Specifications
Specifications in detail
Processors
- Supports Socket 478 for Intel Pentium 4 processors (400FSB & 533FSB)
- Supports 1300MHz up to 2533MHz processor and higher
Chipset
- Northbridge: SiS 645DX Open Architecture DDR333 Chipset
- Southbridge: SiS 961B MuTIOL Chipset with 533MB/s 16-bit bus
System Memory
- 3 x 184pin DDR
- DDR200 / DDR266 / DDR333 support @ 2.5v
- 3GB maximum system RAM (non-ECC)
Slots
- One AGP slot, 2x and 4x AGP compliant (3.3v and 1.5v support)
- 5 x 32-bit PCI 33MHz slots
- 1 CNR (Communications Network Riser) slot
On-board peripherals
- 1 floppy port supports 2 FDD
- 2 serial ports
- 1 parallel port
- 1 iRDA connector
- Bluetooth wireless communication connector
- RJ45 LAN connector
- PS/2 Keyboard
- PS/2 Mouse
- 3 Audio Jacks (ALC650)
- Game Port
- 2 x USB 1.1 connectors
On-board IDE
- An IDE controller on the SiS961B chipset provides IDE HDD/CD-ROM with PIO, Bus Master and Ultra DMA133/100/66/33 operation modes
- Can connect up to 4 IDE devices
- ACARD ACHIP ATP-865 IDE RAID controller, 2 channels providing support for 4 IDE devices.
- ATA133 support
- RAID 0, 1, 0+1 modes available.
Audio
- Realtek ALC650 6-channel sound, supports S/PDIF out.
Other features & Extras
-
Realtek 8101L IC 10/100 fast ethernet controller
-
NEC D720100 USB2.0 Host Controller supporting 4 USB2.0 ports
-
D-Bracket supports diagnostic LEDs and 2 x USB1.1 ports
-
S-Bracket supports S/PDIF digital / coaxial and analogue Line-Out jacks
-
USB2.0 bracket supports 4 USB2.0 ports, one is shared with Bluetooth connection.
-
2 onboard fan headers.
BIOS & Voltages
- Award BIOS 3.31a
- FSB speeds of 100MHz - 250MHz (quad-pumped)
- 1.475v - 1.6v Vcore adjustable in 0.025v increments
- 2.5v - 2.8v DDR voltage adjustment
Form Factor
- 305mm x 225mm
Software
- Motherboard drivers
- MSI Fuzzy Logic overclocking software
- Live BIOS / Driver / Monitor software.
- MSI 5.1-channel DVD software.
There is quite a bit to digest here. We are greeted with ATA133 compatible RAID powered by the ACARD chip, the first time we've seen that on a motherboard. We see integrated LAN becoming more and more common on feature-rich motherboards. A total of 8 USB ports are offered (split between 4 USB1.1 and 4 USB2.0 ports respectively).
The potential of the onboard sound (Realtek ALC650) is maximised by the inclusion of a relevant output bracket. On paper at least, the MSI 645E Max-LRU does look impressive. Let's delve into a little more detail now as we focus on the layout and features.
