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Bolt: review - The System I've been waiting for!

Post Date: 2013-03-18
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Koth View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		  Quote Koth Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Bolt: review - The System I've been waiting for!
    Posted: 18 Mar 2013 at 1:41pm
I haven't been a big rig guy for years. Since I work remotely 90% of the time and play on the same computer, I need a desktop that is small enough for my desk area, and powerful enough to accommodate my gaming addiction. I'm an IT Pro, and an enthusiast.

For the past few years I've settled on OptiPlex SFF systems. Quiet and powerful, and looked decent enough. Unfortunately, they're not very upgradeable and only fit small low profile cards which limits my gaming. Even if they could fit, with 280W power, high end graphics cards were just not viable so I always settled for less, and had to get a new system each year to accommodate new processors and technologies like USB 3.0 which will continue to evolve.

Then I saw the DigitalStorm Bolt and couldn't believe it. So for the first time, I purchased a custom system using non-proprietary parts (with the exception of the power supply) and crossed my fingers that this gorgeous system could deliver on its promise of upgradeability, no compromise power, and full sized graphic cards.

The Bolt did not disappoint. It looks fantastic and is unbelievably quiet for the power it houses. I bought a base system with a 650ti and have already upgraded it myself to Blu-Ray Writer, Core i7 3770k, 128G Samsung 840 Pro (OS), 240GB Corsair Force GT, and a 2TB Internal HD for Windows File History and System Images. All that in a Slick, self-serviceable SFF Case that looks as good as it performs. The HD tray is very nicely designed with 2 SSDs and a 3.5 in the space 2 stacked 3.5.

Most reviews said upgrading would be tricky but I found upgrading all components to be relatively easy, no more difficult than any other case. This was good news and I'll surely want to upgrade the motherboard at some point as hardware evolves.

The best feature, 500 Watts of virtually silent power. In a silent room all I hear is air from the video card. Fantastic. I can't say enough about how please I am with my purchase and DigitalStorm customer service which took care of an initially quite but whiny fan which I easily replaced myself with the advanced warranty.

Everything from shipping, presentation, documentation and customer service is top notch and highly recommended.

TRK
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2013 at 1:47pm
Thanks for the review and especially the great pics.    

Real nice setup and the Bolt fits nicely.   ENJOY.   
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ArkansasWoman777 View Drop Down
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Posts: 4314 		  Quote ArkansasWoman777 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2013 at 1:51pm
That looks awesome. Congrats

Edited by ArkansasWoman777 - 18 Mar 2013 at 1:54pm
"Captain Sirius Black"
Storm Trooper
i5 3570k

Ordered: 11-27-12
Stage 1: 11-29-12
Stage 2: 12-2-12
Stage 3: 12-2-12
Stage 4: 12-4-12
Stage 5: 12-4-12
Stage 6: 12-10-12
Stage 7: 12-12-12
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Tidgxor View Drop Down
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Posts: 13000 		  Quote Tidgxor Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2013 at 2:12pm
 Congrats! Excited
My Two Digital Storm Rigs: Mr. Bojangles (HAF-X, 2010) & Mrs. Bojingles (Bolt I, 2013).
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Alex View Drop Down
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2013 at 6:33pm
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Asangard View Drop Down
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Posts: 2209 		  Quote Asangard Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Mar 2013 at 7:13pm
Sweet setup.Awesome
All evil comes from within,
Not from Without,
Therefore, the 1st step on the Holy Warrior path,
Is to recognize thyself as thy 1st enemy.
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oldlady RPGer View Drop Down
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Posts: 1080 		  Quote oldlady RPGer Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Mar 2013 at 8:29am
Very nice!
Me sitting my ECMO in PICU. Now you know why I like LC. ;)

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bydezign View Drop Down
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Posts: 1 		  Quote bydezign Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Apr 2013 at 12:07pm
I like the small form of the Bolt.  Is the 500W PS really enough and do you have any overheating problems with everything crammed in there?
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Alex View Drop Down
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Apr 2013 at 1:09pm
It has no issues with a 500W and thermals are great. There are a few of great reviews and PSU load tests, see below:

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/bolt-psu-load-results-with-kill-a-watt-meter-tidf19908-kwfbolt/

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/digital-storm-bolt-review-editor-039-s-choice-tidf19968/

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/maximum-pc-magazine-kick-ass-award-may-2013-tidf19992/

http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/pc-world-bolt-review-march-2013-tidf19902/
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Posts: 2961 		  Quote Onkel_Ken Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 28 Apr 2013 at 4:02pm
Really nice !!
Velox X/AMD 5900X/MSI X570 Pro Carbon MB/32GB DDDR 3600 DSPS/850W PS/500GB Samsung 980 Pro/1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus/500 GB HDD/Sound Blaster AE-7/EVGA FTW3 Ultra RTX 3080 10GB/Liquid CPU cooler AIO/
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Koth View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		  Quote Koth Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Aug 2013 at 1:52pm
The Bolt is still the dream machine. Just upgraded video and Motherboard. GTX 760 and ASUS P8Z77-I DELUXE. i7 3770k, 16GB Crucial Ballistix Tactical, Internal PCIE 802.11ac + BT 4.0, 128GB Samsung 840 Pro, Crucial 256GB Force GT, 2TB 3.5 (for file History Backup), Dual USB 3.0 Controllers with UASP.

It should be illegal to have this much power is a small, silent, sleek PC that the BOLT is. As happy as the day I got it - Koth.





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fstcvc View Drop Down
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Posts: 2551 		  Quote fstcvc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 17 Aug 2013 at 7:18pm
HailStorm II
i7 4770K @ 4.5GHz
Asus Maximus VI Extreme
16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum
3xSLI EVGA SuperClocked GTX TITAN
Samsung 840Pro SSD 256GB+512GB
HydroLux+XSPC CPU/MoBo/GPU Liquid Cooling
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Dakota Red View Drop Down
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Posts: 121 		  Quote Dakota Red Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 5:23am
Your Bolt and setup look awesome!        Strong            Congrats!
Performance matters. Non-Performance is not an option.
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retirednavysnipe View Drop Down
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Posts: 606 		  Quote retirednavysnipe Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 18 Aug 2013 at 6:24am
Congrats on your Bolt.   
Hailstorm Black Ops
I7 3930K 4.5GHZ
16GB 1600MHZ ram
2 x GTX 680
120 GB SSD, 1 TB hardrive
Fully liquid cooled CPU, GPU and chipset.
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Alex View Drop Down
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Aug 2013 at 6:21pm
Sweet! That's exactly why we built the Bolt, we wanted it to be a tiny beast! I'm glad you were able to upgrade the PC. That's how we would like all of our customers to enjoy their investments.
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