CPU3D Preview: MSI P45 Platinum Motherboard

Thanks to MSI, we've just received a sample of their P45 Platinum motherboard. This motherboard utilises Intel's latest P45 "Eaglelake" chipset, and supports FSB of upto 1600Mhz (OC), DDR2 ram and all Intel socket 775 processors, including Core 2 Duos, Quads and Extremes. It features MSI's new Circu-pipe 2 chipset cooling and their new DrMOS feature for higher power efficiency.

          

While the guns are out between Gigabyte and Asus over the recent fiasco, MSI have been busy with their subdued launch of their P45 motherboards. In fact with so much going on, one can be forgiven, for not taking MSI more seriously as a viable alternative solution. I expect the MSI P45 Platinum to give us some surprises ... Watch out for a full review coming soon. In the meantime, take a look at our photo gallery below.

MSI P45 Platinum Motherboard

The Box	The Box II
The package and contents	The contents (closer look)
The new MSI Circu-pipe 2	The P45 motherboard itself
4 x DDR2 DIMM slots allow upto 16Gb	2 PCIe (x16) slots, 3 PCIe (x1) and 2 PCI slots
PS/2 Keyboard and mouse, Firewire, 4 USB, optical SPDIF and eSATA ports	Gigabit LAN, USB and a array of audio connectors
Internal Power-on switch	Internal reset switch
MSI P45 Platinum	eSATA port and an external clear CMOS switch
JMicron 363 controller	Realtek ALC888 onboard HD audio
Realtek RTL8111C onboard gigabit ethernet controller	A total of 6 SATA ports
Extra 2 SATA ports	Hardware overclock FSB jumpers
Intel ICH10R southbridge	Intel P45 chipset
An angled view of the P45 chipset