Evga X299 Micro User Manual
EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
User Guide
EVGA X299 MICRO
Specs and Initial Installation
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Table of Contents
User Guide ............................................................................................................... - 1 -
EVGA X299 MICRO ................................................................................................. - 1 -
Specs and Initial Installation..................................................................................... - 1 -
Before You Begin… ................................................................................................. - 4 -
Parts NOT in the Kit ............................................................................................................. - 5 -
Intentions of the Kit .............................................................................................................. - 5 -
Motherboard Specifications .................................................................................................. - 6 -
Unpacking and Parts Descriptions ........................................................................................ - 8 -
Intel X299 MICRO Motherboard LED reference ................................................................. - 9 -
Intel X299 MICRO Motherboard Component Legend ....................................................... - 12 -
PCI-E Slot Breakdown ....................................................................................................... - 23 -
M.2 and U.2 Slot Breakdown ............................................................................................. - 23 -
Installing the CPU .................................................................................................. - 24 -
Installing the CPU Cooling Device .................................................................................... - 25 -
Installing System Memory .................................................................................................. - 26 -
Installing the I/O Shield and I/O Cover .............................................................................. - 27 -
Installing the Motherboard...................................................................................... - 27 -
Securing the Motherboard into a System Case ................................................................... - 28 -
Installing M.2 devices ......................................................................................................... - 30 -
Tested CPUs ....................................................................................................................... - 33 -
Tested U.2........................................................................................................................... - 33 -
Tested M.2 Key-M ............................................................................................................. - 34 -
Tested M.2 Key-E............................................................................................................... - 34 -
Connecting Cables .............................................................................................................. - 35 -
Onboard Buttons ................................................................................................................. - 44 -
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
First Boot ................................................................................................................ - 45 -
M.2 SSD, PCI-E SSD, and NVMe SSD Installation steps ................................................. - 47 -
Internal RAID Controller ......................................................................................... - 49 -
Fan Header DC and PWM setup ........................................................................... - 84 -
Setting Up SLI and PhysX...................................................................................... - 88 -
Realtek HD Audio Manager ............................................................................................... - 92 -
Installing Drivers and Software ............................................................................ - 116 -
Windows 10 Driver Installation ........................................................................................ - 116 -
Warranty and Overclocking .............................................................................................. - 117 -
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................... - 118 -
Replacing a BIOS chip ..................................................................................................... - 118 -
SSD / HDD is not detected ............................................................................................... - 121 -
System does not POST, and POST code indicator reads “C” ........................................... - 123 -
System does not POST, and POST code indicator reads “55” ......................................... - 124 -
System does not POST, and POST code indicator reads “d7” ......................................... - 124 -
Have a question not covered above, or want some online resources? .............................. - 125 -
POST Beep codes ............................................................................................................. - 126 -
POST Port Debug LED .................................................................................................... - 127 -
POST Codes ........................................................................................................ - 128 -
EVGA Glossary of Terms ................................................................................................ - 133 -
Compliance Information ....................................................................................... - 136 -
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
EVGA welcomes you to the next generation of Intel Enthusiast performance:
the X299 MICRO! The X299 platform supports the newest Skylake-X and
Kaby Lake-X processors. EVGA X299 motherboards further refine highperformance with multiple options for all the latest SSD options with support
for U.2, M.2 and PCI-E drives and is Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready – a
revolutionary higher-density memory interface, based on 3D XPoint
Technology, delivers a new generation of SSDs designed to obliterate loading
times for gamers. However, the X299 platform also supports all the features
you’ve come to expect from EVGA, including up to 64GBs of Quad-Channel
DDR4 memory at maximum memory speeds of up to 3600MHz+for SkylakeX, and 4133MHz+ for Kaby Lake-X (OC), Gigabit-NIC support, USB 3.0 and
USB 3.1 Type-A and Type-C support, an updated UEFI\BIOS GUI, PWM fan
control and a variety of SATA options to fit everyone’s needs. The X299
MICRO is built with a 8-layer PCB, featuring a CPU socket with 150% higher
Gold content powered by an Advanced 12-phase Digital VRM (10 Phase
VCore, 2 Phase Memory PWM), providing industry-leading stability for all your
applications.
Before You Begin…
Furthermore, this board is designed not ONLY for overclockers, but also for
gamers with NVIDIA® 2-Way SLI + PhysX Support without the need for PLX
chips, blazing-fast networking featuring an Intel i219, M.2 Key-M, U.2, 6 SATA
3/6g and much more!
