Biostar A88W Hi-Fi 3D ATX Motherboard Review
Overview
Hardware: CPU & MotherboardsWHAT WE LIKED:
Mostly good build quality, nice color scheme, excellent built-in audio solution with nice accent lighting, nice software bundle with mostly useful apps, good amount of SATA ports, excellent internal header arrangement, PCI-E 3.0 on one slotWHAT WE DISLIKED:
Lacks SLI or CorssFire compatibility, odd build quality issue with I/O shield/top USB ports, glaring BIOS issues regarding Kaveri overclocking, extremely hard to find, included Toverclocker software is not as good as it is in other offerings, back plate design limits aftermarket cooler installation.
Introduction
In the past several months, the push for Home Theater PC’s (HTPC’s for short) has started to grow wildly. The allure of a fully modular home theater machine that does more than just play your movies or music is simply too strong for many to resist, and rightfully so. Oftentimes the question we may ask is “What platform should I build a HTPC on?” The answers vary wildly based on individual hardware preferences. AMD seems to think that one of the best choices out there for the discerning HTPC enthusiast lies with their newest Kaveri APU.
While there are many choices out there of associated hardware, with more on the way, Biostar has one now that appeals directly to the audiophile: the A88W Hi-Fi 3D. Designed with both a high-end isolated audio solution and potential for tuning an unlocked APU, this motherboard looks to be a very sensible choice for those who want a little bit from every buffet of tech; the question is, “does it deliver finely tuned notes for enthusiasts of all kinds, or does it fall flat?” We’re here to find out just that.
In 1980,the IT industry was growing at a phenomenal rate. With wide experience in buying and selling electronic parts as well as researching on future demands for mainboards and add-on cards , the founder of BIOSTAR GROUP,established BIOSTAR MICROTECH INTERNATIONAL CORP in 1986.
In the early years, BIOSTAR concentrated on the manufacture of mainboards built for XT form factor. To maintain steady business growth, BIOSTAR managed to keep a large portion of its capital and manpower invested on the design and development of new products, which at the same time has enabled it to stay competitive in the rapid evolution of the computer industry.
BIOSTAR has enriched its competence in the design and manufacture of products such as add-on cards, multi-media and system products to develop the market and meet the demands of customers for more integrated solutions. In order to expand its capacity to meet customer demand globally, BIOSTAR was the first to establish a manufacturing facility in China in 1990. In 1998, its sales revenues exceeded US$130 million and it ranked 227th among the top 1000 enterprises in Taiwan. Furthermore,BIOSTAR obtained an ISO 9001 certification in 1999 and became a publicly listed company in the same year. BIOSTAR’s future has limitless possibilities.
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