Asus P5Q3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n User manual

Motherboard
P5Q3

ii
E4139
First Edition V1
August 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”).
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
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,
LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE),
EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY
DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR
INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE,
AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO
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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
copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the
owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

iii
Contents
Contents ...................................................................................................... iii
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
Safety information .................................................................................... viii
About this guide ......................................................................................... ix
P5Q3 specications summary................................................................... xi
Chapter1: 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 ................................................... 1-4
1.3.3 ASUS Exclusive Overclocking Features ......................... 1-7
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................................ 2-8
2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan ........................... 2-9
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 DDR3 DIMM ............................................... 2-15
2.4.4 Removing a DDR3 DIMM ............................................. 2-15
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-16
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-16
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-16
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-17
2.5.4 PCI slots........................................................................ 2-18
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots..................................................... 2-18
2.5.6 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot............................................... 2-18

iv
Contents
2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-19
2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-22
2.7.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-22
2.7.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-24
2.8 Starting up for the rst time...................................................... 2-36
2.9 Turning off the computer........................................................... 2-37
2.9.1 Using the OS shut down function.................................. 2-37
2.9.2 Using the dual function power switch............................ 2-37
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 AFUDOS utility................................................................ 3-5
3.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 3-7
3.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 3-8
3.2.1 BIOS menu screen.......................................................... 3-9
3.2.2 Menu bar......................................................................... 3-9
3.2.3 Navigation keys............................................................... 3-9
3.2.4 Menu items ................................................................... 3-10
3.2.5 Sub-menu items............................................................ 3-10
3.2.6 Conguration elds ....................................................... 3-10
3.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................. 3-10
3.2.8 Scroll bar....................................................................... 3-10
3.2.9 General help ................................................................. 3-10
3.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 3-11
3.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ..................................................3-11
3.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]........................................3-11
3.3.3 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.] .................................3-11
3.3.4 Language [English] ........................................................3-11
3.3.5 SATA 1-6 ....................................................................... 3-12
3.3.6 Storage Conguration ................................................... 3-13
3.3.7 AHCI Conguration ....................................................... 3-14
3.3.8 System Information ....................................................... 3-15
3.4 Ai Tweaker menu........................................................................ 3-16
3.4.1 Ai Overclock Tuner [Auto] ............................................. 3-16
3.4.2 CPU Ratio Setting [Auto] .............................................. 3-17

v
Contents
3.4.3 FSB Strap to North Bridge [Auto].................................. 3-17
3.4.4 DRAM Frequency [Auto] ............................................... 3-17
3.4.5 DRAM Timing Control [Auto]......................................... 3-18
3.4.6 DRAM Static Read Control [Auto]................................. 3-19
3.4.7 DRAM Read Training [Auto].......................................... 3-20
3.4.8 DRAM Write Training [Auto] .......................................... 3-20
3.4.9 MEM. OC Charger ........................................................ 3-20
3.4.10 Ai Clock Twister [Auto] .................................................. 3-20
3.4.11 Ai Transaction Booster [Auto] ....................................... 3-20
3.4.12 CPU Voltage [Auto] ...................................................... 3-21
3.4.13 CPU GTL Reference [Auto]........................................... 3-21
3.4.14 CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]................................................ 3-21
3.4.15 FSB Termination Voltage [Auto] .................................... 3-21
3.4.16 DRAM Voltage [Auto] .................................................... 3-21
3.4.17 NB Voltage [Auto].......................................................... 3-21
3.4.18 SB Voltage [Auto].......................................................... 3-22
3.4.19 PCIE SATA Voltage [Auto]............................................. 3-22
3.4.20 Load-Line Calibration [Auto] ......................................... 3-22
3.4.21 CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto] ....................................... 3-22
3.4.22 PCIE Spread Spectrum [Auto] ...................................... 3-22
3.4.23 CPU Clock Skew [Auto] ................................................ 3-22
3.4.24 NB Clock Skew [Auto]................................................... 3-23
3.4.25 CPU Margin Enhancement [Optimized] ........................ 3-23
3.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 3-23
3.5.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 3-23
3.5.2 Chipset.......................................................................... 3-25
3.5.3 Onboard Device Conguration...................................... 3-26
3.5.4 USB Conguration ........................................................ 3-28
3.5.5 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 3-29
3.6 Power menu................................................................................ 3-30
3.6.1 Suspend Mode [Auto] ................................................... 3-30
3.6.2 ACPI 2.0 Support [Disabled] ......................................... 3-30
3.6.3 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]....................................... 3-30
3.6.5 APM Conguration........................................................ 3-31
3.6.6 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 3-32
3.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 3-34

