Abit IX48 GT3 User manual

Hardware Setup BIOS Setup Driver & Utility Multilingual QIG Appendix
IX48 GT3
Motherboard
Socket 775
User’s Manual
About this Manual:
This user’s manual contains all the information you may
need for setting up this motherboard. To read the user’s
manual of PDF format (readable by Adobe Reader), place
the “Driver & Utility CD” into the CD-ROM drive in your
system. The auto-run screen will appear, click the
“
Manual” tab to enter its submenu. If not, browse the
root directory of the CD-ROM via the File Manager, and
double click the “AUTORUN” file.
 Chipsets: Intel X48 / ICH9R
 FSB: 1600 MHz
 Dual Channel DDR3 1333
 Dual PCI-E X16 Slots
 Gigabit LAN
 6x Internal, 2x External SATA
3Gb/s Connectors
 USB 2.0 / IEEE 1394
 7.1-Channel HD Audio
 abit uGuru™ Technology
 abit OTES™ Technology
 External CMOS Clearing
Button
 Quick Power & Reset Button
 Vista HW Ready

ii IX48 GT3
Copyright and Warranty Notice
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on part of
the vendor, who assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors that may appear in this manual.
No warranty or representation, either expressed or implied, is made with respect to the quality, accuracy or fitness for
any particular part of this document. In no event shall the manufacturer be liable for direct, indirect, special,
incidental or consequential damages arising from any defect or error in this manual or product.
Product names appearing in this manual are for identification purpose only and trademarks and product names or
brand names appearing in this document are the property of their respective owners.
This document contains materials protected under International Copyright Laws. All rights reserved. No part of this
manual may be reproduced, transmitted or transcribed without the expressed written permission of the manufacturer
and authors of this manual.
If you do not properly set the motherboard settings, causing the motherboard to malfunction or fail, we cannot
guarantee any responsibility.
Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): (The mark and
information are applicable for EU-member states only.)
The use of the symbol indicates that this product may not be treated as household waste. By Ensurin
g
this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential ne
g
ative consequences for the
environment and human health, which could otherwise be cause by inappropriate waste handlin
g
of this
product. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please contact your local city
office, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.
Best Management Practices for Perchlorate Materials:
Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/.
环保使用期限标识说明 (The mark and information are applicable for People's Republic of China only.)
环保使用期限标识是根据<电子信息产品污染控制管理办法>以及<电子信息产品污染控制标识要
求>(SJ/T11364-2006) ，<电子信息产品环保使用期限通则>制定的，适用于中国境内销售的电子
信息产品的标识。
只要按照安全及使用说明内容在正常使用电子信息产品情况下、从生产月期算起，在此期限内产
品中含有的有毒有害物质不致发生外泄或突变、不致对环境造成严重污染或对其人身、财产造成
严重损害。产品正常使用后，要废弃在环保使用年限内或者刚到年限的产品，请根据国家标准采
取适当的方法进行处置。另外，此期限不同于质量/功能的保证期限。
有毒有害物质含有表 (This information is applicable for People's Republic of China only.)
产品中有毒有害物质或元素的名称及含量
有毒有害物质或元素
部件名称 铅(Pb) 汞(Hg) 镉(Cd) 六价铬(Cr(VI)) 多溴联苯(PBB) 多溴二苯醚
(PBDE)
PCB 板○○○○○○
结构件 ○○○○○○
芯片及其他主动件 ×○○○○○
连接器 ○○○○○○
被动电子元器件 ×○○○○○
焊接金属 ○○○○○○
线材 ×○○○○○
光盘 ○○○○○○
助焊剂、散热膏、标签及
其他耗材 ○○○○○○
○:表示该有毒有害物质在该部件所有均质材料中的含量均在 SJ/T11363-2006 标准规定的限量要求以下。
×:表示该有毒有害物质至少在该部件的某一均质材料中的含量超出 SJ/T11363-2006 标准规定的限量要求。

