Foxconn A55A - a full-size motherboard for AMD LIan

As it is known, is itself a platform for AMD LIano desktop market is somewhat ambiguous. Allowing AMD strengthened the position of the mobile computing market, in the field of desktop platform looked not so interesting, and marketers need to think it was good positioning. Imposing LIano as an alternative to high-end systems, including targeted at enthusiasts and would be clearly erroneous, because in computer processor speeds corresponding uniquely yield the same Athlon II. Power LIano is in high integration and, in particular, is quite a powerful graphics engine, but not the overall level of performance.For the most part, even A75 chipset looks a little odd with its support for SATA 6Gb / s and USB 3.0. After all, if the protection USB 3.0 could still be said that the average cost of the respective portable hard drive is not much different from the versions with USB 2.0, is about SSD, and you only need a SATA 6Gb / s, can not be said. Here we deliberately turn a blind eye to the situation with hard disks, for it is clearly temporary. In a few months, and again at the price of the cheapest SSD capacity of about 30 GB hard drive will be available in volume in a few TB. And if the existence of the A75 is still possible to justify the future in mind and the way to meet the specific needs of users, the practice of revision of the same group A55 extra controller looks weird.Respectively, and the release of the "charged" and the rich to pay for the platform devoid of any meaning. Expensive fees for inexpensive platform - is not nonsense? However, many manufacturers are apparently not without the efforts of marketers did not hesitate to step on this rake.In this respect the company's decision not to release Foxconn products such strange looks logical and may even be regarded as a case of the victory of common sense over marketing. Assortment of motherboards Foxconn AMD platform looks good modest and represented by a pair of solutions based on the A75 chipset and symmetrical deuce on FCH A55. Differentiation in pairs is performed primarily by the form factor. As for home users, the difference in the cost of a full-size and compact ATH micro ATX motherboard with a similar level of functionality is not critical, many of them are willing to agree to the additional charge for the opportunity to have a reserve of several slots for additional devices. Relevant decision of Foxconn A55 chipset is the product Foxconn A55A.Technical characteristicsFoxconn quite reasonably decided not nashpigovyvat their products for AMD LIano additional features, thus unnecessarily increasing the cost of the system, which by definition must be available, and leave it at the level of the chipset. Motherboard Foxconn A55A, of course, is no exception, so it is due to the functional basic features FCH A55 and the platform.Of additional chips required only for granted network controller and audio codec. To be the first grade was selected chip Realtek RTL 8112B, and the task of working with the sound has been assigned to a relatively simple, but functional six-HDA-codec ALC662.Design and layoutThe appearance and layout of the motherboard Foxconn A55A as two peas similar to FoxconnA75A.This is no accident. The above products are clearly share the same PCB design. So manufacturer optimizes production costs, what, given the status as the largest Foxconn OEM-Executive orders with strong brands, its staff certainly understands. However, given the difference in the functional FCH AMD A55 and A75, and not get involved in the integration of additional chips, this has all the prerequisites. The chips are very similar to the conclusions of the organization, so the ports SATA motherboard Foxconn A55A, given the full mechanical and electrical compatibility, operating with a capacity of 3 instead of 6Gb / s, the same as the Foxconn A75A. USB 3.0 ports, in turn, simply soldered to set aside for these places. As a result, both the boards were designed at a time and can be made on the same equipment, and on individual transactions, even without a minimum reconfiguration.The fact that the form factor of the mainboard Foxconn A55A adheres to the ATX, in combination with the single-chip design, AMD A55 FCH, allowed to place any item on the board quite freely. All ports and connectors, which can be connected to any power and signal cables or cables are placed along the edges of the PCB, which facilitates accurate installation and subsequent maintenance of the system.Voltage regulator looks classic and has a four-organization of the management, built on a PWM controller, Intersil ISL6328.Used electronic components is also quite timeless classics. This conventional MOSFETs, equipped buildings ferrite chokes and polymer