Joined on 01/05/09
Pros: Dual band 2.4 & 5GHz Easy to setup Great firmware interface Stable - haven't had to reboot for any reason
Cons: None that I have encountered
Overall Review: I bought this to replace a D-Link DIR-655 that was dropping connections. I haven't researched routers in a long time, so I was surprised to find that so many people recommend ASUS products as the best of the bunch. Well, those people are right on the money, as this is a fantastic product. I have a somewhat complicated home network that requires me to bypass my ISP provided modem/router combo, so I had to change numerous settings from their factory defaults. I was pleased to discover that the ASUS web interface was very easy to navigate and I was not left wanting for any feature. Since I got my network back up and running, I haven't had any issues whatsoever. My only possible regret is not springing for the AC66u to future-proof myself for the upcoming standard and take advantage of USB 3.0 for any attached drives. Regardless, I can see this router keeping me up and running for years to come.
Great keyboard, terrible cord
Pros: Cherry MX Brown switches Decent weight Small size (for a standard keyboard) because there's no useless extra keys. Subtle red accent under the keys looks great
Cons: MicroUSB jack in the keyboard is flimsy Braided USB corded included is too stiff
Overall Review: I'm incredibly happy to have upgraded to a mechanical keyboard. The Cherry MX Brown switches I feel are a great compromise between typing and gaming. The keyboard is heavy enough to stay in place, and I appreciate that it has a standard layout without any media keys taking up space. The included cables are braided, but stiff. Combined with a USB jack in the keyboard that doesn't seem to be very securely soldered, this is a problem. Luckily for me I don't move my keyboard around on my desk very much, but even then I have had to jiggle the connector to get the keyboard to reconnect to my computer. Overall though, I'm very happy with this product. I wish I had my own office at work so I could buy one for there as well. The MX Browns may be quieter than some others, but they're still louder than any rubber dome keyboard.
Had to quell those urges to upgrade...
Pros: Unlocked for easy overclocking Relatively cool Stable when overclocked within the chip's limitations Will keep me from upgrading my CPU/motherboard for at least a couple of product cycles...hopefully.
Cons: My chip doesn't seem to be as tolerant to overclocking as others have reported
Overall Review: I upgraded to this processor from an i3-3220. My reasoning was to hopefully future-proof my LGA1155 build for at least a couple years. With these chips basically reaching end-of-life status, I assume the supply is going to be dwindling really soon. Overall, I'm happy with my purchase, although I'm disappointed that my particular chip can only handle a modest overclock to 4.2 GHz and remain stable. Anything higher and it will crash my computer when stress testing, even though temperatures are well within acceptable ranges. I'm not the most experienced overclocker, so I won't rule out user error. Bottom line, if you're like me and don't want to feel obligated to upgrade your LGA1155 based system, the i5-3570K will keep you satisfied for at least a couple of years.