Bundle, accessories and warranty
Someone within Foxconn's packaging department is a fan of modern art. The box graphics are somewhat reminiscent of Paul Klee's later works.
Here's what's included:
| Items |
Printed user guide Drivers/manuals on CD Utilities CD containing VirtualDrive Pro v10 and RestoreIT v7 2 x DVI dongles HDTV-Out (component) cable with S-Video-Out connector integrated Digital/analogue USB rumble pad |
|---|
Starting with the good, the USB rumble pad isn't a mere afterthought; it's a high-quality, solidly-built pad with a decent selection of buttons that can be configured in a fixed-speed autofire mode.
VirtualDrive Pro 10 (current version is 11) creates game CD images on your hard drive so that you don't have to continually load the CD each time. That's assuming the game CD is supported, of course. Foxconn includes the retail version, which is nice.
The bundling contract with FarStone extends to RestoreIT - a program that backs up selected files to a hidden partition. It's useful, sure, but a strange addition to a graphics-card bundle. The cynic in us would comment that Foxconn pays pennies for the privilege of bundling it with its range of graphics cards: a triple-A title would cost significantly more.
Summary
The software bundle is strong, save for the non-inclusion of a gaming title. The USB pad, in particular, is a true value-adding extra.Warranty considerations
Every Foxconn card ships with a standard 2-year warranty that starts on the card's manufacturing date. Warranty-related issues are handled by the retailer from which the card is purchased from. The warranty is based on the card and not on the owner, meaning that it's transferable should the card be sold on. However, as usual, subsequent buyers will need to submit the original proof of purchase if requiring hardware support.You absolutely need to take the warranty's terms into account when evaluating comparative SKUs. Foxconn's terms are generally good and we like the fact that the warranty is transferable. However, we'd urge it to consider initiating the warranty on the date of purchase and not manufacture.
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