MSI Creator X299 User Manual

Quick Start

Thank you for purchasing the MSI® Creator X299 motherboard. This Quick Start
section provides demonstration diagrams about how to install your computer. Some
of the installations also provide video demonstrations. Please link to the URL to watch
it with the web browser on your phone or tablet. You may have even link to the URL by
scanning the QR code.

Preparing Tools and Components

Intel® LGA 2066 CPU

CPU Fan

Chassis

DDR4 Memory

Thermal Paste

Phillips Screwdriver

Power Supply Unit

SATA Hard Disk Drive

Graphics Card

SATA DVD Drive

A Package of Screws

Quick Start

1

Safety Information

∙ The components included in this package are prone to damage from electrostatic

discharge (ESD). Please adhere to the following instructions to ensure successful
computer assembly.

∙ Ensure that all components are securely connected. Loose connections may cause

the computer to not recognize a component or fail to start.

∙ Hold the motherboard by the edges to avoid touching sensitive components.
∙ It 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.

∙ Store the motherboard in an electrostatic shielding container or on an anti-static

pad whenever the motherboard is not installed.

∙ Before turning on the computer, ensure that there are no loose screws or metal

components on the motherboard or anywhere within the computer case.

∙ Do not boot the computer before installation is completed. This could cause

permanent damage to the components as well as injury to the user.

∙ If you need help during any installation step, please consult a certified computer

technician.

∙ Always turn off the power supply and unplug the power cord from the power outlet

before installing or removing any computer component.

∙ Keep this user guide for future reference.
∙ Keep this motherboard away from humidity.
∙ Make sure that your electrical outlet provides the same voltage as is indicated on

the PSU, before connecting the PSU to the electrical outlet.

∙ Place the power cord such a way that people can not step on it. Do not place

anything over the power cord.

∙ All cautions and warnings on the motherboard should be noted.
∙ If 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.

∙ Do not leave this motherboard in an environment above 60°C (140°F), it may damage

the motherboard.

Quick Start

2

Installing a Processor

1

3

2

https://youtu.be/ecdkLMmkya4

4

5

6

9

8

7

10

11

12

13

Quick Start

3

Installing DDR4 memory

http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs

1

Quick Start

4

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

8 DIMMs

3

2

2

B1 B2 A1 A2 CPU C2 C1 D2 D1

Intel® Core™ X-series

10000/ 9000/ 78xx (above)

processors

Connecting the Front Panel Header

RESET SW

POWER SW

POWER LED+

POWER LED-

HDD LED

http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI

Power LED

JFP1

Power Switch

+++-

--

2 10
1

-

+

9

Reserved

HDD LED Reset Switch

1 HDD LED + 2 Power LED +

3 HDD LED - 4 Power LED -

5 Reset Switch 6 Power Switch

7 Reset Switch 8 Power Switch

9 Reserved 10 No Pin

HDD LED

POWER LED

RESET SW

HDD LED

HDD LED ­HDD LED +

POWER LED ­POWER LED +

Quick Start

JFP1

5

Installing the Motherboard

1

Quick Start

6

2

BAT1

Connecting the Power Connectors

http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4

ATX_PWR1

CPU_PWR3

CPU_PWR1 CPU_PWR2

PCIE_PWR1

Quick Start

7

Installing SATA Drives

http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc

2

1

3

Quick Start

8

5

4

Installing a Graphics Card

http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A

1

3

2

5

4

6

Quick Start

9

Connecting Peripheral Devices

10

Quick Start

Power On

1

2

3

4

Quick Start

11

Contents

Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 1

Preparing Tools and Components.......................................................................... 1

Safety Information .................................................................................................. 2

Installing a Processor ............................................................................................ 3

Installing DDR4 memory ........................................................................................ 4

Connecting the Front Panel Header ...................................................................... 5

Installing the Motherboard ..................................................................................... 6

Connecting the Power Connectors ........................................................................ 7

Installing SATA Drives ............................................................................................ 8

Installing a Graphics Card ...................................................................................... 9

Connecting Peripheral Devices ............................................................................ 10

Power On .............................................................................................................. 11

Specifications ....................................................................................................... 15

JCORSAIR1 Connector Specification .................................................................. 21

