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P55 On Boost: Five LGA 1156 Boards Between $200 And $250
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1. Mainstream Parts For High-End Systems?

We’ve heard that Intel’s LGA 1156 platform was intended to bring its Nehalem architecture to the mainstream market. But the first processors to support that platform are hardly what most of us would consider inexpensive. Starting with a $200 Core i5-750, the range currently tops out with a surprisingly-expensive $550 Core i7-870. At those prices, the cheapest processor barely fits into the top of what most folks consider mainstream.

On the other hand, a simplified platform architecture based on Intel's single-component platform controller hub, which looks amazingly similar to the previous-generation’s southbridge, has allowed comparable motherboards to cost around $100 less than their LGA 1366 predecessors. The tradeoff for this cost savings is the loss of 20 PCI Express (PCIe) lanes and a scale back from triple- to dual-channel memory support.

The combination of fairly expensive processors and a scaled-back chipset puts us in a difficult position when considering the market for full-feature motherboards. Can any LGA 1156 system truly be considered high-end? After all, there’s no practical way to supply two graphics cards with a full 16 lanes of bandwidth. However, only the most expensive graphics cards need more than eight PCIe 2.0 lanes, and not every high-end buyer wants a gaming system.

Current LGA 1156 hardware thus cuts a broad swath across both sides of the line that normally separates high-end from mainstream systems, appealing to mid-budget gamers, non-gaming power users, and technophiles who think of themselves as both gamers and power users. They are among the users who are the most likely to want more performance than they are willing to pay for, to be tempted by the easy gains of overclocking, and to find themselves surrounded by Tom’s Hardware forum members. Some of these users are on our staff.

Now that we’ve figured out why someone might want to build a moderately expensive system using parts that are mainstream in name only, let’s take a closer look at how well some of those parts, specifically the motherboards, fit in this market.

2. Features Comparison Tables
Sub-$250 Core i5/i7 Motherboard Features
 Asus P7P55D DeluxeEVGA P55 FTWGigabyte P55A-UD6
PCB Revision1.06G1.01.0
ChipsetIntel P55 ExpressIntel P55 ExpressIntel P55 Express
Voltage Regulator19 Phases14 Phases24 Phases
BIOS0711 (09/24/2009)080016 (10/23/2009)F4 (10/26/2009)
133.3 MHz BCLK133.7 MHz (+0.28%)131.9 MHz (-1.09%)132.9 MHz (-0.32%)
Clock GeneratorICS 9LPRS140CKLFICS 9LPRS139AKLFICS 9LPRS914EKLF
Internal Interfaces
PCIe 2.0 x163 (x16/x1/x4, x8/x8/x4)3 (x16/x4/x1, x8/x4/x8)3 (x16/x1/x4, x8/x8/x4)
PCIe x1/x42/01/02/0
Legacy PCI222
USB 2.03 (6-ports)3 (6-ports)2 (4-ports)
IEEE-1394111
Serial Port1None1
Parallel PortNoneNoneNone
FloppyNoNoYes
Ultra-ATA 1331 (2-drives)None1 (2-drives)
SATA 3.0 Gb/s966
SATA 6.0 Gb/sNoneNone2
4-Pin Fan212
3-Pin Fan264
FP-AudioYesYesYes
CD-AudioYesNoYes
S/PDIF I/OOutput OnlyBothBoth
Power ButtonYesYesYes
Reset ButtonYesYesYes
CLR_CMOS ButtonJumper OnlyYesYes
Diagnostics PanelPass/Fail LEDsNumericNumeric
I/O Panel
P/S 2211
USB 2.087 (1 Shared w/eSATA)8 (2 Shared w/eSATA
USB 3.0NoneNone2
IEEE-1394112
NetworkDual (with teaming)DualDual (with teaming)
eSATA022
CLR_CMOS ButtonYesYesNo
Digital Audio OutOptical+CoaxialOptical+CoaxialOptical+Coaxial
Digital Audio InNoneNoneNone
Analog Audio66
Mass Storage Controllers
Chipset SATA6x SATA 3.0 Gb/s6x SATA 3.0 Gb/s6x SATA 3.0 Gb/s
Chipset RAID Modes0, 1, 5, 100, 1, 5, 100, 1, 5, 10
Add-In SATAJMB363 PCIe, 1 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s, 1 x SATA to JMB322, JMB322 to 2 x SATA88SE6121 PCIe, 2 x eSATA 3.0 Gb/s88SE9128 PCIe, 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s, JMB362 PCIe, 2 x eSATA 3.0 Gb/s
Add-In Ultra ATAJMB363 PCIeNoneITE IT8213 PCIe
IEEE-1394VT6308P PCI
2 x 400 mb/s
TSB43AB22A
2 x 400 mb/s
TSB43AB23 PCI
3 x 400 Mb/s
Gigabit Ethernet Controllers
Primary LANRTL8112L PCIe88E6057 PCIeRTL8111D PCIe
Secondary LANRTL810SC PCI88E6057 PCIeRTL8111D PCIe
Audio Codec
HD Audio CodecVIA VT2020ALC889ALC889
Sub-$250 Core i5/i7 Motherboard Features
 Intel DP55KGMSI P55-GD80
PCB RevisionE47218-4021.1
NorthbridgeIntel P55 ExpressIntel P55 Express
Voltage RegulatorSix Phase DigitalTen Phases
BIOS3822 (09/28/2009)1.5 (09/25/2009)
133.3 MHz BCLK133.3 MHz (+0.0%)133.7 MHz (+0.28%)
Clock GeneratorSLG505YC264CTMSI LRS4116AL
Internal Interfaces
PCIe  x163 (x16/x1/x4, x8/x8/x4)3 (x16/x1/x4, x8/x8/x4)
PCIe x1/x42/0*2/0
Legacy PCI22
USB 2.02 (4-ports) +1 port3 (6-ports)
IEEE-139411
Serial PortNoneNone
Parallel PortNoneNone
FloppyNoNo
Ultra-ATA 133None1 (2-drives)
SATA 3.0 Gb/s88
SATA 6.0 Gb/sNoneNone
4-Pin Fan41
3-Pin FanNone4
FP-AudioYesYes
CD-AudioNoYes
S/PDIF I/OOutput OnlyOutput Only
Power ButtonYesYes
Reset ButtonNoYes
CLR_CMOS ButtonJumper OnlyYes
Diagnostics PanelNumericNumeric
I/O Panel
P/S 2None2
USB 2.088 (1 Shared w/eSATA)
USB 3.0NoneNone
IEEE-139411
NetworkSingleDual
eSATA21
CLR_CMOS Button*Back to BIOSNo
Digital Audio OutOpticalOptical+Coaxial
Digital Audio InOpticalNone
Analog Audio66
Mass Storage Controllers
Chipset SATA6x SATA 3.0 Gb/s6x SATA 3.0 Gb/s
Chipset RAID Modes0, 1, 5, 100, 1, 5, 10
Add-In SATA88SE6145 PCIe, 2 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s, 2 x eSATA 3.0 Gb/sJMB363 PCIe, 1 x eSATA 3.0 Gb/s, 1 x SATA to JMB322, JMB322 to 2 x SATA
Add-In Ultra ATANoneJMB363 PCIe
IEEE-1394TSB43AB22A
2x 400 mb/s
VT6315N PCIe
2x 400 Mb/s
Gigabit Ethernet Controllers
Primary LANIntel WG82578DC PHYRTL8111DL PCIe
Secondary LANBluetooth PANRTL8111DL PCIe
Audio Codec
HD Audio CodecALC889ALC889
3. Asus P7P55D Deluxe

