MSI X99s Gaming 7 Manual

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5-1-3 Using Q-Flash Plus
A. Before You Begin
1. From	GIGABYTE's	 website,	download	 the	latest	 compressed	 BIOS	update	 file	that	 matches	 your	motherboard 	
model.
2. Uncompress	the	downloaded	BIOS	file,	save	it	to	your	USB	flash	drive,	and	rename	it	to	GIGABYTE.bin. 
Note:	The	USB	flash	drive	must	use	FAT32/16/12	file	system.
3. Insert	the	USB	flash	drive	into	the	white	USB	port	on	the	back	panel.
B. Using Q-Flash Plus
If both the main and backup BIOS fail during system boot, wait for 15-20 seconds, the system will automatically 
search	 and	match	 the	BIOS	 file	in	the	 USB	 flash	 drive	 on	the	 white	 USB	port.	The	FBIOS_LED	 will	flash	 when	
the	BIOS	matching	and	flashing	activities	start.
Wait	for	2-3	minutes	and	the	FBIOS_LED	will	stop	flashing	when	the	main	BIOS	flashing	is	complete.
After	 the	main	 BIOS	 is	flashed,	 the	system	 will	reboot	 automatically	 and	then	 DualBIOS™ will 
continue to update the backup BIOS. After completion, the system will reboot again and boot from 
the main BIOS for normal operation. 
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5-2 APP Center
GIGABYTE App Center gives you easy access to a wealth of GIGABYTE apps that help you get the most from 
your GIGABYTE motherboard	(Note).	 Using	 a	simple,	 unified	user	interface,	 GIGABYTE	 App	Center	 allows	you	
to easily launch all GIGABYTE apps installed on your system, check related updates online, and download the 
apps, drivers, and BIOS.
Running the APP Center
Insert the motherboard driver disk. On the Autorun screen, go to Application Software\Install GIGABYTE 
Utilities to install GIGABYTE App Center and the selected apps. Restart your computer after the installation 
is complete. In Desktop mode, click the App Center icon 	in	 the	 notification	 area	to	launch	 the	App	 Center	
utility	 (Figure	 1).	On	 the	 main	 menu,	 you	can	select	 an	app	 to	run	 or	click	Live Update to update an app online.
If the App Center is closed, you can restart it by clicking the App Center icon 	on	 the	 Apps	 menu	 (Figure	 2).
Figure 2
Figure 1
(Note)	 Available	applications	in	 APP	Center	 may	differ	 by	motherboard	 model.	Supported	 functions	of	 each	
application	may	also	differ	depending	on	motherboard	specifications.
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5-2-1 EasyTune
GIGABYTE's	EasyTune	 is	a	 simple	 and	easy-to-use	 interface	that	allows 	users	 to	fine-tune	 their	system	 settings 	
or do overclock/overvoltage in Windows environment. 
The EasyTune Interface
Tabs InformationTa bDescription
The Smart Quick Boost tab provides you with different levels of CPU frequency to choose to 
achieve desired system performance. After making changes, be sure to restart your system 
for these changes to take effect.
The Advanced CPU OC tab allows you to set CPU base clock, frequency, and voltages, 
and	integrated	 graphics	frequency.	 You	can	save	 the	current	 settings	 to	a	profile.	 You	can	
create	up	to	2	profiles.
The Advanced DDR OC tab allows you to set the memory clock.
The 3D Power tab allows you to change power phase, voltage, and frequency settings.
Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to the hard\
ware components such 
as CPU, chipset, and memory and reduce the useful life of these componen\
ts. Before you do the 
overclock/overvoltage, make sure that you fully know each function of EasyTune, or system instability 
or other unexpected results may occur.
Available	 functions	in	EasyTune	 may	differ	 by	motherboard	 model.	Grayed-out	 area(s)	indicates	 that	
the	item	is	not	configurable	or	the	function	is	not	supported.
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5-2-2 System Information Viewer
GIGABYTE System Information Viewer allows you to monitor and adjust the fan speed in the operating sy\
stem. 
You can also display the hardware monitor information on the desktop to v\
iew the system status at any time.
