AMD 790X User manual

USER'S MANUAL
Of
AMD 790X & AMD SB750
Based
M/B For Socket AM2+ 64-bit Quad Core
AMD Processor
NO. G03-HA03ULTRA -F
Rev
： 4.0
Release date: October, 2009
Trademark:
* Specifications and information contained in this documentation are furnished for information use only, and are
Subject to change at any time without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by manufacturer.

ii
Environmental Protection Announcement
Do not dispose this electronic device into the trash while discarding. To minimize pollution and
ensure environment protection of mother earth, please recycle.

ii
USER’S NOTICE.....................................................................................................................iii
MANUAL REVISION INFORMATION ..............................................................................iii
COOLING SOLUTIONS........................................................................................................iii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTIONOF AMD 790X CROSSFIREX MOTHERBOARDS
1-1 FEATURES OF MOTHERBOARD.................................................................................... 1
1-1.1 SPECIAL FEATURES OF MOTHERBOARD.................................................... 2
1-2 SPECIFICATION.................................................................................................................. 4
1-3 PERFORMANCE LIST........................................................................................................ 5
1-4 LAYOUT DIAGRAM ........................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-1 HARDWARE INSTALLATION STEPS............................................................................. 8
2-2 CHECKING MOTHERBOARD'S JUMPER SETTING.................................................. 8
2-3 INSTALL CPU....................................................................................................................... 8
2-3-1 GLOSSARY............................................................................................................. 8
2-3-2
ABOUT AMD Athlon64 Socket AM2+ CPU..................................................... 9
2-4 INSTALL MEMORY............................................................................................................ 10
2-5 EXPANSION CARDS........................................................................................................... 11
2-5-1 PROCEDURE FOR EXPANSION CARD INSTALLATION............................ 11
2-5-2 ASSIGNING IRQS FOR EXPANSION CARD.................................................... 11
2-5-3 PCI-EXPRESS SLOT............................................................................................. 12
2-6 CONNECTORS, HEADERS................................................................................................ 12
2-6-1 CONNECTORS....................................................................................................... 12
2-6-2 HEADERS ............................................................................................................... 16
2-7 STARTING UP YOUR COMPUTER ................................................................................. 19
CHAPTER 3 INTRODUCING BIOS
3-1 ENTERING SETUP.............................................................................................................. 20
3-2 GETTING HELP................................................................................................................... 20
3-3 THE MAIN MENU................................................................................................................ 21
3-4 STANDARD BIOS FEATURES........................................................................................... 22
3-5 ADVANCED BIOS FEATURES.......................................................................................... 23
3-6 ADVANCED CHIPSET FEATURES.................................................................................. 24
3-6-1 PCI EXPRESS CONFIGURATION .................................................................. 25
3-7 INTEGRATED PERIPHERALS......................................................................................... 25
3-7-1 ONBOARD SATA DEVICE ............................................................................... 26
3-7-2 ONBOARD DEVICE CONTROL........................................................................ 27
3-7-3 SUPER IO CONFIGURATION........................................................................... 27
3-8 POWER MANAGEMENT FEATURES............................................................................. 29
3-9 MISCELLANEOUS CONTROL........................................................................................ 30
3-10 PC HEALTH STATUS........................................................................................................ 31
3-10-1 SMART FAN CONFIGURATION……………………………………………..31
3-11 THERMAL THROTTLING FUNCTION ......................................................................... 32
3-12 POWER USER OVERCLOCK SETTINGS ..................................................................... 32
3-12-1 CPU CONFIGURATION ................................................................................... 33
3-12-2 MEMORY CONFIGURATION......................................................................... 34
3-13 BIOS SECURITY FEATURES........................................................................................... 35
3-14 LOAD OPTIMAL DEFAULTS/LOAD STANDARD DEFAULTS................................. 36
3-15 SAVE CHANGES AND EXIT/DISCARD CHANGES AND EXIT ............................. 36
CHAPTER 4 DRIVER & FREE PROGRAM INSTALLATION
MAGIC INSTALL SUPPORTS WINDOWS 9X/ME/NT4.0/2000/XP ....................................... 37
4-1 ATI INSTALL ATI DRIVER PACK........................................................................... 38
4-2 SOUND INSTALL AL888 HD CODEC AUDIO DRIVER.......................................... 38
4-3 LAN INSTALL TEALTEK LAN CONTROLLER DRIVER.................................. 39
4-4 RAID INSTALL ATI SATA DRIVER AND UTILITY............................................... 40
4-5 PC-CILLIN INSTALL PC-CILLIN 2007 ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAM ......................... 40
4-6 PC-HEALTH INSTALL MYGUARD HARDWARE MONITOR UTILITY .............. 41
4-7 OVERCLOCK INSTALL OVERCLOCK UTILITY........................................................ 42
4-8 HOW TO UPDATE BIOS..................................................................................................... 43
4-9 AMD PLATFORM RAID FUNCTION INSTALLATION ............................................... 43
4-10 PRO MAGIC PLUS FUNCTION INTRODUCTION........................................................ 47
TABLE OF CONTENT

