Nvidia nForce3 Ultra Motherboard Roundup --- TheThirdMedia Hardware

MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum (The Good)

While both EpoX and Gigabyte offerings were targeted at the budget market, the Platinum version of MSI's K8N Neo2 is the higher end of the two nForce3 Ultra motherboard they have to offer. Before MSI introduced their Diamond line-up, the Platinum boards were their flagship products. Thus, users can expect a more fully featured motherboard in the K8N Neo2 Platinum.

The motherboard bundle includes the following:-

2 x SATA data cables

1 x SATA power converter cables (dual plugs)

1 x Floppy drive rounded data cable

1 x Ultra ATA rounded data cable

USB 2.0 bracket (2 ports) with D-Bracket 2

I/O shield

Driver CD

Motherboard user's manual

Nvidia nForce3 Ultra Motherboard Roundup

The MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum motherboard.

MSI took a break from convention and designed the K8N Neo2 Platinum with a non-conforming layout, putting the DIMM slots at the top of the board in a horizontal position. This particular layout has its advantages since it allowed for ample space to position all primary connectors and power components. While the tilted CPU Socket may seem squeezed in between memory and expansion slots, it did have enough breathing room for proper circulation and we didn't face any problems with cooler installation.

MSI's rather unorthodox board layout places the DIMM slots horizontally at the top of the board and turning the CPU socket 90 degrees to accommodate them.

As a top end motherboard, the K8N Neo2 Platinum was the only board in our roundup that made use of both SATA controllers on the nForce3 Ultra chipset. The second controller requires a PHY device to function and MSI used the Marvell 88SR3020 to get the job done. It was also the only board featuring dual LAN ports. The K8N Neo2 Platinum pairs the onboard Gigabit LAN with a Marvell 88E1111 PHY transceiver and uses a Realtek RTL8110S controller to provide the second Gigabit Ethernet port.

Close up of the Marvell SATA PHY that powers the second SATA controller of the nForce3 Ultra chipset.

Additional SATA cables are located at the bottom of the board. You can see the SATA PHY to the right.

The 88E1111 is a Gigabit Ethernet PHY ASIC that pairs with the nForce3 Ultra MAC.

Besides eight USB 2.0 ports, the K8N Neo2 Platinum extended its connectivity options to provide FireWire support as well. The board used a VIA VT3606 chip, enabling three IEEE 1394a ports. The rear I/O panel featured one port while the other two were optional upgrades through headers on the board.

The K8N Neo2 Platinum supports IEEE 1394a FireWire capabilities. The VT6306 provides up to three ports.

Looking at the audio capabilities of the board, we notice that it used the same Realtek ALC850 CODEC. We were quite pleased that the board featured full analog surround output and even offered both optical and coaxial S/PDIF on the rear panel.

A feature filled rear panel, the K8N Neo2 Platinum sports dual LAN, full anaog and digital audio plus a FireWire slot.

The following overclocking options were available to the K8N Neo2 Platinum:-

FSB Settings: 200MHz to 450MHz

AGP Frequency: 66MHz to 100MHz

RAM Frequency: DDR200, DDR266, DDR333, DDR400

CPU Voltage Settings: 0.800V to 1.500V ( in 0.025V steps), +3.3%, +5%, +8%, +10%

Memory Voltage Settings: 2.5V to 2.85V (in 0.025V steps)

AGP Voltage Settings: 1.5V to 1.85V (in 0.025V steps)

D.O.T.: Private (1%), Sergeant (3%), Captain (5%), Colonel (7%), General (10%), Commander (15%)

Multiplier Selection: Yes (unlocked CPUs only)

Additional headers to extend the board's USB and FireWire capabilities. The board only comes with a USB bracket though.

A standard MSI accessory, the K8N Neo2 Platinum bundles their D-Bracket 2 bracket, which provides extra USB slots plus four diagnostics LEDs.

[ Remark ] [ Print ] [ Font: Large Standard Small ]

Last News: Gigabyte GA-8AENXP-D Review
Next News: ABIT AX8 VIA K8T890 Mainboard



	TheThirdMedia Hardware → Mainboard Guide → Mainboard Article > Nvidia nForce3 Ultra Motherboard Roundup