MSI Z97 Gaming 7 User Guide

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5-1	 BIOS	Update	Utilities
GIGABYTE motherboards provide two unique BIOS update tools, Q-Flash™ and @BIOS™. GIGABYTE Q-Flash 
and @BIOS are easy-to-use and allow you to update the BIOS without the need to enter MS-DOS mode. \
Additionally, this motherboard features the DualBIOS™ design, which enhances protection for the safety and 
stability of your computer by adding one more physical BIOS chip.
What is DualBIOS™?
Motherboards that support DualBIOS have two BIOS onboard, a main BIOS and a backup BIOS. Normally, the 
system works on the main BIOS. However, if the main BIOS is corrupted or damaged, the backup BIOS will 
take	over	 on	the	 next	 system	 boot	and	copy	 the	BIOS	 file	to	the	 main	 BIOS	 to	ensure	 normal	system	 operation.	
For the sake of system safety, users cannot update the backup BIOS manually.
What is Q-Flash™?
With Q-Flash you can update the system BIOS without having to enter operating systems like MS-DOS or 
Window	 first.	Embedded	 in	the	 BIOS,	 the	Q-Flash	 tool	frees	 you	from	 the	hassles	 of	going	 through	 complicated	
BIOS	flashing	process.
What is @BIOS™?
@BIOS allows you to update the system BIOS while in the Windows environm\
ent. @BIOS will download the 
latest	BIOS	file	from	the	nearest	@BIOS	server	site	and	update	the	BIOS.
Because	 BIOS	flashing	 is	potentially	 risky,	please	 do	it	with	 caution.	 Inadequate	 BIOS	flashing	 may	
result in system malfunction.
5-1-1	 Updating	the	BIOS	with	the	Q-Flash	Utility
A.	Before	 You	Begin
1. From	GIGABYTE's	 website,	download	 the	latest	 compressed	 BIOS	update	 file	that	 matches	 your	motherboard 	
model.
2. Extract	the	file	and	 save	 the	new	 BIOS	 file	(e.g.	Z97XGAMING7.F1)	 to	your	 USB	 flash	 drive,	 or	hard	 drive.	
Note:	 The	USB	flash	drive	or	hard	drive	must	use	FAT32/16/12	file	system.
3. Restart the system. During the POST, press the  key to enter Q-Flash. Note: You can access Q-Flash 
by either pressing the  key during the POST or pressing the  key in BIOS Setup. However, if the 
BIOS	 update	 file	is	saved	 to	a	hard	 drive	 in	RAID/AHCI	 mode	or	a	hard	 drive	 attached	 to	an	 independent	
SATA controller, use the  key during the POST to access Q-Flash.
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B.	Updating	the	BIOS
In the main menu of Q-Flash, use the keyboard or mouse to select an item\
 to execute. When updating the 
BIOS,	choose	 the	location	 where	the	BIOS	 file	is	saved.	 The	following	 procedure	 assumes	that	you	save	 the	
BIOS	file	to	a	USB	flash	drive.
Step 1:
1.	 Insert	 the	USB	 flash	 drive	 containing	 the	BIOS	 file	into	 the	computer.	 In	the	 main	 menu	 of	Q-Flash,	 select	
Update	BIOS	From	Drive.
Step 2:
The	process	 of	the	 system	 reading	 the	BIOS	 file	from	 the	USB	 flash	 drive	 is	displayed	 on	the	 screen.	 When	
the	message	 "Are	you	sure	 to	update	 BIOS?"	 appears,	 select	Yes to begin the BIOS update. The monitor will 
display the update process.
Step 3:
The system will restart after the update process is complete.
2. Select USB	Flash	Drive.
3.		Select	the	BIOS	update	file.
 •The Save BIOS to Drive	option	allows	you	to	save	the	current	BIOS	file.
 •Q-Flash	only	supports	USB	flash	drive	or	hard	drives	using	FAT32/16/12	file	system.
 •If	the	 BIOS	 update	 file	is	saved	 to	a	hard	 drive	 in	RAID/AHCI	 mode	or	a	hard	 drive	 attached	
to an independent SATA controller, use the  key during the POST to access Q-Flash.
Make	sure	the	BIOS	update	file	matches	your	motherboard	model.
 •Do	not	turn	off	or	restart	the	system	when	the	system	is	reading/updating	the	BIOS.
 •Do	not	remove	the	USB	flash	drive	or	hard	drive	when	the	system	is	updating	the	BIOS.
Q-Flash Utility v1.05Model Name  : Z97X-Gaming 7BIOS Version  : F1jBIOS Date  : 03/09/2014Flash Type/Size  : MXIC 25L Series  16MB
Update BIOS From DriveSave BIOS to DriveReturn to BIOS setupSelect Device
USB Flash Drive
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Step 4:
During the POST, press  to enter BIOS Setup. Select Load Optimized Defaults on the Save & Exit 
screen and press  to load BIOS defaults. System will re-detect al\
l peripheral devices after a BIOS update, 
so we recommend that you reload BIOS defaults.
Step 5:
Select Save & Exit Setup and press . And then select Yes to save settings to CMOS and exit BIOS 
Setup. The procedure is complete after the system restarts.