Lastly, a motherboard is only as good as its BIOS, and the EVGA X299
MICRO features an updated UEFI\BIOS GUI with a focus on overclocking
and functionality in a lean, straight-forward package. You won’t need to be an
expert to configure your motherboard, but if you are, you’ll find features
unavailable anywhere else.
Combining the best of current technology with the latest innovations, EVGA is
further refining motherboard performance!
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Parts NOT in the Kit
This kit contains all the hardware necessary to install and connect your new
EVGA X299 MICRO Motherboard. However, it does NOT contain the
following items, which must be purchased separately in order to make the
system fully-functional and install an Operating System:
Intel Socket 2066 Processor
DDR4 System Memory
CPU Cooling Device
PCI Express Graphics Card
Power Supply
Hard Drive or SSD
Keyboard / Mouse
Monitor
(Optional) Optical Drive
EVGA assumes you have purchased all the necessary parts needed to allow for
proper system functionality. For a full list of supported CPUs on this
motherboard, please visit www.evga.com/support/motherboard
Intentions of the Kit
When replacing a different model motherboard in a PC case, you may need to
reinstall your operating system, even though the current HDD/SSD may
already have one installed. Keep in mind, however, you may sometimes also
need to reinstall your OS after a RMA even if your motherboard remains the
same due to issues that occurred prior to replacing the motherboard.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Motherboard Specifications
Size:
mATX form-factor of 9.6 inches x 9.6 inches (243.8x243.8mm)
Microprocessor support:
Intel Socket 2066 Processor
Operating Systems:
Supports Windows 10 64bit only
System Memory support:
Supports Quad Channel DDR4 up to 4000MHz+ SkyLake-X, and
4133MHz+ Kaby Lake-X (OC).
Supports up to 64GB of DDR4 memory.
USB 2.0 Ports:
4x from Intel X299 PCH – 4x internal via 2 FP headers
Supports transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps with full backwards compatibility
USB 3.0 Ports:
8x from Intel X299 PCH – 6x external, 2x internal via 1 FP headers
Supports transfer speeds up to 5Gbps with full backwards compatibility
USB 3.1 Ports:
2x from Intel X299 PCH – 2x external, 1x Type-C, 1x Type-A
Supports transfer speeds up to 10Gbps with full backwards compatibility
*Type-C will require a Type-A adapter for backwards compatibility
SATA Ports:
Intel X299 PCH Controller
6x SATA 3/6G (600 MB/s) data transfer rate
- Support for RAID0, RAID1, RAID5, AND RAID10
- Supports hot plug
Onboard LAN:
1x Intel i219v Gigabit (10/100/1000) Ethernet
Onboard Audio:
Realtek Audio (ALC1150)
Supports 8-channel (7.1) audio with Optical S/PDIF Out
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Power Functions:
Supports ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)
Supports S0 (normal), S3 (suspend to RAM), S4 (Suspend to disk - depends
on OS), and S5 (soft - off)
PCI-Express Expansion Slots:
3x PCI-E x16 slot 2x16, 1x4
**LANES PER SLOT CAN VARY BASED OFF OF CPU, PLEASE SEE
PAGE 23 FOR LANE BREAKDOWN BASED OFF OF CPU.**
PCI-E 3.0 Support:
Low power consumption and power management features
SLI and Crossfire Support:
2-Way SLI + PhysX
2-Way Crossfire
Additional Expansion Slots:
1x M.2 Key-M 80mm slot PCI-E/NVMe & SATA
Supports Intel Optane
1x M.2 Key-E slot
Includes Intel 8260NGW 802.11AC/BT4.1
1x U.2 slot
RGB LED Header:
1x 4-pin RGB LED header
Fan Headers:
2x 4-pin PWM controlled headers
4x 4-pin DC\PWM headers
-3pin(DC)\4pin(PWM) modes are selected in BIOS
-Static fan RPM percentage set in BIOS
ALL FAN HEADERS HAVE A MAXIMUM POWER
LIMIT OF 1 AMP @ 12 VOLTS (12 WATTS)
EXCEDING THIS LIMIT WILL CAUSE
IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE BOARD.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Unpacking and Parts Descriptions
The following accessories are included with the EVGA X299 MICRO
Motherboard:
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Intel X299 MICRO Motherboard LED reference
The EVGA X299 MICRO Motherboard has several LEDs indicating power, connectivity,
and activity. Below is the location of the LEDs and their function.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
1.
6.
11.
2.
