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Seth J.

Seth J.

Joined on 07/08/06

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 58
Most Favorable Review

Amazing Value

MSI GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Support Graphics Card N460GTX CYCLONE 1GD5/OC
MSI GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 SLI Support Graphics Card N460GTX CYCLONE 1GD5/OC

Pros: The MSI Cyclone is a fantastic product. It utilizes a reference PCB and the best revision of the Cyclone heatsink yet. -Very effective heatsink -Out-of-the-box software voltage control -High overclocking potential -Shorter PCB and lower TDP than the GTX465 while besting it at stock and overclocked settings (less heat and power consumption)

Cons: When run in SLI, you will need sufficient space between the cards or both will run warmly.

Overall Review: I have benchmarked this card extensively by itself and in SLI. It is currently one of the best values in the GPU market and it's Fermi at its finest. @ Stock voltage expect to push clocks of 800/1600/1000(4000) or higher For benchmarking, I ran the card @ 1.062v 900/1800/1050(4200) This is a fantastic GPU that I highly recommend.

Most Critical Review

Mini-ITX application

Dynatron K555 77mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
Dynatron K555 77mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler

Pros: Fits the new LGA 1156 mini-ITX platform from DFI (MI P55-T36) Well-built, solid mounting system (NO PUSHPINS) Reasonable temps with the fan speed at tolerable levels and solid performer at full speed (Fine for server applications, NOT for mini-ITX personal computers)

Cons: Of course this is a server heatsink, but it's one of the few low-profile lga1156 HSFs that are compatible with the SUGO5 case for use in a mini-ITX lga1156 build. Fan spins at full speed upon startup, regardless of setting (It's a given, but full-speed is LOUD - 4500RPM is blazing) Fan grill shipped dislodged, prevented fan from spinning... realized this after taking it apart once or twice... Irregular fan size Performance at acceptable noise levels negligible over stock

Overall Review: This is a server heatsink/fan, but you can use it for a mini-ITX build with minimal if any compatibility issues. If noise is not an issue (aka servers) it would be a marginal improvement over the stock heatsink.

Perfect Form Factor, Near-Perfect Form

MSI GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Graphics Card RTX 2070 VENTUS GP
MSI GeForce RTX 2070 8GB GDDR6 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Graphics Card RTX 2070 VENTUS GP

Pros: Size - This card is an inch shorter than a mATX mobo with the heatsink included. Performance - Destroys 1080p & 1440p gaming. A few more RTX cores than a GTX 2060 Super. Thermals - A-OK. Tops out around 74C in a SFF case with sub-optimal ventilation

Cons: Noise - Disappointed that it gets noticeably loud to keep the card that cool. Strong ventilation is a requirement (duh), but I feel as though it shouldn't have to work as hard as it does to satisfy the RTX 2070's reasonable TDP.

Overall Review: I would highly recommend the RTX 2070 overall, and this model as well (2070s are transitioning to EOL), if you're looking to upgrade/build NOW and do not want to wait for nVidia's next offerings in later 2020. This card is a mainstream-enthusiast gamer's dream and will be a very solid performer for years to come, even from early 2020.

Triumph of Form and Function

ASUS DirectCU II Radeon R9 270X 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card R9270X-DC2T-2GD5
ASUS DirectCU II Radeon R9 270X 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card R9270X-DC2T-2GD5

Pros: Runs amazingly cool and quiet Looks fantastic Non-reference, improved PCB Will spank games @ 1080p for quite a while and holds its own at 1440p (My resolution)

Cons: Elpida memory Lack of accessories

Overall Review: Giving my temps won't be of use due to the differences between systems and ambient environments, but know this: It will run cool and it will run quiet - regardless of your setup. I highly recommend this card. (It is also good for about 61K+ PPD in Folding@Home at factory clocks)

Great value, true purple fan

Corsair Air Series AF120 LED 120mm Quiet Edition High Airflow Fan Twin Pack - Purple (CO-9050016-PLED)
Corsair Air Series AF120 LED 120mm Quiet Edition High Airflow Fan Twin Pack - Purple (CO-9050016-PLED)

Pros: -Unrestricted airflow is massive (Any significant barriers will create a lot of resistance noise, though) -It is very purple. It's not blue, it's not white, it's purple. It's perfect. -Twin-pack is a great value

Cons: -Does not like any resistance (It's a case fan, not a rad fan) -Louder than the AF140 at full bore.

Overall Review: If you're looking for the (illusive) purple LED fan, you've come to the right place. Corsair has deftly filled a niche with these fans.

Bad rad fan, noisy bearing

BitFenix Spectre Pro Solid White 120mm Case Fan
BitFenix Spectre Pro Solid White 120mm Case Fan

Pros: Fresh aesthetics Can add LEDs Should be fine as a case fan

Cons: full plastic construction noisy bearing, particularly when not running at full blast poor performance as a radiator fan feels very plastic-y

Overall Review: Bought these to fit a color scheme and noise requirement. They did so, but the performance was below expectation so I took them out of the build. (Poor rad performance, even for a "quieter" fan. The bearing noise was also disruptive) I was disappointed considering the good experiences I've had with the Spectre series (non-pro).