MSI Z97 Gaming 7 User Guide

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Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Jack
Use	this	audio	jack	to	connect	center/subwoofer	speakers	in	a	5.1/7.1-channel	audio	configuration.
Rear	Speaker	Out
This	jack	can	be	used	to	connect	front	speakers	in	a	4/5.1/7.1-channel	audio	configuration.
Optical S/PDIF Out Connector
This connector provides digital audio out to an external audio system th\
at supports digital optical audio. 
Before using this feature, ensure that your audio system provides an opt\
ical digital audio in connector.
Line In
The...

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1-8	 Onboard	Buttons,	Switches	and	LEDs
BIOS Switches and BIOS LED Indicators
The	BIOS	 switch	 (BIOS_SW)	 allows	users	to	easily	 select	 a	different	 BIOS	for	boot	 up	or	overclocking,	 helping	to	
reduce BIOS failure during overclocking. The SB switch allows enabling or disabling of the Dual BIOS function. 
The	LED	indicator	(MBIOS_LED/BBIOS_LED)	shows	which	BIOS	is	active.
2:	 Backup	 BIOS	(Boot	from	the	backup	BIOS)2: Single BIOS
1:	Main	 BIOS	 (Boot	from	the	main	BIOS)1: Dual BIOS
BIOS...

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Pin No.Definition
1Power
2GND
Voltage Measurement Points
Users can use a multimeter to measure component voltages, including VRIN, VIAO, VSA, VAXG, VRING, VIOD, 
VDIMM, and VCORE. You can employ following way to measure component voltages.
Steps:
Connect	the	red	 lead	 of	the	 multimeter	 to	the	 pin	1	(Power)	 of	a	voltage 	
measurement	point	and	the	black	lead	to	the	pin	2	(ground).
F_USB30
F_U
B_F_F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 312 3
12 312 3
11
1
1
BSS\
S\
_S 
SS\
U
123...

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1-9 Internal Connectors
1)ATX_12V_2X4
2)AT X
3)ATX4P
4)CPU_FAN
5)SYS_FAN1/2/3/4
6)CPU_OPT
7)SATA_EXPRESS
8)SATA3	0/1/2/3/4/5
9)GSATA3 6/7
10)M.2
11)F_PANEL
12)F_AUDIO
13)SPDIF_O
14)F_USB30
15)F_USB1/F_USB2
16)COMA
17)TPM
18)CLR_CMOS
19)B AT
1
2
14
10
9
3
8
7
18
46
15
5
19
5115161351712
8
Read the following guidelines before connecting external devices:
 •First make sure your devices are compliant with the connectors you wish \
to connect.
 •Before installing the devices, be sure to turn off the...

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DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
131
2412
AT X
ATX:
Pin No.DefinitionPin No.Definition
13.3V133.3V
23.3V14-12V
3GND15GND
4+5V16PS_ON	(soft	On/Off)
5GND17GND
6+5V18GND
7GND19GND
8Power Good20-5V
95VSB	(stand	by	+5V)21+5V
10+12V22+5V
11+12V	(Only	 for	2x12-pin 	
ATX)
23+5V	(Only	for	2x12-pin	 ATX)
123.3V	(Only	 for	2x12-pin 	
ATX)
24GND	(Only	 for	2x12-pin	 ATX)
ATX_12V_2X4
ATX_12V_2X4:
Pin No.Definition
1GND	(Only	for	2x4-pin	12V)
2GND	(Only	for	2x4-pin	12V)
3GND
4GND
5+12V	(Only	for	2x4-pin	12V)
6+12V	(Only...

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3)	 ATX4P	(PCIe	Power	Connector)
 The power connector provide auxiliary power to the onboard PCI Express x16 slots. When two or more 
graphics	 cards	are	installed,	 we	recommend	 that	you	connect	 the	SATA 	power	 cable(s)	 from	the	power	
supply to the ATX4P connector to ensure system stability.Pin No.Definition
1NC
2NC
3NC
4GND
5GND
6GND
7VCC
8VCC
9VCC
10GND
11GND
12GND
13+12V
14+12V
15+12V
F_USB30
F_U
B_
F_
F_

_
B
BS_
B
SB_
B
_S

S_
_
B
_U
_
B



\
\
S 
12 3
12 312 3
12 311
11
BSS\
S\
_S...

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CPU_OPT
1
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
6)	 CPU_OPT	(Water	Cooling	CPU	Fan	Header)
 The fan header is 4-pin and possesses a foolproof insertion design. When connecting a fan cable, be sure 
to	connect	 it	in	 the	 correct	 orientation	 (the	black	 connector	 wire	is	the	 ground	 wire).	The	speed	 control	
function requires the use of a fan with fan speed control design.
Pin No.Definition
1GND
2+12V / Speed Control
3Sense
4VCC
7)	 SATA_EXPRESS	(SATA 	Express	Connector,	Controlled	by	Intel®	Z97	Chipset)
 The...

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9)	 GSATA3	6/7	(SATA	6Gb/s	Connectors,	Controlled	by	Marvell®	88SE9172	Chips)
 The SATA connector conforms to SATA 6Gb/s standard and are compatible with SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 
1.5Gb/s standard. Each SATA connector supports a single SATA device. The Marvell® chip supports 
RAID	 0	and	 RAID	 1.	Refer	 to	Chapter	 4,	"Configuring	 SATA	Hard	 Drive(s),"	 for	instructions	 on	configuring 	
a RAID array.
8)	 SATA3	0/1/2/3/4/5	(SATA 	6Gb/s	Connectors,	Controlled	by	Intel®	Z97	Chipset)
 The SATA...

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Follow the steps below to correctly install an M.2 SSD in the M.2 connec\
tor.
Step 1:
Use a screw driver to unfasten the screw and nut 
from the motherboard. Locate the proper mount-
ing hole for the M.2 SSD to be installed and then 
screw	the	nut	first.
Step 2:
Slide the M.2 SSD into the connector at an 
oblique angle.
Step 3:
Press the M.2 SSD down and then secure it with 
the screw.
Step 4:
The installation is completed, as shown in the 
picture above.
10)	 M.2	(M.2	Connector)
 You can insert...

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11)	 F_PANEL	(Front	Panel	Header)
 Connect the power switch, reset switch, speaker, chassis intrusion switch/sensor and system status indicator 
on the chassis to this header according to the pin assignments below. Note the positive and negative pins 
before connecting the cables.
Power LED
DEBUG 
PORT
G.QBOFM
121920
CI-CI+
PWR_LED-PWR_LED+
PLED-PW-SPEAK+SPEAK-
PLED+PW+
Power LED
HD-RES+HD+RES-
Hard Drive Activity LEDReset SwitchChassis Intrusion Header
Power SwitchSpeaker
PWR_LED-
 •PW	(Power...