The material in this document is the intellectual property of MICRO-STAR
INTERNATIONAL. We take every care in the preparation of this document, but no
guarantee is given as to the correctness of its contents. Our products are under
continual improvement and we reserve the right to make changes without notice.
Trademarks
All trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, DualNet, and nForce are registered trademarks or trade-
marks of NVIDIA Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
AMD, Athlon™ , Athlon™ XP, Thoroughbred™, and Duron™ are registered trademarks of AMD Corporation.
Intel® and Pentium® are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.
PS/2 and OS®/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines
Corporation.
Windows® 95/98/2000/NT/XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Netware® is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.
Award® is a registered trademark of Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
AMI® is a registered trademark of American Megatrends Inc.
Revision History
RevisionRevision HistoryDate
V2.4First releaseSeptember 2007
Technical Support
If a problem arises with your system and no solution can be obtained from the user’s
manual, please contact your place of purchase or local distributor. Alternatively,
please try the following help resources for further guidance.
Visit the MSI website for FAQ, technical guide, BIOS updates, driver updates,
and other information: http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?
4.Lay this equipment on a reliable flat surface before setting it up.
5.The openings on the enclosure are for air convection hence protects the equipment from overheating. DO NOT COVER THE OPENINGS.
6.Make sure the voltage of the power source and adjust properly 110/220V before
connecting the equipment to the power inlet. Rating: 100-127/200-240V~, 4/2A,
60/50Hz.
7.Place the power cord such a way that people can not step on it. Do not place
anything over the power cord.
8.Always Unplug the Power Cord before inserting any add-on card or module.
9.All cautions and warnings on the equipment should be noted.
10. Never pour any liquid into the opening that could damage or cause electrical
shock.
11. If any of the following situations arises, get the equipment checked by service
personnel:
† The power cord or plug is damaged.
† Liquid has penetrated into the equipment.
† The equipment has been exposed to moisture.
† The equipment does not work well or you can not get it work according to
User’s Manual.
† The equipment has dropped and damaged.
† The equipment has obvious sign of breakage.
12. DO NOT LEAVE THIS EQUIPMENT IN AN ENVIRONMENT UNCONDITIONED, STORAGE TEMPERATURE ABOVE 600 C (1400F), IT MAY DAMAGE THE EQUIPMENT.
CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.
Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the
manufacturer.
iii
FCC-B Radio Frequency Interference Statement
This equipment has been
tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the measures listed
below.
† Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
† Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
† Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
† Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.
Notice 1
The changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Notice 2
Shielded interface cables and A.C. power cord, if any, must be used in order to
comply with the emission limits.
VOIR LA NOTICE D’ INSTALLATION AVANT DE RACCORDER AU RESEAU.
Micro-Star International
MS-7236
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
iv
WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Statement
Thank you for choosing the 945 Neo5 (MS-7236 V2.X)
ATX mainboard. The 945 Neo5 mainboard is based on
Intel® 945GC and Intel® ICH7 chipset for optimal system
efficiency. Designed to fit the advanced Intel® Pentium
4 LGA775 processor, the 945 Neo5 mainboard delivers a high performance and professional desktop platform solution.
GettingStarted
1-1
MS-7236 Mainboard
Mainboard Specifications
Processor Support
- Intel® Core 2 Duo / Pentium D / Pentium 4 / Celeron processors in
LGA775 package
- Supports 2004 Performance FMB CPU Design
- Supports 3/4 pin CPU Fan Pin-Header with Fan Speed Control
- Supports Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
(For the latest information about CPU, please visit http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=cpuform)
Supported FSB
- 533 / 800 / 1066 / 1333 MHz
Chipset
- North Bridge: Intel® 945GC chipset
- South Bridge: Intel® ICH7 chipset
Memory Support
- DDR2 533 / 667 SDRAM (4GB Max)
- 4 DDR2 DIMMs (240-pin / 1.8V)
(For more information on compatible components, please visit http:/
/global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=testreport)
LAN (Optional)
- 10/100 Mb/s supported by Realtek® RTL8100C
- 10/100/1000 Mb/s supported by Realtek® RTL8110SC
- Compliance with PCI 2.2
- Supports ACPI Power Management
Audio
- Chip integrated by Realtek® ALC888
- Flexible 8-channel audio with jack sensing
- Compliance with Azalia 1.0 Spec
IDE
- 1 IDE port by Intel® ICH7
- Supports Ultra DMA 66/100 mode
- Supports PIO, Bus Master operation mode
SATA
- 4 SATAII ports by Intel® ICH7
- Supports four SATA devices
- Supports storage and data transfers at up to 300 MB/s
Floppy
- 1 floppy port
- Supports 1 FDD with 360KB, 720KB, 1.2MB, 1.44MB and 2.88MB
* These pictures are for your reference only. Your packing contents may vary depending on the model you purchased.
