Budget is not a sentence - MSI P35 NEO is in battle. MSI P35 NEO and MSI P35 NEO COMBO - System Boards based on Intel P35 Chipset Motherboard MSI P35 NEO What Rights Rolls
MSI P35 NEO and MSI P35 NEO COMBO - System Boards based on the Intel P35 chipset
- Intel P35 chipset (used North Bridge P35 and South Ich9 (it is possible to use ICH9R))
MSI P35 NEO COMBO
When issuing boards on new chipsets, the greatest interest of the reading public is not even so much features specific modelsHow many common trends are manifested in the new generation. This is understandable: to study the reviews of all the boards in a row are hard, and make yourself an impression on how interesting is interesting and deserve timely (or even immediate) purchase - you need. Well, preceding these first reviews, we can note a few differences. The main thing we would have called significantly decreasing heat dissipation of P35 / G33, which leads to a very comfortable thermal engine, while maintaining the former chipset radiators (more details, this issue is considered in the review of the new chipset line). Of course, some updates will appear for DDR3 memory, but this change is quite obvious and expected. Otherwise, these are all the same Intel chipsets (you can simply install a new board instead of the model based on i915, and Windows XP will boot without problems), we have not found any unpleasant or unexpected moments.
Now speaking about specific boards, it is clear that we have chosen a combo model from the MSI provided to us. Generally speaking, fees with the support of two types of memory are presented to us in everyday life, and if you have no pure research interest, we cannot recommend this purchase. (I will leave the ideas of the "phased upgrade" on the conscience of forum pans, since both DDR2 and DDR3 modules will not work.) However, MSI offers two practically the same medium-level models, differing only for DDR3 support from one of them, so we are on the most Consider two boards at once today.
The appearance of the board is fully accustomed, only the slots for memory appear. First, because two of them are designed to install DDR3 modules and have a different location of the key in the connector. Secondly, their unusual mutual location is drawn: a pair of slots are shifted relative to each other, and in the second pair - and the slots themselves (literally on Polkontal, which suggests that the reason for such a solution is the desire is more convenient to dilute on the board wide loop tracks ). As for the overall convenience of wiring, there is no serious complaints about the board, except that the only IDE connector would have to be placed in another place, as in this variant Design access to it will be blocked by the cable of the wires from the power connector. Of the shortcomings, it is not a wiring, but the design note the presence of only two PCI slots (at three PCIEX1) - it is possible, however, it should be perceived as a norm, since the range of extension boards with the PCI Express interface is constantly expanding and includes even modern sound cards. From Creative. (However, on the basis of P35 you can soon find more unusual models - for example, without IDE support.)
Divorced, but not disappeared on the textolite of our copy of 2 SATA connector (they are used in the option of fees with the southern ICH9R bridge). In addition to the two MSI models under consideration today, MSI releases exactly the same on the basis of G33 (G33 NEO with only DDR2), as well as a row on P35 and G33 in Platinum and Diamond series - these are based on another PCB design (in particular, providing for two PCIEX16 slot for CrossFire graphics) and use a complex design with heat pipes for cooling chipset and field transistors. It is curious that on the design of PCB models Platinum is also based on another fee, P35 NEO2, which is simply devoid of a cooler on heat pipes - the functionality of all NEO models is extremely similar. Access to the only available jumper (CMOS cleaning) is a bit difficult due to its proximity to expansion slots, the description of its functionality is present on the textolite. Board size - 305 × 225 mm (slightly narrowed ATX), mounting to the body with six screws, the near edge of the board saves and delivers some inconvenience when using connectors located on it.
In a three-channel pulsed processor voltage stabilizer, 4 field transistors per channel was applied, which is quite sufficient in order not to worry about overheating of these transistors, even despite the absence of additional cooling with radiators. In addition, in the new line of MSI boards uses chokes not with iron, but with ferrite cores, which beneficially affects the level of power consumption. The set of capacitors in key supply circuits can be estimated as good, although not the best (when, only polymer capacitors are used on the entire board, only polymer capacitors are used on the entire board): 8 polymer capacitors of 680 μF are used for the processor (from an unknown manufacturer), 4 1000 μF and 1 3300 μF from United Chemi-Con, and a stabilizer of memory voltage (enhanced by the use of inductive elements) includes 10 capacitors of 1000 μF from United Chemi-Con.
