Conclusion
MSI's Springdale deluxe motherboard is a general copy of their Canterwood version. We're not in the least bit surprised to learn this, because a complete re-design isn't necessary for such similar chipsets. MSI always like to make a good impression at the outset. The massive, useful bundle is evidence enough. It's not as if the bundle carries superfluous extras; each included peripheral adds to the overall attractiveness of the board. We appreciate that MSI try to ensure that every feature can be used immediately.
Speaking of features, there's not a whole lot more one can integrate into a motherboard. Decent overall design and massive storage potential is allied to formidable networking capabilities. Whether you will take advantage of everything on offer is debatable. It's nice to have the options, though. The BIOS seems to be a carbon copy of the MSI Canterwood's, that is, it provides a scary level of voltage adjustment. We're a bit nonplussed by the board's inability to run faster given manual, performance-enhancing timings. It seems strange that SPD timings offer the fastest results. Maybe it's MSI being cautious and locking out manual timings for now; that certainly seems to be the case.
Therefore performance is slightly below par when compared to other Intel dual-channel DDR-400 boards. It's not slow by any means, it's just that it doesn't quite emulate the Asus Springdale's prodigious benchmarking prowess. Will you really notice the difference between the two on an everyday basis ?, I think not.
Another decent board from the MSI Deluxe stable. Brimming full of usable features and having a BIOS that's a tad scary, it does most things right. This MSI is for those that want every conceivable extra on their boards, and who want to use those extras immediately. If there's one word to sum up the MSI 865PE Neo2 FIS2R (don't you just love long names) it would have to be 'impressive package'. Wait .... that's two.
Highs
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Impressive packaging and bundle. Core Cell is nice.
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Decent layout considering the wealth of controllers.
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Decent BIOS.
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A mass of storage and networking potential (Good use of CSA).
Lows
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Northbridge fan is annoying in a quiet system
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Performance was a little lower than expected. This probably has more to do with the way BIOS interprets timings
