Layout and features
We'll continue our tradition of evaluating motherboards by starting at the top and working our way down, highlighting the salient points on the way.
Like most of its brethren, the MSI 845E Max2 BLR is a narrow motherboard measuring only 22cm across, around 2cm narrower than the standard ATX format
It's somewhat interesting that MSI now seem keen to employ heatsinks on the MOSFETs surrounding the CPU. They do get warm so this may be a good idea in the long-term.
The main 20-pin ATX connector now sits in its familiar position astride the floppy drive port. Three DDR DIMMS grace the 845E. This is kind of confusing for the lay person who would automatically think that you can use 3 double-sided DIMMS without any other consideration. The nature of the 845E chipset dictates that single-sided DIMMS have to be used in slots 2 and 3 when all 3 are populated.
There is adequate provision around the socket to mount a third-party cooler, especially one the size of an Alpha or Swiftech. Only one fan header sits above the socket, I had hoped for another as some people require dual-fan cooling. There are only three fan headers on the 'board. This is further reduced to two when you factor out the Northbridge cooler that occupies one header. Note on the above picture the IC at the bottom left of the picture, it's the ubiquitous HIP6301CB voltage regulator. Those of you who practice in overclocking will know that attaching a variable resistor to pin 7 will allow for extra voltage. The reason that I mention it is that it is almost impossible to get to, much like the IT7.
MSI appear to be one of the very few motherboard manufacturers that believe active cooling is required on the 845E NB. The fan is kind of whiny, and having used other 845-based motherboards, I don't feel its inclusion is necessary. Still, it's good that a manufacturer cares.
The 12v P4 power connector sits just above the AGP slot. I don't like this position as the trailing power wire can cause problems with routing, I much favour it at the top of the 'board. MSI clearly spell out by way of a sticker that only 1.5v AGP cards will work with this motherboard. The older 3.3v can potentially damage the motherboard if hooked-up. The proximity of the AGP slot to the DDR slots means that you cannot access system memory easily once a card has been inserted, a common trait amongst manufacturers.
A full complement of 6-PCI slots take up the left-hand-side of the 845E Max2 BLR. 6 are probably needed considering you may have to sacrifice a few if you want all the additional brackets included. Just to the left of the 5th PCI slot is the Bluetooth connector that we have already mentioned.