GIGABYTE GA-Q270M-D3H - Motherboard Manual

* 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.

^(Note) Whether this feature is supported depends on the product being received.

Hardware Installation

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.

Product Specifications

CPU	Support for 7th and 6th Generation Intel ® Core ™ i7 processors/ Intel ® Core ™ i5 processors/Intel ® Core ™ i3 processors/ Intel ® Pentium ® processors/Intel ® Celeron ® processors in the LGA1151 package (Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.) L3 cache varies with CPU
Chipset	Intel ® Q270 Express Chipset
Memory	4 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory * Due to a Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than the size of the physical memory installed. Dual channel memory architecture Support for DDR4 2400/2133 MHz memory modules 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 modules (Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest supported memory speeds and memory modules.)
Onboard Graphics	Integrated Graphics Processor-Intel ® HD Graphics support: 1 x D-Sub port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz 1 x DVI-D port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz * The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter. 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2160@24 Hz * Support for HDMI 1.4 version. 1 x DisplayPort, supporting a maximum resolution of 4096x2304@60 Hz * Support for DisplayPort 1.2 version. * The DisplayPort does not support other types of display connections by adapter. Support for up to 3 displays at the same time Maximum shared memory of 1 GB
Audio	Realtek ® ALC887 codec High Definition Audio 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Support for S/PDIF Out
LAN	Intel ® GbE LAN chip (10/100/1000 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.) 1 x PCI slot
Multi-Graphics Technology	Support for AMD Quad-GPU CrossFireX ™ and 2-Way AMD CrossFire ™ technologies
Storage Interface	Power On By KeyboardPower On By KeyboardChipset: 1 x M.2 connector (Socket 3, M key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 SATA and PCIe x4/x2 SSD support) 1 x SATA Express connector x SATA 6Gb/s connectors Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 * Refer to "Internal Connectors," for the installation notices for the M.2 and SATA connectors. Intel ® Optane ™ Memory Ready
USB	Chipset: 8 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports (4 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers) 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 4 ports available through the internal USB headers)
Internal Connectors	1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x M.2 Socket 3 connector 1 x SATA Express connector 6 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors 1 x CPU fan header 1 x system fan header 1 x front panel header 1 x front panel audio header 1 x S/PDIF Out header 1 x speaker header 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 headers 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers 2 x serial port headers 1 x parallel port header 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
Back Panel Connectors	1 x PS/2 keyboard port 1 x PS/2 mouse port 1 x D-Sub port 1 x DVI-D port 1 x HDMI port 1 x DisplayPort 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x RJ-45 port 1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector 5 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out, Rear Speaker Out, Line In, Line Out, Mic In)
I/O Controller	iTE ® I/O Controller Chip
Hardware Monitor	Voltage detection Temperature detection Fan speed detection Overheating warning Fan fail warning Fan speed control * Whether the fan speed control function is supported will depend on the cooler you install.
BIOS	1 x 128 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 of each application may also vary depending on motherboard specifications. 3D OSD @BIOS AutoGreen BIOS Setup Color Temperature Cloud Station Easy RAID Fast Boot Game Boost ON/OFF Charge Platform Power Management Smart Backup Smart Keyboard Smart TimeLock System Information Viewer USB Blocker Support for Q-Flash Support for Xpress Install
Bundled Software	Norton ® Internet Security (OEM version)
Operating System	Support for Windows 10 64-bit (for 7th Generation Intel ® processors) Support for Windows 10 64-bit/Windows 8.1 64-bit/Windows 7 32-bit/64-bit (for 6th Generation Intel ® processors) * Please download the "Windows USB Installation Tool" from GIGABYTE's website and install it before installing Windows 7.
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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

The four memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as following:
Channel A: DDR4_2, DDR4_4
Channel B: DDR4_1, DDR4_3
Dual Channel Memory Configurations Table

	DDR4_4	DDR4_2	DDR4_3	DDR4_1
2 Modules	- -	DS/SS	- -	DS/SS
	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.

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.