Previously representing Asus’ top parts, its Deluxe product line now falls second only behind its Premium offerings in features. The P7P55D Deluxe follows this trend with a 19-phase CPU voltage regulator, dual-gigabit network controllers, automatic lane switching from PCI Express (PCIe) x16 to dual x8 pathways for enhanced CrossFire and SLI performance, a third x16-style slot with x4 pathways for tertiary graphics cards or other high-bandwidth peripherals, and an I/O panel CLR_CMOS button to ease recovery from failed overclocks.

Asus also adds its TurboV remote, a hardware overclocking tool that works without the assistance of an operating system. This type of device could be especially useful to competitive overclockers, although connecting it through the I/O panel to the top side of the motherboard makes its cable somewhat vulnerable to accidental damage.

A button next to the power connector labeled “MemOK” can make problematic modules bootable by setting lower-than-SPD speeds and/or timings. This is a feature that’s most likely to be needed on “factory overclocked” memory that hasn’t been programmed properly to boot at default voltage. In such circumstances, forcing the memory to lower speeds or timings to make it bootable gives builders the chance to enter the BIOS and manually set the required voltage increase.

Three added SATA connections (for a total of nine) and an Ultra ATA interface use JMicron’s JMB363 controller located under the P55 Express chipset sink, with a JMB322 SATA port multiplier dividing one of the controller’s ports into two. Called Drive Xpert by Asus, the JMB322 port multiplier appears as a single drive to the JMB363 controller, adding hardware RAID 1 and Level 0 modes that are transparent to the operating system and require no additional drivers. Asus calls the JMB322’s Level 0 mode SuperSpeed and has named its RAID 1 mode EZ Backup, yet the term SuperSpeed sounds ironic since all drives supported by the JMB363 controller must share a single 250 MB/s PCIe link to the chipset (easily saturated by the best SSDs). However, the mirroring function really is easy, so its branding receives no such criticism.

