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Cary W.

Cary W.

Joined on 07/16/01

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 6
Most Favorable Review

Know what you're doing!

D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Media Router IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11a/g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2
D-Link DIR-855 Xtreme N Duo Media Router IEEE 802.3/3u, IEEE 802.11a/g, IEEE802.11n Draft 2

Pros: It works. The manual is actually pretty good - it's a PDF on the CD. I like the web based configuration app. Dual channels work really well for me, and it paired seamlessly with the DAP-1522. I use comcast, and outside of the wireless configuration, it was completely plug and play.

Cons: On about day 4, I inexplicably lost my configuration settings, and had to repeat the 3 minute installation process.

Overall Review: Read the manual and you'll be fine.

Most Critical Review

Really bummed

Polk Audio DSW microPRO 1000 8" 1200 watt Subwoofer Single
Polk Audio DSW microPRO 1000 8" 1200 watt Subwoofer Single

Pros: Attractive. Inexpensive. Polk is a good brand. Easy to install and configure. Decent manual. Remote works well.

Cons: I'm just really disappointed. I took a shot and bought it without hearing it, which is just stupid. I'm a pretty knowledgeable home theater enthusiast, and I know better. All of the reviews I read made me think it would be better than what I have - an 8 year old 250 watt 10" Polk PSW 650. The PSW 650 can kick this little thing's tail in virtually any metric. I thought I was upgrading, but the DSW 1000 is barely noticeable in my concrete basement, while the 650 knocks things off shelves. As a matter of fact, I have a piece of junk Cambridge Soundworks sub that retails for $150 that performs closely to the DSW 1000 - it just doesn't get the really low lows as well.

Overall Review: Don't let the super discount vs. MSRP trick you - this performs like a two - three hundred dollar subwoofer. It might be nice for apartments and beginner setups, but it was a major step back for me. I can't return it, so I'm running it in tandem with the 650. They work well together, but I was really hoping this would have been more of an upgrade.

Know what you're doing!

D-Link Xtreme-N Duo Wireless Bridge/Access Point (DAP-1522) Wireless N300, Dual-Band, Fast Ethernet
D-Link Xtreme-N Duo Wireless Bridge/Access Point (DAP-1522) Wireless N300, Dual-Band, Fast Ethernet

Pros: It works. The manual is actually pretty good - it's a PDF on the CD. I like the web based configuration app. Dual channels work really well for me, and it paired seamlessly with the DIR-855. After configuring the first time, it's kept it's settings after multiple power failures, and it picks the network back up seamlessly. I'm using this in wireless bridge mode, and connecting an Xbox and PS3 to my network using the 'N' channel. I can stream HD content one floor down without issues.

Cons: Zero to date. It does exactly what I need to do. It's a bummer that it's currently OOS, as I could use one for the basement.

Overall Review: Read the manual and you'll be fine. There are also a few very detailed reviews on am-a-zon that are quite helpful if you get stuck.

Great deal

Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Foxconn A7GM-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Pros: Very inexpensive option, but so far it's been great. Fantastic manual and decent support on the Foxconn site. Never tried Foxconn before, but I'm very impressed. Easy install, no stability issues at all.

Cons: Not much is in the box, but I didn't need anything.

Overall Review: Paired with a AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400 Brisbane for a great budget setup.

Crazy cool

AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400 - Athlon 64 X2 Brisbane Dual-Core 2.3 GHz Socket AM2 Processor - ADH2400IAA5DO
AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400 - Athlon 64 X2 Brisbane Dual-Core 2.3 GHz Socket AM2 Processor - ADH2400IAA5DO

Pros: Cheap. Insanely cool. I put a stock Phenom 9850 fan I wasn't using on it, and my proc temps are below the room temp. I don't know how this is even possible. The heat sink stays ice cold to the touch. I'm using Quiet 'n Cool and stock timings.

Cons: Zero.

Overall Review: Installed on a Foxconn A7GM-S. A great, stable budget setup.

Died in ten hours

OCZ ModStream OCZ52012U 520 W ATX / BTX Modular Active PFC Power Supply
OCZ ModStream OCZ52012U 520 W ATX / BTX Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Pros: Quiet. Pretty.

Cons: Died in ten hours. Even when it worked, power output measured on the extreme low end of barely passable (measured with a multimeter). ~11.5 12V...

Overall Review: Had to post my review, because everything was so positive. I'm sure I just got a bad one - it happens. OCZ support was great, but I decided to take the restocking fee hit and returned for my money back. Left a bad taste in my mouth; don't think I would go OCZ again. Currently using a BFG (FSP rebadge) 600W-er, and so far so good...