Need some build advice on a first time PC from DS

Good evening ladies and gentlemen from the east coast of the US from the time of the initial posting of this topic! :) So let's jump right into it...as the title says I'm looking for a little help on getting a computer from Digital Storm for the first time. I have had previous systems from Dell and while I haven't had any real issues with them, my current system is approaching the 6 1/2 year mark and I am looking for a brand new one to take its place. Been saving up my money from my new job that I started working at almost 7 months ago and now I've amassed a fair amount for a new PC that I'll be getting for myself as a belated birthday gift. I have been shadowing this site and the forums for a few months now, and I think that it's now time for me to take the plunge after seeing a lot of good reviews of this company and the great help that people receive here for their system when they have questions about having one built. So, with some of the backstory taken care, let's dive right into the meat and potatoes, and please, feel free to share your opinions and give whatever help you may want..I will not turn down any advice from vets who are much better at this than me. :) (Also, apologies if this turns into a somewhat long post)


1. Budget -> Budget is around $3,000 - $3,500 and the upper limit is about what I would want to be the absolute max. That's obviously not including anything like shipping and handling, extended warranty, peripherals, etc, etc, but just the system itself.

2. Expectations & Usage -> I'll bundle these two together since they're relatively similar for what I will explain. I am looking for this system to be a dual monitor system that can run monitors at 1080p, 144Hz. The general workload this system will be used for are these:

-- Gaming at near max settings on newer games, and will be using just one monitor for that. Stable, high frame rates are also nice, but I'm not trying to squeeze every tiny little bit out of them...would like to get around 100+ most of the time is about what I am shooting for. The other monitor will be used for web-surfing, IMing, and other general uses that don't require gaming features to be displayed on it. I may also be getting into some simple game streaming for friends and the like over Twitch as well, so having the extra monitor to check on other stuff while one monitor is dedicated to gaming is certainly quite helpful.

-- Working from home for my job when needed. I work for an IT company and am on one of the teams that handles our medical-related customers. I'll be remotely accessing employee computers that we have stored in a large database and their servers to assist in all kinds of troubleshooting. This sometimes requires multiple connections to be established and maintained, hence having two monitors so I can switch between multiple windows, but I'll also want the system to be able to handle processing loads that may need to be done. I have a fairly decent Internet connection as well on my end, so that part is covered, in case some were curious. I'll also be using programs for remote monitoring those servers as well as software that allows me to call clients directly.

-- The last stuff is general web surfing, watching videos on YouTube, and that sort of thing. Otherwise...can't think of anything else that I would be using the computer for.

Special Needs -> I  am also a bit of a music enthusiast, and while I have the necessary sound stuffs for that, I want to make sure I have plenty of storage for songs that I want at higher qualities. I am not what some might consider an 'audiophile', but I do like to make sure that the songs I get are recorded at a nice quality, and I know that eats up space. Also, I should mention that I have two cats in my house, so I know the issues with extra generated hair and dust from them, and that it takes a little more frequent cleanings of the computer to keep the dust down. My home environment is pretty stable all-year round and temperatures in the house stay at around 68-74 degrees depending on the season. Also, I am located on the second floor and it does tend to get just a bit warmer in the summer thanks to that, but not too much.


All right, that should be all of that out of the way, now let me go ahead and give you my initial configuration that I was playing around with earlier. Here it is:


Configuration Code: 1516558
Total Price with Instant Savings: $3,273.00

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Digital Storm Apollo (White)
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 Z170-PRO GAMING (Intel Z170 Chipset) (Up to 5x PCI-E Devices)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Digital Storm Performance Series
Power Supply: 750W EVGA SuperNOVA (750 B1)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) (Internal)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (500GB Samsung 850 EVO)
Storage Set 2: 2x Storage (1TB Western Digital - Black Edition)
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
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 1080 8GB (EVGA ACX 3.0) (VR Ready)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: HydroLux LITE: Integrated Cooling System (1x Graphics Card + CPU)
HydroLux Tubing Style: Flexible Tubing (Requires HydroLux Liquid Cooling System)
HydroLux Fluid Color: Green Fluid (Requires HydroLux Liquid Cooling System)
Cable Management: Exotic Cable Management - Green - (Cable Combs with Custom Color Sleeved Extension Cables)
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking
Boost Graphics Card(s): - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
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: Factory Reset Feature (Restore Windows + Drivers) (Partition up to 25GB of Storage)
Virus Protection: FREE: McAfee AntiVirus Plus (1 Year Service Activation Card) (Not Pre-installed) ($35 Value)
Office: Microsoft Office 2016 Home & Student (PC Attach Key PKC Only, No Pre-install)
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
Branded Gear: - No Thanks
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Part Replacement)

