MSI 945p Neo2 H Manual

							2-6 MS-7176 ATX MainboardMSI Reminds You...
1.Check the information in PC Health Status of H/W Monitor in BIOS
(Chapter 3) for the CPU temperature.
2. Whenever CPU is not installed, always protect your CPU socket pin
with the plastic cap covered (shown in Figure 1) to avoid damaging.
3. Please note that the mating/unmating durability of the CPU is 20 cycles.
Therefore we suggest you do not plug/unplug the CPU too often.12.  Press down the load lever lightly
onto the load plate, and then secure
the lever with the hook under reten-
tion tab. 11.Visually inspect if the CPU is seated
well into the socket, then remove the
CPU Clip with 2 fingers. Then cover
the load plate onto the package.13. Align the holes on the mainboard with
the cooler. Push down the cooler until
its four clips get wedged into the
holes of the mainboard.14.Press the four hooks down to fasten
the cooler. Then rotate the locking
switch (refer to the correct direction
marked on it) to lock the hooks.locking
switch
15.Turn over the mainboard to confirm
that the clip-ends are correctly
inserted.Note:If you want to uninstall the CPU,
align the 4 points (see Point 8 for
details) again and push the clip to
lift up the CPU. 
						

							
2-7
Hardware Setup Memory
The mainboard provides 4 slots for 240-pin DDR2 DIMM, which supports the
memory size up to 4GB. Since DDR2 modules are not interchangeable with DDR1 and the DDR2 stand-
ard is not backward compatible, you should always install DDR2 memory module in
the DDR2 slot (DIMM1~DIMM4). Otherwise, you are not able to boot up your system
and your mainboard might be damaged. For the updated supporting memory modules, please visit  http://www.msi .
com.tw/program/products/mainboard/mbd/pro_mbd_trp_list.php.
DIMM1,2 and DIMM3,4
(from left (Green) to right(Orange))
Channel A (DIMM1 & DIMM2): Green
Channel B (DIMM3 & DIMM4): Orange
Introduction to DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 is a new technology of memory module, and its speed is the top limit of
current DDR1 technology. DDR2 uses a 1.8V supply for core and I/O voltage, com-
pared to 2.5V for DDR1, and requires 28% less power than DDR1 chips. DDR2 truly
is the future of memory, but will require some changes as the technology is not
backwardly compatible and only motherboards specifically designed for DDR2 memory
will be able to support these chips. DDR2 incorporates new features at the chip level that give it better signal
integrity, thereby enabling higher clock speeds. DDR2 modules have 240 pins, versus 184 pins on a DDR1 module, and the
length of DDR2 module is 5.25 ”. DDR2 modules have smaller and tighter spaced pins.
The height of DDR2 modules varies, but they will typically be less than 1.3 ” in height.
Memory Module Population Rules Install at least one DIMM module on the slots. Each DIMM slot supports up to a
maximum size of 1GB. Users can install either single- or double-sided modules to
meet their own needs. Please note that  each DIMM can work respectively for
single-channel DDR, while both channels (in different color) populated
with same amount of memory size will work as dual-channel DDR . 
						

							2-8 MS-7176 ATX Mainboard
Installing DDR2 Modules
1.The DDR2 DIMM has only one notch on the center of module. The module will
only fit in the right orientation.
2.Insert the DIMM memory module vertically into the DIMM slot. Then push it in
until the golden finger on the memory module is deeply inserted in the socket.
3.The plastic clip at each side of the DIMM slot will automatically close.VoltNotchMSI Reminds You...
You can barely see the golden finger if the module is properly in-
serted in the socket. DIMM1 (Ch A)DIMM2 (Ch A)DIMM3 (Ch B)DIMM4 (Ch B)System Density
256MB~1GB256MB~1GB512B~2GB
256MB~1GB256MB~1GB512MB~2GB
256MB~1GB256MB~4GB512MB~2GB
256MB~1GB256MB~1GB512MB~2GB
256MB~1GB256MB~1GB256MB~1GB256MB~1GB1GB~4GBORANGEORANGE
GREENGREENMSI Reminds You...
-Dual-channel DDR works ONLY in the 5 combinations listed in
the table shown in the previous page.
-Please select the identical memory modules to install on the dual
channel, and DO NOT install three memory modules on three
DIMMs, or it may cause some failure.
-Always insert the memory modules into the GREEN slots first, and
it is strongly recommended not to insert the memory modules into
the ORANGE slots while the GREEN slots are left empty.
-This mainboard DO NOT support the memory module installed
with more than 18 pieces of IC (integrated circuit).
-Due to the South Bridge resource deployment, the system density
will only be detected up to 3+GB (not full 4GB) when each DIMM is
installed with an 1GB memory module. 
						

