My New DS System (Review)

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   I've had my new DS computer for two and a half weeks, and now that finals are over, I think it's review time. 

My Goals:

Prior to this purchase, I used semi-customized Dell machines, which 
were OK except for the fact that they were, well...semi-customized Dell 
machines. The options were limited, and I'm pretty sure the PCs weren't 
put together with tender loving care. Having finally gotten fed up with 
my outmoded and increasingly temperamental Vista machine, I decided to 
take the plunge and buy a "real" computer that wouldn't trip over its 
own digital feet -- and, of course, could handle the newer games that my
 current machine was struggling with.

Why I Chose Digital Storm:

Does "good vibes" count as an answer? 
 But seriously, I just got a good feeling from DS. Their website was 
better put-together than those of the other custom builders I 
investigated, their forum was active and helpful, their prices were 
competitive, and the reviews were pretty much uniformly glowing. In 
short, I got the feeling that they took their products and their 
customers seriously, and that I would be getting a lot of bang for my 
buck.

The Machine:

After a great deal of research and valuable input from the DS forum,
 here's what I ordered. It's relatively modest, but more than adequate 
for my purposes.

Chassis Model: Cooler Master Elite 430

Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish

Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish

Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Quad Core)

Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 (Intel P67 Chipset)

System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series

Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)

Expansion Bay: - No Thanks

Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM)

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): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 1.2GB (Includes PhysX Technology)

Add-on Card: - No Thanks

Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio

Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: Noctua NH-U12P SE Dual 120mm Fans High Performance Cooler

Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans, plus one side-panel fan

Internal Lighting: - No Thanks

Enhancements: - No Thanks

Chassis Mods: - No Thanks

Noise Reduction: - No Thanks

CPU Boost: Overclock 3.7GHz

Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card

Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory

OS Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system

Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition)

  The Process:

  Ordering was easy. I placed my order on April 6 (or possibly very 
early on the 7th), the order was processed within a day or two, the 
machine was built and shipped by the 18th, and it arrived at my door on 
the 25th. The e-mail updates during the process were a very welcome 
touch -- it was great to be able to know how things were moving along 
with my new baby. I was also impressed at how quickly everything went: 
not even three weeks from the time I clicked "submit order" to the time 
the box showed up.

  Unpacking:

  The shipping box was flipping beastly. I'd been a bit 
concerned about shipping damage, but I needn't have been -- the machine 
emerged from the meticulously foam-filled box in pristine condition. I 
did, however, have one spot of trouble: when actually booting it up for 
the first time, I got a CPU fan error. I panicked and fired off a 
knee-jerk e-mail to DS tech support before realizing that a power cable 
for one of the Noctua's fans had simply wiggled loose during shipping. 
(I suspect the cable may have been a little too taut and thus more prone
 to slipping.) I received a call from Robert at tech support within the 
hour, however, and he helped me correctly reattach the cable. After 
that, I can say that the high reputation of the DS tech support is 
well-earned -- Robert was friendly, polite, helpful, and patient.

  Final Impressions:

  This computer is an absolute pleasure to use. It's fast, 
powerful, quiet, and runs silky smooth. I really can't emphasize enough 
just how pleased I am with my new machine -- and with my experience with
 Digital Storm. I admit, I was a little disappointed about that loose 
fan cable, but considering how well the rest of the computer is put 
together, how well it's been running, and the very professional manner 
in which DS conducted the whole transaction, it's a minor complaint. I 
hope I won't need a new computer for another four or five years, but 
when I do, I'll definitely be back. 

  Enough Text, More Pics:

  I apologize for the general lousiness of these pics -- I'm no 
photographer, and more to the point, I didn't have an opportunity to do a
 proper inside-and-out photoshoot since the machine arrived right as finals were starting. You'll have 
to make do with a few shots of it in its new home under my desk.

The unexpectedly massive box.

The lovely new machine (and some not-new dust) from the front...

...and from the side.