7.
12.
3.
8.
13.
4.
9.
14.
5.
10.
LED Legend
Remova ble BIOS LED
PE1 Status/Mode
PE2 Status/Mode
PE3 Status/Mode
5VSB
VCC
VSM
KBX LED
SKX LED
POSTCODE Ind icator
FIVR
CATERR
CC_LED
Backlit/Shie lded Audio Trace
1. Removable BIOS LED
a. RED: Active BIOS Chip (only 1 will be lit at a time)
2. PCI-Express LED for PE1. The LED will remain off when this PCI-E slot is
disabled or unpopulated.
a. GREEN: Operating at PCI-Express Gen1 speed
b. YELLOW: Operating at PCI-Express Gen2 speed
c. RED: Operating at PCI-Express Gen3 speed
3. PCI-Express LED for PE2. The LED will remain off when this PCI-E slot is
disabled or unpopulated.
a. GREEN: Operating at PCI-Express Gen1 speed
b. YELLOW: Operating at PCI-Express Gen2 speed
c. RED: Operating at PCI-Express Gen3 speed
4. PCI-Express LED for PE3. The LED will remain off when this PCI-E slot is
disabled or unpopulated.
a. GREEN: Operating at PCI-Express Gen1 speed
b. YELLOW: Operating at PCI-Express Gen2 speed
c. RED: Operating at PCI-Express Gen3 speed
5. 5VSB
a. WHITE: Voltage detected (
Does not mean PSU is outputting
in-spec, only that this specific voltage is detected
6. VCC
a. RED: Voltage detected (
spec, only that this specific voltage is detected
Does not mean PSU is outputting in-
)
7. VSM
a. YELLOW: Voltage detected (
Does not mean PSU is
outputting in-spec, only that this specific voltage is
detected
8. KBX LED
a. YELLOW: Indicates a Kaby Lake-X processor is installed into the
socket.
)
)
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
9. SKX LED
a. WHITE: Indicates a Skylake-X processor is installed into the socket.
10. POST Code indicator
a. After bootup, this will display the CPU temp.
b. During boot it will cycle many different hexadecimal post codes with a
range of 00-FF and this indicates what aspect of the Power On Self Test
(POST) is currently running.
i. *For list of POST Codes, please see Page 127.
11. CATERR
a. CATERR stands for Catastrophic Error on the processor.
b. RED: Processor error has occurred.
c. Off: No error state detected in the CPU.
12. FIVR
a. RED: Indicates CPU integrated voltage regulation failure.
b. OFF: No issues detected on FIVR
13. CC_LED
a. USB 3.1 Type-C detection.
b. RED: Indicates device is attached and detected to USB Type-C.
c. OFF: No device detected.
14. Audio Trace
a. RGB: This LED backlights the isolated Audio traces. When the LED is
on, it merely shows the PC is on and the light is not disabled in
BIOS. The lights may be enabled/disabled in BIOS under the option
“Audio Backlight.”
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Intel X299 MICRO Motherboard Component
Legend
The EVGA X299 MICRO Motherboard with the Intel X299 and PCH Chipset.
Figure 1 shows the motherboard and Figure 2 shows the back panel connectors
FIGURE 1. X299 MICRO Motherboard Layout
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
1.
10.
19.
2.
11.
20.
3.
12.
21.
4.
13.
22.
5.
14.
23.
6.
15.
24.
7.
16.
25.
8.
17.
9.
18.
CPU Socket 2066
Inte l X29 9 Southbridge
CPU Fan Hea ders (1 amp PWM)
Fan Heade rs (1 amp DC/PWM)
RBG LED Controller Head er
DDR4 Memory DIMM Slots 1-4
24-pin ATX power conn ector
8 pin EPS Connector
Inte l Sata 6G RAID Ports
**For a FULL description of the above legend, please see Page 15.
Component Legend
U.2 (SFF-8639) Port
M.2 Socket 3 Key-M 80mm
PCI-E Slot 16x/8x
PCI-E Slot 4x
Powe r Button
Res et Button
Debug LED / CPU Temp Monitor
USB 3.0 Hea ders
USB 2.0 Hea ders
Backlit Audio Traces
Front Panel Audio Connector
Front Panel Conne cto rs
Removable BIOS Chip
CMOS Ba tte ry
PC Spea ker
Rea r Panel Connectors (Figure 2)
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
1.
4.
7.
2.
5.
8.
3.
6.
