FragTek
New member
Sidewinder Computer Systems Online Retailer Review
www.sidewindercomputers.com
Overall Score: 8/10
Site Layout, Accessibility, and Connectivity
Score: 9/10
Sidewinder Computers is just a great site all around. We need to start off with a bit of clarification for sites such as this one. These can't be judged in the same way as large international e-tailers because they're much smaller operations and just can't offer the same features as the "big dogs." Sidewinder's site is very visually pleasing and easy to navigate. The colors and good and contrast well, it's not hard on the eyes. Navigation is top notch at Sidewinder. The nav bar on the left hand side of the page is very straight forward and is easy to locate the section you're looking for. Products are grouped together in the navigation bar by cooling class (air, water, extreme, etc.) which makes it easy to get around the site quickly and efficiently.
Sidewinder, along with the rest of the hardcore cooling stores, don't offer a user/order control panel which is to be expected on such low-budget sites. Not a big deal really as they don't get the traffic and sales to render needing such a feature.
Sidewinder's web servers are quick and always up... I have yet to experience any down time or severe load times. A+ guys!
Product Selection and Pricing
Score: 7/10
Sidewinder Computers carries a great selection of cooling components for enthusiasts and extreme overclockers. The most impressive and well known fact about Sidewinder is that they carry damn near every QUALITY fan in existence in any size. The fan selection is amazing, and if you can't find a fan that suits your needs, you need not be operating or building a computer
Along with the awesome fan selection they have a great array of high performance heatsinks for Intel and AMD processors including the full product offering from Thermalright. Moving right along to the watercooling department the first thing you'll notice in the waterblock department is that the selection is pretty slim with only offerings from Swiftech (which isn't a bad thing by any means as Swiftech makes the best CPU blocks on the market right underneath the Storm series). Different strokes for different folks though, not everyone wants a Swiftech block, but that's all you're going to get from Sidewinder. The rest of the watercooling parts selection is pretty slim as well, only carrying Swiftech GPU/Chipset blocks (which I personally don't care for). The only radiators you'll be finding at Sidewinder are BIX rads which again I don't prefer. They do carry the best pump on the market though, the Laing D4, so there is one redeeming feature of the watercooling section at Sidewinder. You will find some pretty good extreme cooling options however, as they offer a few different TEC's and PSU's to power them. They also carry the Asetek Vapochill LS which is the best phase change unit you can get if you live in the USA. To sum up the product selection a bit, it's THE place to purchase fans and aircooling products.
Prices at Sidewinder are pretty generic. It's hard to get specific when it comes to these specialty parts as they're harder to find than generic computer parts. I wouldn't put Sidewinder with the too high or too low catagory but pretty much middle of the line. Shipping prices are good and they offer expedited services so that us freaks can have our parts FAST
Shipping & Transit Time
Score: 8/10
Sidewinder has a good shipping department, they have yet to let me down once. Most parts will ship out same day or next day depending on when the order was placed. Sidewinder uses USPS Priority mail for most orders which is nice because it's a 2-3 service to anywhere in the country.
A huge benefit of Sidewinder is that they offer global shipping! So all of you UK guys that can't get those nice fans locally can get em from Sidewinder. Just follow the instuctions on the site and they'll get you an accurate shipping quote. Most international orders arrive in 3-4 days, not bad!
Returns (Refunds & Exchanges)
Score: 9/10
Sidewinder is top-notch in the return department. The entire staff at Sidewinder knows what's going on and they're 100% with the program. Not much else I can say here. If it's broken, Sidewinder will replace it no questions asked. Very commendable service!
Conclusion
Overall Sidewinder Computer Systems is a superb shop for aircooling and extreme cooling goodies with good prices and great shipping. These guys are very reliable and I trust them with a lot of my own business. Thanks for a great shopping experience Sidewinder!
Hope you enjoyed the review, more to come! -FragTek
www.sidewindercomputers.com
Overall Score: 8/10
Site Layout, Accessibility, and Connectivity
Score: 9/10
Sidewinder Computers is just a great site all around. We need to start off with a bit of clarification for sites such as this one. These can't be judged in the same way as large international e-tailers because they're much smaller operations and just can't offer the same features as the "big dogs." Sidewinder's site is very visually pleasing and easy to navigate. The colors and good and contrast well, it's not hard on the eyes. Navigation is top notch at Sidewinder. The nav bar on the left hand side of the page is very straight forward and is easy to locate the section you're looking for. Products are grouped together in the navigation bar by cooling class (air, water, extreme, etc.) which makes it easy to get around the site quickly and efficiently.
Sidewinder, along with the rest of the hardcore cooling stores, don't offer a user/order control panel which is to be expected on such low-budget sites. Not a big deal really as they don't get the traffic and sales to render needing such a feature.
Sidewinder's web servers are quick and always up... I have yet to experience any down time or severe load times. A+ guys!
Product Selection and Pricing
Score: 7/10
Sidewinder Computers carries a great selection of cooling components for enthusiasts and extreme overclockers. The most impressive and well known fact about Sidewinder is that they carry damn near every QUALITY fan in existence in any size. The fan selection is amazing, and if you can't find a fan that suits your needs, you need not be operating or building a computer
Along with the awesome fan selection they have a great array of high performance heatsinks for Intel and AMD processors including the full product offering from Thermalright. Moving right along to the watercooling department the first thing you'll notice in the waterblock department is that the selection is pretty slim with only offerings from Swiftech (which isn't a bad thing by any means as Swiftech makes the best CPU blocks on the market right underneath the Storm series). Different strokes for different folks though, not everyone wants a Swiftech block, but that's all you're going to get from Sidewinder. The rest of the watercooling parts selection is pretty slim as well, only carrying Swiftech GPU/Chipset blocks (which I personally don't care for). The only radiators you'll be finding at Sidewinder are BIX rads which again I don't prefer. They do carry the best pump on the market though, the Laing D4, so there is one redeeming feature of the watercooling section at Sidewinder. You will find some pretty good extreme cooling options however, as they offer a few different TEC's and PSU's to power them. They also carry the Asetek Vapochill LS which is the best phase change unit you can get if you live in the USA. To sum up the product selection a bit, it's THE place to purchase fans and aircooling products.
Prices at Sidewinder are pretty generic. It's hard to get specific when it comes to these specialty parts as they're harder to find than generic computer parts. I wouldn't put Sidewinder with the too high or too low catagory but pretty much middle of the line. Shipping prices are good and they offer expedited services so that us freaks can have our parts FAST
Shipping & Transit Time
Score: 8/10
Sidewinder has a good shipping department, they have yet to let me down once. Most parts will ship out same day or next day depending on when the order was placed. Sidewinder uses USPS Priority mail for most orders which is nice because it's a 2-3 service to anywhere in the country.
A huge benefit of Sidewinder is that they offer global shipping! So all of you UK guys that can't get those nice fans locally can get em from Sidewinder. Just follow the instuctions on the site and they'll get you an accurate shipping quote. Most international orders arrive in 3-4 days, not bad!
Returns (Refunds & Exchanges)
Score: 9/10
Sidewinder is top-notch in the return department. The entire staff at Sidewinder knows what's going on and they're 100% with the program. Not much else I can say here. If it's broken, Sidewinder will replace it no questions asked. Very commendable service!
Conclusion
Overall Sidewinder Computer Systems is a superb shop for aircooling and extreme cooling goodies with good prices and great shipping. These guys are very reliable and I trust them with a lot of my own business. Thanks for a great shopping experience Sidewinder!
Hope you enjoyed the review, more to come! -FragTek
