MSI X299M-A PRO User manual

1
Unpacking
Unpacking
Thank you for buying the MSI®X299M-A PRO/ X299M-A PRO AC motherboard. Check
to make sure your motherboard box contains the following items. If something is
missing, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
Drivers & Utilities
Disc Motherboard User
Guide
I/O Shield
Motherboard
SATA Cable x2
Antenna x2
(for AC version)
SLI Bridge
Connector
* These pictures are for reference only and may vary without notice.
* The packing contents may vary according to the model you purchased.

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

3
Quick Start
Intel®LGA 2066 CPU
DDR4 Memory
Graphics Card
SATA Hard Disk Drive
SATA DVD Drive
A Package of Screws
Phillips Screwdriver
Chassis
Power Supply Unit
CPU Fan Thermal Paste
Quick Start
Preparing Tools and Components

4Quick Start
Installing a Processor
1
2
3
6
4
5
789
10
11
12
13
https://youtu.be/ecdkLMmkya4

5
Quick Start
Installing DDR4 memory
http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs
1
2
2
3
DIMMB1 DIMMB1
DIMMB2
DIMMA1 DIMMA1 DIMMA1
DIMMA2

6Quick Start
Connecting the Front Panel Header
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
1
2 10
9
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
HDD LED
RESET SW
JFP1
HDD LED HDD LED -
HDD LED +
POWER LED -
POWER LED +
POWER LED

7
Quick Start
BAT1
Installing the Motherboard
1
2

8Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc 1
23
4
5

9
Quick Start
Installing a Graphics Card
1
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
2
3
4
5
6

10 Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices
(AC version only)

11
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1
PCIE_PWR1
CPU_PWR1

12 Quick Start
Power On
1
4
2
3

13
Contents
Contents
Unpacking .............................................................................................................. 1
Safety Information................................................................................................. 2
Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 3
Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 3
Installing a Processor............................................................................................. 4
Installing DDR4 memory ........................................................................................ 5
Connecting the Front Panel Header....................................................................... 6
Installing the Motherboard..................................................................................... 7
Installing SATA Drives............................................................................................. 8
Installing a Graphics Card ...................................................................................... 9
Connecting Peripheral Devices............................................................................ 10
Connecting the Power Connectors....................................................................... 11
Power On............................................................................................................... 12
Specifications....................................................................................................... 16
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 21
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 22
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 22
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 22
Realtek HD Audio Manager .................................................................................. 23
Installing Antennas (for AC version)..................................................................... 25
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 26
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 28
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 29
PCI_E1~3: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 30
PCIe slots bandwidth table................................................................................... 30
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 32
SATA1~8: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 33
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1, PCIE_PWR1: Power Connectors.................................. 35
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 36
JUSB3~4: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connectors ................................................................... 36
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 37
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 37
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~3: Fan Connectors................................... 38
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 38
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 39

14 Contents
BIOS_SW1: Multi-BIOS Switch............................................................................. 40
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 41
POWER1: Power Button........................................................................................ 41
JLED1: RGB LED connector ................................................................................. 42
Onboard LEDs ...................................................................................................... 43
EZ Debug LEDs..................................................................................................... 43
XMP LED ............................................................................................................... 43
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 44
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 44
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 45
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 45
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 46
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 48
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 49
Advanced............................................................................................................... 49
Boot....................................................................................................................... 54
Security................................................................................................................. 55
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 56
OC.......................................................................................................................... 58
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 66
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 67
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 68
Software Description........................................................................................... 69
Installing Windows®10......................................................................................... 69
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 69
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 69
APP MANAGER ..................................................................................................... 70
LIVE UPDATE 6...................................................................................................... 71
COMMAND CENTER ............................................................................................. 73
X-BOOST ............................................................................................................... 77
MYSTICLIGHT........................................................................................................ 79
MSI SMART TOOL ................................................................................................. 81
RAMDISK............................................................................................................... 83
NETWORK MANAGER........................................................................................... 84
Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility................................................................................ 86
CPU-Z.................................................................................................................... 87

15
Contents
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 88
Using Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM ........................................... 88
Degraded RAID Array ........................................................................................... 91
M.2 PCIe SSD RAID............................................................................................... 93
Intel®Optane™ Memory Configuration .............................................................. 96
System Requirements ......................................................................................... 96
Installing the Intel®Optane™ memory ................................................................ 96
Removing the Intel®Optane™ memory ............................................................... 98
Troubleshooting.................................................................................................... 99
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................ 100

