Well...its about that time...

Its about that time to put my old Digital Storm rig to rest and buy myself a new one. 

The one I got back in 2008 is still going strong by the way, but definitely time to upgrade.

So here goes...looking for opinions...etc.

1) Budget - my budget is around $2500 (after taxes which are probably not applicable, since I live in PA and shipping of course)

2) Expectations - mid to high end PC to be used mainly for gaming (ex. BF4, etc.) - so basically a mix of performance and speed

3) Usage - mainly gaming and some minor office work type stuffage nothing too intense

4) Special Needs - none really

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Been looking at the following configuration ( #910046), but feel there is room for improvement.

Specifications:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X <b></b>
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i5 4670K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) <b></b>
Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth Z87 (Intel Z87 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar) <b></b>
System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 1050W Corsair Pro Silver 1050HX (Dual/Triple/Quad SLI Compatible)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) <b></b>
Storage Set 1: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (Model: Black Edition) <b></b>
Storage Set 2: - No Thanks <b></b>
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 3GB (EVGA Superclocked ACX Cooler Edition) <b></b>
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H100i 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition)

For your build I would suggest switching to the Noctua air cooler, instead of the liquid. The HAF X is designed for very good airflow.

A thought in another direction would be a Bolt:
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadbolt.asp?id=910086

It comes in $69 under your build and includes a faster processor and SSD for a boot/programs drive. It is a small form factor build, so you are getting better performance in a smaller package.

You could also go with the same processor and a 780 Ti (and still keep the SSD), that comes in $7 more then your build: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadbolt.asp?id=910134

And don't forget your T-Shirt, its free.

Edited by danjw1 - 26 Dec 2013 at 8:07pm

Thanks for the feed back on my configuration...

What do you think if I did the following (from the original listed above):

- keep the Cooler Master 942 HAF X case (love the look, have the older version currently)

- keep the Intel i5 4670K

- keep the ASUS Sabertooth Z87

- add the 128 GB SS Samsung 840 Pro

- swapped to the Noctua NH-D14 air cooling (as you both suggested)

- keep the 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm

- keep the Nvidia GTX 780 (EVGA / ACX Cooler edition)

- swapped from the 1050W Corsair PSU to the 750W EVGA PSU

- removed the RAM Cooler



Couple additional questions:

1) Worth it to get the Digital Storm Hydrolux Thermal Management if I can squeeze it in my budget?

2) Anyone know for sure how much the extra 200mm fan for the top would cost?  Also, are there any other additional / optional fans that I would want or needs installed?

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Thank you for the feedback.

Think I may take your suggestions and go with the 850W PSU, even though I have no immediate plans to SLI, it would future proof me if I decide to bite the bullet.

Thanks the info regarding the Hydrolux.  Definitely helped to clarify for me.

Will probably end up getting the extra 200mm fan, but will pass on any other extras as you suggestion.

Thanks again for helping me clarify my build.

Hoping to order tonight when I get home from work.

Regards

Well I did it...I just ordered the following:

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i5 4670K 3.40 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth Z87 (Intel Z87 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar)
System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 850W Corsair RM
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Storage Set 1: 1x (128GB Solid State (By: Samsung) (Model: 840 Pro Series)
Storage Set 2: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (Model: Black Edition)
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 3GB (EVGA Superclocked ACX Cooler Edition)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 Extreme Performance
H20 Tube Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected
Chassis Fans: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: - No Thanks
Airflow Control: - No Thanks
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Stage 1: Overclock CPU 4.0GHz to 4.4GHz
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
OS Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows CD)
Virus Protection: - No Thanks
Office: - No Thanks
Game: - No Thanks
Display: - No Thanks
Surge Shield: - No Thanks
Speakers: - No Thanks
Keyboard: - No Thanks
Mouse: - No Thanks
Portable Gaming: - No Thanks
Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Extra Large)
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: Life-time Expert Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty (3 Year Labor & 1 Year Part Replacement)


Thank you to everyone that helped me make some of the decisions regarding the configuration of my new gaming computer.

I hope that my second Digital Storm computer will last as long as my first (which has been going strong since 2008/2009 and which I am currently typing on).

Thanks again.

Regards,

Congrats on the new system. And like danjw1 said, you know it's required to share pics and a short review once you get it!