questions about msi h55m-ed55

[vurruste]

i'm thinking of building a new workstation on next week.
as no wisthles or redundants or what so ever (raid, sata3 (6gb), firewire, ide, fdd, usb3) is needed, the h55m-ed55 mobo seems perfect to me. reviews stated very good power consumption and stabilty. so i think i go for it! 
for starting there is quite tight budget: i can't afford good cpu cooler nor new 80+ psu.
cpu (with igp) would be intel i5-660 and no discrete graphics.
one sata hard drive.
and i'm defenitely not running for oc. rather stability, efficency and silence. 
what i need are: esata, ps/2 and min 8gb memory
but at this point i need some advise (cause prior buying i have no access to such hardware to discover all myself):

1) if i'm using core i5-660 cpu (with integrated graphics), according to intel http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43550 the cpu internal base clock (bclk) is 133mhz and supported memory is 1066mhz or 1333mhz, so the compatible memory for this board and i5-660 sholud also be 1333mhz? am i right?
2) so every memory module kit for 4*2gb = 8gb thats meets the terms (1333mhz, voltage and timing (same batch > same brand, same serie, same timing)), should, at least in theory, work (in dual channel mode) perfectly?
3) but how will perform in this board with i5-660 cpu 8gb dual channel 1666mhz memory? will the memory be automatically downclocked? or cpu overclocked? or should i manally adjust voltages, clocks?
4) i have read in forums and overviews (different h55 chip products) that using together igp and gpu (dual view mode) is impossible, though i read in some manuals and forums that it is possbile (at least for some mobos). what about that? what about that with h55m-ed55 mobo? can someone confirm succeeding or impssobility of such combination?
5) as i don't plan to populate every slot: constant power consumers are: mobo itself, cpu, 4*2gb ram, 1 sata drive, mouse and keyboard; occasionally external optical drive or storage via usb/esata, the whole system power consumption should be firmly lower 200w. but is it enough of 350w psu (with appropriate 24 and 4|8 connectors) (chieftec gps-350eb-101a http://www.chieftec.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=484&Itemid=726
)?
6) is the esata port bootable?
7) have the mobos cpu fan and sysfan(s) sensor capability and which fans speed are controllable (via bios or os application (speedfan etc))?
8) in the ps/2 port, can i use ps/2 mouse and keyboard together (via special splitter) or only one of them (im thinking to use kvm-switch with ps/2 and vga ports only)?
9) in bios how is the shared memory for igp controlled? can i set the maximum size which will not be overrun and how accurately can i adjust it's size?
10) i've heard something "memory remapping" feature? ie for example 4gb ram users see only 3gb available and 1gb hardware seserved: igp reservations and due memory is not remapped cause mobo's bios can't do that. is it some town-legend or real-life problem and how it concerns h55m-ed55?
11) not question about the mobo, but does someone know intel boxed cooler for i5-660, is the fan speed controllable (in review pictures there seems to be four cables, guess its controllable)?

thanks in advance 

 

[Jack the Newbie]

1) if i'm using core i5-660 cpu (with integrated graphics), according to intel http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43550  the cpu internal base clock (bclk) is 133mhz and supported memory is 1066mhz or 1333mhz, so the compatible memory for this board and i5-660 sholud also be 1333mhz? am i right?

Yes.

2) so every memory module kit for 4*2gb = 8gb thats meets the terms (1333mhz, voltage and timing (same batch > same brand, same serie, same timing)), should, at least in theory, work (in dual channel mode) perfectly?

Pay particular attention to the "advertised" voltage (always check the product information on the memory manufacturer's homepage!!).  Make sure that the voltage recommendation for the rated frequency and timing values is compliant to the DDR3 industry standard:  1.5V +/- 0.075V.  Higher rating usually mean that the advertised ratings are overclocking ratings (the modules may actually just be DDR3-1066 sticks with a permission to overvolt & overclock).

3) but how will perform in this board with i5-660 cpu 8gb dual channel 1666mhz memory? will the memory be automatically downclocked? or cpu overclocked? or should i manally adjust voltages, clocks?

The performance question is of secondary importance.  The compatibility question and the stability question is the primary one.  A standard for DDR3-1666 does not even exist.  That means that the memory modules advertised as "DDR3-1666" are either DDR3-1600 sticks, or (which is more likely) just factory overclocked DDR3-1333.  That does not mean that you will necessarely run into problems (it may work just fine).  However, be prepared for stability issues and be ready to run those sticks at lower than the advertised (overclock) speeds.

