MSI Z97 Gaming 3 Manual

							1-17
Power Supply
 Video Demonstration
Watch the video to learn how to install power supply connectors.
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
JPWR1~2: ATX Power Connectors
These connectors allow you to connect an ATX power supply. To connect th\
e ATX 
power supply, align the power supply cable with the connector and firmly press the 
cable into the connector. If done correctly, the clip on the power cable\
 should be 
hooked on the motherboard’s power connector.
1 3 . + 3 . 3
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4. G r o u n d
6 . + 1 2 V
2 . G r o u n d
JPWR1
JPWR2
 Important
Make sure that all the power cables are securely connected to a proper A\
TX power 
supply to ensure stable operation of the motherboard.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-18
Expansion Slots
This motherboard contains numerous slots for expansion cards, such as di\
screte 
graphics or audio cards.
PCI_E1~4: PCIe Expansion Slots
The PCIe slot supports the PCIe interface expansion card.
PCIe 2.0 x1 Slot
PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot
PCIe 2.0 x8 Slot
 Important
The PCIe x1 slots (PCI_E1, PCI_E3) will be unavailable when installing\
 an expansion card in the PCI_E4 slot.
PCI1~3: PCI Slots
The PCI slot supports additional LAN, SCSI, USB, and other add-on cards \
that comply 
with PCI specifications.
PCI Slot
 Important
When adding or removing expansion cards, always turn off the power supply and unplug the power supply power cable from the power outlet. Read the expa\
nsion card’s documentation to check for any necessary additional hardware o\
r software changes.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-19
Video/ Graphics Cards 
If available, this motherboard takes advantage of the CPU’s integrate\
 graphics 
processor, but discrete video cards can be installed by way of the mothe\
rboard’s 
expansion slots. Adding on one or more discrete video cards will significantly boost 
the system’s graphics performance. For best compatibility, MSI graphi\
cs cards are 
recommended.
 Video Demonstration
Watch the video to learn how to install a graphics card on PCIe x16 slot\
 with butterfly lock.
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
Single Video Card Installation
1.  Determine what type of expansion slot(s) the video card will use. Loca\
te the 
expansion slot(s) on the motherboard. Remove any protective expansion \
slot 
covers from the computer case. 
2.  Line up the video card on top of the expansion slot(s) with the displa\
y ports facing 
out of the computer case. For a single video card installation, using th\
e PCI_E2 
slot is recommended. 
3.  Push the video card into its expansion slot(s). Depending on the expan\
sion slot(s) 
used, there should be clip(s) on the expansion slot(s) that will loc\
k in place.
4.  If needed, screw the edge of the graphics card to the computer case. Som\
e video 
cards might require a power cable directly from the power supply.
5.  Please consult your video card’s manual for further instructions rega\
rding driver 
installation or other special settings.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-20
Internal Connectors
SATA1~6: SATA Connectors
This connector is a high-speed SATA interface port. Each connector can c\
onnect to 
one SATA device. SATA devices include disk drives (HDD), solid state d\
rives (SSD), 
and optical drives (CD/ DVD/ Blu-Ray).
 Video Demonstration
Watch the video to learn how to Install SATA HDD.
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
SATA2
SATA1
SATA4
SATA3
SATA5
SATA6
Z97 GAMING 3 - SATA1~6 (6Gb/s, by Intel® Z97)
H97 GAMING 3 - 
SATA1~6 (6Gb/s, by Intel® H97)
B85 GAMING 3 - 
SATA1~4 (6Gb/s, by Intel® B85), SATA5~6 (3Gb/s, by Intel® B85)
 Important
• The SATA5 and SATA6 ports will be unavailable when installing a module i\
n the  M.2 port.
• Many SATA devices also need a power cable from the power supply. Such de\
vices include disk drives (HDD), solid state drives (SSD), and optical dri\
ves (CD / DVD / Blu-Ray).  Please refer to the device’s manual for further informati\
on. 
• Many computer cases also require that large SATA devices, such as HDDs, \
SSDs, and optical drives, be screwed down into the case. Refer to the manual t\
hat came with your computer case or your SATA device for further installation ins\
tructions.  
• Please do not fold the SATA cable at a 90-degree angle. Data loss may re\
sult during transmission otherwise.
• SATA cables have identical plugs on either sides of the cable. However, \
it is recommended that the flat connector be connected to the motherboard for space saving purposes.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-21
CPUFAN1~2,SYSFAN1~3: Fan Power Connectors
The fan power connectors support system cooling fans with +12V. If the m\
otherboard 
has a System Hardware Monitor chipset on-board, you must use a specially\
 designed 
fan with a speed sensor to take advantage of the CPU fan control.  Remem\
ber to 
connect all system fans. Some system fans may not connect to the motherb\
oard and 
will instead connect to the power supply directly. A system fan can be p\
lugged into 
any available system fan connector.
