Asus ESC500 G3 User manual

ESC500 G3
Workstation
User Manual

ii
Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any
means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written
permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
ASUS provides this manual “as is” without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not
limited to the implied warranties or conditions of merchantability or tness for a particular purpose. In no
event shall ASUS, its directors, ofcers, employees, or agents be liable for any indirect, special, incidental,
or consequential damages (including damages for loss of prots, loss of business, loss of use or data,
interruption of business and the like), even if ASUS has been advised of the possibility of such damages
arising from any defect or error in this manual or product.
Specications and information contained in this manual ae furnished for informational use only, and are
subject to change at any time without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by ASUS.
ASUS assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this manual,
including the products and software described in it.
Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless
such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the
product is defaced or missing.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or
copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the
owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.
E8318
First Edition
May 2013

iii
Contents
Contents...................................................................................................................... iii
Notices ...................................................................................................................... vii
Safety information...................................................................................................... ix
About this guide.......................................................................................................... x
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 System package contents......................................................................... 1-2
1.2 Serial number label.................................................................................... 1-2
1.3 Systemspecications ............................................................................... 1-3
1.4 Front panel features................................................................................... 1-5
1.5 Rear panel features.................................................................................... 1-6
1.6 Internal features ......................................................................................... 1-7
1.7 LED information ......................................................................................... 1-8
1.7.1 Front panel LED.......................................................................... 1-8
1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs ...................................................................... 1-8
Chapter 2: Hardware setup
2.1 Chassis cover............................................................................................. 2-2
2.2 Motherboard overview............................................................................... 2-4
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................................. 2-5
2.3.1 CPU installation........................................................................... 2-6
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan assembly............................ 2-8
2.4 System memory ....................................................................................... 2-10
2.4.1 Overview ................................................................................... 2-10
2.4.2 Memory congurations.............................................................. 2-11
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM ...................................................................... 2-12
2.4.4. To remove a DIMM.................................................................... 2-12
2.5 Installing hard disk drives....................................................................... 2-13
2.6 Installing 5.25-inch drives ....................................................................... 2-16
2.6.1 Removing the front panel cover ................................................ 2-16
2.6.2 Installing 5.25-inch drives into the drive bay ............................. 2-18
2.6 Installing a Solid-State Drive (SSD)........................................................ 2-19
2.7 Expansion slots........................................................................................ 2-21
2.7.1 Installing expansion cards......................................................... 2-22
2.7.2 Conguring an expansion card ................................................. 2-24
2.8 Removing the system fan........................................................................ 2-26
2.9 Connecting cables ................................................................................... 2-28

iv
Contents
Chapter 3: Motherboard info
3.1 Motherboard layouts.................................................................................. 3-2
3.2 Onboard buttons and switches ................................................................ 3-4
3.3 Onboard LEDs ............................................................................................ 3-7
3.4 Jumpers ....................................................................................................3-12
3.5 Internal connectors.................................................................................. 3-14
3.5.1 BIOS update utility .................................................................... 3-25
3.5.2 Rear panel connections ............................................................ 3-26
3.5.3 Audio I/O connections............................................................... 3-28
Chapter 4: BIOS information
4.1 Knowing BIOS ............................................................................................ 4-2
4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................................. 4-3
4.2.1 EZ Mode...................................................................................... 4-4
4.2.2 Advanced Mode .......................................................................... 4-5
4.3 My Favorites ............................................................................................... 4-7
4.4 Main menu ..................................................................................................4-8
4.5 Ai Tweaker menu...................................................................................... 4-10
4.6 Advanced menu ....................................................................................... 4-25
4.6.1 CPU Conguration .................................................................... 4-26
4.6.2 PCH Conguration .................................................................... 4-29
4.6.3 SATA Conguration................................................................... 4-30
4.6.4 System Agent Conguration...................................................... 4-32
4.6.5 USB Conguration .................................................................... 4-34
4.6.6 Platform Misc Conguration...................................................... 4-35
4.6.7 Onboard Devices Conguration................................................ 4-36
4.6.8 APM .......................................................................................... 4-38
4.6.9 Network Stack........................................................................... 4-39
4.7 Monitor menu ........................................................................................... 4-40
4.8 Boot menu ................................................................................................4-43
4.9 Tools menu ...............................................................................................4-49
4.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility ............................................................ 4-49
4.9.2 ASUS O.C. Prole..................................................................... 4-49
4.9.3 ASUS SPD Information............................................................. 4-50
4.10 Exit menu.................................................................................................. 4-51

