MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WIFI User manual

PRO Series
Motherboard
PRO Z790-A MAX WIFI
User Guide

2
Contents
Quick Start..................................................................................................................... 4
Specifications.............................................................................................................. 16
Special Features......................................................................................................... 20
Package Contents ...................................................................................................... 21
Back Panel Connectors ............................................................................................. 22
LAN Port LED Status Table .................................................................................. 23
Audio Jacks Connection ....................................................................................... 23
Installing Antennas............................................................................................... 25
Overview of Components........................................................................................... 26
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 27
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 28
PCI_E1~4: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 29
M2_1~4: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 29
SATA_1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors..................................................................... 36
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 37
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors................................................................... 37
JDASH1: Tuning Controller Connector ................................................................ 38
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 38
CPU_PWR1~2, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors................................................... 39
JUSB4: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
Front Panel Connector ........................................ 40
JUSB3: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Connector ........................................................................ 40
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 41
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 41
JTBT_U4_1: USB4 Expansion Card Connector.................................................... 42
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~6: Fan Connectors.................................. 43
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 44
BAT1: CMOS Battery............................................................................................. 45
JRGB1: RGB LED Connector ................................................................................ 46
JARGB_V2_1~3: A-RAINBOW V2 (ARGB Gen2) LED Connectors ........................ 47
English

3
Onboard LEDs............................................................................................................. 49
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 49
LED_SW1: EZ LED Control................................................................................... 49
Installing OS, Drivers & MSI Center.......................................................................... 50
MSI Center............................................................................................................ 53
UEFI BIOS.................................................................................................................... 54
BIOS Setup............................................................................................................ 55
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 56
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 56

4
Quick Start
Thank you for purchasing a new motherboard from MSI®. 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
Phillips Screwdriver
Chassis
Power Supply Unit
A Package of Screws
Thermal Paste

5
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.

6
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.

7
Installing a Processor
⚽
∙https://youtu.be/KMf9oIDsGes
11
22
33
66
44
5577
88
99

8
Installing DDR5 memory
DIMMA2 DIMMA2
DIMMB2
DIMMA1
DIMMA2
DIMMB1
DIMMB2
∙https://youtu.be/XiNmkDNZcZk
⚽

9
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
RESET SW
POWER SW
POWER LED+
POWER LED-
HDD LED
⚽
1
2 10
9
Power LED
Reserved
Power Switch
JFP1
Reset SwitchHDD LED

10
BAT1
Installing the Motherboard
11∙https://youtu.be/wWI6Qt51Wnc
⚽
Torque:
3 kgf·cm*
*3 kgf·cm
= 0.3 N·m
= 2.6 lbf·in
22

11
Connecting the Power Connectors
∙http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1
CPU_PWR1~2
⚽

12
Installing SATA Drives
∙http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
11
2233
44
55
⚽

13
Installing a Graphics Card
∙http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
⚽
11
22
33
44
55
66

14
Connecting Peripheral Devices

15
Power On
44
33
1122

16
Specifications
CPU
∙Supports 12th/ 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors,
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® Z790 Chipset
Memory
∙4x DDR5 memory slots, support up to 192GB*
∙Supports 1R 5600 MHz (by JEDEC & POR)
∙Max. overclocking frequency:
• 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 7800+ MHz
• 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 6600+ MHz
• 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MHz
• 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MHz
∙DIMM slots with double-sided latches
∙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.
Expansion Slots
∙3x PCIe x16 slots
• PCI_E1 slot (From CPU)
• Supports up to PCIe 5.0 x16
• PCI_E3 slot (From Z790 Chipset)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
• PCI_E4 slot (From Z790 Chipset)
• Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x1
∙1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot (From Z790 Chipset)
Onboard Graphics
∙1x HDMI™ 2.1 port with HDR, supporting a maximum
resolution of 4K 60Hz*/ **
∙1x DisplayPort 1.4 port with HBR3, supporting a maximum
resolution of 8K 60Hz*/ **
* Available only on processors featuring integrated graphics.
** Graphics specifications may vary depending on the CPU installed.
SATA Ports ∙6x SATA 6Gb/s ports (From Z790 chipset)
Continued on next column

