Asus MAXIMUS III FORMULA User manual

Motherboard
Maximus III
Formula

ii
E4884
First Edition
July 2009
Copyright © 2009 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
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permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).


product is defaced or missing.
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


iii
Contents
Notices....................................................................................................... viii
Safety information ...................................................................................... ix
About this guide ......................................................................................... xi
 ....................................... xiii
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 ...................................................... 1-5
1.3.4 ASUS special features .................................................... 1-6
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-5
2.2.1 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-5
2.2.2 SupremeFX X-Fi audio card layout................................. 2-6
2.2.3 Layout contents............................................................... 2-6
2.2.4 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-7
2.2.5 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-7
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-8
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-8
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan...............................2-11
2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan ......................... 2-12
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-13
2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-13
 .................................................. 2-14
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
2.5.4 PCI slot ......................................................................... 2-24

iv
Contents
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots..................................................... 2-24
2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slot..................................................... 2-24
2.5.7 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots............................................. 2-24
2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-26
2.7 I/O shield and Audio card Installation ...................................... 2-27
2.7.1 I/O shield Installation..................................................... 2-27
2.7.2 Audio card Installation................................................... 2-28
2.8 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-29
2.8.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-29
2.8.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-31
2.8.3 Onboard switches ......................................................... 2-41
 ...................................................... 2-43
2.10 Turning off the computer........................................................... 2-44
2.10.1 Using the OS shut down function.................................. 2-44
2.10.2 Using the dual function power switch............................ 2-44
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
  ......................................................... 3-8
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 Ai Overclock Tuner [Auto] ............................................. 3-10
  ............... 3-10
3.3.3 OC From CPU/Memory Level Up [Auto] ....................... 3-10
3.3.4 CPU Ratio Setting [Auto] .............................................. 3-10

v
Contents
3.3.5 Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Enabled] ....................... 3-10
3.3.6 Intel(R) TurboMode Tech [Enabled] .............................. 3-10
3.3.7 BCLK Frequency [XXX] .................................................3-11
3.3.8 PCIE Frequency [XXX] ..................................................3-11
3.3.9 QPI Frequency [Auto] ....................................................3-11
3.3.10 DRAM Frequency [Auto] ................................................3-11
3.3.11 DRAM Timing Control ....................................................3-11
3.3.12 CPU Clock Amplitude [Auto] ......................................... 3-13
3.3.13 PCH Clock Amplitude [Auto] ......................................... 3-13
3.3.14 CPU Clock Skew [Auto] ................................................ 3-13
3.3.15 PCH Clock Skew [Auto] ................................................ 3-13
3.3.16 Extreme OV [Disabled] ................................................. 3-13
3.3.17 Full Phase Control [HW TEST] ..................................... 3-13
3.3.18 CPU Load-Line Calibration [Auto]................................. 3-14
3.3.19 CPU Voltage Mode [Offset] .......................................... 3-14
3.3.20 CPU Voltage [Auto] ...................................................... 3-14
3.3.21 CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]................................................ 3-14
3.3.22 IMC Voltage [Auto] ....................................................... 3-14
3.3.23 PCH Voltage [Auto] ....................................................... 3-14
3.3.24 DRAM Voltage [Auto] .................................................... 3-15
3.3.25 DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA/B [Auto] ................. 3-15
3.3.26 DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHA/B [Auto]................. 3-15
3.3.27 Keyboard TweakIt Control [Disabled]............................ 3-15
3.3.28 CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto] ....................................... 3-15
3.3.29 PCIE Spread Spectrum [Auto] ...................................... 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
  ................................................... 3-19
  ....................................................... 3-20
3.4.7 System Information ....................................................... 3-20
3.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 3-21
  ........................................................ 3-21