System Monitoring (FINTEK F71882FG, according to BIOS Setup)
- Processor voltage, +3.3, +5 and +12 V, +5 in standby;
- Rotation frequency 3 fans;
- Processor temperature (built-in processor sensor) and boards (built-in board sensor);
- The technology of automatic adjustment of the rotation of the processor fan, depending on the temperature (the temperature limit and the cooler speed is set when this limit is not disturbed).
Ports, Connectors and connectors on the surface of the board
- Processor socket (Socket 775, applied support for all modern CORE 2 processors, Pentium Dual Core and Celeron (with Core microarchitecture) for this socket, including newest processors with frequency FSB 1333 MHz; From the models with the NetBurst microarchitecture, only having a bus frequency of 800 MHz and higher) are supported;
- 2 connector under DDR2 SDRAM DIMM (up to 4 GB DDR2-533 / 667/800; two-channel operation mode is supported when filling out the slots of both channels) and 2 connector under DDR3 SDRAM DIMM (up to 4 GB DDR3-800 / 1066; two-channel operation mode is supported filling the slots of both channels); Simultaneous operation DDR2 and DDR3 is not possible; Later, a list of certified modules should appear on the site;
- PCIEX16 slot for video accelerators;
- 3 slots PCIEX1;
- 2 PCI slots;
- Power connectors: Standard ATX 2.2 (24 contacts, you can connect a regular 20-pin connector, but it is not recommended to use powerful video accelerators that do not have its own power connector) and 4-pin ATX12V to power the processor;
- FDD connector;
- IDE connector (Parallel ATA), which is functioning due to an additional Marvell controller, 2 ATA133 devices;
- 5 SATA-II connectors (Serial ATA II) on 5 SATA300 devices, of which 1 operates due to an additional Marvell controller and 4 "chipset" connected to last discs It can be combined into a RAID-array of levels 0, 1, 0 + 1, 5 and Matrix RAID in the case of applying on the South Bridge of the ICH9R chipset;
- 4 connectors for connecting planks on 8 additional USB ports;
- Plug connector for 1 additional port FireWire;
- Connector for connecting the exit sound signal with CD / DVD drive;
- Block connectors for connecting analog inputs and audio outputs on the front of the computer;
- Connector for connecting the digital audio output S / PDIF-OUT on the bar;
- Undocumented SPI connector;
- Connector for connecting the housing opening sensor (chassis intrusion);
- 3 Connectors for connecting fans (all with the ability to control the number of revolutions), 4-pin processor has the function of automatic adjustment of the rotational speed.
Rear panel board (from left to right, blocks)
- PS / 2 connectors for connecting mouse and keyboard;
- 1 LPT and 1 COM port;
- 2 USB and 1 FireWire ports;
- 2 USB ports and 1 RJ-45 (Gigabit Ethernet);
- 6 analog audio connections (Line-in, Front, Mic-in, Rear, Center / Sub, Side).
Free space in a row with a COM port is obviously reserved for video outputs (D-Sub) on the G33 NEO Combo board with integrated graphics.
Contents of delivery
To the output of boards based on new MSI chipsets updated the design of the box, making it quite spectacular. (In this case, we present a photo of the P35 NEO model box.) We describe the package of delivery with reference to MSI data, since the set of our pre-production samples was incomplete. It seems that this is the first time in the box (in the standard delivery) there is no loop to connect a floppy disk drive.
- Packaging: Conventional Box;
- Documentation: User Guide in English;
- Cables: 1 SATA (with a power adapter per unit) and 1 ATA66;
- Plank on the rear computer panel with 2 additional USB connectors;
- Plank on the back of the computer with an optional FireWire connector;
- Plug on the backbone of the board for the output of the corresponding connectors;
- CDs with required drivers and branded utilities, including Dual Core Center and Dot Express (for monitoring, controlling the speed of coolers, overclocking, etc.) and Live Update (to search and update drivers, utilities and BIOS firmware via the Internet).
Integrated controllers
- Sound, on the 10-channel (7.1 + 2) HDA codec, Realtek ALC888, with the ability to connect audio sections 7.1, connector for connecting front audio inputs / outputs and connector for connecting the optical output S / PDIF-OUT;
- Network, with 10/100/1000 Mbps speed support (Gigabit Ethernet), based on the RealTek RTL811B chip (PCIEX1 interface);
- IDE / SATA-II based on Marvell 88SE6111 chip, with support for 2 devices on the ATA133 channel and 1 SATA300 device (PCIEX1 interface);
- FireWire, based on the VIA 6308P chip, with support for 2 ports.
