MSI Z97 Gaming 3 Manual

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BIOS Setup3-13 BIOS Setup
 
▶Parallel (LPT) Port Settings [Auto]
Sets parallel port (LPT). If set to "Auto",  BIOS will optimize the IRQ 
automatically or you can set it manually.
 
▶Device Mode [Printer Mode]
Selects an operating mode for parallel port. [Printer Mode]    Printer port mode
[SPP]     Standard Parallel Port mode
[EPP-1.9/ 1.7 + SPP]   Enhanced Parallel Port-1.9/ 1.7 mode + Standard    
   Parallel Port mode.
[ECP]      Extended Capability Port mode
[ECP + EPP-1.9/ 1.7]   Extended Capability Port mode + Enhanced Parallel  
   Port-1.9/ 1.7 mode.
 
▶Intel(R) Smart Connect Configuration
Sets  Intel  Smart  Connect  Technology  for  optimizing  system  network  performance  in 
sleep mode. Press  to enter the sub-menu.
 
▶Intel(R) Smart Connect Technology [Enabled]
Enables or disables Intel(R) Smart Connect Technology. This feature can update 
applications (ex. email and social networks) by periodically waking your system from 
sleep mode. And you do not need to wait for the applications to update when you 
wake up the system. 
[Enabled]   Enables Intel smart connect technology.
[Disabled]   Disables Intel smart connect technology. 
 
▶Power Management Setup
Sets system Power Management of EuP2013 and AC Power Loss behaviors. Press 
 to enter the sub-menu. 
 
▶EuP 2013 [Disabled]
Enables or disables the system power consumption according to EuP2013 regula -
tion.
[Enabled]   Optimize the system power consumption according to EuP 2013 reg-
ulation.
[Disabled]   Disables this function. 
Note: When enabled, the system will not support S4 & S5 wake up by USB, PCI and 
PCIe devices.
 
▶Restore after AC Power Loss [Power Off]
Sets the system behaviors while encountering the AC power loss.
[Power Off]  Leaves the system in power off state after restoring AC power.
[Power On]  Boot up the system after restoring AC power.
[Last State]  Restores  the  system  to  the  previous  state  (power  on/  power  off) 
before AC power loss.
 
▶On board Function LED Control [On]
Enables or disables the onboard function LEDs.
[On]  Enables onboard function LEDs.
[Off]  Disables onboard function LEDs.
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BIOS Setup3-15 BIOS Setup
 ▶Windows 8/ 8.1 Configuration
Sets Windows 8/ 8.1 detailed configuration and behaviors. Press  to enter the 
sub-menu. 
 
▶Windows 8/ 8.1 Feature [Disabled]
Enables the supports for Windows 8 or disables for other operating systems. Before 
enabling this item, make sure all installed devices & utilities (hardware & software) 
should meet the Windows 8 requirements.
[Enabled]   The system will switch to UEFI mode to meet the Windows 8 
requirement.
[Disabled]   Disables this function.
 
▶MSI Fast Boot [Disabled]
MSI Fast Boot is the fastest way to boot the system. It will disable more devices to 
speed up system boot time which is faster than the boot time of “Fast\
 Boot”.
[Enabled]   Enables the MSI Fast Boot function to speed up booting time. And the 
following "Fast Boot" will be disabled and fixed. 
[Disabled]   Disables MSI Fast Boot. 
 
▶Fast Boot [Disabled]
Enables or disables the Windows 8 fast boot feature.  This item will only be available 
when "MSI Fast Boot" is disabled.   
[Enabled]   Enables the Fast Boot configuration to accelerate system boot time.
[Disabled]   Disables the Fast Boot configuration.
 Important
If you want to enter BIOS with enabled “MSI Fast Boot” mode or ena\
bled "Fast Boot" 
mode, you have to click the "GO2BIOS" tab on MSI Fast Boot utility scree\
n or press the "GO2BIOS" button (optional) on the motherboard. And then the syste\
m will enter to BIOS setup directly at next boot.
 ▶Internal GOP Configuration
Manages the onboard Graphics Output Protocol (GOP). Press  to enter the 
sub-menu. This menu shows the iGFX Driver version for system information man-
agement. This sub-menu will appear when “Windows 8 Feature” is ena\
bled.
 
