Advantages: Value for money, competent integrated hardware (especially the sound) Disadvantages: Geforce2 MX a little dated for todays games
I was building a PC on a budget over a year ago, and was looking for a solution that offered a good price/performance ratio. It was then that I stumbled across a new concept in motherboards - nVidias nForce chipset.
>Overview<
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This MSImotherboard utilises nVidia's nForce chipset.
nVidias nForce (now superceded by the nForce2 and 3) was and is a milestone in motherboard technology. Never before had so many competent technologies been bundled into one board.
The chipset main features are:
Support for Duron/Athlon/XP processors with an FSB of 100/133mhz
...and thus 200/266mhz DDR RAM memory in DUAL CHANNEL mode.
Integrated nVidia Geforce2MX-class 'crush' graphics
Integrated nVidia SoundStorm Dolby Digital 5.1 sound
Onboard Networking
As far as CPU support goes, I think this goes up to the Athlon XP ...
Advantages: Easy to install, reliable and cheap for such a high quality product. Disadvantages: Oddly placed FDD header
The MSI K9N Neo-F
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I've never written a motherboard review before so I hope I cover everything you need to know.
AVAILABILITY:
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This item should be in the £40-£50 price range.
It is I would consider a higher mid range board.
Specs:
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ATX
This is an ATX sized motherboard. It will fit in midi or full sized tower cases. It will not fit in mini ATX cases.
Processor = SOCKET AM2
This is a Socket AM2 motherboard.
For: AMD ATHLON 64's, Semprons And Athlon dual cores aka X2's.
RAM = DDR2
This board supports the 240 pin DDR 2 standard. It will take PC4200 PC5300 & PC6400 sticks of ram.
PCIE Graphics.
This will take a PCIE x16 Graphics card. It will not work with AGP cards. PCIE is the more recent technology.
Chipset ...
Advantages: Well planned layout, good spec Disadvantages: none really
When I burnt my other mainboard out (an aging p2 MSI variant) I needed something urgently to replace it - being mid program.
So, off I went to my usual websites, and spotted this. It seemed to have reasonable reviews, so i purchased one not thinking it'd be hugely special, just reliable and simple.
Boy, was I suprised!
First off, its well laid out - everything is accessable, labelled and well explained in the manual.
Second of all, its thoughtfully spec'd. rather than clutter the board with the aging IDE ports, they've put a bank of SATA connectors, and only one IDE for a floppy drive (should you install one!).
Furthermore, the onboard chipset is cooled quietly, wires don't need a huge stretch to fit into the appropriate port, and the colour coding is clear, rather than all the same boring beige.
In use, the board is, quite ...
1 x audio - line-out (side surround) - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x audio - line-out (rear) - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x audio - line-out (centre/subwoofer) - mini-phone 3.5mm
4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45
1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x display / video - DVI-Digital - 24 pin digital DVI
1 x display / video - HDMI - 19 pin HDMI Type A
Additional Connectors (Optional)
6 x Hi-Speed USB
Miscellaneous
Software Included
Drivers & Utilities, MSI Live Update 4, MSI Dual Core Center
Compliant Standards
Plug and Play
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since
04/01/2010
Manufacturer's product description
PRODUCT FEATURES: Longer lifespan than electrolytic capacitors Endurable to operation under higher frequency & temperature A choke is an inductor responsible for storing power and regulates the current All shielded choke could reduce core power loss, lower EMI interference Store energy longer at higher frequency, achieving higher efficiency Support NVIDIA hybrid SLI technology Boost 3D graphics performance with GeForce8400/8500 graphics card Key components status hardware monitor
Related tags for MSI P7NGM-Digital - motherboard - micro ATX - GF 9300 / nForce 730i »
