Joined on 03/29/06
Hello? Is this thing on?
Pros: Small (14" tall), quiet (so very quiet), minimalistic, power supply included, sound dampening silicone grommets included.
Cons: The dual chamber thing is an awesome idea, but with a case this compact the wire routing is definitely a task. Trying to slide the panel closed around all the wires and cables took some serious finesse. If you're going to be using round IDE cables for the CD-ROM then beware that a 12" was _barely_ long enough to reach the motherboard. If you plan on using round IDE cables for both the hard drive (if you're using the upper chamber for the hard drive) and CD-ROM, or two CD-ROMs then be prepared to struggle with that sliding chamber dividing panel.
Overall Review: This case is so cool incredibly quiet. I have the exhaust fan on the low setting and my MB and CPU temps are in the mid-30s. There's space for two front-mount intake fans, but they're really not necessary. To put things in perspective (since I know Intel's typically run hotter) I am using an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 2.0Ghz with an ASUS A8N-VM CSM motherboard.
First impression
Pros: Big, but not too big (if that makes sense). More quiet than stock Intel 651 3.4Ghz heatsink/fan.
Cons: Thus far, this unit is actually keeping my CPU _less_ cool. I went from idle temps of ~54-60 degrees to high 60s, low 70s.
Overall Review: I used the thermal pad with this unit. I heard that it's a sort of wax compound that can take several days to completely do its thing and start consisently keeping the CPU cool. I'll review again if my temps drop, but for now I'm a little disappointed. Relevant information-- CPU: Intel Pentium 651 Cedar Mill 3.4Ghz, Motherboard: ASUS P5WD2-Premium
Direction is not ambiguous
Pros: All copper, easy install, keeps temps 15c cooler than stock or ASUS V-Nardo on a Pentium D 940.
Cons: While the base had a mirror finish, there was an imperfection about the size of a raspberry seed on it.
Overall Review: Excellent cooler. To those confused about which way to mount it for airflow, there is enough space between the two sets of copper fins to see the fan itself. You want the concave side of the blades to be facing the direction you want air to be flowing.
Not good enough
Pros: Unique design, copper base and heatpipes.
Cons: The orientation of this unit is no good if you have an rear-to-front airflow (like a Lian Li A05, for example). You have to mount it backwards and one of the tabs interferes with the northbridge heatsink. Copper base not smooth, visible marks and flaws.
Overall Review: Had a Pentium D 940 idling at 60c with no overclocking. Might cool the Core 2 Duos better. Fan was also a little loud for my tastes.
Impressed.
Pros: Super stable, plenty of connectors, quiet, nice bag for extra cables.
Cons: Ribbon style cables are STIFF--hard to maneuver
Overall Review: This replaced a Zalman ZM600-HP that died on me. The wattage is rated lower, but all reviews of this PSU that I've found proclaim that it's a "true" 520W for whatever that's worth. I've noticed to difference in system performance.
Fine while it lasted
Pros: Sleeved cables, quiet, uninstrusive blue LEDs
Cons: Lasted just over a month. It started clicking (the way it clicks when it shuts down) randomly, but system showed no signs of instability or lack of power. I powered off my system and it would not power up again--totally dead
Overall Review: I was iffy about this purchase in the first place. I replaced it with a Corsair HX520.