MSI MAG Z390M Mortar Manual

Quick Start

Thank you for purchasing the MSI® MAG Z390M MORTAR 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 1151 CPU

CPU Fan

Chassis

DDR4 Memory

Power Supply Unit

Graphics Card

Thermal Paste

SATA Hard Disk Drive	SATA DVD Drive

Phillips Screwdriver

A Package of Screws

Quick Start 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

Installing a Processor	2

https://youtu.be/4ce91YC3Oww

1

3

	7
4	5	9

6

8

Safety Information 3

Installing DDR4 memory

http://youtu.be/T03aDrJPyQs

1

1

2

3 2

3

	DIMMB2	DIMMB2
		DIMMB1
DIMMA2	DIMMA2	DIMMA2
		DIMMA1

4 Safety Information

Connecting the Front Panel Header

http://youtu.be/DPELIdVNZUI

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

		Power LED							Power Switch
				+ - + -
	JFP1			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

RESETSW

HDDLED

HDD LED - HDD LED +

POWER LED - POWER LED +

Safety Information 5

Installing the Motherboard

1

2

3

6 Safety Information

Installing SATA Drives

http://youtu.be/RZsMpqxythc	1

2	3

5

4

Safety Information 7

Installing a Graphics Card

http://youtu.be/mG0GZpr9w_A

1

3

2

5

4

6

8 Safety Information

Connecting Peripheral Devices

Safety Information 9

Connecting the Power Connectors

http://youtu.be/gkDYyR_83I4

ATX_PWR1	CPU_PWR1

10 Safety Information

Power On

1

2

3

4

Safety Information 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
Installing SATA Drives.............................................................................................	7
Installing a Graphics Card ......................................................................................	8
Connecting Peripheral Devices ..............................................................................	9
Connecting the Power Connectors.......................................................................	10
Power On...............................................................................................................	11
Specifications.......................................................................................................	14
Package contents.................................................................................................	19
Block Diagram ....................................................................................................	20
Rear I/O Panel......................................................................................................	21
LAN Port LED Status Table...................................................................................	21
Audio Ports Configuration ....................................................................................	21
Realtek Audio Console .........................................................................................	22
Overview of Components ....................................................................................	24
CPU Socket ...........................................................................................................	26
DIMM Slots............................................................................................................	27
PCI_E1~3: PCIe Expansion Slots..........................................................................	28
SATA1~4: SATA 6Gb/s Connectors .......................................................................	29
JFP1, JFP2: Front Panel Connectors ...................................................................	29
M2_1~2: M.2 Slots (Key M) ...................................................................................	30
CPU_PWR1, ATX_PWR1: Power Connectors .......................................................	31
JAUD1: Front Audio Connector ............................................................................	31
JUSB1~2: USB 2.0 Connectors.............................................................................	32
JUSB3: USB 3.1 Gen1 Connector .........................................................................	32
CPU_FAN1, PUMP_FAN1, SYS_FAN1~2: Fan Connectors...................................	33
JCI1: Chassis Intrusion Connector.......................................................................	34
JTPM1: TPM Module Connector...........................................................................	34
JRGB1~2: RGB LED Connectors...........................................................................	35
JTBT1: Thunderbolt Add-on Card Connector ......................................................	35
JBAT1: Clear CMOS (Reset BIOS) Jumper ...........................................................	36
EZ Debug LED.......................................................................................................	36

12 Contents

JUSB4: USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C Connector.............................................................	37
Installing OS, Drivers & Utilities .........................................................................	38
Installing Windows® 10.........................................................................................	38
Installing Drivers ..................................................................................................	38
Installing Utilities .................................................................................................	38
MYSTIC LIGHT......................................................................................................	39
Device LED effect control screen .........................................................................	39
BIOS Setup...........................................................................................................	42
Entering BIOS Setup.............................................................................................	42
Resetting BIOS......................................................................................................	43
Updating BIOS.......................................................................................................	43
EZ Mode ................................................................................................................	44
Advanced Mode ....................................................................................................	46
SETTINGS..............................................................................................................	47
Advanced...............................................................................................................	47
Boot.......................................................................................................................	54
Security.................................................................................................................	55
Save & Exit............................................................................................................	56
OC..........................................................................................................................	57
M-FLASH ..............................................................................................................	63
OC PROFILE..........................................................................................................	64
HARDWARE MONITOR..........................................................................................	65
RAID Configuration..............................................................................................	66
Enabling Intel® Rapid Storage Technology...........................................................	66
Creating RAID Volume .........................................................................................	67
Removing a RAID Volume ....................................................................................	68
Resetting Disks to Non-RAID ...............................................................................	69
Rebuilding RAID Array..........................................................................................	70
Installing RAID Driver...........................................................................................	71
Installing Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Software ..........................................	71
Intel® Optane™ Memory Configuration ..............................................................	72
System Requirements .........................................................................................	72
Installing the Intel® Optane™ memory ................................................................	72
Removing the Intel® Optane™ memory ...............................................................	74
Troubleshooting ..................................................................................................	75

