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MSI P35 Neo Combo Review
[Abstract]
IntroductionWith the announcement of quad-core processors, 45nm technology, DDR3 and Bearlake, Intel's initial codename for their P35 series of chipset, MSI kick-started their PC2008 campaign w...
[Content] PCDigitalMobileGame
Introduction
With the announcement of quad-core processors, 45nm technology, DDR3 and Bearlake, Intel's initial codename for their P35 series of chipset, MSI kick-started their PC2008 campaign with a fresh range of products that features next generation technology moving into the year 2008. The MSI P35 Platinum motherboard reviewed a little more than a month ago was their flagship motherboard based on the Intel P35 chipset and featuring their Circu-Pipe cooling technology.
Since the motherboard market isn't just made up of overclockers and enthusiasts, MSI has a comprehensive lineup of their new Bearlake motherboards for the masses, all featuring their new PC2008 market branding, which incidentally is a mechanized bear claw. At the entry-level segment, we have the MSI P35 Neo and its hybrid brother, the P35 Neo Combo. In this review, we take a closer look at the P35 Neo Combo.
The MSI P35 Neo Combo motherboard. |
The P35 Neo Combo is the mainstream entry in this lineup, with full support for Intel's upcoming 45nm processors as well as native 1333MHz FSB. With the dual memory controller of the P35 chipset, the P35 Neo Combo carries both DDR2 and DDR3 memory slots to allow for an easier transition and upgrading in the future.
As a budget board, the P35 Neo Combo comes with a small set of bundled peripherals, but surprisingly a healthy amount of connector brackets are included. Be aware however, that MSI lists the USB and FireWire bracket as 'optional', so they may not be included in the standard box in certain areas.
1 x SATA data cable
1 x SATA power converter cable
1 x 80-conductor Ultra ATA data cable
1 x floppy drive data cable
USB 2.0 Bracket (4 ports)
FireWire Bracket (1 port)
I/O shield
Driver CDs
User's guide
MSI P35 Neo Combo Technical Specifications
| CPU Support | - Supportsall 90nm/65nm Intel LGA775processors
- 45nm ready (Wolfdale & Yorkfield)
- Quad-CoreOptimized
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| Chipset | - Northbridge:Intel P35
- 800 /1066 / 1333MHz front side bus
- PCI Express x16 forgraphics
- Southbridge:IntelICH9
- Intel HighDefinition Audio
- Supports six PCIExpress x1 lanes
- Supports up to twelve USB 2.0ports
- Supports four SATA 3.0Gbps ports
- Integrated10/100/1000Mbps MAC
| | Memory | - Two unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2SDRAM
- Two unbuffered DIMM of 1.5 Volt DDR3 SDRAM
- Supports 533-1066MHzdual channel DDR2 memoryarchitecture, 4GB max
- Supports 800-1333MHzdual channel DDR3 memoryarchitecture, 4GB max
| | Storage | - Intel ICH9Southbridge
- 4 x SATA 3.0Gbpsinterface
- Marvell88SE6111
- 1 x UltraATA33/66/100/133 (data transfer rate up to133MB/sec.)
- 1 x SATA 3.0Gbps interface
| | Audio | - Intel High DefinitionAudio (Azalia)
- Realtek ALC888 HDAudio CODEC
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| Networking | - Realtek RTL8111B PCI ExpressGigabit Ethernet LOM
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| IEEE 1394 (FireWire) | - VIA VT6308P FireWire controller
- 2 x 1394aports @ 400Mbps speed
| | I/O Interface | - 1x Floppy connector
- 1 x Ultra ATAIDE connectors
- 5 x SATAconnectors
- 12 x USB 2.0ports (4 x rear, 8 x header)
- 2 x IEEE1394a ports (1 x rear, 1 x header)
- 1 xRJ45 LANport
- 8-Channel Audio I/Oports
- 1 x COM port
- 1 xmini-DIN-6 PS/2mouse port
- 1 x mini-DIN-6 PS/2keyboard port
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| Expansion Slots | - 1 xPCIe x16slots,PCI Express Bus specification v1.1compliant
- 3 x PCIe x1slots, PCIExpress Bus specification v1.1compliant
- 2 x 32-bitPCI slots,PCI 2.3 compliant
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| Special Features | - MSIDual Core Center
- Dual memory support
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| PCB | - ATX Form Factor, 12"x9.6"(30.5cm x 24.4cm)
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Uncluttered rear I/O panel comes with legacy PS/2, Parallel, Serial ports along with four USB 2.0, one FireWire, one RJ45 ports, and analog surround sound jacks. No S/PDIF in sight though. |
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