Back Panel Connectors

1. PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Port
   Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse and the lower port (purple) to connect a PS/2 keyboard.
2. D-Sub Port
   The D-Sub port supports a 15-pin D-Sub connector and supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz (the actual resolutions supported depend on the monitor being used). Connect a monitor that supports D-Sub connection to this port.
3. DVI-D Port ^(Note)
   The DVI-D port conforms to the DVI-D specification and supports a maximum resolution of 1920x1200@60 Hz (the actual resolutions supported depend on the monitor being used). Connect a monitor that supports DVI-D connection to this port.
4. DisplayPort
   DisplayPort delivers high quality digital imaging and audio, supporting bi-directional audio transmission. DisplayPort can support both DPCP and HDCP content protection mechanisms. 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.
5. HDMI Port
   
   The HDMI port is HDCP compliant and supports Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio formats. It also supports up to 192 KHz/16bit 8-channel LPCM audio output. You can use this port to connect your HDMI-supported monitor. The maximum supported resolution is 4096x2160@24 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 HDMI/DisplayPort device, make sure to set the default sound playback device to HDMI/DisplayPort. (The item name may differ depending on your operating system.)
6. USB 3.1 Gen 1 Port
   The USB 3.1 Gen 1 port supports the USB 3.1 Gen 1 specification and is compatible to the USB 2.0 specification. Use this port for USB devices.
7. 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.
   

   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

8. USB 2.0/1.1 Port
   The USB port supports the USB 2.0/1.1 specification. Use this port for USB devices.

9. Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out (Orange)
   Use this audio jack to connect center/subwoofer speakers in a 5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

10. Rear Speaker Out (Black)
    This jack can be used to connect rear speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

11. Optical S/PDIF Out Connector
    This connector provides digital audio out to an external audio system that supports digital optical audio. Before using this feature, ensure that your audio system provides an optical digital audio in connector.

12. Line In (Blue)
    The line in jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as an optical drive, walkman, etc.

13. Line Out (Green)
    The line out jack. Use this audio jack for a headphone or 2-channel speaker. This jack can be used to connect front speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

14. Mic In (Pink)
    The Mic in jack.

If you want to install a Side Speaker, you need to retask either the Line in or Mic in jack to be Side Speaker out through the audio driver. Please visit GIGABYTE's website for more software information.

• 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) The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.

Internal Connectors

1. ATX_12V
2. ATX
3. CPU_FAN
4. SYS_FAN
5. SATA EXPRESS
6. SATA3 0/1/2/3/4/5
7. M2A_32G
8. F_PANEL
9. F_AUDIO

10. SPKR
11. SPDIF_O
12. F_USB30_1/F_USB30_2
13. F_USB1/F_USB2
14. COMA/COMB
15. LPT
16. CLR_CMOS
17. BAT

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.

1/2) ATX_12V/ATX (2x2 12V Power Connector 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) CPU_FAN/SYS_FAN (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.

• 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.
• These fan headers are not configuration jumper blocks. Do not place a jumper cap on the headers.

5. SATA EXPRESS (SATA Express Connector)
   Each SATA Express connector supports a single SATA Express device.
   

6. SATA3 0/1/2/3/4/5 (SATA 6Gb/s Connectors)
   The SATA connectors conform to SATA 6Gb/s standard and are compatible with SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 1.5Gb/s standard. Each SATA connector supports a single SATA device. The Intel ® Chipset supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10. Refer to Chapter "Configuring a RAID Set," for instructions on configuring a RAID array.
   

   Pin No.	Definition
   1	GND
   2	TXP
   3	TXN
   4	GND
   5	RXN
   6	RXP
   7	GND

   
   
   To enable hot-plugging for the SATA ports, refer to Chapter "BIOS Setup," "Peripherals\SATA And RST Configuration," for more information.
7. M2A_32G (M.2 Socket 3 Connector)
   The M.2 connector supports M.2 SATA SSDs and M.2 PCIe SSDs and support RAID configuration through the Intel ® Chipset. Please note that an M.2 PCIe SSD cannot be used to create a RAID set either with an M.2 SATA SSD or a SATA hard drive and can only be used to build a RAID set with UEFI. Refer to Chapter "Configuring a RAID Set," for instructions on configuring a RAID array.
   
   Follow the steps below to correctly install an M.2 SSD in the M.2 connector.
   1. Use a screw driver to unfasten the screw and nut from the motherboard. Locate the proper mounting hole for the M.2 SSD to be installed and then screw the nut first.
   2. Slide the M.2 SSD into the connector at an angle.
   3. Press the M.2 SSD down and then secure it with the screw.
      
      Select the proper hole for the M.2 SSD to be installed and refasten the screw and nut.

Installation Notices for the M.2 and SATA Connectors:
Due to the limited number of lanes provided by the Chipset, the availability of the SATA connectors may be affected by the type of device installed in the M2A_32G connector. The M2A_32G connector shares bandwidth with the SATA3 0 connector. Refer to the following table for details.

Type of M.2 SSD/Connector	SATA3 0	SATA3 1	SATA3 2	SATA3 3	SATA3 4	SATA3 5
M.2 SATA SSD
M.2 PCIe x4 SSD
M.2 PCIe x2 SSD
No M.2 SSD Installed

: Available,
: Not available.

