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Green Micro ATX motherboard with silver LGA 1156 socket and black DDR3 slots

MSI

MSI H55M-E21 H55 LGA 1156 DDR3 8GB Micro ATX Intel motherboard

SKU CH-ZQW9-DMNKZ

Supports Intel i3, i5 or i7 LGA 1156 CPUs with dual-channel DDR3 up to 1600 MHz and 8 GB maximum memory

  • ProcessorIntel i3/i5/i7 based processors with Socket 1156 architectur
  • ChipsetIntel H55
  • CPU socketLGA 1156
  • Supported memorySupports dual-channel DDR3 1600 (overclocking)/1333/1066 MHz
  • Max supported RAM8 GB
  • PCI slots1 PCI Express x16 slot (supports PCI Express bus specificati
  • LGA 1156 socket fits Intel i3, i5, i7 processors
  • Intel H55 chipset enables integrated graphics on Core i3 and i5 CPUs
  • Dual-channel DDR3 up to 1600 MHz with 8 GB maximum capacity
  • PCIe 2.0 x16 slot plus two x1 slots for graphics and expansion cards
  • Six SATA II ports and Realtek 8105E 10/100 LAN for storage and networking

Socket LGA 1156 Micro ATX Motherboard

The MSI H55M-E21 is an Intel H55 chipset board built for the LGA 1156 platform. It accepts first-generation Core i3, i5 and i7 processors and fits micro ATX chassis. The board provides a compact foundation for office or home systems that still rely on this socket generation.

Suits legacy LGA 1156 builds; not for newer CPUs

This motherboard suits owners replacing a failed board in an existing LGA 1156 system or assembling a low-cost secondary machine from spare parts. Builders planning a current-generation Intel or AMD platform should look elsewhere because the socket and chipset are limited to the older architecture.

Dual-channel DDR3 up to 1600 MHz with 8 GB ceiling

Memory runs in dual-channel mode at 1600, 1333 or 1066 MHz and the chipset caps total capacity at 8 GB. That ceiling is the decisive factor: if the intended workload needs more than 8 GB of RAM, this board cannot meet the requirement.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Motherboards for Intel CPUs, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $40.99
Cheaper than about 91% of the 2,965 comparable items (median $97.99).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameMSI
Product lineMSI H55M-E21
Model nameMSI H55M-E21
Processor
ProcessorIntel i3/i5/i7 based processors with Socket 1156 architecture
CPU socketLGA 1156
ChipsetIntel H55
Memory
Supported memorySupports dual-channel DDR3 1600 (overclocking)/1333/1066 MHz memory
Max supported RAM8 GB
Storage
SATA and RAID support6XSATA II interface
Audio & video
Audio chipRealtek ALC887 Audio Chip
Support 7.1 channel sound effects detected by intelligent sound interface
Compatible with Azalia 1.0 specifications
Compliant with Microsoft Vista Premium specifications
Connectivity
Ethernet controller1 PCI Express network port supports 10/100 Fast Ethernet provided by Realtek 8105E
Ports & slots
Onboard USB headers4 USB 2.0 ports (backplane)

Questions about this item

What speed does the PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot actually deliver on this H55 board?

The single x16 slot runs at PCI Express 2.0 speeds, so a graphics card is limited to 2.0 bandwidth even if the card itself supports 3.0.

Which screw-hole pattern and I/O shield does the Micro-ATX H55M-E21 use?

Standard Micro-ATX mounting holes and the supplied chassis I/O back panel match any Micro-ATX case cut-out.

How is the DDR3 memory installed and which slot order enables dual-channel?

Insert modules into the two same-coloured DIMM slots; the board then runs dual-channel at up to 1600 MHz when overclocked or 1333/1066 MHz at default.

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