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 	6Gb/s	connectors	(GSATA3	6~7)
- Support for RAID 0 and RAID 1
USB ŠChipset:
-		
6	x	USB	 3.0/2.0	 ports	(4	ports	 on	the	 back	 panel,	 2	ports	 available	 through	
the	internal	USB	header)
-		
8	x	USB	 2.0/1.1	 ports	(4	ports	 on	the	 back	 panel,	 4	ports	 available	 through	
the	internal	USB	headers)
Internal 
Connectors
 Š1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
 Š1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
 Š1 x PCIe power connector
 Š1 x M.2 PCIe connector
 Š1 x SATA Express connector
 Š8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
 Š1 x CPU fan header
 Š1	x	water	cooling	fan	header	(CPU_OPT)
 Š4 x system fan headers
 Š1 x front panel header
 Š1 x front panel audio header
 Š1 x S/PDIF Out header
 Š1 x USB 3.0/2.0 header
 Š2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
 Š1 x serial port header
 Š1 x Clear CMOS jumper
 Š1	x	Trusted	Platform	Module	(TPM)	header
 Š1 x power button
 Š1 x reset button
 Š1 x Clear CMOS button
 Š2 x BIOS switches
 ŠVoltage measurement points
Back Panel 
Connectors
 Š1 x PS/2 mouse port
 Š1 x PS/2 Keyboard port
 Š1 x D-Sub port
 Š1 x DVI-D port
 Š1 x HDMI port
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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 warning ŠCPU/CPU OPT/System fan speed control*		
Whether	 the	fan	speed	 control	 function	 is	supported	 will	depend	 on	the	 cooler	 you	install.
BIOS Š2	x	128	Mbit	flash ŠUse of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS ŠSupport for DualBIOS™
 ŠPnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 2.0
Unique Features ŠSupport for APP Center*		
Available	 applications	 in	APP 	Center	 may	differ	 by	motherboard	 model.	Supported	functions of each application may also differ depending on motherboard specifications.- @BIOS- EasyTune- EZ Setup- Fast Boot- Game Controller- ON/OFF Charge- Smart TimeLock- Smart Recovery 2- System Information Viewer- USB Blocker ŠSupport for Q-Flash ŠSupport for Smart Switch ŠSupport for Xpress Install
Bundled Software ŠNorton®	Internet	Security	(OEM	version) ŠIntel® Rapid Start Technology ŠIntel® Smart Connect Technology ŠIntel® Smart Response Technology
Operating System ŠSupport for Windows 8.1/8/7
Form Factor ŠATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm
*		
GIGABYTE 	reserves	 the	right	 to	make	 any	changes	 to	the	 product	 specifications	 and	product-related	 information	without	prior notice.*		
Please	 visit	the	Support	 &	Downloads\Utility	page	 on	GIGABYTE's	 website	to	check	 the	supported	 operating	system(s)	for the software listed in the "Unique Features" and "Bundled Software" \
columns. 
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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	socket.)
 •Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the CPU\
.
 •Do not turn on the computer if the CPU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating and damage 
of the CPU may occur.
 •Set	the	CPU	 host	frequency	 in	accordance	 with	the	CPU	 specifications.	 It	is	 not	 recommended	
that	 the	system	 bus	frequency	 be	set	 beyond	 hardware	 specifications	 since	it	does	 not	meet	 the	
standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the frequency beyond the standard 
specifications,	 please	do	so	according	 to	your	 hardware	 specifications	 including	the	CPU,	 graphics	
card, memory, hard drive, etc.
1-3-1	 Installing	the	CPU
A. Locate the alignment keys on the motherboard CPU socket and the notches on the CPU.
Notch
Alignment KeyAlignment Key
Notch
LGA1150 CPU
LGA1150 CPU Socket
Pin One Corner of the CPU Socket
Triangle Pin One Marking on the CPU
1-3	 Installing	the	CPU	and	CPU	Cooler
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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	 alignment	 keys)	and gently insert the CPU into position.
Step 4:Finally, secure the lever under its retention tab to complete the installation of the CPU.
