Finally Decided!Post Date: 2012-05-28 |
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LinkGirl 
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Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
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 Topic: Finally Decided!Posted: 28 May 2012 at 4:02pm |
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Okay, I think I've finally decided on a build. How's it look?
Budget: $2,100ish. Usage: gaming (TERA, GW2, TF2, Minecraft, and both indie games and AAA titles) on high to max settings (I'm currently using a single monitor at 1680x1050, but I may get a new monitor somewhere along the line), FRAPS, video editing, web browsing, listening to music, multitasking. Special Needs: I live by the ocean, so there's a fair amount of salt air that comes through my room. Don't know if that'll affect anything. Other: I may add a Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS hard drive I have lying around (this won't void DS's warranty on the computer will it?). Ticket: 693520 Total after Instant Savings: $2,115.00 Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Carbide 300R 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) (Does Not Support SLI or CrossFire) 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(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670 2GB (Includes PhysX) Add-on Card: - No Thanks Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio 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 Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans Internal Lighting: - No Thanks 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: - 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 (Small) 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 Thanks guys! Edited by LinkGirl - 28 May 2012 at 4:09pm |
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L2Phantom
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Joined: 30 Mar 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22 |
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Posted: 28 May 2012 at 4:59pm |
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Good looking rig!
Everything looks very nice for TERA (I play it myself at 2560x1600) but at your resolution you should have no problems at all. It will also run any of those other less demanding titles with ease!
I would suggest adding a soundcard since it makes games sound totally different night-and-day better.
Best of luck with your DS rig and if you're ever on Jagged Coast send a msg to Kalevere!
Take care and enjoy your rig.
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LinkGirl
Newbie
Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
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Posted: 31 May 2012 at 2:45pm |
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Thanks for the help, L2Phantom.
I think I'm just going to stick with the build-in audio. I'm not an audiophile, and I'd rather save the $150+ money. But thanks for the suggestion! I'm not much of a PvP person, but if I ever make a character on Jagged Coast I'll say hi.  One final noob question for people: If I add my own hard drive it won't void the warranty on the computer, right? I just wanted to double check. And any final suggestions or feedback before I order it? |
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bprat22
DS ELITE 
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 31 May 2012 at 2:51pm |
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Hi LinkGirl...... Real nice rig. Adding a drive will not void warranty. Congrats and keep us updated.
 I have never seen the 300R loaded with goodies. Pics would be great. Edited by bprat22 - 31 May 2012 at 2:55pm |
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xii
Senior Member 
Joined: 25 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 975 |
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Posted: 01 Jun 2012 at 6:39am |
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Yea something you can do Link when you decide to buy and get the PC is take pics and also review the system - these things help the community make more informed suggestions. Another thing to note is, after about 6 months, if you feel up to it - follow up on your review.
Also - Tera is great huh? |
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LinkGirl
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Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
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Posted: 06 Jun 2012 at 2:49pm |
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Well, it seems my final decision isn't so final after all. :/ Because I was looking to add a second fan to the front of the 300R (it only comes with one 140mm fan in the front), I called Digital Storm to order my build and they informed me that the Noctua NH-D14 will not fit in the 300R. For my build, the person I talked to suggested the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO or one of the Radiator Liquid CPU Coolers. I just wanted a second opinion before I make my final-final decision. I
know little about cooling and was wondering if the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
would be enough too keep my setup cool. Or if it would be better to go with the Digital Storm Vortex 120mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler (and, if so, if there is any maintenance needed after a couple of years)? If I were to keep the Noctua, I would have to change to another case (the HAF X and the 650D were suggested), but I'm not sure I want (or need) to shell out another $100 for a bigger case. Feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys! |
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bprat22
DS ELITE
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 06 Jun 2012 at 3:06pm |
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Hi LinkGirl. For stage 1 overclocking the Hyper 212 or A50 would work fine. If you go to the Vortex 120 mm cooling it is a sealed unit meaning zero maintenance. I prrsonally would go for the A50 or Hyper212. The A50 is rated very good and the Hyper212 I need to check reviews tomorrow. Hope this helps.
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LinkGirl
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Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
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Posted: 21 Jun 2012 at 5:13pm |
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I know it's been a long time since I "finally decided" but some personal things came up (and I'm incredibly indecisive). I finally got around to calling Digital Storm's sales department again with the full intention of ordering today. BUT... When I told the guy that the temperatures in my area during the summer are, on average, 80 degrees Fahrenheit (with a max of 85 degrees), he told me to take off the overclock. I just wanted to get some of your opinions on this. I was hoping to get the Stage 1: Overclock, but if temperatures in my area are too hot, I don't want to prematurely kill my computer. (And no, there is no way I can get air conditioning--it's simply not practical where I live.)