3.5mm Audio Jack Legend
Figure 2. Chassis Rear Panel Connectors
USB 3.0
USB 3.1 type A
USB 3.1 type C
I/O Hub
BIOS/CMOS Res et
Inte l I 219 NIC
M.2 Key-E Ve rti ca l Hea der
Optical Out
Analo g Audio Ja cks
Analog Audio
Port Breakdown
Blue Line in Line In Line in * Rear Speaker Out
Green
Pink Mic In Mic In Mic In Mic In
Bla ck Side Spea ker Out Side Spea ker Out Side Spea ker Out
Orange Center/Sub Out Center/Sub Out
* 7.1 output is ena bl ed via Real tek Software from within Windows . (Page 96)
2/2.1 Channel 4.0/4.1 Channel 5.1 (6 Channel) 7.1 (8 Channel)
Front Speaker Out/
Front Speaker + Sub
Front Speaker Out/
Front Speaker + Sub
Front Speaker
Out
Front Speaker Out
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Component Legend Descriptions
1. CPU Socket 2066
This is the interface for the Central Processing Unit (CPU), and supports Core
i7 models compatible with the Intel 2066 Socket Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X
architecture.
2. Intel X299 PCH (Southbridge)
The Platform Controller Hub (PCH) handles the role that was previously held
by the South Bridge. The PCH has 4 PCI-E Gen 3 lanes and allocates
bandwidth to smaller PCI-E slots, M.2 Key-E, USB, audio, etc. In simplified
terms, the PCH works as a hub for peripherals that are less bandwidthintensive.
3. CPU Fan Headers (PWM)
4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed based on a configurable curve or
static percentage. PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) works by pulsing power to
the fan at a constant rate and sending the RPM signal to the fan’s controller via
a Sense cable, rather than adjusting fan speed by increasing and decreasing
voltage. This method is preferable because it eliminates voltage-based fan stall
points. Please see Page 88 for more in-depth PWM breakdown and PWM
controls within BIOS/UEFI.
4. Fan Headers DC/PWM
These ports are simply toggled between DC and PWM to be compatible with 3
pin and 4 pin fans. The fans will be set to a static percentage set in BIOS.
5. RGB LED Controller Header
The RBG header is a 4 pin header that allows a software based control within
windows for RGB devices via ELEET-X. Please see Page 43 for control
specifics.
6. DDR4 Memory Slots
The memory slots support up to four 288-pin DDR4 DIMMs in Quad-Channel
mode with Skylake-X processors; and supports up to two 288-pin DDR4
DIMMs in Dual-Channel mode with Kaby Lake-X processors.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Skylake-X processors are certified for Quad-Channel mode, and will be enabled
only upon using four sticks of supported memory, according to the installation
guide on Page 26. Skylake-X supports up to 64GB (4x16GB) up to
4000MHz+, 32GB modules are *NOT* supported on this platform. Some
Dual-Channel kits *may* work; however Skylake-X is certified for QuadChannel operation, not Dual-Channel. Dual-Channel configurations will
substantially reduce the potential memory bandwidth of the Skylake-X
processor.
Kaby Lake-X processors are certified for Dual-Channel mode, and will be
enabled only upon using two sticks of supported memory, according to the
installation guide on Page 26. Kaby Lake-X supports up to 32GB (2x16GB) up
to 4133MHz+. 32GB modules are *NOT* supported on this platform. Some
Quad-Channel kits *may* work, however Kaby Lake-X is not certified for
Quad-Channel operation, only Dual-Channel, and will gain no benefit from
Quad-Channel over Dual-Channel.
Using an odd number of DIMMs (1,3) will lower the board to Single-Channel
mode, which may significantly lower performance depending on the application.
The speeds listed above cannot be guaranteed as Intel® only certifies the speed
of the memory controller up to 2666/2400MHz for Kaby Lake-X and SkylakeX platforms respectively, and all speeds above the speeds certified by Intel®
require overclocking.
7. 24-pin ATX power connector
The main power for the motherboard is located on the right side of the board
and perpendicular to the PCB; this is also described as a “Vertical” connector
(See Page 40 for more specifics to the connector itself, and associated
wiring/pinouts). The 24-pin connector IS directional and the connector needs
the tab on the socket to line up with the release clip located on the 24-pin
connector from the power supply. This connector pulls the bulk of the power
for all components; other connectors, such as EPS, PCI-E (video card AND
motherboard sides), have been added to reduce the load and increase longevity
due to wiring and trace limitations.
