MSI X99s Gaming 7 Manual

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Storage Interface- Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10*		
Only	 AHCI	 mode	 is	supported	 when	an	M.2	 PCIe	 SSD	or	a	SATA 	Express	 device	is	installed.(M2_10G,	 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	in	the	M2_10G	connector.) ŠChipset:-	 	
4	x	SATA 	6Gb/s	connectors	(sSATA3	0~3),	supporting	IDE	and	 AHCI	modes only(An	operating	 system	installed	 on	the	 SATA3	 0~5	ports	 cannot	 be	used	 on	the	sSATA3	0~3	ports.)
USB ŠChipset:-	 	
4	x	USB	3.0/2.0	ports	(available	through 	the	internal	USB	headers)-		
6	x	USB	2.0/1.1	ports	(2	ports	on	the	back	panel,	4	ports	available	through	the	internal	USB	headers) ŠChipset + 2 Renesas® uPD720210 USB 3.0 Hubs:-   8 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports on the back panel
Internal Connectors Š1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector Š1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector Š1 x PCIe power connector Š1 x I/O shield audio LED power connector Š1 x heatsink LED power connector Š1 x SATA Express connector Š10 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors Š1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector Š1 x CPU fan header Š1	x	water	cooling	fan	header	(CPU_OPT) Š3 x system fan headers Š1 x front panel header Š1 x front panel audio header Š2 x USB 3.0/2.0 headers Š2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers Š1 x Thunderbolt add-in card connector Š1 x Clear CMOS jumper Š1 x power button Š1 x reset button Š1 x Clear CMOS button Š1 x Direct to BIOS button Š1 x audio gain control switch ŠVoltage Measurement Points Š2 x BIOS switches
Back Panel Connectors Š1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port Š1 x CPU overclocking button Š1 x Fast Boot button Š1 x Clear CMOS button Š8 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports Š2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports Š2 x RJ-45 ports Š1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
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Back Panel Connectors Š	
5	x	audio	 jacks	(Center/Subwoofer	 Speaker	Out,	Rear	 Speaker	 Out,	Line	In/Mic	In,	Line	Out,	Headphone) Š2	x	SMA 	antenna	connectors	(2T2R)
I/O Controller ŠiTE® I/O Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor ŠSystem voltage detection ŠCPU/System/Chipset temperature detection ŠCPU/CPU OPT/System fan speed detection ŠCPU/System/Chipset overheating warning ŠCPU/CPU OPT/System fan fail warning ŠCPU/CPU OPT/System fan speed control*		
Whether	 the	fan	speed	 control	 function	 is	supported	 will	depend	 on	the	 cooler	 you	install.
BIOS Š2	x	128	Mbit	flash ŠUse of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS ŠSupport for DualBIOS™
 ŠSupport for Q-Flash Plus ŠPnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
Unique Features ŠSupport for APP Center*		
Available	 applications	 in	APP 	Center	 may	differ	 by	motherboard	 model.	Supported	functions of each application may also differ depending on motherboard specifications.- @BIOS- Ambient LED- EasyTune- EZ Setup- Fast Boot- Game Controller- Cloud Station- ON/OFF Charge- Smart TimeLock- Smart Recovery 2- System Information Viewer- USB Blocker- V-Tuner ŠSupport for Q-Flash ŠSupport for Smart Switch ŠSupport for Xpress Install
Bundled Software ŠNorton®	Internet	Security	(OEM	version) ŠIntel® Smart Response Technology
Operating System ŠSupport for Windows 10/8.1/8/7
Form Factor ŠE-ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 25.9cm
*		
GIGABYTE 	reserves	 the	right	 to	make	 any	changes	 to	the	 product	 specifications	 and	product-related	 information	without	prior notice.*		
Please	 visit	the	Support & Downloads\Utility	page	 on	GIGABYTE's	 website	to	check	 the	supported	 operating	system(s)	for the software listed in the "Unique Features" and "Bundled Software" \
columns.
