FOXCONN Launches BLACKOPS Intel X48 Enthusiast Motherboard

[mrcape]

From what I have seen so far, the P45 is dissapointing, its better to just get an X48 or if you are fine with a single graphics card, the P35.

Really? Where have you seen heavy benching results using a P45 board?

[Mungri]

Try look at the other topics in the news section and maybe you will find it. My phone cant post links.

[ceevee]

Just ordered this board.

[Lu(ky]

1. Can someone LINK me a BIOS update for the RETAIL version board!! I cannot find it on there site or online as well. Looking for the newest one out? I think it may be the G20? Just got my board wanting to go to the newest BIOS...

2. Did anyone take off North & South bridge to reapply thermal compound in replace of the stock compound?

Thanks

[ceevee]

1. Can someone LINK me a BIOS update for the RETAIL version board!! I cannot find it on there site or online as well.

I would also like this info. This will be my first Foxconn product ever but I decided to give them a shot after all the good reviews here on XS and also I didnt want to deal with the 790i issues.

So please link if you know where to find the BIOS updates for this MB.

[T_M]

G20 is a beta BIOS. The latest beta BIOS is G21.
The latest public release is on the website.

I would not suggest removing the NB/SB, Hipro5 actually worsened his temps by doing so.

[systemviper]

I received my FOXCONN BLACKOPS X48 TODAY!

It's the biggest badest motherboard i have EVER owned.
I just hope it performes 50% of how good it looks.
and the box is gigantic!

I am so excited!

I can't wait for the Foxconn Dreadnought to be released, then by by Evga and hello dual Foxconns, X48 and 790i.
Oh it's gonna be orgasmic!


I AM SO EXCITED!

[gmcg]

I have received my brand new Foxconn BlackOps mobo from Newegg today to replace 790i Ultra SLI such as I am tired to alpha-test it's stability. My first impression was - wow, everything I could dream about is on it.

Then I have decided to replace the barbs such as I use 1/2. It was a surprise - chrome plated barbs were made with aluminum, and the black painted cover was also made using aluminum - there are some open spaces (non-painted) contacting with the water! Every water-cooling nOOb (including me) knows that it is better to avoid using different metals in the cooling circuit such as possibility of corrosion in this case due to free active ions of metal raises enormously ... There are 3 types of metal now in that circuit - chrome, copper and aluminum. How come that the advertised copper cover (it is easy to replace barbs with brass ones, therefore I don't care about them) http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/518 is replaced with aluminum one?

Crap, now I need to spend a lot of time making that stupid copper cover instead of paying for it additional $2-3 ... if Foxconn wanted to save on it.
I don't understand such things. Can anyone explain to me what is going on?
"Figure 3: Cover that will come with the motherboard (Foxconn is still deciding on which material to use, acrylic or copper)." And decided to use aluminum?

It is a different product than presented on Foxconn's website:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/produc...D=en-us0000385

[systemviper]

Yea. they are so smart, yet so DUMB.

I am having a custom made acrillic top to use
fatboyz and have a few holes for my UV LED's

that will rock!

[gmcg]

Yea. they are so smart, yet so DUMB.

I am having a custom made acrillic top to use
fatboyz and have a few holes for my UV LED's

that will rock!

Hmm, it makes sense! Where are you going to purchase it? Well, it is pretty easy to make acrylic ones though.

BTW the aluminum issue is more serious than I thought - Foxconn can have a legal process against it for misrepresentation, on the box it is purely stated, that:
"4in1 Quantum Cooler. The unique all-copper modular designed 4 in 1 Quantum Cooler enables effective cooling of the NB, SB and VRM areas. Swap out the NB parts to configure it for air, water or more exciting forms of cooling!"

It means all-copper statement legally is relative not only to the block and it's cover (which is actually shown on the box's picture as a copper one), but to LN2 unit as well. Foxconn should hire a good lawyer to review their statements, especially here in the USA, or they will loose like Dell lost just recently ...

[Planet]

G20 is a beta BIOS. The latest beta BIOS is G21.
The latest public release is on the website.

I would not suggest removing the NB/SB, Hipro5 actually worsened his temps by doing so.

Same thing on mine. They did a really good job applying the thermal paste and its not some junk brand either its the premium stuff.

As far as the aluminum. The ES one I had seen was made from delrin not metal. The chipset cooler itself is all copper just the top isnt so theres really no grounds there. LOL if you wanna about something not being copper go check out some Asus heatsinks painted to look like copper.

[eternal_fantasy]

I have received my brand new Foxconn BlackOps mobo from Newegg today to replace 790i Ultra SLI such as I am tired to alpha-test it's stability. My first impression was - wow, everything I could dream about is on it.

