Pros: The cpu, memory, and connectors fit in their respected areas well.

Cons: First board DOA, Second board kinda works sometimes. I get BSD (Blue Screens of Death) or just freezes and the reset button doesn't work. Tried various BIOS updates; made sure all updates were preformed, but still does the crashing. Not sure if it is the brand of memory (Crucial) or not that is causing the conflict, but I run a memory test and when single module is in no problems. I put both in and can get six or seven successful tests, then a crash. the CMOS battery placement is a pain also. With said problems from above I find myself resetting the BIOS once a week. I would have to pull the video card out to reset the BIOS because it is located over the reset and battery. The 12 volt accessory plug is in a bad spot also. You need to add about seven inches of wire so it can be hidden, or let it look sloppy and run it over the video card.

Overall Review: I have been building, repairing, and upgrading desktops since the early 1990's. I only had used MSI once before in a build and didn't have much luck with it then. Newegg had a package deal with this motherboard in it. I am thinking that I would have been better off spending the extra money on a more familiar board. Done with MSI. BTW, I did have a MSI video card, 9200 I think, that would still work today if I could find a AGP motherboard to put in.