Crosshair
Contents
Notices......................................................................................................... vi
Safety information ..................................................................................... vii
About this guide ....................................................................................... viii
Crosshair specifications summary............................................................ x
Chapter 1:
Product introduction
1.1
1.2
1.3
Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
Special features............................................................................ 1-2
1.3.1
1.3.2
Product highlights ........................................................... 1-2
ASUS Unique features .................................................. 1-5
Chapter 2:
Hardware information
2.1
2.2
Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1
Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-2
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.2.4
2.2.5
Placement direction ........................................................ 2-2
Screw holes .................................................................... 2-2
Motherboard layout......................................................... 2-3
Audio card layout ............................................................ 2-3
Layout contents............................................................... 2-4
2.3
2.4
Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-6
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.3.3
Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-6
Installing the heatsink and fan ........................................ 2-8
Installing the optional fan ...............................................2-11
System memory ......................................................................... 2-12
2.4.1
2.4.2
2.4.3
2.4.4
Overview....................................................................... 2-12
Memory configurations.................................................. 2-12
Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-19
Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-19
2.5
Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-20
2.5.1
2.5.2
2.5.3
2.5.4
2.5.5
2.5.6
Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-20
Configuring an expansion card ..................................... 2-20
Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-21
PCI slots........................................................................ 2-22
PCI Express x4 slot....................................................... 2-22
PCI Express x16 slots................................................... 2-22
iii
Contents
2.6
2.7
Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-23
Audio Card and EL I/O Installation........................................... 2-24
2.7.1
2.7.2
Audio Card Installation.................................................. 2-24
EL I/O Installation.......................................................... 2-24
2.8
Connectors ................................................................................. 2-25
2.8.1
2.8.2
2.8.3
Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-25
Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-28
Onboard switches ......................................................... 2-35
Chapter 3:
Powering up
3.1
Starting up for the first time........................................................ 3-1
3.2
Powering off the computer.......................................................... 3-2
3.2.1
3.2.2
Using the OS shut down function.................................... 3-2
Using the dual function power switch.............................. 3-2
Chapter 4:
4.1
BIOS setup
Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.3
4.1.4
4.1.5
4.1.6
ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 4-1
Creating a bootable floppy disk....................................... 4-4
ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 4-5
Updating the BIOS.......................................................... 4-6
Saving the current BIOS file............................................ 4-8
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-9
4.2
BIOS setup program .................................................................. 4-10
4.2.1
4.2.2
4.2.3
4.2.4
4.2.5
4.2.6
4.2.7
4.2.8
BIOS menu screen.........................................................4-11
Menu bar........................................................................4-11
Legend bar.................................................................... 4-12
Menu items ................................................................... 4-12
Sub-menu items............................................................ 4-12
Configuration fields ....................................................... 4-12
Pop-up window ............................................................. 4-13
General help ................................................................. 4-13
4.3
Main menu .................................................................................. 4-14
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.3.3
4.3.4
4.3.5
System Time ................................................................ 4-14
System Date ................................................................ 4-14
Language ..................................................................... 4-14
Legacy Diskette A ........................................................ 4-14
Primary IDE Master/Slave............................................. 4-15
iv
Contents
4.3.6
4.3.7
4.3.8
4.3.9
SATA 1/2/3/4/5/6 .......................................................... 4-17
HDD SMART Monitoring .............................................. 4-18
Installed Memory........................................................... 4-18
Usable Memory............................................................. 4-18
4.4
Extreme Tweaker menu ............................................................. 4-19
4.4.1
4.4.2
4.4.3
4.4.4
4.4.5
4.4.6
4.4.7
4.4.8
LinkBoost ...................................................................... 4-19
AI Tuning....................................................................... 4-19
DRAM Configuration..................................................... 4-23
SLI-Ready Memory....................................................... 4-28
SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC......................................... 4-28
AMD Live! ..................................................................... 4-28
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Function......................................... 4-28
NVIDIA GPU Ex ............................................................ 4-28
4.5
4.6
4.7
Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-29
4.5.1
4.5.2
4.5.3
4.5.4
AI NET2 ........................................................................ 4-29
PEG Link Mode............................................................. 4-30
PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-30
Onboard Device Configuration...................................... 4-31
Power menu................................................................................ 4-35
4.6.1
4.6.2
4.6.3
4.6.4
ACPI Suspend Type ..................................................... 4-35
ACPI APIC Support....................................................... 4-35
APM Configuration........................................................ 4-36
Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-37
Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-41
4.7.1
4.7.2
4.7.3
4.7.4
4.7.5
Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-41
Removable Drives......................................................... 4-42
Hard Disk Drives........................................................... 4-42
Boot Settings Configuration ......................................... 4-43
Security......................................................................... 4-44
4.8
4.9
Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-46
4.8.1
4.8.2
4.8.3
ASUS Music Alarm........................................................ 4-46
ASUS O.C. Profile......................................................... 4-47
ASUS EZ Flash 2.......................................................... 4-49
Exit menu.................................................................................... 4-50
v
Contents
Chapter 5:
Software support
5.1
5.2
Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1
Support DVD information............................................................ 5-1
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
5.2.5
5.2.6
5.2.7
Running the support DVD............................................... 5-1
Drivers menu................................................................... 5-2
Utilities menu .................................................................. 5-3
Make Disk menu ............................................................. 5-5
Manuals menu ................................................................ 5-6
ASUS Contact information.............................................. 5-6
Other information ............................................................ 5-7
5.3
Software information ................................................................... 5-9
5.3.1
5.3.2
5.3.3
5.3.4
ASUS MyLogo3 .............................................................. 5-9
SoundMAX ADI1988......................................................5-11
Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology.......................................... 5-16
ASUS PC Probe II......................................................... 5-18
5.4
RAID configurations .................................................................. 5-24
5.4.1
5.4.2
NVIDIA® MediaShield RAID configurations.................. 5-25
Silicon Image RAID configurations ............................... 5-32
5.5
Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 5-40
Chapter 6:
NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support
6.1
6.2
Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1
Dual graphics card setup ............................................................ 6-2
6.2.1
6.2.2
6.2.3
Installing SLI-ready graphics cards................................. 6-2
Installing the device drivers............................................. 6-5
Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows® ................ 6-5
Appendix:
A.1
Debug Code
Debug code table .........................................................................A-1
vi
Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
•
•
This device may not cause harmful interference, and
This device must accept any interference received including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
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 reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
•
•
•
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
•
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is
required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications
to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian
ICES-003.
vii
Safety information
Electrical safety
•
To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the
electrical outlet before relocating the system.
•
When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the
power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are
connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system
before you add a device.
•
•
•
Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure
that all power cables are unplugged.
Seek professional assistance before using an adpater or extension cord.
These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.
Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area.
If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using,
contact your local power company.
•
If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a
qualified service technician or your retailer.
Operation safety
•
Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all
the manuals that came with the package.
•
Handle the product with caution. Some sharp edges and points might cause
physical injury. Installing the motherboard with cut or puncture resistant gloves
is highly recommended.
•
Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the
power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer
immediately.
•
•
To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.
Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in
any area where it may become wet.
•
•
Place the product on a stable surface.
If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified
service technician or your retailer.
viii
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring
the motherboard.
How this guide is organized
This guide contains the following parts:
•
Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technology it supports.
•
Chapter 2: Hardware information
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components. It includes description of the switches,
jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.
•
•
•
Chapter 3: Powering up
This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down
the system.
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
Chapter 5: Software support
This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the
motherboard package.
•
•
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support
This chapter tells ow to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards.
Appendix: Debug Code
This appendix explains the debug code on the LCD poster.
Where to find more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and
software updates.
1.
2.
ASUS websites
The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and
software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.
Optional documentation
Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty
flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not
part of the standard package.
ix
Conventions used in this guide
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following
symbols used throughout this manual.
DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself
when trying to complete a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components
when trying to complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a
task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a
task.
Typography
Bold text
Italics
Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
<Key>
Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign
means that you must press the enclosed key.
Example: <Enter> means that you must press the
Enter or Return key.
<Key1+Key2+Key3>
If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the
key names are linked with a plus sign (+).
Example: <Ctrl+Alt+D>
Command
Means that you must type the command exactly
as shown, then supply the required item or value
enclosed in brackets.
Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line:
format A: /S
x
Crosshair specifications summary
CPU
Support AMD® Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX /
Athlon 64/ Sempron
AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology
AMD64 architecture enables simultaneous 32-bit and
64-bit computing
AMD Live!™ Ready
Chipset
NVIDIA nForce® 590 SLI™ MCP
NVIDIA LinkBoost™ Technology
System bus
Memory
2000 / 1600 MT/s
Dual channel memory architecture
4 x DIMM, max. 8GB, DDR2-800/667/533, ECC and non-
ECC, un-buffered memory
Expansion slots
2 x PCI Express x16 slot with NVIDIA® SLI™ technology
support, at full x16, x16 speed
1 x PCI Express x4
3 x PCI 2.2
Scalable Link Interface
(SLI™)
Support two identical NVIDIA SLI-Ready graphics cards
(both at x16 mode)
ASUS two-slot thermal design
ASUS PEG Link
High Definition Audio
SupremeFX Audio Card
featuring ADI 1988B 8-channel High Definition Audio
CODEC
Support Jack-Sensing, Enumeration, Multi-streaming and
Jack-Retasking
8 channel audio ports
Coaxial, Optical S/PDIF out on back I/O port
* ASUS Array Mic
* Noise Filter
Storage
NVIDIA nForce® 590 SLI™ MCP supports:
* 1 x Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33
* 6 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ
* NVIDIA MediaShield™ RAID supports RAID 0, 1, 0+1,
5 and JBOD span cross Serial ATA drives
Silicon Image® 3132 SATA controller supports:
* 2 x External Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s port on back I/O (SATA
On-the-Go)
* Support RAID 0, 1, JBOD, RAID 0+1(10) and 5 through
multiplier
(continued on the next page)
xi
Crosshair specifications summary
Dual Gigabit LAN
Dual Gigabit LAN controllers support NVIDIA DualNet®
technology
NVIDIA nForce® 590 SLI™ MCP built-in dual Gigabit
MAC with external Marvell PHY
* Support Teaming and fail-over functions
* Support TCP/IP Acceleration
IEEE 1394
USB
TI 1394 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports
max. 10 USB2.0/1.1 ports
ASUS Exclusive
Overclocking features
Intelligent overclocking tools:
* ASUS AI NOS™ (Non-delay Overclocking System)
* AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)
* AI Clock Skew
* ASUS PEG Link - automatically performance tuning for
graphics cards
* ASUS O.C. Profile: overclocking configuration-sharing
tool
* Extreme Tweaker
* ASUS AI Booster Utility
* Adjustable FSB/DDR2 ratio. Fixed PCI/PCIe
frequencies.
Overclocking Protection:
* ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
ASUS Unique features
LCD Poster
EL I/O
Onboard LED
Onboard switches: Power / Reset / Clr CMOS
Q-Connector
Q-Fan Plus
ASUS CrashFree BIOS3
ASUS EZ Flash2
ASUS Music Alarm
ASUS MyLogo3
AI NET2
Multi-language BIOS
Rear panel I/O Ports
1 x PS/2 Keyboard port
1 x PS/2 Mouses
1 x Optical + 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Output
2 x External SATA
2 x LAN (RJ45) port
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x IEEE 1394a port
1 x onboard LED switch
1 x LCD Poster
BIOS features
8Mb AWARD BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
(continued on the next page)
xii
Crosshair specifications summary
Internal connectors
3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 6 USB 2.0
ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector for two devices
6 x SATA connectors
1 x CPU / 7 x option Fan
3 x thermal sensor connector
1 x IEEE1394a connector
1 x S/PDIF output connector
Chassis Intrusion connector
Front Panel Audio connector
24-pin ATX Power connector
8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
System panel connector
1 x EL I/O Shield connector
Manageability
WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chasis Intrusion, PXE
Power requirements
ATX power supply (with 24-pin and 8-pin 12 V plugs)
ATX 12 V 2.0 compliant
Support DVD contents
Drivers
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update
ASUS AI Booster
Futuremark ® 3DMark® 06 Advanced Edition
NVIDIA MediaShield™ RAID
Kaspersky® Anti-Virus
Accessories
1 x SLI bridge
1 x ASUS Array Mic
1 x ASUS Optional Fan
1 x ASUS Q-Connector Kit (system panel; Retail version
only)
3 x Thermo sensor cables
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable
1 x Floppy disk drive cable
6 x SATA cables
7 x Cable ties
3 x SATA power cable for 6 devices
1 x 2-port USB2.0 module
1 x IEEE1394a module
1 x EL I/O Shield
InterVideo® Media Launcher (OEM version only)
User's manual
Form factor
ATX Form Factor, 12”x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.5cm)
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.
xiii
xiv
This chapter describes the motherboard
features and the new technologies
it supports.
Product
1
introduction
Chapter summary
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
Special features............................................................................ 1-2
ASUS Crosshair
1.1
Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS® Crosshair motherboard!
The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it
another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!
Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the
items in your package with the list below.
1.2
Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
Motherboard
I/O modules
ASUS Crosshair motherboard
USB 2.0 module
IEEE 1394a module
Cables
Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable
Floppy disk drive cable
Serial ATA cables
Serial ATA power cables
Thermal sensor cables
Accessories
I/O shield with EL
ASUS SLI Bridge
Optional fan for water-cooling/passive cooling only
Application CD
Documentation
ASUS motherboard support DVD
Intervideo® WinDVD Suite (OEM version)
User guide
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
ASUS Crosshair
1-1
1.3
Special features
1.3.1
Product highlights
Latest processor technology
The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket that supports AMD Athlon™
64 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ processor. With an integrated low-
latency high-bandwidth memory controller and a highly scalable HyperTransport™
technology-based system bus, the motherboard provides a powerful platform for
your diverse computing needs, increased office productivity, and enhanced digital
media experience. See page 2-6for details.
NVIDIA® nForce® 590-SLI chipset
The NVIDIA® nForce 590-SLI chipset supports the NVIDIA® Scalable Link Interface
(SLI™) technology that allows two graphics processing units (GPUs) in a single
system. This technology takes advantage of the PCI Express™ bus architecture
and features intelligent hardware and software solutions that allows multiple GPUs
to work together and achieve exceptional graphics performance. See Chapter 6 for
details. The NVIDIA® nForce 590-SLI chipset also supports six (6) Serial ATA 3.0
Gb/s devices, dual PCI Express™ x16 slots at with NVIDIA® SLI™ support at full
x16, x16 mode, and up to 10 USB 2.0 ports.
64-bit CPU support
The motherboard supports 64-bit computing, which is the next generation
technology to replace the current 32-bit architecture. The 64-bit architecture
delivers advanced system performance, faster memory access, and increased
productivity. This motherboard provides excellent compatibility and flexibility by
support either 64-bit or 32-bit architecture. See page 2-6 for details.
DDR2 memory support
The motherboard supports DDR2 memory that features data transfer rates of 800
MHz, 667 MHz or 533 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the
latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR2
architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system
performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidths of up to 10.7 GB/s.
See pages 2-12 to 2-16 for details.
1-2
Chapter 1: Product introduction
PCI Express™ interface
The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect technology
that speeds up the PCI bus. PCI Express features point-to-point serial
interconnections between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data
in packets. This high speed interface is software compatible with existing PCI
specifications. See page 2-20 for details.
Serial ATA I/II technology and SATA-On-The-Go
The motherboard fully supports the Serial ATA II 3.0 Gb/s technology through the
Serial ATA interfaces and the NVIDIA® NF590-SLI chipset. The Serial ATA 3 Gb/s
specification provides twice the bandwidth of the current Serial ATA products with
a host of new features, including Nativa Command Queueing (NCQ), and Power
Management (PM) Implementation Algorithm. Serial ATA allows for thinner, more
flexible cables with lower pin count and reduced voltage required. Leveraging
these Serial ATA 3Gb/s features is the SATA-On-The-Go. Supported by the
Silicon Image Sil3132 Serial ATA controller, external SATA ports on the rear panel
I/O provide smart setup, hot-plug and support for up to 16 devices per port with
port-multiplier functions. See pages 2-23 and 2-27 for details.
Dual RAID solution
Onboard RAID controllers provide the motherboard with dual-RAID functionality
that allows you to select the best RAID solution using IDE or Serial ATA devices.
The NVIDIA® NF590-SLI chipset allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and
JBOD configuration for six SATA 3.0 Gb/s. See pages 2-27 and 5-24.
The Silicon Image® 3132 controller supports two additional external Serial ATA
3.0 Gb/s ports on the rear panel and allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5
through port multiplier and JBOD configurations on these ports. See pages 2-23
and 5-31 for details.
IEEE 1394a support
The IEEE 1394a interface provides high-speed and flexible PC connectivity to
a wide range of peripherals and devices compliant to the IEEE 1394a standard.
The IEEE 1394a interface allows up to 400 Mbps transfer rates through simple,
low-cost, high-bandwidth asynchronous (real-time) data interfacing between
computers, peripherals, and consumer electronic devices such as camcorders,
VCRs, printers, TVs, and digital cameras. See pages 2-22 and 2-28 for details.
ASUS Crosshair
1-3
S/PDIF digital sound ready
The motherboard supports the S/PDIF technology through the S/PDIF interfaces
on the rear panel. The S/PDIF technology turns your computer into a high-end
entertainment system with digital connectivity to powerful audio and speaker
systems. See page 2-25 for details.
USB 2.0 technology
The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specification,
dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB
1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.
See pages 2-25 and 2-28 for details.
Dual Gigabit LAN solution
The motherboard comes with dual Gigabit LAN controllers to provide the total
solution for your networking needs. These network controllers use the PCI Express
segment to provide faster data bandwidth for your wired or wireless Internet, LAN,
and file sharing requirements. See page 2-23 for details.
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology
The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology, which monitors
system operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool
and quiet operating environment.
1-4
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.3.2
ASUS Unique features
8-Phase Power Design
The ASUS 8-Phase Power Design prolongs CPU lifespan and keeps the system stable by
preventing high power stress to the CPU and power supply module. The design ensures high
efficiency operation to generate less heat compared with conventional power solutions, thus
achieving cool system environment and making this motherboard ideal for overclocking.
Fanless Design
The ASUS fanless design allows multi-directional heat flow from major thermal
sources in the motherboard to lower overall system temperature, resulting in
quieter operation and longer system life. ASUS has devoted special efforts to
address the thermal issues across the motherboard, and most notably in the
following areas: CPU, power, VGA, Northbridge and Southbridge. The heat pipe,
heatsink, and strategic board layout were tailor made to dissipate heat in the most
efficient manner.
PEG Link Mode for two graphics cards
This feature enhances your PCI Express graphics card performance. It allows the
motherboard to automatically adjust the PCI Express graphics link mode to the
correct frequency based on the system configuration. Four additional settings are
available for overclocking the PEG Link Mode. See page 4-24 for details.
ASUS Two-slot thermal design
The motherboard is designed with one PCI slot
and one PCIEx4 slot placed between the PCI Express
x16 slots, allowing increased airflow between the two PCI
Express x16 graphics cards. This special design permits more
room for ventilation, thus lowering the overall system
temperature.
AI NOS™ (Non-Delay Overclocking System)
ASUS Non-delay Overclocking System™ (NOS) is a technology that auto-detects
the CPU loading and dynamically overclocks the CPU speed only when needed.
See page 4-20 for details.
ASUS Crosshair
1-5
AI NET 2
AI NET 2 is a BIOS-based diagnostic tool that detects and reports Ethernet cable
faults and shorts. With this utility, you can easily monitor the condition of the
Ethernet cable(s) connected to the Marvell® LAN (RJ-45) port. During the bootup
process, AI NET 2 immediately diagnoses the LAN cable and reports shorts and
faults up to 100 meters at 1 meter accuracy. See pages 4-23 and 5-11 for details.
Extreme Tweaker
This feature allows you to fine tune the CPU/memory voltage and gradually
increase the memory Front Side Bus (FSB) and PCI Express frequency at 1MHz
increment to achieve maximum system performance.
Optional fan (for water-cooling/passive-cooling only)
The optional fan is specifically designed to provide sufficient airflow over the CPU
power modules and chipset area when water-cooling or passive-cooling is utilized,
ensuring effective heat dissipation for the entire system. See page 2-11 for details.
ASUS Q-Connector
The ASUS Q-Connector allows you to connect or disconnect chassis front panel
cables in one easy step. This unique adapter eliminates the trouble of plugging in
one cable at a time, making connection quick and error-free. See pages 2-34 for
details.
ASUS LCD Poster
The LCD Poster displays actual boot error messages instead of codes that other
debug cards show. This unique feature allows you to easily find out which devices
fail during the boot process, eliminating guesswork and allowing you to solve the
problem immediately.
Onboard LEDs
This motherboard features onboard LEDs located near connector labels, allowing
you to connect cables and devices without a flashlight. With this ASUS-patented
feature, you can easily identify connector locations to make sure that cables and
devices are plugged in and installed correctly.