Hardware Setup BIOS Setup Driver & Utility Multilingual QIG Appendix
IX48 GT3 iii
Contents
1. Hardware Setup ............................................................... 1-1
1.1 Specifications............................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Motherboard Layout ..................................................................... 1-2
1.3 Choosing a Computer Chassis ....................................................... 1-3
1.4 Installing Motherboard ................................................................. 1-3
1.5 Checking Jumper Settings............................................................. 1-4
1.5.1 CMOS Memory Clearing and Backup Battery.......................... 1-4
1.6 Connecting Chassis Components ................................................... 1-6
1.6.1 Power Connectors ............................................................... 1-6
1.6.2 Front Panel Switches & Indicators Headers ........................... 1-7
1.6.3 FAN Power Connectors ........................................................ 1-8
1.6.4 NB Fan Set installation......................................................... 1-9
1.6.5 PWM Fan Set installation...................................................... 1-9
1.7 Installing Hardware.................................................................... 1-10
1.7.1 CPU Socket 775................................................................. 1-10
1.7.2 Memory Slots .................................................................... 1-12
1.7.3 PCI Express X16 Add-on Slots (Install Graphics Card) .......... 1-13
1.8 Connecting Peripheral Devices .................................................... 1-14
1.8.1 Floppy and IDE Disk Drive Connectors ................................ 1-14
1.8.2 Serial ATA Connectors ....................................................... 1-15
1.8.3 Additional USB 2.0 Port Headers......................................... 1-16
1.8.4 Additional IEEE 1394 Port Header....................................... 1-16
1.8.5 Internal Audio Connector ................................................... 1-17
1.8.6 Front Panel Audio Connection Header ................................. 1-17
1.8.7 S/PDIF Output Connection Header...................................... 1-18
1.8.8 PCI and PCI Express X1 Slots ............................................. 1-18
1.8.9 Guru Panel Connection Header........................................... 1-19
1.9 Onboard Indicators and Buttons.................................................. 1-20
1.9.1 POST Code Displayer ......................................................... 1-20
1.9.2 Power Source Indicators .................................................... 1-21
1.9.3 Onboard Buttons ............................................................... 1-21
1.10 Connecting Rear Panel I/O Devices ........................................... 1-22
2. BIOS Setup....................................................................... 2-1
2.1 μGuru™Utility .............................................................................. 2-2
2.1.1 OC Guru ............................................................................. 2-2
2.1.2 ABIT EQ.............................................................................. 2-4
2.2 Standard CMOS Features.............................................................. 2-9
2.3 Advanced BIOS Features ............................................................ 2-11
2.4 Advanced Chipset Features......................................................... 2-14
2.5 Integrated Peripherals................................................................ 2-16
2.6 Power Management Setup .......................................................... 2-19
2.7 PnP/PCI Configurations .............................................................. 2-21
2.8 Load Fail-Safe Defaults............................................................... 2-22
2.9 Load Optimized Defaults............................................................. 2-22
2.10 Set Password ........................................................................... 2-22
2.11 Save & Exit Setup..................................................................... 2-22

