Currently, the unprecedented low cost DDR2 and some mainstream 2GB products can be purchased under NT$500 (about 15 USD)
due to vicious selling and competition of IC manufacturing in the memory market.
The DDR3 price is quite low. The entry-level 1GB DDR3 1333 is only NT$1000 (about 33 USD).
But, I personally believe that this is not a normal marketing ecology.
In the past, a mainstream DRAM price is at least 33USD. But right now, most people still choose the DDR2 memory.
So the DDR2 + DDR3 combo motherboard still have the position in the market.
With such vicious competition in the DRAM market, some large-scale IC plant will run out of business.
Then the small number of IC manufacturers will monopolize the market which unfortunately will victimize the consumers.
So price competition is not a good thing indeed.
Perhaps in the future, the expensive DRAM products will happen again just like many years ago.
This time, I tested the MSI P45-8D Memory Lover, which is P45 + ICH10R motherboard equipped with 4 DIMM DDR2 and 4 DIMM DDR3 memory slots.
Different from the previous P45 series’ Orc patterns, this package uses a very clear product positioning.
Accessories include wires, XP/VISTA driver CD, I/O shields, eSATA/USB expansion port.
MSI P45-8D Memory Lover motherboard
1 X PCI-EX16
1 X PCI-EX1
3 X PCI
1 X FLOPPY
Realtek ALC999 High Definition Audio Codecs, supports 7.1-channel.
Realtek RTL8111C Gigabit Ethernet controller
South Bridge ICH10R supports AHCI controller and SATA RAID 0/1/5/10
2 X SATAII(JMicronR 363)
1 X IDE(JMicronR 363)
Built-in Power/Reset button and D-LED2 information display, easy to use for the DIY users.
This motherboard is equipped with 8 DIMM DRAM memory slots.
There are 4 DIMM of DDR2 in 667/800/1066MHz (overclocking).
1066 is the special specifications for overclocking set up. DDR2 memory maximum supports to 16GB.
There are 4 DIMM of DDR3 in 800/1066/1333/1600MHz (overclocking).
1600 is the special specifications for overclocking set up. DDR3 memory maximum supports to 8GB.
Of course, these two DRAM specifications cannot be used together, because the design and voltage are different.
Using the DDR2/DDR3 together can lead to hardware damage.
Comes with five-phase power supply and solid capacitors can strengthen the durability for prolonged use.
This product also supports MSI DrMOS energy-saving technology.
IO
4 X USB 2.0
1 X IEEE1394
1 X Clear CMOS
There is also a LPT printer port, although most people will rarely use it,
but some companies still use the old-type printer.
It is an essential device.
The North Bridge is using the butterfly-shaped catheter design heat sink which is connected with the South Bridge.
There is an OC jumper next to the heat sink which enables users to set up the overclocking FSB easily.
due to vicious selling and competition of IC manufacturing in the memory market.
The DDR3 price is quite low. The entry-level 1GB DDR3 1333 is only NT$1000 (about 33 USD).
But, I personally believe that this is not a normal marketing ecology.
In the past, a mainstream DRAM price is at least 33USD. But right now, most people still choose the DDR2 memory.
So the DDR2 + DDR3 combo motherboard still have the position in the market.
With such vicious competition in the DRAM market, some large-scale IC plant will run out of business.
Then the small number of IC manufacturers will monopolize the market which unfortunately will victimize the consumers.
So price competition is not a good thing indeed.
Perhaps in the future, the expensive DRAM products will happen again just like many years ago.
This time, I tested the MSI P45-8D Memory Lover, which is P45 + ICH10R motherboard equipped with 4 DIMM DDR2 and 4 DIMM DDR3 memory slots.
Different from the previous P45 series’ Orc patterns, this package uses a very clear product positioning.
Accessories include wires, XP/VISTA driver CD, I/O shields, eSATA/USB expansion port.
MSI P45-8D Memory Lover motherboard
1 X PCI-EX16
1 X PCI-EX1
3 X PCI
1 X FLOPPY
Realtek ALC999 High Definition Audio Codecs, supports 7.1-channel.
Realtek RTL8111C Gigabit Ethernet controller
South Bridge ICH10R supports AHCI controller and SATA RAID 0/1/5/10
2 X SATAII(JMicronR 363)
1 X IDE(JMicronR 363)
Built-in Power/Reset button and D-LED2 information display, easy to use for the DIY users.
This motherboard is equipped with 8 DIMM DRAM memory slots.
There are 4 DIMM of DDR2 in 667/800/1066MHz (overclocking).
1066 is the special specifications for overclocking set up. DDR2 memory maximum supports to 16GB.
There are 4 DIMM of DDR3 in 800/1066/1333/1600MHz (overclocking).
1600 is the special specifications for overclocking set up. DDR3 memory maximum supports to 8GB.
Of course, these two DRAM specifications cannot be used together, because the design and voltage are different.
Using the DDR2/DDR3 together can lead to hardware damage.
Comes with five-phase power supply and solid capacitors can strengthen the durability for prolonged use.
This product also supports MSI DrMOS energy-saving technology.
IO
4 X USB 2.0
1 X IEEE1394
1 X Clear CMOS
There is also a LPT printer port, although most people will rarely use it,
but some companies still use the old-type printer.
It is an essential device.
The North Bridge is using the butterfly-shaped catheter design heat sink which is connected with the South Bridge.
There is an OC jumper next to the heat sink which enables users to set up the overclocking FSB easily.
