My beastly review =)

Hello again!

So, I finally found the time and energy to post my review with pictures and stats, so here I am! I decided to make a new thread, as my old one was kind of ambushed haha!

And without further delay, here is my short story!!

 To give you a brief summary of how I got here... it all started when I decided to purchase another computer in Fall 2008. In the beginning I was set on just purchasing a factory made computer from one of the crap companies (Dell, Alienware, HP etc.) for my own personal reasons. But through research and reviews, I found that these computers, were deceiving! They looked pretty on the outside and that's about it. And through many reviews, I found that the support that came with the crap systems was even worse XD.
 So, I then started my search online for a computer company who specialized in customized gaming computers. At first I was only able to come across sketchy sites, offering empty promises... until I stumbled upon an add in one of the sites.  The name "Digital Storm" intrigued me for sure... and I decided to take a gander, there was no harm in doing so. And damn, was I ever in for a surpise!
 So first off, the site itself blew me away. Until then, I didn't come across one professional looking site. None looked as sleek, organized, and well put together as this one. The configuration page was very easy to use, as opposed to the ones on other sites that looked like they were hit by a tornado *grins*. Also, the forums was a wonderful resource and another reason towards why I went with this company. In addition to all of the positive reviews, the outstanding support, the community is wonderful, very helpful and pleasant to be around! The last thing I looked for, which put the chocolate sprinkles on the cake was the A+ "BBB" stamp of approval, and I made my decision!

Now onto the hard facts!!

Ordered: January 10th, 2009
Upgraded my order: January 19th, 2009
Shipped: February 4th, 2009
Fun visit to customs: February 11th, 2009
Left customs broke: February 16th, 2009
Arrived to her new home: February 19th. 2009

Given that I changed the order and customs took their sweet time molesting my computer, I'd say that's not too shabby!

So my final order turned out to be this:

Case: HAF 932
Processor: Intel core i7 920 2.66Ghz OC'd to 3.79Ghz
Motherboard: EVGA X58 3X SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports Triple SLI or CrossFire) 
System Memory: 6GB 1600MHz OCZ 
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) 
Card Reader: - Internal digital media card reader
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 1.792GB (Includes PhysX Technology) 
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Cooler Master V8 (Compatible With i7 Processors) 
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red) 
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability 
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts) 
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty  

Here are some pictures of the beast and some bragging stats ^^... Drum roll please!!

Bragging rights (btw, this is just idle computer for a few hours, I haven't had a chance to test a game on it yet):






Whee it's here!!:


Me next to the massive box with my kitty Moses:


Hmm... Kaoberry + Knife = Chaos...










HAF 932 view 1:


HAF 932 view 2:


HAF 932 view 3:


HAF 932 view 4:


Nom nom nom pretty!:


More prettyness!!:


So this is my desktop setup... I tore off the shelf of this desk to make the monitor fit rather then get a new one right now *grins*... and I take the machine out of that TINY hole to let it breath, I was just making it look neat for the picture lol...


For interest sake. here's my logitech illuminated keyboard!:


All in all, I'm very satisfied with my purchase! I'd like to give out a huge thank you to everyone who was apart of my journey, namely Sarah and the DS community. Sarah, the poor girl, she was my main gal throughout the process since I made the upgrades to my machine. I don't know how many times I've called her but she's been phenomenal and DS is very lucky to have her as apart of the team. You have all made my experience with DS exceptional and I thank you for being patient, understanding and most of all, extremely helpful!!

I have yet to fully enjoy my computer as I've been busy with miscellaneous things but I have a list of games to get, along with a new, comfortable chair to play those games in! Haha!

<33333


Edited by Kaoberry - 24 Feb 2009 at 10:56pm

Nice moose. Computer isn't bad either. 

your PC can't breath from the sides and I think if you put it under load you gonna see some high temps.

other then that, color me jealous

Great review! Congratulations!

why don't you cut a little window out in the inside wall of that desk where the big fan sits? or drill a bunch of wholes.

sorry I missed your post about you leaving it out

On one of my wood cases I cut a hole on both sides the size of the large fan that the HAF has. Breathing is very important for that monster. I love that red. Your review is great and I hope you get many years of flawless gaming. Nice setup.

Edited by Sodius - 25 Feb 2009 at 5:58pm

Wow, 3.79 Ghz on the V8 and air.  I think this is one of the highest stable OCs on air that I have seen.  Great pictures and an excellent review.  I am extremely happy with my 3.59 Ghz on my V8 also.

Very very nice rig, but I'm confused about something...in your CPUID screenshot it first shows your CPU at a temp of 39, but lower down where all the cores are broken down they are all around 55. Why the difference?

So first off, the site itself blew me away. Until then, I didn't come across one professional looking site. None looked as sleek, organized, and well put together as this one. The configuration page was very easy to use, as opposed to the ones on other sites that looked like they were hit by a tornado *grins*.

Wow.

I've seen so many people say they don't like the look of the HAF cases, but I sure do.

It's great that you took the pics of the lighting -- I get to see what mines kinda going to look like.  Same case, same lighting, but I couldn't afford the i7 processor. :-(

And I could use a little OCD in my life...  I see all these pictures of these neat desks, and mine is covered with junk.  I can almost guarentee you won't see my desk in my review.

Have fun with your system!

Sean.

@LDLD: for sure... the forums kick butt =)

@Slgilley: Unfortunately I couldn't take great pictures of the internal lighting, it looks a hell of a lot better in person, I'm just not using my camera right to make it look nice and clear =). Haha yea... it's so bad I have urges to clean my friend's houses *grins* But we won't get into that ^^!

@Bill: Thanks for the clarification, even though it kind of melted my brain trying to wrap my head around it haha!

I love OCD friends, had a few in college, they made sure my room was clean cause thats were we would hang out lol 

Man, you really are small Kao! But those are some rocking pictures. As for your OCD, come visit my place, for oh say a week will ya? lol

I tell you what Kao, if you can clean my bachelor pad, I will see about getting you that tour of DS, and the ice cream. ha ha

Great looking machine and nice OC!

@Kryhavoc: Thanks!! *bows to DS for their awesome OC'ing abilities* ^^

@Bill: Thank you ^^; Haha truth be told I had a strong man pick it out for me, else I would have had much trouble *grins*. I don't have issues carrying the machine, it was just that the damn box was just so big compared to me haha! It made it very awkward to attempt on getting it out haha! Glad I didn't tape my attempt... it was sad really ^^;

that is an awesome wallpaper on your samsung monitor. can you please post a link. thanks 

Kaoberry, I'm in T.O. also...just wondering what shipping and handling cost in the end along with duty and taxes etc. Thx...love your rig!


Oops, I mean I am in Toronto. Where abouts did yours have to travel too?

Edited by Kitijima - 18 Mar 2009 at 9:07pm