Just an update for those looking for this board.
Many of you probably downloaded the original manual listed on the www.msi.com.tw website for the K7 Master and Master-S. This manual, a single PDF, illustrated 4 DIMM sockets and plainly described their function (4 Registered DIMM's or 2 Unbuffered). Recently, the manual was silently changed, without updating the version number. The new manual, which comes zipped with 4 PDF's, illustrates 2 DIMM sockets. Some believed this to be an error because all of the other images available clearly show 4 DIMM's.
However, the images on www.msi.com.tw have also been changed. The board now shows only 2 DIMM's, to match the revision in the manual.
Some of you probably thought/think this board is bound to show up soon. Heck, it was announced in November and reviewed months ago. PC Buzz even put the "K7 Master-S" as "NOW AVAILABLE" late last week. Early this week they moved the status back to "Call" as they, of course, did not receive them. Steve from Stable hasn't responded to his forums in weeks, either. It seems MSI's not keeping its promises to its distributors.
I called MSI's L.A. office once again to get the official. Those of you who've tried their Fremont office, know it's apparently unstaffed, as all calls to Tech Support and Sales send you to voice mail. A sales representative at their So Cal location confirmed changes to the board have been made, and when asked when the board will be available, said plainly "April". I tried to get more information about the delay, but she could only say "That's what the factory is saying now".
It's possible a few of these boards have been released, as the BIOS for the board was posted on MSI's sites a short while ago. We know Tom and other review sites got a hold of samples, and some overseas folks seem to see them here and there, but the overall outlook seems grim. At least for March in North America.
What can we now expect from this board, and MSI in general? Are the physical modifications to the board the only changes? And of course, when will it actually be available?
Tom's most up to date review of DDR boards doesn't even mention the poor K7 Master-S. The A7M266 apparently outperforms it, albeit it slightly, and with new chipsets around the corner..
Alopex
Many of you probably downloaded the original manual listed on the www.msi.com.tw website for the K7 Master and Master-S. This manual, a single PDF, illustrated 4 DIMM sockets and plainly described their function (4 Registered DIMM's or 2 Unbuffered). Recently, the manual was silently changed, without updating the version number. The new manual, which comes zipped with 4 PDF's, illustrates 2 DIMM sockets. Some believed this to be an error because all of the other images available clearly show 4 DIMM's.
However, the images on www.msi.com.tw have also been changed. The board now shows only 2 DIMM's, to match the revision in the manual.
Some of you probably thought/think this board is bound to show up soon. Heck, it was announced in November and reviewed months ago. PC Buzz even put the "K7 Master-S" as "NOW AVAILABLE" late last week. Early this week they moved the status back to "Call" as they, of course, did not receive them. Steve from Stable hasn't responded to his forums in weeks, either. It seems MSI's not keeping its promises to its distributors.
I called MSI's L.A. office once again to get the official. Those of you who've tried their Fremont office, know it's apparently unstaffed, as all calls to Tech Support and Sales send you to voice mail. A sales representative at their So Cal location confirmed changes to the board have been made, and when asked when the board will be available, said plainly "April". I tried to get more information about the delay, but she could only say "That's what the factory is saying now".
It's possible a few of these boards have been released, as the BIOS for the board was posted on MSI's sites a short while ago. We know Tom and other review sites got a hold of samples, and some overseas folks seem to see them here and there, but the overall outlook seems grim. At least for March in North America.
What can we now expect from this board, and MSI in general? Are the physical modifications to the board the only changes? And of course, when will it actually be available?
Tom's most up to date review of DDR boards doesn't even mention the poor K7 Master-S. The A7M266 apparently outperforms it, albeit it slightly, and with new chipsets around the corner..
Alopex
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