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Paulo A.

Paulo A.

Joined on 07/01/12

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 19
Most Favorable Review

AMD Won Me Over, the Comeback Story of the Decade!

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1st Gen - Ryzen Threadripper 1950X Whitehaven (Zen) 16-Core / 32 Threads 3.4 GHz Socket sTR4 180W YD195XA8AEWOF Desktop Processor
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1st Gen - Ryzen Threadripper 1950X Whitehaven (Zen) 16-Core / 32 Threads 3.4 GHz Socket sTR4 180W YD195XA8AEWOF Desktop Processor

Pros: -Incredibly powerful CPU, this coming from someone who had never previously owned a high-end workstation CPU before. I previously had a 6700K coming from a 7700K (weird, I know, but the 7700K's TIM was so bad I could not keep it cool even at stock). -Cool even under load. Stock max temps were around 58-60C max, OC to 3.9 at 1.225v yields a max temperature of 75-76C on Prime95. That is, with me having the 360mm fans NOT AT MAX, around 60-70%. Could cool even better, so your temps might be even better if you max your cooling. -Scores around 2800 on Cinebench at stock, OC to 3.9 at 1.225v it scored max 3292. It seems that whether your 1950x base score is 2800 or 3000, when OCed to 3.9 or 4.0 the usual score increase is around 400 points. -Breezes through my Handbrake encoding loads. I used to encode 23min video files on the 6700K, and those would take upwards of 30+ minutes to complete. Now, these take between 3-5 minutes... blown away! -64PCIe lanes, full and unrestricted as opposed to Intel's mere 48 (even on their new pathetic 7980XE or 7860X CPUs) -Upcoming NVME Raid support + current support for Raid configurations unrestricted, again unlike Intel -Kinda fun to install - everything from unboxing the excellent packaging to the socket insertion system works perfectly, and adds to the experience and the fact Threadripper is the most exciting CPU launch in YEARS.

Cons: -Not many good coolers out in the marked, other than the Noctua NA14 (I think that is the name, apologies if it wrong) and MY CHOICE of Enermax Liqtech TR4 360mm AIO.

Overall Review: -Truly the comeback story of the decade in the tech world, specially for CPU manufacturers. AMD is back, baby, and doing things right as opposed to Intel.

Most Critical Review

Only TIme WIll Tell. So far, Not so Smooth

ASRock Z270 Extreme 4 LGA 1151 Intel Z270 HDMI USB 3.1 ATX Motherboards - Intel
ASRock Z270 Extreme 4 LGA 1151 Intel Z270 HDMI USB 3.1 ATX Motherboards - Intel

Pros: -The look of the motherboard, it is quite perfect for my white/black build. Love the white X on the PCB -The rear I/O and audio cover is easy to remove fro accessing the WIFI m.2 slot for nstallation -Wifi installation is fast and the system instantly recognizes it - no need to turn anything on in the UEFI -6 Sata ports means lots of choices when plugging them in considering cable management, AND the ultra m.2 slots are perfect if you are planning to utilize those. You can do raid with them as well I believe. -UEFI has options for controlling the AURA leds, fan curves, and expore your system and what you have plugged and connected.

Cons: This is, however, a problematic motherboard from many points -The bios that came with it DID NOT WORK at all. -Every time I started the system, there would be a "system failed to boot several times" message, then it would go into the boot manager and eventually boot fine. Very annoying, and you could hear the fans ramping up and down during the failed boots. ALL THAT BEFORE THE SPLASHSCREEN ever came up. -DO NOT EXPECT XMP TO WORK, still does not work for me. My g.skill Ripjaws V 3200 is forced to run at 2133 regardless of what settings I change, and obviously I tried settings the XMP settings. Might as well save some money there and go for a 2133 or, maybe a 2400 if it is cheap. -The UEFI SETTINGS DO NOT STICK into the OS. I tried without the A-Tuning software installed, and the CPU frequencies were all stock as well as voltage and memory DESPITE setting the OC profile in the UEFI. Very dissapointing, the only way to OC is through the software in the OS, and it lacks many options other than some basic ones.

