Black OPS Aventum - Questions

Hi Zilzalati,

Welcome to the forum. You are smart to discuss your build before talking to DS. Here you have members who own DS computers and you will get a lot of different opinions from knowledgeable people.

A couple of questions before we talk about your system. Are you going to be working or playing in 3D? It seems right off that you are way over building for a 1920 monitor. Are you interested in saving money if it doesn't effect performance? I ask this because some just want the best of the best no matter what it cost of if they really need it.

I am a little confused by your drive choices. You will be working with big files but you don't have a large HDD for storage. The normal configuration is to get a SSD for the operating system, games and programs that you use a lot. Then HDDs for storage.

You don't have anything to play BluRay. Is that a problem?

In regards to a sound card. If you don't have a speaker system to take advantage of the card then the on board is fine for work or gaming. If you listen to a lot of music you might want a sound card. Some cards dissapear when DS doesn't have them available. Other times they are too exspense and DS doesn't sell them so they don't restock. In any event DS will order anything you want if they don't have something in stock.

In most cases the 3960X is overkill. It doesn't help in gaming but if you are really heavy into the work areas you listed, it might be a good choice. You can get the 3930 for $500 less and you probably won't be able to tell the difference in performance. Don't get the 3960X unless you just want to squeeze out the last bit of performance.

Frank

Edited by FrankW - 15 Jul 2012 at 2:41pm

Hi Zilzalati,

Thanks for your comments. That answers a lot of question that I had. Some other thoughts.

1. The 120Gb SSD is too small for an operating drive. Besides the operating system you will want the games you play often and your photo, media and publishing programs on the first drive. A 180 SSD would be a minimum. I see you have two 240Gb SSd also. Did you plan on RAIDing them? If so you forgot to request the RAID option. Or, if you were going to use them for programs without RAID then the 120Gb SSD makes more sense.

2. The SLI 690s give you a bunch of GPU power but the drives are $1000 each. I am sure you know that these cards have two 2Gb 680s and are not true 4Gb cards. Have you considered getting three 4Gb 680s. Three 680s would be cheaper than two 690s and if one 680 fails it will only cost $500 to change. If you ever felt you needed more GPU power you could add the forth 4Gb 680.

You have a solid system just like you have it and my comments are just food for thought. Make sure you order the wooden crate for shipping. Also you should know that DS does not work on the weekends so if you need support it is not available. You can get help on this forum and Alex stops by on the weekend quite often. They also don't have support 24 hours on the days they provide support. So you will have to make some effort to contact DS during their business hours. They will work with you and do all then can to accommodate your available hours.

I suggest you extend your warranty. The three year warranty only provides one year equipment replacement. The five year warranty provides three years of equipment replacement.

You should consider having DS add quick-disconnect connectors to the LC tubes. It makes it a lot easier to replace a component. Maybe even drain connectors at the bottom of the system. Just things that are nice to have.

Frank

Edited by FrankW - 16 Jul 2012 at 5:52am

Zilzalati,

In regards to the LC system. First let me say that the Aventum is a very new case and DS will be your best source on how to do the LC system.

If it was my system I would ask for XSPC rx series rads. The best fans use to be Scythe Gentle Typhoon but DS doesn't stock them any more. You can still get them but DS will have to order them.

I don't know what disconnects they use but if you ask for them with your order they will provide what you need. It is important that with a build of this caliber that you talk to DS about your build. I have never seen an Aventum case so don't have any gems to pass on. We do have some members with the Aventum and if you check the review section you will find some good pictures. These members would be a good source of information.

Here is a picture of a LC system with disconnects in place.


Here is a picture of drains at the bottom of a Hailstorm case. I don't know if they are available with the Aventum.

Hi Zilzalati,

You need to have your order with any add ons before you pay. Discuss the build with DS and then have them Email you the build or a Configurator Number. Don't pay until everything has been worked out and you have the final configuration in hand. That is the only way to know your final price. Once you pay you can still make changes up until they reach a certain point in the build.

I suggest you let us see your final build if they change anything. Don't forget to order your free T-Shirt.

Frank

Edited by FrankW - 17 Jul 2012 at 6:13am

I have made confirmation for the most part but DS has not yet send me the final build/configuration. Maybe its because there are still a few alterations that needed to be done particularly on the sound card and the custom drain valve.

I wanted to order the Xonar Essence STX but DS has advised me against it as they believe it could cause certain issues so I decided to stay with onboard audio.

The problem is, I have gone with 4-way SLI and if I choose to get myself a sound card later in the future, can I possibly fit it in?

If its the Rampage 4 Extreme than I don't think another card will fit.    The 4x  680's are double slot wide, meaning the unused slot will be blocked. 

That's a great question.    I would guess that the card itself might not be as wide but the back panel plate where the monitor connectors are would still get in the way.      That is a great rig you and Frank have been working on.

Thanks bprat! Frank has been a tremendous help this past few days . Anyway, I agree that the back panel plate could be a possible culprit or maybe the waterblocks are just too big.

Interestingly, I have been sending emails to DS about my build for this past two days but the replies I got are limited. I'm sure they are all busy but I'm just worried that I might not be able purchase on time. I could use those extra cash for the shipping instead.