Conclusion

We began to write our review of the MSI P55-GD55 in a positive tone. It made the impression of a rather simple, but not expensive, product with all the functionality you need from a modern mainboard. We were not set aback by its drawbacks but were pleased with extra features. Unfortunately, those drawbacks proved to be quite serious while the extra features, although exciting, were not so necessary after all. This mainboard did not allow us to overclock our CPU normally, which is an unprecedented occurrence in our overclocking practice. MSI’s slogans omit the fact that only senior mainboard models from MSI are equipped with numerous technologies and features (even though you may not need them all the time) whereas junior models, potentially popular, are deprived of them. We prefer Gigabyte’s approach when BIOS updates are issued for the entire series of mainboards, endowing all the models with the same functionality.

MSI P55-GD55 has a lot in common with Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R and this comparison can be furthered. The mainboards have almost the same specs except that the Gigabyte one has two SATA ports more thanks to an additional controller and its CPU voltage regulator is not so simplified. Gigabyte mainboard also has digital audio outputs on the back panel. Of course, Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R lacks such features of MSI P55-GD55 as OC Stepping but it does not really need them, being able to start up at any frequency you set without any tricks. Considering that Gigabyte product is only $10 more expensive, MSI P55-GD55 loses in this comparison because Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3R is much better at overclocking CPUs and memory modules.

MSI P55-GD55 would be interesting if it were alone on the market. With lots of more exciting alternatives around, you might as well go for something else.