Overall Review: -I would look at ALL THE OPTIONS for ATX mobos out in the market. If you need one to match a white or white/black build, this is appealing but there are drawbacks. I have since FLASHED THE 1.33 BETA BIOS, which fixed my failed boots - to an extent. It boots perfectly normal as it should ONLY IF the XMP profile is DISABLED, and memory is aet to AUTO. Not sure what is goin on, but also if you want to buy this board get cheap slow memory - it WILL NOT RUN faster than the base speeds anyways. Also, the support is NOT AS ACCESSIBLE AS I WOULD LIKE. You have to contact them through their website, get an email response days later, and no real means of repliying other than reporting everything again - all system specs and the problem. My FIrst ASRock mobo, and I was super exited - but turned out quite dissapointing.

Best Case I have EVER Owned. Plus, getting ready for THREADRIPPER for the near future!

Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Series PH-ES515PTG_BK Brushed Black Steel Frame / ABS Front / Tempered Glass Window ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Series PH-ES515PTG_BK Brushed Black Steel Frame / ABS Front / Tempered Glass Window ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Pros: -Tempered glass side panel is GORGEOUS! Seriously... you have to see it in person. - Excellent cable management rubber grommets, permanent ties in the back of the case that are easily opened and closed make routing cables EASY - All the Phanteks usual pros for their cases: removable top fan mounts, front mounts for all sorts of fan and radiator configurations, nice case width and height for pleasing water coolers and air coolers (though I don't think it is big enough for some of the MASSIVE air coolers), blah blah blah! -Plenty of airflow coming in at the front, unlike other cases in the Evolv lineup! Filtered and still letting enough air in, it should NOT starve your systems for airflow!

Cons: -REALLY only one complaint! I wish the hard-drive HDD brackets a little bit towards the back of the case, closer to the power supply - because, if you want to have the Optical Drive AND a 280mm+ radiator at the front you WILL have to remove the HDD brackets and supports ENTIRELY for the radiator to slide down into the lower part of the case (PSU shroud).

Incredible! Enermax comes out of nowhere with a HOME-RUN!

Enermax Liqtech TR4 360 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, Support 500W+TDP and Overclocking, AMD Socket TR4 Ready, ELC-LTTR360-TBP
Enermax Liqtech TR4 360 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, Support 500W+TDP and Overclocking, AMD Socket TR4 Ready, ELC-LTTR360-TBP

Pros: -Performs extremely well, better than I expected. I am using it with Thermal Grizzly, and on HandBrake load it does not go past 60C. Maybe a peak here and there at 61, but that's it. Iddles around 39-46, as load varies. -Sleek looks, the radiator is actually nice looking! As opposed to the plain look of most other coolers' radiators out there. -Pump/Cold-Plate combo's top has a glossy look to it, and the Enermac logo lights up white. Looks really nice! -Simple plug-and-play solution - no unnecessary software, just plug pump header and the 3-way fan splitter, and you are set!

Cons: -None, for anyone complaining about loud fans you can control them via your CPU mobo header on UEFI. If you want it quieter at low usage, you can set up a curve for such. Don't blame the unit if you are that silly. -Though, whenever I cold-boot the system, the fans go to max for a second, and it does sound intense. But, I use PWM to control fan speeds. After that, it's smooth sailing.

Overall Review: -It feels very premium and well built, and performs just as good as it looks. Enermax came out of nowhere with this homerun, and it is the fault of the other companies for being too silly to bother making a TR4 exclusive cooler like Enermax! Enermax won me over, I never thought much of their coolers but this product here is MONEY! Too bad there are shortages in supply, and not every Threadripper owner is going to get these soon... FeelsBadMan.

Disappointing, but maybe my unit is broken...