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1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU:
 •Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.
(Go	to	GIGABYTE's	website	for	the	latest	CPU	support	list.)
 •Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before in\
stalling the 
CPU to prevent hardware damage.
 •Locate	 the	pin	one	 of	the	 CPU.	 The	CPU	 cannot	 be	inserted	 if	oriented	 incorrectly.	 (Or	you	 may	
locate	the	notches	on	both	sides	of	the	CPU	and	alignment	keys	on	the	CPU	socket.)
 •Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the CPU\
.
 •Do not turn on the computer if the CPU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating and damage 
of the CPU may occur.
 •Set	the	CPU	 host	frequency	 in	accordance	 with	the	CPU	 specifications.	 It	is	 not	 recommended	
that	 the	system	 bus	frequency	 be	set	 beyond	 hardware	 specifications	 since	it	does	 not	meet	 the	
standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the frequency beyond the standard 
specifications,	 please	do	so	according	 to	your	 hardware	 specifications	 including	the	CPU,	 graphics	
card, memory, hard drive, etc.
1-3-1  Installing the CPU
A. Locate the alignment keys on the motherboard CPU socket and the notches on the CPU.
Alignment KeyAlignment Key
LGA2011-3 CPU Socket
Pin One Corner of the CPU Socket
LGA2011-3 CPU
Triangle Pin One Marking on the CPU
Alignment KeyAlignment Key
NotchNotch
NotchNotch
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B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU into the motherboard CPU socket.
Step 1:
Push the lever closest to the "unlock" mark "" 
(below	 referred	 as	lever	 A)	down	 and	away	 from	the	
socket to release it.
Step 4:
Hold	 the	CPU	 with	your	 thumb	 and	index	 fingers.	
Align	 the	CPU	 pin	one	 mark	 (triangle)	 with	the	
triangle mark on metal socket frame and carefully 
insert the CPU into the socket vertically.
Step 6:
Finally, secure lever A under its retention tab to 
complete the installation of the CPU. Then care-
fully remove the plastic cover. Save it properly and 
always replace it when the CPU is not installed.
Step 5:
Once the CPU is properly inserted, carefully 
replace the load plate. Then secure lever B under 
its retention tab.
Step 3:
Gently press lever A to allow the load plate to 
rise. Open the load plate. Note: DO NOT touch 
the socket contacts after the load plate is opened.
Step 2:
Push the lever closest to the "lock" mark "" 
(below	 referred	 as	lever	 B)	down	 and	away	 from	
the socket. Then lift the lever.
 •Before installing the CPU, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug\
 the power cord from 
the power outlet to prevent damage to the CPU.
 •To protect the socket contacts, do not remove the protective plastic cover unless the CPU is 
inserted into the CPU socket. Save the cover properly and replace it if \
the CPU is removed.Lever ALever B
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Use extreme care when removing the CPU cooler because the thermal grease/tape between the CPU 
cooler and CPU may adhere to the CPU. Inadequately removing the CPU cooler may damage the CPU.
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler
Refer	to	the	 steps	 below	 to	correctly	 install	the	CPU	 cooler	 on	the	 motherboard.	 (Actual	installation	 process	may	
differ	depending	the	CPU	cooler	to	be	used.	Refer	to	the	user's	manual	for	your	CPU	cooler.)
Step 1:
Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on 
the surface of the installed CPU.
Step 4:
Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU 
cooler	to	the	 CPU	 fan	header	 (CPU_FAN)	 on	the	
motherboard.
Step 2:
Place the cooler atop the CPU, aligning the four 
mounting screws with the mounting holes on 
the ILM.
Step 3: 
Use one hand to hold the cooler and the other to 
tighten the screws in a diagonal sequence with a 
screw driver. Begin tightening a screw with a few 
turns and repeat with the screw diagonally opposite 
the one you just tightened. Then do the same to 
the other pair. Next, fully tighten the four screws.