The quality of the integrated sound solution we estimated in 16 bits, 44 kHz using test program Rightmark Audio Analyzer 5.5 and TERRATEC DMX 6FIRE sound card:
Total rating: Very good (). In this case, a high-quality, but "simple" 10-channel audio codec ALC888, which does not have an "additional" interesting home user functions (such as a set of DTS technologies and encoding audio flows in AC-3 "on the fly" to output via interface S / PDIF). But the quality of analog output is on very good levelcorresponds to the best integrated sound representatives.
It is curious that since the release of Intel 965 chipsets is almost all manufacturers motherboards A friendly JMicron controllers for implementation (now missing in the chipset) support IDE devices (PATA). MSI is one of the few companies that is not satisfied with standard solutions like JMB363 and JMB361 (really having some drawbacks), and is constantly looking for alternatives. In the case of boards on the P35 and G33, MSI applies a solution from Marvell, and we must say that the first acquaintance has made a favorable impression on us: the board quietly loaded with the CD drive with the IDE interface, allowed to install the OS with CD / DVD, did not require the updates of specific Managers to work with disk images and drivers in Windows XP. However, only after some time, collecting statistics from different users, it will be possible to conclude whether or the absence of problems with the implementation of Marvell. Well, the unwilling way to wait or risk, we strongly recommend to purchase a drive with the SATA interface.
Settings
| Using jumpers and switches | Jumper for cleaning CMOS content | ||
| From BIOS, based on version 2.61 from AMI | Ability to disable specific processor functions | + | Hyper-Threading, Execute Disable Bit, Enhanced Speedstep, Virtualization Technology |
| Memory timing settings | + | By SPD, Cas # Latency, Ras # to Cas # Delay, Ras # Precharge, Ras # Activate to Precharge, TRFC, TWR, TWTR, TRRD, TRTP | |
| Select the frequency of memory | + | Auto or set a multiplier relative to FSB: 1: 1: 1, 1: 1.2, 1: 1,25, 1: 1.5, 1: 1.67, 1: 2 | |
| Ability to task frequency for peripheral tires | + | PCI-E: 100-200 MHz in 1 MHz increments | |
| Manual distribution of interrupts by slots | + | ||
| Changing FSB Frequency | + | from nominal to 500 MHz in 1 MHz increments; There is a function of dynamic acceleration of the processor | |
| Change processor multiplication coefficient | + | ||
| Changing the voltage of the processor kernel | + | up to +0,7875 V in increments of 0.0125 in | |
| Changing memory voltage | + | 1.80-3.30 V in increments of 0.05 V to 2.1 V and step 0.1 V | |
| Change voltage chipset | + | 1.25-1.65 V in increments of 0.05 V for the northern bridge; 1.05 and 1.15 V for the southern bridge; 1.5-1.8 V with a pitch of 0.1 V for the I / O to the southern bridge |
|
| Change voltage FSB. | + | 1.2-1.6 V in increments of 0.1 V | |
Used bIOS version 1.0b10 (one of the beta versions of the first firmware), as the last of the testing available at the time of testing. The listed BIOS capabilities are available in the specified firmware, the performance of non-standard settings has not been checked. The board allows you to call a specific key at the time of passing the POST procedure to select the boot device, which makes it possible to make a one-time load, for example, from a CD drive, without producing appropriate changes to the BIOS Setup.
It should be noted that when testing, we used one of the early BIOS beta versions, which did not even provide for the implementation of DDR3 memory features (what we still talk below). In this regard, it is worth considering all data on the ranges of permissible stresses and frequencies, etc. As preliminary and before buying, it is advisable to clarify them with the owners of the board in online conferences, if this question is important for you.
MSI P35 NEO.
So, as we have already spoken, the MSI P35 NEO version with only DDR2 is functionally and externally complied with a combo model (as an understandable exception in support of DDR3 support). It is curious that this fee for memory are not in one column, but, however, here are their location less exotic - shifted relative to each other "just" a pair of slots. Another interesting detail is the size of the board: it is 305 × 220 mm, that is, 5 mm w. same than that of combo boards, and without any visible changes in the wiring.
Obviously, all of the above-mentioned MSI P35 NEO Combo fully applies to this model; Even the variations of these boards that came to us for testing were the same: with the southern ICH9 bridge (ICH9R is possible) and with the FireWire controller (it may be missing). As for the BIOS firmware, they also had the same with these boards (at the time of our testing), so that we add nothing to add to this item. We, thus, consider in the same section on the performance of MSI P35 NEO boards, and then summarize immediately on both models.
