MSI Z97 Gaming 7 User Guide

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 `Miscellaneous Settings
 &PCIe	Slot	Configuration
 Allows you to set the operation mode of the PCI Express slots to Gen 1, Gen 2, or Gen 3. Actual operation 
mode	 is	subject	 to	the	 hardware	 specification 	of	 each	 slot.	Auto	lets	 the	BIOS	 automatically	 configure	this	
setting.	(Default:	 Auto)
 &DMI Gen2 Speed
	 Allows	you	to	configure	the	DMI	link	speed.
 Auto	 	 	 Lets	the	BIOS	automatically	configure	this	setting.
 Enabled	 	 Sets	the	DMI	link	speed	to	Gen	2.	(Default)
 Disabled   Sets the DMI link speed to Gen 1.
 &3DMark01	Boost
	 Allows	you	to	determine	whether	to	enhance	some	legacy	benchmark	performance. 	(Default:	Disabled)
BIOS Setup  
						

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2-4 System Information
This section provides information on your motherboard model and BIOS version. You can also select the default 
language used by the BIOS and manually set the system time.
 &System Language
 Selects the default language used by the BIOS.
 &System Date
	 Sets	the	system	 date.	The	date	format	is	week	(read-only),	month,	date,	and	year.	Use		to	switch	
between	 the	Month,	 Date,	and	Year	 fields	 and	use	the		or		 key	to	set	 the	 desired	
value.
 &System Time
  Sets the system time. The time format is hour, minute, and second. For example, 1 p.m. is 13:0:0. Use 
	 to	switch	 between	 the	Hour,	 Minute,	 and	Second	 fields	and	use	the		or		
key to set the desired value.
 &Access Level
	 Displays	 the	current	 access	 level	depending	 on	the	 type	 of	password	 protection	 used.	(If	no	 password	 is	
set,	the	default	 will	display	 as	Administrator.)	 The	Administrator	 level	allows	 you	to	make	 changes	 to	all	
BIOS settings; the User level only allows you to make changes to certain\
 BIOS settings but not all.
BIOS Setup   
						

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2-5 BIOS Features
 &Boot Option Priorities
	 Specifies	the	overall	boot	order	from	the 	available	devices.
	 Removable	storage	devices	 that	support	 GPT	format	 will	be	prefixed	 with	"UEFI:"	 string	on	the	 boot	 device	
list.	To	boot	 from	 an	operating	 system	that	supports	 GPT	partitioning,	 select	the	device	 prefixed	 with	"UEFI:" 	
string.
 Or if you want to install an operating system that supports GPT partitioning such as Windows 7 64-bit, select 
the	optical	drive	that	contains	the	Windows	7	64-bit	installation	disk	and	is	prefixed	with	"UEFI:"	string.
 &Bootup NumLock State
	 Enables	 or	disables	 Numlock	 feature	on	the	 numeric	 keypad	of	the	 keyboard	 after	the	POST.	 (Default:	
Enabled)
BIOS Setup  
						

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 &Security Option
	 Specifies	whether	a	 password	 is	required	 every	time	the	system	 boots,	or	only	 when	 you	enter 	BIOS 	Setup.	
After	 configuring	 this	item,	 set	the	 password(s)	 under	the	Administrator	 Password/User	 Password item.
 Setup          A password is only required for entering the BIOS Setup program.
 System       A password is required for booting the system and for entering the BIOS Setup 
program.	(Default)
 &Full Screen LOGO Show
 Allows you to determine whether to display the GIGABYTE Logo at system s\
tartup. Disabled skips the 
GIGABYTE	Logo	when	the	system	starts	up.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Fast Boot
 Enables or disables Fast Boot to shorten the OS boot process. Ultra	 Fast provides the fastest bootup 
speed.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &VGA Support
 Allows you to select which type of operating system to boot.
 Auto        Enables legacy option ROM only.
 EFI	Driver	 	 	 Enables	EFI	option	ROM.	(Default)
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	Fast Boot is set to Enabled or Ultra	Fast.
 &USB	Support
 Disabled     All USB devices are disabled before the OS boot process completes.
 Full Initial     All USB devices are functional in the operating system and during the POST.
 Partial Initial     Part of the USB devices are disabled before the OS boot process completes. 
(Default)
	 This	item	is	configurable	 only	when	Fast Boot is set to Enabled. This item is disabled when Fast Boot is 
set to Ultra	Fast.
 &PS2 Devices Support
 Disabled      All PS/2 devices are disabled before the OS boot process completes.
 Enabled       All PS/2 devices are functional in the operating system and during the POST. 
(Default)
	 This	item	is	configurable	 only	when	Fast Boot is set to Enabled. This item is disabled when Fast Boot is 
set to Ultra	Fast.
 &NetWork Stack Driver Support
 Disabled	 	 	 Disables	booting	from	the	network.	(Default)
 Enabled      Enables booting from the network.
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	Fast Boot is set to Enabled or Ultra	Fast.
 &Next Boot After AC Power Loss
 Normal	Boot	 	 Enables	normal	bootup 	upon	the	return	of	the	AC	power.	(Default)
 Fast Boot     Keeps the Fast Boot settings upon the return of the AC power.
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	Fast Boot is set to Enabled or Ultra	Fast.
 &Limit	CPUID	Maximum	(Note)
 Allows you to determine whether to limit CPUID maximum value. Set this item to Disabled for Windows XP 
operating system; set this item to Enabled	for	 legacy	 operating	 system	such	as	Windows	 NT4.0.	(Default:	
Disabled)
(Note)	 This	 item	is	present	 only	when	 you	install	 a	CPU 	that	 supports	 this	feature.	 For	more	 information	 about	
Intel® CPUs' unique features, please visit Intel's website.
BIOS Setup   
						

