MSI B360-A Pro Manual

Unpacking

Thank you for buying the MSI® B360-A PRO motherboard. Check to make sure your motherboard box contains the following items. If something is missing, contact your dealer as soon as possible.

I/O Shield

Drivers & Utilities

Disc

Motherboard

M.2 Screw x1

Case Badge

SATA Cable x2

Unpacking 1

Safety Information

yThe components included in this package are prone to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Please adhere to the following instructions to ensure successful computer assembly.

yEnsure that all components are securely connected. Loose connections may cause the computer to not recognize a component or fail to start.

yHold the motherboard by the edges to avoid touching sensitive components.

yIt is recommended to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling the motherboard to prevent electrostatic damage. If an ESD wrist strap is not available, discharge yourself of static electricity by touching another metal object before handling the motherboard.

yStore the motherboard in an electrostatic shielding container or on an anti-static pad whenever the motherboard is not installed.

yBefore turning on the computer, ensure that there are no loose screws or metal components on the motherboard or anywhere within the computer case.

yDo not boot the computer before installation is completed. This could cause permanent damage to the components as well as injury to the user.

yIf you need help during any installation step, please consult a certified computer technician.

yAlways turn off the power supply and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing or removing any computer component.

yKeep this user guide for future reference.

yKeep this motherboard away from humidity.

yMake sure that your electrical outlet provides the same voltage as is indicated on the PSU, before connecting the PSU to the electrical outlet.

yPlace the power cord such a way that people can not step on it. Do not place anything over the power cord.

yAll cautions and warnings on the motherboard should be noted.

yIf any of the following situations arises, get the motherboard checked by service personnel:

Liquid has penetrated into the computer.

The motherboard has been exposed to moisture.

The motherboard does not work well or you can not get it work according to user guide.

The motherboard has been dropped and damaged.

The motherboard has obvious sign of breakage.

yDo not leave this motherboard in an environment above 60°C (140°F), it may damage the motherboard.

2 Safety Information

Quick Start

Preparing Tools and Components

Intel® LGA 1151 CPU	CPU Fan	Thermal Paste

DDR4 Memory

Power Supply Unit

Chassis

SATA DVD Drive

SATA Hard Disk Drive

Graphics Card

Phillips Screwdriver

A Package of Screws

Quick Start 3

Installing a Processor	2

http://youtu.be/bf5La099urI

1

3

	7
4	5	9

6

8

4 Quick Start

Installing DDR4 memory

http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs

1

1

	2
2	3
3

	DIMMB2	DIMMB2
		DIMMB1
DIMMA2	DIMMA2	DIMMA2
		DIMMA1

Quick Start 5

Connecting the Front Panel Header

http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI

		-
		LED
	LED+		POWER
			POWER
	LED
SW		HDD
POWER
SW
RESET

2					10		1	HDD LED +	2	Power LED +
							3	HDD LED -	4	Power LED -
							5	Reset Switch	6	Power Switch
1					9
		JFP1					7	Reset Switch	8	Power Switch
							9	Reserved	10	No Pin

RESETSW

HDDLED

	HDD LED						HDD LED -
							HDD LED +
							POWER LED -
	POWER LED						POWER LED +

6 Quick Start

Installing the Motherboard

1

2

BAT1

Quick Start 7

Installing SATA Drives

http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc	1

2	3

5

4

8 Quick Start

Installing a Graphics Card

http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A

1

3

2

5

4

6

Quick Start 9

Connecting Peripheral Devices

10 Quick Start

Connecting the Power Connectors

http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4

ATX_PWR1	CPU_PWR1

PCIE_PWR1

Quick Start 11

Power On

1

2

3

4

12 Quick Start

Contents
Unpacking..............................................................................................................	1
Safety Information.................................................................................................	2
Quick Start .............................................................................................................	3
Preparing Tools and Components..........................................................................	3
Installing a Processor.............................................................................................	4
Installing DDR4 memory ........................................................................................	5
Connecting the Front Panel Header.......................................................................	6
Installing the Motherboard.....................................................................................	7
Installing SATA Drives.............................................................................................	8
Installing a Graphics Card ......................................................................................	9
Connecting Peripheral Devices ............................................................................	10
Connecting the Power Connectors.......................................................................	11
Power On...............................................................................................................	12
Specifications.......................................................................................................	15
Block Diagram ....................................................................................................	19
Rear I/O Panel .....................................................................................................	20
LAN Port LED Status Table...................................................................................	20
Audio Ports Configuration ....................................................................................	20
Realtek HD Audio Manager ..................................................................................	21
Overview of Components ....................................................................................	23
CPU Socket ...........................................................................................................	25
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................	26
PCI_E1~6: PCIe Expansion Slots..........................................................................	27
M2_1: M.2 Slot (Key M) .........................................................................................	28
SATA1~5: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors .......................................................................	29
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1, PCIE_PWR1: Power Connectors..................................	30
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ...................................................................	31
JUSB4: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connector .........................................................................	31
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors.............................................................................	32
CPU_FAN1,SYS_FAN1~5, PUMP_FAN1: Fan Connectors....................................	33
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................	34
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector.......................................................................	34
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector...........................................................................	35
JTBT1: Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector ......................................................	35
JCOM1: Serial Port Connector .............................................................................	36
JLPT1: Parallel Port Connector ...........................................................................	36
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper ...........................................................	37

