Economic overclock for my z68a-gd65.

Hello there.
I've got the combination of a MSI z68a-gd65 3rd gen mb, Intel core i5 2500k, 8gb kingston hyperx ddr3, 2x sapphire hd68501gb, Corsair hx750 psu.
I had it running at around 4.4 ghz for a long time, but i had to reset the bios 'cause i messed up abit. Now i've only oc'd it to 3.8, and it does not clock itself down as it used to. it's constantly on 38x multiplier. It's not like it gets hot, low temps on idle, and cpu fans on 12%, no prob.
I'd very much like a system that's clocked to around 4.5 and clocks itself down when it's idling, OR, a system with a standard 33x multiplier, which uses turboboost to get to around 4.5 when needed, and still clocks down to 16x when idle..
Tried this: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18340310 But it didn't work, it was just on 16x nomatter what i did.
i'm not completely new and irresponsible, but i'm not a oc guru either, so i'd like some help for a bios "build" ..
thanks in advance.

Just a few things to check that I know of:
-Did you enable C states? (E.g. C state set to no limit)
-Did you enable EIST?
-Did you enable Turbo boost?
-Did you set all Core ratio Limit's to a multiplier of e.g. 45? (4.5GHz)
-Did you leave Adjust CPU Ratio on the default 34? (The 34 waaay on top of the pop-out menu)
-Did you set CPU Phase Control [Intel SVID Mode]?
Hope these will make a difference for you. From the link you've posted it seems you have, but a double check never hurts anyone.

Similar Messages

MOVED: economic overclock for my z68a-gd65.

This topic has been moved to Overclockers & Undervolting & Modding Corner.
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=155862.0

Just a few things to check that I know of:
-Did you enable C states? (E.g. C state set to no limit)
-Did you enable EIST?
-Did you enable Turbo boost?
-Did you set all Core ratio Limit's to a multiplier of e.g. 45? (4.5GHz)
-Did you leave Adjust CPU Ratio on the default 34? (The 34 waaay on top of the pop-out menu)
-Did you set CPU Phase Control [Intel SVID Mode]?
Hope these will make a difference for you. From the link you've posted it seems you have, but a double check never hurts anyone.

OC guide for MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3)

All,
I want to take core i7 2600k to 5.1 GHz
The specs are as below:
Motherboard: MSI z68-gd65 (B3)
Processor: Intel core i7 2600k
Video Card: Sparkle GTX 570 OC
Memory: 2 x 4GB 1600 MHz (G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series)
Casing: Xigmatek Utgard-X
PSU: Xigmatek NRP-MC 802
CPU Cooler: Thors Hammer with 2 Xigmatek 120mm fans.
HDD: 120GB Kingston HyperX 120GB SATA III.
I m not very much into OC. Please guide!

Quote
I m not very much into OC. Please guide!
The link below will guide you. Although they used a different board, its targeted as a more generalised Sandy Bridge OC'ing guide. That should get you started and also allow you to see what your specific CPU will be capable of.
http://www.clunk.org.uk/forums/overclocking/39184-p67-sandy-bridge-overclocking-guide-beginners.html

Z68A-GD65 (B3) & Vertex 3 MI Edition: random crashes (no minidump)

