Following the MSI P55-GD55, the latest mainboard with the Intel P55 Express chipset we have tested in our labs so far, we have got another product from MicroStar. It is called H57M-ED65 and, as its name suggests, is based on the Intel H57 Express chipset. The two mainboards are quite different, of course, although have a few common traits. The H57M-ED65 is also completely unlike the earlier tested ASUS P7H57D-V EVO in everything other than the chipset. Well, I guess we will make more accurate comparisons after we learn more about the H57M-ED65 and its capabilities.

Package and Accessories

Having dealt with many mainboards from MicroStar, I am still unable to figure out if there is any meaning behind their packaging color scheme. Some of them are orange-and-yellow, others are blue or green. The H57M-ED65 box is purple.

The back side of the box shows a photo of the mainboard’s back panel. You can also read the mainboard’s specs and a brief description of its key features there.

Besides the mainboard, there is the following selection of components inside:

• Two SATA cables with metal connector locks
• One power adaptor for SATA devices
• One IDE cable
• M-Connectors (a set of adaptors to simplify the connection of the USB interface and the system case buttons and indicators)
• I/O shield
• User manual
• Winki OS manual
• HDDBackup manual
• DVD with software and drivers