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JONATHAN W.

JONATHAN W.

Joined on 08/17/04

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Product Reviews
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product reviews
  • 7
Most Favorable Review

Spiffy

Koutech IO-HU1310 13-Port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 External Hub - Black
Koutech IO-HU1310 13-Port Hi-Speed USB 2.0 External Hub - Black

Pros: It's as nice as it looks. The shiny surface doesn't show pick up too many smears, fingerprints. 13 ports is hard to beat. It's great.

Cons: Not sure where the hangup is, but the hard drives I've connected to it transfer at half the speed of the ones connected directly to my computer. Potentially could be the enclosures, the OS, or just the HUB indeed, but I don't know. Still, it knocked it from a 5 star to a 4 for me.

Overall Review: The port on top is a little gimmicky in my opinion, but it's a solid design. When laid down, it's fairly flush and difficult to open (unless you have long nails, I suppose). When in use, it's sturdy and doesn't feel susceptible to breaking.

Most Critical Review

Evil

Intel S5520SCR SSI EEB Server Motherboard Dual LGA 1366 Intel 5520 DDR3 1333
Intel S5520SCR SSI EEB Server Motherboard Dual LGA 1366 Intel 5520 DDR3 1333

Pros: Runs 5600 series chips. Decent number of slots.

Cons: Board is programmed to full-throttle fans regardless of thermal temps unless you buy one of Intel's 6 "approved" chassis. Long boot time (1 minute+). Beeps for every attached peripheral at boot (don't ask). Doesn't match ATX hole mounts (only 4 fit). Uses a "CEK" to prevent third-party coolers. Onboard RAID controller won't mount non-raid HDs alongside Raided ones. Pricey.

Overall Review: Intel apparently want's to monopolize the market by cornering you into buying only their hardware. Here's why: 1). Although it's an ATX form factor, they use "special" mount locations that don't match standard ATX. 2). A "Common Enabling Kit" blocks the mounting holes for CPU coolers making it impossible to use anything other than the Intel designed coolers. Should be renamed "Uncommon Disabling Vice". 3). The most annoying: your fans will go FULL BLAST, all the time, regardless of CPU load or thermal readings. On page 63 of their platform management PDF, sub-note box it explains why (http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/server/s5520sc/sb/e39530010_s5520sc_tps_r1_7.pdf). This should be printed in LARGE, BOLD letters before buying. These issues aside, the board works fine. With dual hex-cores installed, it both works and is really fast, however, the degree of frustration due to this board should not be ignored. One month later now, and we're swapping for a com

Love it!

Corsair 600Q Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Corsair 600Q Black ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Pros: - This is currently my "go to" case recommendation. - Excellent build quality inside, and outside. It has a really solid feel. - I've owned the HAF 942, the Cosmos II, Lian Li cases, among many others, but this is the first one I've been floored by just how clean it is. While a "complex" case might seem cool, they're a real pain to clean the dust buildup. The flat surfaces of the 600Q ensure that a simple wipe will do the job. - Because the case is typically on the floor, this means the IO access is a lot easier. - The air flow really is not limited here. I'm impressed with its cooling, and mounting locations for all of my fans, and yet it stays relatively quiet. - It doesn't skimp on the 5.25" bays (which most cases are doing these days). - The cable routing is gorgeous and easy.

Cons: Although it is intended as a "quiet" case, the fans you put in it are the ultimate determining factors. It's not "silent", but it will make a loud build less so. I think my childish imagination was expecting it to be quieter than a pin-drop, but you can still hear the fans. Notably, the rear end of the case has now sound dampening materials (not sure how much it could given the need for airflow there.).

10/28/2016

Capable & reliable.

CORSAIR HXi Series HX1000i 1000W 80 PLUS PLATINUM Haswell Ready Full Modular ATX12V & EPS12V SLI and Crossfire Ready Power Supply with C-Link Monitoring and Control
CORSAIR HXi Series HX1000i 1000W 80 PLUS PLATINUM Haswell Ready Full Modular ATX12V & EPS12V SLI and Crossfire Ready Power Supply with C-Link Monitoring and Control

Pros: I used to shop around between manufacturers, but every Corsair PSU I've bought has outlasted competing brands. The build quality is consistent, and they're easy to work with. This is the second HX1000i unit I've bought (for two separate computers). I highly recommend it.