4) i have read in forums and overviews (different h55 chip products) that using together igp and gpu (dual view mode) is impossible, though i read in some manuals and forums that it is possbile (at least for some mobos). what about that? what about that with h55m-ed55 mobo? can someone confirm succeeding or impssobility of such combination?

What video card do you have in mind?

5) as i don't plan to populate every slot: constant power consumers are: mobo itself, cpu, 4*2gb ram, 1 sata drive, mouse and keyboard; occasionally external optical drive or storage via usb/esata, the whole system power consumption should be firmly lower 200w. but is it enough of 350w psu (with appropriate 24 and 4|8 connectors) (chieftec gps-350eb-101a http://www.chieftec.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=484&Itemid=726
)?

Stay aways from that PSU.  I recommend a Corsair CX400 or Corsair VX450 as an alternative.  It may be slightly more expensive but the chance of running into problems is much lower than with that Split-Rail piece of low-quality PSU.  Plus: You will have an 80+ certified PSU that is unsignificantly more expensive than that Chieftec thingy.

6) is the esata port bootable?

Yes. At least it should be.

7) have the mobos cpu fan and sysfan(s) sensor capability and which fans speed are controllable (via bios or os application (speedfan etc))?

As long as you are using a 4-Pin-PWM CPU-Fan, it will be automatically controlled by the BIOS when attached to the 4-Pin PWM CPUFan header.  According to the user manual, two of the three system fan headers can be adjusted via BIOS Setup and/or SpeedFan.

8) in the ps/2 port, can i use ps/2 mouse and keyboard together (via special splitter) or only one of them (im thinking to use kvm-switch with ps/2 and vga ports only)?

Mh, not sure about that.

9) in bios how is the shared memory for igp controlled? can i set the maximum size which will not be overrun and how accurately can i adjust it's size?

You can adjust the size in BIOS Setup (check the BIOS Section in the user manual).

10) i've heard something "memory remapping" feature? ie for example 4gb ram users see only 3gb available and 1gb hardware seserved: igp reservations and due memory is not remapped cause mobo's bios can't do that. is it some town-legend or real-life problem and how it concerns h55m-ed55?

Memory remapping is always enabled.  The thing you are talking about has nothing to do with the mainboard or BIOS (at least not on current systems/chipset).  The memory limitation has to do with the operating system you use.  A 32bit operating system provides a memory address decode space of exactly 4GB.  Part of that address space has to be reserved for system devices other than system memory.  That means that as long as a 32bit operating system is used, it is simply impossible to fully address 4GB of system memory.  The amount of usable memory depends on the system configuration and can be anywhere from 2.5GB and 3.5GB but never 4GB.  All this is not a problem when a 64bit operating system is used.

Read this article for more information:  http://www.dansdata.com/askdan00015.htm

11) not question about the mobo, but does someone know intel boxed cooler for i5-660, is the fan speed controllable (in review pictures there seems to be four cables, guess its controllable)?

Check answer to question #8.

 

[vurruste]

hei Jack t.N.  such quick answer, i corrected my typos, vups, somebody already posted answer
#1 ok
#2 ok
#3 i ment 1600mhz not 1666mhz (that's was typo), but the question remains, if i put 1600mhz memory for 1333mhz cpu, what happens? solves the bios automatically the "problem" downclocks memory or overclocks cpu or should i manually interfer?

what is available in my region (estonia)? nothing special, here is link to the local retail best offer http://www.galador.ee/catalog/view/126-maelud-pc-le/filter/508, maybe somebody points me out, what would be good choice of 8gb (=4*2gb) 1333mhz memory (if in the end of line there isn't button (Osta! > ie buy in estonian) then this product is out of stock now and in near future.

