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Latest reviews

05/02/2012 03:21:52

20/11/2011 16:51:29
* The only performance upgrade I got was upgrading the RAM to 8GB and 1600. * The AMD Fusion can run Eve Online, Fable, All Points Bulletin, Left 4 Dead 2 and Civ 5 at max settings at 1680x1050 in glorious DX11 with no graphics card, something I find amazing. With the settings turned down to just below max it can also run 2 versions of Eve at the same time, or 1 version of Eve and one version of Civ 5 on a standard map at the same time (I have not yet tried multigaming with bigger maps).These won't be the 3 digit frame rates that hardcore gamers demand but if you can live with around 30 fps at max settings then I recommend this system. * My plan for this system is to be a low budget, low power, low noise gaming rig. In the future, when prices come down, I will add a graphics card to extend its life (Make sure you get a PSU that can handle a graphics card and a motherboard that has room for one). * This could be a near silent gaming system. Make sure you get a silent PSU, and I would go for a silent APU fan instead of liquid cooling because it has a noisy fan to cool the radiator. I got the silent case fans, but got a gaming PSU which is pretty noisy. * The modem driver that comes on the MSI disc is unstable. I recommend using the brief window where you're connected to the net after a reboot to quickly update it. The updated driver is rock steady. I would use the LiveUpdate program that comes on the disc to automatically update all your drivers. * It would be nice to know what all the programs actually do on the MSI disc without having to install them first. You get a bunch of programs called things like LiveFace2 or Dynamix3 but nothing to say what they do. I can't tell you because I haven't installed them. * I recommend 1600 RAM for this system as the Fusion relies on general RAM for graphics performance. * It can power up from sleep almost instantly. * The AMC Cool n Quiet works well for almost all games, going from 800-2900Mhz as needed, but for some games, it stays at 800, so if you're having performance issues, check the power plan is set to 'balanced' to keep the clock locked at 2900, then put it back to 'power saver' to reactivate Cool n Quiet. I hope that was a focused review. I avoided "I bought this to replace.." (no one cares) and "I got it today and haven't tried very much" (I waited several weeks before reviewing to give you a fuller picture).