Contents 13

EZ Debug LED.......................................................................................................	37
BIOS Setup...........................................................................................................	38
Entering BIOS Setup.............................................................................................	38
Resetting BIOS......................................................................................................	39
Updating BIOS.......................................................................................................	39
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................	40
Advanced Mode ....................................................................................................	42
SETTINGS..............................................................................................................	43
Advanced...............................................................................................................	43
Boot.......................................................................................................................	50
Security.................................................................................................................	50
Save & Exit............................................................................................................	52
OC..........................................................................................................................	53
M-FLASH ..............................................................................................................	59
OC PROFILE..........................................................................................................	60
HARDWARE MONITOR..........................................................................................	61
Software Description...........................................................................................	63
Installing Windows® 10.........................................................................................	63
Installing Drivers ..................................................................................................	63
Installing Utilities .................................................................................................	63
APP MANAGER .....................................................................................................	64
LIVE UPDATE 6......................................................................................................	65
COMMAND CENTER .............................................................................................	67
X-BOOST ...............................................................................................................	71
SMART TOOL.........................................................................................................	73
RAMDISK...............................................................................................................	75
NETWORK MANAGER...........................................................................................	76
Intel® Optane™ Memory Configuration ..............................................................	78
System Requirements .........................................................................................	78
Installing the Intel® Optane™ memory ................................................................	78
Removing the Intel® Optane™ memory ...............................................................	80
Troubleshooting....................................................................................................	81
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................	82
Regulatory Notices..............................................................................................	83

14 Contents

Specifications

	CPU	ySupports 8th Gen Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold and
		Celeron® processors for Socket LGA1151
	Chipset	Intel® B360 Chipset
		y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB
		ySupports DDR4 2666/ 2400/ 2133 MHz*
	Memory	yDual channel memory architecture
		ySupports non-ECC UDIMM memory
		ySupports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
		*Please refer to www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.
	Expansion Slots	y2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (supports x16/ x4 mode)*
		y4x PCIe 3.0 x1 slots
		y1x DisplayPort 1.2, supports a maximum resolution of
	Onboard Graphics	4096x2304 @ 60Hz
		y1x DVI-D port, supports a maximum resolution of
		1920x1200 @ 60Hz
	Multi-GPU	ySupports 2-Way AMD® CrossFire™ Technology
		Intel® B360 Chipset
		y5x SATA 6Gb/s ports*
		y1x M.2 slot (Key M)
	Storage	Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s, 2242/ 2260/
		2280/ 22110 storage devices*
		Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready
		* SATA1 port will be unavailable when an M.2 SATA SSD module has been
		installed in the M.2 slot.
		** Before using Intel® Optane™ memory modules, please ensure that you have
		updated the drivers and BIOS to the latest version from MSI website.
		yIntel® B360 Chipset
		2x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (1
		Type-A port and 1 Type-C port on the back panel)
	USB	4x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports (2 ports on
		the back panel, 2 ports available through the internal
		USB connector)
		6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 Type-A ports on
		the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal
		USB connectors)
		Continued on next page

Specifications 15

		Continued from previous page
	Audio	yRealtek® ALC892 Codec
		y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
	LAN	1x Intel® I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
		y1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
		y2x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
		y1x DVI-D port
	Back Panel	y1x DisplayPort
		y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
	Connectors
		y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
		y2x USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports
		y1x LAN (RJ45) port
		y6x audio jacks
		y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
		y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
		y1x 6-pin ATX PCIe power connector
		y5x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
		y1x USB 3.1 Gen1 connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.1
		Gen1 ports)
		y2x USB 2.0 connectors (supports additional 4 USB 2.0
		ports)
		y1x 4-pin CPU fan connector

