GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY GA-Z270-HD3 User manual

To reduce the impacts on global warming, the packaging materials of this product
are recyclable and reusable. GIGABYTE works with you to protect the environment.
For more product details, please visit GIGABYTE's website.
GA-Z270-HD3
User's Manual
Rev. 1001
12ME-Z270HD3-1001R

Copyright
©2016 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. All rights reserved.
The trademarks mentioned in this manual are legally registered to their respective owners.
Disclaimer
Information in this manual is protected by copyright laws and is the property of GIGABYTE.
Changes to the specications and features in this manual may be made by GIGABYTE without prior notice.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, translated, transmitted, or published in any form or
by any means without GIGABYTE's prior written permission.
In order to assist in the use of this product, carefully read the User's Manual.
For product-related information, check on our website at: http://www.gigabyte.com
Identifying Your Motherboard Revision
The revision number on your motherboard looks like this: "REV: X.X." For example, "REV: 1.0" means
the revision of the motherboard is 1.0. Check your motherboard revision before updating motherboard
BIOS, drivers, or when looking for technical information.
Example:
Motherboard
GA-Z270-HD3
Dec. 9, 2016
Dec. 9, 2016
Motherboard
GA-Z270-HD3

- 3 -
Table of Contents
GA-Z270-HD3 Motherboard Layout ................................................................................4
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation .....................................................................................5
1-1 Installation Precautions.................................................................................... 5
1-2 ProductSpecications...................................................................................... 6
1-3 Installing the CPU ............................................................................................ 9
1-4 Installing the Memory....................................................................................... 9
1-5 Installing an Expansion Card ......................................................................... 10
1-6 Back Panel Connectors.................................................................................. 10
1-7 Internal Connectors........................................................................................ 12
Chapter 2 BIOS Setup ..................................................................................................19
2-1 Startup Screen ............................................................................................... 20
2-2 M.I.T. .............................................................................................................. 20
2-3 System ........................................................................................................... 26
2-4 BIOS............................................................................................................... 27
2-5 Peripherals..................................................................................................... 30
2-6 Chipset........................................................................................................... 32
2-7 Power............................................................................................................. 33
2-8 Save & Exit..................................................................................................... 35
Chapter 3 Appendix ......................................................................................................36
3-1 ConguringaRAIDSet.................................................................................. 36
3-2 Drivers Installation.......................................................................................... 38
RegulatoryStatements.............................................................................................. 39
Contact Us ................................................................................................................ 44

- 4 -
GA-Z270-HD3 Motherboard Layout
Box Contents
5GA-Z270-HD3 motherboard 5Two SATA cables
5Motherboard driver disk 5I/O Shield
5User's Manual 5One G Connector
* The box contents above are for reference only and the actual items shall depend on the product package you obtain.
The box contents are subject to change without notice.
KB_MS_USB CPU_FAN
ATX_12V_2X4
ATX
F_AUDIO
AUDIO
B_BIOS
PCIEX4_1
DDR4_2 DDR4_1
DDR4_4
DDR4_3
BAT
COM
Intel®Z270
PCIEX4_2
CLR_CMOS
CODEC
M_BIOS
PCIEX1_1
PCIEX16
SPDIF_O F_USB1
LGA1151
GA-Z270-HD3
DVI
D_SUB
HDMI
R_USB30
USB30_LAN
SATAEXPRESS
F_USB30_2
PCIEX1_2
SATA3
iTE®
Super I/O
F_USB2LPT
SYS_FAN1
TPM
M2A_32G
Intel®
GbE LAN
SATA3 1 0
5 3 4 2
F_USB30_1
PCI1
SYS_FAN2
PCIe to
PCI Bridge
42
6080
110
CPU DRAM
VGA BOOT
F_PANELSYS_FAN3

