EVGA Z270 FTW-K Initial Installation page 17

EVGA Z270 FTW – K (132-KS-E277)
Component Legend Descriptions
1. CPU Socket 1151
This is the interface for the Central Processing Unit (CPU), and supports
Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 models compatible with the Intel 1151
Socket and Skylake or Kaby Lake-S architecture.
2. Intel Z270 PCH (Southbridge)
The Platform Controller Hub (PCH) handles the role that was previously held
by the South Bridge. The PCH has 4 PCI-E Gen 3 lanes and allocates
bandwidth to smaller PCI-E slots, M.2, USB, audio, etc. In simplified terms,
the PCH works as a hub for peripherals that are less bandwidth-intensive.
3. PWM Fan Headers
4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed based on a configurable curve or
static percentage. PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) works by pulsing power to
the fan at a constant rate and sending the RPM signal to the fan's controller via
a Sense cable, rather than adjusting fan speed by increasing and decreasing
voltage. This method is preferable because it eliminates voltage-based fan stall
points. Please see Page 92 for more in-depth PWM breakdown and PWM
controls within BIOS/UEFI.
4. DC/PWM Fan Headers
These headers are DC controlled, which means fan speed is based on
decreasing voltage to the fan, starting at a default of 100%/12V. When using
DC, a fan's minimum speed will vary depending on the motor because most fan
motors require a set amount of voltage before stalling.
Alternatively, you may enable PWM Mode in the BIOS for each fan connected,
and it will pass-through the RPM information to a PWM fan.
5. DDR4 Memory Slots
The memory slots support up to four 288-pin DDR4 DIMMs in Dual-Channel
mode. Dual-Channel mode will be enabled only upon using two or four sticks
of supported memory, according to the installation guide above; using one or
three sticks of memory will lower the board to Single-Channel mode, which
may significantly lower performance. Some Quad-Channel kits *MAY* work;
however, the kit will continue to run in Dual-Channel mode, due to the
limitations of the CPU's memory controller. 64GB of RAM is supported in a
4x16GB configuration; 32GB modules are *NOT* officially-supported. At the
time of this manual's release, this motherboard officially-supports up to
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