Performance
Configuration of test benches:
- CPU: Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 (2.4 GHz)
- Memory:
- 2 modules of 1 GB Corsair CM2X1024-9136C5D (DDR2-1142)
- 2 modules of 1 GB Corsair XMS3-1066C7 (DDR3-1066)
- Video card: ATI Radeon. X1900 XTX 512 MB
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 (SATA, 7200 rpm)
- BP: Hipro W460GC31
- OS: Windows XP SP2
Note that the version came at the time of testing BIOS fees P35 NEO Combo did not provide the ability to set the normal (for DDR3) supply voltage (1.5 V) and timings (they were limited to the standard DDR2 scheme, so for the main timings it was impossible to set values \u200b\u200bmore than 6). As a result of this, the options for using the DDR3 memory we turned out to be very limited. For details of the settings of test stands and performance comparison results, we send you to the presentation of Intel 3x chipsets, here we will give the indicators of new boards in standard configuration ([Email Protected]) and with DDR3-1066 during timing 7-7-7.
| Test | MSI P35 NEO COMBO, [Email Protected] | MSI P35 NEO COMBO, [Email Protected] | MSI P35 NEO, [Email Protected] | Gigabyte 965P-DQ6 (Intel P965), [Email Protected] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archiving in 7-Zip, Min: sec | 4:17 | 4:17 | 4:17 | 4:10 |
| MPEG4 coding (XVID), Min: sec | 3:37 | 3:37 | 3:37 | 3:37 |
| Farcry ( [Email Protected]× 480), fps | 354 | 352 | 353 | 359 |
| Farcry ( [Email Protected]× 1200), fps | 151 | 152 | 152 | 151 |
| Doom 3 ( [Email Protected]× 480), fps | 218 | 215 | 215 | 218 |
| Doom 3 ( [Email Protected]× 1200), fps | 121 | 121 | 121 | 123 |
Let us repeat that more detailed conclusions are made in the above article, here only note the absolute equality in the performance of MSI P35 NEO and MSI P35 NEO Combo, as well as the fact that new boards, at least with the current BIOS firmware, is slightly slower Representatives of old chipsets, and come forward in speed does not help and DDR3, even at a frequency of 1066 MHz.
Outcome
So, the fees on P35 did not become revelation, they are quite suitable for buying for almost anyone who wants (although we have not seen a full implementation of the support of DDR3). As for two specific MSI cards reviewed, these are high-level solubular models, without "excesses" both by configuration and on corporate characteristics. But to their functionality, the claims may show that computer enthusiasts, also praise, deserve the convenience of wiring and design of the power unit. "In everyday life" we liked these models, especially chipset cooling, and we do not see the reasons why MSI P35 NEO costs should be avoided.
Boards are provided for testing by the manufacturer
|
Today we will look at two boards on the P35 chipset: MSI P35 NEO and MSI P35 Neo Combo. Both products are intended for Middle-End systems, however, due to the novelty of the chipset, the retail price is quite large. In our opinion, the P35 chipset time has not yet come: it does not give a noticeable expansion of functionality, and also does not ensure the increase in performance in the conjunction with DDR3 memory. As for supporting processors with 1333 MHz tire, there is a mass of boards on the chipsets of the previous generation, officially supporting such processors. |
Specifications
| CPU | - Intel Pentium 4 (Prescott (2M) / Gallatin / Cedarmill) with a tire frequency 1066/800/533 MHz;
- dual-core Intel Pentium D / EE (Smithfield / Presler) with a tire frequency of 800/1066 MHz; - Intel Celeron-D (prescott) with a bus frequency of 533 MHz; - Support for Intel Core 2 Duo (Kentsfield (4 kernels), Conroe / Allendale (2 kernels)) with a tire frequency of 800/1066/1333 MHz; - Support for Intel Yorkfield, Wolfdale with a tire frequency 1333/1066/800 MHz; - Socket LGA775 connector; - support for processors with Hyperthreading technology; |
|
| Chipset | - North Bridge Intel P35 Memory Controller Hub (MCH);
- South Bridge Intel Ich9 (Enhanced I / O Controller Hub); - communication between bridges: DMI; |
|
| System Memory | - two 240 contact slots for DDR2 SDRAM DIMM;
- two 240 contact slots for DDR3 SDRAM DIMM; - maximum memory 4 GB; - MEMORY TYPE DDR3 800/1066 is supported; |
- four 240 contact slots for DDR2 SDRAM DIMM;
- maximum memory of 8 GB; - Supports memory type DDR2 667/800; - Possible two-channel access to memory; |