1-5
MS-7236 Mainboard
Core Center
Click on the Core Center icon in the main menu and the Core Center program will
be enabled.
CoreCenter is just like your PC doctor that can detect, view and adjust the PC
hardware and system status during real time operation.
In the left side it shows the current system status including the Vcore, 3.3V, +5V and
12V. In the right side it shows the current PC hardware status such as the CPU &
system temperatures and all fans speeds.
When you click the red triangles in the left and right sides, two sub-menus will open
for users to adjust the thresholds of system to send out the warning messages.
1-6
Getting Started
Left-wing: Current system status
In the left sub-menu, you can configure the settings of FSB, Vcore, Memory
Voltage and AGP Voltage by clicking the radio button next to each item and make it
available (the radio button will be lighted as yellow when selected), use the “+”
and “-” buttons to adjust, then click “OK” to apply the changes. Then you can click
“Save” to save the values you just configured.
Also you may click “Auto” to start testing the maximum CPU overclocking value.
The CPU FSB will automatically increase the testing value until the PC reboots. Or
you may click “Default” to restore the default values.
Right-wing: PC hardware status during real time operation
In the right sub-menu, here you can configure the PC hardware status such as
CPU & system temperatures and fan speeds. You may use the scroll bars to adjust
each item, then click “OK” to apply the changes. The values you set for the
temperatures are the maximum thresholds for the system for warnings, and the
value for fan speeds are the minimum thresholds.
1-7
Chapter 2
Hardware Setup
This chapter provides you with the information about
hardware setup procedures. While doing the installation,
be careful in holding the components and follow the
installation procedures. For some components, if you
install in the wrong orientation, the components will not
work properly.
HardwareSetup
Use a grounded wrist strap before handling computer
components. Static electricity may damage the
components.
ONLY FOR SERVICE PERSONEL
Always unplug the power cord before
inserting any add-on card or module.
2-1
MS-7236 Mainboard
Quick Components Guide
Back Panel,
p.2-13
SYSFAN2 &
PWRFAN2,
p.2-17
JPW1
p.2-12
ATX1
p.2-12
CPU
p.2-3
CPUFAN1,
p.2-17
DIMM1~4,
p.2-7
PCIE Slots,
p.2-24
PCI Slots,
p.2-24
JAUD1,
p.2-21
2-2
CD_IN1,
p.2-20
JSPD1,
p.2-22
FDD1,
p.2-17
JUSB1~2,
p.2-21
945 Neo5 Series
(MS-7236 V2.X) ATX Mainboard
JBAT1,
p.2-23
JCI1,
p.2-22
SATA1~4,
p.2-19
IDE1,
p.2-18
JFP1~2,
p.2-20
Hardware Setup
Central Processing Unit: CPU
The mainboard supports Intel® Pentium 4 Series processor. The mainboard uses a
CPU socket called LGA775. When you are installing the CPU, make sure to install the
cooler to prevent overheating. If you do not have the CPU cooler, contact your dealer
to purchase and install them before turning on the computer.
(For the latest information about CPU, please visit http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=cpuform)
Important
1. Overheating will seriously damage the CPU and system, always make
sure the cooling fan can work properly to protect the CPU from
overheating.
2. While replacing the CPU, always turn off the ATX power supply or
unplug the power supply’s power cord from grounded outlet first to
ensure the safety of CPU.
3. According to the Intel® North Bridge 945-family chipset spec,this
mainboard is designed to support overclocking. However, please make
sure your components are able to tolerate such abnormal setting, while
doing overclocking. Any attempt to operate beyond product specifications is not recommended. We do not guarantee the damages or risks
caused by inadequate operation or beyond product specifications.
