Published: October 17, 2008 |
Source:
Foxconn |
Author:
Matthew Fogg
FOXCONN BlackOps X48 Motherboard
Conclusion
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So how well did the X48 based Foxconn BlackOps perform in today’s review?
In this day and age, the motherboard market is a cut throat affair, and there is a need for products to really stand out from the competition. To be the same in this industry is to be non-existant. With the X48 chipset now an established performer in the market, and the very recent release of the P45 based motherboards showing some very impressive overclocks, it does beg to question as to what motherboard should you opt for. You could even throw the impending arrival of X58 and Nehalem just around the corner into the mix. Obviously, the choice is ultimately yours and at the end of the day I guess the final verdict will be based upon the hole in your wallet and overall performance.
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The Foxconn BlackOps is an amazing piece of motherboard engineering, and while it may not be as ‘aesthetically pleasing’ to the eye as some other manufacturers’ motherboards out there, it’s a proven performer. Foxconn has formed a close partnership with the enthusiast community, and this relationship has allowed the inclusion of features into the BlackOps that may have otherwise been overlooked. And these inclusions haven’t been added as a last thought, but tastefully integrated into the development process of the motherboard. It’s nice to see a manufacturer giving a ‘sense of ownership’ to enthusiasts and taking the time to provide a product with features that we want to see, not what they think we want to see.
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The Foxconn BlackOps is known to be a powerful overclocking motherboard, while maintaining incredible stability throughout the whole process. The sheer amount of tweaking options in the BIOS, and the inclusion of reliable and functional voltage options which can only be termed as ‘insane’, make this the motherboard of choice for the bencher or serious overclocking enthusiast. It also warrants a mention here that the Foxconn BlackOps recovers from a bad overclock like no other motherboard that I have ever used before. Instead of farting around before finally deciding that your last overclock was a bit keen, it simply reboots itself and allows you back into the BIOS to make the necessary adjustments. It should always be this simple.
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Pricing for the Foxconn BlackOps is certainly at the high end of town, coming in at
£255.01 inc vat from
YoYoTech. Our Australian readers can pick up the Foxconn BlackOps motherboard from
Altech Computers for
AUS$685.00 inc. GST. But before blatantly refusing to pay that much money for the Foxconn BlackOps, you need to look at what you’re getting for that outlay of cash. A proven pedigree for overclocking; an insanely featured motherboard with useable features including a NB cooling solution that caters for the extreme, and a membership to the Foxconn community is what you are spending your hard earned cash on. It’s a winner!
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The Good
+ Quality
+ Proven overclocker
+ 4-in-1 NB cooling solution
+ Bundle
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The Mediocre
* Can be fickle with RAM, although the latest BIOS revision has improved compatibility
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The Bad
– Price
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