Test: Foxconn Blackops - UK

Software

On the driver-CD is an updated version of Foxconns monitoring- and now overclocking - utility called AEGIS. When testing the MARS board eralier this year I was not impressed with the program at all. It takes up a lot of space on the desktop compared to the alternatives, and I missed functionality. The updated version takes care of most of the problems. Almost all my negative arguments have been removed, and I of course take full credit   :-)

AEGIS still takes up space, but the functions have improved a lot. The main window is now packet with useful information, and covers cpu, fsb, memory and PCI Express speeds, where the first version only had cpu speed. 

AEGIS has been fitted with an excellent overclocking function also missing on the previous version. Now you can control the most important parameters for voltages and busspeeds. This is where I discovered that my memorymodules were getting 1.64V, although their rating is 1.9V. There is no option for changing any timings, so if you need your memory modules to run at CL6 you need to go to the BIOS and manually do it, just like you do on every other board in the world. The added functionality is really excellent, and the program remains stable even at high clockfrequencies.

Woops, did we just make it to 9 seconds for a PI 1M

Finally there is an alarm and monitoring function.

All voltages and temperatures can be monitored, and you decide what you want to be warned about. It would be nice to know if your cpu-cores have reached 100C, even after pouring the dry-ice mixture. Maybe you need to correct the DI-POT, or you screwed up your Vmod to 4 Volts  :-D