Gigabyte Z490M Gaming X Service Manual

Z490M GAMING X

User's Manual

Rev. 1001

12ME-Z490MGX-1001R

For more product details, please visit GIGABYTE's website.

To reduce the impacts on global warming, the packaging materials of this product are recyclable and reusable. GIGABYTE works with you to protect the environment.

Copyright

© 2020 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. All rights reserved.

The trademarks mentioned in this manual are legally registered to their respective owners.

Disclaimer

Information in this manual is protected by copyright laws and is the property of GIGABYTE.

Changes to the specifications and features in this manual may be made by GIGABYTE without prior notice.

No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, translated, transmitted, or published in any form or by any means without GIGABYTE's prior written permission.

In order to assist in the use of this product, carefully read the User's Manual.

For product-related information, check on our website at: https://www.gigabyte.com

Identifying Your Motherboard Revision

The revision number on your motherboard looks like this: "REV: X.X." For example, "REV: 1.0" means the revision of the motherboard is 1.0. Check your motherboard revision before updating motherboard BIOS, drivers, or when looking for technical information.

Example:

Table of Contents

Z490M GAMING X Motherboard Layout..........................................................................		4
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation......................................................................................		5
1-1	Installation Precautions.....................................................................................	5
1-2	Product Specifications......................................................................................	6
1-3	Installing the CPU.............................................................................................	9
1-4	Installing the Memory......................................................................................	10
1-5 Installing an Expansion Card..........................................................................		10
1-6	Back Panel Connectors..................................................................................	11
1-7	Internal Connectors........................................................................................	13
Chapter 2 BIOS Setup...................................................................................................		22
2-1	Startup Screen................................................................................................	22
2-2	The Main Menu...............................................................................................	23
2-3	Favorites (F11)................................................................................................	24
2-4	Tweaker..........................................................................................................	25
2-5	Settings...........................................................................................................	30
2-6	System Info.....................................................................................................	36
2-7	Boot................................................................................................................	37
2-8	Save & Exit.....................................................................................................	40
Chapter 3 Appendix.......................................................................................................		41
3-1 Configuring a RAID Set..................................................................................		41
3-2 Installing an Intel® Optane™ Memory..............................................................		43
3-3	Drivers Installation..........................................................................................	45
Regulatory Notices....................................................................................................		46
Contact Us.................................................................................................................		48

- 3 -

Z490M GAMING X Motherboard Layout

ATX_12V_2X2

ATX_12V_2X4

KB_MS_U32

SYS_FAN1

LGA1200

DP_HDMI

U32_G2

U32_G2C

U32_LAN

		Intel®	80	60	42
	AUDIO	GbE LAN

PCIEX16

PCIEX1

BAT

iTE®
Super I/O	80	60	42
110

CODEC PCIEX4

QFLED

CPU_FAN	LED_C2
	D_LED2
	ATX

	SYS FAN2
M2Q CPU (Note)		F U32
	DDR4 A1 DDR4 A2 DDR4 B1 DDR4 B2	THB C1
SB	Intel® Z490	BIOSM
M2A	Z490M GAMING X
	CLR_CMOS

3 2 SATA3 1 0

5 SATA3 4

SPDIF

_O

COM

D_LED1

F_USB2

SPI_TPM

F_PANEL

F_AUDIO THB

_C

QFLASH

_PLUS

LED_C1

F_USB1

SYS_FAN3

(Note) The M.2 connector is reserved only. No functionalities.

Box Contents

55	Z490M GAMING X motherboard	55	User's Manual
55	Motherboard driver disc	55	Two SATA cables

*The box contents above are for reference only and the actual items shall depend on the product package you obtain. The box contents are subject to change without notice.

-4 -

Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

1-1 Installation Precautions

The motherboard contains numerous delicate electronic circuits and components which can become damaged as a result of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Prior to installation, carefully read the user's manual and follow these procedures:

•• Prior to installation, make sure the chassis is suitable for the motherboard.

•• Prior to installation, do not remove or break motherboard S/N (Serial Number) sticker or warranty sticker provided by your dealer. These stickers are required for warranty validation.

