Yet Another Gaming Rig - Few Qs

This will be my first pre-built purchase since my Commodore 64, having built all my computers since. Finally realizing that while I enjoy building computers, kids and family time lost not worth hours spent tinkering and then subsequent self-customer support. Appreciate any pointers from the experts that help out on this forum.

Budget:
$3,500 - $4,500. Timing will be in the next two weeks so I can get it shipped out before the holidays set in.

Expectations: (two step)

Purchase Date - able to use ultra settings in upcoming late 2015/2016 games such as Fallout 4, Ark and others with 1 monitor (ASUS PA246Q) @ 1920x1200.

Future Expansion (12-18 months) - once price levels on 4k monitors decrease, add one more video card in SLI mode, 16 GB (2x8) more memory and replacement 4k monitor and still able to game in high/ultra territory. This is typically when I would wipe/reinstall as well.

I tend to build every 3 years, so all of my builds in the past have been passed down to family members and then eventually phased out after 10 years of service. We have a lot of fun with network games with all the kids so I expect the computers to at least have a life span of 5-7 years.

Usage:
Most intense use will be gaming first person shooters on a home LAN(work, strategy games, etc. not even taxing on current 2012 build)

Special Needs:
Ambient household temps around 75, with high humidity. Dust/doghair a concern with 2 large dogs. Noise NOT a concern.

Saved Ticket #: 1298116

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Obsidian 550D
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 MAXIMUS VIII HERO (Intel Z170 Chipset)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2800MHz Corsair Vengeance LPX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX1000i (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 PCI-E Card (400GB Intel 750 Series) (NVM Express) (Extreme Performance)
Storage Set 2: 1x SSD (1TB Samsung 850 EVO)
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 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB (ASUS Strix Edition)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D15 (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: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
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: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
OS Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 10 Home (64-Bit Edition)

Questions (primarily from never buying pre-built before):

(1) In the next 2-3 weeks, is there any technology on the immediate horizon of being released that would have an effect on the chosen components that is worth holding off (e.g. Samsung 950)?

(2) Windows Home vs Professional - I do intent to wipe/reinstall at the 12-18 month mark. I saw articles that seemed to indicate that the Windows 10 Home doesn't like this unless you choose professional. Sounds false, but eager to have input.

(3) I would like the initial memory to be in 2x8 GB format to allow expansion at the 12-18 month mark for another 2x8 GB but did not see this option. I assume this is possible by adding a note at purchase time?

(4) Any problems with warranties if I wipe/reinstall/add memory/additional GPU down the line - do we receive Windows authorization code, etc. to permit this?

(5) I was tempted to get the Velox for the air flow - but was concerned that I didn't see dust covers (to avoid dog hair/dust), did I miss that or does that case not have dust filters?

(6) If I opted for the $35 tweaking OS services option, are we provided a list so that upon reinstall of the OS at the 12-18 month mark I can duplicate it again?

Thanks in advance for your help!




Edited by Tampa_Gamer - 02 Nov 2015 at 6:24pm

Hi Tampa_Gamer,

# 3 = Please request for 8GB memory modules on your special notes section at the bottom of the configurator. We'll take care of this. You can also email me for this request AFTER you have placed your order and I'll confirm with the team for you.

# 4 = There should be no issue with this. Worst case, you have to phone in to Microsoft to manually activate your OS.

db188 - appreciate the response and tips. One follow-up question, when you say you are concerned about the upgrade path thermals I take it you mean the case (not the Noctua 15) since you recommend the Apollo. I was also considering the newer Corsair Carbide Air 540 - any opinions pro/con on that one? I was also considering similar components but placed in a Hailstorm II level 2 start, however I don't think that chassis has dust filters either.

NorrinRad - appreciate your insight as well - thanks and good luck on your purchase as well. I am eager to hear how things go since you are going to be about 2 weeks ahead of me.

Alex - thanks for the quick reply. Do you have an answer to my questions #6 above?

In answer to your #6 question about a list of what they tweak in the OS, in the past DS hasn't said specifically what they remove.   It's an in-house procedure they keep to themselves, or has been from past experience. Of course, DS can only answer this 100%. I wouldn't select it myself.

The Air540... I agree with db's assessment of it, specifically the design of the seperate psu chamber.   I happen to like the case, it's size, shape and air cooling both very good and just different.   For what DS offers, without going a special order route, it's one of my favorites right now.   I say "right now", because I also like the Apollo 760t, kinda like my ODE600t.   The Velox has great cooling but the mobo orientation, right side window and psu mounted with logo upside down knocks it down a notch.   

The Bolt is a nice design, especially since they made it adaptable to other than rack mount size psu, but is limited to single card which is OK with me. A little tight but that doesn't bother me.

Just my random thoughts.



Edited by bprat22 - 05 Nov 2015 at 3:21am

Thanks again for everyone's comments/feedbacks. Pulled the trigger tonight (earlier than expected due to concerns about parts availability over the next 6 weeks).

The only two items I changed were (1) the case (to the Velox even though it doesn't have dust covers), and (2) added the OS tweaks now that I know upon clean/wipe customer support will assist.

My only concern during the ordering process was that once I entered my two special comments at the bottom in the configuration screen (regarding my memory & GPU configuration placement on the board), I never saw them again on the order form, invoice or subsequent feedback e-mails. I think it would help to add the notes to the end of the invoice or at least in the confirmation e-mail to make a record and let the customer know the comments were received.

Just wanted to report back in case it helps others thinking about similar builds, I received an e-mail from DS shortly after I placed the order yesterday. They had already reviewed my build and as a result I needed to make two modifications to the above build: (1) the Velox is out of stock until early December so instead of waiting I opted for db188's suggestion - the Apollo; and (2) apparently the Noctua NH-D15 is not enough for Stage 2 overclocking so I upgraded to the Corsair H100iGTX 240mm.