MSI P45 NEO2-FR - Motherboard - ATX User manual

MSI MOA
2008
Taipei

01
P45 Neo2 Overclocking Guide
Following Intel official strategy of desktop platform, LGA775-
architecture processor is still the mainstream product line in the
channel market. P45 Neo2 is a price-competitive mainstream
model which is positioned to high-performance and high eco-
nomical product.
Entered in 2009, MSI is taking energy-saving seriously and look-
ing forward to establish a new landmark with P45 Neo2 in P45
segment market.
We produce the overclocking guide aimed to provide users
a more detailed and precise overclocking information for the
smooth achievement of objectives and enjoy the fun of over-
clocking.
Index
02 P45 Neo2 Overview
03 Cell Menu introduction
04 Overclocking Guide
06 Brand New: DrMOS
07 Brand New: APS
08 Brand New: EZ OC Switch
G52-75581X4

02
Although P45 Neo2 is defined as the price competitiveness mainstream
models, but has amazing performance and practicality. This includes excel-
lent overclocking performance, and emphasizes on energy conservation
by a sign of high power efficiency, and even provides the vast majority of
players who want to expand the capacity.
P45 Neo2 Overview
P45 Neo2 Overclocking Guide
MS-7577 v1.0
Feature Overview
Rear I/O APS
DDR2
Dual Channel
6+2 SATA ports
Audio codec
ALC888
LED Button
PCI Express x16
Support CrossFire
4 Phase DrMOS
(P45 Neo2-FIR)

03
Basically, Cell Menu is designed for overclocking. Through Cell Menu, overclock-
ers could tweak detailed system configuration, like core component voltage or
DRAM timing and so on. Besides, according to the characteristic of Intel P45
platform, MSI RD team enhanced the Cell Menu for P45 Neo2 and try to fulfill
every kind of overclocking demand.
Invincible P45 Warrior
Cell Menu introduction
CPU-related adjustment items, whether
simple performance output, or trying
overclocking, here are completed func-
tion for overclockers to adjust options.
In order to achieve the best memory
performance, users can complete the
relevant option and make appropriate
adjustments. These include timing delay,
operating frequency.
ClockGen Tuner is the key point of CPU
overclocking. Which could tweaking the
signal skew rate and making overclocking
more smoothly.
Core component voltage adjustment
items, offering complete option and
range for chasing highest overclocking.
Shorter DRAM delay timing could get
better performance but lengthen DRAM
timing would benefit for overclocking.
Or, you can manually adjust the timing
delay of the memory.

04
In general, P45 Neo2 is a high performance/value segment model in the
channel market, even though it didn’t equip with full feature like P45
flagship model such as P45 Diamond. But P45 Neo2 still has outstanding
overclocking ability. The below is a demonstration system as an overclocking
example of P45 Neo2.
Max CPU Core speed
With our demonstration systeim with air-cooling configuration, P45 Neo2
is capable of overclocking QX9650 up to 4.1GHz. The key point of P45
Overclocking Guide
Demo system configuration
Motherboard MSI P45 Neo2 v.1.0
BIOS v.120
CPU Core 2 Quad 9650 Extreme Edition/Core 2 Duo E8400
Memory Corsair CM2X1024-10000C5D Dual Channel
Graphics ATI Radeon HD4870 512MB
HDD Western Digital VelociRaptor WD3000HLFS, 300GB/SATA
PSU Ikonik GAIA 500W 80Plus
OS Windows Vista Service Pack 1
Reference setting
• CPU Vcore: 1.429V
• CPU ratio: x10
• DRAM Voltage:
1.956V
• MCH Voltage: 1.304V
• VTT FSB Voltage: 1.3V
P45 Neo2 Overclocking Guide

05
Neo2 overclocking are both of MCH and VTT FSB voltages, and appropriate
voltage setting could benefit the system overclocking. For example, raising the
MCH voltage up to 1.4~1.45V is an ideal range while you chase extreme FSB
frequency.
Max CPU FSB frequency
For chasing highest CPU FSB frequency, generally we suggest to decrease the
CPU multiplier. Taking Core 2 Duo E8400 for example, setting CPU multiplier
as x6 would be better and easier way to touch its limitation. With Core 2 Duo
E8400, its FSB frequency could overclock up to 540MHz under air-cooling
configuration. The key point of chasing max CPU FSB frequency would be the
CPU and MCH clock skew. Appropriate clock skew would help overclocking
more smoothly.
Invincible P45 Warrior
Reference setting
• CPU Vcore: 1.5083V
• FSB: 540MHz
• CPU ratio: x6
• DRAM Voltage: 1.992V
• MCH Voltage: 1.388V
• VTT FSB Voltage: 1.38V
Adjusting CPU and MCH
CLK Skew is a smooth
way to help chasing Max
CPU FSB overclocking.

06
Next-generation DrMOS technology is the key power efficiency function of
P45 Neo2. Combined with Driver IC, Top MOS and Bottom MOS, DrMOS
provide the best power conversion-efficiency up to 90% or above. With its
characteristic, P45 Neo2 provideing lower impedance and shorter power
react timing which is benefit for not only harsh overclocking usage but
also dynamic power-saving.
Brand New: DrMOS
4-phase DrMOS
P45 Neo2 built-in 4-phase
DrMOS IC for PWM solution
which is the best choice for
overclocking and power-
saving.
Perfect Efficiency
DrMOS IC is composed of Driver IC, Top MOS and Bottom MOS, offering amazing
power conversion efficiency and low heat.
P45 Neo2 Overclocking Guide

07
4-phase DrMOS
P45 Neo2 built-in 4-phase
DrMOS IC for PWM solution
which is the best choice for
overclocking and power-
saving.
APS is abbreviation for “Active Phase Switching”, which is the unique
energy efficient solution made by MSI. P45 Neo2 provides APS function in
CPU Vcore side, it could be controlled under BIOS. APS was implemented
by additional circuit from PWM IC, and it would switch the phases auto-
matically by detecting system loading.
For example, when system is under full loading, APS would switch to
4-phase control and if only 50% or lower loading, it would switch to 2 or
3-phase control.
CPU Vcore APS
Brand New: APS
While system loading become heavier, then the APS LED itself will be AUTO adjusted
depend on different loading percentage.
Invincible P45 Warrior

08
Adjustment method
EZ OC Switch is a hardware-based overclocking solution, it provides users
an easy way to experience overclocking. With three different DIP settings,
the system can easily get up to 20% additional performance.
DIP switch
Brand New: EZ OC Switch
Through EZ OC Switch,
users could easily enjoy the
fun of overclocking without
any advanced BIOS adjust-
ments.
Through EZ OC Switch, you can easily get additional performance without any com-
plex BIOS setting, particularly suitable for overclocking beginners.
P45 Neo2 Overclocking Guide