1. G r o u n d
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3 . S e n s e
4 . N C
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4 . S p e e d Co n t r o
l
CPUFAN1/
CPUFAN2
SYSFAN1/
SYSFAN2/
SYSFAN3
 Important
• Please refer to your processor’s official website or consult your vendor to find 
recommended CPU heatsink. 
• These connectors support Smart Fan Control with liner mode. The Command \
Center utility can be installed to automatically control the fan speeds \
according to the CPU’s and system’s temperature. 
• If there are not enough ports on the motherboard to connect all system f\
ans, adapters are available to connect a fan directly to a power supply. 
• Before first boot up, ensure that there are no cables impeding any fan blades.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-22
JFP1, JFP2: System Panel Connectors
These connectors connect to the front panel switches and LEDs. The JFP1 \
connector 
is compliant with the Intel® Front Panel I/O Connectivity Design Guide. When 
installing the front panel connectors, please use the optional M-Connect\
or to simplify 
installation. Plug all the wires from the computer case into the M-Conne\
ctor and then 
plug the M-Connector into the motherboard.
 Video Demonstration
Watch the video to learn how to Install front panel connectors.
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
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B u z z e rSp e a k e r
JFP2
 Important
• On the connectors coming from the case, pins marked by small triangles a\
re 
positive wires. Please use the diagrams above and the writing on the opt\
ional M-Connectors to determine correct connector orientation and placement. 
• The majority of the computer case’s front panel connectors will prima\
rily be plugged into JFP1. 
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-23
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Expansion Connectors
This connector is designed for connecting high-speed USB peripherals suc\
h as USB 
HDDs, digital cameras, MP3 players, printers, modems, and many others.
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 Important
Note that the VCC and GND pins must be connected correctly to avoid poss\
ible 
damage.
JUSB3: USB 3.0 Expansion Connector
The USB 3.0 port is backwards compatible with USB 2.0 devices. It suppor\
ts data 
transfer rates up to 5Gbits/s (SuperSpeed).
5 .U S B 3 _ T X _ C _ D N
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11. +US B 2 . 0
 Important
• Note that the VCC and GND pins must be connected correctly to avoid poss\
ible 
damage.  
• To use a USB 3.0 device, you must connect the device to a USB 3.0 port t\
hrough an optional USB 3.0 compliant cable.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-24
JAUD1: Front Panel Audio Connector
This connector allows you to connect the front audio panel located on yo\
ur computer 
case. This connector is compliant with the Intel® Front Panel I/O Connectivity Design 
Guide.
1 . M I C L3 . M IC R
1 0 . H e a d
Ph o n e D e t e c t i o n
5 . H e a dPh o n e
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6 . M I C De t e c t i o n
4 . N C
2. G r o u n d
AUDPWR1: Direct Audio Power Connector
This connector is used to provide direct power to back panel audio ports\
. The direct 
audio power can provide the better audio quality. Please connect this co\
nnector with a 
power supply by an audio power adapter.
1 . G r o u n d2 . + 1 2 V _ A U D
3
. G r o u n d
 Important
After connecting the direct power to this connector, please note that yo\
u have to 
enable the “Direct Audio Power” by adjusting the audio power switc\
h (AUD_SW1).
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-25
JLPT1: Parallel Port Connector
This connector is used to connect an optional parallel port bracket. The\
 parallel port 
is a standard printer port that supports Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) \
and Extended 
Capabilities Parallel Port (ECP) mode.
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M2_1: M.2 Port (optional)
The M.2 port supports either M.2 SATA 6Gb/s module or M.2 PCIe module.
 Important
• The SATA5 and SATA6 ports will be unavailable when installing a module i\
n the 
M.2 port.
• Intel RST only supports PCIe M.2 SSD with UEFI ROM, does not support Leg\
acy ROM.
• M.2 PCIe interface does not support RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10.
Chapter 1 
Getting Started  
						

							1-26
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector 
This connector connects to a TPM (Trusted Platform Module). Please ref\
er to the TPM 
security platform manual for more details and usages.
1 0 . N o P in
1 4 . G r o u n d
8 . 5 V  Po w e r
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5 . L P
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7 . L P
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9 . L P
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11
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1 3 . L P
C F r a m e
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector
This connector is a 16550A high speed communication port that sends/rece\
ives 16 
bytes FIFOs. You can attach a serial device.
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JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector
This connector connects to the chassis intrusion switch cable. If the co\
mputer case is 
opened, the chassis intrusion mechanism will be activated. The system wi\
ll record this 
intrusion and a warning message will flash on screen. To clear the warning, you must 
enter the BIOS utility and clear the record.
2 .
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Chapter 1 
Getting Started