Quite a difference between the synthetic game bench and the real thing I'd say.  Let's try this again but with EA Games' Need For Speed: Most Wanted.  Graphics settings were set to max at 1024x768 resolution in the NFS World Loop map.

Looks like actual gameplay remains a bit removed from synthetic benchmarks. 

Overclocking

Before we put the wrap on this review, we have to look at what sort of ceiling it has to offer.  The Intel 3.6GHz processor we have in the house right now is relatively new and we haven't explored its full limits yet.  However, the Chaintech mainboard in our comparison product was only able to push this CPU another 22MHz before failing.  The Foxconn 975X7AA was able to push it a good 35MHz which represented a significant improvement.  Something interesting here was that we did our overclocking manually the old fashioned way from within the BIOS.  Using the Fox One program we were able to overclock from within Windows, 34MHz over the CPU's FSB.  Historically, operating system based overclocking programs won't give you the same reach as doing things for yourself within the BIOS.  Looks like Foxconn has a true winner with their Fox One technology.

Conclusion

Foxconn, as expected, has released a quality product with more than its fair share of attention to detail.  The board's layout is well thought out and clean with the only exception being the 8-pin 12v ATX power connector whose placement I personally didn't care for.  The color coding of many of the boards headers and connection points was first class.  I especially liked the shrouds around the SATA and USB connectors. 

All style and flash aside, the Foxconn 975X7AA's performance was excellent.  While it didn't 'blow the doors off' the i915 based board, we did see that yes, upgrading to the 975 based board coupled with DDR2 is worthwhile.  It also goes without saying that the Foxconn 975X7AA is Crossfire ready and looks to be a good overclocker.

The Foxconn 975X7AA has a lot going for it.  The street price of $210 appears to be right in the middle of the pack of other Intel 975 based boards.  But aside from a box load of extras, you get Foxconn's Fox One technology that truly makes this board shine.  A worthy and worthwhile upgrade.  One that I am going to make myself for my own box... right now!

Pros

• Feature rich

• Fox One Technology rocks!

• Five internal and one external SATA connections

• Dual Gigabit LAN ports

• Excellent performance

• Good overclocker

• Crossfire ready

• USB and SATA color coded shrouds

• Excellent attention to detail

• Lots of extras in package

Cons

• No COM connector bracket included

• Socket area may be tight for aftermarket oversized coolers

• Northbridge cooler a bit loud

BACK                    HOME

Pg 1 - Introduction
Pg 2 - The board
Pg 3 - More board / BIOS
pg 4 - BIOS / Fox One
Pg 5 - Testing: Business Winstone
Pg 6 - Content Creation, SiSoft Sandra 2007 Pro
Pg 7 - Super Pi, 3D Mark 2006, Battlefield 2
Pg 8 - NFS:MW / Overclocking / Conclusion