iv IX48 GT3
2.12 Exit Without Saving .................................................................. 2-22
3. Driver & Utility ................................................................. 3-1
3.1 CD-ROM AUTORUN ...................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Q-Install ...................................................................................... 3-2
3.3 Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility ....................................... 3-2
3.4 Intel Matrix Storage Manager........................................................ 3-3
3.5 Audio Driver ................................................................................ 3-3
3.6 LAN Driver................................................................................... 3-4
3.7 JMicron SATA Driver..................................................................... 3-5
3.8 USB 2.0 Driver ............................................................................. 3-5
3.9 abit μGuru ................................................................................... 3-6
3.10 Acrobat Reader 8.0 .................................................................... 3-7
3.11 SATA RAID Driver (for Windows Vista) ........................................ 3-8
3.12 SATA RAID Driver (for Windows XP, 2003, or 2000) ..................... 3-8
4. Multilingual Quick Installation Guide .............................. 4-1
4.1 Français//Guide d'Installation Rapide............................................. 4-1
4.2 Deutsch//Kurze Installationsanleitung............................................ 4-2
4.3 Italiano//Guida all’installazione rapida ........................................... 4-3
4.4 Español//Guía rápida de instalación............................................... 4-4
4.5 Português//Guia de instalação rápida ............................................ 4-5
4.6 Русский//Краткое руководство по установке .............................. 4-6
4.7 Eesti//Kiirpaigaldusjuhend ............................................................ 4-7
4.8 Latviski//Ātrās instalēšanas instrukcija........................................... 4-8
4.9 Lietuvių//Trumpas instaliavimo vadovas ........................................ 4-9
4.10 Polski//Instrukcja szybkiej instalacji ........................................... 4-10
4.11 Magyar//Gyorstelepítési útmutató.............................................. 4-11
4.12 Türkçe//HızlıKurulum Kılavuzu.................................................. 4-12
4.13 اللغة العربية//دليل التركيب السريع....................... 4-13
4.14 فارسی// راﻩنمای نصب سریع............................................... 4-14
4.15 日本語//クイックインストールガイド ...................................... 4-15
4.16 한국어//빠른 설치 가이드 ....................................................... 4-16
4.17 Bahasa Malaysia//Panduan Pemasangan Ringkas ....................... 4-17
4.18 ไทย//คู่มือการติดตั้งอย่างย่อ ........................................................ 4-18
4.19 繁體中文................................................................................. 4-19
4.19.1 規格............................................................................... 4-19
4.19.2 快速安裝略說.................................................................. 4-20
4.20 简体中文................................................................................. 4-21
4.20.1 规格 ............................................................................... 4-21
4.20.2 快速安装略说.................................................................. 4-22
5. Appendix .......................................................................... 5-1
5.1 POST Code Definitions.................................................................. 5-1
5.1.1 AWARD POST Code Definitions............................................. 5-1
5.1.2 AC2005 POST Code Definitions............................................. 5-4
5.2 Troubleshooting (How to Get Technical Support?).......................... 5-5
5.2.1 Q & A ................................................................................. 5-5
5.2.2 Technical Support Form....................................................... 5-8
5.2.3 Contact Information............................................................. 5-9

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-1
1. Hardware Setup
1.1 Specifications
CPU
• Designed for Intel latest 45nm
processor with FSB 1600MHz.
• Support Intel processor of:
Core 2 Extreme Edition / Core 2 Quad /
Core 2 Duo, & Pentium Dual Core.
Chipset
• Intel X48 / ICH9R
Memory
• 4x 240-pin DIMM slots support
maximum memory capacity up to 8GB.
• Supports Dual Channel DDR3 1333
memory.
LAN
• Onboard Gigabit LAN Controller
Audio
• Onboard 7.1-Ch Dolby/DTS HD Audio
Codec
• Supports S/PDIF In/Out
• HDMI Audio Header Ready
Serial ATA
• 6x Internal SATA 3Gb/s connectors
offered by Intel ICH9R support Intel
Matrix Storage Tech (AHCI & RAID 0, 1,
5, and 10).
• 2x External SATA 3Gb/s connectors
offered by JMicron JMB363 support
RAID 0, 1, and JBOD.
IEEE 1394
• Supports 2x IEEE 1394a ports at
400Mb/s transfer rate.
Expansion Slots
• 2x PCI-E X16 Slots (X16 Bandwidth)
• 1x PCI-E X16 Slot (X4 Bandwidth)
• 1x PCI-E X1 Slot
• 2x PCI Slots
Internal I/O Connectors
• 1x Floppy Port
• 1x Ultra ATA 133 IDE Connector
• 6x SATA 3Gb/s Connectors
• 4x USB 2.0 Headers
• 1x IEEE 1394 Header
• 1x FP-Audio Header
• 1x CD-In Connector
• 1x S/PDIF Out Header
• 1x GURU Header
Rear Panel I/O
• 1x PS/2 Keyboard Connector
• 1x PS/2 Mouse Connector
• 1x External CMOS Clearing Button
• 1x Optical S/PDIF In Connector
• 1x Optical S/PDIF Out Connector
• 2x eSATA Connectors
• 1x 7.1-Ch Audio Connector
• 1x IEEE1394 Connector
• 4x USB 2.0 Connectors
• 1x RJ-45 Gigabit LAN Connector
abit Engineered
• abit uGuru™Technology
• abit OTES™Technology
• External CMOS Clearing Button
• Quick Power & Reset Button
• 100% Low ESR Solid Capacitor
• Backboard Blue LED
• Digital PWM
• R-angle SATA Connector
RoHS
• 100% Lead-free Process and RoHS
Compliant
Miscellaneous
• ATX Form Factor (305mm x 245mm)
• Vista HW Ready
※ Specifications and information contained herein are subject to change without
notice.

