ASROCK Z77 OC Formula User manual

1
Z77 OC Formula
User Manual
Version 1.1
Published June 2013
Copyright©2013 ASRock INC. All rights reserved.

2
Copyright Notice:
No part of this manual may be reproduced, transcribed, transmitted, or translated in
any language, in any form or by any means, except duplication of documentation by
the purchaser for backup purpose, without written consent of ASRock Inc.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be regis-
tered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for

Disclaimer:
          -
tional use only and subject to change without notice, and should not be constructed
as a commitment by ASRock. ASRock assumes no responsibility for any errors or
omissions that may appear in this manual.
With respect to the contents of this manual, ASRock does not provide warranty of
any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warran-


any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including damages for

even if ASRock has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising from
any defect or error in the manual or product.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
 
 
may cause undesired operation.
CALIFORNIA, USA ONLY
The Lithium battery adopted on this motherboard contains Perchlorate, a toxic

passed by the California Legislature. When you discard the Lithium battery in Cali-
fornia, USA, please follow the related regulations in advance.
“Perchlorate Material-special handling may apply, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate”
ASRock Website: http://www.asrock.com

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Contents
1 Introduction......................................................... 7
1.1 Package Contents ......................................................... 7
................................................................. 8
1.3 Motherboard Layout....................................................... 14
1.4 I/O Panel ...................................................................... 15
2 Installation........................................................... 17
2.1 Screw Holes................................................................... 17
2.2 Pre-installation Precautions ......................................... 17
2.3 CPU Installation ............................................................. 18
2.4 Installation of Heatsink and CPU fan ............................. 20
 ........................ 21
2.6 Expansion Slots ................................. 23
2.7 SLITM and Quad SLITM Operation Guide......................... 25
2.8 CrossFireXTM, 3-Way CrossFireXTM and Quad
CrossFireXTM Operation Guide ...................................... 29
2.9 Surround Display Feature.............................................. 34
2.10 ASRock Smart Remote Installation Guide ..................... 37
2.11 Jumpers Setup .......................................................... 39
2.12 Onboard Headers and Connectors ............................ 40
2.13 Smart Switches .......................................................... 47
2.14 Dr. Debug ................................................................... 49
2.15 Post Status Checker ...................................................... 53

Installation ................................................................. 53
 ............. 53
2.18 Hot Plug and Hot Swap Functions for SATA / SATA2
HDDs ............................................................................. 54
2.19 Hot Plug and Hot Swap Functions for SATA3 HDDs ..... 54
2.20 SATA / SATA2 / SATA3 HDD Hot Plug Feature and
Operation Guide ........................................................ 55
2.21 Driver Installation Guide ............................................ 57
2.22 Installing Windows®7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM
64-bit With RAID Functions ....................................... 57
2.23 Installing Windows®7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit
/ XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions ................... 58
2.23.1 Installing Windows®XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID
Functions............................................................ 58
2.23.2 Installing Windows®7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM /
VistaTM 64-bit Without RAID Functions............... 59

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3 UEFI SETUP UTILITY ................................................. 60
3.1 Introduction .................................................................... 60
3.1.1 UEFI Menu Bar .................................................... 60
3.1.2 Navigation Keys ................................................... 61
3.2 Main Screen................................................................... 61
3.3 OC Tweaker Screen ...................................................... 62
3.4 Advanced Screen........................................................... 68
 ............................................... 69
................................... 71
.................................. 72
 .......................................... 73
 ........................... 75
 ..................... 76
 ........................................ 77
............................................... 78
 ............................................... 79
3.5 Tool ................................................................................ 80
3.6 Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen ................... 82
3.7 Boot Screen ................................................................... 83
3.8 Security Screen ............................................................. 84
3.9 Exit Screen .................................................................... 85
4 Software Support................................................. 86
4.1 Install Operating System................................................ 86
4.2 Support CD Information ................................................. 86
4.2.1 Running Support CD............................................ 86
4.2.2 Drivers Menu........................................................ 86
4.2.3 Utilities Menu........................................................ 86
4.2.4 Contact Information.............................................. 86