1-6
Chapter 1: Product introduction
Onboard Switches
A power-on button, a resetbutton, and a clear CMOS button are onboard to provide
overclockers and gamers the convenience of fine-tuning performance when
working on a bare (open-case) system. Press the power-on button to wake up
the system, the reset button to reboot, and the clear CMOS button to clear setup
information when the system hangs due to overclocking. See page 2-34 for details.
CrashFree BIOS 3
This feature allows you to restore the original BIOS data from the support DVD in
case the BIOS codes and data are corrupted. This protection eliminates the need
to buy a replacement ROM chip. See page 4-9 for details.
ASUS Q-Fan plus technology
The ASUS Q-Fan plus technology smartly adjusts the CPU and chassis fan
1 speeds according to the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efficient
operation. See page 4-40 for details.
ASUS Multi-language BIOS
The multi-language BIOS allows you to select the language of your choice from the
available options. The localized BIOS menus allow easier and faster configuration.
See page 4-14 for details.
ASUS MyLogo3
This new feature present in the motherboard allows you to personalize and add
style to your system with customizable boot logos. See page 5-9 for details.
ASUS Crosshair
1-7
C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
The C.P.R. feature of the motherboard BIOS allows automatic re-setting to the
BIOS default settings in case the system hangs due to overclocking. When the
system hangs due to overclocking, C.P.R. eliminates the need to open the system
chassis and clear the RTC data. Simply shut down and reboot the system, and the
BIOS automatically restores the CPU default setting for each parameter.
Supreme FX features
This feature can enhance speech-centric applications like Skype, online game,
video conference and recording.
ASUS Array Mic
The Bundled Superbeam Array Microphone receives only the sound
coming from the reception cone and ignores the sounds coming from other
directions. This mechanism eliminates a large number of interferences,
including neighboring speakers and reverberations. It also uses advanced
de-reverberation techniques to reduce echo and minimize its effect on the
speech engine. This feature can enchance speech-centric applications like
Skype, online game, video conference, and recording. See page 5-15 for
details.
Noise Filter
This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises (non-voice signals) like
computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates
it in the incoming audio stream while recording. See page 5-15 for details.
DTS® Connect
This feature is consists of two elements: DTS interactive and DTS NEO:PC.
DTS interactive re-encodes your stereo or multi-channel sound into a DTS
audio signal and send it out from your PC to any DTS enabled system. While
DTS NEO:PC turns your stereo audio such as MP3, WMA, CD, and other
sound format into a convincing multi-channel audio experience. See page
5-14 for details.
1-8
Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter lists the hardware setup
procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components. It
includes description of the jumpers and
connectors on the motherboard.
Hardware
2
information
Chapter summary
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1
Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-2
Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-6
System memory ......................................................................... 2-12
Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-20
Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-23
Audio Card and EL I/O Installation........................................... 2-24
Connectors ................................................................................. 2-25
ASUS Crosshair
2.1
Before you proceed
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components
or change any motherboard settings.
•
Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or to
a metal object, such as the power supply case, before handling
components to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.
•
•
Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.
Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded
antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component.
Onboard LED
Blue lights strategically located beside key motherboard connectors allow you
to install components conveniently, even without a flashlight.
Before you install or remove any component, make sure to press the onboard
LED switch first and the standby power LED is off. Failure to do so may cause
injury or severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or components.
On Board LED switch
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢀ
2.2
Motherboard overview
Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to
ensure that the motherboard fits into it.
•
Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the
motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage
motherboard components.
•
Remove the film on the heatsink before installation.
2.2.1
Placement direction
When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in
the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the
chassis as indicated in the image below.
2.2.2
Screw holes
Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard
to the chassis.
Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.
Place this side towards
the rear of the chassis
CROSSHAIR
2-2
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.2.3
Motherboard layout
24.5cm (9.6in)
WIFI_G_USB910
OPT_FAN5
PS2/2KBMS
T:Mouse
B:Keyboard
ATX12V1
P_ELJ1
SPDIF_OUT
IE1394_1
ESATA12
SPDIF_OUT
CPU_FAN
LAN1_USB12
LAN2_USB34
OPT_FAN4
NVIDIA®
C51XE
WJ3
AUDIO_1
CLRTC_EN
O_SW2
OPT_FAN3
PCI1
EATXPWR
CHA_REAR_FAN
PRI_IDE
PCIEX16_1
WJ1
OPT_FAN2
OPT_FAN1
WJ2
PCIEX4_1
NVIDIA®
MCP55PXE
CROSSHAIR
SATA5
SATA6
SATA4
SATA2
PCI2
SATA3
SATA1
PCIEX16_2
CHASSIS1
TSB43AB22A
CR2032 3V
Lithium Cell
CMOS Power
Super
I/O
SB_PWR
8Mb
BIOS
PCI3
IE1394_2
ADFP1
PANEL
FLOPPY
USB78
USB56
PWN_SW RST_SW
2.2.4
Audio card layout
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢁ
2.2.5
Layout contents
Slots
Page
2-12
2-22
2-22
2-22
1.
2.
3.
4.
DDR2 DIMM slots
PCI slots
PCI Express x 4 slot
PCI Express x16 slots
Jumper
Page
1.
Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)
2-23
Rear panel connectors
Page
2-25
2-25
2-25
2-25
2-25
2-26
2-26
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
PS/2 mouse port (green)
Coaxial S/PDIF Out port
Onboard LED switch
IEEE 1394a port
External SATA ports
LAN 2 (RJ-45) port.
LAN 1 (RJ-45) port
8.
USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2, 3 and 4
Optical S/PDIF Out port
2-27
2-27
2-27
9.
10.
PS/2 keyboard port (purple)
Supreme FX
Page
2-27
2-27
1.
2.
Line In port (light blue)
Line Out port (lime)
3.
4.
5.
6.
Microphone port (pink)
2-27
2-27
2-27
2-27
Center/Subwoofer port (orange)
Side Speaker Out port (gray)
Rear Speaker Out port (black)
2-ꢂ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
Internal connectors
Page
2-28
2-28
2-29
1.
2.
3.
Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)
IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)
NVIDIA® NF590-SLI Southbridge Serial ATA connectors
(7-pin SATA1 [blue], SATA2 [blue], SATA3 [blue], SATA4 [blue],
SATA5 [blue], SATA6 [blue])
4.
5.
6.
USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78)
2-30
2-30
2-31
IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2)
CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN,
3-pin CHA_REAR_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FRONT_FAN, 3-pin
OPT_FAN1, 3-pin OPT_FAN2, 3-pin OPT_FAN3, 3-pin
OPT_FAN4, 3-pin OPT_FAN5)
7.
8.
9.
Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS)
ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V,
System panel connector (20-pin PANEL)
2-31
2-32
2-33
•
•
•
•
•
System power LED (Green 3-pin PLED)
Hard disk drive activity LED (Red 2-pin IDE_LED)
System warning speaker (Orange 4-pin SPEAKER)
ATX power button/soft-off button (Yellow 2-pin PWR)
Reset button (Blue 2-pin RESET)
10.
Thermo sensor cable connectors (WJ1/2/3, 2-pin)
2-34
Onboard switches
Page
2-33
2-33
2-34
1.
2.
3.
Clear CMOS switch
Power-on switch
Reset switch
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢃ
2.3
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket designed for the AMD
Athlon™ 64 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ processor.
The AM2 socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed for the
AMD Opteron™ processor. Make sure you use a CPU is designed for the AM2
socket. The CPU fits in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into
the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the
CPU!
2.3.1
Installing the CPU
To install a CPU:
1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR CPU AM2 940
2.
Unlock the socket by pressing the
lever sideways, then lift it up to a
90º angle.
Socket lever
Make sure that the socket lever is lifted up to 90º angle; otherwise, the CPU will
not fit in completely.
2-ꢄ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
3.
4.
Position the CPU above the socket
such that the CPU corner with the
gold triangle matches the socket
corner with a small triangle.
Carefully insert the CPU into the
socket until it fits in place.
Gold triangle
Small triangle
5.
6.
When the CPU is in place, push
down the socket lever to secure the
CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab
to indicate that it is locked.
Install a CPU heatsink and fan
following the instructions that came
with the heatsink package.
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢅ
2.3.2
Installing the heatsink and fan
The AMD Athlon™ 64FX/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ 64 X2/Sempron™ processor
requires a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum
thermal condition and performance.
Make sure that you use only AMD-certified heatsink and fan assembly.
To install the CPU heatsink and fan:
1.
Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink
fits properly on the retention module base.
•
•
•
The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard
upon purchase.
You do not have to remove the retention module base when
installing the CPU or installing other motherboard components.
If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, make
sure that a Thermal Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU
heatsink or CPU before you install the heatsink and fan assembly.
CPU fan
CPU heatsink
Retention bracket lock
Retention bracket
Retention module base
Your boxed CPU heatsink and fan assembly should come with installation
instructions for the CPU, heatsink, and the retention mechanism. If the
instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the
latter.
2-ꢆ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.
Attach one end of the retention bracket
to the retention module base.
3.
Align the other end of the retention
bracket (near the retention bracket
lock) to the retention module base.
A clicking sound denotes that the
retention bracket is in place.
Make sure that the fan and
heatsink assembly perfectly fits
the retention mechanism module
base, otherwise you cannot snap
the retention bracket in place.
4.
Push up the retention bracket lock on
the retention mechanism to secure the
heatsink and fan to the module base.
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢇ
5.
When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable
to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.
CPU_FAN
CPU_FAN
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR CPU fan connector
Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors
can occur if you fail to plug this connector.
2-ꢀ0
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.3.3
Installing the optional fan
Install the optional fan only if you are using a passive cooler or a water cooler.
Installing the optional fan with an active CPU cooler will interfere with the airflow
and destabilize the system.
1.
Position the fan above the pipe
and heatsink assembly.
2.
Fit the grooved edge to the
heatsink.
3.
Carefully push down the fan until
it snugly fits the heatsink, then
connect the fan cables.
4.
The above photo shows the fans
installed on the motherboard.
•
•
Plug the optional fan cables to any of the OPT FAN1~5 connectors on the
motherboard.
Make sure the optional fan is installed correctly to prevent damage to the
fan and motherboard components.
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢀꢀ
2.4
System memory
2.4.1
Overview
The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory
Modules (DIMM) sockets.
A DDR2 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR DIMM but has a
240-pin footprint compared to the 184-pin DDR DIMM. DDR2 DIMMs are notched
differently to prevent installation on a DDR DIMM socket.
The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets:
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR 240-pin DDR DIMM Sockets
Channel
Sockets
Channel A
Channel B
DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2
DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2
2.4.2
Memory configurations
You may install 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC
DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.
•
If you installed Windows® XP 32-bit version operating system, we
recommend that you install less than 3 GB of total memory. For Windows®
XP 64-bit version operating system, the maxium support is 8 GB of total
memory.
•
For dual-channel configuration, the total size of memory module(s) installed
per channel must be the same (DIMM_A1 + DIMM_A2 = DIMM_B1 +
DIMM_B2).
•
Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum
compatibility, we recommend that you obtain memory modules from the
same vendor. Refer to the DDR2 Qualified Vendors List on the next page
for details.
2-ꢀ2
Chapter 2: Hardware information
Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)
DDR2-800 MHz capability
Qualified Vendors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual
DIMM Support
Chip
Brand
SS/
DS
A*
B*
C*
Size
Vendor
Chip No.
CL
Part No.
512MB
KINGSTON
Heat-Sink Package
N/A
N/A
SS
SS
DS
SS
SS
SS
DS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
DS
SS
SS
SS
DS
SS
SS
SS
KHX6400D2/512
512MB
1024MB
256MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
1024MB
256MB
256MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
256MB
KINGSTON
KINGSTON
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
Infineon
K4T51083QC
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
KVR800D2N5/512
V
V
V
V
K4T51083QC
KVR800D2N5/1G
K4T56083QF-ZCE7
K4T56083QF-ZCE7(ECC)
EDD339XX
M378T3253FZ3-CE7
M391T3253FZ3-CE7
M378T6553CZ3-CE7
HYS64T64520HU-2.5-A
HYS64T64020HU-25F-A
HYMP564U64BP8-S5
HYMP512U64BP8-S5
MT8HTF6464AY-80EA3
MT16HTF12864AY-80EA3
MT8HTF6464AY-80ED4
MT16HTF12864AY-80ED4
MT8HTF6464AY-80ED4
MT16HTF12864AY-80ED4
CM2X512A-6400
V
V
V
V
HYB18T256800AF25
HYB18T256800AF25F
HY5PS12821BFP-S5
HY5PS12821BFP-S5
5JAIIZ9DQQ
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Infineon
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Hynix
Hynix
MICRON
MICRON
MICRON
MICRON
MICRON
MICRON
CORSAIR
CORSAIR
CORSAIR
A-DATA
V
V
V
5JAIIZ9DQQ
5ZD22D9GKX
5ZD22D9GKX
6CD22D9GKX
V
6CD22D9GKX
V
V
V
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
E2508AB-GE-E
E2508AB-GE-E
E2508AB-GE-E
E2508AB-GE-E
N/A
CM2X1024-6400PRO
CM2X1024-6400C4
M20EL6F3G3170A1D0Z
M20EL6F3G3160A1D0Z
M2OEL6F3G3160A1D0Z
M2OEL6F3H4170A1D0Z
M2OAD6G3H3160J1E52
M20AD6G3H3160I1E5E
78.81091.420
A-DATA
A-DATA
V
A-DATA
A-DATA
A-DATA
AD29608A8A-25EG
E2508AB-GE-E
Apacer
V
512MB
512MB
Apacer
Crucial
E2508AB-GE-E
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
DS
SS
78.91091.420
Heat-Sink Package
BL6464AA804.8FA
(Continued on the next page)
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢀꢁ
DDR2-800 MHz capability
Qualified Vendors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual
DIMM Support
Chip
SS/
DS
Size
Vendor
Crucial
Chip No.
Heat-Sink Package
E2508AB-GE-E
CL
Brand
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Part No.
A*
V
B*
V
C*
1024MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
1024MB
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
DS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
DS
DS
BL12864AA804.16FA
8G-24IK2-EBT
TwinMOS
OCZ
Heat-Sink Package
N2TU51280AE-25C
NT5TU64M8AE-25C
NT5TU64M8BE-25C
NT5TU64M8BE-25C
Heat-Sink Package
OCZ28001024EBDCPE-K
M2Y51264TU88A2B-25C
NT512T64U88A1BY-25C
NT512T64U88B0BY-25C
NT1GT64U8HB0BY-25C
GX22GB6400UDC
Elixir
NANYA
NANYA
NANYA
GEIL
SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided
DIMM support:
A
B
-
-
Supports one module inserted into either slot, in Single-channel memory configuration.
Supports one pair of modules inserted into either Channel A or Channel B as one pair of
Dual-channel memory configuration.
C
-
Supports four modules inserted into the yellow and black slots as two pairs of
Dual-channel memory configuration.
Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-800 MHz QVL.
2-ꢀꢂ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
DDR2-667 MHz capability
Qualified Vendors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual
DIMM support
SS/
DS
Size
512MB
1024MB
512MB
256MB
256MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
Vendor
KINGSTON
KINGSTON
KINGSTON
KINGSTON
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
MICRON
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Hynix
Chip No.
E5108AE-6E-E
CL
Brand
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Part No.
A*
V
B*
V
C*
V
V
V
V
V
V
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
SS
DS
SS
SS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
DS
SS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
DS
KVR667D2N5/512
E5108AE-6E-E
KVR667D2N5/1G
E5108AE-6E-E
KVR667D2E5/512
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
HYB18T256800AF3
KVR667D2N5/256
K4T56083QF-ZCE6
M378T3253FZ0-CE6
M378T6453FZ0-CE6
M391T3253FZ0-CE6
M391T6453FZ0-CE6
M378T3354CZ0-CE6
M378T6553CZ0-CE6
M378T2953CZ0-CE6
MT16HTF6464AY-667B4
HYS64T32000HU-3S-A
HYS64T64000HU-3S-A
HYS64T128020HU-3S-A
HYS72T32000HU-3S-A
HYS72T64000HU-3S-A
HYS72T128020HU-3S-A
HYS72T64000HU-3S-B
HYS72T128020HU-3S-B
HYS64T32000HU-3S-B
HYS64T64000HU-3S-B
HYS64T128020HU-3S-B
HYMP564U64AP8-Y5
HYMP512U64AP8-Y5
HYMP112U72P8-Y5
HYMP564U72AP8-Y5
HYMP512U72AP8-Y5
HYMP564U64AP8-Y4
HYMP512U64AP8-Y4
HYMP564U72AP8-Y4
HYMP512U72AP8-Y4
EBE25UC8ABFA-6E-E
EBE51UD8AEFA-6E-E
EBE11UD8AEFA-6E-E
BL6464AA664.16FB
K4T56083QF-ZCE6
K4T56083QF-ZCE6(ECC)
K4T56083QF-ZCE6(ECC)
K4T51163QC-ZCE6
ZCE6K4T51083QC
V
V
V
V
V
ZCE6K4T51083QC
4VB41D9CZM
HYB18T512160AF-3S
HYB18T512800AF3S
HYB18T512800AF3S
HYB18T256800AF3S(ECC)
HYB18T512800AF3S(ECC)
HYB18T512800AF3S(ECC)
HYB18T512800BF3S(ECC)
HYB18T512800BF3S(ECC)
HYB18T512160BF-3S
HYB18T512800BF3S
HYB18T512800BF3S
HY5PS12821AFP-Y5
HY5PS12821AFP-Y5
HY5PS1G831FP-Y5(ECC)
HY5PS12821AFP-Y5(ECC)
HY5PS12821AFP-Y5(ECC)
HY5PS12821AFP-Y4
HY5PS12821AFP-Y4
HY5PS12821AFP-Y4(ECC)
HY5PS12821AFP-Y4(ECC)
E2508AB-6E-E
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Hynix
Hynix
Hynix
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Hynix
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Hynix
Hynix
Hynix
Hynix
ELPIDA
ELPIDA
ELPIDA
crucial
E5108AE-6E-E
V
V
V
V
Engineering Sample
Heat-Sink Package
(Continued on the next page)
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢀꢃ
DDR2-667 MHz capability
Qualified Vendors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual
DIMM Support
Chip
SS/
DS
Size
Vendo
crucial
crucial
crucial
crucial
crucial
Kingmax
Kingmax
Apacer
Apacer
A-DATA
A-DATA
Transcend
Transcend
TwinMOS
GEIL
Chip No.
CL
Brand
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Part No.
A*
V
B*
V
C*
V
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
E5108AE-6E-E
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
DS
DS
DS
DS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
SS
DS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
BL12864AA664.16FA
BL6464AL664.16FB
BL12864AL664.16FA
BL6464AA663.8FA
BL12864AA663.16FA
KLCC28F-A8EB5
KLCD48F-A8EB5
78.91092.420
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
E5108AE-6E-E
E5108AE-6E-E
E5108AE-6E-E
78.01092.420
E5108AE-6E-E
M20EL5G3H3160B1C0Z
M20AD5Q3H3163J1C52
TS64MLQ64V6J
TS128MLQ64V6J
8G-25JK5-EBT
V
V
V
V
AD29608A8B-3EG
E5108AE-6E-E
V
V
V
V
E5108AE-6E-E
E5108AE-GE-E
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
NT5TU32M16AG-3C
NT5TU64M8AE-3C
NT5TU64M8BE-3B
NT5TU64M8BE-3B
N2TU51280AF-3C
N2TU51280AF-3C
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
Heat-Sink Package
E5108AE-5C-E
GX21GB5300UDC
GX21GB5300DC
NT256T64UH4A0FY-3C
NT512T64U88A0BY-3C
NT512T64U88B0BY-3C
NT1GT64U8HB0BY-3C
M2U51264TU88A0F-3C
M2U1G64TU8HA2F-3C
OCZ26671024EBDCPE-K
OCZ26672048EBDCPE-K
OCZ2P6671GK
GEIL
NANYA
NANYA
NANYA
NANYA
Elixir
Elixir
OCZ
OCZ
OCZ
PQI
MEAD-403LA
WINTEC
WINTEC
MDT
4UAI2D9CRZ
39127282
4WAIID9CWX
39137282
18D51280D-30518
18D51280D-30528
DD2640800-667
DD2640800-667
M512-667-8
MDT
M924-667-16
Kingbox
Kingbox
N/A
N/A
SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided
DIMM support:
A
B
-
-
Supports one module inserted into either slot, in Single-channel memory configuration.
Supports one pair of modules inserted into either Channel A or Channel B as one pair of
Dual-channel memory configuration.
C
-
Supports four modules inserted into the yellow and black slots as two pairs of
Dual-channel memory configuration.
Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-667 MHz QVL.
2-ꢀꢄ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
DDR2-533 MHz capability
Qualified Vendors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual
DIMM Support
Chip
Brand
SS/
DS
Size
Vendor
Chip No.
CL
Part No.
