MSI X58 Platinum

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Introduction :

In this Roundup we take a look at six motherboards, the MSI X58 Platinum, the Gigabyte EX58-UD4P, the Foxconn Blood Rage, the Foxconn Renaissance, the Asus Rampage II Extreme and Asus P6T6 WAS Revolution. In this first part, the X58 Platinum from MSI's turn.

We have different benchmarks so that we can compare performance. In addition to the performance are also the energy consumption, heat and of course the featureset of the signs at issue.

All signs use the X58 + ICH10R chipset, supporting the three Core i7 processors - the Core i7 920, 940 and 965 Extreme - and therefore make use of DDR3 memory. In order to clarify the differences, the six panels together in an overview of features and functions.

[1] slots marked by speed, not the physical size.
[2] open-ended slot
[3] number in parentheses indicates the ports via an onboard header or port can be connected.

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Specifications and prices

The first sign of this Roundup is the MSI X58 Platinum. The Platinum is the most comprehensive model of the X58 chipset that MSI currently has placed on the market. Furthermore they have the X58 Platinum SLI and X58 Eclipse in the range. Least extended would not say that the sign is not complete, because there is a very complete feature set provided.

Price of MSI X58 Platinum is approx. Rs.15,400.

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Under the microscope

Unlike the previous Platinum models with other chipsets, this board a small heatsink. The featureset of the board is not less extensive than desirable. The board provides three pci-e x1 slots, two PCI-e x16 slots and two PCI slots. The top slot is a x1 slot, followed by a x16 slot. Below are two x1 slots and the second x16 slot, with the bottom two pci slots. In this way there is more than enough space between the two x16 slots with big video cards. The board supports ATI's Crossfire that two video cards can be used. SLI is not supported on this board, it should start looking the X58 SLI Platinum from MSI.

From left to right into the heat sinks of the P35 Platinum, P45 Platinum and X58 Platinum

There are six DIMM slots for up to 24GB placed DDR3 triple channel memory that can be rotated. In addition there are six SATA ports on the ICH10R south bridge, two on a JMicron JMB363 chip, like an old pata port. MSI has also chosen to Platinum for the floppy drive connector to omit, as we previously in the MSI Eclipse saw.

On the back of the board we find two PS / 2 connector, eight USB ports, one eSATA connector and a firewire connector. The sound is in addition to the usual six 3.5mm jack optical connector next to the firewire interface. Also we find here two network connections for the two Realtek 8111 Gigabit network chips that are. On the board are two headers for USB interfaces, bringing the total to twelve, and there is a header for half firewire connection. For connecting fans, there are six fanheaders present on the motherboard, which fanheader for the cpu fan 4pin a copy and so on PWM has the remaining five are standard 3pin headers.

On the back of the board is next to the eSATA connector a CMOS reset button. This can be used to reset the CMOS without opening the computer case needs to be made. On the board itself are still a reset button and on / off button can be used if the board is not in a cabinet is built. Especially when overclocking setups, or a test for example, a review is very useful.

The P45 boards introduced MSI-jumpers for overclocking the FSB could be put down, so this is not in the bios have to be done. This function has remained in the X58, but the jumpers are replaced by a dipswitch. This is the clock function much easier to use.

In the box we find not only the motherboard but also the necessary accessories. In addition to the manual is an installation poster, a quick guide and a guide to the hdd back-up tape of the supplied equipment. Of course there is also a driver CD, a disk with software, an i / o shield, a CrossFire bridge and a number of m-connectors. This m-connectors can easily loose cables, for example, a USB header on the motherboard are connected. In addition, four SATA cables, two SATA cables, a PATA cable and a floppy cable. The latter is remarkable, since there is no floppy drive connector on the motherboard.

MSI makes their use of signs DrMos. DrMos is a collective name for Green Power, Xpress Cool and Rapid Boost. Green Power can be used to power the motherboard reduction. Cool Xpress is the name of the heat pipes used and its cooling. Rapid Boost is a tool with which the system can be easily geklokt through a set of values.

DrMos includes the use of sustainable elements, as one of the main characteristics of this technique. The use of solid capacitors leaking capacitors can be avoided. A board with an X58 chipset, you can expect that a lot of current through the parts of the billboard is so durable components to be important.

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Bios and software

The theater offers the standard features that we find in any theater a few other things. The Cell-Menu can be used for overclocking the system. This menu offers extensive opportunities for the institutions of the cpu and pci and pci express slots, too. The Cell Menu has DOT, the Dynamic Overclocking Technology. It can be used to make the system automatically to bell if more of the system required. In addition, memory-Z present, this may vary DIMM SPD to be read.

The second significant feature is' Green Power '. This menu allows the consumption of the system are viewed in the pout. Unfortunately we see this same problem as the P45 boards from MSI. Consumption appears between the 11W and 13W to fluctuate, a value that is clearly not correct, but this problem is probably with a bios update to resolve.

In addition, the Green Power efficiency of the system. How reliable is this view, the question remains as consumption is not clearly shown, and no measurements can be made from food. The efficiency of the components of the board were to some extent can be measured, but this says little about the whole system.

MSI offers by means of M-Flash the ability to easily update the bios from a fat or fat32 device. Previously it was using a DOS-tool or via live update and both methods were not ideal. Especially with the disappearance of the floppy connector is a boot disk again, more complicated and only a CD to burn a bios update is not ideal. Updating from a USB stick in this case is much easier.

Software

The MSI installation that evert flour are a number of programs that combined the motherboard can be used. The first Live-update, whose name is already clear what it does. This program checks whether the updates are for example the bios and as soon as they are available, these can be downloaded and installed.

With the DualCore Center provides an MSI overclocking tool in Windows can be used. In addition, frequencies and temperatures are monitored.

Also on the disc the Drive Booster. This could easily be a raid array is created on the onboard JMicron raid controller. The program provides four buttons to two drives using RAID0, RAID1, JBOD or normal.

General impression:

The first impression of the Platinum is that it is a nice board with a comprehensive featureset, without too much unnecessary appearance. The system is stable, the bios is logically organized and the board also has a nice format. The performance of the board in a forthcoming article to bid.