MSI mPC 51PV Small Form Factor PC

Name: MSI mPC 51PV Small Form Factor PC - Page 4
Brand: MSI

by Marco Chiappetta — Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 10:00 PM EDT

The MSI mPC 51PV is equipped with a Phoenix/Award BIOS derivative that is is relatively complete and easy to navigate. From within the BIOS users have the ability to configure, enable or disable all of the board's integrated peripherals, and monitor voltages and temperatures.

MSI mPC 51PV: Exploring the BIOS

Covers the Basics Well

The mPC 51PV has a relatively well equipped BIOS, provided overclocking is low on your list of priorities. In fact, the mPC 51PV has no overclocking options in the BIOS at all. This is somewhat of a let down, but considering that machine is not targeted at enthusiasts and managing thermals in a small form factor enclosure is far more difficult than it is in a full sized case, a lack of overclocking options isn't a major detriment.

As far as the other more mainstream BIOS options go, the mPC 51PV is fairly well off. All of the integrated peripherals can be managed from within the BIOS, including the IGP which can have its frame buffer allocation and TV output mode altered. There is also a fairly well appointed hardware monitoring section where user's have the ability to tweak fan speeds based on a predetermined temperature threshold.

Tags: MSI, PC, CTO, Small Form Factor PC, Small Form Factor, MS, mall, AC, Tor, ACT

Marco Chiappetta

Marco's interest in computing and technology dates all the way back to his early childhood. Even before being exposed to the Commodore P.E.T. and later the Commodore 64 in the early ‘80s, he was interested in electricity and electronics, and he still has the modded AFX cars and shop-worn soldering irons to prove it. Once he got his hands on his own Commodore 64, however, computing became Marco's passion. Throughout his academic and professional lives, Marco has worked with virtually every major platform from the TRS-80 and Amiga, to today's high end, multi-core servers. Over the years, he has worked in many fields related to technology and computing, including system design, assembly and sales, professional quality assurance testing, and technical writing. In addition to being the Managing Editor here at HotHardware for close to 15 years, Marco is also a freelance writer whose work has been published in a number of PC and technology related print publications and he is a regular fixture on HotHardware’s own Two and a Half Geeks webcast. - Contact: marco(at)hothardware(dot)com