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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

Intel P67 B3-Stepping Express Chipset

With graphics and memory now handled by the CPU, the Intel P67 chipset doesn't need a very fast link to the processor. Thus, Intel uses a 20Gb/s DMI link between the Intel P67 chipset and LGA1155 processors. The roles of the Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets have been merged into what Intel calls a PCH, or Platform Controller Hub.

Intel's P67 PCH supplies eight PCI Express lanes to the computer system for devices like the SATA ports, LAN, USB and PCIex1 slots. The 16 PCIe lanes for graphics cards are drawn directly from the 'SandyBridge' CPU, this has a nice side benefit of helping to cut down on system latency.

Enthusiasts familiar with the storage and media capabilities of Intel's ICH10R southbridge will find a lot in common with the P67 chipset. It provides 14 USB 2.0 ports, four SATAII 3Gb/s and two SATAIII 6Gb/s ports with support for RAID 0/1/5/10 modes, audio and Gigabit Ethernet.


The Intel P67 Express Chipset block diagram

Intel P67 B2-stepping Chipset Recall

The MSI P67A-GD65 motherboard is equipped with the new 'B3'-stepping Intel P67 chipset. The original 'B2' stepping Intel P67 & H67 chipsets were recalled due to the Intel 6-series chipset issue. The recall happened because a silicon-level flaw was discovered which may have resulted in 3Gb/s Serial-ATA II (SATA II) ports degrading over time; "potentially impacting the performance or functionality of SATA-linked devices such as hard disk drives and DVD-drives." According to Intel, the issue was specific only to the SATA II ports hosted by the Intel P67 & H67 chipsets. The SATA III 6Gb/s ports from the Intel P67 chipset are not affected.

Each motherboard manufacturer initiated steps to recall the original batch of motherboards with 'b2'-stepping P67 chipsets and swap them out for fully functional boards with 'b3' stepping Intel P67 chipsets. Incidently, 'b2'-stepping and 'b3'-stepping is just another way of saying revision 1 or revision 2 - it's the same chipset. The 'B3'-stepping Intel P67 has the silicon level bugs corrected.

Intel Chipset Feature Comparison
Intel Z68 Express Intel P67 Express Intel H67 Express Intel X58 Express
CPU LGA 1155
Core i5/i7 2nd Gen.
LGA 1155
Core i5/i7 2nd Gen.
LGA 1155
Core i5/i7 2nd Gen.
LGA 1366
Core i7
Chipset Code Name Couger Point (65nm) Couger Point (65nm) Couger Point (65nm) Tylersburg (65nm)
Bus Interface / Speed DMI 20Gb/s DMI 20Gb/s DMI 20Gb/s QPI 25.6Gb/s
Memory Support DDR3-1333, dual channel DDR3-1333, dual channel DDR3-1333, dual channel DDR3 1066, triple channel
Maximum Memory Capacity 32GB (64-bit) 32GB (64-bit) 32GB (64-bit) 24GB (64-bit)
Integrated Graphics Yes. via CPU - Yes. via CPU -
Integrated Graphics Ports HDMI, DVI, DP, VGA - HDMI, DVI, DP, VGA -
PCI Express 2.0 Lanes 8 8 8 36
PCI Express x1 Lanes 0 0 0 6
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Yes Yes Yes Yes
Intel Smart Response Technology Yes - - -
SATA 6Gb/s | SATA 3Gb/s | IDE Ports 2/4/0 2/4/0 2/4/0 0/6/0
RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 0, 1, 5, 10 0, 1, 5, 10 0, 1, 5, 10 (via ICH10R)
Intelgrated LAN 10/100/1000 MAC 10/100/1000 MAC 10/100/1000 MAC -
USB 3.0 Ports 0 0 0 0
USB 2.0 Ports 14 14 14 12
PCI Masters 0 0 0 6
Intel High Definition Audio Yes Yes Yes Yes

In the chart above you can see how all three of 6-series Intel chipsets compare to one another. The major difference between the Intel P67 Express and H67 chipsets is that the former lacks the H67's capabilities to output integrated graphics from the processor. Moving forward, the newer Intel Z68 Express chipset is essentially a combination of the feature sets of the Intel P67 and H67, with a couple extras like greater overclockability and Intel SRT.

Next up, a look at the MSI P67A-GD65 BIOS.

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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

 
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