MSI MEG Z690 UNIFY-X User manual

1
Quick Start
Quick Start
Thank you for purchasing the MSI® MEG Z690 UNIFY-X 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® LGA1700 CPU
LGA1700 CPU Fan
DDR5 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
Case stand-off notification
To prevent damage to the motherboard, any unnecessary mounting stand-off between
the motherboard circuits and the computer case is prohibited. The Case standoff keep
out zone signs will be marked on the backside of motherboard (as shown below) to
serve as a warning to user.
Avoid collision notification
Protective paint is printed around each screw hole to prevent parts from being
scratched.

4Quick Start
Installing a Processor
⚽
https://youtu.be/KMf9oIDsGes
1
2
3
6
4
5
7
8
9

5
Quick Start
Installing DDR5 memory
https://youtu.be/XiNmkDNZcZk
⚽
DIMMB1 DIMMA1
DIMMB1

6Quick 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
⚽

7
Quick Start
Installing the Motherboard
1
https://youtu.be/wWI6Qt51Wnc
⚽
Torque:
3 kgf·cm*
*3 kgf·cm
= 0.3 N·m
= 2.6 lbf·in
2

8Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1
CPU_PWR1
⚽
CPU_PWR2

9
Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
1
23
4
5
⚽

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

11
Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices

12 Quick Start
Power On
4
3
12

13
Contents
Contents
Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 1
Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 1
Safety Information.................................................................................................. 2
Case stand-off notification ..................................................................................... 3
Avoid collision notification...................................................................................... 3
Installing a Processor ............................................................................................ 4
Installing DDR5 memory ........................................................................................ 5
Connecting the Front Panel Header ...................................................................... 6
Installing the Motherboard..................................................................................... 7
Connecting the Power Connectors ........................................................................ 8
Installing SATA Drives............................................................................................ 9
Installing a Graphics Card.................................................................................... 10
Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................ 11
Power On .............................................................................................................. 12
Specifications....................................................................................................... 15
Package contents ................................................................................................ 22
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 23
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 24
LAN Port LED Status Table .................................................................................. 24
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 24
Realtek Audio Console ......................................................................................... 25
Installing Antennas............................................................................................... 27
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 28
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 30
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 31
PCI_E1~3: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 32
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors................................................................... 33
M2_1~5: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 34
SATA5~8 & SATAA~B1: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors................................................. 40
CPU_PWR1~2, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors................................................... 41
JSLOW1: Slow Mode Booting Jumper.................................................................. 42
JLN1~2: Low Temperature Booting Jumper ....................................................... 42
JDASH1 : Tuning Controller connector................................................................ 43
JOC_FS1: Safe Boot Jumper................................................................................ 45
JOC_RT1: OC Retry Button Connector................................................................. 45
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 46
JTBT1: Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector ...................................................... 46

14 Contents
W_FLOW1: Water Flow Meter Connector ............................................................ 46
JUSB5: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C Connector........................................................ 47
JUSB3~4: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Connectors .................................................................. 47
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 48
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 48
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~6: Fan Connectors.................................. 49
T_SEN1~2: Thermal Sensor Connector............................................................... 50
V-Check Points Lite .............................................................................................. 50
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 51
POWER1, RESET1: Power Button, Reset Button ................................................. 51
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 52
BIOS_SW1: Multi-BIOS Switch ............................................................................. 52
JRGB1: RGB LED connector................................................................................. 53
JRAINBOW1~2: Addressable RGB LED connectors ............................................ 54
JCORSAIR1: CORSAIR Connector ........................................................................ 55
Onboard LEDs...................................................................................................... 56
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 56
Debug Code LED................................................................................................... 56
Hexadecimal Character Table.............................................................................. 56
Boot Phases.......................................................................................................... 56
Debug Code LED Table......................................................................................... 57
ACPI States Codes................................................................................................ 61
CPU Temperature................................................................................................. 61
Installing OS, Drivers & MSI Center.................................................................... 62
Installing Windows® 10......................................................................................... 62
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 62
MSI Center............................................................................................................ 62
UEFI BIOS............................................................................................................. 63
BIOS Setup............................................................................................................ 64
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 64
BIOS User Guide ................................................................................................... 64
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 65
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 65
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 67
Intel® Optane™ Memory Configuration.............................................................. 68
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................. 69