16 Specifications
Specifications
CPU
ySupports Intel®Core™ X-Series Processor (KBL-X 4-core
processor only) for LGA2066 Socket*
* This motherboard supports Intel®Core™ i7-7740X and i5-7640X processors
only.
Chipset Intel® X299 Chipset
Memory
y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB
yDual channel memory architecture with the CPU that
supports up to 2-channels DDR4
X-series processor support DDR4 4400(OC)/ 4200(OC)/
4133(OC)/ 4000(OC)/ 3866(OC)/ 3800(OC)/ 3733(OC)/
3600(OC)/ 3466(OC)/ 3400(OC)/ 3333(OC)/ 3200(OC)/
3000(OC)/ 2933(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2667/ 2400/ 2133 MHz*
ySupports Intel®Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* For the latest information about memory, please visit http://www.msi.com
Expansion Slots
y3x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
Support x16/ x0/ x0, x8/ x8/ x0 or x8, x4, x4 mode with
the 16-lane CPU.
Multi-GPU ySupports AMD®CrossFire™Technology
ySupports NVIDIA®SLI™Technology
LAN 1x Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
Wirsless LAN &
Bluetooth®
(for AC version)
yIntel®Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 module
The Wireless module is pre-install in the WIFI1
(M.2 Key E) slot.
Supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual band (2.4GHz,
5GHz) up to 867 Mbps speed.
Supports Dual Mode Bluetooth®2.1, 2.1+EDR, 3.0, 4.0,
BLE, 4.2
Audio
yRealtek®ALC1220 Codec
y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
ySupports S/PDIF output
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
USB
yASMedia®ASM3142 Chipset
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) Type-A port
on the back panel
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (Super Speed USB 10Gbps) Type-C
port on the back panel
yIntel®X299 Chipset
8x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports (4 ports on
the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal
USB connector)
6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 ports on the
back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB
connectors)
Storage
Intel®X299 Chipset
y8x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
y2x M.2 slots (Key M)*
Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s
M2_1 slot supports 2242/ 2260 /2280/ 22110 storage
devices
M2_2 slot supports 2242/ 2260 /2280 storage devices
Intel Optane™ Memory Ready**
ySupports Intel®Smart Response Technology
* M.2 slots and SATA ports maximum support 2x M.2 PCIe SSD + 8x SATA HDD.
Please refer to page 33 for M.2 & SATA Combination table.
** Please refer to page 96 for Intel®Optane™ Memory Configuration.
RAID
Intel®X299 Chipset
ySupports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
ySupports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for M.2 storage devices*
* M.2 PCIe RAID volume can be created with M.2/Optane Genie. Please refer to
page 93 for M.2 PCIe SSD RAID
Continued on next page

18 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Internal Connectors
y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
y1x 6-pin ATX 12V power connector
y8x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
y2x M.2 slots (Key M)
y1x M.2 slot (Key E)
y2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0
ports)
y2x USB 3.1 Gen1 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 3.1
Gen1 ports)
y1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
y1x 4-pin Water Pump connector
y3x 4-pin system fan connectors
y1x Front panel audio connector
y2x Front panel connectors
y1x TPM module connector
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x Clear CMOS jumper
y1x Multi-BIOS switch
y1x RGB LED connector
y1x POWER button
Back Panel
Connectors
y1x PS/2 mouse port
y1x PS/2 keyboard port
y2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
y4x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports
y2x Wi-Fi antenna connectors (for AC version)
y1x LAN (RJ45) ports
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
y1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
y5x OFC audio jacks
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6795 Controller Chip
Continued on next page

19
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Hardware Monitor
yCPU/System temperature detection
yCPU/System fan speed detection
yCPU/System fan speed control
Form Factor ym-ATX Form Factor
y9.6 in. x 9.6 in. (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm)
BIOS Features
y2x 128 Mb flash
yUEFI AMI BIOS
yACPI 6.0, PnP 1.0a, SM BIOS 3.0
yMulti-language
Software
yDrivers
yAPP MANAGER
ySUPER CHARGER
yCOMMAND CENTER
yLIVE UPDATE 6
ySMART TOOL
yX-BOOST
yMYSTIC LIGHT
yRAMDISK
yNetwork Manager
yDPC Latency Tuner
yFAST BOOT
yCPU-Z MSI GAMING
yIntel®Extreme Tuning Utility
yGoogle Chrome™,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
yNorton™Internet Security Solution
Continued on next page

20 Specifications
Continued from previous page
MSI Special
Features
yAudio
Audio Boost 4
yNetwork
Intel LAN with Network Manager
yStorage
Twin Turbo M.2
yFan
Pump Fan
Smart Fan Control
yLED
Mystic Light Extension
Mystic light SYNC
EZ DEBUG LED
yProtection
PCI-E Steel Armor
yPerformance
Multi GPU – SLI Technology
Multi GPU – CrossFire Technology
DDR4 Boost
USB with type A+C
Lightning USB with ASM3142
yStability
Military Class 6
7000+ Quality Test
yBIOS
Click BIOS 5
Dual BIOS
yCertification
Quadro SLI Ready
Quadro Ready
yIntel WiFi (for AC version)