Digital Storm Branded Components (Private Label)Post Date: 2022-04-05 |
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NoobieWhisperer
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 56 |
Quote Reply
Topic: Digital Storm Branded Components (Private Label) Posted: 05 Apr 2022 at 6:11pm |
I did a lot of research before deciding on Digital Storm. I won’t name my previous builder, but it, too, was a boutique builder.
One big difference between the two vendors is that DS has a lot private label parts. Does anyone know who makes these parts? I tried to research their power supplies, for example, just based on visuals and specs but I wasn’t able to make a good determination. The closest I could find in terms of construction, fan shroud similarities, labeling and connectors is the EVGA Supernova. I personally don’t mind private labels, especially if it saves me money. I’m just really curious who’s the wizard behind the curtain. It’s like Costco and Kirkland. I love their house brand and people will go to great lengths to find out who actually makes their products. |
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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 12:36am |
DS as far as I know uses Corsair for vendor, like AIO cooler, psu, etc. When they put their name on it, they assume the warranty which takes the warranty burden off the manufacturer and purchase the components at a discount.
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hoserator
DS Veteran We don't need no stinking "Avatars" ! Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7942 |
Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 12:50am |
In the past DS labeled RAM was mfg. by ADATA and most of the hardware used on the open loops were EK but we are only customers and don''t know. Personally, I like to know who is the manufacturer and generally try to shy away from private labeled parts/products.
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NoobieWhisperer
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 56 |
Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 1:33am |
Who makes their M.2 NVM Express hard drive? Anyone know?
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Cretae
DS Veteran Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7328 |
Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 4:23am |
Almost a couple of years ago now, DS was having a problem with consistent supply from Corsair of their Corsair branded AIO coolers, according to Alex. They stopped offering the Corsair AIOs, and went with private labels. Alex told us the DS coolers were made by the very same factory that supplied Corsair. That's one history I have direct knowledge of. No doubt whatever difficulty DS was having at that time would have been multiplied when the supply chain broke down.
We used to routinely recommend the name brand parts that stood beside the DS offerings because the factory warranties were longer than the normal DS one year parts that came with the systems. The price differential seemed well worth the coverage to most of us, and competed well with extended coverage from DS. One thing to keep in mind is that MANY brand-name offerings in electronics are not manufactured in-house, but simply come from a much smaller number of fabricators and get a label slapped on. (Corsair PSUs are made by Seasonic.) The most cogent fact to remember in this discussion IMHO, is that whoever is making DS branded parts is putting out products that DS believes in. For a builder who's foremost claims to fame are quality performance and extreme longevity, they have convinced me they know what they're doing. |
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hoserator
DS Veteran We don't need no stinking "Avatars" ! Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7942 |
Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 12:34pm |
Ahh, but the claim to extreme longevity fame was precisely due to those high end components that are now not available here. Cannot compare private labeled shortened warranty with the brand names longer ones. They are set for a reason. I have always consistently promoted for availability of choices and let the customer decide. It is after all a "boutique". Edited by hoserator - 06 Apr 2022 at 12:38pm |
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Cretae
DS Veteran Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7328 |
Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 4:15am |
Oh, come on. Thousands of systems have gone out with DS parts over the years, and you know how many have been complained of, because you've been here. (Hint: it's very near zero.) My point is DS knows how to pick parts that last. Why wouldn't they? The parts compare pretty well when they come from the same place, no?
I'm all for choice, but in the current climate it's not very practical. I don't know if we'll ever see those choices back here, but I don't think the overall product has been diminished by much if at all. |
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hoserator
DS Veteran We don't need no stinking "Avatars" ! Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7942 |
Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 11:09am |
I am just stating that there was quite the selection of hardware and slowly DS has been migrating to offering its private label exclusively. There can be no argument that a 10 year warranty is better than a 1 year one or that a "custom" pc builder should offer "custom" parts. That is my gripe. I am betting that your old system did not have many, if any private label parts. Mine (2) have none. Sorry to the OP for the sidetrack.
Edited by hoserator - 07 Apr 2022 at 11:11am |
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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 1:37pm |
My two cents……most of whom I consider to be boutique builders of equal consideration use brand name components. Brand name components give you a much better warranty, detailed specs that are easily found and for roughly the same price. Others have the brand name parts available with build times of 1-2 months like DS. Not sure what’s going on at DS but like hose said, brand names have disappeared at DS.