vi
Contents
3.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 3-34
3.7.2 Boot Settings Conguration .......................................... 3-35
3.7.3 Security ......................................................................... 3-36
3.8 Tools menu ................................................................................. 3-38
3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2.......................................................... 3-38
3.8.2 Drive Xpert Conguration.............................................. 3-39
3.8.3 Express Gate ................................................................ 3-40
3.8.4 ASUS O.C. Prole......................................................... 3-41
3.8.5 AI NET 2........................................................................ 3-42
3.9 Exit menu.................................................................................... 3-43
Chapter 4: Software support
4.1 Installing an operating system ................................................... 4-1
4.2 Support DVD information ............................................................ 4-1
4.3 Software information ................................................................... 4-9
4.3.1 ASUS MyLogo™............................................................. 4-9
4.3.2 AI NET2 .........................................................................4-11
4.3.3 ASUS PC Probe II......................................................... 4-12
4.3.4 Audio congurations ..................................................... 4-18
4.3.5 ASUS AI Suite............................................................... 4-23
4.3.6 ASUS AI Nap ................................................................ 4-25
4.3.7 ASUS Fan Xpert ........................................................... 4-26
4.3.8 ASUS AI Booster........................................................... 4-28
4.3.9 ASUS EPU—6 Engine .................................................. 4-29
4.3.10 ASUS AI Direct Link ...................................................... 4-33
4.3.11 ASUS Drive Xpert ......................................................... 4-35
4.3.12 ASUS Express Gate ..................................................... 4-39
4.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 4-49
4.4.1 RAID denitions ............................................................ 4-49
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ..................................... 4-50
4.4.3 Intel® RAID congurations............................................. 4-50
4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 4-58
4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.... 4-58
4.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows® .................... 4-58

vii
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
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.

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 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.
• 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.
This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical,
electronic equipment and mercury-containing button cell battery) should not
be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic
products.

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 CD that comes with the
motherboard package and the software.
• Appendix: CPU features
The Appendix describes the CPU features and technologies that the
motherboard supports.
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.
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 (+).
Example: <Ctrl+Alt+D>
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 /i[lename]
afudos /iP5Q3.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.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a
task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a
task.

xi
P5Q3
specications summary
CPU LGA775 socket for Intel® Core™2 Extreme/Core™2
Quad/ Core™2 Duo/Pentium® dual-core/Celeron® dual-
core /Celeron® Processors
Compatible with Intel® 05B/05A/06 processors
Support Intel® 45nm Multi-Core CPU
* This motherboard isdesigned with VRD11.1 power
phase, and cannot be compatible with VRD10 designed
CPU. Please refer to www.asus.com for “CPU support
list”.
* Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list
Chipset Intel®P45 / ICH10R
System Bus 1600 / 1333 / 1066 / 800 MHz
Memory 4 x DIMM, max. 16GB, DDR3 1800 (O.C) / 1600 / 1333 /
1066 MHz, non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Dual channel memory architecture
* DDR3 1600 MHz or above DIMMs work only on the
Orange slots for one DIMM per channel.
* When installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more,
Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize
less than 3GB. Hence, a total installed memory of less
than 3GB is recomended.
* Please Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL
(Qualied Vendors Lists).
Expansion Slots 2 x PCIe 2.0 x16, support ATI CrossFireX™ technology
dual at x 8 link (PCIe x16_1 blue, PCIe x16_2 black*)
3 x PCIe x1
2 x PCI
* PCIE x16 slot (black at max. x8 link)
Storage Intel®ICH10R Southbridge
- 6 x SATA 3Gb/s ports
- Intel®Matrix Storage, supporting SATA RAID 0,1, 5
and 10
JMicron®JMB363 SATA&PATA controllers
- 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices
- 1 x External SATA 3Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go)
JMicron®JMB322 (Drive Xpert Technology)
- 2 x SATA 3Gb/s ports
- Supports EZ Backup and Super Speed functions
LAN Realtek®8111C PCIe Gb LAN controller, featuring AI
NET2
Audio Realtek® ALC1200 8-channel High Denition Audio
CODEC
- Supports Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front
Panel Jack-Retasking technology
- Coaxial/Optical S/PDIF out ports at back I/O
- ASUS Noise Filter
(continued on the next page)