A*
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
B*
V
C*
V
256MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
2048MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
256MB
1024MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
1024MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
2048MB
256MB
512MB
256MB
256MB
KINGSTON
KINGSTON
KINGSTON
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
SAMSUNG
MICRON
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Infineon
Hynix
E5116AF-5C-E
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
SS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
DS
DS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
DS
DS
SS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
DS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
SS
DS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
KVR533D2N4/256
HYB18T512800AF37
5YDIID9GCT
KVR533D2N4/512
V
V
KVR533D2N4/1G
V
V
K4T51083QB-GCD5
K4T56083QF-GCD5
K4T56083QF-GCD5
K4T56083QF-GCD5(ECC)
K4T51083QB-GCD5(ECC)
4DBIIZ9BQT
M378T6553BG0-CD5
M378T3253FG0-CD5
M378T6453FG0-CD5
M391T6453FG0-CD5
M391T2953BG0-CD5
N/A
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
HYB18T512800AF3(ECC)
HYB18T512800AC37
HYB18T512160AF-3.7
HYB18T512800AF37
HYB18T512800AF37
HYB18T1G800AF-3.7
HYB18T5121608BF-3.7
HYB18T512800BF37
HYB18T512800BF37
HYB18T256800AF37(ECC)
HYB18T512800AF37(ECC)
HY5PS12821F-C4
HYS72T64000HU-3.7-A
HYS64T64000GU-3.7-A
HYS64T32000HU-3.7-A
HYS64T64000HU-3.7-A
HYS64T128020HU-3.7-A
HYS64T256020HU-3.7-A
HYS64T32000HU-3.7-B
HYS64T64000HU-3.7-B
HYS64T128020HU-3.7-B
HYS72T32000HU-3.7-A
HYS72T128020HU-3.7-A
HYMP564U648-C4
HYMP564U728-C4
HYMP512U648-C4
HYMP512U728-C4
HYMP512U728-C4
HYMP564U728-C4
HYMP512U648-C4
HYMP564U64AP8-C3
HYMP512U64AP8-C3
EBE51ED8ABFA-5C-E
EBE51UD8ABFA-5C
EBE51UD8ABFA-5C-E
EBE11UD8ABFA-5C-E
EBE21EE8AAFA-5C-E
VS256MB533D2
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Hynix
HY5PS12821F-C4(ECC)
HY5PS12821F-C4
Hynix
Hynix
HY5PS12821F-C4(ECC)
HY5PS12821F-E3(ECC)
HY5PS12821FP-C4(ECC)
HY5PS12821FP-C4
HY5PS12821AFP-C3
HY5PS12821AFP-C3
E5108AB-5C-E(ECC)
E5108AB-5C-E
Hynix
Hynix
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Hynix
Hynix
V
V
V
V
V
Hynix
ELPIDA
ELPIDA
ELPIDA
ELPIDA
ELPIDA
CORSAIR
CORSAIR
Apacer
E5108AB-5C-E
E5108AB-5C-E
E1108AA-5C-E
MIII0051832M8CEC
MI110052432M8CEC
E5116AB-5C-E
V
V
V
VS512MB533D2
78.81077.420
V
V
KINGMAX
E5116AB-5C-E
KLBB68F-36EP4
(Continued on the next page)
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢀꢅ
DDR2-533 MHz capability
Qualified Vendors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual
DIMM Support
Chip
Brand
SS/
DS
Size
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
1024MB
256MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
256MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
256MB
512MB
512MB
1024MB
1024MB
512MB
512MB
256MB
512MB
1024MB
512MB
1024MB
Vendor
KINGMAX
KINGMAX
KINGMAX
KINGMAX
Transcend
Transcend
CENTURY
CENTURY
CENTURY
CENTURY
elixir
Chip No.
E5108AE-5C-E
CL
Part No.
A*
B*
V
V
V
V
V
V
C*
V
V
V
V
V
V
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
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N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
DS
SS
SS
DS
DS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
DS
SS
SS
SS
DS
DS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
SS
DS
KLBC28F-A8EB4
V
E5108AE-5C-E
KLBD48F-A8EB4
V
V
V
V
V
KKEA88E4AAK-37
5MB22D9DCN
KLBC28F-A8KE4
KLBD48F-A8ME4
K4T51083QB-GCD5
K4T51083QB-GCD5
K4T56083QF-GCD5
E5108AB-5C-E
TS64MLQ64V5J
TS128MLQ64V5J
25V6S8SSD5F4-K43
25V2H8EL5CB4-J43
25V0H8EL5CB4-J45
25VOH8EL5C
E5108AB-5C-E
E5108AB-5C-E
N2TU51216AF-37B
N2TU51280AF-37B
AET960UD00-37C88X
AET960UD00-37C88X
AET93F370AG0513
AET94F370A
M2U25664TUH4A0F-37B
M2U51264TU88A0F-37B
AET560UD00-370A98X
AET660UD00-370A98X
AET660UD00-370A98X
AET560UD00-370A98Z
AET560UD00-370A98X
AET660UD00-370A98Z
AET660UD00-370A98X
AET660UD00-370A98X
AET760UD00-370A98X
NT256T64UH4A0F-37B
NT512T64U88A0F-37B
NT512T72U89A0F-37B
NT1GT64U8HA0F-37B
MEAB-323LA
elixir
Aeneon
Aeneon
Aeneon
Aeneon
Aeneon
Aeneon
Aeneon
Aeneon
Aeneon
NANYA
NANYA
NANYA
NANYA
PQI
AET94F370A
AET93F370A
AET93F370A
AET93F370
AET93F370A
NT5TU32M16AF-37B
NT5TU64M8AF-37B
NT5TU64M8AF-37B(ECC)
NT5TU64M8AF-37B
64MX8D2-E
PQI
64MX8D2-E
MEAB-423LA
TwinMOS
SimpleTech
SimpleTech
Patriot
K4T51083QB-GCD5
858S032F25A
8D-22JB5-K2T
SVM-42DR2/256
858S064F25A
SVM-42DR2/512
Heat-Sink Package
18D51280D-3.70S20
18D51280D-3.70448
PDC21G5600+XBLK
M512-533-8
MDT
MDT
M924-533-16
Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided
DIMM support:
A
B
-
-
Supports one module inserted into either slot, in Single-channel memory configuration.
Supports one pair of modules inserted into either Channel A or Channel B as one pair of
Dual-channel memory configuration.
C
-
Supports two pairs of modules inserted into the yellow and black slots as two pairs of
Dual-channel memory configuration.
Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-533 MHz QVL.
2-ꢀꢆ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.4.3
Installing a DIMM
Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other
system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the
motherboard and the components.
2
To install a DIMM:
DDR2 DIMM notch
3
1.
2.
3.
Unlock a DIMM socket by
pressing the retaining clips
outward.
Align a DIMM on the socket
such that the notch on the DIMM
matches the break on the socket.
1
Firmly insert the DIMM into the
socket until the retaining clips
snap back in place and the
DIMM is properly seated.
Unlocked retaining clip
•
A DDR2 DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one direction. Do
not force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.
•
The DDR2 DIMM sockets do not support DDR DIMMs. DO not install DDR
DIMMs to the DDR2 DIMM sockets.
2.4.4
Removing a DIMM
To remove a DIMM:
2
1. Simultaneously press the retaining
clips outward to unlock the DIMM.
Support the DIMM lightly with
your fingers when pressing the
retaining clips. The DIMM might
get damaged when it flips out
with extra force.
1
DDR2 DIMM notch
1
2.
Remove the DIMM from the socket.
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢀꢇ
2.5
Expansion slots
In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections
describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support.
Make sure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion
cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard
components.
2.5.1
Installing an expansion card
To install an expansion card:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Before installing the expansion card, read the documentation that came with
it and make the necessary hardware settings for the card.
Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a
chassis).
Remove the bracket opposite the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screw
for later use.
Align the card connector with the slot and press firmly until the card is
completely seated on the slot.
5.
6.
Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier.
Replace the system cover.
2.5.2
Configuring an expansion card
After installing the expansion card, configure the it by adjusting the software
settings.
1.
Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See
Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup.
2.
3.
Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page.
Install the software drivers for the expansion card.
When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share
IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will
arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card
inoperable. Refer to the table on the next page for details.
2-20
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.5.3
Interrupt assignments
Standard interrupt assignments
IRQ
0
Priority Standard function
1
2
System Timer
1
Keyboard Controller
2
-
Redirect to IRQ#9
5
13
14
15
3
IRQ Holder for PCI Steering*
Floppy Disk Controller
6
7
Nvidia nForce PCI system
System CMOS/Real Time Clock
Nvidia nForce Networking Controller
IRQ Holder for PCI Steering*
IRQ Holder for PCI Steering*
PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port*
Numeric Data Processor
Primary IDE Channel
8
9
4
10
11
12
13
14
5
6
7
8
9
* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.
IRQ assignments for this motherboard
A
B
-
C
D
-
E
-
F
-
G
-
H
-
shared
PCI Slot 1
PCI Slot 2
PCI Slot 3
Onboard 1394
PCIE x 16 1
PCIE x 16 2
PCIE x 4
-
-
shared
-
-
-
-
-
-
shared
shared
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
shared
-
-
shared
-
-
shared
-
ASUS Crosshair
2-2ꢀ
2.5.4
PCI slots
The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other
cards that comply with PCI specifications. Refer to the figure below for the location
of the slots.
2.5.5
PCI Express x4 slot
This motherboard supports PCI Express x4 network cards, SCSI cards and other
cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. Refer to the figure below for
the location of the slot.
2.5.6
PCI Express x16 slots
This motherboard supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards that comply with the
PCI Express specifications. Refer to the figure below for the location of the slots.
PCI slot
PCI slot
PCI Express x 16 slot
PCI Express x 16 slot
PCI Express x4 slot
PCI slot
2-22
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.6
Jumper
Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)
This jumper allows you to enable the CLRTC switch. You can clear the
CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the
CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard clr CMOS switch helps you easily to
clear the system setup information such as system passwords. See page
2-35 for details.
To erase the RTC RAM:
1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3 to enable the
CLRTC function.
3. Press down the clr CMOS button and again to release it.
4. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
5. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup
to re-enter data.
The clr CMOS button will not function until the jumper cap on CLRTC is moved
to the ENABLE position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!
CLRTC_EN
3
2
1
2
CROSSHAIR
Disable
Enable
(Default)
CROSSHAIR Clear RTC RAM
•
•
Make sure to re-enter your previous BIOS settings after you clear the
CMOS.
You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to
overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU
Parameter Recall) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS
can automatically reset parameter settings to default values.
•
To prevent accidental pressing of the Clear CMOS switch, the CLRTC
jumper default setting disables the switch.
ASUS Crosshair
2-2ꢁ
2.7
Audio Card and EL I/O Installation
2.7.1
Audio Card Installation
1.
Take out the Audio card from
the package.
2.
Locate the slot on the
motherboard.
4.
The above photo shows the
audio card installed on the
motherboard.
3.
Align the card connector
with the slot and press firmly
until the card sits on the slot
completely.
2.7.2
EL I/O Installation
1.
Take out the EL I/O from the
package.
2.
Locate the connector on the
motherboard.
3.
Connector the cable to
the connector in a correct
orientation.
4.
The above photo shows
the EL I/O installed on the
motherboard.
2-2ꢂ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.8
Connectors
2.8.1
Rear panel connectors
6
7
8
9
1
2
3
4
5
10
11
17
16
15
14
13
12
1.
2.
PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.
Coaxial S/PDIF Out port. This port connects an external audio output device
via an optical S/PDIF cable.
3.
4.
LCD Poster. This poster displays actual boot error messages.
LAN 1 (RJ-45) port. Supported by NV Gigabit LAN
controller, this port allows Gigabit connection to a Local
Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the
table on the next page for the LAN port LED indications.
ACTIVITY/ SPEED
LINK LED
LED
5.
LAN 2 (RJ-45) port. Supported by the NV Gigabit LAN
controller, this port allows Gigabit connection to a Local
Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the
table below for the LAN port LED indications.
LAN port
32-bit OS LAN port LED indications
Activity/Link
OFF
Speed LED
OFF
Description
Soft-off Mode
YELLOW*
YELLOW*
OFF
During Power ON/OFF
100 Mbps connection
ORANGE
* Blinking
64-bit OS LAN port LED indications
Activity/Link
Speed LED
DNR
Description
DNR
DNR
DNR
DNR
Soft-off Mode
DNR
DNR
DNR
During Power ON/OFF
100 Mbps connection
1 Gbps connection
ASUS Crosshair
2-2ꢃ
6.
7.
Line In port (light blue). This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or
other audio sources.
Line Out port (lime). This port connects a headphone or a speaker. In
4-channel, 6-channel, and 8-channel configuration, the function of this port
becomes Front Speaker Out.
8.
9.
Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone.
Center/Subwoofer port (orange). This port connects the center/subwoofer
speakers.
10. Rear Speaker Out port (black). This port connects the rear speakers on a
4-channel, 6-channel, or 8-channel audio configuration.
11. Side Speaker Out port (gray). This port connects the side speakers in an
8-channel audio configuration.
Refer to the audio configuration table below for the function of the audio ports in
2, 4, 6, or 8-channel configuration.
Audio 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel configuration
Headset
2-channel
Port
4-channel
6-channel
8-channel
Light Blue
Lime
Line In
Line In
Line In
Line In
Front Speaker Out
Mic In
Line Out
Front Speaker Out
Front Speaker Out
Mic In
Pink
Mic In
Mic In
Orange
Black
–
–
–
–
Center/Subwoofer
Rear Speaker Ou
Side Speaker Out
Center/Subwoofer
Rear Speaker Out
–
Rear Speaker Out
–
Gray
12. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2, 3 and 4. These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB)
ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.
13. External SATA ports. These ports connect to an external SATA box or a
Serial ATA port multiplier. These ports support a Serial ATA hard disk drives
that you can combine with an external Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s device to configure
a RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 (10), RAID 5, or JBOD set through the onboard
Silicon Image® SATA RAID controller. Refer to Chapter 5 for details on how
to set up Serial ATA RAID configurations.
2-2ꢄ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
•
Before creating a RAID set using Serial ATA hard disks, make sure that you
have connected the Serial ATA signal cable and installed Serial ATA hard
disk drives; otherwise, you cannot enter the Silicon Image RAID utility and
SATA BIOS setup during POST.
•
The external SATA ports support external Serial ATA 1.5 and 3 Gb/s
devices. Longer cables support higher power requirements to deliver signal
up to two meters away, and enables improved hot-swap function.
•
If you intend to create a RAID configuration using this connector, set the
Silicon 3132 Controller item in the BIOS to [RAID Mode]. See section “4.4.6
Onboard Devices Configuration” for details.
•
•
Use these ports and an external Serial ATA box connected to the external
SATA port, if you want to configure a RAID 0 or RAID 1 set.
The Serial ATA port multiplier and external Serial ATA box are purchased
separately.
•
•
DO NOT insert a different connector to this port.
DO NOT unplug the external Serial ATA box when a RAID 0 or RAID 1 is
configured.
14. IEEE 1394a port. This 6-pin IEEE 1394a port provides high-speed
connectivity for audio/video devices, storage peripherals, PCs, or portable
devices.
15. Onboard LED switch. This motherboard features onboard LEDs that light
up the labels, making it easy for you to install or plug in devices even in the
dark. Press this switch to turn on the onboard LEDs.
16. Optical S/PDIF Out port. This port connects an external audio output device
via an optical S/PDIF cable.
17. PS/2 keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.
ASUS Crosshair
2-2ꢅ
2.8.2
Internal connectors
1.
Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)
This connector is for the provided floppy disk drive (FDD) signal cable. Insert
one end of the cable to this connector, then connect the other end to the
signal connector at the back of the floppy disk drive.
Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when
using a FDD cable with a covered Pin 5.
FLOPPY
NOTE: Orient the red markings on
the floppy ribbon cable to PIN1.
CROSSHAIR
PIN1
CROSSHAIR Floppy disk drive connector
2.
IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)
The onboard IDE connector is for the Ultra DMA (133/)100/66 signal cable.
There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable:
blue, black, and gray. Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE
connector, then select one of the following modes to configure your device.
Mode of
device(s)
Drive jumper setting
Cable connector
Single device
Two devices
Cable-Select or Master
-
Black
Black
Master
Slave
Master
Slave
Cable-Select
Gray
Master
Slave
Black or gray
•
•
Pin 20 on the IDE connector is removed to match the covered hole on the
Ultra DMA cable connector. This prevents incorrect insertion when you
connect the IDE cable.
Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 IDE devices.
If any device jumper is set as “Cable-Select,” make sure all other device
jumpers have the same setting.
2-2ꢆ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
PRI_IDE
NOTE: Orient the red markings
(usually zigzag) on the IDE
ribbon cable to PIN1.
PIN1
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR IDE connector
3.
NVIDIA® NF590-SLI Southbridge Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1
[blue], SATA2 [blue], SATA3 [blue], SATA4 [blue], SATA5 [blue], SATA6
[blue])
These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA 3.0
Gb/s hard disk and optical disk drives. The Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s is backward
compatible with Serial ATA 1.5 Gb/s specification.
If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1,
RAID 0+1 (10), RAID 5, or JBOD configuration through the onboard NVRAID
controller. Refer to section “5.4.1 NVIDIA® RAID configurations” for details on
how to set up Serial ATA RAID configurations.
The RAID function of these connectors is set to [Disabled] by default. If you
intend to create a Serial ATA RAID set using these connectors, enable the RAID
Enabled item in the BIOS. See section “4.5.4 Onboard Device Configuration >
Serial-ATA Configuration” for details.
SATA5
SATA3
SATA1
SATA6
SATA4
SATA2
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR SATA connectors
ASUS Crosshair
2-2ꢇ
4.
USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB910)
These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB/GAME module
cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at
the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0
specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.
USB910
CROSSHAIR
USB56
USB78
CROSSHAIR USB 2.0 connectors
Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the
motherboard!
5.
IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2)
This connector is for a IEEE 1394a port. Connect the IEEE 1394a module
cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back
of the system chassis.
CROSSHAIR
1
IE1394_2
CROSSHAIR IEEE 1394 connector
Never connect a USB cable to the IEEE 1394a connector. Doing so will damage
the motherboard!
2-ꢁ0
Chapter 2: Hardware information
6.
CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors
(4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_REAR_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FRONT_FAN, 3-pin
OPT_FAN1, 3-pin OPT_FAN2, 3-pin OPT_FAN3, 3-pin OPT_FAN4, 3-pin
OPT_FAN5)
The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350 mA ~ 1000 mA (24 W max.) or
a total of 1 A ~ 3.48 A (41.76 W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cables to the
fan connectors on the motherboard, making sure 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!
CPU_FAN
OPT_FAN5
OPT_FAN4
Rotation
+12V
GND
CPU_FAN
OPT_FAN1
OPT_FAN5
Rotation
+12V
Rotation
+12V
OPT_FAN4
OPT_FAN3
GND
GND
CHA__REAR_FAN
OPT_FAN2
CHA_FRONT_FAN
OPT_FAN1
Rotation
+12V
Rotation
+12V
OPT_FAN2
GND
GND
CROSSHAIR
CHA__FRONT_FAN
OPT_FAN3
CHA_REAR_FAN
Rotation
+12V
Rotation
+12V
GND
GND
CROSSHAIR Fan connectors
7.
Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 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.
By default, the pins labeled “Chassis Signal” and “Ground” are shorted with
a jumper cap. Remove the jumper caps only when you intend to use the
chassis intrusion detection feature.
CROSSHAIR
CHASSIS
(Default)
CROSSHAIR Chassis intrusion connector
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢁꢀ
8.
ATX power connectors
(24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)
These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs
are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper
orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.
ATX12V
GND
GND
GND
GND
+12V DC
+12V DC
+12V DC
+12V DC
EATXPWR
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR ATX power connectors
•
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 600 W.
•
•
•
Do not forget to connect the 8-pin ATX +12 V power plug; otherwise, the
system will not boot.
To support an AMD® Dual-Core CPU,make sure that the PSU can provide
at least 16 A and 19 A peak on the +12V_2 lead.
Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended when configuring
a system with more power-consuming devices. The system may become
unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.
2-ꢁ2
Chapter 2: Hardware information
14. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL)
This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.
PLED
SPEAKER
PANEL
CROSSHAIR
IDE_LED
RESET
PWRSW
* Requires an ATX power supply
CROSSHAIR System panel connector
The sytem panel connector is color-coded for easy connection. Refer to the
connector descriptions on the next page for details.
•
•
System power LED (3-pin PLED)
This 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 IDE_LED)
This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD Activity
LED cable to this connector. The IDE 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 PWR)
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 BIOS 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.
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢁꢁ
Q-Connector (System panel)
ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily to connect the chassis front panel cables
to the motherboard. Perform these steps to install ASUS Q-Connector.
Step1.
Connect the front panel cables to their
respective connectors on the ASUS Q-
Connector. Refer to the labels on the
Q-Connector for proper connection and pin
definition.
Step2.
Carefully connect the ASUS
Q-Connector to the System panel
connector.
The ASUS Q-Connector fits only in one
orientation; if it doesn’t fit, try reversing
it.
Step3.
When installed, the Q-connector appears
as shown.