That said, the DS branded is probably just as reliable, coming from the same sources as brand name. I do miss the much better selections of years gone by and miss not knowing exactly what I’m buying. And miss knowing my warranty is 3-5 years , not 1 year default warranty. Funny thing is, my latest rig was from DS and not one of the others, mainly because I have had excellent experience with DS. |
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Tidgxor
DS ELITE The Kokopelli kid Joined: 17 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13000 |
Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 1:56pm |
This thread made me curious so I looked up the specs on my two DS rigs. The first (2010) had 0 DS-branded parts. Every single component was "name brand." The second (2013) had 2 DS-branded parts and was in a DS proprietary case. Looking over the ol' Configurator these days will allow you to pick DS-branded parts on just about all the major components. Obviously it's been some time since I've purchased from DS, but as someone who checks the website fairly often it's been pretty easy to see DS's shift to more universal "DS Branding" on its offerings. I can absolutely see why they'd go this direction, but on the flip side I - as a customer - don't 100% like it.That said, for me I usually care more about the company backing a product than I do the product itself. I've had top-tier name brand purchases from companies that just abysmally failed to support their product, and I've had no-name purchases from barely-searchable companies that will probably still be here once I'm worm food because they just back their products that well. I'd rather DS gave us the options they used to, but as I am obviously still here I feel like DS is still a good company to have backing your purchase even if the selection isn't what it used to be.
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My Two Digital Storm Rigs: Mr. Bojangles (HAF-X, 2010) & Mrs. Bojingles (Bolt I, 2013).
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Onkel_Ken
DS Veteran Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2961 |
Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 3:42pm |
All, I know is that I was very satisfied with my first Digital Storm system that is now 12 years old and still can game. Obviously, I am super happy with my new one that I just got a few months ago.
I know that the Velox case is their design and it is amazingly cool to the touch even during heavy gaming due to it total mesh front, top, & back. I think my power supply, AIO, memory,& fans are DS too. I splurged and went with the 5/3 warranty that wasn't cheap just to be sure I was good for at least that long. Great system and I know the reason the Digital Storm Customers are here in the Forum is because they love their systems & the interactions they have with Digital Storm along the way. |
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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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NoobieWhisperer
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 56 |
Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 5:25pm |
Well said. I, too, don’t mind private labels so long as it is done right. I use Costco and Kirkland as a prime example: their stuff, at least to me, is held in high regard because the quality is there with the added value benefit. However, if done poorly, one bad private label item can ruin and entire brand, so there’s some risk as well. It’s your name on that product now. Costco has the benefit of being a major player with tons of purchasing power. This allows them to get very quality items at a discount. Can the same be said for Digital Storm? I don’t know. Ideally, we should have a good choice for everything, third party and private label. People like choices. I don’t know how comfortable I would be buying a Digital Storm with the bulk of the parts private label. To me, it’s no longer a boutique build. |
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Cretae
DS Veteran Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7328 |
Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2022 at 3:45am |
I heartily agree that choice is a very good thing, and I have always endorsed the branded parts for the warranty coverage. I'm proposing the supply chain thing is the culprit here and not a desire to make all ancillary parts DS branded. They have had enough difficulty with AMD, Intel, and Nvidia coming through on their promises to have had any incentive to make it worse. As long as the supply flows reliably, why should DS not want to offer choices?
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Alex
Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2022 at 11:41am |
As things improve with supply, we can consider offering a brand for hardware options, for example, we do this currently with storage.
Let us know what categories you guys feel we are not offering a branded option and what brand you would like to see offered? |
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hoserator
DS Veteran We don't need no stinking "Avatars" ! Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7942 |
Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2022 at 1:27pm |
Now, see! That is exactly why (and I'm going out on a limb here) we are all here. The response and support given with a genuine desire to make it right. Thank you Alex. |
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NoobieWhisperer
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 56 |
Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2022 at 1:54pm |
I think private labels are great if the quality is there, but you must offer brand name alternatives. If the entire build is private label it no longer is a “boutique” build and becomes another Dell.
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Alex
Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2022 at 3:27pm |
Please share what you would like to see branded labels for?
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Nomad1970
Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 716 |
Quote Reply Posted: 08 Apr 2022 at 9:25pm |
I'll chime in with AIO coolers and Power Supplies in the 850 Watt area.
