MSI P67A-GD65 LGA1155 Chipset Motherboard Review @ [H]

FrgMstr

Just Plain Mean
Staff member
Joined
May 18, 1997
Messages
55,532
MSI P67A-GD65 LGA1155 Chipset Motherboard Review - Among MSI's initial Intel P67 offerings is the P67A-GD65. MSI's last "GD65" series board was a terrific value for those of use that knew about it. This new P67 motherboard follows in its footsteps offering a solid mix of style, features, and performance, sure to put it on the short list.
 
Last edited:
So, with what I've in signature - there is no point in changing to sandy bridge, at least now, as X-58 proves better then SandyBridge mainstream?

And if I got it right, then high end SandyBridges will be released summer/autumn 2011?
 
I'm interested in seeing a review of Gigabyte's UD4. Feature and cost wise the GD65 and UD4 appear to be competitors.
 
So, with what I've in signature - there is no point in changing to sandy bridge, at least now, as X-58 proves better then SandyBridge mainstream?

And if I got it right, then high end SandyBridges will be released summer/autumn 2011?

Except for the fact that the X-58 system used in the review was a 980X. The only tests that it scored better in were the ones that it scaled better with multiple cores/threads (6/12 vs 4/8). The value comes in when you can get a 2600K @ almost the performance of a 980X in multi threaded applications, but it beats the 980X in single threaded applications at 1/3 of the price.
 
Nice review. I was not really considering an MSI board, but now I am. Although I still think I will go with the UD3P/UD4 depending on reviews (I have a red case interior and think it would look a little better, not paying over $200 to have a motherboard with red). Performance first, but looks could be the tiebreaker.
 
Nice review. I was not really considering an MSI board, but now I am. Although I still think I will go with the UD3P/UD4 depending on reviews (I have a red case interior and think it would look a little better, not paying over $200 to have a motherboard with red). Performance first, but looks could be the tiebreaker.
I have used MSI motherboards for years, dating all the way back to the MSI MS-6309 for those of you who may remember that. I have never been let down, honestly. They make great products. I know for a while they weren't catering to the enthusiasts as much as say, ASUS, but I've been using my MSI Xpower for months now, currently running a 4.4GHz 930 and GTX 580 SLI and it has been rock solid. I wouldn't hesitate to run an MSI motherboard if I were you.
 
I must resist upgrading to Sandy Bridge, I just upgraded a year ago to the P55 chipset!
 
I'm thinking it's about time to upgrade my P45 (Core 2Duo). From the reviews and previews I've seen so far, the MSI G65 and Gigabyte UD4 both look good. Still waiting to see what ASUS and the rest have in the same price range.
 
Good review.

I'm sold on the 2600K, now I just need to decide a mobo. Luckily this is the week: P67 reviews are pouring in starting today.

Interesting that vendors went with different graphical BIOS. I expected them all to use the EFI BIOS. The Intel P67s opted out of graphical.
 
As always, the review was an excellent read, and a very good writeup.

That being said, while Sandy Bridge looks good, the CPU itself runs on a mid range platform. Therefore I'm not going to throw away my X58 setup and just buy a new motherboard, CPU and maybe some RAM. I don't think that the X58 platform is obsolete yet by any means. I'm looking forward to the new platform that will replace X58. Allot of you that will "upgrade" from a X58 to a P67 platform will probably regret it. Just my two cents.

Looks like the socket LGA2011 platform will be released in Q3 2011 (this year). Until then for the high end the X58 platform will have to do.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_2011
 
Any expected price points for the K series 2500/2600 procs?

According to Anandtech the 2500K is in the lower $200's and the 2600K is in the lower $300's. For the first couple of days at least, if not weeks, you can bet that NewEgg will practice a steep markup on those CPUs.
 
According to Anandtech the 2500K is in the lower $200's and the 2600K is in the lower $300's. For the first couple of days at least, if not weeks, you can bet that NewEgg will practice a steep markup on those CPUs.

Thanks :D Perrrrr-Fect! :D
 
Yeah because of how Newegg gouges they aren't getting my i7 2600k money this time around. Looking at buy dot com and proadvantage for motherboard and cpu.
 
Man....Intel really came out swinging with this one. These numbers are absolute terrific! However, most of us have systems that are power houses as is. For gamers, it's a matter of getting the flagship gfx card or going with an multi-gpu setup. I myself, have no need to upgrade in terms of cpu performance based on my system needs and gaming res. On the contrary, if I was able to sell my board and CPU for $250, I would snag this setup in a heartbeat.:D
 
Can you imagine how you would feel if you just dropped $1000g on one of those Intel 6 cores? Yikes ........
 
Yeah because of how Newegg gouges they aren't getting my i7 2600k money this time around. Looking at buy dot com and proadvantage for motherboard and cpu.

For example CitiBank is one of NewEggs stock holders, so NewEgg has to make those dividends. Uhm, that and I would say greeg...

I know this is off topic, but do you all remember the NewEgg - Fake Core i7 - Fiasco last year? NewEgg came out and said that those where demo boxes - LMFAO - NewEgg sucks, and has sucked for a very long time. People still shop there because of their sometimes permissible RMA policy, but honestly, there is no good reason to buy anything from NewEgg anymore.
 
Can you imagine how you would feel if you just dropped $1000g on one of those Intel 6 cores? Yikes ........

I wouldn't feel bad at all since they are good CPUs. Sandy Bridge is mid range, and the whole platform will be obsolete in 6~7 months when the new LGA2011 hits the market with PCI-E 3.0, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0 and other goodies. So no, those that got a 6 core Intel shouldn't feel bad. Now if you where dumb enough to buy an Extreme Edition, then that's a different story.
 
