Asus LE R2 0 Desktop Motherboard M5A97 LE R2 0 User Manual

M5A97 LE R2.0  
Contents  
Chapter 1:  
Chapter 2:  
iii  
Chapter 3:  
Chapter 4:  
iv  
Chapter 5:  
AMD® Option ROM utility ............................................................5-3  
Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®....................................5-6  
Chapter 6:  
AMD® CrossFireX™ technology ...............................................................6-1  
Enabling the AMD® CrossFireX™ technology.............................6-3  
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. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the  
motherboard.  
Chapter 2: Basic Installation  
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when  
installing system components.  
Chapter 3: 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 4: Software support  
This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the  
motherboard package and the software.  
Chapter 5: RAID support  
This chapter describes the RAID configurations.  
Chapter 6: Multiple GPU technology support  
This chapter describes how to install and configure multiple AMD® CrossFireX™  
graphics cards.  
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  
M5A97 LE R2.0 specifications summary  
CPU  
AMD® Socket AM3+ for AMD® FX Series CPU up to 8-core  
Compatible with AMD® Socket AM3 for AMD® PhenonTM II/AthlonTM  
II/SempronTM 100 Series processors  
AMD® 140W CPU Support  
AMD® Cool‘n’QuietTM support  
Support AM3+ 32nm CPU  
Chipset  
AMD® 970 / SB950  
System Bus  
Memory  
Up to 4800 MT/s; HyperTransportTM 3.0  
4 x DIMMs, Max. 32GB, DDR3 2133 (O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz,  
ECC, Non-ECC, unbuffered Memory  
Dual-channel memory architecture  
Due to CPU spec, AMD 100 Series CPUs support up to DDR3 1066MHz. With  
ASUS design, this motherboard can support up to DDR3 1333MHz.  
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.  
Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List).  
Expansion slots  
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (Blue @x16 speed, Black @x4 speed)  
2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slots  
2 x PCI slots  
Multi-GPU  
support  
Supports AMD® Quad-GPU CrossFireXTM Technology  
AMD® SB950 Chipset:  
Storage  
-
6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 support  
LAN  
Realtek® 8111F Gigabit LAN controller  
Realtek® ALC887 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC  
Audio  
-
-
-
Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-Streaming, Front Panel Jack-Retasking  
Optical S/PDIF out header at mid-board  
ASUS Noise Filter  
1 x Asmedia® USB3.0 controller:  
2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at back panel (blue)  
USB  
-
AMD® SB950 Chipset:  
-
12 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports at the mid-board, 6 ports at the back  
panel)  
(continued on the next page)  
ix  
 
M5A97 LE R2.0 specifications summary  
ASUS unique  
features  
ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors  
ASUS Power Design  
-
4+2 Phase Power Design  
ASUS EPU  
EPU  
-
ASUS TPU  
-
Auto Tuning, TurboV  
ASUS Exclusive Features  
-
-
-
-
-
ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface  
ASUS USB 3.0 Boost  
ASUS Network iControl  
ASUS AI Suite II  
ASUS Ai Charger+  
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution  
-
-
ASUS Fanless Design: heatsink solution  
ASUS Fan Xpert  
ASUS EZ DIY  
-
-
-
-
-
ASUS O.C. Profile  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
ASUS My Logo 2  
Precision Tweaker 2  
Multi-language BIOS  
ASUS Q Design  
ASUS Q-Slot  
-
ASUS exclusive  
overclocking  
features  
Precision Tweaker 2  
-
-
-
-
-
-
vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.00625V increment  
vDDNB: Adjustable CPU/NB voltage at 0.00625V increment  
vNB: Adjustable NB voltage at 0.00625V increment  
vNB HT Bus: Adjustable HT voltage at 0.00625V increment  
vDRAM Bus: Adjustable DRAM voltage at 0.00625V increment  
vSB: Adjustable SB voltage at 0.00500V increment  
SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection):  
-
Internal Base Clock tuning from 100MHz up to 600MHz at 1MHz  
increment  
-
PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 150MHz at 1MHz  
increment  
Overclocking Protection:  
-
ASUS C.P.R (CPU Parameter Recall)  
(continued on the next page)  
x
M5A97 LE R2.0 specifications summary  
Back Panel I/O ports  
1 x PS/2 Keyboard (Purple)  
1 x PS/2 Mouse (Green)  
1 x LAN (RJ-45) port  
2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue)  
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports  
3 audio jacks for 8-channel audio  
Internal I/O connectors /  
buttons / switches  
3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports  
6 x SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors  
1 x CPU fan connector  
3 x Chassis fan connectors (3 x 4-pin)  
Front panel audio connector  
1 x S/PDIF Out header  
1 x Clear CMOS jumper  
24-pin EATX power connector  
4-pin ATX 12V power connector  
System panel connector  
1 x Chassis Intrusion header  
1 x COM connector  
BIOS  
64Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS  
2.7, ACPI 2.0a Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, F12  
PrintScreen, F3 Shortcut Function and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serieal  
Presence Detect) memory information  
Manageability  
Accessories  
WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE  
2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cables  
1 x I/O Shield  
1 x User Manual  
Support DVD  
Form factor  
Drivers  
ASUS utilities  
ASUS Update  
Anti-Virus software (OEM version)  
ATX form factor: 12 in x 9 in (30.5 cm x 22.9 cm)  
Specifications are subject to change without notice.  
xi  
Package contents  
Check your motherboard package for the following items.  
User Manual  
M5A97 LE R2.0  
ASUS M5A97 LE R2.0 motherboard  
User Guide  
Support DVD  
2 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cables  
1 x ASUS I/O Shield  
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  
 