I'm kinda pulling my hair out here, so i hope someone can shine some light on my issues.
I've been trying to update the BIOS for the Z68A-GD65 (B3) board, but i can't seem to get it to work because of an error. I've used the HQ USB Flashing Tool to update it, but every time i boot from the USB stick and try to flash, it results in an error message saying that BIOS corruption has been detected
I wanna update the BIOS because i'm having lockup/freeze issues, which i thought were related to my SSD drive (OZC Vertex 3 MI Edition). But since RMA sent me a new SSD 3 days ago, and this 1 is giving me the same error/BSOD (without Minidump creation, so no idea what error that is) i'm starting to think something else is wrong. RAM is tested with memtest and passes fine.
Any thoughts on how to update my BIOS? FIXED!
System Specs
MSI Z68A-GD65 (B3) with BIOS v22.4, i7-2600k, Windows 7 Enterprise x64
OZC Vertex 3 MI Edition 120GB (VTX3MI-25SAT3-120G)
Kingston ValueRAM 2x4GB (KVR1333D3N9K2/8G) + Kingston ValueRAM 2x2GB (KVR1333D3N9K2/4G)
LG BH10LS30 BD-writer
BeQuiet DarkPower 450W powersupply
no overclocks.
The crashes happen randomly, but not very often. For example the system has been running for 2 days now, before i JUST noticed the first BSOD. For some strange reason there isn't a Minidump created, so i can't check what's going on (minidump (Kernel size) & pagefile both enabled). In the last week the system has 'crashed' for about 4 times and since every time that happened (mostly during nights) i was seeing a black screen with the message: No boot device detected. Insert boot device and restart system (or something like that).
When i checked my SSD, i was showing a green & red light on the back. Hard reboot seems to fix everything, red light goes away and the system runs normally again. Since i thought the BSODs were related to my SSD, it's been sent for RMA, and i received a new one 3 days ago, only today.... i had another crash :(
What did i do/try/test?
- Ran memtest for a night -> no errors
- Updated FW of Vertex 3 to latest
- Did a clean windows install
- Updated motherboard BIOS (just did that today)
- RAM settings (fixed): 1066MHz, 7-7-7-20, 1.55V, spread spectrum disabled (i know these settings fixed problems with my P55-GD65 board)
I hope someone recognizes this issue, or has any thoughts on how to figure out what's going on. Off course it's possible that i've got another faulty SSD, but i think the changes on that (after RMA the first 1) have been dramatically reduced...

Quote from: Bernhard on 11-September-11, 22:19:23
The first thing I would suggest is to test your system with only one of those Kingston RAM kits installed. i.e. only use the 2 X 2 kit and test or only the 2 X 4 kit.
Mixing of mem sticks on the Sandy Bridge platform is not a good idea and can lead to unexplained and inconsistent errors, even if its just the RAM amount that differs on the modules.
If you haven't tested the RAM in isolation, then do that. You may even want to test with only one single stick installed first.
After only installing the targeted kit/module do a CMOS clear and start testing again. >>Clear CMOS Guide<<
I've test a single bank of RAM, a dual-kit of RAM and all 4 banks filles. It has been running at least 20 passes of test 5 & 7 of Memtest, without any errors. I think i can assume my RAM is a OK after this testrun.
Quote from: louisville slugger on 11-September-11, 23:17:04
When you flashed the SSD to the latest firmware was hotplugging disabled or enabled in the BIOS? The staff over on the OCZ forums thinks the drive will act like an external drive if it was flashed to the latest firmware while hotplugging was enabled. Does your machine freeze, BSOD, reboot and then say "insert boot device"? (Bugcheck 0x000000F4) OCZ has mentioned a new firmware might be in the works and could be available for download in the next few weeks. One of the staff members mentioned a potential fix (for members using Intel chipsets) in the meantime which may or may not work.
http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?93919-All-you-guys-with-Intel-chipsets-and-BSOD-here-is-something-you-can-try...it-may-or-may-not-work-it-will-do-no-harm-though
I am testing it out right now. Originally I had reset CMOS, re-flashed the drive with hotplugging disabled and AHCI set in the BIOS, secure erased the drive using the Linux bootable .iso, re-installed windows, installed all the drivers, but my machine would still experience occasional BSODs. A few days ago tried the steps in that thread up to the "If you want to go a step further than this you can try the following...ONLY do this after you have done the steps above” line.
I haven't had a BSOD since **knocks on wood**.
When i upgraded this desktop, i was running an Vertex 2 (BIOS set to hot swap & AHCI enabled), and since the Vertex 3 can't update FW when it's being used for OS driver, hot swap was enabled while i flashed it. What you're talking about REALLY sounds like my problem. Since the freezes/crashes mostly occured during nights i wasn't able to see what the source of the issue was. Today was the first time i noticed a BSOD (for a second...) before it rebooted, and then (indeed!) it showed me the screen telling me there wasn't a bootdevice availabe. I'll go check out that thread you refered to and read up on that. BIG TNX for the link

MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3) 99.8MHz bug, temporary fix to make it 100MHz

With the current available official and beta bios, when disabling spread spectrum, the bus speed does not increase from 99.8MHz to 100MHz, I have messaged MSI support again to look into this with the current 23.4B4 Beta Bios.
Anyway I have found a fix for this, download the latest Control Center v2.2.0036 off the MSI website.
If your CPU Base Frequency is at default in bios 10000 you will see 98.8MHz on CPU-Z so in Control Center change the Base Clock (MHz) to 100.2 MHz and click save.
If your CPU Base Frequency is at 10010 you will see 100.2MHz on CPU-Z so in Control Center change the Base Clock (MHz) to 100MHz and click save.
Either way when you reboot it will always show 100MHz.

Quote from: Nelly. on 06-November-11, 07:41:53
With the current available official and beta bios, when disabling spread spectrum, the bus speed does not increase from 99.8MHz to 100MHz, I have messaged MSI support again to look into this with the current 23.4B4 Beta Bios.
Anyway I have found a fix for this, download the latest Control Center v2.2.0036 off the MSI website.
If your CPU Base Frequency is at default in bios 10000 you will see 98.8MHz on CPU-Z so in Control Center change the Base Clock (MHz) to 100.2 MHz and click save.
If your CPU Base Frequency is at 10010 you will see 100.2MHz on CPU-Z so in Control Center change the Base Clock (MHz) to 100MHz and click save.
Either way when you reboot it will always show 100MHz.
Thanks for posting this, and creating the thread, Nelly
I just use the 10010 bclk bios setting, but that band-aid solution doesn't net an even 100.0MHz.
My earlier attempts at contacting support about the 98.8 issue just get the generic "disable spread spectrum" reply. Some of the earlier bios for my previous MSI P67-G43 board gave me the correct 100MHz bus speed for that board, but it also changed to 98.8 with the later bios releases.
But even the "first" "00" bios for the Z68A-GD65 G3 has the 98.8 flaw, as does every single bios that MSI has issued for this board, beta or otherwise, since.
Quote from: HU16E on 12-November-11, 16:02:06
Granted you might get away with it. But the next person that reads this & uses that for everyday may not be so lucky. If games, applications, programs, & whatever else can't be done on what 1.400v's can provide for a decent performance level, the rest is just for show. That 'is not' a low low voltage for a 4.8. One of the test rigs here & a 2600k will do 4.8 on only 1.392v's with 4 cores & 8 threads & never miss a beat. If really serious about everyday maximum performance on 'real' low low voltage, get a 2700k!
Rather impressive voltage for 4.9 with that 2700K
It takes 1.390v. in the bios for my 2500K to do a 12hr. P95 run with no errors, at a much lower 4.6GHz.

Overclock core i5 2500K with MSI Z68A-GD65 B3 [Help]

Hello
I have updated the bios of my motherboard Z68A-GD65 B3 with the lastest version
the OC menu has new options and my OC don't go above 4.2Ghz
there are some screenshot
Spread Spectrum=Disable
CPU PLL Voltage=1.65
Execute Disable bit=Enable
Intel virtualization tech=Enable
Power technology= Energy Efficient
C1E support= enable
Overspeed protection=disable
core ratios=45
what would you recomend me set in Long duration power, maintained, short duration etc?
because the OC only goes to 4.2Ghz.

