MSI GD65 Z68 (G3) Quick Auto Voltage OC Guide and Reference

Cpuz is apparently fairly accurate for the voltage, although I have been having problems with it myself with this board, sometimes I get an error when starting it.
You could try Aida64 which has it's own cpu-id similar to cpu-z, also it has a stability test which has graphs and statistics, you don't need to run the test for it to display this information you just need to have it open/minimised.

Screen shots
 
MichaelM said:
I tried overclocking by using the turbo but it didn't work at all. Just stuck at 3.4GHz on all cores with IBT :confused:

I resorted back to my multiplier+C2 but it would only initially go to 4.6GHz, a few days later it let me go back to 4.7GHz...haha so I think i'll stick with this way for a while before I attempt to try turbo overclocking again.
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That's strange, did you increase the long/short duration power limits? either way gets the same result though ;)

Sparky-F1 said:
Will these settings apply to the MSI Big bang Marshall?
Just had mine delivered along with a 2600k and will be having a mess about with it tonight.
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That board looks awesome, let us know how you get on.
 
I'm surprised the stock HS does that well :D I have a custom loop with just a 120 rad and push pull fans, @4.5 the temps max out about 55 when gaming, intel burn test will push low/mid 70s. I guess a H80 will be similar.
 
It looks good, the voltage seems to be about average for 4.5 with auto voltage. The temps seem pretty good too.
The temperature in BIOS is about 10 higher for me as well, I think it's common on these boards, don't know why.

I'm not sure about shortening the lifespan as there could be a risk with any overclocking.
Having said that, you do have good temperatures well under the max,
and your voltage is within Intel specifications, so chances are you will be fine ;)
 
MSI support have released a new Beta BIOS (N49) for the Z68 GD55/65 boards.

Source

It's recommended that you use the MSI USB Flash Tool

Alternative links for non MSI Forum users.

MSI Flash Tool
Beta N49


If you decide to test and find any bugs, help to get a fix by reporting your findings to MSI Support

N47-N49 Change log.


- Fix the market name Z68A-GD65 to Z68A-GD65 (G3)
- Fix beep error issue.
- Fixed "Windows Boot Manager" will be lost from Boot Order after BIOS flash.


- Combining the CPUSmartFAN and SystemSmartFAN function, and the system fan can support Auto/Manual mode by user option.


- Support XMP 1.3 memory.
- Modify MRC check SPD address mapping code to avoid memory write leveling training fail.
- Force memory address mapping to mirrored to fix system hang on 2Eh issue when use ELPIDA 1G1333D1093 memory.
- Update USB Module to 4.6.3_USB_08.10.16
- Fixed the post not show OC Genie enabled information issue when under the BIOS setup set OC Genie mode.
- KB (Logitech G510) cannot be used in UEFI BIOS.
- Fix the issue that when use MFlah update or boot it will show some error.
- Fix the market name Z68A-GD55 to Z68A-GD55 (G3).
- Add solution on USB Module to fix some mouse fail issue.
- Fixed System RomID would change and failed to update bios.
- Remove extra solution for KB (Logitech G510) cannot be used in UEFI BIOS.
- Add solution on USB Module to fix Ducky keyboard fail issue.
- Add the Virtu license key to support Z68A-GD55 model.
- Add boot option for winki
- Modify some string.
- Add support F12 screenshot save as different filename function.
- Adjust the font color setting for grayout controller.
- Implement M-FLASH solution for NTFS file support. (Now only support update BIOS Function.Support Read-only. No writes to media of any kind are supported. Compressed, Encrypted, and Sparce files are not supported).

​
 
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That's a strange one, I had a problem of down clocking due to a bios bug, but not overclocking at all is a new one.

Just confirm; Under the "Overclock Settings" tab, EIST and Intel Turbo Boost are both enabled. Then check the "Core Ratio Limit" values under "CPU Features" this is what sets the overclock.
 
I don't think it's the BIOS, the latest stable should be okay.
I would restore the default settings, by "Mainboard Settings" > "Save and Exit" > "Restore Default". (you might need to set your IDE configuration again if you need it in ACHI or RAID)
Then save and reboot, this will load the optimised default settings which as standard should overclock your cpu to about 3.6- 3.7. Just put it under load from prime95 or something similar to see what happens.
 
