We are reviewing Foxconn mainboards for the first time (Alas? No, why. We are just stating the fact...), but this does not mean that they somehow differ from all other mainboards of this class. This class is called "typical Middle-End at an acceptable price". Unless (considering the main specialization of the manufacturer) we can count on the high quality connectors :). The mainboard is rather functional for its format, perhaps its only drawback is the scarcity of PATA connectors (only one actually), but this limitation is imposed by the chipset as well as by the form factor. ![]() PCB layout is usual and... inconvenient – the form factor dictates its terms. Access to jumpers may be hampered when the mainboard is in a case, their description is provided on the PCB. The 3-phase switching voltage regulator of the processor incorporates three 1800 uF capacitors and eight 560 uF capacitors. The PCB also contains voltage regulators for the PCI-E x16 bus (2x1000 uF) and for memory (4x1000 uF). The mainboard lacks the AUX-In and WOM connectors, which are provided by the PCB layout. Mainboard dimensions – 245x245 mm ("wide" mATX, eight-screw mount, the fore-left PCB edge may sag). The ITE IT8712F-A chip is used to monitor:
Onboard ports, sockets, and connectors
Back panel (left to right, blockwise)![]()
Package Contents![]()
One can note the SATA power converter (useful accessory for the owners of power units without Serial ATA power connectors) and Norton Internet Security 2004 – fairly good personal firewall (the latest version). Foxconn SuperUtilites is a set of utilities, which functionality can be easily guessed from their titles: SuperBoot, SuperBIOS-Protect, SuperStep (overclocking), SuperLogo, SuperUpdate. Integrated Controllers
It's interesting to see the FireWire support in the mainboard of the mATX format, which is traditionally associated with inexpensive budget solutions. The integrated audio quality was tested in 16bit, 44 kHz using the RightMark
Audio Analyzer 5.1 test application and the Terratec
DMX 6fire sound card:
General performance: Very good (details). Settings
We used BIOS dated 29.05.2004, the latest available BIOS version at the time of our tests. Preliminary test resultsWe'll provide one of the diagrams from the future review. Foxconn 915M03-G-8EKRS2 results are represented by the "i915G/DDR2-533" bar: References
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