8. F_PANEL (Front Panel Header)
   Connect the power switch, reset switch, speaker, chassis intrusion switch/sensor and system status indicator on the chassis to this header according to the pin assignments below. Note the positive and negative pins before connecting the cables.
   
   • PLED/PWR_LED (Power LED):
     Connects to the power status indicator on the chassis front panel. The LED is on when the system is operating. The LED is off when the system is in S3/S4 sleep state or powered off (S5).
   • PW (Power Switch): Connects to the power switch on the chassis front panel. You may configure the way to turn off your system using the power switch (refer to "BIOS Setup," "Power," for more information).
   • SPEAK (Speaker): Connects to the speaker on the chassis front panel. The system reports system startup status by issuing a beep code. One single short beep will be heard if no problem is detected at system startup.
   • HD (Hard Drive Activity LED): Connects to the hard drive activity LED on the chassis front panel. The LED is on when the hard drive is reading or writing data.
   • RES (Reset Switch): Connects to the reset switch on the chassis front panel. Press the reset switch to restart the computer if the computer freezes and fails to perform a normal restart.
   • CI (Chassis Intrusion Header): Connects to the chassis intrusion switch/sensor on the chassis that can detect if the chassis cover has been removed. This function requires a chassis with a chassis intrusion switch/sensor.
   • NC: No connection.
     
     The front panel design may differ by chassis. A front panel module mainly consists of power switch, reset switch, power LED, hard drive activity LED, speaker and etc. When connecting your chassis front panel module to this header, make sure the wire assignments and the pin assignments are matched correctly.

9. F_AUDIO (Front Panel Audio Header)
   The front panel audio header supports Intel High Definition audio (HD) and AC'97 audio. You may connect your chassis front panel audio module to this header. Make sure the wire assignments of the module connector match the pin assignments of the motherboard header. Incorrect connection between the module connector and the motherboard header will make the device unable to work or even damage it.
   
   For HD Front Panel Audio:

   Pin No.	Definition
   1	MIC2_L
   2	GND
   3	MIC2_R
   4	NC
   5	LINE2_R
   6	Sense
   7	FAUDIO_JD
   8	No Pin
   9	LINE2_L
   10	Sense

   For AC'97 Front Panel Audio:

   Pin No.	Definition
   1	MIC
   2	GND
   3	MIC Power
   4	NC
   5	Line Out (R)
   6	NC
   7	NC
   8	No Pin
   9	Line Out (L)
   10	NC

   • The front panel audio header supports HD audio by default.
   • Audio signals will be present on both of the front and back panel audio connections simultaneously.
   • Some chassis provide a front panel audio module that has separated connectors on each wire instead of a single plug. For information about connecting the front panel audio module that has different wire assignments, please contact the chassis manufacturer.

10. SPKR (Mono Speaker Header)
    The system reports system startup status by issuing a beep code. One single short beep will be heard if no problem is detected at system startup. This header can also provide audio output in the operating system.
    

    Pin No.	Definition
    1	SPK+
    2	SPK-

11. SPDIF_O (S/PDIF Out Header)
    This header supports digital S/PDIF Out and connects a S/PDIF digital audio cable (provided by expansion cards) for digital audio output from your motherboard to certain expansion cards like graphics cards and sound cards. For example, some graphics cards may require you to use a S/PDIF digital audio cable for digital audio output from your motherboard to your graphics card if you wish to connect an HDMI display to the graphics card and have digital audio output from the HDMI display at the same time. For information about connecting the S/PDIF digital audio cable, carefully read the manual for your expansion card.
    

    Pin No.	Definition
    1	SPDIFO
    2	GND

12. F_USB30_1/F_USB30_2 (USB 3.1 Gen 1 Headers)
    The headers conforms to USB 3.1 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 specification and can provide two USB ports. For purchasing the optional 3.5" front panel that provides two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, please contact the local dealer.
    

    Pin No.	Definition	Pin No.	Definition
    1	VBUS	11	D2+
    2	SSRX1-	12	D2-
    3	SSRX1+	13	GND
    4	GND	14	SSTX2+ B S S
    5	SSTX1-	15	B S S SSTX2-
    6	SSTX1+	16	GND 1
    7	GND	17	SSRX2+
    8	D1-	18	SSRX2-
    9	D1+	19	VBUS
    10	NC	20	No Pin

13. F_USB1/F_USB2 (USB 2.0/1.1 Headers)
    The headers conform to USB 2.0/1.1 specification. Each USB header can provide two USB ports via an optional USB bracket. For purchasing the optional USB bracket, please contact the local dealer.
    

