MSI Z77A-GD65 Pro Reviews

During our MSI Z77A-GD65 review we pointed out its numerous advantages and minor drawbacks. It is hard to predict what your impression of the board is after reading our review: it all depends on the importance of certain aspects for your specific needs. As for me personally, I was left with a pretty neutral overall impression. This is a good MSI mainboard with typical highs and lows: we didn’t uncover any pleasant surprises, but at the same time didn’t get struck by any disappointing issues either. We did know right from the start that MSI mainboards were unable to increase the processor core voltage in Offset mode by simply adding a necessary value to the nominal, so we were prepared to see no overclocking records. We didn’t experience the same issues with saving the BIOS profiles, which were the case with MSI’s LGA 2011 mainboards; plus the new “Multi BIOS Update” parameter helped synchronize information in two BIOS chips, which also used to be a challenge. We didn’t like the poor accessories bundle, but loved the convenient PCB layout. The mainboard is energy-efficient enough due to high-quality “Military Class III” components, although not all Intel’s processor power-saving technologies are enabled by default and their unique APS technology shuts off any chance it gets. We were very pleased with easy-to-use wide latches on the graphics card slots, new “Enhanced Turbo” and “My OC Genie Option”, the parameter that allowed turning off the onboard LEDs and the BIOS switch. However, we weren’t too thrilled with not very high performance, misleading color-coding of the memory DIMM slots, limited functionality in regards to fan rotation speed adjustment and monitoring as well as the mix-up with the proprietary programs and utilities. For almost every advantage, you can find a drawback of its own that is why we believe it is up to you to decide whether MSI Z77A-GD65 deserves a prime spot in your system or not.

The MSI Z77A-GD65 motherboard came through our testing and usage as being near perfect. There are very few issues we had with the board and those are minimal at best. The MSI Z77A-GD65 showed to be a solid overclocker exhibiting perfect stability even when put in less than favorable temperature conditions. The MSI Z77A-GD65 should certainly be on your short list if you are in the market for a new LGA1155 system. It is currently selling for $185 at Newegg with an extended 1 year warranty, and is selling for $185 at Amazon with Free Prime Shipping.

There may not be much in terms of performance separating the four Z77 Express-based motherboards we tested, but they do offer differing feature sets and are priced somewhat differently. The MSI Z77A-GD65 is the least expensive of the boards we tested. It carries and MSRP of $189, and while it may not have the same wealth of included connectivity options (like WiFi and Bluetooth) as some of the other boards, it does come with plenty for the vast majority of users and its accessory bundle is adequate. MSI has been ready with this motherboard for quite a while and have had it on the test bench for a number of weeks, and it has proven to be rock solid. The UEFI could use some optimization for better mouse responsiveness and we'd like to see the adjustable menus take up a larger part of the screen instead of the giant buttons, but those are minor quibbles. For the money, MSI has a very nice board on their hands with the MSI Z77A-GD65.

I find myself really confused when it comes to the MSI Z77A-GD65. The fact that out of the box performance is a little lower than the ASRock board is a little disappointing and the AIDA64 RAM performance as well when we overclocked was a little weird. That's where my concerns stop for the board and the things I like about it take over - and to be honest, there's a lot to like. For starters the overclock was really strong. Sure, it was only 20MHz higher than the ASUS P8Z77-V Deluxe, but that doesn't change the fact that it was the highest we've got out of our 3770k CPU. Not only that, it did it 5c cooler than the ASUS offering and 14c cooler than the GIGABYTE Z77X-UD5H. For us this is a big win. Feature wise the board is also really strong, the Military Class components are clearly doing their job here and OC Genie II while just bumping your CPU to just a 42x multiplier for a 4.2GHz clock, it does bump your CPU to 4.2GHz at just a push of a button. It's not the most scientific method, but it's a quick, simple and free way to gain some extra MHz out of your processor.

