MSI Z390-A PRO User manual

1
Quick Start
DDR4 Memory
Graphics Card
SATA Hard Disk Drive SATA DVD Drive
Phillips Screwdriver
Chassis
Power Supply Unit
A Package of Screws
Thermal Paste
Quick Start
Thank you for purchasing the MSI®Z390-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.
Preparing Tools and Components
Intel®LGA 1151 CPU
CPU Fan

2Quick Start
https://youtu.be/4ce91YC3Oww
Installing a Processor
1
2
3
6
45
7
8
9

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

4Quick Start
Connecting the Front Panel Header
http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI
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
1
2 10
9
+
+
+- -- -
+
Power LED
HDD LED Reset Switch
Reserved
Power Switch
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

5
Quick Start
BAT1
Installing the Motherboard
1
2

6Quick Start
Installing SATA Drives
http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc
1
23
4
5

7
Quick Start
1
Installing a Graphics Card
http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A
2
3
4
5
6

8Quick Start
Connecting Peripheral Devices

9
Quick Start
Connecting the Power Connectors
http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4
ATX_PWR1 CPU_PWR1
PCIE_PWR1

10 Quick Start
Power On
1
4
2
3

11
Contents
Contents
Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 1
Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 1
Installing a Processor............................................................................................. 2
Installing DDR4 memory ........................................................................................ 3
Connecting the Front Panel Header....................................................................... 4
Installing the Motherboard..................................................................................... 5
Installing SATA Drives............................................................................................. 6
Installing a Graphics Card...................................................................................... 7
Connecting Peripheral Devices.............................................................................. 8
Connecting the Power Connectors......................................................................... 9
Power On............................................................................................................... 10
Specifications....................................................................................................... 13
Package contents ................................................................................................ 18
Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 19
Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 20
LAN Port LED Status Table................................................................................... 20
Audio Ports Configuration.................................................................................... 20
Realtek Audio Console ......................................................................................... 21
Overview of Components .................................................................................... 23
CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 25
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................ 26
PCI_E1~6: PCIe Expansion Slots.......................................................................... 27
SATA1~6: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 27
M2_1: M.2 Slot (Key M) ......................................................................................... 28
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector........................................................................... 28
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 29
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector ............................................................................. 29
JTBT1: Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector ...................................................... 29
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1, PCIE_PWR1: Power Connectors.................................. 30
JUSB3~4: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connectors ................................................................... 31
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors............................................................................. 32
JLPT1: Parallel Port Connector ........................................................................... 32
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~5: Fan Connectors................................... 33
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 34
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector....................................................................... 34
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper........................................................... 35
JOC1: Front OC Button Connector ....................................................................... 35

12 Contents
JRGB1: RGB LED connector................................................................................. 36
EZ Debug LED....................................................................................................... 36
Installing OS, Drivers & Utilities ......................................................................... 37
Installing Windows®10......................................................................................... 37
Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 37
Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 37
MYSTIC LIGHT...................................................................................................... 38
Device LED effect control screen ......................................................................... 38
BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 41
Entering BIOS Setup............................................................................................. 41
Resetting BIOS...................................................................................................... 42
Updating BIOS....................................................................................................... 42
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 43
Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 45
SETTINGS.............................................................................................................. 46
Advanced............................................................................................................... 46
Boot....................................................................................................................... 53
Security................................................................................................................. 53
Save & Exit............................................................................................................ 54
OC.......................................................................................................................... 56
M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 62
OC PROFILE.......................................................................................................... 63
HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 64
RAID Configuration.............................................................................................. 65
Enabling Intel®Rapid Storage Technology .......................................................... 65
Creating RAID Volume ......................................................................................... 66
Removing a RAID Volume .................................................................................... 67
Resetting Disks to Non-RAID............................................................................... 68
Rebuilding RAID Array.......................................................................................... 69
Installing RAID Driver........................................................................................... 70
Installing Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Software .......................................... 70
Intel®Optane™ Memory Configuration .............................................................. 71
System Requirements ......................................................................................... 71
Installing the Intel®Optane™ memory ................................................................ 71
Removing the Intel®Optane™ memory ............................................................... 73
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 74
Regulatory Notices .............................................................................................. 75

