GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY Z490 GAMING X AX User manual

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Z490 GAMING XZ490 GAMING X AX
Z490 GAMING X AX
Z490 GAMING X
User's Manual
Rev. 1002
12ME-Z49GX-1002R

Copyright
©2020 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: https://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:

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Table of Contents
Z490 GAMING X (AX) 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........................................................................................ 13
Chapter 2 BIOS Setup ..................................................................................................24
2-1 Startup Screen ............................................................................................... 24
2-2 The Main Menu .............................................................................................. 25
2-3 Favorites (F11) ............................................................................................... 26
2-4 Tweaker.......................................................................................................... 27
2-5 Settings .......................................................................................................... 32
2-6 System Info. ................................................................................................... 38
2-7 Boot................................................................................................................ 39
2-8 Save & Exit..................................................................................................... 42
Chapter 3 Appendix ......................................................................................................43
3-1 ConguringaRAIDSet.................................................................................. 43
3-2 Installing an Intel®Optane™Memory.............................................................. 45
3-3 DriversInstallation.......................................................................................... 47
RegulatoryNotices.................................................................................................... 48
Contact Us ................................................................................................................ 52

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Z490 GAMING X (AX) Motherboard Layout
* 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.
(Note) The M.2 connector is reserved only. No functionalities.
Box Contents
5Z490 GAMING X AX or Z490 GAMING X motherboard
5Motherboard driver disc 5Two SATA cables
5User's Manual 5One antennaj
KB_MS_USB
HDMI
U32
U32_LAN
LGA1200 ATX
AUDIO
ATX_12V_2X4
Intel®Z490
CLR_CMOS
M_BIOS
PCIEX1_1
PCIEX4
PCIEX1_3
PCIEX16
PCIEX1_2
F_U32
M2A_SB M2P_CPU (Note)
CODEC
Z490 GAMING X (AX)
F_PANEL
F_USB
LED_C1
LED_C2
D_LED1
D_LED2
F_AUDIO
COMSPDIF_O
SYS_FAN3
SYS_FAN4 QFLASH_PLUS
SPI_TPM
SYS_FAN1
SYS_FAN2
CPU_FAN
iTE®
Super I/O
42
42
6080
80
110
SATA3 5 3 1
4 2 0
BAT
Intel®
GbE LAN
CPU DRAM
VGA BOOT
U32_G2
THB_C1
THB_C2
M2M_SB
426080
ATX_12V_2X2
QFLED
DDR4_A1
DDR4_A2
DDR4_B1 DDR4_B2
CNVI j
j Only for the Z490 GAMING X AX.

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.
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1-2 ProductSpecications
CPU Support for 10th Generation Intel®Core™i9 processors/Intel®Core™i7 processors/
Intel®Core™i5 processors/Intel®Core™i3 processors/Intel®Pentium®processors/
Intel®Celeron®processors in the LGA1200 package
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
L3 cache varies with CPU
Chipset Intel®Z490 Express Chipset
Memory Intel®Core™i9/i7 processors:
- SupportforDDR43200/3000/2933/2666/2400/2133MHzmemorymodules
Intel®Core™i5/i3/Pentium®/Celeron®processors:
- SupportforDDR42666/2400/2133MHzmemorymodules
4xDDR4DIMMsocketssupportingupto128GB(32GBsingleDIMMcapacity)
of system memory
Dualchannelmemoryarchitecture
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HDMIport,supportingamaximumresolutionof4096x2160@30Hz
* SupportforHDMI1.4versionandHDCP2.3.
Maximum shared memory of 512 MB
Audio Realtek®ALC1200 codec
HighDenitionAudio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
SupportforS/PDIFOut
LAN Intel®GbE LAN chip (1000 Mbit/100 Mbit)
Wireless
Communication
Module j
Intel®Wi-Fi 6 AX201
- WIFIa,b,g,n,acwithwave2features,ax,supporting2.4/5GHzDual-Band
- BLUETOOTH 5
- Supportfor11ax160MHzwirelessstandardandupto2.4Gbpsdatarate
* Actual data rate may vary depending on environment and equipment.
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.
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
3 x PCI Express x1 slots
(All of the PCI Express slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
Multi-Graphics
Technology SupportforAMDQuad-GPUCrossFire™and2-WayAMDCrossFire™technologies
j Only for the Z490 GAMING X AX.
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Storage Interface 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 SATA and PCIe
x4/x2SSDsupport)(M2A_SB)
1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280 SATA and PCIe x4/x2
SSDsupport)(M2M_SB)
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.
Intel®Optane™MemoryReady
USB Chipset:
- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (red) on the back panel
- 7 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (5 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through
the internal USB header)
- 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through
the internal USB header)
Internal
Connectors
1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x CPU fan header
4 x system fan headers
2xaddressableLEDstripheaders
2xRGBLEDstripheaders
6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
2 x M.2 Socket 3 connectors
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1xS/PDIFOutheader
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header
1 x USB 2.0/1.1 header
1 x Trusted Platform Module header (For the GC-TPM2.0 SPI/GC-TPM2.0 SPI
2.0 module only)
2 x Thunderbolt™add-in card connectors
1 x serial port header
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
1 x Q-Flash Plus button
Back Panel
Connectors
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
1xHDMIport
2xSMAantennaconnectors(2T2R)j
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (red)
5 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1xRJ-45port
6 x audio jacks
I/O Controller iTE®I/O Controller Chip
j Only for the Z490 GAMING X AX.
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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.
BIOS 1x256Mbitash
Use of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS
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.
- @BIOS
- EasyTune
- Fast Boot
- Game Boost
- ON/OFF Charge
- RGBFusion
- Smart Backup
- System Information Viewer
Support for Q-Flash Plus
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Xpress Install
Bundled
Software
Norton®Internet Security (OEM version)
cFosSpeed
Operating
System Support for Windows 10 64-bit
Form Factor ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 23.0cm
* 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.
Z490 GAMING XZ490 GAMING X AX
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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.
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.
Please visit GIGABYTE's website for details on hardware installation.
Triangle Pin One Marking on the CPU
NotchNotch
LGA1200 CPU
Alignment KeyAlignment Key
LGA1200 CPU Socket
Pin One Corner of the CPU Socket
- 9 -

The four memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as following:
ChannelA:DDR4_A1,DDR4_A2
ChannelB:DDR4_B1,DDR4_B2
RecommandedDualChannelMemoryConguration:
DDR4_A1 DDR4_A2 DDR4_B1 DDR4_B2
2 Modules - - DS/SS - - DS/SS
4 Modules DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS
(SS=Single-Sided,DS=Double-Sided,"--"=NoMemory)
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.
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.
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.
SMA Antenna Connectors (2T2R) j
Use this connector to connect an antenna.
•Whenremovingthecableconnectedtoabackpanelconnector,rst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.
j
Tighten the antennas to the antenna connectors and then aim the antennas correctly for better
signal reception.
USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port
TheUSB3.2Gen1portsupportstheUSB3.2Gen1specicationandiscompatibletotheUSB2.0
specication.UsethisportforUSBdevices.
j Only for the Z490 GAMING X AX.
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