The MSI Z77A-GD65 is a mid-range motherboard and, as such, it is targeted to users who want a motherboard with more features than a mainstream product can provide. The extra features available on this motherboard include three PCI Express x16 slots, two additional SATA-600 ports, one FireWire port, on-board coaxial and optical SPDIF outputs, a top-notch voltage regulator circuit, a high-end audio codec that will allow you to work professionally with audio editing, two BIOS chips, and a POST diagnostics display.

MSI's first Z77 effort doesn't do a lot wrong, but it's not the best showcase of Intel's brand new chipset.

This is the first Z77 Express motherboard we've reviewed, and we weren't able to test it with the processor it was designed for. This puts MSI at somewhat of a disadvantage, but it's all we've got to work with, so it's what we'll use. Normally the stock performance difference between motherboards using the same chipset is small to nonexistent, especially once all vendors learn how to tweak their BIOSes for the best performance. These days, with so much of the circuitry that was formerly on the motherboard moved to the CPU and chipset, the distinguishing features for enthusiast motherboards become overclocking ability and extra features. MSI adds value to their system with their mil-spec components, software bundle, and other features. While their Big Bang series represents the very top end of their motherboard product line (and is priced to match), the Z77A-GD65 should satisfy all but the most rabid enthusiast. Unless you keep bottles of LN2 in your garage, this board should be everything you need.

Looking at the MSI Z77A-GD65 you have a motherboard that comes with a full feature set that is forward compatible with Intel's upcoming 3rd Generation Core series processors that will most definitely use the feature set on this chipset and motherboard. Equipped with a Second Generation Core i7 2600K there is no real performance advantage to upgrading as the Z68 chipset equipped Z68A-GD80 G3 can do what this board the Z77A-GD65 can in terms of overclocking and performance enhancements using Intel's Smart Response Technology and switchable graphics via Lucid Logix Virtu software. That being said the real performance potential will come with PCIe 3.0 graphics cards and Intel's next generation CPUs. As an overclocking motherboard the MSI Z77A-GD65 was just as solid as the Z68 boards I have tested that incorporate MSI's Military Class II and Now III build philosophy. I had not a single issue running my trusty workhorse of a CPU up and over 4.9GHz using the same tools and voltages used on earlier MSI Z68 boards. A real testament to the continued refinement of the brand and consistency of the build quality. OC Genie II is a new step in the right direction and still delivers solid repeatable results with my Multiplier and PLL overvoltage challenged CPU. OC Genie II one touch overclocking netted a nice stable 4.2GHz overclock on the CPU with the memory pumped right up to 2133MHz - something this new implementation has the ability to do. OC Genie II now will overclock the CPU , Memory, IGP and storage solutions for an ultimate boost in performance.

Just like we said, the MSI Z77A-GD65 is clearly designed for enthusiasts and not for someone looking for bundles of accessories. The board does not have WiFi, Bluetooth, or external FireWire (there's one internal header), or extra USB 3.0 (though two internal and two external are provided). In its place, the board gives plenty of overclocking feature such as as voltage contact points, onboard error debug code, onboard power switch, dual BIOS and Clear CMOS button. There are also plenty of overclocking settings that should allow anyone to reach that bragging-rights clockspeed. If accessories and features are important to you, then the Z77A-GD65 is clearly not designed for you, but if overclocking is what you are looking for, the MSI Z77A-GD65 certainly won't disappoint. In compensation for the rather skimpy hardware bundle, MSI does provide an extensive list of software. The Click BIOS II that seemingly works with the board's BIOS is excellent. We really love that MSI designed the software and the BIOS with the same interface so that it is so much easier when adjust any setting. Additionally, the board runs cool and the power consumption is lower than the reference Intel board by 8 watts under load. Also, the two additional SATA 6 Gbps ports are definitely something we are glad to see.

The MSI Z77A-GD65 is an overall great board. If you are looking to build a socket 1155 system and want to wait for availability of the Intel Z77 chipset the MSI Z77A-GD65 is a great bet!