    Pin No.	Definition	Pin No.	Definition
    1	Power (5V)	6	USB DY+
    2	Power (5V)	7	GND
    3	USB DX-	8	GND
    4	USB DY-	9	No Pin
    5	USB DX+	10	NC

• Do not plug the IEEE 1394 bracket (2x5-pin) cable into the USB 2.0/1.1 header.
• Prior to installing the USB bracket, be sure to turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the USB bracket.

15. LPT (Parallel Port Header)
    The LPT header can provide one parallel port via an optional LPT port cable. For purchasing the optional LPT port cable, please contact the local dealer.
    

    Pin No.	Definition	Pin No.	Definition	Pin No.	Definition
    1	STB-	10	GND	19	ACK-
    2	AFD-	11	PD4	20	GND
    3	PD0	12	GND	21	BUSY
    4	ERR-	13	PD5	22	GND
    5	PD1	14	GND	23	PE
    6	INIT-	15	PD6	24	No Pin
    7	PD2	16	GND	25	SLCT
    8	SLIN-	17	PD7	26	GND
    9	PD3	18	GND

16. CLR_CMOS (Clear CMOS Jumper)
    Use this jumper to clear the BIOS configuration and reset the CMOS values to factory defaults. To clear the CMOS values, use a metal object like a screwdriver to touch the two pins for a few seconds.

    	Open: Normal
    	Short: Clear CMOS Values

    • Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before clearing the CMOS values.
    • After system restart, go to BIOS Setup to load factory defaults (select Load Optimized Defaults) or manually configure the BIOS settings (refer to Chapter "BIOS Setup," for BIOS configurations).

17. BAT (Battery)
    The battery provides power to keep the values (such as BIOS configurations, date, and time information) in the CMOS when the computer is turned off. Replace the battery when the battery voltage drops to a low level, or the CMOS values may not be accurate or may be lost.
    You may clear the CMOS values by removing the battery:
    
    1. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cord.
    2. Gently remove the battery from the battery holder and wait for one minute. (Or use a metal object like a screwdriver to touch the positive and negative terminals of the battery holder, making them short for 5 seconds.)
    3. Replace the battery.
    4. Plug in the power cord and restart your computer.

• Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord before replacing the battery.
• Replace the battery with an equivalent one. Danger of explosion if the battery is replaced with an incorrect model.
• Contact the place of purchase or local dealer if you are not able to replace the battery by yourself or uncertain about the battery model.
• When installing the battery, note the orientation of the positive side (+) and the negative side (-) of the battery (the positive side should face up).
• Used batteries must be handled in accordance with local environmental regulations.

M.I.T.

Whether the system will work stably with the overclock/overvoltage settings you made is dependent on your overall system configurations. Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to CPU, chipset, or memory and reduce the useful life of these components. This page is for advanced users only and we recommend you not to alter the default settings to prevent system instability or other unexpected results. (Inadequately altering the settings may result in system's failure to boot. If this occurs, clear the CMOS values and reset the board to default values.)

