MSI Z97 Gaming 5 Manual

							
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Drivers and Utilities
After you install the operating system you will need to install drivers to maximize the performance of the new computer you just built. MSI motherboard comes with a Driver Disc. Drivers allow the computer to utilize your motherboard more efficiently and take advantage of any special features we provide.
You can protect your computer from viruses by installing the bundled security program. The bundle also includes a variety of powerful and creative utilities.
Driver/ Utilities Installation
Please follow the steps below to install drivers and utilities for your new computer.
Insert MSI Driver Disc into the optical drive. The installer will automatically appear if autorun is enabled in OS. 
The installer will automatically find and list all necessary drivers. 
Click Install button.
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The software installation will then be in progress, after it has finished it will prompt you to restart.
Click OK button to finish.
Restart your computer.
You can also use the same method to install the utilities.
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BIOS Setup
CLICK BIOS is developed by MSI that provides a graphical user interface for setting parameters of BIOS by using the mouse and the keybord.
With the CLICK BIOS, users can change BIOS settings, monitor CPU temperature, select the boot device priority and view system information such as the CPU name, DRAM capacity, the OS version and the BIOS version. Users can import and export parameters data for backup or sharing with friends.
Entering BIOS Setup
Power on the computer and the system will start the Power On Self Test (POST) process. When the message below appears on the screen, press  key to enter  BIOS:
Press  to run BIOS setup, or  to run boot menu
If the message disappears before you respond and you still need to enter BIOS, restart the system by turning the computer OFF then back ON or pressing the RESET button. You may also restart the system by simultaneously pressing , , and  keys.
MSI additionally provides two methods to enter the BIOS setup. You can click the “GO2BIOS” tab on “MSI Fast Boot” utility screen or press the physical “GO2BIOS" button (optional) on the motherboard to enable the system going to BIOS setup directly at next boot. 
Click "GO2BIOS" tab on "MSI Fast Boot" utility screen. 
 Important
Please be sure to install the “MSI Fast Boot” utility before using it to enter the BIOS setup.
The items under each BIOS category described in this chapter are under continuous update for better system performance. Therefore, the description may be slightly different from the latest BIOS and should be held for reference only.
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Overview
After entering BIOS, the following screen is displayed.
BIOS menu selection
Temperature monitor
Systeminformation
Boot device priority bar
Menu display
BIOS menu selection
Language
Virtual OC Genie Button
My Favorites 
BIOS menu selection
The following options are available:
SETTINGS -  Uses  this  menu  to  specify  the  parameters  for  chipset  and  boot devices.
OC  -  This  menu  contains  the  frequency  and  voltage  adjustments.  Increasing the  frequency  can  get  better  performance,  however  high  frequency  and  heat can cause instability, we do not recommend general users to overclock. 
M-FLASH  -  This  menu  provides  the  way  to  update  BIOS  with  a  USB  flash disk.
OC PROFILE -This menu is used to set various overclocking profiles.
HARDWARE  MONITOR -  This  menu  is  used  to  set  the  speeds  of  fans  and monitor voltages of system.
BOARD  EXPLORER  -  It  provides  the  information  of  the  installed  devices  on the motherboard. 
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Virtual OC Genie Button
Enables or disables the OC Genie function by clicking on this button. When enabled, this button will be light. Enabling OC Genie function can automatically overclock with MSI optimized overclocking profile. 
 Important
We recommend that you do not to make any modification in OC menu mode and do not to load defaults after enabling the OC Genie function.
Menu display
This area provides BIOS setting items and information to be configured.
Boot device priority bar
You can move the device icons to change the boot priority. 
High priorityLow priority
 
System information
Shows the time, date, CPU name, CPU frequency, DRAM frequency, DRAM capacity and the BIOS version. 
Language
Allows you to select the language of the BIOS setup.
Temperature monitor
Shows the temperatures of the processor and the motherboard.
My Favorites
Allows you to create your personal BIOS menu where you can save and access your favorite/ frequently-used BIOS setting items.
Default HomePage - Allows you to select a BIOS menu (e.g. Settings, OC...,etc) as the BIOS home page. 
Favorite1~5 - Allows you to add the frequently-used/ favorite BIOS setting items in one page.  
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Operation
You can control BIOS settings with the mouse and the keyboard. The following table lists and describes the hot keys and the mouse operations.
Hot keyMouseDescription

