Question 1

Newegg specs say PCIe 3.0 X16 times 2. MSI website says PCIe X16 3.0 + PCIe X16 2.0. Which is correct?

Accepted Answer

I am using a PCIx x16 2.0 in the second slot with no issues. I think the first slot is x16 3.0. I have read that when running SLI that it uses both slots at 2.0, but I can't confirm that. You're probably better off reading from MSI's website and downloading the user manual.

Question 2

How do you clear CMOS on this motherboard? The manual says it has a jumper and i've located it, but its not like any other jumper i've seen. It's a 2prong and there isnt a plastic case around it.

Accepted Answer

You can short the pins using a metal screwdriver.
If you'd prefer, you can also clear the CMOS by removing the battery.

Question 3

Can you overclock the CPU and or GPU with this board?

Accepted Answer

Yes this is a "Z" board so it supports overclocking of the CPU. GPU overclocking is GPU dependent and is not affected by the motherboard. You should refer to your GPUs manufacturer for GPU overclocking instructions.

Question 4

Will a 212 evo fit nicely on this mobo?

Accepted Answer

Yes it does.  212 EVO will fit this socket.  I purchased this mobo and 212 EVO.  I was able to install the 212 facing either way, with exhaust blowing out the back, and out the top of the case, it fits both ways, and still has clearance for RAM prvided you don't have tell heat spreaders on your RAM.  My RAM came with low profile heat spreaders and they fit nicely.

Question 5

Is this motherboard compatable with the MSI Gtx 960 100me?

Accepted Answer

I assume it is. the GTX 960 is a PCIe 3.0 card and the MSI board uses a PCIe 3.0 for its main GPU slot. even then you can use a PCIe 2.0 in a PCIe 3.0 slot and vice versa, they just run as fast as the slowest component (which ever is 2.0).

so the answer is yes, more than likely

Question 6

There is a 8-pin CPU power connector. My power supply is an older model. Can I plug in a 4-pin power connector to this 8-pin CPU power connector?

Accepted Answer

The 8 pin is just 2 4 pins together so yes but you need two of them.

Question 7

Only 2 sata connectors? or 4? If 2, how can I connect an SSD, normal hd, and a cd/dvd drive?

Accepted Answer

It has 6 SATA connectors

Question 8

Hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me if this board can support dual monitors, 1 via hdmi and 1 via vga? How about 3 monitors? Also, is the fact that it only has 1 pci-e slot limiting in any way? I can still use the newest best gfx cards out there right... Lastly how is the audio quality since it's all analog I assume it isn't as good as could be like if an external DAC was used? I really appreciate any responses. Thanks.

Accepted Answer

Not SLI or Crossfire capable, but the single PCI-E X16 slot is working at full speed and is fully functional. I have a Sapphire R9-280X TOXIC card in mine and it's gaming well. My CPU is the i5-4690K with 16GB of RAM.

The audio is a Realtek ALC892 chip and is digital, with analog style connectors. It sounds good if you have good speakers.

Question 9

Does the board come with the M.2 to Sata E converter?  The manual doesn't say and the website says they have them "available."

Accepted Answer

As far as I can remember, no.  Sorry

Question 10

this board supports quad channel? i mean, it will support 4 modules of 8gb each one

Accepted Answer

It only supports dual-channel. That being said you can still  use four sticks of 8gb ram without a problem. It will run two sets of ram in dual channel.

Brand	MSI
Model	Z97 U3 Plus

CPU Socket Type	LGA 1150
CPU Type	Celeron / Core i3 / Core i5 / Core i7 / Intel Core 4th Gen (LGA 1150) / Intel Core 5th Gen (LGA 1150) / Pentium / Xeon (LGA1150)

Number of Memory Slots	4x240pin
Memory Standard	DDR3 3300(OC)/3200(OC)/3100(OC)/3000(OC)/2800(OC)/2600(OC)/2200(OC)/2133(OC)/1866(OC)/1600/1333/1066
Maximum Memory Supported	32GB
Channel Supported	Dual Channel

PCI Express 3.0 x16	1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (PCI_E2, supports x16)
PCI Express 2.0 x16	1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (PCI_E4, supports x4)*
PCI Express x1	2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots* * The PCIe 2.0 x1 slots will be unavailable when the PCI_E4 slot has been installed.
PCI Slots	3 x PCI Slots

Serial ATA (SATA)	6 x SATA 6Gb/s
M.2	1 x M.2
SATA RAID	0/1/5/10

MSI Z97 U3 Plus LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

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PS/2	1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse port
Video Ports	1 x DVI-D port 1 x VGA port
HDMI	1 x HDMI
RJ45	1 x RJ45
USB 3.0	8 x USB 3.0
USB 1.1/2.0	2 x USB 2.0
Audio Ports	6 Ports

Onboard USB	4 x USB 3.0 + 4 x USB 2.0
Other Connectors	- 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector - 1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector - 2 x 4-pin CPU fan connectors - 3 x 4-pin system fan connectors - 1 x TPM module connector - 1 x Serial port connector - 1 x Parallel port connector - 1 x Front panel audio connector - 2 x System panel connectors - 1 x Chassis Intrusion connector - 1 x Clear CMOS jumper

Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset	Realtek ALC892
Audio Channels	7.1 Channels

Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset	Realtek 8111G
Max LAN Speed	1Gbps

Physical Spec
Form Factor	ATX
Dimensions (W x L)	12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin	24 Pin

Item#: N82E16813130777