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Galen S.

Galen S.

Joined on 04/28/03

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 2
Most Favorable Review

BIOS version 0100 cures several problems

Intel BOXDH77KC LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel BOXDH77KC LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Pros: See earlier review.

Cons: New BIOS version seems to have eliminated my earlier cons, save for the lack of official Linux support.

Overall Review: Update to my earlier review: Intel recently released BIOS version 0100(9/6/2012). This BIOS version fixed the following problems I was encountering: 1. misconfigured memory when selecting XMP-1600 profile 2. incorrect IRQ routing for conventional PCI slots 3. EFI boot problems IMHO, Linux users should definitely update the BIOS to version 0100. Others may want to consider updating if they are using non-default memory settings.

Nice, but taller than expected

Fractal Design Define Mini Black Silent MATX Mini Tower Computer Case
Fractal Design Define Mini Black Silent MATX Mini Tower Computer Case

Pros: One of the shorter cases you will find that still holds 6 disks. Good cable management. Quiet. Good looks. (to me, anyway)

Cons: My primary complaint is with the case height. Much of the rest is just nitpicking. Case is taller than specified. Manufacter web site and product documentation list the height as 395 mm(15.6"). Actual height is ~413 mm(16.25"). No routing channel for reset cable. Can interfere with top 5" drive position. Bottom filter is removed from the rear, so case has to be pulled out. Bottom filter wants to curve, so reinstalling might be problematic. Supplied cable ties have anchor, but it's not clear where they might be anchored. Manual is not very useful. Front fan was not seated properly at the factory. HD audio cable housing shows signs of heavy-handed assembly.

Overall Review: My concern with the case height is due to wanting to place the case underneath the modesty panel of a desk. It will still fit, it's just going to be closer than I would like. Purchased this to use as the backend in a mythtv setup. Motherboard is an Intel DB65AL(not available from Newegg as of November 2011), with an i3 2100. Probably would have purchased a low wattage Seasonic power supply, but I had a spare Antec EA-500, so I used that. If you are considering this case, you may want to look at the Supermicro CSE-731i-300B and CSE-731D-300B cases too. Fewer drive bays and not designed for low noise, but relatively small for the number of drives they will hold.

11/21/2011