The P7P55D Deluxe has a nearly perfect slot layout, with three spaces from the top to second PCIe slot allowing extra airflow to the top card in CrossFire, SLI, or other dual-card configurations. The third slot is only two spaces beneath the second, but this narrower spacing was required to allow a card with a double-slot cooler to fit into a standard seven-slot case.

Having the graphics card in the uppermost slot position normally crowds DIMM latches, but Asus solves the problem with slots that are latched on only one side. The top is the edge from which gravity tends to pull modules out, so the method should keep memory secure even in rough transit, so long as the system is carried upright. However, the lack of clips on one does prevent many clip-on memory cooling fans from fitting securely.

Asus uses the upper-range VIA VT2020 10-channel audio codec, a part that some listeners claim has a mellower tone than competing Realtek parts. Features include DTS Surround Sensation and BD audio-layer protection. The codec can also multi-stream different sources to front- and rear-panel jacks. Our only complaint is the location of its front-panel audio connector, which in the traditional bottom-rear corner, causes cabling nightmares in most modern ATX tower cases.

Other case-related issues include an IEEE-1394 connector near the bottom-rear corner and six forward-facing SATA ports from the P55 Express controller. Many modern cases are designed with added clearance for forward-facing SATA ports, but the hard drive cages of some are too close to the forward edge of the motherboard to allow cable insertion. Forward-facing ports are used by most high-end motherboards to allow cable ends to fit under long graphics cards, so builders must choose their cases carefully.

BIOS

The Ai Tweaker menu allows overclockers to adjust P7P55D Deluxe frequencies and ratios from an easy scroll-down menu. Asus adds amplitude, skew, and DRAM reference voltage to the list of standard settings. It refers to CPU Uncore as IMC (integrated memory controller) voltage, and includes a load-line calibration setting to minimize core voltage fluctuation under load.

The DRAM Timing Control submenu is detailed enough for most elaborate tuners, yet has automatic settings for individual timings to make less-elaborate adjustments easier.

Asus O.C. Profile allows up to eight custom BIOS configurations to be stored as user profiles, and also has a utility for exporting configuration files to a flash drive.

Accessories

Noticeably lacking from the P7P55D Deluxe were any eSATA ports on the I/O Panel, likely because Asus believes most users prefer the front-panel jacks available on many cases. The P7P55D does include an eSATA breakout plate for users who still want rear-access, although only a single port is supported.

4. EVGA P55 FTW

With a Web price starting at around $200, EVGA’s P55 FTW makes incremental improvements compared to its previously tested P55 SLI without breaking the bank.

As a board marketed primarily towards overclockers, the biggest advancement of the P55 FTW might be its 14-phase CPU power regulator that EVGA rates at 600W peak output. That’s more than even an eight-pin CPU power connector can supply, so EVGA also adds a second eight-pin EPS12V connector.

While the P55 FTW look nearly identical to its less expensive sibling, the biggest change hardcore gamers will notice is the slot order. SLI and CrossFire come to the LGA 1156 processors by splitting their 16 PCIe 2.0 lanes across two slots, and EVGA rearranges those slots so that they are four spaces apart. Unlike the P55 SLI, the P55 FTW puts the four-lane x16 slot in the middle, so that SLI and CrossFire users who need only graphics cards will get the maximum cooling space between them.

EVGA is the only company in today’s roundup to support both LGA 1156 and LGA 775 coolers, giving extreme-overclocking gurus a great reason not to modify their custom LN2 pots or oversized water blocks. LGA 1156 has a slightly shorter installation height that prevents solid-mount LGA 775 coolers, such as Swiftech’s Apogee Drive, from providing proper contact pressure, so the second set of mounting holes should only be used with spring-loaded mounting mechanisms.

EVGA includes a gadget called EVGA Control Panel Version 2 (ECP V2) that extends several motherboard features beyond the motherboard’s surface via cables. Included are power, reset, CLR_CMOS, two core-voltage, and one uncore-voltage (labeled VTT) buttons, a numeric status display, and a set of jumpers for disabling individual PCIe slots. Each voltage button adds 100mV when engaged. That last feature is supposed to be handy in case an overclocked video card prevents a system boot, but what isn’t as handy is that the module itself has no provisions for front-panel mounting.

Other than the changes noted above, there isn’t much to say about the P55 FTW that hasn’t already been said of the P55 SLI in its review. Both boards strive to be nearly legacy-free, yet both include a single PS/2 port that we still occasionally use, and with the exception of the altered slot order, both have the same layout.

BIOS

The P55 FTW continues EVGA’s good overall BIOS layout while adding more reference- and signal-voltage controls. The bottom of the frequency/voltage controls page features a menu for saving custom configurations to a protected portion of the BIOS IC as any of four user profiles.

Automatic configuration per setting eases the alteration of the most familiar memory timings.