1-2 IX48 GT3
1.2 Motherboard Layout

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-3
1.3 Choosing a Computer Chassis
• Choose a chassis big enough to install this motherboard.
• As some features for this motherboard are implemented by cabling connectors on the
motherboard to indicators and switches or buttons on the chassis, make sure your chassis
supports all the features required.
• If there is a possibility of adopting some more hard drives, make sure your chassis has
sufficient power and space for them.
• Most chassis have alternatives for I/O shield located at the rear panel. Make sure the I/O
shield of the chassis matches the I/O port configuration of this motherboard. You can find
an I/O shield specifically designed for this motherboard in its package.
1.4 Installing Motherboard
Most computer chassis have a base with many
mounting holes to allow the motherboard to be
securely attached, and at the same time, prevent
the system from short circuits. There are two
ways to attach the motherboard to the chassis
base: (1) with studs, or (2) with spacers.
Basically, the best way to attach the board is
with studs. Only if you are unable to do this
should you attach the board with spacers. Line up the holes on the board with the mounting
holes on the chassis. If the holes line up and there are screw holes, you can attach the board
with studs. If the holes line up and there are only slots, you can only attach with spacers. Take
the tip of the spacers and insert them into the slots. After doing this to all the slots, you can
slide the board into position aligned with slots. After the board has been positioned, check to
make sure everything is OK before putting the chassis back on.
※ Always power off the computer and unplug the AC power cord before adding or
removing any peripheral or component. Failing to so may cause severe damage
to your motherboard and/or peripherals. Plug in the AC power cord only after
you have carefully checked everything.
To install this motherboard:
1. Locate all the screw holes on the
motherboard and the chassis base.
2. Place all the studs or spacers needed on
the chassis base and have them tightened.
3. Face the motherboard’s I/O ports toward
the chassis’s rear panel.
4. Line up all the motherboard’s screw holes
with those studs or spacers on the chassis.
5. Install the motherboard with screws and
have them tightened.
※ To prevent shorting the PCB circuit,
please REMOVE the metal studs or
spacers if they are already fastened
on the chassis base and are without
mounting-holes on the motherboard
to align with.
Face the chassis’s rear panel.

1-4 IX48 GT3
1.5 Checking Jumper Settings
• For a 2-pin jumper, plug the
jumper cap on both pins will
make it CLOSE (SHORT).
Remove the jumper cap, or
plug it on either pin
(reserved for future use) will
leave it at OPEN position.
SHORT OPEN OPEN
• For 3-pin jumper, pin 1~2 or pin 2~3 can be
shorted by plugging the jumper cap in.
Pin 1~2 SHORT Pin 2~3 SHORT
1.5.1 CMOS Memory Clearing and Backup Battery
The time to clear the CMOS memory occurs when (a)
the CMOS data becomes corrupted, (b) you forgot the
supervisor or user password preset in the BIOS menu,
(c) you are unable to boot-up the system because the
CPU ratio/clock was incorrectly set in the BIOS menu,
or (d) whenever there is modification on the CPU or
memory modules.
This header uses a jumper cap to clear the CMOS
memory and have it reconfigured to the default values
stored in BIOS.
• Pins 1 and 2 shorted
(Default): Normal
operation.
• Pins 2 and 3 shorted:
Clear CMOS memory.
To clear the CMOS memory and load in the default values:
1. Power off the system.
2. Set pin 2 and pin 3 shorted by the jumper cap. Wait for a few seconds. Set the jumper
cap back to its default settings --- pin 1 and pin 2 shorted.
3. Power on the system.
4. For incorrect CPU ratio/clock settings in the BIOS, press <Del> key to enter the BIOS
setup menu right after powering on system.
5. Set the CPU operating speed back to its default or an appropriate value.
6. Save and exit the BIOS setup menu.
※ Another easy way to clear the CMOS memory can be done by pushing the
external “EZ-CCMOS1” button, see the section of “Connecting Rear Panel I/O
Devices” in this manual for detail.