8. 8-pin EPS Connector
The EPS is dedicated power for the CPU (See Page 41 for more specifics to the
connector itself, and associated wiring/pinouts). Carefully choose the correct
power cable by consulting with the installation manual for your power supply.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
This connector is designed only to work with an EPS or CPU cable. System
builders may make the mistake of plugging in a PCI-E 8-pin or 6+2-pin
connector, which will prevent the board from POSTing and possibly damage
the board; although the cables appear similar, they are wired differently and
attaching a PCI-E cable to an EPS connector may cause damage to the
motherboard.
Alternatively, if no power cable is connected or detected, the system will not
POST and will hang at POST code “C.”
9. Intel SATA 3/6G Ports
The Intel X299 PCH has a 6-port SATA 3/6G controller (See Page 47 for
specifics on the connectors). This controller is backwards-compatible with
SATA and SATA 2 devices, and supports SSDs, HDDs and various types of
optical devices (CDROM, DVDROM, BD-ROM, etc). The controller also
supports NCQ, TRIM, hot swap capability (provided the proper HDD/SSD
bays/racks are installed), and RAID levels 0/1/5/10.
10. U.2 Port (SFF-8639)
U.2, originally known as SFF-8639, is a high bandwidth connection specifically
engineered for next generation SSD’s. U.2 brings PCI-E x4 (Gen3) NVMe
performance to a 2.5” SSD form factor and provides a solution to potential
heating problems that may be present in some M.2 solutions.
11. M.2 Socket 3 Key-M 80mm
M.2 is a SSD standard, which uses up to four PCI-E lanes and utilizes Gen3
speeds. Most popularly paired with NVMe SSDs, this standard offers
substantially faster transfer speeds and seek time than SATA interface
standards. All M.2 devices are designed to connect via a card-bus style
connector and be bolted into place and powered by the connector, rather than
by a dedicated data cable and power cable.
This socket will support Key-M devices of 80mm, 60mm, and 42mm length.
This connector can utilize either a PCI-E/NVMe based M.2 SSD, SATA M.2,
or Intel Optane devices.
12. PCI-E Slot x16/x8*
PCI-E x16/x8 slots are primarily for video cards. These full-length slots will
provide 8 or 16 lanes of bandwidth to a full-size card, and are backwardscompatible with x8, x4, and x1-length cards.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Skylake-X Socket 2066 processors have 44 or 28 PCI-E lanes available for
routing, whereas Kaby Lake-X has 16 PCI-E lanes.
13. PCI-E Slot x4*
PCI-E x4 slot uses up to 4 Gen 3 lanes from the PCH. This slot is typically
used for sound cards, WiFi, USB, or other peripheral cards.
Because this slot uses PCH bandwidth, this will have *NO EFFECT* on the
bandwidth or throughput of the x16 slots used for SLI.
14. Power Button
This is an onboard power button, and may be used in place of, or in
conjunction with, a front panel power button wired to the board.
Benching systems, or test benches before final assembly, are best served by
using the onboard power because it removes the need to wire a Power/Reset
button or cross posts with a screwdriver, which is a semi-common practice.
This button provides a safer and easier option than jumpering the Power posts.
15. Reset Button
This is an onboard system reset button, and may be used in place of, or in
conjunction with, a front panel system reset button wired to the board.
Benching systems, or test benches before final assembly, are best served by
using the onboard power because it removes the need to wire a Power/Reset
button or cross posts with a screwdriver, which is a semi-common practice.
This button provides a safer and easier option than jumpering the Power posts.
16. Debug LED / CPU Temp
This is a two-digit POST code reader, displaying in hexadecimal, which means
the characters available (when working as intended) are 0-9, A-F and has a cap
of 255 characters. The POST codes are listed in the troubleshooting section on
Page 131. After the system boots, it will display the temperature in Celsius.
This temperature is specifically for the CPU socket, which will typically read
slightly higher than a given CPU core. To read this temp in Fahrenheit, take the
value in Celsius, multiply by 9/5 (or 1.8) and add 32.
17. USB 3.0 Headers
The USB3.0 headers are used to connect additional USB interface plugs to the
motherboard; these headers are most often used to connect the motherboard to
the chassis to enable the USB3.0 ports on the chassis. These will function the
same as the USB3 ports found on the motherboard’s hardwired I/O hub, but
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
these can be used to attach to front panel USB, auxiliary ports that mount in the
card slots, and also some devices that directly connect to the header.
USB 3.0 standard is 900ma @ 5V for unpowered devices. If your USB device
requires more power than this, it is recommended to attach a powered USB
Hub.