xii
IEEE 1394 VIA6308 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports
USB Max. 12 USB2.0/1.1 ports(6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports
at back panel)
ASUS Unique Features ASUS Power Saving Solution:
- ASUS EPU-6 Engine
- ASUS 8-phase Power Design
- ASUS AI Nap
ASUS Unique Features:
- ASUS Express Gate
- ASUS AI Direct Llink
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution:
- ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution
- ASUS Fan Xpert
ASUS EZ DIY:
- ASUS Q-Shield
- ASUS Drive Xpert
- ASUS Q-Connector
- ASUS O.C. Prole
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
ASUS Stylish Features ASUS MyLogo™
ASUS Exclusive
Overclocking Features
ASUS AI Booster utility
Precision Tweaker 2:
- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 6.25mV
increment
- vDIMM: 64-step DRAM voltage control
- vChipset (N.B.): 55-step chipset voltage control
- vFSB Termination: 35-step reference voltage control
- vCPU PLL: 64-step CPU PLL voltage control
SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection)
- FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 800MHz at 1MHz
increment
- PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to
180MHz at 1MHz increment
Overclocking Protection:
- ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
(continued on the next page)
P5Q3
specications summary

xiii
Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port
1 x PS/2 Mouse port
1 x S/PDIF Out (Coaxial)
1 x S/PDIF Out (Optical)
1 x IEEE1394a
1 x RJ45 ports
1 x eSATA connector
6 x USB 2.0/1.1
8-channel Audio I/O
Internal I/O Connectors 3 x USB connectors support additional 6 USB ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
1 x COM connector
1 x IDE connector
1 x TPM connector
6 x SATA connectors (Red)
2 x Drive Xpert SATA connectors (Orange and white)
1 x CPU Fan connector
2 x Chassis Fan connectors
1 x Power Fan connector
1 x IEEE1394a connector
Front panel audio connector
1 x S/PDIF Out Header
Chassis Intrusion connector
CD audio in
24-pin ATX Power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connectors
System Panel (Q-Connector)
BIOS Features 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0,
SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 2.0
Manageability WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE, WOR by Ring,
Chassis Intrusion
Support CD Contents Drivers
Express Gate
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update
ASUS AI Suite
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Image-Editing Suite
Form Factor ATX Form Factor, 12”x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.4cm)
*Specications are subject to change without notice.
P5Q3
specications summary

xiv

1
Product
introduction
This chapter describes the motherboard
features and the new technologies
it supports.

ASUS P5Q3
Chapter summary 1
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Special features............................................................................ 1-2

ASUS P5Q3 1-1
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS®P5Q3 motherboard!
The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it
another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!
Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the
items in your package with the list below.
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
1.2 Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
Motherboard ASUS P5Q3
Cables 1 x 2-port Serial ATA power cable for 2 devices
4 x Serial ATA signal cables
1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable
Accessories 1 x ASUS Q-Shield (I/O shield)
1 x ASUS Q-Connector Kit (USB, system panel;
Retail version only)
Application CD ASUS motherboard Support DVD
Documentation User Manual