Chapter 1 Hardware Installation
1-1 Installation Precautions
The motherboard contains numerous delicate electronic circuits and components which can become
damaged as a result of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Prior to installation, carefully read the user's
manual and follow these procedures:
•Prior to installation, make sure the chassis is suitable for the motherboard.
•Prior to installation, do not remove or break motherboard S/N (Serial Number) sticker or
warranty sticker provided by your dealer. These stickers are required for warranty validation.
•Always remove the AC power by unplugging the power cord from the power outlet before
installing or removing the motherboard or other hardware components.
•When connecting hardware components to the internal connectors on the motherboard, make
sure they are connected tightly and securely.
•When handling the motherboard, avoid touching any metal leads or connectors.
•It is best to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling electronic
components such as a motherboard, CPU or memory. If you do not have an ESD wrist strap,
keepyourhandsdryandrsttouchametalobjecttoeliminatestaticelectricity.
•Prior to installing the motherboard, please have it on top of an antistatic pad or within an
electrostatic shielding container.
•Before connecting or unplugging the power supply cable from the motherboard, make sure
the power supply has been turned off.
•Before turning on the power, make sure the power supply voltage has been set according to
the local voltage standard.
•Before using the product, please verify that all cables and power connectors of your hardware
components are connected.
•To prevent damage to the motherboard, do not allow screws to come in contact with the
motherboard circuit or its components.
•Make sure there are no leftover screws or metal components placed on the motherboard or
within the computer casing.
•Do not place the computer system on an uneven surface.
•Do not place the computer system in a high-temperature or wet environment.
•Turning on the computer power during the installation process can lead to damage to system
components as well as physical harm to the user.
•If you are uncertain about any installation steps or have a problem related to the use of the
product,pleaseconsultacertiedcomputertechnician.
•If you use an adapter, extension power cable, or power strip, ensure to consult with its installation
and/or grounding instructions.
- 5 -

1-2 ProductSpecications
CPU Support for 7th and 6th generation Intel®Core™i7 processors/
Intel®Core™i5 processors/Intel®Core™i3 processors/
Intel®Pentium®processors/Intel®Celeron®processors in the LGA1151 package
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
L3 cache varies with CPU
Chipset Intel®Z270 Express Chipset
Memory 4xDDR4DIMMsocketssupportingupto64GBofsystemmemory
* Due to a Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical
memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than the size of
the physical memory installed.
Dual channel memory architecture
SupportforDDR42400/2133MHzmemorymodules
Supportfor ECCUn-bufferedDIMM1Rx8/2Rx8memory modules(operatein
non-ECC mode)
Supportfornon-ECCUn-bufferedDIMM1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16memorymodules
SupportforExtremeMemoryProle(XMP)memorymodules
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest supported memory speeds and memory modules.)
Onboard
Graphics
Integrated Graphics Processor-Intel®HD Graphics support:
- 1 x D-Sub port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz
- 1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz
* The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.
- 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@24 Hz
* Support for HDMI 1.4 version.
Support for up to 3 displays at the same time
Maximum shared memory of 1 GB
Audio Realtek®ALC887 codec
HighDenitionAudio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
Support for S/PDIF Out
LAN Intel®GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed,
be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
2 x PCI Express x16 slots, running at x4 (PCIEX4_1, PCIEX4_2)
2 x PCI Express x1 slots
(All of the PCI Express slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
1 x PCI slot
Multi-Graphics
Technology
Support forAMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX
™
and 2-WayAMD CrossFire
™
technologies
(PCIEX16, PCIEX4_1)
Storage Interface Chipset:
- 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 SATA and
PCIe x4/x2 SSD support)
- 1 x SATA Express connector
- 6 -

Storage Interface - 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
 - SupportforRAID0,RAID1,RAID5,andRAID10
* Referto"1-7InternalConnectors,"fortheinstallationnoticesfortheM.2andSATA
connectors.
USB Chipset:
- 8 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through
the internal USB headers)
- 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through
the internal USB headers)
Internal
Connectors
1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector
1 x SATA Express connector
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU fan header
3 x system fan headers
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x S/PDIF Out header
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 headers
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header
1 x serial port header
1 x parallel port header
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Back Panel
Connectors
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
1 x D-Sub port
1 x DVI-D port
1 x HDMI port
4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1xRJ-45port
6xaudiojacks(Center/SubwooferSpeakerOut,RearSpeakerOut,SideSpeaker
Out, Line In, Line Out, Mic In)
I/O Controller iTE®I/O Controller Chip
Hardware
Monitor
Voltage detection
Temperature detection
Fan speed detection
Overheating warning
Fan fail warning
Fan speed control
* Whether the fan speed control function is supported will depend on the cooler you
install.
- 7 -

