Asus Z270-K User Manual

PRIME Z270-K

Motherboard

E11864

First Edition

September 2016

Copyright © 2016 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.

ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.

Offer to Provide Source Code of Certain Software

This product contains copyrighted software that is licensed under the General Public License (“GPL”), under the Lesser General Public License Version (“LGPL”) and/or other Free Open Source Software Licenses. Such software in this product is distributed without any warranty to the extent permitted by the applicable law. Copies of these licenses are included in this product.

Where the applicable license entitles you to the source code of such software and/or other additional data, you may obtain it for a period of three years after our last shipment of the product, either

(1)for free by downloading it from http://support.asus.com/download

or

(2)for the cost of reproduction and shipment, which is dependent on the preferred carrier and the location where you want to have it shipped to, by sending a request to:

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

Legal Compliance Dept.

15 Li Te Rd.,

Beitou, Taipei 112

Taiwan

In your request please provide the name, model number and version, as stated in the About Box of the product for which you wish to obtain the corresponding source code and your contact details so that we can coordinate the terms and cost of shipment with you.

The source code will be distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY and licensed under the same license as the corresponding binary/object code.

This offer is valid to anyone in receipt of this information.

ASUSTeK is eager to duly provide complete source code as required under various Free Open Source Software licenses. If however you encounter any problems in obtaining the full corresponding source code we would be much obliged if you give us a notification to the email address [e-mail], stating the product and describing the problem (please DO NOT send large attachments such as source code archives, etc. to this email address).

ii

Contents

Safety information.......................................................................................	iv
About this guide..........................................................................................	iv
Package contents........................................................................................	vi
PRIME Z270-K specifications summary....................................................	vi

Chapter 1:		Product introduction
1.1	Before you proceed......................................................................		1-1
1.2	Motherboard overview.................................................................		1-1
1.3	Central Processing Unit (CPU)..................................................		1-10
1.4	System memory..........................................................................		1-11
1.5	Software support........................................................................		1-12

Chapter 2:		BIOS information
2.1	Managing and updating your BIOS.............................................		2-1
2.2	BIOS setup program.....................................................................		2-6
2.3	My Favorites................................................................................		2-14
2.4	Main menu...................................................................................		2-16
2.5	Ai Tweaker menu........................................................................		2-18
2.6	Advanced menu..........................................................................		2-26
2.7	Monitor menu..............................................................................		2-35
2.8	Boot menu...................................................................................		2-39
2.9	Tool menu....................................................................................		2-44
2.10	Exit menu.....................................................................................		2-46
Appendix
Notices.......................................................................................................			A-1
ASUS contact information........................................................................			A-4

iii

Safety information

Electrical safety

•To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system.

•When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.

•Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged.

•Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.

•Ensure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company.

•If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

Operation safety

•Before installing the motherboard and adding components, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package.

•Before using the product, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.

•To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.

•Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area where it may be exposed to moisture.

•Place the product on a stable surface.

•If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This guide contains the following parts:

•Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. It includes descriptions of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

•Chapter 2: BIOS information

This chapter discusses changing system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions for the BIOS parameters are also provided.

iv

Where to find more information

Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.

1.ASUS websites

The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

2.Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package.

Conventions used in this guide

To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.

DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when completing a task.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when completing a task

IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.

NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.

Typography

Bold text	Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Italics	Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
<Key>	Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign
	means that you must press the enclosed key.
	Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or
	Return key.
<Key1> + <Key2> + <Key3>	If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key
	names are linked with a plus sign (+).

v

Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

	Motherboard		ASUS PRIME Z270-K motherboard
	Cables		2 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cables
	Accessories		1 x ASUS Q-Shield
			2 x M.2 screws
	Application DVD		Support DVD
	Documentation		User Guide