Now, I have already E-mail the management team about a few questions concerning the case selection, RAM, and other things, so I am waiting on their response to that. That all said, I readily admit that the HydroLux LITE cooling system and colored wiring cable I selected is partially for bling purposes and the like. If that is something that I absolutely do not need in the end then I can certainly drop that and go with something else. But I have to admit that the liquid cooling would really be nice to have as far as aesthetics go. I think from what I heard that the processor I chose there should be sufficient for what I am doing and that it'll be better for gamins overall compared to some of the 'higher tiered' processors offered at the higher levels on the site. Though again, if I am mistaken please correct me. :)

I replaced the 1070 with a 1080, but if that is totally not necessary and the 1070 can work for the monitor setup I'm going for, then I can easily change that back and save some there. For me, it's more about the long-term and wanting to make sure the system will last about 5+ years before I even need to think about replacing it again, or even just a few parts to keep it 'current' as one might say. I also went with 2x 1TB HDs for my music needs as that allows me a little more flexibility if I need to take a drive out, and can also store extra games on them. Sometimes at work we have game nights, and it's easier for me to just take one drive in than the entire system and hook it up to my PC there, and I'd rather not have to keep all the info on one HD. I know, might seem weird, but that's just me. :p

Oh, and the Office purchase is definitely something I need as many of the clients I work with use Office products. Having it on-hand not only lets me work with them in familiar programs, but I also use them a lot for my own personal work, or if they need to send me files that they're having issues with, etc, etc, and I need to open them. Otherwise...I can't think of anything else major that needs to be mentioned, but if I did miss something in my post please let me know and I'll answer back as soon as I can if clarification is needed. Thanks a bunch for all the future help!

Ah yes, totally forgot the power supply...good catch there. I'll note that one down for the future. Is the stage 1 overclock worth it in terms the boost it will give? And yes, have my current tower on my desk, though that might have to move down a bit lower with the two monitors I'll want to get...that'll be interesting...really should get a new desk, too. :p

Another question about the shipping. Since I am on the east coast, what's the most reliable way to get a system from the west coast to here? I understand that shipping isn't 100% guaranteed not to come without risks and potential system damage, but is it better to ship by freight, or something else? Never really had to have something this large shipped to me over such a long distance, so any others who have experience with this is definitely welcomed. :)

All righty, as you can see by the new moniker beneath my name, I am now a verified customer! I made a few tweaks to the overall configuration but I think it will work out quite nicely. Thanks for the help bprat22, much appreciated and now looking forward to seeing how my build will all turn out. :D

Kyser13th:

I will do so. Actually, just got the Stage 1 E-mail today, so now it starts.

Still waiting on the system to reach the next stages (I got a special-ordered case, so it might take a little longer), but I have doing a little 'peripheral' looking around as it were and I realized that I would need some new monitors to go along with the rig. I was looking at a few choices, but I've come across one that I think will work out well. I'm not super-picky when it comes to the absolute best coloring possible and the like, but just something that will work. So, with that said, was looking for monitors that are:

1. 1080p
2. 144hz w/1ms delay
3. Approximately 24 inches

At work I use a triple monitor setup, but those monitors are much smaller, so a double monitor setup with bigger monitors overall should equal the same screen real estate as what I have at work. Since I'll want them both to run at 144hz, I came across the:

- Acer GN246HL

And that seems to be what I am looking for. However, I am open to any suggestions from others who have more monitor experience. Also realized I'm going to need a new computer desk, but that is something I have already picked out (mostly), and will just need to take some measurements to make sure it will fit. Otherwise...yeah...monitors...help?