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-5
CMOS Backup Battery:
An onboard battery saves the CMOS memory to keep the BIOS information stays on even after
disconnected your system with power source. Nevertheless, this backup battery exhausts after
some five years. Once the error message like “CMOS BATTERY HAS FAILED” or “CMOS
checksum error” displays on monitor, this backup battery is no longer functional and has to
be renewed.
To renew the backup battery:
1. Power off the system and disconnect with AC power source.
2. Remove the exhausted battery.
3. Insert a new CR2032 or equivalent battery. Pay attention to its polarity. The “+” side is its
positive polarity.
4. Connect AC power source and power on the system.
5. Enter the BIOS setup menu. Reconfigure the setup parameters if necessary.
CAUTION:
※ Danger of explosion may arise if the battery is incorrectly renewed.
※ Renew only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the battery
manufacturer.
※ Dispose of used batteries according to the battery manufacturer’s instructions.

1-6 IX48 GT3
1.6 Connecting Chassis Components
1.6.1 Power Connectors
These connectors provide the connection from an ATX12V power supply. As the plugs from the
power supply fit in only one orientation, find the correct one and push firmly down into these
foolproof-designed connectors.
For a fully configured system, we recommend that
you use a power supply of ATX12V 2.0 (or newer)
specification compliant and of providing minimum
400W power output capability.
For a fully configured system with two PCI Express
X16 cards installed, a power supply with minimum
500W or more power output is recommended.
※ The following motherboard photos are
served for DEMO only, and may not be
the same type or model as the one
described in this user’s manual.
[ATXPWR1]: 24-pin power connector
You may connect either a 20-pin (ATX12V
1.3) or 24-pin (ATX12V 2.0) power source.
However, it is recommended to connect the
24-pin ATX12V power source to meet the
240VA protection limits.
Plugged from a 24-pin
ATX12V power.
Plugged from a 20-pin
ATX12V power.
[ATX12V1]: 8-pin power connector
This connector supplies +12V power to CPU.
You may connect either a 4-pin ATX12V or
an 8-pin EPS12V power source. However, it
is recommended to connect the 8-pin
EPS12V power source to meet the 240VA
protection limits.
Plugged from a 4-pin
ATX12V power.
Plugged from an 8-pin
EPS12V power.

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-7
1.6.2 Front Panel Switches & Indicators Headers
This header is used for connecting switches and LED indicators on the chassis front panel.
Watch the power LED pin position and orientation. The mark “+” align to the pin in the figure
below stands for positive polarity for the LED connection. Please pay attention when connecting
these headers. A wrong orientation will only result in the LED not lighting, but a wrong
connection of the switches could cause system malfunction.
• HLED (Pin 1, 3):
Connects to the HDD LED cable of chassis front panel.
• RST (Pin 5, 7):
Connects to the Reset Switch cable of chassis front panel.
• SPKR (Pin 13, 15, 17, 19):
Connects to the System Speaker cable of chassis.
• SLED (Pin 2, 4):
Connects to the Suspend LED cable (if there is one) of chassis front panel.
• PWR (Pin 6, 8):
Connects to the Power Switch cable of chassis front panel.
• PLED (Pin 16, 18, 20):
Connects to the Power LED cable of chassis front panel.

1-8 IX48 GT3
1.6.3 FAN Power Connectors
These connectors each provide power to the cooling fans installed in your system.
• CPUFAN1: CPU Fan Power Connector
• SYSFAN1: System Fan Power Connector
• AUXFAN1~4: Auxiliary Fan Power Connector
※ These fan connectors are not jumpers. DO NOT place jumper caps on these
connectors.

