Comparing Systems -- Sell Me on DSPost Date: 2012-05-21 |
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hicksp002
Newbie Joined: 21 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
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Topic: Comparing Systems -- Sell Me on DS Posted: 21 May 2012 at 11:28am |
First, I don't mean to offend DS or anyone on this forum. I'm highly interested in a DS computer and have never bought a custom computer. I've been involved with computers since the Vic-20 and almost every PC since 1988. I've done some basic upgrades, but never built my own system even though I have degree in Electrical Engineering. I find the current state of computer purchasing very confusing...lots of information, but no clear directions for me to go toward. Hardware does not equal performance, but it's hard for me to pass up larger hardware numbers.
Both the systems I'm considering are around $2,400. I tried to match the mouse, keyboard, monitor and limited warranty (3 yrs) to give a somewhat equal look. The Dell seems to offer a larger SSD, larger hard drive, double the memory, media card reader, and a wireless card. The DS seems to offer a blue-ray, liquid cooled, better video card, and overclocked cpu. Expectations: Replacing a Dell Inspiron Slim Tower, Quad Core. First gaming system, so no real expectations other than faster system. Usage: Games as I can get to them between work and kids (Quake from previous playing, not sure what I'll get into for the future); some heavy video and music editing. Saved Ticket #: 690852 DS Specifications: Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Pre-built Digital Storm ODE V2 - Level 4 Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 3770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard) Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LX (Intel Z77 Chipset) System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance Series (High-Performance) Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (1TB Western Digital/Seagate/Hitachi/Samsung (7200 RPM) (32MB Cache) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: Blu-Ray Player/DVD Writer (Play Blu-Ray and Burn DVDs) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 1x AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H100 Liquid CPU Cooler (240mm Radiator) (Extreme-Performance Edition) H20 Tube Color:- Not Applicable, I do not have a FrostChill or Sub-Zero LCS Cooling System Selected Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red) Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks LaserMark: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock CPU 4.0GHz to 4.4GHz Boost Video Card: - 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 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Game: - No Thanks Display: Acer 23 inch (Widescreen) (Black) (High-Performance Gaming Display) Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: Razer Arctosa Gaming Keyboard (USB) (RZ03-00260800-R3U1) Mouse: Razer Deathadder (Infrared 3500 dpi) (Gaming Mouse) (USB Wired) External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Extra Large) <b></b> Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty I'm comparing to a Dell XPS 8500 Specification: PROTECTION 3 Year Premium Protection Package MONITOR Dell S2330MX 23 Inch Ultra-Slim Monitor with LED SPEAKERS No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system) KEYBOARD Logitech MK710 Wireless Desktop Keyboard and Mouse Combo MOUSE Mouse included with Keyboard purchase ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM XPS 8500 XPS 8500, White Chassis w/19:1 media card reader OS Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English PROCESSORS 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3770 processor 3.40 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.90 GHz MEMORY 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 4 DIMMs HARD DRIVE 2TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s + 256GB SSD SRT Enhancement VIDEO CARD AMD Radeon™ HD 7770 2GB GDDR5 OPTICAL DRIVE 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW), write to CD/DVD WIRELESS Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.0+LE SOUND CARD Integrated 7.1 with WAVE MAXXAudio 4 USB 3.0 Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet Dell Datasafe DataSafe 2.0 Online Backup 2GB for 1 year Wireless Driver Dell SRV Software 1703 Optical SW No PDVD Thanks in advance Phil H. |
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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 2012 at 12:01pm |
Hi hicksp002........Welcome to the forums.
