Velox Build

Greetings. My gaming PC died about 2 years ago and I'm looking to get back into PC gaming. Prior to that I had a ------- system built in 2003. I'm considering going with them again however it appears a lot of the various components they install are whatever they have in stock versus allowing me to select a specific namebrand.

I'm medically retired from the US Military. While I can disassemble and reassemble most light, medium and heavy infantry weapons in the US arsenal in less than a minute, I've never had any instruction or experience tinkering around inside a PC.

It's been years since I've researched the latest and greatest tech as far as PCs and components. Here's my "rough draft" as far as the system I'm interested in having built along with a few questions.

1. What exactly will I gain if i upgrade from 2 Nvidia 960 GPU's to 2 Nvidia 970's. Will I be fine with the 2 960's for the next 5 years or so? If you're going to recommend upgrading to the 970 series, which 970 would you recommend and why?

2. Is my power supply sufficient for all the extra fans and the 2 GPU's I'm wanting on my system? I want total overkill on my powersupply with no room for doubt.

3. As stated, tinkering around inside a PC isn't my thing. Years ago I'd never consider a liquid cooling for a PC. Liquid cooling systems have come a long way since then. All said, I want total overkill again on my system cooling, with minimal hands on required as far as maintaining my liquid cooling system. Suggestions?

4. SSD. I read an article that didn't speak very highly of the Samsung EVO/PRO series. There aren't many alternatives using the configurator. Thoughts?

5. Is the system shipped "ready to play"? Or will I have to spend hours updating drivers along with messing around with the BIOS and other systems that I have no knowledge of how to access or how to make changes. There's a 99% probability if I have to do all of these tasks myself I will screw up my system. Is there an option to pay extra to have my system tweaked so I don't have to mess with the BIOS, drivers, ect? If I have to mess with the BIOS I'll probably take my business elsewhere.


6. Any need for a RAID configuration? If yes, why and which configuration. If no, please explain.

Thanks in advance.



Budget:
$3800-$4000

Expectations:
Gaming at max graphics settings for next 5 years.

Usage:
Home use only. Gaming Only. No need for Word, excel, ect. I will not be using speakers.

Special Needs: compatability high end gaming headphones(surround/directional sound). USB 3.0. Compatability with either or both of these monitors.

!!!*****************************!!!
-LG Electronics WQHD IPS Curved 34-Inch LED-Lit Monitor(34UC97-S) 21:9 format (3440x1440)
or
-LG Electronics UM95 34-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor(34um95) 21:9 format (3440x1440)

!!!*****************************!!!

Build 1: 1191010   $3707.00
Build 2: 1191134   $4073.00


Specifications:



Item 1 --- Digital Storm Velox (Config # 1191134)


1


$4,073.00


$4,073.00




Chassis
Chassis Model: Digital Storm Velox

Core Components
Processor: Intel Core i7 5820K 3.3GHz (Six-Core) (Unlocked CPU)
Motherboard: ASUS X99 RAMPAGE V (Intel X99 Chipset)

System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2666MHz Corsair Dominator Platinum DHX (Extreme-Performance)

Power Supply: 1050W Corsair HX1050

Storage / Connectivity
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (256GB Samsung 850 PRO)

Storage Set 2: 1x Storage (1TB Western Digital - Black Edition)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)

Graphics / Multimedia
Graphics Card(s): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 2GB (Includes PhysX)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Zx (Includes Audio Control Module)

Digital Storm Engineering
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H110i GT - 280mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme Performance)
H20 Tube Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Chassis Fans: Upgrade All Fans to Corsair Airflow Performance Edition (Up to 6 Fans)
Airflow Control: Digital Storm Thermal Management Control Board & Software
Chassis Mods: Fan Blow-Holes: VREG/CPU & Graphics Card Area: Laser Cut and Mount a Side Window 140mm Fans

Digital Storm TwisterBoost Technology
Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires High-End Motherboard Selection)

Boost Graphics Card(s): Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Memory: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service)
Boost OS: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system

Software
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (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)

Accessories / Goodies

Customer Care
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)









Competitor named removed.

Edited by ST7A Bad Karma - 05 May 2015 at 4:49pm

Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 For number 5 all you will need to do is do the necessary windows updates as there will be some or a lot and if there is a graphics driver update. Everything else will be taken care of.

That's great news. I can handle basic video card driver updates and windows updates.

Edited by ST7A Bad Karma - 02 May 2015 at 9:43pm

1: 970 SLI over 960 SLI = better performance and twice the memory. They also overclock better if you go that route (which imo is not needed.)

2: 1050W should be enough if it has the rails to support it. Ask a DS tech or maybe someone here can better say than me.

3: You may have to add coolant once in a while but that is easy.

4: Don't know who that article was by but the Samsung is the best rated and IMO the best. I have 3 computers with Samsung SDD and HDD and haven't had a failure. Three other brands have failed in my computers. I would go with the 850 pro series for 10 year warranty.

5: As stated above there may be windows updates but you can plug it up and go.

6: Unless you want to "mirror" hard drives there is no need for a raid set up. As long as you use a 'back up' to an external drive you are fine.


From there - in your second build, 1191134, you must really like fans. With all the fans it has I don't see a real need for memory fans or the side case fan unless you are doing serious 'high' computing where computations are really stressing the CPU and RAM or you plan on serious overclocking with liquid nitrogen. For a gaming rig - not needed.

