MSI P67A-GD65 new build queries

mikeo · 8 Jun 2011 at 15:53

Just re-built my system round the kit in my sig.

All appears well. But I do have one query:

- The Gelid cooler runs 100% at all times. Even though temps via Realtemp are 25/30C idle and only hit 48/50C in Intel Burn test (CPU at stock for the moment).

Now I found another thread on the forum about this but there did not appear to really get to the bottom of this. Even my basic Gigabyte P35 board had proper SMART fan control (IE. fan only ramps up as CPU temp rises).

The only option that I can find to control the fan, is the "CPU SMART FAN TARGET". And all this appears to be, is you choose a target temp (EG. 50C) and the fan runs at a pre determined (by the mobo/BIOS) prior to this temp. When it reaches the target temp, the fan spins up to 100%.
personally I think this is a bit naff! Why no proper SMART fan control (IE. fan ramps up at a steady rate).

Pretty pointless having a decent cooler that can run VERY quiet, if it never gets the chance!

Any ideas / suggestions welcome.

Plec · 8 Jun 2011 at 17:12

mikeo said:
Why no proper SMART fan control (IE. fan ramps up at a steady rate).

I'm not sure, there was talk that this may be resolved in a BIOS update - but i'm not holding my breath.

I too use the "CPU SMART FAN TARGET" and set the fan speed at 50% with a target temp of 50 degrees.

I've actually grown to prefer it as you can dictate when the fan kicks in - sometimes the PWM on my old MBs would be too quick/eager to reduce temps. I've found that my system is far quieter, on average, than before.

It may grow on you...

whipgeez · 8 Jun 2011 at 20:12

i thought all boards would have a few different fan profiles for cpu fans and case fans

mikeo · 8 Jun 2011 at 20:47

Plec said:
I'm not sure, there was talk that this may be resolved in a BIOS update - but i'm not holding my breath.

I too use the "CPU SMART FAN TARGET" and set the fan speed at 50% with a target temp of 50 degrees.

I've actually grown to prefer it as you can dictate when the fan kicks in - sometimes the PWM on my old MBs would be too quick/eager to reduce temps. I've found that my system is far quieter, on average, than before.

It may grow on you...

Thanks for the reply.

So as I thought.

"it's just the way this board is" ... a bit like the multiple beeps when it boots up and the codes that appear during POST. And a fat lot of good these are with no explanation in the manual!

mikeo · 8 Jun 2011 at 20:48

whipgeez said:
i thought all boards would have a few different fan profiles for cpu fans and case fans

Yep... you would have thought so.

Almost looks like MSI did it this way "just to be different". certainly can't see any other reason!

whipgeez · 8 Jun 2011 at 20:51

i'm thinking of getting the gd53

i may have to re think that then as i wouldn't want all the fans running 100% all the time

mikeo · 8 Jun 2011 at 20:59

whipgeez said:
i'm thinking of getting the gd53

i may have to re think that then as i wouldn't want all the fans running 100% all the time

You do have a "degree" of control. It's just that it doesn't ramp the fan speed up "in steps" based on the CPU temp. If desperate for this, then a third party app like speedfan should do the trick.

Don't let this put you off. The GD65 looks to be a great board otherwise. One of the main advantages of waiting a few months to let the BIOS etc. mature before purchasing. So I'm assuming the GD53 should be a decent board as well.

whipgeez · 8 Jun 2011 at 21:09

just found out that sli or crossfire cover the front panel connectors too on the lower gpu! i am thinking of going sli so msi is a no no for me now, think asus instead

mikeo · 8 Jun 2011 at 21:33

whipgeez said:
just found out that sli or crossfire cover the front panel connectors too on the lower gpu! i am thinking of going sli so msi is a no no for me now, think asus instead

Just taken the panel off my case and had a look. As SLI is one option I'm looking at for my 460.

If your card is no more than 9in (EG. approx. size of even the bigger 460's like my MSI HAWK) then no problem. Even if your card is over 9in and hangs over the edge of the motherboard. Then it looks like it's only the JFP2 front panel connectors that would be covered and that's really only the speaker/buzzer. And even then I'm not totally convinced that you couldn't still use them, as long as you connected them "before" installing the 2nd card. Though obviously depends on the depth of the card as well. Not ideal placement, that's for sure.

Think I may now wait for next gen cards or maybe go for a single 580.

Life..

But then again, no boards perfect. It took me ages to decide on this one!

whipgeez · 8 Jun 2011 at 21:35

you could try fitting in your card into the second slot to see if it fits

edit, just see you mentioned your card would fit, how's the height of the connectors compared to the card height?

mikeo · 8 Jun 2011 at 21:53

whipgeez said:
you could try fitting in your card into the second slot to see if it fits

edit, just see you mentioned your card would fit, how's the height of the connectors compared to the card height?

I could get a 2nd standard 460 in the bottom slot no problem (they are shorter than the MSI HAWK 460 GTX). Which is what I was considering anyway. One that exhausts the hot air. In an attempt to keep the temp of the top card down.

As to the height of the connectors. Emmm... think it would be tight for a longer card like a 580 (think these are around 10.5in). You would definitely loose the speaker/buzzer connector. The rest are on a second connector block slightly lower down. You "might" get them in if you were prepared to bend the pins slightly (as suggested on the MSI forum). Not sure if I would like to try that myself.

Pretty daft really to make the boards support SLI/crossfire and then to put these connectors in line with one of the graphics car slots!

Good luck what ever you decide.

whipgeez · 8 Jun 2011 at 22:23

think i'll go asus instead lol, who ever designed that needs shooting

Plec · 8 Jun 2011 at 23:07

mikeo said:
" ... a bit like the multiple beeps when it boots up and the codes that appear during POST. And a fat lot of good these are with no explanation in the manual!

Yes, they caused me concern on initial boot up as i assumed i had a 'Process Failure'. After a quick google on the MSI forums discovered that they're supposedly related to the amount of usb devices connected - but mine issues the same amount of beeps no matter what.

I can't help but think that the lead tech guy at MSI is taking the pee simulating the IBM Beep Code...

I also dislike the 'mickey mouse' UEFI - but i'm slowly getting used to it. I still find the 'old school' BIOS far easier/faster to navigate.

But, like you, i would still recommend the boards - they're great value for the money and have had very little negative forum feedback (apart from minor niggles such as yours and mine).