Foxconn Black Ops vs. DFI UT X48-T3RS Comparison Review

[DamageX]

Recently, I have the opportunity to play around with both the Foxconn Black Ops and the DFI UT X48-T3RS. While I do have the Foxconn Black Ops setup on my work bench, the DFI is currently being shipped and should hopefully arrive at the end of the week or next monday.

This is my first time reviewing a motherboard and the first time I am comparing two boards. I'll try to be as detailed as possible, but with work and tons of friends getting married this time of year, I have a feeling I won't have much time to work on this project As a result, I'll most likely focus on stock settings and performance for the first few tests. I apologize in advance if I do not provide enough information.

I think that's about it for my excuses!

My test setup will consist of:

CPU: Intel e8500
Memory: 2gb x 2 OCZ Reaper 10666 DDR3
Hard Drive: Western Digital 7500AYYS RE2
Video Card: eVGA 9800GX2 SSC
PSU: Corsair HX1000W


So here is the Black Ops:

Packaging:

Here is the outside box. It has a nice matte finish and it doesn't look too bad but I think they could have had a better graphic, something that looks a little more professional.



Inside you'll find the motherboard and to the side, the Sonar sound card and a 120mm fan.

The motherboard does float a little bit. It sort of reminds me of the Abit IX38 Quad GT's packaging. The Abit had some sort of plastic protection cover while Foxconn does not.







Directly underneath the motherboard itself is the base plate for the Foxconn workbench. Underneath the soundcard and fan you will find the tube for dry ice and liquid nitrogen for the Northbridge chipset.







Underneath the motherboard box you'll find two accessory boxes.

One contains the SATA cables (2 are right angle), power cable adapters, the back IO Panel, IEEE 1394 & USB Bracket and the workbench raisers.

The other box contains the floppy cable, IDE cable, Northbridge fan, driver CD and floppy, a quick start manual, the user manual and dog tags!







Here is the Northbridge modular cooling system. Unfortunately, Foxconn thinks the best way to make a copper plate is to spray paint aluminum black.

When you read the box, it states that it is an all copper design. Both the box photo and the graphic support this statement. Too bad it isn't true when you open the box.







Another problem with this board is that before you install the video card you must install the memory first. This will be annoying when it becomes time to upgrade or add more memory...





Hey an apple logo

More to come soon hopefully!


UPDATE
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________

Here are a few more photos of the Black Ops motherboard:



The Com and Sata connectors:



There is a small on board speaker below the PCI slots.



Here are the twin bios chips:



The Power, Reset and Clear CMOS buttons. Unlike the prototype board the power button is seperate from the group.



This is the 8 Phase Digital PWM heatsink. Unfortunately, the graphic isn't cut to proper size. Underneath the PWM heatsink is the backplate. Unlike the DFI board, it doesn't look like it doubles as a heatsink.





Here is a view of the copper Northbridge module. As you can see it looks like it can be taken off. The heat pipes are placed in a canal with two flat pieces of copper on either side. Underneath the Northbridge are two screws with rubber washers that fix the Northbridge to the board. When I finish testing I'll pull it off to see if I am correct and to get some better photos





Also unlike the prototype board which featured two sets of thick copper fins, the retail board has some flimsy copper heatsink that sits inside the module. The fins are all misshapen and some are bent to the side while the fins toward the top are straight. I guess foxconn wanted to cut down on the production costs.




Tests will hopefully be coming soon!

[DamageX]

Foxconn's Quantum Bios:

Here is the main page of the Quantum Bios.






CPU Feature Page:




OC Gear:

This allows you to store your BIOS settings. It also allows you to select BIOS ROM 1 or 2.




Over Clock Phase Select:

Instant O.C. is a great feature for first time overclockers. It allows you to overclock by increasing settings through a single percentage control. I tried it out just for fun and it works very well. I'm sure those just starting to overclock will appreciate this feature.




CPU Clock (FSB) Adjust:




CPU Clock vs Memory Speed (Top & Bottom of Menu):






PCI Express Clock:




PCI Clock:




Memory Timings (Top & Bottom):

I will be going into more detail with this menu and I will also add some more photos.






All Voltage Control Menu (Top & Bottom):

More detailed information and photos for this menu as well.

[DamageX]

Voltage Control Menu in Detail:

This is the All Voltage Control menu in the Quantum BIOS.

CPU Voltage Multiplier Menu:




CPU Voltage Settings Menu (Top & Bottom):






CPU PLL Voltage Setting Menu (Top & Bottom):






CPU VTT Voltage Setting:




CPU GTL Ref. 0 Voltage Menu (Top & Bottom):






CPU GTL Ref. 1 Voltage Menu (Top & Bottom):






CPU GTL Ref. 2 Voltage Menu (Top & Bottom):






CPU GTL Ref. 3 Voltage Menu (Top & Bottom):






NB Voltage Setting Menu (Top & Bottom)






NB GTL Ref. Voltage Menu (Top & Bottom):






SB Voltage Setting Menu (Top & Bottom):






DRAM Voltage Setting Menu (Top & Bottom):






DRAM Pull-Up Voltage Menu (Top & Middle):






DRAM Pull-Down Voltage Menu (Top & Middle):






DRAM Ref. Voltage Menu (Top & Middle):






Descriptions added

[DamageX]

[DamageX]

[DamageX]

Here are some comparison shots of the DFI and Foxconn boards. I'm going to edit this and add some descriptions soon.

Both Boards Side by Side:




Socket Area:






Distance From Memory Slots:






Distance From Northbridge:






Distance From PWM Area:






PCI Configurations:






ATX Power Connector:






DFI Memory Slots:

As you can see, you have to remove the videocard in order to install or replace the memory. I haven't tried any other videocards, but this may only be a problem with the 9800GX2.
Although, on my Abit IX38 motherboard this isn't a problem.

[GSte]

Looking good mate, nice pics too, the workbench perspex plate thing looks pretty stunning, overall a nice bundle, though I guess it should be for the price. Looking forward to seeing the rest of this review mate, keep up the good work.

[Clunk]

Looks great so far, a T3R comparison will make for a nice thread

It's an impressive bundle of extras

[supershanks]

Excellent DamageX,
Look forward to seeing this up close Especially how it compares to the DFI.
The accesories pack is a little enhanced over the Mars , I was unsure what the workbench was about , it looks quite handy

Was reading last night about the Blackops NB Block that mixture of copper & aluminium dosn't lgo well with water cooling.

The one thing that iI was dissapointed with in the Marsd was the coarseness of the voltage settings in bios, The increments were verey big compared to other boards
I highlighted them in here:-
Gladiator Bios (2of3)
Gladiator Bios (3of3)

Would appreciate , if you have time , showing us what the increments are on the blacklops. Have tried to find them elsewhere but no luck yet.

Have added a Digg it to your 1st post you can also digg thuis thread from the linkback Drop Down button aat the top right.

great job

[DamageX]

Thank you for the kind words guys

Here are some quick screens of the Quantum Bios for Supershanks:







I hope these are what you were looking for! If not let me know