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Just wanted to share something with you. I've often in the past gone for cheap motherboards - thinking there's not really much difference in them.
I decided on my new PC, I'd go for a more "high-end" motherboard. I wanted to get a Soyo Dragon II - since that board is packed with features and cool stuff. Only place I could find it was overclock.co.uk at the usual markup.
I came across DFI LanParty on SR... I ended up getting "DFI LANPARTY MOTHERBOARD - PRO875" which was about £115. All I can say is WOW.
The board its self looks the part - it's black PCB, and all the slots (PCI/AGP etc) are sensitive to UV light - so it goes great with the cases on SR that include the cathode ray tubes!
It also includes a feature where you can decide which socks you want to mount to the front of your PC. It's hard to explain, but its a small plate that fits in to a CD-ROM bay... The motherboard comes with a selection of cables that you "click" in to this plate... Basically, you build up the sockets that you want (i.e. 2 USB, Microphone, etc). It also has 4 LED lights numbed, not supprisingly, 1 to 4. If you have problems starting the PC for what ever reason, the lights are supposed to indicate the problem. For example, if light 1 and 4 are lit up, you simply check it out in the manual.
The board also comes with a PC "Transpo"... This is a kind of carrying case for your PC, but fits just about any normal case (Just not full tower servers!! :P). So, as the name of the board suggests, its perfect if you go to Lan Partys.
The board also comes with shielded 'round' IDE cables, rather than the standard ribbon cables. These are also encased with a UV sensitive translucent cover. This just makes the inside of your PC look ultra cool.
If you get this board, you'll want to make sure you either buy one of the pre-moded cases with a clear side panel, or just not bother with a case (The motherboard includes a power and reset switch on the actual board)!!
> I have a DFI Ultra Infinity model (the one without added penis
> extensions)
Ha ha, how droll.
> How can you not lust after UV sensitive ports!?!
>
> :)
Not everyone wants a day-glo PC. I have a window in the side of mine, but I'd prefer it if there wasn't.
> I quite fancied one of these DFI jobs but the fact is that I don't
> need or want half the stuff it comes with, especially this glow in
> the dark nonsense, so when I eventually upgrade I'll probably go for
> something cheaper and less spectacular.
How can you not lust after UV sensitive ports!?!
:)
I have used a few DFI motherboard and they are very feature packed, they are apparently made by a load of engineers that left ABIT, i bet you did not know that.
As for getting motherboards for a shuttle case you may be in luck as you can buy just a motherboard from the manafacturers or at miniitx.com.
Colin
The front panel and on-board switches do seem like a good idea though. Nice that someone is advancing the art I suppose.