Joined on 08/13/08
Awesome
Pros: I upgraded from the XFX 5850 to this and have absolutely no regrets. It's a better card in every respect. Performance wise Skyrim saw improvements from on max settings 1920x1080 from 35fps to 100+ on the 7870. It idles about 15 degrees cooler (around 30 C) and peeks 15 degrees cooler (55c) AND it's cooling system is much quieter.
Cons: Only one and it's very very very minor. It didn't come with an XFX sticker =(. I like to represent the hardware I use with a case sticker. Not sure if there was supposed to be one in the first place but most companies bundle them without listing them on the buy page.
Overall Review: I got this with the AMD deal that included Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite for free. The card was also on sale and had a 20$ MIR. That's 250 - 30 (17% off) - $20 (MIR) - 120 (Bioshock + Tomb Raider) = $80. That's a FANTASTIC DEAL.
Meh Headset for a Meh Price
Pros: Surprising bass for a cheap headset. The volume and mic mute controller has indented sides where the controls are so it's difficult to accidentally adjust the volume or mute your mike while playing.
Cons: Just about everything else. The earcans are an ugly boxy shape and rather uncomfortable. The mic is oh-so-ho-hum barely average and flips down like a robot arm. The plastic is cheap and allows the cans to torque apart so they are uneven. The sound leaks so you'll disturb anyone else in the room with you with your music/games. Also the treble is pretty bad, apparently counteracting the OK bass.
Overall Review: You get what you pay for so in that respects this is a perfectly average headset for the price. They feel cheap, their performance is cheap and they cost cheap so really there should be no surprises if you buy them. Myself personally mildly regret being as cheap as this set. Next time I'll save up and buy a nicer set.
Started making noises after 10 months. Cooling and isn't great either.
Pros: It's inexpensive. Install wasn't to difficult.
Cons: Unfortunately there's a few. First, the NZXT Cam software refuses to see it, so I cannot configure it at all. Second, after about 10 months it started making noises like air has gotten in the pump or a bearing on the pump is going out. I haven't been able to solve it. Further, when I went to check my CPU temp with CPU-Z I discovered that at full load, the processor is going right up to it's safety limit of 100c. The cooler doesn't seem to be making any impact on it at all.
Overall Review: I can't recommend this product but I'll continue working with it to see if I can get my issues figured out and update the review if so.
A beautiful upgrade to my MX518
Pros: This mouse is perfect for me. *The arched grip fits my palm perfectly and the side curbs for my off button fingers makes it insanely comfortable to hold. The tracking is incredibly smooth with no noticeable prediction or acceleration. It's also a few grams lighter then my MX518 and makes it feel that much smoother on my Razer Goliathus.
Cons: The only single problem I have with this mouse is it's only got the 2 thumb buttons, 2 forefinger buttons, and mouse wheel with scroll up, down, and click. There are no additional buttons to changing the DPI on the fly so you'll have to reprogram one of them to do it instead. Fortunately Synapse 2.0 does let you set profiles for each program you run so you technically shouldn't have to adjust it anyways when going from games to desktop after you've initially configured everything.
Overall Review: I always thought Razer mice were overpriced compared to there performance. I was wrong.
Great Case for the price
Pros: This case has provided one of the more enjoyable builds for me in recent history. * Tooless * Plenty of room* * Quiet * Comes with 5(!) fans * Easy mobo and back plate install * Back side for running wires * PSU gets it's own air loop thanks to underside fan mounts * simple sleek design that I quite like
Cons: Only a couple things bothered me. One is the rubber grommets that the wires pass through to get to the back plate are not secured that well. I recommend touching the edges with some adhesive or glue before running wires or they mighty pop out (and they are a pain to get back on). The tooless hard drive bays are a little flimsy. They do the job but if you get some bent ones that you don't fill, they will look odd just sitting there. Finally, while technically the case is tooless, some of the thumb screws were inhumanly tight. nothing major though really.
Overall Review: If you need a case around the $100 mark, look no further than the Rosewill Blackhawk. It's functional and looks great with only a few minor hitches that shouldn't even affect most builds.
Nope.
Pros: Nada
Cons: When it did work, it wasn't notably better then the RealTek on board audio my motherboard already had. After a week though, in the middle of a gaming session I heard an audible "pop" and then it just stopped working.
Sold me a counterfeit QCK XL mouse pad
I recently purchased a QCK XL mouse pad and it arrived today. It is clearly a counterfeit. It is not 4mm thick like on the product description but rather 2.8mm. It also does not have the Steelseries logo on the rubber bottom, which is also made of a worse material than the rubber foam of the real product. The weave is alright but not as smooth as the real deal either. Finally, it didn't even arrive in a box or tube. Just bubble wrap and a shipping envelope. Do not buy from this seller!