Introduction

With the announcement of quad-core processors, 45nm technology, DDR3 and Bearlake, Intel's initial codename for their P35 series of chipset, MSI kick-started their PC2008 campaign with a fresh range of products that features next generation technology moving into the year 2008. The MSI P35 Platinum motherboard reviewed a little more than a month ago was their flagship motherboard based on the Intel P35 chipset and featuring their Circu-Pipe cooling technology.

Since the motherboard market isn't just made up of overclockers and enthusiasts, MSI has a comprehensive lineup of their new Bearlake motherboards for the masses, all featuring their new PC2008 market branding, which incidentally is a mechanized bear claw. At the entry-level segment, we have the MSI P35 Neo and its hybrid brother, the P35 Neo Combo. In this review, we take a closer look at the P35 Neo Combo.

The MSI P35 Neo Combo motherboard.

The P35 Neo Combo is the mainstream entry in this lineup, with full support for Intel's upcoming 45nm processors as well as native 1333MHz FSB. With the dual memory controller of the P35 chipset, the P35 Neo Combo carries both DDR2 and DDR3 memory slots to allow for an easier transition and upgrading in the future.

As a budget board, the P35 Neo Combo comes with a small set of bundled peripherals, but surprisingly a healthy amount of connector brackets are included. Be aware however, that MSI lists the USB and FireWire bracket as 'optional', so they may not be included in the standard box in certain areas.

1 x SATA data cable

1 x SATA power converter cable

1 x 80-conductor Ultra ATA data cable

1 x floppy drive data cable

USB 2.0 Bracket (4 ports)

FireWire Bracket (1 port)

I/O shield

Driver CDs

User's guide

MSI P35 Neo Combo Technical Specifications

CPU Support	Supports all 90nm/65nm Intel LGA775 processors 45nm ready (Wolfdale & Yorkfield) Quad-Core Optimized
Chipset	Northbridge: Intel P35 800 / 1066 / 1333MHz front side bus PCI Express x16 for graphics Southbridge: Intel ICH9 Intel High Definition Audio Supports six PCI Express x1 lanes Supports up to twelve USB 2.0 ports Supports four SATA 3.0Gbps ports Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps MAC
Memory	Two unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 SDRAM Two unbuffered DIMM of 1.5 Volt DDR3 SDRAM Supports 533-1066MHz dual channel DDR2 memory architecture, 4GB max Supports 800-1333MHz dual channel DDR3 memory architecture, 4GB max
Storage	Intel ICH9 Southbridge 4 x SATA 3.0Gbps interface Marvell 88SE6111 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 ALC888 HD Audio CODEC
Networking	Realtek RTL8111B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet LOM
IEEE 1394 (FireWire)	VIA VT6308P FireWire controller 2 x 1394a ports @ 400 Mbps speed
I/O Interface	1 x Floppy connector 1 x Ultra ATA IDE connectors 5 x SATA connectors 12 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x rear, 8 x header) 2 x IEEE 1394a ports (1 x rear, 1 x header) 1 x RJ45 LAN port 8-Channel Audio I/O ports 1 x COM port 1 x mini-DIN-6 PS/2 mouse port 1 x mini-DIN-6 PS/2 keyboard port
Expansion Slots	1 x PCIe x16 slots, PCI Express Bus specification v1.1 compliant 3 x PCIe x1 slots, PCI Express Bus specification v1.1 compliant 2 x 32-bit PCI slots, PCI 2.3 compliant
Special Features	MSI Dual Core Center Dual memory support
PCB	ATX Form Factor, 12"x 9.6"(30.5cm x 24.4cm)

Uncluttered rear I/O panel comes with legacy PS/2, Parallel, Serial ports along with four USB 2.0, one FireWire, one RJ45 ports, and analog surround sound jacks. No S/PDIF in sight though.