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Chapter 1: Introduction
Thank you for purchasing ASRock Z77 OC Formula motherboard, a reliable moth-
        
        
quality and endurance.
In this manual, chapter 1 and 2 contains introduction of the motherboard and step-
-
tion guide to BIOS setup and information of the Support CD.
 
updated, the content of this manual will be subject to change without no-


the latest VGA cards and CPU support lists on ASRock website as well.
ASRock website http://www.asrock.com
If you require technical support related to this motherboard, please visit

www.asrock.com/support/index.asp
1.1 Package Contents
ASRock Z77 OC Formula Motherboard
 
ASRock Z77 OC Formula Quick Installation Guide
ASRock Z77 OC Formula Support CD


1 x I/O Panel Shield
1 x Front USB 3.0 Panel
4 x HDD Screws
6 x Chassis Screws
1 x Rear USB 3.0 Bracket
1 x ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card
10 x OC Stands
GELID GC-Extreme Thermal Compound
ASRock Reminds You...
To get better performance in Windows® 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-

AHCI mode. For the BIOS setup, please refer to the “User Manual” in our
support CD for details.

6
1.2 Specifications
Platform - CEB Form Factor: 12.0-in x 10.5-in, 30.5 cm x 26.7 cm
- Premium Gold Capacitor design (100% Japan-made
 
OC Formula Kit OC Formula Power Kit
- Digi Power
 CAUTION 1
 
 
- Premium Alloy Choke (Reduce 70% core loss compare to
 
OC Formula Connector Kit
- Hi-Density Power Connector
 
OC Formula Cooling Kit
- Twin-Power Cooling (Combine active air cooling and water
 
- 8 Layer PCB
- 4 x 2oz copper
- GELID GC-Extreme Thermal Compound
CPU - Supports 3rd and 2nd Generation Intel®CoreTM i7 / i5 / i3 in
LGA1155 Package
- 12 + 4 Power Phase Design
- Supports Intel®Turbo Boost 2.0 Technology
- Supports Intel®K-Series unlocked CPU
- Supports Hyper-Threading Technology (see CAUTION 2
Chipset - Intel®Z77
- Supports Intel®Rapid Start Technology and Smart Connect
Technology
Memory - Dual Channel DDR3 Memory Technology (see CAUTION 3
- 4 x DDR3 DIMM slots
 
 
memory
- Max. capacity of system memory: 32GB (see CAUTION 4
- Supports Intel®
Expansion Slot - 2 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots (PCIE2/PCIE4: single at x16
 
(see CAUTION 5
* PCIE 3.0 is only supported with Intel®Ivy Bridge CPU. With

7
Intel®Sandy Bridge CPU, it only supports PCIE 2.0.
 
- 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x 1 slots
- Supports AMD Quad CrossFireXTM, 3-Way CrossFireXTM and
CrossFireXTM
- Supports NVIDIA®Quad SLITM and SLITM
Graphics * Intel®HD Graphics Built-in Visuals and the VGA outputs can
be supported only with processors which are GPU
integrated.
- Supports Intel®HD Graphics Built-in Visuals: Intel®Quick
Sync Video 2.0, Intel®InTruTM 3D, Intel®Clear Video HD
Technology, Intel®InsiderTM, Intel®HD Graphics 2500/4000
- Pixel Shader 5.0, DirectX 11 with Intel®Ivy Bridge CPU.
Pixel Shader 4.1, DirectX 10.1 with Intel®Sandy Bridge
CPU.
- Max. shared memory 1760MB (see CAUTION 6
- Supports HDMI 1.4a Technology with max. resolution up to
1920x1200 @ 60Hz
 
 
 CAUTION 7
- Supports HDCP function with HDMI port
 
with HDMI port
Audio - 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection
 
- Premium Blu-ray audio support
LAN - PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s
- Broadcom BCM57781
- Supports Wake-On-LAN
 
