MSI P55-GD80 Superb motherboard for any type of use

Author: Toni 'HaoKi' Siik Published: 17.01.2010 Manufacturer: MSI Product Group: Motherboards In English Suomeksi

Layout continued

Here we can see a general overview of the CPU-socket area. The space around the CPU-socket is taken up by the 14-phase power circuitry. As MSI has used their well know DrMOS in addition to the 14 phases, the power circuitry should be able to pump out the needed currents that the components need, even when overclocked to the limit.

The top-part of the CPU-socket area has most of the power circuitry circling the socket. The mosfets are covered with the blue-gray-themed heatsinks, which are connected with the "Superpipe". While the larger diameter of the heatpipe should be able to transfer the heat better, but I just can't spot anything in between the heatpipe and the heatsink. Sure, the heat will transfer straight from the heatsink to the heatpipe, but it would be better if they'd added some type of TIM.

Here we have closeup of the lower part of the CPU-socket area. On the left-side we can spot a segment-LED-display that shows how many phases are in use for the CPU.

We can also see the heatsink that takes the place, where the northbridge usually sits. With this motherboard it actually has nothing under it. As the same motherboard has been used as a base for the newer Big Bang motherboards, the heatsink cools either a Nvidia NF-200 chip or the Lucid Hydra 200 chip in those revisions.

Moving onto the edge of the motherboard, we can find the ATX-power plug and the V-Switch and V-Check points. The V-Switch controls how high it's possible to set the different voltages from the BIOS. There are 4 switches, one for the CPU, the CPU_VTT, the memory and the PCH.

The V-Check points on the other hand can be used to measure the actual voltages for the CPU etc. straight from the motherboard with a multimeter. A nifty feature for those who really take every last drop of performance out of their systems.

Moving a bit lower on the board, we can find the IDE and SATA-ports for the motherboard. There are a total of 8 SATA ports, which should be enough for just about everyone. Six of the ports are pointed away from the side of the board and two straight up. Fortunately these two should not be blocked, even if a graphics card is installed into the second slot.

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