Then I have decided to replace the barbs such as I use 1/2. It was a surprise - chrome plated barbs were made with aluminum, and the black painted cover was also made using aluminum - there are some open spaces (non-painted) contacting with the water! Every water-cooling nOOb (including me) knows that it is better to avoid using different metals in the cooling circuit such as possibility of corrosion in this case due to free active ions of metal raises enormously ... There are 3 types of metal now in that circuit - chrome, copper and aluminum. How come that the advertised copper cover (it is easy to replace barbs with brass ones, therefore I don't care about them) http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/518 is replaced with aluminum one?

Crap, now I need to spend a lot of time making that stupid copper cover instead of paying for it additional $2-3 ... if Foxconn wanted to save on it.
I don't understand such things. Can anyone explain to me what is going on?
"Figure 3: Cover that will come with the motherboard (Foxconn is still deciding on which material to use, acrylic or copper)." And decided to use aluminum?

It is a different product than presented on Foxconn's website:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/produc...D=en-us0000385

AMEN!!

I was going to make a post with pictures asking wtf was going on, but thought I shouldn't get over emotionally evolved...

Having the BlackOps NB aircooled with the supplied tiny fan just don't cut it. its crazy loud, and grossly inefficient to say the least, with temps in excess of 47C IDLE. That leaves just the water cooling for us non-LN2 users, then this happens...

WHY BLOODY ALUMINIUM???

Any comments Quantum Force "Scholars"?

[gmcg]

Same thing on mine. They did a really good job applying the thermal paste and its not some junk brand either its the premium stuff.

As far as the aluminum. The ES one I had seen was made from delrin not metal. The chipset cooler itself is all copper just the top isnt so theres really no grounds there. LOL if you wanna about something not being copper go check out some Asus heatsinks painted to look like copper.

I don't wanna about anything, I just want to have inactive ingredients in my WC loop, that's it. Delrin cover would be fine as well.
I don't buy any ASUS part at all, its not an issue for me.

[Planet]

AMEN!!

I was going to make a post with pictures asking wtf was going on, but thought I shouldn't get over emotionally evolved...

Having the BlackOps NB aircooled with the supplied tiny fan just don't cut it. its crazy loud, and grossly inefficient to say the least, with temps in excess of 47C IDLE. That leaves just the water cooling for us non-LN2 users, then this happens...

WHY BLOODY ALUMINIUM???

Any comments Quantum Force "Scholars"?

I have an Enzotech NB cooler on mine it idles about 50C and burns my finger under load. My ES was much lower than that with the orginal cooler though maybe you have a bad mount.

[gmcg]

AMEN!!

I was going to make a post with pictures asking wtf was going on, but thought I shouldn't get over emotionally evolved...

Having the BlackOps NB aircooled with the supplied tiny fan just don't cut it. its crazy loud, and grossly inefficient to say the least, with temps in excess of 47C IDLE. That leaves just the water cooling for us non-LN2 users, then this happens...

WHY BLOODY ALUMINIUM???

Any comments Quantum Force "Scholars"?

I think I have a solution for air cooling. I used my Swiftech MC14 Ramsinks http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcbgamera.html with Akasa thermotape on the block, adding to it 80mm fan like this http://www.silenx.com/ixtremaprofans.asp?sku=ixp-54-14 instead of a stock one.
It looks fine, is silent and have quite effective dissipation if you will add 6-8 ramsinks.

[eternal_fantasy]

Same thing on mine. They did a really good job applying the thermal paste and its not some junk brand either its the premium stuff.

As far as the aluminum. The ES one I had seen was made from delrin not metal. The chipset cooler itself is all copper just the top isnt so theres really no grounds there. LOL if you wanna about something not being copper go check out some Asus heatsinks painted to look like copper.

I don't think you understand why we are complaining about the use of aluminum on the NB. It is not that it reduceses the cooling ability of the heat sink, evident in that delrin or acrylic will be better substitute. It is the fact that mixing metals in watercooling loops causes galvanic corrosion, and that all previous marketing material of the BlackOps cooling system pointed to the fact(indirectly) that no aluminum is present in the NB waterblock chamber.
Have a read through the liquid cooling forum and you'll gain some watercooling facts.

I have an Enzotech NB cooler on mine it idles about 50C and burns my finger under load. My ES was much lower than that with the orginal cooler though maybe you have a bad mount.

Intel X38/X48 above 45-47 degree becomes very unstable(from my experience). Under water now with temps around 28 degree, so im fine for now, just need to watch the block from corrosion from the Aluminum...

I think I have a solution for air cooling. What I did before, I used my Swiftech MC14 Ramsinks http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcbgamera.html with Akasa thermotape on the block, adding to it 80mm fan like this http://www.silenx.com/ixtremaprofans.asp?sku=ixp-54-14
It looks fine, is silent and have quite effective dissipation if you will add 6-8 ramsinks.

You want me to remove the stock heat sink and replace it with those ramsinks on the X48 chipset??

[eternal_fantasy]

I think I have a solution for air cooling. I used my Swiftech MC14 Ramsinks http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/swmcbgamera.html with Akasa thermotape on the block, adding to it 80mm fan like this http://www.silenx.com/ixtremaprofans.asp?sku=ixp-54-14 instead of a stock one.
It looks fine, is silent and have quite effective dissipation if you will add 6-8 ramsinks.