Introduction to LGA 775 CPU
The pin-pad side of LGA 775 CPU.
Alignment Key
Yellow triangle is the Pin 1 indicator
The surface of LGA 775 CPU. Remember to apply some silicone heat transfer
compound on it for better heat
dispersion.
Alignment Key
Yellow triangle is the Pin 1 indicator
2-3
MS-7236 Mainboard
CPU & Cooler Installation
When you are installing the CPU, make sure the CPU has a cooler attached on
the top to prevent overheating. If you do not have the cooler, contact your dealer
to purchase and install them before turning on the computer. Meanwhile, do not
forget to apply some silicon heat transfer compound on CPU before installing the heat
sink/cooler fan for better heat dispersion. Follow the steps below to install the CPU &
cooler correctly. Wrong installation will cause the damage of your CPU & mainboard.
1.The CPU socket has a plastic cap on
it to protect the contact from damage.
Before you install the CPU, always
cover it to protect the socket pin.
2.Remove the cap from lever hinge
side (as the arrow shows).
4.Open the load lever.3.The pins of socket reveal.
2-4
Hardware Setup
5.Lift the load lever up and open the
load plate.
7.Visually inspect if the CPU is
seated well into the socket. If not,
take out the CPU with pure vertical
motion and reinstall.
6.After confirming the CPU direction
for correct mating, put down the
CPU in the socket housing frame.
Be sure to grasp on the edge of
the CPU base. Note that the alignment keys are matched.
alignment
key
8.Cover the load plate onto the
package.
Important
1. Confirm if your CPU cooler is firmly installed before turning on your
system.
2. Do not touch the CPU socket pins to avoid damaging.
3. The availability of the CPU land side cover depends on your CPU packing.
2-5
MS-7236 Mainboard
9.Press down the load lever lightly
onto the load plate, and then secure the lever with the hook under
retention tab.
11.Press the four hooks down to fas-
ten the cooler. Then rotate the locking switch (refer to the correct direction marked on it) to lock the
hooks.
10. Align the holes on the mainboard
with the heatsink. Push down the
cooler until its four clips get
wedged into the holes of the
mainboard.
12.Turn over the mainboard to confirm that the clip-ends are correctly inserted.
locking
switch
Important
1.Check the information in 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 step 1) to avoid damaging.
2-6
Hardware Setup
Memory
These DIMM slots are used for installing memory modules.
(For more information on compatible components, please visit http://global.msi.com.
tw/index.php?func=testreport)
DDR2
240-pin, 1.8V
64x2=128 pin56x2=112 pin
Single-Channel: All DIMMs in GREEN
Dual-Channel: Channel A in GREEN; Channel B in ORANGE
Due to chipset limitations, to enable dual channel mode or single channel mode,
installing memory modules should refer to the following table.
Memory Installation Combination
(SS : single side, DS : double side, X : none installed memory)
* When memory modules installed as the combinations marked with star
sign, they will run at FSB533 for chip limitation.
Combination10*XDS/SSSSSS
2-7
MS-7236 Mainboard
Important
Due to chipset specifications restrictions, in order to avoid system is
not bootable or memory identification errors. Please do not install two
double-side memory modules in the same channel (the same color
DIMM slots).
Installing Memory Modules
1. The memory module has only one notch on the center and will only fit in the right
orientation.
2. Insert the memory module vertically into the DIMM slot. Then push it in until the
golden finger on the memory module is deeply inserted in the DIMM slot.
3. The plastic clip at each side of the DIMM slot will automatically close.
Volt
Important
You can barely see the golden finger if the memory module is properly
inserted in the DIMM slot.
Notch
2-8
Hardware Setup
Important
1. DDR2 memory modules are not interchangeable with DDR and the
DDR2 standard is not backwards compatible. You should always install
DDR2 memory modules in the DDR2 DIMM slots.
2. In Dual-Channel mode, make sure that you install memory modules of
the same type and density in different channel DIMM slots.
3. To enable successful system boot-up, always insert the memory modules
into the DIMM1 first.
We recommend that you to use the available DDR2 memory modules as following.