Asus FM2 Socket A85X FCH Motherboards F2A85V User Manual

F2A85-V  
Contents  
Chapter 1:  
iii  
Chapter 2:  
iv  
v
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 adapter or extension cord. These devices  
could interrupt the grounding circuit.  
Ensure 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, ensure 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.  
vi  
 
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 information  
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus.  
Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.  
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.  
vii  
 
Conventions used in this guide  
To ensure 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 (+).  
viii  
F2A85-V specifications summary  
CPU  
AMD® socket FM2 for A-Series / Athlon™ Series processors  
Supports CPU with up to 4 cores  
AMD® Turbo Core Technology 3.0 support  
* Refer to www.asus.com for the AMD® CPU support list  
Chipset  
Memory  
AMD® A85X FCH (Hudson D4)  
Dual-channel memory architecture  
4 x 240-pin DIMM slots support maximum 64GB unbuffered non-ECC  
DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2250(O.C.)/2200(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/2000(O.C.)/1866/  
1600/1333/1066MHz memory modules  
Support AMD® Memory Profile (AMP) memory modules  
* The maximum 64GB memory capacity can be supported with 16GB or  
above DIMMs. ASUS will update the memory QVL once the DIMMs are  
available in the market.  
List).  
*** When you install a total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows®  
32-bit operating system may only recognize less than 3GB. We  
recommend a maximum of 3GB system memory if you are using a  
Windows® 32-bit operating system.  
Graphics  
Integrated AMD® Radeon™ HD 7000 series graphics in A-Series APU  
Multi-VGA output support: HDMI, DVI-D, D-Sub ports  
-
-
-
-
-
-
Supports HDMI with maximum resolution of 1920x1080@60GHz  
Supports Dual-link DVI with maximum resolution of 2560x1600@60GHz  
Supports D-Sub with maximum resolution of 1920x1600@60GHz  
Supports Microsoft® DirectX 11  
Maximum shared memory of 2GB  
Supports AMD® Dual Graphics technology  
Pages/dual-graphics.aspx#3 for the discrete GPUs that support Dual  
Graphics technology.  
Expansion slots  
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (blue @x16 mode, black @x4 mode)  
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots  
3 x PCI slots  
Multi-GPU  
support  
Supports AMD® CrossFireX™ Technology (x16 & x4)  
Storage / RAID  
AMD® A85X FCH:  
-
-
7 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connectors support RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5,  
RAID 10, and JBOD configurations  
1 x eSerial ATA 6.0Gb/s at the back I/O  
LAN  
Qualcomm Atheros® 8161 PCIe Gigabit LAN controller  
Audio  
Realtek® ALC887 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC  
-
Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-Streaming, and Front Panel Jack-  
Retasking  
-
Supports S/PDIF out interface at the back I/O  
(continued on the next page)  
ix  
 
