Conclusion

Although the results of our today’s test session didn’t make an unforgettable impression, among the truly remarkable things we should definitely point out a very convenient TroubleShoot Poster. We have to admit that things have improved noticeably compared with the MSI P35 Platinum mainboard series. For example, the mainboard didn’t experience the same operation malfunctions as the ones we encountered with the P35 Platinum Combo board reviewed recently. However, we can’t help pointing out a definite change for the worse: the fanless Circu-Pipe cooling system can no longer ensure proper chipset cooling efficiency. Anyway, in the very beginning of this review we agreed to compare MSI X48 Platinum against the best Intel X38 Express based solutions, but here MSI X48 Platinum couldn’t outperform ASUS Maximus Extreme, especially when it came to working with the memory subsystem.

However, there is no cause for frustration. Intel X48 Express chipset hasn’t been officially announced yet, so until then MSI has all the time to fix the BIOS issues and may even roll out a new mainboard revision of the MSI X48 Platinum. The really sad thing is that mainboards based on Intel flagship chipsets such as X48 Express and X38 Express do not look as attractive as their younger relatives from the Intel P35 Express series. The chipset price is very high, around $70, which is twice as much as the price of P35. If this is the price of the chipset alone, then the mainboard based on it will start at around $350 or even $400. And why would we go for the flagship solution if it doesn’t differ that much from the well established Intel P35 based product neither in speed nor in functionality?

So, we will continue studying top solutions on Intel X38/X48 Express chipsets, purchasing something adequate from the price to performance prospective on Intel P35 and wait for the summer. Because in summer we should see new promising Intel P45 Express based mainboards. As for Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 processor and its degradation, we will continue monitoring this case and will keep you posted about all the changes we encounter.