Gigabyte Motherboard GA-970-Gaming (rev.1.0) User Manual - English (version 1001)
Summary
The GA-970 is a high-performance gaming motherboard designed for PC builders and enthusiasts. This comprehensive user manual serves as your essential guide to maximizing system potential. It covers everything from initial hardware installation—including CPU, memory, and expansion cards—to detailed BIOS setup. You will learn how to configure power management, check system information, set up RAID arrays, and manage drivers efficiently, ensuring a smooth building and optimization process for your gaming rig.
Page 1 Text Content
GA-970-Gaming
User's Manual Rev. 1001 12ME-970GM-1001R
For more product details, please visit GIGABYTE's website.
To reduce the impacts on global warming, the packaging materials of this product are recyclable and reusable. GIGABYTE works with you to protect the environment.
Page Summary Contents For Gigabyte Motherboard GA-970-Gaming (rev.1.0) User Manual - English (version 1001)
Page 1
GA-970-Gaming User's Manual Rev. 1001 12ME-970GM-1001R For more product details, please visit GIGABYTE's website. To reduce the impacts on global warming, the packaging materials of this product are r...
Page 2
Motherboard GA-970-Gaming Motherboard GA-970-Gaming Nov. 13, 2015 Nov. 13, 2015 Copyright © 2015 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. All rights reserved. The trademarks mentioned in this manual are legally...
Page 3
Table of Contents GA-970-Gaming Motherboard Layout .............................................................................4 Chapter 1 Hardware Installation .........................................
Page 4
GA-970-Gaming Motherboard Layout SYS_FAN1 CPU_FAN KB_MS_USB ATX_12V R_USB1 Socket AM3+ TYPEC PWR_FAN ASMedia® USB 3.1 Controller R_USB31 ATX R_USB30 USB_LAN1 AUDIO Rivet Networks Killer™ E2201 LAN AMD...
Page 5
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation 1-1 Installation Precautions The motherboard contains numerous delicate electronic circuits and components which can become damaged as a result of electrostatic dischar...
Page 6
1-2 Product Specifications CPU AM3+ Socket: AMD AM3+ FX processor AMD AM3 Phenom™ II processor/ AMD Athlon™ II processor (Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.) Hyper Transport 480...
Page 7
USB South Bridge: - 12 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports on the back panel, 6 ports available through the internal USB headers) VIA® VL805 chip: - 4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (2 ports on the back panel, 2 ports ...
Page 8
BIOS 2 x 32 Mbit flash Use of licensed AMI UEFI BIOS Support for Dual BIOS™ Pn P 1.0a, DMI 2.7, Wf M 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 5.0 Unique Features Support for APP Center * Available applications in APP C...
Page 9
1-3 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.) A...
Page 10
Dual Channel Memory Configurations Table DDR3_4 DDR3_2 DDR3_3 DDR3_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, "- -&qu...
Page 11
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. Connection/ Speed LED Activity LED Activit...
Page 12
1-7 Changing the Operational Amplifier Step 1: Use an IC extractor to carefully grip the IC's sides and extract it from the socket. Step 2: Align the notch on your OP chip with the notch on the socket...
Page 13
1-8 Internal Connectors 1) ATX_12V 9) F_AUDIO 2) ATX 10) SPDIF_O 3) CPU_FAN 11) GAIN 4) SYS_FAN1/2 12) F_USB30 5) PWR_FAN 13) F_USB1/F_USB2/F_USB3 6) SATA3 0/1/2/3/4/5 14) COMA 7) M2F_10G 15) BAT 8) F...
Page 14
DEBUG PORT DEBUG PORT 1/2) ATX_12V/ATX (2x4 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 component...
Page 15
DEBUG DEBUG PORT PORT 3/4/5) CPU_FAN/SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2/PWR_FAN (Fan Headers) The motherboard has a 4-pin CPU fan header (CPU_FAN), a 4-pin (SYS_FAN1) and a 3-pin (SYS_FAN2) system fan headers, and a 3...
