Monster HTS 3600 MKII 10-Outlet Power Center with Stage 3 Clean Power Review

Monster HTS 3600 MKII 10-Outlet Power Center with Stage 3 Clean Power
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I have read some luke warm reviews of this system. My review ONLY focuses on the sound. In fact for me, Two Chanel Stero is more important then all other things like Home Theater DD 5.1 DTS etc. The improvement on my system was immediate and unmistakable. The sound stage became wide and deep.
But wait, as an audiophile i knew that i was capable of self delusion. Maybe I was talking myself into thinking the sound was better. Soon, my NON audiophile wife came home. She took two steps in the door and and asked me, ok what I you bought now? Nothing I said. I really did not count the Power Center as a audio purchases, but in retrospect it was one of the biggest improvements to my system. How well it will do on video I have no idea. Now for an interesting side note. Since reduction of electrical line noise made such a difference I saw a Belken unit that claimed Level 6 Line noise reduction. While in my mind I knew that it was not fair to assume that the levels of noise reduction were the same measurements I was lured with the prospect of getting even better sound. After all I reasoned, if the Belkin Listed for 700.00 Suggested and I could get one for 250.00 I might get even better sound... NOT!! The lack of dynamics and everything else was imediete. I deluded myself into thinking that it needed time to settle in. Yea that's the ticket. After a month I removed the Belkin and regulated to Video duty on our Home theater system. The Music had returned. Again, as for video I have no informed view. For audio, this unit is a dream. Note: This review is for the 3500 Mkii which I think is disconnected. I think the only diffrence is the Analog Metter(3500) vs the Digital one.


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NHT Classic Absolute Center (Black, Each) Review

NHT Classic Absolute Center (Black, Each)
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I HAVE THIS PRODUCT FOR COMPLETE MY SPEAKER SURROUND NHT SUPER ZERO 6,ABSOLUTE CENTER CHANNNEL,SUBWOOFER PARADIGN 12.0 AMPLIFIED GREAT SOUND AND COMBINATION WITH PIONEER ELITE VSX-09TX SUPER CLARITY , THIS SPEAKER IT'S GREAT SOUND COMPARABLE WITH OTHER SETS IN MY LIVING ROOM KLIPSH REFERENCE.VALUE ,BEAUTIFUL DESIGN,GREAT SOUND AND CLARITY IN VOICES AND INSTRUMENTAL.

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If you like the sound of the Absolute Zero, then its matching center channel speaker is the obvious choice if you are building a surround system. Like its companion bookshelf, we made the Absolute Zero as small as we possibly could while matching the timber, dynamics and dispersion precisely.We use two 4.5 woofers, plus the same 1-Inch aluminum dome tweeter assembly we use in the Absolute Zero, magnetically shielded of course. The dual woofer design provides good horizontal dispersion and excellent articulation.The cabinet is made like all others in the Classic line; a dense 0.75-Inch wood substrate, painted with 7 coats of high gloss, black paint

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ASUS UL20FT-B1 12-Inch Laptop (Silver) Review

ASUS UL20FT-B1 12-Inch Laptop (Silver)
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I bought this as a replacement for a Sony Viao 13.3"(severe overheating issues) laptop for my fiancée to write her thesis. At first I was going to buy her a netbook because they are cheaper but after some intense searching I stumbled upon this model on newegg and it happened to be sold out, so I clicked on it looked at the specs and was immediately impressed for the advertized price. It happened to be sold out because of the combination of a rebate and a super low price on newegg but even for $75 more on Amazon, it couldn't be beat.
In use now, I got TONS of bonus points for this surprise.
Pros:
Cost: Nice price, I got it with a $100 rebate from ASUS so this was very affordable. I would probably buy this or maybe something a little more powerful for the same price without the rebate anyway.
Power exceeds that of the Intel dual core processors (TXXXXX) of several years ago) despite being a low voltage processor (longer battery life). Multitasking with multiple tabs on your Web Browser, Outlook, Excel, Photoshop, Word and PDF's all open, it can handle no problem.
Small footprint and light, yet has a full size keyboard for actual typing.
Brushed steel outer case looks awesome with solid feel. Majorly scratch resistant (not scratch-proof so don't push it).
Cons:
Touchpad: While pinch-and-zoom capable feels like a netbook in that its cheap and not set aside from the rest of the panel.
'Rocker' style mouse buttons: This particular rocker requires ALOT of force to click it. I don't actually 'abhor' the rocker/single button style that much as long as it is responsive.
No Optical Drive: not a deal breaker and allows for the lighter weight. It requires an extra transfer step to install software. Don't worry you should be albe to copy the info onto a large enough USB/flash/jump drive or other portable hard drive to copy the install files straight off the disk to install from.


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HP TouchSmart 600-1370 All-in-One Desktop PC - Black Review

HP TouchSmart 600-1370 All-in-One Desktop PC - Black
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I'm sure this computer has more things I can do but I just haven't had time. Do I use the touch feature... no... but I love the size of the screen - it is HUGE!!!! highly recommended to those that hates reading from the small monitor... yes I can't go back to 17 inch... Even at work - I'm considering asking for a larger screen since I am spoiled at home. This computer came with a frigging remote control,... yes you heard me a remote control for watching movies/dvds I guess... no I haven't tried that too.... This has tons of features but like anything else you need to learn how to use it. Processing wise it has been great. Haven't seen blue screen of death and the speed is phenomenal. Hope this helps. Reasons I got it - big screen, i5 processor, 1T storage....

