MSI NLX EX3 User manual

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1-1
The NLX EX3 mainboard is a high-performance personal computer
mainboard based on the Pentium®II processor. The mainboard supports
Intel®82558 Network chip, YAMAHAYMF715 sound chip and ATI 3D
RAGEPRO/RAGEIICforgraphicsaccelerator. The Pentium®II processor
supports MMXTM (Multimedia Extension) technology.
The mainboard uses the highly integrated Intel®82440EX AGPset which
optimize the system bandwidth and concurrency with the implementation of
Quad Port Acceleration (QPA). QPA provides 4-port concurrent arbitration
of the processor bus, graphics, PCI bus and SDRAM.
The Intel®82371EB chipset integrates all system control functions such as
ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface). The ACPI provides
more Energy Saving Features for the OSPM(OS Direct Power Management)
function. The Intel®82371EB chipset also improves the IDE transfer rate by
supporting Ultra DMA/33 IDE that transfers data at the rate of 33MB/s.
The mainboard also supports the W83781D System Hardware Monitor
Controller as optional function. The System Hardware Monitor function
includes: CPU /power supply/chassis fan revolution detect, CPU/system
voltage monitor, system temperature monitor, and chassis intrusion detect.
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Mainboard Features
CPU
lSlot 1 for Pentium®II processor.
lSupports200MHz,233MHz,266MHz,300MHz,and333MHz.
lCore/Busratiosare x2, x2.5,x3, x3.5,x4,x4.5,x5,x5.5, x6and higher.
SwitchingVoltageRegulator
lOn-board switching mode DC-DC Step Down Regulator.
lConforms to Intel®VRM ver 8.1 specifications.
lOver-Voltage and Over-Current protection.
Chipset
lIntel®82440EX/LXAGP Chipset.
ClockGenerator
l66.6MHz clocks are supported.
MainMemory
lSupports four memory banks using two 168-pin unbuffered DIMM
sockets.
lSupportsa maximum memorysize of 512MB.
lSupports 3.3v unbuffered DIMM.
lSupports Symmetric and Asymmetric DIMM.
lSupports EDO and SDRAM memory.
VGA
lATI®3DRAGE PRO/RAGEIIC
-Running onAGP BUS2x forRAGEPRO/1X forRAGE IIC
-Onboard 2MB/ 4MB SGRAM
- 3D Acceleration.
1-2

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1-3
SystemHardwareMonitor
lThis can be used with Intel®LDCM to monitor system voltage, system
temperature & fan rotation speed.
lThis can also be used to monitor overall system status over the network.
lSystem temperature sensor: (TOP Tech)
- detect Pentium®II processor’s temperature.
lSystem voltage monitor:
- monitorCPUcorevoltage,CPUinterfacevoltage,3.3v,+12v,+5v
lFan speed monitor:
- monitor chassis fan, power fan & CPU cooling fan speed.
lChassis intrusion sensor: (reserved)
- monitor any intrusion on the Chassis.
PowerManagementFeatures
lDoze/Standby/Suspend mode.
lSystem management mode compliant.
lSupport APM 1.2.
lMeet ACPI spec.
lPC97compliant.
Sound
lYAMAHAYMF715
lBuilt-inOPL3 (FM synthesizer)
lSupports Sound Blaster game compatibility
lSupports Windows sound system compatibility
lSupport Plug and Play.
lFull duplex DMA allowing 8-bit or 16-bit data for record and playback.
l3D audio effects.
lStereo enhancement support.
lAdvanced power management.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1-4
Network
lIntel®8255810/100M Ethernet.
lWFW baseline & NET PC specs compliant.
lACPI
lMagic packet filtering to wake-up LAN.
lARP&FLEXIBLEframefiltering.
lSoftware drivers are backwards compatible.
Note: Requires an ATX power supply with 720mA 5VSB (5v Stand by).
RearMainboardConnectors
lPS/2®keyboard interface and PS/2®mouse interface.
lOne COM port connector.
lOne VGA port connector.
lOneprinterportwithSPP/EPP/ECPfunction.
lOne USB connector.
lOne MIDI/Joystick connector.
lOneRJ-45LANconnector.
lAudio conectors: Speaker/Line-In/Mic.
Dimension
lNLXFormFactor: 20.7cm(L) x25.4cm(W)x4layers PCB.
OtherFeatures
lBulkErase Flash ROM.
lSupports DMI.
lSystem Wake-up by modem.
lSystem Wake-up by alarm.
lSoft-power off. (Windows®95)
lPolyfuse function.
- this function works when the electric current is larger than 2A. It will
become an open circuit to protect your mainboard. Turn the power off for
1-3 secs for polyfuse to recover.
lLANwake-up.(reserved)
lKeyboard password wake-up system. (reserved)
lRestore AC power loss status.