- Supports PXE
Rear Panel I/O I/O Panel
- 1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port
- 1 x HDMI Port
- 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port
- 4 x Ready-to-Use USB 2.0 Ports
- 6 x Ready-to-Use USB 3.0 Ports
- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED
 
- 1 x Clear CMOS Switch with LED

8
- HD Audio Jack: Rear Speaker/Central/Bass/Line in/Front
Speaker/Microphone (see CAUTION 8
SATA3 - 2 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors by Intel®Z77, support RAID
(RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, Intel Rapid Storage and
 
Plug functions
- 4 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors by Marvell SE9172, support
 
functions
USB3.0 - 2 x Rear USB 3.0 ports by Intel®Z77, support USB 1.0/2.0/3.0
up to 5Gb/s
- 4 x Rear USB 3.0 ports by Etron EJ188H, support
USB 1.0/2.0/3.0 up to 5Gb/s
- 1 x Front USB 3.0 header by Intel®Z77 (supports 2 USB 3.0
 
Connector - 4 x SATA2 3.0 Gb/s connectors, support RAID (RAID 0,
RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, Intel Rapid Storage and Intel
 
functions
- 6 x SATA3 6.0Gb/s connectors
- 1 x IR header
- 1 x CIR header
- 1 x COM port header
- 1 x HDMI_SPDIF header
- 1 x Power LED header
- V-ProbeTM: 2 x 7-set of onboard voltage measurement points
laid
 
 
 
 
- 24 pin ATX power connector
- 8 pin 12V power connector
- 4 pin 12V power connector
- SLI/XFire power connector
- Front panel audio connector
 
 
- 1 x Dr. Debug with LED
- 1 x Power Switch with LED
- 1 x Reset Switch with LED

9
- 1 x Clear CMOS Switch with LED
- Rapid OC Button: +/- buttons to adjust OC frequency
- 1 x PCIe ON/OFF Switch
 CAUTION 9
BIOS Feature - 2 x 64Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with GUI support
 
- Supports “Plug and Play”
- ACPI 1.1 Compliance Wake Up Events
- SMBIOS 2.3.1 Support
- CPU Core, IGPU, DRAM, 1.8V PLL, VTT, VCCSA Voltage
Multi-adjustment
Support CD 
CyberLink MediaEspresso 6.5 Trial, ASRock MAGIX
Multimedia Suite - OEM
Unique Feature - Formula Drive (see CAUTION 10
- ASRock Instant Boot
- ASRock Instant Flash (see CAUTION 11
- ASRock APP Charger (see CAUTION 12
- ASRock SmartView (see CAUTION 13
- ASRock XFast USB (see CAUTION 14
- ASRock XFast LAN (see CAUTION 15
- ASRock XFast RAM (see CAUTION 16
- ASRock Crashless BIOS (see CAUTION 17
 
(see CAUTION 18
- ASRock Internet Flash (see CAUTION 19
- ASRock UEFI System Browser
 CAUTION 20
- ASRock Interactive UEFI
 CAUTION 21
- Fine-Tuning V-Controller (see CAUTION 22
 
- Lucid Virtu Universal MVP (see CAUTION 23
* Lucid Virtu Universal MVP can be supported only with
processors which are GPU integrated.
- Hybrid Booster:
- ASRock U-COP (see CAUTION 24
  
- Good Night LED

10
CAUTION!
          
The silicon die area is doubled by stacking two dies into a MOSFET. The
     
           

