MSI P67A-GD55 Overclocking

MSI released their latest and greatest BIOS for the P67A-GD55 and P65A-GD65.This BIOS already corrected the previous issue on Sandybridge processor that cannot go beyond the 48 multiplier. This latest BIOS will now be tested and will be compared to the stock configuration

Will it really work? Well continue reading for you to find out 

SPI 1M Stock ( 3.4Ghz but with speedstep enabled )
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...s576/spi1m.jpg

SPI 1M @ 5.1Ghz ( 51 x 100 )
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...A/s800/spi.jpg

SPI32M stock
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...576/spi32m.jpg

SPI 32M @ 5.1Ghz
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...s800/spi32.jpg

3DMark 6
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...s800/3dm06.jpg

3D Mark 06 @5.1Ghz
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS.../s640/3dm1.jpg

3D Mark Vantage
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...20/vantage.jpg

3D Mark Vantage @ 5.1Ghz
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...0/vantage1.jpg

Cinebench
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS.../cinebench.jpg

Cinebench @ 5.1Ghz
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...g/s720/cb1.jpg

One request received was to install Aida64 ( replacement of Everest which is a tool for checking the computer ) and look at the sensor tab. There were reports that some boards are not fully compatible with Aida64. The screenshot below confirmed that the MSI GD55 board is fully compatible with Aida64.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...da64sensor.jpg

Hmm can this board go beyond 5.1Ghz? The answer is a big yes! The board booted up and even finished running spi 32M benchmark.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...s576/spi32.jpg

One thing noticed on the board was the voltage droop. Core voltage was set to 1.46 in BIOS but cpuz is reading @ 1.48 on idle and @1.49 during load.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS.../s720/cpuz.jpg

Summary
The positive side of this board
 Can over clock pretty well after the latest BIOS release.
 Layout of the Power, Reset and OC genie.
 The Blue and Black PC looks neat
 Sensors are being read correctly using Aida64
 Price is cheaper as compared to other board ( already saw retail price in one online trading in the Philippines as well as in other online stores in the US )

The Possible Improvement for the board
 BIOS should be updated regulary. Other brands updated their BIOS a week ahead which enable 5+ Ghz review during Sandy bridge release.
 Control Center is 100Mhz per adjustment, 10 would be nicer. This will enable overclocker to extract more juice out of their Sandy’s.
 Must improve voltage droop to further enhance overclocking capability.

nice work bro...

shirley@msi loves what you're doing man...

any word with the p67-gd80?

Bartman - Newer version of CPU-Z for Sandy Bridge: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...48&postcount=4

Thanks Hondacity :) No word with the gd80 yet .. I will ask around :D

ugotd8 ...thanks mate ...will download it now :)

Nice clock + nice board :)

I was going to get one but I wanted the Intel LAN which this lacks :(

Nice clock + nice board :)

I was going to get one but I wanted the Intel LAN which this lacks :(

AIDA64 1.50.1219 is compatible now.

My msi p67 gd55 and a sandy babe 2500k beauty edition.:)

currently running super pi 32m.
finish run.
Not a heavy bencher, but these chips are amazing value.

5ghz

http://i56.tinypic.com/jife3n.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/vrwnzm.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/2dahopl.jpg

Nice men!, this week or maybe the next one will have this mb with a couple of 2500k and 2600k.

Regards! :D

nice!! but wrong screenshot for Cinebench @ 5.1GHz

What BIOS versions are you guys using?

Quick question: Black or blue slots when installing memory?

Manual says dimm 1 and 3, in other words blue but hardware secrets says black:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...erboard/1142/3

"The first and third sockets are black, while the second and fourth are blue. In order to achieve the maximum performance you should install two or four memory modules in order to enable dual-channel architecture. When only two modules are used, install them in the black sockets, otherwise your computer won’t turn on."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stryda

What BIOS versions are you guys using?

---

Here u go http://www.odoc.dk/files/overclockin...681IMS.174.rar

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Oliver

Here u go http://www.odoc.dk/files/overclockin...681IMS.174.rar

---

Thanks but I am unable to save in bios in anything over 1.4 atm. It just freezes and doesn't save if I restart the computer which is really annoying as on 1.4 I can't OC past 4.2 whereas one 1.1 I was able to 4.6GHz+. It's been posted on MSI forums but they seem reluctant to find a fix fast. Contemplating sending it back and swapping to another make. Wonder if it has anything to do with me not being able to install MEI.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ywap

Quick question: Black or blue slots when installing memory?

Manual says dimm 1 and 3, in other words blue but hardware secrets says black:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...erboard/1142/3

"The first and third sockets are black, while the second and fourth are blue. In order to achieve the maximum performance you should install two or four memory modules in order to enable dual-channel architecture. When only two modules are used, install them in the black sockets, otherwise your computer won’t turn on."

