Asus MAXIMUS VI HERO User manual

Motherboard
MAXIMUS VI
HERO

ii
E8459
Revised Edition V2
June 2013
Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced,
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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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iii
Contents
Safety information...................................................................................................... vi
About this guide........................................................................................................ vii
MAXIMUS VI HERO specications summary .......................................................... ix
Package contents..................................................................................................... xiii
Installation tools and components......................................................................... xiv
Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.1 Special features.......................................................................................... 1-1
1.1.1 Product highlights........................................................................ 1-1
1.1.2 ROG Gaming Features ...............................................................1-2
1.1.3 ROG Exclusive Features............................................................. 1-3
1.1.4 ASUS Special Features .............................................................. 1-3
1.1.5 ROG rich bundled software......................................................... 1-4
1.2 Motherboard overview............................................................................... 1-5
1.2.1 Before you proceed..................................................................... 1-5
1.2.2 Motherboard layout ..................................................................... 1-6
1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 1-8
1.2.4 System memory .......................................................................... 1-9
1.2.5 Expansion slots ......................................................................... 1-23
1.2.6 Onboard buttons ....................................................................... 1-25
1.2.7 Jumper ...................................................................................... 1-28
1.2.8 Onboard LEDs .......................................................................... 1-29
1.2.9 Internal connectors.................................................................... 1-38
Chapter 2: Basic Installation
2.1 Building your PC system...........................................................................2-1
2.1.1 Motherboard installation.............................................................. 2-1
2.1.2 CPU installation........................................................................... 2-3
2.1.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation............................... 2-4
2.1.4 DIMM installation......................................................................... 2-6
2.1.5 ATX Power connection................................................................ 2-7
2.1.6 SATA device connection.............................................................. 2-8
2.1.7 Front I/O Connector .................................................................... 2-9
2.1.8 Expansion Card installation....................................................... 2-10
2.2 BIOS update utility................................................................................... 2-11
2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections ............................................. 2-12
2.3.1 Rear I/O connection .................................................................. 2-12
2.3.2 Audio I/O connections............................................................... 2-13
2.4 Starting up for the rst time.................................................................... 2-17
2.5 Turning off the computer......................................................................... 2-17

iv
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
3.1 Knowing BIOS ............................................................................................ 3-1
3.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................................. 3-2
3.2.1 EZ Mode...................................................................................... 3-3
3.2.2 Advanced Mode .......................................................................... 3-4
3.3 My Favorites ............................................................................................... 3-6
3.4 Extreme Tweaker menu .............................................................................3-7
3.5 Main menu ................................................................................................ 3-23
3.6 Advanced menu ....................................................................................... 3-25
3.6.1 CPU Conguration .................................................................... 3-26
3.6.2 PCH Conguration .................................................................... 3-28
3.6.3 SATA Conguration................................................................... 3-30
3.6.4 System Agent Conguration...................................................... 3-31
3.6.5 USB Conguration .................................................................... 3-33
3.6.6 Platform Misc Conguration...................................................... 3-34
3.6.7 Onboard Devices Conguration................................................ 3-35
3.6.8 APM .......................................................................................... 3-37
3.6.9 Network Stack ........................................................................... 3-38
3.6.10 ROG Effects .............................................................................. 3-38
3.7 Monitor menu ........................................................................................... 3-39
3.8 Boot menu ................................................................................................ 3-42
3.9 Tools menu ............................................................................................... 3-47
3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility ............................................................ 3-47
3.9.2 ROG Secure Erase ................................................................... 3-47
3.9.3 ASUS O.C. Prole..................................................................... 3-49
3.9.4 ASUS SPD Information............................................................. 3-50
3.9.5 ROG OC Panel H-Key Congure.............................................. 3-50
3.10 Exit menu .................................................................................................. 3-52
3.11 Updating BIOS.......................................................................................... 3-53
3.11.1 EZ Update ................................................................................. 3-53
3.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ...................................................................... 3-54
3.11.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3.......................................................... 3-55
3.11.4 ASUS BIOS Updater................................................................. 3-56