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HP TouchSmart 600-1300 600-1370 BT555AA Desktop Computer Core i5 i5-460M 2.53GHz - All-in-One BT555AA#ABA Desktop Computers

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Escort Passport 9500ci Custom-Installed Radar Detector Review

Escort Passport 9500ci Custom-Installed Radar Detector
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As a car-guy, I've owned a ton of radar detectors. The past few years, the choices have been very limited and I've tried most of them.
I've gone through a Valentine One (V1), a Escort Passport 9500i and finally the 9500ci.
In terms of RADAR, all three are nearly identical in terms performance and sensitivity.
Here's a quick progressive comparison of the other features.
The V1 has the arrows, which is great and all, but I didn't really need to know where the threat is coming from. I just needed to 1) know the threat was real and 2) slow down to the posted speed limit. I replaced the V1 because it was just too noisy during my commute. A great detector, but too much chatter.
I upgraded to the 9500i. It shined because of it's built-in GPS feature. I pass by five K-based RADAR Speed Limit signs each way on my commute. With GPS marking, I could easily lock out those specific false signals. The next time I would pass by, the system would be silent. When approaching one of these "marked" locations, the GPS icon on the display would start to rotate. This was essentially the 9500i saying, "I'm picking up the radar signal, but I'm not "bleeping" because you told me this exact location is a false". Simply awesome. The system is quiet until an unknown threat is detected.
The one thing I still hated; constantly removing the unit from the windshield every time I would park downtown or in a not-so-secure location. It was a thief-magnet and I didn't want to attract any unwanted attention.
That is what finally led me to the 9500ci. It takes all of the features of the 9500i and gives you an "integrated/stealth install". No more tacky black box suction-cupped to the windshield and no more worries!
The 9500ci also includes a pre-loaded Red Light/Speed Camera database which is upgradeable via the installed USB port. As you approach a Camera in the database, the system alerts you at a user-defined distance. Very handy.
If there was one not-so-great feature with the 9500ci, it would be the laser shifting. The kit includes ZR4 laser shifters. They are "decent" performers against some types of LIDAR guns, but not as good as top-of-the line Laser Interceptors or the new Blinder system. There are a ton of resources/reviews on line. Many include detailed performance figures. Do your homework with regards to what LIDAR guns are used in your area to help determine what system is best for you.
Installation took two days and included a custom-fabricated mount so the heads would be placed "just" ahead of the lower grill and level with the road. This would provide maximum range and functionality. The GPS unit, brain and speaker are all located under the leather instrument cluster shroud, just below the windshield. The USB port and a "kill" switch are located under the dashboard. The controls and display were stealthy mounted in the ashtray, also using a custom-fabricated panel. Be sure to check out the customer images I uploaded.
The only other negative and why this ultimately got 4-stars instead of 5-stars is the price. $1600 plus another grand or more to have it "properly" installed. You gotta pay to play they say. :)

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The PASSPORT 9500ci is the ultimate custom-installed radar and laser defense system. With blistering all-band radar protection and precise laser "shifting" technology, speeding tickets can be a thing of the past. ESCORT continues to lead the industry by incorporating its patented GPS technology that automatically identifies the source and location of all radar signals. Real threats are processed in less than a second, while false signals are learned and eliminated. Now all you have to do is drive!

The PASSPORT 9500ci is completely undetectable to all radar detector detectors, keeping you unseen and unnoticed. Crystal-Clear Voice Alerts, Speed Alert, Safety Warning System and its stealth installation make the PASSPORT 9500ci the ultimate in discreet protection.
It also comes pre-loaded with thousands of Safety Camera locations, (red light and fixed speed cameras) throughout the U.S. and Canada, and can be updated through ESCORT's web site. The PASSPORT 9500ci comes complete with owner's manual and installation guide, installation DVD, separate miniature controller and text display, front-mounted radar receiver, twin front-mounted laser receivers/shifters, rear license plate mounted laser receiver/shifter, 12-volt interface module, GPS antenna, 12-volt amplified speaker, display bezel, bi-color LED, and all mounting hardware. Also includes a 3 Year Database Subscription. There is nothing else like it.
Features
Ultimate in custom-installed discreet protection
Precise Laser Shifting Technology*--360 degree protection
Blistering All-Band Radar Protection
Completely undetectable to all Detector Detector Scanners
New Variable-Speed Radar Performance
New AutoLearn Feature
New Safety Camera Database--(pre-loaded with thousands of safety camera locations, including red light and fixed position speed cameras, located throughout North America)
New GPS-Powered Truelock Filter
New Mark Location Features
New Adaptive Signal Processing
New Speed Alert
New Crystal-Clear Voice Alerts
Free 3 Year Database Subscription
Database Compatible (Safety Cameras)
User-Selectable Preferences
High-Resolution Brilliant Blue Display
5 Levels of Brightness Control
Mute, AutoMute & SmartMute
Safety Warning System--60 specific safety messages

What's in the Box Owner's manual, installation guide, installation DVD, miniature controller and text display, front-mounted radar receiver, twin front-mounted laser receivers/shifters, rear license plate mounted laser receiver/shifter, 12-volt interface module, GPS antenna, 12-volt amplified speaker, display bezel, bi-color LED, and mounting hardware.

