GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC (01) PDF Document

To identify the revision of your GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC motherboard, look for the revision number printed directly on the board. It will be in the format “REV: X.X”. For example, “REV: 1.0” indicates that the revision of the motherboard is 1.0. You should check this revision number before updating the motherboard BIOS, drivers, or when looking for technical information.

The box for the GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC motherboard contains the following items:

• Z790 UD AC motherboard

• User’s Manual

• Two antennas

• Two SATA cables

• M.2 screw

Please note that the box contents are for reference only and the actual items may be subject to change without notice.

When installing your GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC motherboard, please follow these precautions to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD) and other issues:

• Ensure your chassis is suitable for the motherboard before installation.

• Do not remove the motherboard’s S/N (Serial Number) sticker or warranty sticker.

• Always unplug the AC power cord from the outlet before installing or removing components.

• Ensure all hardware components are connected tightly and securely to the internal connectors.

• Avoid touching any metal leads or connectors when handling the motherboard.

• It is best to wear an ESD wrist strap. If you don’t have one, keep your hands dry and touch a metal object first to discharge static electricity.

• Place the motherboard on an antistatic pad or in an electrostatic shielding container before installation.

• Verify that the power supply voltage is set according to your local standard before turning on the power.

• Ensure all cables and power connectors are properly connected before use.

• To prevent damage, do not let screws touch the motherboard circuit or its components.

• Make sure there are no leftover screws or metal components on the motherboard or inside the computer case.

• Do not place the computer system on an uneven surface or in a high-temperature or wet environment.

• Turning on the power during the installation process can damage system components and cause physical harm.

• If you are uncertain about any steps, consult a certified computer technician.

The following are the key specifications for the GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC motherboard.

Before you begin to install the CPU on your GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC, please read the following guidelines:

• Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU you intend to install.

• Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent hardware damage.

• Locate pin one of the CPU. The CPU cannot be inserted if oriented incorrectly. You can also locate the notches on both sides of the CPU and align them with the 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, as overheating and damage to the CPU may occur.

• Set the CPU host frequency according to the CPU specifications. It is not recommended to set the system bus frequency beyond hardware specifications.

• Do not remove the CPU socket cover before inserting the CPU. It may pop off from the load plate automatically after you insert the CPU and close the load plate.

Follow these steps to correctly install the CPU and CPU Cooler on your GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC motherboard.

Installing the CPU:

1. Gently press the CPU socket lever handle down and away from the socket. Completely lift up the locking lever.

2. Use the finger tab on the side of the metal load plate to lift it open. The plastic protective cover will be attached to it.

3. Hold the CPU by its edges. Align the CPU’s pin one marking (a triangle) with the pin one corner of the CPU socket, or align the CPU notches with the socket alignment keys. Gently insert the CPU into position.

4. Once the CPU is properly seated, close the metal load plate. The plastic protective cover should pop off; remove it.

5. Secure the lever handle under its retention tab to complete the installation. Do not force the lever if the CPU is not installed correctly, as this could damage the CPU and the socket.

Installing the CPU Cooler:

1. Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the installed CPU.

2. Place the cooler on top of the CPU, aligning the four push pins with the pin holes on the motherboard.

3. Push down on the push pins diagonally to secure the cooler.

4. Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU cooler to the CPU fan header (CPU_FAN) on the motherboard.

Before installing memory, ensure the motherboard supports it and that you are using memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips for best performance. Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord first.

Dual Channel Memory Configuration:

The four memory sockets are divided into two channels: Channel A (DDR5_A1, DDR5_A2) and Channel B (DDR5_B1, DDR5_B2). Enabling Dual Channel mode doubles the memory bandwidth.

• Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one memory module is installed.

• When installing a single memory module, it is recommended to install it in the DDR5_A2 socket.

• When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four modules, it is recommended to use memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips.

The recommended configuration is as follows:

(SS=Single-Sided, DS=Double-Sided, “–“=No Memory)

Before installing, make sure your GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC supports the expansion card and always turn off and unplug the computer.