Select Yes to load BIOS defaults
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5-1-2	 Updating	the	BIOS	with	the	@BIOS	Utility
A.	Before	You	Begin
1. In Windows, close all applications and TSR 
(Terminate	 and	Stay	 Resident)	 programs.	 This	
helps prevent unexpected failures when performing 
a BIOS update.
2. If the BIOS is being updated via the Internet, ensure 
the Internet connection is stable and do NOT 
interrupt	 the	Internet	 connection	 (for	example,	 avoid	
a	power	 loss	or	switching	 off	the	 Internet).	 Failure	to	
do so may result in a corrupted BIOS or a system 
that is unable to start.
3. GIGABYTE product warranty does not cover any 
BIOS	damage	or	system	failure	resulting	from	an	inadequate	BIOS	flashing.
B.	Using	@BIOS
 •Make	sure	that	the	BIOS	 file	to	be	 flashed	 matches	 your	motherboard	 model.	Updating	 the	BIOS	
with	an	incorrect	BIOS	file	could	cause	your	system	not	to	boot.
 •Do not turn off the system or remove the power during the BIOS update process, or the BIOS may 
corrupt and the system may not boot.
If	the	 BIOS	 update	 file	for	your	 motherboard	 is	not	 present	 on	the	 @BIOS	 server	site,	please	
manually	 download	 the	BIOS	 update	 file	from	 GIGABYTE's	 website	and	follow	 the	instructions	 in	
"Update the BIOS without Using the Internet Update Function" below.
Supported image formats include jpg, bmp, and gif.
C.	After	Updating	the	BIOS
Restart your system after updating the BIOS.
1.	 	Update	the	BIOS	Using	the	Internet	Update	Function:Click Update	 from	Server, select the @BIOS server site closest to your location and 
then	download	 the	BIOS	 file	that	 matches	 your	motherboard	 model.	Follow	the	on-screen	
instructions to complete.
2.		Update	the	BIOS	without	Using	the	Internet	Update	Function:
Click Update	 from	File,	then	 select	 the	location	 where	you	save	 the	BIOS	 update	 file	obtained 	
from the Internet or through other source. Follow the on-screen instruct\
ions to complete.
3.		Save	the	Current	BIOS	File:
Click Save to File	to	save	the	current	BIOS	file.
4.	 Change	the	Boot-up	Logo:
Click Upload	 new	image	in	 Face-Wizard	 and	you	will	be	able	 to	change	 the	boot-up	 logo	
with	your	 own	picture,	 creating	 a	personalized 	boot-up	 screen.	Click	Backup current image 
to save the currently used boot-up logo.
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5-2 APP Center
GIGABYTE App Center gives you easy access to a wealth of GIGABYTE apps that help you get the most from 
your GIGABYTE motherboard	(Note).	 Using	 a	simple,	 unified	user	interface,	 GIGABYTE	 App	Center	 allows	you	
to easily launch all GIGABYTE apps installed on your system, check related updates online, and download the 
apps, drivers, and BIOS.
Running	the	 APP	Center
Insert the motherboard driver disk. On the Autorun screen, go to Application Software\Install GIGABYTE 
Utilities to install GIGABYTE App Center and the selected apps. Restart your computer after the installation 
is complete. In Desktop mode, click the App Center icon 	in	 the	 notification	 area	to	launch	 the	App	 Center	
utility	 (Figure	 1).	On	 the	 main	 menu,	 you	can	select	 an	app	 to	run	 or	click	Live	 Update to update an app online.
If	the	 App	Center	is	closed,	you	can	restart	it	by	clicking	the	 App	Center	icon	on	the	Apps	menu	(Figure	2).
Figure 2
Figure 1
(Note)	 Available	applications	in	 APP	Center	 may	differ	 by	motherboard	 model.	Supported	 functions	of	 each	
application	may	also	differ	depending	on	motherboard	specifications.
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5-2-1 EasyTune
GIGABYTE's	EasyTune	 is	a	 simple	 and	easy-to-use	 interface	that	allows 	users	 to	fine-tune	 their	system	 settings 	
or do overclock/overvoltage in Windows environment. 
The EasyTune Interface
Tabs InformationTa bDescription
The Smart Quick Boost tab provides you with different levels of CPU frequency to choose to 
achieve desired system performance. After making changes, be sure to restart your system 
for these changes to take effect.
The Advanced	 CPU	OC tab allows you to set CPU base clock, frequency, and voltages, 
and	integrated	 graphics	frequency.	 You	can	save	 the	current	 settings	 to	a	profile.	 You	can	
create	up	to	2	profiles.
The Advanced	DDR	OC tab allows you to set the memory clock.
The 3D Power tab allows you to change power phase, voltage, and frequency settings.
Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to the hard\
ware components such 
as CPU, chipset, and memory and reduce the useful life of these componen\
ts. Before you do the 
overclock/overvoltage, make sure that you fully know each function of EasyTune, or system instability 
or other unexpected results may occur.