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Continued from previous column
M.2 SSD Slots
∙4x M.2 slots (Key M)
• M2_1 slot (From CPU)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
• Supports 2242/2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices
• M2_2 slot (From Z790 chipset)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
• Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices
• M2_3 & M2_4 slots (From Z790 chipset)
• Supports up to PCIe 4.0 x4
• Supports up to SATA 6Gb/s
• Supports 2242/ 2260/ 2280 storage devices
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
Audio
Realtek® ALC4080 Codec
∙7.1-Channel USB High Performance Audio
∙Supports up to 32-bit/384kHz playback on front panel
∙Supports S/PDIF output
LAN 1x Intel® 2.5Gbps LAN controller
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth®
Wi-Fi 7
∙ The Wireless module is pre-installed in the M.2 (Key-E)
slot
∙ Supports MU-MIMO TX/RX, 2.4GHz/ 5GHz/ 6GHz*(320MHz)
up to 5.8Gbps
∙ Supports 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac/ ax/ be
∙ Supports Bluetooth® 5.4**, MLO, 4KQAM
*6GHz band support may depend on every country’s regulations and Wi-Fi 7 will
be ready in Windows 11 SV3.
** The Bluetooth version may be updated. Please refer to the Wi-Fi chipset
vendor’s website for details. Bluetooth 5.4 support schedule depends on MSFT
Windows 11 plan.
Power Connectors ∙1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
∙2x 8-pin +12V power connectors
Continued on next column

18
Continued from previous column
Internal USB
Connectors
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-C front panel connector
(From Z790 chipset)
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps connector (From Z790 chipset)
• Supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 5Gbps ports
∙2x USB 2.0 Type-A connectors (From Hub GL850G)
• Supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
Fan Connectors
∙1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
∙1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector
∙6x 4-pin system fan connectors
System Connectors
∙1x Front panel audio connector
∙2x System panel connectors
∙1x Chassis intrusion connector
∙1x TPM module connector
∙1x Tuning controller connector
∙1x USB4 expansion card connector (Supports RTD3)
Jumpers ∙1x Clear CMOS jumper
LED Features
∙1x 4-pin RGB LED connector
∙3x 3-pin ARGB Gen2 LED connectors
∙4x EZ Debug LED
Back Panel
Connectors
∙1x DisplayPort
∙1x HDMI™ port
∙1x Flash BIOS button
∙2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports (From Hub GL850G)
∙2x USB 3.2 Gen1 5Gbps Type-A ports (From Z790 chipset)
∙1x 2.5Gbps LAN (RJ45) port
∙3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Type-A ports (From Z790
chipset)
∙1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 20Gbps Type-C port (From Z790
chipset)
∙2x Wi-Fi antenna connectors
∙5x Audio jacks
∙1x Optical S/PDIF Out connector
Continued on next column

19
Continued from previous column
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6687 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
∙9.6 in. x 12 in. (244 mm x 305 mm)
BIOS Features
∙1x 256 Mb flash
∙UEFI AMI BIOS
∙ACPI 6.4, SMBIOS 3.5
∙Multi-language
Software
∙Drivers
∙MSI Center
∙Intel Extreme Tuning Utility
∙CPU-Z MSI GAMING
∙Norton 360
∙AIDA64 Extreme - MSI Edition
∙Adobe Creative Cloud
∙Acrobat

20
Special Features
MSI Center Features
• Mystic Light
• Ambient Link
• Frozr AI Cooling
• LAN Manager
• User Scenario
• True Color
• Live Update
• Hardware Monitoring
• Super Charger
• Devices Speed Up
• Smart Image Finder
• MSI Companion
• System Diagnosis
Thermal Features
• Extended Heatsink Design
• M.2 Shield Frozr
• K7 MOSFET thermal pad / Extra
choke pad
• Fan headers (CPU + PUMP +
SYSTEM)
Performance
• Core Boost
• VRM Power Design (VCPU / VGT /
AUX)
• Dual CPU Power (2x 8 pin)
• Memory Boost
• Lightning Gen 5 PCI-E Slot
• Lightning Gen 4 PCI-E / M.2 Slot
• Lightning USB 20G
• Front USB Type-C
• Server PCB
• 2oz Copper thickened PCB
DIY Friendly
• PCI-E Steel Armor
• Pre-installed I/O Shield
• EZ M.2 Clips
• EZ DEBUG LED
• EZ LED Control (Switch)
• Flash BIOS Button
Audio
• Audio Boost 5
RGB Support
• Mystic Light Extension (RGB)
• Mystic Light Extension (A-RAINBOW
V2)
• Ambient Devices Support
BIOS
• Click BIOS 5