Quote from: Sea Dog on 06-August-14, 05:18:10
With the CPU Core Ratios in CPU Features back to Auto or their default, set the Adjust CPU Ratio to 43X at first just to test it for POST completion, OS loading and stability. Turbo and Enhanced Turbo could be set to disabled. Internal PLL to enabled. Try VDroop in Auto or it's other available setting. CPU PLL to 1.82v's - 1.84v's, EuP 2013, Spread Spectrum, and Overspeed Protection keep disabled. Reset the CPU Features power and duration limits back up to the previous settings as discussed.
As you said, there is a problem with the BIOS version. I tried to overclock with CPU Ratio method, unsatisfactorily. setting the CPU Ratio at 40 the system fail.
I recently tried with OC Genie Button, but the Frecuency doesn't go above 3.7Ghz, but the CPU Ratio Limit is set in 42.
you can see the picture.

Z68A-GD65-G3 SLI black screen lock ups

Let me start off by saying I have tried everything and I motivate everyone to prove me wrong and provide me with a solution to this issue.
System spex:
MSI z68A GD65 G3
2600k
Corsair XMS3 1600 16GB
Corsair AX1200
2 - EVGA GTX 580 3GB SLI
Running beta bios: E7681IMS.N49 from -> https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=151148.msg1144560#msg1144560
I have tried almost every BIOS under the sun, including "standard bios" ie flash back to factory BIOS
So here is the issue:
In order to run SLi I have to be at completely stock settings, if I even up the multiplier to x35 on my CPU I black screen as soon as I bench/game on the cards. If I bench only the CPU (prime95) it is fine and no issues. but again as soon as I loud up something graphics wise the screen goes black and locks up.
It isn't the cards either, each card has been tested on its own and in different PCs in SLi.
It is like the motherboard cant handle the power??????
Someone else has to be overclocking and running two power house cards like this without issues? right? what did they do different? what settings? am I missing something?
Or do I need to contact MSI and get a RMA in process.
Before adding the extra card I had my CPU @ 4.7Ghz and when I would bench it I would take it to 5Ghz+ without a issue... solid, never had a BSOD. but this extra card just kills the systems.
Again everything set to stock and the system runs great I can game on it for hours without issues.
Thanks
Nick

Quote from: Bernhard on 30-December-11, 00:22:38
I am not running your PSU down, don't get me wrong. You have the best PSU by general consensus. All I am suggesting is to check it in another system under similar OC conditions with approx the same specs.
It does fine with SLI non OC, yet when you add the extra load of OC, and that can be an additonal 50 to 100W, then the PC becomes problematic.
It could be something else, but one has to start eliminating potential culprits.
Edit: Did you install Virtu ? If so, have you tried deleting it again for a test ?
Oh I understand completely and thank you for your suggestion and time, it helps me to believe that it could be my PSU even more, I am borrowing a PSU from a friend and a PSU tester from work and tonight will get a chance to do some full testing on the PSU.
If that tests out ok I will pull my PSU out and RMA it. hopefully Corsair will have a quick turn around.
Virtu isn't installed, I will double check but it was disabled in BIOS, but i have reset my BIOS so many times I will make sure it still is.
I will report back with my findings.

Z68A-GD65 (G3) Component Advice

I am in the process of putting together my first PC and look like getting a Z68A-GD65 (G3) board.
The CPU will be a i5 2500K, but I would like some advice regarding ram and the CPU cooler. I intend just using the O/C button on the board method of over clocking as I am new to over clocking. I will be adding 8 gig system ram. What ram have people been using that causes no problems.
With regard to the CPU cooler I have read a few reviews where the bottom support bracket on the back of the board fouls with one on the board heat sink mounting screws. From the pictures one screw is close the the mounting hols.
The cooler I am thinking of is the Noctua NH-C12P, but it has quiet a big back plate. The other one I am looking at is the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. I tend to like coolers that have back plates and screws to mount them rather than push pins as they are easier to reuse and mount firmly.
Are these coolers good enough for my overclocking needs. I hope the auto overclock will give me just over 4 gig which will be fine for me.
For the case I will use a HAF X or a Corsair model, should have enough airflow.
So what ram have people used with this board that overclocks well and does not cause reboots during the overclocking process, and of course the CPU cooler.
This is my first full build, and first go at overclocking so I am looking at compatibility and reliability over performance, and I do not need a big overclock for my needs. This is a build mainly for FSX flight simulator.
Also from reading some posts here I will need to flash the BIOS as well. The process described here to flash the BIOS seems complicated to what I have done in the past which has been on gigabyte boards only. I used to just download a small exe and run it from within windows. Is that possible with this board as I do not understand the process from what I have read here in the forums?
I presume my choice of mother board from the MSI range is right from my needs, if not please recommend what I should be using.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Regards MarkL