1-2 Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.3 Special features
1.3.1 Product highlights
Intel® Core™2 Extreme / Core™ 2 Quad /
Core™2 Duo Processor Support
This motherboard supports the latest Intel®Core™ 2 Extreme / Core™ 2 Quad /
Core™ 2 Duo processors in the LGA775 package. It is excellent for multi-tasking,
multi-media and enthusiastic gamers with 1600 / 1333 / 1066 / 800 MHz FSB. The
Intel®Core™ 2 series processor is one of the most powerful CPUs in the world. This
motherboard also supports Intel® CPUs in the new 45nm manufacturing process.
Intel®P45 Chipset
The Intel®P45 Chipset is the latest chipset designed to support 16GB of dual-
channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 MHz memory architecture, 1333/1066/800 MHz
FSB (Front Side Bus) and multi-core CPUs. It especially includes Intel®Fast
Memory Access technology that signicantly optimizes the use of available
memory bandwidth and reduces the latency of the memory accesses.
PCIe 2.0
This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 device for twice the current speed
and bandwidth. This enhances system performance while still providing backward
compatibility to PCIe 1.0 devices.
Dual-Channel DDR3 1800(O.C.) support
The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of
1800(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066/800 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements
of the latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications.
The dual-channel DDR3 architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system
memory to boost system performance. Furthermore, the supply voltage for the
memory is reduced from 1.8 V for DDR2 to just 1.5 V for DDR3. This voltage
reduction limits the power consumption and heat generation of DDR3 which makes
it an ideal memory solution.

ASUS P5Q3 1-3
ATI CrossFireX Technolog support
ATI's CrossFireX boosts image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating
the need to scale down screen resolutions to get the high image quality you want.
CrossFire ignites with the higher antialiasing, anisotropic ltering, shading, and
texture settings you desire. Adjust your display congurations, experiment with
your advanced 3D settings, and check the effect with a real-time 3D-rendered
preview within ATI´s Catalyst™ Control Center to rule your CrossFireX system.
ASUS Express Gate
Taking only 5 seconds to go online from bootup, Express Gate is the one-stop
gateway to instant fun! It's a unique motherboard built-in OS. You can utilize the
most popular Instant Messengers (IM) like MSN, Skype, Google talk, QQ, and
Yahoo! Messenger to keep in touch with friends, or quickly check on the weather
and e-mails just before leaving your house. What's more, the user-friendly picture
manager lets you view your pictures without entering Windows at anytime!
The actual boot time depends on the system conguration.
Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology
This motherboard supports the hard drives based on the Serial ATA (SATA)
3Gb/s storage specication, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus
bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. See page 2-27 for details.
IEEE 1394a support
The IEEE 1394a interface provides high speed digital interface for audio/video
appliances such as digital television, digital video camcorders, storage peripherals
& other PC portable devices. See page 2-30 for details.
S/PDIF digital sound ready
This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio
systems via coaxial and optical S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface)
jacks.It allows to transfer digital audio without converting to analog format and
keeps the best signal quality. See page 2-32 for details.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product Introduction
High Denition Audio
Enjoy high-end sound quality on your PC! The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High
Denition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality
192KHz/24-bit audio output that simultaneously sends different audio streams to
different destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphone while
playing multi-channel network games. See pages 2-22 and 2-23 for details.
100% Japan-made conductive polymer capacitors
This motherboard uses all Japan-made conductive polymer capacitors for
durability, improved lifespan and enhanced thermal capacity.
Green ASUS
This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Restriction
on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line with the ASUS vision
of creating environment-friendly and recyclable products/packagings to safeguard
consumers’ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.
1.3.2 ASUS unique features
ASUS Power Saving Solution
ASUS Power Saving solution intelligently and automatically provides balanced
computing power and energy consumption.
ASUS EPU-6 Engine
The new ASUS EPU - the world's rst power saving engine, has been upgraded
to a new six engine version, which provides total system power savings by
detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power in real-time.
With auto phase switching for components (which includes the CPU, VGA card,
memory, chipset, drives and system fan), the EPU automatically provides the most
appropriate power usage via intelligent acceleration and overclocking - helping
save power and money.