MSI K9N SLI Platinum test

MSI, best known for their portable computers, motherboards, video cards and the “Mega-PC” (barebones) offering the K9N SLI Platinum, a motherboard that is dedicated to the latest AMD processors, the AM2. The biggest new addition is the evolution of the processor support (known as a socket) that has advanced from 939 pins to 940 (without being compatible with a “940 socket”), and the support of DDR2 memory. The energy consumption is less and the speed has been improved when compared to “classic” DDR memory, although the timing of the DDR2 memory is not quite as good as the former.

The heart of the motherboard is based on the new nVidia nForce 570 SLI chipset which allows for the application of 2 video cards so as to improve your display, especially for games. As we mentioned, the nForce 570 SLI is not the most powerful of the nForce 5 solutions, but it is no less interesting.


The most important difference between the nForce 590 SLI and nForce 570 SLI chipsets rests in the facts that the second one can only manage 2x8 PCI-Express slots in SLI mode (Scalable Link Interface) instead of the 2x16 capable with the 590 SLI. This small difference will only have a big impact if you wanted to use two powerful video cards in SLI mode. Here are the main characteristics of the different nForce 5 chipsets.

The “LinkBoostTM” function (which manages the automatic and dynamic overclocking) is also absent from the 570 SLI as you as you can see from the above table.

The MSI K9N SLI Pentium card
By integrating the nForce 570 SLI onto the KN9 SLI Pentium, MSI has taken the time to design a motherboard that cools the chipset, also preventing the unsupportable whistling noise that is sometimes heard from the chipsets fans. We have also noticed the presence of a heat sink on the processor power regulators so that the overclocking capabilities of the card can be improved. The connections have been done in different colours so that the system cabling is more obvious.

(Click to enlarge)

We also had a nice surprise when looking at the card as it possesses a button that allows you to reset the bios (the “clear CMOS” option) in place of the usual three hand manipulation that is rarely used. This allows you to easily reset your overclocking options if you run into problems.

As for things that have already been seen, the position of the additional ATX 12V adaptor (4 pins) and the memory slot (the one on the left in the photo) is not well placed as it is a little close to the socket. When the heat sink is in place it can actually be a little difficult to plug the ATX 12V auxiliary connector into the card, or to add an additional memory bar if you have a large heat sink.

Note:
Like with the majority of electronic products, this card satisfies the RoHS standard (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) which has been in effect since the 1st of July 2006, forbidding manufacturers to use any of the following materials in their products:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Hexavalent Chronium
• Polybrominated Biphenyl
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether