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Matt Z.

Matt Z.

Joined on 09/18/01

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100 Reviews
Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 116
Most Favorable Review

Stable and fast

CORSAIR Vengeance RGB Pro SL 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Desktop Memory Model CMH16GX4M2E3200C16
CORSAIR Vengeance RGB Pro SL 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Desktop Memory Model CMH16GX4M2E3200C16

Pros: Stable XMP profile applied without incident Fast Even with RGB turned off they still look good

Cons: RGB didn't make them run extra fast

Overall Review: I have encountered a number of bad sticks over the years, so I was very happy these were headache free. RGB is nice if that is your thing, these didn't bother me at all. iCue is required to control RGB, I am using the Aura plug in to also control my Asus products. Oddly enough, iCue seems to do that better than Armoury Crate actually does at that task. The software is pretty easy to use. I got 1 kit for Newegg testing and I ordered a second. 32GB total and no regrets!

Most Critical Review

Simple little PC, Gen 1 launch issues abound

Boxed Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFCR Ultra-slim PC Intel Atom Z3735F 1.33 GHz 2 GB DDR3 32 GB eMMC Intel HD Graphics Windows 8.1 32-Bit
Boxed Intel Compute Stick STCK1A32WFCR Ultra-slim PC Intel Atom Z3735F 1.33 GHz 2 GB DDR3 32 GB eMMC Intel HD Graphics Windows 8.1 32-Bit

Pros: - Small size - Full Windows - Portable - Able to be tucked away - Provides media center functionality in a small package

Cons: - Big "App Update" required if your stick was made in April - Onboard Wi-Fi is weak - Powered USB hub is literally required - USB port on TV is unlikely to provide enough power - 1 USB port

Overall Review: If you have a unit manufactured in April 2015, head over to Intel's site to download the App Update to resolve broken Win8.1 Modern Apps. Check Intel forum for "Windows 8.1 apps won't open" thread for the full story. The USB port on most TV's is not enough to power the stick. It may allow it to boot, but don't be fooled. During setup mine crashed while scanning for Wi-Fi, switched to the AC adapter and no problems anymore. Someone reported the stick worked fine until he launched Kodi. It crashed each time, he switched to the AC adapter and no more issues. As for the USB hub? You will likely want one, but make sure it is a powered one. I picked one up so I could toss my D-Link 802.11ac adapter in and still use the Logitech K400 keyboard/mouse. In the end. It works, it is usable and I can move it around or take it on travels. However, I can't help but wonder if I should have bought a NUC instead. Sure they cost more up front, but... would that have been better? **If you can't see the entire screen on your TV, check your TV settings and toggle the Overscan setting. That will likely address the issue of your "desktop" being too big for the TV.

Cool idea, well executed

Seasonic SYNCRO DGC-650, 650W 80+ Gold Power Supply, CONNECT Module Cable Management, SSR-650FA2, Must Use with Case Q704 to Function Normally.
Seasonic SYNCRO DGC-650, 650W 80+ Gold Power Supply, CONNECT Module Cable Management, SSR-650FA2, Must Use with Case Q704 to Function Normally.

Pros: When paired with the SYNCRO Q704 case, cable management just got a lot easier! Sturdy, well built PSU from a reliable brand All the cables I needed were included, no fishing in my bin for something

Cons: This is intended to be paired with the matching case (SYNCRO Q704), so I do not feel calling it proprietary is a con. It would be if this was all that Seasonic made, but it is not.

Overall Review: As another had mentioned, I have never seen a PSU come with a tester. While it is a basic one, it was still a surprise when opening the box. As I mentioned above, when paired with the SYNCRO Q704, cable management is made easy with this PSU. That case has a spot dedicated to the Connect Module. I have never been mistaken as a cable management master in my past builds, but I did try my best. It got a lot easier with this combo though. No case door bulging on the back side or zip ties to pull a bundle out of the path of a fan. The 650W was enough to handle my build: 10900KF, RTX 3070, Z490 mobo, 32GB DDR-3200, 2 NVME's and a SSD. It has been awhile since I have used Seasonic and this Eggxpert opportunity was definitely brought me back to the brand again.

Seasonic SYNCRO Q704 case & SYNCRO DGC-650 PSU

Seasonic SYNCRO Q704 Case, 2021 iF and Red Dot Design Award Winner, Cable Management Design to Create Quality & Clean Look, Use with SYNCRO PSU Highly Recommended
Seasonic SYNCRO Q704 Case, 2021 iF and Red Dot Design Award Winner, Cable Management Design to Create Quality & Clean Look, Use with SYNCRO PSU Highly Recommended

Pros: Unique design - reverse ATX Well executed cable management - no knuckles were harmed during the install Well packaged! This case looks really good! Good airflow and temps

Cons: The world of pc components is not ready for reverse ATX at the moment. - GPU logo is now upside down. - If your AiO does not have a rotatable face, it may be upside down as well depending on placement.

