Review: Foxconn A88GMV AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Posted by on April 12, 2012 No comments

Foxconn A88GMV MotherboardThe Foxconn A88GMV motherboard is a great option for those looking to build a powerful, yet affordable system. It offers an array of features that one would expect to find on a larger, more expensive board; most notably, it can support a wide variety of AM3-based processors, including the AMD Phenom II X6 1100T. Although I’ve personally only had positive experiences using this motherboard, it’s worth noting that others have had problems related to unlocking the fourth core (the process supposedly may fail and prevent the machine from POSTing until the user manually resets the CMOS). This is not technically a “drawback,” however, as unlocking cores is always a gamble and never a given.

Pros: Dependable and relatively low-cost. It has decent on-board graphics and VGA, HDMI, and DVI output options. Can support up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM.

Cons: BIOS is slow to boot. Only one PCI Express 2.0 x 16 slot. Occasionally the CMOS jumper arrives installed backwards. Some users have issues unlocking the fourth core.

Final Rating: 4 Stars

Review: AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3

Posted by on March 19, 2012 No comments

AMD Athlon II X3 455 RanaThe AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana (3.3GHz) offers a perfect balance of price and speed for those on a budget. At around $80, this CPU packs a lot of power. For those who like to multitask (i.e. transfer files while listening to iTunes radio while typing up their homework), this CPU will give a smooth, seamless experience. Coupled with a decent graphics card, it’s even powerful enough for light gaming. As an added bonus, many users have had good luck with both overclocking and unlocking the fourth core (bumping this CPU up to a Phenom II X4 B55). The out-of-box triple-core received a respectable 3,025 PassMark score, while the unlockable quad-core received a slightly higher score of 3,291.

Pros: Fast and inexpensive. Unlockable fourth core. Easy to install and overclock.

Cons: It’s not a true “con,” but it’s worth mentioning that the included thermal paste and fan are adequate for the stock CPU, but will need to be upgraded if the user plans to overclock and/or unlock the fourth core. In such cases, or for those who are just a bit concerned with keeping things as cool as possible, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invest in some Arctic Silver. And, just as a reminder, it’s better to think of that fourth core as a possible bonus, and not a guaranteed feature, even if you pair it with a supported motherboard/BIOS. Depending on your configuration, you may be “stuck” with the Athlon II X3.

Final Rating: 4.5 Stars

Custom Computer Configuration: AMD Athlon II (Budget Gaming Class)

Posted by on March 2, 2012 No comments

Intended for everyday use, this system will provide more than enough power for those of us who just need to run basic programs, word process, and surf the Web. It has the potential, however, to be easily upgraded, should the user ever decide to do so. One of the simplest and least expensive upgrades would be a boost from 4GB to 8GB of RAM, which can be done at any time. And, should the user ever desire to use the system for gaming, a graphics card can be also be added at any point.

 

Review: Kingston DataTraveler G3 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive

Posted by on March 1, 2012 No comments

Kingston USB Flash DriveLet me say this: You can’t beat Kingston when it comes to flash memory. Kingston knows how to make a flash drive that can withstand even the worst beating. And I say this from experience. Just last week I accidentally sent this poor little flash into the washing machine along with the jeans where I had stored it. Not only that…but it then went into the dryer. When I plucked it from the dryer, cursing myself for being so forgetful, I was certain that it was a goner. Many flash drives survive a trip through the washer (as long as you remember to give them enough time to dry before plugging them in!) but through the dryer too? I didn’t hold out much hope. But I was wrong. Not only did the flash still work, it still had all of my data sitting on it! Amazing! I’ve tried it a couple of times since the accident, and I haven’t had any problems at all. That being said, I won’t rely on it to hold any critical data, but I was still very impressed that it worked at all. I’ll definitely be replacing the one I washed and dried with the same model — I wouldn’t rely on anything else.

Pros: It can survive a trip through both a wash and dry cycle. ‘Nuff said.

Cons: If I want to be really picky, I guess I don’t like the removable cap, since it’s too easy to lose. But that’s definitely something I can live with.

Final Rating: 5 Stars