Asus MAXIMUS III EXTREME User manual

Motherboard
Maximus III
Extreme

ii
E5279
First Edition
January 2010
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iii
Contents
Notices....................................................................................................... viii
Safety information ..................................................................................... xii
About this guide ....................................................................................... xiv
Maximus III Extreme specications summary ....................................... xvi
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... 1-3
1.3.3 ROG unique features ...................................................... 1-6
1.3.4 ASUS special features .................................................... 1-6
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-6
2.2.1 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-6
2.2.2 Layout contents............................................................... 2-7
2.2.3 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-8
2.2.4 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-8
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-9
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-9
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan.............................. 2-12
2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan ......................... 2-13
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-14
2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-14
2.4.2 Memory configurations.................................................. 2-15
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-22
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-22
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-23
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-23
2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card ..................................... 2-23
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-24
2.5.4 PCI slot ......................................................................... 2-25
2.5.5 PCI Express x16 slots................................................... 2-25
2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-27

iv
Contents
2.7 RC Bluetooth card...................................................................... 2-29
2.8 I/O shield Installation................................................................. 2-30
2.9 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-31
2.9.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-31
2.9.2 ROG Connect switch and RC Bluetooth switch ............ 2-32
2.9.3 Audio I/O connections................................................... 2-34
2.9.4 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-37
2.9.5 Onboard switches ......................................................... 2-47
2.9.6 ProbeIt .......................................................................... 2-50
2.10 Starting up for the rst time...................................................... 2-51
2.11 Turning off the computer........................................................... 2-52
2.11.1 Using the OS shut down function.................................. 2-52
2.11.2 Using the dual function power switch............................ 2-52
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
3.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 3-1
3.1.1 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 3-1
3.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 3-4
3.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 3-5
3.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 3-6
3.2.1 BIOS menu screen.......................................................... 3-7
3.2.2 Menu bar......................................................................... 3-7
3.2.3 Navigation keys............................................................... 3-7
3.2.4 Menu items ..................................................................... 3-8
3.2.5 Submenu items ............................................................... 3-8
3.2.6 Configuration fields ......................................................... 3-8
3.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................... 3-8
3.2.8 Scroll bar......................................................................... 3-8
3.2.9 General help ................................................................... 3-8
3.3 Extreme Tweaker menu ............................................................... 3-9
3.3.1 CPU Level Up [Auto]..................................................... 3-10
3.3.2 Memory Level Up [Auto] ............................................... 3-10
3.3.3 Ai Overclock Tuner [Auto] ............................................. 3-10
3.3.4 eXtreme Memory Profile [Disabled] .............................. 3-10
3.3.5 OC From CPU/Memory Level Up [Auto] ....................... 3-10
3.3.6 CPU Ratio Setting [Auto] ...............................................3-11
3.3.7 Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Enabled] ........................3-11

v
Contents
3.3.8 BCLK Frequency [XXX] .................................................3-11
3.3.9 DRAM Frequency [Auto] ................................................3-11
3.3.10 QPI Frequency [Auto] ....................................................3-11
3.3.11 Start auto tuning.............................................................3-11
3.3.12 OC Tuner [Good Performance] ......................................3-11
3.3.13 DRAM Timing Control ................................................... 3-12
3.3.14 CPU Clock Amplitude [Auto] ......................................... 3-13
3.3.15 PCH Clock Amplitude [Auto] ......................................... 3-13
3.3.16 CPU Clock Skew [Auto] ................................................ 3-13
3.3.17 PCH Clock Skew [Auto] ................................................ 3-13
3.3.18 Extreme OV [Disabled] ................................................. 3-13
3.3.19 CPU Vltage OCP [Enabled] .......................................... 3-14
3.3.20 PWM VGD [Auto] .......................................................... 3-14
3.3.22 CPU Load-Line Calibration [Auto]................................. 3-14
3.3.23 CPU Voltage Mode [VID] ............................................. 3-14
3.3.24 CPU Voltage [Auto] ...................................................... 3-14
3.3.25 CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]................................................ 3-14
3.3.26 IMC Voltage [Auto] ....................................................... 3-14
3.3.27 PCH Voltage [Auto] ....................................................... 3-14
3.3.28 DRAM Voltage [Auto] .................................................... 3-15
3.3.29 DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA/B [Auto] ................. 3-15
3.3.30 DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHA/B [Auto]................. 3-15
3.3.31 CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto] ....................................... 3-15
3.3.32 PCIE Spread Spectrum [Auto] ...................................... 3-15
3.3.33 ASUS O.C. Profile......................................................... 3-15
3.4 Main menu .................................................................................. 3-16
3.4.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ................................................. 3-16
3.4.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]....................................... 3-16
3.4.3 Language [English] ....................................................... 3-16
3.4.4 SATA 1–6.........................................................................................3-17
3.4.5 Storage Configuration ................................................... 3-19
3.4.6 AHCI Configuration ....................................................... 3-20
3.4.7 System Information ....................................................... 3-20
3.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 3-21
3.5.1 CPU Configuration ........................................................ 3-21
3.5.2 Chipset.......................................................................... 3-24