#4 i haven't choos video card yet (due budget limitation), but in theory it would be some pci-e passive cooling card, preferably with amd radeon chip.
on user manual p51, there is interesting piece of information: "Primary Graphics Adapter - this setting specifies which graphics card is your primary graphics adapter" thats gave me hope, maybe msi engineers made it possible ...
#5 "problem" is that i can't stay away from it, cause i already have the psu in my old desktop  :rolleyes_anim: i just thougt for starting, months or two, to use this ... as the budget theme again 
#q6 if the esata port isn't bootable i run in some problem installing os (cause i have external optical drive with esata connection: come with my laptop)
#7 ok
#8 not clear
#9 would check the bios section again (but as far as i remember there were only some written text not values what i can choose: ie are the values discrete like 4mb 8mb 16mb etc or i can enter somehting like 10mb)? in big picture it's quite irrelevant, but in principle for low level workstation work i need as much as less memory for graphics)
#10
#11 ok (as you wrote answer for me, i changed the initial post, so initial q10 becomes q11)

cheers

p.s. the forum logs me out every 10 or so minut although i marked 60 minut login time 

 

[Jack the Newbie]

q9 would check the bios section again (but as far as i remember there were only some written text not values what i can choose: ie are the values discrete like 4mb 8mb 16mb etc or i can enter somehting like 10mb)? in big picture it's quite irrelevant, but in principle for low level workstation work i need as much as less memory for graphics)

The BIOS Section shows [32MB] for VGA shared memory.  The steps are usually [16MB] (perhaps), [32MB], [64MB], [128MB], [256MB].  I don't know the exact settings. 

q6 if the esata port isn't bootable i run in some problem installing os (cause i have external optical drive with esata connection: come with my laptop)

As I said, the port should be bootable. 

q5 "problem" is that i can't stay away from it, cause i already have the psu in my old desktop

Well, I think that that PSU is a low-quality device and I cannot recommend it for any new system configuration.  Of course you can use it anyway, but if you run into problems, it would not surprise me.  You said that you want a system that is energy efficient.  You may be wasting 10-20W with that Chieftec thing.

q3 i ment 1600mhz not 1666mhz (that's was typo), but the question remains, if i put 1600mhz memory for 1333mhz cpu, what happens? solves the bios automatically the "problem" downclocks memory or overclocks cpu or should i manually interfer?

You can always manually adjust the memory clock speed if you run into stability issues @DDR3-1600.  The default setting probably is DDR3-1333.  The answer to that depends on the exact RAM model you are going to buy and on the SPD Profiles programmed to the SPD Chips of the modules by the memory manufacturer.

q4 i haven't choosed video card yet (due budget limitation), but in theory it would be some pci-e passive cooling card, preferably with amd radeon chip. on user manual p51, there is interesting piece of information: "Primary Graphics Adapter - this setting specifies which graphics card is your primary graphics adapter" thats gave me hope, maybe msi engineers made it possible ...

I am not really sure about that.  But I believe it should be possible.  Maybe someone who has actually done it will reply to this question with a definate answer.

p.s. the forum logs me out every 10 or so minut although i marked 60 minut login time

Mh, I don't know why.  Try clearing the cache of your browser and log in again.

 

[vurruste]

The BIOS Section shows [32MB] for VGA shared memory.  The steps are usually [16MB] (perhaps), [32MB], [64MB], [128MB], [256MB].  I don't know the exact settings. 

#9 ok

As I said, the port should be bootable. 

#6 ok

Well, I think that that PSU is a low-quality device and I cannot recommend it for any new system configuration.  Of course you can use it anyway, but if you run into problems, it would not surprise me.  You said that you want a system that is energy efficient.  You may be wasting 10-20W with that Chieftec thing.

#5 ok
im aware of power supply importance and next thing in my shopping list is good 80+ psu, but in next month

You can always manually adjust the memory clock speed if you run into stability issues @DDR3-1600.  The default setting probably is DDR3-1333.  The answer to that depends on the exact RAM model you are going to buy and on the SPD Profiles programmed to the SPD Chips of the modules by the memory manufacturer.

#5 ok
i think i gonna go for 1333mhz though there are some good offerings for 4*2gb*1600mhz branded memory (corsair)

I am not really sure about that.  But I believe it should be possible.  Maybe someone who has actually done it will reply to this question with a definate answer.

#4 yeah, maybe someone has done such a thing, will wait

Mh, I don't know why.  Try clearing the cache of your browser and log in again.

seems my fault: i had few windows open, closed others ..

anyway, Jack t.N., thank you for your quick replays 

 

[Jack the Newbie]

i think i gonna go for 1333mhz though there are some good offerings for 4*2gb*1600mhz branded memory (corsair)

You can buy those, as well.  As I said, once you run into stability issues, it is no problem to set the memory speed to DDR3-1333.  If it does work @DDR3-1600, well, great! 

im aware of power supply importance and next thing in my shopping list is good 80+ psu, but in next month

Yep, I am sure that this is a good step.  Have a look here (same board as you are planning to buy):

http://msi-forum.de/index.php?page=Thread&postID=751904#post751904

Dieser lag anf?nglich mit 2x1GB Kingston Speicher und einer Samsung HD502HJ auch bei ?ber 50W idle.

