Asus E2234 User Manual

Series  
P5NSLI  
P5NSLI  
P5NSLI/WiFi  
Contents  
Notices................................................................................................vii  
Safety information .............................................................................viii  
About this guide.................................................................................. ix  
How this guide is organized..................................................... ix  
Where to find more information .............................................. ix  
Conventions used in this guide................................................. x  
Typography............................................................................... x  
P5NLI and P5NSLI/WiFi specifications summary ................................. xi  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
1.1  
1.2  
1.3  
Welcome!.............................................................................. 1-2  
Package contents ................................................................. 1-2  
Special features.................................................................... 1-3  
1.3.1  
1.3.2  
Product highlights................................................... 1-3  
Innovative ASUS features ....................................... 1-5  
1.4  
1.5  
Before you proceed .............................................................. 1-7  
Motherboard overview.......................................................... 1-8  
1.5.1  
1.5.2  
1.5.3  
Placement direction ................................................ 1-8  
Screw holes............................................................. 1-8  
Motherboard layout ................................................ 1-9  
1.6  
1.7  
Central Processing Unit (CPU) ............................................1-10  
1.6.1  
1.6.2  
1.6.3  
Installing the CPU..................................................1-10  
Installing the CPU heatsink and fan.......................1-13  
Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan...................1-15  
System memory.................................................................. 1-17  
1.7.1  
1.7.2  
1.7.3  
1.7.4  
Overview............................................................... 1-17  
Memory configurations .........................................1-17  
Installing a DIMM ...................................................1-20  
Removing a DIMM..................................................1-20  
1.8  
Expansion slots................................................................... 1-21  
1.8.1  
1.8.2  
1.8.3  
1.8.4  
1.8.5  
Installing an expansion card..................................1-21  
Configuring an expansion card..............................1-21  
Interrupt assignments...........................................1-22  
PCI slots................................................................ 1-23  
PCI Express x1 slot ...............................................1-23  
iii  
Contents  
1.8.6  
Two PCI Express x16 slots....................................1-24  
1.9  
Jumpers .............................................................................. 1-25  
1.10 Connectors ......................................................................... 1-27  
1.10.1 Rear panel connectors ..........................................1-27  
1.10.2 Internal connectors...............................................1-28  
Chapter 2: BIOS setup  
2.1  
Managing and updating your BIOS ........................................ 2-2  
2.1.1  
2.1.2  
2.1.3  
2.1.4  
2.1.5  
2.1.6  
Creating a bootable floppy disk.............................. 2-2  
Updating the BIOS................................................... 2-3  
Saving the current BIOS file.................................... 2-5  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ................................ 2-6  
ASUS EZ Flash utility............................................... 2-8  
ASUS Update utility ................................................ 2-9  
2.2  
BIOS setup program............................................................ 2-12  
2.2.1  
2.2.2  
2.2.3  
2.2.4  
2.2.5  
2.2.6  
2.2.7  
2.2.8  
BIOS menu screen.................................................2-13  
Menu bar............................................................... 2-13  
Legend bar............................................................ 2-14  
Menu items ........................................................... 2-14  
Sub-menu items....................................................2-14  
Configuration fields...............................................2-14  
Pop-up window......................................................2-15  
General help..........................................................2-15  
2.3  
Main menu........................................................................... 2-16  
2.3.1  
2.3.2  
2.3.3  
2.3.4  
2.3.5  
2.3.6  
2.3.7  
2.3.8  
System Time ........................................................2-16  
System Date .......................................................2-16  
Legacy Diskette A ..............................................2-16  
Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave .............2-17  
SATA 1-4.............................................................. 2-19  
HDD SMART Monitoring.........................................2-20  
Installed Memory...................................................2-20  
Usable Memory......................................................2-20  
2.4  
Advanced menu.................................................................. 2-21  
