However, this statement needs to be double-checked. We performed some tests with a dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 processor before, it was overclocked to 3.43GHz, however, quad-core processors create much higher workload. For our final evaluation of Circu-Pipe cooling system efficiency we needed to perform additional tests with a quad-core processor. We overclocked a pretty hot Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 processor on Kentsfield B3 core revision to 3.4GHz and kept it running under full load with Prime95 utility.
MSI P35 Platinum Combo mainboard cannot monitor chipset temperature that is why we had to rely on our subjective estimates. As a result of this experiment, the heatsinks and heatpipes warmed up quite a bit, but that was about it. It is dramatically differ from what we aw on other mainboards, where heatsinks were so hot, we could barely touch them. in other words, Circu-Pipe system is a really efficient cooling solution. No wonder, MSI Company continued using it for all flagship products based on Intel X38 and X48 chipsets. The only thing you should keep in mind at all times, though, is the limited compatibility of Circu-Pipe system with large processor coolers. However, on the other hand, you will hardly ever have to figure out optimal ways of fastening an additional fan to any of the heatsinks or reducing its rotation speed.
Actually, there is nothing else we could add about the features of the upper part of the mainboard PCB. We could probably draw your attention to the fact that the four-phase voltage regulator of the MSI P35 Platinum Combo mainboard uses the same solid-state capacitors as the rest of the board. The power connectors are located pretty conveniently, although we had to use an extender to get to the 8-pin ATX12V connector.
The lower part of the mainboard PCB gives us a lot more things to talk about:
MSI P35 Platinum Combo mainboard features the following expansion slots: two PCI Express x16 (with CrossFire support), two PCI Express x1 and two PCI slots. Only the first PCI Express x16 slot works at full x16 speed. The second (yellow) one shares the bandwidth with two PCI Express x1 slots. If there is a card installed into at least one PCI Express x1 slot, it changes to PCI Express x2 mode; if there are no other cards in the system, it works as PCI Express x4. The modes are switched automatically, but you can also set them manually in the mainboard BIOS.
The mainboard ports and connectors are all color-coded for your convenience. Another pleasing fact is that the traditional Clear CMOS jumper has been replaced with a convenient button. The only thing we can probably complain about is a not very conveniently located FDD connector, but since floppy disks become more obsolete this drawback loses its acuteness.
MSI P35 Platinum Combo mainboard feature an eight-channel Realtek ALC888 audio-controller, Realtek RTL8111B gigabit network controller, VIA VT6308P chip that provides IEEE1394 support and Marvell 88SE6111 controller that allows connecting two Parallel ATA and one Serial ATA devices. If you have a lot of SATA hard drives, you may be a little upset that there are only four SATA ports laid out on the board, although the Intel ICH9R South Bridge supports 6, however, they didn’t disappear anywhere, but are laid out on the mainboard rear panel as eSATA.
Besides two PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse, there is also a set of four USB ports, an optical SPDIF and IEEE1394 (a bracket with additional IEEE1394 port is bundled with the board). Then there is another set of two USB ports, a network RJ45 connector, a pair of eSATA we have already mentioned above and six audio-jacks.
Now we should only point out that MSI P35 Platinum Combo mainboard features five three-pin fan connectors. The sixth one is a four-pin connector for the processor cooler. The mainboard is also loaded with a lot of LEDs of all kinds:
The LEDs marked as LED1 through LED6 located near the memory slots indicate if the slot is working. LED17-LED22 will light up the same way if the corresponding expansion cards are installed. LED15 indicates if the mainboard receives control power, and LED16 shows when the mainboard is powered on and running. The remaining eight LEDs (LED7-LED14) serve for diagnostic purposes and replace the POST-indicator. They are split in four groups, 2 in each, where one LED is a red one and another is a green one. The color combinations that are explained in the user’s manual allow you to determine when the booting stopped at POST stage.
All these LEDs together with the glowing words on the DDR2 / DDR3 Switch Cards create a very fun picture that you can see through a transparent side panel of your system case:
However, some of you may find these LEDs annoyingly bright and there is no way to manually disable them.