v
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
4.4 AI Suite 3..................................................................................................... 4-3
4.4.1 Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization............... 4-6
4.4.2 EZ Update ................................................................................. 4-13
4.4.3 USB 3.0 Boost...........................................................................4-14
4.4.4 System Information ................................................................... 4-15
4.4.5 USB BIOS Flashback................................................................ 4-17
4.4.6 USB Charger+........................................................................... 4-19
4.4.7 Audio congurations.................................................................. 4-20
4.5 MemTweakIt .............................................................................................. 4-21
4.6 RAMDisk ................................................................................................... 4-23
4.7 Sonic Radar .............................................................................................. 4-26
4.7.1 Main menu ............................................................................... 4-26
4.7.2 Game presets and Radar Selection ......................................... 4-28
4.7.3 Advanced Settings ................................................................... 4-29
4.8 Perfect Voice............................................................................................. 4-31
Chapter 5: RAID support
5.1 RAID congurations .................................................................................. 5-1
5.1.1 RAID denitions .......................................................................... 5-1
5.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ................................................... 5-2
5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS .................................................... 5-2
5.1.4 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility .................. 5-3
5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk.......................................................................5-7
5.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.................. 5-7
5.2.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows® ................................................................. 5-8
5.2.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows®OS installation ........ 5-8
Appendices
Notices .................................................................................................................... A-1
ASUS contact information...................................................................................... A-4

vi
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.
Ensure 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, ensure 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.
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vii
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. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the
motherboard.
• Chapter 2: Basic Installation
This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when
installing system components.
• 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: RAID support
This chapter describes the RAID congurations.
Where to nd more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software
updates.
1. ASUS website
The ASUS website (www.asus.com) provides updated information on ASUS hardware
and software products.
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.

viii
Conventions used in this guide
To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used
throughout this manual.
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.
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 (+).

ix
MAXIMUS VI HERO specications summary
(continued on the next page)
CPU
LGA1150 socket for the 4th Generation Intel®Core™ i7/Intel®
Core™i5/Intel®Core™ i3, Pentium®, and Celeron®processors
Supports 22nm CPU
Supports Intel®Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*
* The Intel®Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU
types.
** Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list
Chipset Intel®Z87 Express Chipset
Memory
Dual channel memory architecture
4 x DIMM, max. 32GB, DDR3 2800 (O.C.) / 2666 (O.C.) / 2600
(O.C.) / 2500 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2200 (O.C.) / 2133 (O.C.) / 2000
(O.C.) / 1866 (O.C.) / 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz, non-ECC,
un-buffered memory
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of
individual CPUs.
** Please refer to Memory QVL (Qualied Vendors List) for details.
Expansion slots
2 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots (Red, single at x16 or dual at
x8/x8 mode)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (Black, max. at x4 mode)*(Black, max. at x4 mode)*
3x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot**
* The PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (PCIEX4_3) shares bandwidth with PCIe 2.0 x1
slots. The default setting is x1 mode.
** The PCIe 2.0 x1 slots (PCIEX1_1, PCIEX1_2, and PCIEX1_3) are
disabled when the PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (PCIEX4_3) operates under x4
speed.
VGA
Integrated Intel®HD Graphics Processor
HDMI with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24Hz / 2560 x 1600
@ 60Hz
Intel®InTru™ 3D, Intel3D, Intel®Quick Sync Video, Intel®Clear Video HD
Technology, and Intel®Insider™Insider™
Multi-GPU support Support NVIDIA®SLI®Technology / AMD CrossFireX™ Technology
Storage
Intel®Z87 Express Chipset:
6 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports*
- Intel®Rapid Storage Technology 12 supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and
10
- Intel®Smart Response Technology, Intel®Rapid Start
Technology, and Intel®Smart Connect Technology*
ASMedia®SATA 6Gb/s controller:
2 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports**
* The supported functions depend on the CPU installed.
** These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are not
supported.