1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. For a single PCI Express graphics card, use the PCIEX16 slot for optimum performance. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back panel.

2. Align the card with the slot and press down firmly until it is fully seated.

3. Make sure the expansion card is securely in its slot.

4. Secure the card’s metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.

5. After installing all expansion cards, replace the chassis cover(s).

6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, enter BIOS Setup to make any required changes for your card(s).

7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating system.

• USB 2.0/1.1 Port (Q-Flash Plus Port): Use this port for USB devices. It is also the designated port for a USB flash drive when using the Q-Flash Plus feature.

• USB 2.0/1.1 Port: Standard ports for USB 2.0/1.1 devices.

• PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port: Use this port to connect a PS/2 mouse or keyboard.

• SMA Antenna Connectors (1T1R): Connect the included Wi-Fi antenna here. Tighten the antenna and aim it correctly for better signal reception.

• USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port: These ports support the USB 3.2 Gen 1 specification and are compatible with USB 2.0.

• DisplayPort: Connect a DisplayPort-supported monitor here. It supports a maximum resolution of 4096×2304@60 Hz.

• HDMI 2.0 Port: Connect an HDMI-supported monitor here. It is HDCP 2.3 compliant and supports a maximum resolution of 4096×2160@60 Hz.

• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A Port (Red): Supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2 specification and is compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 2.0 devices.

• USB Type-C® Port (with USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Support): This reversible port supports the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 specification and is compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 1, and USB 2.0.

• RJ-45 LAN Port: Provides Internet connection at up to 2.5 Gbps. The LED lights indicate connection speed and activity.

• Audio Jacks:

– Line In/Rear Speaker Out: Use for line in devices like an optical drive or walkman.

– Line Out/Front Speaker Out: The main line out jack.

– Mic In/Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out: The microphone input jack.

Audio Jack Configurations:

Quick Buttons

• RST_SW (Reset Button): This button allows you to quickly restart the computer, which is useful in an open-case environment for testing. The button can be remapped to perform other tasks via the BIOS setup.

• QFLASH_PLUS (Q-Flash Plus Button): This allows you to update the BIOS when the system is off (S5 shutdown state). Save the latest BIOS to a USB flash drive, plug it into the dedicated USB port (the one labeled Q-Flash Plus), and press this button to flash the BIOS automatically. The QFLED will flash during the process and stop when it is complete.

Status LEDs

The status LEDs indicate the status of key components during system power-on.

• CPU: If this LED is on, the CPU is not working normally.

• DRAM: If this LED is on, the memory is not working normally.

• VGA: If this LED is on, the graphics card is not working normally.

• BOOT: If this LED is on, it means you have not yet entered the operating system.

The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC has numerous internal headers for connecting components. Always ensure your computer is off and unplugged before connecting any devices.

• Power Connectors (ATX_12V, ATX): Connect the 2x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector for the CPU and the 24-pin ATX main power connector from your power supply. A power supply of 500W or greater is recommended.

• Fan Headers (CPU_FAN, CPU_OPT, SYS_FAN, SYS_FAN3_PUMP): Connect your CPU and system fans to these 4-pin headers. They possess a foolproof design; ensure the black wire (ground) is oriented correctly. CPU_OPT can be used for a water cooling CPU fan, and SYS_FAN3_PUMP can control a water cooling pump.

• LED Headers (LED_C1/C2, D_LED1/D2):

– For standard 5050 RGB LED strips (12V/G/R/B), connect to LED_C1 or LED_C2. The power pin (triangle on the plug) must connect to Pin 1 (12V).

– For standard 5050 addressable LED strips (5V), connect to D_LED1 or D_LED2. The power pin must connect to Pin 1 (5V).

• SATA3 Connectors: Connect your SATA 6Gb/s, 3Gb/s, or 1.5Gb/s devices (hard drives, SSDs) to these ports.

• M.2 Connectors (M2A_CPU, M2P_SB, M2Q_SB): This motherboard supports M.2 PCIe SSDs. Insert the M.2 SSD into the connector at an angle, press it down, and secure it with the included screw.