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

PRIME Z270-K specifications summary

		Specifications
		LGA1151 socket for Intel® 7th/6th Generation Core™ i7 / i5 / i3, Pentium®, and
		Celeron® processors
	CPU	Supports Intel® 14nm CPU
		Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*
		* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
		** Refer to www.asus.com for Intel® CPU support list.
	Chipset	Intel® Z270 Chipset
		4 x DIMMs, max. 64GB, DDR4 3866(O.C.)*/ 3733(O.C.)*/ 3600(O.C.)*/
		3466(O.C.)*/ 3400(O.C.)*/ 3333(O.C.)*/ 3300(O.C.)*/ 3200(O.C.)*/ 3000(O.C.)*/
		2800(O.C.)*/ 2666(O.C.)*/ 2400(O.C.)*/ 2133 MHz, non-ECC, un-buffered
		memory
	Memory	Dual-channel memory architecture
		Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
		* The maximum memory frequency supported varies by processor.
		** Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List).
		1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot (at x16 mode)
	Expansion	1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot (max. at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1, x2
		and x4 devices)
	slots	2 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x1 slots
		2 x PCI slots
	Multi-GPU	Supports AMD® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
	Support
		Integrated graphics processor - Intel® HD Graphics support
		Multi-VGA output support: HDMI, DVI-D, RGB ports
		- Supports HDMI 1.4b with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24Hz / 2560
		x 1600@60Hz
	Graphics	- Supports DVI-D with maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz
		- Supports RGB with maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200 @ 60Hz
		Supports Intel® InTruTM 3D, Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video HD Technology,
		and Intel® InsiderTM
		Maximum shared memory of 1024 MB (for iGPU exclusively)
		Supports up to three displays simultaneously
		(continued on the next page)

vi

PRIME Z270-K specifications summary

		Specifications
		Intel® Z270 Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Intel Rapid Storage Technology 15
			support
			- 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices
			support (both SATA & x4 PCIE mode)*
			- 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (both
			SATA & x4 PCIE mode)**
			- 6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports (gray)
	Storage		- Ready for Intel® Optane Memory***
			- Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology****
		*	When a device in SATA mode is installed on the M.2_1 socket, SATA_1 port cannot be
			used.
		** When a device is installed on the M.2_2 socket, SATA_5/6 ports cannot be used.
		*** Intel® Optane Technology is only supported when using 7th Generation Intel® processors.
			Before using Intel® Optane memory modules, ensure that you have updated your
			motherboard drivers and BIOS to the latest version from ASUS support website.
		**** This function will work depending on the CPU installed.
		Intel® I219-V Gigabit LAN
	LAN	-	Dual interconnection between the integrated Media Access Controller (MAC) and
			physical layer (PHY)
		Realtek® ALC887 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
		- LED-illuminated design: Brighten up your build with the gorgeous illuminated audio
			trace path
		- Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduced
	Audio		multi-lateral interference
		- Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the
			quality of the sensitive audio signals
		-	Premium Japanese audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound
			with exceptional clarity and fidelity
		- Supports jack-detection, and front panel jack-retasking
		ASMedia USB 3.1 controllers
			- 2 x 10Gb/s USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 port at rear panel (teal blue, Type A)
	USB	Intel® Z270 Chipset

-1 x 5Gb/s USB Type C port (@back panel) support 3A power output

-6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (4 ports @mid-board; 2 ports @ back panel, blue, Type A)

-6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports @mid-board; 2 ports @ back panel)

		ASUS 5X PROTECTION III
		- ASUS SafeSlot Core - Fortified PCIe Slot prevents damage
		- ASUS LANGuard - Protects against LAN surges, lightning strikes and static-
		electricity discharges
		- ASUS Overvoltage Protection - World-class circuit-protecting power design
	ASUS	- ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O - 3X corrosion-resistance for greater durability
		- ASUS DIGI+ VRM - 7 Phase digital power design
	unique
	features	Superb Performance
		M.2 onboard
		- The latest transfer technologies with up to 32Gb/s data transfer speeds
		ASUS Fan Xpert 4 Core
		- Advanced fan and liquid controls for ultimate cooling and quietness
		(continued on the next page)

vii

PRIME Z270-K specifications summary

Specifications

ASUS EPU

- EPU

	UEFI BIOS
	-	Most advanced options with fast response time
	Gaming Scenario
	Audio Features
	- Audio that roars on the battlefield
	ASUS Exclusive Features
ASUS		-	ASUS AI Charger
unique		-	ASUS AI Suite 3
features	EZ DIY