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 &Execute Disable Bit	(Note)
 Enables or disables Intel® Execute Disable Bit function. This function may enhance protection for the 
computer,	 reducing	exposure	 to	viruses	 and	malicious	 buffer	overflow	 attacks	when	working	 with	its	
supporting	software	and	system.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Intel Virtualization Technology (Note)
  Enables or disables Intel®	Virtualization	 Technology.	Virtualization	 enhanced	by	Intel®	Virtualization 	
Technology will allow a platform to run multiple operating systems and applications in independent partitions. 
With	virtualization,	one	computer	system	can	function	as	multiple	virtual	systems.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Intel	TXT(LT)	Support	(Note)
 Enables or disables Intel®	Trusted	 Execution	 Technology	 (Intel®	TXT).	 Intel® Trusted Execution Technology 
provides	a	hardware-based	security	foundation.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &Dynamic Storage Accelerator
 Enables or disables Intel® Dynamic Storage Accelerator. When enabled, the hard drive I/O performance 
will	be	adjusted	according	to	hard	drive	load.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &VT-d	(Note)
 Enables or disables Intel®	Virtualization	 Technology	for	Directed	I/O.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Windows 8 Features
	 Allows	you	to	select	the	operating	system	to	be	installed.	(Default:	Other	OS)
 &CSM Support
	 Enables	or	disables	UEFI	CSM	(Compatibility	Support	Module)	to	support	a	legacy	PC	boot	process.
 Always	 	 	 Enables	UEFI	CSM.	(Default)
 Never        Disables UEFI CSM and supports UEFI BIOS boot process only.
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	Windows 8 Features is set to Windows 8.
 &Boot Mode Selection
 Allows you to select which type of operating system to boot.
 UEFI and Legacy    Allows booting from operating systems that support legacy option ROM or \
UEFI 
option	ROM.	(Default)
 Legacy Only   Allows booting from operating systems that only support legacy Option ROM.
 UEFI Only     Allows booting from operating systems that only support UEFI Option ROM.
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	CSM Support is set to Always.
 &LAN	PXE	Boot	Option	ROM
	 Allows	you	to	select	whether	to	enable	the	legacy	option	ROM	for	the	LAN	controller.	(Default:	Disabled)
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	CSM Support is set to Always.
 &Storage Boot Option Control
 Allows you to select whether to enable the UEFI or legacy option ROM for the storage device controller.
 Disabled      Disables option ROM.
 Legacy	only	 	 Enables	legacy	option	 ROM	only.	(Default)
 UEFI only     Enables UEFI option ROM only.
 Legacy	First	 	 Enables	legacy	option	 ROM	first.
 UEFI	First	 	 	 Enables	UEFI	option	ROM	first.
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	CSM Support is set to Always.
(Note)	 This	item	is	present	 only	when	 you	install	 a	CPU 	that	 supports	 this	feature.	 For	more	 information	 about	
Intel® CPUs' unique features, please visit Intel's website.
BIOS Setup  
						