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1-4 Installing the Memory
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory:
 •Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory of the same 
capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.
(Go	to	GIGABYTE's	website	for	the	latest	supported	memory	speeds	and	memory	modules.)
 •Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before in\
stalling the 
memory to prevent hardware damage.
 •Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only one direction. 
If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.
1-4-1	 4	Channel	Memory	Configuration
This motherboard provides eight DDR4 memory sockets and supports 4 Channel Technology. After the memory 
is	installed, 	the	 BIOS	 will	automatically	 detect	the	specifications	 and	capacity	 of	the	 memory.	 The	eight	 DDR4	
memory sockets are divided into four channels and each channel has two m\
emory sockets as following:
 Channel A: DDR4_1_1A, DDR4_2_2A
 Channel B: DDR4_3_1B, DDR4_4_2B
 Channel C: DDR4_5_1C, DDR4_6_2C
 Channel D: DDR4_7_1D, DDR4_8_2D
DDR4_1_1ADDR4_3_1BDDR4_7_1DDDR4_5_1CDDR4_8_2DDDR4_6_2CDDR4_2_2ADDR4_4_2B
 Refer to the table below for memory installation according to the number\
 of the memory modules you want to install:DDR4_1_1ADDR4_2_2ADDR4_3_1BDDR4_4_2BDDR4_8_2DDDR4_7_1DDDR4_6_2CDDR4_5_1C1 Module- -- -l- -- -- -- -- - 2 Modules- -- -l- -- -l- -- -4 Modulesl- -l- -- -l- -l6 Modulesl- -llll- -l8 Modulesllllllll
Note	1: 		When	 installing	 the	memory,	 make	sure	to	begin	 with	the	first	 socket	 of	each	 channel,	 such	as	DDR4_1_1A, 	
DDR4_3_1B, DDR4_5_1C, and DDR4_7_1D. 
Note 2:  If you are using a RDIMM memory, make sure it is a 1Rx8 one.
Note 3:  
To ensure memory compatibility, we do not recommend that you install RDIMM and UDIMM memory 
at the same time.
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1-4-2 Installing a Memory
Before installing a memory module, make sure to turn off the computer and\
 unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the memory module. DDR4 and DDR3 DIMMs are not compatible to each other or DDR2 DIMMs. Be sure to install DDR4 DIMMs on\
 this motherboard.
Notch
DDR4 DIMM
A	DDR4	 memory	 module	has	a	notch,	 so	it	can	 only	 fit	in	one	 direction.	 Follow	the	steps	 below	 to	correctly	 install	
your memory modules in the memory sockets.
Step 1:
Note the orientation of the memory module. Spread the retaining clip 
at the right end of the memory socket. Place the memory module on 
the	socket.	 As	indicated	 in	the	 picture	 on	the	 left,	 place	 your	fingers	
on the top edge of the memory, push down on the memory and insert 
it vertically into the memory socket.
Step 2:
The clip at the right end of the socket will snap into place when the 
memory module is securely inserted.
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1-5 Installing an Expansion Card
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion c\
ard:
 •Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that came 
with your expansion card.
 •Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing an 
expansion card to prevent hardware damage.
Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the e\
xpansion slot.
1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back panel.
2. Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is ful\
ly seated in the slot.
3. Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into th\
e slot.
4. Secure the card's metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.
5. After	installing	all	expansion	cards,	replace	the	chassis	cover(s).
6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for your expan-
sion	card(s).
7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating sy\
stem.
Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card:
PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Express x16 Slot
 •Installing a Graphics Card:
Gently push down on the top edge of the card until 
it is fully inserted into the PCI Express slot. Make 
sure the card is securely seated in the slot and 
does not rock.
 •Removing the Card:
Gently push back on the lever on the slot and then lift the card straigh\
t out from 
the slot.