• Advanced Frequency Settings
  Host Clock Value
  Displays the current operating Host Clock frequency.
  Graphics Slice Ratio ^(Note)
  Allows you to set the Graphics Slice Ratio.
  Graphics UnSlice Ratio ^(Note)
  Allows you to set the Graphics UnSlice Ratio.
  CPU Clock Ratio
  Allows you to alter the clock ratio for the installed CPU. The adjustable range is dependent on the CPU being installed.
  CPU Frequency
  Displays the current operating CPU frequency.
• Advanced CPU Core Settings
  CPU Clock Ratio, CPU Frequency
  The settings above are synchronous to those under the same items on the Advanced Frequency Settings menu.
  AVX Offset ^(Note)
  AVX offset is the negative offset of AVX ratio.
  Uncore Ratio
  Allows you to set the CPU Uncore ratio. The adjustable range is dependent on the CPU being used.
  Uncore Frequency
  Displays the current CPU Uncore frequency.
  CPU Flex Ratio Override
  Enables or disables the CPU Flex Ratio. The maximum CPU clock ratio will be based on the CPU Flex Ratio Settings value if CPU Clock Ratio is set to Auto. (Default: Disabled)
  CPU Flex Ratio Settings
  Allows you to set the CPU Flex Ratio. The adjustable range may vary by CPU.
  Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology ^(Note)
  Allows you to determine whether to enable the Intel ® CPU Turbo Boost technology. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  Turbo Ratio ^(Note)
  Allows you to set the CPU Turbo ratios for different number of active cores. Auto sets the CPU Turbo ratios according to the CPU specifications. (Default: Auto)
  Power Limit TDP (Watts) / Power Limit Time
  Allows you to set the power limit for CPU Turbo mode and how long it takes to operate at the specified power limit. If the specified value is exceeded, the CPU will automatically reduce the core frequency in order to reduce the power. Auto sets the current limit according to the CPU specifications. (Default: Auto)
  Core Current Limit (Amps)
  Allows you to set a current limit for CPU Turbo mode. When the CPU current exceeds the specified current limit, the CPU will automatically reduce the core frequency in order to reduce the current. Auto sets the power limit according to the CPU specifications. (Default: Auto)
  No. of CPU Cores Enabled ^(Note)
  Allows you to select the number of CPU cores to enable in an Intel ® multi-core CPU (the number of CPU cores may vary by CPU). Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  Hyper-Threading Technology ^(Note)
  Allows you to determine whether to enable multi-threading technology when using an Intel ® supports this function. This feature only works for operating systems that support multi-processor mode. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  Intel(R) Speed Shift Technology (Intel ® Speed Shift Technology) ^(Note)
  Enables or disables Intel ® Speed Shift Technology. Enabling this feature allows the processor to ramp up its operating frequency more quickly and then improves the system responsiveness. (Default: Disabled)
  CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) ^(Note)
  Enables or disables Intel ® CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) function, a CPU power-saving function in system halt state. When enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced during system halt state to decrease power consumption. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  C3 State Support ^(Note)
  Allows you to determine whether to let the CPU enter C3 mode in system halt state. When enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced during system halt state to decrease power consumption. The C3 state is a more enhanced power-saving state than C1. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  C6/C7 State Support ^(Note)
  Allows you to determine whether to let the CPU enter C6/C7 mode in system halt state. When enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced during system halt state to decrease power consumption. The C6/C7 state is a more enhanced power-saving state than C3. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  C8 State Support ^(Note)
  Allows you to determine whether to let the CPU enter C8 mode in system halt state. When enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced during system halt state to decrease power consumption. The C8 state is a more enhanced power-saving state than C6/C7. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  Package C State Limit ^(Note)
  Allows you to specify the C-state limit for the processor. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  CPU Thermal Monitor ^(Note)
  Enables or disables Intel ® Thermal Monitor function, a CPU overheating protection function. When enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced when the CPU is overheated. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  CPU EIST Function ^(Note)
  Enables or disables Enhanced Intel ® Speed Step Technology (EIST). Depending on CPU loading, Intel EIST technology can dynamically and effectively lower the CPU voltage and core frequency to decrease average power consumption and heat production. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
  Voltage Optimization
  Allows you to determine whether to enable voltage optimization to reduce power consumption. (Default: Disabled)
  RSR
  Allows you to determine whether to automatically lower the CPU turbo ratio if the CPU voltage/temperature is too high. (Default: Enabled)
  Hardware Prefetcher
  Allows you to determine whether to enable hardware prefetcher to prefetch data and instructions from the memory into the cache. (Default: Enabled)
  Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch
  Allows you to determine whether to enable the adjacent cache line prefetch mechanism that lets the processor retrieve the requested cache line as well as the subsequent cache line. (Default: Enabled)
  System Memory Multiplier
  Allows you to set the system memory multiplier. Auto sets memory multiplier according to memory SPD data. (Default: Auto)
  Memory Ref Clock
  Allows you to manually adjust the memory reference clock. (Default: Auto)
  Memory Odd Ratio (100/133 or 200/266)
  Enabled allows Qclk to run in odd frequency. (Default: Auto)
  Memory Frequency (MHz)
  The first memory frequency value is the normal operating frequency of the memory being used; the second is the memory frequency that is automatically adjusted according to the System Memory Multiplier settings.

System

This section provides information on your motherboard model and BIOS version. You can also select the default language used by the BIOS and manually set the system time.
Access Level
Displays the current access level depending on the type of password protection used. (If no password is set, the default will display as Administrator.) The Administrator level allows you to make changes to all BIOS settings; the User level only allows you to make changes to certain BIOS settings but not all.
System Language
Selects the default language used by the BIOS.
System Date
Sets the system date. The date format is week (read-only), month, date, and year. Use <Enter> to switch between the Month, Date, and Year fields and use the <Page Up> or <Page Down> key to set the desired value.
System Time
Sets the system time. The time format is hour, minute, and second. For example, 1 p.m. is 13:00:00. Use <Enter> to switch between the Hour, Minute, and Second fields and use the <Page Up> or <Page Down> key to set the desired value.

BIOS

Bootup NumLock State
Enables or disables Numlock feature on the numeric keypad of the keyboard after the POST. (Default: On)
Security Option
Specifies whether a password is required every time the system boots, or only when you enter BIOS Setup. After configuring this item, set the password(s) under the Administrator Password/User Password item.

