MSI P45 Platinum
P45 Platinum Continued
This ‘sink is quite extensive, and has a thin, black "Dr MOS" shroud across the top. Partially there to show off the DrMOS feature, and also there to direct airflow underneath the shroud, and across the heatsink beneath it. One heatpipe continues on through this ‘sink and follows around to the CPU area of the board.
Click to enlarge
Underneath which is the 8pin CPU power connector.
Click to enlarge
Sitting next to the CPU socket is the final stage in the cooling of the board, a small heatsink with another MSI shroud across the top.
Click to enlarge
Flipping the entire P45 board around, the PWM heatsink is visible next to all the rear port connectors. There are the now, oft omitted PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports, 4 widely spaced USB2 connectors (to allow for large flash drives to sit comfortably next to each other), beneath which is a IEEE1394 port, eSATA and display port; port. On the other side of the heatsink is a single RJ45 jack, two more USB connectors and 6x 3mm audio slots.
Click to enlarge
Jumping back to the bottom of the board is a favourite feature of reviewers and serious overclockers everywhere, the on-board reset and power switches. These allow for those using the board out of a case, to not have to mess with the pain-in-the-ass cables that need to be connected to use a traditional power button.
Click to enlarge
Next to the 2nd PCI-e 16x port is the Realtek audio chip. It’s a shame not to see the Creative X-Fi chip seen on some previous MSI boards, as even though it was the low end of the X-Fi range, it did provide access to some of the software features only X-Fi based chips can benefit from.
If you’re willing to pay a few extra bucks for the Diamond version of this board, then you do receive a bundled X-Fi Xtreme Audio card. Platinum owners have to make do with Realtek.
Click to enlarge
Next to the PWM area, are full shielded chokes (pictured below with R50 labeling), which have a longer operational life and lower operating temperatures than older generation chokes.
Click to enlarge
The DDR2 ports are colour coded to show where the modules should be placed to enable dual channel mode.
Click to enlarge
More shielded chokes and solid capacitors at the far end of the DDR2 slots.
Click to enlarge
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Reply