15
Specifications
Specifications
CPU
∙Supports 12th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and
Celeron® Processors*
∙Processor socket LGA1700
* Please go to www.msi.com to get the newest support status as new processors
are released.
Chipset Intel® Z690 Chipset
Memory
∙2x DDR5 memory slots, support up to 64GB*
∙Supports 1R 4800 MHz (by JEDEC & POR)
∙Max. overclocking frequency:
▪1DPC 1R Max speed up to 6800+ MHz
▪1DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHz
∙Supports Intel® XMP 3.0 OC
∙Supports Dual Controller Dual-Channel mode
∙Supports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
*Please refer to www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory
USB
∙Intel® Z690 Chipset
▪2x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 20Gbps ports ( 1 Type-C port on the
back panel, 1 Type-C internal connector)
▪3x USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps Type-A ports on the back
panel
▪2x USB 2.0 Type-A port on the back panel
∙Hub GL3590-OTY10
▪4x USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps ports on the back panel
∙Hub ASM1074
▪4x USB 3.2 Gen1 5Gbps ports available through
internal USB connectors
∙Hub GL850G-OHY50
▪4x USB 2.0 ports available through internal USB
connectors
Expansion Slot
∙2x PCIe x16 slots (From CPU)
▫Support PCIe 5.0
▫Support x16/ x0, x8/ x8
∙1x PCIe x4 slot (From Z690 Chipset)
▫Supports PCIe 3.0 x4
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16 Specifications
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Multi-GPU ∙Supports NVIDIA® SLI Technology
∙Supports AMD® CrossFire™ Technology
Storage
∙6x SATA 6Gb/s ports
▪SATA5~8 (From Z690 Chipset)
▪SATAA~B1 (From ASMedia ASM1061)
∙5x M.2 slots (Key M)
▪M2_1 slot (From CPU)
▫Supports PCIe 4.0 x4
▫Supports 2260/ 2280 storage devices
▪M2_2 slot (From Z690 Chipset)
▫Supports PCIe 4.0 x4
▫Supports 2260/ 2280 storage devices
▪M2_3 slot (From Z690 Chipset)
▫Supports PCIe 4.0x4
▫Supports SATA 6Gb/s
▫Supports 2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices
▪M2_4 slot (From Z690 Chipset)
▫Supports PCIe 3.0x4
▫Supports 2260/ 2280 storage devices
▪M2_5 slot (From Z690 Chipset)
▫Supports PCIe 4.0x4
▫Supports 2260/ 2280 storage devices
▪M2_2~5 supports Intel® Optane™ Memory
∙Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology for Intel
Core™ processors
RAID
∙Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices*
∙Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for M.2
NVMe storage devices
* SATAA & SATAB do not support RAID function.
Audio
Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
∙7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
∙Supports S/PDIF output
LAN 2x Intel® I225-V 2.5Gbps LAN controllers
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Wireless LAN &
Bluetooth®
Intel® Wi-Fi 6E
∙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® 5.2**, FIPS, FISMA
* Wi-Fi 6E 6GHz may depend on every country’s regulations and will be ready in
Windows 10 version 21H1 and Windows 11.
** Bluetooth 5.2 will be ready in Windows 10 version 21H1 and Windows 11.
Internal Connectors
∙1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
∙2x 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors
∙6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
∙5x M.2 slots (M-Key)
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Type-C port
∙2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (supports additional 4
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports)
∙2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0
ports)
∙1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
∙1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector
∙6x 4-pin system fan connectors
∙1x Front panel audio connector
∙2x System panel connectors
∙1x Chassis Intrusion connector
∙2x 2-pin Thermal Sensors connector
∙1x Water flow connector
∙1x V-check point
∙1x TPM module connector
∙1x Tuning controller connector
∙1x Debug port connector
∙1x TBT connector (Supports RTD3)
Internal Buttons ∙1x Power button
∙1x Reset button
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18 Specifications
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Jumpers
∙1x Clear CMOS jumper
∙1x Slow mode jumper
∙2x Low temperature booting jumpers
∙1x Safe boot jumper
∙1x OC Retry jumper
LED Features
∙1x 2-Digit Debug Code LED
∙4x EZ Debug LED
∙1x 4-pin RGB LED connector
∙2x 3-pin RAINBOW LED connectors
∙1x 3-pin JCORSAIR LED connector
Back Panel
Connectors
∙1x Clear CMOS button
∙1x Flash BIOS button
∙1x PS/2 port
∙2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
∙2x 2.5Gbps LAN (RJ45) ports
∙7x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A ports
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Type-C port
∙2x Wi-Fi Antenna connectors
∙5x OFC audio jacks
∙1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6687-R Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor
∙CPU/ System/ Chipset temperature detection
∙CPU/ System/ Pump fan speed detection
∙CPU/ System/ Pump fan speed control
Form Factor ∙ATX Form Factor
∙12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
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19
Specifications
Continued from previous page
BIOS Features
∙2x 256 Mb flash
∙UEFI AMI BIOS
∙ACPI 6.2, SMBIOS 3.0
∙Multi-language
Software
∙Drivers
∙MSI Center
∙Intel Extreme Tuning Utility
∙Nahimic
∙MSI APP Player (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
∙Smart Priority
∙Game Highlights
∙LAN Manager
∙Mystic Light
∙Ambient Devices
∙Frozr AI Cooling
∙User Scenario
∙True Color
∙Live Update
∙Hardware Monitoring
∙Super Charger
∙Speed Up
∙Smart Image Finder
∙MSI Companion
Continued on next page

20 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Special Features
∙Audio
▪Audio Boost 5
▪Nahimic 3
▪Sound Tune
∙Network
▪2.5G LAN
▪LAN Manager
▪Intel WiFi
∙Cooling
▪All Aluminum Design
▪Heat-pipe Design
▪Extended Heatsink Design
▪Aluminum Backplate
▪M.2 Shield Frozr
▪Pump Fan
▪K7 thermal pad
▪Choke pad
▪Smart Fan Control
∙LED
▪Mystic Light Extension (RAINBOW/RGB/CORSAIR)
▪Mystic Light SYNC
▪Ambient Devices
▪EZ LED Control
▪EZ DEBUG LED
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