iii
USER’S NOTICE
COPYRIGHT OF THIS MANUAL BELONGS TO THE MANUFACTURER. NO PART OF THIS
MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT MAY BE
REPRODUCED, TRANSMITTED OR TRANSLATED INTO ANY LANGUAGE IN ANY FORM OR
BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE MANUFACTURER.
THIS MANUAL CONTAINS ALL INFORMATION REQUIRED TO USE THIS MOTHERBOARD
AND WE DO ASSURE THIS MANUAL MEETS USER’S REQUIREMENT BUT WILL CHANGE,
CORRECT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. MANUFACTURER PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS
IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, AND WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, INCIDENTIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMANGES FOR
LOSS OF PROFIT, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OF DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS
AND THE LIKE).
PRODUCTS AND CORPORATE NAMES APPEARING IN THIS MANUAL MAY OR MAY NOT BE
REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OR COPYRIGHTS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPANIES, AND
THEY ARE USED ONLY FOR IDENTIFICATION OR EXPLANATION AND TO THE OWNER’S
BENEFIT, WITHOUT INTENT TO INFRINGE.
Manual Revision Information
Reversion Revision History Date
4.0 Fourth Edition October, 2009
Item Checklist
5AMD 790X Chipset based motherboard
5AMD 790X Chipset motherboard User’s Manual
5CD for Motherboard Utilities
5I/O Back Panel Shield
58 in 1 Cable Package
AMD K10 Processor Family
Cooling Solutions
As processor technology pushes to faster speeds and higher performance with increasing operation
clock, thermal management becomes increasingly crucial while building computer systems. Maintaining
the proper computing environment without thermal increasing is the key to reliable, stable, and 24
hours system operation. The overall goal is keeping the processor below its specified maximum case
temperature. Heatsinks induce improved processor heat dissipation through increasing surface area
and concentrated airflow from attached active cooling fans. In addition, interface materials allow
effective transfers of heat from the processor to the heatsink. For optimum heat transfer, AMD
recommends the use of thermal grease and mounting clips to attach the heatsink to the processor.
Please refer to the AMD official website for collection of heatsinks evaluated and recommended for
Socket AM2+ processors by AMD. In addition, this collection is not intended to be a comprehensive
listing of all heatsinks that support Socket-AM2+ processors.

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Chapter 1
Introduction of AMD 790X CrossFire Motherboards
1-1 Features of motherboard
The AMD 790X CrossFire chipset motherboard series are based on the latest AMD 790X
CrossFire Chipset and the SB750 chipset which supports the innovative 64-bit AMD Socket
AM2+ dual core multi-tasking Socket AM2+ AMD Phenom™ processors. With an integrated
low-latency high-bandwidth DDRII memory controller and a highly-scalable Hyper Transport
technology-based system bus up to 2 GHZ. AMD 790X CrossFire Platform Processor Chipset
motherboard series deliver the outstanding system performance and professional desktop
platform solution with the advantages of 64-bit AMD Socket AM2+ and Socket AM2 AMD
Phenom™ FX, AMD Phenom™, Athlon64 FX ，Athlon64 X2，Athlon64 & Sempron
processors.
The AMD 790X CrossFire Series motherboards support new generation Socket AM2+
processors with an integrated DDRII memory controller for Dual channel DDRII533
/DDRII667 /DDRII800/DDRII1066(AM2 Sempron processors only support up to DDRII667
memory) DDRII Module up to 8 GB. The motherboard is embedded with SB750 chipset of
providing ULTRA ATA 133 connector and Serial ATA2 with RAID 0 ,1 , 10, 5 and JBOD
functions which support up to two IDE and six Serial ATA2 devices to accelerate hard disk
drives and guarantee the data security without failure in advanced computing performance.
The AMD 790X CrossFire motherboards provide 10/100/1000 LAN function with PCI-E
Gigabit LAN chip which supports optional 10/100/1000Mbps data transfer rate. And the
embedded Azalia 8-channel ALC888 Audio CODEC is fully compatible with Sound Blaster
Pro standards that offer you with the home cinema quality and satisfying software
compatibility.
The AMD 790X CrossFire Series motherboards deliver outstanding value and performance
for gamers, with a true bandwidth design for Multi-GPU configurations. This high bandwidth
architecture in the AMD 790X chipset is combined with the flexibility for single or dual card
configurations. The AMD 790X chipset provide two x16@8 lane PCI Express 2.0 slots to
support simultaneous operation of graphics cards for astonishing performance with brilliant
and intense 3D graphics.
AMD 790X CrossFire Series motherboard series offer two PCI-Express2.0 x16@ 8 lane
graphics slots. Each PCI-Express2.0 x16 slots deliver up to 4 Gbyte/sec data transfer rate at
each relative direction and up 8 Gbyte/sec concurrently. When activated in 8 lane + 8 lane
CrossFire mode, the speed of these two graphics cards can be as high as 16 Gbyte/sec. Two
PCI Express2.0 x1 I/O slot offers 1 Gbyte/sec concurrently, over 7 times more bandwidth
than PCI at 133Mbye/sec, tackling the most demanding multimedia tasks nowadays .The
AMD 790X CrossFire motherboards also carry two 32-bit PCI slots guarantee the rich
connectivity for the I/O peripheral devices.
Embedded USB controllers as well as capability of expanding to 12 of USB2.0 functional
ports delivering 480Mb/s bandwidth of rich connectivity, these motherboards meet the future

