Asus M4A78-E - Motherboard - ATX User manual

Motherboard
M4A78-E

ii
E4437
First Edition
January 2009
Copyright © 2009 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
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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
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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
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iii
Contents
Contents...................................................................................................................... iii
Notices ...................................................................................................................... vii
Safety information.................................................................................................... viii
About this guide......................................................................................................... ix
M4A78-E specications summary ............................................................................ xi
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 ASUS unique features.................................................................1-3
1.3.3 ASUS intelligent performance and overclocking features........... 1-5
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed ................................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview............................................................................... 2-2
2.2.1 Motherboard layout ..................................................................... 2-2
2.2.2 Layout contents........................................................................... 2-3
2.2.3 Placement direction..................................................................... 2-4
2.2.4 Screw holes................................................................................. 2-4
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................................. 2-5
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ....................................................................... 2-5
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan............................................ 2-7
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 ...................................................................... 2-16
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM .................................................................... 2-16
2.5 Expansion slots........................................................................................ 2-17
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card......................................................2-17
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ................................................. 2-17
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments................................................................ 2-18
2.5.4 PCI slots.................................................................................... 2-19
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots................................................................. 2-19
2.5.6 Two PCI Express x16 slots ....................................................... 2-19
2.6 ASUS VGA switch card............................................................................ 2-20
2.7 Jumpers .................................................................................................... 2-21
2.8 Connectors ............................................................................................... 2-23

iv
Contents
2.8.1 Rear panel connectors.............................................................. 2-23
2.8.2 Audio I/O connections............................................................... 2-24
2.8.3 Internal connectors.................................................................... 2-27
2.9 Starting up for the rst time.................................................................... 2-38
2.10 Turning off the computer......................................................................... 2-38
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
3.1 Knowing BIOS ............................................................................................ 3-1
3.2 Updating BIOS............................................................................................ 3-1
3.2.1 ASUS Update utility.....................................................................3-2
3.2.2 Creating a bootable oppy disk................................................... 3-4
3.2.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility............................................................... 3-5
3.2.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility................................................... 3-6
3.3 BIOS setup program .................................................................................. 3-7
3.3.1 BIOS menu screen...................................................................... 3-7
3.3.2 Menu bar ..................................................................................... 3-7
3.3.3 Navigation keys........................................................................... 3-8
3.3.4 Menu items.................................................................................. 3-8
3.3.5 Submenu items ........................................................................... 3-8
3.3.6 Conguration elds ..................................................................... 3-8
3.3.7 Pop-up window............................................................................ 3-8
3.3.8 Scroll bar ..................................................................................... 3-8
3.3.9 General help................................................................................ 3-8
3.4 Main menu .................................................................................................. 3-9
3.4.1 Primary IDE Master/Slave; SATA 1–5; ESATA............................ 3-9
3.4.2 Storage Conguration ............................................................... 3-11
3.4.3 System Information ................................................................... 3-12
3.5 Ai Tweaker menu...................................................................................... 3-12
3.5.1 AI Overclocking Tuner............................................................... 3-12
3.5.2 CPU Ratio ................................................................................. 3-13
3.5.3 CPU Bus Frequency ................................................................. 3-13
3.5.4 PCIE Frequency........................................................................ 3-13
3.5.5 DRAM Frequency Control ........................................................ 3-13
3.5.6 CPU/NB Frequency .................................................................. 3-13
3.5.7 HT Link Speed ......................................................................... 3-13
3.5.8 Memory Conguration............................................................... 3-14
3.5.9 DRAM Timing Conguration...................................................... 3-15
3.5.10 CPU Voltage ............................................................................. 3-16
3.5.11 CPU/NB Voltage ....................................................................... 3-17