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 &Administrator Password
	 Allows	you	to	configure	 an	administrator	 password.	Press		 on	this	 item,	 type	the	password,	 and	
then	press	 .	 You	will	be	requested	 to	confirm	 the	password.	 Type	the	password	 again	and	press	
.	 You	must	 enter	the	 administrator	 password	(or	user	 password)	 at	system	 startup	and	when	 entering 	
BIOS Setup. Differing from the user password, the administrator password allows you to \
make changes to 
all BIOS settings.
 &User	Password
	 Allows	 you	to	configure	 a	user	 password.	 Press		 on	this	 item,	 type	the	password,	 and	then	 press	
.	 You	will	be	requested	 to	confirm	 the	password.	 Type	the	password	 again	and	press	 .	
You	must	 enter	 the	administrator	 password	(or	user	 password)	 at	system	 startup	and	when	 entering	 BIOS	
Setup. However, the user password only allows you to make changes to certain BIOS settings but not all.
 To cancel the password, press  on the password item and when reque\
sted for the password, enter 
the	correct	 one	first.	 When	 prompted	 for	a	new	 password,	 press		 without	entering	 any	password.	
Press		again	when	prompted	to	confirm.
 &Other	PCI	Device	ROM	Priority
  Allows you to select whether to enable the UEFI or Legacy option ROM for the PCI device controller other 
than the LAN, storage device, and graphics controllers.
 Legacy OpROM   Enables legacy option ROM only.
 UEFI	OpROM	 	 Enables	UEFI	option	ROM	only.	(Default)
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	CSM Support is set to Always.
 &Network stack
 Disables or enables booting from the network to install a GPT format OS, such as installing the OS from 
the	Windows	Deployment	Services	server.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &Ipv4 PXE Support
	 Enables	or	disables	IPv4	PXE	Support.	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	Network stack is enabled.
 &Ipv6 PXE Support
	 Enables	or	disables	IPv6	PXE	Support.	This	item	is	configurable	only	when	Network stack is enabled.
BIOS Setup   
						

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2-6 Peripherals
 &Initial Display Output
	 Specifies	the	first	 initiation	 of	the	 monitor	 display	from	the	installed	 PCI	graphics	 card,	PCI	Express	 graphics	
card or the onboard graphics.
 IGFX	 	 	 Sets	the	onboard	graphics	as	the	first	display.
 PCIe	1	Slot		 Sets	the	graphics	card	on	the	PCIEX16	slot	as	the	first	display.	(Default)
 PCIe	2	Slot		 Sets	the	graphics	card	on	the	PCIEX8	slot	as	the	first	display.
 PCIe	3	Slot		 Sets	the	graphics	card	on	the	PCIEX4	slot	as	the	first	display.
 PCI		 	 	 Sets	the	graphics	card	on	the	PCI	slot	as	the	first	display.
BIOS Setup  
						

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 &XHCI Mode
 Allows you to determine the operating mode for the xHCI controller in OS.
 Smart Auto     This mode is available only when the BIOS supports the xHCI controller in the pre-boot 
environment. This mode is similar to Auto, but it adds the capability to route the ports 
to	xHCI	 or	EHCI	 according	 to	setting	 used	in	previous	 boots	(for	non-G3	 boot)	in	the	
pre-boot environment. This allows the use of USB 3.0 devices prior to OS boot. xHCI 
controller enabling and rerouting should follow the steps in Auto, when previous boot 
routs ports to EHCI. Note: This is the recommended mode when BIOS has xHCI pre-
boot	support.	(Default)
 Auto        BIOS routes the sharable ports to EHCI controller. Then it uses ACPI protocols to 
provide an option to enable the xHCI controller and reroute the sharable ports. Note: 
This is the recommended mode when BIOS does NOT have xHCI pre-boot support.
 Enabled      All shared ports are eventually routed to the xHCI controller during the\
 BIOS boot process. 
If BIOS does not have pre-boot support for the xHCI controller, it should initially route 
the sharable ports to the EHCI controller and then prior to OS boot it should route the 
ports to xHCI controller. Note: OS has to provide support for the xHCI controller in this 
mode. If the OS does not provide support, all sharable ports won't work.\
 Disabled      The USB 3.0 ports are routed to the EHCI controller and the xHCI controller is turned 
off. All USB 3.0 devices function as High Speed devices regardless of xHCI software 
support/availability.
 &Audio Controller
	 Enables	or	disables	the	onboard	audio	function.	(Default:	Enabled)
 If you wish to install a 3rd party add-in audio card instead of using th\
e onboard audio, set this item to 
Disabled.
 &Audio LED
	 Enables	or	disables	the	onboard	audio	LED.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Intel Processor Graphics
	 Enables	or	disables	the	onboard	graphics	function.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Intel Processor Graphics Memory Allocation
	 Allows	you	to	set	 the	onboard	graphics	memory	size.	Options	are:	32M~1024M.	(Default:	64M)
 &DVMT Total Memory Size
	 Allows	you	to	allocate	 the	DVMT 	memory	 size	of	the	 onboard	 graphics.	 Options	are:	128M,	 256M,	MAX.	
(Default:	MAX)
 &Intel(R)	Rapid	Start	Technology
 Enables or disables Intel®	Rapid	Start	 Technology.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &Legacy	USB	Support
	 Allows	USB	keyboard/mouse	to	be	used 	in	MS-DOS.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &XHCI Hand-off
 Determines whether to enable XHCI Hand-off feature for an operating system without XHCI Hand-off 
support.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &EHCI Hand-off
 Determines whether to enable EHCI Hand-off feature for an operating system without EHCI Hand-off 
support.	(Default:	Disabled)
BIOS Setup   
						

