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Greg B.

Greg B.

Joined on 05/29/06

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 5
Most Favorable Review

US Version of the HAF912 Advanced

CM Storm Enforcer - Gaming Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Water Cooling Support
CM Storm Enforcer - Gaming Mid Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 and Water Cooling Support

Pros: This is as close as you are going to get to the HAF 912 Advanced here in the States. Minus the top 200mm fan (which can be added), this is basically the same case with a different front panel. I like the door, but I have always liked to cover up the 5.25" bays on my builds. Awsome cable routing. Awsome looks. Quality construction and finnish all the way around. This case rivals cases like the Corsair 600T at almost half the price! Cable routing is on par with the Corsair minus the rubber gromets. The 600T was my second choice, but it really is a huge mid tower. This case was the perfect size for my application and still offers plenty of room for growth and upgrades in the future. Can anybody say water cooling or behemouth video card? Not a prob with this case!

Cons: Seriously................nothing major. It could use a filter on the top 200mm fan, but I will address that later. That's really my only complaint, and a problem you will find on cases costing twice as much. Seriously though, you will never be able to completely button up any case. Its a computer case, not a room air filer. This case is half the price of other cases with similar features, so for my $$, this case wins hands down. Added some thumb screws ($5.95) here and there, and the only real minor problem was solved. I know some folks have received damaged cases, but don't go blaming the Egg or the Manufacturer for the rigors of shipping these things.

Overall Review: I had been searching for a way to get my hands on a HAF912 Advanced and found this case after I had given up on the HAF912A. Not sure why I overlooked this awesome case for so long. I like the looks of this case much better anyway. This case was had for $79. Well worth the increase in price from the HAF912 Standard case. If you are looking at the HAF912, I hope you find my review and check out this case.

10/26/2011
Most Critical Review

Little on the Loud Side

Cooler Master Hyper N520 - CPU Cooler with Copper Base and 5 Heatpipes
Cooler Master Hyper N520 - CPU Cooler with Copper Base and 5 Heatpipes

Pros: Nice looking design. Push pull fan arrangement looks cool, and in theory, should provide more air flow. Not the case in reality. The pusher fan makes up for 90% of this coolers noise output. IMHO the pusher arrangement is sending a turbulent column of air into the fins of the radiator which is making all the noise. The puller fan is much quieter in comparison. Without the pusher fan the cooler still works well.

Cons: This CPU Cooler did not come with 4 pin PWM fans!!!! Ughhh!! This is a huge disappointment for a CPU cooler in this price range. Pay close attention to this small point or you will end up like me with a cooler that will not throttle down automatically to limit the noise of the fans when it is not needed. If your MOBO supports PWM 4pin fans, make sure you get them on your cooler. This really sucks because most boards this unit will be installed on will have 4 pin plugs. Shame on you Cooler Master for this serious oversight!! Losing 2 eggs for the lack of PWM fans and 1 egg for the noise because this thing works fine with only one fan. Just unplug the pusher fan if it really bothers you like it does me. I am running an Core2 Duo E8400 at 4.2 ghz and it cools very well with only the puller fan.

Overall Review: I unplugged the pusher fan and have really only gained 1-2 deg while testing with prime 95. So does it really need 2 fans? Not considering all of the extra noise. In my situation I will leave the pusher fan unplugged until I can experiment with a couple of new fans, which will be low noise 4pin PWM fans BTW!! I am also planning to run some testing with both fans in a puller configuration. I suspect there will be better or equal cooling to the stock push/pull arrangement but with much less noise.

10/30/2011

Give me 10 years to get back on this.....

CORSAIR AXi Series AX860i Digital 860W 80 PLUS PLATINUM Haswell Ready Full Modular ATX12V & EPS12V SLI and Crossfire Ready Power Supply with C-Link Monitoring and Control
CORSAIR AXi Series AX860i Digital 860W 80 PLUS PLATINUM Haswell Ready Full Modular ATX12V & EPS12V SLI and Crossfire Ready Power Supply with C-Link Monitoring and Control

Pros: Its a Corsair Dude! It looks good in the build. The only real pro will be confirmed in about 5 years then 5 more after that.

Cons: It has an interface to a clunky software program

Overall Review: I replaced a 10 year old CLICO PS. I was nervous with the age so I sprung for a TOP OF THE LINE PS This thing better make it 20 years for the price. I will feel stupid if this thing fails any time in the next 5 years.

Back to the 80's

CM Storm QuickFire Rapid - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX Brown Switches
CM Storm QuickFire Rapid - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX Brown Switches

Pros: Great CM quality. You get what you pay for , at least sometimes, which makes me feel smart.

Cons: Not really a con, but I ACTUALLY wanted all of the COOL CM logos but instead this unit came with only a few removable keys with the Older Cooler Master LOGO. All of the other logos folks have complained about are not present on this keyboard. You might still get it on others, but mine was pretty vanilla.

Overall Review: The CLACK CLACK takes me back to the late 80's. I feel like I am in a typing pool!! LOL CLACK CLACK. I enjoy it when everyone within 2 blocks knows when I am typing, especially my wife in the next room when she is trying to sleep! CLACK CLACK Also great for gaming.

Super Mouse!

CM Storm Recon - Ambidextrous 4000 DPI Gaming Mouse with Multicolor LEDs for Left and Right Handed Users
CM Storm Recon - Ambidextrous 4000 DPI Gaming Mouse with Multicolor LEDs for Left and Right Handed Users

Pros: Great looks Cool and USEFUL features. AMbi Design Looks great next to a lit up case with some red led fans. High Quality feel and performance! CM is always a good bet. Great to see they keep the solid design work and quality in all of their many products.

Cons: Nada

Overall Review: Should have treated myself to a high quality mouse a long time ago!!