MSI-jeva najnovija ploča se na našem testu pokazala kao dosta dobar proizvod, ali ne i kao proizvod bez mana. Kao i sve nove ploče i ova ima određenih problema s BIOS-om. To su u prvom redu performanse memorije koje bi mogle biti mnogo bolje, a tu je i problem s postavljanjem frekvencije sabirnice budući da nakon 302 MHz BIOS takt "magično" vrati na vrijednost od oko 220 MHz. Isti problem je ograničio maksimalni takt koji smo uspjeli izvući iz ove ploče. Premda rezultat HTT-a od ~300 MHz uopće nije loš, vjerujemo da bi se uz novi BIOS moglo postići i više budući da ploča nije pokazivala znakove nestabilnosti na maksimalnoj vrijednosti koju nam je BIOS dopustio (302MHz). Što se tiče samih overclockerskih opcija koju su ponuđene u BIOS-u, ova ploča nudi zaista mnogo, čak i previše (2,3V za procesor, 4,1V za memoriju) ako ne znate što radite.

Raspored komponenti na ploči je općenito dobar i jednostavan. Jedina zamjerka ide na račun hladnjaka na čipsetu s obzirom na do bi zbog svoje veličine i blizine socketu za procesor mogao zasmetati pri instalaciji većih hladnjaka za procesore.

Oprema koja je isporučuje s pločom je zadovoljavajuća, a valja istaknuti i da postoji Special Edition verzija ploče koja se isporučuje s dodatnom điđom, Audio Tube Panelom odnosno katodnim pojačalom koje ima analogni VU-metar i ugrađuje se u 5.25" utor na kućištu. Doduše, I bez ovog dodatka MSI K8N Diamond Plus se može podičiti izvrsnim zvučnim sustavom baziranim na Creative Labsovom AudigySE čipu.

Sve u svemu, ako razmišljate o matičnoj ploči za Socket 939 procesore, a od ploče očekujete doista mnogo, MSI K8N Diamond Plus je jedna od rijetkih ploča koje bi mogle zadovoljiti vaše potrebe. Ploču je na test ustupila tvrtka Microline, a ploča u trenutku objave članka prema cjeniku ustupitelja ima cijenu od 1497 kn.

Conclusion in english:

MSI K8N Diamond Plus during our testing showed it self as very good product, altough not without some glitches. Like almost any new board, new Diamond has certain problems with BIOS. Memory performance could be alot better and we encountered a strange problem with clock of HT bus which we couldn’t raise past 302 MHz (BIOS would "magicaly" return it to about 220MHz). The same problem with maximal frequency toned down our overclocking results. Altough HT clock of ~300MHz is really not something to be ashamed of, we think that with new BIOS revision this board could be pushed well beyond 300MHz. As for raw options in BIOS available for tweaking, this board really offers a lot and maybe too much for a inexperienced user because vMEM of 4,1V and vCPU of 2,3V are really high values.

As for layout of the components on the board, it is very clean, simple and good. Only potential problem we noticed is size of chispet cooler and its proximity to CPU socket regarding the installation of larger CPU heatsinks.

Bundle shipped with the board will be sufficient for any user but if you want something special you will have to look for K8N Diamond Plus Special Edition model which is shipped with an additional trinket – Audio Tube Panel. This device is basicaly a kathode amplifier with analog VU-meter, packed in a case that can be installed in 5.25" bay. Even without this accesory, K8N Diamond Plus offers its user very good sound because of high quality integrated sound chip – Creative Labs AudigySE.

All in all, if you are planning to buy a Socket 939 motherboard with many quality features and overclocking options, MSI K8N Diamond Plus is one of the few board that can satisfy those high requirements.