Difference between MSI P67A-G45 and G65

[springhalo]

I'm looking at getting a p67 motherboard that supports at least 8x 8x crossfire and I'm wondering what the biggest differences between these two motherboards is. I can get the G65 in a combo, saving me 15 dollars, but im wondering if it would be better to save 20 bucks with the G45 or shell it out to get a much better mobo. I saw on a forum somewhere that the 45 has poor overclocking voltage regulators, and I'm currently planning on upgrading from the i3 in my current build to an OC'd 2500k later. Does anyone have experience with either of these boards and some suggestions as to where to go with this?
Thanks!

 

[jaquith]

The big differences are the number Phases, and I don't want to guess the number because MSI deliberately hides the number. The least number I'd want is 12+2 with a K CPU. Phases for the P67 can be less than for example the X58/i7-9xx where 16+2 was the 'minimum' for OC and longevity. In other words the Least number of Phases the Higher the Phase load; the analogy is a light bulb burning out.

P67A-G45 (B3) http://www.msi.com/product/mb/P67A-G45--B3-.html#/?div=Detail
P67A-GD65 (B3) http://www.msi.com/product/mb/P67A-GD65--B3-.html#/?div=Detail

 

[springhalo]

So would you suggest going for the 65 or the 45?

 

[jaquith]

The best I can find and by looking + counting is 6+1 Phase for the P67A-GD65 (B3); I read because of their 'superior this and that' it's like more. So lets 'guess' 2X more then it would be 12+2. BTW - I only saw 6+1 looking on MSI but it seem too low so I didn't want to make a fool of myself until I saw a confirmed review; see below.

Get the -> P67A-GD65 (B3)

Article - http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/MSI-P67A-GD65-Motherboard/1142
Phase chip types - http://www.renesas.com/products/discrete/power_mos/power_mosfets_for_switching/mosfet_integrated_sip/mosfet_integrated_sip_root.jsp

 

[springhalo]

Best answer selected by SpringHalo.