Package contents ................................................................................................ 21

Block Diagram .................................................................................................... 22

Rear I/O Panel ..................................................................................................... 23

LAN Port LED Status Table .................................................................................. 23

Audio Ports Configuration .................................................................................... 23

Realtek Audio Console ......................................................................................... 24

Installing Antennas ............................................................................................... 26

Overview of Components .................................................................................... 27

CPU Socket ........................................................................................................... 29

DIMM Slots ............................................................................................................ 30

PCI_E1~4: PCIe Expansion Slots .......................................................................... 32

PCIe, M2_2 and M2_3 slots bandwidth table ....................................................... 32

VRAID1: Virtual RAID on CPU Connector ............................................................. 34

U2_1: U.2 Connector ............................................................................................. 35

M2_1~3: M.2 Slots (Key M) ................................................................................... 36

SATA1~8: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors ....................................................................... 40

JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ................................................................... 40

CPU_PWR1~3, ATX_PWR1, PCIE_PWR1: Power Connectors ............................. 41

OC1: OC GENIE 4 Knob ........................................................................................ 42

OC_RT1: OC Retry Jumper ................................................................................... 44

OC_FS1: OC Force Enter BIOS Jumper................................................................ 44

12

Contents

JSLOW1: Slow Mode Booting Jumper .................................................................. 44

CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~4, EXS_FAN1~2: Fan Connectors........... 45

W_FLOW1: Water Flow Meter Connector ............................................................ 46

T_SEN1: Thermal Sensor Connector ................................................................... 46

JTBT1: Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector ...................................................... 46

JUSB5: USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connector ............................................................ 47

JUSB3~4: USB 3.2 Gen1 Connector ..................................................................... 47

JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors ............................................................................. 48

JTPM1: TPM Module Connector ........................................................................... 48

JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................ 49

JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector ....................................................................... 49

JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper ........................................................... 50

POWER1, RESET1: Power Button, Reset Button ................................................. 50

BIOS_SW1: Multi-BIOS Switch ............................................................................. 51

JRGB1: RGB LED connector ................................................................................. 52

JRAINBOW1~2: Addressable RGB LED connectors ............................................ 53

JCORSAIR1: CORSAIR Connector ........................................................................ 54

Onboard LEDs ...................................................................................................... 55

EZ Debug LED ....................................................................................................... 55

JPWRLED1: LED power input ............................................................................... 55

XMP LED ............................................................................................................... 55

Multi-BIOS LEDs ................................................................................................... 56

Debug Code LED ................................................................................................... 56

Hexadecimal Character Table .............................................................................. 56

Boot Phases .......................................................................................................... 56

Debug Code LED Table ......................................................................................... 57

ACPI States Codes ................................................................................................ 60

CPU Temperature ................................................................................................. 60

Installing OS, Drivers & Utilities ......................................................................... 61

Installing Windows® 10 .......................................................................................... 61

Installing Drivers .................................................................................................. 61

Installing Utilities ................................................................................................. 61

BIOS Setup ........................................................................................................... 62

Entering BIOS Setup ............................................................................................. 62

Resetting BIOS ...................................................................................................... 63

Updating BIOS ....................................................................................................... 63

EZ Mode ................................................................................................................ 65

Advanced Mode .................................................................................................... 67

Contents

13

SETTINGS .............................................................................................................. 68

Advanced ............................................................................................................... 68

Boot ....................................................................................................................... 73

Security ................................................................................................................. 74

Save & Exit ............................................................................................................ 75

OC .......................................................................................................................... 77

M-FLASH .............................................................................................................. 85

OC PROFILE .......................................................................................................... 86

HARDWARE MONITOR.......................................................................................... 87

Nahimic 3 ............................................................................................................. 88

Installation and Update ........................................................................................ 88

Audio Tab .............................................................................................................. 88

Microphone Tab .................................................................................................... 89

Sound Tracker Tab ............................................................................................... 90

Settings Tab .......................................................................................................... 90

RAID Configuration .............................................................................................. 91

Enabling Intel® Rapid Storage Technology ........................................................... 91

Creating RAID Volume ......................................................................................... 92

Removing a RAID Volume .................................................................................... 93