.Move the cursor
Select Item

Click/ Double-click the left button
Select Icon/ Field

Click the right button
Jump to the Exit menu or return to the previous from a submenu
Increase the numeric value or make changes
Decrease the numeric value or make changes
General Help
Favorites assistant
Enter My Favorites menu
CPU Specifications
Enter Memory-Z
Load optimized defaults
Load  Overclocking Profile
Save Overclocking Profile
Save Change and Reset
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OC Menu
This menu is for advanced users who want to overclock the mainboard.
 Important
Overclocking your PC manually is only recommended for advanced users.
Overclocking is not guaranteed, and if done improperly, can void your warranty or severely damage your hardware.
If you are unfamiliar with overclocking, we advise you to use OC Genie for 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.
OC Genie Function Control [By Onboard Button] (optional)
Enables the OC Genie function by virtual button in BIOS or physical button on motherboard. 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. 
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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. 
< DRAM Setting >
DRAM Frequency [Auto]
Sets the DRAM frequency. Please note the overclocking behavior is not guaranteed.
Adjusted DRAM Frequency
Shows the adjusted DRAM frequency. Read-only.
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 timing. 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.)
< Voltage Setting >
DigitALL Power 
Press  to enter the sub-menu. Controls the digital powers related to CPU PWM.
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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 adjust 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.
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 
protection. The CPU frequency may be throttled when CPU VRM over the specified temperature. 
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
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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.
VCCIN Voltage [Auto] 
Sets the CPU input voltage. The CPU input voltage is the CPU power source that is shared with components of the CPU.
CPU Core Voltage/ CPU Ring Voltage/ CPU GT Voltage [Auto] 
Sets the CPU Core/ Ring/ GT voltages. If set to "Auto",  BIOS will set these voltages automatically or you can set it manually. 
CPU SA Voltage/ CPU IOA Voltage/ CPU IOD Voltage [Auto] 
Sets the CPU SA/ IOA (IO Analog)/ IOD (IO Digital) voltages. If set to "Auto",  BIOS will set these voltages automatically or you can set it manually. 
XXX Voltage [Auto] (optional)*
Sets the voltages related to memory/ PCH. If set to "Auto",  BIOS will set the voltage automatically or you can set it manually.
< Other Setting >
CPU Specifications
Press  to enter the sub-menu. This sub-menu displays the information of installed CPU. You can also access this information menu at any time by pressing [F4]. Read only.
CPU Technology Support
Press  to enter the sub-menu. The sub-menu shows what the key features does the installed CPU support. Read only.
MEMORY-Z
Press  to enter the sub-menu. This sub-menu displays all the settings and timings of installed memory. You can also access this information menu at any time by pressing [F5]. 
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DIMMXX Memory SPD
Press  to enter the sub-menu. The sub-menu displays the information of installed memory. Read only.
CPU Features
Press  to enter the sub-menu.
Hyper-Threading Technology [Enabled]
The processor uses Hyper-Threading technology to increase transaction rates and reduces end-user response times. Intel Hyper-Threading technology treats the multi cores inside the processor as multi logical processors that can execute instructions simultaneously. In this way, the system performance is highly improved. This item appears when the installed CPU supports this setting.
[Enable]  Enables Intel Hyper-Threading technology.
[Disabled]   Disables this item if the system does not support HT function.
Active Processor Cores [All]
This item allows you to select the number of active processor cores. 
Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]
Enables or disables the extended CPUID value.
[Enabled]  BIOS will limit the maximum CPUID input value to circumvent 
boot problems with older operating system that do not support the processor with extended CPUID value. 
[Disabled]  Use the actual maximum CPUID input value.
Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]
Intel’s Execute Disable Bit functionality can prevent certain classes of malicious “buffer overflow” attacks where worms attempt to execute code to damage the system. It is recommended that keeps this item enabled always.
[Enabled]  Enables NO-Execution protection to prevent the malicious attacks 
and worms. 
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
Intel Virtualization Tech [Enabled]
Enables or disables Intel Virtualization technology. 
[Enabled]  Enables Intel Virtualization technology and allows a platform to run 
multiple operating systems in independent partitions. The system can function as multiple systems virtually.
[Disabled]  Disables this function.
Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]
Enables or disables the hardware prefetcher (MLC Streamer prefetcher).
[Enabled]  Allows the hardware prefetcher to automatically pre-fetch data 
and instructions into L2 cache from memory for tuning the CPU performance.
[Disabled]  Disables the hardware prefetcher.
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