Setup	A password is only required for entering the BIOS Setup program.
System	A password is required for booting the system and for entering the BIOS Setup program. (Default)

Full Screen LOGO Show
Allows you to determine whether to display the GIGABYTE Logo at system startup. Disabled skips the GIGABYTE Logo when the system starts up. (Default: Enabled)
Boot Option Priorities
Specifies the overall boot order from the available devices. Removable storage devices that support GPT format will be prefixed with "UEFI:" string on the boot device list. To boot from an operating system that supports GPT partitioning, select the device prefixed with "UEFI:" string. Or if you want to install an operating system that supports GPT partitioning such as Windows 7 64-bit, select the optical drive that contains the Windows 7 64-bit installation disk and is prefixed with "UEFI:" string.
Hard Drive/CD/DVD ROM Drive/Floppy Drive/Network Device BBS Priorities
Specifies the boot order for a specific device type, such as hard drives, optical drives, floppy disk drives, and devices that support Boot from LAN function, etc. Press <Enter> on this item to enter the submenu that presents the devices of the same type that are connected. This item is present only if at least one device for this type is installed.
Fast Boot
Enables or disables Fast Boot to shorten the OS boot process. Ultra Fast provides the fastest bootup speed. (Default: Disabled)
SATA Support

All Sata Devices	All SATA devices are functional in the operating system and during the POST. (Default)
Last Boot HDD Only	Except for the previous boot drive, all SATA devices are disabled before the OS boot process completes.

Chipset

VT-d ^(Note)
Enables or disables Intel ® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O. (Default: Enabled)
Internal Graphics
Enables or disables the onboard graphics function. (Default: Auto)
DVMT Pre-Allocated
Allows you to set the onboard graphics memory size. Options are: 32M~1024M. (Default: 32M)
DVMT Total Gfx Mem
Allows you to allocate the DVMT memory size of the onboard graphics. Options are: 128M, 256M, MAX. (Default: 256M)
Audio Controller
Enables or disables the onboard audio function. (Default: Enabled) If you wish to install a 3rd party add-in audio card instead of using the onboard audio, set this item to Disabled.
PCH LAN Controller
Enables or disables the onboard LAN function. (Default: Enabled) If you wish to install a 3rd party add-in network card instead of using the onboard LAN, set this item to Disabled.
Wake on LAN Enable
Enables or disables the wake on LAN function. (Default: Enabled)
High Precision Timer
Enables or disables High Precision Event Timer (HPET) in the operating system. (Default: Enabled)
IOAPIC 24-119 Entries
Enables or disables this function. (Default: Enabled)

^(Note) This item is present only when you install a CPU that supports this feature. For more information about Intel ® CPUs' unique features, please visit Intel's website.

Power

Platform Power Management
Enables or disables the Active State Power Management function (ASPM). (Default: Disabled)
PEG ASPM
Allows you to configure the ASPM mode for the device connected to the CPU PEG bus. This item is configurable only when Platform Power Management is set to Enabled. (Default: Enabled)
PCH ASPM
Allows you to configure the ASPM mode for the device connected to Chipset's PCI Express bus. This item is configurable only when Platform Power Management is set to Enabled. (Default: Enabled)
DMI ASPM
Allows you to configure the ASPM mode for both CPU side and Chipset side of the DMI link. This item is configurable only when Platform Power Management is set to Enabled. (Default: Enabled)
AC BACK
Determines the state of the system after the return of power from an AC power loss.

Always Off	T he system stays off upon the return of the AC power. (Default)
Always On	The system is turned on upon the return of the AC power.
Memory	The system returns to its last known awake state upon the return of the AC power.

Power On By Keyboard
Allows the system to be turned on by a PS/2 keyboard wake-up event.
Note: To use this function, you need an ATX power supply providing at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.

Disabled	Disables this function. (Default)
Any Key	Press any key to turn on the system.
Keyboard 98	Press POWER button on the Windows 98 keyboard to turn on the system.
Password	Set a password with 1~5 characters to turn on the system.

Power On Password
Set the password when Power On By Keyboard is set to Password. Press <Enter> on this item and set a password with up to 5 characters and then press <Enter> to accept. To turn on the system, enter the password and press <Enter>.
Note: To cancel the password, press <Enter> on this item. When prompted for the password, press <Enter> again without entering the password to clear the password settings.
Power On By Mouse
Allows the system to be turned on by a PS/2 mouse wake-up event.
Note: To use this function, you need an ATX power supply providing at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.

Disabled	Disables this function. (Default)
Move	Move the mouse to turn on the system.
Double Click	Double click on left button on the mouse to turn on the system.

