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Ty I.

Ty I.

Joined on 01/11/04

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 8
Most Favorable Review

Just What The Doctor Ordered!

ASUS Radeon HD 4770 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card EAH4770 FORMULA/DI/512MD5
ASUS Radeon HD 4770 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card EAH4770 FORMULA/DI/512MD5

Pros: This is a perfect video card for a HTPC. The onboard HDMI is just what I needed for streaming both the audio and video through a single connection, and the new ATI 9.7 Catalyst drivers likewise function without any problem in my RTM version of Windows 7 Ultimate. BTW, those new 9.7 drivers are Win7 certified and have no issues in Win7.

Cons: None, except what took you so long to release this card - LOL.

Overall Review: The oversized heatsink and fan assembly is very quiet and always runs at a rather slow speed.

Most Critical Review

Beware of height of RAM stick!

G.SKILL PI Black 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI-B
G.SKILL PI Black 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI-B

Pros: Don't know of any

Cons: If you are trying to build a HTPC in a low profile case and are using the new Asus Rampage II GENE motherboard plus a Nexus low profile 7000 CPU cooler, this RAM won't work, since the cooler hangs over the first RAM slot. This problem is not at all apparent to the buyer until you have all the components on hand to see the relative height limitations. I have always bought G.Skill RAM from Newegg in the past, but I am VERY DISAPPOINTED in Newegg's POOR Customer Service when I asked them to swap this RAM that's too tall for other equally expensive G.Skill RAM of a lower height design, so that I can use this memory. However, Newegg Customer Service never even had the courtesy to respond to my email request (Mail #310320091036993), and basically snubbed their nose at me. I never even opened the G.Skill RAM clear packaging, since I immediately saw the height problem once the RAM arrived, so it's not like it's used merchandise or anything like that.

Overall Review: Considering the fact that I have purchased over $10,000.00 worth of computer parts and software from Newegg during the last year alone, and given the appalling lack of a decent and timely response from Newegg's Customer Service, I will likely be looking for a different vendor in the future, and caution others to be wary as well.

This Works GREAT in Win7!

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250(WinTV-HVR-2255) Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner w/ IR Remote PCI-E x 1
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250(WinTV-HVR-2255) Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner w/ IR Remote PCI-E x 1

Pros: Hauppauge made a true winner when they developed the 2250 model. I used one in Vista x64 Ultimate and it ran quite well. However, the latest version of the 2250, combined by Win7 x64 Ultimate AND their very new (10-09-09) software version: WinTV v7 1.2a, is Fabulous! Also, the PCIe 1x interface resolves all hardware and software conflicts that might arise without and trouble to the owner.

Cons: The card is still a bit pricey, but better products usually cost a few bucks more.

Overall Review: If you're looking for a first-rate TV Tuner card, this is the one to use with Win7.

10/16/2009

Shame on Newegg for Price Gouging!

Intel X25-M Mainstream 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SSDSA2M160G2XXX
Intel X25-M Mainstream 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SSDSA2M160G2XXX

Pros: The new Intel G2 SSD is a fabulous product!

Cons: Newegg should be ashamed of itself for the brazen price gouging it is employing for this product. It seems that Newegg has forgotten the millions of faithful customers that day in and day out continue to but for this firm due to reasonable price and good service. Less than 2 weeks ago this product was at least $50.00 cheaper. We all know that Intel did NOT increase the wholesale price for this item to Newegg, so the price increase is nothing but pure greed. Shame on you Newegg for treating your customers in such a shabby fashion!

Overall Review: Newegg probably doesn't have the guts to publish this commentary - but we shall see.

Beware of Height of RAM Sticks for HTPC low profile case

G.SKILL PI Black 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI-B
G.SKILL PI Black 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI-B

Pros: Well, I finally heard from Newegg Customer Service, and after some exchange of emails, we arrived at a mutually acceptable agreement concerning these too tall memory sticks. The 4 eggs is for their eventual resolution of the matter, not for the product, since I never opened the packaging.

Cons: I said it all in my previous posting.

Overall Review: None

CrossFireX HD4870X2 is AWESOME!

GIGABYTE Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card GV-R487X2-2GH-B
GIGABYTE Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card GV-R487X2-2GH-B

Pros: The two X2 cards finally arrived and we installed them, together with a ToughPower 1200 PSU and the ATI 8.8 drivers, in a Vista Ultimate 64 rig. We are driving two Dell 3008WFP monitors, both in 2560x1600, with extended desktop. The video is something to behold. Games, CAD/CAM, huge technical PDF files, Blu-ray movies, you name it, this setup is a screamer.

Cons: For some strange reason, the new ATI 8.8 drivers would NOT load in the original install of the cards. The ATI Install Manger would crash each time. Unfortunately, ATI support was essentially WORTHLESS to assist us. So we temporarily installed another Raptor drive and a fresh install of Vista 64 plus all the necessary motherboard drivers, and THEN the ATI drivers installed just fine. Also, DO NOT even consider this type of a setup without a 1200 watt PSU - at full throttle, these cards in CrossFireX suck up about 750 watts of juice all by themselves!

Overall Review: Make VERY sure you only try this setup in a motherboard that has TRUE twin PCIe x16, Ver 2.0, video slots. We used the Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6 (Rev 1.3) board, with the F7 BIOS, a Q9550, 8GB of G.Skill PC2-8800 memory and a VelociRaptor drive, TV tuner, LG Blu-ray drive plus other stuff. It all worked just fine, and co-existed quite well with no software problems (other than the initial ATI driver install). If you really want a beast of a rig, give this a try.