Product Reviews

Motherboards

Foxconn WinFast MCP61SM2MA [Computer Shopper]
COMPANY: Foxconn	PRICE: £35 inc VAT
RATING:	ISSUE: 232 DATE: Jun 07

If you want to build a budget PC, Foxconn's WinFast MCP61SM2MA is as cheap as you'll get. This Socket AM2 board supports the full range of AMD's new processors including the high-end FX-62. It also has four memory slots that will accept DDR2 memory up to 800MHz.

The MCP61SM2MA uses Nvidia's Nforce 405 chipset and has integrated GeForce 6100 graphics. While this chipset



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supports DVI, Foxconn has included only an analogue D-sub output. The graphics aren't powerful enough for graphically complex games, but they're fine for 2D Windows applications. If you fancy playing games, you can fit a graphics card into the PCI-E x16 slot, although you'll have to be careful as the memory card slots can get in the way of a long card, while the motherboard's heatsink makes getting at the PCI-E x16 slot's retaining clip difficult.

We weren't expecting the motherboard to be so well stocked, but the rear panel has four USB2, FireWire, 5.1 audio and 10/100 Ethernet ports. There are only two SATA2 ports, so it could be tricky to update your storage later.

Performance was pretty good and around what we'd expect from our AMD Athlon 64 4200+. For a budget PC, Foxconn's WinFast MCP61SM2MA is excellent value and worthy of a Budget Buy award. If you want DVI outputs, such as for a Media Center PC, ECS' AMD690GM-M2 is a better choice.

By David Ludlow

SPECIFICATIONS:
Nvidia Nforce 405 chipset, supports AMD Socket AM2 processors, two PCI, one PCI-E x1, one PCI-E x16 slot, four DIMM slots, 10/100 Ethernet, four USB2, FireWire