Joined on 09/18/10
nice
Pros: Got this nice little unit on sale for $150. Can't really go wrong with Core 2 Duo 2.3ghz for $150, considering Win7 and the processor alone is twice that. Runs very snappy even on a basic 7200 RPM HDD. Can even run some non high profile games on decent setting with a low profile vid card. I got a GeForce 210 card in it so could hook up via HDMI to a big screen TV and watch movies. I mainly use it to run some decently high demanding flash application pretty much all day and the CPU stays at around 45 deg which is really good for an Intel processor and is VERY quiet. Windows 7 with all the drivers came preinstalled, which is nice and hassle free. All I had to do is input the Win7 cd key.
Cons: With a graphics card installed, can't use on board VGA plug, it simply doesn't show up. Since the case isn't big enough, I had to get a low profile vid card on which I had to take off VGA port so it would fit. My small TV/monitor only has VGA and component plugs so I had to get a HDMI to RCA cable, but that's no biggie.
2 builds in
Overall Review: Great performance. Have built 2x PCs with this CPU in the past month and no complaints. Overclocking depends on silicon lottery, which kind of sucks. One of these ran at 5.1Ghz at only 1.29v. The other at 5.0Ghz at 1.28v, couldn't get it stable at 5.1Ghz under 1.37v. It was only about 100 point difference in Cinebench R20 score though. Runs very cool with 360mm AIO (MSI 360r). Much cooler than 9700k for me, maybe my previous cooling setup wasn't great. Barely reaches 60C while stress testing for over an hour.
Great Bang for the Buck!
Pros: - 165Hz, 2K, 1ms, G-Sync, curved - Price - Lots of adjustment options in OSD sidekick to get the picture just right
Cons: - Not IPS, but considering it'd be at least 2x price for same features IPS panel, pros definitely outweigh the cons
Overall Review: Thankfully seems like I've hit the lottery of no dead/stuck pixels or bleeding. When I saw the price for the specs couldn't pass it up. Paired it with my IPS LG 27GL83A-B (great monitor). Sat them side by side to try and simulate the IPS picture (bar viewing angles) and I'd say the G32QC does better than expected. Will use one of them for next gen consoles. For those struggling with ghosting, use "performance" mode in OSD, virtually eliminated ghosting for me. I'll post OSD setup screen shot for those interested when I get home. Curved 32" immersion is awesome in games.
Very nice for the price
Pros: Got it on sale for $95, which is a really good price for this unit. Sound bar sounds nice and clear, the sub even has a nice kick to it and gives depth to the sound. Very easy to setup as well.
Cons: Have to change the volume with the tiny remote that it comes with, would have been nice to be able to set up to change it with a TV remote. Connector cords could be a bit longer. Minor inconveniences though, not nearly enough to take off an egg.
Overall Review: Bought this to accompany a $1300 tv we got with poor base speakers. Saw it on sale, and decided to give it a try and am not disappointed. For best results, turn the TV volume all the way down and simply use the sound system to control the volume. Having the TV speakers up along with the system makes it sound worse because most likely the TV speakers aren't as good. Haven't heard of Soundstream before buying this, but glad I gave them a chance.
Pros: The best as always... Perfect for the iHAS xbox 360 burner.
Cons: None
Pros: Pretty good range. No loss of speed unlike my old router. Dual band. Wireless N, good for gaming. Refurbished has zero difference from new (at least for me). No freezes, interruptions while streaming HD movies from a laptop in the living room to Xbox or PS3 in bedroom.
Cons: None really, I guess range could be a tad better, but speed doesn't slow down at all.
Overall Review: Definitely buy it if you are looking for a good router for gaming, streaming movies.