UEFI BIOS EZ Mode

-Featuring friendly graphics user interface

-ASUS O.C. Tuner

-ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

-ASUS EZ Flash 3

Q-Design

- ASUS Q-Shield

ASUS Q-DIMM

- ASUS Q-Slot

ASUS quiet	Quiet Thermal Design
thermal	-	ASUS Fan Xpert 4 Core
solution	-	Stylish Fanless Design: PCH heatsink and MOS heatsink solution
	Precision Tweaker 2:
	-	vCore: Adjustable CPU Core voltage at 0.005V increment
	-	iGPU: Adjustable CPU Graphics voltage at 0.005V increment
	- vCCIO: Adjustable Analog and Digital I/O voltage at 0.005V increment
ASUS	-	vCCSA: Adjustable CPU System Agent voltage at 0.1V increment
Exclusive	-	vDRAM Bus: 160-step Memory voltage control
Overclocking	-	vPCH: 3-step Chipset voltage control
Features	SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection)
	-	BCLK/PCIE frequency tuning from 98MHz up to 538MHz at 0.1MHz increment

Overclocking Protection

- ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)

(continued on the next page)

viii

PRIME Z270-K specifications summary

	Specifications
	1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
	1 x HDMI port
	1 x DVI-D port
	1 x RGB port
	1 x LAN (RJ-45) port
Rear panel I/O	2 x 10Gb/s USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 ports (teal blue, Type A)
ports	1 x 5Gb/s USB Type C port
	2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, type A)
	2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
	3 x Audio jacks support 8-channel audio output*
	* Use a chassis with HD audio module in the front panel to support a 8-channel audio
	output.
	2 x USB 3.0 / 2.0 connector support additional 4 USB 3.0 / 2.0 ports (19-pin)
	2 x USB 2.0 / 1.1 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 / 1.1 ports
	6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (gray)
	2 x M.2 Socket 3 (for M Key)
	1 x 4-pin CPU Fan connector for both 3-pin (DC mode) and 4-pin (PWM mode)
	CPU coolers control*
	2 x 4-pin Chassis Fan connectors for 3-pin (DC mode) and 4-pin (PWM mode)
	coolers control*
Internal	1 x AIO Pump Fan header
connectors	1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
	1 x System panel connector
	1 x S/PDIF out header
	1 x 24-pin EATX power connector
	1 x 8-pin EATX 12V power connector
	1 x COM connector
	1 x Clear CMOS header
	* By default, the CPU/Chassis Q-Fan control setting is set to Auto mode, which detects
	the CPU and chassis fans installed and changes the control mode automatically.
	128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI3.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 3.0, ACPI
BIOS features	6.0, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, CrashFree BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning
	Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Last Modified log, F12 PrintScreen and
	ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Manageability	WfM 2.0, DMI 3.0, WOL by PME, PXE
	(continued on the next page)

ix

PRIME Z270-K specifications summary

		Specifications
		Drivers
	Support DVD	ASUS utilities
		EZ Update
		Anti-virus software (OEM version)
		Windows® 10 (64-bit)
	OS support	Windows® 8.1 (64-bit)*
		Windows® 7 (64-bit/32-bit)*
		* Windows® 8.1 64-bit and Windows® 7 32/64-bit are only supported when using 6th
		Generation Intel® processors.
	Form factor	ATX form factor: 12.0 in. x 8.9 in. (30.5 cm x 22.6cm)

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

x

Product introduction

1

1.1Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.

•Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.

•Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

1.2Motherboard overview

Place this side towards the rear of the chassis

KBMS _USB910

DVI

VGA

USB3_C7

HDMI

USB3.1_E12

LAN_USB3_56

AUDIO

15

Intel

I219V

16

1	2	3		2				4
		22.6cm(8.9in)
			CPU_FAN
				DIGI
				+VRM
					AIO_PUMP FAN
EATX12V
						288-pin module)	288-pin module)	288-pin module)	288-pin module)
			LGA1151			(64bit,A1DIMM	(64bit,A2DIMM	(64bit,B1DIMM	(64bit,B2DIMM
ASM						DDR4	DDR4	DDR4	DDR4
1142
LANGuard	CHA_FAN2
	PCIEX1_1	2260	M.2_1			1(SOCKET3)
	2280		2242
			PCIE	SATA	IRST	M.2
			X4	V	V

PCIEX16_1

CHA_FAN1

SATA6G_1

USB3_12

EATXPWR

		BATTERY	ASM	PRIME Z270-K							2
			1083						Intel®		SATA6G
									Z270
14			PCI1
	Super
16	I/O		PCIEX16_2
										2(SOCKET3)
15	PCIEX1_2		22110	2280	2260	2242					ASM1480
	ALC						M.2_2			_	128Mb
							PCIE	SATA IRST		M.2	BIOS
	887						X4	V	V
14			PCI2								SATA6G_4 SATA6G_3
	SPDIF_OUT		COM	USB1112	USB1314	USB3_34			PANEL		SATA6G_6 SATA6G_5
	AAFP						CLRTC
	13	12	11	10		5	9		8

2

30.5cm(12in) 1

5

6

7

6

7

Unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

ASUS PRIME Z270-K

1-1

1.2.1Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED		Page
1.	ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)	1-2
2.	CPU, chassis, and AIO pump fan fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN1~2,	1-3
	4-pin AIO_PUMP FAN)
3.	Intel® LGA1151 CPU socket	1-3
4.	DDR4 DIMM slots	1-3
5.	USB 3.0 connectors (20-1 pin USB3_12, USB3_34)	1-3
6.	M.2 Socket 3	1-4
7.	Intel® Z270 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connector (7-pin SATA6G_1~6)	1-4
8.	System panel connector (20-5 pin PANEL)	1-4
9.	Clear RTC RAM (2-pin CLRTC)	1-5
10.	USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB1112, USB1314)	1-5
11.	Serial port connectors (10-1 pin COM)	1-5
12.	Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)	1-5
13.	Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)	1-6
14.	PCI slots	1-6
15.	PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x1 slots	1-6
16.	PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots	1-6

ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)

Correctly orient the ATX power supply plugs into these connectors and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.

EATX12V

	GND	+12V DC
	GND	+12V DC
	GND	+12V DC
	GND	+12V DC
	PIN 1
	EATXPWR
+3 Volts		GND
+12	Volts	+5 Volts
+12	Volts	+5 Volts
+5V Standby		+5 Volts
Power OK		-5 Volts
	GND	GND
+5 Volts		GND
	GND	GND
+5 Volts		PSON#
	GND	GND
+3	Volts	-12 Volts
+3	Volts	+3 Volts
	PIN 1

•For a fully configured system, we recommend that you use a power supply unit (PSU) that complies with ATX 12 V Specification 2.0 (or later version) and provides a minimum power of 350 W. This PSU type has 24-pin and 8-pin power plugs.

•We recommend that you use a PSU with higher power output when configuring a system with more power-consuming devices or when you intend to install additional devices. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

•If you are uncertain about the minimum power supply requirement for your system, refer to the Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator

at http://support.asus.com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator. aspx?SLanguage=en-us for details.

1-2	Chapter 1: Product introduction

CPU, chassis, and AIO pump fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN1~2, 4-pin AIO_PUMP FAN)

Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

CPU_FAN

AIO_PUMP FAN

CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND

AIO PUMP PWM AIO PUMP IN AIO PUMP PWR GND

CHA_FAN1

CHA_FAN2

CHA FAN PWM

GND

CHA FAN IN

CHA FAN PWR

CHA FAN PWR

CHA FAN IN

GND

CHA FAN PWM

Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! Do not place jumper caps on the fan connectors! The CPU_FAN connector supports a CPU fan of maximum 1A (12 W) fan power.

Intel® LGA1151 CPU socket

Install Intel® LGA1151 CPU into this surface mount LGA1151 socket, which is designed for 7th/6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 / i5 / i3, Pentium®, and Celeron® processors.

