Bolt II Comfiguration

Sir, my ticket number is 930868.
My configuration is as follows-
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Pre-built Digital Storm Bolt II
Exterior Finish: Onyx Black Matte Finish
Trim Accents: - No Thanks
Processor: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT (Intel Z87 Chipset) (Mini-ITX) (SupremeFX Impact, Sonic Radar)
System Memory: 16GB DDR3 2400MHz Corsair Vengeance Pro (High-Performance)
Power Supply: 700W Digital Storm Bolt II Edition (Backordered ETA Early March)
Expansion Bay: - No Thanks
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 8x / CD-Writer 8x) (Slim Slot Loading Edition)
Storage Set 1: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (Model: Black Edition)
Storage Set 2: - No Thanks
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 Ti 3GB (EVGA Superclocked ACX Cooler Edition)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (Extreme-Performance Edition)
H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected
Chassis Fans: High Static Pressure - Corsair Air Series SP120 Fans (2x 120mm)
Internal Lighting: Front Panel + Internal Chassis (RGB LED Lighting System)
Airflow Control: Digital Storm Thermal Management Control Board & Software
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
Boost Processor: Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking
Boost Graphics Card(s): - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
Boost Memory: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my memory
Boost OS: - 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: - No Thanks
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)

To start with, I want to build for hard core gaming. And I want it to be future proof for at least 3 years.
Restriction: I cannot spend over $3000.
So, please tell me if this build is good. I am not much of a tech god unfortunately. Some points over which I seek clarification-
1) The mobo and processor- Is it a good idea to get a Z87 instead of the costly x79? Forums in Tom's Hardware say that Z87 will perform as good as x79 when it comes to pure gaming. What is your opinion?
2) Storage- Okay, I just dont understand why does everyone want an SSD? Just to speed up boot times? Well, I dont mind to sit for a few more seconds for my PC to boot up. BUT the question is will SSDs improve gaming performance? Like imcreasing FPS?
3) OC and Cooling- Well I dont want the processor overclocked. Who knows what might happen? But my friend tells me that professional overclocking is really very good. (He uses a Maingear Shift). ALSO he told me that spending on expensive cooling system would be waste of money if I dont OC. Do you agree? What is your suggestion? Should I go for OC or drop the cooling system?
4) Delivery- Well, I am from India. DS, I dont know if they deliver internationally?
5) Okay this will sound ULTRA rude but will I get any convincing proof that the Bolt II which I will buy has really been stress tested? You see, I am from India, if the system breaks down (as it happens for -------- and few times for -------- rigs), I will be knee deep in trouble. Stress test is crucial for me. (Please dont get my words twisted. I need to cross check. I live miles away from USA).

I am eager to know what you think about my configuration. Especially, regarding the OC, Cooling (mind you, India is a hot place) and Storage. Looking forward for a reply.
Thanks for your time. :)

EDIT: Competitor names removed - Alex

Edited by Alex - 28 Feb 2014 at 10:17am

1 - If your main usage is for gaming, then the Z87 will be fine. The extra memory bands and CPU cores on the X79 are more for video/3d/photo editing but 99% of games won't utilize this potential.
2 - SSD vs standard HDD is more about overall OS performance and if you have games installed it their load times. SSD OS boot times are normally around 20sec vs 60-90sec and doing regular tasks that use the SSD will see equal performance boost. Once you use a SSD you'll never go back to use a standard HDD for a system again. The speed difference is that big.
3 - The mild OC done in Stage 1 will give huge performance boost and the cooling system that's installed on this system is more than capable of handling it. Many run systems that are OC'd for years without any issues. If it's performance you're after, then the Stage 1 OC is a must. RAM on the other hand, you could just go with the standard 1600MHz. The CPU OC will give much more performance than the RAM speed increase.
4 - DS does ship internationally - you have to send them your system config and address for a quote.
5 - Not sure what kind of verification you're looking for on this. DS does test every system but things can always go wrong with such a complex system of parts.

... and don't forget the t-shirt!   