Oh I see what you mean... but doesn't that makes the NB block look like a cactus?

[gmcg]

Oh I see what you mean... but doesn't that makes the NB block look like a cactus?

What's wrong in it? Are you a cactus-fob? Look:


IMO it looks even better like this than with empty spaces, but all tastes are different ...
Also it will be "a copper cactus under a green tree" (80 mm fan with green LEDs in it), therefore it will be masked

I have attached images of "cactus" and then final view with the fan, doesn't look too bad for me, at least better than to have aluminum in the main loop forever, IMO. Now it is definitely all-copper

P.S. As we can see, the chipset WB is significantly more restrictive than previously advertised on Foxconn's website and on the box ... I would definitely need a second loop for it with DDC2 ... or stuck with air-cooled version - which is not bad as well, but we need to see the temps a bit later.

[mrcape]

Try look at the other topics in the news section and maybe you will find it. My phone cant post links.

If you can type you can post links.

[gmcg]

AMEN!!
Having the BlackOps NB aircooled with the supplied tiny fan just don't cut it. its crazy loud, and grossly inefficient to say the least, with temps in excess of 47C IDLE. That leaves just the water cooling for us non-LN2 users, then this happens...

Any comments Quantum Force "Scholars"?

I want to confirm your statement about loudness/efficiency of the stock NB fan with it's specification, my fan is AFB0512HHD:
http://www.delta.com.tw/product/cp/d...50x50x20mm.pdf

As we can see, it has 6400 RPM with 12V and max CFM 18.3 (0.518 m3/min) having 37dB of noise at that speed - according to specification. Such as being installed it is located really close to the cooler, the pressure goes up, as well as CFM goes down according to the graph on specification and noise of flowing air with turbulence becomes like twice louder than 37dB in specification.

Please understand me correctly, I don't want to blame the board (having 790i before, LOL), but the air-cooling version of 4in1 Quantum definitely needs a modification for silent and more efficient operations, as well as to be "all-copper" for WC (or at least delrin-copper, acrylic-copper).

Used by me SilenX IXP-54-14 fan has only 14dB of noise at 32 CFM@1700RPM, and I have located it not so close to the cooler using 40mm spacers (pressure stays low enough, as well as noise due to significantly less turbulence), therefore noise and airflow are the same as on specification. The dissipating surface is more than doubled with attached 8 ramsinks, it means with the doubled airflow (32CFM vs 18.3 down to approximately 16 or less due to a raised pressure level) the system becomes at least 4 times more efficient being almost silent, such as level of noise it depressed by -23dB or significantly more taking in mind the additional air flow noise due to close location of the stock fan. I used spacers like those:
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/im...?tl=g30c95s162

I have some professional calibrated equipment to measure the difference in noise levels for the same conditions, but it is not necessary ATM. BTW the stock 780i/790i cooler fan is pretty loud also.

[Lu(ky]

G20 is a beta BIOS. The latest beta BIOS is G21.
The latest public release is on the website.

I would not suggest removing the NB/SB, Hipro5 actually worsened his temps by doing so.

Can you link me a BETA BIOS like G20 and G21? Or anyone else?

Thanks

[Nikolasz]

When the problem comes.,.,,.,.,. = no support

[gmcg]

When the problem comes.,.,,.,.,. = no support

Hehe, we can solve our problems, can't we? Who cares about support?
I am installing XP and Vista on BlackOps now, everything looks much more reliable than with 790i, like all standard MBs - but the over-clocking BIOS (Quantum BIOS) is very detailed - its perfect.
As I suggested temps on modified air-cooled NB are pretty good - separate measurement on the cooler (Kaze Master) is around 32C working with default settings - I mean not idle, but during installation process, motherboard shows 40C on NB ... this is OK for me.

[Donnie27]

Hehe, we can solve our problems, can't we? Who cares about support?
I am installing XP and Vista on BlackOps now, everything looks much more reliable than with 790i, like all standard MBs - but the over-clocking BIOS (Quantum BIOS) is very detailed - its perfect.
As I suggested temps on modified air-cooled NB are pretty good - separate measurement on the cooler (Kaze Master) is around 32C working with default settings - I mean not idle, but during installation process, motherboard shows 40C on NB ... this is OK for me.

Glad you're happy but for what it costs, it should be well supported. The more you guys accept shoddiness, over priced and seemingly not ready to ship like this, the more companies will take advantage of you.

[gmcg]

Glad you're happy but for what it costs, it should be well supported. The more you guys accept shoddiness, over priced and seemingly not ready to ship like this, the more companies will take advantage of you.

I agree with you 100%, but after experience with 790i during a month I am not spoiled anymore and glad just to have a working (over-clockable) board. I have never used support in the past for working parts though.

BTW the mod looks pretty nice installed, "the cactus" is completely hidden underneath of fan