Quote from: HU16E on 10-March-12, 20:18:08
Zalman 9900 series. Copper version up to the Max-B. Superior cooling ability. No blocked dimm slots & no mount hole problems. As for RAM, Corsair GT's, Vengeance, or Dominators are my brand of choice. DDR3 1333 is the platforms CPU IMC native supported RAM speed, & testing has proved RAM speed above 1600 is mostly a waste of time & money for a gaming rig, with only a slight performance gain when rendering. The most trouble free RAM will be kits that properly default to the 1333 speed. X.M.P. can be used, or manual settings above 1333 can be tried.
That choice of mainboard should serve your requirement quite nicely.
I have a question about the memory. I have been looking at the Corsair Vengeance range that I can buy online in Australia and they all seem to be 1600 not 1333.
PC Case Gear seems to have the best range, but they are inconsistent in the way they give the specs, at least to my understanding which is next to nothing.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=186_218_1125
The closest I can see is the "Corsair Vengeance CML16GX3M4A1600C9 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3" kit.
This kit has a SPD speed of 1333, speed rating of PC3 12800 (1600 MHz) and a tested speed of 1600. Voltage is 1.5v
Is the SPD rating the most important? If the SPD is 1333 is this the memories real speed?
Most of the memory they do not give the XPD speed but mention it has a XMP profile for overclocking.
Very confusing. I must admit that in the past I have just purchased the value range when upgrading and have had no idea what I have really purchased.
The Dominators are out of my price range but all seem to be much higher specked than the vengeance series.
Is the "Corsair Vengeance CML16GX3M4A1600C9 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3" kit OK for my needs?
One thing building your own PC, you start to learn a little more and realise the value of forums like these and how little you really know.
Regards MarkL

Unboxing MSI's Mainstream Z68A-GD65 Motherboard

After the release of the Z68A-GD80 model, MSI has launched another Z68 for the mainstream segment named “Z68A-GD65”. Below is a short comparison of the GD65 against the GD80.
Z68A-GD80   /   Z68A-GD65
Firewire         1         N/A
e-SATA         1         N/A
Gigabit LAN        2         1
PCIEx16 Slots      3 (8/8/4)      2 (8/8)
Chipset Heatsinks    Better      Smaller
For the motherboard features, both are identical. Super Charger (charge USB mobile devices even if your PC is turned off), DrMOS (Driver in MOSFET which was been copied by G brand already), Military Class II Components, Active Phase Switching (hardware based energy saving), THX Studio Pro Audio, Click Bios and V-Check Points.
Packaging
• L Shaped SATA Cables
• SATA Power
•Manuals and Software DVD
•SLI Bridge Cable
•V-Check Points Connector and Header Guide
•USB 3.0 PCI Bracket and Backplate
Next, actual shots of the board.
Clean layout and sturdy looking components.
Color Red Header is for the SuperCharger feature of the board. You will also find the dual bios chips located on top of that.
Big room for large Pots if you are into extreme overclocking and you won’t have a hard time putting insulations around the socket area. You will also find the OC Genie button near the 24pin-power which I find it weird for placing it here and not with the Easy Buttons
Easy Power and Reset Buttons
Lastly, IO Rear Terminal Connections
That’s it. Thank guys

Gzhil, thanks for posting this.
If you have time, do you think you could please test the Virtu Switchable Graphics functionality and post power consumption readings? I'd find it very interesting to see how effective the technology is.

