Busting into the BIOS
We tend not to expect much from a Micro ATX board's BIOS, but MSI has done a pretty good job with the P7NGM.
| Bus speeds |
FSB: 400-2500MHz in 1MHz
increments DRAM: 400-1400MHz in 1MHz increments PCIe: 100-200MHz in 1MHz increments |
| Bus multipliers | NA |
| Voltages |
CPU: 1.3125-2.0875V in
0.0125V increments DRAM: 1.8-2.55V in 0.05V increments Chipset: 1.06-1.354V in 0.021V increments FSB: 1.2-1.55 in 0.025V increments |
| Monitoring | Voltage, fan status, and temperature monitoring |
| Fan speed control | CPU |
If you want to dip into overclocking, quad-pumped front-side bus speeds are available between 400 and 2500MHz in 1MHz increments. Users can also set an effective memory clock between 400 and 1400MHz, also in 1MHz increments, and adjust the PCI Express clock between 100 and 200MHz.
Since overclocking can require a little extra voltage, MSI provides CPU voltage options between 1.3125V and an impressive 2.0875V in very fine 0.0125V increments. Chipset, front-side bus, and DRAM voltage manipulation is supported, too, with options for the latter scaling all the way up to 2.55V.
All the usual memory timing options make an appearance in the BIOS, but Nvidia clearly didn't have lower latency timings in mind when it designed the GeForce 9300. We couldn't get the MSI board to post with memory modules running with a CAS latency of 4, and an Asus board based on the GeForce 9300 failed to post at CAS 4, as well.
We asked Nvidia about the issue, and they were quick to point out that CAS 4 is an "enthusiast setting." That's certainly true; most mainstream DIMMs run at CAS 5 or with even looser timings. However, the 780G, 790GX, G45 Express, and even GeForce 8300 have no problems running with CAS 4 timings. Nvidia plans to work with motherboard partners to get CAS 4 working in future BIOS releases, but support isn't there yet.
Good fan speed control is particularly important for integrated graphics platforms since they're often pressed into duty in silent home theater PCs. Fortunately, the P7NGM's BIOS includes temperature-based fan speed control for the CPU and a measure of control over the system fan speed. Users can set a minimum CPU fan speed and also a target processor temperature between 40 and 70° Celsius. Temperature-based fan speed control isn't included for the system fan header, but you can at least toggle its speed between 50, 75, and 100%.
Specifics on specifications
As usual, we've consolidated all of the motherboard's vital specifications in a handy chart.
| CPU support | LGA775-based Celeron, Pentium 4/D, Core 2 processors |
| Chipset | Nvidia GeForce 9300 |
| Expansion slots |
1 PCI Express x16 1 PCI Express x1 2 32-bit/33MHz PCI |
| Memory |
4 240-pin DIMM
sockets Maximum of 16GB of DDR2-667/800 SDRAM |
| Storage I/O |
Floppy disk 1 channel ATA/133 via JMicron JMB368 6 channels 300MB/s Serial ATA with RAID 0, 1, 10, 5 support |
| Audio | 8-channel HD audio via Realtek ALC888 codec |
| Ports |
1 PS/2 keyboard 1 PS/2 mouse 1 VGA 1 DVI 1 HDMI 4 USB 2.0 with headers for 6 more 1 RJ45 10/100/1000 via Realtek RTL8111C 1 1394a Firewire via JMicron JMB381 with header for 1 more 1 analog front out 1 analog bass/center out 1 analog rear out 1 analog surround out 1 analog line in 1 analog mic in |
We've covered most of what the P7NGM has to offer already, so there isn't much to see here. However, do note that the board's Firewire connectivity is provided by a JMicron chip. Firewire chips from Texas Instruments and Via have been very popular over the last couple of years, but JMicron appears to be making inroads, at least on budget motherboards.
