MSI Z97 Gaming 9 Manual
Have a look at the manual MSI Z97 Gaming 9 Manual online for free. It’s possible to download the document as PDF or print. UserManuals.tech offer 62 MSI manuals and user’s guides for free. Share the user manual or guide on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
Chapter 1 1-7Getting Started Connectors Quick Guide CPUFAN1 PCI_E1 PCI_E2 PCI_E3 PCI_E4 PCI_E5 PCI_E6 JPWR1 JUSB4 SATA1_2 SATA3_4 SATA5_6 JPWR2 CPU Socket BackPanel JUSB3 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth expansion module connector M2_1JTPM1 DIMM1DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4 CPUFAN2 OC1 POWER1 FV1 RESET1 SATA7_8 JCI1 JFP1JFP2 BIOS_SW1JUSB2 JUSB1SYSFAN2 SYSFAN3 JAUD1 SLOW_1 SYSFAN1 JBAT1 AUDPWR1 AUD_SW1 For the latest information about CPU, please visit http://www.msi.com/cpu-support/ For more information on compatible components, please visit http://www.msi.com/test-report/
Chapter 1 1-8Getting Started Connectors Reference Guide Port Name Port Type Page Back Panel I/O Ports 1-9 AUD_SW1 Audio Power Switch 1-3 2 AUDPWR1 Direct Audio Power Connector 1-2 5 BIOS_SW1 Multi-BIOS Switch 1-3 1 CPU Socket LGA1150 CPU Socket 1-1 1 CPUFAN1~2,SYSFAN1~3 Fan Power Connectors 1-2 1 DIMM1~4 DDR3 Memory slots 1-1 5 FV1 V-Check Connectors 1-2 7 JAUD1 Front Panel Audio Connector 1-2 5 JBAT1 Clear CMOS Jumper 1-3 0 JCI1 Chassis Intrusion Connector 1-2 4 JFP1, JFP2 System Panel Connectors 1-2 2 JPWR1~2 ATX Power Connectors 1-1 7 JTPM1 TPM Module Connector 1-2 6 JUSB1~2 USB 2.0 Expansion Connectors 1-2 3 JUSB3~4 USB 3.0 Expansion Connectors 1-2 4 M2_1 M.2 Port 1-2 6 OC1 OC Genie Button 1-2 8 PCI_E1~6 PCIe Expansion Slots 1-1 8 POWER1 Power Button 1-2 9 RESET1 Reset Button 1-2 9 SATA1~8 SATA Connectors 1-2 0 SLOW_1 Slow Mode Booting Switch 1-3 2
Chapter 1 1-9Getting Started Back Panel Quick Guide PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo Port A combination of PS/2® mouse/keyboard DIN connector for a PS/2® mouse/keyboard. Clear CMOS Button There is CMOS RAM present on board that is powered by an external battery to store system configuration data. Using CMOS RAM, the system can automatically boot into the operating system (OS) every time it is turned on. If you wish to clear the system configuration, press the button to clear the data. USB 2.0 Port The USB 2.0 port is for attaching USB 2.0 devices such as keyboard, mouse, or other USB 2.0-compatible devices. USB 3.0 Port USB 3.0 port is backward-compatible with USB 2.0 devices. It supports data transfer rate up to 5 Gbit/s (SuperSpeed). Important In order to use USB 3.0 devices, you must connect to a USB 3.0 port. If a USB cable is used, it must be USB 3.0 compliant. LAN Port The standard RJ-45 LAN jack is for connecting to a Local Area Network (LAN). LINK/ACTLEDSPEEDLED LEDLED StatusDescription Link/ Activity LED OffNo link YellowLinked BlinkingData activity Speed LED Off10 Mbps connection Green100 Mbps connection Orange1 Gbps connection ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ Optical S/PDIF-Out Line-In Line-Out Mic RS-Out CS-Out SS-Out USB 3.0 Port Clear CMOS Button LAN Port PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo Port* USB 2.0 Port*DisplayPort HDMI USB 3.0 Port USB 3.0 Port * Gaming Device Port.
