cover
Michael O.

Michael O.

Joined on 08/21/02

0
0

Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 17
Most Favorable Review

Rock on AMD!

AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition - Phenom II X4 Deneb Quad-Core 3.0 GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Processor - HDZ940XCGIBOX
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition - Phenom II X4 Deneb Quad-Core 3.0 GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Processor - HDZ940XCGIBOX

Pros: Using this sweet CPU in conjunction with GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H. AWESOME combo deal and one that is ROCK SOLID STABLE for smooth Overclocking! So far running my Phenom II X4 940 at 3.6GHz at 1.45v just so darn fast... screams YIPPY!!!! Going to run it at 3.6GHz for a couple weeks and then move it on up to see where my ceiling is at.

Cons: I looked everywhere for pictures of what the included CPU cooler might look like. It is a solid CPU cooler and one that most certainly you could overclock with... just not as well as a true Tower type cooler. Someone was whining on here about Why include a CPU cooler AMD? Uh... not that big of a deal guy... it is a solid CPU cooler... can't complain... if you are on a tight budget then it WILL get the job done!

Overall Review: AMD is back on the attack... I love what they do for the market!!! I really don't like thinking of this CPU as a Value Line part... cause to me, especially overclocked, it just tears things up! At any rate, I support you AMD and your efforts! I have a complete AMD system... AMD CPU, AMD Chipset motherboard, AMD 4870x2, etc.. Laughs at my games.. Age of Conan? Call of Duty : World at War? ya, this rig just laughs at these games and begs for something that gives it a challenge...

Amazing case for the money!

Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Series PH-ES614L_BK Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Series PH-ES614L_BK Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Pros: I had been looking at computer cases for several weeks and this one caught my eye. I built a new system last week using this case and it was truly a delight! The sand blasted aluminum is truly a great feature as it does in fact prohibit finger prints. The cable management was a breeze with the included Velcro straps on the back of the motherboard chassis. I am not a huge fan of windows but the way that Phanteks designed the side panel window is very well done! The bracket that fits over the PSU is very well thought out. I love that you can't see my PSU! This is a quality case that I would have easily purchased for $189 as I feel that is more in line with what this case should be going for with all the polish and added touches. The included tool box for the screws is just one more example of how well they thought out this case through.

Cons: I was a bit surprised to find that you can't turn off the included LED strip lighting. I personally think there should be a switch or an adjustment made to make it so that when you click through all the colors, you can have a setting that simply turns the LED lighting off completely.

Overall Review: I hope that Phanteks continues with producing well thought out cases. I would love to see an all Aluminum case produced by Phanteks. Either way, Phanteks is one of those companies that just upped the ante in terms of quality cases. I can easily put them ahead of several companies that have been doing computer cases for a long time. Antec and Cooler Master should be looking out! There is a new kid on the block and Phanteks is looking to shake things up!

Superb!

G.SKILL TridentX Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-2133C9Q-32GTX
G.SKILL TridentX Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-2133C9Q-32GTX

Pros: Works as described! Superb quality product. When holding it in my hands and observing all the intricate details, I can't help but feel extremely impressed with the craftsmanship. I have been using this memory for 4 months and have had zero issues with it. The XMP worked flawlessly on my Asus Maximus VI Hero motherboard. Memory test ran 24+ hours and ZERO errors reported. The heatsinks are simply amazing and the fact that you can take them off easily, depending on the configuration you have... is just another indicator of the awesome craftsmanship and forward thinking put into each stick.

Cons: The edges of the top of the heatsinks are rounded a bit but still sharp. Take great care when installing these memory sticks.

Overall Review: I would easily repeat the purchase of this memory kit if I had it to do over again. Superb product! Keep up the good work GSkill. You are starting to put yourself in a class of your own.

Amazing case!

NZXT H630 CA-H630F-W1 White Steel Ultra Tower Silent Case Includes 1 x 200mm Front, 1 x 140mm Rear 2 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 2.0 SD Card Reader
NZXT H630 CA-H630F-W1 White Steel Ultra Tower Silent Case Includes 1 x 200mm Front, 1 x 140mm Rear 2 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 2.0 SD Card Reader

Pros: I love this case! When the white cases first started coming onto the market, a couple years ago, I was on the fence... there were a couple I thought looked okay... However, recently, I started looking for a new case to build a new gaming rig from. I looked at all the cases on Newegg and when I first stumbled on this white beauty, I was immediately pulled towards it. Of course, I quickly scoured the internet to find a more in depth look at the case which of course there is a lot of very good information out there about this case. So, it was an easy decision. Building my new rig was a joy and this case made it easy! Now, I just wish there were more options in terms of white peripherals!!

Cons: I wish the USB panel was switched to the other side of the case... why on the right side????

Overall Review: The paint job is beautifully done! The paint has this hardened enamel type finish that would lead me to believe it was baked. My wife says it looks like a Stormtrooper... LOL

11/22/2013

Schweet goodness!!

NZXT Kraken X60 RL-KRX60-01 Ultra Performance Water/Liquid CPU Cooler 280MM
NZXT Kraken X60 RL-KRX60-01 Ultra Performance Water/Liquid CPU Cooler 280MM

Pros: I have an Intel 4770K CPU overclocked to 4.6GHz with temps floating around 65 to 70 degrees Celsius at full load! At idel, temps are 30 degrees celcius. The 4770K runs hot and I knew I wanted to overclock so I knew I had to have a solid water cooling setup. All the positive reviews out there lead me to purchasing this cooler. If I had to purchase it again, I would do so without hesitation!

Cons: One of the fans, that came with the cooler, had a bad bearing I believe as it would make a ticking noise at certain RPM levels. This was unfortunate but I contacted NZXT support and they quickly sent me out a replacement fan at no additional cost to me. Their support was awesome to work with!

Overall Review: I used Prolimatech PRO-PK1-5G in conjunction with this cooler based upon rave reviews and cheap price. I would also recommend using this thermal paste instead of the default that comes with this cooler.

11/20/2013

Best videocard ever!

Galaxy 78XNH5DV8PXV G-SYNC Support GeForce GTX 780 HOF 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card - Retail
Galaxy 78XNH5DV8PXV G-SYNC Support GeForce GTX 780 HOF 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card - Retail

Pros: This card is truly amazing! I read a review over at HardOCP about it and knew it was the card I wanted to use for my next build. However, I waited for AMD's new videocard before purchasing as I figured the price might drop... and boy did it! This card is by far the best bang for your buck at the high end! It is faster than the latest 780 Ti and gives you PLENTY of room for overclocking!!! I too had the issue with Throttling but contacted Galaxy about it and they supplied me a BIOS that was EASY to install and that took care of the throttling.

Cons: The only strike I could say against this card would be that it shipped with a BIOS that is inherently weak. The throttling was indeed annoying but Galaxy supplied me a new BIOS that rocks! I did not have to jump any hurdles to get this new BIOS.

Overall Review: Seriously, with the BIOS update, there is NO REASON to NOT purchase this videocard. I just can't believe the performance I get out of it. I have overclocked it with the same parameters that others have and I get a stable 1.3GHz! Now, just waiting on G-Sync monitors to come out to fully embrace nVidia goodness!!!

11/20/2013