v
3.5.12 CPU VDDA Voltage .................................................................. 3-17
3.5.13 DRAM Voltage .......................................................................... 3-17
3.5.14 HT Voltage ............................................................................... 3-17
3.5.15 NB Voltage ............................................................................... 3-17
3.5.16 NB 1.8V Voltage .......................................................................3-17
3.5.17 SB Voltage ............................................................................... 3-17
3.5.18 CPU Spread Spectrum.............................................................. 3-17
3.5.19 PCIE Spread Spectrum............................................................. 3-17
3.6 Advanced menu ....................................................................................... 3-18
3.6.1 CPU Conguration .................................................................... 3-18
3.6.2 Chipset ...................................................................................... 3-19
3.6.3 Onboard Devices Conguration................................................ 3-23
3.6.4 USB Conguration .................................................................... 3-24
3.6.5 PCIPnP ..................................................................................... 3-25
3.7 Power menu.............................................................................................. 3-26
3.7.1 Suspend Mode ......................................................................... 3-26
3.7.2 ACPI 2.0 Support ...................................................................... 3-26
3.7.3 ACPI APIC Support ................................................................... 3-26
3.7.4 APM Conguration.................................................................... 3-27
3.7.5 Hardware Monitor...................................................................... 3-28
3.8 Boot menu ................................................................................................ 3-29
3.8.1 Boot Device Priority................................................................... 3-29
3.8.2 Boot Settings Conguration ...................................................... 3-30
3.8.3 Security ..................................................................................... 3-31
3.9 Tools menu ............................................................................................... 3-33
3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2...................................................................... 3-33
3.9.2 Express Gate ............................................................................ 3-34
3.9.3 ASUS O.C. Prole..................................................................... 3-35
3.9.4 AI NET 2.................................................................................... 3-36
3.10 Exit menu .................................................................................................. 3-37
Chapter 4: Software support
4.1 Installing an operating system ................................................................. 4-1
4.2 Support DVD information.......................................................................... 4-1
4.2.1 Running the support DVD ........................................................... 4-1
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals.................................................. 4-2
4.3 Software information ................................................................................. 4-3
4.3.1 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology....................................................... 4-3
4.3.2 Audio congurations.................................................................... 4-4
Contents

vi
4.3.3 ASUS PC Probe II....................................................................... 4-5
4.3.4 ASUS Express Gate SSD / ASUS Express Gate........................ 4-6
4.3.5 ASUS AI Suite ............................................................................. 4-7
4.3.6 ASUS EPU .................................................................................. 4-8
4.3.7 ASUS Q-Fan 2 ............................................................................ 4-9
4.3.8 ASUS AI Nap............................................................................. 4-10
4.3.9 ASUS TurboV............................................................................ 4-11
4.3.10 ASUS Turbo Key ....................................................................... 4-12
4.4 RAID congurations ................................................................................ 4-13
4.4.1 RAID denitions ........................................................................ 4-13
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ................................................. 4-14
4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS .................................................. 4-14
4.4.4 AMD®Option ROM Utility®........................................................ 4-15
4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk.....................................................................4-18
4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS................ 4-18
4.5.2 Creating a RAID/SATA driver disk in Windows®........................ 4-18
Chapter 5: ATI®CrossFireX™ technology support
5.1 ATI®CrossFireX™ technology .................................................................. 5-1
5.1.1 Requirements.............................................................................. 5-1
5.1.2 Before you begin......................................................................... 5-1
5.1.3 Installing CrossFireX™ graphics cards....................................... 5-2
5.1.4 Installing the device drivers......................................................... 5-3
5.1.5 Enabling the ATI®CrossFireX™ technology ............................... 5-3
5.2 ATI®Hybrid CrossFireX™ .......................................................................... 5-5
5.2.1 System requirements .................................................................. 5-5
5.2.2 Before you proceed..................................................................... 5-5
5.2.3 Installing AMD Chipset Driver ..................................................... 5-6
Contents

vii
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 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.
Notices

viii
Safety information
Electrical safety
• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the 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 adapter 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.
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied service
technician or your retailer.
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.
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualied service
technician or your retailer.
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.

ix
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring 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: 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 4: Software support
This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the
motherboard package and the software.
• Chapter 5: ATI®CrossFireX™ support
This chapter describes the ATI®CrossFireX™ feature and shows the graphics card
installation procedures.
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 yers,
that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the
standard package.

x
Conventions used in this guide
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.
Italic s 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.that you must press the enclosed key.
Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or
Return key.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> + <Del>
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:
afudos /iM4A78E.ROM
DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to
complete a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to
complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.