Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. Gaming
  4. News

The new Digital Storm Bolt X proves small PCs can pack serious performance

Add as a preferred source on Google

Most commonly known for its luxury lineup of boutique gaming rigs, Digital Storm is back at it again with the Bolt X, a design the company calls the “most advanced” small form factor PC on the market. Combining a ventilated base and Digital Storm’s signature HydroLux cooling system, the Bolt X is apparently capable of squeezing out improved performance without getting too hot.

The Digital Storm X, unlike other specialty designs, makes it possible for airflow to pass from the bottom up. Typically, PC case designs stress attention on dispersing airflow through the sides and the rear. Contrarily, the Bolt X emphasizes the top and the base of the machine. It manages this using two 140mm top-mounted fans, along with Digital Storm’s own HydroLux Hardline tubing and even a tailor-made 280mm radiator.

Recommended Videos

“Our new Bolt X is the apex of SFF design and performance,” claims Digital Storm Founder Harjit Chana. “The level of immersion that is possible with HDR at Ultra-HD resolutions and VR gaming demands a powerful PC that is ready to deliver, and Bolt X does so with ease.”

The small form-factor PC, according to the company, is easily upgradeable with plenty of room for desktop-grade components such as graphics cards and processors. The Digital Storm Bolt X can also store “multiple” hard drives and solid-state drives, though it’s not clear just how many that implies.

The Bolt X will go on sale in the first quarter of 2017. When it launches, Digital Storm promises “a system that users will enjoy for years even through multiple upgrade cycles.” If that means we’ll be able to run games in 8K 60 fps later on down the line without forking out for a new case, it may be well worth the assuredly premium investment.

Earlier this year, we reviewed the Digital Storm Aventum 3, concluding that while attractive and easy to amend, it was also heavier and more expensive than competing builds in the same range. We were most optimistic about the recent Digital Storm Velox, which features a custom enclosure that’s extremely easy to upgrade.

Gabe Carey
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
Dell XPS 14 (DA14260) Review: Dell’s classic Windows laptop returns, and it’s hard to put down
The icon returns, and shows why it's still relevant
Dell XPS 14 Review: Featured

Quick take

Dell’s XPS line has always carried a certain weight. It is one of those Windows laptop families that people recognize even if they don’t follow laptops too closely. Clean design built with premium materials, sharp displays, and high-end hardware. The Dell XPS 14 DA14260 continues that legacy. 

Read more
Samsung’s secret AI chip could finally cool down Exynos phones
Samsung's GAIA AI chip is landing in laptops first, but its shared DNA with Exynos hints at a real fix for phones down the line.
Samsung Exynos chip illustration.

If you've ever owned an Exynos-powered Galaxy phone, you already know the drill: heavy tasks like capturing back-to-back pictures or photos for a while, heavy gaming, or rendering videos turn your device into a hand warmer. 

In such a situation, the battery bar drops faster than usual as well. Turns out, Samsung might be working on the fix, and it's coming in a way nobody expected.

Read more
Buying a monitor? This Mac app can expose problems before the return window closes
Your new monitor may look perfect, but it doesn't hurt to double check.
Screen Test v1.1

Making a brand-new tech purchase doesn't always carry the guarantee of a perfectly functioning unit. But a tiny Mac app called Screen Test can help you find a defect before it gets too late. Screen Test (version 1.1) is a native macOS utility containing more than 25 patterns and diagnostic tools for evaluating built-in and external displays. It can help reveal dead or stuck pixels, backlight bleeding, and other issues. The app works completely offline, so you don't have to rely on browser tabs or an internet connection.

Every pixel gets scrutinized

Read more