F2A85-V specifications summary  
USB  
AMD® A85X FCH:  
-
10 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at the back panel [black], 6 ports at  
the mid-board)  
-
4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (2 ports at the back panel [blue], 2 ports at the  
mid-board)  
ASUS unique  
features  
ASUS Digital Power Design  
-
-
Industry leading digital 4+2 phase power design  
CPU Power utility  
ASUS EPU  
EPU  
ASUS Exclusive Features  
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ASUS Network iControl*  
ASUS USB 3.0 Boost  
ASUS MemOK!  
ASUS AI Suite II  
ASUS AI Charger  
ASUS Remote GO!  
ASUS GPU Boost  
ASUS TurboV  
ASUS Disk Unlocker  
ASUS Anti-Surge Protection  
ASUS ESD  
100% All high quality conductive polymer capacitors  
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution  
-
-
ASUS Fanless Design: Stylish heatsink & MOS heatsink solution  
ASUS Fan Xpert+  
ASUS EZ DIY  
-
-
-
-
ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
ASUS MyLogo 2™  
* The ASUS Network iControl feature does not support Windows®  
XP/Vista operating systems.  
ASUS exclusive  
overclocking  
features  
Precision Tweaker 2  
-
-
-
-
vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.00625V increment  
vDDNB: Adjustable CPU/NB voltage at 0.00625V increment  
vDRAM Bus: Adjustable DRAM voltage at 0.01V increment  
vFCH: Adjustable FCH voltage at 0.01V increment  
SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection):  
-
APU frequency tuning from 90MHz up to 300MHz at 1MHz  
increment  
Overclocking Protection:  
-
ASUS C.P.R (CPU Parameter Recall)  
(continued on the next page)  
x
F2A85-V specifications summary  
Back Panel I/O ports  
1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port  
1 x HDMI port  
1 x DVI port  
1 x D-Sub port  
1 x Optical S/PDIF output port  
1 x eSATA port  
1 x LAN (RJ-45) port  
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports  
2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue)  
8-Channel audio I/O ports  
Internal I/O connectors /  
buttons / switches  
3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports  
1 x USB 3.0/2.0 connector supports additional 2 USB 3.0/2.0 ports  
(19-pin)  
7 x SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors  
1 x COM connector  
1 x CPU fan connector (4-pin)  
2 x Chassis fan connectors (4-pin)  
1 x Front panel audio connector  
1 x S/PDIF out connector  
1 x System panel connector (20-8 pin)  
1 x 24-pin EATX power connector  
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector  
1 x MemOK! button  
1 x GPU Boost switch  
BIOS  
64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM  
BIOS 2.7, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2,  
ASUS CrashFreen BIOS 3, F12 Printscreen function, F3 Shortcut  
function and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory  
information  
Support DVD  
Form factor  
Drivers  
ASUS Update  
ASUS utilities  
Anti-Virus software (OEM version)  
ATX form factor: 12.0 in x 9.1 in (30.5 cm x 23.1 cm)  
Specifications are subject to change without notice.  
xi  
Package contents  
Check your motherboard package for the following items.  
23.1cm(9.1in)  
GPU  
CHA_FAN2  
KBMS_USB34  
CPU_FAN  
GPU_LED  
DIGI  
+VRM  
ATX12V  
SPDIFO  
_HDMI  
MemOK!  
ESATA6G  
_USB3  
_12  
LAN  
_USB12  
AUDIO  
CHA_FAN1  
PCIEX1_1  
F2A85-V  
Atheros  
8161  
PCIEX16_1  
Super  
I/O  
Lithium Cell  
CMOS Power  
PCIEX1_2  
AMD®  
A85X  
PCI1  
PCIEX16_2  
PCI2  
COM  
64Mb  
BIOS  
Realtek  
ALC887  
SATA6G_4 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_6 SATA6G_7  
PCI3  
SATA6G_1 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_3  
PANEL  
SPDIF_OUT  
AAFP  
SB_PWR  
CLRTC  
USB910  
USB78 USB56  
2 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s  
cables  
ASUS F2A85-V motherboard  
User Guide  
1 x I/O Shield  
User Guide  
Support DVD  
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.  
The illustrated items above are for reference only. Actual product specifications may  
vary with different models.  
xii  
 
Product introduction  
1
1.1  
Special features  
Product highlights  
1.1.1  
AMD® A-series and Athlon™ Series processors  
This motherboard supports AMD® A-series and Athlon™ Series processors. This  
revolutionary APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) combines processing power and advanced  
DirectX 11 graphics in one small, energy-efficient design to enable accelerated performance  
and an industry-leading visual experience. It features Dual-channel DDR3 memory support  
and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5GT/s.  
AMD® A85X FCH (Hudson D4) chipset  
AMD® A85X FCH (Hudson D4) is designed to support up to 5GT/s interface speed and AMD®  
CrossFireX™ multi-GPU technology. It also supports 8 x SATA 6.0Gb/s ports and 4 x USB  
3.0 ports.  
Dual-Channel DDR3 2400(O.C.) / 2250(O.C.) / 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.  
C.) / 1866 / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz Support  
The motherboard supports the dual-channel DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates  
of DDR3 2400(O.C.) / 2250(O.C.) / 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 2000(O.C.) / 1866 / 1600 /  
1333 / 1066 MHz to boost the system’s performance, and to meet the higher bandwidth  
requirements of 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications.  
Complete USB 3.0 integration  
This motherboard offers you the strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both the front and rear  
panels, allowing you to experience the convenience of the latest plug and play connectivity  
solution at speed up to ten times faster than USB 2.0.  
AMD® CrossFireX™ Technology  
AMD’s CrossFireX™ boosts image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating the  
need to scale down screen resolution to get high quality images. CrossFireX™ allows  
higher antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings. Adjust your display  
configurations, experiment with the advanced 3D settings, and check the effects with a real-  
time 3D-rendered previews within AMD VISION Engine Control Center.  
Native SATA 6.0 Gb/s support  
With AMD® A85X FCH natively support for the next-generation Serial ATA (SATA) storage  
interface, this motherboard delivers up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer rates. It also provides  
enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, double the bandwidth of current bus systems.  
100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors  
This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors for durability, improved  
lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.  
1-1  
ASUS F2A85-V  
 
