PRODUCT FEATURES: 128MB GDDR2 high-speed memory Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 support OpenGL 2.0 optimizations and support NVIDIA TurboCache technology
Advantages: Cheap and up to date, Takes new gfx card Disadvantages: built in graphics are basic
FOXCONN MOTHERBOARD
The Foxconn K8M890M2MA-R2SH is a really cheap and cheerfull Socket AM2 motherboard. There's only one way that a manufacturer can come up with a motherboard that sells for such a low price, and that's by using every feature that the chipset has to offer without bolting on any extra gadgets.
The chipset in on this board is the VIA K8M890 which includes VIA/S3G DeltaChrome graphics (cheap and nasty) and a VT8237R Plus Southbridge.
There are two DDR2 memory slots so you get dual channel memory support, and if your a gamer and the integrated graphics aren't sufficient you can plug a proper graphics card into the PCI-E x16 slot provided.
There is also a PCI-E x1 slot and two PCI slots. The Southbridge supports RAID 0 or 1 for the pair of SATA connectors and there are four USB 2.0 ports on the I/O panel ...
The Foxconn Core4 Series P35a motherboard offers everything a intermediate gamer could need. With prices ranging from £ 75 - £80 this enables you to purchase that duo/quad core processor everyone is after. This product is Microsoft Vista Compatable.
Size
ATX Form Factor 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm
Compatible Processors:
Pentium 4
Pentium D
Core 2 Duo
Core 2 Extreme
Core 2 Quad
Pentium Dual Core
Celeron 400 sequence
Now for the geeky Bit
Processor Socket: LGA775 Socket
Multi-Core Support: Dual-Core / Quad-core
Chipset Type: Intel P35 Express / Intel ICH9
Max Bus Speed: 1333 MHz
Storage Controller: ATA-133, Serial ATA-300, eSATA port
Power Connectors: 24-pin main power connector, 8-pin ATX12V connector
Processor installed Qty: 0 (Max Supported: 1 )
Supported RAM Technology: DDR II SDRAM
RAM Installed: 0 MB (8 GB max ...
Advantages: Excellent value with quality onboard graphics and sound Disadvantages: small form factor means not much room to work with
up settings (overclock) using superstep, plus it is possible to download and update the bios from windows using superupdate. For many, bios updates are taboo as you have to 'flash' the ROM, but with this, some of the worry is removed by doing it from a familiar interface. The board also has a superboot fast booting option, which bypasses a lot of the startup tests in order to speed up the startup time.
When paired with the Athlon3500, 2gig of corsair value memory and a SATA hard drive, this board has delivered everything I require at this time, with room for some expansion/enhancement further down the line to extend the useful life of my system. Foxconn/Winfast boards are a brand I would highly recommend as an alternative to the likes of AsRock and the cheaper MSI boards. ...