cover
Ryan D.

Ryan D.

Joined on 12/30/07

0
0

Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 4
Most Favorable Review

Great home server!

Foxconn D51S Intel Atom D510 Intel NM10 Mini ITX Motherboard / CPU Combo
Foxconn D51S Intel Atom D510 Intel NM10 Mini ITX Motherboard / CPU Combo

Pros: I'm using this as a my home server. The installed OS is Ubuntu 9.10_amd64 and I have 2GB of RAM installed. I'm running multiple drupal sites, Mediatomb for streaming media to my PS3, and Samba for printer/file sharing. With all of that running, this machine can FLY! I was worried that Mediatomb would bog the machine down since it transcodes video so that the PS3 can view my files (come on Sony and allow more codecs!), but it still keeps up. I use it as my webserver for a home web design company, and my clients have never complained about slow access to their test sites. I moved to mini-itx in an effort to use less power, since the machine has to be on constantly. I'm sold!

Cons: I wish it had an IDE channel on board, but I guess it's time for me to either buy an IDE controller card ( pretty cheap but I'd rather use my PCI slot for a new video card ) or stop being cheap and buy a new DVD burner :(

Overall Review: Great board! I can't wait to see how she runs using 4GB of RAM. The D510 is a great chip!

Wowzer!

Antec Mini Skeleton-90 0.8mm cold rolled steel Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case
Antec Mini Skeleton-90 0.8mm cold rolled steel Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case

Pros: Well, it goes without saying that air flow is not an issue with this case. I can reach into the machine, touch the heatsink, and it's at room temperature. Sure, it's an Intel Atom D510 CPU, but still I've felt some heat come off those when placed in confined spaces. Very easy installation. Most of the time I hate working with mini-itx cases (I'm 6'6" and have very large hands) but with this case I had no troubles! I'm a Mac fanboy, but this case makes me want to use my pc more often :)

Cons: The only thing I didn't like about the case was cable management. They include zip ties, but I hate using those in a case. I'm someone who's constantly tinkering with my tech toys, and I don't want to have to cut those away each time. Still, with mini-itx, you can't expect a roomy case.

Overall Review: It'd be awesome if these were stack-able! You could create a wind-tunnel for your Atom cluster :)

One tough drive!

Patriot Xporter XT Boost 8GB Flash Drive (USB 2.0 Portable) PEF8GUSB
Patriot Xporter XT Boost 8GB Flash Drive (USB 2.0 Portable) PEF8GUSB

Pros: Great speed, great durability, all around great drive!

Cons: It wouldn't wash my car for me, I guess only the 16Gb model will do that. Rats.

First ECS purchase, I LOVE this board

ECS BLACK SERIES A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
ECS BLACK SERIES A780GM-A AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Pros: It's been a week since I built this system, and I love it! 32Gb capacity for future RAM upgrades? Are you kidding? That is awesome! System: AMD Athlon X2 2.9ghz, 4Gb 1066 RAM, Windows 7 RC Build 7100 System locked up repeatedly at first, swapped out hard drive and now it runs great! Best motherboard I've owned yet!

Cons: None

Overall Review: Great deal for a AMD system!!!