•• Always remove the AC power by unplugging the power cord from the power outlet before installing or removing the motherboard or other hardware components.

•• When connecting hardware components to the internal connectors on the motherboard, make sure they are connected tightly and securely.

•• When handling the motherboard, avoid touching any metal leads or connectors.

•• It is best to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling electronic components such as a motherboard, CPU or memory. If you do not have an ESD wrist strap, keep your hands dry and first touch a metal object to eliminate static electricity.

•• Prior to installing the motherboard, please have it on top of an antistatic pad or within an electrostatic shielding container.

•• Before connecting or unplugging the power supply cable from the motherboard, make sure the power supply has been turned off.

•• Before turning on the power, make sure the power supply voltage has been set according to the local voltage standard.

•• Before using the product, please verify that all cables and power connectors of your hardware components are connected.

•• To prevent damage to the motherboard, do not allow screws to come in contact with the motherboard circuit or its components.

•• Make sure there are no leftover screws or metal components placed on the motherboard or within the computer casing.

•• Do not place the computer system on an uneven surface.

•• Do not place the computer system in a high-temperature or wet environment.

•• Turning on the computer power during the installation process can lead to damage to system components as well as physical harm to the user.

•• If you are uncertain about any installation steps or have a problem related to the use of the product, please consult a certified computer technician.

•• If you use an adapter, extension power cable, or power strip, ensure to consult with its installation and/or grounding instructions.

- 5 -

1-2	Product Specifications
	CPU	Support for 10th Generation
		Intel® Core™ i9 processors/Intel® Core™ i7 processors/Intel® Core™ i5 processors/
		Intel® Core™ i3 processors/Intel® Pentium® processors/Intel® Celeron® processors
		in the LGA1200 package
		(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
		L3 cache varies with CPU
	Chipset	Intel® Z490 Express Chipset
	Memory	4 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 128 GB (32 GB single DIMM capacity)
		of system memory
		Dual channel memory architecture
		Support for DDR4 3200/2933/2666/2400/2133 MHz memory modules

* To support 3200 MHz, you must use XMP memory.

Support for ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8 memory modules (operate in non-ECC mode)

Support for non-ECC Un-buffered DIMM 1Rx8/2Rx8/1Rx16 memory modulesSupport for Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) memory modules

(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest supported memory speeds and memory modules.)

Onboard	Integrated Graphics Processor-Intel® HD Graphics support:
Graphics	-	1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2304@60 Hz
		*	Support for DisplayPort 1.4 version, HDCP 2.3, and HDR.
	-	1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@30 Hz
		*	Support for HDMI 1.4 version and HDCP 2.3.

Support for up to 3 displays at the same timeMaximum shared memory of 512 MB

Audio		Realtek® ALC1200 codec
		High Definition Audio
		2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
		Support for S/PDIF Out
LAN		Intel® GbE LAN chip (1000 Mbit/100 Mbit)
Expansion Slots		1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
		* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed,
		be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
		1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
		1 x PCI Express x1 slot
		(All of the PCI Express slots conform to PCI Express 3.0 standard.)
Multi-Graphics		SupportforAMDQuad-GPUCrossFire™ and2-WayAMDCrossFire™ technologies
Technology
Storage Interface		1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 SATA and PCIe
		x4/x2 SSD support) (M2A_SB)
		6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
		Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
		* Refer to "1-7 Internal Connectors," for the installation notices for the M.2 and SATA
		connectors.
		Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready

- 6 -

USB	Chipset:
	- 1 x USB Type-C™ port on the back panel, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support
	- 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (red) on the back panel
	- 6 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 2 ports available through
	the internal USB header)
	- 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports available through the internal USB headers

Internal

Connectors

1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector1 x CPU fan header

3 x system fan headers

2 x addressable LED strip headers2 x RGB LED strip headers

6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector1 x front panel header

1 x front panel audio header

1 x S/PDIF Out header

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers

2 x Thunderbolt™ add-in card connectors

1 x Trusted Platform Module header (For the GC-TPM2.0 SPI/GC-TPM2.0 SPI 2.0 module only)

