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Layout
MSI K7N2-L getting some action
Starting at the top left of the board and working our way across and down as usual, we can take a look and see how MSI do things with regards to layout.
The first thing we come across is the pair of ATX connectors needed to give power to the board. The MSI makes use of the auxilliary 4-pin 12V connector present on pretty much every Pentium 4 motherboard but up until recently not needed on any AMD solution. Technically nForce2 doesn't require the connector to function and the board does indeed power up without it but hooking it up is recommended. Placing the connectors in this area of the board can often mean dragging them over the CPU area and restricting precious airflow around that part of the board, often where it's needed most.
In my case it's not a problem but for many it might be so it warrants a mention. Past the power connectors we hit the CPU area. Unlike Pentium 4 motherboards, this area isn't so rigourously defined by AMD and so its up to the manufacturer as to what they do with regards to the extra 4 holes around the socket area needed to attach some of the larger cooling solutions available. MSI have decided in their infinite wisdom to leave the holes out meaning you've got no chance of hooking up a Swiftech MCX462 or an Alpha 8045 or many types of waterblock. So the board doesn't past my Swiftech test which is a big shame since it will probably mean it being ruled out by many enthusiasts.
I don't think MSI will 'do an ABIT' and release a 2nd revision PCB with the holes.
Carrying on to the right we come across the SDRAM slot triplets for populating the board with main system memory. Floppy connector placement is in this area of the board, my favourite place for it. It's a shame MSI haven't placed the pair of IDE connectors in the same area.
The next major board feature is the SPP heatsink and it's fanless which gets the thumbs up from me since it means less noise and it doesn't appear that the SPP needs it unless heavily overclocked. Close to the SPP sink on the left are some silver heatsinks for some of the power regulation components that might possibly get hot.
From there on down it's all standard stuff. AGP, 5 PCI, MCP2-T bridge and IDE connectors are all in standard positions. The IDE connectors could be in a better place up near the floppy connector but apart from that no complaints about the bottom half layout.
3 fan headers is generous and welcome and the ATX case header is very well labelled as it should be. Often with a review sample board such as this MSI, the manual doesn't make it to the reviewer so a well labelled ATX case header is essential in getting the board up and running with the minimum of fuss. Intel could take a tip or too from MSI in this aspect.
Apart from the no show from the heatsink mounting holes and the ATX connector placement it's a standard and untroubled layout. Although the holes and connector placement are arguably the 2 biggest talking points on a board that was never going to stray too far from your usual AMD board layout.
Thumbs down in that respect I'm afraid.
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