| Graphics | - one slot PCI Express X16; | |
| Expansion opportunities | - two 32-bit PCI BUS Master slot;
- three PCI Express X1 slots; - twelve USB 2.0 ports (4 built-in + 8 additional); - Two IEEE1394 ports (FireWire; one built-in + one additional.); - Built-in sound High Defenition Audio 7.1; - Gigabit Ethernet network controller; |
|
| Opportunities for overclocking | - change of FSB frequency from 200 to 500 MHz in 1 MHz increments; Multiplier change;
- Change voltage on the processor, memory, PCI-E and chipset (NB & SB); |
|
| Disk subsystem | - 1 channel Ultradma133 / 100 / 66/33 BUS Master IDE (Marvell 88SE6111; with support for up to 2 ATAPI devices);
- Support Serialata II Protocol (4 channels - ICH9); - Support Serialata II Protocol (1 channel - Marvell 88SE6111); - Support LS-120 / ZIP / ATAPI CD-ROM; |
|
| Bios. | - 4Mbps Flash ROM; - AMI BIOS with support for Enhanced ACPI, DMI, Green, PNP Features; |
|
| miscellanea | - one port for FDD, one serial port, ports for PS / 2 mouse and keyboard;
- STR (Suspend to RAM); - SPDIF OUT; |
|
| Power management | - awakening from the modem, mice, keyboard, network, timer and USB;
- the main 24-pin ATX power connector; - an additional 4-pin power connector; |
|
| Monitoring | - tracking the temperature of the processor, system, voltages, speed of rotation of three fans;
- SMART FAN technology; |
|
| The size | - ATX form factor, 220mm x 305mm (8.65 "x 12"); | |
Boxes
Equipment of both boards is completely the same
- Motherboard;
- English manual in English + Quick Guide;
- Disk with software and drivers;
- One ATA-133 loop;
- One serialata + power adapter (one connector);
- Plug on the rear case panel;
And contains only the most necessary components for assembly.
Fees
It is easy to notice that both fees have a very similar PCB design. Differences only in the area of \u200b\u200bmemory slots. In particular, the MSI P35 NEO Combo board has four multi-colored slots, two of which are intended for DDR2 modules, and two for DDR3.
The MSI P35 NEO board also has four slots, but they are all intended for DDR2 modules.
On each board, three connectors are installed for connecting fans: one 4-pin (for processor cooler) and two three-contact. The latter are not used - the cooling system of the chipset is fully passive, and consists of two radiators.
On the boards installed one PCI Express X16 slot, two PCI slots and three PCI Express X1 slots.
The South Bridge of ICH9 is installed on both boards, with a radiator. As a result, boards are supported by four Serialata II channels.
In addition, the charges are installed an additional ParallelTa / Serialata controller Marvell 88SE6111.
As a result, seven hard drives can be connected to each of the circuit boards (5 SATA + 2 PATA). Next - the south bridge ICH9 supports 12 USB2.0 ports: four on the rear panel, and eight more connected using slats (no included). In addition, the boards support the FireWire serial tire. For this, they have an additional VT6308P production controller manufactured by VIA.
Accordingly, the boards are supported by two ports, one of which is installed on the rear panel, the other is connected using the plank (no included).
Also, on both boards is the audio codec Alc888.
Network words: Both boards support high-speed network connection; They have the same RTL8111B controller:
The rear board of boards is the same and has the following configuration:
Talk about BIOS settings.
Bios.
BIOS MSI P35 NEO and P35 NEO COMBO boards are based on AMI BIOS versions, and the most unified.
In the memory settings section of the following timing set:
An important parameter that affects performance is to set the memory frequency.
Let's look at the system monitoring section.
Both boards display the current values \u200b\u200bof the temperature of the processor and system, voltages, track the speed of rotation of the three fans, and have the function of adjusting the rotation of the processor cooler depending on the CPU temperature.
Overclocking and stability
Before switching to acceleration, consider power converters. Their scheme is the same: PWM MSI P35 NEO Combo cards and MSI P35 NEO cards has a 3-phase diagram in which one capacitor is installed with a capacity of 3300mkf, four capacitor for 1000 mkf and eight to 680μF.
