MSI MAG Z390 TOMAHAWK User manual

1
Quick Start
DDR4 Memory
Graphics Card
SATA Hard Disk Drive SATA DVD Drive
Phillips Screwdriver
Chassis
Power Supply Unit
A Package of Screws
Thermal Paste
Quick Start
Thank you for purchasing the MSI®MAG Z390 TOMAHAWK motherboard. This Quick
Start section provides demonstration diagrams about how to install your computer.
Some of the installations also provide video demonstrations. Please link to the URL to
watch it with the web browser on your phone or tablet. You may have even link to the
URL by scanning the QR code.
Preparing Tools and Components
Intel®LGA 1151 CPU
CPU Fan

2Quick Start
https://youtu.be/4ce91YC3Oww
Installing a Processor
1
2
3
6
45
7
8
9

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

4Quick Start
Connecting the Front Panel Header
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
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
1
2 10
9
+
+
+- -- -
+
Power LED
HDD LED Reset Switch
Reserved
Power Switch
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

5
Quick Start
Installing the Motherboard
1
2

6Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
1
23
4
5

7
Quick Start
1
Installing a Graphics Card
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
2
3
4
5
6

8Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices

9
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1 CPU_PWR1
CPU_PWR2

10 Quick Start
Power On
1
4
2
3

11
Contents
Contents
Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 1
Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 1
Installing a Processor............................................................................................. 2
Installing DDR4 memory ........................................................................................ 3
Connecting the Front Panel Header....................................................................... 4
Installing the Motherboard..................................................................................... 5
Installing SATA Drives............................................................................................. 6
Installing a Graphics Card...................................................................................... 7
Connecting Peripheral Devices .............................................................................. 8
Connecting the Power Connectors......................................................................... 9
Power On............................................................................................................... 10
Specifications....................................................................................................... 13
Package contents ................................................................................................ 18
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 19
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 20
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 20
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 20
Realtek Audio Console ......................................................................................... 21
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 23
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 25
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 26
PCI_E1~5: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 27
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 28
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 29
CPU_PWR1~2, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors ................................................... 31
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors................................................................... 32
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 32
JUSB3~4: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connectors ................................................................... 33
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 33
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~5: Fan Connectors................................... 34
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector ............................................................................. 35
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 35
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 36
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 36
JRGB1~2, JRAINBOW1: RGB LED connectors..................................................... 37
Onboard LEDs ...................................................................................................... 38
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 38

12 Contents
DIMM LEDs ........................................................................................................... 38
Installing OS, Drivers & Utilities ......................................................................... 39
Installing Windows®10......................................................................................... 39
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 39
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 39
MYSTIC LIGHT...................................................................................................... 40
Device LED effect control screen ......................................................................... 40
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 43
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 43
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 44
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 44
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 45
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 47
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 48
Advanced............................................................................................................... 48
Boot....................................................................................................................... 55
Security................................................................................................................. 56
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 57
OC.......................................................................................................................... 58
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 64
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 65
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 66
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 67
Enabling Intel®Rapid Storage Technology .......................................................... 67
Creating RAID Volume ......................................................................................... 68
Removing a RAID Volume .................................................................................... 69
Resetting Disks to Non-RAID............................................................................... 70
Rebuilding RAID Array.......................................................................................... 71
Installing RAID Driver........................................................................................... 72
Installing Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Software .......................................... 72
Intel®Optane™ Memory Configuration .............................................................. 73
System Requirements ......................................................................................... 73
Installing the Intel®Optane™ memory ................................................................ 73
Removing the Intel®Optane™ memory ............................................................... 75
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 76

13
Specifications
Specifications
CPU
Supports Intel®Core™ 9000 Series family/ 8th Gen Intel®
Core™ / Pentium®Gold / Celeron®processors for LGA 1151
socket
* Please go to www.intel.com for more compatibility information.
Chipset Intel®Z390 Chipset
Memory
y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB*
ySupports DDR4 4400(OC)/ 4300(OC)/ 4266(OC)/ 4200(OC)/
4133(OC)/ 4000(OC)/ 3866(OC)/ 3733(OC)/ 3600(OC)/
3466(OC)/ 3400(OC)/ 3333(OC)/ 3300(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)
/ 2800(OC)/ 2666/ 2400/ 2133 MHz*
ySupports Dual-Channel mode
ySupports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
ySupports Intel®Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.
Expansion Slot
y3x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (support x16/x4/x1 modes)
y2x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
y1x M.2 slot (Key E) for an Intel®CNVi wireless module only
Onboard Graphics
y1x HDMI™ port 1.4, supports a maximum resolution of
4096x2160@24Hz
y1x DisplayPort port 1.2, supports a maximum resolution of
4096X2304@60Hz
Multi-GPU ySupports 2-Way AMD®CrossFire™Technology
Storage
Intel®Z390 Chipset
y6x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
y2x M.2 slots (Key M)*
M2_1 supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s, 2242/
2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices
M2_2 Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s, 2242/
2260/ 2280 storage devices
Intel®Optane™ Memory Ready
* M.2 slots and SATA ports share the bandwidth. Please refer to page 29 for
details.
** Before using Intel®Optane™ memory modules, please ensure that you have
updated the drivers and BIOS to the latest version from MSI website.
Continued on next page