2.4.1  
JumperFree Configuration.....................................2-21  
2.4.2  
LAN Cable Status..................................................2-26  
iv  
Contents  
2.4.3  
2.4.4  
2.4.5  
2.4.6  
2.4.7  
CPU Configuration.................................................2-27  
Chipset.................................................................. 2-28  
PCIPnP................................................................... 2-30  
Onboard Devices Configuration.............................2-30  
USB Configuration.................................................2-34  
2.5  
2.6  
Power menu........................................................................ 2-35  
2.5.1  
2.5.2  
2.5.3  
2.5.4  
ACPI Suspend Type .............................................2-35  
ACPI APIC Support ..............................................2-35  
APM Configuration ................................................2-36  
Hardware Monitor..................................................2-38  
Boot menu.......................................................................... 2-39  
2.6.1  
2.6.2  
2.6.3  
2.6.4  
2.6.5  
2.6.6  
Boot Device Priority..............................................2-39  
Removable Drives..................................................2-40  
Hard Disk Drives....................................................2-40  
CDROM Drives .......................................................2-41  
Boot Settings Configuration ................................2-41  
Security................................................................. 2-43  
2.7  
2.8  
Tools menu......................................................................... 2-45  
2.7.1  
2.7.2  
2.7.3  
ASUS Music Alarm.................................................2-45  
ASUS O.C. Profile ..................................................2-47  
ASUS EZ Flash 2....................................................2-49  
Exit menu............................................................................ 2-50  
Chpater 3:Software Support  
3.1  
3.2  
Installing an operating system.............................................. 3-2  
Support CD information........................................................ 3-2  
3.2.1  
3.2.2  
3.2.3  
3.2.4  
3.2.5  
3.2.6  
Runninig the support CD......................................... 3-2  
Drivers menu........................................................... 3-3  
Utilities menu.......................................................... 3-4  
Make Disk menu...................................................... 3-5  
Manuals menu ......................................................... 3-6  
ASUS Contact information...................................... 3-7  
3.3  
3.4  
Software information............................................................ 3-8  
3.3.1 ASUS Music Alarm................................................... 3-8  
NVIDIA® SLI™ technology...................................................... 3-8  
3.4.1 Requirements........................................................3-11  
v
3.4.2  
Appendix:  
Dual graphics card setup ......................................3-12  
CPU features  
A.1  
A.2  
Intel® EM64T........................................................................ A-1  
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology (EIST)...................A-1  
A.2.1  
A.2.2  
System requirements..............................................A-1  
Using the EIST.........................................................A-2  
A.3  
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology......................................A-3  
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.  
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.  
The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product  
(electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal  
waste. Please check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.  
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: 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 3: Software support  
This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes  
with the motherboard package.  
Where to find more information  
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product  
and software updates.  
1. ASUS websites  
The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware  
and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.  
2. 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:  
awdflash P5NSLI.BIN  
x
P5NSLI and P5NSLI/WiFi specifications summary  
LGA775 socket for Intel® Core™ 2/Intel® Pentium D/  
CPU  
Intel® Pentium® 4/Intel® Celeron® processors  
Compatible with Intel® PCG 05B/05A/06B processors  
Supports Intel® Enhanced Memory 64 Technology (EM64T)  
Supports Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology (EIST)  
Supports Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology  
North Bridge: NVIDIA® C19 SLI  
Chipset  
South Bridge: NVIDIA® MCP 51  
Front Side Bus  
Memory  
1066/800/533 MHz  
Dual-channel memory architecture  
4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbufferred non-ECC  
DDR2-667/DDR2-533 memory modules  
Supports up to 16 GB system memory  
2 x PCI Express x16 slots with Scalable Link Interface  
(SLI™) support  
Expansion slots  
3 x PCI Express x1 slots  
2 x PCI slots  
SLI™ mode supports:  
Scalable Link  
- 2 x identical SLI™-ready PCI Express x16 graphics cards  
(Note: In SLI mode, the PCI Express x16 slots work at the  
bandwidth of PCI Express x8. The combined bandwidth of  
these maintain the bandwidth of PCI Express x16.)  