Overclocking functions are also the same.
| Pay | MSI P35 NEO / NEO COMBO |
| Change multiplier | + |
| Change FSB. | from 200 to 500 MHz (1) |
| Changing vcore | up +0,7875 V (0, 0125 V) |
| Change VMEM. | from 1.8 V to 3.3 V (0.05-0.1 V) |
| Changing VDD. | from 1.2 V to 1.6 V (0.025 V) |
| Change VPCix. | from 1.5 V to 1.8 V (0.1 V) |
| Change VSB. | from 1.05 V; 1.15 V. |
| Change VTT. | from 1, 2V to 1, 6V (0, 025V) |
| Change PCI-E | from 100 MHz to 200 MHz (1) |
A pair of words about MSI D.O.t mode, in which acceleration is carried out exactly when necessary. In other words, the increase in FSB frequency occurs at the time of launching the resource-intensive application (example is the game). And after exiting the application, the system returns to the standard frequency.
Let's look at the practical results of overclocking. The maximum stable FSB frequency at the MSI P35 NEO board is 466 MHz; The MSI P35 NEO COMBO fee is 350 MHz.
Performance
When determining the starting frequency of the FSB, it turned out that both boards are overestimated by 1 MHz.
The Doom 3 game equalizes both fees. MSI P35 NEO3 wins one frame in low resolution, but at a frame rate 120 is insignificant. With increasing resolution, the results are leveled. This shows that in real applications we will not see the difference between compared payments due to the fact that they are made on one system logic. But still it is worth saying thanks to MSI engineers who were able to "squeeze" from their shake a little more than competitors. It may be achieved due to the reduced memory controller delays, and perhaps the difference is explained in different secondary memory timings that install themselves.
Output
Model MSI P35 NEO3 can be called a worthy representative of the average price segment in the market of motherboards. High-quality execution using durable capacitors ensures a stable operation of this model in a regular system unit at home or in the office. Also, the fee is a good option for those who targe the upgrade and stands before choosing a new product, but it wants to connect all the remaining devices with the PCI interface. If you wish, it is possible to establish one extension board with the PCI-Express X1 interface. Support for main RAID modes will create simple arrays from hard disks To increase the performance of the disk subsystem. The lack of external digital audio interfaces and FireWire 1394 this model is a little drawn, but it is quite justified by the price. By connectivity peripheral devices MSI P35 NEO3 is really a little inferior to some other representatives on intel database P35, but as we saw, in performance, she even takes a little more dear models competitors. For a simple user, this fee, given its initial productivity, will become a good purchase.
But for the MSI P35 NEO3, MSI P35 Neo3 category and overclockers, cannot offer anything outstanding. No cooling on the power elements of the processor power supply system and 8-pin connector additional nutrition. The ability to overclock the BIOS is a bit, but all major functions are present. A small radiator on the chipset is enough only for cooling P35 on standard frequencies. Therefore, it is not recommended to get involved in excessive acceleration on this board without additional cooling of the components, although the potential of the model is.
Published on the PS, we began to explore the motherboards of the lower price range that are not perceived by most users as "overclocker" products. Against the background of the price of the product called Biostar TP45 HP, MSI P45 NEO-F motherboard has only one essential advantage - wider prevalence. When searching for the next candidate for the review, it was decided to find a fee that combines the same prevalence as MSI P45 NEO-F, but not a direct or indirect competitor in the price plan for Biostar TP45 HP. After a short search, this fee was found - MSI P35 NEO.
Acquaintance with the motherboard
Appearing on the market for more than a year ago, the MSI P35 NEO motherboard comes in a small box of blue box.
advertising
The front side provides information on compatibility with processors and the supported system bus frequency. On the reverse side, information on basic technologies and capabilities are presented:
On the side part there is a sticker with basic characteristics:
The package is characteristic of all MSI motherboards of the lower price category, it includes.
MotherboardMSIP35Neo-F.
Currently, the MSI motherboard line based on the Intel P35 chipset consists of five boards that differ in both the price and functionality.
NEO series boards are positioned as decisions for economical users. The equipment of such boards is, as a rule, a sample of reasonable minimalism. Platinum and Diamond series are designed for computer enthusiasts. For their manufacture, high-quality Japanese capacitors are used, copper radiators and heat pipes are used to cool the heating elements.
Packaging and equipment
The MSI P35 NEO-F board comes in a glossy cardboard box with an image of an unknown monster clawed paw, prey to the steel claws. Through the barrier:
Opening the box, you, except directly fee, detect the minimum set of additional accessories:
2 disks with software and drivers for various operating systems: Windows XP and Windows Vista (information on the official website states that WinME / 9X is not supported by the board);
user's manual;
pin UDMA-66 / 100/133;
SATA cable;
power cord for SATA devices (Molex-SATA adapter);
rear input-output panel (not shown in the figure).