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B. Connecting the Graphics Cards
Step 1:
Observe the steps in "1-5 Installing an Expansion Card" and install CrossFire/
SLI graphics cards on the PCI Express x16 slots.
Step 2:
Insert the CrossFire (Note	2)/SLI bridge connectors in the CrossFire/SLI gold 
edge connectors on top of the cards.
Step 3:
Plug the display cable into the graphics card on the PCIE_1 slot.
  
Refer to the table below when an i7-5960X or i7-5930K CPU is installed:
 	
Refer	to	the	 table	 below	 for	setting	 up	a	3-Way	 SLI	configuration	 with	an	i7-5820K	 CPU.	Make	 sure	to	use	
the GC-3SLI bridge connector.
 • 
Procedure and driver screen for enabling CrossFire/SLI technology may di\
ffer by graphics cards and driver version. Refer to the manual that came with your graphics cards for more information about enabling CrossFire/SLI technology. • 
When two or more graphics cards are installed, we recommend that you connect the SATA power cable from the power supply to the ATX4P connector to ensure system stability.
1-6  Setting up AMD CrossFire™/NVIDIA® SLI™	Configuration
(Note	1)	 The	4-Way	SLI	configuration	is	not	supported	when	an	i7-5820K	CPU	is	installed.
(Note	2)	 The	bridge	connector(s)	may	be	needed 	or	not	depending	on	your	graphics	cards.
A. System Requirements
 -Windows 8.1/8/7 operating system
 -A CrossFire/SLI-supported motherboard with two or more PCI Express x16 sl\
ots and correct driver
 -CrossFire/SLI-ready graphics cards of identical brand and chip and corre\
ct driver
	 (Current	GPUs	that	support	 3-Way/4-Way	 CrossFire	technology	 include	the	ATI	 Radeon™ HD 3800, HD 
4800, HD 5800 series, and AMDRadeon™ HD 6800, HD 6900, HD 7800, and HD 7900 series. Current 
GPUs that support 3-Way/4-Way SLI™ technology include the NVIDIA 8800 GTX, 8800 Ultra, 9800 GTX, 
GTX	 260,	GTX	 280,	GTX	 470,	GTX	 480,	GTX	 570,	GTX	 580,	GTX	 590,	and	GTX	 600	series.)	 For	the	
latest GPU support information, please refer to the AMD/NVIDIA®	website.)	(Note	1)
 -CrossFire (Note	2)/SLI bridge connectors
 -A	power	 supply	 with	sufficient	 power	is	recommended	 (Refer	to	the	 manual	 of	your	 graphics	 cards	for	the	
power	requirement)
1 Graphics Card2 Graphics Cards3 Graphics Cards4 Graphics CardsPCIE_1llllPCIE_4- -- -- -lPCIE_2- -lllPCIE_3- -- -ll
PCIE_1
PCIE_4
PCIE_2
PCIE_3
1 Graphics Card2 Graphics Cards3 Graphics CardsPCIE_1lllPCIE_4- -- -lPCIE_2- -llPCIE_3- -- -- -
To	set	up	a	3-Way	SLI	configuration,	use	the	GC-3SLI-X99	bridge	connector.
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C-2. To Enable SLI Function
After installing the graphics card driver in the operating system, go to\
 
the NVIDIA Control Panel. Browse to the Configure	SLI,	Surround, 	
Physx screen and ensure Maximize 3D performance is enabled.
C.	Configuring	the	Graphics	Card	Driver
C-1. To Enable CrossFire Function
After installing the graphics card driver in the operating system, go 
to the AMD Catalyst Control Center. Browse to Performance\
AMD CrossFireX™ and ensure the Enable AMD CrossFireX 
check box is selected. If your system has more than two CrossFire 
cards, select the GPU combination you want to use and click Ap-
ply.	(Available	 combination	 options	are	dependent	 on	the	 number	
of	graphics	cards.)
Hardware Installation