MSI X299-A PRO User manual

I
Quick Start
Quick Start
Thank you for purchasing the MSI® X299-A PRO 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.
Kurzanleitung
Danke, dass Sie das MSI® X299-A PRO Motherboard gewählt
haben. Dieser Abschnitt der Kurzanleitung bietet eine Demo zur
Installation Ihres Computers. Manche Installationen bieten auch
die Videodemonstrationen. Klicken Sie auf die URL, um diese
Videoanleitung mit Ihrem Browser auf Ihrem Handy oder Table
anzusehen. Oder scannen Sie auch den QR Code mit Ihrem Handy,
um die URL zu öffnen.
Présentation rapide
Merci d’avoir choisi la carte mère MSI® X299-A PRO. Ce manuel
fournit une rapide présentation avec des illustrations explicatives
qui vous aideront à assembler votre ordinateur. Des tutoriels vidéo
sont disponibles pour certaines étapes. Cliquez sur le lien fourni
pour regarder la vidéo sur votre téléphone ou votre tablette. Vous
pouvez également accéder au lien en scannant le QR code qui lui est
associé.
Быстрый старт
X299-A PRO.







II Quick Start
Installing a Processor/ Installation des Prozessors/ Installer un
processeur/ Установка процессора
1
2
3
6
4
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
https://youtu.be/ecdkLMmkya4
⚽

III
Quick Start
Installing DDR4 memory/ Installation des DDR4-Speichers/
Installer une mémoire DDR4/ Установка памяти DDR4
http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs
⚽
1
2
2
3

IV Quick Start
Connecting the Front Panel Header/ Anschließen der
Frontpanel-Stiftleiste/ Connecter un connecteur du panneau
avant/ Подключение разъемов передней панели
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
HDD LED
RESET SW
JFP1
HDD LED 
HDD 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 4
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
⚽

V
Quick Start
Installing the Motherboard/ Installation des Motherboards/
Installer la carte mère/ Установка материнской платы
2
1
3
https://youtu.be/wWI6Qt51Wnc
⚽
Torque:
3 kgf·cm*
*3 kgf·cm
= 0.3 N·m
= 2.6 lbf·in

VI Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors/ Stromanschlüsse
anschliessen/ Connecter les câbles du module d’alimentation/
Подключение разъемов питания
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1 CPU_PWR1
⚽

VII
Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives/ Installation der SATA-Laufwerke/
Installer le disque dur SATA/ Установка дисков SATA
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
1
23
4
5
⚽

VIII Quick Start
Installing a Graphics Card/ Einbau der Grafikkarte/ Installer
une carte graphique/ Установка дискретной видеокарты
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
1
2
3
4
5
6
⚽

IX
Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices/ Peripheriegeräte/ Connecter
un périphérique anschliessen/ Подключение периферийных
устройств

XQuick Start
Power On/ Einschalten/ Mettre sous-tension/ Включение
питания
4
3
12

1
Contents
Contents
Safety Information................................................................................................. 3
Specifications......................................................................................................... 4
Package contents .................................................................................................. 9
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 10
LAN Port LED Status Table .................................................................................. 10
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 10
Realtek Audio Console ......................................................................................... 11
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 13
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 14
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 15
PCI_E1~5: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 18
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors....................................................... 20
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors................................................................... 21
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 21
U2_1: U.2 Connector............................................................................................. 22
SATA1~8: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors....................................................................... 23
VRAID1: Virtual RAID on CPU Connector ............................................................. 24
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 25
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~4: Fan Connectors.................................. 25
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 26
JUSB3~4: USB 3.2 Gen1 Connectors ................................................................... 26
............................................................. 27
 ...................................................... 27
 ............................................................................. 28
POWER1, RESET1: Power Button, Reset Button ................................................. 29
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 29
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 30
JRGB1: RGB LED connector................................................................................. 31
Onboard LEDs...................................................................................................... 32
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 32
XMP LED ............................................................................................................... 32
Installing OS, Drivers & Utilities ......................................................................... 33
Installing Windows® 10......................................................................................... 33
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 33
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 33
BIOS Setup........................................................................................................... 34
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 34

2Contents
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 35
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 35
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 36
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 38
OC Menu................................................................................................................ 39

3
Safety Information
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.
∙
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.