USB 3.1 Type-A (found on the I/O Hub) shares the power limit of USB 3.0 at
900ma @ 5V. Whereas USB 3.1 Type-C (also found on the IO Hub) has a
power limit of 3000ma (3A) @ 5V.
18. USB 2.0 Headers
The USB2.0 header is used to connect additional USB interface plugs to the
motherboard; these headers are most often used to connect the motherboard to
the chassis to enable the USB2.0 ports on the chassis. These will function the
same as the USB2 ports found on the motherboard’s hardwired I/O hub, but
these can be used to attach to front panel USB, auxiliary ports that mount in the
card slots, and also some devices that directly connect to the header.
USB 2.0 standard is 500ma @ 5V per port (header total is 1000ma) for
unpowered devices. If your USB device requires more power than this, it is
recommended to attach a powered USB Hub.
19. Backlit Audio Traces
Isolating audio traces reduces or eliminates electrical noise from the onboard
audio when running multiple devices at a very high frequency. The
combination of CPU and graphics card frequencies and/or SLI can cause static,
channel crosstalk, or other audio anomalies. Each channel’s traces are isolated
from other sources of electrical noise on the board, which improves sound
clarity. From there the traces are backlit to show the isolation path.
20. Front Panel Audio Connector
This is a motherboard header, which is used to plug in the audio cable
originating from most PC chassis to allow audio to be recorded from or played
through the audio connectors on the chassis. This header has a connector that
looks similar to USB2 and will use the standard “HD Audio” jack. Some cases
may have two headers on one cable strand: one labeled HD Audio, and one
labeled AC’97 – this header is not compatible with AC’97.
21. Front Panel Connectors
The Front panel connectors are the four main chassis connections. These
include the Power Switch, Power LED, Reset Switch, and HDD LED. The
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Power and Reset switches are both designed to use “Momentary Switches,”
rather than “Latching Switches,” which means the connection between the two
posts needs to be made just briefly for it to work, as opposed to being held in
place. This is why the Power and Reset switches can be triggered with a screw
driver by simultaneously touching the + and - posts.
Power LED will power on with the system, indicating the system is on and can
blink with CPU activity.
HDD LED will blink during access to the SATA ports, U.2 port, and/or the
M.2 Key-M SSDs.
22. Removable BIOS Chip
The ability to remove and replace the BIOS chip without requiring special tools
is a key feature on many of our boards, by adding a level of protection against
BIOS failures, bad BIOS flashes, BIOS corruption, etc. This feature also allows
EVGA to work with end-users if something happens to render the BIOS chip
unusable or a BIOS update is needed for CPU compatibility; rather than
replacing the whole board, Customer Support can send a pre-flashed BIOS chip
to get you up and running without requiring the end-user to send in the
motherboard. Please see the walkthrough on Page 122 for further information.
23. CMOS Battery
The CMOS battery backup provides uninterruptable power to the BIOS/UEFI
to keep all of the settings; otherwise, each boot would behave like you just reset
the BIOS. These batteries typically last several years and rarely need to be
replaced.
24. PC Speaker
This is a small mono low-fidelity speaker permanently attached to the
motherboard used mainly for debugging purposes. A POST beep may indicate
a successful POST, various tones for USB initialization, and other beeps to
indicate an issue during the post process. Please see Page 129 for more details.
25. Rear Panel Connectors (Figure 2)
This is the section referred to as the I/O Hub. This panel contains the
hardwired USB, Sound, and Ethernet connections. Please see Page 14 for a
component level breakdown.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
CMOS Reset Button (On IO Panel)
This button has two main uses: the first is standard practice to clear BIOS and
power on before updating the BIOS, and the second is standard practice when
troubleshooting instances when the motherboard fails to POST, such as after
upgrading RAM or CPU, installing new hardware, a failed overclock, etc. This
button provides a much faster means of resetting than the previous method of
removing power from the board, removing the CMOS battery, and discharging
power to the board. In rare occasions the older method can help; pressing the
clear CMOS button will normally allow you and your system back into the
default BIOS.
M.2 Socket 1 Key-E 32mm Vertical Adapter (On IO Panel)
M.2 Key-E is largely used for WiFi and Bluetooth cards. Key-E and Key-M
connectors are different, meaning that devices are not interchangeable between
sockets.
This variant is also on a vertical mount, which has an adapter that is slid into
card-bus slot and bolted to the motherboard, then the M.2 Key-E mounts to
the vertical adapter.