NZXT Kraken X62 RL-KRX62-01 280mm All-In-One Water / Liquid CPU Cooling with Software Controlled RGB Lighting
NZXT Kraken X62 RL-KRX62-01 280mm All-In-One Water / Liquid CPU Cooling with Software Controlled RGB Lighting

Pros: -The RGB LEDs are sexy and awesome. There are 2: the ring and the NZXT logo -Flexible Tubing, long but not too long - should fit most cases -Pre-applied thermal paste, ah how I missed you!

Cons: -Although I like this kind of mounting hardware, with a backplate that stays held by itself while you lower the unit itself, I wish they were made to the double-headed screw went all the way through, staying tight with the mobo. There is some space, and it is annoying until you mount the cooler. -Mine under REAL HANDBRAKE LOAD goes to LIQUID TEMP OF 38C after 30 minutes test, and my 7700k with 1.288v at 4.7Ghz goes to 85C. Something is wrong I think, or people are stupid in saying on other reviews that their systems under load go mid 60s or 70s. -LOUD PUMP ON MAX, does a clicking noise, which is either the liquid passing through weird or something. This only started on the 2nd day of use, and... yeah -Not much better temps than my previous 240mm - DISAPPOINTING FOR 280MM RADIATOR, was expecting better temps

Overall Review: I bought this as a test-replacement for my 240mm Alphacool Eisbaer AIO, which performed just as good as this. Something is wrong with this unit I think, but I will let it run for a while before considering a refund or a replacement. Plus, the Alphacool one ran at the same 2700RPM ULTRA QUIET, while this one is noisy. I would only recommend as of now if you solely care about looks. The size does not mean better cooling, according to my results, and the only thing I have left to do is change thermal paste to an aftermarket one. I doubt it will do any good, likely will worsen knowing my luck. NZXT help me here. I emailed their support, nothing yet.

A Case of Almosts... Completely Wasted Potential

SHARKOON M25-W White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Gaming PC Case,7.1 USB Sound Card Integrated, 3x120mm Cooling Fan Pre-Installed,Support up to 280mm Water Cooling Installation, Max:15.75" VGA Length
SHARKOON M25-W White Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Gaming PC Case,7.1 USB Sound Card Integrated, 3x120mm Cooling Fan Pre-Installed,Support up to 280mm Water Cooling Installation, Max:15.75" VGA Length

Pros: -It can fit ONE 240mm Radiator Max at the front -Has 2 removable, and actually nice to use toll-less ODD mounts -Fits PSU fine, the PSU cage is mostly nice. Although, longer PSUs will have trouble fitting

Cons: Where do I start... ok, let's list ALL of this cases' flaws -FALSE ADVERTISING. There is NO WAY to fir a 360mm radiator at the top, since they forgot to offset the mounts away from the motherboard. They sit straight down the middle of the top, and even if you have low profile VRM heatsinks your memory will ALWAYS prevent the radiator - even 240s, worse for 280mm ones -FALSE ADVERTISING for the FRONT as well. They hype this being able to fit 280mm at the front as well, however the hole for the radiator to slide part of it inside the PSU cage is SO NARROW I doubt any 280mm radiator will ever fit. I am in the process of getting a pwoer tool to mod the width of the opening in order to properly fit my Kraken x62 there. Also, even if you remove the ODD brackets, the mounts for the radiator or fans are not there for that setup. So... I am getting good work out of my drill. ALSO, THICK RADIATORS WILL NOT FIT. And there is no way to mount the fans on the outside, as the ventilation openings are on the side, and your fans would be starved of air. -Forget using any non-modular PSU here, since the HDD cage (which can only house 2 HDDs) is way to close to the PSU and the front. -Rear fan mount has no sliding mounts, which is pathetic since every other fan mounting portion of the case has it. Another aspect that prevents 360mm radiator setups

Overall Review: Dissapointing. I chose this over a Fractal Design and any Phanteks cases because of the radiator friendly advertising ALONGSIDE optical drives, since I have many blurays and play them on my PC. DO NOT BUY THIS CASE, lazy designing of the case prevents it from being any good. This, ultimately, has the same 240mm only radiator allocated space as a CORSAIR 280T from back in the day. Let that sink into your head...