Need final config assistance on my next DSO rig

So as I said before and I ment it...I love DSO and look forward buying from them, I've been buying from Dell, Cyberpower, BuyPC, and a lot more companies and which ever one satisfied me was the one going to win and get a very loyal and money maker customer. After 3 months of my DSO rig http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ATN366Vo34 , I am deciding to buy another one as my MAIN gaming Rig and my old one going to turn it into a media station. I know there been some problem with the rig I got from DSO but I think its mainly from the shippment. That is why when I order this ima do more research on the shipment and maybe if Alex or someone at DSO can do something where nothing can get damaged? I hate hate hate sending back stuff to get fixed haha. So I came here to get some opinion on my system im going to probably purchase. I would call DSO but no phone here in Lebanon so here it goes...





Config

Ticket Number: 173668
Total Price with Instant Savings: $7,825.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=173668

Specifications:
Chassis: Digital Storm 950Si
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Interior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Power Supply: 1200W PC Power & Cooling (ESA Edition) (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad QX9770 Extreme 3.20GHz (1600MHz FSB) (12MB Cache)
Motherboard: nVidia 790i Ultra Core 2 Quad (nForce 790i Ultra SLI) (DDR3 Only)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 Corsair at 1600MHz DHX (High-Performance)
Card Reader: - No Thanks
Hard Drive 1: 1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Hard Drive 2: 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor (10K RPM) (16MB Cache) (Extreme Speed)
Raid Option: Setup hard drive 1 and hard drive 2 in a Raid 0 Stripe Configuration (Expert)
Hard Drive 3: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Optical Drive 2: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Wireless Access: Linksys Wireless-N 300Mbps (Supports 802.11n/g/b)
Video Card: 2x SLI Dual (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 1GB)
TV Tuner: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi FPS Fatal1ty Champion (Includes Front I/O Unit)
Extreme Cooling: Liquid Chilled FrostBite Dual Loop System for CPU & Dual Video Cards
Internal Lighting: Blizzard Internal Lighting (Blue Edition) (Cold Cathode Tubes)
Modifications: NVIDIA Enthusiast System Architecture (ESA) System (Install, Test, Optimize Computer)
Boost Processor: Yes, Overclock the processor as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Video Card: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
Boost Memory: Yes, Overclock memory timings (Includes Memory Fan Kit Installed)
Tweak Windows: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Benchmarking: 3D Mark Vantage Advanced Edition (By: Futuremark) (Pre-Install) (Vista Compatible Only)
Install/Test Game: Crysis (Pre-Install, apply updates, and test gameplay with my system)
LCD Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks my keyboard comes with a mouse
External Storage: - No Thanks
Warranty: 4 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty (Highly Recommended)




Hardware Request

• Better and larger radiator. The one I got is good but theres more in the market and I'm not a water cooling guru but is it possible to get a bigger radiator if paid for.
• Faster fans. The fans in my other rig were good but not the fastest in the market, if paid for is it possible for faster fans.
• More fans, if paid for is it possible for more fans to be added in my system by DSO.
• Is it possible for the water cooling tubes to be lighted up or glow in dark, I've seen some that are glow in dark or light up.
• Do you have maybe something that can engrave the DSO logo on the right side window, I love DSO logo and want to stand out for my pride in the company and would pay for it and it'll be featured in my next video, I also made a video of the other DSO machine I got which has over 3k+ viewers.

Software Request

• If all drivers are up-to-date. My last system wasn't up-to-date in driver.

Questions

• What exactly is the full definition of ESA, like what does it do and is it useful? Anybody got any reviews on it?
• Any equipment changes? Are these good or anything flaw about it?
• THe case is what im worried about. I'm a hardcore gamer and I love games from MMORPG to FPS to RTS, so I need the best case in performance AND visual quality since I love visual quality. Antec 900 isn't to good cause of the cable management issues so is the 950SI the best case?

MAIN CONCERN!

• We all know that DSO is changing in better ways every day. Since my last DSO computer 2 1/2 months ago, a lot has changed in price and equipment. Now I dont like having out of date stuff so is this the best time to buy from DSO since I know the new DSO case is being developed and more equipment coming? So can someone be honest and tell me whats coming and/or is it good to buy now? Thank you.

Originally posted by TomD Looks like an awesome rig Nick.   Just a couple comments:   1. You selected the RAID 0 option, but don't have two identical drives. Since money doesn't seem a big object  I would go with two Velociraptors as drive 1 and Drive 2 in RAID 0 - that will be blindingly fast for your OS and games. Add the 1 TB drive as drive 3 if you need more than 600MB storage. Either that or just drop the RAID 0 - the Velociraptor is already very fast.   2. The 950i case is great and the preferred case if you do liquid cooling. Its very big, great airflow and plenty of room (its BIG). It is actually a Silverstone relabel game server case relabeled as Digital Storm. The only drawback to the 950i is the look is more "classy" then "flashy" - basically a square black box with a plain looking front (front fan is recessed in a slot behind the drives, so no front panel fan), 2 top fans which could be lighted, and a big side window (no fan in the side window). Personally I like the look, but if you like the looks of the Antec 900 it might not be for you.   3. Liquid cooling for the Vid cards isn't the most cost effective option for the small increase you will get in the OC, but it looks very cool and price doesn't seem to be a big factor for you.   4. I would request that they ship the Corsair memory fan separately and just install it yourself. Its heavy so they lock it on with silicon glue to prevent shipping damage. Unfortunately, it's a major pain to remove the first time you want to mess with your memory. It is super easy to install (just clamp it on).   No idea on ESA, sorry.   Good luck!   Tom

Thanks TomD for the answer just quick respond...


@ #1. I think i'll put 2 Velociraptors in Raid 0 and leave Drive 3 empty until I need another drive since my old DSO im going to use as a media center so im not going to use any torrents or iTunes, etc... for this computer.

@ #2. Yes the 950i case does look very good and ya classy then flashy but my concern is that DSO is developing a new case and I just wanted to know what the ETA on that case is so I can maybe build it on that...

@ #3. Yeah loquid cooling for vid cards isn't the effective in cooling but I am going to overclock it so as much overclocking it still needs liquid to do more OC so ya...

@ 4. I took this into concederation when my first DSO system came and it had the memory fan with it installed, I actually tried taking it off and found it easy to just peel the top to bottom of the glue and just reapply the glue later, its easy for me in my opinion and haven't had any problems. Also I got 2 Corsair Memory Fan laying around in my house so if it breaks I got spair ones and I can get it fixed by DSO =P




also can I get a bit more info on Raid 0...I know it is for identical drives but how does it speed up the drives and does it make the drivers under a C: drive or is a C: and D: ?


ay more assistance anyone

Widdlecat wrote:

all you need to know is here

Originally posted by TomD     64GB SSD for OS Only - very fast access times and great performance for lots of small files and you avoid the RAID reliability issues.   Velociraptor for your games (faster with larger file sizes than SSD and less $$ per GB storage).

Edited by valtek - 09 Aug 2008 at 4:57pm

Thank you Valtek for pointing that out, a lot of people been holding back for it but not to brag or offend anybody, money is not an issue and I run and test various systems and will upgrade "again" when the new chipsets come, and when they do you all know who im going to come to *DSO?, yes.* Like I said to DSO before buying my first system, I've dested Buy, Cyberpower, and etc... and who ever impresses me will get me as a loyal customer and DSO impressed me and thats why I shall be buying systems from them like no tomorrow. Actually im thinking of buying a laptop from DSO now after this rigs ships out. So stay tuned on my videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/NNTechService

I already emailed asking for tri 280s but 3 280s is way overkill