MSI manufactures chipsets for computers and computer parts, including motherboards, graphics cards, and wireless internet cards. Chipsets power specific functions in a computer and can be found in non-MSI branded computers. Knowing the motherboard chipset can help determine compatible hardware and software. MSI is the third largest motherboard manufacturer in the world and originated in China, with branches worldwide. Their products can be purchased at numerous online and retail stores.
A Microstar International® (MSI) chipset is a chipset manufactured by the MSI® company. A chipset is a name for a build of chips that power a certain function in a computer. MSI® manufactures notebook computers and computer parts. Typically, an MSI® chipset is found inside MSI® computers, but many other computer manufacturers use the MSI® chipset in computers sold under non-MSI® brands. A chipset inside an MSI® branded computer is not necessarily an MSI® chipset, because MSI® also uses other chipset brands in their computers.
The name “chipset” arose because chipsets often have more than one chip used as a unit. Chipsets can be used for a number of things, including motherboards, graphics cards, sound cards, and wireless internet cards. Typically, a chipset is marked with some type of identifying information that denotes the manufacturer and model of the chipset. A motherboard is the main processing chipset in a computer. It houses the main processor chip, the computer’s processing unit (CPU), and often attaches to a heat sink and fan designed to cool the motherboard and processor chip.
For a user, knowing the motherboard chipset in a computer can help them determine compatible hardware and software for the motherboard, including processor compatibility and which motherboard drivers to use for the chipset. A motherboard driver is a software program that configures your computer to use the installed motherboard. The average user will not often need to know the model of a chipset because it is only needed for intermediate to advanced computer repair and upgrade such as adding hardware, updating system software such as BIOS (basic input/output system) or the repair of broken hardware parts.
As the third largest motherboard manufacturer in the world, motherboards are the main focus of MSI® chipset business. Companies whose parts compete with parts sold by MSI® include Intel®, Advanced Micro Devices® (AMD), and ASUSTeK®. In addition to motherboards, MSI® manufactures a variety of parts, including graphics cards, web servers, and personal computers. Popular models of MSI® graphics cards include Cyclone, Twin Frozr, Lightning and Hawk.
MSI® originated in China, but now has branches in almost every continent. Products equipped with MSI® chipsets and motherboards can be purchased at numerous online and retail stores. Majority of retail stores selling MSI® chipset products are located in the United States and Canada and include Fry’s Electronics®, OfficeMax®, Staples® and Best Buy®. Customers from other countries usually purchase products with MSI® chipset from MSI® online store or from a variety of online computer hardware suppliers.
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