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My Precious 2
I7-9700 oc 4.7GHz 32GB DDR4 3000MHz Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SSD M.2 (512GB Samsung 970 PRO) SSD M.2 1TB Samsung 970 EVO 240GB Samsung 860 Pro SSD 1TB W.D. HD EVGA GTX 1080Ti |
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NoobieWhisperer
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 56 |
Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 2022 at 4:44am |
I second that: AIO and power supplies would great. Also, case choices would be awesome as well per class. In other words, offer cases that are similar in size to the Velox. And/or modify the existing cases to allow for different MB install orientation or configurations. And finally, offering more case fan choices would be great as well.
Thank you. |
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Cretae
DS Veteran Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7328 |
Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 2022 at 4:48am |
Coolers and PSUs for sure, and maybe an enhanced selection of fans. I could get onboard for a couple more cases, though I like the ones we have.
And while I know you're looking at this, thank you soooo much for offering DS NVMe storage for budget builds! I'm already on record of what I think of the Lynx 1. Edited by Cretae - 09 Apr 2022 at 4:58am |
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txfeinbergs
Newbie Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 85 |
Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 2022 at 10:35pm |
Yep, coolers and PSUs are critical components I would like to see more branded options for (or at least give us specs as to the DS options so we know they are good)
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Onkel_Ken
DS Veteran Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2961 |
Quote Reply Posted: 09 Apr 2022 at 11:08pm |
Is the issue that branded components potentially have longer warranties or that they are simply believed to be better?
I can understand if you buy a brand item that has 3 times the warranty of the unbranded item especially if the difference in price is not significant. I tend to feel that the warranty length might be the determining factor between branded and private label components when prices are similar. If the warranty is the main factor perhaps the private label component can be offered with a similar warranty with consideration of price differentials involved. Just my thoughts at the moment. Like everyone else I hope my new computer lasts as long as my first Digital Storm computer that is still gaming strong at 12 years old. |
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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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hoserator
DS Veteran We don't need no stinking "Avatars" ! Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7942 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 1:23am |
I bet that 12 year old has brand name components. There is nothing wrong with private label hardware. You have to understand that the label is NOT the only thing that is different. Some internal components may also be changed according to the specifications requested by the end seller, Enjoy!
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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 1:39am |
For me it’s just not knowing what specifically I’m getting. The AIO and especially the psu for example are unknowns for comparison to other brands. No test results from labs with in depth reviews of components like caps quality, soldering efficiency, etc.
Also being able to pick a specific graphics card would be great, understanding of course the insanity of availability isn’t on DS. An EVGA card with custom cooler and possibly tweaked a bit for $200 more over legacy Nvidia , or similar Asus cards on the configuration list would mean a true boutique builder. Nothing wrong with Nvidia legacy cards, which is what I received, but custom building should be custom selections. For the vast majority of purchaser’s , even myself, the difference in longevity and performance of custom vs legacy vs brand name isn’t significant enough to not buy DS. It’s the builder and their reputation that means the most to me, coming from decades of field service and knowing the importance of standing behind the customer. |
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hoserator
DS Veteran We don't need no stinking "Avatars" ! Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7942 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 1:49am |
There is also a "bragging " factor in having name brand hardware in your system. There are various mods made by manufacturers that make hardware particularly attractive. I love the EVGA Hybrids, all I use now. It would be nice to have the choice to order them or others. I would open the offerings to the PSU, RAM, GPUs, Coolers and SSDs. The reviews and testing done by the industry, as bprat2 posted is a major drawback of private labeling. You can state it is the same as _______ but it is not and that is what we don't know. There are capacitors and there are capacitors as all that goes in the hardware. Were they top of the line or cheaper versions to make the hardware more affordable? It will still work but....
Edited by hoserator - 10 Apr 2022 at 1:57am |
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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 2:09am |
Yep, like hose said, bragging rights can be fun. To show somebody my custom rig, built to my specs with a 3 fan, lighted EVGA logo, robust cooling fins graphics card, or a platinum psu, not a gold, feels like a big step up from a run of the mill , off the shelf brick and mortar or big “D” generic gaming rig.
Nothing wrong with bragging rights, after all, how many of us buy a car or wear a watch or flash the latest iPhone with way more features for way more money than you really need. It’s not what you Need, it’s what you Want. No excuses or justification. |
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NoobieWhisperer
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 56 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 5:51am |
Exactly. I know it sounds kind of shallow, but people willing to spend the kind of money needed for these boutique builds want that “flash.”