▶Secure Boot
Sets  the  Windows  secure  boot    to  prevent  the  unauthorized  accessing.  Press 
 to enter the sub-menu. This sub-menu will appear when “Windows 8 
Feature” is enabled.
 
▶Secure Boot Support [Disabled]
Enables or disables secure boot support. 
[Enabled]   Enables the secure boot function and allow you to set the secure 
boot settings.  
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 
▶Secure Boot Mode [Standard]
Selects the secure boot mode. This item is to select how the secure boot\
 keys 
be loaded.  This item appears when "Secure Boot" is enabled. [Standard]    The system will automatically load the secure keys from BIOS.
[Custom]   Allows user to configure the secure boot settings and manually load 
the secure keys.
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BIOS Setup3-15 BIOS Setup
 
▶Key Management
Manages the secure boot keys. Press  to enter the sub-menu. This \
sub-
menu will appear when “Secure Boot Mode” sets to [Custom].
 
▶Wake Up Event Setup
Sets  system  wake  up  behaviors  for  different  sleep  modes.  Press    to  enter  the 
sub-menu. 
 
▶Wake Up Event By [BIOS]
Selects the wake up event by BIOS or operating system.
[BIOS]   Activates the following items, and use these items to set the wake up 
events.
[OS]   The wake up events will be defined by OS.
 
▶Resume By RTC Alarm [Disabled]
Disables or enables the system wake up by RTC Alarm.
[Enabled]   Enables the system to boot up on a scheduled time/ date.
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 
▶Date (of month) Alarm/ Time (hh:mm:ss) Alarm
Sets RTC alarm date/ Time. If Resume By RTC Alarm is set to [Enabled], the system 
will automatically resume (boot up) on a specified date/hour/minute/second in these 
fields (using the  and  to select the date & time settings).
 
▶Resume By PCI-E Device [Disabled]
Disables or enables the system wake up by PCI express device.
[Enabled]   Enables the system to be awakened from the power saving modes 
when activity or input signal of PCIe device is detected.
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 
▶Resume By USB Device [Disabled] 
Disables or enables the system wake up by USB devices.
[Enabled]   Enables the system to be awakened from sleep state when activity of 
USB device is detected.
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 Important
For MB with USB Power Jumpers, you will need to set the jumpers to enabl\
ed .
 ▶Resume From S3/S4/S5 by PS/2 Mouse [Disabled]
Disables or enables the system wake up by PS/2 mouse.
[Enabled]   Enables the system to be awakened from S3/ S4/ S5 state when 
activity of PS/2 mouse is detected.
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 
▶Resume From S3/S4/S5 by PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]
Disables or enables the system wake up by PS/2 keyboard.
[Any Key]   Enables the system to be awakened from S3/ S4/ S5 state when 
activity of any key on PS/2 keyboard is detected.
[Hot Key]  Enables the system to be awakened from S3/ S4/ S5 state when 
activity of hot key on PS/2 keyboard is detected.
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
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BIOS Setup3-17 BIOS Setup
Boot
Sets the sequence of system boot devices.
 
▶Full Screen Logo Display [Enabled]
Enables or disables to show the full screen logo while system POST.
[Enabled]  The OS boots straight to the GUI without showing the POST screen.
[Disabled]  Shows the POST messages at booting.
 
▶GO2BIOS [Disabled] 
Enables or disables the system to power on and go to the BIOS setup directly by long pressing the power button about 4 seconds when the system is off. 
[Enabled]  The system boots straight to the BIOS setup by long pressing the power button about 2~4 seconds when the system is off.
[Disabled] Disables this function.
 
▶Boot Mode Select [LEGACY+UEFI] 
Sets the system boot mode from legacy or UEFI architecture depending on OS in-
stallation  requirement.  This  item  will  become  unselectable  and  will  be  configured 
automatically by BIOS when “Windows 8/ 8.1 Feature” is enabled.
[UEFI]    Enables UEFI BIOS boot mode support only.
[LEGACY+UEFI]  Enables both Legacy BIOS boot mode and UEFI BIOS boot   
 mode.
 
▶FIXED BOOT ORDER Priorities
Sets device priority for system boot.
 
