Internal Connectors

Before connecting cables to any of the internal headers or connectors, observe the precautions in “Before You Proceed”.  

Front Panel Audio Header (10-1 pin AAFP)

This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector.

USB 2.0 connector (10-1 pin USB910)

This connector is for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. This USB connector complies with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480 Mb/s connection speed.

USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector (U31G2_E3)

This connector allows you to connect a USB 3.1 Gen 2 module for additional USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports. The latest USB 3.1 Gen 2 connectivity provides data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps.  

USB 3.1 Gen 1 front connectors (20-1 pin U31G1_12; U31G1_34)

These connectors allow you to connect a USB 3.1 Gen 1 module for additional USB 3.1 Gen 1 front or rear panel ports. With an installed USB 3.1 Gen 1 module, you can enjoy all the benefits of USB 3.1 Gen 1 including faster data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gb/s, faster charging time for USB-chargeable devices,optimized power efficiency, and backward compatibility with USB 2.0.

The plugged USB 3.1 Gen 1 device may run on xHCI or EHCI mode depending on the operating system’s setting.

The USB 3.1 Gen 1 module is purchased separately.

Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)

This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports HD Audio.  Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector.

It is recommended that you connect a high-definition front panel module to this connector to avail of the motherboard's high-definition audio capability.

CPU, CPU optional, AIO pump, water pump+, extension, M.2 and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN; 4-pin CPU_OPT; 4-pin AIO_PUMP; 4-pin W_PUMP+; 4-pin M.2_FAN; 5-pin EXT_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN1-2)

Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! Do not place jumper caps on the fan connectors! Ensure that the CPU fan cable is securely installed to the CPU fan connector.

The CPU_FAN connector supports the CPU fan of maximum 1A (12 W) fan power. W_PUMP+ function support depends on a water cooling device. Connect the fan of your water cooling kit to the AIO_PUMP connector.

Intel Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_12, SATA6G_34, SATA6G_65, SATA6G_87)

These connectors connect to Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s hard disk drives using Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables.  You can create a RAID Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. A method of spreading information across several disks set up to act as a unit, using two different techniques: Disk striping: storing a bit of information across several discs (instead of storing it all on one disc and hoping that the disc doesn't crash). Disk mirroring: simultaneously storing a copy of information on another disc so that the information can be recovered if the main disc crashes. 0, 1, 5 or 10 configuration with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology through the onboard Intel X299 chipset.

These connectors are set to [AHCI Mode] by default. If you intend to create a Serial ATA RAID set using these connectors, set the SATA Mode item in the BIOS to [Intel RST Premium With Intel Optane System Acceleration (RAID)]. Refer to section 3.6.3 PCH Storage Configuration for details.

Serial Port Connector (10-1 pin COM)

These connectors are for the serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to this connector, then install the module in a slot opening at the back of the system.

ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR; 8-pin EATX12V_1; 4-pin EATX12V_2)

These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs.  The power plugs are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation.  Find the proper orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.

1. Observe the precautions in "Before You Proceed".

2. Connect the 12 V processor core voltage power supply cable to the 8-pin connector (A).

3. Connect the main power supply cable to the 2 x 12 pin connector (C).

DO NOT connect the 4-pin power plug only - the motherboard may overheat under heavy usage. Ensure to connect the 8-pin power plug, or connect both the 8-pin and 4-pin power plugs.

For a fully configured system, we recommend that you use a power supply unit (PSU) that complies with ATX 12 V Specification 2.0 (or later version) and provides a minimum power of 350 W. We recommend that you use a PSU with a higher power output when configuring a system with more power-consuming devices. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate. If you want to use two or more high-end PCI Express x16 cards, use a PSU with 1000W power or above to ensure the system stability.

M.2 sockets (M.2_1(Socket 3); M.2_2(Socket 3))

These sockets allow you to install M.2 SSD modules (purchased separately).

This socket support IRST (Intel Rapid Storage Technology). M.2_1 socket supports PCIe 3.0 x 4 and SATA mode M Key design and type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices. M.2_2 socket supports PCIe 3.0 x 4 M Key design and type 2242/2260/2280/22110 PCIe storage devices.

System panel connector (20-3 pin PANEL)

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

•        System power LED (2-pin or 3-1 PLED)

This 2-pin or 3-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.

•        Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDD_LED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD Activity LED cable to this connector. The HDD LED lights up or flashes when data is read from or written to the HDD.

•        System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

•        ATX power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWRSW)

This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode depending on the operating system settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.

•        Reset button (2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power.

• Chassis intrusion connector (2-1 pin CHASSIS)

This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. Connect one end of the chassis intrusion sensor or switch cable to this connector. The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to this connector when a chassis component is removed or replaced. The signal is then generated as a chassis intrusion event.

Thunderbolt header (5-pin TB_HEADER)

This connector is for the add-on Thunderbolt I/O card that supports Intel's Thunderbolt Technology, allowing you to connect up to six Thunderbolt-enabled devices and a DisplayPort enabled display in a daisy-chain configuration.

Thermal sensor connector (2-pin T_SENSOR)

This connector is for the thermistor cable that allows you to monitor the temperature of your motherboard’s critical components and connected devices.  Connect the thermistor cable and place the sensor on the device or the motherboard's component to detect its temperature.

The thermistor cable must be purchased separately.

VROC_HW_KEY connector (4-pin VROC_KEY)

This connector allows you to connect a KEY module to enable CPU RAID functions with Intel CPU RSTe.

The KEY module must be purchased separately. Due to CPU behaviour, CPU RAID functions with Intel CPU RSTe only supports Intel Core X-series Processors (6-core or above) and Intel SSD modules.