MSI Z270 PC MATE Instruction Manual

1
Unpacking
Unpacking
Thank you for buying the MSI®Z270 PC MATE/ H270 PC MATE/ B250 PC MATE
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
* 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 1151 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
45
7
8
9

5
Quick Start
1
1
2
2
3
3
Installing DDR4 memory
DIMMB2 DIMMB2
DIMMB1
DIMMA2 DIMMA2 DIMMA2
DIMMA1

6Quick Start
Connecting the Front Panel Header
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
Installing the Motherboard
1
2

8Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
1
23
4
5

9
Quick Start
1
Installing a Graphics Card
2
3
4
5
6

10 Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices

11
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
ATX_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....................................................................................................... 15
Specification Comparison Table........................................................................... 20
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 21
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 22
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 22
Realtek HD Audio Manager .................................................................................. 22
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 24
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 26
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 27
PCI_E1~5, PCI1: PCIe/ PCI Expansion Slots ........................................................ 28
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 29
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 30
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 31
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors ....................................................... 32
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector ............................................................................. 32
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 33
JUSB3, JUSB4(optional): USB 3.1 Gen1 Connectors........................................... 33
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~4: Fan Connectors................................... 34
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 35
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 35
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 36
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 36
JLPT1: Parallel Port Connector ........................................................................... 37

14 Contents
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 37
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 38
Using BIOS............................................................................................................ 39
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 39
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 40
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 40
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 41
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 43
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 44
Advanced............................................................................................................... 44
Boot....................................................................................................................... 51
Security................................................................................................................. 52
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 53
OC.......................................................................................................................... 54
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 60
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 61
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 62
Software Description........................................................................................... 63
Installing Windows®7/ 8.1/ 10.............................................................................. 63
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 63
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 63
COMMAND CENTER ............................................................................................. 64
LIVE UPDATE 6...................................................................................................... 68
RAMDISK............................................................................................................... 70
NETWORK MANAGER........................................................................................... 71
RAID Configuration (optional) ............................................................................. 73
Using Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM ........................................... 73
Degraded RAID Array ........................................................................................... 76
M.2 PCIe SSD RAID............................................................................................... 78
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 80
Regulatory Notices.............................................................................................. 81

15
Specifications
Specifications
CPU
Supports 6th/7th Gen Intel®Core™ i3/i5/i7 processors,
and Intel®Pentium®and Celeron®processors for Socket
LGA1151
Chipset Intel®Z270/ H270/ B250 Chipset
Memory
y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB
Z270 chipset + 7th Gen processors support DDR4
3800(OC)/ 3600(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/
2600(OC)/ 2400/ 2133 MHz
Z270 chipset + 6th Gen processors support DDR4
3600(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2600(OC)/
2400(OC)/ 2133 MHz
H270/ B250 chipset + 7th Gen processors support DDR4
2400/ 2133 MHz
H270/ B250 chipset + 6th Gen processors support DDR4
2133 MHz
yDual channel memory architecture
ySupports Intel®Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Expansion Slots
y2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (supports x16/x4 mode)*
y3x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots**
y1x PCI slot
* The PCI_E4 slot will be unavailable when an M.2 PCIe SSD module has been
installed in the M.2_2 slot.
** The PCI_E2/ PCI_E5 slot will be unavailable when an expansion card has
been installed in the PCI_E3/ PCI1 slot.
Onboard Graphics
y1x HDMI™ port, supports a maximum resolution of
4096x2160@30Hz(7th CPU), 4096x2160@24Hz(6th CPU),
2560x1600@60Hz
y1x DVI-D port, supports a maximum resolution of
1920x1200@60Hz
y1x VGA port, supports a maximum resolution of
2048x1536@50Hz, 2048x1280@60Hz, 1920x1200@60Hz
Multi-GPU ySupports 2-Way AMD®CrossFire™ Technology
Continued on next page