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 `SATA	Configuration	
 &Integrated SATA Controller
	 Enables	or	disables	the	integrated	SATA 	controllers.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &SATA Mode Selection
	 Enables	or	disables	 RAID	for	the	 SATA 	controllers	 integrated	in	the	 Chipset	 or	configures	 the	SATA 	controllers 	
to AHCI mode.
 IDE	 	 	 Configures	the	SATA 	controller	to	IDE	mode.
 RAID     Enables RAID for the SATA controller.
 AHCI	 	 		
Configures	the	SATA 	controllers	 to	AHCI	 mode.	 Advanced	 Host	Controller	 Interface	
(AHCI)	is	an	 interface	 specification	 that	allows	 the	storage	 driver	to	enable	 advanced	
Serial	ATA	features	such	as	Native	Command	Queuing	and	hot	plug.	(Default)
 &USB	Storage	Devices
  Displays a list of connected USB mass storage devices. This item appears only when a USB storage device 
is installed.
 &Two Layer KVM Switch
 Set to Enabled	to	 ensure	 proper	device	functionality	 when	chaining	 two	KVM	 switches.	 (Default:	Disabled)
 &OnBoard LAN Controller
	 Enables	or	disables	the	onboard	LAN	function.	(Default:	Enabled)
 If you wish to install a 3rd party add-in network card instead of using \
the onboard LAN, set this item to 
Disabled.
 &PCIE	Slot	Configuration	(CPU)
	 Specifies	the	operating	bandwidth	for	the	PCIEX4	slot.
 Auto	 	 	
Lets	the	BIOS	 automatically	 configure	this	setting	 depending	 on	the	 expansion	 card	being	
installed.	(Default)
 x4    PCIEX4 operates at x4 mode.
BIOS Setup  
						

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 &M.2	PCIE	SSD	RAID	Mode
 Enables or disables Intel®	Rapid	Storage	 Technology	for	the	M.2	PCIe 	SSD.	(Default:	Enabled)
	 This	item	is	configurable	only	when	SATA Mode Selection is set to RAID.
 &SATA	Express	SRIS	capabilities
	 Enables	 or	disables	 SATA	Express	 SRIS	(Separate	 Reference	 Clocks	with	Independent	 SSC)	mode.	
(Default:	Disabled)
 `Serial	 ATA	Port	0/1/2/3/4/5
 &Port	0/1/2/3/4/5
	 Enables	or	disables	each	SATA 	port.	(Default:	Enabled)
 &Hot plug
	 Enables	or	disable	the	hot	plug	capability	for	each	SATA 	port.	(Default:	Disabled)
 &External SATA
	 Enables	or	disables	support	for	external	SATA	devices.	(Default:	Disabled)
 `Super	IO	Configuration
	 This	section	provides	information	on	the	super	I/O	chip	and	allows	you	to	configure	the	serial	port.
 &Serial Port A
	 Enables	or	disables	the	onboard	serial	port.	(Default:	Enabled)
 `Intel(R)	Smart	Connect	Technology
 &ISCT Support
 Enables or disables Intel®	Smart	Connect	 Technology.	(Default:	Disabled)
BIOS Setup