. Typical specifications for these legacy boards often include: Common Specifications for N1996-marked Boards CPU Sockets Often LGA 775 (Intel) or Socket AM2/939 (AMD) DDR2 or DDR3, usually 2 to 4 DIMM slots 1x PCI-e x16, 1x PCI-e x1, and 2x Legacy PCI slots 2 to 4 SATA ports, often with one legacy IDE connector PS/2 ports, VGA/DVI, USB 2.0, LAN, and 3-stack Audio The Legacy of the N1996: An Essay on Identification
Hard Drive Activity LED (HDD_LED) — Pin 1 is Positive (+), Pin 3 is Negative (-)
While the N1996 designation was used across several boards (like the MS-7255 or MS-7366), this is a common specification set: Socket: LGA 775.
By 2021, these boards are used for maintaining legacy systems, running Windows XP or Windows 7, and building budget DIY computers that can still handle light tasks or classic games. Technical Specifications (Typical MSI N1996 Configuration)
Look at the and BaseBoard Product lines. Command Prompt Open the Windows search bar and type cmd . | Component | Driver / Details | |---|---|
Recommend (e.g., 2GB DDR2 sticks).
| Component | Driver / Details | |---|---| | | NVIDIA nForce drivers (for MCP73 chipset) | | Audio | Realtek HD Audio drivers | | LAN | Realtek Ethernet drivers (varies by model: 8211BL or 8201CL) | | SATA / RAID | NVIDIA nForce SATA/RAID drivers for Windows | | Graphics (IGP) | NVIDIA GeForce 7100 / 7050 integrated graphics drivers |
In the realm of vintage computing and hardware maintenance, few strings of characters cause as much widespread confusion as "MSI N1996." To a novice builder, it appears to be a definitive model name etched proudly onto a circuit board's silk-screen. To an experienced technician, however, it represents a recurring lesson in the difference between regulatory compliance and product identity.
The MSI N1996 motherboard is a reliable and feature-rich platform for building a computer. With its support for Intel LGA775 processors, dual-channel DDR2 memory, and integrated graphics, it's a great choice for PC enthusiasts and gamers. We hope this post has provided you with a better understanding of the technical specifications of the MSI N1996 motherboard. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. "MAG B550 TOMAHAWK")
1 x VGA, 4 x USB 2.0, 1 x 10/100 LAN, Parallel and Serial ports, 3 x Audio jacks Technical Layout and Pinouts (General Reference)
| Category | Specification | |---|---| | | Micro-ATX | | CPU Socket | LGA775 | | Supported CPUs | Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium 4, Celeron D | | Front Side Bus (FSB) | Up to 1333 MHz (MCP73U/PV); Up to 1066 MHz (MCP73V) | | Chipset | NVIDIA MCP73U / MCP73PV / MCP73V | | Memory | 2 x DDR2 DIMM slots, up to 4GB DDR2 533/667/800 MHz SDRAM (240-pin, non-ECC) | | Expansion Slots | 1 x PCIe x16 (for graphics), 1 x PCIe x1, 2 x PCI | | Storage | 4 x SATA II (3Gb/s) ports supporting RAID 0/1/5/0+1/JBOD (MCP73U/PV); 1 x IDE (Ultra DMA 66/100/133) | | Audio | Realtek ALC888 (or ALC655) — 5.1/6-channel HD Audio | | LAN | Realtek 8211BL (Gigabit for MCP73U/PV) or Realtek 8201CL (10/100 for MCP73V) | | Rear I/O | PS/2 mouse & keyboard, VGA (D-Sub), optional DVI/HDMI, 4 x USB 2.0, LAN, 6 x audio jacks | | USB Ports | 8 x USB 2.0 total (4 rear + 4 via headers) |
: Check for a small barcode sticker on the side of the 24-pin power connector or on the BIOS chip.
Instead, N1996 is an used by MSI to indicate compliance with Australian EMI standards. This mark appears on hundreds of different MSI motherboards, graphics cards, and optical drives produced between roughly 2001 and 2012. MS-7267) or marketing names like G31M3
MSI model numbers typically follow a format like MS-XXXX (e.g., MS-7529, MS-7309, MS-7267) or marketing names like G31M3 , K9N6SGM-V , or P4M890M . 2. Check the BIOS/UEFI Screen
| Item | Detail | |------|--------| | Model | MSI N1996 (MS-7250) | | Form Factor | ATX (12" × 9.6") | | Chipset | NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI / nForce 570 Ultra | | Socket | Socket AM2 | | Release Year | 2006–2007 | | 2021 Status | Legacy / EOL – No official support |
An earlier Intel platform frequently used by major OEMs (like HP, Acer, and Packard Bell) in pre-built desktop systems. Micro-ATX CPU Socket: Intel LGA 775
The persistent search for this "model" highlights a gap in user experience design from the early 2000s. While modern motherboards prominently display their branding (e.g., "MAG B550 TOMAHAWK"), legacy boards often buried their true identity—the "MS-XXXX" number—underneath heat sinks or between tightly packed expansion slots. This forced users into a digital scavenger hunt, leading them to forums and driver archives where the N1996 "myth" continues to live on.