Introduction
ASRock is well known for their economy-priced motherboards and their innovative solutions for complex problems, often to cut costs on their products. My favorite example is the ASRock Switch Card, a card that plugs into a slot similar to laptop memory that contains the circuitry for running either a single video card, or multiple video cards. This circuitry must reside somewhere in the motherboard. ASRock places it in a separate card to prevent having to put it into the motherboard itself, which saves money, and the savings are passed on to the customer.
As I mentioned, ASRock's boards are economy-priced, I guess the most expensive ASRock motherboard I've seen was about $130. ASRock didn't build an X38 or X48 board, both chipsets were designed for upper-end performance motherboards, and I assume that ASRock had no desire to get into that market.
The i7 is here, and the only chipset that supports it is the Intel X58. It will be awhile before the Core 2 disappears, but don't plan on seeing new products that support it. I found myself wondering a couple of months ago if ASRock would build an LGA 1366 motherboard, because it will be a while before they will get much under $200.
A couple of weeks ago I saw a reference to the ASRock SuperComputer, and I made the comment to Bob that it did exist. His answer was "I know, and you are getting one."
I am no stranger to ASRock's motherboards, reviewing six of them last year and one so far this year. I am glad that ASRock decided to get into the i7 game this early, and look forward to seeing what they have done with the X58 chipset. If you are wondering about the name, ASRock is the first motherboard manufacturer to add nVidia's Tesla Personal Supercomputer technology to a Core 1366 motherboard. Nothing surprising about that, again, innovation is what ASRock is all about. Will the X58 SuperComputer impress? Read on to see!
As I mentioned, ASRock's boards are economy-priced, I guess the most expensive ASRock motherboard I've seen was about $130. ASRock didn't build an X38 or X48 board, both chipsets were designed for upper-end performance motherboards, and I assume that ASRock had no desire to get into that market.
The i7 is here, and the only chipset that supports it is the Intel X58. It will be awhile before the Core 2 disappears, but don't plan on seeing new products that support it. I found myself wondering a couple of months ago if ASRock would build an LGA 1366 motherboard, because it will be a while before they will get much under $200.
A couple of weeks ago I saw a reference to the ASRock SuperComputer, and I made the comment to Bob that it did exist. His answer was "I know, and you are getting one."
I am no stranger to ASRock's motherboards, reviewing six of them last year and one so far this year. I am glad that ASRock decided to get into the i7 game this early, and look forward to seeing what they have done with the X58 chipset. If you are wondering about the name, ASRock is the first motherboard manufacturer to add nVidia's Tesla Personal Supercomputer technology to a Core 1366 motherboard. Nothing surprising about that, again, innovation is what ASRock is all about. Will the X58 SuperComputer impress? Read on to see!
Packaging
A mainstream motherboard deserves a nice box, and ASRock has placed the X58 SuperComputer in a holographic box with a handle. The box is covered with graphics, specs, and features.
Inside, the sizable bundle is separated from the full-sized motherboard by a nicer cardboard divider than you usually see with an ASRock board.
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