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USB demands which are also equipped with hardware monitor function on system to monitor
and protect your system and maintain your non-stop business computing.
Some special features--- CPU Thermal Throttling/ CPU Vcore X-shift / CPU Smart Fan / DeBug
Port OC-CON/CMOS Button/Power On Button/Reset Button in this motherboard are designed
for power user to use the over-clocking function in more flexible ways. But please be caution
that the over-clocking maybe causes the fails in system reliabilities. This motherboard
provides the guaranteed performance and meets the demands of the next generation
computing. But if you insist to gain more system performance with variety possibilities of the
components you choose, please be careful and make sure to read the detailed descriptions of
these value added product features, please get them in the coming section.
1-1.1 Special Features of Motherboard
CPU Thermal Throttling Technology--- (The CPU Overheat Protection
Technology)
To prevent the increasing heat from damage of CPU or accidental shutdown while at high
workload, the CPU Thermal Throttling Technology will force CPU to enter partially idle
mode from 87.5% to 12.5% according to preset CPU operating temperature in BIOS (from 40
℃to 90℃). When the system senses the CPU operating temperature reaching the preset
value, the CPU operating bandwidth will be decreased to the preset idle percentage to cool
down the processor. When at throttling mode the beeper sound can be optionally selected to
indicate it is in working. (For detail operating please read Section 3-11 Bi-turbo
Configuration)
CPU Smart Fan---( The Noise Management System )
It’s never been a good idea to gain the performance of your system by sacrificing its acoustics.
CPU Smart Fan Noise Management System is the answer to control the noise level needed for
now-a-day’s high performance computing system. The system will automatically increase the
fan speed when CPU operating loading is high, after the CPU is in normal operating condition,
the system will low down the fan speed for the silent operating environment. The system can
provide the much longer life cycle for both CPU and the system fans for game use and
business requirements.
CPU Vcore X-Shift--- (Shift to Higher Performance)
The CPU voltage can be adjusted up by 31 steps for the precisely over-clocking of extra
demanding computing performance.
Debug Port --- ( The Professional Hardware Diagnosis System )
Being bugged of abnormal system failure through the tossed and turned nights no more, the
embedded Hardware Debug Port offers you the real-time visual system healthy for the
demanding usage of computing. No more bugging by unknown system failure and no more
time wasted in the first moment of 24-hour nonstop ping business computing, the embedded
Debug Port will turn you into a well training hardware professional with the seeing system
situation. (The Post Code please refer to appendix)

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OC-CON ---（High-polymer Solid Electrolysis Aluminum Capacitors）
The working temperature is from 55 degrees Centigrade below zero to 125 degrees
Centigrade, OC-CON capacitors possess superior physical characteristics that can be while
reducing the working temperature between 20 degrees Centigrade each time, intact extension
10 times of effective product operation lives, at not rising degrees Centigrade of working
temperatures each time a relative one, life of product decline 10% only too.
CMOS2 Button
The CMOS Button is to facilitate the clear COMS process for power user overclocking
function. The user can easily clear or restore COMS settings by pressing down the
button,without taking trouble to remove the case and locate the jumper for clear CMOS.
Power on Button
You can easily start the computer by pressing down this button for a few seconds, without
troubling yourself to locate the front panel jumpers to find the Power on jumper.
Reset Button
You can easily restart the computer by pressing down this button for a few seconds, without
troubling yourself to locate the front panel jumpers to find the reset jumper.

