Joined on 11/27/07
Great Processor, easy overclock
Pros: Fast, quad core, handles overclocking very well, integrated GPU
Cons: OEM heatsink and fan (HSF) included are a joke! Use them as a paperweight.
Overall Review: This is a fantastic processor, very fast and very efficient compared to previous generation and AMD cores. However, Intel could have saved us a couple of bucks by dumping the cheap heatsink and fan (HSF), or charge a little more and give us a decent cooler. With stock HSF Prime95 torture test shot up to 76C in 30 seconds. With CM Hyper 212 plus and overclocked at 4.3GHz the torture test ran for 2 hours never going over 57C. Get this processor and get the CM Hyper 212 cooler.
Great price, lots of long cables, squeals like a dog whistle
Pros: This is an attractive, well equipped PSU, with a good variety of cables, lots of stable power.
Cons: The PSU makes a high-pitched squeal like a dog whistle, even with the computer turned off. It is not as noticeable with the computer running and the fans going, but with the computer turned off it is unbearable. I pinpointed the noise to the circuitry inside the PSU.
Overall Review: It only makes the squealing noise once the power is connected to the Mobo. Disconnect the power or switch off the PSU and the noise stops. I RMA'd the first one, and Newegg rushed a new one to me overnight (Great Service Newegg!!!). Unfortunately the second one did exactly the same thing as the first. It drove everyone in my house crazy. I've just ordered an OCZ PSU at more money, but hopefully it will be Q-U-I-E-T!
Broken - RMA policy fail
Pros: Good layout, nice features, light, cable management, three fans included.
Cons: The front fan and the audio panel don't work. Of course, I only found out after fully assembling the computer for my son on Christmas eve. The Rosewill RMA policies are horrible. If it doesn't work, you're stuck with it.
Overall Review: This is my second Rosewill Challenger U3 case. The first one had problems too, but I fixed it myself. This time I contacted Rosewill and their only solution is to send back the broken unit and they will then send me another one. The problem is I'm out of commission for 2-4 weeks during the exchange. They won't ship first, they have to receive the broken one first before they ship a replacement. I even offered my credit car to bill for the replacement until I return the bad one, but no, Rosewill's policy is to receive the broken one first before shipping a replacement. I think this does it for me with Rosewill, with this kind of policy I can't see buying any more Rosewill products. I can understand a DOA will happen from time to time, but to take such a stance with long-term customers is bad for business.
Bad Capacitors
Pros: Decent card when it was released. Not the fastest, not the most memory, but respectable performance.
Cons: Uses cheap capacitors. 3 of the capacitors (2 x 6.3v 1500uF, and 1 x 6.3v 1000uF) popped and the card stopped working. I replaced the bad caps and it worked. This is an epidemic in the industry. XFX is using gray market, cheap parts.
Overall Review: When you find out about companies using inferior gray market parts you should boycott their products and show them that quality and reliability are not optional.
WOW - Fantastic Cooler
Pros: Quite, no LEDs, Direct Contact cooling pipes, fits in my mid-tower Rosewill Challenger case
Cons: A bit confusing to install with the universal adapters
Overall Review: What a difference this makes. My 2500K with OEM HSF at OEM power and speed ran at 29C idle, but overheated in 30 seconds using Prime95 torture test. With the CM Hyper 212 Plus, and the 2500K overclocked to 4.3GHz, it now runs at 24C idle and 55-57C after 2 hours on the torture test. It is a bargain for the performance. I had no issues with installation, but I watched the YouTube and Newegg videos a couple of times to make sure. I used the included Thermal paste, which looks a bit runny, but it seems to work fine. I used a pea-sized dollup of paste, not spread, and just pushed the cooler down on it. I highly recommend this cooler.
Clean, easy install, as it should be
Pros: Neatly packaged, quite, good selection of plugs and cables, looks modest, not too flashy.
Cons: Cables are crowded with 4 plugs each, and not very long. I know some reported reliability issues, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Overall Review: I bought this after trying two different Corsair CX600 PSUs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028), both of which were defective. Newegg RMA service was excellent as usual. The OCZ PSU seems to be doing its job, and doing so quietly. The one drawback is the SATA cables are crowded with 4 plugs each on two cables, which so far isn't an issue for me, but could be in the future when I expand. The Peripheral cable is also very crowded with 4 plugs. The other concern is the length of the main power cable is just about right for my mid-tower, but I would imagine it would be rather tight on full-size towers. I would give it 4 1/2 eggs if possible, but had to choose either 4 or 5, so 4 is a more accurate rating.