BIOS 2x64Mbitash
Use of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS
Support for DualBIOS™
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
Unique Features Support for APP Center
* Available applications in APP Center may vary by motherboard model. Supported
functionsofeachapplicationmayalsovarydependingonmotherboardspecications.
- 3D OSD
- @BIOS
- Ambient LED
- AutoGreen
- BIOS Setup
- Color Temperature
- Cloud Station
- EasyTune
- EasyRAID
- Fast Boot
- Game Boost
- ON/OFF Charge
- Platform Power Management
- Smart Backup
- Smart Keyboard
- Smart TimeLock
- System Information Viewer
- USB Blocker
- V-Tuner
Support for 3TB+ Unlock
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Xpress Install
Bundled
Software
Norton®Internet Security (OEM version)
Intel®Optane™MemoryReady
cFosSpeed
Operating
System
Support for Windows 10/8.1 64-bit
Support for Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit
* Operating systems supported may vary depending on your processor
model.
* Pleasedownloadthe"WindowsUSBInstallationTool"fromGIGABYTE's
website and install it before installing Windows 7.
Form Factor ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 22.5cm
* GIGABYTEreservestherighttomakeanychangestotheproductspecicationsandproduct-relatedinformationwithout
prior notice.
Please visit GIGABYTE's website
for support lists of CPU, memory
modules, SSDs, and M.2 devices.
Please visit the Support\Utility List
page on GIGABYTE's website to
download the latest version of apps.
- 8 -

Please visit GIGABYTE's website for details on hardware installation.
1-3 Installing the CPU
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 installing 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specications.Itisnotrecommended
thatthesystembusfrequencybesetbeyondhardwarespecicationssinceitdoesnotmeetthe
standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the frequency beyond the standard
specications,pleasedosoaccordingtoyourhardwarespecicationsincludingtheCPU,graphics
card, memory, hard drive, etc.
Installing the CPU
Locate the alignment keys on the motherboard CPU socket and the notches on the CPU.
Do not remove the CPU socket cover before inserting the CPU. It may pop off from the load
plate automatically during the process of re-engaging the lever after you insert the CPU.
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 installing 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.
Alignment KeyAlignment Key
LGA1151 CPU Socket
Pin One Corner of the CPU Socket
DualChannelMemoryConguration
This motherboard provides four memory sockets and supports Dual Channel Technology. After the memory
isinstalled,theBIOSwillautomaticallydetectthespecicationsandcapacityofthememory.EnablingDual
Channel memory mode will double the original memory bandwidth.
LGA1151 CPU
Triangle Pin One Marking on the CPU
Notch
Notch
- 9 -

1-6 Back Panel Connectors
USB 2.0/1.1 Port
TheUSBportsupportstheUSB2.0/1.1specication.UsethisportforUSBdevices.
PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port
Use this port to connect a PS/2 mouse or keyboard.
D-Sub Port
The D-Sub port supports a 15-pin D-Sub connector and supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz
(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specicationandsupportsamaximumresolutionof1920x1200@60Hz
(the actual resolutions supported depend on the monitor being used). Connect a monitor that supports DVI-D
connection to this port.
(Note) The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.
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 memory module is installed.
2. When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that memory
of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used and installed in the same colored sockets.
The four memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as following:
ChannelA:DDR4_2,DDR4_4
ChannelB:DDR4_1,DDR4_3
DualChannelMemoryCongurationsTable:
DDR4_4 DDR4_2 DDR4_3 DDR4_1
2 Modules - - DS/SS - - DS/SS
DS/SS - - DS/SS - -
4 Modules DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS
(SS=Single-Sided,DS=Double-Sided,"--"=NoMemory)
1-5 Installing an Expansion Card
Readthefollowingguidelinesbeforeyoubegintoinstallanexpansioncard:
•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.
- 10 -