The System Information Viewer Interface
Tabs InformationTa bDescription
The System Information tab provides information on the installed CPU and motherboard 
and the BIOS version. 
The Smart Fan Auto tab allows you to specify a Smart Fan mode.
The Smart Fan Advance tab allows you to adjust the smart fan speed. The fans will run at 
different speeds according to system temperatures. Using the Smart Fan option you can 
adjust	the	fan's	 workload	 according	 system	temperatures	 or	you	 can	fix	the	 fan	speeds	 using	
the RPM Fixed Mode option. Click the Calibrate button and the fan speed will be shown in 
relation to overall fan workload after calibration. The Reset button can revert the fan settings 
back to the last saved values.
The System Alerts tab allows you to monitor hardware temperature, voltage and fan speed,  
and set temperature/fan speed alarm.
The Record tab allows you to record changes in system voltages, temperatures, and fan 
speeds. Please note, the recording will stop if you exit the Record tab during the recording 
process.
The speed control function requires the use of a fan with fan speed cont\
rol design.
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5-2-3 EZ Setup
The	GIGABYTE	 EZ	Setup	 utility	includes	 the	following	 'EZ'	setups	 applications	 that	will	offer	 greatly	 simplified	
install	and	configuration	procedures:	Disk	Mode	Switch,	EZ	Smart	Response,	and	XHD.
Disk Mode Switch
Disk Mode Switch allows you to switch the operating mode for your hard d\
rive even after it's been installed with 
an operating system. Supported operating modes include IDE, AHCI, and RAID. You can select a disk mode 
and restart your computer after the selection.
 •Native UEFI mode is not supported.
 •Be sure to reinstall the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility after you switch the disk mode.
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EZ Smart Response
A. System Requirements
1. An Intel® Chipset-based motherboard supporting this feature
2. Intel® Core series processor
3. Intel® SATA controllers set to RAID mode
4. Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility installed	(Note	1)
5. A conventional SATA disk and an SSD	(Note	2)
6. Windows 7 with SP1/Windows 8/Windows 8.1	(Note	3)
B. Using EZ Smart Response
Select EZ Smart Response and click Create.
To disable this function, click Delete.
If	you	 have	 installed	 the	operating	 system	before	configuring	 the	Smart	 Response	 Technology,	 all	
original data on the SSD will be lost once you enable RAID mode	(Note	 4). It is recommended that you 
back up the hard disk before enabling the Smart Response Technology.
(Note	1)	 Before	 start,	make	 sure	you	have	 installed	 the	Intel®	Rapid	 Storage	 Technology	 utility	(version	 11.5	or	
above).
(Note	2)	 The	 SSD	works	 as	a	cache	 of	the	 hard	 disk.	 The	maximum	 cache	memory	 size	is	64	 GB.	 If	you	 use	
an SSD larger than 64 GB, the space beyond 64 GB can still be used for s\
toring your data.
(Note	3)	 The	operating	system	must	be	installed	to	the	SATA 	disk.
(Note	4)	 Regardless	of	the	BIOS	settings,	be	it	IDE	or	AHCI	mode,	the	system	will	be	forced	to	RAID	mode.
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XHD
With GIGABYTE XHD	(Note	 1),	users	 can	quickly	 configure	 a	RAID-ready	 system	for	RAID	 0	or	 RAID	 1	when	 a	
new SATA drive is added. All with a simple click of a button, XHD helps to enhance your hard drive read/write 
performance	without	the	need	for	complex	and	time-consuming	configurations.
A. System Requirements
1. An Intel® Chipset motherboard supporting RAID
2. Intel® SATA controllers set to RAID mode
3. Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility installed
4. Windows 7 with SP1/Windows 8/Windows 8.1
5. Intel® SATA controller driver installed
B. Using XHD
Select XHD and click Create RAID 0 or Create RAID 1 based on your need	(Note	2).
(Note	1)	 The	XHD	utility	only	supports	the	SATA 	connectors	controlled	by	the	Intel® Chipset.