Internal Connectors y1x 4-pin water pump fan connector

y5x 4-pin system fan connectors

y1x Front panel audio connector

y2x Front panel connectors

y1x Series port connector

y1x Parallel port connector

y1x TPM module connector

y1x Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector

y1x Chassis Intrusion connector

y1x Clear CMOS jumper

I/O Controller

NUVOTON NCT6797 Controller Chip

Continued on next page

16 Specifications

		Continued from previous page
		yCPU/System temperature detection
	Hardware Monitor	yCPU/System fan speed detection
		yCPU/System fan speed control
	From Factor	yATX Form Factor
		y12 in. x 9.6 in. (30.4 cm x 24.3 cm)
		y1x 128 Mb flash
	BIOS Features	yUEFI AMI BIOS
		yACPI 6.1, SM BIOS 2.8
		yMulti-language
		yDrivers
		yAPP MANAGER
		ySUPER CHARGER
		yCOMMAND CENTER
		yLIVE UPDATE 6
		ySMART TOOL
	Software	yRAMDISK
		yFAST BOOT
		yX-BOOST
		yDPC LATENCY TUNER
		yNETWORK MANAGER
		yCPU-Z MSI GAMING
		yIntel® Extreme Tuning Utility
		yGoogle Chrome™ ,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
		yNorton™ Internet Security Solution
		Continued on next page

Specifications 17

Continued from previous page

	yAudio
	Audio Boost
	yNetwork
	Intel® LAN with Network Manager
	yStorage
	Turbo M.2
	yFan
	Pump Fan
	Smart Fan Control
	yLED
	EZ DEBUG LED
Special Features	yProtection
	PCI-E Steel Armor
	yPerformance
	Multi GPU – CrossFire Technology
	DDR4 Boost
	USB with Type A+C
	INTEL Turbo USB 3.1 Gen 2
	yStability
	7000+ Quality Test
	yVR
	VR Ready
	yBIOS
	Click BIOS 5

18 Specifications

Block Diagram

DisplayPort DVI-D

PCI Express Bus
x4
PCI Express Bus
1 x M.2
Switch	PCI
5 x SATA 6Gb/s	BusExpress

2 x USB 3.1 Gen2

4 x USB 3.1 Gen1

6 x USB 2.0

LPC Bus

2 Channel DDR4 Memory

CPU

DMI 3.0

x1 PCIe x1 slot

x1 PCIe x1 slot

x1 PCIe x1 slot

x1 PCIe x1 slot

chipset

NV6797	Realtek
Super I/O	ALC892
P/S2 Mouse / Keyboard	Audio Jacks

Block Diagram 19

Rear I/O Panel

Audio Ports

	PS/2	LAN
		USB 3.1 Gen2
		DisplayPort

USB 2.0

USB 3.1 Gen2

Type-C

DVI-D

USB 3.1 Gen1

LAN Port LED Status Table

Link/ Activity LED

Status	Description
Off	No link
Yellow	Linked
Blinking	Data activity

Speed LED

Status	Description
Off	10 Mbps connection
Green	100 Mbps connection
Orange	1 Gbps connection

Audio Ports Configuration

Audio Ports		Channel
2		4	6	8
Rear Speaker Out		●	●	●
Center/ Subwoofer Out			●	●
Side Speaker Out				●
Mic In
Line-Out/ Front Speaker Out ●		●	●	●

Line-In

(●: connected, Blank: empty)

20 Rear I/O Panel

Realtek HD Audio Manager

After installing the Realtek HD Audio driver, the Realtek HD Audio Manager icon will appear in the system tray. Double click on the icon to launch.

Device

Selection

Advanced

Settings

Jack Status

Application

Enhancement

Main Volume											Connector
											Strings
						Profiles

yDevice Selection - allows you to select a audio output source to change the related options. The check sign indicates the devices as default.

yApplication Enhancement - the array of options will provide you a complete guidance of anticipated sound effect for both output and input device.

yMain Volume - controls the volume or balance the right/left side of the speakers that you plugged in front or rear panel by adjust the bar.

yProfiles - toggles between profiles.

yAdvanced Settings - provides the mechanism to deal with 2 independent audio streams.

yJack Status - depicts all render and capture devices currently connected with your computer.

yConnector Settings - configures the connection settings.

Auto popup dialog

When you plug into a device at an audio jack, a dialogue window will pop up asking you which device is current connected.

Each jack corresponds to its default setting as shown on the next page.

