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Jack K.

Jack K.

Joined on 04/03/01

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 7
Most Favorable Review

Good bang for the buck with some issues

ASUS PRIME X370-A AMD Ryzen AM4 DDR4 HDMI DVI VGA M.2 USB 3.1 ATX X370 Motherboard
ASUS PRIME X370-A AMD Ryzen AM4 DDR4 HDMI DVI VGA M.2 USB 3.1 ATX X370 Motherboard

Pros: I bought this board on sale. It basically ticked all the features I was looking for. I didn't need nVidia SLI support or two PCI-e slots that could run at 8X each, as I don't use two video cards. It has two USB 3.1 ports and plenty of 3.0. It has a M2 slot, 4 DIMMs, and the X370 chipset. Running my 1800X at stock, with all default motherboard settings, the system is rock stable. There are plenty of overclocking features if I decide to overclock in the future. I have no complaints except for the "Con" below.

Cons: Update: Later bios versions fixed the RAM issue I was talking about below. I have updated my review to 5-eggs. I too am having the issue where the board refuses to run if you set your RAM speed to anything other than "Auto". When booting, it does realize it's running into problems and let's you go back into setup to adjust the speed back to Auto, so you at least don't have to use the reset CMOS jumper. I am using this RAM: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231967 and "Auto" runs it at 2133. The auto setting is correct, as the RAM's SPD is set for 2133, but it is rated to run up to 2400. I am hopeful that a bios update will resolve the issue, but I can't complain too much, as the board runs it at the speed the RAM advertises that it's capable of running. So while this isn't a critical issue for me, it's enough to subtract an egg.

Overall Review: If I wasn't having the memory speed issue, this would be a 5-egg review. As it is currently, I have to subtract 1 egg for this issue. The board is usable, and stable. I would suggest purchasing it unless you are wanting to run your RAM over it's default SPD setting. Currently, there are plenty of boards having problems hitting max rated RAM speeds, so this issue likely isn't unique to this one board.

Most Critical Review

Good budget board with some issues

ECS A770M-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
ECS A770M-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

Pros: Excellent price. Great features for this price point. Guaranteed Phenom compatibility.

Cons: Fan retention mechanism does not have an underplate. A high pressure heat sink clip could damage the board or pop out the retention device. Seems to have a fairly high DOA rate. Luckily mine has not shown any stability issues.

Overall Review: I was looking for a inexpensive board for a new computer build. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but wanted something that was upgradeable to Quad Core. I chose this board with a AMD 5000+ Black (running stable at 3100 Mhz default voltage). I bought my own retention bracket with an underplate. The board lives up to my expectations.

Awesome bang for the buck!

ARCTIC Alpine 11 Plus CPU Cooler - Intel, Supports Multiple Sockets, 92mm PWM Fan at 23dBA
ARCTIC Alpine 11 Plus CPU Cooler - Intel, Supports Multiple Sockets, 92mm PWM Fan at 23dBA

Pros: You're not going to beat this HSF for the price. If you aren't going to overclock and simply want a fan better than the stock, you should consider this fan.

Cons: A little hard to install. It also may not fit all motherboards. It fit my Mini-ITX H77N-wifi just fine. Also, be sure to look at the directions as far as how to install the mounts. It is possible to easily install them incorrectly. If you do, the heatsink won't even touch the processor!!!

Overall Review: If you follow the installation instructions, installation is easy. You don't have to remove the fan to install. Cooler and quieter than stock on my i7 3770. I prefer the installation of this fan over Intel's crazy stock method.

Nothing better for the money

TP-Link N300 Wireless Extender, Wi-Fi Router (TL-WR841N) - 2 x 5dBi High Power Antennas, Supports Access Point, WISP, Up to 300Mbps
TP-Link N300 Wireless Extender, Wi-Fi Router (TL-WR841N) - 2 x 5dBi High Power Antennas, Supports Access Point, WISP, Up to 300Mbps

Pros: DD-WRT! There are older reviews that say version 8.x of the hardware doesn't work with DD-WRT. While that once was true, it's not anymore.

Cons: AC adapter can sometimes make a very quiet hiss, but what can you expect from something this cheap. It's noticeable only sometimes and only if you are listening for it.

Overall Review: Immediately put DD-WRT on this and set it up as a client bridge for a Roku 3 that lost wireless reception on it's own from time to time. This is connecting to my main router from the top level of my house (2-story) to the basement. Works great!

Awesome Supply!

TOPOWER TOP - 800WS 800 W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Active PFC Power Supply
TOPOWER TOP - 800WS 800 W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Pros: Feels like a good quality supply. Supplies that are light are often cheap quality. This thing is HEAVY. I put it into a NAS that was freezing with a cheap 430W power supply. I haven't had a freeze since changing to this. 8 SATA power plugs!!!

Cons: Not Modular.

Overall Review: Got this when it was $60. I'd say it's worth it at normal price, but if it goes on sale again buy it immediately!

Sapphire RMA Saves the Day

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card 100281-3SR
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card 100281-3SR

Pros: Quiet (when idle) Better performance than a 6870 at a lower price (with coupon code + rebate).

Cons: I had the exact same problems Matt mentioned earlier. The Display Driver would say the card stopped responding and reload, or the screen would go grey and I'd have to reboot, etc. I RMA'd the card and the replacement works.

Overall Review: Knocked off an egg due to the first one being faulty. I would have went down to 3 eggs, but the RMA process was so easy I decided to give it 4.