Why I chose Digital Storm - and why I'm glad I did

This is my "final review" of my experience with Digital Storm and my wife's new PC.  Simply put, I am very pleased with the entire experience and will almost certainly be coming back here when it's time to buy my next rig.  My wife is so happy I'm not sure I can do her thoughts justice here.  :)

** = More details available in my "Running Review" thread:  http://www.digitalstormonline.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=6217

Because these guys did so well, I need to clarify my XX/10 rating system:
1-3 /10 -- They win at fail.
4-6 /10 -- C'mon guys, get a clue.
7   /10 -- Effective Industry Standard
8   /10 -- Slightly better than Industry Standard
9   /10 -- Exceptional quality.
10  /10 -- Far exceeds expectations.

-Price: 9/10 -- Sure, I could have maybe saved a couple hundred bucks... maybe... building this machine myself.  But with the top-notch testing procedures and professional installation, this machine runs as well or better than if I built it myself.  Add in the 3-year tech support/warranty -- I'm sold.  :)
-Overall: 9/10 -- Trying to find ways to give these guys anything other than a 10/10 is challenging. :)
-System Configuration Options: 9/10 -- The website was easy to use and had all the options I was looking for.  (And many awesome options I couldn't possibly afford. :P )
-Ordering Process: 8/10 -- Things went well, but the video cards I picked (labeled "clearance" on the site) were out of stock.  **It would have been nice if the site was updated a little more quickly when items go out of stock.  I easily purchased a video card upgrade and continued the system build.
-Integrity: 10/10 -- They informed me that I didn't need the $100 NIC I ordered because the on-board NIC had the same features.  Thanks!!
-System Build: 9/10 -- The system was built in the few days they indicated and I was able to easily keep track of the new machine's progress.  **They even bothered to ask me if I was concerned about the video cards not being physically identical.
-Out-of-Box: 9/10 -- Packing was superb - It survived a 5,500 mile trip without any damage.  The fans were huge. The internal wiring was very clean and professional.
-Tech Support: 10/10 -- Due to my monitor's lack of DVI-DL support, it took two and a half days before I got my display correct.  Two DS technicians (Sarah and Randy - thank you!) were extremely helpful and gave me some of the best customer service (and certainly the best Tech Support) I have ever received.
-System Performance: 9/10 -- It runs as well as I'd expected, maybe even a little better, and my wife is thrilled.  When mamma's happy, we're all happy, right?  :)
-Wife's Perspective: 11/10 -- "Stop playing with my computer!!  This is my new machine!  Oh btw, I want some Mana Strudel... so... can you log in and conjure me some?  Thanks babe!"

Digital Storm does this right.  They understand what us "geeks" want, and they take good care of us.  They are professional, friendly and knowledgeable.

Thank you, Digital Storm!

-joftinac

Enjoy the pics!
(After you click the pics, click on them again to see full resolution)

Night photos:
   

Note on the next two photos:
-Video cards were swapped on MB between these last two pics to allow the GPU that runs hot to be secondary.
-In First pic, WoW is running behind the other windows and is set to "Ultra" settings to drive the computer load.
-In Second pic, FurMark is used to provide maximum load on GPUs.
 

System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Cooler Master HAF 932
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16GHz (1333MHz Front Side Bus) (6MB Cache)
Motherboard: Asus P5Q3 Deluxe (Intel P45 Chipset) (Supports CrossFire)
System Memory: 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair DHX (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 750W Corsair TX (Dual SLI Compatible)
Card Reader: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black)
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 2x (500GB Western Digital (16MB Cache) (7200 RPM) (SATA)
Set 1 Raid Options: Configure HDD Set 1 to a RAID 0 Config - Stripe Performance (Requires Two HDDs)
Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (1TB Western Digital (7200 RPM) (16MB Cache) (SATA) (Extreme Speed)
Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD±R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 20x / CD-Writer 48x) (LightScribe Edition)
Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks
Internet Access: Linksys Wireless-N 300Mbps (Supports 802.11n/g/b) Removed after DS told me the MB supports this
Video Card(s): CLEARANCE HOT SELLER: 2x CrossFire Dual (ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB)  **(Upgraded to 4850s) due to out-of-stock.
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 1: Cooler Master GeminII S (Compatible With i7 Processors)
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Green)
CPU Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my processor
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Memory Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Windows Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) (For Enthusiasts)
Restore Kit: Digital Storm Specialized Recovery System (DVD Image Based)
Exclusive T-Shirt: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Extra Large)
Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 5-10 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed
Warranty: 3 Year Platinum Care Extended Parts & Labor Warranty
Grand Total: $2,026.00 (March 2009)