MSI Z68a GD65 G3 Buzzing noise of hard drive over speakers

I finished building system
MSI Z68a GD65 G3
Fractal design define r3 case
Core i7 2600k
2x MSI N460GTX 1Gd5 OC
16 gb DDR3 Ram
Corsair HX 850w PSU
CORSAIR GT3 90 gb ssd
Logitech Z5300 speaker set 5.1
+bunch of samsung 1 tb spinpoints
I noticed when i scrolled with my mouse wheel up or down, i hear a interfering noise low buzzing noise over the speakers 5.1 which are conected to on board sound card.
When i connect my headphone the sound still exists
It also occurs when i start up some applications and the hard drive is busy.
I tried enable/disable eup2013 and c1 and intel c1 etc... nothing works
With or without overclock it doesn matter.
Does anybody have a suggestion how to fix this problem? Thank you! Please help;-)

Sounds like a bad earth somewhere.
Is that a wired mouse ? Have you tried another mouse and keyboard ?
Can you test the board outside the case, on a non-conducting surface. No device used for the test to be mounted in the case.

MSI Z68A-GD65 G3 - Over Clock

Hi,
My System spec as below :-
MSI Z68A-GD65 G3
Intel Core I7 2600k
TeamElite DDR3 2133 PC3-10700 8GB 2x4GB
MSI GeForce GTX 550 TI
WD WDCWD10ealx 7200 1TB SATA6
Win 7 64 ULTIMATE
Asus DVD writer
Cool Master CM690 Advance II
Enermax 500W
Logitech K520.00
And meanwhile i want to OC i7-2600K - using OC Genie default setting at bios to 4.2ghz
Since i'am using the cooling fan provided by intel original, would you advisable to overclok or must get better cooling fan or not?
I'am mainly using for video conversion/editing purpose. Gaming not much.....
Looking forward to hear from you soon
Raja

Quote
i'am using the cooling fan provided by intel original
Quote
around 77 to 79 celcius.
That is what you need to expect with a stock cooling. Around 80°C are not in the real critical temperature range (red range: probably 85-95°C). The CPU has its own thermal management and will shut down itself automatically as soon as it reaches its thermal shutdown point (95-105°C). As soon as the core temperatures get close to the shutdown point, the CPU will automatically clock itself down and lower the Core Voltage. In case that is not enough to cool itself down, it will shut off.
So basically, you will know when the temperatures get critical as soon as the CPU decides to clock itself down under full load.
However, allowing to run the CPU @80°C on a regular basis, is probably not something you want to do. Please consider a cooling solution more appropiate to your overclocking ambitions.

Z68a GD65 Gen 3 - ME8 to ME7 while keeping 25.6 possible ?

Hello,
I've currently updated my BIOS from 23.7 to 25.6 because I saw that it would fix my issues with my K90 keyboard. Unfortunately now, I cannot overclock. I would prefer to keep the updated BIOS since it supports my keyboard but, by reading the forums here, I have to downgrade from ME8 to ME7. At the moment, I'm having lots of difficulty doing so...
System specs
2500k
Z68A GD65 Gen 3 BIOS v25.6
16 GB (4x4GB) G.Skill F3-12800-4GBSR2 DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 2T @ 1.35V
MSI Lightning GTX 560 Ti
Seasonic X-760
Corsair K90 Keyboard
Dell U2713HM monitor
Intel 320 120GB SSD + 2x500GB Seagate 7200RPM
Thanks in advance!

