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Adam B.

Adam B.

Joined on 06/21/13

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 12
Most Favorable Review

What a GPU

EVGA GeForce GTX 970 04G-P4-2978-KR 4GB FTW GAMING w/ACX 2.0, Silent Cooling Graphics Card
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 04G-P4-2978-KR 4GB FTW GAMING w/ACX 2.0, Silent Cooling Graphics Card

Pros: - Easy installation - Decent temperatures under heavy loads (under 70 Celcius so far) - Factory overclocking is impressive (1404 max boost so far) - Doubled my 3D Mark Firestrike score, coming from a GTX 760 which OC'd kept up with my XFX 7950 OC'd (sometimes even better frames) - I use a 42" TV as a monitor, so it's limited to 60 FPS, but this card won't dip under that 60 mark with most settings set to the highest they go - Fairly quiet cooler looked well-made from what I saw on the card and looking at a review where they took it off - It's a pretty handsome card

Cons: When using a TV as a monitor, some games will have a scaling issue, especially when turning on Vsync. It can be little annoying to have to try different combinations of settings just to get a game to show right (FIFA 15 for example I cannot get to show Fullscreen correctly, has to be windowed) The XFX 7950 had the least issues like this, the GTX 760 a little more trouble, now this GTX 970 is similar to the GTX 760. (But I do realize I'm not using a monitor that's meant for a desktop) Having to register just to get their OC tool is a little frustrating, I wish you could install it from the DVD. For now I am still using MSI afterburner, will probably register the GPU soon and try out EVGA's software.

Overall Review: This card is incredible, it is smaller than some but packs such a punch. The bench-marking is amazing. This card does not have the cooler setup that frustrated some people about other GTX 970 cards (where only 2 of 3 heat-sink pipes were touching the CPU) - I have not heard any coil-whine or other weird noises. (Does not come with an SLI bridge)

10/29/2014
Most Critical Review

Final verdict is not in

APEVIA CVTAUDIOE25 11 in. Audio Extension cable for a standard audio motherboard
APEVIA CVTAUDIOE25 11 in. Audio Extension cable for a standard audio motherboard

Pros: Cheap cheap cheap. I could buy 2 for less than the cost of one ... so I got 2 :) Does what it's described to do, extends the length of the front audio jacks.

Cons: Not sure here if it's the cable or my front audio jacks, but my mic doesn't pick up my voice very well (especially compared to when using the rear jack)

Overall Review: Personally I rarely have used front jacks so I've usually left them unplugged, just plugging in the USB and hiding the rest. Recently I wanted to be able to use them after using a mic more and more with the back panel being less accessible than in the past. My Mobo was too far away from those ports, so I couldn't plug them in. This extender lets me reach just fine... HOWEVER: the main purpose was for the mic, so this was the first thing tested. (new build, no mic settings had been changed) - I was having a very hard time getting my voice heard even though I could tell the mic was working by the levels reacting to (loud) noises. Basic troubleshooting including reseating all the connections (mic cable with an extender) and even taking out that extender completely, boosting mic levels in Windows, checking drivers and restarting computer. Eventually I plugged it into the back panel again, works fine. I will be testing this again soon and will reseat the external audio extender connected to the mobo, trying the other one I got, and If possible, I will also be trying newer front jacks. If there is improvement I will see if I can change this review. The cable basically does what it was designed to do, still trying to figure out if my issues are related to it, or faulty front jacks. (audio with headphones seem normal)

Just what I needed.

Link Depot C6M-50-BKB 50 ft. Cat 6 Black 550 MHz Network Cable
Link Depot C6M-50-BKB 50 ft. Cat 6 Black 550 MHz Network Cable

Pros: Needed a couple 50 ft cables, maybe 1 extra for testing. Found these at a great price so easy choice for the third. The cables are sturdy and the interfaces don't feel like they're about to fall off with some regular handling like I've seen on some older cables. The neutral black is perfect.

Cons: I wish these cables could be rolled up to come out straight as an arrow, if that were even possible.

Overall Review: If these cables are cheap at the time you're looking at them: they're solid, delivered pretty quick, even with the eggsaver shipping, and reaches the 120 Mb/s Internet speeds I was expecting.

Not quite a filter

APEVIA FF-120BK 120mm Black Fan Filter 3 in 1 pack
APEVIA FF-120BK 120mm Black Fan Filter 3 in 1 pack

Pros: Cheap, easy to install, easy to bend (and stay sturdy) for specific situations.

Cons: Not quite as much of a "filter" as I was hoping, more of a grid. (This will stop some of the dust) and I was also expecting it not to necessarily be a full-fledged filter, judging by the images on Newegg.

Overall Review: For my purposes the lips got in the way (or are pointed outwards) - I'd expect that if these were attached directly to fans they'd fit quite well with the bit of play they have. I might try removing the lips off the spare one I still have left over, to see if it can be done cleanly. I still gave them 4 stars, basically what I was expecting, they fit where I wanted them to and do help keep dust out, just not quite as much as I was hoping. Will be looking for some cloth? filters soon to add under these.

I'm just not sure

EVERCOOL SB-F2 Case Cooling Fan
EVERCOOL SB-F2 Case Cooling Fan

Pros: An extra fan (and exhaust) in a hot case is usually a good thing, price is fair, in general it works as described. Does push out A LOT of air.

Cons: Not quite having the effect I was hoping for, not sure I can blame this on the Evercool or the GPU that needs the cooling. Also louder than I was hoping it would be, the loudest thing in my case when the GPU is idling.

Overall Review: GPU: XFX 7950 DD - after a couple years this card is starting to show its age. It came slightly OC'd but my latest mobo didn't seem to agree with that, so I decided to start pushing it. (980 coreclock and 1450 memclock for those interested) It already ran pretty hot under stress, pushing mid to high 70's with a fan curve that would catch up practically percentile for degree, so at almost 80 degrees C the fan is at 80% and sounds like it's taking off. In comes the Evercool, more out of curiosity on my side, hoping to allow a few extra clocks. The XFX is not very good at venting the heat out of the case, it dissipates inside the case more than anything. I was hoping for a 3 - 5 degree drop, however it seems to be max a 2 degree difference, this is judged after minimal testing (and probably partly wishful thinking) It might make more sense if there were some add ons to specifically help certain types of GPU coolers, so you can specify exactly where you want it to pull hot air from instead of "just putting it close to the GPU" - like 2 types of cheap plastic "Air flow modules" - I might try to create something like that myself if I stick with this GPU. I wonder how much of the GPU's air it's actually stealing rather than helping out as the only place I can put it has the fan practically counter-acting one of the GPU's fans.

Does what it says

BYTECC U3-225 USB 3.0 Front Hub Bracket for Dual 2.5" HDD/SSD to 3.5" Tray
BYTECC U3-225 USB 3.0 Front Hub Bracket for Dual 2.5" HDD/SSD to 3.5" Tray

Pros: Easy install, decent price, Performs as expected, very smart multi-purposing of USB ports and a 2.5 bay

Cons: None - arrived on time and works as expected.

Overall Review: I'm giving it 5 stars based on what I was expecting, what I needed and what I got. Exactly as described, no issues so far whatsoever, both ports work (USB 3 devices, USB 2 and peripherals like controllers) The cables are long enough to work with (hiding them) If you're going to add 2x front USB 3.0 ports to your desktop, might as well get this with the 2.5 bay instead of one with just the ports. Same prices.