Page 16
F_USB30 F_ U F_ F_ 7) M2F_10G (M.2 Socket 3 Connector) The M.2 connector supports M.2 SATA SSDs and M.2 PCIe SSDs. It can support SATA RAID configuration through the AMD South Bridge. Please note that...
Page 17
DE BU PO RT 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 ...
Page 18
F_ US B3 F_ F_ F_ 10) 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 mot...
Page 19
13) F_USB1/F_USB2/F_USB3 (USB 2.0/1.1 Headers) DEBUG PORT 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 op...
Page 20
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...
Page 21
2-1 Startup Screen The following startup Logo screen will appear when the computer boots. (Sample BIOS Version: E13) Function Keys On the main menu of the BIOS Setup program, press arrow keys to move ...
Page 22
M.I.T. Current Status This screen provides information on CPU/memory frequencies/parameters. Advanced Frequency Settings BCLK Clock Control Allows you to manually set the CPU base clock in 1 MHz incre...
Page 23
Core C6 State (Note 1) Allows you to determine whether to let the CPU enter C6 mode in system halt state. When enabled, the CPU core frequency will be reduced during system halt state to decrease powe...
Page 24
Channel A/B Timing Settings This sub-menu provides memory timing settings for each channel of memory. The respective timing setting screens are configurable only when DRAM Timing Selectable is set to ...
Page 25
Slope PWM Allows you to control the system fan speed. This item is configurable only when 1st System Fan Speed Control is set to Manual. Options are: 0.75 PWM value /o C ~ 2.50 PWM value /o C. 2-3 Sys...
Page 26
2-4 BIOS Features 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 o...
Page 27
CSM Support Enables or disables UEFI CSM (Compatibility Support Module) to support a legacy PC boot process. Always Enables UEFI CSM. (Default) Never Disables UEFI CSM and supports UEFI BIOS boot proc...
Page 28
To cancel the password, press <Enter> on the password item and when requested for the password, enter the correct one first. When prompted for a new password, press <Enter> without enterin...
Page 29
HD Audio Azalia Device 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 Disa...
Page 30
2-6 Power Management 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...
Page 31
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 ...
Page 32
Boot Override Allows you to select a device to boot immediately. Press <Enter> on the device you select and select Yes to confirm. Your system will restart automatically and boot from that devic...
Page 33
B. Configuring SATA controller mode in BIOS Setup Make sure to configure the SATA controller mode correctly in system BIOS Setup. For the BIOS Setup menus, refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," ...
Page 34
C-2. Configuring Legacy RAID ROM Enter the RAID BIOS setup utility to configure a RAID array. Skip this step if you do not want to create RAID array on the SATA controller. Steps: After the POST memor...
Page 35
3-2 Drivers Installation Before installing the drivers, first install the operating system. (The following instructions use Windows 8.1 as the example operating system.) After installing the operating...
Page 36
Regulatory Statements Regulatory Notices This document must not be copied without our written permission, and the contents there of must not be imparted to a third party nor be used for any unauthoriz...
Page 37
FCC Notice (U.S.A. Only) This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide rea...
Page 40
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/Market...
Manual Details
| Brand | GIGABYTE |
|---|---|
| Pages | 40 |
| File Size | 12.21 MB |
| Published | May 31, 2026 |
65 views
Enter the captcha to get the download link:
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I start setting up the product?
For quick setup, read the Quick Installation Guide included with the product and always carefully read the User's Manual for details.
Before updating my BIOS or seeking technical info, how do I check compatibility?
You must check your motherboard revision number, which is listed as "REV: X.X." on the physical board.
What should I do if the equipment causes harmful radio interference?
Try correcting the issue by reorienting the receiving antenna, increasing the distance between the equipment and receiver, or connecting it to a different electrical circuit.
Where can I find additional product details and technical support?
You can visit GIGABYTE's main website at http://www.gigabyte.com or submit questions through eSupport: http://esupport.gigabyte.com.