MSI P35 Neo Combo

computer motherboard 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 computer motherboard based on the Intel P35 chipset and featuring their Circu-Pipe cooling technology.
Since the computer 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, there are the MSI P35 Neo motherboard and its hybrid brother, the P35 Neo Combo.
The P35 Neo Combo is the mainstream entry motherboard 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 motherboard carries both DDR2 and DDR3 memory slots to allow for an easier transition and upgrading in the future. As a budget motherboard, 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.
The list bellow is some technical data of this MSI computer motherboard :

  • Processor : Intel LGA775 processors (45nm ready -- Wolfdale and Yorkfield)
  • Chipset : Intel P35 / ICH9
  • FSB : 800 / 1066 / 1333 MHz
  • Memory : 2 x DDR2 (533/677/800/1066 MHz); 2 x DDR3 (800/1066/1333 MHz)
  • Multiplier : Auto
  • Form Factor : ATX (30.5cm x 24.4cm)
  • AGP/PCI/PCIe x16/PCIe x4/PCIe x1 : 0/2/1/0/3
  • USB/FireWire/Serial/Paralel : 4(8)/1(1)/1/1
  • PATA/SATA/eSATA : 1/5/0
  • Audio : Intel High Definition Audio (Azalia); Realtek ALC888 HD Audio CODEC