Asus E3746 Instructions for use

Motherboard
Striker II
Extreme /
Striker II
NSE

ii
E3746
Fourth Edition V4
March 2008
Copyright © 2008 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”).

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product is defaced or missing.
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 FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS,
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SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR
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RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS
MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or



iii
Contents
Contents ...................................................................................................... iii
Notices....................................................................................................... viii
Safety information ...................................................................................... ix
About this guide .......................................................................................... x
Striker II Extreme / Striker II NSE specications summary ................... xii
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Special features............................................................................ 1-2
1.3.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-2
1.3.2 ROG Intelligent Performance & Overclocking features... 1-4
1.3.3 ROG unique features ...................................................... 1-6
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-5
2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-5
2.2.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-5
2.2.3 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-6
2.2.4 Audio card layout ............................................................ 2-6
2.2.5 Layout contents............................................................... 2-7
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-9
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ......................................................... 2-10
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan.............................. 2-12
2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan ......................... 2-14
2.3.4 Installing the optional fans ............................................ 2-16
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-18
2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-18
 .................................................. 2-19
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-21
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-21
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-22
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-22
  ..................................... 2-22
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-23

iv
Contents
2.5.4 PCI slots........................................................................ 2-24
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots..................................................... 2-24
2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots................................................... 2-24
2.6 Slide switch ................................................................................ 2-26
2.7 Audio card, EL I/O shield, and LCD Poster installation.......... 2-27
2.7.1 Audio card Installation................................................... 2-27
2.7.2 EL I/O shield and LCD Poster Installation..................... 2-28
2.8 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-29
2.8.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-29
2.8.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-32
2.8.3 Onboard switches ......................................................... 2-43
2.8.4 Installing Fusion Block System accessory .................... 2-44
2.8.5 Installing the DIY Pedestal............................................ 2-46
Chapter 3: Powering up
3.1 Starting up for the rst time........................................................ 3-1
3.2 Turning off the computer............................................................. 3-2
3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function.................................... 3-2
3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch.............................. 3-2
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1
4.1.1 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 4-1
4.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 4-4
4.1.3 Updating the BIOS .......................................................... 4-5
 ............................................ 4-7
4.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS utility ......................................... 4-8
4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-9
4.2.1 BIOS menu screen........................................................ 4-10
4.2.2 Menu bar....................................................................... 4-10
4.2.3 Legend bar.....................................................................4-11
4.2.4 Menu items ....................................................................4-11
4.2.5 Sub-menu items.............................................................4-11
  ........................................................4-11
4.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................. 4-12
4.2.8 General help ................................................................. 4-12

v
Contents
4.3 Extreme Tweaker menu ............................................................. 4-13
  ................... 4-13
4.4 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-20
4.4.1 System Time ................................................................ 4-20
4.4.2 System Date ................................................................. 4-20
4.4.3 Language ...................................................................... 4-20
4.4.4 Legacy Diskette A ......................................................... 4-20
4.4.5 Primary IDE Master/Slave............................................. 4-21
4.4.6 SATA 1–6.........................................................................................4-23
4.4.7 HDD SMART Monitoring ............................................... 4-24
4.4.8 Installed Memory........................................................... 4-24
4.4.9 Usable Memory............................................................. 4-24
4.4.10 System Information ....................................................... 4-24
4.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-25
4.5.1 AI NET2 ........................................................................ 4-25
4.5.2 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-26
 ...................................... 4-26
  ........................................................ 4-27
4.5.5 IDE Function Setup....................................................... 4-28
  ............................................... 4-28
4.5.7 LCD Poster and Onboard LED Control......................... 4-29
4.6 Power menu................................................................................ 4-31
4.6.1 ACPI Suspend Type...................................................... 4-31
4.6.2 ACPI APIC Support....................................................... 4-31
 ........................................................ 4-32
4.6.4 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-33
4.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-37
4.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-37
4.7.2 Removable Drives......................................................... 4-38
4.7.3 Hard Disk Drives ........................................................... 4-38
4.7.4 CDROM Drives ............................................................. 4-38
  ......................................... 4-39
4.7.6 Security ......................................................................... 4-40
4.8 Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-42
 ......................................................... 4-42