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Polk Audio RTI A5 Floorstanding Speaker (Single, Cherry) Review

Polk Audio RTI A5 Floorstanding Speaker (Single, Cherry)
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I bought my first loudspeakers a dozen years ago, and after listening to countless models I selected Polk RT's. I suppose "Reference Theater" is just marketing. And I don't even see the term spelled out in the literature for my latest acquisition, a pair of Polk Audio RTi A5's. That's probably because the movie studios don't *really* use Polks when they're mixing the soundtrack, but it does give you an idea of the lineage of these speakers and their intended use. They are made for the movies, and if you're passionate about cinema (as I am), then I think you'll be pleased by the A5's.
You might be more pleased by the A7's or A9's. I might have been too, but the jump up from a pair of bookshelf speakers to a set of towers costing just under a grand was something of a quantum leap for me. And I was not disappointed--mostly.
Speakers are like a pair of comfortable shoes. They're great when they're new and you love them so much that you maybe don't notice over time that they are wearing out. Then one day they just fall apart. That's what happened to my original speakers, and one of the downsides of the A5's is that they immediately highlighted another weakness in my 5.1 setup--the center channel. All it took was one trip to the launch pad of Apollo 13, and the difference between the old and the new was obvious. So if you're serious enough about cinema sound to want to own a pair of quality speakers like these, be prepared to spend some more on upgrades to your center and surrounds. And of course you'll want a powered subwoofer to accompany the A5's.
When it comes to cinema, these speakers are so capable and so sonically amazing. I haven't noticed any flaws in movie soundtracks at all, and I've watched about a half dozen "test" scenes and a half dozen movies. Even at very loud volumes, the sound remains flawless. The A5's do everything a speaker should do. They thunder. They rage. They whisper. They weep. Most of all, they satisfy--in abundance.
So what about music? I did some critical listening with all the effect turned off, routing CD stereo to just left and right. I tried out some hard rock and some jazz. The jazz in particular really shines. The instruments are so clear. It seems like they are in the room. At reasonable volume levels everything sounded great. When pushed as loud as I could stand (which is pretty darn loud), both the rock and the jazz sounded just a bit harsh in the mid-ranges. To be fair, I'm not sure if it was a speaker issue, my receiver (a Yamaha RX-V2095, which is pretty good, but could be better), or just the fact that I was hurting my own ears.
In the disappointment department, I'm very surprised that I have not read about quality issues with Polk Audio speakers in other reviews. Years ago when I bought my first Polks, I had problems with them. I don't recall all the details, but I remember needing to replace both the surrounds and the center channel. Now a dozen years later, I've purchased a pair of RTi A5's and a CSi A4, and ALL THREE have had problems.
The A5's have a forward firing bass port, and there's a tube that attaches to the port orifice that was dislodged in both of mine. Fortunately the tech support at Polk said that I could remove the orifice and re-insert the tube myself without voiding the warranty. So at least I didn't have to ship them back, but at 450 bucks apiece I think it's inexcusable to expect a customer to have to perform this repair on a brand new speaker. (The guy on the phone mentioned this was a common problem by the way.)
The A4 center channel had two screws protruding from the retaining ring on one of the drivers. I had the appropriate allen wrench handy, having just used it to repair the A5's, but the holes in the A4 were stripped out and could not be tightened.
The cherry cabinetry of the A4 and A5's was flawless and beautiful in all cases, and I really want to love these speakers, but the quality control issues are just inexcusable, costing this review 2 stars from what are otherwise 5 star loudspeakers. The Polk Audio RTi series will definitely sooth your home theater beast, but if you decide to go with them I'd recommend either purchasing them at a local store where you can inspect the merchandise before taking delivery (or at least save shipping costs when taking them back), or be prepared to send them back or repair them yourself. Unfortunate in what is otherwise a stellar example of audio reproduction technology.
UPDATE: A month in, and I am loving these speakers more and more each time I hear them. Just discovered Super Audio CD. Wow! I don't know all the terminology, but there is a clarity and sonic dimension to these speakers that makes you WANT to listen to them. It reminds me of the first time I ever heard a symphony perform live. The live performance has a depth and a presence that no CD can reproduce. Or have I just never had the right speakers? My classical (what little I have) is on MP3 and while I wouldn't say I've been unhappy with it, when you push the volume (something else these speakers make you want to do) the quality gets a bit dodgy. So now I'm looking for a good classical SACD so I can push the limits on these babies even further!
On the quality front, got my replacement center channel (CSi A4). It was fine. Except the screws holding in the drivers are rusty! Come on Polk, what is the deal?


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Epson Moviemate 25 Projector DVD & Music Player Combo Review

Epson Moviemate 25 Projector DVD and Music Player Combo
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What a great all-in-one projector. We have had this projector for a week and it has been used every night since we received it.
It has a excellent crisp picture in true 16X9 format.
The two ten watt speakers and 40W subwoofer in 5.1 sound is incredible for the size of the unit.
We have not used the 80" included screen, but it does just fine on a bare wall.
The remote is easy to use, the only downside is that it would have been nice if the remote came illuminated.
The projector comes with a video and audio in jack as well as an S input. It has an audio digital optical out as well as a headphone output jack. Again, it would be nice if they would have included RCA audio out jacks to connect to a non-digital amplifier.
I was impressed with the warranty Epson offers, a two-year warranty on the unit, 90 days on the bulb. Most projectors are only one year. Epson will also offer a replacement projector while yours is being serviced, and they pay for shipping. I feel they really stand behind their product.
For these reasons, I would say "Go get one". You'll enjoy it!!

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Tokina ATX107PRODXC 10-17/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 Pro DX AF Fisheye Wideangle Canon Digital SLR Zoom Lens USA - Canon EOS Lens Review

Tokina ATX107PRODXC 10-17/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 Pro DX AF Fisheye Wideangle Canon Digital SLR Zoom Lens USA - Canon EOS Lens
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Pros:
- This lens is very well built. It feels solid.
- For the price, it goes to F3.5, which is as good or better than similarly priced lenses.
- I wanted a dramatic fisheye effect and this lens certainly delivers.
Cons:
- When used with a camera like the EOS 20D, it does not support flashes like the 550EX. The flash simply becomes disabled.
Overall:
If you usually buy L series lenses, you will find the limitations of this lens as a disappointment. However, if you usually stick to the more budget priced lenses, then you will likely enjoy this lens. It is a fine fisheye for the price.