Contents 13

Specifications

		Supports 9th/ 8th Gen Intel® Core™ / Pentium® Gold /
	CPU	Celeron® processors for LGA 1151 socket
		* Please go to www.intel.com for more compatibility information.
	Chipset	Intel® Z390 Chipset
		y4x DDR4 memory slots, support up to 64GB*
		ySupports DDR4 4400(OC)/ 4300(OC)/ 4266(OC)/ 4200(OC)/
		4133(OC)/ 4000(OC)/ 3866(OC)/ 3733(OC)/ 3600(OC)/
		3466(OC)/ 3400(OC)/ 3333(OC)/ 3300(OC)/ 3200(OC)/ 3000(OC)
	Memory	/ 2800(OC)/ 2666/ 2400/ 2133 MHz*
		ySupports Dual-Channel mode
		ySupports non-ECC, un-buffered memory
		ySupports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)
		* Please refer www.msi.com for more information on compatible memory.
		y2x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (support x16/x4 modes)
	Expansion Slot	y1x PCIe 3.0 x1 slot
		y1 x M.2 slot (Key E) for an Intel® CNVi wireless module only
		y1x DVI-D port, supports a maximum resolution of
		1920x1200@60Hz
	Onboard Graphics	y1x DisplayPort port 1.2, supports a maximum resolution of
		4096X2304@60Hz
		y1x HDMI™ port 1.4, supports a maximum resolution of
		4096x2160@24Hz
	Multi-GPU	Supports 2-Way AMD® CrossFire™ Technology
		Intel® Z390 Chipset
		y4x SATA 6Gb/s ports
		y2x M.2 slots (Key M)
		M2_1 supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s, 2242/
	Storage	2260/ 2280/ 22110 storage devices*
		M2_2 supports up to PCIe 3.0 x4 and SATA 6Gb/s, 2280
		storage devices
		Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready**
		* SATA2 port will be unavailable when installing SATA M.2 SSD in M2_1 slot.
		** Before using Intel® Optane™ memory modules, please ensure that you have
		updated the drivers and BIOS to the latest version from MSI website.
		Continued on next page

14 Specifications

Continued from previous page

		Intel® Z390 Chipset
	RAID	ySupports RAID 0, RAID1, RAID 5 and RAID 10 for SATA
		storage devices
		ySupports RAID 0 and RAID 1 for M.2 PCIe storage devices
		Intel® Z390 Chipset
		y3x USB 3.1 Gen2 (SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps) ports (1 Type-C
		and 1 Type-A ports on the back panel, 1 Type-C internal
	USB	connector)
		y2x USB 3.1 Gen1 (SuperSpeed USB) ports available through
		the internal USB connector
		y8x USB 2.0 (High-speed USB) ports (4 Type-A ports on
		the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB
		connector)
		yRealtek® ALC892 Codec
	Audio	y7.1-Channel High Definition Audio
		ySupports S/PDIF output
	LAN	1x Intel I219-V Gigabit LAN controller
		y1x PS/2 keyboard/ mouse combo port
		y4x USB 2.0 Type-A ports
		y1x DVI-D port
		y1x DisplayPort port
	Back Panel	y1x HDMI port
	Connectors	y1x LAN (RJ45) port
		y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A port
		y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
		y5x OFC audio jacks
		y1x Optical S/PDIF OUT connector
		Continued on next page

Specifications 15

Continued from previous page

y1x 24-pin ATX main power connector

y1x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector

y4x SATA 6Gb/s connectors

y1x USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port

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 connector

		y2x 4-pin system fan connectors
		y1x Front panel audio connector
		y2x Front panel connectors
		y2x 4-pin RGB LED connectors
		y1x Thunderbolt add-on card connector
		y1x TPM module connector
		y1x Chassis Intrusion connector
		y1x Clear CMOS jumper
	I/O Controller	NUVOTON NCT6797 Controller Chip
		yCPU/System temperature detection
	Hardware Monitor	yCPU/System fan speed detection
		yCPU/System fan speed control
	Form Factor	yMicro-ATX Form Factor
		y9.6 in. x 9.6 in. (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm)
		y1x 128 Mb flash
	BIOS Features	yUEFI AMI BIOS
		yACPI 6.1, SMBIOS 2.8
		yMulti-language
		Continued on next page

