MSI Gaming 7 User Manual

							- 21 -
Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Jack
Use	this	audio	jack	to	connect	center/subwoofer	speakers	in	a	5.1/7.1-channel	audio	configuration.
Rear	Speaker	Out
This	jack	can	be	used	to	connect	front	speakers	in	a	4/5.1/7.1-channel	audio	configuration.
Optical S/PDIF Out Connector
This connector provides digital audio out to an external audio system th\
at supports digital optical audio. 
Before using this feature, ensure that your audio system provides an opt\
ical digital audio in connector.
Line In
The line out jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as an op\
tical drive, walkman, etc.
Line OutThe line out jack. This jack supports audio amplifying function. For better sound quality, it is recommended 
that	you	connect	 your	headphone/speaker	 to	this	 jack	 (actual	 effects	may	vary	by	the	 device	 being	used).	
Use this audio jack for a headphone or 2-channel speaker. This jack can be used to connect front speakers 
in	a	4/5.1/7.1-channel	audio	configuration.
Mic In
The Mic in jack. Microphones must be connected to this jack.
Activity LEDConnection/Speed LED
LAN Port
Activity LED:Connection/Speed LED:
State DescriptionOrange1 Gbps data rateGreen100 Mbps data rateOff10 Mbps data rate
State DescriptionBlinkingData transmission or receiving is occurringOffNo data transmission or receiving is occurring
USB	2.0/1.1	PortThe	USB	 port	supports	 the	USB	 2.0/1.1	 specification.	 Use	this	port	 for	USB	 devices	 such	as	a	USB	
keyboard/mouse,	USB	printer,	USB	flash	drive	and	etc.
RJ-45	LAN	PortThe Gigabit Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 1 Gbps data rate. The following 
describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.
The	 audio	 jacks	can	 be	reconfigured	 to	perform	 different	 functions 	via	 the	 audio	 software	 (supported 	
functions	may	vary	based	 on	hardware	 specification).	 If	you	 install	 a	Side	 Speaker,	 you	need	 to	
retask other audio jack to be Side Speaker out. Only microphones still MUST be connected to the 
default	 Mic	in	jack.	 Refer	 to	the	 instructions	 on	setting	 up	a	2/4/5.1/7.1-channel	 audio	configuration	
in	Chapter	6,	"Configuring	2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel	 Audio."
Triple-Display	Configurations	for	the	Onboard	Graphics:
	 Triple-display	configurations	are	supported	 after	you	install	 motherboard	 drivers	in	OS.	 Only	 dual-display	
configurations	are	supported	during	the	BIOS	Setup	or	POST 	process.
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 22 -
1-8	 Onboard	Buttons,	Switches	and	LEDs
BIOS Switches and BIOS LED Indicators
The	BIOS	 switch	 (BIOS_SW)	 allows	users	to	easily	 select	 a	different	 BIOS	for	boot	 up	or	overclocking,	 helping	to	
reduce BIOS failure during overclocking. The SB switch allows enabling or disabling of the Dual BIOS function. 
The	LED	indicator	(MBIOS_LED/BBIOS_LED)	shows	which	BIOS	is	active.
2:	 Backup	 BIOS	(Boot	from	the	backup	BIOS)2: Single BIOS
1:	Main	 BIOS	 (Boot	from	the	main	BIOS)1: Dual BIOS
BIOS Switch:
BIOS_SWSB
1
2
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
1
1
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


1
2
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
1
1
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


1
2
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
1
1
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


1
2
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
1
1
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