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1-2 Specification
Spec Description
Design ∗ATX form factor 4 layers PCB size: 30.5cm x24.5cm
Chipset * AMD 790X North Bridge Chipset
* AMD SB750 South Bridge Chipset
CPU Socket AM2+
∗Support 64bit AMD Socket AM2+ processor utilizing Flip-Chip Pin Grid
Array package
∗Support for AMD Athlon64 Dual –Core Athlon 64x2 processor, Athlon
64 & Sempron Processors with HTT Frequency 1GHz and the latest
AMD Phenom™ FX, AMD Phenom™ processors with HTT Frequency
up to 2GHz.
Memory Socket
∗240-pin DDRII Module socket x 4
∗Support 4pcs DDRII533/DDRII667/DDRII800/DDRII1066 Modules
Expandable to 8 GB
∗Dual channel supported
Expansion Slot
∗PCI-Express2.0 x16 slot 2pcs deliver up to 4GB/s concurrent bandwidth
in Non-CrossFire mode and 16GB/s concurrent bandwidth while
CrossFire mode being activated( With a switch card installed on PE4,
PE1 will have function equal to PCI-Express2.0x16@16 lane and the
speed of PE1 will double).
∗2pc PCI-Express2.0 x1 slot each delivers up to 1GB/s concurrent
bandwidth
∗32-bit PCI slot x 2pcs
Integrate IDE and
Serial ATA2 RAID
∗One IDE controllers support PCI Bus Mastering, ATA PIO/DMA and
the ULTRA DMA 33/66/100/133 functions that deliver the data transfer
rate up to 133 MB/s for 2 IDE Devices and for 6 Serial ATA2 ports
providing 300 MB/sec data transfer rate with RAID 0, 1, 10,5 and JBOD
functions
Gigabit LAN
∗Integrated PCI-E 10 / 100 / 1000 LAN.
∗Support Fast Ethernet LAN function of providing 10Mb/100Mb/1000
Mb/s data transfer rate
8 CH-Audio
∗Realtek ALC888 Azalia 8-channel Audio Codec integrated
∗Support 8-channel 3D surround & Positioning Audio
∗Audio driver and utility included
BIOS ∗AMI 8MB SPI Flash ROM BIOS
Multi I/O
∗PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse connectors
∗Floppy disk drive connector x1/ Hard disk drive connector x1
∗SPDIF In/Out Connector x1
∗ESATA Connector x1
∗USB2.0 port x 6 and headers x 3
∗RJ45 LAN Connector x1
∗Audio connector x1 (Line-in, Line-out, MIC/ 8CH Audio)
∗Parallel port header x1 / Serial port header x1
∗HDMI-SPDIF header x1 / IR headerx1

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1-3 Performance List
The following performance data list is the testing result of some popular benchmark testing
programs. These data are just referred by users, and there is no responsibility for different
testing data values gotten by users (the different Hardware & Software configuration will
result in different benchmark testing results.)
Performance Test Report
CPU: AMD K8 Sempron2800+
DRAM: Corsair
DDR2-800 512MB Memory
VGA Card : GeForce6600GTEI 128C
Hard Disk Driver: Maxtor IDE 80GB
BIOS: Toc
OS: Windows XP Professional (SERVICE PACK 2)
AMD 790X
3D Mark 2001SE 14485
3D Mark 2003 7786
3D Mark 2005 3420
AQUAMRK3 (GFX / CPU) 45990
PCMark2004
System / CPU / Memory 3116/2961/4007
Graph / HDD 4511/4017
Content Creation Winstone 2004 22.8
Business Winstone 2004 20.7
Winbench 99 V2.0:
Business/Hi-end GraphicWinmark99 N/A
Business/Hi-end Graphic Winmark 18600
SISMark 2004: SISMark Rating(Internet Content Creation / Office Productivity )
SISMark 2007 54
3D Creation 52
Web publication E-learning 51
Productivity 65
Video Creation 48
SISOFT Sandra 2004 : 1.CPU Arithmetic Benchmark 2.Memory bandwidth Benchmark 3.CPU
Multi-Media Benchmar
k
1.Dhrystone ALU MIPS 5456
Whetstone FPU iSSE2 FLOPS 4870
2.Int/Float Buffered iSSE2 MB/S 4307/4256
3.Integer/Floating-Point IT/S 14954/16256
UT2003 Benchmark (flyby/botmatch) 180.9/59
Quake3 DEMO1 /DEMO2 FPS 250.9/244.6
DOOM 3 FPS N/A
Super Pi (1M) Second 55
CPUZ System / CPU Clock 200x8

