Review of DS PC

This is what I ordered.  I left out the unimportant stuff.
System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Digital Storm HailStorm (Black OPS Edition)
Processor: Intel Core i7 960 3.2GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P6X58D Premium SLI (Intel X58 Chipset) (Supports SLI or CrossFire)
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series  (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1000W Digital Storm Certified (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible) (Silent Edition Highly Recommended)
Expansion Bay: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black)
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (128GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: CMFSSD-128D1 Extream Speed)
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 22x / CD-Writer 48x)
Video Card(s): 1x ATI Radeon HD 5970 2GB
Sound Card: Creative Labs X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion (Includes Front I/O) (PCI-Express Slot Based)
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 6: Sub-Zero LCS Dual Loop: CPU & Single Video Card
H20 Tube Color: Blue Tubing with High-Performance Fluid (UV Lighting Reactive)
Chassis Airflow: Upgrade Chassis With Zalman Performance Fans (Up to 6 Fans)
Noise Reduction: Noise Suppression Package (Optimized Airflow & Fan Speeds with Noise Dampening Material)
CPU Boost: FREE: Stage 1: Overclock the processor between 3.3GHz to 3.9GHz (Requires Air Cooling Upgrade)
Graphics Boost: FREE: Yes, Overclock the video card(s) as much as possible with complete stability
OS Boost: FREE: Yes, Disable and tweak all of the non-crucial services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
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So here is some eye candy...
This is a BIG box and it is VERY heavy

I'm going to skip most of the unpacking to save space.  You'll need a screwdriver and a strong back.  Here's what was inside..


Unfortunately it came with some scratches. 

This thing is so heavy it's not surprising.


Foam nicely done..

The money shot

A close up ...

Ok, so now comes the critique part.  I want to clarify from the beginning that this in no way is a slant against DS.  NO WAY!   The Corsair 800D case has no documentation and finding some on the web is difficult.  Every case should have documentation.  Also, the intake filter is on the bottom, in the back!  This ought to be fun to change...

I put some sliding thingys under the rubber feet so it will be easier to pull out to change.  I also did some wire management
Oh, and here is what it looks like in it's new home.

I need to make a comment about the noise.  It's loud!  If you want this cooling system, be prepared.  Again, not DS fault at all.  The fans on the cpu cooler on the outside back of the case spin very fast and make noise ( of course, duh ).
Here's some numbers for those who like them..


My 3DMark Vantage score was over 24000   So yes, I am a happy DS customer.  I do have a couple of things to mention.  I added two WD 300gb drives.  Neither of them fit in the removable drive bay due to the placement of the inputs on the drives.  Fortunately, they fit nicely in the bottom drive bay.  Now for the problem I can't seem to figure out.  I planned on taking the DVD drive out and put in a Blu-Ray drive that I already had.  Easy huh?  Nope.  I unscrewed the two small screws on the right side of the drive, pulled the lever back to release the drive....and it won't budge!  Not even a little bit.  If you know what I'm doing wrong please do tell.  I'd like to replace that drive.  Oh, and this MB has two sata ports open, white in color, listed as Marvel 6bg sec ports that were not used.  Why not if they are faster than the other 3gb sec ports?  I'm sure there is a good reason, I just don't know it.

And finally.  My grand summary.  This machine is heavy, noisy, and FAST.  The build quality is excellent.  I hope I live long enough to order another one in a few years  Thank you DS, it was worth the wait. 

Great review!!! And thank you for the pics!!!  Awesome looking rig!!!

Slider I moved back to unlock.  Drive will not budge.

Yes, I took the front cover off.  I did not take screws out of the slider side.  Didn't see any.  Are there screws there?

Originally posted by Grandpa Yes, I took the front cover off.  I did not take screws out of the slider side.  Didn't see any.  Are there screws there?

that's a really great system, and love that liquid colour. Congrats, I know you're going to have a blast with that rig

Very nice looking rig and all that LC makes it look really cool. Have fun with that new machine of yours. That is one huge case.

Wow congrats man!

I see the noise dampening material (it's actually on the inside side panel doors). I can see some of it through one of the openings internally inside the chassis.