Velox X in 2020 - A Review

Hello!

If you'd like to skip the review and just see the finish product, read no further! See here -->[https://imgur.com/a/HlyLsJd]<--

After the arduous wait of nearly 2 1/2 months, my Custom Velox X PC arrived on the 13th of August. After about two full-days of installing, experimenting, and general awe of the device, I felt it rational to post my experience to the people who are still waiting or are considering Digital Storm as a company to exchange with.

So, here it is!

A brief background about myself, I work in space stuff (launch coordination) with a fair amount of knowledge in computers - not so much the piece to piece of it all, but the application in the workplace. So as a baseline, I am not ignorant to the components of a PC, but did not possess the 'confidence' to build my own - enough about that, into Digital Storm and the process!

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On June the 6th, I placed the order for the following configuration: 3163518 (one thing I added on my own was a Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB SSD for the boot!) The review will be broken down via stages for ease of readability!

Stage I

On the 7th, the order was "processed" and the wait began. Firstly, YES, the wait is very harsh, but that was expected, as I had read into DS's COVID-19 response. This is why I did not post often on the forum, but rather, just sifting about such. I remained in Stage I (payment processed) for nearly 30 days or so. No worries, this is the longest stage, this was made clear since day one!

Stage II

Inventory Assigned! Into July, Stage II was reached! This meant that the order was reviewed and a parts/selection bin was assigned to the build.

Stage III

The initial setup! About a week later or so, Stage III was hit! It became quite a pattern to see these updates. In a sense, hope for a speedy process began, which thusly became true!

Stage IV

Final Assembly! Following Stage III, Stage IV came around just under a week later!

Stage V

Two days later, stress testing began!

Stage VI

I believe this stage came just a day later!

Stage VII

The very final stage came two days later! This meant the machine was fully assembled, checked for loose or concerning readings, and placed into a protective packaging method.

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Shipping and Delivery

Let's talk shipping and delivery; firstly, FedEx was the contracted delivery service - they kept constant updates and ensured I had a location of the computer every 10-12 hours. The first time it was expected at my location, an exception occurred in which the bar code label was scratched/unreadable. This delayed the delivery an entire business day! On the second day delivery was expected, I missed the FedEx truck by a mere 10 minutes! They came the next day and delivered the computer.

To my surprise, the box was undamaged! No cuts, bruises, or holes in the packaging. Yes, the box was quite 'scuffed' (paint and general scratches to the box). However, the box kept its rigidity and was its perfect square-ish self!

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Unboxing/Inspection of Product

Unboxing the computer was quite a memorable experience! (Apologies for that cliche) - Every item packaged within this very
HEAVY box was placed with careful intent to ensure it remained undamaged throughout the travel. Accessories box contained many many MANY cables from the PSU - other bags/boxes contained product-specific items that come with the various parts assembled within the machine. All of which were cleanly labeled and presented to the user.

The Computer Itself

Looking at the Velox, it was stunning! No damage, no scuffs, no dents! All the items within the chassis were also properly attached and mounted as DS had done themselves. Also, the glass on the Velox (which is on BOTH sides of the chassis) was undamaged and possess a very nice tint to it! (NOTE: Glass on both sides of the chassis is NOT seen on the Velox product description on Digital Storm's site!!! Look at the "workstation" product page of the Velox to see what it actually looks like!)

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Performance and Capability

The Velox X I spec'd out came with some nice parts and whatnot - I did not want any HDD's or "Digital Storm specific" parts, as I wanted the appeal of an entirely customized machine. Though I did not opt for the Hydrolux water loop(s), I was happy to see the cooler branded with Digital Storm's signature "S" and name plate! It is very well presented and tells the viewer the computer comes from a company that cares about its presentation. Further, the 4.7 GHz overclock is entirely stable and allows the system to act snappy at all time - truly a noticeable option! Originating from the i9-10900K, paired with an RTX 2080Ti, the performance garnered from such a machine is truly impressive. Not only that, but is quiet! I cannot stand fan noise at alllllllllllll.

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Pros/Cons/Conclusion

Pros:

The entire machine is truly an impressive thing to stare at. All the RBG and items surrounding such work in tandem to always look great. It is a shame the machine has to sit on the floor! The Velox is MASSIVE, you could sit on the chassis if you found that necessary.