Resetting Disks to Non-RAID ............................................................................... 94

Rebuilding RAID Array .......................................................................................... 95

Installing RAID Driver ........................................................................................... 96

Intel® Optane™ Memory Configuration .............................................................. 97

System Requirements ......................................................................................... 97

Installing the Intel® Optane™ memory ................................................................ 97

Removing the Intel® Optane™ memory................................................................ 99

Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 100

14

Contents

Specifications

CPU

Supports Intel® Core™ X-series 10000/ 9000/ 78xx (above)
processors for socket LGA2066

Chipset Intel® X299 Chipset

∙ 8x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 256GB*

▪ Support DDR4 4266+(OC)/ 4133(OC)/ 4000(OC)/

3866(OC)/ 3733(OC)/3600(OC)/ 3466(OC)/ 3400(OC)/
3333(OC)/ 3300(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)/ 2933/ 2666/

Memory

2400/ 2133

∙ Quad channel memory architecture
∙ Supports non-ECC UDIMM memory
∙ Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)

* Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.

∙ 4x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots

▪ Support x8/ x8/ x16/ x8 and x16/ x0/ x16/ x8 modes

with the 48-lane CPU.

▪ Support x8/ x8/ x16/ x8 and x16/ x0/ x16/ x8 modes

Expansion Slots

with the 44-lane CPU.*

▪ Support x8/ x8/ x8/ x0 and x16/ x0/ x8/ x0 modes with

the 28-lane CPU.**

* The PCI_E4 slot will run 3.0 x4 speed with 44-lane CPU when installing M.2
PCIe device into M2_3 slot.

** The PCI_E4 slot is unavailable with 28-lane CPU.

∙ Supports 4-Way NVIDIA

Multi-GPU

∙ Supports 4-Way AMD

* Depends on the installed CPU.

®

SLI® Technology*

®

CrossFire™ Technology*

LAN

Wireless LAN &
Bluetooth

®

Audio

∙ 1x Intel® I219V Gigabit LAN controller
∙ 1x Aquantia® AQC107 10-Gigabit LAN controller

Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX200

▪ Supports 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, MU-MINO Rx, 2.4GHz-

5GHz (160MHz) up to 2.4Gbps

▪ Supports Bluetooth

®

5

▪ The Wireless module is pre-install in the M2_4 (Key-E)

slot

®

Realtek

ALC1220 Codec

∙ 7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
∙ Supports Optical S/PDIF output

Continued on next page

Specifications

15

Storage

RAID

USB

Continued from previous page

Intel® X299 Chipset

∙ 8x SATA 6Gb/s ports
∙ 1x M.2 slot (M2_1, Key M)*

▪ Supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s, 2242/

2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices

▪ Intel® Rapid Start Technology
▪ Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready

∙ 1x U.2 port, supports PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe storage
∙ Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology

Intel® CPU

∙ 2x M.2 slots (M2_2 & M2_3, Key M)*

▪ Support up to PCIe 3.0 x4, 2242/ 2260/ 2280/ 22110

storage devices*

* M2_3 slot is unavailable with 28-lane CPU.

Intel® X299 Chipset

∙ Supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA

storage devices

∙ Supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for M.2 PCIe storage devices

ASMedia® ASM3242 Chipset

▪ 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 (SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps) Type-C

port on the back panel

ASMedia® ASM3142 Chipset

▪ 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps) Type-C

port through the internal USB connector

ASMedia® ASM1074 Chipset

▪ 7x USB 3.2 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) Type-A ports on

the back panel

Intel® X299 Chipset

▪ 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports through the

internal USB connectors

▪ 6x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (2 Type-A ports

on the back panel, 4 ports through the internal USB
connectors)

16

Continued on next page

Specifications

Continued from previous page

∙ 1x 24-pin ATX main power connector
∙ 3x 8-pin ATX 12V power connectors
∙ 1x flat 4-pin ATX 12V power connector (Provides additional

power for PCIe x16 slots)

∙ 8x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
∙ 1x U.2 port
∙ 2x USB 2.0 connectors (support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports)
∙ 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors (support additional 4 USB 3.2

Gen 1 ports)