aluminum capacitors. Any additional cooling MOSFET for obvious reasons is not provided. The task of disposal and heat dissipation from a single chip AMD A55 FCH was assigned to enough clearance silumin radiator black.Recall that moved into the central processing unit, or as it is now called AMD - APU (All Processing Unit), the bus controller PCI Express 2.0 provides 16 lines to connect the video card and 4 lines for high-speed devices. While another 4 PCI Express 2.0 lanes for high peripheral implemented FCH A55. Almost all motherboard manufacturers "seized" for an additional four lines in the APU and took second place slot PCIe x16 dimension wherever falling, even on the Boards micro ATX. Foxconn developers the hysteria wisely bypassed, so the surface A55A there is only one, but it is a full slot for graphics cards PCI Express 2.0 x16, and the remaining space was given to a pair of PCI Express 2.0 x1 and three PCI, allowing retrofitted board with everything, a set of additional devices.Panel inputs-outputs of the board may be called well-equipped, but not without reservations. The fact that the micro ATX board revision - Foxconn A55M, besides video outputs D-Sub and DVI-D, are also equipped with HDMI, while the panel Foxconn A55A it, alas, no. Obviously, this rate is made to support output to an external video card and wish to obtain a ready platform for media center company logically suggests using a compact version of Foxconn A55M.Otherwise for I / O-panel Foxconn A55A everything looks thoughtfully. Here are six connectors USB 2.0, three analog 3.5 mm audio output, optical SPDIF, Network RG-45 coaxial and PS / 2.Package and AccessoriesLook for anything unusual or interesting in the scope of delivery and packaging motherboard Foxconn A55A, right, not worth it. For all the interesting and unusual usually have to pay extra, sometimes a little too much, and the benefits of a variety of advanced kits do not always have.A simple cardboard box, a pair of high-quality SATA signal loops with snaps, CD with drivers and documentation - this is exactly what we need.BIOS Setup and OverclockingAs a system that controls all the devices of the motherboard Foxconn A55A low, stands Aptio - new BIOS Corporation AMI, based on the specifications of UEFI. However, in this case, such innovations UEFI, a graphical, mouse control, and other marketing ploys do not contain yet any practical use, were not involved. In principle, they are completely useless.Perhaps the only relevant for conventional PCs opportunity that brings with UEFI technology at this stage - is full support for hard drives larger than 2.2 TB. It also is the main advantage of innovations in the Foxconn A55A.In this case, the options required for a flexible organization and functioning of key components and aspects of the work of Foxconn A55A, are present in full. Absent only the necessary settings for overclocking the CPU and memory. Being completely absent. The only thing that can be deduced for the regular scope - is the power supply modules.However, the acceleration on the motherboard, which is designated as a basis for low-cost PCs, is not relevant. Previously, we were still able to talk about it in any case, for overclocking ability of the product can be seen as a integral index workmanship, although poor results could also be due simply to the lack of study of the functional. But with the arrival of first microarchitecture Intel Sandy Bridge, and then AMD LIano acceleration is no longer a bonus for literate users. Together with the key features of the platform Intel Sandy Bridge AMD LIano inherited the main problem acceleration - there is no base operating frequency in a rather wide range. Of course, the AMD this is not so bad, like Intel, but in general the problem is taking place. And if on the Intel platform indifferent to overclocking users can still find an outlet in a CPU with an unlocked multiplier, in the framework of AMD LIano does not. After all, as we know, until there are no AMD models for Socket FM1 with a fully unlocked multiplier.Thus, Foxconn, apparently, completely abandon the possibility of any manipulation of the acceleration on the platform AMD LIano. Another thing is that simple to choose the frequency of memory and adjust timings still would like to see even in the framework of this product. There are cases where this functionality is useful.Results ofMotherboard Foxconn A55A - is a full alternative for a system with an effective price-performance platform based on AMD LIano. Within its framework, there is no functional bias, flirting with the user in the form of overclocking and moddersky components, and there is only that required of similar products - High-quality implementation of the chipset and platform with a good base and a good design.