NOTE:
Hold the CPU socket lever by the handle, not the lever base portion.
 •Before	installing	 the	CPU,	 make	 sure	to	turn	 off	the	 computer	 and	unplug	 the	power	 cord	from	
the	power	outlet	to	prevent	damage	to	the	CPU.
 •To	protect	 the	socket	 contacts,	 do	not	 remove	 the	protective	 plastic	cover	unless	 the	CPU	 is	
inserted	into	the	CPU	socket.	Save	the	cover	properly	and	replace	it	if	the	CPU	is	removed.
Step 3:Once the CPU is properly inserted, carefully replace the load plate. When replacing the load plate, make sure the front end of the load plate is under the shoulder screw. Then press the CPU socket lever. The protective plastic cover may pop off from the load plate during the process of engaging	 the	lever.	 Remove	 the	cover.	 (Save	the	cover properly and always replace it when the CPU	is	not	installed.) 
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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 shows, the installation is complete.
Step 6:Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU cooler	to	the	 CPU	 fan	header	 (CPU_FAN)	 on	the	motherboard.
Step 1:Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the installed CPU.
Step 2:Before installing the cooler, note the direction of the arrow sign	on	 the	 male	 push	pin.	(Turning	 the	push pin along the direction of arrow is to remove the	cooler,	on	the	contrary,	is	to	install.)
Step 3:Place the cooler atop the CPU, aligning the four push pins through the pin holes on the mother-board. Push down on the push pins diagonally.
Step 4:You should hear a "click" when pushing down each push pin. Check that the Male and Female push pins	 are	joined	 closely.	 (Refer	to	your	 CPU	 cooler	installation manual for instructions on installing the	cooler.)
Male Push Pin
Female Push Pin
The Top of Female Push Pin
Direction of the Arrow Sign on the Male Push Pin
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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 you install them in the DDR3_1 and DDR3_2 sockets.
DDR3_4DDR3_2DDR3_3DDR3_1
Dual	Channel	Memory	Configurations	Table
(SS=Single-Sided,	DS=Double-Sided,	"-	-"=No	Memory)
DDR3_4DDR3_2DDR3_3DDR3_1
Two Modules- -DS/SS- -DS/SSDS/SS- -DS/SS- -Four ModulesDS/SSDS/SSDS/SSDS/SS
1-4 Installing the Memory
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory:
 •Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory of the same 
capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.
(Go	to	GIGABYTE's	website	for	the	latest	supported	memory	speeds	and	memory	modules.)
 •Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before in\
stalling the 
memory to prevent hardware damage.
 •Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only one direction. 
If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.
1-4-1	 Dual 	Channel 	Memory 	Configuration
This motherboard provides four DDR3 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel Technology. After the 
memory	 is	installed,	 the	BIOS	 will	automatically	 detect	the	specifications	 and	capacity	 of	the	 memory.	 Enabling	
Dual Channel memory mode will double the original memory bandwidth.
The four DDR3 memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as 
following: 
 Channel A: DDR3_2, DDR3_4
 Channel B: DDR3_1, DDR3_3 
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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 memory socket.
Step 2:
The clips at both ends of the socket will snap into place when the 
memory module is securely inserted.
1-4-2  Installing a Memory
Before	 installing	 a	memory	 module,	make	sure	to	turn	 off	the	 computer	 and	unplug	 the	power	
cord	 from	 the	power	 outlet	to	prevent	 damage	 to	the	 memory	 module.	DDR3	and	DDR2	 DIMMs	 are	
not	 compatible	 to	each	 other	 or	DDR	 DIMMs.	 Be	sure	 to	install	 DDR3	DIMMs	 on	this	 motherboard.
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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\
xpansion slot.
1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back pan\
el.
2. Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is ful\
ly seated in the slot.
3. Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into th\
e slot.
4. Secure the card's metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.
5. After	installing	all	expansion	cards,	replace	the	chassis	cover(s).
6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for your 
expansion	card(s).
7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating sy\
stem.
Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card:
 •Installing a Graphics Card:
Gently push down on the top edge of the card until 
it is fully inserted into the PCI Express slot. Make 
sure the card is securely seated in the slot and 
does not rock.