ErP
Determines whether to let the system consume least power in S5 (shutdown) state. (Default: Disabled)
Note: When this item is set to Enabled, the following functions will become unavailable: Resume by Alarm, PME event wake up, power on by mouse, power on by keyboard, and wake on LAN.
Soft-Off by PWR-BTTN
Configures the way to turn off the computer in MS-DOS mode using the power button.

Instant-Off	Press the power button and then the system will be turned off instantly. (Default)
Delay 4 Sec.	Press and hold the power button for 4 seconds to turn off the system. If the power button is pressed for less than 4 seconds, the system will enter suspend mode.

Power Loading
Enables or disables dummy load. When the power supply is at low load, a self-protection will activate causing it to shutdown or fail. If this occurs, please set to Enabled. Auto lets the BIOS automatically configure this setting. (Default: Auto)
Resume by Alarm
Determines whether to power on the system at a desired time. (Default: Disabled) If enabled, set the date and time as following:
Wake up day: Turn on the system at a specific time on each day or on a specific day in a month.
Wake up hour/minute/second: Set the time at which the system will be powered on automatically.
Note: When using this function, avoid inadequate shutdown from the operating system or removal of the AC power, or the settings may not be effective.
RC6(Render Standby)
Allows you to determine whether to let the onboard graphics enter standby mode to decrease power consumption. (Default: Enabled)

Configuring a RAID Set

RAID Levels

Before you begin, please prepare the following items:

• At least two SATA hard drives or SSDs ^{(Note 1)} (to ensure optimal performance, it is recommended that you use two hard drives with identical model and capacity). ^{(Note 2)}
• A Windows setup disk.
• Motherboard driver disk.
• A USB thumb drive.

Configuring SATA Controllers

1. Installing hard drives
   Install the hard drives/SSDs in the Intel ® Chipset controlled connectors on the motherboard. Then connect the power connectors from your power supply to the hard drives.
2. Configuring SATA controller mode in BIOS
   Setup Make sure to configure the SATA controller mode correctly in system BIOS Setup.
   Steps:
   1. Turn on your computer and press <Delete> to enter BIOS Setup during the POST (Power-On Self-Test). Go to Peripherals\SATA And RST Configuration, make sure SATA Controller(s) is enabled. To create RAID, set SATA Mode Selection to Intel RST Premium With Intel Optane System Acceleration. Then save the settings and restart your computer.
   2. To use the EZ RAID feature, follow the steps in "C-1." To configure UEFI RAID, follow the steps in "C-2." To enter the legacy RAID ROM, refer to "C-3" for more information. Finally, save the settings and exit BIOS Setup.
      
      The BIOS Setup menus described in this section may differ from the exact settings for your motherboard. The actual BIOS Setup menu options you will see shall depend on the motherboard you have and the BIOS version.
3. 1. Using EZ RAID
      GIGABYTE motherboards provide you with the EZ RAID feature, allowing you to quickly configure a RAID array with simplified steps.
      Step:
      1. After restarting the computer, enter the BIOS Setup and go to Peripherals. Press <Enter> on the EZ RAID item. Select the type of hard drives you use for RAID in the Type tab and then press <Enter>.
      2. Go to the Mode tab to select a RAID level. RAID levels supported include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 5 (the selections available depend on the number of the hard drives being installed). Then press <Enter> to move to the Create tab. Click Proceed to begin
      3. After completing, you'll be brought back to the Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology screen. Under RAID Volumes you can see the new RAID volume. To see more detailed information, press <Enter> on the volume to check for information on RAID level, stripe block size, array name, and array capacity, etc.
   2. UEFI RAID Configuration
      Only Windows 10/8.1 64-bit supports UEFI RAID configuration.
      Step:
      1. In BIOS Setup, go to BIOS and set Windows 8/10 Features to Windows 8/10 and CSM Support to Disabled. Save the changes and exit BIOS Setup.
      2. After the system reboot, enter BIOS Setup again. Then enter the Peripherals\Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology sub-menu.
      3. On the Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology menu, press <Enter> on Create RAID Volume to enter the Create RAID Volume screen. Enter a volume name with 1~16 letters (letters cannot be special characters) under the Name item and press <Enter>. Then, select a RAID level. RAID levels supported include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 5 (the selections available depend on the number of the hard drives being installed). Next, use the down arrow key to move to Select Disks.
      4. Under Select Disks item, select the hard drives to be included in the RAID array. Press the <Space> key on the hard drives to be selected (selected hard drives are marked with "X"). Then set the stripe block size. The stripe block size can be set from 4 KB to 128 KB. Once you have selected the stripe block size, set the volume capacity.
      5. After setting the capacity, move to Create Volume and press <Enter> to begin.
      6. After completing, you'll be brought back to the Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology screen. Under RAID Volumes you can see the new RAID volume. To see more detailed information, press <Enter> on the volume to check for information on RAID level, stripe block size, array name, and array capacity, etc.
   3. Configuring Legacy RAID ROM
      Enter the Intel ® legacy RAID BIOS setup utility to configure a RAID array. Skip this step and proceed with the installation of Windows operating system for a non-RAID configuration.
      Step:

