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Adam G.

Adam G.

Joined on 01/21/08

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 7
Most Favorable Review
Intel Pentium E5200 - Pentium Dual-Core Wolfdale Dual-Core 2.5 GHz LGA 775 65W Desktop Processor - BX80571E5200
Intel Pentium E5200 - Pentium Dual-Core Wolfdale Dual-Core 2.5 GHz LGA 775 65W Desktop Processor - BX80571E5200

Pros: I'm using the stock cooler and I'm still able to squeak out an extra 500 mhz with no problems. Runs snappy for most things (as long as you're browsing the web, listening to music, etc) , you don't notice the smaller cache.

Cons: None, this thing's a beast.

Overall Review: Works flawlessly in the Hackintosh I built for my sister.

Most Critical Review
Foxconn 45GMX LGA 775 Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Foxconn 45GMX LGA 775 Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Pros: Cheap as hell, works OOB with EFI + Vanilla Kernel OS X.

Cons: Overclocking is iffy and not too stable. Using the stepping provided, I could only use levels 1 and 2. 3 causes an instant fail to post. An even after using levels 1 or 2 after being powered down for a while it reverts to default clock speeds.

Overall Review: I'm using a discrete card for graphics, but the ALC662 audio on this mobo works with OS X if you use the most current version of Dr. Zombie's HDA Patch from Insanely Mac.

Linkworld 437-01-C2229 Black/ Champaign Gold Steel Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply
Linkworld 437-01-C2229 Black/ Champaign Gold Steel Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply

Pros: Small. PSU and case fans are both relatively quiet. Front is plastic, but sides/top/bottom are metal. The metal BENDS super easily which means you can bust it out of whack... but it back just fine. There's room for an additional 92 mm fan in the front if cooling is an issue.

Cons: The 3.5" drive bay covers are way too lose. Accidentally grab the case and your fingers will shove them deep inside requiring you to open the entire thing to retrieve them. The funnel-shaped air tunnel for the CPU obstructs most heatsinks, but you can remove it easily.

Overall Review: The PSU may or may not be putting out power consistently. My computer has been running without crashing, but when I attach a webcam the video shorts out as if it's getting either a) too much or b) not enough power. I can't know it's the PSU for sure, though, until I find another webcam to test.

Hitachi GST Deskstar 7K160 HDS721616PLA380 (0Y30006) 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive Bare Drive
Hitachi GST Deskstar 7K160 HDS721616PLA380 (0Y30006) 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive Bare Drive

Pros: Quick, works well. It's a hard drive... it either works or it doesn't.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: I've used hard drives from a slew of other companies... they're all about the same.

SAPPHIRE Radeon X1650PRO 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card 1031
SAPPHIRE Radeon X1650PRO 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card 1031

Pros: With the proper kext's from Insanely Mac it works in my EFI + Vanilla Kernel running OS X 10.5.5.

Cons: OEM version is slightly underclocked compared to the retail version. I get similar Xbench scores with this card and a dual 2.5 ghz processor as I do with the X1600 Mobility version and dual 2.0 ghz processor.

Overall Review: Does it's job. Perfect to get the QE/CI you need for a Hackintosh and don't plan on playing anything more recent than WoW (which it runs maxed out beautifully, btw).

PQI TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PQI26400-2GDB
PQI TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PQI26400-2GDB

Pros: My mobo (Foxconn 45GMX) supports 667 mhz RAM, but I knew I'd be overclocking, so I got 800 mhz RAM. These work great at 667 - 850. Probably can go further. Heat spreaders seem to work.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: Dirt cheap, I got them for the same price as 667 mhz RAM.