Games today are stressing video card limits. I max out my 1 GTX970 both in memory and GPU usage. In the next 5 years maybe a titan won't be enough. The computers on the first rockets into space used 256K ram and now we are fighting for every GB we can get for a gaming computer! I would get the 970s.

The strix edition is considered the best.

The 980s would be about a 15% increase and the titan IMO is just a bunch of memory for what they cost.

3.3Ghz vs 3.5Ghz is not that big of a trade off and you probably would never notice it.



Edited by Pacesetter - 03 May 2015 at 3:06am

Weird that they have the 980 strix but not the 970 strix.

You might call sales and see if it is an option.

The 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 4GB (EVGA ACX Cooler Edition would be close.

Looking forward to having you join our team of awesome customers!

Originally posted by ST7A Bad Karma Well they do have the 970 ASUS Strix, it's just not offered in SLI. Or is that what you meant?

Yes. It is available so it should be an option in SLI.

Alex can help in that respect, or the sales team.

Straight from the horse's mouth (as they say) with the changes requested and questions answered (at 0415 on a Sunday, no less!).

Damn, I love DS' Customer Service. You just can't beat it.

Narrowing things down here.   My trigger finger is getting itchy. I went a bit over my self imposed price range.

I'd appreciate brutally honest feedback. ****Keep in mind I'm wanting to be able to use this system with either(or both) of the monitors I listed in my original post at max resolution. ****

Follow up questions:

1. Any reason to go with Windows 8 Pro? I will only be using my system for gaming and perhaps recording gaming clips.

2. Is my power supply ample with room for upgrading to new video cards(which my have higher power req's) a few years down the road

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Digital Storm Velox
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 5930K 3.5GHz (Six-Core) (Unlocked CPU)
Motherboard: ASUS X99 RAMPAGE V (Intel X99 Chipset)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2800MHz Corsair Dominator Platinum DHX (Extreme-Performance)
Power Supply: 1050W Corsair HX1050
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (256GB Samsung 850 PRO)
Storage Set 2: 1x 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): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 4GB (ASUS Strix Edition)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Zx (Includes Audio Control Module)
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H110i GT - 280mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme Performance)
H20 Tube Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Chassis Fans: Upgrade All Fans to Corsair Airflow Performance Edition (Up to 6 Fans)
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: Digital Storm Thermal Management Control Board & Software
Chassis Mods: Fan Blow-Holes: VREG/CPU & Graphics Card Area: Laser Cut and Mount a Side Window 140mm Fans
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires High-End Motherboard Selection)
Graphics Boost: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
Memory Boost: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service)
OS Boost: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (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)
Office: - No Thanks
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
NVIDIA SHIELD: - 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)

3rd Draft.

I decided to go all in with two 980 ASUS Strix and upgraded my power supply to the 1200W. I also upgraded my processor to 3.5 GHz. Will the 1200w pwr supply be sufficient? I have no problem upgrading to the 1500W if there's any chance of power issues but I don't want to go that route if it's not needed.

Please give my configuration a thorough scrub.

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Digital Storm Velox
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 5930K 3.5GHz (Six-Core) (Unlocked CPU)
Motherboard: ASUS X99 RAMPAGE V (Intel X99 Chipset)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2800MHz Corsair Vengeance LPX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 1200W Corsair AX1200i (Digitally Controlled Power)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (256GB Samsung 850 PRO)
Storage Set 2: 1x 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): 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4GB (ASUS Strix Edition)
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Zx (Includes Audio Control Module)
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H110i GT - 280mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme Performance)
H20 Tube Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Chassis Fans: Upgrade All Fans to Corsair Airflow Performance Edition (Up to 6 Fans)
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: Digital Storm Thermal Management Control Board & Software
Chassis Mods: Fan Blow-Holes: VREG/CPU & Graphics Card Area: Laser Cut and Mount a Side Window 140mm Fans
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires High-End Motherboard Selection)
Graphics Boost: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
Memory Boost: Memory Fan Kit Only (Does not include memory overclocking service)
OS Boost: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (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)
Office: - No Thanks
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
NVIDIA SHIELD: - 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)

Sweet build.

I hope you do a review and pics!

Last build posted above ordered on 5/11. Stage 3 on 5/14. Apparently the additional chassis mods I wanted to add aren't applicable to my configuration?

Anyway my monitor arrived on Monday. Dell Ultrasharp U3415W 34 inch curved LED widescreen. I realize that monitor can only run @60hz. I wanted a larger monitor. Hope to see widescreens and or 4k monitors that can run at 122 or 144hz in the near future.

My monitor only came with a DP male>> Mini DP male cable. The back of the monitor has both the large and mini DP in ports. The new types of Display Port connectors are new to me. My old rig has the old DP connection with the 2 screws on the connector. I'm wondering if there is any loss in performance with the mini DP connector. Should I order a DP>>>DP cable? Also since I'm running 2 980s in SLI will there only be one display port for both cards to connect to? How will I know which Display port to connect to on my PC?

Edited by ST7A Bad Karma - 21 May 2015 at 10:23am

Alex posted in another forum that with the advances in cooling technology you don't need to service them for several years, didn't see that adressed.
Thanks for the service !
System sounds awesome Happy Gaming