ODE: Welcome to my Home, DS

My "little" Monster

 It's time to share my impressions of my Digital Storm ODE V3.

In a nutshell, it's fantastic!

As a newbie, I knew I would have to do some research and decide what I wanted,  what I needed and how to get there, - value and experience-wise.  Did not want to either settle or over-buy something I wouldn't fully use properly.   I was not going to build it myself.

The builder was going to be Digital Storm, who came out "the best" in my research.

That led me through the Vanquish level 3,  Bolt level 2 and to the ODE level 1 model. All similarly priced.  * 

For my use in mostly flight simulations enjoyment, I was advised to get as much RAM as feasible, a power supply with a cushion for possible upgrades and a solid state drive for the operating system and maybe even the basic game programs. 

So it was:

Vanquish = straight forward, seems like a great machine. Not much customizing. Tempting.  Less expensive.  Yep, the lady of the house liked this one.

Bolt = great looks, maybe tight to work on if needed,  Sweet machine! Noise level?

It would fit where I wanted to put a computer. I do like efficient machines that do a job well.

ODE =  Attractive,  can be customized, upgraded fairly easy. But to me, monster size.

 My procrastination and research cost me some changes in offerings.

 You've read the title. Here's the stats:

 Digital Storm ODE V3. level 1 modified as stated.

 Standard finish.

Processor:  Intel i5 Core 3570K 3.4 Ghz  Quad core.

Motherboard:  ASUS P8Z77-V-LX Intel, No SLI support.

Memory:  16GB DDR3 1600 Hz Corsair dominator (High Performance)

Power Supply:  800W Corsair GS

Hard Drive 1:  1TB Seagate, 7200 rpm (64MG cache)

Hard Drive 2 :  120GB SSD Corsair Neutron GTX. 

Note: Changed to 128 Samsung 840 pro due to apparent disc problem after delivery.*

Optical drive DVD R/RW  24x.

Multi-card reader.

Extreme Cooling: AIR Stage 1: Cooler Master  Hyper 212 EVO (High  Performance)**

CPU Boost: Stage 1 Overclock CPU (4.1)

Windows 7 Home Premium with Win. Recovery bundle.

Promotion: Free T-shirt!  Free game: Splinter Cell: Blacklist.  Best of all, One year warranty Upgrade!

(T-shirt and game codes arrived with system.  Haven't downloaded game but washed and worn T-shirt. Thanks DS !)

*Note:  Card was graciously replaced by Digital Storm. As of today, I don't know if original card was faulty, a system/setup fault, or my ignorance in setting system up. BIOS or windows would not/could not see it. Alex, would you please let me know?

**Note: I wanted to stay away from liquid cooling due to my  possible lack of  dedication to a liquid system maintenance program.

Arrival of system was on time.  Wounds to outside box. Not a scratch on the unit.

 Nice, tidy cable management:

 Yep, spent my Social Security check on myself this time (grin).

Pretty smiling ladies welcome to peek back at me through this window,

but NO Gremlins!

I ought to be able to see this screen:

Where it's sitting right now. Below, where I'm hoping to move it to:

Though I might have to keep the XP  to play the old flight simulators. 

Still don't know how to partition or synch the two drives so Windows 7  is only on the SSD drive and the HHD is storage, but I'll learn. 

Digital Storm folks have gone out of their way to keep this customer satisfied.

 And Alex, if you read this, let me know (e-mail)  how much it is, (including postage)  so you that  maybe you can mail me the window replacement screen in case of upgrade or case model discontinuance -if available.   I am planning on outlasting a model change.

Meanwhile, I am enjoying the system.  The feet-per-minute number is consistently 200+ at high settings. The transitions show no flutter, and I can see details now. Screen size helps, I'm sure, at 1920x1080, but this little monster is definitely carrying it's weight and more. System is not as noisy as I feared.  And thanks for putting unit dimensions and up-grade potential, noise  and performance charts on your pick-a-model sheet.

DS builds a great machine.  It's easy to understand why the forum is loyal.

Not only that, they are very helpful to guys like me who want to learn more.

I know you have picked up another fan.  I'm spreading the word about you guys.