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 Mainboard Layout
1-5
mouse keyboard
T: LPT
B: COM A
VGA Port LAN L-IN L-OUT
BATT
+
SW1
MS-6125
COMB
Intel®
82558
10/100M
Ethernet
Yamaha
YMF715
SLOT 1
FW82371EB
BIOS
DIMM 2
DIMM 1
FW82443LX/EX
ATI® 3D
RagePRO/Rage IIC
JGAME1
JVGA1
CPUFAN
JBAT1
JP2
J4
J5

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-1
Chapter 2
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2.1 Central Processing Unit: CPU
The mainboardoperates with Intel®Pentium®IIprocessorwith MMXTM
technology. The mainboard uses a CPU Slot called Slot 1 for easy CPU
installation and a DIP switch (SW1) to set the proper speed for the CPU.
The CPU should always have a Heat Sink and a cooling fan attached to
prevent overheating.

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-2
2.1-1 CPU Installation Procedures
A. OEM Pentium®II processor Installation Procedure
Required Things:
Pentium®IIprocessor- Processor.
*RetentionMechanism(RM)- Plastic Guide that holdstheS.E.C. Catridge
in the Slot 1 connector.
*RetentionMechanismAttachMount(RMAM) - Bolt/Bridgeassemblies
inserted up through the bottom of the
motherboard. RM secures to RMAM ( 2
RMAM required per RM ).
*Heat Sink SupportBase (HSSBASE) - Plastic support bar mounted to
the mainboard under the ATX heatsink.
(One leg is always bigger than the other one)
Processor
Lock
Retention
Mechanism
Pentium®II
Processor
Heat Sink
W/Fan
Notch Hole
Heat Sink
Support Base Heat Sink
Support Pin
Heat Sink
Support
Top Bar
Different kinds of Pentium®II processor that is currently used: the OEM
version, the Boxed version, and CeleronTM. OEM Pentium®II Processor has
no Heat Sink, Fan and Heat Sink Support, the Boxed Pentium®II Processor
is provided with Heat Sink w/ fan and Heat Sink Support, while the
CeleronTM processor is a plane processor card without cover or heatsink..

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-3
*HeatSink Support Pin (HSSPIN)- Plastic pins inserted through the
HSSBASE to secure it to the mainboard (2
required per Assembly).
*Heat Sink Support Top Bar (HSSTOP) - Plastic bar that clips onto the
HSSBASE through the fins on the ATX
heatsink.
**Heat Sink w/ fan - Heat Sink that can be attached to the Pentium®II
processorwithmetalclip.
Note:* Provided by MSI mainboard.
** Provided by Special request.
RM
HSSPIN
HSSTOP
HSSBASE
RMAM

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-4
SLOT1
Retention
Mechanism
êê
Key
êê
Retention
Mechanism
Attach Mount
Notch
Key
Step 1: Insert the Retention Mechanism Attach Mount at the bottom
of the mainboard.
Step 2: Install the Retention Mechanism.
Look for the key on Slot 1, and match it with the Notch Key on the
Retention Mechanism for proper direction. Then, attach the
Retention Mechanism to the Retention Mechanism Attach Mount.
Use a Screwdriver to secure the Retention Mechanism.

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-5
Step 3: Install the Heat Sink Support Base.
Look for the Two holes across Slot 1, and match it with the Two legs
of the Heat Sink Support Base for the proper direction. Take note
that one hole/leg is bigger than the other. The Four top pins of the
Heat Sink Support Base should also be oriented towards Slot 1.
Push the Heat Sink Support Base onto the mainboard, until you hear
a click sound. Check for a perfect fit.
Step 4: Install the Heat Sink Support Pin.
Push the Heat Sink Support Pins onto the two holes of the Heat Sink
Support Base. Check for a perfect fit. These pins are used to secure
the Heat Sink Support Base.
Heat Sink
Support Base
Heat Sink
Support Pin
Leg
pins