 •Removing the Card:
Gently push back on the lever on the slot and then lift the card straigh\
t out from 
the slot. 
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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 to the ATX4P connector to ensure system stability.
A.	System	Requirements
 -Windows 8.1/8/7 operating system
 -A CrossFire/SLI-supported motherboard with two PCI Express x16 slots and \
correct driver
 -CrossFire/SLI-ready graphics cards of identical brand and chip and corre\
ct driver
	 (Current	GPUs	that	support	 3-Way	CrossFire	 technology	 include	the	ATI	 Radeon™ HD 3800, HD 4800, HD 
5800 series, and AMD Radeon™ HD 6800, HD 6900, HD 7800, and HD 7900 series. For the latest GPU 
support	information,	please	refer	to	the	 AMD	website.)
 -CrossFire(Note)/SLI bridge connectors
 -A	power	 supply	 with	sufficient	 power	is	recommended	 (Refer	to	the	 manual	 of	your	 graphics	 cards	for	the	
power	requirement)
B.	Connecting	the	Graphics	Cards
Step 1:
Observe the steps in "1-5 Installing an Expansion Card" and install CrossFire/SLI graphics cards on the PCI 
Express	 x16	slots.	 (To	set	up	a	2-Way	 configuration,	 we	recommend	 installing	the	graphics	 cards	on	the	
PCIEX16	and	PCIEX8	slots.)
Step 2:
Insert the CrossFire	(Note)/SLI bridge connectors in the CrossFire/SLI gold edge connectors on top \
of the cards.
Step 3:
Plug the display cable into the graphics card on the PCIEX16 slot.
C.	Configuring	the	Graphics	Card	Driver
C-1.	To	Enable	CrossFire	Function
After installing the graphics card driver in the operating system, go 
to the AMD Catalyst Control Center. Browse to Performance\AMD 
CrossFireX™ and ensure the Enable CrossFireX check box is selected. 
Select the GPU combination you want to use and click Apply.	(Available	
combination	options	are	dependent	on	the	number	of	graphics	cards.)
C-2.	To	Enable	SLI	Function
After installing the graphics card driver in the operating system, go to 
the NVIDIA Control Panel. Browse to the Configure	 SLI,	Surround,		
Physx screen and ensure Maximize 3D performance is enabled.
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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 port.
DVI-D Port (Note)
The	DVI-D	 port	conforms	 to	the	 DVI-D	 specification	 and	supports	 a	maximum	 resolution	of	1920x1200@60Hz 	(the	actual	 resolutions 	supported	 depend	on	the	 monitor	 being	used).	 Connect	 a	monitor	 that	supports	DVI-D connection to this port.
USB	3.0/2.0	PortThe	USB	 3.0	port	 supports	 the	USB	 3.0	specification	 and	is	compatible	 to	the	 USB	 2.0/1.1	 specification.	
Use	this	port	for	USB	devices	such	as	a	USB	keyboard/mouse,	USB	printer,	USB	flash	drive	and	etc.
HDMI Port
The HDMI port is HDCP compliant and supports Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master	 Audio	formats.	 It	also	 supports	 up	to	192KHz/24bit	 8-channel	LPCM	audio output. You can use this port to connect your HDMI-supported monitor. The maximum supported resolution	is	4096x2160@24Hz	 or	2560x1600@60Hz,	 but	the	actual	 resolutions	 supported	are	dependent	on the monitor being used.
 •When	 removing	 the	cable	 connected	 to	a	back	 panel	 connector,	 first	remove	 the	cable	 from	your	device and then remove it from the motherboard. •When removing the cable, pull it straight out from the connector. Do not rock it side to side to prevent an electrical short inside the cable connector.
After installing the HDMI device, make sure to set the default sound playback device to HDMI. (The	 item	name	 may	differ	 depending	 on	your	 operating	 system.	The	screenshot	 below	is	from	Windows	8.1.)
In Windows 8.1, select Apps>Control Panel>Hardware and 
Sound>Sound>Playback,	 set	Intel(R)	 Display	Audio	to	the	
default playback device. 
Hardware Installation