MSI Z97 Gaming 3 Manual

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Connectors Quick Guide
CPUFAN1
PCI_E1
PCI_E2
PCI_E3
PCI_E4
PCI1
JPWR1
SATA1_2
SATA3_4
SATA5
JPWR2CPU Socket
BackPanel
JUSB3
M2_1
JTPM1
DIMM1DIMM2DIMM3DIMM4
CPUFAN2
SYSFAN3
JCI1
JFP1JFP2
JUSB1JUSB2
SYSFAN2
SYSFAN1
JAUD1
JBAT
SATA6
JLPT1
JCOM1
AUDPWR1
AUD_SW1
PCI2
PCI3
JTBT1*
* JTBT1 is used to connect a specific card.
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Connectors Reference Guide
Port Name Port Type Page
AUD_SW1  Audio Power Switch  1-28
AUDPWR1  Direct Audio Power Connector  1-24
Back Panel    1-9
CPU  LGA1150 CPU Socket  1-11
CPUFAN1~2,SYSFAN1~3  Fan Power Connectors  1-21
DIMM1~4  Memory Slots  1-15
JAUD1  Front Panel Audio Connector  1-24
JBAT1  Clear CMOS Jumper  1-27
JCI1  Chassis Intrusion Connector  1-26
JCOM1  Serial Port Connector  1-26
JFP1, JFP2  System Panel Connectors  1-22
JLPT1  Parallel Port Connector  1-25
JPWR1~2  ATX Power Connectors  1-17
JTPM1  TPM Module Connector   1-26
JUSB1~2  USB 2.0 Expansion Connectors  1-23
JUSB3  USB 3.0 Expansion Connector  1-23
M2_1  M.2 Port  1-25
PCI_E1~4  PCIe Expansion Slots  1-18
PCI1~3  PCI Slots  1-18
SATA1~6  SATA Connectors  1-20
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Back Panel Quick Guide
 ▶PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo Port
A combination of PS/2® mouse/keyboard DIN connector for a PS/2® mouse/keyboard.
 
▶USB 2.0 Port
The USB 2.0 port is for attaching USB 2.0 devices such as keyboard, mous\
e, or other 
USB 2.0-compatible devices.
 
▶USB 3.0 Port
USB 3.0 port is backward-compatible with USB 2.0 devices. It supports da\
ta transfer 
rate up to 5 Gbit/s (SuperSpeed).
 Important
In order to use USB 3.0 devices, you must connect to a USB 3.0 port. If \
a USB cable  is used, it must be USB 3.0 compliant.
 ▶LAN Port
The standard RJ-45 LAN jack is for connecting to a Local Area Network (\
LAN). 
LINK/ACT LED SPEED
LED
LEDLED StatusDescription
Link/ Activity LED Off
No link
Yellow Linked
Blinking Data activity
Speed LED Off
10 Mbps connection
Green 100 Mbps connection
Orange 1 Gbps connection
 ▶Optical S/PDIF-Out
This S/PDIF (Sony & Philips Digital Interconnect Format) connector is provided for 
digital audio transmission to external speakers through an optical fiber cable.
PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo Port
Optical S/PDIF-Out 
Line-In
Line-Out
Mic
RS-Out
CS-Out
SS-Out
LAN Port
USB 2.0 Port*DisplayPortUSB 3.0 Port
* Gaming Device Port.
HDMI
VGA Port
DVI-D Port
USB 2.0 Port (for B85 GAMING 3)USB 3.0 Port (for Z97 GAMING 3/ H97 GAMING 3)
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 ▶HDMI Port 
®
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an all-digital audio-video interface 
that is capable of transmitting uncompressed streams. HDMI supports all \
types of TV 
formats, including standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel 
digital audio on a single cable.  
▶DisplayPort
DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard. This connector is u\
sed to connect a 
monitor with DisplayPort inputs.
 
▶VGA Port
The DB15-pin female connector is provided for monitor.
 
▶DVI-D Port
The DVI-D (Digital Visual Interface- Digital) connector can be connect\
ed to a LCD 
monitor, or a CRT monitor with an adapter. To connect a monitor, please \
refer to the 
monitor’s manual for more information.
Important
• This platform supports dual-display and triple-display function.
• In the case of triple-display mode, if one of the displays is DisplayPor\
t monitor, you  need to select your Active Displays by using "Intel HD Graphics Control Panel" → "Display" → "Multiple Displays".
VGA + DVI-D / 
VGA + HDMI /
DVI-D + HDMI /
DVI-D + DisplayPort / HDMI + DisplayPort VGA + DVI-D + HDMI / 
DVI-D + HDMI + DisplayPort
Extend mode
(Extend the desktop to the second  and third monitor) ◯
◯
Clone mode
(Monitors have the same screen) ◯
◯
 ▶Audio Ports
These connectors are used for audio devices. The color of the jack refer\
s to the 
function of the connector.  
■ Line in: Used for connecting external audio outputting devices.
 
■ Line out: Used as a connector for speakers or headphone.
 
■ Mic: Used as a connector for a microphone.
 
■ RS-Out: Rear surround sound line out in 4/ 5.1/ 7.1 channel mode.
 
■ CS-Out: Center/ subwoofer line out in 5.1/ 7.1 channel mode.
 