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-6
Step 5: Install the Heat Sink with Fan to the Processor.
Push down the metal clips, so that they are in line with the back of
the Heat Sink. Be careful, so as not detach the metal clips from the
HeatSink.
In case the metal clips are detached from the Heat Sink, re-attach
them. Look for the arrow on the metal clip. This arrow should be
pointing down and aligned with the Heat Sink Support Base Holder.
Attach the Heat Sink to the processor.
- Look at the back of the Heat Sink and take note of the 2 secure
posts. Insert these 2 Secure posts to the 2 secure holes on the
back of the processor.
- Align the ears of the metal clips with the clip holders on the back of
the processor. Use a screw driver to push the metal clips onto the
clip holders. Check for a perfect fit.
Pentium®II processor (Back)
â
Thearrow
shouldbe
pointing
down.
Metal Clips
Heat Sink w/ Fan
Metal Clips Ear
Metal Clips Ear
Secure
Posts
Heat Sink w/ Fan(Back)
HeatSink
BaseHolder
Secure
holes
Clip Holder
Clip Holder

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-7
Step 6: Install the Processor.
Unlock the Processor by pushing in the Processor Locks.
Insert the Processor like inserting a PCI or an ISA card.
Step 7: Lock the Processor Locks.
Secure the CPU by pulling the Processor Locks out.
èç
çè

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-8
Step 8: Install the Heat Sink Support Top Bar.
Push the Heat Sink Support Top Bar to the Heat Sink Support Base,
Until you hear a “click” sound. Check for a perfect fit.
The installation is now complete.
Heatsink
Support Top
Bar

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-9
B. Boxed Pentium®II processor Installation Procedures
The Boxed Pentium®II processor has a built- in Fan and Heat Sink. It also
has a Heat Sink Support. So if you’re going to use the Boxed processor, all
you need is the Retention Mechanism.
SLOT1
Retention
Mechanism
êê
Key
êê
Retention
Mechanism
Attach Mount
Notch
Key
Step 1: Insert the Retention Mechanism Attach Mount at the bottom
of the mainboard.
Step 2: Install the Retention Mechanism.
Look for the key on Slot 1, and match it with the Notch Key on the
Retention Mechanism for proper direction. Then, attach the
Retention Mechanism to the Retention Mechanism Attach Mount.
Use a Screwdriver to secure the Retention Mechanism.

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-10
Step 3: Install the Heat Sink Support Base.
Look for the 2 holes across Slot 1, and match it with the 2 Heat Sink
Support Base. Take note that one hole/base is bigger than the other.
Push the Heat Sink Support Base onto the mainboard, until you hear
a click sound. Check for a perfect fit.
Retention
Mechanism
Notch
Hole
HeatSink
Support Base

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-11
PC-3743
HeatSink
Support Lock
Intel®Boxed
PentiumTM II
Processor
Step 4: Install the Heat Sink Support.
Attach the 2 Heat Sink Supports to the sides of the Processor. These
Heat Sink Supports will fit in any direction, so be sure that the Heat
Sink Support Locks are oriented outwards for the proper direction.
HeatSink
Support

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-12
PC-3744
Processor
Lock
Heatsink
Support
Lock
Step 5: Unlock the Processor Locks and Heat Sink Support Locks.
Push in the Processor Locks. Open the Heat Sink Support Locks.
Step 6: Insert the Processor like inserting a PCI or an ISA card.

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-13
Step 7: Lock the Processor Locks and Heat Sink Support Locks
Secure the CPU by pushing out the Processor Locks. Close the Heat
Sink Support Locks.
The installation is now complete.

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-14
SLOT1
Retention
Mechanism
êê
Key
êê
Retention
Mechanism
Attach Mount
Notch
Key
Step 1: Insert the Retention Mechanism Attach Mount at the bottom
of the mainboard.
Step 2: Install the Retention Mechanism.
Look for the key on Slot 1, and match it with the Notch Key on the
Retention Mechanism for proper direction. Then, attach the Reten-
tion Mechanism to the Retention Mechanism Attach Mount. Use a
Screwdriver to secure the Retention Mechanism.
C. OEM CeleronTM Processor Installation Procedures

CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-15
Step 3: Install the MSI Heat Sink (optional) to the Processor.
Push down the plastic clips, so that they are in line with the hole on
the processor. Check for perfect fit.
Step 4: Install the Processor.
Insert the Processor like inserting a PCI or an ISA card.
Step 5: Lock the Processor
Lock the processor by putting the Retention Cap provided. Take
note of the two plastic lock at the side of the Retention Cap. This
two plastic lock should be aligned properly into the Retention
Mechanism notch hole.
êê
Retention Cap
ê
Heat Sink
CeleronTM
processor
ê
plastic Clip
Plastic
Lock
Notch
Hole Notch
Hole
The instruction procedure may
vary depending on the Heat Sink
that you’re using.