2nd (and 3rd?) Purchase

Bolt X
Solid choice of CPU and GPU ...and yes the RTX 2080 will handle the 1440p job well at high settings.   I think the 2080 Ti performance is not worth the extra price.   Remember it’s a mini ITX mobo, so while 16 gb RAM is all you need to game... upgrading RAM on a 2 slot ITX board means replacing those 2 sticks with 2 bigger sticks...and RAM is kinda cheap right now so be sure it’s all you will want for any other uses ahead.    Solid choice to populate both fast M.2 NVME SSD drive slots!   

You have experience with liquid cooling hot components in the big roomy great airflow Hailstorm II Corsair case (as I do still operate a Hailstorm II as well).     Surprised that you are thinking just air.    Would be years before any maintenance should be needed other than fluid top offs..or at least use an AIO sealed no maintenance CPU cooler.    I think it’s just nuts & risky to even consider running an overclocked top 8 core K class CPU and top RTX GPU packed inside a small form factor ITX case like Bolt X on just air.     Liquid cooling makes that small case even acceptable to use with those hot components....with only a couple fans.    If you do this build, I predict a short lifespan for components in this warm enclosed rig...lol.    Your GPU will wear out early having to vent your hot case 24/7 while trying to also cool itself!    If you want Bolt X then I would encourage you to use a liquid cooler on both CPU & GPU and that should be a great rig with acceptable heat mitigation..    If you really want just air cooling, then I would say use a Lumos or Velox case build with a normal ATX mobo with more space and excellent fan powered airflow that would work much better for you on air alone.

Haven’t seen enough Avon reviews to state an opinion, but with good gaming laptops you are expecting heat and shorter lifespan...lol.    Should game well with the 2070

Edited by HockeyBuck - 08 Jun 2019 at 2:36am

I understand your reluctance and issues. I can recommend the all-in-one water coolers for being highly reliable and totally maintenance free. With one of those, you can relax about overclocking the CPU, but they're so darn fast at stock, don't need it if it makes you nervous. The Corsairs are warranted for five full years. It's pretty harmless if one fails because the CPU overheats and just shuts down.

The 2070 is the price/performance champ for 1440p, so the 2080 will be headroom well past the next gen of cards. Good pick if you can afford it. The 2080 Ti is way overkill.

The gains from overclocking these video cards is very marginal. Not worth the stress even if water cooled, IMO, but that's the only way. Though perhaps not ideal, the Bolt should be fine if you have an AOI and don't oc the GPU. It's been said the Lumos is an impressive light show.

Hope it helps.

Eggy....I do think you would be way better off with the full LC on CPU and GPU in this particular build.    Recommend flexible tubing as best choice for shipping to NE.    This HydroLux cooler (Swiftech) is a much smaller reservoir/pump unit and loop than what you are used to, and it resembles an AIO but there is a fill port on the side.    Coolant top off is easy...put case on it’s side so fill port is on top, use a squeeze bottle to refill reservoir when needed.    Ask DS for quick disconnect fittings, a drain port, and a spare bottle of coolant...that will make things easy when it’s time for a card change or for maintenance.    Properly cooled, the Bolt X will be a great rig for you. Should only require a yearly fluid top off for many years ahead.

FYI...I just recently upgraded my 2011 DS Hailstorm II (I7-3930K / X99 mobo/ HydroLux Pro cpu only) ) from SLI x2 GTX 680 Classified to a single air cooled EVGA RTX 2080 FTW3 Ultra ....a very efficient 3 fan massive heat sink 3 slot sized card that keeps the GPU temps chilly in 30-40’s C range in the big Corsair 800D case.   The RTX 2080 will play anything at Ultra settings so my Hailstorm can still fly...you’ll really enjoy the RTX 2080.    In your Hailstorm upgrade, coming from 3x SLI 980 on water.....maybe you can actually justify going the extra $400 with one 2080 Ti as a nice simple new GPU solution.    Look at the EVGA RTX 2080 Copper or 2080 Ti Copper as great choices to keep using your HydroLux Pro cooler loop.   

Edited by HockeyBuck - 08 Jun 2019 at 11:09am

Yeah even worse for us homeowners here in tax everything twice California!   Low toy budgets is why we gotta think these tech toys carefully through to make very sure you get what you need, set up right!   This Bolt X will be a smart build.

BTW...for lower cost reasons, DS will normally use a stock 1 or 2 fan air cooled RTX 2080 video card from several brands they use in house, remove the fans & heat sink, and place their own DS custom water block on the card.   However, if you have a certain favorite brand factory made water cooled card you would prefer they install in the Bolt...just ask DS how much..as they can get just about anything you want if you are willing to pay the extra cost and wait.   Several on the forum here have used the excellent EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 FTW3 ULTRA HYDRO COPPER GAMING or the Ti version of it.   Probably the best quality factory LC card out there.   Be cool to hear what you finally order, and how it all goes for you.

When you eventually start on your Hailstorm upgrade, post pics and you should get some decent advice here on how to make changes happen.   There are people here that have recently downsized their 3 or 4 LC video cards to 2 or 1 new RTX card that might pipe up with some good suggestions.   If you are not already aware, environmental requirements have made many older coolant mixes obsolete /no longer available...and you won't be able to mix older coolants with the new formulas. Old brands are still the same, just different coolant formulas.   

Thanks for the explanation Hockey! EVGA is the brand I'm familiar with, glad to hear it's coming highly recommended by the community as well. I'll report back when I get things sorted out!

An unfortunate update - spoke with the sales manager. That particular version of the card is an additional $280 (at that price point might as well get the Ti), nor can it be returned or refunded, nor is it covered by the DS warranty. I'm not comfortable with that, especially considering history & the fact that I'm planning on paying extra for the extended warranty.

John also noted that the Bolt case does not allow for quick disconnects, or a drain port for ease of maintenance, which makes the hydrolux less attractive for me; I haven't seen any videos posted on flushing and maintaining hydrolux, so I'm a little concerned about that piece.

I'm leaning back towards the closed loop Corsair on the CPU and air on the GPU, or changing up the purchase order entirely. When I can play around with the config again and evaluate my budget, I'll post a new one.

Originally posted by Eggy To that end, I'm actually wondering if DS can / has produced a video on this? I just found the "How to - Hydrolux Maintenance" video they made, which is very helpful for topping off the reservoir. However, is there a similar one for actually disconnecting the system to clean tubes, flush, refill with new coolant? Thanks!

Good question! I'd like to see that too as I want to drain and change the color of my HydroLux Fluid in my Bolt X.