MSI X99s Gaming 7 Manual

							- 21 -
1-7 Back Panel Connectors
USB 2.0/1.1 Port
The	USB	 port	supports	 the	USB	 2.0/1.1	 specification.	 You	can	connect	 a	USB	 DAC	 to	this	 port	 or	use	 this	
port	for	USB	devices	such	as	a	USB	keyboard/mouse,	USB	printer,	USB	flash	drive	and	etc.
PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port
Use this port to connect a PS/2 mouse or keyboard.
CPU Overclocking ButtonPress this button to overclock your CPU. To return to the defaults, press this button again.
Fast Boot ButtonPress	 this	button	 down	to	enable	 the	fast	 boot	 function	 to	shorten	 OS	boot	 time.	 (Make	 sure	to	set	 this	
button	before	system	power-on;	otherwise,	it	will	take	effect	at	next	boot.)
Clear CMOS ButtonUse	 this	button	 to	clear	 the	CMOS	 values	(e.g.	BIOS	 configuration)	 and	reset	 the	CMOS	 values	to	factory	
defaults when needed.
USB 3.0/2.0 Port
The	 USB	 3.0	port	 supports	 the	USB	 3.0	specification	 and	is	compatible	 to	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.
USB 3.0/2.0 Port (White)
The	USB	 3.0	port	 supports	 the	USB	 3.0	specification	 and	is	compatible	 to	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.	
Before	using	Q-Flash	Plus,	make	sure	to	insert	the	USB	flash	drive	into	this	port	first.
RJ-45 LAN Port (LAN2)
The Gigabit Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 1 Gbps data rate. The following 
describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.
 •When	 removing	 the	cable	 connected	 to	a	back	 panel	 connector,	 first	remove	 the	cable	 from	your	
device and then remove it from the motherboard.
 •When removing the cable, pull it straight out from the connector. Do not rock it side to side to 
prevent an electrical short inside the cable connector.
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 occurringOnNo data transmission or receiving is occurring
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 22 -
Refer	to	the	 instructions	 on	setting	 up	a	2/5.1-channel	 audio	configuration	 in	Chapter	 6,	"Configuring	
2/5.1-Channel Audio."
Tighten the antenna cables to the antenna connectors and then move the an\
tenna to a place where 
the signal is good.
Line In/Mic In JackThe line in/Mic in jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as\
 optical drive, walkman, microphone, etc.
Line OutThe line out jack. Use this audio jack for a 2-channel speaker. This jack can be used to connect front 
speakers	in	a	5.1-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.
Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Jack
Use	this	audio	jack	to	connect	center/subwoofer	speakers	in	a	5.1-channel	audio	configuration.
Rear Speaker Out
Use	this	audio	jack	to	connect	rear	speakers	in	a	5.1-channel	audio	configuration.
Headphone/Speaker Out JackThis audio output jack supports audio amplifying function. For better sound quality, it is recommended that 
you connect your headphone/speaker to this jack.
SMA Antenna Connectors (2T2R)
Use this connector to connect an antenna.
RJ-45 LAN Port (LAN1)
The Gigabit Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 1 Gbps data rate. The following 
describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.
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
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 23 -
1-8 Installing the I/O Shield
Step 1:
Install	the	included	 I/O	shield	 into	the	chassis.	 (For	actual	 installation,	
please	refer	to	the	user	guide	for	your	chassis.)
Step 2:
Place the motherboard into the chassis, aligning the back panel con-
nectors with the installed I/O shield. Connect the power cable from the \
I/O shield to the LED_CON1 connector on the motherboard.
For how to turn on/off the I/O shield LED indicators, refer to the instructions on in Chapter 2, "BIOS 
Setup," "Peripherals," or Chapter 5, "Unique Features," "APP Center\Ambient LED."
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 24 -
1-9 Onboard Buttons, Switches, and LEDs
Quick Buttons
This motherboard has four quick buttons: Power, Reset, Clear CMOS, and Direct to BIOS. 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.	 The	Direct	 to	BIOS	 button	 helps	
users	more	 easily	 to	directly 	enter	 the	BIOS	 at	any 	time	 before	 rebooting	 the	system.	 (Pressing	 this	button	 during	
the POST process allows you to immediately enter BIOS Setup. Enter BIOS Setup directly on next boot if the 
button	is	pressed	after	the	POST 	process.)
PW_SW: Power Button
RST_SW: Reset Button
CMOS_SW: Clear CMOS Button
DTB: Direct to BIOS Button
 •Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before c\
learing 
the CMOS values.
 •NOTE: 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).
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)
1:	Main	BIOS	(Boot	from	the	main	BIOS)
BIOS_SW
2: Single BIOS
1: Dual BIOS
SB
SBBIOS_SW
CMOS_SW
PW_SW
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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