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MartinLogan Motion 4 Bookshelf Speaker (Piano Black, each) Review

MartinLogan Motion 4 Bookshelf Speaker (Piano Black, each)
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The MartinLogan Motion 4 bookshelf speaker has been a pleasant surprise for me. I think it is a very good value and an excellent way to upgrade a home theater system.
Note that during listening sessions I compared the MartinLogan 4's with my current Yamaha HTIB system (similar to the Yamaha NS-SP1600 5.1-Channel Surround Speaker System (Black)). I also compared them in a retail store with similarly priced Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 Bookshelf Speaker. When applicable I will note comparisons to these other products.
Features - The ML Motion 4 includes a unique Folded Motion Tweeter, which is a similar to the Heil tweeters used in the highly regarded ESS speakers of the 70's - 90's. These are paired with a 4" paper woofer and a rear bass port. The Motion 4 has a frequency response of 70 - 20 KHz +/- 3 dB and can handle up to 150 watts. The box also includes a wall mount mechanism.
Sound - In listening to the Motion 4s I was immediately impressed by the clarity of the sound. Compared to my previous Yamaha HTIB speakers I immediately heard a clarity in the midrange and treble that blew me away. To me the Motion 4 is a "forward" sounding speaker, and sometimes that might not be my preference, but in this case the overall sound is still natural and balanced, and the forward sound and clarity make these outstanding home theater speakers. (Note that more extended listening may soften the sound a bit as the speakers continue to break in.)
After switching between the Motion 4 and the Definitive 1000s during a store demo, they were both excellent choices, and I expect I'd be happy with either. But in the end the Definitive 1000s sounded just a tiny bit recessed or nasal compared to the Motion 4, and I found myself drawn to the overall tonal balance and clarity of the MLs.
One note on the Motion 4s or any small bookshelf / satellite speakers - to get a full range of sound for home theater or music a subwoofer is essential. The Motion 4 only gets down to 70 Hz, and attempting to turn up the bass controls to artificially pump up the low frequencies will just ruin the sound of these. If buying these for standalone use just accept the fact that you will not get as much bass as you with a set of full sized speakers with 8" or larger woofers.
Build - Very good. I'm used to wood or MDF enclosures on speakers, so the plastic used in the Motion 4s was a bit off-putting at first. But these speakers are very solid, weighing in at six pounds each, and unless the speakers are subject to very rough handling or drops I would not be concerned about their durability. The speakers come with recessed binding posts; I'm not thrilled with these, as they look very nice but make it a bit tricky to hook up speaker wire as the binding posts are hidden behind large push buttons. The overall curved shape of the Motion 4 is appealing, and while not tiny these are still small enough to be unobtrusive if needed.
Conclusion - great home theater speakers, esp. when paired with a highly quality subwoofer.

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Inspired by MartinLogan's ultra-high-end electrostatic loudspeakers, the Motion Series was created to provide stunning sound for your ultimate-performance home theater or stereo. MartinLogan's dedicated in-house engineers carefully crafted the Motion Series to create an extremely affordable and compact product line that seamlessly blends our exquisite Folded Motion transducers with powerful, compact bass technology. The result is a smooth, refined sound with stunning dynamic range and jaw-dropping clarity. Complementing Motion's sonic accuracy is elegant yet understated styling. Flawless high-gloss, piano black finishes and subtle curves, along with our signature perforated grille, give Motion Series speakers an elegant and timeless look. Tower models feature a real-wood veneer finish and a stylish aesthetic certain to blend with any decor. The curves also serve a purpose; they allow Motion compact bookshelves to mount at two different angles with the included wall bracket. This means you can point sound directly toward the desired listening area for high or low wall mounting applications. Beauty and brains! MartinLogan engineers were faced with a daunting task—create a compact speaker with low-end bass reproduction found in speakers much, much larger. After many sleepless night and a myriad of prototypes, they created the Folded Motion Cascading Bass Port. This brilliant solution allows a long tuned port, which is folded over itself (think of a trombone's tuning arm) to be compacted and squeezed into the Motion 4. The result is amazingly detailed low bass that can play at high volumes with minimum distortion—all thanks to the elegantly simple cascading fold that slows down and controls the air motion of the bass waves. Convenient push-style speaker terminals and curved inserts help guide speaker wire effortlessly into place. The rubber end caps on the terminal are also removable for the use of banana plugs instead of bare wire.

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Nokia X6 Unlocked GSM Phone with 5 MP Camera, Capacitive Touch, GPS with Voice Navigation, Car Holder, 3G and 16 GB Memory (Black Cap) Review

Nokia X6 Unlocked GSM Phone with 5 MP Camera, Capacitive Touch, GPS with Voice Navigation, Car Holder, 3G and 16 GB Memory (Black Cap)
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I upgraded from a Nokia N95 and couldn't be happier. Feature-wise, the two phones are almost the same, but the performance of the X6 is vastly improved. Sure it's not hard to beat an old phone, but this one leaves me wanting for nothing.
Like all top-end Nokia phones, it has great built-in features: GPS, camera/video, music player, FM radio, wifi, 3g.
Apps load very fast, and the native browser loads really quick too. Wifi reception is great, and the GPS locks on within seconds.
The glass touchscreen is very accurate and easy to use; the display is beautiful. The haptic feedback is a little inconsistent or delayed, but it doesn't distract.
Menu layout is improved too, and once you figure it out, everything is within a tap or two. The Contacts layout on the home screen is hugely useful.
My one complaint is headphone volume is too loud or soft; the controls are not fine enough. That was true on the N95 too.