Single card mode supports (default):  
Interface (SLI™)  
- 1 x PCI Express x16 graphics card on the first slot  
(blue)  
- 1 x PCI Express x1 card on the second slot (black)  
ASUS EZ Selector  
ASUS Two-slot thermal design  
ADI® AD1986A SouldMAX 6-channel CODEC  
1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out port  
Supports Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology  
AI Audio  
Storage  
NVIDIA® MCP 51chipset supports:  
- 2 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33  
- 4 x Serial ATA 3Gb/s devices  
- RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5 and JBOD  
configuration  
Gigabit LAN  
USB  
Marvell 88E8001 PCI Gigabit LAN controller  
Supports AI NET2 network diagnosis before entering OS  
Supports up to 8 USB 2.0 ports (P5NSLI model only)  
Supports up to 7 USB 2.0 ports (P5NSLI/WiFi model only)  
(continued on the next page)  
xi  
P5NSLI and P5NSLI/WiFi specifications summary  
Intelligent overclocking tool:  
- ASUS AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU Frequency  
Tuner)  
Overclocking  
features  
Precision Tweaker supports:  
- vDIMM voltage: 4-step DRAM voltage control  
- vCore voltage: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125 V  
Stepless Frequency Selection (SFS):  
- FSB tuning from 133MHz to 400 MHz at 1MHz  
increment;  
- memory tuning from 533 MHz to 1200MHz at  
1MHz increment;  
- PCI-E tuning from 100 to 150MHz at 1 MHz  
increment  
Overclocking Protection:  
- ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)  
ASUS Q-Fan  
Special features  
ASUS Q-Connector  
ASUS Fanless Design  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2  
ASUS MyLogo2  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
ASUS O.C. Profile  
ASUS Music Alarm  
4 MB Flash ROM, Award BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, SM BIOS 2.3,  
WfM2.0, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS2  
BIOS features  
Power Requirement  
Rear panel  
ATX power supply (with 24-pin and 4-pin 12V plugs)  
ATX 12V 2.0 compliant  
1 x Parallel port  
1 x Serial port  
1 x LAN (RJ-45) ports  
USB 2.0 ports (5 ports on P5NSLI/WiFi; 4 ports on P5NSLI)  
1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Out port  
1 x Wireless LAN antenna activity LED (P5NSLI/WiFi model  
only)  
1 x Wireless LAN antenna port (P5NSLI/WiFi model only)  
1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple)  
1 x PS/2 mouse port (green)  
6-channel audio ports  
(continued on the next page)  
xii  
P5NSLI and P5NSLI/WiFi specifications summary  
Internal connectors  
1 x Floppy disk drive connector  
2 x IDE connectors  
4 x Serial ATA connectors  
1 x 24-pin ATX power connector  
1 x 4-pin ATX 12 V power connector  
2 x USB connectors for additional four USB 2.0 ports  
(1 USB connector on WiFi model)  
1 x S/PDIF connector  
2 x Internal audio connectors (CD, AUX)  
1 x Chassis intrusion connector  
1 x Front panel audio connector  
1 x SLI selector card connector  
CPU, Chassis, Power fan connectors  
System panel connector  
Manageability  
WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE, RPL  
Support CD  
contents  
Device drivers  
ASUS PC Probe II  
ASUS Update  
NV RIS (Remote Installation Service)  
NV RAID  
Microsoft® DirectX 9.0c  
Anti-Virus Utility (OEM version)  
Adobe Acrobat Reader v7.0  
ASUS Music Alarm  
Form Factor  
ATX form factor: 12 in x 9 in (30.5 cm x 22.9 cm)  
* The USB8 is used for WiFi modual in P5NSLI/WiFi model.  
* Specifications are subject to change without notice.  
xiii  
xiv  
This chapter describes the motherboard  
features and the new technologies  
it supports.  
Product  
1
introduction  
1.1  
Welcome!  
Thank you for buying an ASUS® P5NSLI or ASUS® P5NSLI/WiFi 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  
Cables  
P5NSLI  
WiFi  
P5NSLI  
Serial ATA and power cables for 2  
devices  
1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cables  
40-conductor IDE cable  
Floppy disk drive cable  
I/O shield  
Accessories  
Wireless LAN antenna  
1 x EZ Selector card  
1 x SLI soft bridge  
-
1 X 2-port USB module  
ASUS motherboard support CD  
User guide  
Application CD  
Documentation  
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.  