x
(continued on the next page)
LAN 1 x Intel® I217-V Gigabit LAN Controller
Audio
ROG SupremeFX Audio 8-Channel High Denition
Audio
- SupremeFX Shielding Technology
- ELNA®Premium Audio Capacitors
- Content Protection for Full Rate lossless DVD Audio, Blu-ray
DVD, and HD-DVD audio content playback
- Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking
- Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel
Audio Feature:
- Sonic Radar
- DTS Connect
USB
Intel®Z87 Express Chipset
6 x USB 3.0 ports (4 ports at back panel [blue], 2 ports at mid-board
[red]*)
8 x USB 2.0 ports (4 ports at back panel, for ROG Connect; 4 ports
at mid-board**)
* Supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost, UASP standard on the Intel®native
USB 3.0 is only supported under Windows®8.
** 2 x USB2.0 ports at mid-board shares with ROG extension (ROG_EXT)
port.
Back I/O Ports
1 xPS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
4 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x USB BIOS Flashback button
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
1 x HDMI port
4 x USB 3.0 ports [blue]
1 x LAN (RJ45) port
6 x Audio jacks

xi
(continued on the next page)
ROG Exclusive Features
Extreme Engine Digi+ III
- Full digital 8+2 phase CPU/DRAM power
- NexFETTM Power Block MOSFET
- 60A BlackWing Chokes
- 10K Black Metallic Capacitors
ROG GameFirst II
ROG RAMDisk
CPU Level Up
UEFI BIOS features
- Extreme Tweaker
- Tweaker’s Paradise
- ROG SSD Secure Erase
- BIOS Print
- GPU.DIMM Post
- O.C. Prole
- ROG Pulse
Special Features
ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 4
- 4-way Optimization Tuning Key, consolidating DIGI+ Power
Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 2
ASUS Exclusive Features
- AI Suite 3
- USB 3.0 Boost
- USB Charger+
- AI Charger
- Disk Unlocker
ASUS EZ DIY
- USB BIOS Flashback
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
- ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
ASUS Q-Design
- ASUS Q-Code
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Q-Connector
- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)
- ASUS Q-Slot
- ASUS Q-DIMM

xii
Internal Connectors
1 x USB 3.0 connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.0 ports)
2 x USB 2.0 connectors (support additional 4USB 2.0 ports, 1
connector shares with ROG_EXT header)
1 x ROG Extension (ROG_EXT) header
8 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x 4-pin CPU fan connector
1 x 4-pin CPU optional fan connector
3 x 4-pin Chassis fan connectors
1 x 24-pin EATX power connector
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
1 x Power-on button
1 x Reset button
1 x MemOK! button
1 x Directkey button
1 x DRCT (DirectKey) header
1 x S/PDIF out header
1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)
1 x System panel connector
1 x TPM connector
BIOS Features 64 Mb UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI
2.0a, Multi-language BIOS
Manageability WfM2.0, DMI2.0, WOL by PME, PXE
Software
Drivers
ROG GameFirst II
ROG RAMDisk
ROG CPU-Z
ROG Mem TweakIt
Kaspersky®Anti-Virus
DAEMON Tools Pro Standard
ASUS WebStorage
ASUS Utilities
Form Factor ATX Form Factor, 12” x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.4cm)
Specications are subject to change without notice.

xiii
Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
Motherboard ROG MAXIMUS VI HERO
Cables 3 x 2-in-1 SATA 6 Gb/s cables
1 x SLI®bridge
Accessories I/O Shield
1 x 12-in-1 ROG cable label
1 x 2-in-1 Q-Connector kit
1 x ROG Door Hanger
Application DVD ROG motherboard support DVD
Documentation User guide
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

xiv
Installation tools and components
1 bag of screws Philips (cross) screwdriver
PC chassis Power supply unit
Intel LGA 1150 CPU Intel LGA 1150 compatible CPU Fan
DDR3 DIMM SATA hard disk drive
SATA optical disc drive (optional) Graphics card (optional)
The tools and components in the table above are not included in the motherboard package.

ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO 1-1
Chapter 1
Product introduction
1
1.1 Special features
1.1.1 Product highlights
Republic of Gamers
The Republic of Gamers offers you the best of the best. We offer the best hardware
engineering, the fastest performance, the most innovative ideas, and we welcome the best
gamers to join in. In the Republic of Gamers, mercy rules are only for the weak, and bragging
rights means everything. We believe in making statements and we excel in competitions.
If your character matches our trait, then join the elite Republic of Gamers and make your
presence felt.
LGA1150 socket for 4th Generation Intel®Core™ i7 / Intel® Core™ i5 /
Intel® Core™ i3, Pentium®and Celeron®Processors
This motherboard supports 4th generation Intel®Core™ i7/ Intel®Core™ i5/ Intel®Core™
i3, Pentium®and Celeron®processors in the LGA1150 package. It provides great graphics
and system performance with its GPU, dual-channel DDR3 memory slots, and PCI Express
2.0/3.0 expansion slots.
Intel®Z87 Express Chipset
Intel®Z87 Express Chipset is a single-chipset that supports the LGA1150 socket 4th
generation Intel®Core™ i7/ Intel®Core™ i5/ Intel®Core™ i3, Pentium®and Celeron®
processors. It utilizes the serial point-to-point links, which increases bandwidth and enhances
the system’s performance. It natively supports up to six USB 3.0 ports for up to ten times
faster transfer rate than USB 2.0, and enables the iGPU function for Intel®integrated graphics
performance.
PCI Express®3.0
PCI Express®3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the latest PCI Express bus standard with improved encoding
schemes that provide twice the performance of current PCIe 2.0. Total bandwidth for a x16
link reaches a maximum of 32GB/s, double the 16GB/s of PCIe 2.0 (in x16 mode). As such,
PCIe 3.0 provides users unprecedented data speeds, combined with the convenience and
seamless transition offered by complete backward compatibility with PCIe 1.0 and PCIe
2.0 devices. PCIe 3.0 will become a must-have feature for users who wish to improve and
optimize graphic performance, as well as have the latest technology available to them.
SLI®/CrossFire™ On-Demand
This motherboard features a unique PCIe 3.0 bridge chip to support multi-GPU SLI®/
CrossFireX™graphics cards for an unrivaled gaming performance. With the Intel®Z87
platform to optimize the PCIe allocation of multiple GPUs, it supports up to 4-WAY GPU SLI®
or CrossFireX™ conguration..
Chapter 1: Product Introduction

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction
Chapter 1
1.1.2 ROG Gaming Features
SupremeFX
The re-engineered ROG-exclusive SupremeFX audio technology features an onboard
8-channel high-denition sound of true audophile-grade performance that is equal in power,
clarity, and range to dedicated sound cards. Its unique Red Line Shielding and special
metallic cover provides pristine sound and a highly attractive look for the motherboard
that is in keeping with the ROG style. The Japan-made premium ELNA capacitor ensures
warm natural sound with exceptional clarity for all your gaming and multimedia activities.
SupremeFX revolutionizes the way you hear games, movies, music, and even other people
via chat - letting you rule and discover a totally whole new dimension of superior audio.
Sonic Radar
Sonic Radar, an audio software designed for First Person Shooting (FPS) games, shows the
precise direction and intensity of where a sound is coming from. In-game sound including
gunshots, footprints, voice call-outs, or even a ticking bomb, is visualized as radar signals
on the Sonic Radar display, providing you the advantage to know potential threats and avoid
sneaky surprises.
GameFirst II
ASUS GameFirst II, with cFOS Trafc Shaping technology, provides a powerful and user-
friendly network control to easily frag your gaming system. Featuring the EZ Mode for
beginners’ setup and Advanced Mode for professionals’ tweaking, your frags comes rst.
Intel Gigabit LAN
The LAN solution from Intel has been long known to have a better throughput, lower CPU
utilization as well as better stability. With the Intel Gigabit LAN solutions onboard, the
ultimate network experience can therefore be delivered to its users like never before.

ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO 1-3
Chapter 1
1.1.3 ROG Exclusive Features
Extreme Engine Digi+ III
Extreme Engine Digi+ III offers you a hardcore power delivery for a challenging and extreme
gaming enjoyment. It utilizes the best components such as NexFET™Power Block
MOSFETs, BlackWing chokes with special n design, and super-premium 10K black metallic
solid state capacitors. The NexFET™Power Block MOSFETs combine great durability and
up to 90% efciency under normal operation. BlackWing chokes can handle as much as
60A of power, which is twice that of generic chokes. The special n design, with its highly
conductive and efcient gold-treated coating, results in 3-5oC lower choke temperatures for
added stability and ensures minimal-loss power delivery. Super-premium 10K Black Metallic
solid state capacitors are forged for overclocking and the most extreme demands, lasting up
to ve times longer than generic capacitors with 20% wider temperature tolerance.
RAMDisk
RAMDisk is an innovative program that reserves a part of your system’s memory and turns
it into a high-speed virtual drive where you can store cache les and game apps for instant
access. By optimizing your SSD, RAMDisk allows you to automatically backup, update, and
restore les.
NOTE: RAMDisk only supports 64-bit operating systems.
CPU Level Up
With ROG’s CPU Level Up, overclocking has never been so easy, or cost-free. Simply select
the processor that you want to overclock to, and the motherboard will do the rest.
1.1.4 ASUS Special Features
AI Suite 3
With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite 3 consolidates all the exclusive ASUS
features into one simple-to-use software package. It allows you to supervise fan speed
control, voltage and sensor readings. This all-in-one software offers diverse and ease to use
functions, with no need to switch back and forth between different utilities.
USB BIOS FlashBack
USB BIOS Flashback offers a hassle-free updating solution for your ultimate convenience.
Simply install a USB storage device containing the BIOS le, press the BIOS Flashback
button for three seconds, and the UEFI BIOS is automatically updated even without entering
the existing the BIOS or operating system. It also allows you to regularly check for UEFI
BIOS updates, and download the latest BIOS automatically.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction
Chapter 1
1.1.5 ROG rich bundled software
Kaspersky®Anti-Virus
Kaspersky®Anti-Virus Personal offers premium antivirus protection for individual users and
home ofces. It is based on advanced antivirus technologies. The product incorporates the
Kaspersky®Anti-Virus engine, which is renowned for malicious program detection rates that
are among the industry’s highest.
DAEMON Tools Pro Standard
DAEMON Tools Pro offers essential functionality to backup CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs. It
converts optical media into virtual discs and emulates devices to work with the virtual copies.
DAEMON Tools Pro organizes data, music, video, and photo collections on a PC, notebook,
or netbook.
ROG CPU-Z
ROG CPU-Z is a customized ROG version utitity authorized by Intel’s CPU Indentication
(CPUID) that allows you to gather information of the main devices of your system. It
gives you the information and status of your CPU, motherboard, memory, and the whole
component. Use the ROG look of reporting your system’s current information with ROG
CPU-Z.
MemTweakIt
MemTweakIt is a DRAM efciency tool that allows you to read DRAM timings and allows you
to post and share your DRAM conguration scores to the ROG website.
DTS Connect
To get the most out of your audio entertainment across all formats and quality levels, DTS
Connect combines two enabling technologies, DTS Neo:PC™ upmixes stereo sources (CDs,
MP3s, WMAs, internet radio) into as many as 7.1 channels of incredible surround sound.
Consumers can connect their PC to a home theater system. DTS Interactive is capable of
performing mult-channel encoding of DTS bitstreams on personal computers, and sending
encoded bitstreams out of a digital audio connection (such as S/PDIF or HDMI) designed to
deliver audio to an external decoder.

ASUS MAXIMUS VI HERO 1-5
Chapter 1
1.2 Motherboard overview
1.2.1 Before you proceed
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change
any motherboard settings.
• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.
• Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely groundedBefore handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded
object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damaging them due
to static electricity.
• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.
• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the
bag that came with the component.
• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is
switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so
may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction
Chapter 1
Refer to 1.2.9 Internal connectors and 2.3.1 Rear I/O connection for more information
about rear panel connectors and internal connectors.
1.2.2 Motherboard layout