* There are two numeric references for PCI-Express: one is mechanical, which is the
actual slot-length footprint, and the second is electrical, which is a reference of how
many PCI-E lanes are routed to the slot.
As PCI Express is designed to be a universal architecture, you can install x1 cards, such
as sound cards or USB controllers into an x16 slot. Many types of cards can use
different amounts of PCI-E lanes, while some applications use only certain parts of a
card, such as compute apps that allow a card to run off of a single PCI-E lane. This is
why there are x16 mechanical slots with x1 electrical PCI-E lane. Using the entire length
of a PCI-E slot is not necessary, nor does it cause an adverse effect to use a shorter
form-factor bus card in a slot that physically can hold a larger form-factor bus card.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Add-In Card Slots
The X299 MICRO features three x16 PCI-E slots, and one Socket 3 Key-M M.2
80mm (backwards compatible with Key-M 60mm and 42mm).
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
PCI-E Slot Breakdown
PCI-E Lane Distribution (44 Lane SKX CPUs)
PE1 – x16 Physical (Gen3, x16 lanes from CPU)
PE2 – x16 (Gen3, x16 lanes from CPU)
PE3 – x16 (Gen3, x4 lanes from PCH)
PCI-E Lane Distribution (28 Lane SKX CPUs)
PE1 – x16 (Gen3, x16 lanes from CPU)
PE2 – x16 (Gen3, x8 lanes from CPU)
PE3 – x16 (Gen3, x4 lanes from PCH)
PCI-E Lane Distribution (16 Lane KBX CPUs)
PE1 – x16 (Gen3, x8 lanes from CPU)
PE2 – x16 (Gen3, x8 lanes from CPU)
PE3 – x16 (Gen3, x4 lanes from PCH)
M.2 and U.2 Slot Breakdown
PCI-E Lane Distribution
U.2 – x4 PCH lanes
M.2 Key-M (80mm) – x4 PCH lanes (Optane/PCI-E/NVMe/SATA)
M.2 Key-E (32mm) – x1 PCH lane
• This motherboard does NOT have any lane replication via PLX; all lanes are
native and derived from CPU or PCH. This also allows for improved backwards
compatibility for Gen 2 devices.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Installing the CPU
Note: Use extreme caution when working with the CPU to not damage any pins in the CPU
socket on the motherboard!
Note: After removing the CPU socket cover, it is
recommended to store it in case you ever need to
transport your motherboard. If you ever remove
the CPU, it is highly recommended to reinstall the
socket cover.
Use the following procedure to install the CPU onto
the motherboard:
1. Remove the plastic protective socket cover by
pulling it straight up. Be sure not to damage
any of the pins inside the socket.
2. Unhook the left socket lever by pushing down
and away from the socket.
3. Unhook the right socket lever, this will release
the load plate
4. Pull the socket lever back and the load plate
will lift.
5. Open the load plate and make sure not to
damage any of the pins inside the socket.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
6. Align the notches on the CPU to the notches in the socket.
7. Lower the processor straight down into the socket.
Note: Make sure the CPU is fully seated and level in the socket before lowering the
load plate.
8. Lower the load plate so it is resting on the CPU.
9. Carefully lock the lever back into place.
Installing the CPU Cooling Device
There are many different cooling devices that can be used with this
motherboard. Follow the instructions that come with your cooling assembly.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4
1 DIMM
X
2 DIMM
X
X
3 DIMM
XXX
4 DIMM
XXX
X
3 DIMM
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4 DIMM
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Skylake-X RAM Slot Fill Order
Kaby Lake-X RAM Slot Fill Order
Installing System Memory
Your X299 MICRO has (4) 288-pin slots for
DDR4 memory. These slots support 4GB, 8GB
and 16GB DDR4 DIMMs. There must be at
least one memory slot populated for the board
to boot and operate.
The Intel X299 chipset supports Quad-Channel
DDR4 memory, a maximum of 64GB and up to
4000MHz+for Skylake-X, and 4133MHz+ for
Kaby Lake-X (OC)+. It is recommended to
always use a 4 DIMM Quad Channel kit
for Skylake-X, or a 2 DIMM kit for Kaby
Lake-X, in the event you cannot please
fill the memory slots in the following
order: 2, 4, 3, 1. See chart to the right:
Use the following procedure to install
memory DIMMs. Note that there is an
off-center gap near the center of the
DIMM slots. This matches the gap on
a DDR4 DIMM to ensure the memory is
installed properly, and to prevent the
incorrect installation of memory.