Accessories

EVGA includes four SATA cables and a single SLI bridge in an installation kit that stands out mostly for its control module.

5. Gigabyte P55A-UD6

Gigabyte’s P55A-UD6 stands out as the first roundup motherboard to support USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0 Gb/s. These two features were essentially free at the motherboard’s release, as the new model came at the same $250 list price as its predecessor. However, at the time this review was written, this newer version was actually cheaper than the earlier one, thanks to a limited-time $30 instant rebate at one of our favorite online vendors.

Users still get all the advanced features for which the UD6 and earlier DQ6 models are famous, in addition to the USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0 Gb/s controllers. Enhancements include dual-eSATA ports, dual-gigabit network controllers, dual-I/O panel FireWire, dual-format digital audio outputs, and active pathway switching for dual graphics cards. Like other recent Gigabyte boards, the eSATA ports have been co-opted with USB to supply USB-powered eSATA thumb drives, with an additional benefit that users can use the same jacks for either type of device.

A 24-phase CPU voltage regulator is designed to supply the smoothest power possible at high loads, while also being capable of powering-down unneeded phases at lower loads to increase efficiency.

Gone is the JBM363 controller Gigabyte once labeled GSATA, as the distance between Ultra ATA and eSATA ports would have caused engineering difficulties for a single controller. Gigabyte instead uses separate JMicron JMB362, ITE IT8213, and Marvell 88SE9128 controllers to support its eSATA, Ultra ATA, and SATA 6.0 Gb/s functions. Gigabyte’s use of three separate controllers is a plus compared to what Asus offers, which forces all of its third-party interfaces to use a single 2.5 Gb/s PCIe link.

Yet Gigabyte’s solution is far from perfect, as LGA 1156 platform limitations prevent any perfect solution from being developed. USB 3.0 requires a PCIe 2.0 link that the P55 Express chipset doesn’t provide, and a graphics card normally uses the 16 PCIe 2.0 pathways from the CPU. Builders must decide how valuable these features are, as enabling SATA 6.0 Gb/s forces a single graphics card to x8 mode, while running two graphics cards in the upper and middle slots makes the Turbo SATA3 and Turbo USB 3.0 functions non-selectable. Because we always test P55-based motherboards in either x16 or dual-graphics (CrossFire or SLI) modes, P55A-UD6's SATA 6.0 Gb/s and USB 3.0 functions have no place in a motherboard-performance comparison.

The P55A-UD6 also gains an x4-bandwidth/x16-length PCIe slot compared to the previously reviewed P55-UD4P. The newer interface could be used for lower-performance graphics applications or other medium-bandwidth devices, since the chipset doesn’t provide PCIe 2.0 mode to its four pathways. Both high-bandwidth PCIe slots have the same placement on both boards, with three spaces between them to assist airflow to double-slot graphics card coolers. Yet Gigabyte puts the top x16 slot in the second-from-top position, forcing all three long slots downward by one position and limiting the bottom four-lane slot to single-thickness cards. Meanwhile, a cooling sink limits the top x1 slot to 3.3” or shorter expansion cards.

Like any other LGA 1156 motherboard, the P55A-UD6 is limited to eight memory banks via the processor’s dual-channel DDR3 controller, so that typical high-end configurations of 8GB or 16GB are possible via four 2GB or 4GB modules. But Gigabyte has found a trick, a little slight-of-hand perhaps, to make it appear that the board supports more memory: by repeating the second bank from one side of the second memory channel to a third pair of DIMMs, users are able to populate the P55A-UD6 with up to four single-sided modules plus two single-sided or double-sided modules. The combination of six DIMMs and a large central sink makes the P55A-UD6 look like a pricier LGA 1366 solution. But the limitations of LGA 1156 still apply, with the installation of four double-sided modules preventing any use of the additional memory slots.

BIOS

The P55A-UD6 MB Intelligent Tweaker menu shows basic system status, with several submenus providing additional information and controls.

The M.I.T. Current Status submenu doesn’t even indicate that the system is fully populated with RAM, listing modules by DIMM rather than bank.

The Advanced Frequency Settings submenu provides the frequency and ratio controls typically found on the main overclocking menu of competing products. Gigabyte adds a few drive strength and clock-skew controls compared to lower-market products.

The Advanced Voltage Settings submenu includes all the basic settings most users require to achieve a good overclock and adds DRAM reference voltage.

The Advanced Memory Timings submenu contains only a few basic settings in addition to separate submenus for Channel A and Channel B timings. Choosing the Quick option allows both channels to be set from the menu of a single channel.

Timings include all the basics and several advanced latencies, with automatic mode selectable for individual controls.

Pressing F11 and F12 keys in the BIOS main screen allows saving or restoring up to eight custom configurations as user profiles. These can also be exported to a drive, and the board even “remembers” a few of the recent configurations that a user might have forgotten to store as a profile.

