This week’s launch of the Intel P55 Express chipset and LGA-1156 CPUs is a new paradigm shift in the way mainstream computers are built. While Intel has kept older CPU Sockets in production while new ones have been released (LGA-1366 LGA-775, LGA-775 Socket 478) for a limited time, they have always released mainstream versions of the chipset in due course. With the launch of the X58 chipset, Intel decided to launch a totally different CPU Socket for the mainstream chipset, the LGA-1156.
Micro Star International is a long-time manufacturer of motherboards, video cards and other computer equipment that has long been a favorite of many an enthusiast due to their reputation for good overclocking, features and more. MSI has several P55 chipsets available on Intel’s launch day. I’ve already covered the P55-CD53 board earlier, but today the review is on the MSI P55-GD65 motherboard that is the middle child of their P55 lineup with the P55-CD53 the mainstream and the P55-GD80 being at the top of the chain.
- MSI Xtreme Speed
- OC Genie
- SuperPipe
- DrMOS
- Winki
- Direct OC
- V-Check Points
- Active Phase Switching
- Power Esata
- True Blu-ray Audio
- Live Update Online
- M-Flash
- USB Safeguard
- All Solid Capacitors
- ATI CrossfireX
- Live Update 3