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In our last review of an FIC motherboard, we noted some very positive points dealing with the product packaging. The 875P Dynasty was a high-end performance motherboard, however the KT-748 we are looking at today does not hold this distinction. The KT-748 is more of a budget offering meant for your typical family machine. This very fact is reflected in certain aspects of the KT-748’s package, but it holds many similarities to that of the 875P Dynasty. Unlike the 875P Dynasty, the KT-748 does not feature rounded IDE cables; rather we find that FIC offers your typical grey cables. I would have much preferred to see a second IDE cable included within the package for those users who prefer to utilize their multi-speed IDE devices on separate cables. Due to the lack of Serial ATA support by the SiS693L Southbridge, and no other additional SATA support, the KT-748 comes with no SATA data or power cables.

As far as external expansion brackets go, the KT-748 does not fail to please, much as we noted with the 875P Dynasty. First off, we have a two port IEEE1394a expansion bracket. Now, some users may be deterred by the lack of support for bother versions of the IEEE1394 standard, so be sure that whatever devices you plan on utilizing with the KT-748 are IEEE1394a compatible. Next up, we have a two port USB 2.0 expansion bracket for use with external devices such as hard drives, or CD writers. One feature that we did not see with the KT-748 was an additional rear bracket for additional onboard audio support as we did with the 875P Dynasty. Once again we can see the effect of the general user orientation of the board upon the product package.

FIC has also included a large amount of documentation and guides within the 875P Dynasty’s packaging to aid the end user in system setup, configuration, and troubleshooting. Unlike the 875P Dynasty, the KT-748 does not feature the one particular item that I found to be quite useless for troubleshooting, that being the LED display for POST codes. The included manual does a fair job of covering several of the more important installation factors, along with providing detailed descriptions of the various BIOS settings and what each is responsible for. This manual is universal and is shipped with various languages already included.

..:: FIC KT-748 Software Suite ::..

When you first insert the disc into your CD-ROM, the main window will pop up right to the driver install window. Here, you simply click which drivers to install and you’re good to go. You’ll also be able to install all of the third party software, and FIC’s own software onto your system. One of the nicer software inclusions within the package is that of Norton Internet Security. This software package includes the likes of Norton Anti-Virus, Personal Firewall, Parental Controls, etc. Overall the FIC KT-748 comes along with a nice software suite, although we have seen better offerings in the past.