Also! The build quality of the Velox is superb! The chassis is entirely metal (aluminum I believe) and is coupled with two VERY large panes of tinted glass. This makes the Velox VERY heavy, at almost 60 pounds or so. Remember that the pictures included in the Velox's description DO NOT represent what it looks like today. Check the workstation product page of the Velox, that is the updated version of the computer. From what I have seen, the Velox has gone through 2-3 revisions since the pictures displayed in the Velox page were taken! I will also include some Imgur pictures so that you may compare/contrast and make a more "updated decision."

Here is an itemized list of the pros!

- Stable overclock at 4.7 GHz
- Build quality
- Impressive presentation (RGB, placement of components)

Cons:

One thing to note with the availability of Digital Storm's components, they will place said item in your computer that matches your part selection, but it is randomized. Elaborating on this, let's say you selected the RTX 2080Ti - some buyers may receive an ASUS Dual variant, while others will receive the ASUS Turbo model. For myself, my build received the ASUS Turbo 2080Ti, which is VERYYYY loud under load (fan!) I can not express this enough, even under idle temps/curves, you will hear this thing across the galaxy! Though I was well aware that this possibility existed, I am not upset or tilted over it, the new wave of GPU's are upcoming anyway. I only note this to notify the next potential buyer. With the current market and threat of COVID-19, it is something we all have to deal with, and compromises have to be made during this.

Itemized list of "cons"

- The Velox is VERYYY heavy! (Not so much a con, but something to note for the frequent flyer)
- Parts will be as you picked, but some may be different than what is presented on the product page
----> One part that was different was the PSU, which is a SilverStone 1000W option. I consider this an upgrade, however, I placed this here just to make you aware of the possibility of an "unexpected part"
- The wait! Expected though! Included here because COVID-19, I am sure Digital Storm is far more capable when not under the pressure of a pandemic. This not a con on my side, as I knew it was possible to wait this long, it is rather, a con for both sides.

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Conclusion:

If you are considering Digital Storm, I recommend them! The customer service and care taken for your unique build is strong. In short, they care and will do what it takes to ensure you receive a machine worth keeping for a very long time.

I hope this review answers some questions or concerns that the next potential buyer has; if you have any questions, feel free to reply, if not, thank you Digital Storm, and you for reading.

- Karl

Images of Velox:

https://imgur.com/a/HlyLsJd

Edited by KDoge - 14 Aug 2020 at 9:02pm

    

Welcome to the family.

Ordered DS product this past Sunday 8-24-2020. I have been away since. Got back in town checked for messages in the E box. Basic communications from DS. DS Processing message part I am not sure of yet. What it really means, in Accounting. Hmmm. Does'nt matter really.    I dont read between lines or think between lines. I'm a realist building or constructing a piece of art should be well thought our, designed in tested. Figured the entire process on their end not just for me but for otherss like you acquiring a DS product are being cared for. I believe and hope. I am new to DS for sure. I look for quality and I am manufacturer sensitive. I am a professional IT person on a differentt level in that industry now and I'm also very intuitive for my age bracket, but my specialty is no longer constructing systems. Its making it happen in a different perspective.   My world in development started ages ago when PC's were not common. I remember cutting holes out of the rear panel of a Beltran because it didnt have a rear fan. We my colleagues and I came up with our own cooling design. But look now cooling is a different world like with Hydrolux. Amazing.   I remember soldering and more. I remembering burning chips for cu's, not literally burning but burning proprietary programming into a chip. So much has changed and I am old school now. My son has surpassed me. I was the one that showed him. He now works for gv-agencies on a much higher level. Those days are done I do have a little expertise left but I am well obsolete. Only because I want to be. But I can hang when my brain tells me too. But nope, I bow to guys like DS now. I too get paid well for what I do in that industry but its more like decision making and letting the young guys come up with the concepts now. I dont design at all, just the planning and financials. Let them make a name for themselves, like the old Gateway guys did years ago. Dell won that challenge though. I still have a gateway in my storage just in case the world falls apart. I still have an old modem just in case the world falls apart. I do have VOIP and still POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service - analog) . The power goes out and my line still works. Unless the enemy who attacked us blew up the POTS station/terminal but anyway.... LOL.