Cons: The modular cables are standard plastic sheathing. I'd prefer braided fiber, but it appears to be rare in the industry, so no real complains here.

10/28/2016

Everything is worth what its buyer is willing pay for it.

Cooler Master Cosmos II - Ultra Tower Computer Case with Metal Body and Hinged Side Panels
Cooler Master Cosmos II - Ultra Tower Computer Case with Metal Body and Hinged Side Panels

Pros: Having owned the HAF 942 (which I still love and recommend) for 2 years, I had high expectations for the Cosmos II. Here's some perspective... • Airflow: unlike the 942, airflow is much more directed, thereby creating a tunnel model rather than a open-air pressure zone. • Power Feed: the 942 had insufficient space to feed the cpu power lines through the top. The Cosmos II corrects that by providing ample space. It also has a wide open space on the backplane for the power cables to feed to all the components. Plus, the mid-level barrier helps eliminate the visual clutter and improves tunneled airflow. • Hot-Swap Bays: the 942 had "hotswappable" bays in that you could slide a tray in and out with a hard drive... which had to be screw-ed down into the tray (a tool dependent, time consuming process). With the Cosmos II, they now use true server-styled hot-swappable bays that require no screws, and easily disengage the drives with a pull lever. • Fan Controller: for all the fans the 942 has, it relegated fan control to the motherboard, which likely wouldn't have sufficient lines for the case's needs. The Cosmos II a built-in fan controller embedded into the power button area at the top, that lights up with 3 phases of color depending on status. It has lines for every available port on the chassis, including two GPU feeds, and LED light control! • Drive Bays: 16!? No, seriously! SIXTEEN. I'm having difficulty finding a power supply for all of them. • Solid: With a steel/aluminum body, it's built to last, and dissipate heat properly. • Hinged Doors: Finally! 942's railed/thumb-screw detachable doors were annoying, especially if you had to repeatedly get in there to change some components. Additionally, unlike the 942, the fans aren't built onto the door. This was a big issue considering the power line was always attached to the motherboard, which meant if you wanted to open the door, you'd have to hunt for the power lines without damaging pins.

Cons: • Price: Can you make it hurt my conscience a bit less, CoolerMaster? Please? • Paint: scrapes off when screwing in components (if you're not careful). This isn't a big issue especially since that's only visible once the screws are removed. It's also the same paint job found on all other CM cases I've owned, so no biggie. • Feet: I initially thought that the bars on the floor were just that, but they actually have 4 generously sized rubber feet to prevent the chassis from sliding around. Works great, unless you were hoping to slide the case around on a carpet (especially with its relatively high-weight). Also, given that they spread out and away from the case, it's impossible to get it to line up flush with a desk... but it does add to stability, so that's a moot issue too. • Too many snooty reviewers who made me think it might've been a lemon (it's actually the best craftsmanship I've seen from Cooler Master).

Overall Review: At 47lbs, the it's a beast to move. Some people complained that the chassis had Plastic of any kind in its construction, rather than being made of 100% metal (especially considering the price). The truth is, Cooler Master has thought this through and skimped on superfluous metal where it won't benefit, and used more lightweight plastic to finish off the aesthetics. It's not shoddy cheap plastic like you'll find on low-end chassis', it's at least 1/8" in the thinnest of areas (much sturdier than the 942's metal, in some parts). As I was assembling the computer, I kept remarking about how much better this or that was compared to anything else I'd seen. Even after watching the video reviews from Newegg, and Youtube, I was pleasantly surprised by the whole package. I can highly recommend this. You won't need another case ever again.

11/21/2012

Solid

Ergotron 45-241-026 LX Desk Monitor Arm and Mount
Ergotron 45-241-026 LX Desk Monitor Arm and Mount

Pros: Sturdy. Intuitive. Has cable management.

Cons: Cable management pipe doesn't have room for 3 fat cables... but most cables aren't. Likely a moot issue. The range of motion on the vertical sub degree is limited to only about 15.

Overall Review: It's well made, and the solid. Although they're attached to my desk, they don't bounce around as I type. They have tightening springs on the inside of the arms that control the resistance of the range of motion.

seller reviews
  • 1

Competent

They were functionally indistinguishable from just doing business with Newegg. Very pleased with the product, and shipment.

On-time
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Satisfactory