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1-4 Layout Diagram
8MBit Flash ROM BIOS
Floppy Connector
Front Panel Connector
ATA 133 IDE
Conn.(IDE1)
CPU Socket AM2+
ATX Power Conn.
Serial-ATAII Connecto
r
s
(D-SATA1, D-SATA2 ，
D-SATA3)
PCI Slot
PS2 KB/Mouse Port
(KB)
CHA FAN
Audio Connector
(
CN3, CN4
)
USB Port
(CN1)
RJ45 Ove
r
USB Connector
(UL1)
Parallel
Header
DDR2 Socket x 4
ATX 12V Power Connecto
r
Realtek ALC888
Audio Decode
CDIN
Gigabit LAN Chip
Speaker Connector
USB Port
(USB1, USB2，USB3)
Power LED Connector
COM1
AMD 790X Chipset
SPDIF IN1
SYSFAN2
Audio
KBMB/USB Power on (JP1)
Serial-ATAII
Connector
(E-SATA1)
IR Reset
Button
Power
PCI Express2.0 x16
by 8-lane
PCI Express2.0 x16
by 8-lane
USB
USB
RJ45 LAN
PS/2 Mouse
PS/2 Keyboard
Line-IN
Surrback
Line-OUT
CEN/LFE
Surround
MIC-IN
USB
ESATA
SPDIF OUT
SPDIF IN
CMOS2
SYSFAN1
CMOS1
Debug Port
SPDIF OUT1
CMOS2
E-SATA Ove
r
USB Connector
(CN2)
HDMI-SPDIF
CPUFAN
PCI Express2.0 x1
4-pin PWR Connector
AMD 750 SB chipset

- 7 -
Jumpers
Jumper Name Description Page
JP1 Keyboard/USB Power On Enabled/Disabled 3-pin Block P.7
Connectors
Connector Name Description Page
ATXPWR1 ATX Power Connector 24-pin Block P.11
ATX12V1 ATX 12V Power Connector 8-pin Block P.12
KB PS/2 Mouse & PS/2 Keyboard Connector 6-pin Female P.12
USB from CN1,CN2,UL1 USB2.0 Port Connector 4-pin Connector P.12
ESATA from CN2 External Serial ATA2 Connector 7-pin Connector P.14
RJ45LAN from UL1 Gigabit LAN Port Connector RJ-45 Connector P.12
J2 CrossFire Power Connector 4-Pin Block P.12
AUDIO：CN3, CN4 8-CH HD Audio Connector 6- phone jack Conn. P.13
FDD Floppy Driver Connector 34-pin Block P.13
IDE1 Primary/Secondary IDE Connector 40-pin Block P.13
D-SATA1,
D-SATA2,D-SATA3,
E-SATA1
Serial ATAII IDE Connectors 7-pin Connector P.14
SPDIF_OUT1 SPDIF Out coaxial Connectors 1- phone jack Conn. P.15
SPDIF_IN1 SPDIF In coaxial Connectors 1- phone jack Conn. P.15
Headers Header Name Description Page
AUDIO1 SPEAKER, MIC header 9-pin Block P.15
USB1, USB2 ,USB3 USB Port Headers 9-pin Block P.15
SPEAK1 PC Speaker connector 4-pin Block P.15
PWR LED1/ PWR LED Power LED 3-pin Block P.16
JW_FP1
(Reset/HDLED/Power
Button/PWR LED)
Front Panel Header
(including IDE activity LED/Reset switch /
Power On Button lead)
9-pin Block P.16
SYSFAN1/2, CHAFAN FAN Headers 3-pin Block P.16
CPUFAN FAN Header 4-pin Block P.16
CDIN1 CD Audio-In Header 4-pin Block P.16
IR IR infrared module Headers 5-pin Block P.17
PARALLEL Parallel Port Header 25-pin Block P.17
COM1 Serial Port COM1 Header 9-pin Block P.17
HDMI-SPDIF SPDIF Out header 2-pin Block P.18
Expansion Sockets
Socket/Slot Name Description Page
ZIF Socket AM2+ CPU Socket 940-pin mPGAB Athlon64 CPU Socket P.8
DIMM1~4 DDRII Module Socket 240-pin DDRII Module Socket P.9
PCI1∼PCI2 PCI Slots 32-bit PCI Local Bus Expansion slots P.14
PE2,PE3 PCI-Express2.0 x1Slot PCI-Express2.0 x1 Expansion Slots P.11
PE1，PE4 PCI-Express2.0 x16 Slot PCI-Express2.0 x16 Expansion Slots P.11

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Chapter 2
Hardware Installation
WARNING! Turn off your power when adding or removing expansion cards or other
system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to both
your motherboard and expansion cards.
2-1 Hardware installation Steps
Before using your computer, you had better complete the following steps:
1. Check motherboard jumper setting
2. Install CPU and Fan
3. Install System Memory (DIMM)
4. Install Expansion cards
5. Connect IDE and Front Panel /Back Panel cable
6. Connect ATX Power cable
7. Power-On and Load Standard Default
8. Reboot
9. Install Operating System
10. Install Driver and Utility
2-2 Checking Motherboard’s Jumper Setting
(1) Keyboard/USB function Enabled/Disabled: JP1
2-3 Install CPU
2-3-1 Glossary
Chipset (or core logic) - two or more integrated circuits which control the interfaces between
the system processor, RAM, I/O devises, and adapter cards.
Processor slot/socket - the slot or socket used to mount the system processor on the
motherboard.
Slot (PCI-E, PCI, RAM) - the slots used to mount adapter cards and system RAM.
PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect - a high speed interface for video cards, sound
cards, network interface cards, and modems; runs at 33MHz.
PCI Express- Peripheral Component Interconnect Express- a high speed interface for video
cards, sound cards, network interface cards, and modems.
PCI Express2.0- Peripheral Component Interconnect Express2.0, developed in 2003, the
Keyboard/Mouse & USB Power On Setting
2-3 Closed KB/USB Power ON Enabled
JP1
JP1
1-2 Closed KB/USB Power ON Disable (Default)