You pretty much answered your own question. The ODE 4 for gaming has a better graphics card, overclocking and a better cooler to keep it safe. The ODE 600T case has a front 200mm and top 200mm fan and rear 140mm fan to keep the components cool. Not sure about the other. With the other you don't know what motherboard you'll get which means you don't know how many Pcie x1 and x16 slots for expansion later on or other features like audio output jacks and USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports or SATA ports to attach other drives, etc.. I might have missed it, but I didn't see what size or manufacturere for the power supply. I think a 460w no-name psu vs the ODE's 800w corsair psu. The media card reader and wireless card are cheap, easy add-ons and don't really contribute to the rigs primary purpose. You did mention heavy video editing.....Here's a config with the latest X79 platform, with its quad channel memory and six core cpu made for just that purpose. It is more money but you didn't mention a budget so I thought I'd show you another option. With DS you know the manufacturer and can see a spec sheet for most if not all parts and they are from quality companies. Config # 690871 Cost $ 2680 Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 3930K 3.2GHz (Unlocked CPU for Extreme Overclocking) (Six-Core) Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth X79 (Intel X79 Chipset) (Features USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s) System Memory: 16GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested) Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (1TB Western Digital Caviar (7200 RPM) (Model: Black Edition) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card: 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Includes PhysX) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex 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 Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: - No Thanks Enhancements: - No Thanks Chassis Mods: - No Thanks Noise Reduction: - No Thanks LaserMark: - No Thanks Boost Processor: Stage 1: Overclock CPU 4.0GHz to 4.4GHz Boost Video Card: - 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 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 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 External Storage: - No Thanks Exclusive T-Shirt: FREE: Digital Storm T-Shirt - Black (Large) Priority Build: - No Thanks, Ship Within 10-15 Business Days After Order Is Successfully Processed Warranty: Life-time Expert Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty By the way...there is absolutely no offense at all. We all have shopped around alot before settling with DS. We've all been there. And here you get a free t-shirt Check it out and see what you think. Good luck
Edited by bprat22 - 21 May 2012 at 12:25pm |
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Alex
Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 2012 at 12:40pm |
@hicksp002,
Welcome to the community and thank you for your interest in a new Digital Storm PC. I'm sure the community of customers will help you out (as bprat22) has.
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darbebo
Senior Member Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 515 |
Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 2012 at 1:23pm |
I think the service you get from DS would be the deal maker here. On top you get a nice looking case (drools over the case). I've had dell in the past and they're not that good. Office computer? Yes, personal computer? no.
Here's a recent experience My video card fan died on my video card, glad it was within warranty. Called them up, had a nice conversation. Shipped it via UPS in california where i lived on Wednesday, they received it Friday, and i got a replacement video card back the coming wednesday. That means they must have sent the replacement monday, i mean, that is FAST service!!!!!! thumbs up Edited by darbebo - 21 May 2012 at 1:35pm |
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BF3Addict
Newbie Joined: 10 Nov 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 49 |
Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 2012 at 4:44pm |
The Vic-20!!! I had one of those! Did you get the 4K memory expander pack too?
Ahh the '80's. I miss 'em!
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hicksp002
Newbie Joined: 21 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Quote Reply Posted: 22 May 2012 at 8:33am |
Alex, I sent a message via the chat that wasn't active asking about military discount. Does DS offer this? Thanks in advance.
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hicksp002
Newbie Joined: 21 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Quote Reply Posted: 22 May 2012 at 8:34am |
Alex, I sent a message via the chat that wasn't active asking about military discount. Does DS offer this? Thanks in advance. |
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Alex
Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 22 May 2012 at 11:50am |
We do offer a small discount for active duty members, our team can apply that to your order when they process the order. I believe it's 1.5% off.
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Alex
Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 22 May 2012 at 12:06pm |
hicksp002,
Also, If you look closely at the specs, you're getting a better CPU (unlocked K series) and a faster video card with the Digital Storm system. In the end, you're getting better hardware for your money and the support and service from a smaller company that specializes in this product type ensuring you're working with knowledgeable people.
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mordrick78
Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 93 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 12:49am |
The best advice I can suggest to go with DS is they have customer support like no other computer company I have dealt with. Everytime I have need help a DS rep is available to walk me step by step thru the problem. Even at times when the call volume is high a rep will call back the same day if possible but never past the next day. They fully stand behind their product and I have owned a DS computer since March of 2010 and still running strong only update I have done is a newer graphic card.
