MSI 845PE Max2 FIR socket 478 DDR333
Friday, November 01, 2002
Introduction
Today, we'll be introducing you to the MSI 845PE Max2 FIR motherboard -- the legitimate heir of the 845E Max2.
Much like its immediate predecessor, the 845PE Max2 features both an integrated RAID 0+1 controller, and the D-LED diagnostic system. It improves upon the former's design, however, by adding a 1Gbit network controller (optional), a six-channel C-Media CMI 8738 sound-card (optional), three Firewire ports, and an integrated Bluetooth controller (optional).
Also included in the package are familiar features such as Fuzy Logic 4 (a Windows-compatible Overclocking utility), Live BIOS & Live Drivers for updating the BIOS and system drivers, Live Monitor -- which monitors for driver updates, Live Update 2, and the PC Alert hardware monitoring system.
As expected, the 845PE Max2 is also compatible with 533MHz FSB Pentium 4 CPUs, ATA133 drives (via its built-in RAID controller), and DDR333 memory.
In short, the 845PE Max2 is one fully-loaded piece of equipment, and we invite you to follow us along with our analysis.
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Characteristics of the
MSI 845PE Max2 FIR
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CPU
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Socket 478 supports the
Intel Pentium 4 processor
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Chipset
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Intel 82845PE & 82801DA
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Form factor
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ATX - 30.5cm X 24.5cm
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Expansion
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6 PCI - 1 AGP - 1 CNR - 6 USB 2.0
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Memory
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3X 184-pin DIMM up to 2GB DDR SDRAM 200/266/333Mhz
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FSB
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100Mhz to 233 Mhz in steps of 1Mhz
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Vcore adj.
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1.5v to 1.8v in steps of 0.025 Volt
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DDR Vadj. / AGP Vadj
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DDR= 2.5v to 2.8v enin steps of 0.10v, AGP= 1.5v to 1.8v in steps of 0.10V
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Audio chipset |
C-Media CMI 8738 |
Audio
The MSI 845PE Max2 FIR's sound capabilities are provided by an integrated C-Media CMI8738 audio-chip. The CMI8738 supports 5.1 speaker-configurations, with 4 to 6 lines-out, including a center base-channel.
As part of its optional equipment, the MSI 845PE Max2 FIR also includes RCA, and optical ports for editing incoming and outgoing signals.
From a sound quality reproduction standpoint, the C-Media¨ CMI8738 has very little to envy of other audio-chips. It supports up to 32 polyphonic voices, EAX effects, and supports both Microsoft DirectSound 3D, DirectX 8.0, and Aureal A3D.
Configuration
The MSI 845PE Max2 FIR only includes a handful of jumpers, none of which effects CPU settings. Most configuration settings are made from within the BIOS.
The "Advanced Chipset Features" menu, for instance, allows users to set the FSB frequency to between 100Mhz and 233Mhz an 1MHz increments, or else allow the system to determine a proper frequency automatically.
Various other system component settings can also be adjusted either automatically, or manually. For those who choose the former, they will find themselves able to set the asynchronous memory bus frequency to 266/333/355Mhz, choose an FSB/AGP/PCI ratio, and set the Vcore voltage (1.5 to 1.8 Volts), the DDR voltage (2.5 to 2.8 Volts), and the AGP voltage (1.5 to 1.8 Volt).
Last but not least, the BIOS also provides the users with the option to tweak numerous memory timings.
Next: Technical details.
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