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Eric B.

Eric B.

Joined on 11/25/10

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 5
Most Favorable Review

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Fractal Design Define Mini C Black Silent Compact Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case
Fractal Design Define Mini C Black Silent Compact Micro ATX Mini Tower Computer Case

Pros: Exceptionally good build quality, showing attention to detail. Even though I've been at this a while, I found the guide was quite useful at illustrating the features and options available. Install went through without a hitch. I think Swedes should stick to designing computer cases and safe cars, and skip the furniture business.

Cons: Did not come with meatballs.

Good stuff!

GIGABYTE H370M D3H LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel H370 HDMI USB 3.1 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
GIGABYTE H370M D3H LGA 1151 (300 Series) Intel H370 HDMI USB 3.1 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Pros: Excellent value and well constructed with durable components. I'd normally consider Asus, but Gigabyte seems to be the only ones that bother to include DVI connectors. This is good, as HDMI can get stuffed. Also includes good old fashioned parallel and serial ports (header sold separately, or in my case found after rummaging about). Zero issues with Linux (though I do know what I'm doing, which helps).

Cons: IT8686E onboard sensor isn't terribly well supported under Linux.

Hex-cellent!

Intel Core i5 8th Gen - Core i5-8400 Coffee Lake 6-Core 2.8 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo) LGA 1151 (300 Series) 65W BX80684I58400 Desktop Processor Intel UHD Graphics 630
Intel Core i5 8th Gen - Core i5-8400 Coffee Lake 6-Core 2.8 GHz (4.0 GHz Turbo) LGA 1151 (300 Series) 65W BX80684I58400 Desktop Processor Intel UHD Graphics 630

Pros: Another excellent product from Intel. If you're trying to balance performance, power consumption and value, this is almost certainly your best option.

Cons: Included HSF is barely adequate.

Spot on!

Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz DRAM (Desktop Memory) CL17 1.2V SR DIMM (288-pin) CT8G4DFS824A
Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4 2400MHz DRAM (Desktop Memory) CL17 1.2V SR DIMM (288-pin) CT8G4DFS824A

Pros: Self-respecting RAM without an obnoxious heatsink attached. Excellent value.

Cons: None.

Decent price, apparent benefit is more a burden.

NORCO RPC-270 Black 2U Rackmount Server Case 2 External 5.25" Drive Bays
NORCO RPC-270 Black 2U Rackmount Server Case 2 External 5.25" Drive Bays

Pros: Decently priced (i.e. cheapest) 2U chassis that can take larger boards. Takes a standard ATX power supply (but..)

Cons: No instructions provided. I suppose it's a test of ingenuity, but a few hints would have been appreciated. Power supply orientation (though not really a fault of the chassis).

Overall Review: While it may seem a plus that this chassis takes an ATX power supply, and maybe you're excited you can repurpose one you've already or buy one on the cheap, there's a big catch involved. Virtually every (modern) ATX power supply has a larger (~12cm) fan on one side, typically above the CPU in a tower configuration. Here, given the orientation of the power supply this fan will covered by the lid of the chassis, thus rendering it ineffective. I'd modified an older one with two fans on either end, flipping one around to ensure proper airflow. Keep this in mind when looking for a suitable power supply or considering an existing one.