MSI P45 Neo2-FR - motherboard - ATX - iP45

Description: The MSI P45 is an Intel P45 Express-based, PC motherboard.Compared to other PC boards on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $155.This motherboard supports Core 2 processors that use the LGA775 interface.

Pros: Is built around an Intel P45 Express-based chipset, which is considerably more robust than some similarly priced boards.Also, this board supports up to 16GB of RAM, which is somewhat more than some similarly priced boards.By way of comparison, the average cost of a product with this large an of RAM is $350.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: For those who want to replace or upgrade their existing motherboard.

Value: Given its relatively inexpensive price, this board has good features for the money.

Suggestions: (1) Be sure that you are using a LGA775-compatible processor with this motherboard.(2) If you want to take full advantage of the on-board SATA controller, you will want to consider a hard drive upgrade.Existing IDE hard drives will run on the ATA-133 bus.(3) For motherboard add-ons, check out the storage and components section of CNET's website.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: MSI Computer Corp.
• Part Number: P45 NEO2-FR

• General

• Product type (AE) Motherboard
• Form factor ATX
• Width 9.6 in
• Depth 12 in
• Compatible Processors Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme
• 64-bit Processor Compatibility Yes
• Mainboard processor socket LGA775 Socket
• Mainboard / Multi-Core Support Dual-Core / Quad-core
• Chipset Type Intel P45 Express / Intel ICH10R
• Data bus speed 1333 MHz
• Storage key information ATA-133, Serial ATA-300 (RAID)
• Power connectors 4-pin ATX12V connector, 8-pin ATX12V connector, 24-pin main power connector

• Processor

• Installed Qty (Max Supported) 0 ( 1 )

• Memory

• Cache Memory Type None
• Supported RAM Technology DDR2 SDRAM
• RAM Installed ( Max ) 0 MB / 16 GB (max)
• Supported RAM Speed PC2-6400
• RAM Features Unbuffered

• Audio

• Audio Output Sound card
• Sound Output Mode 7.1 channel surround
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio

• Telecom / Networking

• Modem None
• Networking Network adapter - Realtek RTL8111C - Ethernet, - Fast Ethernet, - Gigabit Ethernet

• Features

• BIOS Features MSI DrMOS, DMI support, ACPI 2.0 support
• Hardware Features Heat pipe chipset cooling, ATI CrossFire technology support, All-Solid Capacitor motherboard Design

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 Processor - LGA775 Socket, 4 Memory ( 1.8 V ) - DIMM 240-pin, 2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 ( CrossFire: x8, x8 mode; single card: x16 mode ), 2 PCI Express x1, 2 PCI ( 3.3 V/ 5 V )
• Storage Interfaces JMicron JMB363 : ATA-133 - connector(s): 1 x 40pin IDC - 2 device(s), JMicron JMB363 : Serial ATA-300 - connector(s): 2 x 7pin Serial ATA - 2 device(s), Intel ICH10R : Serial ATA-300 - connector(s): 6 x 7pin Serial ATA - 6 device(s) - RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 10 / RAID 5
• Interfaces 1 x Mouse - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 1 x Keyboard - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 6 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Audio - Line-in, 1 x Audio - Line-out, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - Line-out (center/subwoofer), 1 x Audio - Line-out (rear), 1 x Audio - Line-out (side surround), 1 x Audio - Line-in - 4 pin MPC, 1 x Storage - Floppy interface - 34 pin IDC
• Additional connectors (optional) 6 x Hi-Speed USB

• Miscellaneous

• Microsoft Certifications Compatible with Windows 7
• Compliant Standards ACPI, Plug and Play

MSI Computer Corp.

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.msicomputer.com/
• Address: 901 Canada Court, City of Industry, CA. 91748
• Phone: 1-626-913-0828
• Email: chadl@msicomputer.com
• Fax: 1-626-913-0818