Overclocking

The processor we are using today has seen its raw bus speed hit 270MHz in the past.  So we have a good idea that the processor isn't something we have to worry about being the weak link with our efforts to see what kind of ceiling the Foxconn SLI board has for us.  All we could crank out of it was 240MHz.  While this is in line with other K8 boards we've seen, it isn't something to brag that much about.

Conclusion

Foxconn has got the whole package here with the NF4SK8AA board.  Beginning with a street price of $130 the average user can easily entertain the option of picking up an upgrade with features normally associated with a board costing twice that.  Actually, two words can sum it up, "well rounded."  Performance and stability proved to be right in the grove and the Foxconn's layout was fantastic.  From the fan headers to the non crowded feel to the connectors lined down one side of the board, Foxconn shows off their well rounded AMD K8 SLI solution in prime style. 

Several oddities stood out; the Dual Gigabit LAN and 10 USB connections (three being internal two port connections) were big pluses for me but the normally expected extra USB rear connector brackets were surprisingly missing.  Two or even three of these added in the board's bundle would have really added even more value to the board for Joe User.  All those extra USB connections aren't doing you much good unless you can use them right out of the box with what's included.  Another oddity was the lack of a Firewire port on the rear I/O plate.  Now beauty is in the eye of the beholder - for me, I don't have any Firewire devices and am glad to not have that connection back there.  The option is there if you need it by dropping in a slot cover connector for Firewire (that was included) should the need arise.  The last point I want to make is the solidly mediocre way Foxconn allows for enabling/disabling SLI.  While the small card for this is easy to work with; a digital option would have been a capital improvement.  However, all things considered, the Foxconn NF4SK8AA is very worthy of consideration for your next mainboard if SLI is calling your name.  The SLI card and lack of USB expansion brackets for the three internal USB connections, while minimal issues, held us back from awarding this board our Editor's Choice award.  As we said before, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so the benefit or detraction value of these features depends on the end user's needs.  For me, I love it!