MSI P67A-GD55 1155 Motherboard

This review is a work in progress. As I test more CPUs and more graphics cards, I'll be adding more and more results. First, how about some pictures. All of these were taken with my iPhone. I did the best I could, but quality could probably be a bit better. I'm more interested in the test results though. See a picture of the included accessories here. I haven't seen a ton of results on this board, so feel free to post your own experience!

Thanks to MSI for making this review possible.

Other hardware I'm testing with this motherboard:
RAM: 2x2GB ADATA DDR3 (thanks rdrash)
Cooling: Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme Rev.3, and a single stage phase change cooler.
Graphics cards: HD 6970 Lightning , GTX 580 (2x) , GTX 480 (2x) , GTX 295 , 8800 GTX (2x) , 7800 GTX , 7600 GTX , HD 4870 X2 (2x)
*Almost all of these cards are volt modded by me, and will be run at sub-ambient temeratures.




The first CPU I tested: L045B021.



Both of the second two maxed the same, and both were L051B138.



I played with some GTX 295 a little with this CPU so far:





New chips, L050A853. One does 5.4ghz, one is over 5.5ghz.

So here's a quick and dirty GTX 580 run.



And some HD 4870 X2 runs. I'll freeze these GPUs and throw some real clocks on the CPU soon enough.











Some quick testing with a good 5.5ghz chip on air. I didn't want to take it any higher yet without proper cooling.

Would you mind posting your bios settings?

I now have a gd55/2600k/Corsair Vengeance combo.

Here's my current settings:

CPU Base Frequency [10kHz] [10000]
Adjust CPU Ratio [33]
Adjust CPU Ratio in OS [Disabled]
Internal PLL Overvoltage [Enabled]
EIST [Enabled]
Intel Turbo Boost [Enabled]
DRAM Frequency [DDR3-2133MHz]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) [Disabled]
DRAM Timing Mode [Link]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
VDroop Control [Low VDroop]
CPU Core Voltage [1.375]
CPU I/O Voltage [1.07]
DRAM Voltage [1.6]
System Agent Voltage (SA) [Auto]
CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]
PCH 1.05 [Auto]
DDR_VREF_CA_A [0.74]
DDR_VREF_CA_B [0.74]
DDR_VREF_DA_A [0.74]
DDR_VREF_DA_B [0.74]
Overclocking/Advanced DRAM Configuration
1,7,8,7,20, the rest on Auto
Overclocking/CPU Features
Active Processor Cores [All]
Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Intel Virtualisation Tech [Disabled]Enabled
Intel VT-D Tech [Disabled]
Power Technology [Custom]Disabled
C1E Support [Disabled]Enabled
Overspeed Protection [Enabled]Disabled
Intel C-State [Enabled]
Package C State Limit [No Limit]
Long Duration Power Limit (W) 120
Long Duration Maintained (ms) 1000
Long Duration Power Limit (W) 140
Primary plane turbo power limit 0
1-Core Ratio Limit 48
2-Core Ratio Limit 48
3-Core Ratio Limit 48
4-Core Ratio Limit 48


Suggestions are very welcome.

What is the difference between the 55 and 65?

65 has 2 Marvell controller sata ports, dua bios, voltage measuring points, esata, and around 30 dollars more.

If they both OC the same(and were in stock) it sounds like I would be fine with the 55 then.
Thanks

That was my rational.
I'm up to 4.8 with the settings above with no sweat.

One more question...the "egg" lists the 55@$164 and the 65@$179 for a $15 diff.

Where are they at for $30 less?

I don't have the rig hooked up right now, but I believe everything is at auto, except CPU and mem voltage. I also turned C1E and everything like that off. Other than that, you may just have a bum CPU.

I'll post all of my settings when I get a chance.

Oh I'm just starting out.
I was just hoping for some info from those that know better on shortcutting on the bios.

OnD,

what's your vcore draw @ 100% load with it set to 1.375v in bios?

dfonda said:

One more question...the "egg" lists the 55@$164 and the 65@$179 for a $15 diff.

Where are they at for $30 less?

Click to expand...

Fry's Electronics.
I had the gd65 for 189 but took it back when the 55's came in stock at 159.

Nemic said:

OnD,

what's your vcore draw @ 100% load with it set to 1.375v in bios?

Click to expand...

This was at 1.35 vcore in the bios.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

bios update

CPU Base Frequency [10kHz] [10000]
Adjust CPU Ratio 51
Adjust CPU Ratio in OS [Disabled]
Internal PLL Overvoltage [Enabled]
EIST [disabled]
Intel Turbo Boost [Enabled]
DRAM Frequency [DDR3-1600MHz]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) [Disabled]
DRAM Timing Mode [Link]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
VDroop Control [Low VDroop]
CPU Core Voltage [1.40]
CPU I/O Voltage [auto]
DRAM Voltage [1.6]
System Agent Voltage (SA) [Auto]
CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]
PCH 1.05 [Auto]
DDR_VREF_CA_A [0.74]
DDR_VREF_CA_B [0.74]
DDR_VREF_DA_A [0.74]
DDR_VREF_DA_B [0.74]
Overclocking/Advanced DRAM Configuration
1, a, a, a, a
Overclocking/CPU Features
Active Processor Cores [All]
Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Intel Virtualisation Tech [Disabled]Enabled
Intel VT-D Tech [Disabled]
Power Technology [Custom]Disabled
C1E Support [Disabled]Enabled
Overspeed Protection [Enabled]Disabled
Intel C-State [Enabled]

Here's my settings, anything between 5.1ghz and 5.6ghz only requires a bump in vcore.

Thank you sno.Icn
I see my dram freq might be too high for past 5.4

Which chips are on your RAM? Could make a huge difference.

Corsair Vengence 2x2 1600's. 88824(I think 24 or 20)..
Or I could use the GSkills 2x2 78720's.
Both came in a 3x2 kit..

OnDborder said:

Corsair Vengence 2x2 1600's. 88824(I think 24 or 20)..
Or I could use the GSkills 2x2 78720's.
Both came in a 3x2 kit..

Click to expand...

so yuo like this board? overclocks good and is stable etc? im eyeballing one just want to get opinion on it, thanks