2. About the settings of “Hyper Threading Technology”, please check page
69.
3. This motherboard supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. Before
you implement Dual Channel Memory Technology, make sure to read the
installation guide of memory modules on page 21 for proper installation.
4. Due to the operating system limitation, the actual memory size may be
less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage under Windows®7 /
VistaTM / XP. For Windows®OS with 64-bit CPU, there is no such limita-
tion. You can use ASRock XFast RAM to utilize the memory that Win-
dows®cannot use.
5. Only PCIE2 and PCIE4 slots support Gen 3 speed. To run the PCI Ex-
press in Gen 3 speed, please install an Ivy Bridge CPU. If you install a
Sandy Bridge CPU, the PCI Express will run only at PCI Express Gen 2
speed.
WARNING
Please realize that there is a certain risk involved with overclocking, including
adjusting the setting in the BIOS, applying Untied Overclocking Technology, or using
 
even cause damage to the components and devices of your system. It should be
done at your own risk and expense. We are not responsible for possible damage
caused by overclocking.
Hardware - CPU/Chassis/Power/MOS Temperature Sensing
Monitor - CPU/Chassis/Power/MOS Fan Tachometer
- CPU/Chassis/MOS Quiet Fan (Allows Chassis Fan Speed
 
- CPU/Chassis/MOS Fan Multi-Speed Control
- Multi Thermal Sensor
- Voltage Monitoring: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, CPU Vcore
OS - Microsoft®Windows®7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit /
XP / XP 64-bit compliant (see CAUTION 25
 - FCC, CE, WHQL
 
(see CAUTION 26
* For detailed product information, please visit our website: http://www.asrock.com

11
 
is subject to change. Please check Intel®website for the latest informa-
tion.
7. xvYCC and Deep Color are only supported under Windows®7 64-bit /
7. Deep Color mode will be enabled only if the display supports 12bpc
in EDID. HBR is supported under Windows®7 64-bit / 7 / VistaTM 64-bit /
VistaTM.
8. For microphone input, this motherboard supports both stereo and mono
modes. For audio output, this motherboard supports 2-channel, 4-chan-
nel, 6-channel, and 8-channel modes. Please check the table on page 15
for proper connection.
    
on the machine. It emits a red light to indicate whether the CPU, memory,
VGA or storage is dysfunctional. The lights go off if the four mentioned
above are functioning normally.
10. 
in a user-friendly interface, which is including Hardware Monitor, Fan-
tastic Tuning, Overclocking, OC DNA, IES, XFast RAM and Multi Thermal
Sensor. In Hardware Monitor, it shows the major readings of your system.
In Fan-tastic Tuning, it shows the fan speed and temperature for you to
adjust. In Overclocking, you are allowed to overclock CPU frequency for
optimal system performance. In OC DNA, you can save your OC settings
      

can enjoy the intelligent power saving feature. In XFast RAM, it fully
utilizes the memory space that cannot be used under Windows®OS 32-
bit CPU. It also shortens the loading time of previously visited websites,
making web surfing faster than ever. And it also boosts the speed of
Adobe Photoshop 5 times faster. Another advantage is that it reduces
the frequency of accessing your SSDs or HDDs in order to extend their
lifespan. In Multi Thermal Sensor, it provides users the temperature
of various parts of the motherboard graphically, so that users may
precisely keep track and control of the temperature of each parts of their
motherboard when overclocking. Please visit our website for the opera-Please visit our website for the opera-
tion procedures of Formula Drive.
ASRock website: http://www.asrock.com
            
This convenient BIOS update tool allows you to update system BIOS
®. With
this utility, you can press the <F6> key during the POST or the <F2>
key to enter into the BIOS setup menu to access ASRock Instant Flash.

      




12
12. If you desire a faster, less restricted way of charging your Apple devices,
such as iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, ASRock has prepared a wonderful solu-
tion for you - ASRock APP Charger. Simply install the APP Charger
driver, it makes your iPhone charge much quickly from your computer
and up to 40% faster than before. ASRock APP Charger allows you to
quickly charge many Apple devices simultaneously and even supports
 