For more details, refer to Central Processing Unit (CPU).

DDR4 DIMM slots

Install 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB unbuffered non-ECC DDR4 DIMMs into these DIMM sockets.

For more details, refer to System memory

USB 3.0 connectors (20-1 pin USB3_12, USB3_34)

USB3_12

Connect a USB 3.0 module to any of these connectors

USB3+5V

IntA_P1_SSRX-

PIN 1

for additional USB 3.0 front or rear panel ports. These

USB3+5V

GND

IntA_P2_SSRX+

IntA_P2_SSRX-

IntA_P1_SSRX+

connectors comply with USB 3.0 specifications and

GND

IntA_P1_SSTX-

IntA_P2_SSTX+

GND

IntA_P2_SSTX-

IntA_P1_SSTX+

provides faster data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, faster

GND

IntA_P1_D-

IntA_P2_D+

GND

charging time for USB-chargeable devices, optimized power

IntA_P2_D-

IntA_P1_D+

efficiency, and backward compatibility with USB 2.0

USB3_34

USB3+5V IntA_P1_SSRXIntA_P1_SSRX+ GND IntA_P1_SSTXIntA_P1_SSTX+ GND IntA_P1_DIntA_P1_D+ GND

PIN 1

USB3+5V IntA_P2_SSRXIntA_P2_SSRX+ GND IntA_P2_SSTXIntA_P2_SSTX+ GND IntA_P2_DIntA_P2_D+

ASUS PRIME Z270-K

1-3

M.2 socket 3

M.2(SOCKET3)

These sockets allow you to install M.2 (NGFF) SSD modules.

•M.2_1 socket supports M Key and 2242/2260/2280 storage devices.

•M.2_2 socket supports M Key and 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices.

•When using Intel® Desktop Responsiveness technologies with PCIe/SATA M.2 device, ensure to set up the Windows® UEFI operating system under RAID mode.

•Intel® Optane Technology only supported when using 7th Generation Intel® processors. Before using Intel® Optane memory modules, ensure that you have updated your motherboard drivers and BIOS to the latest version from ASUS support website.

•The M.2 slots support data transfer speed up to 32Gb/s.

•When a device in SATA mode is installed on the M.2_1 socket, SATA_1 port cannot be used.

•When a device is installed on the M.2_2 socket, SATA_5/6 ports cannot be used.

Intel® Z270 Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_1~6)

These connectors connect to Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s hard disk drives via Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables.

SATA6G

GND

RSATA_TXP

RSATA_TXN

GND

RSATA_RXN

RSATA_RXP

GND

System panel connector (20-5 pin F_PANEL)

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

•System power LED (4-pin PWR_LED)

This 4-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.

PANEL

+PWR_LED- PWR_SW SPEAKER

PLED+ PLEDPWRBTN# GND	+5V GND GND Speaker
PIN 1
HDD LED+ HDD LEDGND RSTCON# NC PLED+		PLED-

+HDD_LED- RESET +PWR_LED-

•Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDD_LED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD Activity LED cable to this connector. The HDD LED lights up or flashes when data is read from or written to the HDD.

1-4	Chapter 1: Product introduction

•System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker.

The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

•ATX power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWR_SW)

This connector is for the system power button.

•Reset button (2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power.

Clear RTC RAM (2-pin CLRTC)

This header allows you to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data of the system setup information such as date, time, and system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1.Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2.Use a metal object such as a screwdriver to short the two pins.

3.Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.

4.Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter

BIOS setup to re-enter data.

CLRTC

+3V_BAT GND

PIN 1

If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and short the two pins again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After clearing the CMOS, reinstall the battery.

USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB1112, USB1314)

Connect a USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specifications and supports up to 480Mbps connection speed.

USB1112

		USB+5V USB_P11USB_P11+				GND NC
PIN 1		USB+5V USB P12USB P12+				GND

USB1314

		USB+5V USB_P13USB_P13+				GND NC
PIN 1		USB+5V USB P14USB P14+				GND

Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM)

This connector is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)

This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port. Connect the S/PDIF Out module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

	COM
	RXD DTR DSR CTS
PIN 1	DCD TXD GND RTS RI
+5V	SPDIFOUT GND

SPDIF_OUT

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Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)

This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector.

