Introduction
Not too long ago, we took a look at the budget side of things when we reviewed MSI's
P965 Neo
motherboard. Based on the Intel Broadwater platform, the P965 Neo proved to be a stable and reliable workhorse for the mainstream desktop PC. However, its lack of features and limited overlcocking capability did not make it such an appealing motherboard for enthusiasts. However, MSI does offer a beefier P965 motherboard under their Platinum series and the P965 Platinum is designed to take over where the P965 Neo leaves off.
MSI P965 Platinum motherboard.
|
Since MSI is one of the more prominent motherboard manufacturers around, we've decided to give the P965 Platinum a go to see if it offers a better value than the P965 Neo for users who will be transitioning towards the Intel Core 2 processor.
MSI P965 Platinum Technical Specifications
| CPU Support | - Supports
90nm/65nm LGA775
processor package
- Supports Intel Core 2 Duo /
Core 2 Extreme
- Supports Intel Pentium
D / Pentium
Processor Extreme Edition
- Supports
Intel Pentium
4 / Pentium 4 Extreme Edition
- Intel
Virtualization Technology ready
|
| Chipset | - Northbridge:
Intel P965
- 533 / 800 /
1066MHz front side bus
- PCI Express x16
graphics
- Southbridge:
Intel
ICH8R
- Intel High
Definition Audio
- Supports six PCI
Express x1 lanes
- Supports up to ten USB 2.0 ports
- Supports six SATA 3.0Gbps ports (with Matrix Storage
Technology)
- Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps MAC
- Intel Quiet System Technology
|
| Memory |
- Supports four
unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 SDRAM
- Supports 800/677/533/400
dual channel DDR2 memory
architecture
|
| Storage |
- Intel ICH8R
Southbridge
- 6 x SATA 3.0Gbps
interface
- Intel Matrix
Storage Technology
- Supports RAID 0,
RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, RAID 10
- eSATA support
- JMicron JMB361 Controller
- 1 x Ultra
ATA
33/66/100/133 (data transfer rate up to
133MB/sec.)
- 1 x SATA 3.0Gbps interface
|
| Audio | - Intel
High Definition
Audio (Azalia)
- Realtek ALC883 HD
Audio CODEC
- Optical and coaxial S/PDIF
|
| Networking |
- Realtek RTL8111B PCI
Express Gigabit Ethernet controller
|
| IEEE 1394 (FireWire) |
- VIA VT6307 FireWire controller
- 2 x
1394a
ports @ 400
Mbps speed
|
| I/O Interface | - 1
x Floppy connector
- 1 x Ultra ATA
IDE connectors
- 7 x SATA
connectors
- 10 x USB 2.0
ports (4 x rear, 6 x header)
- 2 x IEEE
1394a ports (1 x rear, 1 x bracket)
- 1 x
RJ45 LAN
port
- 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF
Output
- 1 x Optical S/PDIF
Output
- 8-Channel Audio I/O
ports
- 1 x 9-pin serial port
- 1
x parallel port
- 1 x mini-DIN-6 PS/2
mouse port
- 1 x mini-DIN-6 PS/2
keyboard port
|
| Expansion Slots | - 2 x
PCIe x16
slots,
PCI Express Bus specification v1.0a
compliant
- 2 x PCIe x1
slots, PCI
Express Bus specification v1.0a
compliant
- 2 x 32-bit
PCI slots,
PCI 2.3 compliant
|
| Special Features | - D.O.T.
Express (Dynamic Overclocking Technology)
- Dual
CoreCell Technology
|
| PCB | - ATX Form
Factor, 12"x
9.6"(30.5cm x 24.4cm)
|
Fully featured rear I/O panel with complete analog and digital audio jacks, USB 2.0, FireWire, LAN and legacy ports.
|
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