Joined on 12/14/06
A Fun and Useful Bit of Bling
Pros: Very easy to install after carefully updating Corsair iCUE and Elite Capellix AIO cooler to latest software and firmware. Fun to use and monitors and displays the data from several different systems.
Cons: If you install it without updating the software and hardware firmware first, you got problems. The LED ring is not as pretty as the original LED cap that came with the Elite Capellix AIO cooler in the first place, but hey it's got an LCD screen!
Overall Review: Excellent and reliable product.
It Died!
Pros: Looks nice. Compatable with most DVR cable boxes. eSATA connection.
Cons: Died 4 days after I put it into use. Cost another $13 to ship it back to NewEgg. I bought a 12 month extended warrantee but the cost of return shipping on a $59 refurb is not worth it.
Overall Review: Never buy refurb again!
Easy replacement
Pros: The fans perform well and are bright and colorful controlled with the iCUE software.
Cons: None really.
Overall Review: I had 3 of these fans in my build of 2022. But found that If I left the computer off for a week or so, if I went out of town, on start up one of the fans had a hard time restarting and made a whining grinding noise which would resolve after 15-20 minutes. The computer is normally running 24/7 so I figured the bearing was going bad. These model fans are getting a little hard to find so I bought 3. I removed the worn fan and installed a new one and it synced right up with the system and in running smoothly. These fans should last me until my next build.
Cool Calm and Collected
Pros: 6 P cores to keep the gaming FPS smooth and strong. 8 P cores so background tasks are dealt with and don't interfere with gaming goodness. Stays cool, probably not using a lot of power. Paid less than $300 for it new in box. Plenty of headroom in CPU hierarchy if upgrade becomes necessary.
Cons: Has no RGB lighting
Overall Review: Installed on a Z790 MB with DDR4 RAM. Scores higher on PC Mark 10 than my previous i9-11900K on a Z590 MB with same RAM. Yet while the i9-11900K temp would run 120 - 130F at rest and 180-190F underload with a Corsair iCUE 150i Elite Capellix cooler. The i5-13600K on the other hand is 102 - 110F at rest and 140 - 150F under load with the same cooler. It is just a little warmer than my hot water tank. It's obviously more efficient. Probably it would be just fine with a much less expensive air cooler. You rarely feel any heat coming out of the radiator, whereas the radiator was heating the room with the previous CPU. Seems like Intel hit the ball out of the park with this CPU!
Greatly improved iCUE RAM lighting effect!
Pros: Worked seamlessly. Lighting perfectly integrated by iCUE software. Would never know it was not RAM. Worth the money.
Cons: None
Overall Review: Anyone who enjoys LED RGB lighting of their PC and has 2 empty DDR4 RAM slots would enjoy this accessory.
Got it Ahead of Time
Initial carrier had to be changed after a delay getting the item in transit. Seller did his best to get it to a carrier, in this case FedEx. It was a little worrying at first but I was pleasantly surprised to receive it a day earlier than estimated. I paid a very good price for this processor. The seller did right by me.