∙ 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Port
∙ 1x 4-pin CPU fan connector

Internal Connectors

LED Connectors

Switch ∙ 1x Multi-BIOS switch

Internal Buttons

Jumpers

Debug LED

∙ 4x 4-pin system fan connectors
∙ 2x 4-pin extend system fan connectors
∙ 1x 4-pin water-pump fan connector
∙ 1x 3-pin Water Flow connector
∙ 1x Front panel audio connector
∙ 2x System panel connectors
∙ 1x TPM module connector
∙ 1x Chassis Intrusion connector
∙ 1x 2-pin Thermal Sensors connector
∙ 1x Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector
∙ 1x Virtual RAID on CPU connector
∙ 1x 4-pin RGB LED connector
∙ 2x 3-pin RAINBOW LED connectors
∙ 1x 3-pin CORSAIR connector

∙ 1x Power button
∙ 1x Reset button
∙ 1x OC GENIE 4 knob
∙ 1x Clear CMOS jumper
∙ 1x Slow mode booting jumper
∙ 1x Debug Code LED
∙ 4x EZ Debug LEDs

Continued on next page

Specifications

17

Continued from previous page

∙ 1x Clear CMOS Button
∙ 1x Flash BIOS Button
∙ 2x Wi-Fi Antenna connectors
∙ 1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port

Back Panel
Connectors

I/O Controller NUVOTON NCT6797 Controller Chip

Hardware Monitor

∙ 2x USB 2.0 ports
∙ 7x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports
∙ 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port
∙ 1x Gigabit LAN (RJ45) port
∙ 1x 10-Gigabit LAN (RJ45) port
∙ 5x OFC audio jacks
∙ 1x Optical S/PDIF Out connector

∙ CPU/ System temperature detection
∙ CPU/ System fan speed detection
∙ CPU/ System fan speed control

18

Specifications

Form Factor

BIOS Features

Software

∙ EATX Form Factor
∙ 12 in. x 10.7 in. (30.5 cm x 27.2 cm)

∙ 2x 128 Mb flash
∙ UEFI AMI BIOS
∙ ACPI 6.1, SM BIOS 2.8
∙ Multi-language

∙ Drivers
∙ CREATOR CENTER
∙ Nahimic Audio
∙ CPU-Z MSI GAMING
∙ MSI App Player (BlueStacks)
∙ Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
∙ Google Chrome™ ,Google Toolbar, Google Drive
∙ Norton™ Internet Security Solution

Continued on next page

Creator Center
Features

Special Features

Continued from previous page

∙ Creator Optimization
∙ Creator Hotkey
∙ Mystic Light
∙ Hardware Monitor
∙ True Color
∙ Live update
∙ Speed Up
∙ Smart Tool
∙ Super Charger

∙ Audio

▪ Audio Boost 4
▪ Nahimic 3
▪ Voice Boost

∙ Network

▪ 10G Super LAN
▪ LAN Manager
▪ Dual LAN
▪ Intel WiFi

∙ Storage

▪ Triple Turbo M.2

∙ Cooling

▪ Extended Heatsink Design
▪ M.2 Shield Frozr
▪ Pump Fan
▪ Fan Control

∙ LED

▪ Mystic Light
▪ Mystic Light Extension (RGB)
▪ Mystic Light Extension (RAINBOW)
▪ Mystic Light Extension(CORSAIR)
▪ Mystic light SYNC
▪ Ambient Link
▪ EZ DEBUG LED

Please refer to http://download.msi.
com/manual/mb/CREATORCENTER.
pdf for more details.

Continued on next page

Specifications

19

Special Features

Continued from previous page

∙ Protection

▪ DDR4 Steel Armor
▪ M.2 Shield Frozr
▪ PCI-E Steel Armor
▪ Pre-installed IO shielding

∙ Performance

▪ Multi GPU-SLI Technology
▪ Multi GPU-CrossFire Technology
▪ DDR4 Boost
▪ Core Boost
▪ OC Engine (Clock gen)
▪ USB with type A+C
▪ Lightning USB
▪ Lightning USB 20G
▪ Front Lightning USB (20PIN)
▪ Triple CPU Power

∙ User Experience

▪ Creator CENTER
▪ Creator HOTKEY
▪ Speed Up
▪ Total Fan control
▪ Live Update
▪ APP Player

∙ BIOS

▪ Click BIOS 5
▪ System saver
▪ Dual BIOS

20

Specifications

JCORSAIR1 Connector Specification

Supporting CORSAIR RGB Products Maximum connection

Lighting PRO RGB LED Strip

HD120 RGB Fan 6
SP120 RGB Fan 6
LL120 RGB Fan 6

20*

* 20% brightness is recommended when the number of
LED strips exceeds 8.

