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Daniel B.

Daniel B.

Joined on 05/06/06

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 20
Most Favorable Review

Buzzing Fans Are Not Warm Enough

Corsair Dominator Triple Channel Airflow Memory Fan (CMXAF2)
Corsair Dominator Triple Channel Airflow Memory Fan (CMXAF2)

Pros: Easy installation, runs quiet enough in systems where it's necessary (see "Other Thoughts" for more on that). Decided to install this on (then) new LGA1366 build I was doing because I don't have AC and had all six DIMM slots populated (2x triple channel kits). Figured extra airflow would be a good idea in a system that would experience less them optimal air temperatures and airflow due to the DIMMs being so close together. Unit has been running almost constantly (I rarely turn my PC off) for over two years with no issues (knock on wood).

Cons: None

Overall Review: I have also experienced the fans occasionally making a high pitched buzzing noise. This usually occurs on cool nights when I have my windows open and the air temp in my room falls below 70 degrees F. I believe the issue is that this unit is designed to be installed as additional cooling in systems that are running hot, and the bearings in the fans are designed for optimum operation in a high heat environment. When it gets cold whatever passes for lubricant in the fans gets sticky and causes strain on the motors, which produces the buzzing noise. This extra strain of pushing cold bearings will also cause the fans to wear out faster, which would explain why most people who complain about the buzzing noise also complain about the fans dying. If your fans are constantly making a buzzing it means you probably don't need this unit. They're good eye candy but in reality most systems do not need a memory cooler.

Most Critical Review

Doesn't Live Up To The Hype....

BioShock PC Game
BioShock PC Game

Pros: The plot is original, sort of like playing a 60's Sci-Fi movie or something like that. The Graphics are great even if you're still using DirectX 9.0. The weapons are semi-realistic, and the Plasmids are fun.

Cons: The gameplay, for the most part, is very linear (go here, do this to get that, use that to get here, etc.). Most of the baddies all look the same. Hacking feature starts to get repetitive before the 1st level is over. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong or not, but you have to circle strafe for about 45 minutes to kill one of the "Big Daddy's". Don't get me wrong, I like tough bosses, but when you have to take a break from fighting to go buy more ammo from the vending machine two rooms over, that's a sure sign the fight's getting tedious.

Overall Review: All in all, it's not really a bad game, but it's definitely not the next best thing either. It'll help me pass the time till the F.E.A.R. sequels come out.

Lefty Approved

CM Storm Recon - Ambidextrous 4000 DPI Gaming Mouse with Multicolor LEDs for Left and Right Handed Users
CM Storm Recon - Ambidextrous 4000 DPI Gaming Mouse with Multicolor LEDs for Left and Right Handed Users

Pros: As a lefty with big hands finding mice that are comfortable, usable and of decent quality is always a nightmare. Happy to say this one fits the bill nicely. Operation is super smooth and responsive even at lower DPI's andthe plastic and rubber body feels well put together and of high quality. The LED's are super bright and stand out even in a brightly lit office.

Cons: LED color is tied to the DPI setting, you can't adjust the two seperately. Settings are as follows: 800DPI=LED Off. 1600 DPI=Red. 3200 DPI=Green. 4000 DPI=Blue. Not enough of an issue for me to knock an egg off but it's something to keep in mind if you're partial to a certain color but don't like that DPI.

Great Looking Reliable PSU

CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750 W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750 W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Pros: Decided on this PSU for a few ameteurish reasons. For one I needed a PSU (haha). Also I wanted one that was fully modular because my case design left most of the inside visible hiding extra wires is a pain. Decided to go with Corsair because by chance I had also picked out their RAM, CPU cooler, and SSD for my build. Figured if I was going to be a fanboy I might as well be a total fanboy. :-) While I can compare specs and pick out parts that will fit toghether I'm no electrician, so I can't really say anything good that's technical about this unit. I can say, however, that the fit and finish are great, and that It's been powering my system almost constantly now for two years (i rarely turn off my PC) and knock on wood has never so much as hiccuped. Can't ask for much more than that.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: What's with the fancy bag? When you unbox it the PSU will be in a fancy cloth bag wth a braided drawstring....? Mind blown. The bag did make a great place to dump all the extra screws, cords, etc. left over from my build though.

Good Looks And Great Performance

AeroCool Shark Fan 12cm Devil Red Edition 120mm Case Fan
AeroCool Shark Fan 12cm Devil Red Edition 120mm Case Fan

Pros: I've used Aerocool fans in builds before so I expected a quality fan that moved a lot of air but didn't make a lot of noise. I wasn't disappointed. The clear red fan blades look amazing when the lights from the LED's hit them.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: I used these to replace the two side fans on my Antec Lanboy case that inexplicably had blads snap off while they were running and go bouncing around inside my case like shrapnel. Never had this happen before.

Best Choice For Lefties

Logitech G300 Black/Grey 9 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Gaming Mouse
Logitech G300 Black/Grey 9 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Gaming Mouse

Pros: It has more then 5 buttons and is truly ambidextrous in that all buttons are accessible from either hand. Seems to have the quality I'd expect from a Logitech device. Very responsive, light feature is a nice touch, the red light matches my Lanboy Red case fans perfectly.

Cons: None

Overall Review: The things I would do for a truly left handed gaming mouse cannot be described in polite company.