---

using blue myself

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stryda

Thanks but I am unable to save in bios in anything over 1.4 atm. It just freezes and doesn't save if I restart the computer which is really annoying as on 1.4 I can't OC past 4.2 whereas one 1.1 I was able to 4.6GHz+. It's been posted on MSI forums but they seem reluctant to find a fix fast. Contemplating sending it back and swapping to another make. Wonder if it has anything to do with me not being able to install MEI.

---

http://hwbot.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15952
new beta bios 185

corrected the screenies for cinebench @ 5.1 :) sorry about that

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flopper

http://hwbot.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15952
new beta bios 185

---

Can't save in bios with these either. Waiting for msi support to answer but may just get an asus board instead as I can't overclock anything at the moment as not even Intel management engine installs as it says "This computer does not meet minimum requirements for installing".

No problem overclocking for me yet tho.
intel managment engine dont install tho.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2.../th_P38116.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...erpi1m7207.jpg

@TS
Wich MSI control center do u used? I dl it from msi site but it isn.t working with my GD65.

Please check the latest control center II. I just downloaded it and works pretty fine with windows XP and windows 7. I have uninstalled the version that came with the board before installing the new one. :)

for BIOS update what I recommend is use the dos base program to update your BIOS. Heres what I am actually doung afude234.exe BIOSNAME /P /B /N . You can also download this toll in MSI website :)

Hi Bartman what cooler are you using there ? also where in philippines are you ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bartman1973

Please check the latest control center II. I just downloaded it and works pretty fine with windows XP and windows 7. I have uninstalled the version that came with the board before installing the new one. :)

---

Tnx, control center works, too bad u can't change the multi. That option is on in the bios.
5ghz
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...h_LinX5ghz.jpg

4.5ghz
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...0K/th_45-1.jpg

Hi all.

I've just puchased and installed this MB with a 2600k and 4 Gb of Transcend PC 19200 (which, even at stock settings, totally explodes my former E8500 @ 3.8 GHz). Bartman, could you give me your o/c profiles ? I did an o/c with the cpu @ 4 GHz (stock voltage), 2133 MHz for the memory (cas 9). It works perfectly on games (no crash at all during a couple of hours on Battlefield Bad Company 2). Unfortunately, every morning I want to power up the PC, it "needs" to reboot 3 or 4 times (by shutting down the power each time, which is, I think, not good at all for the drives) before posting and going to windows. In some cases it is written that the o/c profile has failed.

I have updated the bios on 1.6.

If someone could help me, it would be much appreciated !

On this topic, I have some trouble getting past x47.

I updated my P67A-GD55 with the 1.8B5 bios running a 2500K which solved a few issues I had, one not being able to increase vcore.

Thing is that I am stuck on 4700mhz at 1.35V. When trying multiple 48 the system doesnt even boot, not even with 1.42 in vcore. I assumed that the 1.8b5 bios also included the fix for multiples 48+. Anyone else with this issue? or is there any other setting that I have forgotten. I do not fully understand which cpu features to enable/disable... except thermal control.

Regards,
norris

For those who are encountering errors during the installation of the Intel ME Driver. Below are the steps to solve the problem.

1. Download the latest Bios version of the P67A-GD65/GD55 found in MSI Website. It already includes the latest ME Firmware which will be flashed together with the latest official bios.

2.Once downloaded and extracted in a bootable flash drive. Just run the 7681V17.bat file. (Instead of the official bios you can also use the latest beta bios and you just have to edit the batch file 768v17 and replaced the .170 to .18B6)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ix/flash-1.jpg

3.Download the latest Intel ME Driver also found in MSI website.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...Uploaded-1.jpg

4.If done correctly, you will be able now to install the driver and play with the Control Center II application :)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...nstalled-1.jpg

Thanks

Nice review bart!!!!!

Gzhil ...thanks mate for helping and working with MSI in solving the issue people can now install the ME driver

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gzhil

For those who are encountering errors during the installation of the Intel ME Driver. Below are the steps to solve the problem.

1. Download the latest Bios version of the P67A-GD65/GD55 found in MSI Website. It already includes the latest ME Firmware which will be flashed together with the latest official bios.

2.Once downloaded and extracted in a bootable flash drive. Just run the 7681V17.bat file. (Instead of the official bios you can also use the latest beta bios and you just have to edit the batch file 768v17 and replaced the .170 to .18B6)

---

MSI p67a gd55

Seems you need to be an engineer to make this work...
downloaded rar file http://forum-en.msi.com/moderator/pi...MSIHQ_Tool.rar and made a usb stick using the msi tool to point to the rar file. (need to be memebr) http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=116721.0 to download the usb create msi tool.

flashed the bios and fw.(set default no OC)
Had to fix the usb to make it bootable (go figure)
äfter that, flash went well. (weee)
Installing MEI driver from MSI website, was a NO GO did not install.
Did not work.:mad:
Turned to intel, downloaded MEI_allOS_7.0.0.1144_PV.exe mei driver from thier site.
success.:)

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2...ture017.th.jpg

5.15Ghz with no problems. Max blck 105.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Seventhwave

Hi all.

