MSI Intel 1155 Z68 PCI Express 3.0 Motherboard Z68A-GD65G3

Installation:

Test Rig:

• Motherboard: MSI Z68A-GD65G3
• CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy bridge
• OS Drive: OCZ REVO x2 100Gb PCIx
• OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64
• Ram: 2x4Gb Patriot Viper Xtreme DDR3 2000Mhz
• Video: Sparkle Nvidia GTX 480+
• Cooler: Thermaltake Frio
• PSU: NZXT Hale 90 750 watt Modular
• Case: Thermaltake Level 10 Gt

Installing this rig was a piece of cake. I was nothing shy of giddy to get this fired up. The blue lights of the case (4 color capable) really compliment the color scheme on the motherboard. But on to more pressing matters.

Bios:

Traditionally, “bios screen shots” are performed with a camera and some optimism. I only took three of these photos because as mentioned in the video, MSI has included the WORLD’S FIRST CLICK BIOS II. This is the natural progression of the UEFI bios which allows keyboard AND mouse input. The new version allows for full bios control within the windows environment.  Not only is this immeasurably helpful for reviewers such as myself, for any novice over-clocker, this will allow simultaneous bios access and GOOGLE access from one machine. I know what your thinking, “this will allow everyone to really hose their motherboard, brick central here we come”, but thats not so. MSI has made this motherboard USB flash-able with M-flash.:

“Compared to common mainboard which need extra BIOS chips, MSI’s M-Flash has a double advantage which doesn’t need extra components and secondly, all your BIOS data will be saved in the USB drive. The stored data does not only have backup and upgrade function, moreover it can also be seen as a portable BIOS chip which is actually able to boot up your PC.“

That means you can back-up, restore, and flash a full bios from USB. Potentially even greater than that is LIVE Update 5:

“MSI Live Update 5 is a powerful and useful application for updating the latest BIOS and Drivers, saving you time and lowers the risk of updating. End-users can install and run the Live Update 5 software on their computers with the companion CD or downloading the app from the MSI website.”

With all of these included utilities, we may be witnessing the death of key pounding during boot-up while trying to beat our ever faster pc’s.

I have included the standard bios pictures to illustrate the lack of difference between the traditional and in windows experience.

To Windows!!!

I took screenshots of almost the entire Bios, just because I could here are some pictures of the highlights.

Trust me when I say that the bios gives you access to every setting imaginable. However the settings are a bit scattered for a full overclock customization. For that MSI has included another windows Utility, Control Center.

Control center is looks like a very powerful tool, and it even reminds the user (who might be perhaps overwhelmed at this point) that there is a significantly easier “OC Genie II” button. I’m beginning to see why MSI included a book specifically to address their included software. I should also mention that each of these applications can be installed or uninstalled separately.

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