Rear I/O Panel 21

Audio jacks to headphone and microphone diagram

Audio jacks to stereo speakers diagram

AUDIO INPUT

Audio jacks to 7.1-channel speakers diagram

AUDIO INPUT

Front	Center/
	Subwoofer

Rear

Side

22 Rear I/O Panel

Overview of Components

M2_1

PCI_E1

PCI_E2

PCI_E3

PCI_E4

PCI_E5

PCI_E6

		DIMMA1
		PCIE_PWR1	DIMMA2
		CPU_FAN1
	CPU_PWR1		DIMMB1
			DIMMB2
	SYS_FAN1	CPU Socket

PUMP_FAN1

SYS_FAN5

SYS_FAN4

EZ Debug LEDs

	ATX_PWR1
	JUSB4
	JBAT1
BAT1	SATA▼2▲3
	SATA▼4▲5
	SATA1
	JTPM1
	JTBT1
	JFP1
	JFP2
JAUD1	JUSB1
	JUSB2
SYS_FAN2	SYS_FAN3
JCOM1	JCI1
	JLPT1

Overview of Components 23

Component Contents

	Port Name	Port Type	Page
	CPU_FAN1,SYS_FAN1~5, PUMP_FAN1	Fan Connectors	33
	CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1, PCIE_PWR1	Power Connectors	30
	CPU Socket	LGA1151 CPU Socket	25
	DIMMA1/ A2/ B1/ B2	DIMM Slots	26
	JAUD1	Front Audio Connector	34
	JBAT1	Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper	37
	JCI1	Chassis Intrusion Connector	34
	JCOM1	Serial Port Connector	36
	JFP1, JFP2	Front Panel Connectors	31
	JLPT1	Parallel Port Connector	36
	JTBT1	Thunderbolt Add-on Card	35
		Connector
	JTPM1	TPM Module Connector	35
	JUSB1~2	USB 2.0 Connectors	32
	JUSB4	USB 3.1 Gen1 Connector	31
	M2_1	M.2 Slot (Key M)	28
	PCI_E1~6	PCIe Expansion Slots	27
	SATA1~5	SATA 6Gb/s Connectors	29

24 Overview of Components

CPU Socket

Distance from the center of the

CPU to the nearest DIMM slot.

50.77 mm

Introduction to the LGA 1151 CPU

The surface of the LGA 1151 CPU has two notches and a golden triangle to assist in correctly lining up the CPU for motherboard placement. The golden triangle is the Pin 1 indicator.

Important

yAlways unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing or removing the CPU.

yPlease retain the CPU protective cap after installing the processor. MSI will deal with Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests if only the motherboard comes with the protective cap on the CPU socket.

yWhen installing a CPU, always remember to install a CPU heatsink. A CPU heatsink is necessary to prevent overheating and maintain system stability.

yConfirm that the CPU heatsink has formed a tight seal with the CPU before booting your system.

yOverheating can seriously damage the CPU and motherboard. Always make sure the cooling fans work properly to protect the CPU from overheating. Be sure to apply an even layer of thermal paste (or thermal tape) between the CPU and the heatsink to enhance heat dissipation.

yWhenever the CPU is not installed, always protect the CPU socket pins by covering the socket with the plastic cap.

yIf you purchased a separate CPU and heatsink/ cooler, Please refer to the documentation in the heatsink/ cooler package for more details about installation.

yThis motherboard is designed to support overclocking. Before attempting to overclock, please make sure that all other system components can tolerate overclocking. Any attempt to operate beyond product specifications is not recommended. MSI® does not guarantee the damages or risks caused by inadequate operation beyond product specifications.

Overview of Components 25

DIMM Slots

DIMMA1DIMMB1

Channel A

Channel B

DIMMA2DIMMB2

Memory module installation recommendation

	DIMMB2	DIMMB2
		DIMMB1
DIMMA2	DIMMA2	DIMMA2
		DIMMA1

Important

yAlways insert memory modules in the DIMMA2 slot first.

yDue to chipset resource usage, the available capacity of memory will be a little less than the amount of installed.

yBased on Intel CPU specification, the Memory DIMM voltage below 1.35V is suggested to protect the CPU.

yPlease note that the maximum capacity of addressable memory is 4GB or less

for 32-bit Windows OS due to the memory address limitation. Therefore, we recommended that you to install 64-bit Windows OS if you want to install more than 4GB memory on the motherboard.

ySome memory may operate at a lower frequency than the marked value when overclocking due to the memory frequency operates dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD). Go to BIOS and find the Memory Try It! to set the memory frequency if you want to operate the memory at the marked or at a higher frequency.

yIt is recommended to use a more efficient memory cooling system for full DIMMs installation or overclocking.

yThe stability and compatibility of installed memory module depend on installed CPU and devices when overclocking.

26 Overview of Components