cover
Kevin L.

Kevin L.

Joined on 04/20/01

0
0

100%
Top 1000 Reviewer
Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 96
Most Favorable Review

QUAD at this price is a steal

AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor
AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 2MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor

Pros: With a lot of tweaking and the latest BIOS, I am able to run rock solid at [email protected] in VISTA64, TLB fix disabled. Motherboard: ASUS M3A78-T. The system was very unstable under the initial release of BIOS.

Cons: Not really a CON but this CPU does demand a lot from the motherboard and PSU. AMD should never have qualified this CPU on earlier AM2 motherboards plus the AM2+ specs should have been a lot beefier. AMD was forced to sell a server grade chip into a consumer market resulting in this CPU being matched up with low grade hardwares. Very few of the problem reported was really caused by this CPU itself.

Overall Review: The TLB error condition is all but impossible to reproduce. A lot of people claim that they have seen it. Some even claim that they see it on 9X50s. In reality, TLB error was wrongly blamed for all other hardware, software and BIOS issues.

Most Critical Review

As advertised (sort of)

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400

Pros: 1. You can probably run it at default 800MHz speed. 2. Low voltage 3. Runs cool.

Cons: 1. Expensive 2. Need tweaking. BIOS detects 5-5-5-18 which is just wrong. It will run 5-5-5-12 if you don't OC. 3. Had to use 5-5-5-15 and 2.1V just to hit 866MHz.

Overall Review: Even at the 5-5-5-18 default setting, the RAM tops out at 800MHz. Wasted many days doing trial and erro. I had to settle with 5-5-5-15, tRC=25 and voltage=2.1V for the best OC stability. I am only running at 866Mhz.

Good looking case for the price

DEEPCOOL MATREXX 50 Mid-Tower Case Tempered Glass Side And Front Panel With PSU Shroud Large Air-intake
DEEPCOOL MATREXX 50 Mid-Tower Case Tempered Glass Side And Front Panel With PSU Shroud Large Air-intake

Pros: -Cheap -Tempered glass x 2 -Relatively good looking -Decent cable management. Wires can be routed out of sight. -Decent airflow for good cooling

Cons: - Thin metal, very flimsy - To utilize a slot, you have to be an iron Smith. A cost saving design

Overall Review: For the price, I would buy it again. Of course one can spend twice the money and get a case that will last forever. This case is for budget build. It is probably not the choice if you transport your PC a lot or plan to rebuild with new hardware frequently.

12/27/2020

Works great if the fans don't fail

Enermax LIQMAX III 240 RGB, All-in-one CPU Liquid Cooler for AM4 & AM5 / LGA 1700/1200/1151, 240mm Radiator, Dual-Chamber Water Block, RGB Fan - AM5 & LGA1700 Ready
Enermax LIQMAX III 240 RGB, All-in-one CPU Liquid Cooler for AM4 & AM5 / LGA 1700/1200/1151, 240mm Radiator, Dual-Chamber Water Block, RGB Fan - AM5 & LGA1700 Ready

Pros: The CPU block and radiator do the job well. CPU stays a lot cooler while cutting down the noise

Cons: The included fans are total junk. Sure they do spin and light up. One of them started making random clicking sound out of box. It was too much work to RMA when the whole thing had been installed already. I had extra 120mm fans so I threw them on. Noise problem solved.

Overall Review: I was hoping the installation was easier but it turned out that I did need to remove the existing AM4 bracket and gain access to the backside of the motherboard. No big deal. Just took longer to complete.

12/19/2020

Not just bad luck. The screen dies with very high frequency

ASUS MeMO Pad 8 - Quad-Core 1GB RAM 16GB Flash 8.0" IPS Tablet, Android 4.2 – White Color (ME180A-A1-WH)
ASUS MeMO Pad 8 - Quad-Core 1GB RAM 16GB Flash 8.0" IPS Tablet, Android 4.2 – White Color (ME180A-A1-WH)

Pros: 8" screen

Cons: The LCD screen does die like others have reported. Bought on 11/7/2014. The screen would not turn on on 1/1/2015. The tablet itself is on but the screen is totally dark despite of multiple power resets.

Overall Review: I thought ASUS would have repaired the problem or halt the shipment of

Canon !!%@^%&*!!

Canon imageCLASS MF3010 Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer
Canon imageCLASS MF3010 Monochrome Multifunction Laser Printer

Pros: Looks like a printer

Cons: SO it is my fault that I didn't read the specs line by line but what was Canon thinking when they designed a printer with only a USB interface. What about Wifi or even just a ethernet port?

Overall Review: Dumb Design

11/17/2014