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Michael S.

Michael S.

Joined on 12/16/10

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 6
Most Favorable Review
Creative Sound Blaster Z PCIe 116dB SNR Gaming Sound Card with 600 ohm Headphone Amp and Beamforming Microphone
Creative Sound Blaster Z PCIe 116dB SNR Gaming Sound Card with 600 ohm Headphone Amp and Beamforming Microphone

Pros: Great sound, built in headphone amp that powers my HA-RX900's very well, easy to switch between speakers/headphones, actual good EQ settings, free mic (mic is meh,) crystal voice actually works well blocking out the sound of the rather loud AC unit 3 feet from the mic completely, software UI is well thought out.

Cons: Had to reinstall the software once because the sound output stopped after a windows update, not a huge deal. The SBX Pro Studio stuff all sounds bad in my opinion, but I think it is there to enhance low quality speakers and headphones (who would buy a $100+ soundcard with bad speakers though?)

Overall Review: I think most of the users having issues with this are running Windows 8 (why would anyone do that?) I'm using Windows 7 x64 and it seems to be coded quite well for it.

Most Critical Review

Odd Acceleration

Corsair Vengeance M65 CH-9000024-NA Military Green 8 Buttons USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse
Corsair Vengeance M65 CH-9000024-NA Military Green 8 Buttons USB Wired Laser Gaming Mouse

Pros: Great construction, comfortable, looks nice, the laser is extremely quick, all the buttons feel fantastic, clicks aren't too soft for me and the mouse wasn't too large for me like I heard from other reviewers (actually my hands are average and I felt like I was engulfing it.)

Cons: This mouse is marketed as an FPS gaming mouse, for which it is horrible because of the sensor used. The sensor is an Avago ADNS-9800 which I didn't research prior to purchasing this mouse. The sensor has an odd type of lag problem (some say it is "smoothing") that makes it terribly imprecise for FPS. Search the Corsair forums for "m65 floaty" or find the thread labeled "m65 worse then the m60" and you will see a whole thread of disappointed buyers with the same issue. Definitely the worst mouse I have ever used for an FPS. Getting used to the mouse isn't the issue either, as I can switch between 3 other mouses and not have this issue. DPI setting doesn't matter either, as the only inputs I don't notice the lag on are far too low to play modern fps games on (under 800dpi.)

Overall Review: If you want a good mouse for everything BUT fps then this is a real winner.

Great case overall

Cooler Master Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Cooler Master Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Pros: Plenty of room. 4 usb 2.0 and esata on the front panel. Looks good, not heavy and the carrying handle is plenty sturdy. HDD mounting is the best of any case I have ever used. My GTX 570 fit nicely inside. Came with more than enough screws, and the mounting guide paper insert was helpful. Nice overall finish.

Cons: The plastic clips for the PCI slots aren't the best. I had to use a screw to hold my soundcard in place or it would be pushed in whenever I plugged my headphones or audio cables in. The LEDs on the fans do not work, and I was looking forward to them because the red would match the red LED on my sound card. Fans are also a bit weak.

Overall Review: Not really a fan of bottom mounted PSUs now after trying this, but you never really know unil you try! Would probably be better if my PSU was modular.

Fast, work flawlessly

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM

Pros: Fast, ran at advertised speeds/voltage, XMP profile loaded right up.

Cons: none

Stable and Clean!

SPARKLE 85+ Green 700 R-SPI700ACH5B 700 W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Active PFC Power Supply
SPARKLE 85+ Green 700 R-SPI700ACH5B 700 W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Pros: More than enough power; running my gtx 570 with ease. Plenty of cables, very power efficient, got it on sale for an AMAZING price.

Cons: Not modular

Overall Review: Sparkle wasn't known to me prior so I was apprehensive about buying such a critical part from them. I'm glad I made the purchase.

Best Headphones I've owned

JVC Black HA-RX900 3.5mm/ 6.3mm Connector Circumaural Full-Size Headphone
JVC Black HA-RX900 3.5mm/ 6.3mm Connector Circumaural Full-Size Headphone

Pros: Comfortable, block noise well without needing to be too loud, amazing depth of sound, superb bass, and an immersive soundstage.

Cons: Get a little warm

Overall Review: If you're going to buy these make sure you have a headphone amp. Sound great with the Sound Blaster Z