1 x serial port header1 x Clear CMOS jumper1 x Q-Flash Plus button

Back Panel		1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
Connectors		4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
		1 x DisplayPort
	1 x HDMI port
	1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port (red)
	1 x USB Type-C™ port, with USB 3.2 Gen 2 support
	1 x RJ-45 port
	6 x audio jacks
I/O Controller		iTE® I/O Controller Chip

Hardware

Monitor

Voltage detection

Temperature detectionFan speed detectionOverheating warningFan fail warning

Fan speed control

*Whether the fan speed control function is supported will depend on the cooler you install.

- 7 -

	BIOS		1 x 256 Mbit flash
		Use of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS
		PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.7, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0
	Unique Features		Support for APP Center
				* Available applications in APP Center may vary by motherboard model. Supported
				functions ofeachapplication mayalso vary depending on motherboard specifications.
			-	@BIOS
			-	EasyTune
			-	Fast Boot
			-	Game Boost
			-	ON/OFF Charge
			-	RGB Fusion
			-	Smart Backup
			-	System Information Viewer
		Support for Q-Flash Plus
			Support for Q-Flash
		Support for Xpress Install
	Bundled		Norton® Internet Security (OEM version)
	Software		cFosSpeed
	Operating	Support for Windows 10 64-bit
	System
	Form Factor		Micro ATX Form Factor; 24.4cm x 24.4cm

*GIGABYTE reserves the right to make any changes to the product specifications and product-related information without prior notice.

Please visit GIGABYTE's website for support lists of CPU, memory modules, SSDs, and M.2 devices.

- 8 -

Please visit the Support\Utility List page on GIGABYTE's website to download the latest version of apps.

1-3	Installing the CPU
	Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU:
	••	Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.
		(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
	••	Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing the
		CPU to prevent hardware damage.
	••	Locate the pin one of the CPU. The CPU cannot be inserted if oriented incorrectly. (Or you may
		locate the notches on both sides of the CPU and alignment keys on the CPU socket.)
	••	Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the CPU.
	••	Do not turn on the computer if the CPU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating and damage
		of the CPU may occur.
	••	Set the CPU host frequency in accordance with the CPU specifications. It is not recommended
		that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specifications since it does not meet the
		standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the frequency beyond the standard
		specifications, please do so according to your hardware specifications including the CPU, graphics
		card, memory, hard drive, etc.

Installing the CPU

Locate the alignment keys on the motherboard CPU socket and the notches on the CPU.

LGA1200 CPU Socket

LGA1200 CPU

Alignment Key	Alignment Key	Notch	Notch
Pin One Corner of the CPU Socket		Triangle Pin One Marking on the CPU

Do not remove the CPU socket cover before inserting the CPU. It may pop off from the load plate automatically during the process of re-engaging the lever after you insert the CPU.

Please visit GIGABYTE's website for details on hardware installation.

- 9 -

1-4 Installing the Memory

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory:

•• Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.

(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest supported memory speeds and memory modules.)

•• Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing the memory to prevent hardware damage.

•• Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only one direction. If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.

Dual Channel Memory Configuration

This motherboard provides four memory sockets and supports Dual Channel Technology. After the memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically detect the specifications and capacity of the memory. Enabling Dual

Channel memory mode will double the original memory bandwidth.

The four memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as following:

Channel A: DDR4_A1, DDR4_A2Channel B: DDR4_B1, DDR4_B2

Recommanded Dual Channel Memory Configuration:

	DDR4_A1	DDR4_A2	DDR4_B1	DDR4_B2
2 Modules	- -	DS/SS	- -	DS/SS
4 Modules	DS/SS	DS/SS	DS/SS	DS/SS

(SS=Single-Sided, DS=Double-Sided, "- -"=No Memory)

Due to CPU limitations, read the following guidelines before installing the memory in Dual Channel mode.

1.Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one memory module is installed.

2.When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.

1-5 Installing an Expansion Card

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion card:

•• Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that came with your expansion card.

•• Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.

- 10 -

1-6 Back Panel Connectors

PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port

Use this port to connect a PS/2 mouse or keyboard.

USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port

The USB 3.2 Gen 1 port supports the USB 3.2 Gen 1 specification and is compatible to the USB 2.0 specification. Use this port for USB devices.

DisplayPort

DisplayPort delivers high quality digital imaging and audio, supporting bi-directional audio transmission. DisplayPort can support both DPCP and HDCP 2.3 content protection mechanisms. It provides improved visuals supporting Rec. 2020 (Wide Color Gamut) and High Dynamic Range (HDR) for Blu-ray UHD playback. You can use this port to connect your DisplayPort-supported monitor. Note: The DisplayPort Technology can support a maximum resolution of 4096x2304@60 Hz but the actual resolutions supported depend on the monitor being used.

HDMI Port

The HDMI port supports HDCP 2.3 and Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio formats. It also supports up to 192KHz/16bit 7.1-channel LPCM audio output. You can use this port to connect your HDMI-supported monitor. The maximum supported

resolution is 4096x2160@30 Hz, but the actual resolutions supported are dependent on the monitor being used.

•• To set up a triple-display configuration, you must install motherboard drivers in the operating system first.

•• After installing the DisplayPort/HDMI device, make sure to set the default sound playback device to DisplayPort/HDMI. (The item name may differ depending on your operating system.)

USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Port (Red)

The USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A port supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specification and is compatible to the USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 specification. Use this port for USB devices.

USB Type-C™ Port

The reversible USB port supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specification and is compatible to the USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 specification. Use this port for USB devices.

RJ-45 LAN Port

The Gigabit Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 1 Gbps data rate. The following describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.

Connection/

Connection/Speed LED:

Activity LED:

Speed LED

Activity LED

State

Description

State

Description

Orange

1 Gbps data rate

Blinking

Data transmission or receiving is occurring

Green

100 Mbps data rate

On

No data transmission or receiving is occurring

Off

10 Mbps data rate

LAN Port

- 11 -

USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A Port (Q-Flash Plus Port)

The USB 3.2 Gen 1 port supports the USB 3.2 Gen 1 specification and is compatible to the USB 2.0 specification. Use this port for USB devices. Before using Q-Flash Plus (Note), make sure to insert the USB flash drive into this port first.

Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out (Orange)

Use this audio jack to connect center/subwoofer speakers.

Rear Speaker Out (Black)

Use this audio jack to connect rear speakers.

Side Speaker Out (Gray)

Use this audio jack to connect side speakers.

Line In (Blue)

The line in jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as an optical drive, walkman, etc.

Line Out/Front Speaker Out (Green)

The line out jack.

Mic In (Pink)

The Mic in jack.

Audio Jack Configurations:

	Jack	Headphone/	4-channel	5.1-channel	7.1-channel
		2-channel
	Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out			a	a
	Rear Speaker Out		a	a	a
	Side Speaker Out				a
	Line In
	Line Out/Front Speaker Out	a	a	a	a
	Mic In

•• When removing the cable connected to a back panel connector, first remove the cable from your device and then remove it from the motherboard.

•• When removing the cable, pull it straight out from the connector. Do not rock it side to side to prevent an electrical short inside the cable connector.

(Note) To enable the Q-Flash Plus function please visit the "Unique Features" webpage of GIGABYTE's website.

Please visit GIGABYTE's website for details on configuring the audio software.

- 12 -

1-7 Internal Connectors

4	1	1				3			5
									6
									2
									4
									7
									11
16									14
									7
19									17
10	14	15 18	6	5	12	8	13	4	9

1)	ATX_12V_2X2/ATX_12V_2X4	11)	F_U32
2)	ATX	12)	F_USB1/F_USB2
3)	CPU_FAN	13)	SPI_TPM
4)	SYS_FAN1/2/3	14)	THB_C/THB_C1
5)	LED_C1/LED_C2	15)	COM
6)	D_LED1/D_LED2	16)	BAT
7)	SATA3 0/1/2/3/4/5	17)	CLR_CMOS
8)	M2A_SB	18)	QFLASH_PLUS
9)	F_PANEL	19)	SPDIF_O
10)	F_AUDIO

Read the following guidelines before connecting external devices:

•• First make sure your devices are compliant with the connectors you wish to connect.

