Edit: Ordered

(Subject was: Will be ordering soon!)

I've been waffling over getting a new computer for weeks now, making trips to the store and pricing stuff up; looking at things online, but for the most part completely unsatisfied with the way off-the-shelf computers act, even with creative parts replacement.

I had almost given up the search for something with the specs I wanted that didn't a)completely pass up my price range b)completely surpass my needs... like, ridiculously, or c)both. I'm still a student (One year left to my degree! Woo!), so I'm not quite rolling in dough but I need a machine that can run a few games as well as handle a good amount of graphic/music/video editing. It looks like DS is a great company, and I can't wait!

I was wondering though, asking you guys with experience... In what order should I go about ordering/talking to the bank? I've had issues with that whole "Zomg! People be stealin' ur akkountz!" thing before when buying a new machine, and I'd like to make sure it goes smoothly.

Also: How necessary is the whole wooden crate thing? $200 is a lot. Do shipping guys regularly drop boxes off of cliffs, or is that just added peace of mind for the 5k plus machines?

Thanks,
oak

Edited by oakleafwolf - 11 Jul 2011 at 11:11am

Thanks for the advice!

Called the bank today; they're fairly small, so I know the info was handed off in person and that hopefully means it'll go through!

Also, here's what I ended up with... It's not the top end of what DS can churn out, but I'm happy with it!

Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master Storm Enforcer
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i5 2300 2.80GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 (Intel P67 Chipset) (New B3 Revision) (Does Not Support SLI)
System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair Dominator DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (Model: Blue Edition)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: - No Thanks
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card(s): - No Thanks, I will be installing my own video card(s)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Asetek Liquid CPU Cooler (120mm Radiator) (Great Value) <b></b>
H20 Tube Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red)
Enhancements: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: FREE: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
OS Boost: FREE: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system <b></b>
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: - No Thanks
Pre-Install Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
External Storage: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Large)
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty

Cost was huge, like I said- I'm still going through school, but I happened to have a bit saved up I could put into a machine if I shopped carefully.

It put me just a bit over $1,000 and I have a ATI Radeon 6770 card I'm going to use...although the graphic card wasn't related to price.

Twice now I've had bad Nvidia drivers screw up a machine to a point of day-long frustration. More than twice they're failed to install, or installed improperly and still been frustration. Used ATI cards for two years now and haven't had any hiccups.

I know it's not as top-of-the-line as most of the machines DS will assemble in the next few weeks, but I think I've done pretty well upgrading the certain parts that matter most to me. :)

(Also- I know the power source is more than the graphics card will need, but I like corsair and it gives me room for expansion later.)

*chuckles*

Thanks! I've been trying not to obsess over it, although my inbox just told me I'm at stage 3!

It's so funny how things (like our vid card brands)just work out different for different people, you know?

Have a good one, and since it sounds like you're ordered too... congrats yourself!