Accessories

The P55A-UD6 includes several booklets, but only four SATA cables. An eSATA breakout adapter reminds us of the days before these ports were added to Gigabyte’s I/O panel, and includes two eSATA-to-SATA data cables and a four-pin-to-dual-SATA power splitter. A single SLI bridge is also included.

6. Intel DP55KG

Normally thought of by enthusiasts as an processor and chipset vendor, Intel also has its own brand of motherboards. These were traditionally produced to Intel’s higher-quality standards by third-party manufacturers to satisfy the needs of whitebox and large scale OEM builders, providing added stability in applications as constant-duty office PCs and workstations. Yet for several years Intel has also embraced the enthusiast market, while its DP55KG could be the best-suited product yet. Unlike the DX58SO that preceded it, the DP55KG has no weird graphics-slot order or peculiar number of DIMM slots.

The DP55KG is the only board in today’s roundup to exclude any PS/2 ports on the I/O panel. We don’t see any advantage to that exclusion since Intel didn’t make use of the remaining I/O panel space, but there are builders out there who truly hate legacy connectors. Other Intel I/O panel exclusives include an external digital audio input connector and a "Back to BIOS" button that forces the board to boot at default values without deleting custom presets, which makes a recovery from a failed overclocking attempt easier.

Also missing from the I/O panel compared to typical motherboards of the $200+ enthusiast class is any secondary wired-network connection, but Intel thinks it has gone one better by instead supplying the DP55KG with integrated Bluetooth personal area networking (PAN). With the ability to wirelessly transfer data to and from mobile devices and Bluetooth-enabled printers, Intel’s decision might be a good bet.

It’s no coincidence that the DP55KG looks exactly like an extended version of the company’s DP55SB microATX motherboard, as the smaller board was designed to provide similar capabilities for portable gaming machines. The big board adds an open-ended PCIe x4 slot with a separate card latch where it would normally be found on an x16 slot, an extra PCI slot, an extra fan connector, and two more SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports via Marvell’s PCIe-based 88SE6121 controller.

We wouldn’t want to exclude any mention of the skull logo, which can be set to a broad number of lighted modes, but the most interesting feature of the DP55KG (as well as its smaller sibling) is its CrossFire and SLI capability. The uppermost PCIe x16 slot is located in the top-slot position for extra cooling space between it and the x8 slot beneath, a part that’s also open-ended to support x16 cards and has a card latch where it would normally be found on the longer interface. The combination is functionally identical to the Asus P7P55D Deluxe we praised earlier, with four double-pathway electronic switches automatically configuring x16/x1 or x8/x8 modes depending on what type of card is installed in the x8 slot.

Intel relies on a six-phase digital CPU voltage regulator rather than the elaborate 19-phase Asus analog part and its memory slots are latched on both sides rather than one. Installing and removing memory with a graphics card already in place is more difficult, but the latches give clamp-on memory-cooling fans a gripping point.

Intel added a new location for its front-panel audio connector at the bottom of the DP55KG, but thankfully left this connector in the original DP55SB position. We say thankfully because the front-panel audio jacks of modern cases are typically located near the top-front corner, and connecting closer to the board’s center point eases cable installation.

One extremely unique feature of the DP55KG (and its microATX clone) is the upward-facing USB 2.0 connector on the board’s top side, which is in front of the I/O panel’s “Back to BIOS” button. We’re not certain what Intel’s intentions are, although it does make the microATX version a perfect match for the USB remotes of some cases. We also think it might be a good place to install a USB thumb drive repurposed for Windows ReadyBoost.

BIOS

Although it looks like traditional BIOS, Intel’s DP55KG uses an extensible firmware interface as described in an upcoming UEFI article. This is, in fact, the same motherboard model used in that article, with the same artificial 2TB boot partition limitation in Intel’s RAID manager that would normally apply to non-EFI systems. Because this is an artificial limitation of the RAID system, disabling chipset RAID enables boot partitions larger than 2TB as seen on that upcoming story's solution page.

The main Performance menu is used to change the CPU base-clock settings, with several submenus for advanced configuration.

The Processor Overrides submenu includes CPU-voltage and voltage-droop compensation settings. While we were unfamiliar with the screen, we had no trouble achieving the required settings for our overclocking stability tests.

The Memory Configuration submenu retains automatically detected timings as the base value when switching from automatic- to manual-configuration modes.

A Bus Overrides submenu allows altering P55 PCH voltage and PCIe frequency.

Accessories

As a legacy-free product, the DP55KG’s accessory kit isn’t littered with support for outdated devices, although we would have liked to see at least six SATA cables included with a board that supports eight internal drives. Intel saves some trees by including the full installation manual only in digital form, but does add the necessary Bluetooth antenna and SLI bridge.

