Bundle, presentation and warranty
ASUS's box design is simple and to the point. And no, the bullet hole is solely for artistic purposes: DFI didn't manage to get to it first.
You now receive drivers and utilities on a DVD-ROM rather than a bunch of CDs. We're left to wonder why bundled software wasn't presented this way before.
Listing it all, you receive the following:
| Items |
Quick-install guide (foreign languages only) Main user manual (English) ASUS/InterVideo Launcher (WinDVD Creator 2 Platinum, InterVideo PhotoAlbum 1.0 Platinum, Disc Master 2.5 Platinum, DVD Copy 2.5 Platinum, and MediaOne Gallery 2.0) Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter - full game Drivers and Utilities DVD containing drivers for motherboard devices, ASUS Update, ASUS AI Suite, 3DMark06 Advanced, and Kapersky Antivirus Personal 5.0 (69-day license only) 1 x 80 conductor flat IDE cable, 1 x 34-conductor flat FDD cable, 6 x non-latching-style SATA data cables (3 with right-angled connector at one end), 3 x Molex-SATA power adapter cables (double-ended) FireWire port expansion bracket USB 2.0 expansion bracket with 2 ports ASUS Q-Connector pack Optional cooling fan SupremeFX PCIe audio add-in card |
|---|
Phew.
We don't like the fact that the anti-virus program is time-limited but it does provide a means for ASUS to subsidise the package whilst provide some additional functionality.
The SATA connectors and cables should be of the latching variety, we feel.
ASUS doesn't match other R.O.G boards' bundles by missing out on the SoundMax directional microphone that's present, for example, in the CROSSHAIR bundle.
Other than that, the bundle is decent enough and adequate for an enthusiast motherboard.
Warranty
ASUS's motherboards are backed up by a 3-year warranty that starts on the date of purchase, as per the customer's sales invoice. The warranty is based on the motherboard and not on the individual initially purchasing it, so as long as the original invoice is kept and handed on over to subsequent buyers during the 3-year period the remainder of the warranty is valid.ASUS quotes a maximum turnaround time of 14 working days for a SKU that's found faulty and guarantees to replace any defective hardware with a part that is at least equal to, if not better than, the original spec. Warranty claims are handled by ASUS U.K. and all returned goods are sent back to a U.K. address, rather than to H.Q. The maximum 14 working days translates to almost three weeks, which, in our opinion, is too long to be without a motherboard: it's the hub of your system.
As we often state, it's wise to purchase from a trusted retailer who may provide support above and beyond offered by ASUS.