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Bryan F.

Bryan F.

Joined on 11/20/07

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 11
Most Favorable Review

A really good MIDRANGE card.

XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card HD-687A-ZNFC
XFX Radeon HD 6870 1GB DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 CrossFireX Support Graphics Card HD-687A-ZNFC

Pros: Works like a dream, tessellation effects are a bonus, supports 3D Stereoscopic monitors and glasses. Runs much cooler than my old and failing Radeon HD X2900XT (39C idle vs. the 2900XT's 52C idle at the point it started failing) and supports all the latest games. It's a good Mid-range card, it's numbering has been messed up thanks to AMD. It was supposed to be the 6770 but for some unkown reason AMD decided to renumber it the 6870. The specifications sheet shows higher number over the 5870 except where Memory clock is concerned so to put it into perspective it's better than the 5770 and just barely as fast as the 5870.

Cons: This isn't a product Con it's Newegg user con, I see some people complaining that the card runs hotter than "X Card" they had before, Examine this card shroud closely and you'll see "Remove Protective Film before use" with a little upturned corner. PEEL IT OFF! If you're worried about getting fingerprints on the shroud after installation then wear lint-free anti-static gloves when handling the card. That should be a no-brainer for some people but I'm betting the people complaining about heat issues missed this little detail.

Overall Review: Make sure you peel of the plastic smudge protector before you start using this card. If you still have heat issues with this card after that then you should probably investigate other issues like your case airflow and component slotting.

10/29/2010
Most Critical Review

Average but Useful

PNY 16GB Attache USB 2.0 Flash Drive (P-FD16GATT03-GE)
PNY 16GB Attache USB 2.0 Flash Drive (P-FD16GATT03-GE)

Pros: 16GB is enough space for creating Windows 10 Install media. That's mainly the purpose I use it for. USB 2.0 means it's a dime-a-dozen and easily affordable.

Cons: Can be a bit hard to open and close like others have said. USB 2.0 transfer speeds, but you should already be aware of that when you buy it.

Overall Review: It's an average USB 2.0 thumb drive. No bells or whistles to it. It does what it does.

Not bad for a small tower HSF.

Cooler Master Hyper N520 - CPU Cooler with Copper Base and 5 Heatpipes
Cooler Master Hyper N520 - CPU Cooler with Copper Base and 5 Heatpipes

Pros: Purchased on (06/27/2010) It's size and dimensions makes sure it fits even in a Mid-ATX case. It's not the biggest or best tower HSF out there but it gets the job done even on a Hexa-Core Phenom II 1090T BE. In a Full size ATX case you won't have any clearance problems. I have it mounted in a Thermaltake Spedo case and still have lots of room. The Dual 92mm fans keep air flowing through the fins at a decent rate without making much noise. I'm not going to go over specifications since you should just look at the "Details" tab. It will keep your CPU temps manageable but there are much better solutions.

Cons: Mounting can be a hassle if your case doesn't have a opening for accessing the CPU mounting holes. The Spedo has one but the hole is not over the CPU so you still have to remove the motherboard to mount. The thermal compound that's included is only enough for one installation. You might be able to get 2 out of it. Bottom line though: You're better off using IC Diamond or AS or whatever TIM you like as you'll most likely get more applications out of it. Cleaning ca be a bit of a pain. And no finger guards on the fans so make sure your system is off before cleaning. Also if one fan dies (hasn't happened yet in the 3-4 years I've had it) there aren't many suitable replacements. Cooler Master does sell 92mm fans but they don't look nearly as nice as the ones on this cooler.

Overall Review: Ambient Room Temp (best scenario) 67F in the summer 75F in the winter. Phenom II 1090T BE 86F ~ 96F Idle 99F ~ 110F Full bore.

Windows 10 Compatible.

Logitech G910 Orion Spark RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Logitech G910 Orion Spark RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Pros: Feels good to type one, the Mechanical switches are noticeable but not noisy. I like the chunky sound of typing on it. Concave keys mean my fingers don't slip off them too easily so I make less typos. The lighting is very customizable, The G keys are useful. Works just fine with Windows 10 after a software and firmware update. Arx software turns your phone into a color LCD display for Game tracking and system stats.

Cons: Not enough G Keys, I still miss my G15. No built-in LCD display. Arx Dock wants you to mount your phone vertically which is kinda silly because it puts it in the way of the monitor however you don't have to use the dock, the software will work just fine with the phone laying down next to your keyboard. The only real con I have is the Macro-switching keys on the upper left are a tad finicky, I have to push them several times to get them to register they've been pressed. Sometimes the Logitech G software will crash for no reason and close but I think that's my Anti-virus not playing nice with it because after disabling the AV the G software behaves.

Overall Review: On the Windows 10 compatibility, you have to update the Logitech G software and also the keyboard's firmware when you plug it in. Works fine after that.

The perfect Gift for any REAL hardcore computer nerd

CORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ32GX3M4X1600C10
CORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ32GX3M4X1600C10

Pros: *Received as a gift *OH SNAP! 32GB! (8GB per stick) *Fits and compatible with the ASUS Crosshair IV Extreme. *Fast because they're 1600 with good timings * You get your money's worth *Can set up about half of it as a decent sized Ram Drive.

Cons: *Great geebus the price. I feel sorry for the person who bought these for me, their wallet must have a big hole in it now. *Knuckleheads on the internet ask why I need 32GB of RAM in my 64-bit system not realizing that computers are used for more than just gaming. 3D Studio Max benefits from it, as does Photoshop and Maya not to mention countless video editing softwares. Plus RAM DRIVE!

Overall Review: If you have to question why someone would need 32GB in Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit then you're not using your computer at its full potential. Plus the beauty of having a self-built custom PC is the fact you get to built it "your way" not that knucklehead that made the stupid comment's (HURR THAT'S TOO MUCH RAM) way.

This IS a 1600 so-dimm

CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX4GX3M1A1600C9
CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model CMSX4GX3M1A1600C9

Pros: Advertised and runs at 1600 on the right laptop. Most of the low eggers here aren't aware that the memory speed is limited by the BIOS of their laptop. You can put a 1600 in a laptop that is only rated for 1333 but you will not get 1600, the laptop will automatically down-clock it to 1333.

Cons: The so called "Eggperts" who down-rated this memory don't know what memory speed their laptop is rated for. You can put a 1600 in a laptop that is only rated for 1333 but you will not get 1600, the laptop will automatically down-clock it to 1333.

Overall Review: Sorry for this non-review but it ticks me off when people mis-represent a working product as "not working". They don't have enough technical knowledge or experience or know how memory works. If they did they'd know that their laptop is down-clocking the memory because their laptop is NOT rated for 1600.