^^ good call, the only other setting I could think of would be the "Overspeed Protection" in CPU features


danmck said:
awesome guide !

thanks for taking the time to write it ;)

i was using the other method by manually changing the mutiplier and setting the cpu vcore myself, but was unhappy with constantly having to put through 1.3v when the processor had underclocked itself.

now i am using less than 1v (0.9v) when idle.

really loving this board.

my current overclock is 4.3 , i can't get windows to boot with 4.4 or above just getting flashing cursor. using latest official bios and same settings listed in your opening post. any ideas where to start if trying for 4.4 or above ? was hoping for 4.7 (ish) if possible.

thanks Dan !
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;) thanks
Other than making sure your RAM is getting enough voltage, I'm not sure what else you can do.
It could be just bad luck and the CPU needs more than the auto voltage will give out.
What GHz can you get manually and at what voltage?
MSI released a new stable bios just before Christmas it might be worth giving that a shot, as it is possible they have changed the values of the auto voltage.
 
Really nice post Nelly ;)

edit; just to add the only time my board did not overclock properly was due to a bugged BIOS which has now been fixed.
So if people have tried both methods and still get no joy, then it might be worth looking at that.
 
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si_mats said:
Nice post, thanks. Running an i5 2500K with a Z68A-GD55 (23.6 BIOS) with your settings except max multi is at 44. Using Corsair H50 getting around 35-40C idle and 65-75C full load. Volts at 1.376 in cpu-z. Would like slightly lower temps but the 1156 mobo bracket doesn't quite fit (needs to be bent and stretched) and core 2 idles at least 5-10C lower than the others. Anyone recommend a good budget cooler to cope with the overclock?
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1156 should be exactly the same as 1155, maybe try reseating. Temps seem about right if by full load you mean stress testing, you'll likely see lower temps from general usage including gaming.

FinalSquall said:
I have a Core i52500K + MSI GD65 Z68 (G3) board setup and:

Ok so like, I have a major problem with my BIOS, if I try and plug a USB drive into my PC (my External HD and my USB PenDrive) I get post errors when trying to load the BIOS (B4 or B2 in the bottom right of my screen) Take them out and reboot and I can get into the BIOS fine.

I have noticed this issue for a while, but just got on with it as my PC on the whole runs perfectly other than this issue

I was trying to follow your guide in my BIOS and I managed to alter all the settings (which were available on my v23.0 BIOS)

But when trying to change the core limit values and the long duration maintained value nothing happens, i.e. I press enter and no list comes up. Or perhaps I was stupid and you have to type in the value with no dropdown list?

Either way, the post errors concern me as I do not see how I can ever update my BIOS (I have heard bad things about updating them with Live Update)

Thanks!
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Well if there is no other way to update the BIOS then you could try the Live Update option in the BIOS, I have successfully updated this way before I knew about the MSI USB method.
 
Unfortunately there is no way to set the maximum voltage when using auto voltage. It depends on how much the VID is required for your cpu at the speed it's set. So the only way to lower it is to drop the multiplier.
4.7 seems to be the sweet spot with mine( 1.36v), after that the voltage jumps up quite a bit.
 
You might still get a higher overclock at the same voltage though, it might be worth pushing the clocks higher just to see what the auto voltage does.
Other than that, and if you are confident in flashing you can try the latest beta BIOS which for Sandybridge is N84.
Don't be tempted to try the new Ivybridge BIOS yet (P1, P2)available on the MSI.com as there is no way to revert to the Sandybridge bios if things don't work out.

If you join the MSI User forum you can view the beta bios thread here

If you don't want to join you can download the N84 Bios from here

It is recommended to use the MSI HQ USB Flash Tool, not any other method.

You can download the tool and read the instructions here.

Please only do this if you are confident in flashing and really need to, I have had no problems flashing my board multiple times, but there is always a slight risk of bricking your board.
 
The P version bios, although can be used with Sandy are really intended for Ivybridge, I had problems using the P bios myself. Basically my OC wouldn't go as high. If you can, revert to the latest N series which is N88 I think.
However because the Pxx bios updates the ME7 driver to ME8 you might have to revert to N70 first otherwise the flash will fail.
Read this thread here and use the attached bios from Leon in the second post.
Then you can find N88 here in the second post from Svet. Make sure to use the MSI USB Flashing Tool
 
Its some intel driver, me7 is for sandy and me8 for ivy it automatically gets updated when you install a Pxx bios, but you have to use the n70 bios to revert it back to ME7. After that you can flash any Nxx bios.
 
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