vi
Contents
4.8.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2.......................................................... 4-44
4.9 Exit menu.................................................................................... 4-45
Chapter 5: Software support
5.1 Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1
5.2 Support DVD information ............................................................ 5-1
5.2.1 Running the support DVD ............................................... 5-1
5.2.2 Drivers menu................................................................... 5-2
5.2.3 Utilities menu .................................................................. 5-3
5.2.4 Make Disk menu ............................................................. 5-5
5.2.5 Manual menu .................................................................. 5-6
5.2.6 Video menu..................................................................... 5-6
5.2.7 ASUS Contact information .............................................. 5-7
5.2.8 Other information ............................................................ 5-7
5.3 Software information ................................................................... 5-9
5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3™........................................................... 5-9
5.3.2 AI NET 2.........................................................................5-11
5.3.3 AI Audio 2 (SoundMAX®... 5-12
5.3.4 ASUS PC Probe II......................................................... 5-21
5.3.5 ASUS AI Suite............................................................... 5-27
5.3.6 ASUS EPU Utility—AI Gear 3+...................................... 5-29
5.3.7 ASUS AI Nap ................................................................ 5-31
5.3.8 ASUS Q-Fan Plus ......................................................... 5-32
5.3.9 ASUS AI Booster........................................................... 5-33
5.3.10 CPU Level Up ............................................................... 5-34
5.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 5-35
  ............................................................ 5-35
5.4.2 NVIDIA®........................................ 5-36
5.4.4 JMicron®........................................ 5-43
5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 5-51
5.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.... 5-51
5.5.2 Creating a RAID/SATA driver disk in Windows®............ 5-51
Chapter 6: NVIDIA®SLI™ technology support
6.1 Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1
Requirements................................................................................. 6-1

vii
Contents
6.2 Graphics card setup .................................................................... 6-2
6.2.1 Installing three SLI-ready graphics cards........................ 6-2
6.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards .......................... 6-5
6.2.3 Installing the device drivers............................................. 6-6
6.2.4 Enabling the NVIDIA®SLI™ technology in Windows®.... 6-6
Appendix: CPU features
A.1 Intel®EM64T..................................................................................A-1
A.2 Enhanced Intel SpeedStep®Technology (EIST) ........................A-1
A.2.1 System requirements ......................................................A-1
A.2.2 Using the EIST................................................................A-2
A.3 Intel®Hyper-Threading Technology ...........................................A-3
Using the Hyper-Threading Technology ........................................A-3
A.4 Debug code table .........................................................................A-4

viii
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 B 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.
The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is

to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance
could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

ix
Safety information
Electrical safety
• 
electrical outlet before relocating the system.
• When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the
power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are
connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system
before you add a device.
• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure
that all power cables are unplugged.
• Seek professional assistance before using an adpater or extension cord.
These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.
• Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area.
If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using,
contact your local power company.
• 

Operation safety
• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all
the manuals that came with the package.
• Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the
power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer
immediately.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in
any area where it may become wet.
• Place the product on a stable surface.
• 
service technician or your retailer.
This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical
and electronic equipment, and mercury-containing button cell battery) should
not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of
electronic products.

x
About this guide

the motherboard.
How this guide is organized
This guide contains the following parts:
• Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technology it supports.
• Chapter 2: Hardware information
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform
when installing system components. It includes description of the switches,
jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.
• Chapter 3: Powering up
This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down
the system.
• Chapter 4: BIOS setup
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup
menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
• Chapter 5: Software support
This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the
motherboard package.
• Chapter 6: NVIDIA®SLI™ technology support
This chapter shows how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards.
• Appendix: CPU features
The Appendix describes the CPU features and technologies that the
motherboard supports as well as the debug code table for the LCD Poster.
Where to nd more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and
software updates.
1. ASUS websites
The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and
software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.
2. Optional documentation
Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty

part of the standard package.