14 Specifications
Continued from previous page
RAID
Intel®Z390 Chipset
ySupports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
ySupports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for M.2 PCIe storage devices
LAN 1x Intel®I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
1x Intel®I211-AT Gigabit LAN controller
USB
yIntel®Z390 Chipset
4x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (1
Type-C and 3 Type-A ports on the back panel)
4x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports available
through the internal USB connectors
6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 Type-A ports on
the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal
USB connectors)
Audio
yRealtek®ALC892 Codec
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
Supports S/PDIF output
Back Panel
Connectors
y1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
y2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
y1x DisplayPort port
y1x HDMI™ port
y2x LAN (RJ45) ports
y3x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A ports
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
y5x OFC audio jacks
y1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
Continued on next page

15
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Internal Connectors
y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
y1x 4-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 connector
y5x 4-pin system fan connectors
y1x Serial port connector
y1x Front panel audio connector
y2x System panel connectors
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x TPM module connector
y2x 4-pin RGB LED connectors
y1x 3-pin RAINBOW LED connector
Debug LED y4x EZ Debug LED
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6797 Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor
yCPU/System temperature detection
yCPU/System fan speed detection
yCPU/System fan speed control
Form Factor yATX Form Factor
y9.6 in. x 12 in. (24.3 cm x 30.4 cm)
BIOS Features
y1x 128 Mb flash
yUEFI AMI BIOS
yACPI 6.1, SMBIOS 2.8
yMulti-language
Continued on next page

16 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Software
yDrivers
yDRAGON CENTER
yMYSTIC LIGHT
yOpen Broadcaster Software (OBS)
yCPU-Z MSI GAMING
yMSI App Player (BlueStacks)
yIntel®Extreme Tuning Utility
yGoogle Chrome™, Google Toolbar, Google Drive
yNorton™ Internet Security Solution
Dragon Center
Features
yGAME OPTIMIZATION
yOC Performance
yHardware Monitor
yEyerest
yLAN Manager
yLive Update
Please refer to http://download.
msi.com/manual/mb/
DRAGONCENTER2.pdf for more
details.
Special Features
yAudio
Audio Boost
yNetwork
GAMING LAN with Gaming LAN Manager
Intel CNVi Ready
yStorage
Twin Turbo M.2
yCooling
Extended Heatsink Design
Pump Fan
GAMING Fan Control
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Special Features
yLED
Mystic Light
Mystic Light Extension (RGB)
Mystic Light Extension (RAINBOW)
Mystic light SYNC
EZ DEBUG LED
yProtection
PCI-E Steel Armor
M.2 Shield Frozr
Pre-installed IO shielding
yPerformance
Multi GPU – CrossFire Technology
DDR4 Boost
Core Boost
USB with type A+C
INTEL Turbo USB 3.1 Gen 2
8-pin CPU Power
yVR
VR Ready
yGamer Experience
GAMING HOTKEY
GAMING MOUSE Control
APP Player
yBIOS
Click BIOS 5

18 Package contents
Package contents
Please check the contents of your motherboard package. It should contain:
Motherboard MAG Z390 TOMAHAWK
Cable SATA 6Gb/s Cables 2
RGB LED Extension 80cm 1
Accessories
M.2 Screw 1
Case Badge 1
VIP Card 1
Application DVD Driver DVD 1
Documentation User Manual 1
Quick Installation Guide 1
Important
If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your retailer.

19
Block Diagram
Block Diagram
(Rear+ Front)
4x USB 3.1 Gen2
2 Channel DDR4 Memory
PCIE Bus
PCIE Bus
PCIE Bus
DMI 3.0
PCI Express Bus
PCH
Processor
NV6797
Super I/O
Realtek
ALC892
4x USB 3.1 Gen1
6x USB 2.0
PCIe x1 slot
PCIE Bus
Audio Jacks
P/S2 Mouse / Keyboard
2x M.2
Switch
INTEL I219+211 AT
6x SATA 6Gb/s

20 Rear I/O Panel
Rear I/O Panel
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
Audio Ports
Channel
2468
Center/ Subwoofer Out ● ●
Rear Speaker Out ●●●
Line-In/ Side Speaker Out ●
Line-Out/ Front Speaker Out ●●●●
Mic In
(●: connected, Blank: empty)
Audio Ports
Optical S/PDIF-Out
LAN LAN
USB 3.1 Gen2
USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C
DisplayPort
PS/2
USB 2.0