This is a typical equipment for low price range boards, and MSI could add a couple of additional brackets, especially since it is optionally possible according to the manual.
Boards, design and layout,BIOS, attached software
The main features of the board are described in Table:
| Supported processors | - Intel Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium and Celeron (LGA775) |
| Supported FSB | - 1333/1066 / 800 MHz |
| Chipset | - North Bridge: Intel® P35 - South Bridge: Intel® Ich9 |
| Supported memory | - DDR2 667/800 SDRAM (240Pin / Non-ECC) - 4 slots DDR2 DIMM (8 GB MAX) |
| Net | - Gigabit Network (Realtek RTL8111B) |
| Audio | - Realtek Alc888. - 7.1 - Channel audio output - Compatible with Azalia |
| IDE | - 1 IDE Port, supported Marvell 88SE6111 - Support Ultra DMA 66/100/133, Pio and Bus Master Modes |
| SATA. | - 4 SATA Ports (SATA1 ~ 4) are supported by the southern Ich9 bridge - SATA 5 supported Marvell 8SE6111 - Bandwidth up to 300 MB / s |
| RAID | - SATA1 ~ 6 support RAID 0/1/0 + 1/5 |
| Floppy. | - 1 floppy port - Support 1 FDD (360 KB, 720 KB, 1.2 MB, 1.44 MB and 2.88 MB) |
| Rear panel | - 1 PS / 2 connector (mouse) - 1 PS / 2 connector (keyboard) - 1 parallel port supporting SPP / EPP / ECP MODE - 1 COM1 port - 4 USB ports - 1 LAN connector - 6 audio outlets |
| Scroll on the board connectors | - 4 USB 2.0 - 1 Front Panel Audio - 1 CD-IN - 1 SPDIF-OUT |
| Slots | - 1 PCI Express X 16 - 3 PCI Express X 1 - 2 PCI SLOTS, 3.3V / 5V PCI |
| Form factor | ATX (30.5 cm x 22.0 cm) |
| Number of holes for mounting | 6 |
Design and layout
You can rate the boards by looking at the following picture:
As a rule, designing a budget level motherboard, engineers do not have to break their heads over the problem of placement of various components due to their few. Of the main disadvantages of the wiring, you should mark the too close location of the memory slot, power connector and the IDE connector: if there is no special work on the open bench, then in most buildings it will create some problems.
The bulky cooling of some modern cards can block a pair of first connectors for the memory slots, and, by the way, this problem is ruling and near in most boards. The FDD connector is located at the bottom of the board, but, taking into account the widespread motion of the "floppy disks", you can safely close your eyes.
Evaluating the wiring, it's time to pay attention directly to the fee:
Any sophisticated user in the bright red color of the textolite will immediately understand that the MSI board is located in front of it, and the budget. More expensive MSI products prefers to produce on black textolite.
The North Bridge, Intel P35, is closed with a rather large passive radiator that, as it was said in the introductory part of the review, fully complies with the recommendations of the chipset manufacturer.
The processor power supply module is assembled according to a three-channel scheme, which is quite sufficient subject to the use of lower and mid-level processors. But for overclocking, especially if you want to disperse, for example, a top quader, it may simply be enough. However, it is difficult to reproach MSI engineers in this: in a pair to the top processor, it is usually acquired and the corresponding motherboard is also acquired, and for this, MSI is seized of the Platinum or Diamond cards. On the test card, you can meet both classic capacitors from various manufacturers (there are traces of savings) and modern polymer electrolytes:
The test card implements support to 8 GB memory DDR2-800, for this, 4 memory slots, pairwise shifted relative to each other:
The board is equipped with three PCI-E 1X slots, which, in our opinion, is somewhat excessive: the corresponding periphery is not found in the afternoon with fire, so it would be better if MSI engineers have repaired at least another PCI slot. Judge for yourself, you can often find a TV tuner or video capture card, a high-quality audio card and all if the board provides only two PCI slots. It is necessary to go to additional spending, acquiring an external sound card or modem, and after all, the list of common peripherals does not end.
Conveniently located and jumper Clear CMOS (JBAT1) - near the two bottom slots PCI-E 1X, near the battery, so that even in the system block it will be enough just to reset bIOS settings With unsuccessful overclocking.