Quick Buttons
This motherboard has 3 quick buttons: power button, reset button and clear CMOS button. The power button 
and reset button allow users to quickly turn on/off or reset the computer in an open-case environment when 
they want to change hardware components or conduct hardware testing. Use this button to clear the BIOS 
configuration	and	reset	the	CMOS	values	to	factory	defaults	when	needed.
 •Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before c\
learing 
the CMOS values.
 •Do not use the clear CMOS button when the system is on, or the system may shutdown and  
data loss or damage may occur.
 •After	 system	 restart,	go	to	BIOS	 Setup	 to	load	 factory	 defaults	 (select	Load	Optimized	 Defaults)	or	
manually	 configure	 the	BIOS	 settings	 (refer	to	Chapter	 2,	"BIOS	 Setup,"	 for	BIOS	 configurations).
PW_SW: Power button
RST_SW: Reset button
CMOS_SW: Clear CMOS Button
CMOS_SW
RST_SW
PW_SW
BIOS_SW
SB
BBIOS_LEDMBIOS_LEDBBIOS_LED	(The	backup	BIOS	is	active)
MBIOS_LED	(The	main	BIOS	is	active)
BIOS LED Indicators: 
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 23 -
Pin No.Definition
1Power
2GND
Voltage Measurement Points
Users can use a multimeter to measure component voltages, including VRIN, VIAO, VSA, VAXG, VRING, VIOD, 
VDIMM, and VCORE. You can employ following way to measure component voltages.
Steps:
Connect	the	red	 lead	 of	the	 multimeter	 to	the	 pin	1	(Power)	 of	a	voltage 	
measurement	point	and	the	black	lead	to	the	pin	2	(ground).
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VRINPin 1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VIOAPin 1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VAXGPin 1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VRINGPin 1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VIODPin 1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VDIMMPin 1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VCOREPin 1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


VSAPin 1
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 24 -
1-9 Internal Connectors
1)ATX_12V_2X4
2)AT X
3)ATX4P
4)CPU_FAN
5)SYS_FAN1/2/3/4
6)CPU_OPT
7)SATA_EXPRESS
8)SATA3	0/1/2/3/4/5
9)GSATA3 6/7
10)M.2
11)F_PANEL
12)F_AUDIO
13)SPDIF_O
14)F_USB30
15)F_USB1/F_USB2
16)COMA
17)TPM
18)CLR_CMOS
19)B AT
1
2
14
10
9
3
8
7
18
46
15
5
19
5115161351712
8
Read the following guidelines before connecting external devices:
 •First make sure your devices are compliant with the connectors you wish \
to connect.
 •Before installing the devices, be sure to turn off the devices and your computer. Unplug the power 
cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the devices.
 •After installing the device and before turning on the computer, make sure the device cable has 
been securely attached to the connector on the motherboard. 
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 25 -
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
131
2412
AT X
ATX:
Pin No.DefinitionPin No.Definition
13.3V133.3V
23.3V14-12V
3GND15GND
4+5V16PS_ON	(soft	On/Off)
5GND17GND
6+5V18GND
7GND19GND
8Power Good20-5V
95VSB	(stand	by	+5V)21+5V
10+12V22+5V
11+12V	(Only	 for	2x12-pin 	
ATX)
23+5V	(Only	for	2x12-pin	 ATX)
123.3V	(Only	 for	2x12-pin 	
ATX)
24GND	(Only	 for	2x12-pin	 ATX)
ATX_12V_2X4
ATX_12V_2X4:
Pin No.Definition
1GND	(Only	for	2x4-pin	12V)
2GND	(Only	for	2x4-pin	12V)
3GND
4GND
5+12V	(Only	for	2x4-pin	12V)
6+12V	(Only	for	2x4-pin	12V)
7+12V
8+12V
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
58
14
1/2)	ATX_12V_2X4/ATX	(2x4	12V	Power	Connector	and	2x12	Main	Power	Connector)
 With the use of the power connector, the power supply can supply enough stable power to all the components 
on	the	 motherboard.	 Before	connecting	 the	power	 connector,	 first	make	 sure	the	power	 supply	 is	turned	
off and all devices are properly installed. The power connector possesses a foolproof design. Connect the 
power supply cable to the power connector in the correct orientation.
  The 12V power connector mainly supplies power to the CPU. If the 12V power connector is not connected, 
the computer will not start.
To meet expansion requirements, it is recommended that a power supply that can withstand high 
power	 consumption	 be	used	 (500W	 or	greater).	 If	a	power	 supply	 is	used	 that	does	 not	provide	 the	
required power, the result can lead to an unstable or unbootable system.
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 26 -
3)	 ATX4P	(PCIe	Power	Connector)
 The power connector provide auxiliary power to the onboard PCI Express x16 slots. When two or more 
graphics	 cards	are	installed,	 we	recommend	 that	you	connect	 the	SATA 	power	 cable(s)	 from	the	power	
supply to the ATX4P connector to ensure system stability.Pin No.Definition
1NC
2NC
3NC
4GND
5GND
6GND
7VCC
8VCC
9VCC
10GND
11GND
12GND
13+12V
14+12V
15+12V
F_USB30
F_U
B_
F_
F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 3
12 312 3
12 311
11
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U