•• Before installing the devices, be sure to turn off the devices and your computer. Unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the devices.

•• After installing the device and before turning on the computer, make sure the device cable has been securely attached to the connector on the motherboard.

- 13 -

1/2) ATX_12V_2X2/ATX_12V_2X4/ATX (2x2, 2x4, 12V Power Connectors and 2x12 Main Power

Connector)

With the use of the power connector, the power supply can supply enough stable power to all the components on the motherboard. Before connecting the power connector, first make sure the power supply is turned off and all devices are properly installed. The power connector possesses a foolproof design. Connect the power supply cable to the power connector in the correct orientation.

The 12V power connector mainly supplies power to the CPU. If the 12V power connector is not connected, the computer will not start.

To meet expansion requirements, it is recommended that a power supply that can withstand high power consumption be used (500W or greater). If a power supply is used that does not provide the

required power, the result can lead to an unstable or unbootable system.

3	4
1	2
ATX_12V_2X2
5	8
1	4
ATX_12V_2X4

12

24

1

13

ATX

ATX_12V_2X2:

Pin No.	Definition
1	GND
2	GND
3	+12V
4	+12V
ATX_12V_2X4:
Pin No.	Definition	Pin No.	Definition
1	GND (Only for 2x4-pin 12V)	5	+12V (Only for 2x4-pin 12V)
2	GND (Only for 2x4-pin 12V)	6	+12V (Only for 2x4-pin 12V)
3	GND	7	+12V
4	GND	8	+12V
ATX:
Pin No.	Definition	Pin No.	Definition
1	3.3V	13	3.3V
2	3.3V	14	-12V
3	GND	15	GND
4	+5V	16	PS_ON (soft On/Off)
5	GND	17	GND
6	+5V	18	GND
7	GND	19	GND
8	Power Good	20	NC
9	5VSB (stand by +5V)	21	+5V
10	+12V	22	+5V
11	+12V (Only for 2x12-pin ATX)	23	+5V (Only for 2x12-pin ATX)
12	3.3V (Only for 2x12-pin ATX)	24	GND(Onlyfor2x12-pinATX)

- 14 -

3/4) CPU_FAN/SYS_FAN1/2/3 (Fan Headers)

All fan headers on this motherboard are 4-pin. Most fan headers possess a foolproof insertion design. When connecting a fan cable, be sure to connect it in the correct orientation (the black connector wire is the ground wire). The speed control function requires the use of a fan with fan speed control design. For optimum heat dissipation, it is recommended that a system fan be installed inside the chassis.

											Pin No.	Definition
				1							1	GND
										1	2	Voltage Speed Control
CPU_FAN/SYS_FAN1								SYS_FAN2			3	Sense
											4	PWM Speed Control
1
				SYS_FAN3

•• Be sure to connect fan cables to the fan headers to prevent your CPU and system from overheating. Overheating may result in damage to the CPU or the system may hang.

•• Thesefanheadersarenotconfigurationjumperblocks.Donotplaceajumpercapontheheaders.

5)LED_C1/LED_C2 (RGB LED Strip Headers)

The headers can be used to connect a standard 5050 RGB LED strip (12V/G/R/B), with maximum power rating of 2A (12V) and maximum length of 2m.

1

1

LED_C1 LED_C2

RGB

LED Strip

1

12V

Pin No. Definition

112V

2G

3R

4B

Connect your RGB LED strip to the header.The power pin (marked with a triangle on the plug) of the LED strip must be connected to

Pin 1 (12V) of this header. Incorrect connection may lead to the damage of the LED strip.

For how to turn on/off the lights of the LED strip please visit the "Unique Features" webpage of

GIGABYTE's website.

Before installing the devices, be sure to turn off the devices and your computer. Unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the devices.

- 15 -