7. MSI P55-GD80

The top dog in MSI’s LGA 1156 fight, the $210 P55-GD80 is also a contender for best value with a $30 instant rebate at one of our favorite sellers that puts it well below this comparison’s $200 lower limit.

The P55-GD80 includes all the features we expect in a $200+ enthusiast motherboard, such as dual-network ports, eSATA, additional internal SATA connections, and three x16-length PCIe slots with automatic mode switching from x16/x1/x4 to x8/x8/x4 pathways.

MSI also sticks with its improved-value philosophy concerning CPU voltage regulation, with 10 high-current phases competing against up to 24 mid-capacity phases its competitors offer. A row of plugs at the front edge of the board allows tuners to keep an eye on its voltage levels using their own voltmeters.

MSI includes the on-board power and reset feature of its competitors, but makes its own version unique by using touch-sensitive film rather than mechanical buttons. Buttons are supplied for the CLR_CMOS and OC-Genie controls, the later competing with Asus’ external TurboV remote.

Similarities to Asus motherboard don’t end there, as MSI is the only other board in today’s roundup to use a single 2.5 Gb/s PCIe pathway to supply up to three 3.0 Gb/s SATA and two Ultra ATA 133 drives via a combination of JMicron’s JMB363 controller and JMB322 port multiplier. The port multiplier is able to set RAID 0, 1, or JBOD modes for its two drives and present these as a single drive to the JMB363 controller, requiring no additional OS drivers.

Yet the P55-GD80 isn’t a knock-off of an Asus product, and its slot arrangement is identical to that of its rival Gigabyte. By placing its uppermost PCIe x16 slot in the second position but still providing additional space between it and the second x16-length slot for added graphics cooling, MSI forces its third x16-length slot to the bottom of the board. That excludes the third long slot from supporting double-slot graphics cards in most cases but, due to chipset limitations, the third slot’s four 2.5 Gb/s lanes are only adequate for supplying tertiary graphics or medium-bandwidth expansion cards anyway.

Also like Gigabyte's offering is the length restriction for PCIe cards in the top x1 slot, only MSI’s limit is a somewhat more forgiving 3.75.”

With no serious issues concerning the overall layout and features of the P55-GD80, we might consider a few less-significant items, such as the front-panel audio and IEEE-1394 connections that MSI stuffed into its bottom-rear corner. Installing the associated cables in tower cases that have top-mounted or upper-bay jacks can be difficult or impossible, depending on cable length.

BIOS

MSI packs its cell menu with enough controls to consume nearly three pages of scrolling. These include several CPU features its competitors have moved to submenus, most clock speed and ratio controls, basic voltage controls, and DRAM reference-voltage settings.

One must scroll through three more pages to cover the complete set of DRAM timings, since MSI places separate controls for both channels on the same Advanced DRAM Configuration submenu. There is no method to set both channels simultaneously, so users who do want to change a few basic settings are required to remember to do so twice. However, automatically detected values that are retained as base values when switching to manual configuration ease the process.

With so many items on the main menu, we question why MSI moved only its CPU and PCIe amplitude controls to the ClockGen Tuner submenu.

The P55-GD80 supports saving up to six custom-BIOS configurations as user profiles.

Accessories

An instant rebate at one major seller might have made the P55-GD80 the least expensive product of today’s competitors, but that doesn’t mean MSI has to go cheap on the installation kit. Six SATA cables, three SLI bridges, and a single CrossFire bridge top all of today’s competitors.

8. Test Settings
Test System Configuration
CPUIntel Core i7-870 (2.93 GHz, 8.0MB Cache)
CPU CoolerThermalright MUX-120
RAMKingston KHX2133C9D3T1K2/4GX (4.0GB)
DDR3-2133 at DDR3-1600 CAS 8-8-8-24
GraphicsXFX GeForce GTX 285 XXX Edition
670 MHz GPU, GDDR3-2500
Hard DriveWestern Digital Velociraptor WD3000HLFS, 300GB, 10,000 RPM, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB cache
SoundIntegrated HD Audio
NetworkIntegrated Gigabit Networking
PowerCorsair CMPSU-850HX 850W Modular
ATX12V v2.2, EPS12V, 80-Plus Gold
Software
OSMicrosoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64
GraphicsNvidia Forceware 190.62 WHQL
ChipsetIntel INF 9.1.1.1014


Intel’s Core i7-870 processor allows us to reach clock speeds well beyond 4 GHz at a relatively-safe 1.45V setting.

Thermalright’s mid-capacity MUX-120 continues to provide enough cooling to keep up with our fully overclocked processor at full CPU load.

While the highest-speed memory isn’t needed at our basic benchmark speed, Kingston’s DDR3-2133 allows stability testing at each motherboard’s maximum DRAM data rate.