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-9
1.6.4 NB Fan Set installation
It is the default package that the NB heatsink not installed with a cooling fan. Enclosed in the
motherboard package you can find a fan set specially designed for this heatsink. Please have it
installed on top of the heatsink.

Don’t forget to connect the fan power plug to [SYSFAN1] connector after installation.
1.6.5 PWM Fan Set installation
It is possible to attach one mini cooling fan (40 x 40 x 10mm, not included in this motherboard
package)
on top of the PWM heatsink to increase the heat dissipating efficiency.
Enclosed in the motherboard package you can find a pair of retention clips. This bundled
accessory is used to hold the fan itself.

Don’t forget to connect the fan power plug to [AUXFAN4] connector after installation.

1-10 IX48 GT3
1.7 Installing Hardware
※ DO NOT scratch the motherboard when installing hardware. An accidental
scratch of a tiny surface-mount component may seriously damage the
motherboard.
※ In order to protect the contact pins, please pay attention to these notices:
1. A maximum 20 cycles of CPU installation is recommended.
2. Never touch the contact pins with fingers or any object.
3. Always put on the cap when the CPU is not in use.
1.7.1 CPU Socket 775
※ The installation procedures vary with different types of CPU fan-and-heatsink
assembly. The one shown here is served for demo only. For detailed
information on how to install the one you bought, refer to its installation
guidelines.
1. Place the board so that the lever-hook of
the socket is on your left side. Use your left
thumb and forefinger to hold the lever hook,
pull it away from the retention tab. Rotate
the lever to fully open position.
2. Use your right-thumb to raise the load
plate. Lift it up to fully open position.
3. Use your right thumb and forefinger to
grasp the CPU package. Be sure to grasp on
the edge of the substrate, and face the Pin-1
indicator toward the bottom-left side. Aim at
the socket and place the CPU package
vertical down into the socket.
4. Visually inspect if the CPU is seated well
into the socket. The alignment key must be
located in the notch of package.

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-11
5. Use your left hand to hold the load plate,
and use your right thumb to peel the cap off.
The cap plays an important role in
protecting contact pins. In order to
prevent bent pin, PUT ON the cap after
operation or testing.
6. Lower the plate onto the CPU package.
Engage the load lever while gently pressing
down the load plate.
7. Secure the lever with the hook under
retention tab.
8. Place the heatsink and fan assembly onto
the socket. Align the four fasteners toward
the four mounting holes on the motherboard.
9. Press each of the four fasteners down
into the mounting holes. Rotate the fastener
clock-wise to lock the heatsink and fan
assembly into position.
10. Attach the four-pin power plug from the
heatsink and fan assembly to the CPU FAN
connector.
※ A higher fan speed will be helpful for better airflow and heat-dissipation.
Nevertheless, stay alert to not touch any heatsink since a high temperature
generated by the working system is still possible.

1-12 IX48 GT3
1.7.2 Memory Slots
To reach the performance of dual channel memory, the following rules must be obeyed:
• For a 2-DIMM dual-channel installation:
Populate DIMM modules of the same type and size on slots [DIMM1]+[DIMM3], or slots
[DIMM2]+[DIMM4].
• For a 4-DIMM dual-channel installation:
Populate 2 DIMM modules of the same type and size on slots [DIMM1]+[DIMM3], and
another 2 DIMM modules of the same type and size on slots [DIMM2]+[DIMM4].
※ [DIMM1] and [DIMM3] slots are made of the same color.
[DIMM2] and [DIMM4] are made of another same color.
Usually there is no hardware or BIOS setup requires after adding or removing memory modules,
but you will have to clear the CMOS memory first if any memory module related problem
occurs.
To install system memory:
1. Power off the computer and unplug the
AC power cord before installing or
removing memory modules.
2. Locate the DIMM slot on the board.
3. Hold two edges of the DIMM module
carefully, keep away from touching its
connectors.
4. Align the notch key on the module with the rib on the slot.
5. Firmly press the module into the slots until the ejector tabs at both sides of the slot
automatically snap into the mounting notch. Do not force the DIMM module in with extra
force as the DIMM module only fits in one direction.
6. To remove the DIMM modules, push the two ejector tabs on the slot outward
simultaneously, and then pull out the DIMM module.
※ Static electricity can damage the electronic components of the computer or
optional boards. Before starting these procedures, ensure that you are
discharged of static electricity by touching a grounded metal object briefly.

