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- Date:
- Wednesday, October 20, 2004
- Author:
- Morry Teitelman
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
MSI 915P Neo2 Platinum
The 915P Neo2 Platinum is MSI’s premier of the Intel 915P chipset and DDR2. We put the 915P Neo2 through our usual benchmarks, stress testing, and BIOS tweaking suite and give you the results.
Introduction
MSI, also known as MicroStar International, is a well established brand among enthusiasts world wide. MSI is known for its commitment to enthusiast friendly technological innovation and quality designs. Most recently, their integrated CoreCell dynamic overclocking technology has proven their dedication to the overclocking art. The socket 775 chipsets present MSI with another chance to prove their innovative spirit.
The 915P Neo2 Platinum is among MSI’s forerunners based on the LGA 775 socket. MSI chose to use the Intel 915P chipset, which boasts full support for all LGA775 based processors, DDR and DDR2 RAM operating in Dual Channel mode, as well as PCI Express type devices. The 915P Neo2 is a feature complete solution, requiring the addition of processor, DDR2 memory, video card, and drives. MSI chose to integrate the following in to the 915P Neo2’s design: 3 IDE ATA-133 port (2 RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 capable through VIA RAID controller); 4 SATA-150 ports (RAID 0, 1, and 0+1 capable); 8 USB 2.0 capable ports (4 in rear panel, and 2 onboard headers supporting 2 ports each); 3 IEEE 1394 capable ports (3 onboard headers supporting 1 port each); Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet jack; C-Media 7.1 channel audio codec featuring S/PDIF RCA and optical output ports; D-Bracket2 supporting 4 LED diagnostic display; and serial, and PS/2 port support.
Main Specifications Overview:
CPU | Intel LGA775 based processors |
Chipset | Intel 915P / ICH6R |
FSB | 800 / 533 MHz |
BIOS | AMI BIOS |
Memory | 4 240-pin DDR2 DIMMS, up to 4 GB |
Expansion slots | 1 x PCI-Express x16 slot, 2 x PCI-Express x1 slots, 3 x PCI slots |
Onboard IDE | 1 x ATA 133 ports; 2 x ATA 133 RAID 0, 1, 0+1 capable ports; 4 x SATA 150 RAID 0, 1, 0+1 capable ports |
USB 2.0 | 4 rear panel / 2 headers supporting 2 ports each (8 ports total) |
IEEE 1394 | 3 headers supporting 1 port each (3 ports total) |
Audio | 8-Channel C-Media codec with S/PDIF RCA and optical output ports |
NIC | Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet controller in rear panel |
Detailed Mainboard Specification List:
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Packaging
MSI went with a sci-fi inspired theme on the box front. The chipset used on the board, as well as the type of CPU required, is very prominently displayed along the bottom edge of the box. MSI includes the following components packaged in with the board: rounded ATA 133 and floppy cables, SATA 150 cables, dual ended SATA power cables, D-Bracket2 rear bracket containing 4 LED diagnostic display and 2 USB 2.0 ports, rear bracket containing 2 IEEE 1394 ports, and the normal complement of driver CDs and manuals.
Board Layout
MSI has a well thought out design in the 915P Neo2, with components spaced out well enough so as to not get in the way of each other. The one shortcoming on the board is the lack of active cooling over the MOSFETs or the Northbridge. For stock operation, passive cooling works out fine. However, you need at least a fan blowing over the MOSFETs and Northbridge to remain stable while overclocking. The board tested is clearly marked as a version 1.0A revision product. MSI chose capacitors from the following manufacturers: United Chemi-Con (USA, Japan) - marked as KZE and KZG; Nichicon (Japan); Teapo (Taiwan); and Rubycon (Japan) - marked as MBZ.
The area directly around the CPU socket is relatively clear of obstructions, with some low laying capacitors above and to the right of the socket. These capacitors should not cause issues with heatsink or waterblock mounting though. The board itself is designed to use the standard 4 hole LAG775 based heatsink mounting mechanism. The 915P Northbridge chipset is located to the left of the CPU socket, covered with a good sized aluminum heatsink. The heatsink is held to the board via top mounted wire loops on opposite sides of the board’s surface. The BIOS monitored NBFAN1 header is located to the upper left of the Northbridge, with the ATX12V connector located to the right of the fan header. Take note that MSI chose to passively cool some of the CPU power MOSFETS with aluminum heatsinks, a very welcome addition in light of the power requirements of some of the socket 775 CPUs. The BIOS monitored CPUFAN2 header is located to the lower right of the LGA775 socket.
The 915P Neo2 comes standard with a total of 4 DDR2 DIMM slots, which are located below the CPU socket and Northbridge chipset. The DIMM slots themselves are arranged in a 2 sets of two configuration, with each set color coded differently. This color scheme could become confusing when attempting to run the board in Dual Channel memory mode. The DIMMs must be placed across sets, in different colored slots, in order for Dual Channel mode to become active. Just below the lower set of DIMM slots are one of the board’s ATA-133 IDE ports, the floppy port, the 24-pin ATX connector, and JLPC1 header. The 24-pin ATX connector is compatible with both the older style 20-pin ATX connectors as well as the newer 24-pin connectors. The JLPC1 header is used for board level debugging purposes by the manufacturer, and should be left alone under normal circumstances.
The board comes standard with the RAID capable ICH6R Southbridge chipset, which is located below the CMOS battery and the MSI CoreCell dynamic overclocking chipset. Note that the Southbridge itself is passively cooled with a small aluminum heatsink. The heatsink is held to the chipset using wire loops on opposite sides on the top of the board. Just below the Southbridge are its 4 SATA RAID capable SATA ports. To the right of the lower set of the SATA ports are the CMOS reset jumper, labeled JBAT1, and the BIOS monitored SYSFAN1 and PWRFAN1 headers. To the left of the SATA ports are the 2 ATA-133 RAID capable IDE ports, with the VIA RAID controller mounting just above them. Along the lower left edge of the board are the front panel jumpers, color coded for ease of use, the JDB1 header, the 2 onboard USB 2.0 headers, and the 3 IEEE 1394 headers. The JDB1 header connects to the 4 LED diagnostic display on the D-Bracket2 rear system bracket.
The 915P Neo2 comes standard with a total of 1 x16 PCI-Express slot, 2 x1 PCI-Express slots, and 3 PCI slots. The front pant audio header, JAUD2, is located to the upper left of the third PCI slot. The CD_IN port is located above PCI slots 2 and 3.
MSI designed the following ports in to the 915P Neo2: PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports; serial and parallel ports; RCA an optical S/PDIF output ports, 4 USB 2.0 ports;1 Broadcom Gigabit LAN Ethernet port; and 5 analogue audio ports.
CoreCenter
Keeping with current technological trends in the field, MSI has designed their own BIOS type overclocking chipset, coined CoreCell. This CoreCell chipset controls all aspects of system FSB and voltage performance. MSI also developed a windows interface to directly interact with their CoreCell chipset, dubbed CoreCenter. CoreCenter allows for both manual and dynamic FSB and voltage manipulation directly from within windows. It also provides real-time statistics on all monitored system temperatures, voltages, and monitored fan speeds. You also have the option of manipulating the alarm thresholds for monitored temperatures and fan speeds.