Package contents

Please check the contents of your motherboard package. It should contain:

Motherboard Creator X299

Documentation

Application USB drive with drivers & utilities 1

Cables

Expansion cards

Accessories

User manual 1
Quick installation guide 1

SATA 6Gb/s cable 4
LED JRGB Y cable 1
LED JCORSAIR cable 1
LED JRAINBOW cable 1
Thermistor cable 1
Thunderbolt cable 1
M.2 XPANDER-AERO GEN4 card 1
Thunderbolt card 1
Wi-Fi antenna 1
Case Badge 1
SATA cable stickers 1
Product registration card 1
M.2 screw 3

Important

⚠

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

Specifications

21

Block Diagram

4 Channel DDR4 Memory

Processor

1x M.2

1x M.2

1x M.2

8x SATA 6Gb/s

1x U.2

4x USB 3.2 Gen1

6x USB 2.0

SwitchSwitch

PCI Express Bus

P/S2 Mouse / Keyboard

NV6797

Super I/O

PCIE Bus

DMI 3.0

X299 PCH

PCIE Bus

PCIE Bus

Realtek

ALC1220

(Rear + Front)

Audio Jacks

Wi-Fi /
Bluetooth

Aquantia AQC107 (10-Gb LAN)

Intel I219V

ASMEDIA

ASM3242

1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2

ASMEDIA

ASM3142

1x USB 3.2 Gen2

ASMEDIA
ASM1074

7x USB 3.2 Gen1

Block Diagram

22

Rear I/O Panel

Wi-Fi Antenna
connectors

PS/2 Combo port

1Gbps LAN

10 Gbps

LAN

Audio Ports

Clear CMOS
button

Flash BIOS Button

Flash BIOS Port

USB 2.0 Type-A

USB 3.2 Gen 1

Type-A

USB 3.2
Gen 2x2

Type-C

Optical S/PDIF-Out

USB 3.2 Gen 1

Type-A

∙ Clear CMOS button - Power off your computer. Press and hold the Clear CMOS

button for about 5-10 seconds to reset BIOS to default values.

∙ Flash BIOS Port/ Button - Please refer to page 64 for Updating BIOS with Flash BIOS

Button.

LAN Port LED Status Table

Link/ Activity LED

Status Description

Off No link

Yellow (1Gb LAN)
Green (10Gb LAN)

Blinking Data activity

Linked

Speed LED

Status Gigabit LAN 10 Gbps LAN

Off 10 Mbps －

Green 100 Mbps 100 Mbps / 1 Gbps

Orange 1 Gbps 10 Gbps

Audio Ports Configuration

Audio Ports

Center/ Subwoofer Out ● ●

Rear Speaker Out ● ● ●

Line-In/ Side Speaker Out ●

Line-Out/ Front Speaker Out ● ● ● ●

Mic In

Channel

2 4 6 8

(●: connected, Blank: empty)

Rear I/O Panel

23

Realtek Audio Console

After Realtek Audio Console is installed. You can use it to change sound settings to get
better sound experience.

Device
Selection

Application Enhancement

Main Volume

Connector Settings

∙ Device Selection - allows you to select a audio output source to change the related

options. The check sign indicates the devices as default.

∙ Application Enhancement - the array of options will provide you a complete

guidance of anticipated sound effect for both output and input device.

∙ Main 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.

∙ Jack Status - depicts all render and capture devices currently connected with your

computer.

∙ Connector Settings - configures the connection settings.

Jack Status

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.

Important

⚠

The pictures above for reference only and may vary from the product you purchased.

