Overclocker Cafe - Foxconn G9657MA

Foxconn G9657MA Motherboard

Board Layout

One thing that I loved when I first opened the package was the color scheme. I'm glad to see that Foxconn spruced up the looks with that wicked looking green and yellow combo.

Even though this is a microATX form factor, it doesn't feel as crowded as some small boards do.

The socket is surrounded with low profile capacitors so you shouldn't have too hard of a time getting that heatsink installed. Even though you have a couple of larger capacitors to the side, they should be well out of the way of most after market coolers.

Just below the socket is the ATX 8-pin 12V power connector for the board. While Foxconn recommends that you use a power supply with this connection (and you should if you can), it does run fine with that older 4-pin connection.

Both the Northbridge and the Southbridge heatsink are passively cooled. The Northbridge sports a large cooler with the Foxconn logo while the Southbridge is a very low profile character.

Surrounding the Southbridge cooler are the internal SATA connections, the IDE connector, front USB and the front panel connections. The front panel connections are color coded so that folks like me can say "Directions? We don't need no stinkin' directions!".

Now I'll admit that I got a bit confused during installation and had to look at the manual. I mistook those green ports on either side of the IDE connection for COM ports. But they are the front panel USB connections which makes it nice and easy to find them.

And here we have a shot of the rear I/O panel. The only issue I really have with this is the four USB ports. I'd like to see at least six, but considering that amount of extra connections on the board itself for expansion, I can't complain too much.

This will be the first motherboard that I've had with an external SATA connection. And you know what that means.......time to go shopping!

BACK NEXT