MSI is one of many motherboard makers that are working on new models for Intel’s popular Sandy Bridge processors. We are starting to see better availability of the original P67 and H67 chipsets, but soon we will also have the all new Z68 chipset. High resolution pictures of MSI Z68A-GD80 has appeared online.
MSI Z68A-GD80 has through the new Intel Z68 chipset support for both multiplier overclocking and Intel’s integrated graphics. Previously you have had to choose between overclocking (P67) and integrated graphics (H67), which is far from optimal for all.
Intel Z68 also supports SSD caching which makes it possible to store frequently accessed data on a faster SSD unit while a mechanical drive supplies storage capacity, all perfectly automatically for the user.
MSI Z68A-GD80 in turn reminds us of MSI P67A-GD80 with a similar layout and three PCIe x16 slots. MSI has skipped 6 of 10 USB 3.0 outputs and the motherboard has to settle for 2 on the rear I/O panel and 2 for connecting to a chassis panel. On the motherboard we find seven SATA inuts where three support SATA 6.0 Gbps and one eSATA-port on the rear I/O panel.
Not surprisingly the motherboard sports multiple video outputs, one HDMI and one DVI. Other functions worth mentioning include dedicated buttons for Power On, Reboot and clearing CMOS and measuring spots for voltages. The chips is cooled by a passive solution with heatpipes.
MSI Z68A-GD80 is expected to reach the market in April, the price was not revealed.
Source: VR-Zone