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A powerful entertainment and on-the-go social networking device, the Nokia X6 mobile phone features a lush 3.2-inch widescreen capacitive touch display, 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash, integrated GPS with free Ovi Maps Navigation, and 16 GB of internal memory. You'll have tons of space to save your pictures, music, video clips, and data, and you can always grab more games and applications downloaded from the Ovi Store.
The home screen features a dedicated Media Bar touch key for quick access to your stored music and video, online sharing sites, and Web browser. It also includes a customizable Contacts Bar where you can easily make calls and manage messages as well as follow up to 20 web feeds from online friends through their social networks, personal blogs, Twitter feeds, and more. You'll be able to quickly send text messages and email as well as update your own status thanks to the onscreen QWERTY keyboard, which automatically changes orientation depending on how the phone is rotated.

Running the latest version of the Symbian operating system, the Nokia X6 includes pre-loaded games (including Spore by EA and DJ Mix Tour by Gameloft). Other features include Wi-Fi networking, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, a full HTML web browser, access to personal and corporate email (with ability to view attachments), stereo FM radio, and up to six hours of talk time on 3G networks (up to 11.5 hours on standard non-3G GSM networks).



Free Ovi Maps Navigation With its integrated GPS sensor and the newest edition of Ovi Maps (full version pre-loaded on this phone or available as a free download from nokia.com/maps), you'll enjoy all essential car and pedestrian navigation features as well as the ability to use navigation features even when not connected to a cellular network--great for extending battery life and saving on international roaming charges. Features include turn-by-turn voice guidance, over 6,000 3D landmarks in over 200 cities for quick recognition of the landscape around you, access to Lonely Planet travel guides, and detailed maps for over 180 countries (see more details below). You'll also be able to keep moving in the right direction with the integrated electronic compass.

Unlocked Phone This unlocked cell phone can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides quad-band connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider.

Additionally, this phone can be paired with 850/1900 MHz UMTS/HSDPA 3G networks in the United States (as well as 2100 MHz 3G networks found around the world, including in Europe and Asia). When paired with a compatible 3G network, you'll enjoy a high-speed connection offering a variety of feature-rich wireless services--from data connectivity to your office to multimedia streaming, and take advantage of simultaneous voice and data services. In areas not served by a 3G network, you'll continue to receive data service via EDGE network (depending on network compatibility).

Note that the downloading of maps, games, music, and videos, and uploading of images and videos, involves transferring large amounts of data. Your service provider may charge for the data transmission, and the availability of particular services and features may vary by carrier.



Key Features
Fast 3G connectivity with broadband-like speeds via 850/1900/2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA.
Integrated assisted GPS (A-GPS) receiver with free Ovi Maps enables you to find your route quickly and easily, whether walking or driving. Use the Walk pedestrian navigation to find your way, or the voice-guided Drive navigation to find the best route. (Learn more)
Gorgeously colorful 3.2-inch touch-enabled display with 640 x 360-pixel resolution and support for up to 16.7 million colors.
16 GB internal memory
5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics with up to 4x digital zoom, dual LED flash, center-weighted auto-focus, multiple scene modes, direct printing to compatible printers, and more.
Capture widescreen videos (640 x 352; VGA) at 30 frames per second (fps). Other features include 4x digital zoom, MPEG4/3GPP formats, up to a 90-minute clip length, video stabilization, scene settings, and video light.
Upload your photos and videos to Ovi Share and share them online with friends and family.
TV output allows you to share videos on larger screens.
Secondary camera on front for video calls (QCIF resolution) for use on compatible networks.
Digital audio player compatible with MP3, WMA, AAC, eAAC, and eAAC+ formats.
Video playback formats include MPEG4-SP playback 30 fps VGA, MPEG4-AVC playback 30 fps QVGA, WMV9 playback 30 fps QVGA, and MPEG4-SP playback 30 fps nHD.
Stereo FM radio with RDS capabilities
Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for accessing home and corporate networks as well as hotspots while on the go.
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.0) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock. If your laptop is Bluetooth enabled, you can connect wirelessly and enjoy dial-up networking (DUN profile); note that additional charges may be applicable.
SMS and MMS messaging
Supports email accounts from more than a thousand ISPs (SMTP, IMAP4, POP3), as well as Gmail, Yahoo! mail, and Hotmail. People who use Microsoft Exchange at work can access their email using the Mail for Exchange mobile email client, which comes pre-loaded (an Exchange email account is required, and your Exchange Administrator must enable your account for synchronization).
Full HTML Web browser (OSS) with support for Flash Lite 3.0
Organizer tools including calendar, to-do list, notes, clock, converter, voice recorder
Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off.
S60 5th Edition, Symbian OS version 9.4

Vital Statistics The Nokia X6 weighs 4.3 ounces and measures 4.37 x 2 x 0.54 inches. Its 1320 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 6 hours of 3G talk time (up to 11.5 hours on non-3G GSM networks), and up to 450 hours (18.75 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, plus 850/900/1900/2100 3G networks (HSDPA).

What's in the Box Nokia X6 handset, rechargeable battery (BL-5J), charger (AC-8), connectivity cable (CA-101D), wired stereo headset (WH-701), user guide, mini DVD with software



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Free Worldwide Walk and Drive Navigation Nokia now offers its Ovi Maps Walk and Drive navigation application free across the globe. Drivers receive turn-by-turn voice guidance including lane assistance, traffic information (in 10 countries including the U.S.), and safety camera and speed warnings, while pedestrians will be guided on shortcuts through parks and pedestrian-only zones in over 100 cities across the globe. Unlike other mobile navigation mapping solutions, Ovi Maps works offline--no cellular service is required.
With the new Ovi Maps for mobile you get for free:

Maps for over 180 countries and free map updates
Drive and Walk navigation available in over 70 countries with real-time voice guidance
My Position enables you to find your current location easier and faster than ever.
New one box search for quicker access to finding places and addresses.
Save your favorite places and routes, then synchronize them with your Ovi account over the air.
Car navigation with voice and visual instructions, lane assistance and speed limit information. Now also with text-to-speech voice guidance.
Pedestrian navigation with routing through pedestrian zones and shortcuts, pathways through parks and buildings, stairways and plazas. Now with text-to-speech voice guidance.
Get real-time weather information including a 5-day forecast, for your current or any location found via search.
Lonely Planet and Michelin offer you dynamic access to the best and most relevant editorial travel content for over 1000 destinations. Find thousands of listings for sights, restaurants, hotels, shops, nightlife, and more. Look these places up on the map and get to them with Walk and Drive navigation.
Discover the events happening near your location on the map or any place found via search.
Share your location on Facebook--where you are, what you are up to and finish with a photo.

