MSI 970A-G43 PLUS User manual

1
Unpacking
Unpacking
Thank you for buying the MSI®970A-G43 PLUS motherboard. Check to make sure your
motherboard box contains the following items. If something is missing, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
SATA Cable x2
Drivers & Utilities
Disc
Motherboard User
Guide
I/O Shield
Motherboard

2Safety Information
Safety Information
yThe components included in this package are prone to damage from electrostatic
discharge (ESD). Please adhere to the following instructions to ensure successful
computer assembly.
yEnsure that all components are securely connected. Loose connections may cause
the computer to not recognize a component or fail to start.
yHold the motherboard by the edges to avoid touching sensitive components.
yIt is recommended to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when
handling the motherboard to prevent electrostatic damage. If an ESD wrist strap
is not available, discharge yourself of static electricity by touching another metal
object before handling the motherboard.
yStore the motherboard in an electrostatic shielding container or on an anti-static
pad whenever the motherboard is not installed.
yBefore turning on the computer, ensure that there are no loose screws or metal
components on the motherboard or anywhere within the computer case.
yDo not boot the computer before installation is completed. This could cause
permanent damage to the components as well as injury to the user.
yIf you need help during any installation step, please consult a certified computer
technician.
yAlways turn off the power supply and unplug the power cord from the power outlet
before installing or removing any computer component.
yKeep this user guide for future reference.
yKeep this motherboard away from humidity.
yMake sure that your electrical outlet provides the same voltage as is indicated on
the PSU, before connecting the PSU to the electrical outlet.
yPlace the power cord such a way that people can not step on it. Do not place
anything over the power cord.
yAll cautions and warnings on the motherboard should be noted.
yIf any of the following situations arises, get the motherboard checked by service
personnel:
Liquid has penetrated into the computer.
The motherboard has been exposed to moisture.
The motherboard does not work well or you can not get it work according to user
guide.
The motherboard has been dropped and damaged.
The motherboard has obvious sign of breakage.
yDo not leave this motherboard in an environment above 60°C (140°F), it may damage
the motherboard.

3
Quick Start
AMD®AM3/ AM3+ CPU
DDR3 Memory
Graphics Card
SATA Hard Disk Drive
SATA DVD Drive
A Package of Screws
Phillips Screwdriver
Chassis
Power Supply Unit
CPU Fan Thermal Paste
Quick Start
Preparing Tools and Components

4Quick Start
Installing a Processor
1
2
3
6
4
57
8

5
Quick Start
1
1
2
2
3
3
Installing DDR3 memory
http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs

6Quick Start
Connecting the Front Panel Header
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
1
2 10
9
JFP1
1 HDD LED + 2 Power LED +
3 HDD LED - 4 Power LED -
5 Reset Switch 6 Power Switch
7 Reset Switch 8 Power Switch
9 Reserved 10 No Pin
RESET SW
POWER SW
POWER LED+
POWER LED-
HDD LED
HDD LED
RESET SW
JFP1
HDD LED HDD LED -
HDD LED +
POWER LED -
POWER LED +
POWER LED

7
Quick Start
Installing the Motherboard
1
2

8Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
1
23
4
5

9
Quick Start
1
4
5
Installing a Graphics Card
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
2
3

10 Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices

11
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
JPWR1 JPWR2
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4

12 Quick Start
Power On
1
4
2
3

13
Contents
Contents
Unpacking .............................................................................................................. 1
Safety Information................................................................................................. 2
Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 3
Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 3
Installing a Processor............................................................................................. 4
Installing DDR3 memory ........................................................................................ 5
Connecting the Front Panel Header....................................................................... 6
Installing the Motherboard..................................................................................... 7
Installing SATA Drives............................................................................................. 8
Installing a Graphics Card...................................................................................... 9
Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................ 10
Connecting the Power Connectors....................................................................... 11
Power On............................................................................................................... 12
Specifications....................................................................................................... 15
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 17
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 17
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 17
Realtek HD Audio Manager .................................................................................. 18
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 20
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 22
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 23
PCI_E1~4 & PCI1~2: PCIe & PCI Expansion Slots ............................................... 24
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 25
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 25
JPWR1~2: Power Connectors............................................................................... 26
JUSB1~3: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 27
JUSB4: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connector ......................................................................... 27
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 28
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 28
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 29
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector ............................................................................. 29
CPUFAN, SYSFAN1~3: Fan Connectors................................................................ 30
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 31
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 32
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 32
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 33

14 Contents
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 33
Overview ............................................................................................................... 34
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 35
Advanced............................................................................................................... 35
Boot....................................................................................................................... 40
Security................................................................................................................. 40
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 41
OC.......................................................................................................................... 42
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 46
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 47
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 48
Software Description........................................................................................... 49
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 49
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 49
COMMAND CENTER ............................................................................................. 50
LIVE UPDATE 6...................................................................................................... 54
NETWORK GENIE ................................................................................................. 56
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 58
Using AMD®RAID Option ROM utility................................................................... 58
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 62
Regulatory Notices.............................................................................................. 63

