Bolt: review - The System I've been waiting for!Post Date: 2013-03-18 |
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Koth ![]() Newbie ![]() ![]() Joined: 22 Feb 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
![]() ![]() ![]() 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 ![]() DS ELITE ![]() DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) ![]() Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Thanks for the review and especially the great pics.
![]() Real nice setup and the Bolt fits nicely. ENJOY. ![]() |
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ArkansasWoman777 ![]() DS Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 19 Aug 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4314 |
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That looks awesome. Congrats
![]() Edited by ArkansasWoman777 - 18 Mar 2013 at 1:54pm |
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"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 ![]() DS ELITE ![]() The Kokopelli kid ![]() Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13000 |
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Congrats!
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My Two Digital Storm Rigs: Mr. Bojangles (HAF-X, 2010) & Mrs. Bojingles (Bolt I, 2013).
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Alex ![]() Admin Group ![]() Digital Storm Supervisor ![]() Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16314 |
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Asangard ![]() DS Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2209 |
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Sweet setup.
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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 ![]() DS Veteran ![]() One of the cool kids ![]() Joined: 09 Sep 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1080 |
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Very nice!
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Me sitting my ECMO in PICU. Now you know why I like LC. ;)
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bydezign ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 02 Apr 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
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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 ![]() Admin Group ![]() Digital Storm Supervisor ![]() Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16314 |
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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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Onkel_Ken ![]() DS Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2961 |
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Really nice !!
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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 ![]() Newbie ![]() ![]() Joined: 22 Feb 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
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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 ![]() DS Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 06 Jul 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2551 |
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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 ![]() Groupie ![]() ![]() Joined: 08 Jun 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 121 |
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Your Bolt and setup look awesome!
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Performance matters. Non-Performance is not an option.
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retirednavysnipe ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 06 Apr 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 606 |
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Congrats on your Bolt.
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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 ![]() Admin Group ![]() Digital Storm Supervisor ![]() Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16314 |
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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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