I changed my build a little, btw. Config # 701020. Decided to go with the i5 3570K instead of the i7 because I figured I probably wouldn't be doing enough video editing to warrant it (and I wanted to save a bit of money--I forgot that shipping would be so expensive to where I live). Also, I was planning on adding a second fan to the front, which would be $20 (although the sales rep. told me to just add six to the case for $60...although I would think that'd be incredibly loud). Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Corsair Carbide 300R I feel like every time I'm ready to order my computer I run into a road block. Anyway, thanks for all the help so far guys. It's been a lot of help. Edited by LinkGirl - 21 Jun 2012 at 5:25pm |
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Alex
Admin Group 
Digital Storm Supervisor 
Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16314 |
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Posted: 21 Jun 2012 at 5:29pm |
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The issue is that an 80'F ambient temp is fairly warm and will cause your components to run warmer, if you're overclocking, and it's Ivy Bridge, it will produce more heat. We could do a Stage 1 overclock on your CPU with that cooler, but, nothing more than that is recommended unless you go with a higher-end CPU cooler such as the liquid cooler, Vortex 240mm option.
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bprat22
DS ELITE
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 22 Jun 2012 at 3:23am |
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Hi LinkGirl......Congrats on your final build. Great gaming ahead.
 As far as the oc vs ambient temps.......That case does have minimal airflow and the cooler is made for stage 1 oc at most. If they can do the stage 1 like Alex said then you're good to go. They will test it and check thermals to make sure it stays safe. The warmer room temp does aggravate it a bit. I differ a little in what others say about 80F. I game in the 80F range alot of the summer and with my Corsair A70 cooler at stage 1 oc it is never even close to being a problem. My A70 is a better unit than the Hyper, just below D14, so I can't say exactly in your case. Plus I don't have Ivy Bridge. The Vortex 240 is more $$, I think $80, and they would mount it to the top where the case has no fans. Up there the rads two fans would help alot. If you're thinking of 6 more fans for $60 then I'd do the 240mm rad. Just my thoughts. Good luck and let un know how it goes. DS won't ship a rig unless it passes there tests. |
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LinkGirl
Newbie
Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
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Posted: 22 Jun 2012 at 3:36am |
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Thanks for the speedy reply, Alex. I wouldn't want anything higher than Stage 1, but when I mentioned liquid cooling to the sales rep, he thought I still shouldn't overclock it. If the ambient temp is going to make the computer run hotter than desired, I guess I won't go with the overclock then... (I'm assuming the "Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking" would be fine though?) EDIT: (Didn't realize you posted right before me, bprat22. Oops. ;p) Edited by LinkGirl - 22 Jun 2012 at 3:49am |
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bprat22
DS ELITE
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 22 Jun 2012 at 3:42am |
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It's all good.
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LinkGirl
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Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
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Posted: 22 Jun 2012 at 3:53am |
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Well, thanks for the info bprat! I suppose changing the case to something like the HAF X + the D14 would be much better than the 300R + Evo for OC Stage 1 (although I feel like the HAF X is a bit overkill for my build--then again, that could just be me), unless I wanted to put the Vortex into the 300R. Edited by LinkGirl - 22 Jun 2012 at 3:58am |
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bprat22
DS ELITE
DigitalStorm East -- (Unofficially!)
Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20391 |
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Posted: 22 Jun 2012 at 5:39am |
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You know us
, we always push HafX and d14, but not everyone wants it or needs it. Alex did say that stage 1 should be do-able. If budget is tight then go with what you have and Enjoy. That setup is gonna give you some great performance. Here's a review of the Hyper 212 EVO..... http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_hyper212_evo/ I had said I'd check reviews earlier in the thread and never did.  It's not as good as the D14, but tons better than stock cooler. They gave it a very good review. I don't see a problem with stage 1 OC, but in the end it's DS who will decide.
Edited by bprat22 - 22 Jun 2012 at 5:57am |
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LinkGirl
Newbie
Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37 |
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Posted: 25 Jun 2012 at 12:50am |
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I have an odd question that I don't think anyone besides Alex will know the answer to, but I'm curious at what ambient temp does Digital Storm stress test their computers in? Just curious.
(And, once again, thanks for the info bprat22. ) |
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Alex
Admin Group
Digital Storm Supervisor
Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Online Status: Offline Posts: 16314 |
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Posted: 25 Jun 2012 at 10:17am |
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We test the systems at about 72'F.
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