MSI MEG Z590I UNIFY User manual

1
Quick Start
Quick Start
Thank you for purchasing the MSI® MEG Z590I UNIFY 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 1200 CPU
CPU Fan
DDR4 Memory
Graphics Card
SATA Hard Disk Drive SATA DVD Drive
Phillips Screwdriver
Chassis
Power Supply Unit
A Package of Screws
Thermal Paste

2Quick Start
Safety Information
∙The components included in this package are prone to damage from electrostatic
discharge (ESD). Please adhere to the following instructions to ensure successful
computer assembly.
∙Ensure that all components are securely connected. Loose connections may cause
the computer to not recognize a component or fail to start.
∙Hold the motherboard by the edges to avoid touching sensitive components.
∙It 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.
∙Store the motherboard in an electrostatic shielding container or on an anti-static
pad whenever the motherboard is not installed.
∙Before turning on the computer, ensure that there are no loose screws or metal
components on the motherboard or anywhere within the computer case.
∙Do not boot the computer before installation is completed. This could cause
permanent damage to the components as well as injury to the user.
∙If you need help during any installation step, please consult a certified computer
technician.
∙Always turn off the power supply and unplug the power cord from the power outlet
before installing or removing any computer component.
∙Keep this user guide for future reference.
∙Keep this motherboard away from humidity.
∙Make sure that your electrical outlet provides the same voltage as is indicated on
the PSU, before connecting the PSU to the electrical outlet.
∙Place the power cord such a way that people can not step on it. Do not place
anything over the power cord.
∙All cautions and warnings on the motherboard should be noted.
∙If 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.
∙Do not leave this motherboard in an environment above 60°C (140°F), it may damage
the motherboard.

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

4Quick Start
Installing DDR4 memory
http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs
⚽
DIMMB1 DIMMA1
DIMMB1

5
Quick Start
HDD LED
RESET SW
Connecting the Front Panel Header
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
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
RESET SW
POWER SW
POWER LED+
POWER LED-
HDD LED
⚽

6Quick Start
Installing the Motherboard
1
2
https://youtu.be/wWI6Qt51Wnc
⚽
Torque:
3 kgf·cm*
*3 kgf·cm
= 0.3 N·m
= 2.6 lbf·in

7
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1
CPU_PWR1
⚽

8Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
1
2
3
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

11
Quick Start
Power On
4
3
12

12 Contents
Contents
Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 1
Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 1
Safety Information.................................................................................................. 2
Installing a Processor ............................................................................................ 3
Installing DDR4 memory ........................................................................................ 4
Connecting the Front Panel Header ...................................................................... 5
Installing the Motherboard..................................................................................... 6
Connecting the Power Connectors ........................................................................ 7
Installing SATA Drives............................................................................................ 8
Installing a Graphics Card...................................................................................... 9
Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................ 10
Power On .............................................................................................................. 11
Specifications....................................................................................................... 14
Package contents ................................................................................................ 21
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 22
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 23
LAN Port LED Status Table .................................................................................. 23
Installing Antennas............................................................................................... 24
Connecting Thunderbolt Devices via Daisy-chain................................................ 25
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 26
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 28
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 29
PCI_E1: PCIe Expansion Slot................................................................................ 30
SATA1~4: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors....................................................................... 30
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 31
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors................................................................... 34
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 34
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors....................................................... 35
JUSB2: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Connector ........................................................................ 36
JUSB3: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connector............................................................ 36
JUSB1: USB 2.0 Connector .................................................................................. 37
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 37
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1: Fan Connectors...................................... 38
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 39
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 39
JRAINBOW1: Addressable RGB LED connector .................................................. 40
Installing OS, Drivers & MSI Center.................................................................... 41

13
Contents
Installing Windows® 10......................................................................................... 41
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 41
MSI Center............................................................................................................ 41
UEFI BIOS............................................................................................................. 42
BIOS Setup............................................................................................................ 43
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 43
BIOS User Guide ................................................................................................... 43
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 44
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 44
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 46
Intel® Optane™ Memory Configuration.............................................................. 47
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 48

14 Specifications
Specifications
CPU
∙Supports 10th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors, 11th Gen
Intel® Core™ Processors, Pentium® Gold and Celeron®
Processors*
∙Processor socket LGA1200
* Please go to intel.com for compatibility information.
Chipset Intel® Z590 Chipset
Memory
∙2x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB*
∙Supports 1R 2133/ 2666/ 2933 MHz for 10th Gen Intel®
CPU (by JEDEC & POR)*
∙Supports 1R 2133/ 2666/ 2933/ 3200 MHz for 11th Gen
Intel® CPU (by JEDEC & POR)*
∙Max overclocking frequency:
▪1DPC 1R Max speed up to 5600 MHz
▪1DPC 2R Max speed up to 4800+ MHz
∙Supports Dual-Channel mode
∙Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
∙Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
*Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory
Expansion Slot
∙1x PCIe x16 slot
▪Support up to PCIe 4.0 for 11th Gen Intel® CPU
▪Support up to PCIe 3.0 for 10th Gen Intel® CPU
Onboard Graphics
∙1x HDMI 2.0b with HDR port, supports a maximum
resolution of 4K 60Hz*/**
∙1x DisplayPort 1.4 port, supports a maximum resolution of
4K 60Hz*/**
*Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics.
** Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
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15
Specifications
Continued from previous column
Thunderbolt 4
Intel® JHL8540 Thunderbolt™ 4 Controller
∙2x Thunderbolt™ 4 (USB-C) ports on the back panel
▪Support up to 40Gbps transfer rate with Thunderbolt
devices
▪Support up to 20Gbps transfer rate with USB4 devices
▪Support up to 10Gbps transfer rate with USB 3.2
devices
▪Support up to 5V/3A ,15W power charging
▪Each port can daisy-chain up to three Thunderbolt 4
devices or five Thunderbolt 3 devices
▪Supports up to 8K display (need to connect the
DisplayPort of the motherboard or discrete graphics card
to the Mini DisplayPort Input port on the back panel)
Storage
∙4x SATA 6Gb/s ports (from Z590 chipset)
∙2x M.2 slots (Key M)
▪M2_1 slot
▫Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4 for 11th Gen Intel® CPU
(From CPU)
▫Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 & SATA 6Gb/s for 10th
Gen Intel® CPU (From Z590 chipset)
▫Supports 2280 storage devices
▪M2_2 slot (from Z590 chipset)
▫Supports PCIe 3.0 x4 only
▫Supports 2280 storage devices
▫Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready**
∙Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology for Intel
Core™ processors
* SATA2 will be unavailable when installing M.2 SATA SSD in the M2_1 slot.
** Before using Intel® Optane™ memory modules, please ensure that you have
updated the drivers and BIOS to the latest version from MSI website.
RAID
∙Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
∙Supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for M.2 NVMe storage devices
Continued on next column

