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Lee J.

Lee J.

Joined on 12/28/01

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 21
Most Favorable Review

RTF Website

ARCTIC MX-2 (4g) Carbon-Based Thermal Compound, Non-Electricity Conductive, Non-Capacitive
ARCTIC MX-2 (4g) Carbon-Based Thermal Compound, Non-Electricity Conductive, Non-Capacitive

Pros: Easy to apply, works well with a Zerotherm BTF80

Cons: No application instructions in package.

Overall Review: DEFINITELY get on their website and read the instructions before you apply this. The instructions specify that you should NOT spread the compound - just put a dollop on the CPU, then put the heatsink on top and twist it a bit to spread.

12/10/2007
Most Critical Review

SB sent back wrong card on RMA

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card

Pros: When it worked, it supported Vienna.

Cons: Died soon after install - did RMA to SB - SB sent back an Audigy Value which doesn't support Vienna - they refuse to admit their mistake

Overall Review: I have tried calling their REAL tech support number twice ( (405) 742-6622 ) and have been told both times that the card I received back on my RMA was the same thing I sent them. They have their information twisted up, since I got an Audigy Value when I sent an Audigy SE 7.1. They've told me they'd call back, but they never have. NO MORE SB FOR ME until they fix this.

Runs without problems

AMD A6-5400K - A6 Series Trinity Dual-Core 3.6 GHz Socket FM2 65W AMD Radeon HD 7540D Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic - AD540KOKHJBOX
AMD A6-5400K - A6 Series Trinity Dual-Core 3.6 GHz Socket FM2 65W AMD Radeon HD 7540D Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic - AD540KOKHJBOX

Pros: Stable, overclocks well, works with Dual Graphics

Cons: The "suggested video pairing" on the side of the box is a bit behind the times. Only 2 cores, despite the A6 name (caveat emptor)

Overall Review: The list of suggested paired video cards on the side of the box is behind the times. I bought the suggested card (a 6450 HD) and got successful dual graphics with it. However, I wonder if I could have used a faster graphics card since it reports back as having more powerful 7xxx HD onboard graphics on an A85 Hudson motherboard. On the other hand, my MB's auto overclock feature boosted it from 3.6 GHz to a stable 4.3 GHz with no problems whatsoever so far.

Picky about RAM

ASUS F2A85-V PRO FM2 AMD A85X (Hudson D4) USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
ASUS F2A85-V PRO FM2 AMD A85X (Hudson D4) USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Pros: Lots of features to play with, decent onboard graphics (works even better in Dual Graphics mode), supports 32 GB RAM

Cons: Very picky about what RAM will work with it, very tight fit around SATA plugs once installed in cases without removable HD cages

Overall Review: Make sure you stick to the Qualified Vendor List for RAM unless you want to deal with problems, even with the MemOK! feature. I pulled four perfectly good 4GB sticks of Brand M* (name withheld to protect the innocent) and tried to use all of them, in various combinations. Would not work. Bought four 8GB sticks of Brand K* and instantly had 32GB of RAM working. The only problem is that the QVL doesn't list a whole ton of 8GB sticks that were available when I bought mine, so CHECK AVAILABILITY if you want to run 32GB.

Decent Kit, Bad Adaptor

SEDNA - 2 Port USB 3.0 Floppy Bay Front Panel with 20 Pin Connector ( 5.25" mounting kit included )
SEDNA - 2 Port USB 3.0 Floppy Bay Front Panel with 20 Pin Connector ( 5.25" mounting kit included )

Pros: It works with 20-pin dual USB 3.0 adapters, as advertised. The main box is a sturdy metal box.

Cons: The 3.5 - 5.25 adapter is a joke. It is made of very flimsy plastic and has holes that are too big for any of the mixed bag of screws that come with it to hold. I had to use my own screws to get it to hold the USB box. Moves back and forth once installed in a sliding "tool-less" 5.25 slot - also vibrates, making a noise louder than any of my fans.

Overall Review: Only get this if you don't need the 3.5-5.25 adapter.

No Problems

HyperX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX16C9K2/16
HyperX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX16C9K2/16

Pros: Works as advertised On the QVL for an ASUS FM2A85-V PRO Instantly recognized and works without excess heat

Cons: Pricey

Overall Review: This replaced memory that was not on the ASUS QVL. It solved the problem instantly. If I had the money, I'd by two more.