No Hidden Costs The new version of Ovi Maps comes with all the maps and high-end, car grade navigation features you need for free, and is yours to keep for the life of the smartphone. No additional licenses needed for extra countries, regions, or services like traffic information or city guides. Data charges from network operators may apply.

Voice Guidance and Traffic Information Turn-by-turn, voice guided navigation comes free for both drivers and pedestrians. For drivers this includes lane assistance, traffic information, safety camera, and speed warnings. For pedestrians, this includes shortcuts through parks and pedestrian-only zones for over 100 cities around the world as well as 6,000 3D landmarks in over 200 cities to help you find exactly where you are.

Unique Hybrid Technology Ovi Maps is built on an advanced technology called hybrid vector maps. Vector maps are high quality but less data intensive, and allow you to continue to navigate even if you lose your network connection. This means that maps downloaded or updated across a network connection are about half the size of bulky bitmaps used by other mobile map providers. The hybrid technology ensures that, unlike other providers, any downloaded map data is stored on the device for future use.

No Network Connection Required When Navigating Avoid expensive, battery-draining network connections with Nokia's unique hybrid technology. Maps can be pre-loaded on to your Nokia smartphone so you can set Ovi Maps to offline mode, saving battery power, and the navigation system will still work. This is particularly useful for those worried about data connection costs when travelling abroad, or when travelling through areas with little or no network coverage.

Best Global Coverage You take your mobile with you wherever you go in the world so, as standard, voice guided navigation for both pedestrians and drivers is available for 74 countries in 46 different languages, and there are maps for over 180 countries. This gives you the best maps with the largest global coverage for free.


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ASUS MAXIMUS IV EXTREME LGA 1155 Rebublic of Gamers Intel P67 DDR3 2400 ATX Motherboard Review

ASUS MAXIMUS IV EXTREME <REV 3.0> LGA 1155 Rebublic of Gamers Intel P67 DDR3 2400 ATX Motherboard
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I bought and installed this board a couple of weeks ago. The board is an overclocker's paradise but also allows for a one button overclock for those just starting out. Using the one mouse click overclock I took my i7 2600k from 3.4 to 4.6 GHz in about two minutes. There are more settings and adjustments than you can shake a stick at, Hit the Asus forums for threads on how the experts at Asus recommend tweaking this board up. There are plenty of fan headers to help move all the overclocking heat you can generate away. The LED digital display can be a lifesaver when a board won't boot up - if as example your RAM chips aren't fully seated you'll see that in a two digit code that is looked up in the included manual. The dual BIOS chips are another lifesaver, if you push the limits and lock your board up you can simply boot to the other BIOS chip and quickly recover. The GUI based BIOS setup is a bit unstable for me with the menu's difficult to control using my Microsoft laser mouse and Logitech G15 keyboard.

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Pentax 16-45mm f/4.0 SMC PDA ED AL Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras Review

Pentax 16-45mm f/4.0 SMC PDA  ED AL Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras
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I was one of those holdouts that carried lots of prime lenses, disdaining zooms as "a compromise". No doubt, I missed some fine lenses because of this.
The lens that sold me on zooms is this lens, the 16-45 f/4 Pentax. The lack of distortion, the contrast, the fine color control, all finally convinced me that a zoom can perform some of the functions of a prime.
I've been using this lens for a while. In my studio, the 50mm primes have become the main portrait lenses with the digital cameras. But now, I'm not afraid to use a zoom lens on a job. A big step for me!
It extends quite far when zooming, a fact I don't like, and for those who care, the on-camera flash is blocked by the lens hood (I use studio strobe, so it's of no import to me). As a modern lens, it has a polycarbonate barrel (they don't seem to be inclined to make zooms in the Lmited series. Too bad).
If I could use it on the film cameras, I probably would. No aperture ring means it's definitely meant for the current cameras.
Despite all that, I highly recommend this lens. It's a great "walk around" lens, going from very wide to moderate telephoto (remember, it's for the APS-C sensors). Image quality is astounding to an old grouch who loves primes, and even for a lens in general it's right up there.
If you're faced with the choice of the kit lens or this lens, take the 16-45. If you are serious about your craft, or you make a living at it, it's well worth the price!

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Onkyo TX-NR905 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

Onkyo TX-NR905 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)
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After a lot of research, I purchased the 905 last year. Onkyo had some production issues (strong demand) and so I waited MONTHS before one became available. On paper, the specs look very good.
Ultimately, Onkyo bought-back my receiver from me because of several design flaws that firmware updates could not fix. For example, the DSPs are poorly designed such that there is a delay of 2-3 seconds when locking onto and audio stream. So every time I fast-forward through a commercial, the video plays for 2-3 seconds with no audio. Changing audio streams on Blu-Ray movies had the same delay.
In addition, there is a significant audio delay that causes a mis-sync between audio and video. Again, Onkyo says a firmware update cannot fix the problem. I bypassed the Reon video processor to help with the problem, but then you lose the built-in scaling feature.
Only service centers are permitted to do firmware updates. In my case, there was a 2-3 week backlog. Thankfully, one update leaked to the internet and I was able to do it myself. However, Onkyo found out about the leak and was not happy.
Onkyo also makes no mention of any firmware updates on their web site. So unless a consumer calls in regarding a problem, they will never know an update is out there. They should clearly state on their product support web site an update is available and to call their service center for more information.
If they can fix these and other defects in the 906 model (due mid 2008), then it would be a winner. But the 905 has so many issues that I switched receivers and now own a Denon. For more insight to the problems, check out the avsforum site where there is a large discussion on this model.