Originally posted by ASSASSIN HQ Thanks for the detailed information. I guess I will upgrade to SSD. (It is really costly though). And well I will not change the RAM. You see, the minimum requirements of CoD: Ghosts is 6GB RAM. Never before the minimum reached so high. PERSONALLY, I would have loved to get hands on a G.SKILL TridentX. But there is no option for that in DS. Btw, in another thread regarding international shipping, a guy Alex (what I have read from his posts, I am sure that this guy knows a lot of stuff) said that liquid cooled systems are quite fragile to ship with respect to air cooled ones. So should I downgrade to an air-cooled system with a non-OCed processor? The cooling and OC still remains a query to me.

I believe he was referring to the true water cooled systems like in the Hailstorm

Edited by ArkansasWoman777 - 28 Feb 2014 at 8:34am

Arkansas is right on.  The fragility in shipping is for a full water cooled setup, with the larger reservoir, etc being more susceptible to damage.   The sealed liquid coolers like the h100i ( 240mm liquid)  are pretty durable during shipping, but damage is always a possibility. 


Edited by bprat22 - 28 Feb 2014 at 8:40am

The high performance air cooled unit for the cpu will work great.  The 240mm rad does offer a bit more cooling performance but either will get the job done.  

Originally posted by ASSASSIN HQ Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 Originally posted by ASSASSIN HQ Thanks for the detailed information. I guess I will upgrade to SSD. (It is really costly though). And well I will not change the RAM. You see, the minimum requirements of CoD: Ghosts is 6GB RAM. Never before the minimum reached so high. PERSONALLY, I would have loved to get hands on a G.SKILL TridentX. But there is no option for that in DS. Btw, in another thread regarding international shipping, a guy Alex (what I have read from his posts, I am sure that this guy knows a lot of stuff) said that liquid cooled systems are quite fragile to ship with respect to air cooled ones. So should I downgrade to an air-cooled system with a non-OCed processor? The cooling and OC still remains a query to me. I believe he was referring to the true water cooled systems like in the Hailstorm Ummm, so what are you saying? Bolt II without liquid cooling will work fine? (That will be nice on my pocket too. I may push to a bigger SSD with it.)

The Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler is not true water like in the hailstorm which uses Exotic Custom Cooling System. The radiators are prefilled with liquid condensed distilled water (i think) that does not need refilling ever.

Edited by ArkansasWoman777 - 28 Feb 2014 at 8:47am

@ASSASSIN HQ,

We would love to have you as a customer!

Everyone here has done a great job in helping you with your questions. In regards to testing, yes, we can send you some testing screenshots BUT, just because a system passed testing here does not guarantee it will arrive with zero issues, especially if it is traveling to the other side of the world.

Usually, issues upon arrive are due to loose hardware that needs to be re-seated or physically damaged hardware from shipping shocks and vibrations.

It's hard to prevent this, but with a smaller system like the Bolt II, our team could double pack it (two boxes) with padding inside each one to prevent any shipping shocks going to your computer.

Hope this helps! Feel free to contact our Sales Manager, John, for a quote via email: [email protected]

Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 The Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler is not true water like in the hailstorm which uses Exotic Custom Cooling System. The radiators are prefilled with liquid condensed distilled water (i think) that does not need refilling ever.

It is a true liquid cooler. It just isn't a custom liquid cooling solution. The closed loop liquid coolers, as is offered in the Bolt II, are much more durable then a custom solution.

Edited by danjw1 - 28 Feb 2014 at 10:25am

Originally posted by danjw1 Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 The Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler is not true water like in the hailstorm which uses Exotic Custom Cooling System. The radiators are prefilled with liquid condensed distilled water (i think) that does not need refilling ever. It is a true liquid cooler. It just isn't a custom liquid cooling solution. The closed loop liquid coolers, as is offered in the Bolt II, are much more durable then a custom solution.

That is pretty much what i meant i just couldn't word it correctly.

Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 Originally posted by danjw1 Originally posted by ArkansasWoman777 The Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler is not true water like in the hailstorm which uses Exotic Custom Cooling System. The radiators are prefilled with liquid condensed distilled water (i think) that does not need refilling ever. It is a true liquid cooler. It just isn't a custom liquid cooling solution. The closed loop liquid coolers, as is offered in the Bolt II, are much more durable then a custom solution. That is pretty much what i meant i just couldn't word it correctly.

Hey, I really dont know much about liquid cooling. From your post, I see that there are 2 categories- closed loop and custom.
Is Corsair H100i a closed loop cooler? I have read that it is one of the best.