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Joseph B.

Joseph B.

Joined on 04/12/13

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 10
Most Favorable Review

Good Product.

G.SKILL TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Desktop Memory Model F4-3200C16D-16GTZB
G.SKILL TridentZ Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600) Desktop Memory Model F4-3200C16D-16GTZB

Pros: - Can be overclocked well beyond 3200. Mine is currently running at 4200 stable on an Asrock Z170 mobo.

Cons: - No complaints...

Overall Review: Totally worth it.

Most Critical Review

Be careful on size matching!

Cooler Master GeminII M4 - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes
Cooler Master GeminII M4 - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes

Pros: Looks to be a very efficient cooler, however...

Cons: ...this thing is wide (120mm) and the heatsink has extremely low clearance. This cooler on an ITX board is iffy. This cooler overlapped my RAM slots, not leaving enough clearance for even my shortest sticks of RAM.

Overall Review: Match your dimensions! I would not recommend this for any Mini-ITX solutions, which is unfortunate...as this would seem to be perfect for a low-clearance HTPC build using an ITX board. If Cooler Master made this exact model, just using an 80mm fan and heatsink, it would be perfect!

Wind Tunnel

Noctua NF-A14 iPPC-3000 PWM, Heavy Duty Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 3000 RPM (140mm, Black)
Noctua NF-A14 iPPC-3000 PWM, Heavy Duty Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 3000 RPM (140mm, Black)

Pros: Awesome air throughput. Wow... These blow papers off my desk (I'm using these for both radiator and case fans) when at 100% RPM.

Cons: Lots of air moving means air-flow noise. But this is only air noise, no rattles due to noisy bearings or such.

Overall Review: If you want air cooling performance on your radiator, or in your case, this is the way to go. You wont notice the noise if you play games/watch movies on a decent (medium) volume, or on headphones. They sound like a white noise machine...just flowing air, no rattling (no matter if vertical/horizontal orientation.)

Great Heavy-Handed Mobo in a Small Form Factor

ASRock ASRock Fatal1ty Gaming Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac LGA 1151 Intel Z170 HDMI USB 3.1 USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard
ASRock ASRock Fatal1ty Gaming Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac LGA 1151 Intel Z170 HDMI USB 3.1 USB 3.0 Mini ITX Intel Motherboard

Pros: - z170 Chipset - USB 3.1 A+C Connections - Easy Overclocking through Bios - On board wifi and bluetooth

Cons: - Only 3 fan headers (including CPU fan) - PS2 Mouse/Keyboard port (That could have been a couple more usb ports instead.)

Overall Review: Prepare for an extra hourof build time, due to the compact size of the board itself. It's a given, as with any Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX boards. But still, it is worth mentioning. I am not disappointed in the board itself, as it boasts many great features and is simple to overclock. Great for beginners AND enthusiasts. The BIOS allows for easy one-click overclocking for those that are inexperienced, or fine tune overclocking if you are adept.

Be careful with your fan selection.

Fan Controller w/ Five 30 watts Channels
Fan Controller w/ Five 30 watts Channels

Pros: Sturdy construction, firm control sliders, fully modular fan connection cables, front fascia should fit with any color/style build (very neutral), alignment is perfect as a whole

Cons: Minimum output from each slider selection is 40%, all connectors must be modified (snip one side of fitting) to use 4 pin PWM fans.

Overall Review: Not a bad controller at all. The fittings for the fan connectors are annoying, but a couple of clean snips with a pair of sharp wire cutters will allow you to use 4 pin fans. Will buy again.

An okay HTPC Case.

Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced - Mini-ITX Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Long Graphics Card Support - Black
Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced - Mini-ITX Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Long Graphics Card Support - Black

Pros: Small dimensions, USB 3.0 ports, whisper quiet fans, feels solid.

Cons: Plastic (not rubber) feet, side chassis fan can only be used in one position and may get in the way of connectors, and some sharp edges.

Overall Review: It's a fairly middle-of the road product, and at its price point it is acceptable. If buying this product, be prepared to make a few slight modifications; adding rubber feet and dremelling (is that a verb?) a few small holes on the opposite side of the case to mount a fan.