1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing
the top-side module clips
outward.
Slot 1 Slot 2 Slot 3 Slot 4
1 DIMM N/A N/A X
2 DIMM N/A N/A X X
2. Align the memory module to the DIMM slot, and insert the module
perpendicular to the DIMM slot, pressing straight down to seat the
module. The plastic clips at top side of the DIMM slot automatically
lock the DIMM into the connector.
Note: The memory controller on most Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X CPUs runs at a
default frequency of 2400/2666MHz. Achieving memory speeds above
2666MHz+ may require manual setting of the memory timings, frequency and
voltages and/or overclocking of the CPU.
Refer to the memory manufacturer specifications for the recommended
memory timings.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Installing the I/O Shield and I/O Cover
The motherboard kit comes with an I/O shield that is used to block internal
components from dust and foreign objects, while also promoting correct
airflow within the chassis.
Before installing the motherboard, install the I/O shield from the inside of the
chassis. Press the I/O shield into place and make sure it fits securely.
The X299 MICRO also includes an I/O cover. This I/O cover adds a unique
appearance to the I/O area of the motherboard and is completely optional. If
you wish to use the cover, please place it over the I/O area and install the
chassis screws. These screws will secure the I/O cover to the motherboard.
Installing the Motherboard
Installing the motherboard into a system case depends on several factors:
whether you are replacing an existing motherboard, whether you are building a
new PC, and the type of chassis that will house your PC components. You must
first determine if it would be easier to secure the motherboard to the chassis or
if it would be easier to install other components prior to this step. It is normally
easier to secure the motherboard first.
Note: Be sure that the CPU fan assembly has enough clearance for the system
case covers to lock into place and for expansion cards. Also, make sure the
CPU Fan assembly is aligned with the vents on the covers; this is to allow the
airflow to properly exhaust from the chassis. The CPU Fan assembly
orientation will depend on the system case being used.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Securing the Motherboard into a System Case
Most system cases require installation of standoffs into the chassis to allow the
motherboard to be mounted to the chassis and prevent short circuits. If there are
studs that do not align with a mounting hole on the motherboard, it is
recommended that you remove that standoff to prevent the possibility of a short
circuit; also ensure that all needed standoffs are fully tightened before attaching the
motherboard to the chassis. Please review the installation manual included with
your chassis for the proper installation of the motherboard standoffs.
1. Carefully place the motherboard onto the standoffs located inside the
chassis.
2. Align the mounting holes with the standoffs.
3. Align the connectors to the I/O shield and/or I/O cover.
4. Ensure that the fan assembly is aligned with the chassis vents according to
the fan assembly instruction.
5. Secure the motherboard with ten (10) screws (See next page for mount hole
location). Ensure that each screw is lined up with and screwing into the
corresponding standoff under the board. Double-check alignment to make
sure nothing gets cross-threaded.
Tip: If you have difficulty with getting some of the screws fastened,
especially near the I/O hub, first try to loosely fasten all other screws on
the motherboard, but don’t completely tighten the screws. This may help
to hold the board in place, allowing you to thread and fasten the remaining
screws. Once all screws are properly threaded, remember to go back and
tighten the rest of the screws.
6. See the picture below for a zoomed-in view of a hole to place over a
standoff, as well as the locations of standoff holes for the X299 MICRO.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
1. All safe locations to secure the board to a standoff are circled above in
red.
2. Keep in mind that when the screws are installed, but not fully
tightened, the motherboard should have 1-2mm of movement; this can
help with mounting cards or tight-fits with other components.
3. Once the board is properly aligned, be sure to fully-tighten the board to
the chassis before proceeding.
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EVGA X299 Micro (131-SX-E295)
Installing M.2 devices
Securing a M.2 device to the motherboard requires a few extra steps compared to other
current drive or slot-based connectors. M.2 devices used on this motherboard, Socket 3
(for SSDs) and Socket 1 (for WiFi/Bluetooth), will be installed and attached the same
way. Below are images from an installation of a SSD on a Socket 3 Key-M.
1. Remove the screw that comes pre-attached to the M.2’s retention standoff; this will
be used to keep the device in place.
2. Insert the M.2 device in at a slight angle, at approximately 45 degrees to the board.
This will allow the contacts (colloquially called “Gold Fingers”) to seat completely into
the slot. If the device is fully seated, you should be able to release it and the device will
rest at an angle of about 30 degrees on its own, as shown in the picture below.
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