v
Contents
4.11 Updating BIOS.......................................................................................... 4-52
4.11.1 EZ Update................................................................................. 4-52
4.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2...................................................................... 4-53
4.11.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3.......................................................... 4-54
4.11.4 ASUS BIOS Updater................................................................. 4-55
Chapter5: RAIDconguration
5.1 Setting up RAID.......................................................................................... 5-2
5.1.1 RAID denitions .......................................................................... 5-2
5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives............................................................ 5-3
5.1.3 Setting the RAID mode in BIOS.................................................. 5-3
5.1.4 RAID conguration utilities.......................................................... 5-3
5.2 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Enterprise Option ROM Utility .......... 5-4
5.2.1 Creating a RAID set .................................................................... 5-5
5.2.2 Deleting a RAID set..................................................................... 5-7
5.2.3 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ...................................................... 5-8
5.2.4 Exiting the Intel®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise SATA Option
ROM utility.................................................................................................... 5-9
5.2.5 Rebuilding the RAID.................................................................... 5-9
5.2.6 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility........................ 5-11
5.3 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise ........................................ 5-12
5.3.1 Creating a RAID set .................................................................. 5-13
5.3.2 Changing a Volume Type.......................................................... 5-15
5.3.3 Deleting a volume ..................................................................... 5-16
5.3.4 Preferences............................................................................... 5-17
Chapter 6: Driver installation
6.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................................. 6-2
6.1.1 Installing the RAID controller driver............................................. 6-2
6.2 Support DVD information.......................................................................... 6-4
6.2.1 Running the support DVD ........................................................... 6-4
6.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals.................................................. 6-5

vi
6.3 Software information ................................................................................. 6-6
6.3.1 AI Suite 3..................................................................................... 6-6
6.3.2 DIGI+ VRM.................................................................................. 6-8
6.3.3 EPU........................................................................................... 6-10
6.3.4 Fan Xpert 2 ............................................................................... 6-11
6.3.5 USB 3.0 Boost........................................................................... 6-13
6.3.6 EZ Update................................................................................. 6-14
6.3.7 Network iControl........................................................................ 6-15
6.3.8 System Information ................................................................... 6-17
6.3.9 USB BIOS Flashback................................................................ 6-19
6.3.10 USB Charger+........................................................................... 6-20
6.3.11 Audio congurations.................................................................. 6-21
Appendix: Reference information
Simplexes ............................................................................................................. A-2
ASUS contact information...................................................................................... A-3

vii
Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
This device may not cause harmful interference, and
This device must accept any interference received including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur
in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department
of Communications.
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
WARNING! The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card
is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modications to this
unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate this equipment.
REACH
Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of
Chemicals) regulatory framework, we publish the chemical substances in our products at
ASUS REACH website at http://green.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.
Australia statement notice
From 1 January 2012 updated warranties apply to all ASUS products, consistent with
the Australian Consumer Law. For the latest product warranty details, please visit http://
support.asus.com. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the
Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and
compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled
to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the
failure does not amount to a major failure.
If you require assistance, please call ASUS Customer Service at 1300 2787 88 or visit us at
http://support.asus.com.

viii
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.
Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy
efcient products and practices.
All ASUS products with the ENERGY STAR logo comply with the ENERGY STAR standard,
and the power management feature is enabled by default. The monitor and computer are
automatically set to sleep after 15 and 30 minutes of user inactivity. To wake your computer,
click the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.
Please visit http://www.energy.gov/powermanagement for detail information on power
management and its benets to the environment. In addition, please visit http://www.
energystar.gov for detail information on the ENERGY STAR joint program.
ENERGY STAR is NOT supported on Freedos and Linux-based products.

ix
Safety information
Electrical Safety
Before installing or removing signal cables, ensure that the power cables for the system
unit and all attached devices are unplugged.
To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet
before relocating the system.
When adding or removing any additional devices to or from the system, contact a
qualied service technician or your dealer. Ensure that the power cables for the devices
are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power
cables from the existing system before you service.
If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied service
technician or your dealer.
Operation Safety
Servicing of this product or unit is to be performed by trained service personnel only.
Before operating the server, carefully read all the manuals included with the server
package.
Before using the server, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the power
cables are not damaged. If any damage is detected, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors,
slots, sockets and circuitry.
Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Place the server on a stable surface.
This product is equipped with a three-wire power cable and plug for the user’s safety. Use
the power cable with a properly grounded electrical outlet to avoid electrical shock.
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
Lithium-Ion Battery Warning
CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with
the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used
batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
CD-ROM Drive Safety Warning
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
Heavy System
CAUTION! This server system is heavy. Ask for assistance when moving or carrying
the system.