- 9 -
speed of each line doubled from the previous PCI-E of 2.5Gbps to 5 Gbps.
Serial Port - a low speed interface typically used for mouse and external modems.
Parallel Port - a low speed interface typically used for printers.
PS/2 - a low speed interface used for mouse and keyboards.
USB - Universal Serial Bus - a medium speed interface typically used for mouse, keyboards,
scanners, and some digital cameras.
Sound (interface) - the interface between the sound card or integrated sound connectors and
speakers, MIC, game controllers, and MIDI sound devices.
LAN (interface) - Local Area Network - the interface to your local area network.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) - the program logic used to boot up a computer and
establish the relationship between the various components.
Driver - software, which defines the characteristics of a device for use by another device or
other software.
Processor - the "central processing unit" (CPU); the principal integrated circuit used for
doing the "computing" in "personal computer"
Front Side Bus Frequency - the working frequency of the motherboard, which is generated
by the clock generator for CPU, DRAM and PCI BUS.
CPU L2 Cache - the flash memory inside the CPU, normal it depend on CPU type.
2-3-2 About AMD Athlon64 Socket AM2+ CPU
This motherboard provides a surface mount, Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket, referred to as
the mPGA940 socket supports AMD Athlon64 processor in the package utilizes Flip-Chip Pin
Grid Array package technology.
The CPU that comes with the motherboard should have a cooling FAN attached to prevent
overheating. If this is not the case, then purchase a correct cooling FAN before you turn on
your system.
WARNING! Be sure that there is sufficient air circulation across the processor’s
heatsink and CPU cooling FAN is working correctly, otherwise it may
cause the processor and motherboard overheat and damage, you may install
an auxiliary cooling FAN, if necessary.
To install a CPU, first turn off your system and remove its cover. Locate the ZIF socket and
open it by first pulling the level sideways away from the socket then upward to a 90-degree
angle. Insert the CPU with the correct orientation as shown below. The notched corner
should point toward the end of the level. Because the CPU has a corner pin for two of the
four corners, the CPU will only fit in the orientation as shown.
CPU ZIF mPGAB Socket
Colden Arrow
Socket AM2

- 10 -
When you put the CPU into the ZIF socket, No force required to insert of the CPU, and then
press the level to locate position slightly without any extra force.
2-4 Install Memory
This motherboard provides four 240-pin DDR2 DUAL INLINE MEMORY MODULES
(DIMM) socket for DDR2 memory expansion available from minimum memory volume of
128MB to maximum memory volume of 8 GB DDR SDRAM.
Valid Memory Configurations
Bank 240-Pin DIMM PCS Total Memory
Bank 0, 1 (DIMM1) DDR2 667/DDR2 800/ DDR2 1066 * X1 128MB∼2 GB
Bank 2, 3 (DIMM2) DDR2 667/DDR2 800/ DDR2 1066* X1 128MB∼2 GB
Bank 4, 5 (DIMM3) DDR2 667/DDR2 800/ DDR2 1066*X1
128MB∼2 GB
Bank 6,7 (DIMM4) DDR2 667/DDR2 800/ DDR2 1066* X1
128MB∼2 GB
Total System Memory (Max 8 GB) 4 128MB∼8 GB
*DDR2 1066 could only be reached in the case of overclocking.
Recommend DIMM Module Combination
1. One DIMM Module ----Plug in DIMM1
2. Two DIMM Modules---Plug in DIMM1 and DIMM2 or DIMM3 and DIMM4 for Dual
channel function
3. Four DIMM Modules---Plug in DIMM1/DIMM2/DIMM3/DIMM4.
Dual channel Limited!
1. Dual channel function only supports when 2 DIMM Modules plug in either both DIMM1 &
DIMM2or DIMM3 &DIMM4, or four DIMM Modules plug in DIMM1~DIMM4.
2. Memory modules plugged in DIMM1 & DIMM2, or DIMM3& DIMM4 must be of the same
type, same size, and same frequency for dual channel function.
Install DDR II modules to your motherboard is not difficult, you can refer to figure below to
see how to install a 240-Pin DDRII 667/DDR2 800/DDRII1066 module.
DIMM3 (BANK2+BANK3) DIMM4 (BANK0+BANK1)
DIMM1 (BANK6+BANK7) DIMM2 (BANK4+BANK5)
DIMM1 & DIMM2: Dual Channel 1
D
IMM3 & DIMM4: Dual Channel 2
NOTE! When you install DIMM module fully into the DIMM socket the eject tab should be locked
into the DIMM module very firmly and fit into its indention on both sides.

