Jeff D.
Joined on 12/07/06
- 10
Nice Case, Good Price

Pros: Low price, nice appearance, no sharp edges inside
Cons: I had trouble matching the connectors to the front panel LEDs. Probably not a con, due to fitting a very old, IDE computer I fit into the case. The one USB in front is way at the bottom, although in my case, I didn't wire it, so students would not play their own bloody games. I would have liked the side panel removal screws in the back to be the larger, finger-operated type. For the price, I can easily live with these small negatives.
Overall Review: This case and PS was a perfect way to affordably keep an old computer alive for a classroom (LAN'd mild war games to reward high schoolers at the end of the week!)
Pinpoint Lighting

Pros: Overall high quality.
Cons: The lights are extremely directional. Each light has a beam 10cm wide when shooting across the width of the case, about 14cm. If components are closer to the light you get small bright spots on them. Maybe not the option if you want "glow" in your case.
Overall Review: In my NZXT case, the blue is a little more cobalt blue color than the stock fan LEDs, OK, but it's always hard to get exact matches. I took out my NZXT's main black mesh metal piece so that enough light shows through.
Revised Review

Pros: Very good cooling, quiet fan.
Cons: Backplate changed from metal to plastic, which turned out to be OK but initally disappointing. The printed instructions did not include my FM2 socket. The fan LED's are white, so I clipped the wires to defeat them. Default LED color should be blue which is probably the most common case light color. NO SPRINGS in the cooler mount, leaving me unsure of proper torque when tightening. Instructions are sparse to accomodate every language in the known world. The drawing shows a wrench tightening the screw, an illustration which could also work for replacing the lug nuts of a truck.
Overall Review: This is a revised review from my previous slam "Not As Advertised" which was hasty. I called Xigmatek and the rep said their website now includes the directions for my FM2 socket, which it did. The install went well from that point. Overall, not smooth, so I'm adding 2 eggs.
Not as Advertised

Pros: Lesson learned: do more research before buying.
Cons: 1) The sturdy-looking metal back plate to this cooler was not included. I was counting on it because it's in the Newegg photos for the item, and it's seen in various video reviews elsewhere. Instead there was a differently shaped plastic back plate. The larger metal back plate could not have fit in the box. 2) In the Newegg socket compatibility list for the SD128264 cooler, FM2 was listed. My build is socket FM2, AMD A10 5800K on an Asus F2A85-V board. At unboxing, the instructions covered all kinds of AM, FM, FM1 type 2, etc., but not FM2. I'm not going to strip out my mobo and CPU for the chance that the holes match. Back at the Newegg site, I notice that FM2 is not listed in the "supported" list (?). Is FM2 not supported because they ran out of the metal back plate? Unless there are fixes to these problems soon, the cooler will be returned.
Great so far

Pros: SUPER EASY to setup. No need to change the software, which worried me about other high rated routers that needed to be flashed. My hardwired computer is now faster than with the WRT54G. Looks cool, the stand works great, but I have to get used to the red (vs. green) lights. Signal is 3 out of 5 bars at farthest part of my 1/3 acre property.
Cons: No owners manual, although I don't know why it would be needed.
Overall Review: No improvement on wireless speed, probably due to not yet having N-capable laptop card.
Best Mouse for a Sawbuck

Pros: Everything a mouse should be, except for advanced features like extra side buttons that make mice cost much more. Best feature: six foot USB cord. Always check specs to avoid being disappointed by mice that arrive with four foot tails.
Cons: None
Overall Review: Great spare mouse. Buy multiple or throw in with other NewEgg order to keep shipping cost down. I do not agree with another review that said the side panels are flimsy.