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xii
Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 975 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 7:46am |
Sell you on digital storm? No problem.
If mentioning companies is bad Alex, feel free to edit please. Dell - if you buy a PC from them, you'll get a good one, with required software such as Dells 'safe' software - which basically allows you to backup your PC - if you upgrade. If you want a Alienware, which is their gaming powerhouse flag ship - you'll pay insane premium and your customer service is based in Costa Rica. (no offense meant) I have both a desktop and a laptop from Dell and many other vendors - I have been waiting on my box, literally a box - to send my gear back to the company for repair as it failed for 2 weeks. Their support is horrible, their drivers are insane, for example. If you order a desktop and have a sound card in it (this is not a exaggerated example) there will be no less then 5 different sets of audio drivers all named something like EH8887.exe for you to download and install. This, often leads to driver problems. You can get a Dell tech to help you should you ever need it, but, that is if you have warranty. Digital Storm, EASILY has the BEST customer team and technical experts I have ever had the privilege to work with. Please understand, I am very strict. As soon to be retired Military, I demand people to do what they say. Every complaint, suggestion, request or problem has been dealt with by DS in supurb fashion. Once you start building the PC - DS won't install crap software you don't need - like get 100 free mp3's from the buy.com toolbar. They will design the system how you want, if they can. They will also suggest where you may run into issues and how to fix those issues as far as your configuration. Oh and Alex never sleeps. He is tied into the forums like Neo and the Matrix. Seriously, Digital Storm is honestly, truly, the best building team out there. I wish I could offer some crazy guarantee to help you see what I see but there isn't really a need - DS will do that for me. Edited by xii - 23 May 2012 at 7:48am |
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Alex
Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 9:18am |
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hicksp002
Newbie Joined: 21 May 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 11:57am |
Changed my order to get the 24 in Asus monitor, but basically same ODE V2 Level 4 from above. Thanks for everyone's help. I won't return to the US until mid-June, so the system should be at home waiting for me when I get back. It's been a long year away, and this should be a good birthday, homecoming gift for me.
System Configuration: Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Pre-built Digital Storm ODE V2 - Level 4 Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish Processor: Intel Core i7 3770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard) Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LX (Intel Z77 Chipset) System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Corsair Vengeance Series (High-Performance) Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible) Expansion Bay: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Corsair) (Model: Force GT Series CSSD-F120GBGT-BK) (SATA 6Gbps) Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks Hard Drive Set 2: Multimedia\Data: 1x (1TB Western Digital/Seagate/Hitachi/Samsung (7200 RPM) (32MB Cache) Hard Drive Set 3: Backup\Misc.: - No Thanks Optical Drive 1: Blu-Ray Player/DVD Writer (Play Blu-Ray and Burn DVDs) Optical Drive 2: - No Thanks Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections) Video Card(s): 1x AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Digital Storm Vortex 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 Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: Internal Chassis Lighting System (Red) Enhancements: - 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 7 Home Premium (64-Bit Edition) Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD) Virus Protection: - No Thanks Office: - No Thanks Game: - No Thanks Display: Asus 24 inch VE248H (Widescreen) (Black) (2ms Response Time) (LED Backlight) Surge Shield: - No Thanks Speakers: - No Thanks Keyboard: Razer Arctosa Gaming Keyboard (USB) (RZ03-00260800-R3U1) Mouse: Razer Deathadder (Infrared 3500 dpi) (Gaming Mouse) (USB Wired) External Storage: - 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 Customer Care with 3 Year Limited Warranty |
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Alex
Admin Group Digital Storm Supervisor Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16312 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 11:57am |
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bprat22
DS ELITE DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!) Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 12:01pm |
Congrats
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josephlee
Groupie Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 168 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 1:16pm |
Congrats and thanks for your service hicksp!
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xii
Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 975 |
Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 2012 at 1:50pm |
Almost the same for me! Retiring in like.. a week?
Can't wait to be home... real food.. soft sheets. Welcome home! |
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