15
Specifications
Specifications
CPU Supports AMD®FX™/ Phenom™/ Athlon™II/ Sempron™proces-
sors for Socket AM3/ AM3+
Chipset AMD® 970 & SB950 Chipset
Memory
y4x DDR3 memory slots, support up to 32GB
Supports DDR3 1066/ 1333/ 1600/ 1866/ 2133(OC) MHz
yDual channel memory architecture
Expansion Slots
y2x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (support x16/ x4 mode)
y2x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots
y2x PCI slots
Multi-GPU ySupports 2-Way AMD®CrossFire™Technology
Storage
AMD®SB950 Chipset
y6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
USB
yASMedia®ASM1143 Chipset
2x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports on the
back panel
yASMedia®ASM1042AE Chipset
2x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports available
through the internal USB 3.1 Gen1 connector
yAMD®SB950 Chipset
12x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (6 ports on the
back panel, 6 ports available through the internal USB
connector)
Audio yRealtek®ALC887 Codec
y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
LAN 1x Realtek®8111E Gigabit LAN controller
Back Panel
Connectors
y1x PS/2 mouse port
y1x PS/2 keyboard port
y6x USB 2.0 ports
y2x USB 3.1 Gen2 ports
y1x LAN (RJ45) port
y6x audio jacks
Continued on next page

16 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Internal Connectors
y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
y6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
y3x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 6 USB 2.0
ports)
y1x USB 3.1 Gen1 connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.1
Gen1 ports)
y1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
y2x 4-pin system fan connectors
y1x 3-pin system fan connector
y1x Front panel audio connector
y2x Front panel connectors
y1x TPM module connector
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x Serial port connector
y1x Clear CMOS jumper
I/O Controller FINTEK F71889ED Controller Chip
Form Factor yATX Form Factor
y12 in. x 8.9 in. (30.5 cm x 22.5 cm)
Software
yDrivers
yCOMMAND CENTER
yLIVE UPDATE 6
yNETWORK GENIE
yFAST BOOT
ySUPER CHARGER
yNorton™Security
yGoogle Chrome™,Google Toolbar, Google Drive

17
Rear I/O Panel
Rear I/O Panel
PS/2 Mouse
LAN
Audio Ports
Link/ Activity LED
Status Description
Off No link
Yellow Linked
Blinking Data activity
Speed LED
Status Description
Off 10 Mbps connection
Green 100 Mbps connection
Orange 1 Gbps connection
LAN Port LED Status Table
Audio Ports Configuration
USB 3.1 Gen2
USB 2.0
Audio Ports Channel
2468
Line In
Line-Out/ Front Speak Out ●●●●
Mic In
Rear Speaker Out ●●●
Center/ Subwoofer Out ● ●
Side Speaker Out ●
(●: connected, Blank: empty)
PS/2 Keyboard

18 Rear I/O Panel
Realtek HD Audio Manager
After installing the Realtek HD Audio driver, the Realtek HD Audio Manager icon will
appear in the system tray. Double click on the icon to launch.
Jack Status
Device
Selection
Connector
Strings
Profiles
Main Volume
Application
Enhancement
Advanced
Settings
yDevice Selection - allows you to select a audio output source to change the related
options. The check sign indicates the devices as default.
yApplication Enhancement - the array of options will provide you a complete
guidance of anticipated sound effect for both output and input device.
yMain Volume - controls the volume or balance the right/left side of the speakers
that you plugged in front or rear panel by adjust the bar.
yProfiles - toggles between profiles.
yAdvanced Settings - provides the mechanism to deal with 2 independent audio
streams.
yJack Status - depicts all render and capture devices currently connected with your
computer.
yConnector Settings - configures the connection settings.
Auto popup dialog
When you plug into a device at an audio jack, a dialogue window will pop up asking you
which device is current connected.
Each jack corresponds to its default setting as shown on the next page.

19
Rear I/O Panel
Audio jacks to headphone and microphone diagram
Audio jacks to stereo speakers diagram
Audio jacks to 7.1-channel speakers diagram
AUDIO INPUT
AUDIO INPUT
Rear Front
Side Center/
Subwoofer

20 Overview of Components
Overview of Components
CPUFAN
PCI_E1
PCI_E2
PCI_E3
PCI1
CPU Socket
JPWR2
DIMM1
SYSFAN1 DIMM2
DIMM3
DIMM4
JUSB3
SYSFAN2
JFP1
JFP2
JTPM1
JPWR1
JBAT1
SATA1
SATA5_6
SATA3_4
JUSB1
JUSB2
JUSB4
JCOM1
PCI_E4
PCI2
SYSFAN3
SATA2
JCI1
JAUD1