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Meet the standout leader of Onkyo's new range of home theater heroes. The TX-NR905 7.1-channel home network receiver has a number of advantages that propel it into the home theater super league. Look to the TX-NR905's network (interfacing with Windows Media Player and Windows Media Connect) to open up a huge reservoir of Internet and computer-based audio resources. Enjoy the edge in high-definition 1080p video processing from the world's first receiver to incorporate HQV Reon VX. In-line with Onkyo's impeccable track record, under the hood of the TX-NR905 you'll find an innovative power supply, remarkable amplification design, and high-performance parts from the likes of Texas Instruments. "Complete" is a tag not given lightly, but the TX-NR905 earns it in style.

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Beltronics RX65-BLUE Professional Series Radar Detector Review

Beltronics RX65-BLUE Professional Series Radar Detector
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It's been over a year since I got this product. I spent around 340$ to buy it and another 100$ hard wiring and perma-mounting it on my dash. Since then - this detector has saved me from dozens of tickets. Even with a conservative estimate of 150$ per ticket that works out to over 4000 $. More than 10 times my investment. If you like to push the speed limits - this is a must have!
The build quality is good, it's easy to use, detection range is great. There are a lot of false positives (I always have it on highway mode), but you soon learn to tune out x band and listen for the Ka band and to a lesser extent K band. Of course - laser detection is iffy and rather pointless in my opinion. After all once you've been popped the fact becomes academic.
If you rely exclusively on this detector to warn you about speedtraps - this (or any other radar detector) might not help you much. Instead - if you use this as an additional early warning mechanism and augment this by staying alert, keeping an eye out for obvious speedtraps etc - this baby will pay off.
Now to the less savory details. Beltronics customer support sucks. Period. End of story. If you purchase this product from Beltronics directly - they hear you out grudgingly. If instead - you purchase this product from ANYONE else - they just tell you contact the seller. They will not answer even simple technical questions. They will not help you troubleshoot your device. They will not accept returns or honor their warranties. Their stock excuse being the large number of duplicates or rebuilt units flooding the market. The only recourse you have is to go back to the seller. Optionally I guess you could report them to the BBB.
In my case I was lucky, since the seller ([...]) was pretty helpful and replaced the defective piece right away. And I guess any product you get from Amazon has similar protection. BUT if you purchase it from a less helpful / influential seller - be prepared for the worst customer support ever.
With that said - this is a great product. Just be careful whom you buy it from.

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If you are as serious about safety as you are about driving, then you need the Professional Series RX 65. Featuring extreme sensitivity to all Radar and Laser bands with over 10 times the range of other imported detectors. Controlling the alerts is right at your fingertips using the included SmartPlug power cord. Want to take the detector with you? No problem, we include the quick release windshield mount and travel case too. Featuring patented Mute and AutoMute technology on the included SmartPlug power cord allows you to silence and even lock out alerts. Bright Blue Display. Features: 10x Range vs. Imports; All Radar and Laser Band Coverage; Multi-Sensor Laser Protection; Digital "POP" Radar Alert; Advanced AutoScan" Processing; Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Virtually Eliminates False Alerts; Clear Digital Voice or Audio Alerts; Easy-to-Use Options and Controls; 7 Selectable Features; Ultra-Bright High Definition Display; Brightness Control with Dark Mode; One year limited warranty

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Denon AVR-1611 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Multi-Source / Multi-Zone Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black) Review

Denon AVR-1611 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Multi-Source / Multi-Zone Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black)
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After having an unfortunate incident with a lightning strike at my home, my Denon AVR-1908 suffered irreparable damage. Within a few weeks my insurance company sent the check to replace it and the hunt for a new receiver was on.
Having owned a Denon, I was very familiar with the quality and outstanding sound their receivers can produce - but made the decision to research other brands such as Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer and of course the new line of Denon AV receivers. I have a 7.1 surround sound Home Theater so my future purchase had to meet that criteria. After some research I had narrowed my search down to the Denon AVR-1611 and the Onkyo TX-SR508 receivers, then visited a local electronics store to compare the two receivers in functionality and sound. After comparing the two I found that the Denon delivered a more rich, deep sound reproduction with outstanding surround sound imagery as compared to the Onkyo, at least in my opinion.
The Denon AVR-1611 offers some features that I definitely wanted, and some that I may want to utilize should I decide to upgrade my Home Theater. It offers HDMI 1.4a inputs and output for 3D movie features (still on the fence with 3D), if I decide to upgrade to a 3D capable Home Theater this receiver will accommodate this option. The rear I/O panel is extremely clean compared to older AV receivers, due to HDMI. There are 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output eliminating the need for multiple component inputs, this made for a much quicker and cleaner equipment setup. The various available sound formats, i.e., DTS Master, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus encoded with this receiver switch very efficiently with the source material - to date I have not had to adjust this manually. The receiver is very pleasing aesthetically, and fits in well with the rest of my components but does have some heft to it. The Denon AVR-1611 also offers ARC (audio return channel) via the HDMI output to allow for both sending and receiving an audio signal, but please note that your television must also have the ARC feature. The other plus with this receiver is the upconversion of standard definition DVD's due to the HDMI upconversion feature, althought it now sounds cliche - it truly makes my older movies look like new again with near HD resolution. The only criticism I have that prevented my awarding this receiver a perfect 5 stars is the lack of an AC Power Outlet in the back of the receiver. I found this to be a real convenience option for plugging in my JBL PB10 powered subwoofer. I wonder if this has been eliminated due to reducing the overall power draw for electronics in meeting with "GREEN TECHNOLOGY"? Regardless, I found that I missed having the outlet and wish they would incorporate it back into the design.
The owners manual can be intimidating, with its overview of all the features and functions designed in the AVR-1611 - this is where the AUDYSSEY AUTO SETUP feature shines! Denon included a specialized microphone to allow owners the convenience of letting the receiver setup your surround parameters without hours of manual work. Not only did this feature effectively set the surround sound parameters of all 7 speakers and my subwoofer, it also measured the distance from each speaker to the listening area, as well as decibel/gain setting for each individual speaker. It even determined the size of my speakers from small to large! To gauge the accuracy, I took out my tape measure and my Radio Shack sound level meter and began testing, and found the accuracy of Audyssey to be remarkable! For the novice setting up their Home Theater this feature would be invaluable.
To date I can offer no complaints, save for the missing AC power outlet. The surround sound imaging is outstanding, music CD's sound amazing, and the Denon AVR-1611 has real ease of use. It supports all of the most popular sound formats and upconverts my standard definition DVD's beautifully. I would highly recommend this receiver to anyone who is on a budget looking for an AV Receiver that offers a multitude of features and is as close to audiophile reproduction as you can get. It certainly pleases this movie buff.