With its 80 PLUS Silver certification allowing for the lowest-possible global power measurements, the mighty modular Corsair CMPSU-850HX provides our test rig with superb stability under every conceivable load.

Benchmark Configuration
3D Games
CrysisPatch 1.2.1, DirectX 10, 64-bit executable, benchmark tool
Test Set 1: High Quality, No AA
Test Set 2: Very High Quality, 8x AA
Far Cry 2Patch 1.03, DirectX 10, in-game benchmark
Test Set 1: High Quality, No AA
Test Set 2: Ultra High Quality, 8x AA
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear SkyClear Sky Benchmark version
Test Set 1: High Preset, DX10 EFDL, No AA
Test Set 2: Ultra Preset, DX10 EFDL, 4x MSAA
World in ConflictPatch 1009, DirectX 10, timedemo
Test 1: High Details, No AA / No AF
Test 2: Very High Details 4x AA / 16x AF
Audio/Video Encoding
iTunesVersion: 8.2.1.6 x64
Audio CD ("Terminator II" SE), 53 min
Default format AAC
Lame MP3Version: 3.98.2, wave to MP3
Audio CD "Terminator II" SE, 53 min
TMPEGEnc 4.0 ExpressVersion: 4.7.3.292
Import File: "Terminator 2" SE DVD (5 Minutes)
Resolution: 720x576 (PAL) 16:9
DivX 6.8.5Encoding mode: Insane Quality
Enhanced multithreading enabled using SSE4
Quarter-pixel search
XviD 1.2.2Display encoding status = off
MainConcept Reference 1.6.1
Reference H.264 Plugin Pro 1.5.1
MPEG2 to MPEG2 (H.264), MainConcept H.264/AVC Codec, 28 sec HDTV 1920x1080 (MPEG2), Audio: MPEG2 (44.1 KHz, 2 Channel, 16-Bit, 224 Kb/s), Mode: PAL (25 FPS)
Productivity
Adobe Photoshop CS4Version: 11.0 x64, Filter 15.7MB TIF Image
Radial Blur, Shape Blur, Median, Polar Coordinates
Autodesk 3ds Max 20
9. Benchmark Results: Crysis And Far Cry 2

Crysis might be an old game, but its continued ability to make even the latest hardware choke makes it a solid benchmark.

Only at its highest settings do any noticeable performance differences between platforms reveal themselves in Crysis, but these GPU-dependent differences could be due to a great number of factors beyond motherboard capability.

Far Cry 2 shows a more realistic spread, as the boards with the highest "133.3 MHz" base clock (133.7 MHz for Asus and MSI) take the top position.

10. Benchmark Results: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky And World In Conflict

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky often drags system performance down under the same conditions as Crysis, but shows remarkably more consistent results at its highest test setting.

The GA-P55A-UD6 leads at Clear Sky’s highest settings, but falls behind under similar stress in World in Conflict.

11. Benchmark Results: Audio And Video Encoding

Apple iTunes normally favors clock speed above all else, but strangely puts Intel’s 133.3 MHz base-clock DP55KG ahead of Asus’ 133.7 MHz base-clock P7P55D Deluxe in today’s test.

Lame also favors the DP55KG, while Asus suffers a rare last-place finish.

TMPGEnc destroys any notions about default overclocks, placing the two boards with the highest 133.7 MHz base clock at the top and bottom in average performance.

Sanity returns in the MainConcept bench, with the highest base-clock motherboards again taking first and second place.

12. Benchmark Results: Productivity

Asus continues its overall lead in Photoshop, while MSI falls into a three-way tie for second place.

Our 3ds Max benchmark doesn’t run long enough to reveal any miniscule performance differences between motherboards.

EVGA falls a little behind in AVG scanning, while Gigabyte pulls slightly ahead in WinZip file compression.

13. Benchmark Results: Synthetic

EVGA takes a small lead in 3DMark Vantage, with better results at both High and Extreme presets.

Gigabyte edges out its competitors in PCMark with an HDD score rivaled only by its chief-competitor Asus.

Sandra’s CPU benchmarks reflect differences in CPU speed almost perfectly, so top finishes from Asus and MSI were expected. With its 132.9 MHz base clock, Gigabyte’s slide to the middle in the Multimedia test wasn’t.

Intel surprised us in Sandra’s Memory Bandwidth benchmark.