Again, nothing wrong with private labels, provided it’s done right, but offering good brand name choices for all components allows us to configure it to our liking. |
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Onkel_Ken
DS Veteran Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2961 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 11:26am |
Let me check what brand names are in the 12 year old Digital Storm computer I have. :-) - Case Cooler Master HAF 932 - Intel i7 920 2.66Ghz OCed to 3Ghz CPU - EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) Motherboard - 6 Gb DDR3 1333Mhz Corsair Dominator DHX memory - 1000 Watt Corsair HX Power Supply - 300 GB Western Digital VelociRaptor & 500 GB Western Digital - Nvidia GTX 295 GPU - Creative Labs X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Sound Card - Cooler Master V8 CPU Air Cooler The best item in the box was my Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Extra Large). :-) I did upgrade memory to 12Gb & change the GPU to a Nvidia Titan along the way and the system is still a reasonable gaming machine. Only repair I have had to do is replace the internal fan in the V8 CPU air cooler. Not bad so far I think! Edited by Onkel_Ken - 10 Apr 2022 at 11:35am |
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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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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 11:56am |
Miss the free T-shirt. Wore the hell out of it.
Final thought on branded parts….I could have saved $1000 buying from another “builder” with roughly the same specs , same gaming performance, but didn’t for 2 reasons………one, I have had good experience with DS and 2, having a no-name motherboard with no specs was a bridge too far. DS supporting a forum like this is also a company willing to take both praise and ridicule, listening to the customers. |
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Snaike
Moderator Group Just a dude trying to keep the spam away Joined: 23 Jan 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9448 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 11:56am |
In my high mileage budget Vanquish 2 build I have replaced the Adata 8Gb RAM for 16Gb Corsair Dominator, the PNY GTX770 with an EVGA GeForce GTX1070 and Corsair 600m PSU (the ONLY part that failed, requiring replacement) with the Corsair RM750...
My point is that as long as Digital Storm is going to warranty their builds I really don't care whose name is on the part. If I feel I need to upgrade or update, as above, then it's going to be on me to care about brands. I have absolutely no issue with house brands and generics when there is a good reliable warranty standing behind it. (40 years ago I worked security at an auto filter manufacturer. I saw ALL the different brands come out of the same machines into different boxes and trucks.) |
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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 1:22pm |
As long as you’re happy then that’s all that matters. DS stands behind their builds.
But the warranty isn’t the same. AIO coolers typically have a 5 year warranty, and Corsair psu’s have 5-7 year warranties. To get 3 years parts warranty with DS is another $399 with the build parts the same price. Otherwise you’re on your own after 1 year. That said, getting warranty service for the whole system from one source is easier, but I’ve dealt with manufacturers privately for warranty and it’s not bad. But more work. Plus, let’s face it, most people won’t claim warranty service from a manufacturer after 3 years , just buy a new one. So it is up to an individual what they consider to be acceptable. If on my new rig the psu or AIO crap out after 1 year I’m on my own. Luckily most parts will fail in the first several weeks. |
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Onkel_Ken
DS Veteran Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2961 |
Quote Reply Posted: 10 Apr 2022 at 4:56pm |
bprat22,
I broke down and went with the 5 year labor & 3 years parts full warranty on the new system but I hope the system will last till I am dead considering I will be 70 in June. Hopefully it & I will last at least the 12 years the old Digital Storm system has. The forum was the main reason I went with Digital Storm in the first place years ago. I know of no other place where the customers & staff work so hard to be sure that their customer gets the best system optimized for their gaming & business needs. Edited by Onkel_Ken - 10 Apr 2022 at 4:57pm |
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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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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2022 at 1:04am |
Onkel…..Yep, I agree, the forum is probably one of the reasons I went with my latest. That plus I do like dealing with DS. You guys are fun to talk to and supportive and a place to vent likes and dislikes. Knowing Alex is there if needed to give an issue a boost or answer questions is huge. This exchange about DS branded is a perfect example of a company that isn’t afraid to hear us vent.
I’ll be 73 this summer and can’t wait to buy my next rig from DS in 5 years or so. Gaming keeps the mind sharp. |
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Cretae
DS Veteran Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7328 |
Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2022 at 4:19am |
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hoserator
DS Veteran We don't need no stinking "Avatars" ! Joined: 08 Oct 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7942 |
Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2022 at 9:42am |
The forum is nothing without its members. Congratulations to all. |
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