Microstar MS-6182 Slot-1 810

For the true gamers and users that don't feel comfortable with a CPU dependent "soft audio" controller, Microstar made it a point to outfit the 6182 with hardware audio support driven by the Creative Labs ES1373 controller.  The ES1373 is the equivalent of the SoundBlaster PCI 64 card, and produces excellent sound given that it is designed as an integrated "low-cost" audio solution.  If audio is something you'll be playing on a regular basis (i.e. if you listen to MP3s while you work or if you're playing a game) you'll want to have a motherboard with hardware audio rather than use the AC'97 codec provided by the 810 chipset since the audio won't rely on your CPU to drive it. 

The software bundled with the 6182, as with most newer MSI boards, includes MSI's SoftCooler, a Software CPU Cooling Device that allows the processor to essentially "rest" while it is waiting for user input to begin processing another item, and depending on your CPU usage patterns, this software may significantly reduce the heat production and power consumption of your CPU.  For most gamers, and high-end users that are always doing something with their PC, don't expect SoftCooler to do all that much for you, although it is nice to know that it is included.  The bundled CD-ROM includes all the basic driver files, in addition to the SoftCooler utility mentioned above, and Microstar's in-house developed System Monitor software that basically outputs the same information values (voltages, etc...) under Windows 9x for careful monitoring of your system.

The stability and performance of the 6182 was top notch as we've come to expect from Microstar, however as we were prepared for after the BX revolution, the performance of most 810 boards should be within 1 - 2% of one another. 

The Bad

Unfortunately all of these added features come at a price, and estimates of the price of the 6182 place it well above the $100 mark most 810 boards should be under.  You get what you pay for, but for most users that are looking for a cheap system or an 810 upgrade, the 6182 may be little out of your league.  The User's Guide is basically a regurgitation of spec sheets and provides no information as to how to setup/install the motherboard, a definite con for first time builders/novice users. 

Other than those two complaints, the 6182, like the boards before it, left AnandTech with a feeling of satisfaction absent from most motherboard tests.

USB Compatibility

• Number of Front Universal Serial Bus Root (USB2) Ports: 2

• Front USB Cable Provided (USB2)? No

• Number of Rear Universal Serial Bus Root Ports: 2

• USB IRQ Enable/Disable in BIOS: Yes

• USB Keyboard Support in BIOS: Yes

Recommended SDRAM

Recommended SDRAM: Mushkin SEC -GH PC100 SDRAM; Memory Man SEC -GH PC100 SDRAM
SDRAM Tested: 1 x 64MB Mushkin PC100 SDRAM; 1 x 64MB Memory-Man PC100 SDRAM; 1 x 256MB Corsair PC100 SDRAM DIMM (for compatibility testing only)

Manufacturer: The Memory Man
Purchase Web-Site: http://www.memory-man.com

Manufacturer: Mushkin
Purchase Web-Site: http://www.mushkin.com