MSI Z97I GAMING AC- User Manual

Preface v Preface CE Conformity Hereby, Micro-Star International CO., LTD declares that this device is in compliance with the essential safety requirements and other relevant provisions set out in the European Directive. FCC-B Radio Frequency Interference Statement This equipment has been tested and...

Preface vii Preface California, USA: The button cell battery may contain perchlorate material and requires special handling when recycled or disposed of in California. For further information please visit: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/ Taiwan: For better environmental protection...

viii Preface Preface WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Statement ENGLISH To protect the global environment and as an environmentalist, MSI must remind you that...Under the European Union (“EU”) Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2002/96/EC, which takes e...

Preface ix Preface ESPAÑOL MSI como empresa comprometida con la protección del medio ambiente, recomienda:Bajo la directiva 2002/96/EC de la Unión Europea en materia de desechos y/o equipos electrónicos, con fecha de rigor desde el 13 de agosto de 2005, los productos clasificados como “eléctricos y ...

x Preface Preface TÜRKÇE Çevreci özelliğiyle bilinen MSI dünyada çevreyi korumak için hatırlatır:Avrupa Birliği (AB) Kararnamesi Elektrik ve Elektronik Malzeme Atığı, 2002/96/ EC Kararnamesi altında 13 Ağustos 2005 tarihinden itibaren geçerli olmak üzere, elektrikli ve elektronik malzemeler diğer at...

Preface xi Preface ▍ CONTENTS Preface ............................................................................................................ i Copyright Notice ......................................................................................................iiTrademarks ......................

Chapter 1 Getting Started Thank you for choosing the Z97I GAMING AC Series (MS-7920 v1.X) Mini- ITX motherboard. The Z97I GAMING AC Series motherboards are based on Intel ® Z97 chipset for optimal system efficiency. Designed to fit the advanced Intel ® LGA1150 processor, the Z97I GAMING AC Series mo...

Chapter 1 1-2 Getting Started Packing Contents * These pictures are for reference only and may vary without notice.* The packing contents may vary according to the model you purchased.* If you need to purchase the optional accessories or request part numbers, please visit the MSI website at http://w...

Chapter 1 1-3 Getting Started Assembly Precautions ■ The components included in this package are prone to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Please adhere to the following instructions to ensure successful computer assembly. ■ Always turn off the power supply and unplug the power cord from t...

Chapter 1 1-7 Getting Started Connectors Quick Guide PCI_E1 CLR_CMOS1 JPWR1 SATA1 JPWR2 Back Panel Wi-Fi/Bluetooth expansion module connector DIMM1 DIMM2 CPUFAN JCI1 JFP1 JFP2 JUSB1 JUSB2 SYSFAN1 JAUD1 SATA2 SATA4 SATA3 JBAT1

Chapter 1 1-8 Getting Started Connectors Reference Guide Port Name Port Type Page Back Panel 1-9 CPU LGA1150 CPU Socket 1-11 CPUFAN,SYSFAN1 Fan Power Connectors 1-21 DIMM1~2 Memory Slots 1-15 JAUD1 Front Panel Audio Connector 1-24 JBAT1 Clear CMOS Jumper 1-25 JCI1 Chassis Intrusion Connector 1-24 JF...

Chapter 1 1-9 Getting 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. ▶ 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...

Chapter 1 1-11 Getting 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 ...

Chapter 1 1-12 Getting 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 installatio...

Chapter 1 1-15 Getting Started Memory These DIMM slots are used for installing memory modules. DIMM1 DIMM2 Video Demonstration Watch the video to learn how to install memories at the address below. http://youtu.be/76yLtJaKlCQ Dual-Channel mode Population Rule In Dual-Channel mode, the memory modules...

Chapter 1 1-16 Getting 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 bac...

Chapter 1 1-17 Getting Started Power Supply Video Demonstration Watch the video to learn how to install power supply connectors. http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4 JPWR1~2: ATX Power Connectors These connectors allow you to connect an ATX power supply. To connect the ATX power supply, align the power suppl...

Chapter 1 1-18 Getting Started Expansion Slots This motherboard contains numerous slots for expansion cards, such as discrete graphics or audio cards. PCI_E1: PCIe Expansion Slot The PCIe slot supports the PCIe interface expansion card. PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot Important When adding or removing expansion c...

Chapter 1 1-19 Getting Started Video/ Graphics Cards If available, this motherboard takes advantage of the CPU’s integrate graphics processor, but discrete video cards can be installed by way of the motherboard’s expansion slots. Adding on one or more discrete video cards will significantly boost th...

Chapter 1 1-20 Getting Started Internal Connectors SATA1~4: SATA Connectors This connector is a high-speed SATA interface port. Each connector can connect to one SATA device. SATA devices include disk drives (HDD), solid state drives (SSD), and optical drives (CD/ DVD/ Blu-Ray). Video Demonstration ...

Chapter 1 1-24 Getting Started JAUD1: Front Panel Audio Connector This connector allows you to connect the front audio panel located on your computer case. This connector is compliant with the Intel ® Front Panel I/O Connectivity Design Guide. 1 .M I C L 3 .M I C R 1 0. H e a d P h o ne D e t ec t i...

