Joined on 09/24/08
Good keyboard
Pros: Very comfortable keyboard to use for typing as well as gaming. Red backlighting is very nice, a welcome change from the blue LEDs you see everywhere. Wrist rest attaches to the keyboard and can be pulled out a bit if you like. Feels sturdy enough.
Cons: This keyboard has no extra buttons that a standard 104-key keyboard doesn't have, except volume control and a key that controls the backlighting. Not a concern for me at all since I never use them anyway (hence the 5 egg rating) but it might be a con for some people who like media keys.
Overall Review: Bought this because I just wanted a basic keyboard that is backlit, and this fits my needs perfectly.
It WAS good, until the USB 2.0 ports fried themselves
Pros: The USB 3.0 ports and the card reader works
Cons: The USB 2.0 ports do not
Overall Review: Everything worked great until the USB 2.0 ports just no longer worked. No warning of failure, nothing. Working one day, and not the next. I tried plugging it into different headers on my motherboard to no avail, and verified that the header this was originally plugged into is still working. Judging by the other reviews, this is not an uncommon thing to happen to this device. The e-SATA port worked the last time I tried it but I don't have any e-SATA devices now so I don't know if it still works or not.
Onboard Network died, RMA impossible
Pros: It worked as expected for a few months with no issues
Cons: Onboard network adapter completely died after only a few months of light usage. Had to be replaced with PCI-E add-in card. Of course this means that I can no longer use my video card that's wider than two slots, so I had to buy a different motherboard. The real reason I'm giving this a 1-star rating is not only because the network adapter died, but getting an RMA from ASRock is IMPOSSIBLE. They do not offer RMA service of any kind, instead referring you to the retailer. Too bad Newegg only accepts returns for 30 days after purchase! I've bought several ASRock boards over the years, and this right here will be the last ASRock branded ANYTHING that I buy. I'm not buying something that effectively has no warranty. I've had to RMA things from other motherboard vendors in the past (not just for motherboards) and it's always been very easy, no questions asked. But telling me to contact Newegg after 30 days? Go pound sand.
Overall Review: Absolutely would not recommend ASRock for anything unless you don't care about a warranty.
It's OK but not as good as I expected
Pros: Fit and finish are very good Came with 3x RGB 120mm fans in front and one non-RGB 120mm in the rear which are reasonably quiet. The fans use the typical 5V 3-pin ARGB header found on most new motherboards. Two SSD brackets on the rear and a 3.5" drive cage in the PSU area that is easily removed. Removable expansion slot covers, not those chintzy punch-out kind. Tempered glass side is nice, but awkward to install unless the case is sitting on its side. it's not hinged but rather held by a thumbscrew on each corner.
Cons: Feels like a cut-rate version of a much better product. Looks a lot better in pictures than it does in person. Front panel is a cheap glossy black finish that could probably break or crack easily and attract fingerprints and dust. Included fans are 3-pin DC instead of 4-pin PWM. Rear fan does not have a way to zip tie excess cable slack to the inner fan screw holes, which was annoying. Almost no clearance between rear of case and side panel so if you've got thick PSU cables it is hard to put the side panel back on. No thumb screws for expansion slot covers. No vertical GPU mount options. No spots to zip tie anything down to the case. Front panel fans are probably not pulling in as much air as they could due to the small intake vents. If you've got lots of wires running everywhere, radiators, several hard drives, etc... pick a bigger case.
Overall Review: Recommend only on big sale, at the regular price there's no shortage of much better options out there. For the price I paid it's acceptable but had I paid regular price, I'd probably send it back for not meeting my expectations of a case at that price point.
Didn't fit, not worth shipping to return
Pros: Shipped fast
Cons: Didn't fit properly (LGA 1151) Mounting screws got cross threaded and i had to break the backplate to unscrew them so I could take it off the motherboard, rendering it useless Can't even re-use the fan for something else because the fan mounting holes are not standard. This went in the trash and bought a Ventroo V5 instead which I should have got in the first place
Overall Review: Don't be cheap like I was, buy something worth your dollars
Great card for smaller builds
Pros: Runs well Stays cool despite not having a big CHONKY cooler
Cons: Cost and availability
Overall Review: Good card if you can get it close to MSRP If you have to pay 4 figures, pass.