MSI GAMING Series User manual

1
Unpacking
Unpacking
Thank you for buying the MSI®Z270 GAMING M3/ H270 GAMING M3/ B250 GAMING M3
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
LED Extension Cable
80cm x1
SATA Cable Labels
Case Badge
* These pictures are for reference only and may vary without notice.
* The packing contents may vary according to the model you purchased.

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
Intel®LGA 1151 CPU
DDR4 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
https://youtu.be/4ce91YC3Oww
Installing a Processor
1
2
3
6
45
7
8
9

5
Quick Start
1
1
2
2
3
3
Installing DDR4 memory
http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs
DIMMB2 DIMMB2
DIMMB1
DIMMA2 DIMMA2 DIMMA2
DIMMA1

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
The picture is for reference only.

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

9
Quick Start
1
Installing a Graphics Card
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
2
3
4
5
6

10 Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices
The picture is for reference only.

11
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
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 DDR4 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....................................................................................................... 16
Specification Comparison Table........................................................................... 21
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 22
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 23
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 23
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 23
Realtek HD Audio Manager .................................................................................. 24
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 26
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 28
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 29
PCI_E1~6: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 30
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 31
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 32
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 33
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors ....................................................... 34
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 35
JUSB3~4: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connectors ................................................................... 35
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~4: Fan Connectors................................... 36
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 37
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 37
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 38
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 38
JLED1: RGB LED connector ................................................................................. 39

14 Contents
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector ............................................................................. 39
Onboard LEDs ...................................................................................................... 40
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 40
XMP LED ............................................................................................................... 40
PCIe x16 slot LEDs................................................................................................ 40
DIMM LEDs ........................................................................................................... 41
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 42
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 42
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 43
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 43
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 44
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 46
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 47
Advanced............................................................................................................... 47
Boot....................................................................................................................... 53
Security................................................................................................................. 54
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 55
OC.......................................................................................................................... 56
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 64
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 65
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 66
Software Description........................................................................................... 67
Installing Windows®7/ 8.1/ 10.............................................................................. 67
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 67
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 67
COMMAND CENTER ............................................................................................. 68
LIVE UPDATE 6...................................................................................................... 72
GAMING APP......................................................................................................... 74
RAMDISK............................................................................................................... 79
X-BOOST ............................................................................................................... 80
MSI SMART TOOL ................................................................................................. 82
DRAGON EYE ........................................................................................................ 84
Killer Control Center ............................................................................................ 85
Nahimic 2.............................................................................................................. 86
XSplit Gamecaster V2 ........................................................................................... 90
Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility................................................................................ 94
SteelSeries Engine 3 ............................................................................................ 95
CPU-Z.................................................................................................................... 97

15
Contents
RAID Configuration (optional) ............................................................................. 98
Using Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM ........................................... 98
Degraded RAID Array ......................................................................................... 101
M.2 PCIe SSD RAID............................................................................................. 103
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................ 105
Regulatory Notices............................................................................................ 106