Available	 functions	in	EasyTune	 may	differ	 by	motherboard	 model.	Grayed-out	 area(s)	indicates	 that	
the	item	is	not	configurable	or	the	function	is	not	supported.
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5-2-2 System Information Viewer
GIGABYTE System Information Viewer allows you to monitor and adjust the fan speed in the operating sy\
stem. 
You can also display the hardware monitor information on the desktop to v\
iew the system status at any time.
The System Information Viewer Interface
The speed control function requires the use of a fan with fan speed cont\
rol design.
Tabs InformationTa bDescription
The System Information tab provides information on the installed CPU and motherboard 
and the BIOS version. 
The Smart Fan Auto tab allows you to specify a Smart Fan mode
The Smart Fan Advance tab allows you to adjust the smart fan speed. The fans will run at 
different speeds according to system temperatures. Using the Smart Fan option you can 
adjust	the	fan's	 workload	 according	 system	temperatures	 or	you	 can	fix	the	 fan	speeds	 using	
the RPM	Fixed	 Mode option. Click the Calibrate button and the fan speed will be shown in 
relation to overall fan workload after calibration. The Reset button can revert the fan settings 
back to the last saved values.
The System Alerts tab allows you to monitor hardware temperature, voltage and fan speed,  
and set temperature/fan speed alarm.
The Record tab allows you to record changes in system voltages, temperatures, and fan 
speeds. Please note, the recording will stop if you exit the Record tab during the recording 
process.
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5-2-3 EZ Setup
The	GIGABYTE	 EZ	Setup	 utility	includes	 the	following	 'EZ'	setups	 applications	 that	will	offer	 greatly	 simplified	
install	and	configuration	 procedures:	Disk	Mode	 Switch,	 EZ	Smart	 Response,	 EZ	Rapid	 Start,	EZ	Smart 	
Connect, and XHD.
Disk Mode Switch
Disk Mode Switch allows you to switch the operating mode for your hard d\
rive even after it's been installed with 
an operating system. Supported operating modes include IDE, AHCI, and RAID. You can select a disk mode 
and restart your computer after the selection.
 •Native UEFI mode is not supported.
 •Be sure to reinstall the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility after you switch the disk mode.
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EZ	Smart	Response
A.	System	Requirements
1. An Intel® Chipset-based motherboard supporting this feature
2. Intel® Core series processor
3. Intel® SATA controllers set to RAID mode
4. Intel® Rapid Storage Technology utility installed	(Note	1)
5. A conventional SATA disk and an SSD	(Note	2)
6. Windows 7 with SP1/Windows 8/Windows 8.1	(Note	3)
B.	Using	EZ	Smart	Response
Select EZ	Smart	Response and click Create.
To disable this function, click Delete.
If	you	 have	 installed	 the	operating	 system	before	configuring	 the	Smart	 Response	 Technology,	 all	
original data on the SSD will be lost once you enable RAID mode	(Note	 4). It is recommended that you 
back up the hard disk before enabling the Smart Response Technology.
(Note	1)	 Before	 start,	make	 sure	you	have	 installed	 the	Intel®	Rapid	 Storage	 Technology	 utility	(version	 11.5	or	
above).
(Note	2)	 The	 SSD	works	 as	a	cache	 of	the	 hard	 disk.	 The	maximum	 cache	memory	 size	is	64	 GB.	 If	you	 use	
an SSD larger than 64 GB, the space beyond 64 GB can still be used for s\
toring your data.
(Note	3)	 The	operating	system	must	be	installed	to	the	SATA 	disk.
(Note	4)	 Regardless	of	the	BIOS	settings,	be	it	IDE	or	AHCI	mode,	the	system	will	be	forced	to	RAID	mode.
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EZ	Rapid	Start
A.	System	Requirements
1. Intel® Rapid Start Technology enabled in BIOS Setup
2. An	SSD	with	size	larger	than	the	total	system	memory
3. Windows 7 with SP1/Windows 8/Windows 8.1
4. AHCI/RAID mode supported please note if the SSD has been assigned as a member of a RAID array, it 
cannot be used to set up and Intel®	Rapid	Start	store	partition);	IDE	mode	not	supported	(Note)
B.	Using	EZ	Rapid	Start
Select EZ	Rapid	 Start and click Create. Then install the Intel® Rapid Start Technology utility and restart your 
computer to complete.
To disable this function, click Delete.
 •The	default	 compressed	 space	is	the	 system 	memory	 size	plus	 2	GB.	 For	example,	 if	the	 system	
memory	 size	is	8	GB,	 the	default	 compressed	 space	is	8	GB	 plus	 2	GB,	 so	the	 SSD	 capacity	 will	
decrease by 10 GB. If EZ Rapid Start is disabled, the decreased 10 GB will be returned to the SSD.
 •If	you	 want	 to	upgrade	 your	system	 memory,	 disable	EZ	Rapid	 Start	first	and	 re-install	 it	to	 ensure	
it can work normally.
(Note)	 If	 the	motherboard	 Chipset	supports	 RAID,	EZ	Rapid	 Start	will	force	 the	Intel® SATA controllers into 
RAID mode. If not, the Intel® SATA controllers will be forced into AHCI mode.
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