Rear I/O Panel

24

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

Rear Front

Side Center/

Subwoofer

Rear I/O Panel

25

Installing Antennas

1. Combine the antenna with the base.

2. Screw two antenna cables tight to the WiFi antenna connectors as shown.

2

1

3. Place the antenna as high as possible.

Rear I/O Panel

26

BAT1

Overview of Components

SYS_FAN1

PCI_E1

M2_1

PCI_E2

M2_2

PCI_E3

M2_3
JOC_FS1
JOC_RT1

PCI_E4

CPU_PWR1

CPU Socket

CPU_PWR3

CPU_PWR2

BAT1

DIMMA2 DIMMD1

DIMMA1 DIMMD2

DIMMB2 DIMMC1

DIMMB1 DIMMC2

CPU_FAN1

OC1
PUMP_FAN1

SYS_FAN4

JCORSAIR1
JRAINBOW1

ATX_PWR1

VRAID1

JUSB5

JUSB4

SATA▼1▲2

SATA▼3▲4

SATA▼5▲6

SATA▼7▲8

U2_1
JRAINBOW2

JUSB3

JAUD1

JRGB1

PCIE_PWR1

T_SEN1

JTPM1

EXS_FAN2

JFP2

EXS_FAN1

JFP1

SYS_FAN2

W_FLOW1

JUSB2

JUSB1

SYS_FAN3

BIOS_SW1

Overview of Components

JPWRLED1

JSLOW1

JTBT1POWER1

JBAT1RESET1

JCI1

27

Component Contents

Port Name Port Type Page

BIOS_SW1 Multi-BIOS Switch 51
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1,

SYS_FAN1~4, EXS_FAN1~2
CPU_PWR1~3, ATX_PWR1,

PCIE_PWR1
CPU Socket LGA2066 Socket 29
DIMMA1~D2 DIMM Slots 30
JAUD1 Front Audio Connector 49
JBAT1 Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper 50
JCI1 Chassis Intrusion Connector 49
JCORSAIR1 CORSAIR Connector 54
JFP1, JFP2 Front Panel Connectors 40
JPWRLED1 LED power input 55
JRAINBOW1~2 Addressable RGB LED connectors 53
JRGB1 RGB LED connector 52
JSLOW1 Slow Mode Booting Jumper 44
JTBT1 Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector 46
JTPM1 TPM Module Connector 48
JUSB1~2 USB 2.0 Connectors 48
JUSB3~4 USB 3.2 Gen1 Connector 47
JUSB5 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C Connector 47
M2_1~3 M.2 Slots (Key M) 36
OC1 OC GENIE 4 Knob 42
OC_FS1 OC Force Enter BIOS Jumper 44
OC_RT1 OC Retry Jumper 44
PCI_E1~4 PCIe Expansion Slots 32
POWER1, RESET1 Power Button, Reset Button 50
SATA1~8 SATA 6Gb/s Connectors 40
T_SEN1 Thermal Sensor Connector 46
U2_1 U.2 Connector 35
VRAID1 Virtual RAID on CPU Connector 34
W_FLOW1 Water Flow Meter Connector 46

Fan Connectors 45

Power Connectors 41

Overview of Components

28

CPU Socket

Distance from the center
of the CPU to the nearest
DIMM slot.

59.02 mm 59.02 mm

Introduction to the LGA 2066 CPU

The surface of the LGA 2066 CPU has four 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

⚠

∙

Always unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing or removing

the CPU.

∙

Please 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.

∙

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

∙

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

∙

Overheating 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.

∙

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

∙

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

∙

This 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
operation beyond product specifications.

®

does not guarantee the damages or risks caused by inadequate

Overview of Components

29

DIMM Slots

B1B2A1A2 C2C1D2D1

Memory module installation recommendation

B1 B2 A1 A2 CPU C2 C1 D2 D1

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs

6 DIMMs

7 DIMMs

8 DIMMs

Intel® Core™ X-series

10000/ 9000/ 78xx (above)

processors

Overview of Components

30

DIMMB1
DIMMB2
DIMMA1
DIMMA2

DIMMC2
DIMMC1
DIMMD2
DIMMD1

DIMMB1
DIMMB2
DIMMA1
DIMMA2

DIMMC2
DIMMC1
DIMMD2
DIMMD1