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William M.

William M.

Joined on 02/11/08

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 32
Most Favorable Review

KVM

IOGEAR GCS62 MiniView Micro PS/2 KVM Switch with Cables
IOGEAR GCS62 MiniView Micro PS/2 KVM Switch with Cables

Pros: Does what it's supposed to do. Still working after OVER A YEAR!

Cons: Doesn't recognize or pass threw special keyboard function keys or extra mouse button presses if you use anything other that a standard keyboard and 3 button mouse with wheel.

Overall Review: I use two mice and the keyboard function doesn't bother me, but if you are using a special keyboard, your extra keys won't work.

Most Critical Review

Not HDCP compliant with TiVo HD!

Aluratek AVW04H 4-Port HDMI Video Switch w/remote
Aluratek AVW04H 4-Port HDMI Video Switch w/remote

Pros: Works with non HDCP PC content.

Cons: Does NOT work with TiVo HD

Overall Review: I wanted to share my TiVo, and 2 PC's to my single HDMI connection on my TV, but my TiVo won't pass the signal threw!

Dual Link DVI

Rosewill RCW-904 - 15-Foot DVI-I (24 + 5-Pin) Digital Dual-Link Cable with Ferrite Cores
Rosewill RCW-904 - 15-Foot DVI-I (24 + 5-Pin) Digital Dual-Link Cable with Ferrite Cores

Pros: It works for my purpose. Its flexible thank goodness!

Cons: However this a Dual Link wire, not a regular DVI cable like the one that came with my monitor, if your video card or your monitor does not support Dual Link DVI you may need an adapter, or get a regular DVI cable, this cable is twice the thickness of my original cable.

Overall Review: Unfortunately I would have rather had a regular DVI cable as to this Dual Link cable, as I experienced some problems until I figured out this was not a regular DVI cable.

It's a cable, it does what it's supposed to do

CABLES UNLIMITED USB-5105-03M Black USB 2.0 Gold Connector Extension Cable
CABLES UNLIMITED USB-5105-03M Black USB 2.0 Gold Connector Extension Cable

Pros: Gold plated, for better longevity and connectivity, will probably last longer than the mouse I am using it with.

Cons: None

Overall Review: It's a cable, it does what it's supposed to do.

Cooling Power!

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes

Pros: Chilled my Phenom II 940 3Ghz from stock idle 40C to 31C, and Burn-in 58C to 44C! Quiet! The stock fan would humm out to 4500 RPM and sound like to too at burn-in. This thing is barely louder at burn-in than the stock fans in my NZXT Tempest! When idle you can't hear it at all.

Cons: It's a bit big, barely fit in my NZXT Tempest. The included instructions left something to be desired. One of the holes in the MOBO bracket is smaller than the other 3, not mentioned, but I ended up figuring it out. You have to remove the stock bracket to install this custom bracket. Necessitating a full MOBO removal in my case. The included thermal compound is total junk, get Artic Silver 5.

Overall Review: The fan attaches with Plastic clips now, instead of the metal clamps from the MAXIMUM PC review I read. You can still clip it on, or slide it on/off. The fan just barely misses touching my RAM modules. This thing sans fan is only a 1/2oz heaver than the stock fan! The fan adds 5oz. (weighed with food scale out of curiosity as they felt the same in my hand)

Beautiful looking, Room for a 5970!

ARK WN-26S Silver Steel Micro ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply
ARK WN-26S Silver Steel Micro ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply

Pros: This case is very beautiful, the main reason I decided to purchase it. It includes a functional 350W PS, that's quite quiet, and only a 4 pin EPS Motherboard (MOBO) connector, but with only 10A on the 12V rail it's not strong enough to push more than 1 HDD and 1 DVD, much less a 5970! A 80mm fan is included for the back, and you can install a 120mm in front! Unlike some, I had NO trouble getting this case together, the side panels have latches in the panels that you need to match with the holes in the case to get the side panel to go on properly, no biggie to someone that knows what they are doing! Also for such a cheap case, there was NO sharp edges or burs to cut my fingers! :)

Cons: This is a bitter sweet thing for me, such a pretty case and it has flaws that Bug me!! The included card reader requires you to put your SD card in UPSIDE DOWN ANNOYING! I installed the OS with the card reader plugged in and it took over the C drive letter! I had to reinstall. The case is flimsy, when the DVD spins up to full bore it shakes the case! It's like a mini earthquake in there! I noticed this when installing the OS. The front doors for the DVD aren't removable, so make sure your drive selection matches up with the buttons. There is no hole for the DVD activity light, I had to drill my own and damaged an otherwise gorgeous front! I use one drive, but for those that will use two, you can't open the bottom drive if the top one is already open. When open, you can't reach the button to close the door! There are no screw holes to put a screw in the DVD on the right, I always put a screw there for stability. I did not drill my own however.

Overall Review: Make sure you plan your build ahead of time, I had to remove my RAM to put the HDD in as I usually mount the RAM and CPU before mounting the MOBO in the case, My HDD is so close to the edge of my MOBO! The case accepts 3 HDDs and 2 DVDs. You could exchange the card reader for a floppy, but who uses those any more, it is the only 3.5" slot thats open to the front though. The CPU duct is oddly shaped, so you can rotate it around so that it best covers the CPU fan. Although there is a driver CD in the pictures, mine came with out the CD. Windows automatically detected the device no problem however. My paint job did not include the aforementioned CD and DVD labels in the front of the case, it's completely clean. There is no RESET button, only POWER. The RED glaring light from the card reader stays on so long as the thing has power, quite annoying considering the power light is cool blue. I'll just mar the front a bit more with a piece of black electrical tape to cover it. :(