AGND NC SENSE1 RETUR	SENSE2 RETUR
AAFP
PORT1 L PORT1 R PORT2 R SENSE SEND PORT2 L

HD-audio-compliant

pin definition

AGND NC NC

NC

PIN 1

Line out_L

NC

Line out_R

MICPWR

MIC2

Legacy AC’97 compliant definition

•We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio

module to this connector to avail of the motherboard’s high-definition audio capability.

•If you want to connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector, set the Front Panel Type item in the BIOS setup to [HD

Audio]. If you want to connect an AC’97 front panel audio module to this connector, set the item to [AC97]. By default, this connector is set to [HD Audio].

PCI slots

The PCI slots support cards such as LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with the PCI specifications

PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x1 slots

This motherboard has two PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x1 slots that support PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications.

PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots

This motherboard supports two PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 graphic cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications.

	VGA configuration	PCI Express operating mode
		PCIe 3.0 x16_1 (gray)	PCIe 3.0 x16_2
	Single VGA/PCIe card	x16 (Recommended for single	N/A
		VGA card)
	Dual VGA/PCIe cards
		x16	x4

•In single VGA card mode, use the PCIe 3.0 x16_1 slot (gray) for a PCI Express x16 graphics card to get better performance.

•We recommend that you provide sufficient power when running CrossFireX™ mode.

•Connect a chassis fan to the motherboard connector labeled CHA_FAN1/2 when using multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment.

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IRQ assignments for this motherboard

		A	B	C	D
	HD Audio Controller	shared	–	–	–
	XHCI	shared	–	–	–
	SATA Controller	shared	–	–	–
	LAN Controller	shared	–	–	–
	PCIEx1_1	–	–	shared	–
	PCIEx1_2	–	–	–	shared
	PCIEx16_1	shared	–	–	–
	PCIEx16_2	shared	–	–	–
	M.2_1	shared	–	–	–
	M.2_2	shared	–	–	–
	Asmedia PCIE to PCI	–	–	shared	–
	Controller
	Asmedia USB3.1	shared	–	–	–
	Controller

When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable.

1.2.2Rear panel connectors

1				2					3											4			5

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

1.PS/2 Mouse/Keyboard combo port. This port connects to a PS/2 mouse or PS/2 keyboard.

2.Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices.

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3.LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub.

LAN port LED indications

Activity/Link LED		Speed LED		Activity Link			Speed
				LED			LED
Status	Description	Status	Description
Off	No link	OFF	10Mbps connection
Orange	Linked	ORANGE	100Mbps connection
Orange	Data activity	GREEN	1Gbps connection
(Blinking)					LAN port
Orange	Ready to wake
(Blinking then	up from S5 mode
steady)

4.Line In port (light blue). This port connects to the tape, CD, DVD player, or other audio sources.

5.Line Out port (lime). This port connects to a headphone or a speaker. In the 4.1, 5.1 and 7.1-channel configurations, the function of this port becomes Front Speaker Out.

6.Microphone port (pink). This port connects to a microphone.

Refer to the audio configuration table for the function of the audio ports in 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, or 7.1-channel configuration.

Audio 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, or 7.1-channel configuration

	Port	Headset	4.1-channel	5.1-channel	7.1-channel
		2.1-channel
	Light Blue (Rear panel)	Line In	Rear Speaker Out	Rear Speaker Out	Rear Speaker Out
	Lime (Rear panel)	Line Out	Front Speaker Out	Front Speaker Out	Front Speaker Out
	Pink (Rear panel)	Mic In	Mic In	Bass/Center	Bass/Center
	Lime (Front panel)	-	-	-	Side Speaker Out

To configure a 7.1-channel audio output:

Use a chassis with HD audio module in the front panel to support a 7.1-channel audio output.