1-2  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
1.3  
Special features  
1.3.1 Product highlights  
LGA775 Intel® Core™2 Processor Ready  
This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Core™2 processor in the  
LGA775 package. With the new Intel® Core™ microarchitecture technology  
and 1066 / 800 /533 MHz FSB, Intel® Core™2 processor is one of the most  
powerful and energy efficient CPU in the world.  
NVIDIA® nForce™ 570 SLI™ Intel® Edition  
Get the power of NVIDIA® nForce™ 570 SLI™ for Intel® platforms! High  
performance NVIDIA® nForce™ 570 SLI™ MCPs provide features designed  
with the gamer in mind. It delivers comprehensive features for advanced PC  
security, reliable PC storage, SLI™ technology, PCI Express bus architecture  
and dual DDR2 memory technology. NVIDIA® nForce™ 570 SLI™ offers Intel®  
enthusiasts stable, reliable, compatible plaftform support for ultimate PC  
performance.  
Intel® Dual-Core Technology CPU support  
The motherboard supports dual-core processors containing two physical  
CPU cores with dedicated L2 caches to meet demands for more powerful  
processing.  
Intel® EM64T  
The motherboard supports Intel® processors with the Intel® EM64T  
(Extended Memory 64 Technology). The Intel® EM64T feature allows your  
computer to run on 64-bit operating systems and access larger amounts of  
system memory for faster and more efficient computing.  
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology (EIST)  
The Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology (EIST) intelligently manages  
the CPU resources by automatically adjusting the CPU voltage and core  
frequency depending on the CPU loading and system speed or power  
requirement.  
Gigabit LAN  
The Marvell Gigabit LAN controller delivers transfer speeds up to ten times  
faster than conventional 10/100 Ethernet connections. Gigabit LAN is  
the networking standard for the early future and is ideal for handling large  
amounts of data such as video, audio, and voice.  
ASUS P5NSLI Series  
1-3  
DDR2 memory support  
The motherboard supports DDR2 memory which features data transfer rates  
of 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 1-17 to 1-20 for details.  
Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s technology and SATA on the go  
This motherboard supports the next-generation hard drives based on  
the Serial ATA (SATA) 3Gb/s storage specification, delivering enhanced  
scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and  
saves. See pages 1-30, and 2-19 for details.  
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 pages 1-23 and 1-24 for details.  
High Definition Audio  
The onboard 6-channel High Definition audio CODEC enables high-quality  
ADI AD1986A audio CODEC, which automatically detects and identifies  
what types of peripherals are plugged into the audio I/O jacks and notifies  
users of inappropriate connection. See page 1-27 for details.  
S/PDIF digital sound ready  
The motherboard supports the S/PDIF technology through the S/PDIF  
interfaces on the rear panel and at midboard. The S/PDIF technology  
turns your computer into a high-end entertainment system with digital  
connectivity to powerful audio and speaker systems. See page 1-28 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 1-24 and 1-31 for details.  
1-4  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features  
Precision 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.  
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 2-26 for details.  
Fanless Design  
Cooling fans, though a popular thermal solution, also come with noise and  
malfunction likelyhood. ASUS Motherboard’s fansless concept is specifically  
created to provide a cool environment without all the baggage.  
ASUS has devoted special efforts to address the thermal issues across the  
motherboard, and most notably the areas that reside the CPU, power, VGA,  
Northbridge and Southbridge. The heat sinks and strategic board layout  
were tailor made to dissipate heat in the most efficient manner.  
ASUS Two-slot thermal design  
The motherboard is designed with two PCI Express x1 slots placed between  
the PCI Express x16 slots allowing an increase in airflow between the two  
PCI Express x16 graphics cards. This special design permits more room for  
ventilation thus lowering the overall system temperature.  
CrashFree BIOS 2  
This feature allows you to restore the original BIOS data from the support CD  
in case when the BIOS codes and data are corrupted. This protection eliminates  
the need to buy a replacement ROM chip. See page 2-6 for details.  
