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Justin M.

Justin M.

Joined on 06/23/04

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 7
Most Favorable Review
ASUS KCMA-D8 ATX Server Motherboard Dual Socket C32 AMD SR5670 DDR3 1333/1066/800
ASUS KCMA-D8 ATX Server Motherboard Dual Socket C32 AMD SR5670 DDR3 1333/1066/800

Pros: A lot of hardware packed into a small budget. Over a year running with dual six-core Opterons and this board hasn't skipped a beat once. No complaints.

Cons: None

Most Critical Review

Barely functional at the best of times

StarTech.com SV231DPDDUA 2 Port Dual DisplayPort USB KVM Switch with Audio & USB 2.0 Hub
StarTech.com SV231DPDDUA 2 Port Dual DisplayPort USB KVM Switch with Audio & USB 2.0 Hub

Pros: - None.

Cons: - High impedance on audio port means your analog headset will sound terrible with a lot of static and popping - USB hub is only 1.1 on the off chance it even works. 1 out of 4 ports is just non-functional. - DisplayPort doesn't work at all, monitor (nice high quality ASUS ROG PG279) does not work on KVM at all - Only the keyboard USB port works consistently, the rest only sporadically work - Doesn't come with any connector cables at all - Adding a powered USB hub to the mix does not make anything better

Overall Review: Unless every USB device you have is a thousand years old and is only 1.1, you'll get only 1/3 use out of this device. Even that's pushing it, because the only thing this does consistently is switch the keyboard port. The primary reason I bought it, the DisplayPort switching capability, is non-functional. The second reason, the 4-port USB hub, only 3 of the 4 ports work, and they only work in USB 1.1 mode, which some devices can't function on. The third reason, the audio, sounds awful. Terrible device.

Went from 1 star to 5 based on ASRock response. Excellent in the long term

ASRock AMD Ryzen Embedded CPU Barebone 4X4 BOX-R1000V SoC Dual GLAN Supports Triple Displays Industrial Mini / Booksize Barebone System
ASRock AMD Ryzen Embedded CPU Barebone 4X4 BOX-R1000V SoC Dual GLAN Supports Triple Displays Industrial Mini / Booksize Barebone System

Pros: - Extremely compact yet still roomy enough to work in - Very low power - Flexible chassis

Cons: - Limited CPU options - 2nd memory slot difficult to access - Had to return units to get working ones

Overall Review: Originally I gave these boxes 1 star, because I ordered 3, and 2 of them arrived damaged. I'm now sitting with 4 boxes that work great, and ASRock/Newegg handled the returns well. These are about the best you're going to get for a usable Ryzen platform that can be used for VM labs or other flexible environments.

Ridiculously awesome, if you can find them.

XFX Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB HBM2 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card RX-VEGMLBFX6
XFX Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB HBM2 PCI Express 3.0 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card RX-VEGMLBFX6

Pros: Really great card. Wish I could buy more, but they're never in stock. Looks great, fast, easy to work with, not too loud even with the blower fan. I'd buy 20 if I could.

Cons: Never in stock.

11/12/2017

Died in less than a month

Tripp Lite U360-004-R USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 4-Port Hub
Tripp Lite U360-004-R USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 4-Port Hub

Pros: None

Cons: Died after less than a month. Because I didn't keep the packaging, I doubt they'll accept it for RMA - not to mention it would still cost me money in shipping to do such. I specifically selected a high-cost powered hub thinknig a cheap one would probably die sooner. Pretty disappointed in this.

perfect if you like silence

TekNmotion TM-YW100A 3.5mm Connector Circumaural White Yapster Universal Gaming Headset
TekNmotion TM-YW100A 3.5mm Connector Circumaural White Yapster Universal Gaming Headset

Pros: none

Cons: the volume adjuster is defective, resulting in a headset that works only about 1/4 of the time. because i recycled the plastic eggshell, i can't send it back for an RMA. waste of money on a bad product.