Pros: +Great Blu-Ray Reader for the Price (when I got it after Cyber Monday) +DVD Write/Read +CD Write/Read +Lightscribe if you're into that (I never use it)

Cons: -Sony's ridiculous codec controls (which leads to -many poor reviews of blu-ray drives out of ignorance).

Overall Review: Please realize everyone that does not know: "OEM" means it's just the drive (although mine included some other stuff), and that it's basically what a manufacturer would drop in a PC they build and add their own software for. It DOES NOT mean that the drive can just be plugged in and used to read Blu-Ray. The Blu-Ray codec is on lockdown by Sony still, so you need to purchase (or otherwise obtain) software to be able to play Blu-Ray Discs. I typically use Corel WinDVD 2011 because it works well for playback. I am sure, however, that their are many other alternatives that do the trick [I am amazed I even use Corel!]

Pros: - Revive an AM4 build - Fairly affordable

Cons: - Won't translate into the next build - Runs warm

Overall Review: I bumped up to this because my 2700x was getting long in the tooth and not keeping up with games anymore. With no changes aside from the CPU and cooler I jumped from 50fps to 170fps on average. I wouldn't likely use this in a new build (instead going AM5), however it's a great way to get some more mileage out of an existing build.

Pros: Fantastic display, it's the first time I can transfer from my high DPI laptop to an external display and not constantly wish I was back on my laptop.

Cons: You have to manually toggle the DP support.

Overall Review: Pay attention to the reviews, you can see the negatives are almost always either based on misunderstandings or overreactions to a single bad display (e.g. one had bad pixels, so apparently they all do)

Pros: I recently converted to mechanical keyboards and do not foresee going back. I would argue that this is one of the best "starter boards" since the price is fairly low (relative) and it has the main things needed. Granted, it is "missing" some of the bells and whistles (see CONS) of others, I don't anticipate replacing it anytime. I really enjoy the brown switches in this board as it provides some decent tactile feedback with a lower amount of the audible tone. Note, that doesn't mean this is at all "silent" nor does it really fall under the "stealth" type of name - that is strictly relative to other Cherry MX switches. * Ten keyless (relative pro) * Cherry Browns (relative pro) * Removable USB (portable) * Style (relative pro) * No printing/etching on the top of keys * Multimedia keys (F1-F12 with the FN key, on MAC the PS, SCLK and PA/BR also do things)

Cons: Personally, I don't have a need for many "bells and whistles" nor do I expect them at this price. That being said, they could fall in this category: * No Backlighting * No Dips (if you don't move a keyboard between computers much nor reformat constantly, this doesn't really matter) * On MAC (may be Apple's fault) - often after resuming from sleep the keyboard doesn't enumerate and register keystrokes.

Pros: So far a great card, it was inexpensive (39.99) when I needed a new card for my HTPC. A few issues with Linux drivers, but great processing video and audio. Also from a great company.

Cons: None to date.

Pros: Great SSD for the price. You can definitely get better SSD's, but not really in the price range. +Speed +Storage +Price/Performance Ratio is favorable

Cons: -Slower than the Vertex3 (which is a given)

Overall Review: It recently survived my laptop falling off a car at 85mph on the highway. Very glad I had an SSD in during that fiasco.