Hey all,
Just thought I might share this... unique experience. I've ordered lots of parts online, but this one is by far the worst condition part to arrive in my hands. Ordered the IP35-E from MWave. First off, I ordered retail and it came unsealed. OK... maybe they opened it to make sure everything was fine. I open the box, cool - everything's there: sata cable, install cd, floppy, ide, motherboard... sort of.
When I look closely at the motherboard I see this:
http://i223.photobucket.com/al.../rodrigu3/DSC00620.jpg
Notice how the northbridge heatsink has been completely removed... well it came that way. I can only imagine the heatsink was bouncing around during shipping and probably knocked into a bunch of other components.
A closer look at the northbridge shows color deformities... I assume this is not a good sign - time for a return. Kinda looks like it's been burned.
http://i223.photobucket.com/al.../rodrigu3/DSC00632.jpg
A look at the back of the heatsink shows scratches and dents all over the heat transfer pad:
http://i223.photobucket.com/al.../rodrigu3/DSC00635.jpg
Not only that, I couldn't find one of the pins holding down the heatsink. I jostle the mobo around and the pin comes out of somewhere. I look at it closely and one of the teeth that holds the pin to the motherboard has been sheared off completely, as if someone tried to pull the pin out without closing the teeth first in the back.
Good thing out of all of this is that I called MWave.com and they're going to send me another one. This time I was smart and specifically requested a factory sealed box. They also offered pre-paid pickup from my apartment. Pretty good customer service IMO, but they shouldn't sell retail equipment and ship what looks like a refurbished piece.
Just thought I might share this... unique experience. I've ordered lots of parts online, but this one is by far the worst condition part to arrive in my hands. Ordered the IP35-E from MWave. First off, I ordered retail and it came unsealed. OK... maybe they opened it to make sure everything was fine. I open the box, cool - everything's there: sata cable, install cd, floppy, ide, motherboard... sort of.
When I look closely at the motherboard I see this:
http://i223.photobucket.com/al.../rodrigu3/DSC00620.jpg
Notice how the northbridge heatsink has been completely removed... well it came that way. I can only imagine the heatsink was bouncing around during shipping and probably knocked into a bunch of other components.
A closer look at the northbridge shows color deformities... I assume this is not a good sign - time for a return. Kinda looks like it's been burned.
http://i223.photobucket.com/al.../rodrigu3/DSC00632.jpg
A look at the back of the heatsink shows scratches and dents all over the heat transfer pad:
http://i223.photobucket.com/al.../rodrigu3/DSC00635.jpg
Not only that, I couldn't find one of the pins holding down the heatsink. I jostle the mobo around and the pin comes out of somewhere. I look at it closely and one of the teeth that holds the pin to the motherboard has been sheared off completely, as if someone tried to pull the pin out without closing the teeth first in the back.
Good thing out of all of this is that I called MWave.com and they're going to send me another one. This time I was smart and specifically requested a factory sealed box. They also offered pre-paid pickup from my apartment. Pretty good customer service IMO, but they shouldn't sell retail equipment and ship what looks like a refurbished piece.