            
Charger driver installed, you can easily enjoy the marvelous charging ex-
perience.
ASRock website: http://www.asrock.com/Feature/AppCharger/index.asp
13. ASRock SmartView, a new function for internet browsers, is the smart
start page for IE that combines your most visited web sites, your history,
your Facebook friends and your real-time newsfeed into an enhanced
view for a more personal Internet experience. ASRock motherboards are
exclusively equipped with the ASRock SmartView utility that helps you
keep in touch with friends on-the-go. To use ASRock SmartView feature,
please make sure your OS version is Windows®7 / 7 64 bit / VistaTM /
VistaTM 64 bit, and your browser version is IE8.
ASRock website: http://www.asrock.com/Feature/SmartView/index.asp
14. ASRock XFast USB can boost USB storage device performance. The
performance may depend on the properties of the device.
15. ASRock XFast LAN provides a faster internet access, which includes
      -
         


and download simultaneously. Real-Time Analysis of Your Data: With
the status window, you can easily recognize which data streams you are
transferring currently.
16. ASRock XFast RAM is a new function that is included into Formula Drive.
It fully utilizes the memory space that cannot be used under Windows®
OS 32-bit CPU. ASRock XFast RAM shortens the loading time of previ-
          
boosts the speed of Adobe Photoshop 5 times faster. Another advantage
of ASRock XFast RAM is that it reduces the frequency of accessing your
SSDs or HDDs in order to extend their lifespan.
17. ASRock Crashless BIOS allows users to update their BIOS without fear
of failing. If power loss occurs during the BIOS update process, ASRock


directory of your USB disk. Only USB2.0 ports support this feature.
18. Administrators are able to establish an internet curfew or restrict internet
       
ending hours of internet access granted to other users. In order to pre-
vent users from bypassing OMG, guest accounts without permission to
modify the system time are required.

13
19. ASRock Internet Flash searches for available UEFI firmware updates
from our servers. In other words, the system can auto-detect the latest
         ®OS.

order to enable this function.
20. Users may prevent motherboard damages due to dampness by enabling
-
puter will power on automatically to dehumidify the system after entering
S4/S5 state.
 -
al OC champion overclocks this motherboard. It provides a convenient

complicated overclocking process.
 

options for overclockers who wish to pursuit extremes.
23. VIRTU Universal MVP includes the base features of Virtu Universal
technology, which virtualizes integrated GPU and discrete GPU for best
of breed functionality. It also features Virtual Vsync™ for no-compromise
visual quality. With the added benefits of HyperFormance technology,
VIRTU Universal MVP improves game performance by intelligently re-

the display.
24. While CPU overheat is detected, the system will automatically shutdown.
Before you resume the system, please check if the CPU fan on the moth-
erboard functions properly and unplug the power cord, then plug it back
again. To improve heat dissipation, remember to spray thermal grease
between the CPU and the heatsink when you install the PC system.
25. ASRock XFast RAM is not supported by Microsoft® Windows®XP / XP
64-bit. Intel®Smart Connect Technology and Intel®USB 3.0 ports are not
supported by Microsoft®Windows®VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit / XP / XP 64-
bit.
26. EuP stands for Energy Using Product, was a provision regulated by the
European Union to define the power consumption for the completed
system. According to EuP, the total AC power of the completed system
should be under 1.00W in off mode condition. To meet EuP standards,
an EuP ready motherboard and an EuP ready power supply are required.

           
than 50% under 100 mA current consumption. For EuP ready power sup-
ply selection, we recommend you to check with the power supply manu-
facturer for more details.