(Note	2)	 Except	for	the	 operating	 system	drive,	all	data	 on	other	 hard	drive	 will	be	deleted.	 Back	up	your	 data	
before using the XHD utility.
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5-2-4 Fast Boot
Through the simple GIGABYTE Fast Boot	(Note	 1) interface, you can enable or change the Fast Boot or Next Boot 
After AC Power Loss setting right in the operating system.
The Fast Boot Interface
Using Fast Boot
 •BIOS Fast Boot:
 This option is the same as the Fast Boot option	(Note	 2) in BIOS Setup. It allows you to enable or disable the 
fast boot function to shorten OS boot time.
 •AC OFF Mode: 
 This option is the same as the Next Boot After AC Power Loss option	(Note	 2) in BIOS Setup. It allows you to 
select	 the	system	 bootup	mode	upon	the	return	 of	an	 AC	 power	 loss.	(This	 mode	 is	configurable	 only	when	
BIOS Fast Boot is set to Fast or Ultra Fast.)
After	 you	configure	 the	setting,	 click	Save to save and click Exit. The settings will take effect on next boot. If you 
click the Enter BIOS Setup Now button, the system will restart and enter BIOS Setup immediately.
(Note	1)	 This	function	is	supported	by	Windows	8.1/8	only.
(Note	2)	 For	more	details	about	this	function,	refer	to	Chapter	2,	"BIOS	Features."
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5-2-5 Smart TimeLock
GIGABYTE Smart TimeLock allows you to effectively manage computer or Internet usage time with simple 
rules and options.
The Smart TimeLock Interface
Using Smart TimeLock
Click the lock icon  on the bottom left corner and enter the password	(Note). Set the time when a user can or 
cannot use your computer for weekdays and weekends. The Lock Mode on the bottom right corner allows you 
to	 choose	 to	turn	 off	the	 computer	 or	only	 close	 the	Internet	 connection	 during	the	specified	 time	period.	 Click		
Save to save the settings and click Exit to exit.
An alert will appear 15 minutes and 1 minute prior to the default shutdown time. When the alert appears, you 
can enter the password to extend the usage time or click Cancel to close the alert. If you respond Cancel, you 
will be requested to enter the password to extend the usage time again w\
hen the default shutdown time arrives, 
or the computer will shutdown right away.
(Note)	 You	 can	set	the	 User	 Password	 in	the	 system	 BIOS	Setup	 program	 to	prevent	 the	system	 time	being	
changed by other users.
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5-2-6 Smart Recovery 2
Smart	Recovery	 2	allows	 you	to	back	 up	a	partition	 as	an	 image	 file	every	 hour.	You	can	use	these	 images	 to	
restore	your	system	or	files	when	needed.
 •Smart	Recovery	2	only	supports	NTFS	file	system. •You need to select the destination partition in Settings	the	 first	 time	you use Smart Recovery 2. •The Backup Now button will be available only after you log in Windows for ten minutes. •Select the Always run on next reboot checkbox to automatically enable Smart Recovery2 after system reboot.
Creating a backup:
Click the Settings button on the main menu. In the Settings dialog 
box, select the source partition and destination partition and click OK. 
The initial backup will start after 10 minutes and regular backup will b\
e 
performed hourly. Note: By default, all partitions on the system drive 
are selected as the backup source. The backup destination cannot be 
on the same partition as the backup source.
Saving the backup to a network location:
If you want to save the backup to a network location, select Browse 
network location. Make sure your computer and the computer where 
you want to save the backup are in the same domain. Choose the 
network location where you want to store the backup and enter the user 
name and password. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete.
Recovering	a	file:
Click the File Recovery button on the main menu. Use the time slider on 
the top of the popped out window to select a previous backup time. The 
right pane will display the backed-up partitions in the backup destination 
(in	the	My Backup	folder).	Browse	to	the	file	you	want	and	copy	it.
The Smart Recovery 2 main menu:
ButtonDescription
SettingsAllows you to select the source and destination partition
Backup NowAllows you to perform the backup immediately
File Recovery...Allows	you	to	recover	your	files	from	the	backup	image
System Recovery...Allows you to recover your system from the backup image
Unique Features