							
2-9
Hardware Setup Power Supply
The mainboard supports ATX power supply for the power system. Before
inserting the power supply connector, always make sure that all components are
installed properly to ensure that no damage will be caused.
PINSIGNAL
13 +3.3V
14 -12V
15 GND
16 PS-ON#
17 GND
18 GND
19 GND
20 Res
21 +5V
22 +5V
23 +5V
24 GND PIN
SIGNAL
 1 +3.3V
 2 +3.3V
 3 GND
 4 +5V
 5 GND
 6 +5V
 7 GND
 8 PWR OK
 9 5VSB
10 +12V
11 +12V
12 +3.3V Pin Definition
ATX 24-Pin Power Connector: ATX1
This connector allows you to connect an ATX 24-pin power supply. To
connect the ATX 24-pin power supply, make sure the plug of the power supply is
inserted in the proper orientation and the pins are aligned. Then push down the
power supply firmly into the connector.
ATX 12V Power Connector: JPW1
This 12V power connector is used to provide power to the CPU.
ATX1
1
12
24 13 MSI Reminds You...
1. These two connectors connect to the ATX power supply and have to
work together to ensure stable operation of the mainboard.
2. Power supply of 350 watts (and above) is highly recommended for system stability.
3. ATX 12V power connection should be greater than 18A. JPW1
PINSIGNAL
5
+12V
6 +12V
7 +12V
8 +12V PINSIGNAL
1
GND
2 GND
3 GND
4 GND
JPW1 Pin Definition
1 8
5
4 
						

							2-10 MS-7176 ATX MainboardThe back panel provides the following connectors:Back PanelMouse/Keyboard Connector
The mainboard provides a standard PS/2®
 mouse/keyboard mini DIN connector
for attaching a PS/2®
 mouse/keyboard. You can plug a PS/2®
 mouse/keyboard directly
into this connector. The connector location and pin assignments are as follows:
PS/2 Mouse / Keyboard
(6-pin Female)213
45 6PINSIGNALDESCRIPTION
1Mouse/Keyboard  DataMouse/Keyboard  data
2NCNo connection
3GNDGround
4VCC+5V
5Mouse/Keyboard ClockMouse/Keyboard clock
6NCNo connection  Pin Definition KeyboardCOM PortUSB Ports
Mic L-Out L-In
MouseParallel
LANRS-Out
SPDIF
OutCS-OutVGA Port
(945G Only) 
						

							2-11 Hardware SetupSerial Port Connector: COM Port
The mainboard offers one 9-pin male DIN connector COM Port. It’s a 16550A
high speed communication port that send/receive/ 16 bytes FIFOs. You can attach a
serial mouse or other serial device directly to it.
PINSIGNALDESCRIPTION
1DCDData Carry Detect
2SINSerial In or Receive Data
3SOUTSerial Out or Transmit Data
4DTRData Terminal Ready)
5GNDGround
6DSRData Set Ready
7RTSRequest To Send
8CTSClear To Send
9RIRing IndicatePin Definition
     9-Pin Male DIN Connector
COM Port1    2    3    4    5
6    7    8    9USB Connectors
The mainboard provides an OHCI (Open Host Controller Interface) Universal
Serial Bus root for attaching USB devices such as keyboard, mouse or other USB-
compatible devices.  You can plug the USB device directly into the connector.
USB Ports1     2     3     4
5     6     7     8PINSIGNALDESCRIPTION
1VCC+5V
2-Data 0Negative Data Channel 0
3+Data0Positive Data Channel 0
4GNDGround
5VCC+5V
6-Data 1Negative Data Channel 1
7+Data 1Positive Data Channel 1
8GNDGroundUSB Port DescriptionVGA Connector (945G Only)
The mainboard provides a DB 15-pin female connector to connect a VGA
monitor. VGA Connector
(DB 15-pin)1
5
11
15PinSignal DescriptionPinSignal Description
  1RED  2GREEN
  3BLUE  4N/C
  5GND  6GND
  7GND  8GND
  9+5V 10GND
 11N/C 12SDA
 13Horizontal Sync 14Vertical Sync
 15SCL 
						

