Review: MSI P35 Platinum - all thrills and no spills?

by Tarinder Sandhu on 20 July 2007, 09:06

Tags: MSI

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BIOS



Jumping straight to the adjustments possible.

Item Adjustment
CPU bus frequency 266MHz to 600MHz in 1MHz steps (for 1066MHz FSB CPUs)
Memory clock 533/638/667/800/886/1066MHz (for 1066MHz FSB CPUs)
666/799/832/999/1109/1333MHz (for 1333MHz FSB CPUs)
DRAM ratios 1:1/1:1.2/1:1.25/1:1.5/1:1.66/1:2
CPU voltage 1.275V-2.0625V in 0.0125V increments
CPU multiplier 6x - 60x
DRAM voltage 1.80-3.30V
1.80-2.10V in 0.05V increments
2.10-2.70V in 0.1V increments
2.70 -3.30V in 0.2V increments
FSB termination voltage 1.175V-1.55V in 0.025V increments
P35 MCH voltage 1.25-1.65V
1.25-1.60V in 0.025V increments
1.60-1.65V in 0.05V increments
PCI-Express clock 100-200MHz in 1MHz increments
PCI-Express voltage N/A
ICH9R core voltage 1.05V/1.15V
ICH9R I/O voltage 1.50V-1.80V in 0.1V increments
Intel SpeedStep Control/EIST Yes


Discussion

MSI's clearly aiming the P35 Platinum at the enthusiast who appreciates a large degree of voltage adjustment for important parameters.

The CPU and DRAM voltages are, frankly, insane, and you need to be responsible in ensuring that components aren't pushed too far: 2.0625V will kill your CPU in a very short space of time. The same applies to the 3.3V offered for DDR2 modules; some 83 per cent above stock JEDEC ratings.

The BIOS allows you to ratchet-up DDR2 speeds up to 1333MHz should a 1333MHz FSB CPU be used. We don't know of too many modules that are able to run at such speeds, though, but it's nice to have the option at a default CPU FSB.

A healthy dose of voltage and adjustments makes the MSI P35's BIOS well-suited to enthusiasts.

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