14
1.3 Motherboard Layout
1 ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V2)
2 ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V1)
3 1155-Pin CPU Socket
4 CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN1)
5 CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN2)
6 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM Slots
(DDR3_A1, DDR3_B1, Black)
7 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM Slots
(DDR3_A2, DDR3_B2, Yellow)
8 Dr. Debug
9 PCIe ON/OFF Switch
10 Rapid OC Button (-)
11 Rapid OC Button (+)
12 Post Status Checker (PSC)
13 V-ProbeTM (VOL_CON1, VOL_CON2)
14 ATX Power Connector (ATXPWR1)
15 USB 3.0 Header (USB3_6_7, Black)
16 Power Fan Connector (PWR_FAN1)
17 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN3)
18 SATA2 Connectors (SATA2_4_5, Black)
19 SATA2 Connectors (SATA2_2_3, Black)
20 SATA3 Connectors (SATA3_0_1, Yellow)
21 SATA3 Connectors (SATA3_M0_M1, Yellow)
22 SATA3 Connectors (SATA3_M2_M3, Yellow)
23 Chassis Speaker Header (SPEAKER1, Black)
24 Power LED Header (PLED1, Black)
25 System Panel Header (PANEL1, Black)
26 Intel Z77 Chipset
27 Power Switch (PWRBTN)
28 Reset Switch (RSTBTN)
29 64Mb SPI Flash Memory (Backup BIOS)
30 64Mb SPI Flash Memory (Main BIOS)
31 USB 2.0 Header (USB4_5, Black)
32 BIOS Selection Jumper (BIOS_SEL1)
33 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN2)
34 USB 2.0 Header (USB6_7, Black)
35 USB 2.0 Header (USB8_9, Black)
36 Consumer Infrared Module Header (CIR1, Gray)
37 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN1)
38 Infrared Module Header (IR1)
39 SLI / XFIRE Power Connector (SLI/XFIRE_PWR1)
40 COM Port Header (COM1)
41 Front Panel Audio Header (HD_AUDIO1, Black)
42 HDMI_SPDIF Header (HDMI_SPDIF1, Black)
43 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE5, Yellow)
44 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slot (PCIE4, Yellow)
45 PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slot (PCIE3, Black)
46 Clear CMOS Jumper (CLRCMOS1)
47 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2, Black)
48 PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slot (PCIE1, Black)
49 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN4)
50 MOS Fan Connector (MOS_FAN1)
51 Twin-Power Cooling

15
1.4 I/O Panel
* There are two LED next to the LAN port. Please refer to the table below for the LAN port LED
indications.
LAN Port LED Indications
Activity/Link LED SPEED LED
Status Description Status Description
Off No Link Off 10Mbps connection
Blinking Data Activity Orange 100Mbps connection
On Link Green 1Gbps connection
1 PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Port (Purple/Green) 9 Microphone (Pink)
2 USB 3.0 Ports (USB3_23) *** 10 USB 2.0 Ports (USB23)
* 3 LAN RJ-45 Port *** 11 USB 2.0 Ports (USB01)
4 Central / Bass (Orange) 12 USB 3.0 Ports (USB3_45)
5 Rear Speaker (Black) 13 HDMI Port (HDMI1)
6 Optical SPDIF Out Port 14 Clear CMOS Switch (CLRCBTN)
7 Line In (Light Blue) 15 USB 3.0 Ports (USB3_01)
** 8 Front Speaker (Lime)
ACT/LINK
LED
SPEED
LED
LAN Port
** 
See the table below for connection details in accordance with the type of speaker you use.
TABLE for Audio Output Connection
Audio Output Channels Front Speaker Rear Speaker Central / Bass Line In or
   
    
2 V -- -- --
4 V V -- --
6 V V V --
8 V V V V

16
To enable Multi-Streaming function, you need to connect a front panel audio cable to the front

Please select “Mixer ToolBox” , click “Enable playback multi-streaming”, and click
“ok”. Choose “2CH”, “4CH”, “6CH”, or “8CH” and then you are allowed to select “Realtek HDA
Primary output” to use Rear Speaker, Central/Bass, and Front Speaker, or select “Realtek
HDA Audio 2nd output” to use front panel audio.
*** It is recommended to install the USB Keyboard/Mouse cable to USB 2.0 ports (USB01 or


17
Chapter 2: Installation

            

Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the
motherboard. Failure to do so may cause physical injuries to you and
damages to motherboard components.
2.1 Screw Holes
Place screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the
chassis.
Do not over-tighten the screws! Doing so may damage the motherboard.
2.2 Pre-installation Precautions
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components
or change any motherboard settings.
1. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any
components.
         
electricity, NEVER place your motherboard directly on the carpet
or the like. Also remember to use a grounded wrist strap or touch a
safety grounded object before you handle the components.
3. Hold components by the edges and do not touch the ICs.
4. Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded anti-
static pad or in the bag that comes with the component.
5. When placing screws into the screw holes to secure the mother-
board to the chassis, please do not over-tighten the screws! Doing
so may damage the motherboard.
Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power is
switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do
so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or
components.

