DigitalStorm BlackOps: Almost Too Fast
by Dustin Sklavos on December 29, 2010 12:45 AM ESTConclusion: Defining Excess
When dealing with a desktop like the DigitalStorm BlackOps, it's tough to figure out what kinds of conclusions to draw. Do you judge it based on the price? Well, the price is steep and probably past the point of reason for most users. So you judge it based on performance, right? Except the performance is generally commensurate with the price, with the real issue being whether or not anyone needs that much performance.
Given that I've been surviving fine with a single AMD Radeon HD 5870 gaming at 1920x1200, and this solution is capable of being more than twice as fast, you start dealing with benchmark results that border on being academic. With the BlackOps you can max everything out and then some. You really need much more than a WUXGA display before GTX 580 SLI becomes necessary; a 30" LCD or two would be just about right.
The complaints I'm left with are mostly the same as they've been with the other boutique desktops we've seen: lazy overclocking and corners cut. At least with the BlackOps the corners cut are mild ones, as the system is still perfectly stable and it's hard to cheap out too much when it comes to a 1.2 kilowatt power supply. DigitalStorm is willing to back the whole thing up with a three year standard warranty and lifetime tech support, too, so at least there's some peace of mind to be had there.
But the lazy overclocking remains an issue, and the fact that this tower doesn't idle the processor means it's always going to be drawing more power and generating more heat than it really needs to. That heat is bound to be a liability for some users, too, because while the case does a great job of keeping the components cool, all of that hot air is getting expelled into the surrounding environment. Bay area winters don't exactly redefine "cold," but the fact that I didn't have to run the heater while I was testing the BlackOps really should tell you something.
Of course, the flipside is that the tower is blisteringly fast. In many ways you really are getting what you pay for with the BlackOps, even if it may be far more than you thought you needed, and I can't stress enough how much I appreciate seeing a boutique build in such a nice case. Really this tower is going to be for users that are running either multiple monitors, 3D Vision, or both. If you think you can make use of all that power, DigitalStorm's tower becomes pretty easy to recommend.
The final catch is a familiar refrain by now: Sandy Bridge is right around the corner. The full scoop is coming up next week, so there's no point in jumping on a Bloomfield build today. Sandy Bridge may be more of a replacement for socket 1156 as opposed to the X58 and socket 1366, but outside of the hex-core Gulftown processors socket 1366 is nearing the end of the road as well. If you like the idea of the BlackOps Assassin, we recommend waiting for the inevitable Sandy Bridge variant that should show up in early 2011. Hopefully DigitalStorm will put a bit more finesse into overclocking that setup, and the unlocked K-series CPUs should be just the ticket.
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Patrick Wolf - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Am I missing something? We know these pre-built systems aren't blessed from the gods to give better performance so why talk performance at all (except for OCing)? You only need to highlight the value of buying instead of building, if there even is one.Though I must say I wasn't even aware of DigitalStorm. Their systems are far more diverse and seem more appealing than Alienware.
gevorg - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Over $3500 and no i7-980X, and not even >1TB storage drive. LOL!brucek2 - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Tom's Hardware just posted a $2,000 build that seems would deliver equivalent or greater performance at many tasks:http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/newegg-combo-t...
Batou - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Sincerely, why spend so much money for a system like this. Absolutely crazy.With less money you can have a 980x, a better case, maybe a RE3, and a full
custom loop with EK or MIPS waterblocks. I can't understand why people should
buy this, instead of having fun deciding all components and putting them together.
Anyway nice read.
Belard - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Because many people don't have the experience and or afraid to build their computers.Seriously, some people SHOULDN'T put a screwdriver near a PC.
I've had a buddy not want to "bother me" with a P4 1.6Ghz he bought (ugh... $500 for 1GB of crap RD-RAM) - he installed the parts wrong and blew out the board. It was weeks before the replacement parts got back.
An ex GF built her BF a computer, yet she still needed my help on some areas... he knows nothing, but spent about $1200+ on the computer that as 12GB of RAM on it. 12GB and the stressful thing he plays is WOW & Starcraft II. I'll admit I'm still running 2GB on my intel quad and Windows7...
I know I can get 4GB for about $30~40 again... but that's date money. :) I bought a RC Helicopter and having more fun with that. ;)
cbgoding - Thursday, December 30, 2010 - link
Wow actually scales really well with 12GB ram, since you can cache all the areas and completely subvert loading screens. The PVE heroes do this so they can get into raids faster.kevith - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Well, it is definitely a flashing build. But I don't really think enthusiasts would buy a monster like this, if they are capable of really appreciating machines this caliber, they will build it themselves.But anyway, it's fun to read about anyway; What can rich kids buy these days to entertain them for a little while?
And maybe that's why the article seems to have - as mentioned by GeorgeH - this scent of laziness about it: This is a totally expendable product.
Every motor-journalist would of course love to test the brand new, latest model Bentley. But would there be any point of testing the same model, but with all the modifications a billionaire, Saudi-Arabian sheik has had installed? Like gold-doorhandles, diamond-braced remote control for the platinum-framed TV, the De-Extra-Luxe handmade 10.000 watt stereo or champagne and Cognac on tap?
No, not really. The ones, that would actually buy it, or in this case, the Digital Storm build, doesn't read reviews first, and we that does, would never buy a machine like this.
It is pretty however.
mino - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
There are people that can appreciate a top-of-the line product with a top-notch customer care.Go, ask Rahul Sood. If you do not believe ...
kevith - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Ok, the customer-care of course is an aspect with a product like this, that I did't think of.I'm not familiar with the guy You mention, though.
Nentor - Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - link
Of course. Nobody that knows anything of computers will talk into a store to buy one pre-build. And if you DO have the money to buy this and have an equal amount of brains you will still get it elsewhere.It is all about building a box as cheaply as possible, making it look as attractive as possible, marking it up as high as possible and selling it to the biggest idiot possible.