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Virgil M.

Virgil M.

Joined on 01/23/06

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 11
Most Favorable Review

2nd Time Around...

Mushkin Enhanced ECO2 2.5" 480GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MKNSSDEC480GB
Mushkin Enhanced ECO2 2.5" 480GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MKNSSDEC480GB

Pros: 1) Worked great when the first SSD was brand new. 2) 3 year warranty. I installed this SSD Installed on an older eVGA 750i SATA II system Win 7 Pro x64 8GB RAM (directly to the mobo) and it blows my 10k drive out of the water! Performance is much slower (obviously) on SATA II compared to SATA III mobos: CrystalDiskMark 4K random 24.35 MB/s (read); 17.78 MB/s (write)

Cons: Got really slow after a few weeks of normal use - the Win 7 logo would freeze at bootup, boot up was over 2 mins, shutdown was 2 - 3 mins. It seems that Mushkin is still trying to determine the root cause for the reduced performance of the drive since other people have similar issues with these drives.

Overall Review: I'm using this on an eVGA 750i FTW (SATA II). No joke...this SSD is very fast even on an older machine. However, I had to install the Microsoft "Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller" drivers rather than the nForce drivers to get TRIM to work. Mushkin support is awesome! They responded the same day to my RMA and even called to let me know they are sending out a replacement drive. Mushkin support sent me a firmware update to the SSD which bricked my drive ...I'm guessing that happened since the eVGA 750i doesn't have AHCI. The replacement drive works great. Overall: 5 eggs for Mushkin support, 3 eggs for the first drive (average 4/5 eggs)

Home run with Home Server!

Microsoft Windows Home Server 32 Bit 1 Pack
Microsoft Windows Home Server 32 Bit 1 Pack

Pros: MSFT wanted three things done right, and they nailed it with WHS. They wanted the average household with a broadband connection and 2+ computers to have 1) a simple, reliable, non-intrusive backup 2) a way to share/store important media (videos, movies and photos) and 3) a way to access this information from any computer on the planet. Unlike a NAS that only has storage (and some dinky software), WHS is built on Server 2003, which means that you can install your own software. All of this may be complicated, but WHS is VERY simple to use. One WHS can fully backup 10 computers. The software allows for streaming to the XBOX 360 and other Windows Connect devices. WHS also comes with a free "homeserver.com" web site which allows you to access the files on the WHS and even to Remote Desktop into the XP Pro/Vista Business/Ultimate PCs on your network. You can make WHS a FTP server or setup your own family calendar/e-mail! WHS also supports add-ins which allows even greater functionality.

Cons: None

Overall Review: I recommend that you get the retail, pre-built version of WHS for your family members rather than letting them set up the WHS from the OEM DVD/CDs. HP has a really nice WHS coming out in 2008 and that will be perfect for the "MOM & DAD". Check out the WHS Blog for even more information!

Works as Advertised. A+

TOPOWER X3 Series ZU-550W 550 W ATX12V Version 2.0 / EPS12V SLI Ready Power Supply
TOPOWER X3 Series ZU-550W 550 W ATX12V Version 2.0 / EPS12V SLI Ready Power Supply

Pros: 550 W, SLI ready (2x PCIe power cables) turbo fan switch, lots of power connectors.

Cons: None that I've seen.

Overall Review: Fans hit turbo speed in about 10 mins if you are in a room with no A/C during the summer.

D-link's Finest

D-Link Xtreme Gigabit Router (DIR-655) Wireless N300, USB SharePort, Gigabit
D-Link Xtreme Gigabit Router (DIR-655) Wireless N300, USB SharePort, Gigabit

Pros: Nice design (white, black with blue lights). Gigabit LAN, QoS, VERY stable, WPA2, tons of settings, updated draft-n, works with Vista, XP and Server 2003 with zero problems! I own a D-Link WBR-1310 router and that was stress. The 1310 kept dropping my internet and wifi connections! I thought D-link was useless. Then, I gave the DIR-655 a shot. The DIR-655 ROCKS! I have nothing but love for D-Link now :P.

Cons: Kinda pricey for what it does, but it does its job well.

Overall Review: This was the router used during WinHEC 2007 when MSFT was showing the wifi "Rally" technology.

GREAT SoundCard for Vista

AUZEN XMYSTIQUE7.1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
AUZEN XMYSTIQUE7.1 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

Pros: The sound quality is excellent and takes very little CPU power to play your games/music. 7.1 ready, Coax & Toslink ready. 24-bit/96KHz. Good documentation.

Cons: No connectors on the board for from mic/headphone jacks on computer case (front headers). I use a USB Plantronics headset anyway...

Overall Review: This card WORKS PERFECTLY with Vista. Just download the drivers and you'll be fine. Be sure to disable your mobo's onboard audio BEFORE installing the card.

Better than I thought!

Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 1000

Pros: Very good price. Wireless. Comfortable feel. Software works with Vista. Keyboard works in the BIOS with no problems. Good battery life so far.

Cons: It takes some time to figure out the Function key placement (4 groups of 3 keys vs 3 groups of 4 keys) and the delete key is a bit weird at first. No "Caps-lock etc" lights on keyboard but on-screen notifications are just as effective.

Overall Review: Download the drivers from MSFT to enable all of the keyboard functions in Vista.