Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium 4, Pentium D, Celeron D. FSB: 1333/1066/800/533 MHz. Memory (RAM) Type: DDR2 (usually dual-channel). Slots: 2x DDR2 DIMM slots.
| Feature | Description | |---------|-------------| | Socket | LGA 775 | | Chipset | Intel G31 + ICH7 | | RAM Slots | 2 x DDR2 DIMM (max 4GB) | | Expansion | 1 x PCIe x16, 1 x PCIe x1, 2 x PCI | | Rear I/O | PS/2 keyboard/mouse, VGA, 4 x USB 2.0, LAN, audio jacks |
MSI N1996 Motherboard: Identification, Specs, and Manual Guide
Use only double-sided, 16-chip DDR2 modules. Single-sided 2GB sticks (8 chips) are not compatible. Intel Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Pentium
Since MSI did not release a generic “N1996” manual, you must locate the printed on the board (e.g., MS-7613 v1.1 ). The manual PDF for that MSI model applies.
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.
Decoding the MSI N1996: Motherboard Manual, Technical Specifications, and Guide Slots: 2x DDR2 DIMM slots
Look between the expansion slots or near the CPU socket for a silk-screened code starting with "MS-" followed by four digits and a version number (e.g., MS-7731 VER: 1.2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ). Check Retail Marketing Names: Some boards list a name like Go to product viewer dialog for this item. or Go to product viewer dialog for this item. right above the primary graphics slot.
MSI removed all N1996 drivers from their FTP in late 2020. Archive.org’s “MSI Legacy Driver Collection” is now the primary source.
The primary reason users search for the motherboard manual is to rewire the front panel power switch, reset switch, power LED, and HDD LED after swapping cases or cleaning the system. Since MSI did not release a generic “N1996”
Once you have this MS-XXXX number, you can download the correct manual from the official MSI Support Center Common "N1996" Motherboard Profiles
Once you have identified your actual motherboard model number, follow these steps to get your documentation: Go to the official (msi.com).
| Category | Specification | |----------|----------------| | | Intel Core 2 Duo (Wolfdale/Conroe), Pentium Dual-Core, Celeron (800/1066/1333 MHz FSB). Not compatible with Core 2 Quad (95W+ TDP limit) | | Chipset | Northbridge: Intel G31, Southbridge: Intel ICH7 | | Memory | 2 x 240-pin DDR2 DIMM, Dual Channel, DDR2-667/800 MHz, Max 4GB (2GB per slot) | | Integrated Graphics | Intel GMA 3100 (up to 256MB shared memory, DirectX 9.0c) | | Audio | Realtek ALC662 / ALC888 (6-channel HD audio) | | LAN | Realtek RTL8102E / RTL8111C (10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit on later revisions) | | Storage | 4 x SATA II 3Gb/s (no AHCI by default, IDE emulation mode), 1 x PATA (IDE) | | Rear Ports | 1x VGA, 1x Serial (COM), 1x Parallel (LPT), 4x USB 2.0, 1x RJ45, 3x audio jacks | | Internal Headers | 2x USB 2.0 (2 ports each), 1x CD-in, 1x S/PDIF-out, front panel audio | | Form Factor | Micro-ATX (24.4 cm x 19.3 cm / 9.6" x 7.6") | | BIOS | AMI BIOS (8 Mbit flash) with limited UEFI boot (no GPT boot for Windows) |