1. In BIOS Setup, go to BIOS and set CSM Support to Enabled and Storage Boot Option Control to Legacy. Save the changes and exit BIOS Setup. After the POST memory test begins and before the operating system boot begins, look for a message which says "Press <Ctrl-I> to enter Configuration Utility". Press <Ctrl> + <I> to enter the RAID Configuration Utility.
2. After you press <Ctrl> + <I>, the MAIN MENU screen will appear. If you want to create a RAID array, select Create RAID Volume in MAIN MENU and press <Enter>.
3. After entering the CREATE VOLUME MENU screen, enter a volume name with 1~16 letters (letters cannot be special characters) under the Name item and press <Enter>. Then, select a RAID level. RAID levels supported include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, and RAID 5 (the selections available depend on the number of the hard drives being installed). Press <Enter> to proceed.
4. Under Disks item, select the hard drives to be included in the RAID array. If only two hard drives are installed, they will be automatically assigned to the array. Set the stripe block size if necessary. The stripe block size can be set from 4 KB to 128 KB. Once you have selected the stripe block size, press <Enter>.
5. Enter the array capacity and press <Enter>. Finally press <Enter> on the Create Volume item to begin creating the RAID array. When prompted to confirm whether to create this volume, press <Y> to confirm or <N> to cancel.
6. When completed, you can see detailed information about the RAID array in the DISK/VOLUME INFORMATION section, including the RAID level, stripe block size, array name, and array capacity, etc. To exit the RAID BIOS utility, press <Esc> or select 6. Exit in MAIN MENU.

^{(Note 1)} An M.2 PCIe SSD cannot be used to set up a RAID set either with an M.2 SATA SSD or a SATA hard drive.
^{(Note 2)} Refer to "Internal Connectors," for the installation notices for the M.2 and SATA connectors.

Please visit GIGABYTE's website for details on configuring a RAID array.

Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System
With the correct BIOS settings, you are ready to install the operating system.

Installing the Operating System
As some operating systems already include Intel ® SATA RAID/AHCI driver, you do not need to install separate RAID/AHCI driver during the Windows installation process. After the operating system is installed, we recommend that you install all required drivers from the motherboard driver disk using "Xpress Install" to ensure system performance and compatibility. If the operating system to be installed requires that you provide additional SATA RAID/AHCI driver during the OS installation process, please refer to the steps below:

1. Copy the IRST folder under \Boot in the driver disk to your USB thumb drive.
2. Boot from the Windows setup disk and perform standard OS installation steps. When the screen requesting you to load the driver appears, select Browse.
3. Insert the USB thumb drive and then browse to the location of the driver. The locations of the drivers are as follows:
   Windows 32-bit: \iRST\f6flpy-x86
   Windows 64-bit: \iRST\f6flpy-x64
4. When a screen as shown, select Intel Chipset SATA RAID Controller and click Next to load the driver and continue the OS installation.

Drivers Installation

• Before installing the drivers, first install the operating system. (The following instructions use Windows 10 as the example operating system.)
• After installing the operating system, insert the motherboard driver disk into your optical drive. Click on the message "Tap to choose what happens with this disc" on the top-right corner of the screen and select "Run Run.exe." (Or go to My Computer, double-click the optical drive and execute the Run.exe program.)

"Xpress Install" will automatically scan your system and then list all of the drivers that are recommended to install. You can click the Xpress Install button and "Xpress Install" will install all of the selected drivers. Or click the arrow icon to individually install the drivers you need.

Please visit GIGABYTE's website for more software information.

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

Contact Us
GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Address: No.6, Baoqiang Rd., Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 231, Taiwan
TEL: +886-2-8912-4000, FAX: +886-2-8912-4005
Tech. and Non-Tech. Support (Sales/Marketing): http://esupport.gigabyte.com
WEB address (English): http://www.gigabyte.com
WEB address (Chinese): http://www.gigabyte.tw

• GIGABYTE eSupport
  To submit a technical or non-technical (Sales/Marketing) question, please link to: http://esupport.gigabyte.com
  

Copyright
© 2017 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. All rights reserved. The trademarks mentioned in this manual are legally registered to their respective owners.