13
Specifications
Specifications
CPU
Supports Intel®Core™ 9000 Series family/ 8th Gen Intel®
Core™ / Pentium®Gold / Celeron®processors for LGA 1151
socket
* Please go to www.intel.com for more compatibility information.
Chipset Intel®Z390 Chipset
Memory
y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB*
ySupports DDR4 4400(OC)/ 4300(OC)/ 4266(OC)/ 4200(OC)/
4133(OC)/ 4000(OC)/ 3866(OC)/ 3733(OC)/ 3600(OC)/
3466(OC)/ 3400(OC)/ 3333(OC)/ 3300(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)
/ 2800(OC)/ 2666/ 2400/ 2133 MHz*
ySupports Dual-Channel mode
ySupports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
ySupports Intel®Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
* Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.
Expansion Slot
y2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots
y4x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
y1 x M.2 slot with E key for Integrated Intel®Wireless-AC
(CNVi) module only
Onboard Graphics
y1x VGA port, supports a maximum resolution of
2048x1536@50Hz, 2048x1280@60Hz, 1920x1200@60Hz
y1x DVI-D port, supports a maximum resolution of
1920x1200@60Hz
y1x DisplayPort, supports a maximum resolution of
4096x2304@60Hz
Multi-GPU ySupports 2-Way AMD®CrossFire™Technology
Storage
Intel®Z390 Chipset
y6x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
y1x M.2 slot (Key M)
Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s, 2242/ 2260/
2280/ 22110 storage devices
Intel®Optane™ Memory Ready**
* The SATA2 will be unavailable when installing M.2 SATA device into M.2 slot.
** Before using Intel®Optane™ memory modules, please ensure that you have
updated the drivers and BIOS to the latest version from MSI website.
Continued on next page

14 Specifications
Continued from previous page
RAID
Intel®Z390 Chipset
ySupports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
storage devices
LAN y1x Intel®I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
USB
yIntel®Z390 Chipset
2x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (1x
Type-A port and 1x Type-C port) on the back panel
6x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports (2 Type-A
ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the
internal USB 3.1 connectors)
6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 Type-A ports on
the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal
USB 2.0 connectors)*
* The CNVI_1 and JUSB2 share the same bandwidth. Please refer to page 32 for
details.
Audio yRealtek®ALC892 Codec
7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
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 DisplayPort
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
y1x LAN (RJ45) port
y2x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports
y6x audio jacks
Continued on next page

15
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
y6x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
y2x M.2 slots (1 M-Key slot,1 E-Key slot)
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 connector
y5x 4-pin system fan connectors
y1x Front panel audio connector
y2x System panel connectors
y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
y1x 4-pin RGB LED connector
y1x Serial Port connector
y1x Clear CMOS jumper
y1x Parallel port connector
y1x TPM module connector
y1x thunderbolt Add-on card connector
y1x Front OC button connector
I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6797 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. (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)
BIOS Features
y1x 128 Mb flash
yUEFI AMI BIOS
yACPI 6.1, SMBIOS 2.8
yMulti-language
Continued on next page

16 Specifications
Continued from previous page
Software
yDrivers
yDRAGON CENTER
yMYSTIC LIGHT
yCPU-Z MSI GAMING
yIntel®Extreme Tuning Utility
yGoogle Chrome™ ,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
yNorton™ Internet Security Solution
Dragon Center
Features
yOC Performance
yHardware Monitor
yEyerest
yLAN Manager
yLive Update
Please refer to http://download.msi.
com/manual/mb/DRAGONCENTER2.
pdf for more details.
Special Features
yAudio
Audio Boost
yNetwork
Intel LAN with Network Manage
Intel CNVi Ready
yStorage
Turbo M.2
yFan
Pump Fan
Smart Fan Control
yLED
Mystic Light Extension (RGB)
EZ DEBUG LED
Continued on next page

17
Specifications
Continued from previous page
Special Features
yProtection
PCI-E Steel Armor
PCI-E Steel Slot
yPerformance
Core Boost
OC Genie
Multi GPU-CrossFire Technology
DDR4 Boost
USB with type A+C
Intel Turbo USB 3.1 Gen2
yVR
VR Ready
yBIOS
Click BIOS 5

18 Package contents
Package contents
Please check the contents of your motherboard package. It should contain:
Motherboard Z390-A PRO
Cable SATA 6Gb/s Cables 2
Accessories
M.2 Screw 1
I/O Shield 1
Case Badge 1
VIP Card 1
Application DVD Driver DVD 1
Documentation Quick Installation Guide 1
Important
If any of the above items are damaged or missing, please contact your retailer.

19
Block Diagram
Block Diagram
LPC Bus
2 Channel DDR4 Memory
2 x USB 3.1 Gen2
1 x M.2
6 x USB 2.0
PCI Express Bus
P/S2 Mouse / Keyboard Audio Jacks
DMI 3.0
chipset
CPU
NV6797
Super I/O
Realtek
ALC892
PCI Express Bus
DisplayPort DVI-D
VGA
PCIe x1 slot
PCIe x1 slot
6 x SATA 6Gb/s
x1
x1
PCIe x1 slot
x1
PCIe x1 slot
x1
Switch
6 x USB 3.1 Gen1
PCI Express Bus
x4
1x M.2
(E Key for Intel CNVi module only)
Intel
I219-V

20 Rear I/O Panel
Rear I/O Panel
PS/2 LAN
DVI-D
VGA
Audio Ports
USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A
USB 2.0
USB 3.1 Gen2
Type-A
DisplayPort
USB 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
Line-In
Line-Out/ Front Speaker Out ●●●●
Rear Speaker Out ●●●
Center/ Subwoofer Out ● ●
Side Speaker Out ●
Mic In
(●: connected, Blank: empty)