Chapter 1 1-10Getting Started Optical S/PDIF-Out This S/PDIF (Sony & Philips Digital Interconnect Format) connector is provided for digital audio transmission to external speakers through an optical fiber cable. HDMI Port ® The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an all-digital audio-video interface that is capable of transmitting uncompressed streams. HDMI supports all types of TV formats, including standard, enhanced, or high-definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. DisplayPort DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard. This connector is used to connect a monitor with DisplayPort inputs. Important This platform supports dual-display function. HDMI+DisplayPort Extend mode(Extend the desktop to the second and third monitor)◯ Clone mode(Monitors have the same screen)◯ Audio Ports These connectors are used for audio devices. The color of the jack refers to the function of the connector. Line in: Used for connecting external audio outputting devices. Line out: Used as a connector for speakers or headphone. Mic: Used as a connector for a microphone. RS-Out: Rear surround sound line out in 4/ 5.1/ 7.1 channel mode. CS-Out: Center/ subwoofer line out in 5.1/ 7.1 channel mode. SS-Out: Side surround sound line out in 7.1 channel mode. ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Chapter 1 1-11Getting Started CPU (Central Processing Unit) Important Overheating Overheating can seriously damage the CPU and motherboard. Always make sure the cooling fans work properly to protect the CPU from overheating. Be sure to apply an even layer of thermal paste (or thermal tape) between the CPU and the heatsink to enhance heat dissipation. Replacing the CPU When replacing the CPU, always turn off the system’s power supply and unplug the power supply’s power cord to ensure the safety of the CPU. Overclocking This motherboard is designed to support overclocking. Before attempting to overclock, please make sure that all other system components can tolerate overclocking. Any attempt to operate beyond product specifications is not recommend. MSI does not guarantee the damages or risks caused by inadequate operation beyond product specifications. Introduction to the LGA 1150 CPU The surface of the LGA 1150 CPU has two notches and a golden triangle to assist in correctly lining up the CPU for motherboard placement. The golden triangle is the Pin 1 indicator. Notch Golden triangle is the Pin 1 indicator Notch
Chapter 1 1-12Getting Started CPU & Heatsink Installation When installing a CPU, always remember to install a CPU heatsink. A CPU heatsink is necessary to prevent overheating and maintain system stability. Follow the steps below to ensure correct CPU and heatsink installation. Wrong installation can damage both the CPU and the motherboard. 1. Push the load lever down to unclip it and lift to the fully open position . 2. The load plate will automatically lift up as the load lever is pushed to the fully open position. Retention tab Load lever Load plate Important Do not touch the socket contacts or the bottom of the CPU. Video Demonstration Watch the video to learn how to install CPU & heatsink. http://youtu.be/bf5La099urI
Chapter 1 1-13Getting Started 3. Align the notches with the socket alignment keys. Lower the CPU str aight down, without tilting or sliding the CPU in the socket. Inspect the CPU to check if it is properly seated in the socket. 4. Close and slide the load plate under the retention knob. Close and en gage the load lever. Alignment Key CPU notches Retention knob 5. When you press down the load lever the PnP cap will automatically p op up from the CPU socket. Do not discard the PnP cap. Always replace the PnP cap if the CPU is removed from the socket. 6. Evenly spread a thin layer of thermal paste (or thermal tape) on the t op of the CPU. This will help in heat dissipation and prevent CPU overheating. PnP cap Thermal paste
Chapter 1 1-14Getting Started Important Confirm that the CPU heatsink has formed a tight seal with the CPU before booting your system. Whenever the CPU is not installed, always protect the CPU socket pins by covering the socket with the plastic cap. If you purchased a separate CPU and heatsink/ cooler, Please refer to the documentation in the heatsink/ cooler package for more details about installation. • • • 7. Locate the CPU fan connector on the motherboard. 8. Place the heatsink on the motherboard with the fan’s cable facing tow ards the fan connector and the fasteners matching the holes on the motherboard. CPU fan connector 9. Push down the heatsink until the four fasteners get wedged into the h oles on the motherboard. Press the four fasteners down to fasten the heatsink. As each fastener locks into position a click should be heard. 10. Inspect the motherboard to ensure that the fastener-ends have been properly locked in place. 11. Finally, attach the CPU fan cable to the CPU fan connector on the m otherboard. Motherboard Fastener-end
Chapter 1 1-15Getting Started Memory These DIMM slots are used for installing memory modules. DIMM1DIMM2DIMM3DIMM4 Video Demonstration Watch the video to learn how to install memories. http://youtu.be/76yLtJaKlCQ Dual-Channel mode Population Rule In Dual-Channel mode, the memory modules can transmit and receive data with two data bus channels simultaneously. Enabling Dual-Channel mode can enhance system performance. The following illustrations explain the population rules for Dual-Channel mode. DIMM2 DIMM4 DIMM1DIMM2DIMM3DIMM4 Important DDR3 memory modules are not interchangeable with DDR2, and the DDR3 standard is not backward compatible. Always install DDR3 memory modules in DDR3 DIMM slots. To ensure system stability, memory modules must be of the same type and density in Dual-Channel mode. Due to chipset resource usage, the system will only detect up to 31+ GB of memory (not full 32 GB) when all DIMM slots have 8GB memory modules installed. • • •
Chapter 1 1-16Getting Started Mounting Screw Holes When installing the motherboard, first install the necessary mounting stands required for an motherboard on the mounting plate in your computer case. If there is an I/O back plate that came with the computer case, please replace it with the I/O backplate that came with the motherboard package. The I/O backplate should snap easily into the computer case without the need for any screws. Align the mounting plate’s mounting stands with the screw holes on the motherboard and secure the motherboard with the screws provided with your computer case. The locations of the screw holes on the motherboard are shown below. For more information, please refer to the manual that came with the computer case. Important Please note that, before installing the motherboard into the case, you have to remove the I/O cover nuts on back of the motherboard. Install the motherboard on a flat surface free from unnecessary debris. To prevent damage to the motherboard, any contact between the motherboard circuitry and the computer case, except for the mounting stands, is prohibited. Please make sure there are no loose metal components on the motherboard or within the computer case that may cause a short circuit of the motherboard. • • • • The I/O ports should be facing toward the rear of the computer case. They should line up with the holes on the I/O backplate.