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Timothy L.

Timothy L.

Joined on 08/17/03

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 40
Most Favorable Review

Required Knoledge

CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024A-6400
CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024A-6400

Pros: Memory runs great! BUT, before you buy or return any memory running on intel 9xx motherboards, You should learn "The Rest of the story"...

Cons: Everyone is misleading the customer of what speed of memory to buy. Another Con is people find their memory running under the posted speed/latency specifications and writing derogatory reviews without knowing why. Curious why--read on:

Overall Review: First, just because your motherboard supports x speed of memory doesn't mean it's the correct match to your CPU. The correct memory to pair with an intel processor supporting an 800Mhz FSB is 666Mhz (5300). Running 667 (5400) is an acceptable substitute but anything higher and you buying memory supposed to be paired with the 1066 FSB. Those thousand dollar CPU's intel dubs as Extreme. Now about the second CON: I contacted ASUS to find out why my 800Mhz (6400) memory was only running at 662.5Mhz (5300). With the combined knowledge of what they told me and what I've read, this is normal. You say, huh? -- Yep it's true, I'm told intel's 9xx series chipset will underclock any memory you plug in. -- Oh you ask what must be done to run your memory at the "rated" speed? Believe it or not, you must overclock the memory to it's correct speed (!). One last fact: Don't rely on the post screen's accuracy. Run the free CPUID program to learn the true clock speeds. (google CPUID)

Most Critical Review

Only as strong as the weakest link

COOLMAX CA-400 400 W ATX v2.01 Power Supply
COOLMAX CA-400 400 W ATX v2.01 Power Supply

Pros: Price

Cons: reliability extremely questionable because of the lack of voltage monitoring redundancies.

Overall Review: You get what you pay for. This unit is best suited as an economical on-hand emergency backup to temperorarly operate a computer until you can get a higher quality unit.

Excellent!

G.SKILL TridentZ Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000) Desktop Memory Model F4-3000C15D-32GTZ
G.SKILL TridentZ Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000) Desktop Memory Model F4-3000C15D-32GTZ

Pros: Runs at 3000 on my Z270 with no problems. I'm very happy!

Cons: None functionally.

Overall Review: I could care less for flash and bling., The paint on the heatsinks inhibit heat dissipation-- on anything! Heatsinks should be anodized or bare. I should point out that I have not had any heat issues nor do I expect any as I am not pushing the memory above 3000. ASRock Z270 TAICHI

Eh--

CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Desktop Memory Model CMK32GX4M2B3200C16
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Desktop Memory Model CMK32GX4M2B3200C16

Pros: It works properly at 3/4 of the rated speed.

Cons: This model would not function properly at any speed above DDR4 2400 regardless of operating system as any Z270 motherboard I plugged it in to would automatically reboot and reduce the speed to 2133 every time. If that's your target motherboard, simply avoid this product altogether.

Overall Review: Price was competitive when I purchased it.

Works!

Silverstone Expansion Card Model SST-ECM21
Silverstone Expansion Card Model SST-ECM21

Pros: I have all of my SATA ports working when I use this. Yay! Didn't notice the power (red) and activity (green) LEDs on the back bracket. A welcome surprise.

Cons: Not for this product besides price: Considering the simplicity of the card, it could be cheaper.

Overall Review: Motherboard manufactures rob us of SATA ports when we want to connect a M.2 port on the motherboard. With this cheap adapter I get to use all of my SATA ports. Very happy. ASRock Z270 Taichi

Works in old Computers with some OS restriction

Intel Network 7260.HMWWB.R Wi-Fi WIRELESS-AC 7260 H/T 2X2 AC 867 Mbps + Bluetooth HMC Dual Band Brown Box
Intel Network 7260.HMWWB.R Wi-Fi WIRELESS-AC 7260 H/T 2X2 AC 867 Mbps + Bluetooth HMC Dual Band Brown Box

Pros: Popped this thing in my old Dell M6400 and it replaced two cards: The Wireless-N card and the Bluetooth card. BIOS automatically recognized it and Linux Mint 17.2 did immediately as well. Was able to use it without any work whatsoever. Popped this thing in another Dell, My M6500 and it worked immediately as well there too, in both Linux and Windows 7 exactly as the OEM card did yet now I have wireless 802.11ac This card is physically thinner-- I consider that a good thing as newer chip sets tend to be more efficient. My internet test felt more snappy, but that's subjective.

Cons: My only con is for the one of the laptops I plugged this into. My Dell M6400 is set up for a Bluetooth card independent of the Wifi Card. Although Bluetooth does work, the Bluetooth activity light does not operate. This is a cosmetic problem at worst.

Overall Review: Before you go crazy, I have read that HP laptops BIOS does not take well to the 7260. Do some reading before you buy. The 7260 is designed for Windows 7 and up and as previously stated works perfectly in Linux Mint 17.2. If you have an OS older, do some reading before you buy. If you do own a Dell M6400 or a Dell M6500 or the like, you should have the same positive results as I. I did read somewhere that someone tried the 7260 in a Dell M6500 and it failed, but he also admitted his original card did not work either; this leads me to believe the problem my be in a failure in his laptop rather than the card. ASUS states this card will work on their Maximus V Extreme motherboard as well, so now I'm ordering three more!