Table of Contents:
- Intel LGA-1155 CPU support
- Intel P67 Chipset
- Military Class II components
- Click BIOS
- OC Genie II
- Control Center Instant OC
- Winki3
- THX TruStudio Pro
- DrMOS
- V-Check Points
- AMD CrossfireX
- NVIDIA SLI
- Super-Charger
- Live Update 4
- USB 3.0
- SATA 3.0
The MSI P67A-GD65 is based upon Intel’s newest P67 Express chipset that is released to support their newest Sandy Bridge processors. Intel is launching a full line of Core i7/i5/i3 CPUs to meet every market segment for the performance/mainstream and value markets. The P67 is designed for the performance user that wants external graphics instead of the H67 chipset which is designed for the mainstream user that might use the integrated graphics on the Sandy Bridge processors.
One of the big things with the MSI series of boards is that they are stressing Military-Class components and build quality. While some of the other manufacturers have begun using Driver MOSFETs with their 6 series motherboards, MSI has been using DrMOS for at least a couple of years now. Driver MOSFETs combine the Low Side MOSFET, the High Side MOSFET and the Driver chips into one package giving efficient power, lower temperatures and giving a longer life.
With the P67A-GD65 motherboard MSI has introduced Military Class II components. There are three components of the MC II standards SFC, Hi-C Caps and Solid Capacitors. MSI says these components are tested to the standards set forth by the military to give the best build quality, high quality components and more power, higher stability than previously. Highly-Conducive Polymerized Capacitors are a new component that they use around the CPU Socket.
Hi-c CAPs have a Tantalum Core. The Hi-c CAP are low-profile capacitors meaning that the footprint of the Capacitors are lower than regular ones, allowing for more room for CPU cooler installation. They have 8x the lifespan of regular capacitors and have a high thermal stability. MSI introduced Super Ferrite Chokes on their high end motherboards last year. These have 30% higher current capacity, and a 10% power efficiency over regular chokes.
MSI is introducing a new feature to their P67A-GD65 boards in the form of i-charger Snooze Charger and Mobile Charger. As you know USB 3.0 was introduced last year to motherboards from many manufacturers. USB 3.0 has an increased power availability from the 500 micro Amps on 2.0 to 900 micro Amps on the 3.0 standard. Using USB 2.0 to charge your mobile phone can take a while. With USB 3.0 you can charge your mobile phone much faster due to the increased power. You can also charge these devices in Sleep mode.
MSI has always overclocked well with their boards. The P67A-GD65 has easy overclocking options with their 1 second overclocking processor, the OC Genie II with GPU Boost and Super Unlock. Simply install a Intel K series unlocked processor, push the OC Genie button when the system is off and the OC Genie chip will overclock your system automatically in 1 second. You can gain up to 36% increase in performance. P67A-GD65 will overclock the memory and CPU. MSI’s overclocking utility is called Control Center and you can save and load OC profiles automatically without a system reboot.
Winki III is a small Linux-based Operating System that can be used for booting quickly before Windows loads. You can use it to recover files from your HDD in case Windows won’t start up, Surf the Internet, view photos and much more. It’s not quite the same as having Windows, but it also doesn’t have the bloat of Windows, allowing it to boot in a few seconds. MSI supports THX TruStudio Pro in the P67A-GD65. This accurately reproduces the fullest audio experience of movies, music and game soundtracks on the PC.
