The Digital Storm Bolt 3 gaming desktop ($2,957 as tested) packs plenty of power into a stylish, small-form-factor (SFF) case and delivers the performance that gaming enthusiasts expect from more expensive systems. It's not quite as compact as some others in the category, but its lower cost will appeal to those who don't have the need to spend a mint on a gaming PC. The Editors' Choice Falcon Northwest Tiki (2015) still sets the bar for SFF gaming desktops, due to its super-slim design and blistering gaming performance, but the Bolt 3 is a powerful machine in its own right, and it's more affordable.

Design and Features

At 18.3 by 5.8 by 15.1 inches (HWD) and about 35 pounds, the Bolt 3 isn't exactly tiny, but it's definitely more compact than full-size gaming desktop towers like the Falcon Northwest Mach V (GTX 980). The Falcon Northwest Tiki is much slimmer and shorter at 14 by 4 by 13.75 inches, as are the Maingear Drift (14 by 4.25 by 15 inches) and the Origin Chronos (Titan Z) (15 by 4.25 by 14 inches), but the Bolt 3 still maintains a sleek façade.

The case is fashioned of black, brushed aluminum, and the entire left side of the system is taken up by a clear plastic window. The window is screwed in at the corners, with the rest suspended about half an inch away from the edges of the front and back panels. The fasteners unscrew easily, which is how you gain access to the machine's interior. It also gives you a clear view of the hardware, including two yellow liquid-cooling tubes and the graphics card that's displayed prominently. A row of adjustable LEDS (set to white on our review unit) line the back wall and bottom of the case, thoughtfully set just behind the edges to prevent them from shining directly into your eyes. The effect is aesthetically pleasing and not garish—the plastic and interior are lit up more like a classy art piece than the laser light shows seen on some gaming rigs.