**REVIEW** Considering ODE 4, but is it necessary?

Budget:
Anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500....if it can be justified

Expectations:
Decent computer that will last me at least 3 years, with moderate daily usage

Usage:
Will be used primarily for gaming, but nothing crazy. Mostly games like World of Warcraft, Diablo. Will also watch the occasional movie on it, use the web / email. Potential to fraps the referenced games.

Special Needs:
I would like a SSD in addition to a normal HD. Bluray welcome, but not necessary.

Specifications:
I have a 23" LCD. Off chance I could potentially get a second monitor of same size.

My question is, with the above uses, would an ODE 4 be overkill for my needs? Would an ODE 3/2/1 do just as well?

Edited by Vizo - 30 Aug 2012 at 8:16pm

I was on the same boat as you Vizo. I thought about getting ODE LVL 2 prior to my purchase. But let me tell you this, I would've regretted that decision. What I end up getting is ODE LVL 4. You can't really go wrong with it.

Thank you for your opinions everyone. I had a few more questions now between the ODE 3 vs. the ODE 4.

1) What is the main difference between the motherboards? Just the "thermal armor?"

2) Difference between the "performance" and the "vengeance" series ram?

3) Obviously, it seems like the biggest difference between the two is the vid cards. Are there any benchmark comparisons out there?

I guess what I'm getting at is, even though the ode 4 may be a bit overpowered for my needs right now, is the value add enough to justify spending the extra $400?

On the SSD, it doesnt seem like as if 120gb will be enough room once the OS is loaded a a couple games. Am I wrong on this? Also, are people aware of any issues with the corsair brand?

I had started configuring a dreadnaught with the 180gb Intel SSD, but I feel as if 16gb RAM is entirely to much and could not configure it to be lower. Sorry for the naivety, but am I missing something?

you're the best bprat. thanks for all the quick responses.

You pretty much nailed it.  Great build.

There is no option listed for the fan.  You'd have to tell them on the phone or in special instructions at bottom of config.  They know the fan and it usually is the CoolerMaster MegaFlow 200 Silent fan unles they are using an equivalant..

Wanted to post my monitor just for clarification. I believe everything should be fine with the config I have. Am I right?


http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/monitors/LS23WHUKFK/ZA

No contest.  The ODE lvl 4 will give you much higher gaming if you moved to more gpu intense games or a higher resolution monitor.  Your latest build does have a better case, the HafX, and a more reliable cpu cooler, the D14, but you are sacrificing in the graphic card area.

Question about a new Monitor as it relates to my build. While I am getting a new pc soon, I am going to recycle the old one and give it to my wife for some basic photo editing and minimal graphic design stuff she does for fun. That said, she'll need to take my current monitor.

What is a good, if not great, 24" monitor that is available at a decent price? (sub $300)

Please have a look at the below, as I was able to up my budget slightly. I plan on ordering this by end of week. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks!

Ticket Number: 717887
Total Price with Instant Savings: $2,917.00

Direct Load URL: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/comploadsaved.asp?id=717887

Specifications:
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 3770K 3.50 GHz (Unlocked CPU) (Quad Core) (Requires Z77 Motherboard)
Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 (Intel Z77 Chipset) (Features Thermal Armor and Thermal Radar)
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
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Intel) (Model: 520 Series)
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: 2x SLI Dual (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
Boost Processor: Stage 2: Overclock CPU 4.5GHz to 4.8GHz (Requires Pro/Deluxe/Sabertooth Motherboard)
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 Professional (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 (Medium)
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

Edited by Vizo - 13 Aug 2012 at 7:36am

Hi Vizo,

Your last build is right on. Good job.

You will be hard pressed to find a better deal than the Dell 2312HM for $239. This is an IPS monitor with a great picture. Dell also makes a U2412M that is a 24" IPS monitor. Dell has that on sale right now for $299.

Frank

Congrats you are going to have great gaming with that rig.   Just curious no interal lighting?

No, no lighting. No real reason why I guess, just didn't see the need.

Yup, I kicked it up based on some more games i'll be installing now, as well as possible future stuff.

Patience, apparently, is not a virtue of mine.   

Shipped already.

You look like you might have a fever.  GO HOME