Joined on 05/15/06
Decent DVD burner
Pros: Works well and fast, supports lots of formats.
Cons: Noisy when reading CD/DVD.
Terrible with USB3
Pros: Well-built, good price/capacity.
Cons: Was really disappointed with reality v/s claims/specifications. I bought it for fast easy backup from my PC and Mac; but it worked well only with PC with USB2 connection. With Mac Mini that has only USB3, it was not even recognized but also caused everything to crawl, almost hung up. Same thing happened when it was connected to PC through USB3 port. So clearly it works well only with USB2 interface but not USB3. Had to return back.
Solid low-mid level board
Pros: Easy build with new Ivy Bridge i5 processor for me. Decent balance of price with features, including plenty of rear ports. Good Realtek sound, ethernet. G.Kill sniper DDR3 1866 worked without any clitch (but needed to change BIOS settings manually). Lucid Virtu MVP works without any glitch with this board and my Sapphire HD 6850 card.
Cons: For some reason, this board with i5-3570k struggled to feel any zippier as my previous build with Sandy Bridge i5-2500K with Biostar's Z68-based board. Location of headers for audio and case fans is odd - make sure it will work for you or get extension cables (particularly for case fans). Waiting for anything on rebate -- more difficult process than needs to be. Also since I have submitted it, there is absolutely no e-mail or other notification about its status like they received my submission. Hope they have it and I shall get my rebate money back.
Another great Intel i5 processor
Pros: Best balance of price and performance - if you decide to go for i7 you should really know why you are doing that. As can be seen from all reviews, getting stable overclock to 4.2 to 4.5 GHz (of course not on stock cooler), depending on your setup, should be easily possible; though even without any overclocking it is fast. HD 4000 graphics are really fast for any video transcoding than even greatest discreet video cards - so make sure you use Lucid Virtu, if adding separate video card.
Cons: Absolutely no benefit that I could detect in routine use of getting this as an upgrade from Sandy Bridge i5 2500k (that I have in my other system).
Great memory
Pros: Great speed, raised my WEI memory score from 7.6 with DDR3 1600 old memory sticks to 7.9. They have nice low profile.
Cons: At least with my Biostar TZ77XE4 motherboard I had to manually set all settings for full speed - default or XMP profiles did not get proper full speed; but those who choose these memory sticks over usual DDR3 1333 or 1600 know what they are doing and should not have any difficulty turning on these settings in any BIOS.
Cheap, if you can handle some major issues
Pros: Good price for a good-sized case. Power supply at top - not what many like; but makes it easier to reach 8-pin and 24-pin areas on motherboard if the power cables are short. Fits even good sized video card. Front audio and USB outlets are actually nicely hidden and protected from dust if you do not use them much.
Cons: Cheap for reason - not providing any proper screws other than small fairly useless ones - you should have your own stock for rest. Also thin walls - that may help actually keep weight down. As many have written, it has sharp hidden edges -- I was extra careful but still while trying to force-fit Xigmatek 3.5 inch card reader which has very tight fit, I got 2 cuts on hands, one nasty. Even later I could not see where the sharp edges that cut me were. So be very careful when dealing with front cage. You will need extra and good case fans if overclocking. Once you remove cut-outs for expansion cards, they are gone for good - you can not close those holes later unless you have extra cut-outs handy to use there from your other cases.