For example CitiBank is one of NewEggs stock holders, so NewEgg has to make those dividends. Uhm, that and I would say greeg...

I know this is off topic, but do you all remember the NewEgg - Fake Core i7 - Fiasco last year? NewEgg came out and said that those where demo boxes - LMFAO - NewEgg sucks, and has sucked for a very long time. People still shop there because of their sometimes permissible RMA policy, but honestly, there is no good reason to buy anything from NewEgg anymore.
Where do you buy from then?
 
Hey guys, interesting review. I'm really looking forward to the 1365 boards at the end of the year.

One question, which intel Chipset Drivers was you using? They don't seemed to have updated them for over a year now.
 
Hey guys, interesting review. I'm really looking forward to the 1365 boards at the end of the year.

One question, which intel Chipset Drivers was you using? They don't seemed to have updated them for over a year now.

Here is the full setup...and yes, the drivers are up to date according to Intel.

Manufacturer: MSI Model: P67A-GD65

Northbridge/Southbridge: P67 Chipset Driver: 9.2.0.1015

BIOS Version: E7681IMS V1.6B1 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate

Video card: GTX 570 Video Driver: 260.99

Memory: 4GBx2 Corsair Vengeance – 1600MHz DDR3 9-9-9-24-1T @ ~1.50v
 
That being said, while Sandy Bridge looks good, the CPU itself runs on a mid range platform. Therefore I'm not going to throw away my X58 setup and just buy a new motherboard, CPU and maybe some RAM. I don't think that the X58 platform is obsolete yet by any means. I'm looking forward to the new platform that will replace X58. Allot of you that will "upgrade" from a X58 to a P67 platform will probably regret it. Just my two cents.

This is pretty common sense, and I don't know why 1366 users keep thinking otherwise. 1155 is mainstream. It's the successor of 1156. 1155 overclocked is a side-grade to 920-975 overclocked. Unless you're filthy rich, you don't side-grade.

2011 is the rightful successor to 1366. 1155 compared to 1156 is an enormous performance increase.

I'm still using 775.. I think most buyers of 1155 will be coming from 1156 and 775.
 
Where do you buy from then?

There are plenty of places to buy from. While not my favorite, there is TigerDirect, Directron, MWave, Ewiz (Superbiz), Zipzoomfly is almost dead, and many others. There is Fry's and Microcenter. People buy from NewEgg because they are lazy, and don't want to bother looking around, and that's exactly what NewEgg is counting on.
 
There are plenty of places to buy from. While not my favorite, there is TigerDirect, Directron, MWave, Ewiz (Superbiz), Zipzoomfly is almost dead, and many others. There is Fry's and Microcenter. People buy from NewEgg because they are lazy, and don't want to bother looking around, and that's exactly what NewEgg is counting on.
From my searching I haven't found anyone that has better prices than Newegg besides Microcenter on CPU pricing.

Newegg rocks on GPU pricing and everything else seems to be average?
 
From my searching I haven't found anyone that has better prices than Newegg besides Microcenter on CPU pricing.

Newegg rocks on GPU pricing and everything else seems to be average?

NewEgg rocks on GPU pricing? Really? One example: you can buy on average $10 to $20 cheaper an EVGA GTX 570 or GTX 580 from evga.com. NewEgg works their prices 3 to 4 times a day, sometimes prices change while you are shopping and have stuff in the shopping cart. NewEgg hasn't been a good deal in years. On Black Friday last year I've seen a couple of decent deals, but nothing to write home about.
 
NewEgg rocks on GPU pricing? Really? One example: you can buy on average $10 to $20 cheaper an EVGA GTX 570 or GTX 580 from evga.com. NewEgg works their prices 3 to 4 times a day, sometimes prices change while you are shopping and have stuff in the shopping cart. NewEgg hasn't been a good deal in years. On Black Friday last year I've seen a couple of decent deals, but nothing to write home about.
Well, I haven't found anyone cheaper for AMD 69x0 series. I don't know about Fermi.
 
Try eBay and Superbiz
eBay for parts? No thanks.

Looking at Superbiiz I see same prices as Newegg. So, because of Newegg's general ease of use, I'd prefer Newegg.

I'm honestly trying to find something better / cheaper but like I said the only true alternative I see to Newegg is microcenter, and that's not including video card prices.
 
eBay for parts? No thanks.

Looking at Superbiiz I see same prices as Newegg. So, because of Newegg's general ease of use, I'd prefer Newegg.

I'm honestly trying to find something better / cheaper but like I said the only true alternative I see to Newegg is microcenter, and that's not including video card prices.

Agreed. I've bought from Newegg since their establishment in 2001. Superior convenience (normally 1-2 day delivery with 3-day UPS), great RMA (at least for me), and competitive pricing. As you mentioned, I've only seen Microcenter challenge them on MSRP. I do my research, visit other retailers, use Techbargains.com.. but keep coming back to Newegg.
 
Agreed. I've bought from Newegg since their establishment in 2001. Superior convenience (normally 1-2 day delivery with 3-day UPS), great RMA (at least for me), and competitive pricing. As you mentioned, I've only seen Microcenter challenge them on MSRP. I do my research, visit other retailers, use Techbargains.com.. but keep coming back to Newegg.
Yes, that's one thing I forgot to mention. I've had an amazing experience with their delivery times. 1-2 days on average and RMA was easy as pie. No questions asked and sent me another one.
 
Back
Top