Joined on 12/04/09
My First Build
Pros: + All worked right from the start + Good instructions + 6GB triple channel 1600 ram worked with minor changes in BIOS and no XMP settings + Lots of room for non-stock CPU heatsink
Cons: + Port plate for back of PC had a -too thick- thermal pad that had to be removed to mount the motherboard + ASUS BIOS does not like lowspeed CPU fans + If 6.0GBsec SATA ports not used - disable Marvell 9123 Controller to prevent "no harddrive detected" warning durring every bootup
Overall Review: Intel i7-950 processor: 3.06GHz Scythe SCKBT-1000 Kabuto: CPU Cooler ASUS P6X58D Premium motherboard 6GB G.Skill ram at 1600: F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ ATI Radeon 5850 - HIS brand Thermaltake 850W powersupply: W0178RU Thermaltake case - ATX full tower: VA8003BWS WD 500GB Caviar Black: 7200rpm, 32MB cache Windows 7 Pro - 64bit
Less than 6 months it broke
Pros: Great at Netflix Played BlueRay and DVD when it worked
Cons: Stopped playing BlueRays and DVD after 4 months, makes awful noise now when disks are inserted.
What I expected, a very good monitor.
Pros: Excellent color and brightness, Easy setup and no software needed for Windows 7, Zero defects (and I looked), Good looking design.
Cons: Stand could be more robust but within acceptable limits, No visible shaking with normal computer use.
Overall Review: Tilt feature works as advertised.
New RED TEAM recruit
Pros: + Takes every game I have and makes them bright, crisp, and intense + ATI Catalyst Control Center is great for controlling fan and overclocking + Quiet, less heat, and less power consumption than green team equivalent
Cons: + Default fan speed is 21%, need to set at 30% for idle and 40% for gaming for good low temperatures + Fan speed of 50% or greater makes lots of noise
Overall Review: Intel i7-950 processor: 3.06GHz ASUS P6X58D Premium motherboard 6GB G.Skill ram at 1600: F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ ATI Radeon 5850 - HIS brand Thermaltake 850W powersupply: W0178RU Thermaltake case - ATX full tower: VA8003BWS WD 500GB Caviar Black: 7200rpm, 32MB cache Windows 7 Pro - 64bit
Modular Cables - Oh Yes
Pros: + Modular Cables makes my case organized and looking good + Ready for PCIe video cards with 8-pin power + Quality construction + Lots of extra cables for almost any setup + Powers my setup with lots of power to spare
Cons: + A bit large (somewhat expected)
Overall Review: Intel i7-950 processor: 3.06GHz ASUS P6X58D Premium motherboard 6GB G.Skill ram at 1600: F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ ATI Radeon 5850 - HIS brand Thermaltake 850W powersupply: W0178RU Thermaltake case - ATX full tower: VA8003BWS WD 500GB Caviar Black: 7200rpm, 32MB cache Windows 7 Pro - 64bit
Good Lower Profile Heatsink
Pros: + 5.5 inches in height (w/fan) + Very quiet - even at maximum stock fan speed + i7-950 at 32 C (idle), 63 C (max w/ prime95) room temperture at 20 C + Quality product with no obvious flaws + OK price
Cons: - Intel stlye plastic push pins are stubborn and non-adjustable - No fancy colors, finish, or LED lights
Overall Review: Intel i7-950 processor - 3.06GHz ASUS P6X58D Premium motherboard 6GB G.Skill ram at 1600 = F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ Thermaltake 850W powersupply W0178RU Thermaltake case - ATX full tower - VA8003BWS WD 500GB Caviar Black - 32MB cache Windows 7 Pro - 64bit