x
About this guide
Audience
This user guide is intended for system integrators and experienced users with at least basic
knowledge of conguring a workstation.
Contents
This guide contains the following parts:
1. Chapter 1: Product Introduction
This chapter describes the general features of the workstation, including sections on
front panel and rear panel specications.
2. Chapter 2: Hardware setup
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when
installing or removing system components.
3. Chapter 3: Motherboard information
This chapter gives information about the motherboard that comes with the workstation.
This chapter includes the motherboard layout, jumper settings, and connector
locations.
4. Chapter 4: BIOS information
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus and
describes the BIOS parameters.
5. Chapter5:RAIDconguration
This chapter provides information on how to congure your hard disk drives as RAID
sets.
6. Chapter 6: Driver installation
This chapter provides information on how to install the drivers for system components.
This chapter also describes the software applications that the barebone workstation
supports.
7. Appendix: Reference information
This section provides a troubleshooting guide for solving common problems when
using the barebone workstation.
DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to
enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin
indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in
municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.
DO NOT throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste. This symbol
of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal
waste.

xi
Reference
Visit the ASUS websites worldwide that provide updated information for all ASUS hardware
and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information for details.
Conventions
To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used
throughout this manual.
Typography
Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign
means that you must press the enclosed key.
Example: <Enter> means that you must press the
Enter or Return key.
<Key1+Key2+Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously,
the key names are linked with a plus sign (+).
Example: <Ctrl+Alt+D>
Command Means that you must type the command exactly
as shown, then supply the required item or value
enclosed in brackets.
Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command
line: format A:/S
DANGER/WARNING:Information to prevent injury to yourself when completing
a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when completing a
task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.

xii

1-
This chapter describes the general features
of the workstation, including sections on front
panel and rear panel specications.
Chapter 1
Product introduction

Chapter 1: Product introduction
1-2
1.1 System package contents
Check your system package for the following items.
1.2 Serial number label
Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, take note of the
product’s 12-character serial number as seen in the example xxS0xxxxxxxx below. With
the correct serial number of the product, ASUS Technical Support team members can
quickly identify the server model and provide a satisfactory solution to your technical
issue.
Model Name ESC500 G3
Chassis ASUS T10A Pedestal Chassis
Motherboard ASUS P9D WS
Components 1 x 500W/600W*/700W 80Plus Single Power Supply, Bronze/Gold/Silver
1 x 120x120mm System Fan
1 x Intel LGA1150 CPU Cooler
*600W Power supply is only available for selected countries.
Accessories 1 x ESC500 G3 User Guide
1 x ESC500 G3 Support DVD
1 x Windows® 7/8 Professional Recovery DVD 32-Bit
(for OS bundled SKU)
1 x Windows® 7/8 Professional Recovery DVD 64-Bit
(for OS bundled SKU)
1 x AC Power Cable
1 x COM port cable
1 x DVI-to-VGA converter
Optional Items Smart card reader
xxS0xxxxxxxx
ESC500 G3
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

ASUS ESC500 G3 1-3
1.3 Systemspecications
The ASUS ESC500 G3 is a workstation featuring the ASUS P9D WS motherboard.
(continued on the next page)
Model Name ESC500 G3
Processor / System Bus
supported
1 x Socket LGA1150
Intel® Xeon® E3-1200 v3 Processor Family
Intel® 4th Generation Core™ i3 Processors*
Core Logic Intel® C226 Express Chipset
Memory
Total Slots 4 DIMMs (2-Channel per CPU, 4 DIMM per CPU)
Capacity Maximum up to 32GB (UDIMM)
Memory Type
DDR3 1333/1600 ECC/non-ECC UDIMM*
*Refer to www.asus.com for detailed memory AVL & CPU support
list
Memory Size 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB (UDIMM)
Expansion
Slots
Total PCI/PCI-
X/PCI-E Slots 7
Slot Type
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (at x16/x8 mode)
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (at x8/x4 mode)
1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 (at x4 mode)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (at x4 mode)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x1 (at x1 mode)
2 x PCI
Storage SATA
Controller
Intel® C226 chipset:
- 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports (yellow)
- Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and
10 (For Windows OS only)
HDD Bays 3 x Internal 3.5” HDD Bays
1 x Internal 2.5” HDD/SSD Bays
Networking LAN 2 x Intel® I210AT GbE LAN controller
Graphics VGA
Integrated Graphics Processor*
Multi-VGA output support: DVI-I/HDMI/DisplayPort
- Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920x1200 @60Hz
- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096x2160 @24Hz
- Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 3200x2000
@60Hz
Maximum shared memory fo 1GB
Supports Intel® HD Graphics InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync
Video, Clear Video HD Technology, and Insider™
*Integrated graphics is only available for processors that feature
Intel®HD Graphics.