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2-5 Expansion Cards
2-5-1 Procedure For Expansion Card Installation
1. Read the documentation for your expansion card and make any necessary hardware or
software setting for your expansion card such as jumpers.
2. Remove your computer’s cover and the bracket plate on the slot you intend to use.
3. Align the card’s connectors and press firmly.
4. Secure the card on the slot with the screen you remove above.
5. Replace the computer system’s cover.
6. Set up the BIOS if necessary.
7. Install the necessary software driver for your expansion card.
2-5-2 Assigning IRQs For Expansion Card
Some expansion cards need an IRQ to operate. Generally, an IRQ must exclusively assign
to one use. In a standard design, there are 16 IRQs available but most of them are already in
use.
Standard Interrupt Assignments
IRQ Priority Standard function
0 N/A System Timer
1 N/A Keyboard Controller
2 N/A Programmable Interrupt
3 * 8 Communications Port (COM2)
4 * 9 Communications Port (COM1)
5 * 6 Sound Card (sometimes LPT2)
6 * 11 Floppy Disk Controller
7 * 7 Printer Port (LPT1)
8 N/A System CMOS/Real Time Clock
9 * 10 ACPI Mode when enabled
10 * 3 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11 * 2 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
12 * 4 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 N/A Numeric Data Processor
14 * 5 Primary IDE Channel
15 * 1 Secondary IDE Channel
* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.

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2-5-3 PCI Express Slot
AMD 790X CrossFire Series motherboard series offer two PCI-Express2.0 x16@ 8 lane
graphics slots. Fully compliant to the PCI Express Base Specification revision 2.0, support
PCI Express VGA card, and other PCI Express device. Each PCI-Express2.0 x16 slots
deliver up to 4 Gbyte/sec data transfer rate at each relative direction and up 8 Gbyte/sec
concurrently. When activated in 8 lane + 8 lane CrossFire mode, the speed of these two
graphics cards can be as high as 16 Gbyte/sec. Two PCI Express2.0 x1 I/O slot offers 1
Gbyte/sec concurrently, over 7 times more bandwidth than PCI at 133Mbye/sec, tackling the
most demanding multimedia tasks nowadays.
2-6 Connectors, Headers
2-6-1 Connectors
(1) Power Connector (24-pin block) : ATXPWR1
ATX Power Supply connector: This is a new defined 24-pins connector that usually
comes with ATX case. The ATX Power Supply allows using soft power on momentary
switch that connect from the front panel switch to 2-pins Power On jumper pole on the
motherboard. When the power switch on the back of the ATX power supply turned on,
the full power will not come into the system board until the front panel switch is
momentarily pressed. Press this switch again will turn off the power to the system
board.
** We recommend that you use an ATX 12V Specification 2.0-compliant power supply
unit (PSU) with a minimum of 350W power rating. This type has 24-pin and 4-pin
power plugs.
** If you intend to use a PSU with 20-pin and 4-pin power plugs, make sure that the 20-pin
power plug can provide at least 15A on +12V and the power supply unit has a minimum
power rating of 350W. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the
power is inadequate.
PCI-E2.0 x1 Slot
PCI-E 2.0x16 Slot@8-lane
32
-
bit PCI
Slot
PCI-E 2.0x16 Slot@8-lane

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(2) ATX 12V Power Connector (8-pin block) : ATX12V1
This is a new defined 8-pins connector that usually comes with ATX Power Supply.
The ATX Power Supply which fully supports Socket AM2+ processor must including
this connector for support extra 12V voltage to maintain system power consumption.
Without this connector might cause system unstable because the power supply can not
provide sufficient current for system.
(3) PS/2 Mouse & PS/2 Keyboard Connector: KB
The connectors are for PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 Mouse.
(4) USB Port connector: CN1/CN2/UL1 for USB
The connectors are 4-pin connector that connects USB devices to the system board.
(5) LAN Port connector: UL1 for RJ45 LAN
This connector is standard RJ45 connector for Network. It supports 10M/100Mb/1000Mb s
data transfer rate
(6) Large 4-Pin Power Connector: J2 Power Connector
The connectors are 4-pin connector that supports extra 12V / 5V power to your system
(7) Audio Line-In,
Lin-Out, MIC, Surrback, Surround, CEN/LEF Connector : CN3, CN4
for Audio
Pin 1
ROW1 ROW2
24-Pin
ROW1 ROW2
Pin 1
20-Pin
PIN ROW1 ROW2
1 3.3V 3.3V
2 3.3V -12V
3 GND GND
4 5V Soft Power On
5 GND GND
6 5V GND
7 GND GND
8 Power OK -5V
9 +5V (for Soft Logic) +5V
10 +12V +5V
11 +12V +5V
12 +3V GND
Pin 1