▶Boot Option #1~N
These items are used to prioritize the installed boot devices. 
Security
 ▶Administrator Password 
Sets administrator password for system security. Enters the administrator password if 
set; user has full rights to change the BIOS items. 
 
▶User Password 
Sets User Password for system security. Enters the user password if set;  but user 
might have limited rights to change the BIOS items.
 Important
When selecting the Administrator / User Password items, a password box w\
ill appear  on the screen. Type the password then press . The password typed \
now will replace any previous set password from CMOS memory. You will be prompted\
 to confirm the password. You may also press  to abort the selection.
To clear a set password, press  when you are prompted to enter a \
new password. A message will confirm the password is being disabled. Once the password is disabled, you can enter the setup and OS without authorization.
 ▶Trusted Computing
Sets TPM (Trusted Platform Module) function. 
 
▶TPM SUPPORT [Disabled]
Enables or disables the TPM function to build the endorsement key for accessing 
the system.
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BIOS Setup3-17 BIOS Setup
 
▶Chassis Intrusion Configuration
Press  to enter the sub-menu. 
 
▶Chassis Intrusion [Disabled]
This function will be available if the chassis equips a chassis intrusio\
n switch.
Once the chassis is opened, the system will record and issue a warning message. 
To clear the warning message, set the item to [Reset], then it will return to [Enabled] 
later. [Options: Disabled, Enabled, Reset]
Save & Exit
 ▶Discard Changes and Exit
Exit BIOS setup without saving any change. This it is used to abandon all changes and 
exit BIOS setup.
 
▶Save Changes and Reboot
This item is used to save all changes and reboot the system. 
 
▶Save Changes
This item is used to save current changes.
 
▶Discard Changes
This item is used to discard current all changes and restore to the prev\
ious values.
 
▶Restore Defaults
This item is used to restore/ load all default values by the BIOS vendor\
. 
 
▶Boot Override
The installed boot-able devices will appear on this menu, you can select one of them be 
a boot device to start booting. 
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BIOS Setup3-19 BIOS Setup
OC
 Important
• Overclocking your PC manually is only recommended for advanced users.
• Overclocking is not guaranteed, and if done improperly, can void your wa\
rranty or 
severely damage your hardware.
• If you are unfamiliar with overclocking, we advise you to use OC Genie f\
or easy overclocking.
 ▶Simple/Advanced Mode [Simple]
Enables or disables the advanced OC settings in BIOS. 
[Simple]  Provides the regular OC settings in BIOS setup.  
[Advanced]   Provides the advanced OC settings for experienced users to configure in 
BIOS setup.
Note: We use * as the symbol for the OC settings of Advanced mode.
< CPU Setting >
 ▶Adjust CPU Ratio [Auto]
Sets the CPU ratio that is used to determine CPU clock speed. This item can only be 
changed if the processor supports this function.
 
▶Adjusted CPU Frequency 
Shows the adjusted CPU frequency. Read-only.
 
▶CPU Ratio Mode [Dynamic Mode]*
Selects the CPU Ratio operating mode. This item will appear when you set the CPU 
ratio manually.
[Fixed Mode]    Fixes the CPU ratio.  
[Dynamic Mode]   CPU ratio will be changed dynamically according to the CPU  
 loading.
 
▶EIST [Enabled]*
Enables or disables the Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep Technology. This item will be 
available when "Adjust CPU Ratio" is set to [Auto].  
[Enabled]   Enables the EIST to adjust CPU voltage and core frequency dynamically. 
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BIOS Setup3-19 BIOS Setup
It can decrease average power consumption and average heat 
production.
[Disabled]   Disables EIST. 
 
▶Intel Turbo Boost [Enabled]*
Enables or disables the Intel® Turbo Boost. This item appears when the installed CPU 
supports this function.
[Enabled]   Enables this function to boost CPU performance automatically above 
rated specifications when system request the highest performance state.
[Disabled]   Disables this function.
 
▶Legacy Tweaking [Disabled]* 
Enables or disabled to improve performance for legacy benchmarking application like 
3DMark 01. 
[Enabled]   Enables this function for improving 3DMark 01 performance. 
[Disabled]   Disables this function.
 