I even met the guys who developed AutoCad they at the time were struggling to sell their product. It was the greatest software back then, but did have glitches and they would correct them on the fly because we were their first users and they wanted to make an impression. They did for sure in the end, but on a Global Scale. I was one of the first users of their product on the East Coast NJ. But regardless I am manufacturer specific, because the team of AutoCad back then treated me and my colleagues well. If I ever go back into the engineering field again, and was given the opportunity to chose a drafting and design software I would choose Autocad only because they backed their product. I believe DS from what I read will do the same. DS a I hear is a product and brand itself. This is based on reviews I had an opportunity to read during my travels this week. Well, manufactures brands and their labels on their product have always been important, like Autocad and many others I have used and also was a dealer for computer system parts years ago. I didnt own the company, I sold our business and built systems and servers. But I was very cautious on what manuf. parts and labels that were in a clients can/box. I remember once, years ago when a client motherboard (mb) died and they needed a replacement . Well I called the manuf. and they said the mb was discontinued, but they helped us find that particular motherboard despite that they didnt have it at their silicon valley plant. Thats service. Guess where they directed us. lol . EBAY. When EBAY was virtually new and a babe in the woods. We purchased that mb which was the only one left in the world, that was inspected but used but in good quality and the seller backed it with a warranty. Then We contacted the client whose corp. hq was in California and they approved the mb. We sent our tech from western pennsylvanian 400 miles to North Jersey to their branch near the Hudson and popped that baby in. That system is acient now for sure, and probably has been totally reallocated for its materials somewhere, most likely overseas, but the mb worked and that manufacturer as far as I am concern was outstanding. They didnt have to help us, but they did. Labels do matter especially if the manufacturer stamped their name on that part which states they stand buy their product and their creation. So I am manufacturer "name"" sensitive. Just like my uncle ions ago, bless him he has passed long ago, told me that Subaru will be great one day. He purchased one of the first models, that lasted ages. Those cars were real ugly back then but they took a beating and kept running, rusty and all. The label is Subaru,the car is Subaru. It became Subaru and they are still around. I never hear any complaints from any of my colleagues or friends who have those cars. Subaru stands by their work their creation.

I am looking forward to that ultimate mega-monsterlike smooth running system being delivered one day from DS. So far I hear they may be the next Subaru (if you are touchy about your vehicles) then I think that DS will be like your opinion of what a good quality driven automobile manufacturer is.

Thank you whoever wrote that review above mine. Let scroll up. Okay. Thank you KDoge. Very nice written. That helped me a bit. Your worlds helped me to believe a bit that I made the right choice going with DS.

But for others reading this, Sorry for the run on and sentence structure. Its late . I just thought to read through the forums and I found KDoge message about his/her experience with DS. Thanks KDoge.

My review will come in time but will not be as professionally laid out like KDoge. It might only have four words unlike my scramble of a written thought above. My review my be stated like this . "They exceeded my expectations".   But , if all meets what I chose using their configurator tool and its runs like a real gamer pc, I will say this for sure, that is, if all works out "to meet my expectations" both inside the can/(the pretty Volex box) and of course the operations of the system. )) I will say these words ---"Well done, Digital Storm and Staff, you are my Uncle's Subaru. Than I will give a big thank you.

DS and KDoge thanks . Also thanks to that unknown DS person who answered my question this past Sunday while I was sort of customizing my build. Her/His recommendation was to go with the GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER 8GB rather the one I originally chose. Geforce/Nvidia was a good choice they made. I am certainly familiar with that manufacturer both personally and professionally. Their name/label has become a trusted brand with me and also the younger generation in my family.   Thank you DS """unknown representative"" working from home because of Covid and behind the type-writer/keyboard. Thanks for your help too, "you" secret agent DS person with no name ""you"". Take care DS and good evening.   

Those people in the DS forum that already have a Digital Storm system ,Enjoy your systems, and thanks for sharing your experience and for those of you who are in wait like, I wish you the best. Take care to all.

Sincerely thank you KDoge for sharing your experience, hello2u2.

Edited by hello2u2 - 27 Aug 2020 at 10:52pm