16 Specifications
Continued from previous column
USB
∙Intel® Z590 Chipset
▪3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps ports (2 Type-A port on the
back panel, 1 Type-C internal connector)
▪4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports (2 Type-A ports on the
back panel, 2 ports available through the internal USB
connectors)
▪4x USB 2.0 ports (2 Type-A ports on the back panel, 2
ports available through the internal USB connectors)
Audio Realtek® ALC1220P Codec
∙7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
LAN 1x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps LAN controller
Wireless LAN &
Bluetooth®
Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX210
∙The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E)
slot
∙Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz/ 5GHz/ 6GHz*
(160MHz) up to 2.4Gbps
∙Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax
∙Supports Bluetooth® 5.3**, FIPS, FISMA
* The usage of Wi-Fi 6GHz band relies on Windows 11 support and depends on
every country’s regulations.
** The Bluetooth version may be updated, please refer to the Wi-Fi chipset
vendor’s website for details.
Continued on next column

17
Specifications
Continued from previous column
Internal Connectors
∙1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
∙1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
∙4x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
∙2x M.2 slots (M-Key)
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C port
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (supports additional 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports)
∙1x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 2 USB 2.0
ports)
∙1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
∙1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector
∙1x 4-pin system fan connectors
∙1x Front panel audio connector
∙2x System panel connectors
∙1x Chassis Intrusion connector
∙1x 3-pin RAINBOW LED connector
∙1x TPM module connector
LED Features ∙4x EZ Debug LED
Back Panel
Connectors
∙1x Clear CMOS button
∙2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
∙2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps Type-A ports
∙1x DisplayPort port
∙1x HDMI port
∙1x LAN (RJ45) port
∙2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A port
∙2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
∙2x Mini DisplayPort Input (for Thunderbolt 4 passthrough)
∙2x Wi-Fi Antenna connectors
∙3x OFC audio jacks
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6687-R Controller Chip
Continued on next column

18 Specifications
Continued from previous column
Hardware Monitor
∙CPU/ System/ Chipset temperature detection
∙CPU/ System/ Pump fan speed detection
∙CPU/ System/ Pump fan speed control
Form Factor ∙Mini-ITX Form Factor
∙6.7 in. x 6.7 in. (17.0 cm x 17.0 cm)
BIOS Features
∙1x 256 Mb flash
∙UEFI AMI BIOS
∙ACPI 6.2, SMBIOS 3.0
∙Multi-language
Software
∙Drivers
∙MSI Center
∙Intel Extreme Tuning Utility
∙Nahimic Audio
∙MSI APP Play (Bluestack)
∙Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
∙CPU-Z MSI GAMING
∙Google Chrome™, Google Toolbar, Google Drive
∙Norton™ Internet Security Solution
MSI Center
Features
∙Duet Display
∙MSI Sound Tune
∙Gaming Mode
∙Creator Mode
∙Mystic Light
∙Ambient Link
∙LAN Manager (Powered By cFosSpeed)
∙User Scenario
∙Monitor
∙Frozr AI Cooling
∙True Color
∙Live Update
∙Speed Up
∙Super Charger
Continued on next column

19
Specifications
Continued from previous column
Special Features
∙Audio
▪Audio Boost4
▪Nahimic 3
▪Sound Tune
∙Network
▪2.5G LAN
▪LAN Manager
▪Intel WiFi
∙Cooling
▪Frozr Heatsink Design
▪All Aluminum Design
▪Extended Heatsink Design
▪MOSFET Baseplate
▪M.2 Shield Frozr
▪K7 thermal pad
▪Choke pad
▪Pump Fan
▪Smart Fan Control
∙LED
▪Mystic Light Extension (RAINBOW)
▪Mystic Light SYNC
▪Ambient Link
▪EZ LED Control
▪EZ DEBUG LED
Continued on next column

20 Specifications
Continued from previous column
Special Features
∙Performance
▪Thunderbolt 4
▪USB4
▪Lightning Gen 4 PCI-E Slot
▪Lightning Gen 4 M.2
▪DDR4 Boost
▪Memory Force
▪Core Boost
▪Game Boost
▪OC Engine
▪USB 3.2 Gen 2 10G
▪Front USB Type-C
▪Server PCB
▪2oz Copper thickened PCB
∙Protection
▪PCI-E Steel Armor
▪Pre-installed I/O Shield
∙Experience
▪MSI Center
▪Duet Display
▪Frozr AI Cooling
▪Click BIOS 5
▪Clear CMOS Button