▶OC Genie Function Control [By Onboard Button]  
Enables the OC Genie function by virtual button in BIOS or physical button on moth-
erboard. Enabling OC Genie function can automatically overclock the system with MSI 
optimized overclocking profile. 
[By BIOS Options]  OC Genie function is enabled by clicking the virtual OC Genie  
  button at the top left corner of BIOS setup screen.
[By Onboard Button]OC Genie function is enabled by pressing the physical\
 OC Genie 
   button on the motherboard. 
 Important
• We recommend that you do not to make any modification in OC menu and do not to 
load defaults after enabling the OC Genie function.
• Updating BIOS or clearing CMOS is not allowed in OC Genie mode, and it m\
ay cause OC Genie function fail or other effect. 
 ▶Adjust Ring Ratio [Auto]
Sets the ring ratio. The valid value range depends on the installed CPU.\
 
 
▶Adjusted Ring Frequency 
Shows the adjusted Ring frequency. Read-only.
 
▶Adjust GT Ratio [Auto]
Sets the integrated graphics ratio. The valid value range depends on the installed CPU. 
 
▶Adjusted GT Frequency
Shows the adjusted integrated graphics frequency. Read-only.
< CPU BCLK Setting > 
 ▶CPU Base Clock (MHz) [Default]
Sets the CPU Base clock. You may overclock the CPU by adjusting this value. Please 
note that overclocking behavior and stability is not guaranteed. This item appears when 
the installed processor supports this function. 
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BIOS Setup3-21 BIOS Setup
 ▶CPU Base Clock Apply Mode [Auto]* 
Sets the applying mode for adjusted CPU base clock. 
[Auto]  This setting will be configured automatically by BIOS.
[Next Boot]   CPU will run the adjusted CPU base clock at next boot. 
[Immediate]   CPU runs the adjusted CPU base clock immediately.
[During Boot]  CPU will run the adjusted CPU base clock during boot. 
< DRAM Setting >
 ▶DRAM Reference Clock [Auto]*
Sets the DRAM reference clock. The valid value range depends on the inst\
alled CPU.
This item appears when a CPU that supports this adjustment is installed.\
 
 
▶DRAM Frequency [Auto]
Sets the DRAM frequency. Please note the overclocking behavior is not gu\
aranteed.
 
▶Adjusted DRAM Frequency
Shows the adjusted DRAM frequency. Read-only.
 
▶Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) [Disabled]
X.M.P.  (Extreme  Memory  Profile)  is  the  overclocking  technology  by  memory  module. 
This item will be available when you install the memory modules that support X.M.P. 
technology.
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
[Profile 1]  Uses profile1 over-clocking settings of installed XMP memory module.
[Profile 2]  Uses profile2 over-clocking settings of installed XMP memory module.
 
▶Memory Try It ! [Disabled] 
Memory Try It! works for improving memory compatibility or performance by choosing 
optimized memory preset.
 
▶DRAM Timing Mode [Auto]
Selects the memory timing mode.
[Auto]  DRAM timings will be determined based on SPD (Serial Presence 
Detect) of installed memory modules.
[Link]  Allows  user  to  configure  the  DRAM  timing  manually  for  all  memory 
channel.
[UnLink]  Allows  user  to  configure  the  DRAM  timing  manually  for  respective 
memory channel. 
 
▶Advanced DRAM Configuration
Press  to enter the sub-menu. This sub-menu will be activated after setting [Link] 
or [Unlink] in “DRAM Timing Mode”. User can set the memory timing for each memory 
channel. The system may become unstable or unbootable after changing memory tim-
ing. If it occurs, please clear the CMOS data and restore the default settings. (Refer to 
the Clear CMOS jumper/ button section to clear the CMOS data, and enter the BIOS to 
load the default settings.)
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BIOS Setup3-21 BIOS Setup
 
▶DRAM Training Configuration*
Press  to enter the sub-menu. Enables or disables the various training ways of 
DRAM. The system may become unstable or unbootable after changing these items in 
this sub-menu. If it occurs, please clear the CMOS data and restore the default settings. 
(Refer to the Clear CMOS jumper/ button section to clear the CMOS data,\
 and enter the 
BIOS to load the default settings.)
 
