MSI Z68A-GD80-G3 (Intel Z68) Motherboard Review

Today we have built the MSI system paired up with the excellent Intel Core i5 2500K processor.

Processor: Intel Core i5 2500k @ 4.2ghz (via O.C. Genie button).
Cooling: Arctic Cooling Freezer Xtreme Rev.2 CPU Cooler.
Graphics: Sapphire HD6870 Dual Fan Overclock Edition.
Motherboard: MSI Z68A-GD80-G3.
Chassis: Silverstone Raven 3.
Power Supply: Corsair 850W.
Memory: Corsair 1600mhz memory.
Storage: Intel 80GB SSD (boot) / Patriot Wildfire 120GB SSD.
Monitors: Dell Ultrasharp U2410 Rev A00.

Software:
Windows 7 Enterprise 64 bit

Unigine Heaven Benchmark.
PCMark Vantage.
PCMark 7.
3DMark Vantage.
3DMark 11.
Fraps Professional.
Steam Client.
FurMark.
HQV 2.0 Software.

Technical Monitoring and Test Equipment:
Nikon D3X with R1C1 kit
Olympus E-PL1
Keithley Integra unit
Thermal Diodes
Raytek Laser Temp Gun 3i LSRC/MT4 Mini Temp
Extech digital sound level meter & SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter

Games:
Alien V Predator
Call Of Duty: Black Ops
Dead Island
Dirt 3
F.E.A.R. 3
Far Cry 2
F1 2011

All the latest BIOS updates and drivers are used during testing. We perform generally under real world conditions, meaning KitGuru tests games across five closely matched runs and then average out the results to get an accurate median figure. If we use scripted benchmarks, they are mentioned on the relevant page.

Some game descriptions and information are taken with courtesy from Wikipedia.

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