Ballistics Report

Performance:
The BX6 2 doesn't suffer from any performance maladies - its scores are right on par with its older sibling, the BH6. Solid all around, the BX6 2 is the ultimate motherboard for overclockers, with a RAM data buffer and any bus frequency/voltage setting you can think of. It's too bad the BX6 2.0 couldn't raise the bar in performance, but motherboards today are already well-optimized very close in terms of numbers.

Innovation:
There aren't any fancy extras such as on-board SCSI or sound, but the attitude is what counts. The BX6 2.0 proves that Abit is not willing to accept any design tradeoffs whatsoever. If you ever looked at a BX6 and said "it would be perfect if it had 5 PCI slots" or a BH6 and thought "if only it had 4 DIMM sockets and the memory buffer, and more overclocking options," then the BX6 2 is the PERFECT board for you. The fact is that Abit could have easily sat back on the BH6's accolades until Intel's 820 (Camino) chipset was released, but they chose to go back and make a good thing even better. The FiringSquad 5-star rating doesn't come easy, and we don't take it lightly.

Installation/Instructions:
Ever since the rise and fall of Socket 7, Abit has maintained a dedication to providing excellent documentation for their motherboards, and the tradition is sustained with the BX6 2.0. With over 100 pages packed with useful information, you'll never have to consult an outside for a general motherboard or BIOS question.

Price:
When first released, the BX6 2.0 will be slightly more expensive than the original BX6, mainly due to limited supply. We expect the board to initially cost $130-140, and in a few months drop down to the familiar $110-$120 range. However, as with most hardware, as production ramps up the price will drop accordingly. The PCB is also smaller than the BX6, which will eventually lead to lower manufacturing costs. However, the current price is in no way unreasonable or uncompetitive, and for the added flexibility, it's a sure win over the current BH6 board.