Overclocker motherboards by MSI and Gigabyte (Intel P45)
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Date: 18.09.2008 |
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Today, we are reviewing two top-end motherboards based the Intel P45 chipset. They are both aimed at overclockers and computer enthusiasts. This is seen from the powerful overclocking tools, wide expansion options, and a water-block on the north bridge of the chipset. Introducing Gigabyte EP45-Extreme and MSI P45 Diamond.
Specifications
Gigabyte EP45-Extreme
MSI P45 Diamond
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Gigabyte EP45-Extreme |
MSI P45 Diamond |
| CPU |
- Intel Pentium 4 (Prescott (2M)/Gallatin/CedarMill) with the bus speeds 1066/800/533 MHz;
- Dual-core Intel Pentium D / EE (Smithfield/Presler) with the bus speeds 800/1066 MHz;
- Intel Celeron-D (Conroe-L/Prescott) with the bus speeds 800/533 MHz;
- Support for Intel Core 2 Duo (Kentsfield (4 cores), Conroe/Allendale (2 cores)) with the bus speeds 1066/800 MHz;
- Support for Intel Yorkfield, Wolfdale with the bus speeds 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz;
- Socket LGA775;
- Support for HyperThreading; |
| Chipset |
- North bridge Intel P45 (MCH);
- South bridge Intel ICH10R;
- Interbridge communication: DMI; |
- North bridge Intel P45 (MCH);
- South bridge Intel ICH10R;
- Interbridge communication: DMI; |
| System memory |
- Four 240-pin slots for DDR2 SDRAM DIMM;
- Maximum memory capacity 8GB;
- Supported memory DDR2 667/800/1066/1200*;
- Dual-channel memory access;
- Power indicator; |
- Four 240-pin slots for DDR3 SDRAM DIMM;
- Maximum memory capacity 8GB;
- Supported memory DDR3 800/1066/1333/1600*;
- Dual-channel memory access;
- Power indicator; |
| Graphics |
- Three PCI Express x16 slots; |
- Two PCI Express x16 slots; |
| Expansion options |
- Three 32-bit PCI Bus Master slots;
- One PCI Express x1 slot;
- Twelve USB 2.0 (8 integrated + 4 additional);
- Three IEEE1394 (FireWire; 3 additional);
- Integrated High Definition Audio 7.1;
- Two Gigabit Ethernet LAN controllers; |
- Two 32-bit PCI Bus Master slots;
- Two PCI Express x1 slots;
- Twelve USB 2.0 (8 integrated + 4 additional);
- Two IEEE1394 ports (FireWire; one integrated + one additional);
- Two Gigabit Ethernet LAN controllers; |
| Overclocking options |
- FSB adjustable within 100 to 1200 MHz in 1 MHz increments; multiplier adjustable;
- Adjustable voltage on the CPU, memory, FSB, and the chipset (MCH);
- Gigabyte C.I.A 2;
- EasyTune 5, EasyTune Center; |
- FSB adjustable within 133 to 800 MHz in 1 MHz increments; multiplier adjustable;
- Adjustable voltages on the CPU, memory, FSB, and the chipset (MCH+ICH);
- MSI D.O.T. technology;
- Dual CoreCenter; |
| Disk subsystem |
- 1 link for UltraDMA133/100/66/33 Bus Master IDE (IT8213; with support for up to 2 ATAPI devices);
- Support for SerialATA II (6 links - ICH10R, with support for RAID);
- Support for LS-120 / ZIP / ATAPI CD-ROM; |
- 1 link for UltraDMA133/100/66/33 Bus Master IDE (JMB363; with support for up to two ATAPI devices);
- Support for SerialATA II (6 links - ICH10R, with support for RAID);
- Support for SerialATA II (2 links - JMB363, with support for RAID 0,1, JBOD);
- Support for SerialATA II (2 links - JMB 362);
- Support for LS-120 / ZIP / ATAPI CD-ROM; |
| BIOS |
- 2 x 8 Mbit Flash ROM;
- Award BIOS with support for Enhanced ACPI, DMI, Green, PnP Features, and Trend Chip Away Virus;
- Gigabyte Q-Flash;
- @BIOS and Face-Wizard;
- Gigabyte Virtual Dual BIOS; |
- 32 Mbit Flash ROM;
- AMI BIOS with support for Enhanced ACPI, DMI, Green, PnP Features;
- MSI D-LED;
- MSI LiveUpdate; |
| Misc |
- One port for FDD, one serial port, ports for PS/2 mouse and keyboard;
- STR (Suspend to RAM);
- SPDIF In/Out;
- Buttons to power on and reset, clear the CMOS;
- 7-stage POST indicator; |
- One port for FDD, one serial port, ports for PS/2 mouse and keyboard;
- STR (Suspend to RAM);
- SPDIF Out;
- Buttons to power-on, reset, and clear the CMOS; |
| Power management |
- Wake-up on modem, mouse, keyboard, LAN, timer, and USB;
- Main 24-pin ATX power connector;
- Additional 8-pin power connector; |
- Wake-up on modem, mouse, keyboard, LAN, timer, and USB;
- Main 24-pin ATX power connector;
- Additional 8-pin power connector;
- Additional 4-pin Molex power connector; |
| Monitoring |
- Monitoring the temperatures of the CPU, system, voltages, rotational speeds of the 4 fans;
- Smart Fan;
- EasyTune Center;
- Gigabyte Dynamic Energy Saver; |
- Monitoring the temperatures of the CPU, system, voltages, rotational speeds of the 3 fans;
- Smart Fan;
- Dual CoreCenter;
- MSI Green Power; |
| Dimensions |
- ATX form factor, 245mm x 305mm (9.63" x 12"); |
Retail boxes
Since we got one of the very first specimens of the Gigabyte's board, we can't show the box design and its contents yet. However, the most important item of the package bundle, namely, a huge additional radiator, is there.
As regards the MSI's board, we got already in the retail version, i.e. in a product package and with a complete package bundle. The box itself is rather large (but there is a handle to carry it around):
MSI board's package bundle
- motherboard;
- User's Manual in English + brief usage guide;
- 2x CDs with software & drivers (for XP and Vista);
- CD with a backup utility + user's manual;
- CD with drivers and software for the sound card.
- one ATA-133 cable, one FDD cable;
- 6x SerialATA cables + 2x power supply adapters (2 connectors);
- a cap for the rear panel of the housing;
- a bracket for 2 external SerialATA ports;
- one eSATA cable with a matching power supply adapter;
- kit of additional connectors;
- bracket for an additional FireWire port and 2 USB 2.0 ports;
- a bridge for the CrossFire;
- a kit for plugging in a water-powered cooling system.
- Green Power unit;
- a sound card based on the Creative X-Fi chip;
Based on that, we'll be examining only the package bundle for the MSI's board. There is nothing to complain about the standard items: everything is in place. However, I don't think the buyer would mind getting a couple of adapters for SerialATA devices and one more bracket for two USB2.0 ports. The owners of outdated peripherals would be happy about a bracket with a COM port.
We had nothing to complain about the main documentation of the MSI's motherboard, nor about the CDs with drivers, utilities and third-party software (antivirus software).
Now a few words on the nonstandard items. These include a kit of pipes and unions to plug in a system of fluid cooling (the Gigabyte should also have a kit like that, since there is a water block on it), a plate for two external SerialATA ports, as well as a sound card based on the Creative X-Fi chip, and a Green Power module.
The latter is needed for perfect operation of the Green Power technology. In particular, on plugging this module the Green Power Center utility is able displaying the amount of energy saved.
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