New user, new configuration questions

Just been chatting with Brian on the online tech chat feature... really nice and he's been very informative. Looks like the SSD's run at X4 and I was misinformed or just having a confused old man tech day here about how those would ( or could) effect the bandwidth on my graphics cards ... also, he confirmed the three case fans would be swapped out for blue led fans... keeps the look i wanted to have with the system intact. all looks good here. I think I'll pull the trigger on my buy. But please throw in your comments on my build and let's talk some about. I'd love to have your feedback !

Well, I went on and made the buy. It's kinda funny that the thread started by another user up above this one, currently (but created the same day I started my forums account and made my order with DS!), well, looks like the guy is really similar to me, and I find it funny we both haven't bought a PC like this since the days of our old commodore 64 days! LOL - whatta' trip.

Just for those of you perusing and reading/lurking the forums - and haven't ever bought from DS (or any other boutique PC maker) Digital Storm's people are all really kind and very informative.

There's a great wealth of resources here and with the users on the forums that are helpful. You shouldn't have any bad concerns because I know (having been in this business a LONG time) that they're genuine and are willing to go the extra mile to mile and make things right so you have a great experience.

I finally got everything squared away and got my stage 1 notification (love the "stage" notifications - it's a great twist for the end-user to track the progress of their system!!!) - I'm happy to have a "giddy as a schoolboy" feeling (yes, I'm allowing my crusty old-man "get off my porch" cynicism side to let my guard down and simply enjoy the experience as a novice and new user would ... a great feeling to be comfortable to do that!) once again for a new computer.

Here's a little bit about me ... (if you're interested in a little more of a read ....)

I'm 46, done computer tech support at all levels, for many companies, but mainly for Dell (here in Nashville) for the past 20 odd years. I got my start doing in-house technical support for a publishing company (my first job straight outta graduating college in 94' - with a history degree no less ... ) and from there, every job I got was basically on word of mouth cause' I have skills - even though no degree to prove it - all of that stemmed from mainly because I had been buying computers and taking them apart from *i think* the very first little "sinclair" laptop and Commodore 64 I got from back in the days of yore.

I have always considered myself an old hardware based-oriented guy from way back. I consider myself a power user and pretty knowledgeable after all these years. But since then, I (naturally) got to know more of the software end, mainly as it pertains to firmware, hardware-side related (you got the drift) software, that and installing and running and then having to support so much software over a span of 20+ years. You know how it is.....

I ended up starting with Dell back over 10 years ago, but moved up and ended up doing everything tech support related for every dept. (and then some)

I moved over to the side of the building in Nashville (corp. offices across from Airport on M'boro rd.) when they picked up the Boeing contract from when I was a right wing-dweller ( where all the gold support people were - the sales people were on the left hand wing of the bldg. back then. But they switched things up eventually when they picked up the Boeing support side account.

Had to have a secret clearance for gov't support and a bunch of background checks, all that jazz, marine guards with m16's out there for unauthorized entry to where we were.... Actually seen them come up and escort tech agents off the Cx floor for violating protocol and getting the axe right then and there, too .... NO DUH !

Long story short, my cancer has come back out of remission (leading to me leaving that position prematurely, but oh how i loved it ...) And now I am on disability, but I'm still a sharp techie guy, just like most of you all. But hey, life goes on even with inoperable brain tumors that make me have really bad head days. I don't complain, but ya' know, sometimes I still do, as I always say !

It's great to get online on a forum and talk shop !

But getting back to DS and the people here. I've been "lurking" the site reading the forums (but never having bought anything or registered until today when I pulled the trigger on my Apollo order) These people are really genuinely nice, I imagine if I ever have any problems, they'll be the same helpful and kind people I have dealt with from day one here, and feel 100% confident in that.

I lurk a lot of sites, am an active forum user on other sites, and an active gamer with all this spare time on my hands these days.

I look forward to sitting back and coming here as often as I can, enjoy getting the stage updates and taking rest in the knowledge that I'm in good hands, don't have to buy every part of my PC and keep up with the warranties, get everything tweaked and OC'd and stay on top of all that with ME myself and I providing the tech sppt. It's nice to say I'm getting older and can afford to spend the extra bucks to have peace of mind with an expensive new rig for a change.

And that's just me, maybe your mileage varies. But I suspect I'm in good hands and will enjoy the interactions with you and everyone else around here as time goes by.

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to read about me (and my thoughts) and I hope you can feel a little better acquainted with me.

Take care and have a great one!

Hi NorrinRad,

Welcome to the Forum and the Digital Storm family. A lot of friendly people who are knowledgably. I hope you enjoy your time here.

Frank

@Frank and Hoserator - hey thanks for the well wishes and welcome, I knew once i finally got my funds up and made my order that I would be welcomed as an addition to the DS family.

I hope that my experience can help others with the time I can spend on here helping to give back to the community.

great to be here !

I feel the same way, db. I miss talkin' tech since I left my last job, and even though I game and run with some fellow old time and old school tech masters, it's kinda' hit or miss staying in touch, as well all have things we have to do and take care of. Even staying active on several games and forums, I never seem to be able to stay in touch with enough people to satisfy my humongous appetite to stay in the know.

It's one of the reasons why I love giving back to active communities, or sticking with ones that are slow and easy going, but staying faithful and there so people will know I mean what I say and I stand by my friends and family.

The worst thing about my situation is having recurring back issues that has me currently going to the hospital every 3 days for physical ( which I love, but takes away from my passion, which is all things tech) and then my doggone head pains from the residual inoperable cancer tissue, slowly eating away at me.

Nevertheless, I stay dogged, and in touch with enough friends (and still making and finding time to meet new friends!)

I've devoted most of my time posting here on the DS boards and reading as much as I can from people in other posts, gives me a good idea of the general feel of the forum and knowledge level of the people here.

It's all a good vibe here, and it can't be faked. I've been around long enough to have a good feeling where things like this are concerned and I really look forward to helping others as well as drawing upoothers to help me out from time to time.

there's always stuff to learn, I've found out. With my love for tech and computers, not to mention lucky basketball ( go big blue!) I spread myself around to satisfy myself.

Point me out a link to any pics you have of your DS system, if you find the time in a quick response. Your rig must really be nice, every Aventum I've seen has impressed me and I'm sure yours is no different, db.

as always, take care, thanks for the response

thought I read in another post you had some other parts that you had custom ordered to have it put into your system ... curious as to what you had cooking (I don't recall seeing what you specifically had ordered)

Just curious as to what it is you have cooking & bubbling away in the DS wizard's cauldron of dreams?

inquiring minds have to ask those sorta' questions ...

special order items: fans, cpu and gpu water blocks/back plates, stuff like that.  when i get the pics up and it's all done i'll list the stuff that's non-standard from the configurator. 

Just updating my initial post ....

I've had my DS rig for about 4 months now, it is rock steady, no problems at all. It runs absolutely wonderful. Since I disabled Windows 10 updates (I like to have complete control over the hardware and software updates for anything on my system) I've had no issues.

Very nice PC, well worth the money and peace of mind this PC has afforded me.

Thanks for selling me a great PC, Digital Storm!