Does the mobo permit custom characters on non-KSB boards?
Does the mobo permit custom characters on non-KSB boards?
I'm searching for an affordable motherboard to fit the i7 2600 non K model. I found a Gigabyte one and an MSI P67A-C45. Can the MSI board support the CPU in its unlocked 4.2GHz range? The Z68 GB model looks questionable (both are used and seem unreliable, the seller of the GB unit hasn't completed any transactions).
I don’t care about the overall quality, just whether the board can accommodate the CPU at 4.2GHz and if it requires additional voltage beyond the stock settings.
Not really, but some boards like ASUS had an auto overclock feature that adjusted the base clock. I believe I have a Z77 deluxe in my attic that does this with a 3700 non K version. If I recall correctly, these boards could also work with 2XXX Intel CPUs. The method of using a base clock is the only way to overclock an Intel CPU without K. A board with "overclocking support" won't allow you to just unlock the multiplier.
SandyBridge and Ivy can boost performance by adjusting the 'bins'. The ideal limit is around +400MHz, which would adjust a 2600 non-K chip to approximately 4.2GHz (slight variations allowed). It's not entirely certain what setting exists on MSI boards, but it seems likely it's a multiplier rather than BCLK. With a locked CPU, the maximum should reach +4 or +400MHz.