Roundup tests of motherboards aimed at Intel Core 2 Duo processors
MSI P6N SLI Platinum
This board is based on NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI, is aimed at middle-end systems and is a direct competitor to ASUS P5N-E SLI.
The board supports 8 USB 2.0 ports, 5 SerialATA II links, a Gigabit LAN controllers, and 8-channel integrated audio (with ALC888 chip used as the codec). Besides, on the board there is a chip to support the Firewire bus (2 ports), and due to the nForce 650i SLI chipset the motherboard supports 2 Parallel ATA links.
The configuration of expansion slots: two PCI Express x16, three PCI slots, and a PCI Express x1,
Like P5N-E SLI, the motherboard MSI P6N SLI Platinum uses a mechanical SLI-terminator.
The rear panel is of almost standard configuration except the missing COM ports. Instead of one of the COM ports, there is a coaxial SP-DIF output and a Firewire. Instead of the second COM port, there is a SerialATA II port. One of the missing COM ports is provided by the PCB design and implemented with a plate (missing in the bundle).
Note that there is the Dual CoreCell unit which is meant for doing such tasks like dynamic overclocking, system monitoring, power management, and control of the fans' rotational speeds. It also closely interacts with the Dual CoreCenter utility that allows the user to control the mentioned features.
The BIOS of ASUS P5N32-SLI Premium is built on the AMI BIOS version.
The list of available memory latency timings will suit to most users.
The board keeps track of the processor's and the system's current temperatures, current voltages, and rotational speeds of the three (of four) fans. Besides, the speed of the coolers can be set dependent on the temperatures with the Smart FAN feature.
Let's list the overclocking tools: FSB adjustable within 100 to 625 MHz, raise of voltage on the CPU by 0.3875 V, on the memory - to 2.8 V, on the north bridge - to 1.5V, on the south bridge - to 1.7V, and on the FSB - to 1.7V. Besides, the overclocker can raise voltage on the FSB by 20%:
However, the actual overclocking results are pretty modest: stable FSB speed = 376 MHz.
Here goes the interim conclusion: MSI P6N SLI Platinum is a typical product of the mid-end price category and at the same time offers quite a decent onboard set of expansion options, supports modern MSI's proprietary technologies (most of which are set dependent on the additional Dual CoreCell chip).
Pros:
- Excellent stability and performance;
- Support for SLI (two PCI Express x16 slots);
- Support for SerialATA ( 4 SATA II lines - nForce 650; 1 SATA II line - additional controller; RAID);
- Support for Parallel ATA ( 2 links - nForce 650);
- Support for the USB 2.0 (8 ports) and IEEE-1394 (2 ports);
- Gigabit LAN controller;
- A pack of MSI proprietary technologies: (PC Alert 4, LiveUpdate, D-LED, etc.);
- Additional Dual CoreCell chip.
Cons:
The board's specific features:
- Powerful overclocking tools but poor results (FSB=376 MHz).
- Resetting the CMOS settings with a button.
MSI P965 Platinum
MSI, like Gigabyte and ASUS, has presented a motherboard based on P965 on which there are two PCI Express x16 slots. Therefore, the board supports the ATI Crossfire (16+4) as well as allows plugging in four monitors to a single system.
Besides the PCI Express x16 slots, the board uses two PCI Express x1 and two PCI slots.
Among the remaining expansion options are 6 Serial ATA II links (supported by ICH8R) plus one more Serial ATA II link (due to the additional RAID controller JMB361), 1 Parallel ATA link (again the same JMB361), a Gigabit LAN controller, support for the Firewire (2 ports) and USB 2.0 (10 ports), as well as integrated 8-channel audio (ALC883).
The rear panel is almost standard. The only point is that instead of the COM2 port there is a Firewire port and a coaxial SP-DIF output.
The board features in the additional Dual CoreCell chip which is meant for doing such tasks like dynamic overclocking, system monitoring, power management, and control over the fans' rotational speeds. It also closely interacts with the Dual CoreCenter utility that allows the user to control the mentioned features.
The board's BIOS is based on AMI BIOS version.
The memory settings and the system monitoring section are standard.
The board displays the current temperatures for the processor and the system, voltage, as well as rotational speeds of all the three fans. Besides, the CPU cooler and the cooler plugged in to SYSFAN1 is able adjusting the rotational speeds depending on the temperature of the CPU and the system.
Regarding the overclocking tools, the FSB is adjustable within 200 to 500 MHz, the CPU voltage can be raised by 0.7875 V, on the memory - to 2.45 V, and on the north bridge - to 1.84 V.
In practice, the board showed middling results - the stable operation at FSB=366 MHz.
Note that the retail price is one of the lowest in its class. Among the pros is the good expansion options and overclocking tools. Of negative sides is the BIOS and software flaws.
Of special note is the superb package bundle. After the release of a detailed review of this motherboard, representatives of MSI informed us that retail motherboards MSI P965 Platinum will have not one Serial ATA cable and an adapter, but 4 and 2, respectively. Besides, the box will contain one more bracket with two Firewire ports.
Pros:
- High stability and good performance level;
- Two PCI Express x16 slots;
- Support for SerialATA II /RAID ( 7 links; ICH8R + JMB361);
- Support for one P-ATA link (JMB363);
- Integrated 8-channel audio and Gigabit Ethernet LAN controller;
- Support for USB2.0 (10 ports) and IEEE-1394 (Firewire; 2 ports);
- A wide selection of MSI's proprietary utilities (Dual CoreCenter, LiveUpdate, DigiCell, D.O.T., etc.);
- Sensible price and superb package bundle.
Cons:
- Flaws in the BIOS and the software.
The board's specific features:
- Middling results of overclocking the processor and memory.
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Content: |
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Page 1 - Chipsets
Page 2 - Roundup table of motherboards
Page 3 - abit AW9D-MAX, abit AB9 Pro
Page 4 - ASUS P5W-DH Deluxe, ASUS P5W64-WS Pro
Page 5 - ASUS Commando, ASUS P5B Premium Vista Edition
Page - ASUS P5B Deluxe Wi-Fi, ASUS P5B-E
Page 7 - P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe, Striker, P5N32-E SLI, and P5N32-E SLI PLUS
Page 8 - ASUS P5N32-SLI Premium, ASUS P5N-E SLI
Page 9 - Gigabyte 965P-DQ6, Gigabyte 965P-DS4
Page 10 - Gigabyte 965P-DS3, Gigabyte 965G-DS3
Page 11 - Foxconn 975X7AB, Foxconn P9657AA-8EKRS2H
Page 12 - MSI P6N SLI Platinum, MSI P965 Platinum
Page 13 - MSI P965 Neo, MSI P965 Neo2
Page 14 - Intel D975XBX2 (i975X), Intel DG965RYCK
Page 15 - ECS NF650SLIT-A, ECS nForce 570 SLIT-A
Page 16 - ECS PN2 SLI2+, ECS P965T-A
Page 17 - Performance, conclusions
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