Here are some overclocking issues that I have encountered with 25.6
Pre-upgraded BIOS (23.7), I used the following guide for information on overclocking my 2500k ; http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/265056-29-2600k-2500k-overclocking-guide. I appreciated this guide because it was detailed, used almost the same MB as me (p67-GD65), same processor and it's from a reputable site.
With 25.6, this guide does not work. Anytime you try to disable overspeed protection, turbo boost, or Power Technology, overlocking does not work (CPU-Z says multiplier is at 33 while Windows says 43).
A part from that, if I don't touch those options, I can overclock quite easily. I have my 2500k @ 4.3GHz, 1.3V after a 24 hour Prime95 run (blend test). Max temp was 61 C, average around 55 C.
So is the previous guide I was using still valid and the issues are with the overspeed protection, turbo boost, or Power Technology... or is it now functionning properly ?
Ders

Z68A-GD65 Hangs in UEFI *Help wanted*

Hi there! im new to this forum.
I just bought myself an Z68A-GD65, and first thing i noticed was the bios revision was really old, so i updated to the latest version.
Now i wanted to try some overclocking, i went into bios and upped the multiplier and the voltage, pressed save and exit and UEFI froze, however, the temperatures were still monitoring and updating on the side?? but i couldnt do anything. Had to shut down PC on the button.
I went into UEFI again after reset and i see the changes did not apply, so i load defaults, press save and exit, and UEFI froze again, now i cannot save and exit at all.
What should i do? reflash ? something is obviously wrong....
Help plz
EDIT: It seems the problem was the new N7 bios, i flashed to the older N4 and now it works just fine.
The motheboard came with N2.

Quote from: HU16E on 01-May-12, 19:16:09
What does the DRAM V. 'Read Only' voltage read? Might try to set it manually to 1.521v and see if that helps. To really be of help, a full listing of all your systems components will be helpful in troubleshooting. It would also make it a bit easier if the settings you have are listed too. The sub section 'CPU Features' has some settings that can cause problems if not set right as well as in the Eco Section. EuP 2013 should be disabled for example.
I always changed the DRAM Voltage to 1.652 volts, and set the speed with XMP (1600mhz).
My system specs:
Intel i5 2500k
8gb Kingston HyperX 1600mhz CL9 1.65v
MSI Z68A-GD65 (now flashed to the latest bios again)
Nvidia Geforce GTX 470
Corsair VX550W powersupply.
Creative X-FI xtreme gamer soundcard.
D-link DWA-556 xtreme wireless network card.
Razer Naga molten edition mouse.
Logitech Ultra X flat keyboard.
I am trying to troubleshoot this problem now, step by step, im changing 1 thing in UEFI, save and exit, booting into windows, rebooting and changing 1 thing again.
Its gonna take some time, but hopefully i can find whats causing the UEFI freeze.
Here is the steps i took immidietly before:
1. Changed the boot order to SSD first, enabled hot swap on sata port1(recommended by MSI according to the site), rest disabled.
2. Changed to AHCI
3. Disabled onboard LAN and External SATA 6gb/s
4. Changed to XMP and manually set DRAM voltage to 1.652v.
5. Saved and exited.
6. Went into windows, rebooted, changed 1 random setting (didnt matter what) and UEFI freeze upon pressing "Save and Exit"
Clear CMOS > Solved problem, i now can change the settings again, until i find whatever is it from that list that is causing the UEFI to freeze.
Question: what is Eco mode and standard mode? im always changing the settings in Standard mode.
EDIT: The problem seems to be related to the "Advanced Settings" section in the UEFI, which includes the settings : to disabling the onboard LAN + external sata 6gb/s and changing the boot order and enabling hot swap.
The problem is in other words related to the onboard lan disable, external sata 6gb/s, changing boot order or enabling hot swap on sata port1. So i left those 4 things at default and it appears its working now since i have now rebooted and saved & exited bios many times since i decided to narrow this problem down.
I have now successfully done the following to help out with the OC:
Disabled: EIST, Speedstep, Turbo boost, EuP2013, C-state, Overspeed protection, C1E Support, Power technology, Spread Sectrum.
Enabled: Internal PLL Overvolt and XMP profile.
Manually: Set memory voltage to 1.652v, CPU voltage to 1.325v (doin OCCT linpack right now, seems stable so far)
Using BCLK: 100.2 (10010 in bios) to compensate up from 99.8mhz.
Will get back soon.
EDIT2: BSOD after 50mins OCCT at 4.5ghz 1.325v, backed off the BCLK increase from 100.2 to default 99.8, and upped volts to 1.330v, if its stable, im backing off volts to 1.325 again and running again.
Also tried to disable onboard LAN, disable serial port, UEFI still functions properly. It seems the problem is caused by enabling Hot Swap.
Question: what should i put PLL volt on?