Mit einem neuen Seasonic SS-250SU APFC 80+ warens dann mit einmal 36 Watt Idle.

--> cheap low-quality PSU --> 50W IDLE
--> better Seasonic 80+ PSU --> 36W IDLE

That is a 14W difference. 

 

[Henry]

Installing a discrete VGA card disables integrated graphics.

To give you an idea of power consumption with an i3 530 OC at 3.75GHz CPU at 78% load and N260GTX OC at 70% load on my H55-GD65 AC 110V side of PSU is at 255W power use. When only integrated graphics was being used and low CPU (and no OC on CPU) use it was about 60W or so. I don't think i5 would be much different.
Stock cooler should be OK if no OC but if you do OC you definitely would need a better cooler.

I have had no problems at all with the plain no heat spreader 2x2 GB Crucial 1333 1.5V RAM. Why do you need 8 GB RAM?

 

[vurruste]

hello henry!

Installing a discrete VGA card disables integrated graphics.

not completely agree with you, though haven't touched no such mobo to say from my own experience, but ... here are some info:

ASRock H55M Pro
http://forums.tweaktown.com/asrock/39602-h55m-pro-using-discrete-display-card-second-pcie-x-16-slot-intel-hd-graphics.html > H55M Pro: using discrete display card in second PCIe x 16 slot with Intel HD graphics >> should work in the first slot as well (mobos manual says nothing about it)
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/h55-h57-motherboard,2555-3.html > Yet, most of its competitors also offer HDMI, DVI, and VGA capabilities, so ASRock enhances value by also including two graphics card slots. Bandwidth limited by its four 2.5 Gb/s pathways, the second slot doesn?t interfere with onboard graphics. A card placed in the white slot can therefore be used in addition to any CPU-integrated controller or primary graphics card, to enhance multi-display capability

Asus P7H57D-V EVO
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20100521224137125&board_id=1&model=P7H57D-V+EVO&page=1&SLanguage=en-us > What's iGPU+PEG(Dual) in (0905)? >> IGP = integrated graphics PEG=pcie graphics
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?id=20100330222739171&board_id=1&model=P7H57D-V+EVO&page=1&SLanguage=en-us > Onboard Video and PCI-E at the same time >> talks that its not possible without BIOS help

Gigabyte H55N-USB3
http://www.anandtech.com/Show/Index/3769?cPage=5&all=False&sort=0&page=1&slug=reviewed-gigabyte-h55nusb3-miniitx-done-the-gigabyte-way > look in comments section

Gigabyte GA-H55M-UD2H; Gigabyte GA-H57M-USB3; Gigabyte GA-Q57M-S2H
mobo's manual on p49 > Onboard VGA - always enable - always activates the onboard graphics, whether or not a pci express card is installed. if you wish to set up a dual view configuration set this item to always enable

so, for me it seems to be possbile (at least in some boards)

To give you an idea of power consumption with an i3 530 OC at 3.75GHz CPU at 78% load and N260GTX OC at 70% load on my H55-GD65 AC 110V side of PSU is at 255W power use. When only integrated graphics was being used and low CPU (and no OC on CPU) use it was about 60W or so. I don't think i5 would be much different.
Stock cooler should be OK if no OC but if you do OC you definitely would need a better cooler.

no, i'm not gonna OC, rather downclock. there are enouch computing power at 3,3ghz for me 

I have had no problems at all with the plain no heat spreader 2x2 GB Crucial 1333 1.5V RAM. Why do you need 8 GB RAM?

8gb for what? let say i would like to have whole 16gb
for short: i need lot of ram for a) ramdisk (it is orders of magnitude faster than other storage media) b) and for virtual machines

 

[Frankenputer]

Why are you posting forums and threads for other manufacturers.  Those other boards have nothing to do with MSI boards.  Even if they can, it doesn't mean that MSI's version does.  Notice, Henry has an H55, btw. 

You can always ask MSI to see what they say about the ability to use the IGP(only available with certain CPUs) and a discreet VGA.

>>How to contact MSI.<<