Pros: Didn't cost much and works out of the box. HD video content looks great. No install and/or driver issues at all.

Cons: Loses one egg based on value.

Overall Review: The HD 5450 was well thought of a couple years ago as a great HTPC GPU for the price. Needed a card for that purpose for a new board with no onboard graphics and this one popped up near the top in search of PCIE 2.0 x 16, based on price. After purchase I noticed some higher end AMD GPU's for the same or few bucks less when searching 2.1 x 16. Not a gamer so it won't make a difference for my purpose but it would have been a no-brainer to upgrade at the same price or less. The fault is mine for not noticing, but it deserves an egg knocked off for value. Never understood why most cards end up heat sink down, it get's hot but not expecting any problems. This replaced onboard HD 4250 w/sideport mem. on a different board. Win experience index took a 0.5 point hit, from 4.6 down to 4.1, for desktop/Aero graphics. But, a 0.5 point gain, from 4.9 to 5.4, for 3D and Gaming. Read this in other reviews so not unexpected. Regardless, I think HD video actually looks a bit cleaner and sharper comparing both GPU's without enhancements. Maybe that Windows rating is just bunk. Good card for HD, not expensive and no problems with install or function so far.

Pros: It works out of the box. Relatively inexpensive. 8 internal Sata ports. Read that Nortbridge runs hot but it really isnt bad at all.

Cons: No real cons considering price and purpose. A few minor quirks listed below. Layout could be better.

Overall Review: Bought for media and HTPC. Replaced Asus with onboard GPU that was acting up. Small board compared to the ASUS. HDD's connected to SATA III show as ATA in device manager despite BIOS settings and driver install. No big deal, just strange and it tweaks me for whatever reason. On SATA II ports they show as SATA. 1600 MHZ memory ran at 1600 on ASUS board with no overclock and same CPU. Same sticks run 1333 on this board, no overclock. Memory listed on QVL. Another no big deal but it tweaks me. Knocking one egg off for the quirks, layout could be better and because nothings perfect.

Pros: Drive bays and hardware make for easy install of HDDs. Plenty of room. ASUS MB lines up perfectly. Ample cooling and the large, low RPM fans are pretty quiet. Fan led is neat and subtle enough ... I never use it but some will.

Cons: Gotta knock of 1 egg for ... Front screen mesh that acts as dust filter is a pain to remove for cleaning which may be needed frequently if in dusty environment. HDD rack puts back of HDD's a little too close to side of case. another 1/2- 1 inch would allow for easier wire management in back of HDD's.

Overall Review: No complaints on actual case itself, just the two quirks. Fans have been reliable and remained quiet since purhcase. More than enough space for most users. Sturdy and well built. I'd buy another if needed at sale price or with rebate.

Pros: I had several spindles (10 packs I think) of Sony branded ... RITEK-D01-01 ... Several reviews indicate this as the media code. If it is the same media, then I have had no issues at all. No coasters that I can recall and they hold data for years (video in my case).

Cons: 2.4x only in my Burners.

Overall Review: I cant really recommend these based on the Sony labeled blanks that I have used. But if they are the same as indicated by some reviews (RITEK-D01-01), I would give them a try. Have burned with Sony-Optiarc (new and old) and oem Lite-on and LG (cant recall models). Play in PC and Stand-alones for years.

Pros: Been using these for years now. Cannot remember a single coaster. No read issues after months or years unlike cheaper media (Playo). Have burned up to 4x with no issues. I use for video, not data.

Cons: Slower burn speed (2.4 - 4X) but for me that's a nit-pick.

Overall Review: I continue to purchase these as they just work, always. Also have had nothing but success with older Sony branded DL media (Ritek-D-01-01).

Pros: I have 3, no problems. So far so good. I may be lucky but have never had an issue with any WD drive.

Cons: None so far.

Overall Review: I use a 2TB in a DVR and two 1.5 TB's in the media desktop for video storage. Work perfectly for media storage and streaming. Speed isnt an issue and shouldnt be when used for the designed applications of these drives. Will be adding more in the future.