14 DAY TRIAL // FOXCONN announced the launch of a line of motherboards based on the Intel P35 chipset, the Quantum Force product line. The first motherboard from this new line of products, the MARS, will be the first true overclocking oriented mainboard from FOXCONN which is dedicated to overclocking and gaming enthusiasts.
MARS is centered around the high performance Intel P35 chipset and it has been specially tuned for overclocking performance and extreme stability even when passing all previous overclocking records. Supporting the latest Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme and Core 2 Duo as well as the older Pentium Dual-Core E2xxx, Celeron 4xx, Pentium D, Pentium 4 processors based on the 775 socket, the MARS includes a high speed frontside bus which operates at high speeds like 800, 1066 and 1333MHz and the popular and performance oriented DDR2 memory modules. MARS offers support for up to 8GB of DDR2 memory packed in four DIMMs in a dual channel configuration powered by 1.8V and operating at the following frequencies 667, 800 and 1066MHz.
Like all new motherboards, the FOXCONN MARS includes many expansion opportunities like the full speed full lane PCI Express x16 and the slower PCI Express x4 for multi-graphics setups with CrossFire support as well as two PCI Express x1 slots coupled with the older and still widely used PCI bus slots. Connectivity options are rich and offer the best storage and expansion choices with six Serial ATA II ports, one eSATA connector for those external hard disk drives, 12 high speed USB ports which can expand the computer's functionality, one legacy Parallel ATA port as well as two IEEE 1394a slots for multimedia solutions. Just like all high-end, performance oriented mainboards, MARS too offers integrated RAID support in the form of RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 thanks to its Intel Matrix Storage Technology and Intel Rapid Recover technology. An integrated high definition audio 7.1 channel supporting chip is also included as is the high speed Gigabit LAN connector.
Apart from impressive hardware specifications and high quality parts and assembly, the FOXCONN MARS mainboard is offering a broad range of overclocking options thanks to its customized Gladiator BIOS with OC Gear, OC Recover, Cool Fan control. According to the FOXCONN press release concerning the MARS motherboards and the new line of upcoming products, "Quantum Force is not just about a new product line, it is also a complete philosophy about how we develop our products" claims Quantum Force product manager Greta Kuo. "We have developed a design manifesto we call SWORD, which focuses on delivering more performance capability with better value for money, whilst listening to the feedback of real enthusiasts."