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These Connectors are 6 Phone-Jack for LINE-OUT, LINE-IN, MIC, Surrback, Surround,
CEN/LEF audio connections.
Line-in : (BLUE) Audio input to sound chip
Line-out : (GREEN) Audio output to speaker
MIC : (PINK) Microphone Connector
Surrback : (ORANGE) Audio output to speaker-Rear speaker out
CEN/LEF : (BLACKNESS) Audio output to speaker-Center/Subwoofer speaker out
Surround: (GRAY) Audio output to speaker-Side speaker out
(8)Floppy drive Connector (34-pin block): FDD
This connector supports the provided floppy drive ribbon cable. After connecting the
single plug end to motherboard, connect the two plugs at other end to the floppy drives.
Floppy Drive Connector
Pin 1
FDD
(9) Primary IDE Connector (40-pin block): IDE1
This connector supports the provided IDE hard disk ribbon cable. After connecting the
single plug end to motherboard, connect the two plugs at other end to your hard disk(s).
If you install two hard disks, you must configure the second drive to Slave mode by
setting its jumpers accordingly. Please refer to the documentation of your hard disk for
the jumper settings.
Primary IDE Connector
Pin 1
IDE1
•Two hard disks can be connected to each connector. The first HDD is referred to as the
“Master” and the second HDD is referred to as the “Slave”.
USB MIC-IN
USB
ESATA
Line-IN
Line-OUT
Surrback
PS/2
Mouse
PS/2
Keyboard
Surround
CEN/LFE
RJ45 LAN
USB
SPDIF In
SPDIF Out

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•For performance issues, we strongly suggest you don’t install a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
drive on the same IDE channel as a hard disk. Otherwise, the system performance on this
channel may drop.
(10) Serial-ATAII Port connector: D-SATA 1, D-SATA 2, D-SATA 3, E-SATA1
These connectors support the provided Serial ATA2 hard disk cables to connecting the
motherboard with serial ATAII hard disks. E-SATA1 is not for SATA hard drive, it is
only for connecting to a SATA connector of the D-SATA1, D-SATA2 or D-SATA3 to
let the ESATA port work.
Serial-ATA2 Port Connector
D-SATA2
D-SATA1
E-SATA1
D-SATA
(11) ESATA Port: CN2 for ESATA
This connector supports the External Serial ATA2 (ESATA) enable the full SATA
interface speed outside the chassis, up to 3Gb/s. The ESATA port can be enabled only
when the E-SATA 1 is connected to one connector of D-SATA1, D-SATA2 or
D-SATA3.
(12) SPDIF In/Out header:
SPDIF_ IN1/SPDIF_ OUT1
The SPDIF output is capable of providing digital audio to external speakers or
compressed AC3 data to an external Dolby digital decoder. Use this feature only when
your stereo system has digital input function. Use SPDIF IN feature only when your
device has digital output function.
ESATA
SPDIF OUT
SPDIF IN

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2-6-2 Headers
(1) Line-Out/MIC Header for Front Panel (9-pin): AUDIO1
These headers connect to Front Panel Line-out, MIC connector with cable.
Line-Out, MIC Headers
AUDIO
Pin 1
Lineout2-L Lineout2-R
Sense-FB
Audio-GND
LINE2-JD
Audio-JD
2
9
10
KEY
MIC2-L
MIC2-JD
MIC2-R
(2)USB Port Headers (9-pin): USB1/USB2 /USB3
These headers are used for connecting the additional USB port plug. By attaching an
option USB cable, your can be provided with two additional USB plugs affixed to the
back panel.
USB Port Headers
Pin1
USB1
VCC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
VCC
OC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
Pin1
USB2
VCC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
VCC
OC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
Pin1
USB3
VCC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
VCC
OC
-DATA
GND
+DATA
(3) Speaker connector: SPEAK1
This 4-pin connector connects to the case-mounted speaker. See the figure below.
(4) Power LED: PWR LED1
The Power LED is light on while the system power is on. Connect the Power LED
from the system case to this pin.
(5) IDE Activity LED: HD LED
This connector connects to the hard disk activity indicator light on the case.
(6) Reset switch lead: RESET1
This 2-pin connector connects to the case-mounted reset switch for rebooting your
computer without having to turn off your power switch. This is a preferred method of
rebooting in order to prolong the lift of the system’s power supply. See the figure
below.
(7)Power switch: PWR BTN
This 2-pin connector connects to the case-mounted power switch to power ON/OFF the
system.