Slade Build for HTPC & Light Gaming

Greetings! I'm a returning Digital Storm customer who's finally preparing to get a new rig after a long and happy relationship with my build from September 2009! Over the years, my primary needs in a PC have shift from high-end gaming to media entertainment center. After considering building a dedicated Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC), I've instead opted to try a new desktop with features that would make it optimal for storing and playing media on my TV. From what I can tell, this seems to be a somewhat unique objective, so any feedback on this general idea or my specific build would be greatly appreciated!

Budget:
Not important, but I like to keep things frugal. 😊 The total price range of items listed below is $2,273 - $2,458.

Expectations & Priorities:
-    Quiet (PC is in living room with TV)
-    Handles three 1080p displays simultaneously in high quality (one display being the TV)
-    Quick boot and launch of programs
-    Runs well without upgrades for 2+ years, upgradability to last 5+ years

Usage:
45 hr/wk of casual PC usage and media playback. Less than 8 hr/wk of gaming anticipated.

Digital Storm Slade Build
Configuration Code: 1636673 [Total $1,913]
Direct Load URL: https://www.digitalstorm.com/configurator.asp?id=1636673
Specifications: [“No Thanks” items removed]
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Carbide Quiet 600Q
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7-7700 (Turbo Up to 4.20 GHz) (Codename Kaby Lake) (Quad Core) (Not Overclockable)
Motherboard: MSI Z270 PC MATE (Intel Z270 Chipset) (Up to 2x PCI-E Devices) (No SLI Support)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 3000MHz Digital Storm Performance Series
Power Supply: 750W EVGA SuperNOVA
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (960GB Digital Storm Performance Series)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 1x GeForce GTX 1060 6GB (VR Ready)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: High-Performance Copper Heat Pipe Cooler
Cable Management: Premium Cable Management (Strategically Routed & Organized for Airflow)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Boost Processor: Stock Factory Turbo Boost Advanced Automatic Overclocking
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Factory Reset Feature (Restore Windows + Drivers) (Partition up to 50GB of Storage)

After-Purchase Upgrades & Additions
These are items I plan to personally add to the desktop.
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDR-208D BD-RW (owned since Dec 2014) [+$0]
Storage Set 2: Western Digital WD2002FAEX Caviar Black HDD, 2TB (owned since Nov 2013) [+$0]
Storage Set 3: Western Digital WD40EZRZ Blue HDD, 4TB (new purchase) [+$120]
Display: 2x ASUS VX238H 23-inch 1080p Monitors (new purchase) [+$120 x 2 = $240]
Audio: Sades Spirit Wolf Headset (owned since Dec 2016) [+$0]
Keyboard & Mouse: Logitec Y-RBN90 Wave Pro Ergonomic Cordless Keyboard & Mouse (owned since Oct 2009) [+$0]

Upgrades Under Consideration

Expansion Bay: KingWin KF-1000-BK Hard Drive Hot Swap Bay (EZ-Rack) [+$39 from Digital Storm, or +$15 on Amazon]
> This could allow me to overcome the Corsair 600Q chassis limitation of only 2 internal 3.5” bays. Plenty of storage will be important if I want to maintain a large media library to play from my PC, so a swap bay would let me add a third “internal” HDD or even create a library of HDDs that I can swap out like optical disks.

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Z [+$97]
> Since I’m using this desktop as a media center to stream to my TV, it stands to reason that I want to deliver good sound along with video. However, I know very little about audio hardware, and I have not yet even bought speakers besides those integrated in my TV, so I see little need for this until I’m prepared to make a full audio overhaul.

Noise Reduction: Noise Suppression Package Stage 1 (Optimized Airflow & Fan Speeds Only) [+$49]
> I’ve stated a quiet system is a priority of mine, so I’m considering having Digital Storm optimize my system since I don’t possess these skills. I would even consider the “Stage 2” package that includes sound dampening material, but am under the impression that the Corsair 600Q chassis is already built with such material.


Once again, thanks for your feedback!

Thanks for the response! Before I "pull the trigger", here are some points I'm mulling over that I'd love some feedback on:

Motherboard: This is the true center of the desktop; should I consider an upgrade?

Graphics Card(s): As long as the GTX 1060 can play newer games (e.g. Star Citizen) at 1080p with decent (if not max) graphics settings, I'll stick with that over the GTX 1070 which has slightly higher power requirements to help minimize heat & noise. What are your thoughts?

Sound Card: Hearing that someone else with a similar setup finds value in the Sound Blaster for gaming, I'm still considering this upgrade. Will I notice an difference in audio quality using only my headset?

Extreme Cooling: I sometimes perform batch video conversions, which can utilize high CPU for extended periods. An upgrade to the H2O Stage 2 cooler may be a good idea; is there any difference in the noise level between these systems?

Noise Reduction: Good to know that Stage 2 isn't needed with the 600Q, but is the Stage 1 worth the $49 value or will there likely be little difference?

Recovery Tools: I'm wondering what the pros & cons of the "Factory Reset Feature" vs. just the "Windows 10 Installation CD." Thoughts?

Thanks again to whomever takes the time to read and give feedback on these points!

Hello,

I picked the Soundblaster because I used to do some stuff with recording, mixing, etc. and have been playing around with some of the newer music software.

I did the factory reset because I've had issues before with other vendors saying "that's not we sold to you so the warranty is void" type of thing.

My first PC was an 8088 with a CGA monitor and 512kb HDD so I've been around ...

Congrats.

Now, on a separate note.. if you want that cool "Verified Customer" badge, you'll need to ensure that your order email and your forums email are an "Ex4ct MAtch!"

Just to add, the email addresses have to be EXACT, meaning capitals, spaces, punctuation....... Some usually find a small, seemingly insignificant difference.

If it is exact, email [email protected] for help.   

Bah, I think I've discovered an oversight in my purchases. My Digital Storm build is expected to arrive later this week, but I've been cataloging complete specifications of the hardware in the meantime. When recording the number and types of display connectors for the GeForce GTX 1060, I realized that I had incorrectly assumed from images that the card had four HDMI ports. In fact, it has only one HDMI port along with three "DisplayPort 1.3/1.4" ports (and a Dual Link DVI-I).

I'd been out of touch with technology circles long enough to not even be familiar with "DisplayPort", so upon realizing that it's an alternative (though arguably superior) to HDMI connections, I'm now stuck with two new monitors without DisplayPort support plus my HDMI HDTV.


Thus, I have a decision to make, and I'd appreciate some feedback on these options:

1) Return my new monitors at the cost of shipping, then purchase two new (more expensive) monitors with DisplayPort support.
2) Keep my new monitors, and purchase two HDMI to DisplayPort adapters.

What do you all think?

Edited by NuWatts - 16 Apr 2017 at 8:44pm