2-ꢁꢂ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
15. Thermal sensor cable connectors (W1/2/3, 2-pin)
These connectors are for temperature monitoring. Connect the thermal
sensor cables to these connectors and place the other ends to the devices,
which you want to monitor temperature. The optional fan1~3 can work with
the temperature sensors for a better cooling effect.
Temperature2
Ground
WJ1
Temperature2
Ground
WJ2
Temperature3
Ground
CROSSHAIR
WJ3
CROSSHAIR Thermal sensor cable connectors
2.8.3
Onboard switches
Onboard switches allow you to fine-tune performance when working on a bare
or open-case system. This is ideal for overclockers and gamers who continually
change settings to enhance system performance.
1.
Clear CMOS switch
Press the clear CMOS switch to clear setup information when the system
hangs due to overclocking.
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR CMOS switch
To prevent accidental pressing of the Clear CMOS switch, the CLRTC jumper
default setting disables the switch. See page 2-23 for details.
ASUS Crosshair
2-ꢁꢃ
2.
Power-on switch
Press the clear power-on switch to wake/power up the system.
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR Power on switch
3.
Reset switch
Press the reset switch to reboot the system.
CROSSHAIR
CROSSHAIR Reset switch
2-ꢁꢄ
Chapter 2: Hardware information
This chapter describes the power up
sequence and ways of shutting down the
system.
Powering up
3
Chapter summary
3
3.1
Starting up for the first time........................................................ 3-1
3.2
Powering off the computer.......................................................... 3-2
ASUS Crosshair
3.1
Starting up for the first time
1.
2.
3.
After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.
Be sure that all switches are off.
Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system
chassis.
4.
5.
Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge
protector.
Turn on the devices in the following order:
a. Monitor
b. External SCSI devices (starting with the last device on the chain)
c. System power
6.
After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case
lights up. For systems with ATX power supplies, the system LED lights up
when you press the ATX power button. If your monitor complies with “green”
standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up
or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns on.
The system then runs the power-on self tests or POST. While the tests are
running, the BIOS beeps or additional messages appear on the screen.
If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on
the power, the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper
settings and connections or call your retailer for assistance.
7.
At power on, hold down the <Delete> key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the
instructions in Chapter 4.
ASUS Crosshair
ꢁ-ꢀ
3.2
Powering off the computer
3.2.1
Using the OS shut down function
If you are using Windows® 2000:
1.
2.
Click the Start button then click Shut Down.
Make sure that the Shut Down option button is selected, then click the OK
button to shut down the computer.
3.
The power supply should turn off after Windows® shuts down.
If you are using Windows® XP:
1.
2.
3.
Click the Start button then select Turn Off Computer.
Click the Turn Off button to shut down the computer.
The power supply should turn off after Windows® shuts down.
3.2.2
Using the dual function power switch
While the system is ON, pressing the power switch for less than four seconds puts
the system to sleep mode or to soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting.
Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds lets the system enter the
soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS setting. Refer to section “4.6 Power Menu” in
Chapter 4 for details.
ꢁ-2
Chapter ꢁ: Powering up
This chapter tells how to change
the system settings through the BIOS
Setup menus. Detailed descriptions
of the BIOS parameters are also
provided.
BIOS setup
4
Chapter summary
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1
BIOS setup program .................................................................. 4-10
Main menu .................................................................................. 4-14
Extreme Tweaker menu ............................................................. 4-19
Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-28
Power menu................................................................................ 4-34
Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-40
Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-45
Exit menu.................................................................................... 4-49
ASUS Crosshair
4.1
Managing and updating your BIOS
The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic
Input/Output System (BIOS) setup.
1.
2.
ASUS Update (Updates the BIOS in Windows® environment.)
ASUS EZ Flash 2 (Updates the BIOS in DOS using a floppy disk or a USB
flash disk.)
3.
4.
Award BIOS Flash Utility (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable
floppy disk.)
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 (Updates the BIOS using a bootable floppy disk or
the motherboard support DVD when the BIOS file fails or gets corrupted.)
Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.
Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk in
case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard
BIOS using the ASUS Update or Award BIOS Flash utilities.
4.1.1
ASUS Update utility
The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the
motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you
to:
•
•
•
•
•
Save the current BIOS file
Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet
Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS file
Update the BIOS directly from the Internet, and
View the BIOS version information.
This utility is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard
package.
ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an
Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Installing ASUS Update
To install ASUS Update:
1.
2.
Place the support DVD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears.
Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX. See page
5-3 for the Utilities screen menu.
3.
The ASUS Update utility is copied to your system.
ASUS Crosshair
4-1
Quit all Windows® applications before you update the BIOS using this utility.
Updating the BIOS through the Internet
To update the BIOS through the Internet:
1.
Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows® desktop by clicking Start
> Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update
main window appears.
2.
Select Update BIOS from the
Internet option from the drop-down
menu, then click Next.
3.
Select the ASUS FTP site nearest
you to avoid network traffic, or
click Auto Select. Click Next.
4-2
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.
5.
From the FTP site, select the BIOS
version that you wish to download.
Click Next.
Follow the screen instructions to
complete the update process.
The ASUS Update utility is
capable of updating itself through
the Internet. Always update the
utility to avail all its features.
Updating the BIOS through a BIOS file
To update the BIOS through a BIOS file:
1.
Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows® desktop by clicking Start
> Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update
main window appears.
2.
Select Update BIOS from a file
option from the drop-down menu,
then click Next.
3.
Locate the BIOS file from the Open
window, then click Open.
4.
Follow the screen instructions to
complete the update process.
ASUS Crosshair
4-3
4.1.2
Creating a bootable floppy disk
1.
Do either one of the following to create a bootable floppy disk.
DOS environment
a. Insert a 1.44MB floppy disk into the drive.
b. At the DOS prompt, type format A:/Sthen press <Enter>.
Windows® XP environment
a. Insert a 1.44 MB floppy disk to the floppy disk drive.
b. Click Start from the Windows® desktop, then select My Computer.
c. Select the 3 1/2 Floppy Drive icon.
d. Click File from the menu, then select Format. A Format 3 1/2 Floppy
Disk window appears.
e. Select Create an MS-DOS startup disk from the format options field,
then click Start.
Windows® 2000 environment
To create a set of boot disks for Windows® 2000:
a. Insert a formatted, high density 1.44 MB floppy disk into the drive.
b. Insert the Windows® 2000 CD to the optical drive.
c. Click Start, then select Run.
d. From the Open field, type
D:\bootdisk\makeboot a:
assuming that D: is your optical drive.
e. Press <Enter>, then follow screen instructions to continue.
2.
Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS file to the bootable floppy
disk.
4-4
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.1.3
ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility
The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to go
through the long process of booting from a floppy disk and using a DOS-based
utility. The EZ Flash utility is built-in the BIOS chip so it is accessible by pressing
<Alt> + <F2> during the Power-On Self Tests (POST).
To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2:
1.
Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for
the motherboard.
2.
Save the BIOS file to a floppy disk, then restart the system.
3.
Press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following.
Insert Disk then press Enter or ESC to continue POST
4.
Insert the floppy disk that
contains the BIOS file
to the floppy disk drive
then press <Enter>. The
following screen appears.
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
DATE:04/10/2006
File Name to Program:
Message: Please wait...
5.
When the correct BIOS file is found, EZ Flash 2 performs the BIOS update
process and automatically reboots the system when done.
Do not shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent
system boot failure!
ASUS Crosshair
4-5
4.1.4
Updating the BIOS
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) can be updated using the AwardBIOS
Flash Utility. Follow these instructions to update the BIOS using this utility.
1.
Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS web site. Unzip the file and
save it to a floppy disk.
Save only the updated BIOS file in the floppy disk to avoid loading the wrong
BIOS file.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Copy the AwardBIOS Flash Utility (awdflash.exe) from the Software folder of
the support DVD to the floppy disk with the latest BIOS file.
Boot the system in DOS mode using the bootable floppy disk you created
earlier.
When the A:> appears, replace the bootable floppy disk with the floppy disk
containing the new BIOS file and the Award BIOS Flash Utility.
At the prompt, type
awdflash then press
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
<Enter>. The Award
BIOS Flash Utility screen
appears.
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
DATE:04/10/2006
File Name to Program:
Message: Please input File Name!
6.
Type the BIOS file name in
the File Name to Program
field, then press <Enter>.
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
DATE:04/10/2006
File Name to Program: 0113.bin
Message: Do You Want To Save Bios (Y/N)
4-6
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
7.
8.
Press <N> when the utility prompts you to save the current BIOS file. The
following screen appears.
The utility verifies the BIOS
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
file in the floppy disk and
starts flashing the BIOS file.
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
DATE:04/10/2006
File Name to Program: 0113.bin
Programming Flash Memory - OFE00 OK
Write OK
No Update
Write Fail
Warning: Don’t Turn Off Power Or Reset System!
Do not turn off or reset the system during the flashing process!
9.
The utility displays a
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
Flashing Complete
message indicating that
you have successfully
flashed the BIOS file.
Remove the floppy disk
then press <F1> to restart
the system.
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
DATE:04/10/2006
File Name to Program: 0113.bin
Flashing Complete
Press <F1> to Continue
Write OK
F1 Reset
No Update
Write Fail
ASUS Crosshair
4-7
4.1.5
Saving the current BIOS file
You can use the AwardBIOS Flash Utility to save the current BIOS file. You can
load the current BIOS file when the BIOS file gets corrupted during the flashing
process.
Make sure that the floppy disk has enough disk space to save the file.
To save the current BIOS file using the AwardBIOS Flash Utility:
1.
2.
Follow steps 1 to 6 of the
previous section.
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
DATE:04/10/2006
Press <Y> when the utility
prompts you to save the
current BIOS file. The
File Name to Program: 0113.bin
Save current BIOS as:
following screen appears.
Message:
3.
Type a filename for the
current BIOS file in the
Save current BIOS as field,
then press <Enter>.
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
File Name to Program:
Checksum: D800H
DATE:04/10/2006
Save current BIOS as: old.bin
Message: Please Wait!
4.
The utility saves the
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved
current BIOS file to the
floppy disk, then returns to
the BIOS flashing process.
For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00
Flash Type - Unknown Flash
DATE:04/10/2006
File Name to Program: 0113.bin
Now Backup System BIOS to
File!
Message: Please Wait!
4-8
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.1.6
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore
the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can
update a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or the floppy disk
that contains the updated BIOS file.
Prepare the motherboard support DVD or the floppy disk containing the updated
motherboard BIOS before using this utility.
Recovering the BIOS from the support DVD
To recover the BIOS from the support DVD:
1.
2.
3.
Turn on the system.
Insert the motherboard support DVD to the optical drive.
The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the DVD
for the BIOS file.
Award BootBlock BIOS v1.0
Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software, Inc.
BIOS ROM checksum error
Detecting IDE ATAPI device...
When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and starts flashing the corrupted
BIOS file.
Award BootBlock BIOS v1.0
Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software, Inc.
BIOS ROM checksum error
Detecting IDE ATAPI device...
Found CDROM, try to Boot from it... Pass
DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can
cause system boot failure!
4.
Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process.
ASUS Crosshair
4-9
4.2
BIOS setup program
This motherboard supports a programmable Low-Pin Count (LPC) chip that you
can update using the provided utility described in section “4.1 Managing and
updating your BIOS.”
Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconfiguring
your system, or prompted to“Run Setup.” This section explains how to configure
your system using this utility.
Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the
configuration of your computer in the future. For example, you can enable the
security password feature or change the power management settings. This
requires you to reconfigure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the
computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the
LPC chip.
The LPC chip on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you start up the
computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program. Press
<Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to enter the Setup utility; otherwise,
POST continues with its test routines.
If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing
<Ctrl+Alt+Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You can
also restart by turning the system off and then back on. Do this last option only if
the first two failed.
The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a
menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various sub-menus and make
your selections from the available options using the navigation keys.
•
The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions
to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after
changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system
compatibility and stability. Select the Load Default Settings item under the
Exit Menu. See section “4.9 Exit Menu.”
•
The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes
only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.
•
Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for
this motherboard.
4-10
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.2.1
BIOS menu screen
Menu items
Menu bar
Configuration fields
General help
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit
Main
Extreme Tweaker
System Time
System Date
Language
15 : 30 : 36
Thu, Apr 6 2006
[English]
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Legacy Diskette A:
[1.44M, 3.5 in.]
Change the day, month,
year and century.
Primary IDE Master
[ST321122A]
[ASUS CDS520/A]
[None]
Primary IDE Slave
SATA1
SATA2
[None]
SATA3
[None]
SATA4
[None]
SATA5
[None]
SATA6
[None]
HDD SMART Monitoring
[Disabled]
Installed Memory
Usable Memory
512MB
511MB
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
Sub-menu items
Legend bar
4.2.2
Menu bar
The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:
Main
For changing the basic system configuration
Extreme Tweaker For changing the overclocking settings
Advanced
Power
For changing the advanced system settings
For changing the advanced power management (APM)
configuration
Boot
Tools
Exit
For changing the system boot configuration
For configuring options for special functions
For selecting the exit options and loading default
settings
To select an item on the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key on the keyboard
until the desired item is highlighted.
•
•
The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference purposes
only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.
Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS
information.
ASUS Crosshair
ꢂ-ꢀꢀ
4.2.3
Legend bar
At the bottom of the Setup screen is a legend bar. The keys in the legend bar allow
you to navigate through the various setup menus. The following table lists the keys
found in the legend bar with their corresponding functions.
Navigation Key
<Fꢀ>
Function
Displays the General Help screen
Loads setup default values
<Fꢃ>
<Esc>
Exits the BIOS setup or returns to the main menu from a
sub-menu
Left or Right arrow
Up or Down arrow
Page Down or – (minus)
Page Up or + (plus)
<Enter>
Selects the menu item to the left or right
Moves the highlight up or down between fields
Scrolls backward through the values for the highlighted field
Scrolls forward through the values for the highlighted field
Brings up a selection menu for the highlighted field
Saves changes and exit
<Fꢀ0>
4.2.4
Menu items
The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specific items for that menu.
For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items.
The other items (Advanced, Power, Boot, and Exit) on the menu bar have their
respective menu items.
4.2.5
Sub-menu items
A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a
sub-menu. To display the sub-menu, select the item and press <Enter>.
4.2.6
Configuration fields
These fields show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-configurable,
you can change the value of the field opposite the item. You cannot select an item
that is not user-configurable.
A configurable field is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. To
change the value of a field, select it then press <Enter> to display a list of options.
Refer to “4.2.7 Pop-up window.”
ꢂ-ꢀ2
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.2.7
Pop-up window
Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the
configuration options for that item.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
System Time
System Date
Language
15 : 30 : 36
Thu, Apr 6 2006
[English]
Select Menu
Legacy Diskette A:
[1.44M, 3.5 in.]
Item Specific Help
Legacy Diskette A:
Primary IDE Mast
cifies the capacity and
sical size of diskette
ve A.
Primary IDE Slav
SATA1
Disabled
720K , 3.5 in.
1.44M, 3.5 in.
..... [ ]
..... [ ]
SATA2
..... [ ]
SATA3
SATA4
SATA5
SATA6
HDD SMART Monito
↑↓ :Move ENTER:Accept ESC:Abort
Installed Memory
Usable Memory
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
Pop-up menu
4.2.8
General help
At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected
item.
ASUS Crosshair
ꢂ-ꢀꢁ
4.3
Main menu
When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving
you an overview of the basic system information.
Refer to section “4.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu screen
items and how to navigate through them.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
System Time
System Date
Language
15 : 30 : 36
Thu, Apr 6 2006
[English]
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Legacy Diskette A:
[1.44M, 3.5 in.]
Change the day, month,
year and century.
Primary IDE Master
[ST321122A]
[ASUS CDS520/A]
[None]
Primary IDE Slave
SATA1
SATA2
[None]
SATA3
[None]
SATA4
[None]
SATA5
[None]
SATA6
[None]
HDD SMART Monitoring
[Disabled]
Installed Memory
Usable Memory
512MB
511MB
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
4.3.1
System Time [xx:xx:xx]
Allows you to set the system time.
4.3.2
System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]
Allows you to set the system date.
4.3.3
Language [English]
Allows you to choose the BIOS language version from the options. Configuration
options: [English] [French] [Deutsch] [Chines (Trad.)] [Chinese (Simp.)] [Japanese]
4.3.4
Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]
Sets the type of floppy drive installed.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [720K , 3.5 in.] [1.44M, 3.5 in.]
ꢂ-ꢀꢂ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.3.5
Primary IDE Master/Slave
While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices.
There is a separate sub-menu for each IDE device. Select a device item then
press <Enter> to display the IDE device information.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Primary IDE Master
Select Menu
PIO Mode
UDMA Mode
[Auto]
[Auto]
Item Specific Help
Set a PIO mode for IDE
device. Mode0 through 4
for successive increase in
performance.
Primary IDE Master
Access Mode
[Auto]
[Auto]
Capacity
82 GB
Cylinder
Head
39420
16
Sector
255
Transfer Mode
UDMA 5
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items
(Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Sector and Transfer Mode). These values are not
user-configurable. These items show N/A if no IDE device is installed in the
system.
PIO Mode [Auto]
Sets the PIO mode for the IDE device.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Mode 0] [Mode 1] [Mode 2] [Mode 3] [Mode 4]
UDMA Mode [Auto]
Disables or sets the UDMA mode. Configuration options: [Disable] [Auto]
Primary IDE Master/Slave [Auto]
Select [Auto] to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive. If automatic detection
is successful, the BIOS automatically fills in the correct values for the remaining
fields on this sub-menu. If the hard disk was already formatted on a previous
system, the setup BIOS may detect incorrect parameters. Select [Manual] to
manually enter the IDE hard disk drive parameters. If no drive is installed select
[None]. Configuration options: [None] [Auto] [Manual]
ASUS Crosshair
ꢂ-ꢀꢃ
Access Mode [Auto]
The default [Auto] allows automatic detection of an IDE hard disk drive.
Select [CHS] for this item if you set the IDE Primary Master/Slave to [Manual].
Configuration options: [CHS] [LBA] [Large] [Auto]
Before attempting to configure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the
correct configuration information supplied by the drive manufacturer. Incorrect
settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk.
Capacity
Displays the auto-detected hard disk capacity. This item is not configurable.
Cylinder
Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not configurable.
Head
Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not configurable.
Sector
Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not configurable.
Transfer Mode
Shows the Transfer mode. This item is not configurable.
After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility,
such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives. This is
necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk. Make sure to
set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.
ꢂ-ꢀꢄ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.3.6
SATA1/2/3/4/5/6
While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial ATA
devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each SATA device. Select a device item
then press <Enter> to display the SATA device information.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
SATA1
Select Menu
Extended IDE Drive
Access Mode
[Auto]
[Auto]
Item Specific Help
Selects the type of fixed
disk connected to the
system.
Capacity
0 MB
Cylinder
Head
Landing Zone
Sector
0
0
0
0
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Capacity,
Cylinder, Head, Landing Zone and Sector). These values are not user-
configurable. These items show 0 if no SATA device is installed in the system.
Extended IDE Drive [Auto]
Selects the type of fixed disk connected to the system.
Configuration options: [None] [Auto]
Access Mode [Auto]
Sets the sector addressing mode. Configuration options: [Large] [Auto]
Before attempting to configure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the
correct configuration information supplied by the drive manufacturer. Incorrect
settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk.
Capacity
Displays the auto-detected hard disk capacity. This item is not configurable.
Cylinder
Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not configurable.
ASUS Crosshair
ꢂ-ꢀꢅ
Head
Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not configurable.
Landing Zone
Shows the number of landing zone per track. This item is not configurable.
Sector
Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not configurable.
After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility,
such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives. This is
necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk. Make sure to
set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.
4.3.7
HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the HDD Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting
Technology (SMART) feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
4.3.8
Installed Memory [xxx MB]
Shows the size of installed memory.
4.3.9
Usable Memory [XXX MB]
Shows the size of usable memory.
ꢂ-ꢀꢆ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.4
Extreme Tweaker menu
The Extreme menu items allow you to configure overclocking-related items.
Take caution when changing the settings of the Extreme menu items. Incorrect
field values can cause the system to malfunction.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
LinkBoost
[Enabled]
[Auto]
Disabled
Auto
Normal
3%
Select Menu
AI Tuning
x
x
x
x
x
x
Overclock Options
N.O.S Mode
Item Specific Help
N.O.S Sensitivity
N.O.S Overclock
Overclocking
Press [Enter] to select
overclock profile.
Over Voltage
DRAM Configuration
SLI-Ready Memory
SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC
AMD Live!
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Function
NVIDIA GPU Ex
[Disabled]
CPUOC 0%
[Disabled]
[Disabled]
[Disabled]
x
F1:Help
↑↓ : Select Item
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu
4.4.1
LinkBoost [Enabled]
When you install 7900GTX or 7950 GX2 graphics card, this model will auto overclock to get a
better performance. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
4.4.2
AI Tuning [Auto]
Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired CPU internal
frequency. Selct either one of the preset overclocking configuration options:
Manual
Allows you to individually set overclocking parameters.
Loads the optimal settings for the system.
Auto
Standard
AI Overclock
Loads the standard settings for the system.
