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Miroslav M.

Miroslav M.

Joined on 10/29/05

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 29
Most Favorable Review

Engineering Excellence

LIAN LI PC-9F Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
LIAN LI PC-9F Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Pros: Well thought design. It is a mid size tower, but internals are maximum optimized and has enough spare distance between the components for a good air flow. Almost everything is modular. Clean appearance. Monolithic look with LED colored power/reset switches - very classy. USB/phones connectors and switches on the top-you can use the top of the case for laying portable HDDs, which usually come with short cables. Also, not likely to snap something plugged in the connector, like an USB drive. Quality materials. The aluminum is not really as thin as some reviewers complain. It is good and sturdy enough. Good distance between the HDDs in the cage - cools better. I guess the fans are quiet. My GPU is the main source of noise, I don't hear anything else. HDDs mounting grommets are simple and effective. There is enough room behind the mobo tray to pass the case USB, power/LED cables. The USB cable is updated with standard USB3 mobo connector. It seems to cool well. Many more...

Cons: These are some small details, not deal breakers, but would be nice if Lian Li addresses them: 1. The HDD cage is not modular - better design would be like Lancool K9 with two detachable modules 2. Front fan cables should be twice longer - to reach mobo fan connectors placed near the rear edge. 3. Depends on the power socket shape of the PSU, the PSU may not fit. My PCPower&Cooling 750 /the old one with 80 mm fan/ doesn't fit. The diamond shaped power socket hits the case - I had to cut the plastic off the socket a little, in order to inline with the rear of the case. Newer PSU with narrower rectangular sockets will fit. 4. Threads for bolts are not enforced with steel inserts - nowhere, neither on the motherboard tray. 5. The symbolic Lian LI front panel easy-remove mount is actually not good at all. The front is not completely flash with the case, there is a slight half millimeter slot in my upper right corner. The front detaches easily. It will break if hold when moving a heavy

Overall Review: 6. The front panel mesh is slightly indented towards inside - I guess when the mesh was press cut - slightly annoying in appearance. I got the case at a significant discount. It is definitely worth if the price is same as mainstream plastic cases and you like clean simple appearance. Lian Li should implement AND offer as a part purchase a modular HDD cage. They should get rid of the fragile front panel mounting and simply use 4 big thumb screws. System: Intel 2500k, Asus P8Z68-V LX, PCPPC 750W, Antec Kuhler 620, 4 Hitachi 1TB each, Radeon 5850 1GB, DVD drive. All the parts fit nicely inside with some room between. I have 2" more left between the GPU and the HDD cage.

10/17/2011
Most Critical Review

Worthless antenna

Rosewill RMS-DA8300 Amplified Directional Digital TV Antenna - Indoor
Rosewill RMS-DA8300 Amplified Directional Digital TV Antenna - Indoor

Pros: Looks very attractive, thus the one star. Performance-wise it is zero.

Cons: It is almost completely worthless. Anything else will perform better. Even if you stick a bare cable in the antenna IN, will get at least the same signal.

Overall Review: I would say not worth more than $1, just to give it a try. I have tried it at several TV units, latest high-end SONY with good tuner - this antenna doesn't receive well. Look for something better. It is equal to a bare rabbit ears.

Good memory

HyperX LoVo 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3LK2/4GX
HyperX LoVo 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3LK2/4GX

Pros: 1.35V, XMP profiles are recognized by mobos, Kingston has rock solid support, the modules are relatively low profile and don't interfere with CPU coolers

Cons: n/a for now

Overall Review: I have two sets of these modules, one on Asus p8h77-I, the other on Gigabyte H77N-WIFI (another mini iATX). CPUs are i3-3225. Win 8 Pro 64 bit on both. To the person below: you are doing sth wrong. My exact same system is rock solid. There is no reason to have crashes in games but not when not loaded, if the memory was a problem. Mine are running intel integrated GPU. You probably have something overheating. Mine are in Lian Li PC-7, which is VERY small NOT ventilated case, yet nothing overheats.

Average case

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Pros: I got it on huge price discount. Has clean elegant appearance. The steel is thick and the paint is solid. It comes with two rear fans installed. It has 6 internal HDD places and holes for attaching 2.5" drive at the bottom. The front plastic is easily removable. The front cages for intake fans are easily open and convenient. It has large cut behind the processor for easy mounting of heat sink's back plates. It has slots for attaching tie wraps and cable managing. It comes with gazillion of thumb screws.

Cons: 1. Major disappointment is the extremely cheap power and reset switches. I had to play with mine and mount them properly in the case slot, but factory installation was abysmal at best - they would not work on arrival, rendering the case DOA. 2. I don't like the inline HDD mounting, but I knew that design was used, so no cons here - just mentioned it. It is slightly hard to put or pull HDDs since they interfere with the mobo. However, still way better than other no name budget cases. 3. Installed fans have no mobo connectors - while OK for cheap mobos with limited fan sockets, would've been nice to at least have the 3/4 pin connector option. They are only PSU attached with speed regulating switches. I left them on low, but the hanging switches add to cable clutter. 3. The side fan opening is definitely unnecessary - it leaves wide dust intake that I need to cover/modify somehow. The air flow is good anyway without it. 4. The PSU mount supports are sharp - scratched the PSU painting

Overall Review: 5. No sound dampening grommets for the HDDs. 6. No front USB3 7. Front facing I/O panel. Interferes with the CD/DVD drive. I prefer these on the top. Most PC cases are utterly bad quality nowadays. This case is definitely better than the bottom budget cases out there - when the price is equal. I will definitely not recommend it for full price though. I got mine for the normal price of the thumb screws that are included, so I cannot complain much. It cost me a quarter of my another budget Lian Li case's price, so I can live with the shortcomings, but honestly anybody will be better off if just save money and get something better. Keep in mind that you will need two 120 mm front intake fans, which also adds to the build cost.

10/31/2011

Works at 1.5V

HyperX Grey Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX
HyperX Grey Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3X2K2/8GX

Pros: Low profile, nice design, two modules. Kingston brand is famous for reliability. I have used their RMA service - great technical support, lifetime warranty - they just need the serial number, and very quick replacement if needed.

Cons: 1.65 V, but anyway works as stable at 1.5V

Overall Review: I run it at 1.5V XMP settings 1600 MHz - this memory it is officially supported by Asus boards and XMP was recognized immediately. I highly recommend it. I paid much more almost a year ago.

10/23/2011

Great processor

AMD Athlon II X4 630 - Athlon II X4 Propus Quad-Core 2.8 GHz Socket AM3 95W Processor - ADX630WFGIBOX
AMD Athlon II X4 630 - Athlon II X4 Propus Quad-Core 2.8 GHz Socket AM3 95W Processor - ADX630WFGIBOX

Pros: Very fast Four cores Excellent price Low cost of overall system - mobo, processor Cool temperature Easy heat sink installation

Cons: None for the money

Overall Review: I have this with a brand name motherboard combo for around hundred twenty. Combined with HD5850 and 8 GB DDR3 and I run Metro 2033 on High or ultra high at 1920*1200 smoothly, and I stream 1080p video through TVersity simultaneously on WiFi :):) Yes, it is not top processor, but for the money, nothing comes close. It is super stable platform btw, and I own several Intel platforms already to compare. Running on Win 7 64 bit at stock speeds and stock cooler.