2
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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


2
1
MBIOS_LED	(The	main	BIOS	is	active)
BBIOS_LED	(The	backup	BIOS	is	active)
BIOS LED Indicators:BBIOS_LEDMBIOS_LED
RST_SW
DTB
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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


2
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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


2
1
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 25 -
Audio Gain Control Switches
The switch allows for audio gain control for the headphone/speaker out jack on the back panel. Please set it 
according	to	your	headphone	specification	(actual	effects	may	vary	by	the	device	being	used).	
2: 6x
1:	2.5x	(Default)21
F_USB30F_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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3F
S_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B

Pin No.Definition
1Power
2GND
Voltage Measurement Points
Use a multimeter to measure the following motherboard voltages. 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).
CAP_SW
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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


DIMM_APin 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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


DIMM_BPin 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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


DDRVTT_APin 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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


DDRVTT_BPin 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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


VPP25_APin 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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


VPP25_BPin 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
12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U
__ 3
F_USB3FS_
S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S
_0F\
_F
_
_
__B


PCHVPin 1
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 26 -
1-10	 Changing	the	Operational	Amplifier
Step 1:
Use an IC extractor to carefully grip the IC's sides and extract it from 
the socket.
Step 2:
Align the notch on your OP chip with the notch on the socket and gently 
press the chip into the socket until seated.
For purchasing the IC extractor and OP Chip, please contact the local dealer.
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 27 -
1-11 Internal Connectors
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.
2
13
9
161214
3
5
1
6
1)ATX_12V_2X4
2)AT X
3)ATX4P
4)CPU_FAN
5)SYS_FAN1/2/3
6)CPU_OPT
7)LED_CON1
8)LED_CON2
9)SATA_EXPRESS
10)SATA3 0/1/2/3/4/5
11)sSATA3 0/1/2/3
12)M2_10G
13)F_PANEL
14)F_AUDIO
15)F_USB30_1/F_USB30_2
16)F_USB1/F_USB2
17)THB_C
18)B AT
19)CLR_CMOS
11
5
4
18
151719
10
5
7
8
10
15
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 28 -
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.
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
131
2412
AT X
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
ATX_12V_2X4
8
4
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
ATX:
Pin No.DefinitionPin No.Definition
13.3V133.3V
23.3V14-12V
3GND15GND
4+5V16PS_ON	(soft	On/Off)
5GND17GND
6+5V18GND
7GND19GND
8Power Good20NC
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)
5
1
When you overclock the CPU, make sure to connect one end of the included\
 1 to 3 power cable 
to the ATX_12V_2X4 power connector and the other three to the power supply to en\
sure the 
system is provided with enough power.
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 29 -
 •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.
4/5)  CPU_FAN/SYS_FAN1/2/3 (Fan Headers)
  All fan headers on this motherboard are 4-pin. Most fan headers possess \
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.	 For	
optimum heat dissipation, it is recommended that a system fan be install\
ed inside the chassis.
CPU_FAN
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
1
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
1
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.
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

12345
\
S3\
BSSS \
U

__ 3
F_USB3F
S_S _
S _
\
SF


B_
F
_0 S
S_0F\
_F
__
__B


15
1
SYS_FAN1/2/3
CPU_FAN:
Pin No.Definition
1GND
2+12V
3Sense
4Speed Control
Pin No.Definition
1NC
2NC
3NC
4GND
5GND
6GND
7VCC
8VCC
9VCC
10GND
11GND
12GND
13+12V
14+12V
15+12V
SYS_FAN1/2/3:
Pin No.Definition
1GND
2Speed Control
3Sense
4VCC
Hardware Installation  
						

							- 30 -
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.
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
1
7) LED_CON1 (I/O Shield Audio LED Power Connector) 
  The power connector provides power to the LEDs on the I/O shield on the motherboard back panel.
1
Pin No.Definition
1GND
2Speed Control
3Sense
4VCC
Pin No.Definition
1VCC
2GND
Hardware Installation