PCSTATS     
[X]   Directory of
Guides & Reviews

Beginners Guides
Motherboards by Brand
Weekly Newsletter
Archived Newsletters

+70 MORE Beginner GUIDES....
MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 Motherboard Review
MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 Motherboard Review - PCSTATS
The MSI P67A-GD65 motherboard brings forth a lot for computer enthusiasts to get excited about, not the least of which are dual PCI Express x16 videocard slots, (4) USB 3.0 ports, (6) SATA 6GB/s ports and specialized tools for seasoned overclockers. For example, if you're one to break out a digital multimeter while overclocking there are handy voltage read points next to the boards' DDR3 memory slots.
 78% Rating:   
Filed under: Motherboards Published:  Author: 
External Mfg. Website: MSI Nov 07 2011   Max Page  
Home > Reviews > Motherboards > MSI P67A-GD65

On the test bench today is MSI's P67A-GD65 motherboard; built around the 'B3'-stepping Intel P67 chipset this board is ready to support your favourite socket 1155 32nm Intel 2nd Generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7 2xxx-series 'SandyBridge' processor.

The MSI P67A-GD65 motherboard brings forth a lot for computer enthusiasts to get excited about, not the least of which are dual PCI Express x16 videocard slots, (4) USB 3.0 ports, (6) SATA 6GB/s ports and specialized tools for seasoned overclockers. For example, if you're one to break out a digital multimeter while overclocking there are handy voltage read points next to the boards' DDR3 memory slots. In the continuing war on capacitor dominance, MSI have turned to low profile heat tolerant solid-state Tantalum caps around the LGA1155 CPU socket. About all the P67A-GD65 board is missing is a PORT80 card, which given the voltage read points you'd think would be a no brainer.

Two-way nVidia SLI and AMD Crossfire videocard configurations are supported of course, in x8/x8 mode. A single PCI Express 2.0 videocard will run with x16 lanes of PCIe bandwidth. Three PCI Express x1 slots and two legacy PCI slots round out the expansion options available from this Intel P67 motherboard. The MSI P67A-GD65 motherboard is equipped with four 1.5v DDR-3 memory slots that accommodate up to 32GB of dual channel DDR3-1066/1333/1600/1866/2133 memory (4GB for 32-bit operating systems).

MSI P67A-GD65 Motherboard


INCLUDES: User's Manual, Driver DVD, (4) SATA cables, SATA power adaptor, 2-way SLI bridge, I/O Shield, USB 3.0 bracket, front panel connector blocks, voltage check cables..

Chipsets: Intel P67 Express
CPU Support: Intel Socket LGA1155
Memory Type: Dual Channel DDR3
Videocard Support: (2) PCI Express x16 2.0 (x16 or x8/x8)

Average Price at time of review: $155

In an effort to differentiate itself from the competition, MSI equip the P67A-GD65 motherboard with USB-recharger-friendly ports so Apple smart phone users can charge up while the rest of the PC is powered off. Other notable features include a six-phase CPU power VRM and dual BIOS.

In terms of data storage the MSI P67A-GD65 motherboard has four 6Gb/s SATA III, four 3Gb/s SATA connectors and two eSATA II ports. The Intel P67 based SATA ports will handle RAID 0,1,5,10 care of Intel Matrix Storage Technology. The JMicron controller allows RAID 0,1,JBOD modes.

Rounding out the feature set are two Firewire ports, one Gigabit networking jack, high definition 8-channel audio and even a CMOS reset button at the rear I/O. The board has five fan headers; four 3-pin and one 4-pin PWM Expect to pay about $160CDN/USD for the MSI-P67A-GD65 motherboard at online shops like NCIX or Newegg. Consumers in Canada, the US and Mexico are covered by a 3 year warranty with MSI.

MSI Overclocking Friendly Features

Like every other motherboard manufacturer, overclocking is the name of the game. MSI approach overclocking from two positions with the P67A-GD65; 1) high end overclocking features only a few computer enthusiasts will use, and 2) a one-button-does it all automatic overclocking tool called OC Genie.

On the high end side of the overclocking fence we have the 'Voltage Check Point'. This enables users to easily attach a multimeter for a direct reading of PCH voltage, DDR voltage, CPU_SA voltage, CPU_VTT voltage and CPU voltage values whilst overclocking.

MSI supply a small package of 2" long jumpers so you can easily connect the leads of the multimeter to measure voltages without the leads getting in the way. More MSI P67A-GD65 goodness after the jump....

© 2023 PCSTATS.com Next Page >

 

Contents of Article: MSI P67A-GD65
 Pg 1.  — MSI P67A-GD65 Intel P67 Motherboard Review
 Pg 2.  OC Genie - One Button Overclocking
 Pg 3.  Marketing MSI Features with Acronyms
 Pg 4.  360-Degree Motherboard Gallery: MSI P67A-GD765
 Pg 5.  360-Degree Motherboard Gallery Continued
 Pg 6.  Intel P67 B3-Stepping Express Chipset
 Pg 7.  UEFI BIOS of the MSI P67A-GD65
 Pg 8.  Overclocking and Test System Specs
 Pg 9.  Sysmark 2007 Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 10.  SiSoft Sandra: CPU Motherboard Benchmarks:
 Pg 11.  Sandra: Memory Motherboard Benchmarks:
 Pg 12.  PCMark Vantage Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 13.  3DMark 11 Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 14.  3DMark Vantage Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 15.  3DMark 06 Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 16.  FEAR Motherboard Benchmarks
 Pg 17.  Conclusions and Total System Power Draw

 
Hardware Sections 


 
PCSTATS Network Features Information About Us Contact
FrostyTech
PCSTATS Newsletter
Tech Glossary
Technology WebSite Listings
News Archives
(Review RSS Feed)
Site Map
PCstats Wallpaper
About Us
Privacy Policy
Advertise on PCSTATS

How's Our Driving?
© Copyright 1999-2023 www.pcstats.com All rights reserved. Privacy policy and Terms of Use.