..:: 955X7AA-8EKRS2 Layout: CPU ::..
From an overhead perspective, it’s easy to see that Foxconn has continued with the same aggressive red/black look with the 955X7AA-8EKRS2. This PCB substrate seems to be redder than that which was found on the 925XE offering, and certainly caught my eye a little better. This could just be my interpretation of it, however. Again, Foxconn showed excellent attention to detail with the heatsinks, headers, and other connections, all of which have been color coordinated to work with the cabling for the system.
The Socket T has been oriented lengthwise from East to West across the motherboard, the most typical layout that we’ve seen on these i9xx motherboards. Around the Socket T, we find that Foxconn has chosen to opt for all low-profile components, including the capacitors as well as the encased inductors. In past reviews of i9xx motherboards, we found that utilizing larger capacitors within the greater “keep out” zone could impede mounting of larger heatsinks, so it’s good to see Foxconn go with all low profile components.
The components that make up the bulk of the processor portion of 955X7AA-8EKRS2 deal with, as always, the core voltage supply. Along the right hand side of the processor socket, we find the typical array of SMT components. This area also houses the ITE IT8266R “Overclocking Controller” which support a 6-Bit VID, 8 GPIO pins, Auto Recovery, Auto Detection for a New CPU, all with a simple serial interface. To the above right of this chip, we find the four-pin fan power connection.
The left hand side of the processor socket, as well as the portion along the top edge of the PCB, houses all of the oh-so-typical items that can be found on every other motherboard on the market. Here, we see a few larger capacitors, as well as the array of low profile components. Other than these core electrical components, the processor portion of 955X7AA-8EKRS2 is clean. Foxconn has implemented the four-phase power solution for the 955X7AA-8EKRS2 with quality, ultra-low ESR capacitors as well as a high quality Intersil Buck Controllers and MOSFET drivers.
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