▶Memory Fast Boot [Auto] 
Enables or disables the initiation and training for memory every booting\
.
[Auto]  This setting will be configured automatically by BIOS.
[Enabled]   Memory  will  completely  imitate  the  archive  of  first  initiation  and  first 
training. After that, the memory will not be initialed and trained when 
booting to accelerate the system booting time.
[Disabled]  The memory will be initialed and trained every booting.  
< Voltage Setting >
 ▶DigitALL Power
Press  to enter the sub-menu. Controls the digital powers related to CPU PWM.
 
▶VR 12VIN OCP Expander [Auto]
Expands the limitation of VR Over Current Protection with 12V input voltage. The 
higher expanding value indicates less protection. Therefore, please adju\
st the 
current carefully if needed, or it may damage the CPU/ VR MOS. If set to "Auto",  
BIOS will configure this setting automatically.
 
▶CPU Phase Control [Auto]
Controls PWM phase proportionally to the CPU loading. If set to "Auto",  BIOS will 
optimize the CPU PWM phase automatically.
[Auto]  This setting will be configured automatically by BIOS.
[Normal]  Sets the normal power phase profile for CPU, it could provide a stable 
system proformance and effective power-saving capability. 
[Optimized]  Sets  the  optimum  power  phase  profile  for  CPU,  it  could  provide  the 
system with an optimum power-saving capability.
[Disabled]  Disables the PWM power phase switching feature.   
 
▶CPU Vdroop Offset Control [Auto]   
Sets  a  percentage  of  offset  voltage  for  CPU  vdroop.    If  set  to  "Auto",    BIOS  will 
configure this setting automatically.
 
▶CPU Over Voltage Protection [Auto]
Sets the voltage limit for CPU over-voltage protection. If set to "Auto",  BIOS will 
configure  this  setting  automatically.    Higher  voltage  provides  less  protection  and 
may damage the system.
 
▶CPU Under Voltage Protection [Auto]
Sets the voltage limit for CPU under-voltage protection. If set to "Auto",  BIOS will 
configure this setting automatically. Higher voltage provides less protection and may 
damage the system.
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BIOS Setup3-23 BIOS Setup
 ▶CPU Over Current Protection [Auto]
Sets the current limit for CPU over-current protection. If set to "Auto"\
,  BIOS will 
configure this setting automatically. Higher voltage provides less protection and may 
damage the system.
 
▶Phase Over Current Protection [Enabled]
Enables or disables the phase over-current protection.
[Enabled]  Sets the current limit on the phase for over-current protection. 
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 
▶CPU Switching Frequency [Auto]
Sets  the  PWM  working  speed  to  stabilize  CPU  Core  voltage  and  minimize  ripple 
range. Increasing the PWM working speed will cause higher temperature of 
MOSFET. So please make sure a cooling solution is well-prepared for MOSFET 
before  you  increase  the  value.  If  set  to  "Auto",    BIOS  will  configure  this  setting 
automatically.
 
▶CPU VRM Over Temperature Protection [Enabled]
Enables or disables the CPU VRM over-temperature protection. 
[Enabled]  Sets the temperature limit on CPU VRM for over-temperature protec-
tion. The CPU frequency may be throttled when CPU VRM over the 
specified temperature. 
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 
▶CPU VRM Over Temperature Shutdown [Enabled]
Sets  the  system  whether  be  powered  off  or  not  when  the  CPU  VRM  temperature 
over the limitation temperature of CPU VRM protection. 
[Enabled]  The system will be off when over the specified temperature. 
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
 
▶Digital Compensation Level [Auto]     
Sets the current compensation level for CPU PWM when the MOS phases are 
changed.  If  set  to  "Auto",    BIOS  will  configure  this  setting  automatically.  Higher 
compensation level provides more overclocking ability.
 
▶Imon Overwrite [Auto]        
Sets the Imon current for CPU.
[Auto]  This setting will be configured automatically by BIOS.
[Quarter]  Sets the Imon current into quarter.
[Half]  Sets the Imon current into half.
[Disabled]  Sets the default values for Imon current. 
 
▶Transient Boost [Disabled]     
Enables or disables the transient boost. 
[Enabled]  Enables this function may lead into a stable system under heavy 
loading. 
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
Chapter 3