123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U

__ 3
F_USB3F
S_S _
S _
\
SF


15
1
4/5)	CPU_FAN/SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2/SYS_FAN3/SYS_FAN4	(Fan	Headers)
	 The	 motherboard	 has	a	4-pin	 CPU	fan	header	 (CPU_FAN),	 three	4-pin	(SYS_FAN1~SYS_FAN3)	 and	a	
3-pin	 (SYS_FAN4)	 system	fan	headers.	 Most	fan	headers	 possess	 a	foolproof	 insertion	design.	When	con-
necting	 a	fan	 cable,	 be	sure	 to	connect	 it	in	 the	 correct	 orientation	 (the	black	 connector	 wire	is	the	 ground	
wire).	 The	speed	 control	 function	 requires	 the	use	 of	a	fan	 with	 fan	speed	 control	 design.	 For	optimum	 heat	
dissipation, it is recommended that a system fan be installed inside the\
 chassis.
CPU_FAN:Pin No.Definition
1GND
2+12V
3Sense
4Speed Control
SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2/SYS_FAN3:Pin No.Definition
1GND
2+12V / Speed Control
3Sense
4VCC
SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2/SYS_FAN3
CPU_FAN
1
1
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
SYS_FAN4:Pin No.Definition
1GND
2+12V 
3NC
SYS_FAN4
1
 •Be sure to connect fan cables to the fan headers to prevent your CPU and system from overheat-ing. Overheating may result in damage to the CPU or the system may hang.\
 •These	fan	headers	 are	not	configuration	 jumper	blocks.	 Do	not	 place	 a	jumper	 cap	on	the	 headers. 
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 27 -
CPU_OPT
1
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
6)	 CPU_OPT	(Water	Cooling	CPU	Fan	Header)
 The fan header is 4-pin and possesses a foolproof insertion design. When connecting a fan cable, be sure 
to	connect	 it	in	 the	 correct	 orientation	 (the	black	 connector	 wire	is	the	 ground	 wire).	The	speed	 control	
function requires the use of a fan with fan speed control design.
Pin No.Definition
1GND
2+12V / Speed Control
3Sense
4VCC
7)	 SATA_EXPRESS	(SATA 	Express	Connector,	Controlled	by	Intel®	Z97	Chipset)
 The SATA Express connector supports a single SATA Express device.
17
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
1
1
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 
connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed.
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 28 -
9)	 GSATA3	6/7	(SATA	6Gb/s	Connectors,	Controlled	by	Marvell®	88SE9172	Chips)
 The SATA connector conforms to SATA 6Gb/s standard and are compatible with SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 
1.5Gb/s standard. Each SATA connector supports a single SATA device. The Marvell® chip supports 
RAID	 0	and	 RAID	 1.	Refer	 to	Chapter	 4,	"Configuring	 SATA	Hard	 Drive(s),"	 for	instructions	 on	configuring 	
a RAID array.
8)	 SATA3	0/1/2/3/4/5	(SATA 	6Gb/s	Connectors,	Controlled	by	Intel®	Z97	Chipset)
 The SATA connectors conform to SATA 6Gb/s standard and are compatible with SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 1.5Gb/s 
standard. Each SATA connector supports a single SATA device. The Intel® Chipset supports RAID 0, RAID 1, 
RAID	 5,	and	 RAID	 10.	Refer	 to	Chapter	 3,	"Configuring	 SATA	Hard	 Drive(s),"	 for	instructions	 on	configuring 	
a RAID array.
 •A	RAID	 0	or	 RAID	 1	configuration	 requires	at	least	 two	hard	 drives.	 If	more	 than	two	hard	 drives	are to be used, the total number of hard drives must be an even number. •A	RAID	 5	configuration 	requires	 at	least	 three	 hard	drives.	 (The	total	number	 of	hard	 drives	 does	not	have	to	be	an	even	number.) •A	RAID	10	configuration	requires	four	hard	drives. •To enable hot-plugging for the SATA ports, refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," "Peripherals\SATA Configuration,"	for	more	information. •M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed.
Pin No.Definition
1GND
2TXP
3TXN
4GND
5RXN
6RXP
7GND
Pin No.Definition
1GND
2TXP
3TXN
4GND
5RXN
6RXP
7GND
325410
76
S ATA 3S ATA 3
GSATA3
7
7
1
1
7
7
1
1
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
1
1
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM 
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 29 -
Follow the steps below to correctly install an M.2 SSD in the M.2 connec\
tor.
Step 1:
Use a screw driver to unfasten the screw and nut 
from the motherboard. Locate the proper mount-
ing hole for the M.2 SSD to be installed and then 
screw	the	nut	first.
Step 2:
Slide the M.2 SSD into the connector at an 
oblique angle.
Step 3:
Press the M.2 SSD down and then secure it with 
the screw.
Step 4:
The installation is completed, as shown in the 
picture above.
10)	 M.2	(M.2	Connector)
 You can insert an M.2 SSD into this connector.
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
1
1
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


