Pros: The 64-bit drivers for Win7 download and install as soon as you plug it in, though you will need a network connection to get them. They are the latest drivers too (1086.27), dated 7/8/2010. I recommend that you use these drivers with Windows Zero Configuration, and not bother with the drivers on the disc. Even the most recent drivers on the Realtek site for the RTL8192SU chip are older. This gives better signal strength than even a three-antenna 802.11n card in the same PC, since the antenna can be set up higher and clear the PC case, which often blocks the signals. Apparently some people don't know that these days, since they have never had to learn about TV rabbit ears.

Cons: Though not a con, since it is not advertised as such, I wish they would come out with an 802.11a (5 GHz) version, which needs a good antenna even more than the 802.11g/n equipment on the 2.4 GHz band.

Overall Review: They engineered this right, with the antenna plugging directly into the base which includes the RF circuitry and demodulator. So the only thing you are connecting to your PC is a USB cable which carries only DC power and digital signals. All the RF cable losses are eliminated, and you can add a longer USB cable without impairing performance. This is much better than the antennas with short coaxial cables that people are always complaining about. But they don't realize that if you make the RF cable longer, you will just increase the signal loss and defeat the purpose of an external antenna.

Pros: Very good cooing once installed properly. It lowered the temps on my i7-3770 from the mid-70 C range with the stock Intel HSF to the mid-upper 50 C range when I held it in place. And the fans seems to be very quiet, though I did not try to hold it long enough to find out much otherwise. (I run World Community Grid apps which keep the CPU busy at 100 percent load).

Cons: It is hard to install at all. I have installed at least a half-dozen Intel heatsink/fans with the push pins that everyone complains about without major problems. But the push-pins on this HSF are another matter. For one thing they are relatively weak, and the clam-shell tends to splay outward and deform (or break) if the pins are not aligned properly. And guess what? They are hard to align properly. In part, this is because this HSF tries to cover too many bases, and work with LGA 1366/1155/1156/775 CPUs. Therefore, they have to use a slot to allow the push-pins to move to any of the necessary locations. This makes it hard to align them. I recommend you use this only before the motherboard is installed. But I was replacing a weak Intel HSF, and had the MB already installed. However, I had access to the backside of the MB (due to a convenient opening in my Antec case for this purpose), and it should have been not too hard to align the pins to the holes in the MB, but it was.

Overall Review: To make a long story short, the clam-shells on the pins have broken, and I have ordered a Dynatron K985, which works on 1155 boards in spite of not being listed - I have used it before (check the Dynatron website). That has a nice backplate that is both secure, and easy to install before the MB is installed, or after installing the MB if you have access to the backside as I do (I have even slipped it in under already installed motherboards by loosening a couple of mounting screws). I will never use another HSF without a backplate again. Push-pins are too unreliable, and too much depends on how the manufacturer decides to implement them.

Pros: As compared to ASRock: Lower SSD (M2.2) does not cover the mounting hole, so it can be installed BEFORE the board is mounted in the case. Upper SSD (M2.1) has a hinged bracket that is much easier to install with only one srew rather than two. DRAM slots have levers on both ends. On the ASRocks, there are on only one end, so harder to install. It is said that BIOS can be upgraded regardless of the CPU, but I had a Ryzen 5900X which worked with the F13 BIOS it shipped with, and I had no problem upgrading to the F15a BIOS. Heavy voltage regulator heatsink; I like it as well as on my ASRrock Velocita B550 board, which is much more expensive.

Cons: I can't get Precision Boost Overdrive to work in the BIOS. No matter what settings I change, the results are always the same. That is not a problem for me, I am not trying to overclock, only reduce the CPU voltage. But it runs cool enough anyway, 77C with a 240 mm Cooler Master AIO, so it really does not matter. It is probably something I am not doing right anyway. Someone who spends the time to overclock can probably get it to work.

Overall Review: I run distributed computing applications (BOINC and Folding), and have built at least a dozen Ryzens using the ASRock motherboards, from the X370 to B450 and B550. They have nice features, but I now realize there are too many of them that I don't use. I have had three failures in operation in the last couple of years, and I wanted something more reliable (I don't overclock and keep them cool). Gigabyte seems to have a better build quality, and are easy to install and use. Too many features just reduces reliability if you don't need them.

Pros: I run BOINC distributed computing projects on this under Ubuntu 20.04.3. It is running at 69 C in a cool basement with an Arctic Liquid Freezer II 240 cooler. An identical machine in the same room with a Ryzen 3950X runs 10 C hotter, still not bad.

Cons: none

Overall Review: This is a very efficient CPU, and preliminary indications are that it is about 16% faster than the 3950X.

Pros: It worked well for a while.

Cons: After operating reliably for 3 1/2 years, it just failed in operation. It was on an i9-10900F machine, which is the low-power (65 watt) Intel chip that ran cool, along with a GTX 1070 that also ran cool. Nothing was overclocked, since I use them on BOINC and Folding projects that need scientific accuracy. It was located in a well-cooled Cougar case in a cool basement room. I will try for a refund.

Overall Review: I see they are out of stock. Maybe Seasonic has given up on this version? They are usually my most reliable brand; I have used them for years.

Pros: This is a very well designed case. I think it is made, or at least designed, by the same people that make the Cougar cases. They are very intelligently done.

Cons: I knocked one egg off because the rear fan is only 80 mm, though there is space for at least 92 mm, if not 120 mm. But mounting holes won't work for them. The front 120 mm fan makes up for it in most cases. It will not be a problem for me in the build I am doing.

Overall Review: I normally use the ATX Mid Tower cases, so don't have much experience buying the MicroATX cases. But I would readily get this one again if I need another.