Chapter 1 1-25 Getting Started Jumpers JBAT1: Clear CMOS Jumper There is CMOS RAM onboard that is external powered from a battery located on the motherboard to save system configuration data. With the CMOS RAM, the system can automatically boot into the operating system (OS) every time it is turned ...

Chapter 2 Quick Installation This chapter provides demonstration diagrams about how to install your computer. Some of the installations also provide video demonstrations. Please link to the URL to watch it with the web browser on your phone or tablet. You may have even link to the URL by scanning th...

Chapter 2 2-2 Quick Installation CPU Installation 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://youtu.be/bf5La099urI

Chapter 2 2-4 Quick Installation Memory Installation 1 2 3 http://youtu.be/76yLtJaKlCQ

Chapter 2 2-5 Quick Installation Motherboard Installation 1 2

Chapter 2 2-7 Quick Installation Power Connectors Installation E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 or 1 2 http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4

Chapter 2 2-9 Quick Installation SATA HDD Installation 1 2 http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4...

Chapter 2 2-10 Quick Installation M.2 module Installation 1 2 3 4.2 cm 6 cm 8 cm

Chapter 2 2-11 Quick Installation E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I ...

Chapter 2 2-12 Quick Installation E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 U S B E 6 8 8 M S I M C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M S IM C 4 E 6 8 8 M ...

Chapter 2 2-13 Quick Installation Graphics Card Installation http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A 1 2

Important • The items under each BIOS category described in this chapter are under continuous update for better system performance. Therefore, the description may be slightly different from the latest BIOS and should be held for reference only. • The pictures in this chpater are for reference only a...

Chapter 3 3-2 BIOS Setup 3-3 BIOS Setup Entering Setup The default settings offer the optimal performance for system stability in normal condi - tions. You may need to run the Setup program when: ■ An error message appears on the screen during the system booting up, and requests you to run SETUP. ■ ...

Chapter 3 3-6 BIOS Setup 3-7 BIOS Setup Updating BIOS Updating the BIOS with M-FLASH ▶ Before updating Please download the latest BIOS file that matches your motherboard model from MSI website. And then save the BIOS file into the USB flash disk. Important Only the FAT32/ NTFS format USB flash disk ...

Chapter 3 3-8 BIOS Setup 3-9 BIOS Setup SETTINGS System Status ▶ System Date Sets the system date. Use tab key to switch between date elements. The format is <day> <month> <date> <year>. <day> Day of the week, from Sun to Sat, determined by BIOS. Read-only. <month>...

Chapter 3 3-14 BIOS Setup 3-15 BIOS Setup Boot Sets the sequence of system boot devices. ▶ Full Screen Logo Display [Enabled] Enables or disables to show the full screen logo while system POST. [Enabled] The OS boots straight to the GUI without showing the POST screen. [Disabled] Shows the POST mess...

Chapter 3 3-28 BIOS Setup 3-29 BIOS Setup OC PROFILE ▶ Overclocking Profile 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6 Overclocking Profile 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6 management. Press <Enter> to enter the sub-menu. ▶ Set Name for Overclocking Profile 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6 Names the current overclocking profile. ▶ Save Overclocking P...

Appendix A Realtek Audio The Realtek audio provides 10-channel DAC that simultaneously supports 7.1 sound playback and 2 channels of independent stereo sound output (multiple streaming) through the Front-Out-Left and Front-Out-Right channels.

Appendix A A-2 Realtek Audio Software Configuration After installing the audio driver (see Chapter 1 - Driver and Utilities), the “Realtek HD Audio Manager” icon will appear at the notification area (lower right of the screen). You may double click the icon and the GUI will pop up accordingly. doubl...

Appendix A A-3 Realtek Audio ▶ Device Selection Here you can select a audio output source to change the related options. The “check” sign (in orange) indicates the devices as default. ▶ Volume Adjustment You can control the volume or balance the right/left side of the speakers that you plugged in fr...

Appendix A A-4 Realtek Audio Hardware Default Setting The following diagrams are audio back panel default setting. ■ Backpanel audio jacks to 2-channel speakers diagram Front ■ Backpanel audio jacks to 4-channel speakers diagram Rear Front

Appendix B Intel RAID This appendix will assist users in configuring and enabling RAID functionality and accelerating system on platforms

Appendix B B-2 Intel RAID Introduction The motherboard comes with the Intel RAID controller that allows you to configure SATA hard drives as RAID sets. SATA hard drives deliver blistering transfer speeds up to 6 Gb/s. Serial ATA uses long, thin cables, making it easier to connect your drive and impr...

Appendix B B-3 Intel RAID Using Intel Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM The Intel Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM should be integrated with the system BIOS on all motherboards with a supported Intel chipset. The Intel Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM is the Intel RAID implementation and pro...

Appendix B B-10 Intel RAID Degraded RAID Array A RAID 1, RAID 5 or RAID 10 volume is reported as degraded when one of its hard drive members fails or is temporarily disconnected, and data mirroring is lost. As a result, the system can only utilize the remaining functional hard drive member. To re-es...