ECS X58B-A2 Black Series [Review]

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ECS X58B-A2 Black Series [Review]

Jayesh Limaye, Aug 20, 2009 1700 hrs IST

The least expensive feature-packed X58 motherboard that performs really well

Comparatively inexpensive X58 board, ATI CrossFireX, well thought out layout, good performer, six SATA, dual eSATA, supports all Core i7 processors, supports triple channel 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM, eJiffy instant boot, debug LED, switches

Inadequate Southbridge heat sink, meager bundle

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Expert Review

Ever since the Intel Core i7 processors have been launched last year, there has been only a single chipset that supports it - Intel X58. And this exclusivity makes it all the more expensive. Almost every manufacturer has at least a single motherboard model based on this chipset and almost every one of them is charged at a premium.

ECS on the other hand has always been dedicated to provide consumers the best price/performance ratio. This allows you to get a motherboard with this premium chipset and not spend a fortune.

Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has made this possible as it always has been doing. The Black Series ECS X58B-A2 is based on the Intel X58 + ICH10R chipset. ECS "Black Series" motherboards are aimed at enthusiasts and gamers. We have the motherboard with us and it does look like a contender with the black PCB and the power and reset buttons on the board. We shall put it through the usual grind and see how well it stands up against the mightier contenders we have already tested. This is the first X58-based motherboard we are testing and it is therefore in no way comparable to what we have had before.

The ECS X58B-A2 comes packed in a new Black Series box, that features a dragon mascot and has prominent "Gamer's Buy" badge displayed over it. The board specifications are there for your ready reference on the front, while detailed specs such as the M.I.B. BIOS and VRD 11.1 Compliancy are advertised at the back. You can even see the board layout on the back of the box, so that you do not need to open it to see the same.