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A versatile A/V surround receiver with a 7.1-channel amplifier, the Denon AVR-1611 is designed to be the centerpiece of an exciting home theater system. It supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and it includes the latest HDMI 1.4a technology, which provides for 3D pass-through capabilities to your HDTV (broadcast and Blu-ray). It also features Dolby Pro Logic IIz, a technology that adds a vertical dimension at the front for a more exciting surround sound experience. Last, but not least, the high-performance AVR-1611 includes Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume for optimum tonal balance, with no volume jump due to commercial interruptions.


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RODE NT1000 Vocal Condenser Microphone Review

RODE NT1000 Vocal Condenser Microphone
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I went shopping for a Rode NT1. Rode mics use superb capsules mounted in machined housings you could drive a truck over, and the NT1 is a great mic for male vocals. The guy at the store suggested the NT1000. I recorded myself on both, and there wasn't much difference, but the 1000 just sounded a little smoother. But, the NT1 had a painted finish (may have changed since), made out of aluminum. When you screw the mount on it feels rough, like screwing in a light bulb with an aluminum base. The NT1000, though, feels rich and expensive, a nickel-steel finish (I guess) more like the expensive Neumanns. And when you screw the parts together they feel precise and elegant. It was a hundred bucks more than the NT1, but with the slightly nicer sound, and the much nicer look and handling feel, it seemed worth it.
The only problem I've had with it is weight. It's fairly heavy, and can't be extended very far on my boom stand without falling over.
Great dynamic range, low noise, very detailed.

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ASUS LGA 1366 Intel X58 Republic of Gamers ATX Motherboard Rampage III Formula Review

ASUS LGA 1366 Intel X58 Republic of Gamers ATX Motherboard Rampage III Formula
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I bought this motherboard to overclock my new Intel Core i7-950 processor. It does exactly that. Without any problems I can overclock it from 3.07GHz to 4.4GHz on air. I run it at 4GHz on a daily basis to keep the temps in an acceptable range, also have Intel Speedstep enabled to reduce power consumption and component stress during idle times. I got a Noctua CPU cooler installed.
The mobo has so many options to play around with and the Windows monitoring software is really great. You can tweak all settings to perfection.
I tested the mobo in triple SLI setup with 3 x GTX 470. It runs great and scales very well. However due to thermal considerations I am using it permanently in dual SLI setup with 2 x MSI GTX 470 Twin Frozr II. This keeps the temps in an acceptable range and the Twin Frozr cooling fans are keeping quiet. Together with the CPU the graphics cards have no problem running MoH and CoD Black Ops at 120 FPS with all graphic settings maxed out (32AF for example). There is still overhead for more FPS as both CPU and Graphics card don't hit 100%.
Reason to get 120 FPS in games is nVidia 3D vision. I have bought an Alienware 3d Vision ready display and the 3D Vision set from nVidia with the shutter glasses. Stereoscopic 3D is awesome. I can play games, watch movies and photos in 3D now. CoD Black Ops looks great in 3D and my systems achieves 60 FPS left/right shutter (= 120FPS total) on the 120Hz 23" LCD display.
I also tested 3D Vision Surround on three monitors in none stereoscopic 3D. That runs well in a couple of games.
Apps run blazing fast. Office 2010 apps start in less than one second.
I am using 2 x SSD drives for Windows and applications on the two Marvel SATA III ports which support AHCI. After reading through newsgroups I decided to not install the Marvel drivers in Windows but use the Microsoft drivers. My system is really quite and ultra fast with 0.1 milliseconds access time and read speeds up to 250MB/sec. When running a benchmark test one SSD achieved an access time of 0.0934 milliseconds. Wow! Compare that to a regular HDD.
The integrated JMicron eSata controller works very well and guaranties high speed access. Much better than USB 2. I have two external eSata disks which I use as backup disks. The transfer rates are excellent.
This is the best and fastest system I ever had and I would recommend this to anyone as first choice.
Only thing I have to complain about is that I did not manage to get some manufacturer recommended memory to run at stock 2000MHz using XMP or manual settings, even none overclocked at CPU stock speed. Maximum speed achieved was 1600MHz. So I returned the 2000MHz RAM and got DDR3-1600 memory with the fastest timing available (6-8-6-20) instead which runs fine even while fully over-clocked.
I read somewhere that the next Intel generation CPU will run on socket 1366 (this mobo). So, upgrades will be probably affordable without replacing the entire system.

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