Joined on 09/15/12
Great non reference design
Pros: Card runs cool under full load @1200mhz for about 2 hours. It'll start approaching 80C (which is my turboboost 2.0 max temp) but never reach it. Turboboost is honestly the sole reason why anyone should upgrade their gpu, it'll keep the running great without managing w/e overclocking software. Can buy a backplate for it for $20 on EVGA's website. Im using my HD 4600 along side of it to run my vga monitor and hdmi tv with no conflicts.
Cons: The fan runs quite loud at 100%, its by about 2x the loudest fan set in my case.
Overall Review: i5 4670k @4.4Ghz MSI Z87M-G43 Team Extreem 8gb @2000Mhz Corsair H50 EVGA GTX 760 ACX SC + Intel HD 4600 Silverstone strider ST60F-Ps Samsung 840 series 120GB NZXT Vulcan mATX
Make sure you keep 'Smart Zero Fan' ON if running high load, fan is quite loud either way
Pros: Native 12VHPWR, 140mm fan, mostly flat cables.
Cons: Fan runs loud under load. I run a 5800x3d and RTX 4090 with an always up 550W overclock. The 'Smart Zero Fan' mode OFF would cause an overtemp condition even though it was running the fan, but having it ON at least prevents that (still loud)
Overall Review: Not perfect, but better than edging with a 1000W power supply and a stupid 12VHPWR adapter, though if you're not in a rush to get rid of that disgusting adapter, then wait for Seasonic's line IMO.
Best practical mid tower on the market
Pros: Mesh side panel is incredible for any high power GPU. My system being a 7950x3D and RTX 4090 with a usual 100W+550W TDP between the two. Side panel fits my 280mm EKWB elite, but its not a simple install. I could care less for the wood, but it does look good. I bought the case for the side mesh panel which is incredible for airflow. WILL fit eATX boards, mine being the x670e Aorus Master, with another ~0.5" to spare.
Cons: Working in the case reminds me more of mITX than a mid tower with how the side 280mm mount works. They could've cut the top differently to support a top 280mm radiator, though the side mount is superior either way.
Overall Review: If you've got a giant GPU like me, may close attention to how you position any front two 140mm fans. Ideally the bottom one is at the very bottom to provide pressure for the GPU and the top front 140mm spaced well above any flow through. Both front fans for me being spaced at the very top and bottom respectively.
It worked with my x570s aorus master
Pros: works, small attached to motherboard. Only had to enter the bitlocker key after installing and it and disabling fTPM.
Overall Review: If your motherboard is compatible, why not get one. fTPM is nice and all but has its problems, this is designed to fix those.
OC'd RTX 4090 approved
Pros: Lets you air cool your CPU without cooking it when paired with a 4090. The stock fans are actually good (coming from someone with well over $500 of noctua/bequiet fans over the years) and I don't intent on swapping them. Power supply compartment is actually nice, gives you plenty of room to hide cables. Couldn't find a drive activity LED header to plug in, which I usually just leave unplugged anyways.
Cons: There's a lot of unique model options, be careful which one you get. Its not a problem I ran into but when discussing it and current price, the variation in models (side panels, compact version, etc) made it difficult to discuss. Don't expect to use this case with an AiO unless its a 140mm mounted on the rear, I bought the case with the intention of using that NH-D15. Other can custom water cooling, the case is just designed for a chungus air cooler.
Overall Review: Largest but best case I've worked in. Definitely designed for air cooling unless you want a giant front 2x180mm radiator on the front. I've been generally used to negative pressure being a former mITX enthusiast (4090 said no) so the idea of a super positive pressure system is still strange to me.
Up to 50% IPC from 3950x
Pros: More gaming focused than my 3950x Didnt require a reimagine to boot Bought after upgrading to 4K@240Hz since my 3950x was struggling to keep up with a 6900xt I run baseline >2500MHz. Single threaded centric games like Warframe, WoW, Planetside2 where all games that I saw incredibly higher minimum and maximum framerates in ontop of the standard upgrades, even at 4k.
Cons: Core temp seems to be higher, I'm guessing from the 3D v-cache mod. Mine doesn't seem to feel the need to go over 100W TDP, but we'll see how that changes during cold season.
Overall Review: I was going to buy this product on release and didn't, ended up anyways. Its going to replace my brother's 3600x when AM5 comes out so it wont go to waste.