1.1.2  
ASUS DIGI+ VRM  
DIGI+POWER CONTROL: Digital Power Design for the APU*  
ASUS motherboards using the AMD® A85X chipset employ precise digital voltage regulation  
for the APU, called DIGI+ VRM (Voltage Regulation Modules) digital power design. The APU  
voltage is adjusted via either carefully developed automated modes, or by using user-defined  
profiles. The effect is that DIGI+ VRM technology ensures greater energy efficiency and the  
most precise power delivery. Boosted by world-renowned ASUS quality, it creates an ideal  
computing platform for a diverse range of applications, from gaming to multimedia or office  
work and heavy multitasking. Engineered and tested to assure unmitigated performance,  
ASUS A85X boards with DIGI+ VRM remain efficient and accurate, for reliable application in  
every scenario.  
* DIGI+ VRM functions also available in FM2 socket compatible CPUs  
EPU  
EPU (Energy Processing Unit), the world’s first real-time system power-saving chip,  
automatically detects the current system load and intelligently moderates power usage.  
It offers a total system-wide energy optimization, reduces fan noise, and extends the  
component’s lifespan.  
1.1.3  
ASUS Exclusive Features  
USB 3.0 Boost  
With USB 3.0 Boost technology, USB transfer speeds are significantly increased up to  
132%, enhancing an already impressive USB 3.0 transfer rate. ASUS software automatically  
accelerates data speeds for compatible USB 3.0 peripherals without the need for any further  
user interaction.  
Remote GO!  
Remote GO! links PCs, tablets, smartphones and TVs wirelessly together through an existing  
LAN cable and router setup. It allows users to stream multimedia content from PC to DLNA  
devices, access their computer anywhere using their mobile device at home, while also  
allowing easy file transfers between your computer and mobile device. It provides seamless  
environment for a futuristic connected lifestyle with three useful functions: DLNA Media Hub,  
Remote Desktop and File Transfer.  
DLNA Media Hub: Enjoy HD video, music and photos stored in the PC streaming to your  
DLNA devices via Wi-Fi connectivity. You can even control the PC to play multimedia on a TV  
with a tablet. It’s the perfect match for creating your own home theater!  
Remote Desktop: Operate and control your PC in real-time from a smartphone or tablet  
for complete comfort. This function brings notebook-like convenience, by creating a virtual  
remote desktop, offering portable access to your data in desktop with a smartphone or tablet.  
File Transfer: Send and share files between your PC and smart devices* with only a right  
click on the mouse.  
* iPad/iPhone can send, but not receive files from the PC.  
1-2  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
 