Loads overclocking profiles with optimal parameters for
stability when overclocking.
AI N.O.S.
The ASUS Non-delay Overclocking System feature
intelligently determines the system load and automatically
boosts the performance for the most demanding tasks.
The following item becomes user-configurable when you set AI Tuning to
AI Overclock
[
]
Overclock Options [Disabled]
Allows you to set the overclocking options.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Overclock 3%] [Overclock 5%] [Overclock 8%]
[Overclock 10%]
ASUS Crosshair
ꢂ-ꢀꢇ
The following item becomes user-configurable when you set AI Tuning to
AI N.O.S.
[
]
N.O.S. Mode [Auto]
Allows you to set the Non-delay Overclocking System mode.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual]
The following items become user-configurable when you set N.O.S. Mode to
[Manual].
N.O.S. Sensitivity [Normal]
Allows you to set the Non-delay Overclocking System sensitivity.
Configuration options: [Normal] [Sensitive] [Less-Sensitive]
N.O.S. Overclock [3%]
Allows you to set the Non-delay Overclocking System overclocking options.
Configuration options: [3%] [5%] [8%] [10%]
The Overclocking and Over Voltage items become user-configurable when
you set AI Tuning to
[Manual].
Overclocking
This sub-menu allows you to adjust the system frequency-related items. Select an
item, then press <Enter> to edit.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Extreme Tweaker
Overclocking
Select Menu
CPU Type
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800+
Item Specific Help
CPU Speed
2000 MHz
512K
Cache RAM
CPU Frequency
[Auto]
Memory Clock Frequency
PCIEX16_1 Clock
[Auto]
[Auto]
PCIEX16_2 Clock
[Auto]
CPU<->NB HT Speed
NB to SB HT Frequency
NB --> SB HT Speed
SB --> NB HT Speed
CPU<->NB HT Width
NB<->SB HT Width
[Auto]
[Auto]
[5xNB to SB HT Frequency]
[5xSB to NB HT Frequency]
[↓16↑16]
[↓16↑16]
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
CPU Frequency [XXX] (value is auto-detected)
Indicates the frequency sent by the clock generator to the system bus and
PCI bus. The bus frequency (external frequency) multiplied by the bus
multiple equals the CPU speed. The BIOS auto-detects the value of this item.
The values range from 200.0 to 400.0.
ꢂ-20
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
Setting a very high CPU frequency may cause the system to become unstable.
If this happens, revert to the default setting.
CPU Multiplier [Auto]
Allows you to set the operating CPU multiplier. the configuration options may
vary depending on the type of CPU installed.
Configuration options:[Auto] [5x] [6x]~[25x]
Memory Clock Frequency [Auto]
Sets the memory clock frequency.
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2 400] [DDR2 533] [DDR2 667] [DDR2
800]
PCIEX16_1 / PCIEX16_2 Clock [Auto]
Allows you to set the PCI Express clock.
Configuration options: [Auto] [100MHz] ~[200MHz]
CPU<->NB HT Speed [Auto]
Allows you to set the CPU to Northbridge HT Speed.
Configuration options: [Auto] [1xCPU Frequency] [2xCPU Frequency]
[3xCPU Frequency] [4xCPU Frequency] [5xCPU Frequency]
NB to SB HT Frequency [Auto]
Allows you to set the Northbridge to Southbridge HT frequency.
Configuration options: [Auto] [200MHz] ~ [400MHz]
NB-->SB HT Speed [5xNB to SB HT Frequency]
Allows you to set the Northbridge to Southbridge HT Speed.
Configuration options: [1xNB to SB HT Frequency] [2xNB to SB HT
Frequency] [3xNB to SB HT Frequency] [4xNB to SB HT Frequency] [5xNB
to SB HT Frequency]
SB-->NB HT Speed [5xSB to NB HT Frequency]
Allows you to set the Southbridge to Northbridge HT Speed.
Configuration options: [1xSB to NB HT Frequency] [2xSB to NB HT
Frequency] [3xSB to NB HT Frequency] [4xSB to NB HT Frequency] [5xSB to
NB HT Frequency]
CPU<->NB HT Width [↓16 ↑16]
Allows you to set the CPU to Northbridge HT width.
Configuration options: [↓8 ↑8] [↓16 ↑16]
NB<->SB HT Width [↓16 ↑16]
Allows you to set the Northbridge to Southbridge HT width.
Configuration options: [↓4 ↑4] [↓8 ↑8] [↓16 ↑16]
ASUS Crosshair
ꢂ-2ꢀ
Over Voltage
This sub-menu allows you to adjust the voltage-related items. Select an item, then
press <Enter> to edit.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced Voltage Control
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to set.
CPU Voltage Range
[Auto]
x
CPU Voltage
Auto
DDR2 Voltage Control
HT Link Voltage
NB Core Voltage
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
SB Core Voltage
SB PLL Voltage
DDR2 Termination Voltage
DDR2 Controller Ref Voltage
DDR2 Channel A Ref Voltage
DDR2 Channel B Ref Voltage
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
CPU Voltage Range [Auto]
Allows you to set the operating CPU voltage range.
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.85V-0.95V] [0.95V-1.05V] ~ [1.75V-1.85V]
The following item becomes user-configurable when you set the CPU Voltage
Range to any of the available options, except [Auto].
CPU Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the operating CPU voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.75000V] [1.75625V] [1.76250V] [1.76875V]
[1.77500V] [1.78125V] [1.78750V] [1.79375V] [1.8000V] [1.80625V]
[1.81250V] [1.81875V] [1.82500V] [1.83125V] [1.83750V] [1.84375V]
[1.85000V]
DDR2 Voltage Control [Auto]
Allows you to set the operating DDR2 voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.850V] [1.875V] [1.900V] ~ [3.425V]
HT Link Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the HT Link voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.200V] [1.225V] [1.250V] [1.275V] ~ [1.575V]
NB Core Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the NB Core voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.200V] [1.225V] [1.250V] [1.275V]~[1.575V]
ꢂ-22
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
SB Core Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the SB Core voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.500V] [1.525V] [1.550V]~[1.875V]
SB PLL Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the SB PLL voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.50V] [1.55V]~[1.85V]
DDR2 Termination Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the DDR2 termination voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2_Vol/2] [DDR2_Vol/2 -50mV]
[DDR2_Vol/2-100mV] [DDR2_Vol/2-150mV] [DDR2_Vol/2+ 50mV]
[DDR2_Vol/2+100mV] [DDR2_Vol/2+150mV]
DDR2 Controller Ref Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the DDR2 Controller Ref Voltage
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2_Vol/2] [DDR2_Vol/2- 50mV]
[DDR2_Vol/2-100mV] [DDR2_Vol/2-150mV] [DDR2_Vol/2+ 50mV]
[DDR2_Vol/2+100mV] [DDR2_Vol/2+150mV]
DDR2 Channel A Ref Voltage / DDR2 Channel B Ref Voltage [Auto]
Allows you to set the DDR2 Controller/ChannelA/B Ref voltage.
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2_Vol/2] [DDR2_Vol/2-100mV] [DDR2_
Vol/2+ 50mV] [DDR2_Vol/2+100mV] [DDR2_Vol/2+150mV]
4.4.3
DRAM Configuration
The items in the sub-menu show the DRAM-related information auto-detected by
the BIOS.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Extreme Tweaker
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to set.
DRAM Configuration
[Auto]
Tcl
Trcd
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
Normal
Normal
Trp
Tras
Width of DRAM Interface
1T/2T Memory Timing
AI Clock Skew
Channel A Clock Skew
Channel B Clock Skew
Advanced Memory Settings
DRAM Timing Control
Output Driver Control
x
X
Current DRAM Timing
533MHz-4-4-4-11-1T
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
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Tcl [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Trcd [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Trp [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Tras [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [5] [6] [7]~[18]
Width of DRAM Interface [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [64-bit]
1T/2T Memory Timing [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T]
DRAM ECC Enable [Disabled]
Enables or disables the DRAM ECC function.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
This item appears only when you install DRAM modules that support ECC
function.
AI Clock Skew [Auto]
Below items become user-configurable when you set the AI Clock Skew to
[Manual].
Channel A Clock Skew: [Advance 900ps] [Advance 750ps] [Advance 600ps]
[Advance 450ps] [Advance 300ps] [Advance 150ps] [Normal] [Delay 150ps]
[Delay 300ps] [Delay 450ps] [Delay 600ps] [Delay 750ps] [Delay 900ps]
Channel B Clock Skew: [Advance 900ps] [Advance 750ps] [Advance 600ps]
[Advance 450ps] [Advance 300ps] [Advance 150ps] [Normal] [Delay 150ps]
[Delay 300ps] [Delay 450ps] [Delay 600ps] [Delay 750ps] [Delay 900ps]
ꢂ-2ꢂ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
Advanced Memory Settings
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced Memory Settings
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to set.
CPU On-die Termination
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Enabled]
Trc
Twr
Trrd
Trwt
Twtr
Trtp
Twrrd
Twrwr
Trdrd
Tref
Trfc
DRAM Termination
Max Async Latency
R/W Queue Bypass
Dynamic Idle Cycle Counter
Idle Cycle Limit
DCQ Bypass Maximum
DRAM Burst Length
DRAM Bank Interleaving
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
CPU On-die Termination [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [300 ohm] [150 ohm] [75 ohm]
Trc [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [11] [12] [13]~[26]
Twr [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Trrd [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Trwt [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5] ~ [9]
Twtr [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1] [2] [3]
Trtp [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [2/4] [3/5]
Twrrd [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3]
Twrwr [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1] [2] [3]
Trdrd [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Tref [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [7.8 us] [3.9 us]
Trfc [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3]
DRAM Termination [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [75 ohms] [150 ohms] [50 ohms]
Max Async Latency [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0 ns] [1 ns] [2 ns] ~ [15 ns]
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R/W Queue Bypass [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [2x] [4x] [8x] [16x]
Dynamic Idle Cycle Counter [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]
Idle Cycle Limit [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0 cycles] [4 cycles] [8 cycles] [16 cycles] [32 cycles]
[64 cycles] [128 cycles] [256 cycles]
DCQ Bypass Maximum [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0x] [1x] [2x]~[15x]
DRAM Burst Length [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [64-byte] [32-byte]
DRAM Bank Interleaving [Enabled]
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
DRAM Timing Control
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Extreme Tweaker
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to set.
DRAM Timing Control
CHA CKE Fine Delay
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
CHB CKE Fine Delay
CHA CKE Setup Time
CHB CKE Setup Time
CHA CS/ODT Fine Delay
CHB CS/ODT Fine Delay
CHA CS/ODT Setup Time
CHB CS/ODT Setup Time
CHA Add/CMD Fine Delay
CHB Add/CMD Fine Delay
CHA Add/CMD Setup Time
CHB Add/CMD Setup Time
Read DQS Timing Control
Write Data Timing Control
DQS Receiver Enable Timing
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
CHA/CHB CKE Fine Delay [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/64 MEMCLK delay] [2/64 MEMCLK delay]
[3/64 MEMCLK delay] ~ [31/64 MEMCLK delay]
CHA/CHB CKE Setup Time [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1/2 MEMCLK] [1 MEMCLK]
CHA/CHB C/S ODT Fine Delay [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/64 MEMCLK delay] [2/64 MEMCLK delay]
[3/64 MEMCLK delay] ~ [31/64 MEMCLK delay]
CHA/CHB C/S ODT Setup Time [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1/2 MEMCLK] [1 MEMCLK]
CHA/CHB Add/CMD Fine Delay [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/64 MEMCLK delay] [2/64 MEMCLK delay]
[3/64 MEMCLK delay] ~ [31/64 MEMCLK delay]
CHA/CHB Add/CMD Setup Time [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1/2 MEMCLK] [1 MEMCLK]
Read DQS Timing Control [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/96 MEMCLK delay] [2/96 MEMCLK delay]
[3/96 MEMCLK delay] ~ [47/96 MEMCLK delay]
ꢂ-2ꢄ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
Write Data Timing Control [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/96 MEMCLK delay] [2/96 MEMCLK delay]
[3/96 MEMCLK]...[47/96 MEMCLK delay]
DQS Receiver Enable Timing [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0 ps] [50 ps] [100 ps] [150 ps] ~ [8700 ps]
Output Driver Control
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Extreme Tweaker
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to set.
Output Driver Control
CHA CKE Drive Strength
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
[Auto]
CHB CKE Drive Strength
CHA CS/ODT Drive Strength
CHB CS/ODT Drive Strength
CHA Add/CMD Drive Strength
CHB Add/CMD Drive Strength
MEMCLK Drive Strength
Data Drive Strength
DQS Drive Strength
DRAM Drivers Weak Mode
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
: Select Item
: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
↑↓
→←
CHA/CHB CKE Drive Strength [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x]
CHA/CHB C/S ODT Drive Strength [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x]
CHA/CHB Add/CMD Drive Strength [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x]
MEMCLK Drive Strength [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x]
Data Drive Strength [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x]
DQS Drive Strength [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x]
DRAM Drivers Weak Mode [Auto]
Configuration options: [Auto] [Normal] [Weak]
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4.4.4
SLI-Ready Memory [Disabled]
Allows you to select the SPD profile for SLI-Ready memory modules. The
configuration options may vary depending on the type of module you installed.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Optimal] [High Performance] [High Frequency]
The following item becomes user-configurable when SLI-Ready Memory is set
to Enabled.
4.4.5
SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC [CPUOC 0%]
Configuration options: [CPUOC 0%] [CPUOC 1%]~[CPUOC 14%] [CPUOC MAX]
4.4.6
AMD Live! [Disabled]
Enables or disables AMD Live!
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
4.4.7
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Function [Disabled]
Enables or disables the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet technology.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled]
4.4.8
NVIDIA GPU Ex [Disabled]
Enables or disables with the optimized NVIDIA Ex graphics driver.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled]
ꢂ-2ꢆ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.5
Advanced menu
The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for system devices.
Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect
field values can cause the system to malfunction.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
AI NET2
Select Menu
PEG Link Mode
PCIPnP
Item Specific Help
Onboard Device Configuration
Press [Enter] to set.
F1:Help
↑↓ : Select Item
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu
4.5.1
AI NET2
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
AI NET2
Select Menu
POST Check LAN Cable
POST Check LAN2 Cable
[Disabled]
[Disabled]
Item Specific Help
Enable or Disable LAN
cable check during POST.
Pair
Status
Length
LAN1(1-2)
LAN1(3-6)
LAN1(4-5)
LAN1(7-8)
Open
Open
Open
Open
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
LAN2(1-2)
LAN2(3-6)
LAN2(4-5)
LAN2(7-8)
Open
Open
Open
Open
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
POST Check LAN Cable [Disabled]
POST Check LAN2 Cable[Disabled]
Enables or disables checking of the LAN/LAN2 cable during the Power-On
Self-Test (POST). Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
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4.5.2
PEG Link Mode
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
Select Menu
PEG Link Mode
PEG Link Mode
[Auto]
Item Specific Help
Enhance performance on
PCIE serial graphic card.
PEG Link Mode [Auto]
Allows you to enhance the performance of your PCI Express graphics card.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Normal] [Fast] [Faster]
Setting to [Fast] or [Faster] may cause your system to be unstable. If this
happens, revert to the default setting [Auto].
4.5.3
PCIPnP
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
PCIPnP
Select Menu
Plug & Play O/S
Resources Controlled By
[No]
Item Specific Help
[Auto]
Select Yes if you are using
a Plug and Play capable
operating system. Select
No if you need the BIOS to
configure non-boot devices.
x
IRQ Resources
Plug & Play O/S [No]
When set to [No], the BIOS configures all the devices in the system. When set to
[Yes] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system
configures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot. Configuration options:
[No] [Yes]
Resources Controlled By [Auto]
When set to [Auto], the BIOS automatically configures all the boot and Plug and
Play compatible devices. Set to [Manual] if you want to assign the IRQ DMA and
memory base address fields. Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual]
ꢂ-ꢁ0
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
The item IRQ Resources becomes user-configurable when you set Resources
Controlled By to [Manual].
IRQ Resources
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
IRQ Resources
Select Menu
IRQ-5 assigned to
IRQ-7 assigned to
IRQ-9 assigned to
IRQ-10 assigned to
IRQ-11 assigned to
IRQ-14 assigned to
IRQ-15 assigned to
[PCI Device]
[PCI Device]
[PCI Device]
[PCI Device]
[PCI Device]
[PCI Device]
[PCI Device]
Item Specific Help
Legacy ISA for devices
compliant with the original
PC AT bus specification,
PCI/ISA PnP for devices
compliant with the Plug
and Play standard whether
designed for PCI or ISA
bus architecture.
IRQ-xx assigned to
When set to [PCI Device], the specific IRQ is free for use of PCI/PnP
devices. When set to [Reserved], the IRQ is reserved for legacy ISA devices.
Configuration options: [PCI Device] [Reserved]
4.5.4
Onboard Device Configuration
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
Onboard Device Configuration
Select Menu
IDE Function Setup
Serial-ATA Configuration
USB Configuration
Item Specific Help
Onboard 1394 Controller
Onboard 1st nVidia LAN
Onboard 2nd nVidia LAN
Onboard nVidia Lan Boot ROM
Primary Display Adapter
HD Audio
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
[Disabled]
[PCIEX16_1]
[Auto]
Front Panel Support Type
Silicon SATAII Controller
Internal Connector LED
LCD Poster Back Light
LCD Poster Mode
[AC97]
[SATA Mode]
[Disabled]
[Disabled]
[Current Time]
x
LCD Poster String
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
F5: Setup Defaults
Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit
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ꢂ-ꢁꢀ
IDE Function Setup
This sub-menu contains IDE function-related items. Select an item then press
<Enter> to edit.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
IDE Function Setup
Select Menu
OnChip IDE Channel0
IDE DMA transfer access
IDE Prefetch Mode
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
Item Specific Help
OnChip IDE Channel0 [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the onchip IDE channel 0 controller .
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
IDE DMA transfer access [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the IDE DMA transfer access.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
IDE Prefetch Mode [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the IDE PIO read prefetch mode.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Serial-ATA Configuration
This sub-menu allows you to change Serial ATA settings. Select an item then press
<Enter> to edit.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
Serial-ATA Configuration
Select Menu
Serial-ATA Controller
RAID Enabled
SATA1
SATA2
SATA3
SATA4
SATA5
SATA6
[Enabled]
[Disabled]
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Item Specific Help
x
x
x
x
x
x
RAID
RAID
RAID
RAID
RAID
RAID
Serial-ATA Controller [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard Serial ATA controller.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
RAID Enabled [Disabled]
Enables or disables the onboard RAID controller. When set to [Enabled],
the succeeding items become user-configurable. Configuration options:
[Disabled] [Enabled]
ꢂ-ꢁ2
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
SATA1/2/3/4/5/6 [Disabled]
Enables or disables the RAID function of the first to sixth SATA master drive.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
USB Configuration
The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features. Select an
item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Advanced
USB Configuration
Select Menu
USB Controller
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
Item Specific Help
USB2.0 Controller
USB Legacy support
Enable or disable
the USB 1.1 and 2.0
Controller.
USB Controller [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the onchip USB controller.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 controller.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
USB Legacy Support [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable support for USB devices on legacy operating
systems (OS). Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Onboard 1394 [Enabled]
Allows you to disable or enable the onboard 1394 device support.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Onboard 1st/2nd Nvidia LAN [Enabled]
Enables or disables the onboard NVIDIA® LAN controller.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
OnBoard nVidia LAN Boot ROM [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN boot ROM.
Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Primary Display Adapter [PCIEX16_1]
Allows you to select the graphics controller to use as the primary boot device.
Configuration options: [PCI Slot] [PCIEX16_2] [PCIEX16_1]
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ꢂ-ꢁꢁ
HD Audio [Auto]
Allows you to disable or set the High-Definition audio function.
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled]
Front Panel Support Type [AC97]
Allows you to set the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC`97
or high-definition audio depending on the audio standard that the front panel audio
module supports. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio]
Silicon SATAII Controller [SATA Mode]
Allows you to disable or set the function of the extended SATA II controller.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [SATA Mode] [RAID Mode]
Internal Connector LED [by Switch]
Allows you to control the internal connector LED by Switch or Always on.
Configuration options: [By Switch] [Always On]
LCD Poster Back Light [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the LCD poster backlight.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
LCD Poster Mode [Current Time]
Allows you to select the LCD poster mode.
Configuration options: [Current Time] [User String]
The following item becomes configurable when the “LCD Poster Mode” item is
set to [User String].
LCD Poster String
Allows you to enter a string on the LCD poster.
ꢂ-ꢁꢂ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.6
Power menu
The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced
Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management
(APM). Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
ACPI Suspend Type
ACPI APIC support
APM Configuration
Hardware Monitor
[S1&S3]
[Enabled]
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to select
overclock profile.
