) as if you were getting sli titan on lc. I want to make sure if they put 2 rads if you were ordering sli titan, then we want the same thing, you are just not getting the second gpu and block.

you also want to ask for a QD before the gpu, and one after the gpu, it does not have to right after.

You also want a QD at the lowest point of the loop most likely right after the rad (from the pics I have seen) you are going to use this QD for easy flushing of your system, making maintenance very easy. have a look here to understand better, besure to read the rest of the thread from that point on


[email protected]

Edited by DST4ME - 05 Oct 2016 at 5:17am

Just to chime in, the system ordered "as-is" is perfectly fine. I don't want any customer to feel alarmed that they have to contact me or the team to make changes to ensure their PC is "good". No customer needs to do that, our team does check to make sure every PC we build is properly configured.

(1) We do use all of the radiators on the AVENTUM 3, so even if you have a single GPU, the top radiator and bottom radiators will be there. The chassis is designed for future upgradability.

(2) The AVENTUM 3 uses quick disconnects on the CPU loop and the graphics card loop. Those are located on the motherboard tray. This allows customers to remove the graphics cards or the CPU without removing the entire liquid cooling system. We are not able to install quick disconnects on the actual video cards as this is unnecessary for reasons above. For SLI configurations, we tend to use a distribution block which will not allow us to mount a quick disconnect.

(3) A quick disconnect fitting at the lowest point of the system isn't really necessary, as the bottom compartment of the radiators has tubing that can be easily removed which would automatically drain the fluid from the system. We designed the system in this manner to make it easier to service the PC for our team and our customers.

After a small hiccup on my side, I'm officially a DS customer. Thanks again DST4ME for all the help. You really do assist as if the rig was for you or a family member. Kudos to you and all that help those seeking help here.

Alex, thank you for your email and the information. I would never imply that a system from DS wasn't "good" or even "excellent" as-is. DS is top of the line imho.

Proud to be on the Aventum 3 waiting list.

Boc3phus


Edited by Boc3phus - 06 Oct 2016 at 11:06am

Alex I don't think I'm explaining myself properly.

first the QD cost is $12 no big deal.

Second removing the fitting from the rad does not help us with being able to control the flow of fluid, we are stuck with what ever little slack there is, also once we disconnect the fluid starts to come out of the rad and we have no control over it. With QD however one can control the flow of the fluid and if needed easily add slack to take the fluid away from the pc and drain, We choose when the fluid will flow and when it won't with a quick connect/disconnect, there are other benefits to having a QD at the lowest point of the loop.

My QD at the bottom of the loop is priceless and would not be the same at all if it was a compression fitting I had to deal with. I simply would not be able to do the things I can with QD vs compression fittings.

Edited by DST4ME - 06 Oct 2016 at 11:49pm

DST4ME,

While i want to let Alex (and anyone who may read this thread) know it is not necessary, I would be interested in having my rig setup like this. To make life a little easier down the road for me, would be worth a little more cost. I really have no idea how to describe to Alex, what needs to be done, even after reading the thread you referenced above.



Edited by Boc3phus - 07 Oct 2016 at 11:35am

@Boc3phus, I'm going to explain this to you, its very easy and it will make great sense.

First let me ask you this, have you been able to understand what the QD does and how it works? We need to make sure you understand that and then I can explain the rest to you easy.

Originally posted by Alex Boc3phus, I will send you an email with the cost to do it. If you wish to have it, that's perfectly fine.

@Alex,

Thank you for the quick emails and taking care of this for me. I hope all who read this thread can see how DS will go above and beyond in customizing their already 1st class systems to meet their customers wishes.


Edited by Boc3phus - 07 Oct 2016 at 3:35pm

I see what you are saying DST. For someone like myself, the request we made will indeed help me out down the line.

DST, have you ever thought of doing a computer course on the DS Forum. With all your knoweldge, you could easily do it. It could be one discussion each week:
Week 1- CPUs and GPUs
Week 2- Liquid Cooling
Week 3- Overclocking and Benchmarks
Week 4- Repairs and Upgrades
Week 5- 4K Introduction

Edited by Batman34 - 08 Oct 2016 at 7:16pm

DST, you pretty much help everyone on this forum with all their questions, problems, repairs, etc. You truly are helping people and we greatly appreciate your help.

@Batman34 Agree with you.

DST and many he has pointed out, provide a valuable service. Many peeps on this forum have assisted me directly or indirectly (while assisting/advising others) leading up to my purchase. DST has single handedly increased my knowledge of LC and ability to handle future issues, upgrades to my system.