ECS P55H-A has other smaller features. For example, it has a header for you to install an SPDIF coaxial output, if you need this (the bracket containing this jack doesn’t come with the motherboard). It comes with a POST display, which helps you to diagnose why the computer isn’t turning on through a two-digit number. It also has reset and power buttons soldered on the motherboard, which helps a lot when you are building a PC outside a case or are debugging your PC.

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Figure 6: POST diagnostics display and power and reset buttons.

One detail is that the BIOS chip is soldered directly to the motherboard, which can make it hard for you to remove it in case you damage it during a BIOS upgrade (you can recover a “dead” BIOS chip by reprogramming it on another functional motherboard, click here to learn how).

As mentioned before, all electrolytic capacitors from this motherboard are solid. The transistors from the voltage regulator circuit have passive heatsinks on top of them, as you can see on Figures 7 and 8. They have a very interesting shape.

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Figure 7: Voltage regulator circuit.

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Figure 8: Passive heatsink.

P55H-A, like other new motherboard from ECS, features a function called eJiffy, which is basically a Linux-based operating system with Internet browser, instant messaging and other features stored inside the motherboard ROM chip, so you don’t need to load the operating system or even have a hard drive installed to enter the Internet and do basic stuff like browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, etc. ASUS has a similar feature on their motherboards, called Express Gate. We think this feature would be even more useful if added to entry-level motherboards, so people willing to build simple kiosks for quick Internet access could save money by not having to add a hard drive to the computer.

In Figure 9, you can see the accessories that come with the motherboard.

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Figure 9: Accessories.