F1:Help
↑↓ : Select Item
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu
4.6.1
ACPI Suspend Type [S1&S3]
Allows you to select the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
state to be used for system suspend. Configuration options: [S1 (POS)] [S3(STR)]
[S1&S3]
4.6.2
ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface
(ACPI) support in the Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). When set
to Enabled, the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the RSDT pointer list.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
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ꢂ-ꢁꢃ
4.6.3
APM Configuration
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Power
APM Configuration
Select Menu
Restore on AC Power Loss
[Power-Off]
[Instant-Off]
[Disabled]
[Disabled]
[Disabled]
[ 0]
0 : 0 : 0
[Disabled]
[Disabled]
Item Specific Help
PWR Button < 4 secs
Power Up On PCI/PCIE Devices
USB Resume from S5
Press [Enter] to select
whether or not to restart
the system after AC power
loss.
Power On by RTC Alarm
Date (of Month) Alarm
Alarm Time (hh:mm)
x
x
Power Up By PS/2 Mouse
Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
Restore on AC Power Loss [Power-Off]
Allows you to enable or disable the Restore on AC Power Loss function.
Configuration options: [Power-Off] [Power-On]
PWR Button < 4 secs [Instant-Off]
Allows you to set the event after the power button is pressed for more than 4
seconds. Configuration options: [Suspend] [Instant-Off]
Power Up On PCI/PCIE Devices [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the PME to wake up from S5 by PCI devices & NV
Onboard LAN. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
USB Resume from S5 [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the support of USB keyboard or mouse resumption
from S5. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake event. When this item is
set to Enabled, the items Date of Month Alarm and Time (hh:mm:ss) Alarm items
become user-configurable with set values.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Date (of Month) Alarm [XX]
To set the date of alarm, highlight this item and press <Enter> to display the Date
of Month Alarm pop-up menu. Key-in a value within the specified range then press
<Enter>. Value ‘0’ means everyday. Configuration options: [Min=0] [Max=31]
ꢂ-ꢁꢄ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
Alarm Time (hh:mm) [ X: X: X]
To set the time of alarm:
1.
Highlight this item and press <Enter> to display a pop-up menu for the hour
field.
2.
3.
4.
Key-in a value (Min=0, Max=23), then press <Enter>.
Press <TAB> to move to the minutes field then press <Enter>.
Key-in a minute value (Min=0, Max=59), then press <Enter>.
Power Up By PS/2 Mouse [Disabled]
When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to use the PS/2 mouse to turn on
the system. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on
the +5VSB lead. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]
Allows you to disable the Power On by PS/2 keyboard function or set specific
keys on the PS/2 keyboard to turn on the system. This feature requires an ATX
power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead. Configuration options:
[Disabled] [Space Bar] [Ctrl-ESC] [Power Key]
4.6.4
Hardware Monitor
The items in this sub-menu displays the hardware monitor values automatically
detected by the BIOS. It also allows you to change CPU Q-Fan feature-related
parameters. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Power
Select Menu
Hardware Monitor
Voltage Monitor
Item Specific Help
Temperature Monitor
Fan Speed Monitor
Press [Enter] to go to
the sub-menu.
Fan Speed Control
CPU Fan Connector Type
Fan Boost Function
CPU Fan Speed warning
[4-Pin Fan]
[Disabled]
[800 RPM]
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
ASUS Crosshair
ꢂ-ꢁꢅ
Voltage Monitor
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Power
Select Menu
Voltage Monitor
+12V Voltage
+5V Voltage
+3.3V Voltage
[12.03V]
[ 4.99V]
[ 3.26V]
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to set.
DDR2 Voltage
[ 1.87V]
[ 0.92V]
[ 1.44V]
[ 1.26V]
DDR2 Termination Voltage
CPU Core Voltage
CPU-NB HT Voltage
NB 2.5V Voltage
NB Core Voltage
SB Core Voltage
SB PLL Voltage
Sil3132 ESATA Voltage
Marvell LAN PHY Voltage
[ 2.75V]
[ 1.21V]
[ 1.58V]
[ 1.58V]
[ 1.82V]
[ 1.77V]
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
+12V / +5V / +3.3V Voltage
DDR2 / DDR2 Termination / CPU Core/ CPU-NB HT Voltage
NB 2.5V / NB Core / SB Core / SB PLL Voltage / Sil3132 ESATA / Marvell
LAN PHY Voltage
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output
through the onboard voltage regulators.
Temperature Monitor
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Power
Temperature Monitor
57ºC
Select Menu
CPU Temperature
M/B Temperature
OPT1 Temperature
OPT2 Temperature
OPT3 Temperature
Item Specific Help
37ºC
0ºC
0ºC
0ºC
CPU, M/B, OPT1/2/3 Temperature
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the motherboard,
CPU, and OPT1/2/3 temperatures. These items are not user-configurable.
ꢂ-ꢁꢆ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
Fan Speed Monitor
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Power
Fan Speed Monitor
Select Menu
CPU FAN Speed
2960 RPM
0 RPM
0 RPM
0 RPM
0 RPM
0 RPM
0 RPM
0 RPM
Item Specific Help
CHA Rear FAN Speed
CHA Front FAN Speed
OPT1 FAN Speed
OPT2 FAN Speed
OPT3 FAN Speed
OPT4 FAN Speed
OPT5 FAN Speed
CPU FAN / CHA Rear FAN Speed
OPT1/2/3/4/5 FAN Speed
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU,
Chassis, and OPT1/2/3/4/5 fan speed in rotations per minute (RPM). If any of the
fans is not connected to the motherboard, the field shows 0. These items are not
user-configurable.
Fan Speed Control
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Power
Voltage Monitor
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
CPU Fan Control
[Duty Cycle Mode]
[100%]
CPU Fan Duty Cycle
Press [Enter] to enable
or disable.
CHA Rear Fan Control
CHA Rear Fan Duty Cycle
CHA Rear Fan Q-Fan Sense
CHA Front Fan Control
CHA Front Fan Duty Cycle
CHA Rear Fan Q-Fan Sense
OPT Fan1 Control
[Duty Cycle Mode]
[100%]
x
x
x
x
x
CPU Temperature
[Duty Cycle Mode]
[100%]
CPU Temperature
[Duty Cycle Mode]
[100%]
OPT Fan1 Duty Cycle
OPT Fan1 Target Temperature
OPT Fan2 Control
40ºC/104ºF
[Duty Cycle Mode]
[100%]
OPT Fan2 Duty Cycle
OPT Fan2 Target Temperature
OPT Fan3 Control
40ºC/104ºF
[Duty Cycle Mode]
[100%]
OPT Fan3 Duty Cycle
OPT Fan3 Target Temperature
OPT Fan4 Duty Cycle
40ºC/104ºF
[100%]
OPT Fan5 Duty Cycle
[100%]
CPU / CHA Rear / CHA Front / OPT Fan1, 2, 3, Fan Control
[Duty Cycle Mode]
Allows you to select the fan control mode.
Configuration options: [Duty Cycle Mode] [Q-FAN Mode]
CPU / CHA Rear / CHA Front / OPT Fan1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5 Fan Duty Cycle [100%]
Allows you to set the fan duty cycle. When the Fan Control item is set to
Q-FAN Mode, this item is not user-configurable.
Configuration options: [60%] [70%] [80%] [90%] [100%]
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CHA Rear/Front Fan Q-Fan Sense [CPU Temperature]
Allows the Q-Fan to sense CPU/MB temperature and to adjust the fan speed.
When the previous items are set to Q-FAN Mode, these items become user-
configurable. Configuration options: [CPU Temperature] [MB Temperature]
OPT Fan1/2/3 Target Temperature [40ºC/104ºF]
Allows the Q-Fan to sense the temperature of fans connected to OPT
Fan1/2/3 and to adjust the fan speed. When the OPT Fan1/2/3 Control items
are set to Q-FAN Mode, these items become user-configurable.
Configuration options: [10ºC/50ºF] [15ºC/59ºF] [20ºC/68ºF] [25ºC/77ºF]
[30ºC/86ºF] [35ºC/95ºF] [40ºC/104ºF] [45ºC/113ºF] [50ºC/122ºF] [55ºC/131ºF]
[60ºC/140ºF] [65ºC/149ºF] [70ºC/158ºF] [75ºC/167ºF] [80ºC/176ºF] [85ºC/
185ºF]
The thermo sensor cables need to be connected to the optional fans first for this
function.
CPU Fan Connector Type [4-Pin Fan]
Allows you to select the type of CPU fan cable connected to the CPU fan.
Configuration options: [4-Pin Fan] [3-Pin Fan]
Fan Boost Function [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the fan boost function.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
When the Fan Boost Function is enabled, the 3-pin CPU fan will run at full
speed.
CPU Fan Speed warning [800 RPM]
Allows you to set the CPU fan warning speed function, which gives off a warning
when the CPU fan speed is too low. If you set this item to [Disabled], the system
will not warn you even if no fan is installed or if the fan is not functioning properly.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [800 RPM] [1200 RPM] [1600 RPM]
ꢂ-ꢂ0
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.7
Boot menu
The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item
then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
Boot Device Priority
Removable Drives
Hard Disk Drives
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
Boot Settings Configuration
Security
Select Boot Device
Priority
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
4.7.1
Boot Device Priority
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Boot
Boot Device Priority
Select Menu
1st Boot Device
[Removable]
Item Specific Help
2nd Boot Device
3rd Boot Device
4th Boot Device
[Hard Disk]
[CDROM]
Select Your Boot
Device Priority
[Disabled]
1st ~ 4th Boot Device [Removable]
These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices.
The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of
devices installed in the system.
Configuration options: [Removable] [Hard Disk] [CDROM] [Disabled]
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4.7.2
Removable Drives
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Boot
Removable Drives
Select Menu
1. Floppy Disks
Item Specific Help
1. Floppy Disks
Allows you to assign a removable drive attached to the system.
4.7.3
Hard Disk Drives
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Boot
Hard Disk Drives
Select Menu
1. SATA 1: XXXXXXXXX
Item Specific Help
1. SATA 1: XXXXXXXXX
Allows you to assign hard disk drives attached to the system.
ꢂ-ꢂ2
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
4.7.4
Boot Settings Configuration
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Boot
Boot Settings Configuration
Select Menu
Case Open Warning
[Enabled]
[Enabled]
[Disabled]
[On]
Item Specific Help
Quick Boot
Boot Up Floppy Seek
Bootup Num-Lock
Press [Enter] to
enable or disable.
Typematic Rate Setting
Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec)
Typematic Delay (Msec)
OS Select For DRAM > 64MB
Full Screen LOGO
[Disabled]
6
x
x
250
[Non-OS2]
[Enabled]
[All Errors]
Halt On
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
Case Open Warning [Enabled]
Enables or disables the chassis open status feature. Setting to Enabled, clears the
chassis open status. Refer to section “2.8.2 Internal connectors” for setting details.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Quick Boot [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the system quick boot feature. When Enabled, the
system skips certain tests while booting.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Boot Up Floppy Seek [Disabled]
Enables or disables the chassis open status feature. Setting to Enabled, clears the
chassis open status. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Bootup Num-Lock [On]
Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.
Configuration options: [Off] [On]
Typematic Rate Setting [Disabled]
Allows you to set the keystroke rate. Enable this item to configure the Typematic
Rate (Chars/Sec) and the Typematic Delay (Msec).
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
The items Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and Typematic Delay (Msec) become
user-configurable only when the item Typematic Rate Setting is enabled.
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Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) [6]
Allows you to select the rate at which a character repeats when you hold a key.
Configuration options: [6] [8] [10] [12] [15] [20] [24] [30]
Typematic Delay (Msec) [250]
Allows you to set the delay before keystrokes begin to repeat.
Configuration options: [250] [500] [750] [1000]
OS Select for DRAM > 64MB [Non-OS2]
Set this item to OS2 only when you are running on an OS/2 operating system with
an installed RAM of greater than 64 MB. Configuration options: [Non-OS2] [OS2]
Full Screen LOGO [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Make sure that the above item is set to [Enabled] if you want to use the ASUS
MyLogo3™ feature.
Halt On [All Errors]
Allows you to set the error report type.
Configuration options: [All Errors] [No Errors] [All, But Keyboard] [All, But Diskette]
[All, But Disk/Key]
4.7.5
Security
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Boot
Security
Select Menu
Supervisor Password
User Password
Password Check
Clear
Item Specific Help
Clear
[Setup]
Supervisor Password
User Password
These fields allow you to set passwords:
To set a password:
1.
2.
Select an item then press <Enter>.
Type in a password using a combination of a maximum of eight (8)
alpha-numeric characters, then press <Enter>.
ꢂ-ꢂꢂ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
3.
When prompted, confirm the password by typing the exact characters again,
then press <Enter>. The password field setting is changed to Set.
To clear the password:
1.
Select the password field and press <Enter> twice. The following message
appears:
PASSWORD DISABLED !!!
Press any key to continue...
2.
Press any key to continue. The password field setting is changed to Clear.
A note about passwords
The Supervisor password is required to enter the BIOS Setup program
preventing unauthorized access. The User password is required to boot the
system preventing unauthorized use.
Forgot your password?
If you forget your password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time
Clock (RTC) RAM. The RAM data containing the password information is
powered by the onboard button cell battery. If you need to erase the CMOS
RAM, refer to section “2.6 Jumper” for instructions.
Password Check
This field requires you to enter the password before entering the BIOS setup or the
system. Select [Setup] to require the password before entering the BIOS Setup.
Select [System] to require the password before entering the system.
Configuration options: [Setup] [System]
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ꢂ-ꢂꢃ
4.8
Tools menu
The Tools menu items allow you to configure options for special functions. Select
an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
ASUS Music Alarm
ASUS O.C. Profile
Select Menu
ASUS EZ Flash 2
Item Specific Help
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select Sub-menu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
4.8.1
ASUS Music Alarm
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Tools
ASUS Music Alarm
Select Menu
ASUS Music Alarm
[Disabled]
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Item Specific Help
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Alarm Date: Sunday
Monday
Press [Enter] to select.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Alarm Time (hh:mm)
Audio CD Drive
Detect CD
0
:
0
Primary IDE Master
Enter
N/A
Disabled
10 Mins
16
Starting Track
Repeat Track
Length
Volume
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
ASUS Music Alarm [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Music Alarm function.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
The succeeding items become user-configurable when you enable the ASUS
Music Alarm.
Alarm Date: Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/
Saturday [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the alarm for a particular day.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
ꢂ-ꢂꢄ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
Alarm Time (hh:mm) 0 : 0
Allows you to set the alarm time. Press <Tab> to select the field, then use <+> or
<-> to change the value. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Audio CD Drive [Primary IDE Master]
Allows you to select the connection configuration of the optical storage device from
which the alarm music will play from.
Configuration options: [Primary IDE Master] [Primary IDE Slave]
Detect CD [Enter]
Press <Enter> to search the CD track number.
Starting Track
Allows you to choose the starting track from the CD from which you would like the
alarm music to play.
Repeat Track [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the repeat track function.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Single] [All]
Length [10 Mins]
Allows you to set the length of the music alarm.
Configuration options: [10 Mins] [20 Mins] [30 Mins] [1 Hour]
Volume [16]
Allows you to set the volume level of the music alarm.
Configuration options: [01] ~ [32]
4.8.2
ASUS O.C. Profile
This item allows you to store or load multiple BIOS settings.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Tools
ASUS BIOS Profile
Select Menu
Load BIOS Profile
Save BIOS Profile
Item Specific Help
Press [Enter] to select.
Load BIOS Profile
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Tools
Load BIOS Profile
Select Menu
Load from Profile 1
Load from Profile 2
Load from File
Item Specific Help
Load BIOS Profile from
Profile 1.
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Load from Profile 1/2
Allows you to load the previous BIOS settings saved in the BIOS Flash. Press
<Enter> to load the file.
Load from File
Allows you to load the previous BIOS file saved in the hard disk/floppy disk/USB
flash disk with the FAT32/16/12 format. Follow the instructions below to load the
BIOS file.
1. Insert the storage devices that contains the “xxx.CMO” file.
2. Turn on the system.
3. Enter BIOS setup program. Go to the “Tools” menu to select “Load from
File.” Press <Enter> then the setup screen will appear.
4. Press <Tab> to switch between drives before the correct “xxx.CMO” file
is found. Then press <Enter> to load the file.
5. A pop-up message will inform you when the loading process finishes.
•
•
Suggest only to update the BIOS file coming from the same memory/CPU
configuration and BIOS version.
Only the “xxx.CMO” file can be loaded.
Save BIOS Profile
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Tools
Save BIOS Profile
Select Menu
Save to Profile 1
Save to Profile 2
Save to File
Item Specific Help
Save current BIOS Profile
to Profile 1.
Save to Profle 1/2
Allows you to save the current BIOS file to the BIOS Flash. Press <Enter> to save
the file.
Save to File
Allows you to save the current BIOS file to the hard disk/floppy disk/USB flash disk
with FAT32/16/12 format. Follow the instructions below to save the BIOS file.
1. Insert the storage devices with enough space.
2. Turn on the system.
3. Enter the BIOS setup program. Go to the “Tools” menu to select “Save to
File.” Press <Enter> then the setup screen will appear.
4. Press <Tab> to switch between the drives. Press hot-key <S> to save
the file.
ꢂ-ꢂꢆ
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
5. Key in the file name. Then press <Enter>.
6. A pop-up message will inform you when the saving process finishes.
ASUSTek O.C. Profile Utility B313
Current CMOS
BOARD: CROSSHAIR
VER: 0115
Update CMOS
BOARD: Unknown
VER: Unknown
DATE: 05/04/2006
DATE: Unknown
PATH: A:\
A:
CMOS backup is done! Press any key to Exit.
Note
[Enter] Select
[S] Save
[ESC]: Exit
[Tab] Switch
[Up/Down/Home/End] Move
The BIOS file will be saved as “xxx.CMO“.
4.8.3
ASUS EZ Flash 2
Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <Enter>, a confirmation
message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Yes] or [No],
then press <Enter> to confirm your choice.
ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility B311
FLASH TYPE: Winbond W39V080A 8Mb LPC
Current ROM
BOARD: CROSSHAIR
VER: 0115
Update ROM
BOARD: Unknown
VER: Unknown
DATE: 05/04/2006
DATE: Unknown
PATH: A:\
A:
Note
[Enter] Select
[S] Save
[ESC] Exit
[Tab] Switch
[Up/Down/Home/End] Move
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4.9
Exit menu
The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values for the
BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items.
Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility
Main
Extreme Tweaker
Advanced
Power
Boot
Tools
Exit
Exit & Save Changes
Exit & Discard Changes
Load Setup Default
Discard Changes
Select Menu
Item Specific Help
This option save data
to CMOS and exiting
the setup menu.
F1:Help
ESC: Exit
↑↓ : Select Item
→←: Select Menu
-/+: Change Value
Enter: Select SubMenu
F5: Setup Defaults
F10: Save and Exit
Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options
from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.
Exit & Save Changes
Once you are finished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit
menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM. An onboard
backup battery sustains the CMOS RAM so it stays on even when the PC is turned
off. When you select this option, a confirmation window appears. Select YES to
save changes and exit.
If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes, the
program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save your changes
before exiting. Press <Enter> to save the changes while exiting.
Exit & Discard Changes
Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the
Setup program. If you made changes to fields other than System Date, System
Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting.
Load Setup Default
This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the
Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a confirmation
window appears. Select YES to load default values. Select Exit & Save Changes
or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM.
Discard Changes
This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the
previously saved values. After selecting this option, a confirmation appears. Select
YES to discard any changes and load the previously saved values.
ꢂ-ꢃ0
Chapter ꢂ: BIOS setup
This chapter describes the contents of
the support DVD that comes with the
motherboard package.
Software
5
support
Chapter summary
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1
Support DVD information............................................................ 5-1
Software information ................................................................... 5-9
RAID configurations .................................................................. 5-24
Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 5-40
ASUS Crosshair
5.1
Installing an operating system
This motherboard supports Windows® 2000/2003 Server/XP/64-bit XP operating
systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to
maximize the features of your hardware.
•
•
Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Use the setup
procedures presented in this chapter for reference only. Refer to your OS
documentation for detailed information.
Make sure that you install Windows® 2000 Service Pack 4 or the Windows®
XP Service Pack2 or later versions before installing the drivers for better
compatibility and system stability.
5.2
Support DVD information
The support DVD that came with the motherboard package contains the drivers,
software applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard
features.
The contents of the support DVD are subject to change at any time without
notice. Visit the ASUS website(www.asus.com) for updates.
5.2.1
Running the support DVD
Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the
Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer.
Click an icon to
display support DVD/
motherboard information
Click an item to install
If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support
DVD to locate the file ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder. Double-click the
ASSETUP.EXE to run the DVD.
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5.2.2
Drivers menu
The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed
devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices.
ASUS InstAll-Drivers Installation Wizard
Installs all of the drivers through the Installation Wizard.
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Driver
Installs the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ technology driver.
Nvidia Chipset Driver Program
Installs the NVIDIA® Chipset drivers for the NVIDIA® nForce™ 590 SLI chipset.
SoundMAX ADI1988 Audio Driver
Installs the SoundMAX® ADI1988 audio driver and application.
Silicon Image SATA Driver
Installs the Silicon Image® Serial ATA RAID driver.