■ SS-Out: Side surround sound line out in 7.1 channel mode.
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CPU (Central Processing Unit)
 Important
OverheatingOverheating can seriously damage the CPU and motherboard. Always make su\
re the cooling fans work properly to protect the CPU from overheating. Be sure \
to apply an even layer of thermal paste (or thermal tape) between the CPU and the \
heatsink to enhance heat dissipation.
Replacing the CPU
When replacing the CPU, always turn off the system’s power supply and unplug the power supply’s power cord to ensure the safety of the CPU.
Overclocking
This motherboard is designed to support overclocking. Before attempting \
to overclock, please make sure that all other system components can tolerate overclock\
ing. Any attempt to operate beyond product specifications is not recommend. MSI does not guarantee the damages or risks caused by inadequate operation beyond pro\
duct specifications.
Introduction to the LGA 1150 CPU
The surface of the LGA 1150 CPU has two notches and a golden triangle to\
 
assist in correctly lining up the CPU for motherboard placement. The gol\
den 
triangle is the Pin 1 indicator.
Notch
Golden triangle is the Pin 1 indicatorNotch
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CPU & Heatsink Installation
When installing a CPU, always remember to install a CPU heatsink. A CPU \
heatsink 
is necessary to prevent overheating and maintain system stability. Follo\
w the steps 
below to ensure correct CPU and heatsink installation. Wrong installatio\
n can damage 
both the CPU and the motherboard.
1. Push the load lever down to unclip it and lift to the fully open position.
2.  The load plate will automatically lift up as the load lever is pushed to the fully open 
position.
Retention tab Load lever
Load plate
 Important
Do not touch the socket contacts or the bottom of the CPU.
 Video Demonstration
Watch the video to learn how to install CPU & heatsink.
http://youtu.be/bf5La099urI 
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3. Align the notches with the socket alignment keys. Lower the CPU straight down, 
without tilting or sliding the CPU in the socket. Inspect the CPU to che\
ck if it is 
properly seated in the socket.
4.  Close and slide the load plate under the retention knob. Close and engage the 
load lever. 
Alignment Key
CPU notches
Retention knob
5. When you press down the load lever the PnP cap will automatically pop up from 
the CPU socket. Do not discard the PnP cap. Always replace the PnP cap i\
f the 
CPU is removed from the socket.
6.  Evenly spread a thin layer of thermal paste (or thermal tape) on the top of the 
CPU. This will help in heat dissipation and prevent CPU overheating.
PnP cap
Thermal paste
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 Important
• Confirm that the CPU heatsink has formed a tight seal with the CPU before booting your system.
• Whenever the CPU is not installed, always protect the CPU socket pins by\
 covering the socket with the plastic cap.
• If you purchased a separate CPU and heatsink/ cooler, Please refer to th\
e documentation in the heatsink/ cooler package for more details about ins\
tallation.
7.  Locate the CPU fan connector on the motherboard.
8.  Place the heatsink on the motherboard with the fan’s cable facing towards the fan 
connector and the fasteners matching the holes on the motherboard.
CPU fan connector
9. Push down the heatsink until the four fasteners get wedged into the holes on 
the motherboard. Press the four fasteners down to fasten the heatsink. A\
s each 
fastener locks into position a click should be heard.
10.  Inspect the motherboard to ensure that the fastener-ends have been properly 
locked in place.
11.  Finally, attach the CPU fan cable to the CPU fan connector on the motherboard.
Motherboard
Fastener-end
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Memory
These DIMM slots are used for installing memory modules.
DIMM1DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4
 Video Demonstration
Watch the video to learn how to install memories at the address below.
http://youtu.be/76yLtJaKlCQ
Dual-Channel mode Population Rule
In Dual-Channel mode, the memory modules can transmit and receive data w\
ith two 
data bus channels simultaneously. Enabling Dual-Channel mode can enhance\
 system 
performance. The following illustrations explain the population rules fo\
r Dual-Channel 
mode.
DIMM2
DIMM4DIMM1DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4
 Important
• DDR3 memory modules are not interchangeable with DDR2, and the DDR3 
standard is not backward compatible. Always install DDR3 memory modules \
in DDR3 DIMM slots.
• To ensure system stability, memory modules must be of the same type and \
density in Dual-Channel mode.
• Due to chipset resource usage, the system will only detect up to 31+ GB \
of memory (not full 32 GB) when all DIMM slots have 8GB memory modules installed\
.
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Mounting Screw Holes
When installing the motherboard, first install the necessary mounting stands required 
for an motherboard on the mounting plate in your computer case. If there\
 is an 
I/O back plate that came with the computer case, please replace it with \
the I/O 
backplate that came with the motherboard package. The I/O backplate shou\
ld snap 
easily into the computer case without the need for any screws. Align the\
 mounting 
plate’s mounting stands with the screw holes on the motherboard and s\
ecure the 
motherboard with the screws provided with your computer case. The locati\
ons of the 
screw holes on the motherboard are shown below.  For more information, p\
lease refer 
to the manual that came with the computer case.
 Important
• Install the motherboard on a flat surface free from unnecessary debris. 
• To prevent damage to the motherboard, any contact between the motherboar\
d circuitry and the computer case, except for the mounting stands, is proh\
ibited.
• Please make sure there are no loose metal components on the motherboard \
or within the computer case that may cause a short circuit of the motherboa\
rd.
The I/O ports should be facing 
toward the rear of the computer 
case. They should line up with the 
holes on the I/O backplate.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started