Overall Review: Both (case & PSU) were received as a Eggxpert review units. When I saw this opp come through, I figured I would receive a case with a shattered door and judging by the holes (2), the delivery company did their best to make that happen. The case was well packaged and unblemished when I opened it. It is heavy! I am not sure if that is a pro or a con, because that depends on your placement and whether the table or stand can support this sturdy case. In my case it sits on the floor, but I did have move my desk so I could see the window. Too many years of regular ATX builds with windows on the left side. My previous case was a full tower high airflow, moving to this I expected to see some slightly elevated temps. What I experienced were temps either at my normal or within a few degrees. I really like the concept and the execution here. I am not a fan of proprietary designs at all, but Seasonic left room in here for you to use non-SYNCRO PSU's if necessary. It just "works better" with their PSU.

Revised review

GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3080 XTREME 10GB GDDR6X PCI Express 4.0 ATX Video Card GV-N3080AORUS X-10GD (rev. 2.0) (LHR)
GIGABYTE AORUS GeForce RTX 3080 XTREME 10GB GDDR6X PCI Express 4.0 ATX Video Card GV-N3080AORUS X-10GD (rev. 2.0) (LHR)

Cons: Original review bashed the software, that still holds true. Didn't work and also prevents pc from sleeping or monitor turning off. New gripe was stability. Lots of crashes within 20-30 minutes of starting a game. I removed everything that could touch it or its sensors, used DDU multiple times, and tried a reimage. After one crash I just put my previous card in and it worked without issue. PSU is a Corsair AX1000 and about 2.5 years old, never taxed to the max.

Overall Review: Clearly some are getting stable 30 series chips, I fear the shortage and pandemic may have compromised QA. That does not excuse the software though, that is just awful. Had to return it to Newegg today as defective. Kinda sad, it will probably be the only 3080 I see for a long time at best. Major excitement ended in complete disappointment.

Effective cooler - you will get a black fan, not a red/white fan.

RAIJINTEK PALLAS, High-End Low Profile CPU Cooler, 6pcs 6mm Heat-Pipe, Slim 14013 PWM Fan, Fully Nickel Plating, Copper Base, Total 68mm Heigth Including Fan, Supports Intel & AMD Modern CPU Sockets
RAIJINTEK PALLAS, High-End Low Profile CPU Cooler, 6pcs 6mm Heat-Pipe, Slim 14013 PWM Fan, Fully Nickel Plating, Copper Base, Total 68mm Heigth Including Fan, Supports Intel & AMD Modern CPU Sockets

Pros: - Low height, fits in smaller cases - Effective cooler - Quiet fan - Maintains a decent max temp for a low profile HSF

Cons: - Will not fit all motherboards - Will not work with RAM modules with tall heat spreaders (pretty much anything above the actual PCB) - Fan clipping system is challenging and adds extra width to the unit

Overall Review: You had best measure before buying. If you're installing in a functioning system, you will need to remove the motherboard if your case does not allow you access to the backside of the CPU Socket. Orientating this was a bit of a challenge as I have a small case and my memory has heat spreaders. I was able to situate this with the heat pipes going to the back of the case. But I barely cleared the I/O ports on the back of the motherboard. Attaching the fan with clips meant I had to put some cushions on the back of my GFX card due to contact. My mATX (MSI H97M-E35) board only has 1 PCIE slot, so the card had to remain. The fan pictured on the box and in the product images is not the fan that is received. I'd recommend either including the pictures fan or changing the product packaging/listings to show a black fan. Even though nobody can see this in my case, others may want to show this off with a case window and will be upset they got a boring, black fan. This also presents a chance for Raijintek to address whether or not someone paid for a fancy red/white fan and got a cheaper all black fan. If you need an effective low profile HSF and you can accommodate this in your build, I would recommend this. Just as long as you were do not care about the fan being black. If this is part of a clean build with a color scheme, this is not what you are looking for. ************************************* Below is a comparison of a stock Intel, Thermaltake, and this Raijintek HSF on an i7-4790S: Temps - Stock Intel HSF for reference Package: 34 - 85 Core #0: 39 - 93 Core #1: 39 - 93 Core #2: 38 - 86 Core #3: 40 - 86 Temps - Thermaltake Silent Contact 12 Package: 32 - 48 Core #0: 36 - 55 Core #1: 35 - 57 Core #2: 35 - 52 Core #3: 37 - 54 Temps - Raijintek Pacage/Core: Min - Max Package: 34 - 56 Core #0: 39 - 63 Core #1: 38 - 64 Core #2: 38 - 59 Core #3: 38 - 60