16 Specifications

Continued from previous page

	yDrivers
	yDRAGON CENTER
	yMYSTIC LIGHT
	yOpen Broadcaster Software (OBS)
Software	yCPU-Z MSI GAMING
	yMSI App Player (BlueStacks)
	yIntel® Extreme Tuning Utility
	yGoogle Chrome™, Google Toolbar, Google Drive
	yNorton™ Internet Security Solution
	yGAME OPTIMIZATION
	yOC Performance
Dragon Center	yHardware Monitor
Features	yEyerest
	yLAN Manager	Please refer to http://download.msi.
	yLive Update	com/manual/mb/DRAGONCENTER2.
		pdf for more details.
	yAudio
	Audio Boost
	yNetwork
	GAMING LAN with Gaming LAN Manage
	Intel CNVi Ready
Special Features	yStorage
	Twin Turbo M.2
	yCooling
	Extended Heatsink Design
	Pump Fan
	GAMING Fan Control
	Continued on next page

Specifications 17

Continued from previous page

	yLED
	Mystic Light
	Mystic Light Extension (RGB)
	Mystic light SYNC
	EZ DEBUG LED
	yProtection
	PCI-E Steel Armor
	PCI-E Steel Slot
	yPerformance
	Multi GPU-CrossFire Technology
	DDR4 Boost
Special Features	Core Boost
	GAME Boost
	Intel Turbo USB 3.1 Gen2
	8-pin CPU Power
	yVR
	VR Ready
	yGamer Experience
	GAMING HOTKEY
	GAMING MOUSE Control
	APP Player
	yBIOS
	Click BIOS 5

18 Specifications

Package contents

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

	Motherboard	MAG Z390M MORTAR
	Cable	SATA 6Gb/s Cables	2
		RGB LED Extension 80cm	1
		M.2 Screw	2
	Accessories	IO Shielding	1
		Case Badge	1
		VIP Card	1
	Application DVD	Driver DVD	1
	Documentation	User Manual	1
		Quick Installation Guide	1

Important

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

Package contents 19

Block Diagram

HDMI

		CPU
PCI Express Bus	DMI 3.0
2 x M.2
	PCI	-PCI
4 x SATA 6Gb/s	Express	Bus E
	Bus	PCH
2 x USB 3.1 Gen1
8 x USB 2.0
	LPC Bus
	NV6797
	Super I/O
	P/S2 Mouse / Keyboard

DP

DVI-D

2 Channel DDR4 Memory

x1	PCIe x1 slot
x4	PCIe x16 slot

1 x M.2 (Key E) for an Intel CNVi wireless module only

3 x USB 3.1 Gen2

Intel

I219-V

Realtek

ALC892

Audio Jacks

20 Block Diagram

Rear I/O Panel

USB 3.1 Gen2 Audio Ports

PS/2

LAN

DisplayPort

USB 2.0

DVI-D

USB 2.0

Optical S/PDIF-Out

USB 3.1 Gen2

Type-C

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

Center/ Subwoofer Out

●

●

Rear Speaker Out

●

●

●

Line-In/ Side Speaker Out

●

Line-Out/ Front Speaker Out

●

●

●

●

Mic In

(●: connected, Blank: empty)

Rear I/O Panel 21

Realtek Audio Console

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

Application Enhancement

Advanced Settings

Device

Selection

Main Volume

Connector Settings
	Jack Status

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.

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.

Important

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

22 Rear I/O Panel

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 23

Overview of Components

SYS_FAN2

M2_1

PCI_E1

M2_2

JBAT1

PCI_E2

CNVI_1

PCI_E3

			DIMMA1
CPU_PWR1			CPU_FAN1	DIMMA2
				DIMMB1
	CPU Socket			DIMMB2
				SYS_FAN1
				JRGB2
				PUMP_FAN1
				ATX_PWR1
				SATA2
				SATA1
				JUSB4
				SATA▼3▲4
				JCI1
				JFP1
JAUD1				JFP2
JRGB1	JTPM1			JTBT1
	JUSB1	JUSB3
	JUSB2

24 Overview of Components