My freshly cleared desk. Don't mind the hippie-colored walls or my grotty keyboard and mouse.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version
Obfuscate Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 25	Quote Reply Topic: My New DS System (Review) Posted: 11 May 2011 at 9:06pm
	I've had my new DS computer for two and a half weeks, and now that finals are over, I think it's review time. My Goals: Prior to this purchase, I used semi-customized Dell machines, which were OK except for the fact that they were, well...semi-customized Dell machines. The options were limited, and I'm pretty sure the PCs weren't put together with tender loving care. Having finally gotten fed up with my outmoded and increasingly temperamental Vista machine, I decided to take the plunge and buy a "real" computer that wouldn't trip over its own digital feet -- and, of course, could handle the newer games that my current machine was struggling with. Why I Chose Digital Storm: Does "good vibes" count as an answer? But seriously, I just got a good feeling from DS. Their website was better put-together than those of the other custom builders I investigated, their forum was active and helpful, their prices were competitive, and the reviews were pretty much uniformly glowing. In short, I got the feeling that they took their products and their customers seriously, and that I would be getting a lot of bang for my buck. The Machine: After a great deal of research and valuable input from the DS forum, here's what I ordered. It's relatively modest, but more than adequate for my purposes. Chassis Model: Cooler Master Elite 430 Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.30GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Quad Core) Motherboard: ASUS P8P67 (Intel P67 Chipset) System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) 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): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 1.2GB (Includes PhysX Technology) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: Noctua NH-U12P SE Dual 120mm Fans High Performance Cooler Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans, plus one side-panel fan Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks CPU Boost: Overclock 3.7GHz Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory OS Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) The Process: Ordering was easy. I placed my order on April 6 (or possibly very early on the 7th), the order was processed within a day or two, the machine was built and shipped by the 18th, and it arrived at my door on the 25th. The e-mail updates during the process were a very welcome touch -- it was great to be able to know how things were moving along with my new baby. I was also impressed at how quickly everything went: not even three weeks from the time I clicked "submit order" to the time the box showed up. Unpacking: The shipping box was flipping beastly. I'd been a bit concerned about shipping damage, but I needn't have been -- the machine emerged from the meticulously foam-filled box in pristine condition. I did, however, have one spot of trouble: when actually booting it up for the first time, I got a CPU fan error. I panicked and fired off a knee-jerk e-mail to DS tech support before realizing that a power cable for one of the Noctua's fans had simply wiggled loose during shipping. (I suspect the cable may have been a little too taut and thus more prone to slipping.) I received a call from Robert at tech support within the hour, however, and he helped me correctly reattach the cable. After that, I can say that the high reputation of the DS tech support is well-earned -- Robert was friendly, polite, helpful, and patient. Final Impressions: This computer is an absolute pleasure to use. It's fast, powerful, quiet, and runs silky smooth. I really can't emphasize enough just how pleased I am with my new machine -- and with my experience with Digital Storm. I admit, I was a little disappointed about that loose fan cable, but considering how well the rest of the computer is put together, how well it's been running, and the very professional manner in which DS conducted the whole transaction, it's a minor complaint. I hope I won't need a new computer for another four or five years, but when I do, I'll definitely be back. Enough Text, More Pics: I apologize for the general lousiness of these pics -- I'm no photographer, and more to the point, I didn't have an opportunity to do a proper inside-and-out photoshoot since the machine arrived right as finals were starting. You'll have to make do with a few shots of it in its new home under my desk. The unexpectedly massive box. The lovely new machine (and some not-new dust) from the front... ...and from the side. My freshly cleared desk. Don't mind the hippie-colored walls or my grotty keyboard and mouse.
	I have to blow everything up! It's the only way to prove I'm not crazy!

maxyme Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS Veteran Joined: 14 Aug 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Quote Reply Posted: 11 May 2011 at 9:09pm
	nice orange and yellow walls lol but awesome computer have fun!
	Steam:pcmaster160

bishamon Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 May 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 40	Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 2011 at 4:14am
	Cool, even that Noctua 12cm looks pretty big (not sure if I'll go with that one or the d14 for a build). なぜ日本語を勉強しますか。

DST4ME Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List DS ELITE Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36758	Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 2011 at 4:39am
	Nice beast you got there boss Congrats @bishamon, you will go with the u12. Edited by DST4ME - 12 May 2011 at 4:40am
	Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers

bishamon Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 05 May 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 40	Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 2011 at 6:37am
	Sounds good to me.

SinisterTactics Members Profile Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 14	Quote Reply Posted: 12 May 2011 at 8:52am
	Woah what?? That's almost the exact config I ordered, except I got some lighting.... But I'll have to wait a bit since I live in Australia And you have the same keyboard....

My New DS System (Review)

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