7.USB 3.0 ports (blue, Type A). These 9-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB 3.0 devices.

• USB 3.0 devices can only be used for data storage.

• We strongly recommend that you connect USB 3.0 devices to USB 3.0 ports for faster and better performance from your USB 3.0 devices.

•Due to the design of the Intel® 200 series chipset, all USB devices connected to the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports are controlled by the xHCI controller. Some legacy USB devices must update their firmware for better compatibility.

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8.USB 3.1 ports (teal blue, Type A). These 9-pin Universal Serial Bus 3.1 (USB 3.1) ports are for USB 3.1 devices.

•Due to the limitation of USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 controller, USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 devices can only be used under Windows OS environment and after the USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 driver installation.

•We strongly recommend that you connect USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 devices to USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 ports for faster and better performance from your USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 devices.

9.HDMI port. This port is for a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector, and is HDCP compliant allowing playback of HD DVD, Blu-ray, and other protected content.

10.USB 5Gb/s Type C port. This 24-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) port is for USB (Type

C)devices.

11.DVI-D port. This port is for any DVI-D compatible device.

DVI-D can not be converted to output from RGB Signal to CRT and is not compatible with DVI-I.

12.USB 2.0 ports. These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB 2.0/1.1 devices.

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1.3Central Processing Unit (CPU)

This motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1151 socket designed for the 7th/6th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® processors.

Unplug all power cables before installing the CPU.

• Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for the LGA1151 socket only. DO NOT install a CPU designed for LGA1150, LGA1155 and LGA1156 sockets on the LGA1151 socket.

•Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your retailer immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components.

•Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes with the cap on the LGA1151 socket.

•The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/incorrect removal of the PnP cap.

Installing the CPU

1

A

B

4	A	4
2
		C
3		5
5
		B
		4

Apply the Thermal Interface Material to the CPU heatsink and CPU before you install the heatsink and fan if necessary.

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1.4 System memory

Overview

This motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4) Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR4 DIMM sockets:

			DIMM_A1	Channel	Sockets
			DIMM_A2	Channel A	DIMM_A1 & DIMM_A2
			DIMM_B1
			DIMM_B2	Channel B	DIMM_B1 & DIMM_B2

•You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system

maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation.

•Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimal compatibility, we recommend that you install memory modules of the same version or date code (D/C) from the same vendor. Check with the retailer to get the correct memory modules.

•According to Intel® CPU spec, DIMM voltage below 1.35V is recommended to protect the CPU.

•Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows® OS, when you install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be about 3GB or less. For effective use of memory, we recommend that you do any of the following:

-Use a maximum of 3GB system memory if you are using a 32-bit Windows® OS.

-Install a 64-bit Windows® OS if you want to install 4GB or more on the motherboard.

-For more details, refer to the Microsoft® support site at http://support.microsoft. com/kb/929605/en-us.

•Memory modules with memory frequency higher than 2133/2400 MHz and its corresponding timing or the loaded X.M.P. Profile is not the JEDEC memory standard. The stability and compatibility of these memory modules depend on the CPU’s capabilities and other installed devices.

• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value.

•For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs).

•Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List)

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Installing a DIMM

1 2

A A

B

To remove a DIMM

A

B

1.5Software support

1.5.1Installing an operating system

This motherboard supports Windows® 7 (64-bit/32-bit), Windows® 8.1 (64-bit), and Windows® 10 (64-bit) Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware.

• Windows® 8.1 64-bit and Windows® 7 32/64-bit are only supported when using 6th Generation Intel® processors.

•Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information.

1.5.2Support DVD information

The Support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard features.

The contents of the Support DVD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for updates.

To run the Support DVD

Place the Support DVD into the optical drive. If Autorun is enabled in your computer, the DVD automatically displays the lists of the unique features of your ASUS motherboard. Click the Driver, Utilities, Manual, or Special tabs to display their respective menus.

The following screen is for reference only.

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Click a tab to display Support DVD information

Click to install

Select an item/ subitem that you want to install

If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the Support DVD to locate the file ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder. Double-click the ASSETUP.EXE to run the DVD.

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