16 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Storage
Intel®Z270/ H270/ B250 Chipset
y6x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
y2x M.2 slots (Key M)
Support up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s
Support PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe U.2 SSD with Turbo U.2 Host
Card**
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 for Intel
Core™ processors (optional)
* M.2 and SATA ports maximum support 2x M.2 PCIe SSDs + 6x SATA HDDs.
Please refer to page 31 for M.2 slots with examples of various combination
possibilities.
** The Turbo U.2 Host Card is not included, please purchase separately.
RAID (optional)
Intel®Z270/ H270 Chipset
ySupports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
ySupports RAID 0 and RAID1 for M.2 PCIe storage devices*
* M.2 PCIe RAID volume can be created with M.2 GENIE. Please refer to page
42 for details about M.2 GENIE.
USB
yASMedia®ASM2142 Chipset
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) Type-C port
on the back panel
1x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) Type-A port
on the back panel
yIntel®Z270/ H270/ B250 Chipset
8x/ 6x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports (4 Type-A
ports on the back panel, 4/ 2 ports available through the
internal USB connector) (optional)
6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 ports on the
back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB
connector)
Audio yRealtek®ALC887 Codec
y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
LAN 1x Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Back Panel
Connectors
y1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
y2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
y1x VGA port
y1x DVI-D port
y1x HDMI™ port
y1x LAN (RJ45) port
y4x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
y3x audio jacks
Internal Connectors
y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
y6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
y2x USB 2.0 connectors (support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports)
y2x/ 1x USB 3.1 Gen1 connectors (support additional 4/ 2
USB 3.1 Gen1 ports) (optional)
y1x 4-pin CPU fan connector
y1x 4-pin water pump fan connector
y4x 4-pin system fan connectors
y1x Front panel audio connector
y2x Front panel connectors
y1x TPM module connector
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x Serial port connector
y1x Parallel port connector
y1x TBT connector
y1x Clear CMOS jumper
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6795 Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor
yCPU/System temperature detection
yCPU/System fan speed detection
yCPU/System fan speed control
Form Factor yATX Form Factor
y12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.4 cm x 24.3 cm)
Continued on next page

18 Specifications
Continued from previous page
BIOS Features
y1x 128 Mb/ 64 Mb flash (optional)
yUEFI AMI BIOS
yACPI 5.0, PnP 1.0a, SM BIOS 2.8
yMulti-language
Software
yDrivers
yCOMMAND CENTER
yLIVE UPDATE 6
yFAST BOOT
ySUPER CHARGER
yMYSTIC LIGHT
yRAMDISK
yX-BOOST
yMSI SMART TOOL
yNETWORK MANAGER
yIntel®Extreme Tuning Utility
yNorton™ Internet Security Solution
yGoogle Chrome™ ,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
MSI Exclusive
Features
yCLICK BIOS 5 (optional)
EZ Mode & Advanced Mode Switching
Board Explorer (optional)
Hardware Monitor
yCOMMAND CENTER
System Monitor
Smart Fan Control
yRAMDISK
yLIVE UPDATE 6
Continued on next page

19
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Specification
Highlights
yIsolated Audio PCB
EMI Shielding
High Quality Audio Capacitors
De-pop audio circuit
yDDR4 Boost Support
Dual-Channel DDR4 Memory Support
Isolated DDR4 Circuit Design
DDR4 XMP Ready
yPCI Express 3.0 Support
2-Way AMD CrossFireTM Support
yUSB 3.1 Gen2 Ready
USB 3.1 Gen2 (10 Gb/s) Type-A Ready
USB 3.1 Gen2 (10 Gb/s) Type-C Ready
USB Power Delivery Profile 3 Support
yEZ Debug LED

20 Specifications
Specification Comparison Table
Z270 PC MATE H270 PC MATE B250 PC MATE
Chipest Z270 H270 B250
7th Gen processors
support DDR4 frequency
(MHz)
3800(OC),
3600(OC),
3200(OC),
3000(OC),
2800(OC),
2600(OC), 2400,
2133
2400, 2133 2400, 2133
6th Gen processors
support DDR4 frequency
(MHz)
3600(OC),
3200(OC),
3000(OC),
2800(OC),
2600(OC),
2400(OC), 2133
2133 2133
Supports RAID 0,1,5,10 Yes Yes No
Supports Intel®Smart
Response Technology Yes No No
Intel®Optane™ Memory
Ready
M.2_1 & M.2_2
slots M.2_1 & M.2_2
slots M.2_2 slot
USB 3.1 Gen1 internal
connectors
2 (4 ports)
JUSB3 & JUSB4
2 (4 ports)
JUSB3 & JUSB4
1 (2 ports)
JUSB3
BIOS capacity 128Mb 64Mb 64Mb
BIOS interface CLICK BIOS 5 CLICK BIOS CLICK BIOS
Board Explorer Yes No No
OC GENIE 4 Yes No No