Time for DS #2. Lumos build

Hey everybody! Well, after 8 great years of running my first ds system ( see specs and updates here http://www.digitalstorm.com/forums/mobo-failure-ff-code-fix-or-replace-tidf30328/ ) my EVGA X58 LE Edition told me it was time to retire for good and left for the matrix in the sky. I was considering just replacing the mobo, cpu and ram but after a discussion with my wife, some members here and a few 18 year old scotch drinks, I think its best if I treat myself to a well deserved birthday present and get a whole new rig. 8 Great years and I only upgraded the system about 3 years ago with a new vid card, ssd and ram. That speaks volumes in my book. Allow me to entertain the good folks at home of my story and my expectations below.

I plan on taking my current rig and replacing the mobo and cpu with a used one of similar value so I can put it downstairs and use it as a retro gaming rig and enjoy watching some movies and such on the big screen to replace my old Dell XPS gen 3 down there. I still use but its about to expire after years of abuse. I plan on taking the HDD out of my current DS and use it toward the new system as I have all of my data I use still such as pictures and music but everything else will stay for now with maybe the exception of the graphic card. See below for some information I will share to help spec out my new rig:

-- My budget is around $2,000.00 and I want to get as close to that as possible without going too much over (under would be great)

-- I am running a 24" 1920x1200 IPS monitor 60 hz and I plan on staying with that for some time(HPZR24w). I also run a second monitor which I had from back when I purchased my Dell XPS in 2005 which is the dell ultrasharp 17". I use this for non-gaming ie: iTunes, spreadsheets, word, internet stuff.

-- I will NOT be using this build for VR, 4k, or even 1440. It will be strictly for 1080 gaming and streaming Netflix(80/20 split on that). Unless my monitor craps out on me in which I may go to 1440 @ 144 mhz but that's a long stretch so I'm focused on 1080(1920x1200).

-- I currently play Battlefield 1 and would probably stick to the FPS genre in the future and maybe a good single player RPG. Before the demise of the mobo, I was able to run that at ultra settings and get roughly 50-60 fps pretty fluidly running at 1920*1200

-- Just like my last DS rig from 2010, I would hope this would last just as long with replacing minor parts like the video card and maybe the ram in a few years.

With that being said, I did a build on here that I feel I could trim some of the fat off this to get closer to 2k. The big question I have is I am unsure on what motherboards to get as they all seem to be similar. Also, I am so used to having a sound blaster card, I am not sure if I need it anymore with these newer boards. I do listen to music a lot and have nice speakers but again, not sure if that matters? Finally, I have a really good video card which I might take over to the new rig and that is the GIGABYTE GV-N970G1 GAMING-4GD GeForce GTX 970 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 HDCP Ready G-SYNC Support Video Card but its 13" in length. How does that stack up to the 1060 or 1070 cards?

Here is my ticket number - 1828166 or go here -> https://www.digitalstorm.com/configurator.asp?id=1828166

As always, suggestions are welcome and any questions just let me know. Thanks in advance! Time to pour another..

- Rob "Muz"

P.S. I see several others here getting their second rig as they got theirs around the same time I did in 2010. How about that.

Edited by Muz - 15 Feb 2018 at 7:21pm

I also think the build looks good.   The gtx 970, what I am using, is equivalent to the gtx 1060 on a 1080p.     I can still game very well, with some more intense games like Shadow of Mordor needing a little tweaking down but still great gameplay.

Motherboard is tough for us to recommend.   Get one with the features you want. Higher end boards are usually better components and higher still are usually enthusiast boards for those that want to push overclocking.

FYI... I like to mention the Velox has a right facing window, vs left with most others.    Both work great but some might have a preference due to desk setup.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Right now I have the HAF 932 and its a left facing window which is what I would like for the setup I have since the right panel is more or less against the wall..hmm. I'll check out the other towers such as the Lumos and decide.

I'll modify my ticket in a bit here.

OK here it is: https://www.digitalstorm.com/configurator.asp?id=1828430

I changed the case to the Lumos as I need the left window since my setup in my room warrants such. I got rid of the sound card and also the graphic card since I will use my 970 from my old. I did upgrade the mobo to the ASUS ROG maximus hero but I might go back to the MSI one as I feel that will be overkill for me. Also I went with the 960 pro as well. Whatcha think?

Edited by Muz - 21 Jan 2018 at 7:13am

Looks good.   Not sure you need the Hero mobo or added fans, but doesn’t hurt, just might save a few bucks if you decide otherwise.   

My friends and fellow DS'ers.. The second iteration of a kick ass machine has been order.. I changed the motherboard to the MSI gaming one. Let the waiting begin!

Chassis Model: Digital Storm Lumos
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K (6-Core) 3.70GHz
Motherboard: MSI Z370 GAMING PRO CARBON AC (Wi-Fi) (Intel Z370 Chipset) (Up to 3x PCI-E Devices)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 3000MHz Digital Storm Performance Series
Power Supply: 750W EVGA SuperNOVA (750 G) (Fully Modular)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: - No Thanks
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD M.2 (512GB Samsung 960 PRO) (NVM Express) (Extreme Performance)
Storage Set 2: - No Thanks
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 - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: High-Performance Copper Heat Pipe Cooler
HydroLux Tubing Style: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
HydroLux Fluid Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Cable Management: Premium Cable Management (Strategically Routed & Organized for Airflow)
Chassis Fans: Corsair LED Airflow Performance Edition (Blue) Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stock Factory Turbo Boost Advanced Automatic Overclocking
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
OS Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows 10 Installation CD Only (Clean Install with No Drivers)
Virus Protection: Windows Defender Antivirus (Built-in to Windows 10)
Office: - No Thanks
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 15-20 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Part Replacement)

I like the MSI board. That's a very decent air cooler as well. Well done!

Thanks. Yeah the waiting game.. did it 8 years ago here.. It'll give me time to clean out and plan for the day to celebrate haha

no I got the stage 1 air coolant. didn't see any other air stages

^ Not a problem!

Just an update - It has reached stage 3 of the good times. Very excite. I've been keeping busy looking at new keyboards to replace the G15 I've had for 8+ years heh heh. Also, I found a replacement board for DS#1 so hopefully i'll get that next week as I want to replace my old (2005)Dell XPS 3 downstairs for HTPC and retro gaming.

I found a replacement of the x58 board that was used(on ebay). I figured I would just replace with almost exactly what I had. Even comes with a i7 930 cpu as well. I can use the ram I have as it'll be a lot better than the Pentium 4 I have downstairs.

That is a good choice your os should boot right up with exact same mobo

Thanks a bunch!

All stages are complete. ETA is Feb 15th. Super excited! I'll post pics and updates that weekend after we slow dance together.

Originally posted by Muz All stages are complete. ETA is Feb 15th. Super excited! I'll post pics and updates that weekend after we slow dance together.

Outstanding! ... Although with the speeds you're going to be getting, I don't think you'll be slow dancing to anything!!   

Totally cool!!!

Yup my old X58 is still running strong on my favorite "cube".

Can't wait to see the pics.

Very important to first fire up and run the new rig to make sure there’s no issues. Then install and make changes.    That way you’ll know where to look if issues crop up.     

Make sure the new rig is fine and add just one component at a time, test the rig after power off and on and then move on.   

Good luck.   

I am up and running with all drives working. I'll post pics and give a nice update this weekend. Weee!

Outstanding!