MSI P43 Neo3-F - should this work with Intel Q6600?

[cmv]

Has anyone run a Q6600 on the MSI P43 Neo3-F? I recently received two Q6600s and I tried one in the Neo3-F and it didn't boot. I removed an e2180 to try the Q6600 and that e2180 is working fine before and after. I concluded that the CPU is not supported but now after doing some googling, it sounds like it should work.

I'll double check I've got the latest BIOS revisions and try the other Q6600 but I wondered if perhaps someone has some actual experience with this motherboard and quad cores.

 

[cmv]

So I upgraded the BIOS to v3.7 and tried the other Q6600 I have and no go -- just doesn't post. Pop back in the e2180 and away we go. Any tips? I'm looking at the open box motherboards at NewEgg right now.

 

[vj8usa]

I hate to ask the obvious, but do you know that the Q6600s work? If you just received them, there's a chance they're defective. Are you also sure your PSU can handle a Q6600? It does draw more power than an E2180. I ask this because P43 should definitely support any 775 Core2, which includes Kentsfields like the Q6600.

 

[cmv]

Originally posted by: vj8usa
I hate to ask the obvious, but do you know that the Q6600s work? If you just received them, there's a chance they're defective. Are you also sure your PSU can handle a Q6600? It does draw more power than an E2180. I ask this because P43 should definitely support any 775 Core2, which includes Kentsfields like the Q6600.

Good questions -- I've got a couple of PC Chips P53G motherboards for HTPCs so I tried both Q6600 CPUs in them. They both work without issue there. I used using the Antec EarthWatts 380w with the P53G and the 430w with the Neo3-F. So both of those bases should be covered. I just realized I might have done something really dumb though...

 

[cmv]

I checked:

- have 4 plug power for CPU plugged in
- reset BIOS

Still doesn't work with the Q6600. I did use a BSEL-moded e2180 in it so I'll check the socket tomorrow to see if some metal filler remnants are in the socket/pad area. It seems like this should work but oddly doesn't.

I opened a ticket on the MSI site. Maybe the MS-7226 v2.2 (Neo3-F) just doesn't work with quad core CPUs for some odd reason.

 

[cmv]

MSI tech support "helpfully" replied to a link of an AMD motherboard for CPU support but I do accept their prognosis that the motherboard/bios doesn't support quad core CPUs .

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: cmv
I opened a ticket on the MSI site. Maybe the MS-7226 v2.2 (Neo3-F) just doesn't work with quad core CPUs for some odd reason.

Isn't it the MS-7514? The MS-7226 seems to be an AM2 board. I just glanced at the Newegg page for the MS-7514, and there are plenty of people using quads with it.

 

[Gillbot]

http://global.msi.com.tw/index...d_no=1483&maincat_no=1
Shows the P43 Neo3-F as supporting both the B3 and G0 Q6600 chip.

http://www.msicomputer.com/pro...el=P43_Neo3-F&class=mb
Supports Intel® Core 2 Extreme/Core 2 Quad/Core 2 Duo based processors in LGA775 package.

I believe this is the generic version of the P45 Neo3-FR which I own and I can say for certain it DOES support quad cpus. If you cannot get yours to post with one, I would suggest an RMA.

 

[cmv]

I did have it wrong -- it is the MS-7236 v2.2 Neo3 (no -F on the board, NewEgg listed it as such). I think it is this one:

http://www.msicomputer.com/pro....asp?model=945P_Neo3-F

Looks like the above except v2.2 PCB instead of v2.1 (doubt that matters much). I swapped out the video card just in case (x800pro/xt -> Nvidia 6200LE) but no difference.

 

[Gillbot]

Originally posted by: cmv
I did have it wrong -- it is the MS-7236 v2.2 Neo3 (no -F on the board, NewEgg listed it as such). I think it is this one:

http://www.msicomputer.com/pro....asp?model=945P_Neo3-F

Looks like the above except v2.2 PCB instead of v2.1 (doubt that matters much). I swapped out the video card just in case (x800pro/xt -> Nvidia 6200LE) but no difference.

That mobo is vastly different than the one in your title

Topic Title: MSI P43 Neo3-F

If yours is the 945P Neo3 which has the Intel 945P chipset instead of the P43 chipset, it does NOT support the Q6600 chip.

 

[cmv]

Thank you for the confirmation. I don't know how I messed it up that badly (guess it was time to go to bed). You've saved me some time here as I can just keep it in my backup system and get something else for the Q6600.

edit: Wait, I posted in the afternoon. Well, I don't know what I was doing .