ASUS P5NSLI Series  
1-5  
ASUS MyLogo2™  
This new feature present in the motherboard allows you to personalize and  
add style to your system with customizable boot logos. See page 2-42 for  
details.  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply press the predefined  
hotkey to launch the utility and update the BIOS without entering the OS.  
Update your BIOS easily without preparing a bootable diskette or using an  
OS-based flash utility. See page 2-8 and 2-49 for details.  
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.  
ASUS Q-Connector  
ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily connect or disconnect the chassis  
front panel cables to the motherboard. This unique module eliminates the  
trouble of connecting the system panel cables one at a time and avoiding  
wrong cable connections. See page 1-36 for details.  
ASUS O.C. Profile  
The motherboard features the ASUS O.C. Profile that allows users to  
conveniently store or load multiple BIOS settings. The BIOS settings can be  
stored in the CMOS or a separate file, giving users freedom to share and  
distribute their favorite settings. See page 2-47 and 2-48 for details.  
ASUS Music Alarm  
Wake up to the music of your choice instead of the irritating sound of  
an alarm clock. The ASUS Music Alarm gives you a personal wake-up call  
with your favorite CD music when system is off. See page 3-8 to 3-10 for  
details.  
1-6  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
1.4  
Before you proceed  
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard  
components or change any motherboard settings.  
Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any  
component.  
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.  
Before you install or remove any component, ensure  
that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is  
detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe  
damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or components.  
Onboard LED  
The motherboard comes with a standby power LED. The green LED  
lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-  
off mode. This is a reminder that you should shut down the system  
and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any  
motherboard component. The illustration below shows the location of  
the onboard LED.  
SB_PWR  
ON  
Standby  
Power  
OFF  
Powered  
Off  
P5NSLI Onboard LED  
ASUS P5NSLI Series  
1-7  
1.5  
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.  
1.5.1 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.  
1.5.2 Screw holes  
Place six (6) 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  
P5NSLI  
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1-8  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
1.5.3 Motherboard layout  
22.9cm (9.0in)  
KBPWR  
PS/2KBMS  
T:Mouse  
B:Keyboard  
SPDIF_O1  
LGA775  
COM1  
USB12  
ATX12V  
LAN_USB34  
Top:Line In  
Center:Line Out  
Below:Mic In  
nVidia Crush19  
CHA_FAN  
USB78  
USB7  
USB78_WFG  
PCIEX1_3  
P5NSLI  
PCIEX16_1  
Marvell  
SLI_CON  
PCIEX1_1  
PCIEX1_2  
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Super I/O  
MCP51  
PCIEX16_2  
4Mb Flash  
ROM  
PCI1  
AD1986A  
CR2032 3V  
Lithium Cell  
CMOS Power  
PWR_FAN  
SPDIF_OUT  
PCI2  
SB_PWR  
USBPW2  
CLRTC  
AUX  
FLOPPY  
USB56  
CHASSIS  
AAFP  
CD  
PANEL  
The USB78_WFG module and USB7 port are available to P5NSLI/WiFi  
model only. These items are greyed out in the given motherboard layout.  
ASUS P5NSLI Series  
1-9  
1.6  
Central Processing Unit (CPU)  
The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA775 socket designed for  
the Intel® Core™2, Intel® Pentium® D, Intel® Pentium® 4 and Intel® Celeron®  
processors in the 775-land package.  
Install a chassis fan with at least a speed of 2400 rpm and 8 CFM  
turnrate when using a dual-core CPU to ensure system stability.  
Overheating can permanently damage the system and/or CPU.  
Upon purchase of the motherboard, make sure that the PnP cap is  
on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your  
retailer immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any  
damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components.  
ASUS will shoulder the cost of repair only if the damage is shipment/  
transit-related.  
Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process  
Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the  
motherboard comes with the cap on the LGA775 socket.  
The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts  
resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/  
loss/incorrect removal of the PnP cap.  
1.6.1 Installing the CPU  
To install a CPU:  
1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.  
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P5NSLI CPU Socket 775  
Before installing the CPU, make sure that the cam box is facing towards  
you and the load lever is on your left.  
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Chapter 1: Product introduction