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The MSI UEFI bios is attractively laid out and I found it easy enough to navigate, although not quite at the same level as the latest ASUS motherboards.
There are options to automatically let the motherboard attempt to overclock the processor, but today we are using the Standard mode to push it further. The main panel gives an overview of the connected drives and the memory installed.
The boot device priority can be adjusted with the mouse by simply dragging and dropping the positions, top right.
The motherboard defaulted the 3770k to the correct speeds, although the Corsair GTX8 2,400mhz memory was initially configured to 1,333mhz. This is pretty much a standard feature however to ensure a safe, first post in case of incompatibility issues. Loading the X.M.P. corrects this easy enough and we had no problems running 2,400mhz memory from Corsair, Kingston and G.Skill during our time with the motherboard.
The CPU ratio can be adjusted directly via the menus. We will look at overclocking in more detail shortly.
A range of bios shots above.
We know our Core i7 3770K sample limitations and it can tick over at 4.7ghz with good air cooling @ 1.28 volts. 4.8ghz is possible, but the voltage needs increased to around 1.35, which would cause long term problems for the sample. Watercooling or phase change would be needed for this speeds.
CPU-Z Validation is available over here. We did get a 4.8ghz post with this MSI motherboard, but as detailed above, we wouldn't risk it long term. This is a good overclocking motherboard which offers a variety of droop and voltage settings to achieve maximum stability.
Dont get it… you either want a single fan card, or a dual fan card…so just buy a single fan card, or a dual fan card- there are better dual fan coolers out there, such as XFXs Brushed Aluminium cooler, looks a thousand times better than the neon blue plastic tat on this card… Its not like your going to put this in your system and suddenly wake up one day and say- ‘i know i fancy two fans today’….
I get your point, although I think its cool you can basically change the noise/cooling balance to suit different environments. size too.
If it cost £30 more then its pretty pointless, but it seems closely priced to the other HD7770s.
Still think sapphire HD6850 was the best deal for a while at £90.
Great motherboard but im not sure on the graphics card. its clever, but for the target market im not sure its a buying decision. You either want a smaller card for a media center, or a higher cooled, size card for gaming.
Gamers wont buy the HD7770 I wouldnt think, so why not just put a larger single fan on the HD7770 in the first place and ditch the extra fan completely?
Nice idea to be creative like this, but ultimately I think its a bit pointless.
Ok, first thing first. this motherboard is from what I know the same as the GD65 but now has thunderbolt. its a great board. all we need to say (apart from the added price for thunderbolt).
The graphics card is frigging cool. The shiftable cooler idea is nice. Its maybe only useful for people who change systems regularly. so you could ditch a fan, slot it into a HPTC, then take it out, extend it then add another etc.
How many people would do that though? Might make more sense on a HD7850 or 7870. HD7770 is more suited just for media duties and low powered use.
please put two hd7770 in crossfire the results will show that they can deliver more fps
than the high end gtx 670 and hd 7870
with lots of money left over get that new motherboard
give it try