Chapter 1: Product introduction
1-4
Auxiliary Storage Device Bay
(Floppy / Optical Drive)
3 x 5.25” media bays
Optional DVD-RW optical drive*
*DVD-RW optical drive default for North America.
Onboard I/O
1 x PS/2 KB/MS port
1 x S/PDIF Out (Optical)
1 x HDMI port
1 x DisplayPort
4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (2 ports at back panel)
9 x USB 2.0/1.0 ports (4 ports at back panel)
2 x RJ-45 ports
1 x DVI-I port
1 x USB BIOS Flashback switch
1 x 8-channel Audio I/O
Anti-virus Software Optional Anti-Virus CD pack
EMI
Europe (CE,
EN55022 &
EN55024)
V
Taiwan (BSMI) V
China (CCC) V
Dimension (HH x WW x DD) 423mm x 190mm x 435mm
Net Weight Kg (CPU, DRAM &
HDD excluded) 10.8 Kg
Power Supply
500W 80Plus Single Power Supply, Bronze
600W 80Plus Single Power Supply, Gold*
700W 80Plus Single Power Supply, Silver
*600W Power supply is only available for selected countries.
Environment
Operating temperature: 10°C~35°C
Non operating temperature: -40°C~70°C
Non operating humidity: 20%~90% (Non-
condensing)

ASUS ESC500 G3 1-5
1.4 Front panel features
This workstation displays a simple yet stylish front panel with easily accessible features. The
power and reset buttons, LED indicators, optical drive, card reader, and four USB ports are
located on the front panel. For future installation of 5.25-inch devices, two drive bays are
available.
Refer to section 1.7.1 Front panel LED for the LED descriptions.
Optical Drive
Empty 5.25-inch bay
Smart Card reader
(optional)
HDD access LED (Orange)
Reset button
Microphone / Headphone ports
Power button
USB 2.0 ports
Power LED (Blue)
USB 3.0 ports

Chapter 1: Product introduction
1-6
1.5 Rear panel features
The rear panel includes a slot for the motherboard rear I/O ports, expansion slots, and a vent
for the system fan.
The PS/2 keyboard / mouse combo port, USB ports, DVI-I port, Audio ports, S/PDIF Out
port, and Gigabit LAN ports do not appear on the rear panel if motherboard is not installed.
Expansion slots
Power supply switch
Power cord connector
PS/2 keyboard / mouse port
USB 2.0 ports
Audio I/O ports
USB 3.0 ports
LAN (RJ-45) port 2
S/PDIF Out
LAN (RJ-45) port 1
DisplayPort
HDMI port
DVI port
USB BIOS Flashback button
USB 2.0 ports

ASUS ESC500 G3 1-7
1.6 Internal features
This barebone workstation includes the basic components as shown.
1. Power supply unit
2. 120mm system fan
3. ASUS P9D WS motherboard
4. CPU heatsink and fan assembly
5. Optical drive (optional)
6. 5.25-inch drive bays
7. Smart Card reader (optional)
8. Front I/O board
9. Internal HDD bays
6
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9

Chapter 1: Product introduction
1-8
1.7 LED information
1.7.1 Front panel LED
1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs
LED Color Display status Description
Power LED Blue ON System power ON
HDD Access
LED Orange OFF Blinking
No activity
Read/write data into the HDD
ACT/LINK LED SPEED LED
Status Description Status Description
OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection
YELLOW Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection
BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection
SPEED LED
ACT/LINK LED
ACT/LINK LED
SPEED LED
Power LEDHDD Access LED