"I own a Compaq desktop with a 2.0 GHz processor. I exchanged several emails with a customer support tech named Beth. She told me that she had on record, many successful upgrades for my particular MoBo using the "Intel P4 3.06GHz 533MHz 478pin 512K Northwood CPU w/Hyper-threading OEM".

Was told that the only thing required on my part was to update the BIOS to the most recent version (which I did). After that, the MoBo was supposed to see the new CPU and update its settings automatically.

Well I installed the latest version for my BIOS as instructed, then received and installed the new CPU.

The new processor does run approximately 35% (give or take 10% depending on what I'm doing)faster on all applications. I've also tested its speed with several software apps (designed to test CPU speeds), and it is definitely running very close to specs.

Now for the bad news. Everytime I boot, I get a BIOS error message "1801-Microcode Patch Error. Missing or invalid processor microcode patch. Please contact Compaq Computer Corp for a new ROM BIOS to support the new processor stepping"..........Initializing INTEL (R) Boot Agent Version 4.1.08 PXE 2.1 Build 083 (WFM 2.0) RPL V2.74"

This is nothing but an annoyance because I only need hit the F1 key and the computer boots normally.

The next problem is that the BIOS does not recognize the HYPERTHREADING option. Though I'm well aware that HT is only good for certain apps (and won't make any difference on others), I did pay for that option, and was told by Beth that it would be available and that I could access/contol it through the BIOS.

Though the new CPU is superior in performance to my older one, it is very apparent that I was purposely mislead by this company on the situation/conditions that applied to my MoBo and BIOS.

I repeatedly emailed these idiots in a polite & professional manner, but never did receive a response. Only after the 10th time (and going about it indirectly through their website rather than through regular email) did they bother to reply to my predicament with which follows......"we currently have no fix for the boot error, its just a problem with the BIOS not recognizing the new CPU's microcode, the only way for it to be resolved is if Compaq wrote a new BIOS to support it, the same goes for the HT (Hyper Threading) option, if the BIOS was not written to support HT it won't have an option in the BIOS setup. You can check if HT is running by going into your device manager in your system properties and clicking on the processors section, if only 1 processor is shown, HT is not enables, if 2 processors (identical speeds) appear, then HT is enabled."

I responded by asking for the CEO/owner's name, and of course the ignored me.

Though these are minor issues that can be dealt with, why did they have to lie about these very things in the beginning (so as not to discourage me from making the purchase), and why did they not respond to my repeated querries (like if they ignored me long enough, I would just go away)?

Bottom line......though they did not bait & switch the product (at least in this instance), they most certainly did mis-represent it. And they most certainly avoided trying to assist me or make amends after they got my money. I'd be very careful when dealing with this company.
"

"Good service. Processor price was about 20$ more than other stores. Shipping was also a bit slow. There tech support / Q&A was A+++. Will do business again if they continue to keep up with their good crew. Their website was also user friendly and easy to navigate."

"Ordered a video card and they called me and said it was a mistake and offered me another video card at the same price, standard bait-n-switch."

"Service and delivery was as advertised. The product, PL-P4/N CPU upgrade, was easy and straight forward to install. Works VERY well
(I went from a P4 1.3Ghz to P4 2.4Ghz processor). Minimal skill involved - took less than 45 minutes start to boot up."

"Bought the product that they said was compatable with my system. After I installed it, I got a black screen. Followed their instructions and removed the battery from my motherboard to clear my CMOS and had the same results. Their suggestion also made my computer inoperable because of a keyboard error. They told me to return their product because it apparently is incompatable with my system. I thought they sold it to me with the premise that it was. I have asked for a new motherboard or at least a phone number to speak to a company representative, but they ignore my emails. Help!"

"The upgrade product was delivered exactly on time. It was exactly what I expected. It was extremely easy to install. I'm thrilled."

"Received my PL-ip3/T 1400C on Feb 17, however the evercool fan didn't work and my emails have been repeated ignored by support and RMA (except that support did send me a 1-866-PL-SALES number that does not work from Toronto, Canada.)

I am very frustrated by the lack of support and communication from this company!
"

"I would do business with them again."

"a friend of mine that lives accros country was ordering me a 1.2GHz celeron upgrade for me P3 500 for doing some admin work for him. We created a big mess but I respect powerleap for righting it all without hassel or extra fees. First they accidently sent the wrong item (similar but not quite the same). So we RMAed it and got a online UPS lable. As soon as they got it they sent out the correct item... this time though they sent it to billing address which was halfway across the country from me. So I called them up when I saw UPS was taking it to GA and they OVERNIGHTED the correct item to me while the other one was still in transit to GA. They said if he accepted the item in GA they would charge us for 2 of them. So when UPS showed up in GA he refused shipment and it was sent back. Anyway I plugged this thing and it worked w/o a hitch, no configuring necessary. Despit the mistakes I was very impressed with thier product and service, especially the way they dealt with thew customer (me). I did not have to administer any yelling or screaming into the phone, they simply fixed the problems."

"I ordered the PL-Neo/T adaptor and it came with a replacement clip to use with the retail Tualatin Celeron CPU I was going to use on a Asus CUSL2-C. Clip was impossible to get on, I eventually broke the plastic tab on the socket of the motherboard.

You never are able to contact a real human being at their website. Their RMA process is cryptic and any questions about the process will be unanswered. I am still trying to RMA this adaptor, and haven't received the "UPS label". I don't know if it comes in the mail, or if it comes via email. All I know is that it isn't here, it's the 19th of December, and after the 3rd of Jan, I am stuck with this useless adaptor. I will never buy from them again."

"Ordered heatsink and fan units (2) copper base of high quality. Powerleap only shipped 1 product but billed me for 2.
Mistakes expected but measure of company is how they correct their mistakes. Powerleap shipped second heatsink & fan on the next business day after my notifying them of problem. The shipped 2nd day air on order that originally had been UPS ground. Well Done Powerleap. S"

"Good product, though priced a little high. Order status confusing and shipping was a little high, but tolerable."

"I ordered a PL-iP3/T 1400C processor upgrade for my Dell Dimension XPS T500. Powerleap sent an order confirmtion the same day with a UPS tracking number. They notified me the next day when it shipped, and estimated a delivery on October 22. The package arrived on the 22nd undamaged. I plugged the new CPU in, plugged in the power cable, started the machine and it worked perfectly the first time out of the box using powerleap's default settings. I used SiSoft Sandra benchmarking software to assess the new silicon, and it works as I hoped i.e. about 250% faster than my old P III 500 Mhz chip. Not bad for $177.95 when one considers the alternative ( new MB, CPU, and power supply).

A perfect shopping experience, and a great product."

"Excellent service and fair tech support. I originally purchased a PL-iP3T 1.2Ghz Tualatin Celeron/BX board adapter for $169 in November. Good service and fair tech support. The adapter bacame defective this August and I e-mailed PL to RMA it. When I reached a CSR after 2 days, she was VERY helpful - sent a brand new adapter/combo by 2nd day Air (at no extra charge) AND paid for the defective product's shipping back to PL. Highly recommended! "

"Purchased two PL-IP3/T units. Only ever attempted to use one of them. PL support could not get it to work. Waited for additional input, finally requested an RMA. Sent units back. Vendor refused to issue a refund. Sadder and much poorer."