How portable do I need to go?

Budget:
$3000 (flexible, see below)

Expectations:
Gaming at 1440p and somewhat portable

Usage:
Gaming

Special Needs:
Easily pack into a car and travel several times per year

I was debating getting a gaming laptop, but decided I'm better off sticking with a (small/portable) desktop. So the question now is whether I go with mITX or one of the ATX form factors. I'm looking at the Bolt 3, assuming this is the smallest desktop offering from DS, but it seems so much larger than cases like the Raven series or NCASE. Maybe that's okay, but if I'm prioritizing portability, I wonder if it's just not that much smaller than the Velox yet has ITX limitations.

Does anyone have an idea what a typical Bolt 3 build weighs? And how much a typical Velox build weighs? I'm not likely going to try to get the Bolt 3 onto an airliner as carry-on, but maybe if it's an option I would someday. It's not important, though. I'm hoping to travel with this build about 1000 miles by car four times per year, plus a few other shorter trips. So I don't wan something too bulky that will make that process a pain or be too bulky in my temporary housing at the other end of that trip.

And if the Bolt 3 really isn't that much smaller than the Velox, my next question is - should I just get the Velox? Or should I build my own using smaller cases?

The other factor is the longer-term plan. I was thinking of getting laptop and holding off one more year on my new desktop. But since I'm going with a smaller desktop, I'm wondering if I'll be happy with the performance of the Bolt 3 for triple-screen 1440p (my current GTX 980 Ti with i5-2500k does alright as it is, but not sure on ITX performance with 1080 - I assume fine). If not, then I can see going with the smallest desktop DS can make, and then in a year getting the same larger desktop solution I was planning anyway (Velox or larger). My concerns with the ITX are:

1) no sound card
2) overclocking/performance limits

But if I know this is just my "travel computer" (and I'm gone 4-6 months of the year, so it's gotta be a real gaming rig), then I won't expect the world of it. But if I can use that same computer at home and be happy with its performance, then I'm all for saving the money and not having to transition between multiple computers. I'm just used to keeping my desktop in relatively current condition through upgraded components and until it's time to build new again. I'm also used to having a nice sound card with EAX HD, headphone amp, and external connections/controls. I don't think I can have these things with the ITX, but maybe I'm wrong?

Another aspect of the home computer is I'd like to consider what liquid cooling and 2-way SLI could do for me, but still not sure whether that is worth it. I am open to spending the money if it makes for a significantly better triple-screen 1440p experience, but that desktop would definitely not travel with me. That would also make the argument for getting a low-cost, low-profile travel ITX computer, then adding a second, home desktop later. If SLI/liquid are really not a "successful" solution these days except for someone with money to burn, then I'd perhaps like to find a mid-size solution to run a single GTX 1080 or GTX 1080 Ti, air cooled, whatever OC can be had, and take it with me on trips. What I consider "successful" is a relatively headache-/maintenance-free experience with definitely better performance, no noticeable micro-stuttering, and potentially reduced noise.

Appreciate any thoughts and suggestions.

Originally posted by bprat22 It's tough to give you recommendations with all the if, ands and buts.

I totally understand. Just wasn't sure how to streamline the thread without either making several threads or asking questions that don't make sense out of context...

Originally posted by bprat22 Click on more info under each case, like Bolt, Velox, Apollo, etc and the dimensions and the Bolt's weight are listed.

I still can't find that. I click on Select below Bolt 3, see dimensions, but no weight. I searched that whole page. I clicked on customize and got more info on the chassis, but still no weight given.

Anyone know what the weight of a Bolt 3 is?

How much more/less weight is liquid cooled CPU vs. air?

Will the basic CPU liquid setup draw more or less power than air?

Yeah, its about 40 pounds.  Not bad. 

The power draw on the liquid vs air wouldn't make any difference,  Pretty low in either case.  Its' basically only  the pump and fans.  6 Watts for Swiftech, the Pro unit.


Weight is probably a few pounds, but that's a guess. 




Edited by bprat22 - 28 Dec 2016 at 8:12am

Another thought..if you want to travel with it, even the car, I might opt out of the liquid and stay on air.   The plastic housing, reservoir of the Pro has cracked in shipping for a few customers on the forums.  Whether that's a low percentage or not I couldn't say. 

You can pick any case out there and either send it to them or have them order it for your build.  There is a added fee, but its another option.  

I also see DS has a case called the Drone, but it won't accept a 13" video card.

You can call DS and see if they have any Eclipse's available still. That was using the Silverstone RVZ01 Raven case. That paired with the newer SFX-L PSU's would be a nice computer, for certain.

Also, I'd recommend going over and checking out the Small Form Factor forum if you're serious about SFF computers.

DS never explained it, but my guess is that they wanted it to fit any size video card, even the wider dual gpu cards at the time. Liquid cooling I'm sure was a consideration.    

It is narrower just not that much less in length and height, imho. For a single card system it doesn't give up much for the majority.   Most don't do audio cards, enthusiast overclocking.

The reason why we haven't made the BOLT smaller is due to customer feedback. We've noticed a majority of customers that purchase the BOLT are not trying to fit it into a very tight space, instead, they are open to having a mid-level size system that is compact, but large enough to allow for custom cooling and larger graphics cards.

This also allows for better cooling performance and noise.

The Bolt 3 is based on the Lian-Li PC-05S and doesn't accommodate the larger micro size mobo. It's not a DS design decision but the case they are using.   Just won't fit.   

DS does allow you to ship them a case you found elsewhere and they'll build if, for added fee.