Pros: I really like the quality and attention to detail. I was an avid ASUS fan, but Gigabyte is using the latest technology components, the possibility for two RAID arrays, a fairly good color install directions, DualBIOS and a bios with some descriptions in it (finally). This board has everything I want. I really like the upgrade potential for when AMD puts out a Phenom FX chip.

Cons: WARNING: If you plan to use water cooling or a CPU fan that does not blow downward, you may need to place a fan on the northbridge. My computer screen would go blank in a short time, but my computer case from Koolance has a thermal couple for the northbridge and realized I was running at 66C. After adding a fan I am now around 40C, problem fixed. In a pre-build to swap files I used a Zulman fan (CNPS8700) without incident and even gamed for a bit.

Overall Review: Remember that the memory is controlled by the CPU and not the northbridge (INTEL), Therefore, 1066GHz memory will not work with anything other than the Phenom chip for now. Motherboard has LPT Parallel port on it, just need to buy the cable/bracket. Motherboard: Gigabyte MA790FX-DS5, CPU: AMD 6400+, Video: EVEA 8800GT Superclocked, RAM: OCZ2P800R22GK (5 5 5 15 @ 1.8V), Power: Kingwin ABT-600CW.

Pros: High quality, nice piano black finish.

Cons: This Auto Mute is killing me. Any time I watch a video it seems like I always have to restart it so the speakers can turn on. So aggravating. As for Facebook or email notifications, forget it, speakers will be off. Tried to work this issue out with the manufacture to no avail.

Overall Review: If you like this model, buy the older version on the internet. I purchased a pair and am much happier.

Pros: Great drive for the price, only $55. I have this one and one purchased 3 years ago in a RAID 1 array. Faster read times than a comparable 1 GB WD Black.

Cons: I have had to RMA one of these Seagate drives in the past. Probably not be as reliable as a comparable 1GB WD Black.

Overall Review: Most drives have a bathtub life cycle, fail at the beginning or end but usually not in the middle. Statically an RMA drive still has a lot of life in it, if not all, since people RMA good drive since they don't know what they are doing during installs.

Pros: Factory Overclock. Gamming with it, seems smother than my old 1100T. Used 1100T, to upgrade Dad's PC (Gigabyte), this is why I love AMD. If Steamroller is AM3+, I will have 3 CPU upgrades on this MB. Intel PC is done with just 1 CPU update. A Scary Boo for Halloween to Intel. (Although, Main PC is an ASRock Z68 Pro/i7-3770K)

Cons: Not as fast as my old 1100T in SuperPi it replaced (single core test).

Overall Review: Running on my second PC, an ASRock 990FX Extreme4 (BIOS 1.80, FX-9370 not supported by OEM) with air cooling (Enzotech Extreme-X, with extra fan, both fans at max). Idles at 52C. All Cores running it hit 68C in very short test and was climbing higher fast. OCZ ZT 650W. EVGA GTX 570 Classified. For about 3 months or week after you could get one on another site. Hope this helps.

Pros: Great CPU for the Price!! Overclocked to 3.8GHz under water cooling. 4th CPU upgrade (6400+ > 9950 > 940 > 965) on my AM2+ motherboard. This is a great company to accommodate ME with backwards compatible processors and not forcing me to change out my MB for every redesign like the completion. Not much extra power needed to overclock.

Cons: Where is that cow bell.

Overall Review: When I was at Intel for an interview, I personally saw the Die size reduction over the technology nodes (deceasing line widths) and I realized they are all about the money and not about the customer (or employee). With die reduction came higher units per wafer and a natural default increase in clock speed. I believe this is how AMD was able to produce faster chips for a short time, because AMD’s greater focus on the customers. When Intel finally focused on speed (Ex. 3.4 EE Gallatin for $1,000) they charged the consumer an arm and a leg for it. All I am saying, is when you look to the future, which company do you think will do you right in this regard.

Pros: Very nice craftsmanship. Dropped idle and load temperatures by 20-30C depending on my systems fan speed and CPU overclocking. Yes, it removed that loud fan that is on these single slot cards. Price is good compared to others brands. Some extra parts.

Cons: I removed one egg for the following reasons; 1) Manual does not explain old fan removal and GPU, RAM, FET cleanup. 2) Zalman block connections have a smaller ID (8mm vs 10mm). Compensated by getting SS Clamps and clear silicon for connections. No Leaks. 3) Someone indicated that the threaded barbs are smaller than the tapped holes and they do seem loose fitting, countered by using Red Loctite so I did not feel the urge to crank down and possibly strip them out. 4) The thermal pads have plastic on both sides (not easily noticeable, one side the plastic is harder to remove, use X-acto knife or a small flathead screwdriver), diamond pattern toward water block (start with the only odd shape piece and you will see why). Also, the thermal pad for the FET area is to skinny (look at old fan you just took off). I removed some thermal material from the old fan (two nice rectangles) and strategy placed it on the water block to cover the two small FETs missed at the very edge of the water block.

Overall Review: Used in a PC3-726 Koolance system. Purchased Zalman tubing, but was too small ID for the Koolance (10mm) system. Don’t forget to turn screws down one turn at a time as indicated in the manual. One person indicated he snapping his board, might not have followed this instruction or had a tolerance/obstruction issue. Under load this card would hit 93C and when it was dusty 101C. Wow, felt I needed to do something. CPU: AMD 965 (OC to 3.6 for now) Video: EVGA 8800 GT SC (512-P3-N802-A1) Motherboard: GA-MA790FX-DS5 Ram: OCZ Reaper