Unboxing MSI's Mainstream Z68A-GD65 Motherboard

[gzhil]

After the release of the Z68A-GD80 model, MSI has launched another Z68 for the mainstream segment named ?Z68A-GD65?. Below is a short comparison of the GD65 against the GD80.


                        Z68A-GD80 / Z68A-GD65
Firewire 1 N/A
e-SATA 1 N/A
Gigabit LAN         2 1
PCIEx16 Slots 3 (8/8/4) 2 (8/8)
Chipset Heatsinks Better Smaller

For the motherboard features, both are identical. Super Charger (charge USB mobile devices even if your PC is turned off), DrMOS (Driver in MOSFET which was been copied by G brand already), Military Class II Components, Active Phase Switching (hardware based energy saving), THX Studio Pro Audio, Click Bios and V-Check Points.

Packaging

? L Shaped SATA Cables
? SATA Power
?Manuals and Software DVD
?SLI Bridge Cable
?V-Check Points Connector and Header Guide
?USB 3.0 PCI Bracket and Backplate

Next, actual shots of the board.

Clean layout and sturdy looking components. 

Color Red Header is for the SuperCharger feature of the board.  You will also find the dual bios chips located on top of that.

Big room for large Pots if you are into extreme overclocking and you won?t have a hard time putting insulations around the socket area. You will also find the OC Genie button near the 24pin-power  which I find it weird for placing it here and not with the Easy Buttons

Easy Power and Reset Buttons

Lastly, IO Rear Terminal Connections

That?s it. Thank guys

 

[Mark]

Gzhil, thanks for posting this.

If you have time, do you think you could please test the Virtu Switchable Graphics functionality and post power consumption readings? I'd find it very interesting to see how effective the technology is.