MSI 970A GAMING PRO CARBON User manual

1
Unpacking
Unpacking
Thank you for buying the MSI®970A GAMING PRO CARBON 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 SLI Bridge
Connector
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
6
7
8
2
34
5

5
Quick Start
1
2
2
3
Installing DDR3 memory

6Quick Start
Connecting the Front Panel Header
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
1
23
4
5

9
Quick Start
1
4
5
Installing a Graphics Card
2
3

10 Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices

11
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
ATX_PWR1 CPU_PWR1

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
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 20
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 21
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 21
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 21
Realtek HD Audio Manager .................................................................................. 22
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 24
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 26
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 27
PCI_E1~5, PCI1: PCIe/ PCI Expansion Slots ........................................................ 28
M2_1: M.2 Slot ...................................................................................................... 29
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 30
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors ....................................................... 31
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector ............................................................................. 31
JUSB4~5: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connectors ................................................................... 32
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 32
JUSB1~3: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 33
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 33
CPU_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~4: Fan Connectors.......................................................... 34
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 35
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 35
JLED1: RGB LED connector ................................................................................. 36
JSP1: S/PDIF-Out connector................................................................................ 36

14 Contents
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 37
EZ Debug LED: Debug LED indicators ................................................................. 37
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 38
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 38
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 39
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 39
Overview ............................................................................................................... 40
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 41
Advanced............................................................................................................... 41
Boot....................................................................................................................... 46
Security................................................................................................................. 46
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 47
OC.......................................................................................................................... 48
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 52
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 53
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 54
Software Description........................................................................................... 55
Installing Windows®7/ 8.1/ 10.............................................................................. 55
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 55
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 55
COMMAND CENTER ............................................................................................. 56
LIVE UPDATE 6...................................................................................................... 60
GAMING APP......................................................................................................... 62
USB SPEED UP..................................................................................................... 67
GAMING LAN MANAGER ...................................................................................... 68
Nahimic 2.............................................................................................................. 70
SteelSeries Engine 3 ............................................................................................ 74
DRAGON EYE ........................................................................................................ 76
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 77
Using RAID Option ROM ....................................................................................... 77
Installing RAID Driver........................................................................................... 83
Installing Operating System on 2.2TB RAID..................................................... 84
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 89
Regulatory Notices.............................................................................................. 90

15
Specifications
Specifications
CPU Supports AMD®FX™/ Phenom™/ Athlon™II/ Sempron™
processors 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/x0, x8/x8 mode)
y3x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots
y1x PCI slot
Multi-GPU ySupports 2-Way AMD®CrossFire™Technology
ySupports 2-Way NVIDIA®SLI™Technology
Storage
AMD®SB950 Chipset
y6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
y1x M.2 slot (Key M)*
Supports PCIe 2.0 x2 or x4 and SATA 6Gb/s**
Supports 2242/ 2260 /2280 storage devices
* M.2 and SATA ports maximum support 1x M.2_PCIe + 6x SATAs or 1x M.2_
SATA + 5x SATAs. Please refer to page 30 for M.2/ SATA ports & PCIe slots
combination table.
** When inserted M.2_PCIe of x4, PCI_E3 & PCI_E4 can not be used.
** When inserted M.2_PCIe of x2, PCI_E3 & PCI_E4 can be used.
USB
yASMedia®ASM1143 Chipset
2x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (1
Type-A port and 1 Type-C port on the back panel)
yASMedia®ASM1143 Chipset
4x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports available
through the internal USB 3.1 Gen1 connectors
yAMD®SB950 Chipset
14x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (8 ports on the
back panel, 6 ports available through the internal USB
connector)
Audio
yRealtek®ALC1150 Codec
y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
ySupports S/PDIF output
LAN 1x Intel I211-AT Gigabit LAN controller
Continued on next page

16 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Back Panel
Connectors
y1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
y8x USB 2.0 ports
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
y1x LAN (RJ45) port
y1x optical S/PDIF OUT connector
y6x audio jacks
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)
y2x USB 3.1 Gen1 connectors (supports additional 4 USB
3.1 Gen1 ports)
y1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
y2x 4-pin system fan connectors
y2x 3-pin system fan connectors
y1x Front panel audio connector
y2x Front panel connectors
y1x TPM module connector
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x Serial port connector
y1x S/PDIF OUT connector
y1x RGB LED connector
y1x Clear CMOS jumper
I/O Controller FINTEK F71878AD Controller Chip
Form Factor yATX Form Factor
y12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.3 cm)
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Software
yDrivers
yCOMMAND CENTER
yLIVE UPDATE 6
yFAST BOOT
ySUPER CHARGER
yGAMING APP
yUSB SPEED UP
yGAMING LAN MANAGER
yNahimic 2
yOpen Broadcaster Software
yNorton™ Internet Security Solution
yGoogle Chrome™ ,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
ySteelSeries Engine 3
yDRAGON EYE
Continued on next page

18 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Enthusiast GAMING
Features
yAUDIO BOOST 3
Isolated Audio PCB
EMI Shielding
Dual Headphone Amplifiers
High Quality Audio Capacitors
Golden Audio Connectors
yGAME BOOST
Easy Overclocking
yGAMING LAN
Intel®Gigabit Ethernet
GAMING Network Manager power by cFos
Electric Wave Surge
yGAMING APP
System Mode Switching: OC/Gaming/Silent
Gaming Hotkey
Gaming Mouse Control
Gaming LED Control
yOptimized Thermal Design
Heat-pipe Direct Touch Technology
Enhanced Choke Thermal Design
yNahimic 2
Sound Tracker
HD Audio Recorder 2
Expert Mode
Sound Effect Equalizer
Microphone Noise Reduction
yGAMING CERTIFIED
yWTFast GPN
2-Month Premium License
Multi-Server Network Optimization
Advanced Lag Spike & Disconnect Reduction
Continued on next page

19
Specifications
Continued from previous page
MSI Exclusive
Features
yCLICK BIOS 4
EZ Mode & Advanced Mode Switching
Board Explorer
Hardware Monitor
yMILITARY CLASS 4
Military Class Component
Military Class Stability and Reliability
ESD Protection
EMI Protection
Humidity Protection
Circuit Protection
High Temperature Protection
VGA Armor Slot
yCOMMAND CENTER
System Monitor
Smart Fan Control
yEZ Debug LED
yLIVE UPDATE 6
yUSB Redrivers
ySteel Series Engine 3
ySUPER CHARGER
Specification
Highlights
yUSB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A/ Type-C Ready
yNVMe / AHCI Driver Support
yRGB LED pin header

20 Block Diagram
Block Diagram
LPC Bus
USB 3.1 Gen1
2 Channel DDR3 Memory
P/S2 Mouse / Keyboard Audio Jacks
HT
x16/x8
x8
AMD RX980
AMD SB950
FINTEK
F71878AD
Realtek
ALC1150
ASMEDIA
ASM1143
x1
PCI Express Bus
PCI Express Bus
PCI Bus
ALINK
M.2
SATA 6Gb/s
SATA 6Gb/s
USB 3.1 Gen1
ASMEDIA
ASM1143
Intel
I211
USB 3.1 Gen2
Type-C
ASMEDIA
ASM1143
CPU
PCIe x1 slot
PCIe x1 slot
PCIe x1 slot
PCI slot
Switch
Switch
Switch
PCI Express Bus
PCI Express Bus x1
x2
x1
x1
x1
x1
Switch