USB 2.0 Driver
Installs the USB 2.0 driver.
ꢃ-2
Chapter 5: Software support
5.2.3
Utilities menu
The Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard
supports.
ASUS InstAll-Drivers Installation Wizard
Installs all of the drivers through the Installation Wizard.
3DMark06 Software
Installs the 3DMark06 software.
Adobe Reader V7.0
Installs the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader that allows you to open, view, and print
documents in Portable Document Format (PDF).
ASUS Ai Booster
The ASUS AI Booster application allows you to overclock the CPU speed in
Windows® environment.
ASUS Cool ‘n’ Quiet Utility
Installs the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ software.
ASUS Update
The ASUS Update utility allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows®
environment. This utility requires an Internet connection either through a network
or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
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ꢃ-ꢁ
Microsoft DirectX 9.0c
Installs the Microsoft® DirectX 9.0c driver. The Microsoft DirectX® 9.0c is a
multimedia technology that enhances computer graphics and sound. DirectX®
improves the multimedia features of you computer so you can enjoy watching
TV and movies, capturing videos, or playing games in your computer. Visit the
Microsoft website (www.microsoft.com) for updates.
Anti-Virus Utility
The anti-virus application scans, identifies, and removes computer viruses. View
the online help for detailed information.
ASUS PC Probe II
This smart utility monitors the fan speed, CPU temperature, and system voltages,
and alerts you of any detected problems. This utility helps you keep your computer
in healthy operating condition.
ASUS Screen Saver
Bring life to your idle screen by installing the ASUS screen saver.
ꢃ-ꢂ
Chapter 5: Software support
5.2.4
Make Disk menu
The Make Disk menu contains items to create the RAID driver disk.
Make NV SATA/RAID 32bit 2K Driver
Make NV SATA/RAID 32bit XP Driver
Make NV SATA/RAID 32bit 2K3 Driver
Allows you to create an NVIDIA® Serial ATA RAID driver disk for a 32-bit 2K/XP/
2K3 system.
Make NV SATA/RAID 64bit XP Driver
Make NV SATA/RAID 64bit 2K3 Drive
Allows you to create an NVIDIA® Serial ATA RAID driver disk for a 64-bit XP/2K3
system.
Make Silicon Image 32bit RAID Driver
Make Silicon Image 32bit SATA Driver
Allows you to create a Silicon Image® Serial ATA/RAID driver disk for a 32-bit
system.
Make Silicon Image 64bit RAID Driver
Make Silicon Image 64bit SATA Driver
Allows you to create a Silicon Image® Serial ATA/RAID driver disk for a 64-bit
system.
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5.2.5
Manuals menu
The Manuals menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to
open the folder of the user manual.
Most user manual files are in Portable Document Format (PDF). Install the
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader from the Utilities menu before opening a user manual
file.
5.2.6
ASUS Contact information
Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also find
this information on the inside front cover of this user guide.
ꢃ-ꢄ
Chapter 5: Software support
5.2.7
Other information
The icons on the top right corner of the screen give additional information on the
motherboard and the contents of the support DVD. Click an icon to display the
specified information.
Motherboard Info
Displays the general specifications of the motherboard.
Browse this DVD
Displays the support DVD contents in graphical format.
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ꢃ-ꢅ
Technical support Form
Displays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to fill out when
requesting technical support.
Filelist
Displays the contents of the support DVD and a brief description of each in text
format.
ꢃ-ꢆ
Chapter 5: Software support
5.3
Software information
Most of the applications in the support DVD have wizards that will conveniently
guide you through the installation. View the online help or readme file that came
with the software application for more information.
5.3.1
ASUS MyLogo3™
The ASUS MyLogo3™ utility lets you customize the boot logo. The boot logo is the
image that appears on screen during the Power-On Self-Tests (POST). The ASUS
MyLogo3™ is automatically installed when you install the ASUS Update utility from
the support DVD. See section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details.
•
•
•
Before using the ASUS MyLogo3™, use the Award BIOS Flash utility to
make a copy of your original BIOS file, or obtain the latest BIOS version
from the ASUS website. See section “4.1.4 Updating the BIOS.”
Make sure that the BIOS item Full Screen Logo is set to [Enabled]
if you wish to use ASUS MyLogo2. See section “4.6.5 Boot Settings
Configuration”.
You can create your own boot logo image in GIF, JPG, or BMP file formats.
To launch the ASUS MyLogo3™:
1.
Launch the ASUS Update utility. Refer to section “4.1.1 ASUS Update utility”
for details.
2.
Select Options from the drop down menu, then click Next.
3.
Check the option Launch MyLogo to replace system boot logo before flashing
BIOS, then click Next.
4.
5.
Select Update BIOS from a file from the drop down menu, then click Next.
When prompted, locate the new BIOS file, then click Next. The ASUS
MyLogo window appears.
6.
From the left window pane, select the
folder that contains the image you
intend to use as your boot logo.
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ꢃ-ꢇ
7.
When the logo images appear on the
right window pane, select an image to
enlarge by clicking on it.
8.
Adjust the boot image to your desired
size by selecting a value on the Ratio
box.
9.
When the screen returns to the ASUS Update utility, flash the original BIOS to
load the new boot logo.
10. After flashing the BIOS, restart the computer to display the new boot logo
during POST.
ꢃ-ꢀ0
Chapter 5: Software support
5.3.2
SoundMAX® High Definition Audio utility
The ADI AD1988B High Definition Audio CODEC provides 8-channel audio
capability through the SoundMAX® audio utility with AudioESP™ software to
deliver the ultimate audio experience on your PC. The software implements high
quality audio synthesis/rendering, 3D sound positioning, and advanced voice-input
technologies.
Follow the installation wizard to install the ADI AD1988B Audio Driver from the
support DVD that came with the motherboard package to activate the SoundMAX®
audio utility.
•
•
You must use 4-channel, 6-channel or 8-channel speakers for this setup.
SoundMAX® requires Microsoft® Windows® 2000/XP or later version. Make
sure that one of these operating systems is installed before installing
SoundMAX®.
•
Jack Retasking function works on High Definition front panel audio ports
only.
If the SoundMAX® audio utility is correctly installed, you
will find the SoundMAX® icon on the taskbar.
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From the taskbar, double-click on the SoundMAX® icon to display the SoundMAX®
Control Panel.
Audio Setup Wizard
By clicking the
icon from the SoundMAX® control panel, you can easily
configure your audio settings. Simply follow succeeding screen instructions and
begin enjoying High Definition Audio.
ꢃ-ꢀ2
Chapter 5: Software support
Jack configuration
Adjust speaker volume
This screen helps you configure your
computer’s audio ports, depending on
the audio devices you have installed.
This screen helps you adjust speaker
volume. Click the Test button to hear
the changes you have made.
Adjust microphone volume
This screen helps you adjust microphone volume. You will be asked to read pre-
written text to allow the AudioWizard to adjust the volume as you speak.
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Audio preferences
Click the
icon to go to the Preferences page. This page allows you to change
various audio settings.
General options
Click the General tab to choose your playback and recording devices, enable/
disable the AudioESP™ feature, and enable/disable digital output.
DTS.
This feature is consists of two elements: DTS interactive and DTS NEO:PC. DTS
interactive re-encodes your stereo or multi-channel sound into a DTS audio signal
and send it out from your PC to any DTS enabled system.
While DTS NEO:PC turns your stereo audio such as MP3, WMA, CD, and other
sound format into a convincing multi-channel audio experience.
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Chapter 5: Software support
Microphone options
Click the Listening Environment tab allows you to optimize your microphone input
settings.
Enhanced Microphone Features
Voice recording
Enables Noise Filter function. Detects repetitive and stationary noises like
computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates
it in the incoming sudio stream while recording. You can enable it for a better
recording quality.
Directional Array
Receives only the sound coming from the reception cone and eliminates
interferences including neighboring speakers and reverberations. You can
enable it to transit clearer sound during on-line games, MSN, or Skype.
Speaker Phone
Advanced de-reverberation techniques can help to reduce echo and minimize
its effect on the speech engine. You can enable it when you have conference
call to reduce echoes in the other side.
The directional Array and Speaker Phone
function only when working with the ASUS Array
Mic.
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5.3.3
Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology
The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology that dynamically
and automatically change the CPU speed, voltage, and amount of power
depending on the task the CPU performs.
Enabling Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology
To enable Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology:
1.
Turn on the system and enter BIOS by pressing the <Del> key during the
Power On Self-Tests (POST).
2.
Go to Extreme -> AMD Cool ‘n’Quiet function and set it to [Enabled]. See
section “4.4 Extreme Menu.”
3.
4.
Save your changes and exit BIOS Setup.
Reboot your computer and set your Power Option Properties depending on
your operating system.
Windows® 2000/XP
1.
From the Windows® 2000/XP operating system, click the Start button. Select
Settings, then Control Panel.
2.
3.
Make sure the Control Panel is set to Classic View.
Double-click the Display icon in the Control Panel then select the Screen
Saver tab.
4.
5.
Click the Power button. The following dialog box appears.
From the Power schemes combo list box, select Minimal Power
Management.
6.
Click OK to effect settings.
ꢃ-ꢀꢄ
Chapter 5: Software support
•
•
•
Make sure to install the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ driver and application before
using this feature.
The AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology feature works only with the AMD
heatsink and fan assembly with monitor chip
If you purchased a separate heatsink and fan package, use the ASUS
Q-Fan technology feature to automatically adjust the CPU fan speed
according to your system loading.
Launching the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software
The motherboard support DVD includes the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software that enables
you to view your system’s real-time CPU Frequency and voltage.
Make sure to install the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software from the motherboard support
DVD. Refer to section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details.
To launch the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ program:
1.
2.
3.
If you are using Windows® 2000, click the Start button. Select Programs->
ASUS -> Cool & Quiet -> Cool & Quiet.
If you are using Windows® XP, click the Start button. Select All Programs->
ASUS -> Cool & Quiet -> Cool & Quiet.
The Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology screen appears and displays the current
CPU Frequency and CPU Voltage.
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5.3.4
ASUS PC Probe II
PC Probe II is a utility that monitors the computer’s vital components, and detects
and alerts you of any problem with these components. PC Probe II senses fan
rotations, CPU temperature, and system voltages, among others. Because PC
Probe II is software-based, you can start monitoring your computer the moment
you turn it on. With this utility, you are assured that your computer is always at a
healthy operating condition.
Installing PC Probe II
To install PC Probe II on your computer:
1.
Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The Drivers installation tab
appears if your computer has an enabled Autorun feature.
If Autorun is not enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support
DVD to locate the setup.exe file from the ASUS PC Probe II folder. Double-click
the setup.exe file to start installation.
2.
3.
Click the Utilities tab, then click ASUS PC Probe II.
Follow the screen instructions to complete installation.
Launching PC Probe II
You can launch the PC Probe II right after installation or anytime from the
Windows® desktop.
To launch the PC Probe II from the Windows® desktop, click Start > All Programs
> ASUS > PC Probe II > PC Probe II v1.00.43. The PC Probe II main window
appears.
After launching the application, the PC Probe II icon appears in the Windows®
taskbar. Click this icon to close or restore the application.
Using PC Probe II
Main window
The PC Probe II main window allows you to view the current status of your
system and change the utility
configuration. By default, the main
window displays the Preference
section. You can close or restore
the Preference section by clicking
on the triangle on the main
window right handle.
Click to close the
Preference panel
ꢃ-ꢀꢆ
Chapter 5: Software support
Button
Function
Opens the Configuration window
Opens the Report window
Opens the Desktop Management Interface window
Opens the Peripheral Component Interconnect window
Opens the Windows Management Instrumentation window
Opens the hard disk drive, memory, CPU usage window
Shows/Hides the Preference section
Minimizes the application
Closes the application
Sensor alert
When a system sensor detects a problem, the main window right handle
turns red, as the illustrations below show.
When displayed, the monitor panel for that sensor also turns red. Refer to the
Monitor panels section for details.
Preferences
You can customize the application using the
Preference section in the main window. Click
the box before each preference to activate or
deactivate.
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Hardware monitor panels
The hardware monitor panels display the current value of a system sensor such as
fan rotation, CPU temperature, and voltages.
The hardware monitor panels come in two display modes: hexagonal (large) and
rectangular (small). When you check the Enable Monitoring Panel option from the
Preference section, the monitor panels appear on your computer’s desktop.
Small display
Large display
Changing the monitor panels position
To change the position of the monitor panels in the desktop,
click the arrow down button of the Scheme options, then select
another position from the list box. Click OK when finished.
Moving the monitor panels
All monitor panels move together using a magnetic effect. If
you want to detach a monitor panel from
the group, click the horseshoe magnet
icon. You can now move or reposition the
panel independently.
Adjusting the sensor threshold value
You can adjust the sensor threshold value in the monitor panel
by clicking the <+> or <-> buttons. You can also
adjust the threshold values using the Config
window.
You cannot adjust the sensor threshold values in a small
monitoring panel.
Click to
increase value
Click to
decrease
value
ꢃ-20
Chapter 5: Software support
Monitoring sensor alert
The monitor panel turns red when a component value exceeds or is lower
than the threshold value. Refer to the illustrations below.
Small display
Large display
WMI browser
Click to display the
WMI (Windows Management
Instrumentation) browser. This
browser displays various Windows®
management information. Click an
item from the left panel to display on
the right panel. Click the plus sign (+)
before WMI Information to display the
available information.
You can enlarge or reduce the browser size by dragging the bottom right corner
of the browser.
DMI browser
Click to display the DMI
(Desktop Management Interface)
browser. This browser displays various
desktop and system information.
Click the plus sign (+) before DMI
Information to display the available
information.
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PCI browser
Click
to display the PCI
(Peripheral Component Interconnect)
browser. This browser provides
information on the PCI devices installed
on your system. Click the plus sign
(+) before the PCI Information item to
display available information.
Usage
The Usage browser displays real-time information on the CPU, hard disk drive
space, and memory usage. Click
to display the Usage browser.
CPU usage
The CPU tab displays real-
time CPU usage in line graph
representation. If the CPU has
an enabled Hyper-Threading,
two separate line graphs display
the operation of the two logical
processors.
Hard disk drive space usage
The Hard Disk tab displays the
used and available hard disk
drive space. The left panel of the
tab lists all logical drives. Click
a hard disk drive to display the
information on the right panel.
The pie chart at the bottom of
the window represents the used
(blue) and the available HDD
space.
ꢃ-22
Chapter 5: Software support
Memory usage
The Memory tab shows both
used and available physical
memory. The pie chart at the
bottom of the window represents
the used (blue) and the available
Configuring PC Probe II
Click
to view and adjust the sensor threshold values.
The Config window has two tabs: Sensor/Threshold and Preference. The Sensor/
Threshold tab enables you to activate the sensors or to adjust the sensor threshold
values. The Preference tab allows you to customize sensor alerts, or change the
temperature scale.
Loads the default
threshold values for
each sensor
Cancels or
ignores your
changes
Loads your saved
configuration
Applies your
changes
Saves your
configuration
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5.4
RAID configurations
The motherboard comes with the Silicon Image Sil3132 and the NVIDIA® nForce™
590- SLI Southbridge RAID controllers that allow you to configure Serial ATA
hard disk drives as RAID sets. The motherboard supports the following RAID
configurations.
RAID 0 (Data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write
data in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a
single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone,
thus improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives
is required for this setup.
RAID 1 (Data mirroring) copies and maintains an identical image of data from one
drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software
directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of
the data in the other drive. This RAID configuration provides data protection and
increases fault tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an
existing drive and a new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same
size or larger than the existing drive.
RAID 0+1 is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity (redundancy
data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID 0+1 configuration you get
all the benefits of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations. Use four new hard disk
drives or use an existing drive and three new drives for this setup.
RAID 5 stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard
disk drives. Among the advantages of RAID 5 configuration include better
HDD performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. The RAID
5 configuration is best suited for transaction processing, relational database
applications, enterprise resource planning, and other business systems. Use a
minimum of three identical hard disk drives for this setup.
RAID 10 is a striped configuration with each stripe a RAID 1 array of drives. It
combines the features of both RAID 1 and RAID 0. Fault tolerance is provided
through mirroring while adding performance through striping. This offers higher
performance than a RAID 1 configuration but at a much higher cost. A minimum of
four hard disk drives is required for this setup.
JBOD (Spanning) stands for Just a Bunch of Disks and refers to hard disk drives
that are not yet configured as a RAID set. This configuration stores the same
data redundantly on multiple disks that appear as a single disk on the operating
system. Spanning does not deliver any advantage over using separate disks
independently and does not provide fault tolerance or other RAID performance
benefits.
ꢃ-2ꢂ
Chapter 5: Software support
If you want to boot the system from a hard disk drive included in a RAID set,
copy first the RAID driver from the support DVD to a floppy disk before you
install an operating system to a selected hard disk drive. Refer to section “5.5
Creating a RAID driver disk” for details.
5.4.1
NVIDIA® RAID configurations
The motherboard includes a high performance SATA RAID controller integrated in
the NVIDIA® nForce™ 590-SLI southbridge chipset. It supports RAID 0, RAID 1,
RAID 0+1, RAID 5 and JBOD for six independent Serial ATA channels.
Installing Serial ATA (SATA) hard disks
The motherboard supports Ultra DMA 133/100/66 and Serial ATA hard disk drives.
For optimal performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity
when creating a disk array.
To install the SATA hard disks for a RAID configuration:
1.
2.
3.
Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays.
Connect the SATA signal cables.
Connect a SATA power cable to the power connector on each drive.
Refer to the RAID controllers user manual in the motherboard support DVD for
detailed information on RAID configurations. See section “5.2.5 Manuals menu.”
Setting the BIOS RAID items
After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in
the BIOS before setting your RAID configuration.
To set the BIOS RAID items:
1.
2.
3.
Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to
enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
Enable the RAID Enabled item in the BIOS. See section “4.5.4 Onboard
Device Configuration > Serial-ATA Configuration” for details.
Select and enable the IDE or SATA drive(s) that you want to configure
as RAID. See section “4.5.4 Onboard Device Configuration > Serial-ATA
Configuration” for details.
4.
Save your changes and Exit Setup.
Make sure to re-enter your NVRAID settings after the CMOS is cleared;
otherwise, the system will not recognize your RAID setup.
•
For detailed descriptions on the NVIDIA® RAID configuration, refer to the
“NVIDIA® RAID User’s Manual” found in your motherboard support DVD.
When using Windows 2000 operating system, make sure to install the
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later versions.
•
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Entering the NVIDIA® RAID utility
To enter the NVIDIA® RAID utility:
1.
2.
Boot up your computer.
During POST, press <F10> to display the main menu of the utility.
The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only, and
may not exactly match the items on your screen.
NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004
- Define a New Array -
RAID Mode: Striping
Free Disks
Striping Block:
Array Disks
Optimal
Loc
Disk Model Name
Loc
Disk Model Name
1.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
1.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
[→] Add
[←] Del
[F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup
At the bottom of the screen are the navigation keys. These keys allow you to move
through and select menu options.
Creating a RAID Volume
To create a RAID volume:
1.
From the NVIDIA® RAID utility Define a New Array menu, select RAID Mode
then press <Enter>. The following submenu appears.
Use the up or down arrow keys to select a
RAID mode then press <Enter>.
Mirroring
Striping
Stripe Mirroring
Spanning
ꢃ-2ꢄ
Chapter 5: Software support
2.
Press <TAB> select the Striping
Block then press <Enter>. The
following submenu appears:
8K
↑
16K
32K
64K
128K
Optim↓
If you selected Striping or Stripe Mirroring, use the up or down arrow keys to
select the stripe size for your RAID 0 array then press <Enter>.The available
values range from 8 KB to 128 KB. The default selection is 128 KB. The strip
value should be chosen based on the planned drive usage.
• 8 /16 KB - low disk usage
• 64 KB - typical disk usage
• 128 KB - performance disk usage
TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For
multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing, we
recommend a higher array block size for optimum performance.
3.` Press <TAB> to select the Free Disks area. Use the left or right arrow keys to
assign the array disks.
4.
Press <F7> to create RAID set. The following message box appears.
Clear disk data?
[Y] YES
[N] NO
5.
Press <Y> to clear the selected disks or <N> to proceed without clearing the
disks. The following screen appears.
Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!
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NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004
- Array List -
Boot
No
Id Status
Healthy
Vendor
NVIDIA
Array Model Name
MIRROR XXX.XXG
4
[Ctrl-X]Exit [↑↓]Select [B]Set Boot [N]New Array [ENTER]Detail
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.
Press <Ctrl+X> to save settings and exit.
6.
Rebuilding a RAID array
To rebuild a RAID array:
1.
From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID
array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG
- Array Detail -
RAID Mode: Mirroring
Striping Width: 1
Striping Block: 64K
Adapt Channel M/S
Index Disk Model Name
Capacity
2
1
1
0
Master
Master
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX.XXGB
XXX.XXGB
[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return
ꢃ-2ꢆ
Chapter 5: Software support
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.
Press <R> to rebuild a RAID array. The following screen appears.
