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Mr B.

Mr B.

Joined on 12/15/08

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 5
Most Favorable Review

good board, little fan control

JetWay JNC84E-LF AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Mini ITX AMD Motherboard
JetWay JNC84E-LF AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Mini ITX AMD Motherboard

Pros: - Has everything I need. - good graphics chipset

Cons: - Limited ability to control cpu fan

Overall Review: Bought this for an htpc. I've got an SSD in it to keep it fast, low power, and quiet. But the bios has the fan spinning at 3685 rpm and I can hear it from across the room!

Most Critical Review

Hot inside

IN WIN BQ656.AD80TBL Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 80W Power Supply
IN WIN BQ656.AD80TBL Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 80W Power Supply

Pros: See my previouse review (Chinese puzzle box)

Cons: A bit too hot inside. My cpu cooler fan is spinning at high rpm (>3000rpm) and making lots of noise. I think it's because of the system temperature. The power supply is pretty hot and the little fan that is supplied isn't enough to blow the hot air out. In fact, even with the top of the case off, it's still hot around the power supply. My cpu fan is spinning faster than it's rated for and it's LOUD because of that.

Overall Review: This is an update to my previous review.

low profile!

Scythe SCKZT-1000 80mm Kozuti CPU Cooler
Scythe SCKZT-1000 80mm Kozuti CPU Cooler

Pros: - low profile - heatpipes

Cons: - pretty big in the other 2 dimensions

Overall Review: My JetWay JNC84E-LF mb is spinning this thing at 3685 rpm and it's LOUD! Probably it would be as silent as others report if I could reduce the rpm but the mb does not provide much control.

Chinese puzzle box

IN WIN BQ656.AD80TBL Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 80W Power Supply
IN WIN BQ656.AD80TBL Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 80W Power Supply

Pros: - small - enough power - slimline sata cable included! - dual compartment makes it easy to install drives

Cons: - dual compartment makes each one lower profile so it's hard to find a cpu cooler that fits - usbs and audio jack on top of case when in desktop orientation - card reader does not come with case and is only available for oem projects! This is not stated on the newegg description - had some trouble removing top cover as it keeps getting stuck on one corner near the front - maybe the cables there

Overall Review: I really like this case but was annoyed about not being able to get a card reader for it. This is my first miniitx build so I found it a bit challenging to figure out how to route all the cables from the motherboard side to the drive side. Also didn't realize I could flip the ODD drive cage over and screw in that way until I read it in a previous review. I'm using an AM3 socket on mb and had a tough time finding a low profile cooler. Ended up with a Scythe SCKZT-1000 80mm Kozuti which is just a 1-2mm too tall and is pushing the case up a bit. (And mine is noisy!) Will try a GELID one.

Good cooler, Pain to install

Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler
Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler

Pros: Can run fanless. I've heard that this is a great cooler. Just fits in my nMediapc htpc 1000B case. I am not using the fan.

Cons: A pain in the rear to install on AM2 mobo. You can adjust the latch to make them longer but this was just a waste of time for me. I had to remove my power supply, cards, hard drive bays to make space in my htpc just in order to get enough leverage to make the connector latches fit properly!