All posts by Risa

Samsung SSD 860 EVO Review

Hard Drive Reviews

<![CDATA[This is my review if the Samsung 860 EVO. I bought this on Newegg for around $150. Though it is not very inexpensive, this is a quality solid state drive. I believe I got my money’s worth. I have yet to have any problems though I have only been using this specific SSD for a few months.
When buying SSDs, I always go to Samsung. I have been buying from them for years and have yet to be disappointed. Here is a little info on the company: Samsung was founded by Lee Byung-Chul in 1938. Their current headquarters is in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korean. As of 2017, Samsung has the 6th highest global brand value. (Samsung Wiki)
 
Warning: I will be using my ASUS Prime B350M-A/CSM to test this product. I use this specific motherboard for business so results may differ when using a gamer or home motherboard.
Benchmarks:
 
 

  • Size: 500 Gb
  • Read speed: 550 MB/s
  • write speed: 520 MB/s
  • Read IOPS: 98,000 IOPS
  • Write IOPS: 90,000 IOPS
  • MLC
  • MTBF: 1.5 Million Hours Reliability
  • Warranty: 5 years
  •  2.5″
  • Memory Components: 3D NAND

I was expecting great things from this SSD because I have always had a great experience with Samsung. I was correct in my expectations as this SSD blew me out of the water. The installation was easy I did not even need to use the installation disk. It made my computer 2-3 times faster and I would highly recommend. The only item that could be considered a problem is the price. I feel as though this is a fair price for the speed that was acquired but with some research, one might be able to find an SSD just as reliable for a more affordable price. Again I used my ASUS business motherboard for this test. Different problems could occur using a home or gaming motherboard. I would highly recommend this SSD for its speed alone and lack of problems. I was expecting greatness from Samsung, but they have outdone themselves this time.

 
Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.
References: 
Motherboard: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?
SSD: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?
Samsung:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung]]>

G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series Review

Memory Reviews

<![CDATA[I bought the Ripjaws V Series memory after looking around for a fast business RAM without completely breaking the bank. While this is a fairly fast memory chip, I feel as though I could have gotten one just as fast for less money. I paid $208 for two 8GB memory on newegg.com
I’ve never bought any products from G.SKILL so I had to do quite a bit of research. For those of you like me here is some information:
G.Skill is known for its range of DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4 computer memory. RAM is available in single channel, dual channel, triple channel and quad channel packs for desktops, workstations, HTPC, as well as netbooks and laptops.G.Skill was shown to be the only DDR4 manufacturer not vulnerable to Rowhammer.G.Skill does not manufacture the memory dies, it purchases the memory dies and assembles them into a DIMM memory module ready for sale to customers.(G.SKILLWiki)
Warning: This memory was tested on my ASUS Prime B350M-A/CSM motherboard. The results may differ when using a different motherboard.
Benchmarks:

  • DDR4 3200 (PC4 25600)
  • Capacity: 8GB (2 x 4GB)
  • Non-Parity
  • Non-ECC
  • Dual Channel
  • CAS Latency: 16
  • Timing:16-16-16-36
  • Type: 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM
  • Access Time: 6.25 Ns

I went into this testing with high expectations. I was right to have these expectations as the Ripjaws V Series is EXTREMELY fast. I did not need to tweak or change anything about the performance. I’m sure that if I had used a higher end motherboard or even a gamer, it might not be able to keep up. Though this memory is fast I feel as though the price is too much. When I was looking at this RAM the first time it was around $150 and I can’t imagine why they increased the price so dramatically. If you are willing to pay the price this is a decent memory for a home and business motherboard but I suggest going with something more inexpensive.

Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.
References: 

 
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AMD RYZEN 7 1800X CPU Review

CPU reviews

<![CDATA[The Ryzen 7 1800X is a gaming CPU on the more expensive end of AMD CPUs. I found this one on Newegg for around $500 after a friend recommended it to me. I was excited to try out this motherboard as I had heard it was really fast and I was not disappointed.
Image result for AMD RYZEN 7 1800X
So I have bought CPUs from AMD but I have not always had the greatest experience so I was a little nervous in that aspect. For those who don’t know a lot about AMD here’s a little info:
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) is an American multinational semiconductor company based in Sunnyvale, California, that develops computer processors and related technologies for business and consumer markets. AMD’s main products include microprocessors, motherboard chipsets, embedded processors and graphics processors for servers, workstations and personal computers, and embedded systems applications. (AMDWiki)
Warning: I tested this CPU using my ASUS ROG Strix X370-F motherboard so my results might be different than if tested using a different gaming motherboard.
Specifications:

  • Clock Speed: 4.0 GHz
  • Cache: L1 (768 KB), L2 (4MB), L3 (16MB)
  • Socket Type: AM4
  • # of Processors: 8
  • Passmark: 15443

So I went into this excited to finally try this CPU and I was not disappointed. The graphics did not lag and the game loaded faster than I was expecting no matter what game I was playing. One problem that I encountered was that I could not OC past 3.9 GHz. That was the limit and no matter what I did I was never able to get over that hurdle. I was reading up on the CPU and found that others had this problem as well.  Even with this OC problem, I still love this CPU. The price and the incredible speed seal the deal if you can get over a few problems such as the OC. For a fairly inexpensive, higher-end gaming CPU, I would definitely recommend the Ryzen 7 1800x to anyone looking to up their gaming experience.
Image result for ryzen 7 1800x
Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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ASUS Prime A320M-K Home Motherboard Review

Motherboard reviews

<![CDATA[ASUS Prime A320M-K is a home motherboard and I would not recommend this motherboard for gaming or business.  This will be a review of the motherboard and a comparison to other low end home motherboards.
AsusTek Computer Inc. (stylised as ASUSTeK or ΛSUS) is a Taiwanese multinational computer and phone hardware and electronics company headquartered in Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan. Its products include desktops, laptops, netbooks, mobile phones, networking equipment, monitors, WIFI routers, projectors, motherboards, graphics cards, optical storage, multimedia products, peripherals, wearables, servers, workstations, and tablet PCs. The company is also an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). (AsusWiki)

The Prime A320M-K is one of ASUS’s older models that they still sell on the market. It comes fully equipped with the support needed on a home computer. The motherboard form factor is Micro ATX and measures quite small at 8.7″ x 8.9″.  Pertaining to the CPU and Memory aspects:

  • CPU: AM4 CPU socket; compatible to Ryzen, Athlon, and A-Series processors
  • Memory: 2×288pin memory slots, 32GB of supported memory, memory standard: DDR4 3200(O.C.)/ 2933(O.C.)/ 2666/ 2400/ 2133

Other onboard components:

  • Integrated AMD Radeon R Series Graphics in the 7th Generation A-Series APU
  • Realtek ALC887, 8 Channels
  • LAN Chipset: Realtek RTL8111H, Max LAN Speed:10/100/1000Mbps
  • 4 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s), gray
  • 4 x USB 3.0
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 1 x D-Sub Video Port
  • 1 x PS/2 keyboard ,1 x PS/2 mouse
  • 3 Audio Ports
  • Expansion Slots:
    • 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1
    • AMD Ryzen Processors: 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 mode)
    • AMD 7th Gen A-series / Athlon Processors: 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x8 mode)

I found this motherboard while searching through NewEgg for a new home motherboard at a low price. I stumbled across this motherboard and with a 3 star review decided to give it a chance. However, after using this motherboard for a few weeks I have to say that 3 stars was far to generous. After reading through more reviews, I realized other people had experienced the same problems I had. Reviewer Gregory R. put it perfectly when he stated,”Writing on board is hard to read. Says on Asus Website ” delivers outstanding overclocking capabilities for the latest AMD® AM4-socket Ryzen™ processors” but there is no option to overclock in BIOS.” This specific site holds the price at $59.99 but I regret paying even that little amount. I would not recommend this motherboard 2/10.
Note:  This review is part of a classroom project.
 
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