The southern bridge is also closed with a passive radiator, but this is enough: according to a digital thermometer, during testing the temperature of the radiator did not exceed 40? C. On the board, the South Bridge ICH9 is used, so it is planted only 4 + 1 SATA connector, support for the fifth SATA connector provides Marvell chip (Marvell 88SE6111):
The rear I / O panel also does not boast of functional wealth:
As can be seen from the drawing, only the most needed is displayed on the back panel: PS / 2 connectors for mouse and keyboard, four USB, Serial and Parallel connector ports Yes Outputs and inputs sound subsystem. The user's manual said that on the rear panel, you can optionally find a VGA connector of type D-Sub. Perhaps in the future MSI plans to provide budget board built-in video card. However, why not? Naturally, North Bridge G33 will be used in it.
From the reverse side, the board does not contain any heated elements, so there should be no problems with the fastening of some Back-Plate.
System monitoring is carried out thanks to the FINTEK F71882FG chip:
BIOS and overclocking
MSI is included in a small group of manufacturers of motherboards using AMI BIOS.
The most interesting, of course, section Frequency / Voltage Control, where overclocking functions are concentrated. For inexperienced users, an automatic acceleration is provided. A similar opportunity also has a board of other manufacturers, in particular, ASUS. In the interpretation of MSI, this function is called d.O.t., which is decrypted as Dynamic Overclocking Technology (dynamic acceleration technology). Names can be different, but the essence remains the same: the board gradually increases the frequency of the system tire and stops on a certain stable frequency, which is proposed to be used. Needless to say that the acceleration of the processor in manual mode Bring much better results. The user can disable this feature and select one of the following options:
Everything is extremely simple: Choosing, for example, the Commander option, the fee will increase the frequency of the system tire by 15%, respectively, dispersion processor.
More experienced users can independently change the frequencies of the tire, as well as the working voltage on the processor, memory and the northern bridge.
To the credit of MSI engineers, they did not cut over the overclocking capabilities of the board, even despite its explicit positioning in the budget segment: the maximum voltage values \u200b\u200bare very high, they are most likely characteristic of top overclocker solutions, judge themselves:
So, you can increase the voltage on the processor to 1.55V, which, in the presence of a highly efficient cooler, or more serious cooling will allow you to successfully disperse most of the processors supported by the board. The hindrance can be (and will certainly become) only a three-channel nutrition subsystem, but it is already a bit no topic. With the default value for the voltage DDR2 in 1.8 to the user, it has the ability to increase it up to 3.3 V.. If we consider that such a voltage without signs of long-term destruction could only be submitted to the legendary BH-5 chips, which are known to meet the standard DDR, and even Modern overclocking modules DDR2 are designed for the operating voltage of about 2.4 V (with further increase in voltage, the memory will simply collapse), then 3.3 V is clearly a bit. Board developers could, for example, hide the increase in the voltage in the range of 2.4-3.3 in from most inept experimenters, but this did not happen.
As for the voltage in the North Bridge, it is possible to increase it from 1.2 V to 1.6 V. It is possible that in this case the passive cooling of the chipset will not be able to do.
For a finest setting, the user is given the ability to use various FSB divisors: DRAM.
Here we were expected by an unpleasant surprise: the fee put the values \u200b\u200bat their discretion, and sometimes to achieve the functioning of memory at a frequency of 800 MHz, it was necessary to set the values \u200b\u200bat random - at the system tire frequency 200 MHz divider 1: 2 gave absolutely incorrect results. Naturally, the correctness of memory work had to check several information and test utilities, for example, Everest. Obviously, it is an annoying BIOS flaw, which must be corrected in fresh versions firmware.
The hardware monitoring section provides the ability to track the following parameters:
Nothing special, everything is modest, just like in Gigabyte boards.
Equipped by software
As for brand softwareMSI offered a Dual Core Center utility. As the name implies, the utility provides access to monitoring and settings as system board parameters and a video adapter. But with a small reservation: the video card must also be manufactured by MSI. The check showed that the utility often issues a complete incompression, and its usefulness of its use is very dubious.
In the absence of overclocking, however, such bugs were not observed.
Another, Live Update utility, which is intended for safe update BIOS B. windows Environment, stubbornly told that the most last BIOS. For this board, it has already been delivered, although the site has already appeared update:
Thus, the utility supplied by the manufacturer turned out to be an absolutely useless toy, and they also do not shine designer research.