MSI Z97 Gaming 7 User Guide

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Multi-Graphics 
Technology ŠSupport for 3-Way/2-Way AMD CrossFire™and 2-Way NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology
Storage Interface ŠChipset:
- 1 x M.2 PCIe connector
- 1 x SATA Express connector
-	 6	x	SATA 	6Gb/s	connectors	(SATA3	0~5)
(M.2,	SATA	Express,	 and	SATA3	 4/5	connectors	 can	only	 be	used	 one	at	a	time.	
The	 SATA3	 4/5	connectors	 will	become	 unavailable	 when	an	M.2	 SSD	 is	installed.)
-  Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
 ŠMarvell® 88SE9172 chip:
-	 2	x	SATA...

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Back Panel Connectors Š4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports Š4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports Š1 x RJ-45 port Š1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector Š	
5	x	audio	 jacks	(Center/Subwoofer	 Speaker	Out,	Rear	 Speaker	 Out,	Line	In,	Line	Out,	Mic	In)
I/O Controller ŠiTE® I/O Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor ŠSystem voltage detection ŠCPU/Chipset/System temperature detection ŠCPU/CPU OPT/System fan speed detection ŠCPU/System overheating warning ŠCPU/CPU OPT/System fan fail...

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Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU:
 •Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.
(Go	to	GIGABYTE's	website	for	the	latest	CPU	support	list.)
 •Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before in\
stalling the 
CPU to prevent hardware damage.
 •Locate	the	pin	one	 of	the	 CPU.	 The	CPU	 cannot	 be	inserted	 if	oriented	 incorrectly.	 (Or	you	 may	
locate	the	notches	on	both	sides	of	the	CPU	and	alignment	keys	on	the	CPU...

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B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU into the motherboard CPU socket.
Step 1:Gently press the CPU socket lever handle down and	away	 from	the	socket	 with	your	 finger.	 Then	completely lift the CPU socket lever and the metal load plate/plastic cover will be lifted as well.
Step 2:Hold	the	CPU	 with	your	 thumb	 and	index	 fingers.	Align	the	CPU	 pin	one	 marking	 (triangle)	 with	the	pin	one	 corner	 of	the	 CPU 	socket	 (or	you	 may	 align 	the	CPU	 notches	 with	the	socket...

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1-3-2	 Installing	the	CPU	Cooler
Follow	the	steps	 below	 to	correctly	 install	the	CPU	 cooler	 on	the	 motherboard.	 (The	following	 procedure	 uses	
Intel®	boxed	cooler	as	the	example	cooler.)
Use extreme care when removing the CPU cooler because the thermal grease/tape between the CPU 
cooler and CPU may adhere to the CPU. Inadequately removing the CPU cooler may damage the CPU.
Step 5:After the installation, check the back of the moth-erboard. If the push pin is inserted as the picture above...

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Due to CPU limitations, read the following guidelines before installing \
the memory in Dual Channel mode.
1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR3 memory module is in\
stalled.
2.  
When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is r\
ecommended that memory 
of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used and installed in the same colored DDR3\
 
sockets. For optimum performance, when enabling Dual Channel mode with two memory modules, 
we recommend that...

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Notch
DDR3 DIMM
A	DDR3	 memory	 module	has	a	notch,	 so	it	can	 only	 fit	in	one	 direction.	 Follow	the	steps	 below	 to	correctly	 install	
your memory modules in the memory sockets.
Step 1:
Note the orientation of the memory module. Spread the retaining clips 
at both ends of the memory socket. Place the memory module on the 
socket.	As	indicated	 in	the	 picture	 on	the	 left,	 place	 your	fingers	 on	
the top edge of the memory, push down on the memory and insert it 
vertically into the...

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PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Express x16 Slot
PCI Slot
1-5 Installing an Expansion Card
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion c\
ard:
 •Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that came 
with your expansion card.
 •Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing an 
expansion card to prevent hardware damage.
Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the e\...

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1-6 Setting up AMD CrossFire™/NVIDIA® SLI™	Configuration
(Note)	 The	bridge	connector(s)	may	be	needed 	or	not	depending	on	your	graphics	cards.
 •Procedure and driver screen for enabling CrossFire/SLI technology may di\
ffer by graphics cards and driver version. Refer to the manual that came with your graphics cards for more information about enabling CrossFire/SLI technology. •When two or more graphics cards are installed, we recommend that you connect the SATA power cable from the power supply...

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1-7 Back Panel Connectors
(Note)	 The	DVI-D	port	does	not	support	D-Sub	connection	by	adapter.
PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Port
Use	the	upper	 port	(green)	 to	connect	 a	PS/2	 mouse	 and	the	lower	 port	(purple)	 to	connect	 a	PS/2	 keyboard.
D-Sub Port
The	D-Sub	 port	supports	 a	15-pin	 D-Sub	 connector	 and	supports	 a	maximum	 resolution	of	1920x1200@60Hz 	(the	actual	 resolutions 	supported	 depend	on	the	 monitor	 being	used).	 Connect	 a	monitor	 that	supports	D-Sub connection to this...