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-13
1.7.3 PCI Express X16 Add-on Slots (Install Graphics Card)
This motherboard provides dual PCI Express X16 slots for one or two graphics cards installation
of graphics cards that comply with PCI Express specifications.
One PCI Express graphics card installation:
Insert your PCI Express graphics card into slot
[PCIEXP1].
※ Do not install only one PCI Express
graphics card on slot [PCIEXP2], for
such an act will pull its speed down
to x4 only.
Two PCI Express graphics cards installation:
Install the master graphics card into slot
[PCIEXP1]. Install the slave graphics card
into slot [PCIEXP3].
※ Both the graphics cards must be of
the same GPU family.
※ Make sure your power supply is sufficient to provide the minimum power
required. (For a fully configured system with two PCI Express X16 cards
installed, a power supply with minimum 500W or more power output is
recommended.)
※ Refer to the instruction guide that came with the graphics card on how to run
its dual display mode.

1-14 IX48 GT3
1.8 Connecting Peripheral Devices
1.8.1 Floppy and IDE Disk Drive Connectors
The FDC1 connector connects up to two floppy drives with a 34-wire, 2-connector floppy cable.
Connect the single end at the longer length of ribbon cable to the FDC1 on the board, the two
connectors on the other end to the floppy disk drives connector. Generally you need only one
floppy disk drive in your system.
※ The red line on the ribbon cable must be aligned with pin-1 on both the FDC1
port and the floppy connector.
Each of the IDE port connects up to two IDE drives
at Ultra ATA/100 mode by one 40-pin, 80-conductor,
and 3-connector Ultra ATA/66 ribbon cables.
Connect the sin
g
le end (blue connector) at the lon
g
er
length of ribbon cable to the IDE port of this board,
the other two ends (gray and black connector) at the
shorter length of the ribbon cable to the connectors
of your hard drives.
※ Make sure to configure the “Master” and “Slave” relation before connecting
two drives by one single ribbon cable. The red line on the ribbon cable must be
aligned with pin-1 on both the IDE port and the hard-drive connector.

Hardware Setup
IX48 GT3 1-15
1.8.2 Serial ATA Connectors
Each SATA connector serves as one single channel to connect one SATA device by SATA cable.
To connect SATA device:
1. Attach either end of the signal cable
to the SATA connector on
motherboard. Attach the other end to
the SATA device.
2. Attach the SATA power cable to the
SATA device and connect the other
end from the power supply.
※ The motherboard in this photo is served for DEMO only, and may not be the
same type or model as the one described in this user’s manual.

1-16 IX48 GT3
1.8.3 Additional USB 2.0 Port Headers
Each header supports 2x additional USB 2.0 ports by connecting bracket or cable to the rear I/O
panel or the front-mounted USB ports of your chassis.
Pin Pin Assignment Pin Pin Assignment
1 5VDUAL 2 5VDUAL
3 Data0 - 4 Data1 -
5 Data0 + 6 Data1 +
7 Ground 8 Ground
10 NC
※ Make sure the connecting cable bears the same pin assignment.
1.8.4 Additional IEEE 1394 Port Header
Each header supports 1x additional IEEE 1394 port by connecting bracket or cable to the rear
I/O panel or the front-mounted IEEE 1394 port of your chassis.
Pin Pin Assignment Pin Pin Assignment
1 TPA0 + 2 TPA0 -
3 Ground 4 Ground
5 TPB0 + 6 TPB0 -
7 +12V 8 +12V
10 Ground
※ Make sure the connecting cable bears the same pin assignment.