							
2-12  
MS-7176 ATX Mainboard LAN (RJ-45) Jack
The mainboard provides 1 standard RJ-45 jack for connection to single Local
Area Network (LAN). This LAN enables data to be transferred at 1000Mbps, 100Mbps
or 10Mbps. You can connect a network cable to it.
Audio Port Connectors
The left 3 audio jacks are for 2-channel mode for stereo speaker output:  Line
Out  is a connector for Speakers or Headphones.  Line In is used for external CD
player, Tape player, or other audio devices.  Mic is a connector for microphones.
However, there is an advanced audio application provided by Realtek ALC850
to offer support for  7.1-channel audio  operation  and can turn rear audio connectors
from 2-channel to 4-/5.1-/7.1- channel audio. Giga-bit LAN Pin Definition
PIN SIGNAL DESCRIPTION
1 D0P Differential Pair 0+
2 D0N Differential Pair 0-
3 D1P Differential Pair 1+
4 D2P Differential Pair 2+
5 D2N Differential Pair 2-
6 D1N Differential Pair 1-
7 D3P Differential Pair 3+
8 D3N Differential Pair 3- RJ-45 LAN Jack
MSI Reminds You...
For the advanced functions of the audio codec, please refer to 
Chapter
6,7: Introduction to Realtek ALC850/ALC880 Audio Codec  for
details. Rear Speaker Out
 (in 7.1CH / 5.1CH) Line Out
(Front R/L)
Line In / Line Out
(Surround R/L) (in 7.1 CH)
MIC Center/Subwoofer
Speaker Out
( in 7.1CH / 5.1CH)
SPDIF-Out 
						

							2-13 Hardware SetupParallel Port Connector: LPT1
The mainboard provides a 25-pin female centronic connector as LPT.  A parallel
port is a standard printer port that supports Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) and Ex-
tended Capabilities Parallel Port (ECP) mode.131
14
25
PINSIGNALDESCRIPTION
1STROBEStrobe
2DATA0Data0
3DATA1Data1
4DATA2Data2
5DATA3Data3
6DATA4Data4
7DATA5Data5
8DATA6Data6
9DATA7Data7
10ACK#Acknowledge
11BUSYBusy
12PEPaper End
13SELECTSelect
14AUTO FEED#Automatic Feed
15ERR#Error
16INIT#Initialize Printer
17SLIN#Select In
18GNDGround
19GNDGround
20GNDGround
21GNDGround
22GNDGround
23GNDGround
24GNDGround
25GNDGround Pin Definition 
						

							
2-14  
MS-7176 ATX Mainboard The mainboard provides connectors to connect to FDD, IDE HDD, case, LAN,
and USB Ports.
Floppy Disk Drive Connector: FDD1
The mainboard provides a standard floppy disk drive connector that supports
360K, 720K, 1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88M floppy disk types. Connectors
FDD1 Fan Power Connectors: CPUFAN1/SYSFAN1/PWRFAN1
The CPUFAN1 (processor fan), SYSFAN1 and PWRFAN1 support system cool-
ing fan with +12V. It supports four/three-pin head connector. When connecting the
wire to the connectors, always take note that the red wire is the positive and should
be connected to the +12V, the black wire is Ground and should be connected to GND.
If the mainboard has a System Hardware Monitor chipset on-board, you must use a
specially designed fan with speed sensor to take advantage of the CPU fan control.
CPUFAN1SENSOR
+12V
GND Control
MSI Reminds You...
1.Always consult the vendors for proper CPU cooling fan.
2.CPUFAN1 supports the fan control. Fan/heatsink with 3 or 4 fins
are both available.
3.Please refer to the recommended CPU fans at Intel ®
 official
website. PWRFAN1 Sensor
+12V
GND
SYSFAN1 Sensor
+12V
GND 
						

							
2-15
Hardware Setup Hard Disk Connector: IDE1
The mainboard has 32-bit Ultra DMA 66/100 IDE controllers integrated in  the
chips Intel ICH7/ICH7R, which supports PIO & Bus Master operation modes and it can
connect up to two Ultra ATA drives.
IDE1 can connect a Master and a Slave drive. You must configure second hard drive
to Slave mode by setting the jumper accordingly. MSI Reminds You...
If you install two hard disks on cable, you must configure the second
drive to Slave mode by setting its jumper. Refer to the hard disk
documentation supplied by hard disk vendors for jumper setting
instructions.IDE1 (blue)