It works perfectly on games (no crash at all during a couple of hours on Battlefield Bad Company 2). Unfortunately, every morning I want to power up the PC, it "needs" to reboot 3 or 4 times (by shutting down the power each time, which is, I think, not good at all for the drives) before posting and going to windows. In some cases it is written that the o/c profile has failed.

I have updated the bios on 1.6.

If someone could help me, it would be much appreciated !

---

I have the exact same problem. Does anyone have a clue on this? The problem is caused by a "failed overclock". Then in asks to press F1 to enter bios or F2 to reset default values and anter bios. Even if i press F1 and keep the "supposedly" faulty values, it still boots. I can still set the number of overclock try to 1 (in oc menu, oc profile) but i still dont like the fact that my watercooling pump and hardrives are rebooting 2x in a row so that i can boot. Bios version 1.7

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shogo_ca

I have the exact same problem. Does anyone have a clue on this? The problem is caused by a "failed overclock". Then in asks to press F1 to enter bios or F2 to reset default values and anter bios. Even if i press F1 and keep the "supposedly" faulty values, it still boots. I can still set the number of overclock try to 1 (in oc menu, oc profile) but i still dont like the fact that my watercooling pump and hardrives are rebooting 2x in a row so that i can boot. Bios version 1.7

---

Nevermind, i fixed the problem yesterday by clearing the CMOS on the back panel button. Thats a neat feature on the board because the clear cmos jumper is really not accessible between my 2 video cards. One thing to note though, you need to have your pc shut down to use this button, and the pc does not reset itself like it says in the user manual. You have to press the power button after having pressed the clear cmos button.

I suppose the bug comes from using the OC genie feature. When i used it, it automaticly fail the overclock, and even if you disable the feature, it says overclock fail everytime.

My friend has a strange problem with this board, and it's the second board that happen same thing. The board by itself wont anymore boot, he took the battery out and returned it back, bios reset, etc and the board wont boot anymore, at least it has warranty but it's really annoying thing, anyone had the same problem???

@DomagojX ...hmmm meaning no post at all? are the fans ok hen you press the power button? Have you tried taing it out of the case ? I encountered one problem when I am putting my gd55 in the case since I placed my water cooling stuff inside the casing already. When I tried powering the system on, i am encountering no POST as wel, but then I removed it out of the casing, it works pefectly. SO what I have done is to put maskin tape in the stand off :)

how is this board's overclock performance with all the C states and speedstepping On ?

Here's was my bios settings when ambient temp was cooler.

CPU Base Frequency [10kHz] [10000]
Adjust CPU Ratio [53]
Adjust CPU Ratio in OS [Disabled]
Internal PLL Overvoltage [Enabled]
EIST [Enabled]
Intel Turbo Boost [Enabled]
DRAM Frequency [DDR3-2133MHz]
Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) [Disabled]
DRAM Timing Mode [Link]
Spread Spectrum [Disabled]
VDroop Control [Low VDroop]
CPU Core Voltage [1.51]
CPU I/O Voltage [1.07]
DRAM Voltage [1.6]
System Agent Voltage (SA) [.96]
CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]
PCH 1.05 [Auto]
DDR_VREF_CA_A [0.74]
DDR_VREF_CA_B [0.74]
DDR_VREF_DA_A [0.74]
DDR_VREF_DA_B [0.74]
Overclocking/Advanced DRAM Configuration
1 8 9 8 24, the rest on Auto
Overclocking/CPU Features
Active Processor Cores [All]
Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]
Execute Disable Bit [Disabled]
Intel Virtualisation Tech [Disabled]
Intel VT-D Tech [Disabled]
Power Technology [Disabled]
C1E Support [Disabled]
Overspeed Protection [Disabled]
Intel C-State [Disabled]
Package C State Limit [No Limit]
Long Duration Power Limit (W) 120
Long Duration Maintained (ms) 1000
Long Duration Power Limit (W) 140
Primary plane turbo power limit 0
1-Core Ratio Limit 53
2-Core Ratio Limit 53
3-Core Ratio Limit 53
4-Core Ratio Limit 53

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bartman1973

3D Mark Vantage
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...20/vantage.jpg

3D Mark Vantage @ 5.1Ghz
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wAoJy6PBk6g/TS...0/vantage1.jpg

---

The first pic is with ATi card, no PhysX - 23k for CPU seems ok.

The second pic, 60k+ for CPU? That just make no sense. PhysX enabled ?
/Why didn't you show the cpuz graphics tab in the second pic ?

Hi :D.

Anyone have some issues with 2133 div?, can't boot with Bios 1.8v =/... same sticks does 2200 cas6 on other mb.

Regards