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Digital Storm Vanquish 3

Graphics & Performance

The Vanquish 3's Level 3 configuration offers high-performance specifications with a price tag that emphasizes value. Internally, this arrangement is built around an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, a 3.3GHz Intel Core i5-4590 processor and 8GB of memory. During benchmarking from our colleagues at Tom's Hardware, the GTX 970 showed its abilities as a premium graphics card.

In graphically intensive title "Battlefield 4," the card produced an average frame rate of 79 frames per second on maximum graphics settings at a resolution of 1920 x 1080. At comparable graphics settings, the card had similarly impressive respective marks of 137 and 93 frames per second in titles "Tomb Raider" and "Far Cry 3." Generally, a custom gaming PC needs to produce a frame rate of more than 30 frames per second in order for games to be playable.

The GTX 970's processing overhead makes it well-suited to handle the performance requirements for current PC gaming titles. But more impressively, we were fans of the Level 3's emphasis on value. Typically, cards like the GTX 970 are included in premium gaming PC setups. For Digital Storm, building the mainstream-priced Vanquish 3 around the GTX 970 represents an impressive balance between cost and performance.

Processor & Storage

Internally, the Vanquish 3's Level 3 configuration is built on a 3.3GHz Intel Core i5-4590 processor that provided excellent mid-range performance in benchmarking from our colleagues at Anandtech. Digital Storm also offers several hard drive options on each configuration with choices like a 1TB hard disk drive and varying solid-state drives.

However, the Vanquish 3 can feel limited if you're hoping to customize the system. Because the series uses prebuilt configurations, you're locked into Digital Storm's exact build configurations for each system if you want to stay within the Vanquish 3 family. While Digital Storm's configurations are effectively optimized for various budget types, this setup can be problematic if you're either unfamiliar with hardware installation or want to consolidate your computer setup into a single purchase.

Design & Connectivity

Externally, the Vanquish 3 has a relatively low-key design. The custom gaming desktop's case is certainly durable and reliable, with easily removable side covers, ventilation and solid build quality. At the same time, it's a modestly designed chassis. Outside of the two LED fans in the front of the case, there's little in the way of design flourishes on the Vanquish 3. Since this model is Digital Storm's entry-level premium gaming PC, the Vanquish 3's barebones look is certainly understandable. It doesn't negatively affect the case's functionality, but at 21.7 x 8.3 x 17.3 inches, the compact gaming PC doesn't place a significant emphasis on style.

Help & Support

Digital Storm includes multiple support options for the Vanquish 3, including a three-year warranty with coverage for parts and labor. The company also provides additional support via phone, email and its website.