Intel 925X Roundup: Creative Engineering 101

Foxconn 925A01: Features and Layout

Foxconn 925A01 Motherboard Specifications
CPU Interface	Socket 775 Pentium 4 (Prescott)
Chipset	Intel 925X/ICH6R
Bus Speeds	200MHz to 350MHz (in 1MHz increments)
PCI Speeds	33.33, 36.36, 40.00, Ref PCIex
PCI Express Speeds	100MHz to 200MHz in 1MHz increments
DDR2 Speeds	Auto, 400, 533
Core Voltage	+.0125V to +.1875V in 0.0125V increments
DRAM Voltage	+.03V, +.06V, +.10V
System Core Voltage	+.03V, +.06V, +.10V
Memory Slots	Four 240-pin DDR2 Slots Dual-Channel Unbuffered Memory to 4GB
Expansion Slots	1 PCIe x16 Slot 2 PCIe x1 slot 3 PCI Slots
Onboard SATA/IDE RAID	4 SATA 150 drives by ICH6R Can be combined in RAID 0,1,Intel Matrix
Onboard IDE	One Standard ATA100/66 (2 drives)
Onboard USB 2.0/IEEE-1394	8 USB 2.0 ports 2 IEEE 1394a FireWire Ports by VIA VT6307
Onboard LAN	Gigabit Ethernet by Realtek 8110S-32
Onboard Audio	Realtek ALC880 8-Channel with SPDIF
Tested BIOS	3C1XP216

The only Foxconn boards that we have tested so far have been value boards, and Foxconn has earned a reputation of building solid motherboards that represent very good value. The Foxconn 925A01 is a different type of motherboard for Foxconn, since the 925X chipset is Intel's premium chipset no matter how you approach it. This is also reflected in the fact that while almost everyone offers a 915 "mainstream" motherboard, only five manufacturers so far are shipping 925X motherboards.

Foxconn has positioned the 925A01 at the value end of the 925X curve. It costs a little more than the Abit AA8, but it is a lot less expensive than either the Asus P5AD2 Premium or the Gigabyte GA-8ANXP-D. Foxconn did not cut corners, however, as the 925X-A01 fully implements the 925X feature-set all the way down to the Intel HD audio. It appears that Foxconn's fist intent was to produce a board that would compete with the Intel motherboards in the marketplace, since the Foxconn was lacking in almost all the overclocking features that the other boards in this roundup possess. However, Foxconn quickly provided an updated BIOS that significantly improved on the BIOS adjustments available on the Foxconn.

That is not to say that the Foxconn is a board that the enthusiast will seek out. With the latest BIOS, the Foxconn has a very complete selection of CPU voltage adjustments and the CPU clock is adjustable over a very acceptable range from 200 to 350, but the memory voltage adjustments are extremely anemic, topping out at 1.9V from a starting point of 1.8V. The same can be said for the Northbridge voltage adjustments; though, we are pleased to see Foxconn offer this option in the BIOS. Foxconn says that there is an update to the design in process that will improve the range of memory voltage and Northbridge voltage adjustments. Those changes will bring Foxconn much more into line with the other top-of-the-line boards in this roundup.

The feature set of the 925A01 is excellent, and will satisfy most users. Foxconn even included the 6 mini-jacks needed for Intel High Definition audio, and Firewire ports for those who prefer that interface. The only weakness in the audio ports is that only an SPDIF coaxial connector is provided on an accessory bracket. There is no provision at all for an optical connector.

All-in-all, the Foxconn is not quite to the level of the other boards in this roundup, but it is surprisingly close. It also excels in the most important quality of all; it is rock solid no matter what we threw at it. With the coming update, the 925A01 should prove very competitive with the other boards in this roundup.

Layout of the Foxconn 925A01 is among the better layouts in the roundup. Both the floppy and IDE connectors are in the preferred upper right edge location where they work best for most cases. The bulky 24-pin connector is at the top right edge, which is probably the best location that you could find on a board. The 24-pin is out of the way of other cables, which is what you want in a good board design. The 4-in 12 volt is near the center of the board on the left side of the CPU, which is not the best location because it requires snaking the cable around the CPU. However, it is easier to fish a 4-in cable than the bulky 24-pin.

There is one other concern in the Foxconn layout. It seems that there is trend to provide just a 2-pin connector for the power LED these days, but many power supplies still are equipped with the 3-pin connector. You can do a little surgery on the connector, since there are just 2 active pins. Other boards provide both 2-pin and 3-pin power LED connectors, but the 925A01 has just the 2-pin connector. For those of you with a 3-pin power LED, your only option on the Foxconn is to modify your cable or leave the power LED not connected.

Nitpicks aside, there really is little to complain about in the Foxconn board layout. We mounted all 5 of the boards in a typical mid-tower case just to see how the layout worked and the Foxconn was an easier layout to work with than either the Abit or the DFI.