16 Specifications
Specifications
CPU
Supports 6th/7th Gen Intel®Core™ i3/i5/i7 processors,
and Intel®Pentium®and Celeron®processors for Socket
LGA1151
Chipset Intel®Z270/ H270/ B250 Chipset
Memory
y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB
Z270 chipset + 7th Gen processors support DDR4
3800(OC)/ 3600(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/
2600(OC)/ 2400/ 2133 MHz*
Z270 chipset + 6th Gen processors support DDR4
3600(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2600(OC)/
2400(OC)/ 2133 MHz*
H270/ B250 chipset + 7th Gen processors support DDR4
2400/ 2133 MHz*
H270/ B250 chipset + 6th Gen processors support DDR4
2133 MHz*
yDual channel memory architecture
ySupports Intel®Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.
Expansion Slots
y2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (supports x16/x4 mode)*
y4x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots**
* The PCI_E4 slot will be unavailable when an M.2 SSD module has been
installed in the M.2_2 slot.
** The PCI_E2 slot will be unavailable when an expansion card has been
installed in the PCI_E5 slot.
** The PCI_E3 slot will be unavailable when an expansion card has been
installed in the PCI_E6 slot.
Onboard Graphics
y1x HDMI™ port, supports a maximum resolution of
4096x2160@30Hz(7th CPU), 4096x2160@24Hz(6th CPU),
2560x1600@60Hz
y1x DVI-D port, supports a maximum resolution of
1920x1200@60Hz
Multi-GPU Supports 2-Way AMD®CrossFire™ Technology
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17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Storage
Intel®Z270/ H270/ B250 Chipset
y6x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
y2x M.2 slots (Key M)
Support up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s
Support PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe U.2 SSD with Turbo U.2 Host
Card**
M2_1 slot supports 2242/ 2260 /2280/ 22110 storage
devices
M2_2 slot supports 2242/ 2260 /2280 storage devices
Intel®Optane™ Memory Ready for all M.2 slots***
ySupports Intel®Smart Response Technology for Intel
Core™ processors (optional)
* M.2 and SATA ports maximum support 2x M.2 PCIe SSDs + 6x SATA HDDs.
Please refer to page 33 for M.2 slots with examples of various combination
possibilities.
** The Turbo U.2 Host Card is not included, please purchase separately.
*** Intel®Optane™ Technology is only supported when using 7th Gen
processors. Before using Intel®Optane™ memory modules, please ensure
that you have updated the drivers and BIOS to the latest version from MSI
website.
RAID (optional)
Intel®Z270/ H270 Chipset
ySupports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
ySupports RAID 0 and RAID1 for M.2 PCIe storage devices*
* M.2 PCIe RAID volume can be created with M.2 GENIE. Please refer to page
42 for details about M.2 GENIE.
USB
yASMedia®ASM2142 (Z270/ H270 chipset)/ ASM1142 (B250
chipset)
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) Type-C port
on the back panel
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) Type-A port
on the back panel
yIntel®Z270 & H270/ B250 Chipset
8x/ 6x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports (4/ 2
Type-A ports on the back panel, 4 ports available
through the internal USB connector) (optional)
6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 ports on the
back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB
connector)
Audio
yRealtek®ALC1220 Codec
y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
ySupports S/PDIF output
Continued on next page

18 Specifications
Continued from previous page
LAN 1x Killer™ E2500 Gigabit LAN controller
Back Panel
Connectors
y1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
y2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
y1x DVI-D port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
y4x/ 2x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports (optional)
y1x HDMI™port
y1x LAN (RJ45) port
y5x OFC audio jacks
y1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
Internal Connectors
y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
y6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
y2x USB 3.1 Gen1 connectors (supports additional 4 USB
3.1 Gen1 ports)
y2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0
ports)
y1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
y1x 4-pin water pump fan connector
y4x 4-pin system fan connectors
y1x Front panel audio connector
y2x Front panel connectors
y1x LED connector
y1x TPM module connector
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x Serial connector
y1x Clear CMOS jumper
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6795D Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor
yCPU/System temperature detection
yCPU/System fan speed detection
yCPU/System fan speed control
Form Factor yATX Form Factor
y12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.4 cm x 24.3 cm)
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19
Specifications
Continued from previous page
BIOS Features
y1x 128 Mb flash
yUEFI AMI BIOS
yACPI 5.0, PnP 1.0a, SM BIOS 2.8
yMulti-language
Software
yDrivers
yCOMMAND CENTER
yLIVE UPDATE 6
yFAST BOOT
ySUPER CHARGER
yGAMING APP
yRAMDISK
yX-BOOST
yMSI SMART TOOL
Software
yKiller Network Manager
yNahimic Audio
yXSplit Gamecaster V2
yIntel®Extreme Tuning Utility
yNorton™Internet Security Solution
yGoogle Chrome™,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
ySteelSeries Engine 3
yCPU-Z MSI GAMING
yDRAGON EYE
yWTFast GPN*
2-Month Premium License
Multi-Server Network Optimization
Advanced Lag Spike & Disconnect Reduction
* This offer is valid for a limited period only, for more information please visit
www.msi.com
Continued on next page

20 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Special Features
yAudio Boost 4
yNahimic 2
yGAMING LAN with Killer
yWTFast
yIntel®OptaneTM Memory Ready
yTwin Turbo M.2
yM.2 Genie
yPump Fan
ySmart Fan Control
yMystic Light Extension (RGB)
yMystic light SYNC
yPCI-E Steel Armor
yM.2 Steel Armor
yGolden Plated USB with type A+C (Z270 GAMING M3)
yVR Cover (Z270 GAMING M3)
yMulti GPU – CrossFire Technology
yDDR4 Boost
yGAME Boost (Z270 GAMING M3)
yLightning USB
yX-Boost
yMilitary Class 5
y7000+ Quality Test
yVR Boost (Z270 GAMING M3)
yVR Ready
yDragon eye
yXsplit
yRAMDisk
yGAMING HOTKEY
yClick BIOS 5