MSI Z270 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC User manual

1
Unpacking
Unpacking
Thank you for buying the MSI®Z270 TOMAHAWK motherboard. Check to make sure
your motherboard box contains the following items. If something is missing, contact
your dealer as soon as possible.
SATA Cable x2
Drivers & Utilities
Disc Motherboard User
Guide
I/O Shield
Motherboard

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
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 19
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 20
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 20
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 20
Realtek HD Audio Manager .................................................................................. 21
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 23
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 25
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 26
PCI_E1~6: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 27
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 28
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 29
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors................................................................... 30
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors ....................................................... 31
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 32
JUSB3~4: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connectors ................................................................... 32
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~4: Fan Connectors................................... 33
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 34
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 34
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 35
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 35
JLED1: RGB LED connector ................................................................................. 36
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector ............................................................................. 36

14 Contents
JLPT1: Parallel Port Connector ........................................................................... 37
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 37
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 38
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 38
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 39
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 39
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 40
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 42
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 43
Advanced............................................................................................................... 43
Boot....................................................................................................................... 50
Security................................................................................................................. 51
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 52
OC.......................................................................................................................... 53
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 61
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 62
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 63
Software Description........................................................................................... 64
Installing Windows®7/ 8.1/ 10.............................................................................. 64
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 64
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 64
LIVE UPDATE 6...................................................................................................... 65
COMMAND CENTER ............................................................................................. 67
GAMING APP......................................................................................................... 71
X-BOOST ............................................................................................................... 76
MSI SMART TOOL ................................................................................................. 78
DRAGON EYE ........................................................................................................ 80
RAMDISK............................................................................................................... 81
GAMING LAN MANAGER ...................................................................................... 82
XSplit Gamecaster V2 ........................................................................................... 84
Intel®Extreme Tuning Utility................................................................................ 88
SteelSeries Engine 3 ............................................................................................ 89
CPU-Z.................................................................................................................... 91
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 92
Using Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM ........................................... 92
Degraded RAID Array ........................................................................................... 95
M.2 PCIe SSD RAID............................................................................................... 97

15
Specifications
Specifications
CPU
Supports 7th/6th Gen Intel®Core™i3/i5/i7 processors,
and Intel®Pentium®and Celeron®processors for Socket
LGA1151
Chipset Intel® Z270 Chipset
Memory
y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB
7th Gen processors support DDR4 3800(OC)/ 3600(OC)/
3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2600(OC)/ 2400/ 2133
MHz*
6th Gen processors support DDR4 3600(OC)/ 3200(OC)/
3000(OC)/ 2800(OC)/ 2600(OC)/ 2400(OC)/ 2133 MHz*
yDual channel memory architecture
ySupports Intel®Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
Expansion Slots
y3x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (support x16/x4/x1 modes)
y3x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
* 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/ PCI_E6 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
Multi-GPU ySupports 2-Way AMD®CrossFire™Technology
Storage
Intel®Z270 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 for all M.2
ySupports Intel®Smart Response Technology for Intel
Core™ processors
* M.2 and SATA ports maximum support 2x M.2 PCIe SSDs + 6x SATA HDDs.
Please refer to page 30 for M.2 slots with examples of various combination
possibilities.
** The Turbo U.2 Host Card is not included, please purchase separately.
Continued on next page

16 Specifications
Continued from previous page
RAID
Intel®Z270 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
41 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 Chipset
8x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports (4 Type-A
ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the
internal USB connectors)
6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 Type-A ports on
the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal
USB connectors)
Audio
yRealtek®ALC892 Codec
y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
ySupports S/PDIF output
LAN 1x Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
Back Panel
Connectors
y1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
y2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
y1x DVI-D port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
y4x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports
y1x HDMI™port
y1x LAN (RJ45) port
y5x OFC audio jacks
y1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Internal Connectors
y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
y6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
y2x USB 3.1 Gen1 connectors (supports additional 4 USB
3.1 Gen1 ports)
y2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0
ports)
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 RGB LED connector
y1x TPM module connector
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x Serial port connector
y1x Parallel port 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)
BIOS Features
y1x 128 Mb flash
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
yGAMING APP
yRAMDISK
yX-BOOST
yMSI SMART TOOL
Continued on next page

18 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Software
yGAMING LAN MANAGER
yXSplit Gamecaster V2
yIntel®Extreme Tuning Utility
yNorton™Internet Security Solution
yGoogle Chrome™,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
ySteelSeries Engine 3
yCPU-Z MSI GAMING
yDRAGON EYE
Special Features
yAudio Boost
yGAMING LAN with cFos
yWTFast
yIntel®Optane™ Memory Ready
yTwin Turbo M.2
yM.2 Genie
yPump Fan
ySmart Fan Control
yMystic Light Extension (RGB)
yGaming DNA with bottom LED
yPCI-E Steel Armor
yM.2 Steel Armor
yMulti GPU – CrossFire Technology
yDDR4 Boost
yGAME Boost
yLightning USB
yX-Boost
yMilitary Class 5
y7000+ Quality Test
yVR Ready
yDragon eye
yXsplit
yRAMDisk
yGAMING HOTKEY
yClick BIOS 5
yMystic light SYNC
yWTFast GPN*
2-Month Premium License
Multi-Server Network Optimization
Advanced Lag Spike & Disconnect Reduction

19
Block Diagram
Block Diagram
LPC Bus 2 x USB 3.1 Gen2
2 Channel DDR4 Memory
8 x USB 3.1 Gen1
2 x M.2
6 x USB 2.0
PCI-E Bus
PCI Express Bus
P/S2 Mouse / Keyboard Audio Jacks
DMI 3.0
Z270
CPU
NV6795
Super I/O
Realtek
ALC892
ASMEDIA
ASM2142
x2
PCI Express Bus
HDMI DVI-D
Switch
6 x SATA 6Gb/s
x1
PCIe x1 slot
PCIe x1 slot
x1
PCIe x1 slot
x1
Switch
Switch
PCIe x1 slot

20 Rear I/O Panel
Rear I/O Panel
PS/2 LAN
USB 2.0
Audio Ports
Optical S/PDIF-Out
DVI-D
USB 3.1 Gen1
USB 3.1 Gen2
USB 3.1 Gen1USB 3.1 Gen2
Type-C
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
Audio Ports Configuration
Audio Ports Channel
2468
Center/ Subwoofer Out ● ●
Rear Speaker Out ●●●
Line-In/ Side Speaker Out ●
Line-Out/ Front Speaker Out ●●●●
Mic In
(●: connected, Blank: empty)