MSI has unveiled its LGA 2011 lineup of Motherboards at the IDF (Intel Developer Forum) 2011 event. The lineup consisted of three new motherboards based on the X79 chipset featuringthe LGA2011 socket which would support Intel's Upcoming Sandy Bridge-E Processors.
The first motherboard we are going to detail is the MSI X79A-GD65 (8D) which is a High End Motherboard featuring an ATX Form Factor. The VRM and Power Phase are scattered at the top and bottom of the socket, The top area is equipped with a passive heatsink but the bottom ain't but there are attachment holes which means one would be included in the final design.
The motherboard includes 8 DDR3 DIMM Slots allowing upto 64GB @ 2400Mhz to function in Quad Channel. Being a High End Motherboard, MSI has equipped the X79A-GD65 (8D) with Military Class Components which include Sold-C Caps, Powerful VRM area and Solid State Chokes etc. The board includes a total of 3 PCI-e 3.0/2PCI-e 2.0 slots featuring SLI/CrossfireX Support and a Single PCI-e 3.0 x1 Slot. Storage options include 4 Sata 3.0 and 4 Sata 2.0 ports while connectivity options include 4 USB 3.0 and 12 USB 2.0 Ports.
The X79A-GD65 is a Mid End board featuring 4 DDR3 DIMM slots allowing upto 64GB @ 2400mhz memory to run in Quad Channel Mode. It comes with lesser Expansion slots which include 3 PCI-e 3.0, 2 PCI-e 2.0 and PCI-e 2.0 x1 featuring SLI/CrossfireX support. Also storage and connectivity options such as 4 of each Sata 2 and Sata 3 ports and 4 USB 3.0 and 12 USB 2.0 ports.
The Entry Level X79A-GD45 is very similar to the X79A-GD65 equipped with a slightly less powerful VRM phase and expansion slots which include 3 PCI-e 3.0 x16 (SLI/CrossfireX support) and 4 PCI-e 3.0 x1 slots. 2 Sata 3.0 and 4 Sata 2.0 are available for storage while connectivity includes 4 USB 3.0 and 8 USB 2.0 ports.
All MSI Motherboards feature the OC Genie II Overclocking Solution, Click BIOS II and other overclocking friendly features such as Power On/Off, Reset buttons.
