Motherboard Trends 2003: Consumers Are Spoilt For Choice, Continued
A great effect: DFI with a black light.
THG investigated a total of 24 motherboards during a four-week test in the Munich lab, with 14 boards based on the Intel 875P superior class chipset and ten based on the 865PE module.
The test included boards from 14 manufacturers ranging from Abit to Soyo. In the process, numerous BIOS versions were tested in cooperation with the manufacturers; hence many motherboards only achieved their final serial maturity through the findings of this test. The interaction between DDR400 memory and board is still an important issue.
And one more trend can be observed: the virtually noiseless PC system is taking shape. Intelligent fan controls minimize rotational speed and limit noise to a minimum, although only a few manufacturers offer this so far.
Fluorescent components create an impressive effect.