14. Overclocking
BIOS Frequency and Voltage settings (for overclocking)
 Asus P7P55D DeluxeEVGA P55 FTWGigabyte P55A-UD6
CPU Base Clock80-500 MHz (1 MHz)133-300 MHz (1 MHz)100-1200 MHz (1 MHz)
CPU MultiplierYesYesYes
DRAM Data RatesBCLK x6 - x12 (x2)BCLK x6 - x12 (x2)BCLK x6 - x12 (x2)
PCIe Clock100-200 MHz (1 MHz)80-200 MHz (1 MHz)90-150 MHz (1 MHz)
CPU Vcore0.85-2.10V (6.25mV)1.00-2.30V (6.25mV)0.50-1.90V (6.25mV)
Uncore Voltage1.10-1.90V (6.25mV)1.05-2.00V (25mV)0.80-1.94V (20mV)
PCH Core1.05V, 1.15V1.05-2.625V (25mV)0.85-2.08V (20mV)
DRAM Voltage1.20-2.50V (12.5mV)1.20-2.60V (10mV)1.30-2.60V (20mV)
CAS Latency3-11 Cycles3-15 Cycles6-15 Cycles
tRCD3-15 Cycles3-15 Cycles1-15 Cycles
tRP3-15 Cycles3-15 Cycles1-15 Cycles
tRAS3-31 Cycles9-63 Cycles1-31 Cycles
BIOS Frequency and Voltage settings (for overclocking)
 Intel DP55KGMSI P55-GD80
CPU Base Clock133-240 MHz (1 MHz)100-600 MHz (1 MHz)
CPU MultiplierYesYes
DRAM Data RatesBCLK x6 - x12 (x2)BCLK x6 - x12 (x2)
PCIe Clock100-110 MHz (1 MHz)90-190 MHz (1 MHz)
CPU Vcore1.00-2.30V (12.5mV)0.90-2.10 (6.25mV)
Uncore Voltage1.10-1.80V (10mV)0.48-2.09V (16mV)
PCH Core1.03-1.50V (10mV)0.46-1.96V (24mV)
DRAM Voltage1.30-2.00V (10mV)0.93-2.43V (15mV)
CAS Latency5-16 Cycles4-15 Cycles
tRCD5-16 Cycles3-15 Cycles
tRP5-16 Cycles3-15 Cycles
tRAS15-75 Cycles9-31 Cycles


EVGA leads Asus in an extremely tight race for “best overclocking motherboard over $200.”

Intel has the highest base clock, something that should come as a shock to EVGA. The most likely reason some “top-overclocking” motherboard companies aren’t seeing the expected results is that we don't to alter CPU VCC for these tests due to the potential for processor damage, although it’s also possible that our particular CPU sample isn’t as base-clock tolerant as the ones those companies use.

Asus takes top honors in DRAM overclocking, followed closely by EVGA when two modules are installed. With four modules in place, Asus’ top data rate is unrivaled.

15. Power, Heat, And Efficiency

The top two overclocking motherboards are also the least efficient, even at stock speed with the full set of CPU power controls enabled in BIOS.

The most power-efficient motherboard, Intel’s DP55KG, still has the second-highest VRM temperatures. This isn’t too surprising, since its competitors use elaborate heat pipe assemblies to distribute thermal load.

Dividing average performance by average power consumption puts Intel in the lead over MSI, with top-overclockers Asus and EVGA falling to the bottom, even at stock speeds.

16. Conclusion

EVGA’s top CPU overclock was followed closely by Asus, with the Intel DP55KG’s third-place CPU overclock and leading base-clock making it a potentially better candidate for multiplier-restricted processors such as the Core i5-750. Perhaps a look at the overall performance difference could settle the debate?

Asus wins in overall performance, but its 0.11% lead over Intel is more than cancelled out by its 0.28% default overclock. And while EVGA fell to the bottom, its motherboard sets a 1.09% underclock by default. Since our performance charts reflect base clock massaging more than real-performance differences, we can’t quite base our final analysis on these.

This is normally where we would instead compare features to price on boards that finished so closely in other disciplines, yet buyers in the $200 and pricier P55 market tend to be a little less price-sensitive than many of our editors. When further considering each motherboard’s strengths, here is a list of how each of these could potentially be your winner:

EVGA’s P55 FTW had the highest CPU overclock and dual-EPS12V connectors that could make the board the best for extreme overclocking.

At only a few megahertz behind EVGA, Asus’ P7P55D Deluxe includes the company’s TurboV Remote, which probably makes the board best for habitual tuners.

Intel’s DP55KG has the highest base clock, but we’re certain it will appeal just as much to the legacy-free crowd as it does to mid-market overclockers. Yet two other features, Bluetooth support and first-class efficiency, will likely combine with Intel’s reputation for stability to win over a variety of computing professionals.

Gigabyte’s P55A-UD6 did everything well but nothing splendidly, and will likely attract the majority of buyers for its USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0 Gb/s controllers. Unfortunately, those controllers are deactivated in CrossFire or SLI modes, so the board can only be considered either a high-end gaming or top-featured power-user product, but not both, depending on what type of hardware is installed.

MSI’s P55-GD80 performed well, overclocked competitively, and offered many features, but didn’t win anything. As rebates come and go, it might be the best value of today’s contenders, depending on where and when it’s purchased.