 •On the motherboard there are three length adjustment holes for the M.2 SSD. Select the proper hole for the M.2 SSD to be installed and refasten the screw and nut. •M.2, SATA Express, and SATA3 4/5 connectors can only be used one at a time. The SATA3 4/5 connectors will become unavailable when an M.2 SSD is installed.
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 30 -
11)	 F_PANEL	(Front	Panel	Header)
 Connect the power switch, reset switch, speaker, chassis intrusion switch/sensor and system status indicator 
on the chassis to this header according to the pin assignments below. Note the positive and negative pins 
before connecting the cables.
Power LED
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
121920
CI-CI+
PWR_LED-PWR_LED+
PLED-PW-SPEAK+SPEAK-
PLED+PW+
Power LED
HD-RES+HD+RES-
Hard Drive Activity LEDReset SwitchChassis Intrusion Header
Power SwitchSpeaker
PWR_LED-
 •PW	(Power	Switch,	Red):
	 Connects	 to	the	 power	 switch	 on	the	 chassis	 front	panel.	 You	may	 configure	 the	way	 to	turn	 off	your	
system	 using	the	power	 switch	 (refer	to	Chapter	 2,	"BIOS	 Setup,"	 "Power	Management,"	 for	more	
information).
 •SPEAK (Speaker,	Orange):
 Connects to the speaker on the chassis front panel. The system reports system startup status by issuing 
a beep code. One single short beep will be heard if no problem is detect\
ed at system startup.
 •HD	(Hard	Drive	 Activity	LED,	Blue):
 Connects to the hard drive activity LED on the chassis front panel. The LED is on when the hard drive 
is reading or writing data.
 •RES	(Reset	Switch,	Green):
 Connects to the reset switch on the chassis front panel. Press the reset switch to restart the computer 
if	the	computer	freezes	and	fails	to	perform	a	normal	restart.
 •CI	(Chassis	Intrusion	Header,	Gray):
 Connects to the chassis intrusion switch/sensor on the chassis that can detect if the chassis cover has 
been removed. This function requires a chassis with a chassis intrusion switch/sensor.
 •PLED/PWR_LED	(Power	LED,	 Yellow/Purple):
Connects to the power status indicator on the chassis front panel. The LED 
is on when the system is operating. The LED is off when the system is in S3/
S4	sleep	state	or	powered	off	(S5).
System StatusLED
S0On
S3/S4/S5Off
The front panel design may differ by chassis. A front panel module mainly consists of power switch, 
reset switch, power LED, hard drive activity LED, speaker and etc. When connecting your chassis 
front panel module to this header, make sure the wire assignments and the pin assignments are 
matched correctly. 
Hardware Installation