Z68A-GD65 (G3) issues.

I'll start with my build,
Z68A-GD65 Gen 3
i5 2500k under Noctura NH-D14
16GB G.Skill DDR3 1333 CL9 1.5V
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr II 2GB
Crucial M4 128GB SSD (in 1st intel sata 3 port)
Antec HCP 850w
Bios 23.3 (or whatever, I'm on phone at work)
A few issues;
I can't OC. If I try an oc, it boots, I get splash screen for msi, then hangs with blinking underscore. Even if I match oc genie setting for setting in standard mode. Using auto etc, set v core way high (like 1.4 for a mild 4.2 oc) it just seems to hang. I'm guessing something to do with the sata 3 controller, since I'm booting off ssd
Last night I started PC, went to bathroom, came back and it was loop booting. I hard powered it off, and restarted. OC failed, and that was oc genie at 4.2.
PC won't wake up from sleep. Have to hard power off (hold power button down) then restart and it resumes windows. Mouse and two diff keyboards won't wake it (performance mx mouse, g510 keyboard, and ps2 dell keyboard.)
G510 won't enter bios, have to use dell ps2 keyboard.
If in OC genie, or trying oc in standard mode, system double posts. Starts, runs 4-5sec (no display), powers down, starts back up and runs fine for hours (except the one oc fail on genie)
Any ideas on any of it?

No, thats the last official release. There has been a host of beta BIOS releases since. I just flashed to the latest .N48 today and I must say, I am very happy with the stability I now have.
If you intend to flash, use the forum flasher. >>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
Do a full CMOS clear after flashing >>Clear CMOS Guide<<
Also you will need to ensure that you set your BIOS back to AHCI, if you did that before installing the OS.
I further suggest you remove all RAM except one stick in the slot closest to the CPU before the BIOS flash. Only put the other RAM back after you have been through one boot cycle.

Raid mode very slow/ crashing after installing driver (Z68A-GD65 (G3))

I recently purchased a Z68A-GD65 (G3) motherboard, i5-2500K, 8 gb ram, and a Crucial 64GB 4m SSD drive. The intention was to use the SSD drive for Intel Smart Response Tech.
Instructions tell me to place the SATA ports in RAID mode, which I did. During installation of Windows 7 (64-bit), I provided the "F6" raid drivers which installed. After that point, my hard drive (a WD 250GB SATAII drive) begins to perform incredibly slow. Once Windows 7 installs, which takes way longer than it should, Windows has problems booting and won't work properly.
I tried installing Windows 7 without the "F6" raid drive on install and that worked fine. Everything seemed to be working great. I then installed the Intel Rapid Storage Tech software and rebooted. Now my system is acting up again. It takes far longer to boot, it shuts down as soon as it boots, and it has even blue screened on boot. It is very unstable.
My SSD is unplugged during all of this. I'm just trying to get Windows 7 to run properly on my one mechanical drive in raid mode.
Do I have a bad motherboard? Anyone have any ideas?
Edit: I'm not using the Marvell ports. The hard drive works fine in IDE/ACHI modes... I've been using it for years.
Thanks

So it turned out that the issue was the hard drive itself. It had been running flawlessly for years as my system drive. However, the Intel iastor driver exposed a hidden issue with the drive.
I decided to check the Windows system event log for any clues. In there I saw errors with event id 9 on iastor. They were lined up with the times of the hangs and blue screens. Solutions I found online for this issue did not help. Luckily I have two hard drives in my system, although they are both the same model. I moved my data around and clean installed Windows on the other drive instead. The hangs and blue screens are no longer occurring.

Economic overclock for my z68a-gd65.

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