2.
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG
- Select Disk Inside Array -
RAID Mode: Mirroring
Striping Width: 1
Striping Block: 64K
Adapt Channel M/S
Index Disk Model Name
Capacity
2
1
1
0
Master
Master
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX.XXGB
XXX.XXGB
[↑↓] Select [F6] Back [F7] Finish
3.
Use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array to rebuild, then press
<F7>. The following confirmation message appears.
Rebuild array?
[ENTER] OK [ESC] Cancel
4.
5.
Press <Enter> to start rebuilding array or press <Esc> to cancel.
After the rebuild process, the Array list menu appears.
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Deleting a RAID array
To delete a RAID array:
1.
From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID
array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG
- Array Detail -
RAID Mode: Mirroring
Striping Width: 1
Striping Block: 64K
Adapt Channel M/S
Index Disk Model Name
Capacity
2
1
1
0
Master
Master
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX.XXGB
XXX.XXGB
[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.
2.
Press <D> to delete a RAID array. The following confirmation message
appears.
Delete this array?
[Y] YES [N] No
3.
Press <Y> to delete array or press <N> to cancel.
Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!
4.
If you selected Yes, the Define a New Array menu appears.
ꢃ-ꢁ0
Chapter 5: Software support
Clearing a disk data
To clear disk data:
1.
From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID
array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG
- Array Detail -
RAID Mode: Mirroring
Striping Width: 1
Striping Block: 64K
Adapt Channel M/S
Index Disk Model Name
Capacity
2
1
1
0
Master
Master
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX.XXGB
XXX.XXGB
[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.
2.
Press <C> to clear disk. The following confirmation message appears.
Clear disk data?
[Y] YES
[N]
5.
Press <Y> to clear the disk data or press <N> to cancel.
Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!
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5.4.2
Silicon Image RAID configurations
The Silicon Image RAID controller supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations. Use
the Silicon Image RAID utility to configure a disk array.
Installing External Serial ATA (E-SATA) hard disks
To install the External SATA hard disks for a RAID configuration:
1.
2.
Connect one end of the E-SATA signal cables to the rear panel port.
Connect the other end of the E-SATA signal cables to the external SATA disk
drives.
The installation procedure in this section is provided for reference only, refer
to the user’s manual that comes with the external drive for detailed installation
instructions.
Setting the BIOS RAID items
After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in
the BIOS before setting your RAID configuration.
To set the BIOS RAID items:
1.
Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to
enter the BIOS Setup Utility.
2.
From the Advanced > Onboard Device Configuration menu item in the BIOS
set the Silicon SATA II Controller item to RAID Mode. See section “4.5.4
Onboard Device Configuration” for details.
3.
Save your changes and Exit Setup.
Launching the Silicon Image Array Management Software
Launch the Silicon Image Array Management software from Windows® XP by
clicking the Start button and selecting All Programs > Silicon Image > Sam
For details on the Silicon Image SATARaid™ RAID configuration, refer to the
“Sil3132 SATA RAID User’s Manual” in your motherboard support DVD.
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Chapter 5: Software support
Entering the Silicon Image BIOS RAID Configuration Utility
To enter the Silicon Image BIOS RAID configuration utility:
1.
2.
Boot up your computer.
During POST, press <Ctrl+S> or <F4>.
The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only, and
may not exactly match the items on your screen.
RAID Configuration Utility - Silicon Image Inc. Copyright (C) 2004
MAIN MENU
HELP
Create RAID set
Delete RAID set
Rebuild Raid1 set
Resolve Conflicts
Low Level Format
Logical Drive Info
Press “Enter” to create
RAID set
LOGICAL DRIVE
PHYSICAL DRIVE
0
1
2
3
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
STXXXXXXXXX
STXXXXXXXXX
STXXXXXXXXX
STXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
↑↓:Select Menu
ESC:Previous Menu
Enter:Select
Ctrl-E:Exit
The Main Menu on the upper left corner allows you to select an operation to be
performed. The Main Menu options include the following:
Create RAID set - creates a new legacy RAID set or allocates spare drives.
Delete RAID set - deletes a RAID set or deallocates a spare drive.
Rebuild RAID1 set - rebuilds a RAID 1 set (e.g., swapped drives).
Resolve Conflicts - automatically restores disrupted drives on a RAID set.
Low Level Format - creates a pattern of reference marks on a drive. Formatting the
disks erases all data previously stored in the drive.
Logical Drive Info -shows the current configuration of each RAID set.
On the upper right corner of the screen is the Help message box. The message
describes the function of each menu item. At the bottom of the screen is the
legend box. The keys on the legend box allow you to navigate through the setup
menu options. The following lists the keys found in the legend box and their
corresponding functions.
↑, ↓
ESC
Enter
Ctrl-E
:
:
:
:
Select/Move to the next item
Previous Menu
Select
Exit
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Creating a RAID 0 set (Striped)
To create a RAID set:
1.
From the Silicon Image
configuration utility main
menu, select Create RAID
set then press <Enter> to
display an option menu.
MAIN MENU
Create RAID set
Delete RAID set
Rebuild Raid1 set
Resolve Conflicts
Low Level Format
Logical Drive Info
RAID0
RAID1
SPARE DRIVE
CONCATENATION
2.
Select RAID 0 then press
<Enter> to display the
following.
MAIN MENU
Auto configuration
Manual configuration
3.
Select your desired method of configuration.
Auto configuration
a. Select Auto Configuration the press <Enter>.
b. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up
or down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>.
c. Press <Y> to confirm or <N> to return to the Main Menu.
By default, Auto configuration sets the stripe size to 64K and sets the logical
drives based on the physical drives installed.
Manual configuration
a. Select Manual
MAIN MENU
configuration and press
<Enter>. The following
pop-up menu appears.
Auto configuration
Manual configuration
chunk size
4K
8K
16K
32K
64K
128K
b. Use the up or down
arrow keys to select a
chunk size appropriate
to your drive usage then
press <Enter>.
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Chapter 5: Software support
TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For
multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing, we
recommend a higher array block size for optimum performance.
c. The selection bar moves to the
Physical Drive menu Using the up
or down arrowkeys, select a drive
then press <Enter> to set the first
drive of the RAID set.
PHYSICAL DRIVE
0
1
2
3
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
d. Repeat step c to set the
second, third, and fourth drive. The
number of available drives depend
on the installed and enabled
physical drives in the system.
e. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up or
down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>.
f. Press <Y> to confirm or <N> to return to the Main Menu.
Creating a RAID 1 set (Mirrored)
To create a RAID 1 set:
1.
From the Silicon Image
configuration utility main
menu, select Create RAID
set then press <Enter>.
The following sub-menu
appears.
MAIN MENU
Create RAID set
Delete RAID set
Rebuild Raid1 set
Resolve Conflicts
Low Level Format
Logical Drive Info
RAID0
RAID1
SPAREDRIVE
CONCATENATION
MAIN MENU
2.
Select RAID 1 then press
<Enter> to display the
following.
Auto configuration
Manual configuration
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3.
Select your desired method of configuration.
Auto configuration
a. Select Auto Configuration then press <Enter>.
b. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up
or down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>.
c. Press <Y> to confirm or <N> to return to the Main Menu.
•
Auto-configuration creates a RAID 1 set without a backup copy of the
current source disk data.
•
When migrating a single hard disk drive to a RAID 1 set, use of the Manual
configuration is recommended.
Manual configuration
a. Select Manual configuration
and press <Enter>. The
PHYSICAL DRIVE
0
1
2
3
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
selection bar moves to the
Physical Drives menu.
b. Using the up or down arrow
keys, select the source drive
and press <Enter>.
MAIN MENU
c. Repeat step b to
select the target drive.
Auto configuration
Manual configuration
d. After selecting the
source and target
Create with data copy
Create without data copy
drives, the following
pop-up menu appears.
•
•
•
•
The Create with data copy option allows you to copy the current data from
the source drive to the mirror drive.
Select Create with data copy if you have important data in your source
drive.
The Create without data copy option disables the disk copy function of the
Mirrored set.
If you selected Create without data copy, the RAID 1 set must be
repartitioned and reformatted to guarantee the consistency of its contents.
5-36
Chapter 5: Software support
MAIN MENU
e. If you selected Create
with data copy, the
following pop-up
Auto configuration
Manual configuration
online copy
offline copy
menu appears.
The online copy option automatically copies the data to the target drives on the
background while writing to the source drives. The offline copy option allows
you to copy the contents of the source drive to the target drives now.
f.
Use the up or down arrow keys to select desired copy method, then
press <Enter>.
g. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up or
down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>.
h. Press <Y> to confirm or <N> to return to the Main Menu.
A copy progress appears if you previously selected offline copy.
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Creating a CONCATENATION set
To create a CONCATENATION set:
1.
From the Silicon Image
configuration utility main
menu, select Create RAID
set then press <Enter>.
MAIN MENU
Create RAID set
Delete RAID set
Rebuild Raid1 set
Resolve Conflicts
Low Level Format
Logical Drive Info
RAID0
RAID1
SPAREDRIVE
CONCATENATION
2.
From the sub-menu Select
CONCATENATION then
press <Enter>.
3.
The selection bar moves to the
Physical Drive menu. Using the up
or down arrow keys, select a drive
then press <Enter> to set a drive
for the RAID set.
PHYSICAL DRIVE
0
1
2
3
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
XXXXXXMB
4.
The utility prompts a message to
input the RAID size, use the up or
down arrow keys to set the RAID
size then press <Enter>.
5.
Press <Y> to confirm or <N> to return to the Main Menu.
•
Configure a CONCATENATION set when using a single Serial ATA drive;
otherwise, the system will not recognize the drive.
•
You can also create a RAID set using the SATARAID5 GUI utility under a
Windows® environment.
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Chapter 5: Software support
5.5
Creating a RAID driver disk
A floppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows® 2000/XP
operating system on a hard disk drive that is included in a RAID set.
To create a RAID driver disk:
1.
2.
3.
Place the motherboard support DVD into the DVD-ROM drive.
Select Make Disk tab.
From the Make Disk menu, select the RAID driver disk you want to create or
browse the contents of the support DVD to locate the driver disk utility.
Refer to section “5.2.4 Make Disk menu” for details.
4.
5.
6.
Insert floppy disk to floppy disk drive.
Follow succeeding screen information to complete process.
Write-protect the floppy disk to avoid computer virus infection.
To install the RAID driver:
1.
2.
3.
During the OS installation, the system prompts you to press the F6 key to
install third-party SCSI or RAID driver.
Press <F6> then insert the floppy disk with RAID driver into the floppy disk
drive.
Follow the succeeding screen instructions to complete the installation.
Due to chipset limitation, the Serial ATA ports supported by the NVIDIA chipset
doesn’t support Serial Optical Disk Drives (Serial ODD) under DOS.
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5-40
Chapter 5: Software support
This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready
PCI Express graphics cards.
NVIDIA® SLI™
technology sup6port
Chapter summary
6.1
6.2
Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1
Dual graphics cards setup .......................................................... 6-2
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6.1
Overview
The motherboard supports the NVIDIA® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology
that allows you to install two identical PCI Express™ x16 graphics cards. Follow
the installation procedures in this section.
Requirements
•
•
•
You should have two identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA®
certified.
Make sure that your graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI technology.
Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.com).
Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the
minimum power required by your system. See “8. ATX power connectors” on
page 2-32 for details.
•
The NVIDIA SLI technology supports Windows® XP™ 32-bit/64bit operating
system only.
•
Visit the NVIDIA zone website (http://www.nzone.com) for the latest certified
graphics card and supported 3D application list.
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6.2
Dual graphics card setup
6.2.1
Installing SLI-ready graphics cards
Install only identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA®-certified.
Different types of graphics cards will not work together properly.
To install the graphics cards:
1.
Prepare two graphics cards. Each graphics card should have goldfingers for
the SLI connector.
Goldfingers
2.
Remove the metal bracket covers opposite the two PCI Express x16 slots.
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support
ꢄ-2
3.
Insert one graphics card into either the blue or black slot. Make sure that the
card is properly seated on the slot.
4.
Insert the second graphics card into the other slot. Make sure that the card is
properly seated on the slot.
If required, connect an auxiliary power source to the PCI Express graphics
cards.
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5.
Align and insert the SLI connector to the goldfingers on each graphics card.
Make sure that the connector is firmly in place.
SLI connector
6.
When installing two VGA cards using a 20-pin ATX PSU with sufficient+12v
capability, we recommend that you connect the auxillary power source from
the power supply to the graphics card. Refer to the PSU documentation for
dual VGA power requirements.
7.
Connect a VGA cable or a DVI-I cable to the graphics card/s.
We recommend to install an additional chassis fan for better thermal
environment.
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support
ꢄ-ꢂ
6.2.2
Installing the device drivers
Refer to the documentation that came with your graphics card package to install
the device drivers.
Make sure that your PCI Express graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI
technology. Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.
com).
6.2.3
Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows®
After installing your graphics cards and the device drivers, enable the
Multi-Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) feature in the NVIDIA nView properties.
To enable the multi-GPU feature:
1.
2.
Click the NVIDIA Settings icon on
your Windows taskbar.
NVIDIA Settings icon
From the pop-up menu, select
nView Desktop Manager then click
nView Properties.
3.
From the nView Desktop Manager
window, select the Desktop
Management tab.
4.
Click Properties to display the
Display Properties dialog box.
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ꢄ-ꢃ
5.
6.
7.
From the Display Properties dialog
box, select the Settings tab then
click Advanced.
Select the NVIDIA GeForce tab.
Click the slider to display the
following screen, then select the SLI
multi-GPU item.
Slider
8.
9.
Click the Enable SLI multi-GPU check box.
Click OK when done.
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support
ꢄ-ꢄ
The appendix explains the debug code on
the LCD poster.
Debug Code
A
Chapter summary
A
A.1
Debug Code..................................................................................A-1
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A.1
Debug Code Table
Code
Description
CPU INIT
DET CPU
CPU Initiation
Test CMOS R/W functionality.
Early chipset initialization:
-Disable shadow RAM
-Disable L2 cache (socket 7 or below)
-Program basic chipset registers
CHIPINIT
Detect memory
DET DRAM
DC FCODE
-Auto-detection of DRAM size, type and ECC.
-Auto-detection of L2 cache (socket 7 or below)
Expand compressed BIOS code to DRAM
EFSHADOW
DC XCODE
INIT IO
Call chipset hook to copy BIOS back to E000 & F000 shadow RAM.
Expand the Xgroup codes locating in physical address 1000:0
Initial Superio_Early_Init switch.
1. Blank out screen
2. Clear CMOS error flag
CLR SCRN
INIT8042
1. Clear 8042 interface
2. Initialize 8042 self-test
1. Test special keyboard controller for Winbond 977 series Super I/O chips.
2. Enable keyboard interface.
ENABLEKB
1. Disable PS/2 mouse interface (optional).
2. Auto detect ports for keyboard & mouse followed by a port & interface
swap (optional).
DIS MS
3. Reset keyboard for Winbond 977 series Super I/O chips.
Test F000h segment shadow to see whether it is R/W-able or not. If test
fails, keep beeping the speaker.
R/W FSEG
DET FLASH
TESTCMOS
Auto detect flash type to load appropriate flash R/W codes into the run time
area in F000 for ESCD & DMI support.
Use walking 1’s algorithm to check out interface in CMOS circuitry. Also set
real-time clock power status, and then check for override.
Program chipset default values into chipset. Chipset default values are
MODBINable by OEM customers.
PRG CHIP
INIT CLK
Initial Early_Init_Onboard_Generator switch.
Detect CPU information including brand, SMI type (Cyrix or Intel) and CPU
level (586 or 686).
CHECKCPU
Initial interrupts vector table. If no special specified, all H/W
interrupts are directed to SPURIOUS_INT_HDLR & S/W interrupts to
SPURIOUS_soft_HDLR.
INTRINIT
REC MPS
Reserved
Reserved
Initial EARLY_PM_INIT switch.
Load keyboard matrix (notebook platform)
HPM initialization (notebook platform)
1. Check validity of RTC value:
e.g. a value of 5Ah is an invalid value for RTC minute.
2. Load CMOS settings into BIOS stack. If CMOS checksum fails, use
default value instead.
3. Prepare BIOS resource map for PCI & PnP use. If ESCD is valid, take
into consideration of the ESCD’s legacy information.
4. Onboard clock generator initialization. Disable respective clock resource
to empty PCI & DIMM slots.
SET FDD
5. Early PCI initialization:
-Enumerate PCI bus number
-Assign memory & I/O resource
-Search for a valid VGA device & VGA BIOS, and put it nto C000:0.
INITINT9
Initialize INT 09 buffer
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A-1
1. Program CPU internal MTRR (P6 & PII) for 0-640K memory address.
2. Initialize the APIC for Pentium class CPU.
3. Program early chipset according to CMOS setup. Example: onboard IDE
controller.
4. Measure CPU speed.
5. Invoke video BIOS.
CPUSPEED
TESTVRAM
1. Initialize multi-language
2. Put information on screen display, including Award title, CPU type, CPU
speed .
RESET KB
8254TEST
8259MSK1
8259MSK2
8259TEST
Reserved
Reset keyboard except Winbond 977 series Super I/O chips.
Test 8254
Test 8259 interrupt mask bits for channel 1.
Test 8259 interrupt mask bits for channel 2.
Test 8259 functionality.
Initialize EISA slot
1. Calculate total memory by testing the last double word of each 64K page.
2. Program write allocation for AMD K5 CPU.
COUNTMEM
1. Program MTRR of M1 CPU
2. Initialize L2 cache for P6 class CPU & program CPU with proper
cacheable range.
3. Initialize the APIC for P6 class CPU.
MP INIT
4. On MP platform, adjust the cacheable range to smaller one in case the
cacheable ranges between each CPU are not identical.
USB INIT
TEST MEM
SHOW MP
Initialize USB
Test all memory (clear all extended memory to 0)
Display number of processors (multi-processor platform)
1. Display PnP logo
PNP LOGO
2. Early ISA PnP initialization
-Assign CSN to every ISA PnP device.
Reserved
Initialize the combined Trend Anti-Virus code.
(Optional Feature)
Show message for entering AWDFLASH.EXE from FDD (optional)
SHOW EZF
1. Initialize Init_Onboard_Super_IO switch.
2. Initialize Init_Onbaord_AUDIO switch.
ONBD IO
Okay to enter Setup utility; i.e. not until this POST stage can users enter the
CMOS setup utility.
EN SETUP
MSINSTAL
CHK ACPI
EN CACHE
Initialize PS/2 Mouse
Prepare memory size information for function call: INT 15h ax=E820h
Turn on L2 cache
Program chipset registers according to items described in Setup & Auto-
configuration table.
SET CHIP
AUTO CFG
INIT FDC
1. Assign resources to all ISA PnP devices.
2. Auto assign ports to onboard COM ports if the corresponding item in
Setup is set to “AUTO”.
1. Initialize floppy controller
2. Set up floppy related fields in 40:hardware.
(Optional Feature)
Enter AWDFLASH.EXE if :
-AWDFLASH is found in floppy drive.
-ALT+F2 is pressed
CUTIRQ12
DET IDE
COM/LPT
DET FPU
Detect & install all IDE devices: HDD, LS120, ZIP, CDROM…..
Detect serial ports & parallel ports.
Detect & install co-processor
A-2
Appendix: Debug Code Table
CPU CHG
CPR FAIL
CPU change
CPR error
FAN FAIL
Fan error
UCODEERR
FLOPYERR
KB ERROR
HD ERR
UCODE error
Floppy error
Keyboard error
HDD error
CMOS ERR
MS ERROR
80P ERR
CMOS error
Mouse error
80 port error
BOOT CHG
SMARTERR
HM ERROR
AINETERR
CASEOPEN
Boot device change
HDD smart function error
Hard monitor error
AI NET error
Case open
Clear EPA or customization logo.
1. Call chipset power management hook.
2. Recover the text fond used by EPA logo (not for full screen logo)
3. If password is set, ask for password.
PASSWORD
MEM2CMOS
Save all data in stack back to CMOS
Initialize ISA PnP boot devices
1. USB final Initialization
2. NET PC: Build SYSID structure
3. Switch screen back to text mode
4. Set up ACPI table at top of memory.
5. Invoke ISA adapter ROMs
6. Assign IRQs to PCI devices
7. Initialize APM
INIT PNP
USB FINAL
8. Clear noise of IRQs.
Read HDD boot sector information for Trend Anti-Virus code
1. Enable L2 cache
2. Program boot up speed
3. Chipset final initialization.
READ HDD
4. Power management final initialization
5. Clear screen & display summary table
6. Program K6 write allocation
BOOTMENU
7. Program P6 class write combining
1. Program daylight saving
2. Update keyboard LED & typematic rate
NUM LOCK
1. Build MP table
2. Build & update ESCD
UPDT DMI
INT 19H
3. Set CMOS century to 20h or 19h
4. Load CMOS time into DOS timer tick
5. Build MSIRQ routing table.
Boot attempt (INT 19h)
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A-4
Appendix: Debug Code Table
|
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