• Front Panel Header (F_PANEL): Connect the power switch (PW), reset switch (RES), power LED (PLED), hard drive activity LED (HD), and speaker (SPEAK) from your chassis to this header. Pay attention to the positive and negative pin assignments.

• Audio Header (F_AUDIO): Connect your chassis’ front panel audio module here. This header supports High Definition (HD) audio.

• USB Headers (F_U32C, F_U32, F_USB1/F_USB2): Connect front panel USB ports or USB brackets to these headers. F_U32C is for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port. F_U32 is for two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. F_USB1/F_USB2 are for USB 2.0/1.1 ports.

• Other Headers: The motherboard also includes headers for S/PDIF Out (SPDIF_O), Serial Port (COM), Trusted Platform Module (SPI_TPM), and Thunderbolt™ Add-in Cards (THB_C1/C2).

Clearing the CMOS (CLR_CMOS Jumper)

This procedure resets the BIOS configuration to factory defaults.

1. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet.

2. Locate the CLR_CMOS jumper on the motherboard. It consists of two pins.

3. Use a metal object, like a screwdriver, to touch both pins simultaneously for a few seconds. This will short the jumper and clear the CMOS values.

4. After clearing the CMOS, you may need to enter BIOS Setup on the next boot to load optimized defaults or reconfigure your settings.

Replacing the Battery (BAT)

The battery provides power to the CMOS to retain BIOS settings when the computer is off. Replace it if the values are not accurate or are lost.

1. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Gently remove the battery from the battery holder. You can also clear the CMOS by leaving the battery out for one minute.

3. Replace the battery with an equivalent model. Ensure the new battery is installed with the positive side (+) facing up.

4. Plug in the power cord and restart your computer.

Important: Always handle used batteries in accordance with local environmental regulations.

BIOS flashing can be risky and should be done with caution. Here are some key points:

• If your system is running without problems, it is recommended that you do not flash the BIOS. Inadequate BIOS flashing can result in system malfunction.

• It is recommended that you do not alter the default BIOS settings unless necessary, as doing so can cause system instability or failure to boot.

• If an alteration of settings causes the system to fail to boot, try to clear the CMOS values to reset the board to its default settings.

• The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC supports two utilities for upgrading the BIOS: Q-Flash (from within the BIOS) and Q-Flash Plus (when the system is powered off).

When the startup Logo screen appears after you turn on your computer, you can use the following function keys:

• <DEL>: BIOS SETUP / Q-FLASH

Press the <Delete> key to enter the main BIOS Setup menu or to access the Q-Flash utility from within the BIOS.

• <F12>: BOOT MENU

Pressing <F12> opens the Boot Menu, which allows you to select the first boot device for the current session without changing the permanent settings in the BIOS. Use the arrow keys to select a device and press <Enter>. This setting is for one time only.

• <END>: Q-FLASH

Press the <End> key to access the Q-Flash utility directly, without having to enter the BIOS Setup menu first.

After you install the operating system, a dialog box should appear on the bottom-right corner of the desktop asking if you want to download and install drivers and applications via GIGABYTE Control Center (GCC). For this to work, ensure the “Gigabyte Utilities Downloader” option in the BIOS Setup is set to Enabled.

1. Click Install in the dialog box to proceed.

2. When the End User License Agreement appears, press <Accept> to install GCC.

3. On the GIGABYTE CONTROL CENTER screen, a list of available drivers and applications will be displayed. Select the items you want to install.

4. Click Install to begin the download and installation process. Make sure your system is connected to the Internet before you start.

The GIGABYTE Z790 UD AC motherboard supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10 for both NVMe SSD and SATA storage devices. Before you begin configuring a RAID array, you will need SATA hard drives or SSDs, a Windows setup disc, an Internet-connected computer, and a USB thumb drive. Please note that an M.2 PCIe SSD cannot be used to create a RAID set with a SATA hard drive.

The requirements for each RAID level are as follows:

For optimal performance, it is recommended that you use hard drives of identical model and capacity.