18
1155-Pin Socket Overview
2.3 CPU Installation
In order to provide the LGA 1155 CPU sock-
ets more protection and make the instal-
lation process easier, ASRock has added
a new protection cover on top of the load
plate to replace the former PnP caps that
were under the load plate. For the installa-
tion of Intel®1155-Pin CPUs with the new
protection cover, please follow the steps
below.
Before you insert the 1155-Pin CPU into the socket, please check if the
CPU surface is unclean or if there are any bent pins in the socket. Do
not force to insert the CPU into the socket if above situation is found.
Otherwise, the CPU will be seriously damaged.
Step 1. Open the socket:
Step 1-1. Disengage the lever by pressing it
down and sliding it out of the hook.
You do not have to remove the pro-
tection cover.
Step 1-2. Keep the lever positioned at about
135 degrees in order to flip up the
load plate.
Step 2. Insert the 1155-Pin CPU:
Step 2-1. Hold the CPU by the edge which is
marked with a black line.
Step 2-2. Orient the CPU with the IHS (Inte-
     
and the two orientation key notches.
Load
Plate
Cover
Contact
Array
Load
Lever
Socket
Body
black line

19
Pin1
alignment key
alignment key
Pin1
1155-Pin CPU
For proper installation, please ensure to match the two orientation
key notches of the CPU with the two alignment keys of the socket.
Step 2-3. Carefully place the CPU into the
socket.
Step 2-4. Verify that the CPU is within the sock-
et and properly mated to the orient
keys.
Step 3. Close the socket:
Step 3-1. Flip the load plate onto the IHS.
Step 3-2. Press down the load lever, and se-
cure it with the load plate tab under
the retention tab. The protection
cover will automatically come off by
itself.
Please save and replace the cover if the processor is removed. The
cover must be placed if you wish to return the motherboard for after
service.
orientation key notch
orientation key notch 1155-Pin Socket

20
2.4 Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink
This motherboard is equipped with 1155-Pin socket that supports Intel 1155-Pin
CPUs. Please adopt the type of heatsink and cooling fan compliant with Intel 1155-
Pin CPU to dissipate heat. Before you install the heatsink, you need to spray ther-
mal interface material between the CPU and the heatsink to improve heat dissipa-
tion. Ensure that the CPU and the heatsink are securely fastened and in good con-
tact with each other. Then connect the CPU fan to the CPU_FAN connector (CPU_

For proper installation, please kindly refer to the instruction manuals of your
CPU fan and heatsink.
Below is an example to illustrate the installation of the heatsink for 1155-Pin CPUs.
Step 1. Apply thermal interface material onto the cen-

provides the free bundle GELID GC-Extreme
Thermal Compound in the accessory pack.
Step 2. Place the heatsink onto the socket. Ensure
that the fan cables are oriented on side closest
to the CPU fan connector on the motherboard
(CPU_FAN1, see page 14, No. 4 or CPU_

Step 3. Align fasteners with the motherboard through-
holes.
Step 4. Rotate the fastener clockwise, then press
down on fastener caps with thumb to install
and lock. Repeat with remaining fasteners.
If you press down the fasteners without rotating them clockwise, the
heatsink cannot be secured on the motherboard.
Step 5. Connect fan header with the CPU fan connector on the motherboard.
Step 6. Secure redundant cable with tie-wrap to ensure the cable does not
interfere with fan operation or contact other components.
Apply Thermal
Interface Material
Fan cables on side
closest to MB header
Fastener slots
pointing straight out
Press Down
(4 Places)