4Specifications
Specifications
CPU 
LGA2066 Socket
Chipset Intel® X299 Chipset
Memory
∙8x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 256GB
▪Supports DDR4 4200+(OC)/ 4000(OC)/ 3800 (OC)/
3733(OC)/ 3600(OC)/ 3466(OC)/ 3400(OC)/ 3333(OC)/
3300(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2933/ 2666/ 2400/ 2133
MHz*
∙Quad channel memory architecture
∙Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
∙
∙
* For the latest information about memory, please visit http://www.msi.com
** Please refer the DIMM Slots section for more details.
Expansion Slot
∙4x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
▪
▪
▪
▪
lane CPU*
∙1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
* Please refer to page 18 for PCIe 3.0 bandwidth table.
Multi-GPU ∙Supports NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology
∙Supports AMD® CrossFire™ Technology
Storage
Intel® X299 Chipset
∙8x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
∙2x M.2 slots (Key M)*
▪Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s
▪M2_1 slot supports 2242/ 2260 /2280 storage devices
▪M2_2 slot supports 2242/ 2260 /2280/ 22110 storage
devices
▪Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
∙1x U.2 port **
▪Supports PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe storage
* M.2 slots and SATA ports share the same bandwidth. Please refer to page 23
for U.2, M.2 & SATA combination table.
** PCI_E2 shares bandwidth with U2_1. If you install a PCI_E2 device, the U2_1
will be disabled.
Continued on next page

5
Specifications
Continued from previous page
RAID
Intel® X299 Chipset
∙Supports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
∙Supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for M.2 PCIe storage devices
LAN 
* I219 LAN doesn’t support G3 to S5 Wake
USB
∙Intel® X299 Chipset
▪
ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the
internal USB connectors)
▪
the back panel, 1 port available through the internal USB
connector)
∙ASMedia® ASM3142 Chipset
▪2x USB 3.2 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (1

▪
∙USB 2.0 Hub GL850G
▪
the internal USB connectors.
Audio
1x Realtek® ALC1220 Codec
∙
∙Supports S/PDIF output
Back Panel
Connectors
∙1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
∙1x Clear CMOS button
∙
∙
∙1x LAN (RJ45) port
∙
∙
∙5x OFC audio jacks
∙1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
Continued on next page

6Specifications
Continued from previous page
Internal Connectors
∙
∙
∙8x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
∙2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0
ports)
∙2x USB 3.2 Gen1 connectors (supports additional 4 USB
3.2 Gen1 ports)
∙
∙
∙
∙
∙2x Front panel connectors
∙1x Front panel audio connector
∙1x RGB extension connector
∙1x TPM module connector
∙1x Virtual RAID on CPU connector
∙
Internal Buttons ∙1x Power button
∙1x Reset button
Jumper ∙1x Clear CMOS jumper
∙1x Chassis Intrusion connector
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6797 Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor
∙CPU/System temperature detection
∙CPU/System fan speed detection
∙CPU/System fan speed control
Form Factor ∙ATX Form Factor
∙12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.5 cm x 24.3 cm)
BIOS Features
∙2x 128 Mb flash
∙UEFI AMI BIOS
∙ACPI 6.0, SM BIOS 3.0
∙
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7
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Software
∙Drivers
∙DRAGON CENTER
∙
∙Google Chrome™, Google Toolbar, Google Drive
∙Norton™ Internet Security Solution
Dragon Center
Features
∙Mystic Light
∙Hardware Monitor
∙True Color
∙Live Update
∙Speed Up
∙Smart Tool
∙Super Charger
∙DPC Latency tuner
Please refer to http://download.msi.
com/manual/mb/DRAGONCENTER2.
pdf for more details.
Special Features
∙Audio
▪Audio Boost 4
∙Network
▪Intel LAN with Network Manager
∙Storage
▪Turbo U.2
▪Twin Turbo M.2
∙Fan
▪Pump Fan
▪Smart Fan Control
∙LED
▪Mystic Light Extension
▪Mystic light SYNC
▪EZ DEBUG LED
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8Specifications
Continued from previous page
Special Features
∙Protection
▪
▪U.2 Steel Armor
∙Performance
▪Multi GPU – SLI Technology
▪Multi GPU – CrossFire Technology
▪DDR4 Boost
▪OC Engine(Clock gen)
▪USB with type A+C
▪Lightning USB with ASM3142
▪Front Lightning USB 3.2 Gen2 type C
∙Stability
▪7000+ Quality Test
∙BIOS
▪Click BIOS 5
▪Dual BIOS
∙Certification
▪Quadro SLI Ready
▪Quadro Ready

9
Package contents
Package contents
Please check the contents of your motherboard package. It should contain:
Motherboard 
Documentation
User manual 1
 1
Quick installation guide 1
Application Driver DVD 1
Cables SATA 6G cables 2
Accessories
Case badge 1
SATA cable stickers 1
Product registration card 1
IO shielding 1
M.2 screws 3
⚠
Important
If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your retailer.

10 Rear I/O Panel
Rear I/O Panel
∙Clear CMOS button

Audio Ports Configuration
Audio Ports Channel
2468
Center/ Subwoofer Out  
Rear Speaker Out 
 
    
Mic In
(: connected, Blank: empty)
Audio Ports

PS/2
Clear CMOS Button
USB 2.0USB 2.0
LAN
USB 3.2 Gen1


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