MSI P67A-GD80 (B3) Intel P67 Motherboard Review

Intel’s Sandy Bridge launch was a huge success and a great way to start 2011.  Within a few weeks though a chipset error was found on every single P67 motherboard.  The error could have degraded SATA 3Gbps performance over time, putting you at risk of data loss and even total drive failures.  Users may have never experienced this issue but it needed to be fixed.  Intel was quick to rectify this situation with B3 stepping silicon.  All new P67 motherboards with the new fix will be called “B3”.  Today we will be taking a look at a new gaming / enthusiast motherboard from MSI with this B3 fix.  The motherboard is the P67A-GD80 (B3) and features a 12-Phase DrMOS Digital VRM, MSI’s Military Class II components, the new ClickBIOS and 10 USB 3.0 ports.

Special thanks to MSI for providing us with the P67A-GD80 (B3) Intel P67 Motherboard to review.

Features
• Military Class II components: Top quality & stability
• OC Genie II: Auto OC to boost performance in 1 sec
• ClickBIOS: Easy-to-use UEFI BIOS interface
• Super Charger: fast charge iPad/iPhone/smartphone
• THX TruStudio PRO: deliver the fullest audio experience
• Support USB 3.0 & SATA 6Gb/s

Packaging
Like any motherboard packaging the box of the P67A-GD80 is littered with information about the board.  The front of the package mainly showcases the Military Class II components and the OC Genie II.  On the back of the package it goes in to more detail about some of the main features of the board.

MSI P67A-GD80 (B3) Intel P67 Motherboard MSI P67A-GD80 (B3) Intel P67 Motherboard

If you pull up the top of the box there is even more information on the board so if you were really looking at a store you could see what all this board had to offer.  Opening the box up inside you have quite a lot.  Of course you have the motherboard, but other accessories include a PCI USB 3.0 expansion, I/O sheild, 4 SATA cables, 2 SATA to Molex power adapters, a bag of headers, SLI bridge and a bag of wires for using the boards voltage check points.  As far as documentation goes you have user’s guides for both the motherboard and software, a quick installation guide and a quick guide that has a full detailed layout of the board.

MSI P67A-GD80 (B3) Intel P67 Motherboard MSI P67A-GD80 (B3) Intel P67 Motherboard MSI P67A-GD80 (B3) Intel P67 Motherboard

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