Installation tools and components  
1 bag of screws  
Philips (cross) screwdriver  
PC chassis  
Power supply unit  
AMD AM3+ CPU  
AMD AM3+ compatible CPU Fan  
DIMM  
SATA hard disk drive  
SATA optical disc drive (optional)  
Graphics card (optional)  
The tools and components in the table above are not included in the motherboard package.  
xiii  
 
xiv  
Product introduction  
1
1.1  
Special features  
1.1.1  
Product highlights  
AMD® FX™Series/Phenom™ II/Athlon™ II/Sempron™ 100 series CPU support  
This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM3+ multi-core processors with unique L3  
cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features  
dual-channel DDR3 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 4800MT/s via  
HyperTransport™ 3.0-based system bus. This motherboard also supports AMD® CPUs in the  
new 32nm manufacturing process.  
AMD® 970 Chipset  
AMD® 970 Chipset is designed to support up to 4800MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0)  
interface speed and PCI Express™ 2.0 x16 graphics. It is optimized with AMD®’s latest AM3+  
and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities.  
DDR3 2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 support  
This motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of  
2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of  
the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3  
architecture enlarges the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance.  
AMD® SB950 Chipset  
The AMD® SB950 Southbridge natively supports the next generation SATA 6.0 Gb/s data  
transfer rate and PCI Express 2.0 interface.  
AMD Cool‘n’QuietTM Technology  
This motherboard supports the AMD Cool‘n’QuietTM technology which monitors system  
operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool and quiet  
operating environment.  
True USB 3.0 Support  
Experience ultra-fast data transfers at 5.0 Gbps with USB 3.0–the latest connectivity standard.  
Built to connect easily with next-generation components and peripherals, USB 3.0 transfers  
data 10X faster and is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 components.  
Native SATA 6.0 Gb/s support  
With AMD® SB950 chipset 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.  
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.  
1-1  
M5A97 LE R2.0  
 
1.1.2  
DIP (Dual Intelligent Processors) - TPU (TurboV  
Processing Unit) & EPU (Energy Processing Unit)  
TPU  
Unleash your performance with AI Suite II utility. ASUS Auto tuning feature can intelligently  
optimize the system for fast, yet stable clock speeds, and the TurboV gives you the  
freedom to adjust CPU frequencies and ratios to optimize performance under varied system  
conditions.  
EPU  
The ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) provides total system power management by  
detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power usage for critical PC  
components in real-time–helping save power and money!  
1.1.3  
ASUS Exclusive Features  
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.  
Auto Tuning  
Auto Tuning is an intelligent tool that automates overclocking to achieve a total system level  
up. This tool also provides stability testing. Even O.C. beginners can achieve extreme yet  
stable overclocking results with Auto Tuning!  
USB 3.0 Boost  
ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology supports UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol), the latest  
USB 3.0 standard. Witht USB 3.0 Boost technology, a USB device’s transmission speed is  
significantly increased up to 170%, adding to an already impressive fast USB 3.0 transfer  
speed. ASUS software automatically accelerates data speeds for compatible USB 3.0  
peripherals without the need for any user interaction.  
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.  
AI Suite II  
With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite II consolidates all the exclusive ASUS features  
into one simple to use software package. It allows users to supervise overclocking, energy  
management, fan speed control, voltage and sensor readings. This all-in-one software offers  
diverse and ease to use functions, with no need to switch back and forth between different  
utilities.  
1-2  
Chapter 1: Product introduction