Test: Foxconn MARS - UK

What's in the box

The big box is gently opened, and out comes the motherboard itself and a large pile of accessories.
 

Not a huge wow-effect when you look at the board, but the first-hand impression is neat.  The accessories are then spread out on the table for a closer inspection.

Complete list of the bundle:

6x SATA datacable
6x SATA powercable
1x USB + Firewire bracket
1x ATA133 datacable
1x Floppy cable
1x IO panel
1x fan for northbridge
Manual
Quickguide
Driver DVD
Raid drivers on floppydisk (32bit)
Dogtag w. Quantum Force logo
Quantum Force stickers

There are some extra marketing items in the box in the form of stickers and a Quantum Force logo dogtag. We also see this type of extras on DFI Lanparty boards that often include large volumes of this stuff. Maybe Foxconn lent more than BIOS inspiration from DFI. The Quantum Force name is synonymous to a new design philosophy from Foxconn that aims to make the best possible enthusiast motherboards on the market. More on this topic on the next page, right now we will take a closer look at that northbridge fan.

The NB heatsink is shaped like a pipe, or windtunnel if you like, and in the bundle we find a 40mm fan unit that attaches to the heatsink with a click-on system. Be very careful when/if you want to use it. The fan-unit is made from a very thin plastic material, and if you use too much force it will break. This is a very good addition to the bundle, and a good idea to include the extra cooling option with a board one is encouraged to overclock. A 40mm fan will of course add some fan noise, but all in all the decibel output was not annoying.