For gaming you want better res don't you?

I would go 1440p 144Hz and ips panel.

Just an update here...got some really nice Black Friday sales for a new computer desk and chair that I will be needing. That said, I did some searching around for monitors and I found this one here that was pretty much exactly what I was looking for:
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009769&cm_re=144hz_monitor-_-24-009-769-_-Product

It's an ACER 27" 1ms refresh monitor with a 2560 x 1440display resolution and runs at 144hz. Couldn't pass up that deal and actually got two of them, which are now here at my house still boxed up and just waiting on the new computer to arrive so I can really try them out. That and see how well the GTX 1080 will work with those. I expect some monitor calibration and adjustments will be needed, but with two of those things...going to have a lot of viewing room and the space will be nice for tech support work and multiple windows opened at once.

Sometimes it pays to be patient and look around because you come across good stuff like this, and now I can't wait!


**EDIT**

Ok, didn't check my mail until just now...STAGE 6! Whoot!


Edited by GradiusicCyber - 26 Nov 2016 at 9:05am

Congratulations. Soon.....

Originally posted by pharmx Originally posted by GradiusicCyber Just an update here...got some really nice Black Friday sales for a new computer desk and chair that I will be needing. That said, I did some searching around for monitors and I found this one here that was pretty much exactly what I was looking for: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009769&cm_re=144hz_monitor-_-24-009-769-_-ProductIt's an ACER 27" 1ms refresh monitor with a 2560 x 1440display resolution and runs at 144hz. Couldn't pass up that deal and actually got two of them, which are now here at my house still boxed up and just waiting on the new computer to arrive so I can really try them out. That and see how well the GTX 1080 will work with those. I expect some monitor calibration and adjustments will be needed, but with two of those things...going to have a lot of viewing room and the space will be nice for tech support work and multiple windows opened at once.Sometimes it pays to be patient and look around because you come across good stuff like this, and now I can't wait! **EDIT**Ok, didn't check my mail until just now...STAGE 6! Whoot! Do Nvidia cards do anything special with FreeSync monitors? I was under the impression that I needed a G-sync monitor for my gtx 1080 but the prices are so much higher.

No freesync and G-sync monitors are proprietary respectively to AMD and Nvidia cards respectively, though with the 1080 you really won't notice any difference between the monitors. The tech is really to address potential screen tearing, G-sync really just limits the card to the monitors refresh rate.

"Since their earliest days, displays have had fixed refresh rates – typically 60 times a second (Hertz). But due to the dynamic nature of PC games, GPUs render frames at varying rates. As the GPU seeks to synchronize with the display, persistent tearing occurs. Turning on V-SYNC (or Vertical-SYNC) can eliminate tearing but causes increased latency and stutter."

"G-SYNC eliminates this tradeoff, perfectly syncing the display to the GPU, regardless of frame rate, leading to uncompromised PC gaming experiences."

So if your minor has a high refresh rate it won't matter if it has G-sync or freesync. It's just really and tech that syncs the video card and monitor.



Edited by Kyser13th - 02 Dec 2016 at 9:42am

Thanks for asking about the whole G-Sync thing. I actually purchased the monitors because they were on sale @ $120.00 off plus a promo code that took an extra $30.00 off the price. Pretty much negated all of the tax and adding on free shipping...way too good to pass up.

But back to the G-sync thing...I'll have to see how the monitor performs since it won't technically be able to sync up with the card, but given the high refresh rate on this thing and the strength of the card, shouldn't be too much of an issue. I've heard most of the complaints about the monitor are that it isn't VESA ready and it's a bit wobbly with the stand and the viewing angle isn't that great. However, as I'm not super picky and not in an environment where monitor mounting is needed, I think these will be ok.

Lol, how can you be in IT and not get the 0|I switch?

Great adventure and after all that we really want to see pictures of your lip. Congratulations and do be careful when you get it going. Enjoy it. 

Freakin NICE!!