Network iControl  
Network iControl is an intuitive one-step network control center that makes it easier for you to  
manage your bandwidth and allows you to set, monitor, and schedule the bandwidth priorities  
for your network programs. It allows you to automatically connect to a PPPoE network for a  
more convenient online experience.  
*
The ASUS Network iControl feature does not support Windows® XP/Vista operating systems.  
ASUS UEFI BIOS (EZ Mode)  
ASUS UEFI BIOS, a UEFI compliant architecture, offers the first mouse-controlled intuitive  
graphical BIOS interface that goes beyond the traditional keyboard-only BIOS controls,  
providing you with more flexibility, convenience, and easy to navigate EFI BIOS than the  
traditional BIOS versions. It offers you with dual selectable modes and native support for hard  
drives larger than 2.2 TB.  
ASUS UEFI BIOS includes the following new features:  
F12 BIOS snapshot hotkey  
F3 Shortcut for most accessed information  
ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) information detecting faulty DIMMs, and  
helping with difficult POST situations.  
ASUS TurboV  
With its user-friendly interface, ASUS TurboV offers you the adrenaline rush of real-time  
overclocking without exiting or rebooting the OS. It also provides you with the ASUS OC  
profiles for the best overclocking settings in different scenarios.  
GPU Boost  
GPU Boost accelerates the integrated GPU for extreme graphics performance, facilitates  
flexible frequency adjustments, and easily delivers stable system-level upgrades for every  
use.  
MemOK!  
MemOK!, the remarkable memory rescue tool, allows you to simply press a button to  
patch memory issues, ensure memory boot compatibility, determine fail-safe settings, and  
dramatically improve the system’s bootup.  
ASUS Anti-Surge Protection  
This special design protects expensive devices and the motherboard from damage caused  
by power surges from switching power supply unit (PSU).  
AI Suite II  
With its user interface, ASUS AI Suite II integrates several ASUS utilities and allows you to  
launch and operate these utilities simultaneously. It allows you to configure the overclocking  
settings, adjust the frequencies and related voltages, remotely control the system via a  
mobile device, and other easy-to-use helpful utilities.  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly utility that allows you to update the BIOS without using a  
bootable floppy disk or an OS-based utility.  
1-3  
ASUS F2A85-V  
ASUS MyLogo2™  
Turn your favorite photos into 256-color boot logos to personalize your system.  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto-recovery tool that allows you to restore a corrupted BIOS  
file using the bundled support DVD or a USB flash disk that contains the BIOS file.  
C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)  
The BIOS C.P.R. feature automatically restores the CPU default settings when the system  
hangs due to overclocking failure. 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 parameters to their default settings.  
ErP ready  
The motherboard is European Union´s Energy-related Products (ErP) ready, and ErP  
requires products to meet certain energy efficiency requirements in regards to energy  
consumptions. This is in line with ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy-  
efficient products through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the  
product and thus mitigate environmental impacts.  
1.2  
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.  
Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded  
object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, 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, switch off the ATX power supply and  
detach its power cord. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard,  
peripherals, or components.  
1-4  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
 
1.3  
Motherboard overview  
Placement direction  
1.3.1  
When installing the motherboard, ensure 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.  
1.3.2  
Screw holes  
Place six 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.  
F2A85-V  
1-5  
ASUS F2A85-V  
 
1.3.3  
Motherboard layout  
1
2
3
2
4
5
6
23.1cm(9.1in)  
GPU  
CHA_FAN2  
KBMS_USB34  
CPU_FAN  
GPU_LED  
DIGI  
+VRM  
ATX12V  
SPDIFO  
_HDMI  
7
8
MemOK!  
ESATA6G  
_USB3  
_12  
LAN  
_USB12  
1
AUDIO  
CHA_FAN1  
PCIEX1_1  
F2A85-V  
Atheros  
8161  
9
PCIEX16_1  
Super  
I/O  
Lithium Cell  
CMOS Power  
PCIEX1_2  
AMD®  
A85X  
PCI1  
PCIEX16_2  
PCI2  
COM  
64Mb  
BIOS  
Realtek  
ALC887  
SATA6G_4 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_6 SATA6G_7  
PCI3  
10  
SATA6G_1 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_3  
PANEL  
SPDIF_OUT  
SB_PWR  
USB910  
USB78 USB56  
CLRTC  
AAFP  
17  
16  
15  
14  
13  
12  
11  
1-6  
Chapter 1: Product introduction  
 
1.3.4  
Layout contents  
Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED  
Page  
1-26  
1-25  
1-7  
1. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)  
2. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, and 4-pin CHA_FAN1/2)  
3. AMD FM2 socket  
4. GPU Boost switch  
1-32  
1-33  
1-11  
1-31  
1-33  
1-30  
1-27  
1-28  
1-30  
1-22  
1-33  
1-29  
1-29  
1-27  
5. GPU Boost LED (GPU_LED)  
6. DDR3 DIMM slots  
7. MemOK! switch  
8. DRAM LED (DRAM_LED)  
9. USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_34)  
10. SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_1~7)  
11. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)  
12. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB910)  
13. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)  
14. Standby power LED (SB_PWR)  
15. Front