Asus P9X79-E WS User manual

Motherboard
P9X79-E
WS

ii
E8097
First Edition
March 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,
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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Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or
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owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

iii
Contents
Notices ....................................................................................................................... vi
Safety information.................................................................................................... viii
About this guide......................................................................................................... ix
P9X79-E WS specications summary ...................................................................... xi
Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.1 Welcome! .................................................................................................... 1-3
1.2 Package contents....................................................................................... 1-3
1.3 Special features.......................................................................................... 1-4
1.3.1 Product highlights........................................................................ 1-4
1.3.2 ASUS Workstation Exclusive Features....................................... 1-5
1.3.3 ASUS features ............................................................................ 1-6
1.3.4 Other special features................................................................. 1-9
Chapter 2: Hardware Information
2.1 Before you proceed ................................................................................... 2-3
2.2 Motherboard overview............................................................................... 2-4
2.2.1 Motherboard layout ..................................................................... 2-4
2.2.2 Layout contents........................................................................... 2-5
2.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-6
2.2.4 System memory .......................................................................... 2-7
2.2.5 Expansion slots ........................................................................... 2-9
2.2.6 Onboard switches ..................................................................... 2-11
2.2.7 Onboard LEDs .......................................................................... 2-15
2.2.8 Jumper ...................................................................................... 2-24
2.2.9 Internal connectors.................................................................... 2-26
2.3 Building your computer system ............................................................. 2-37
2.3.1 Additional tools and components to build a PC system ............ 2-37
2.3.2 CPU installation......................................................................... 2-38
2.3.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation............................. 2-40
2.3.4 DIMM installation....................................................................... 2-41
2.3.5 Motherboard installation............................................................ 2-42
2.3.6 ATX Power connection.............................................................. 2-44
2.3.7 SATA device connection............................................................ 2-45
2.3.8 Front I/O Connector .................................................................. 2-46
2.3.9 Rear panel connection .............................................................. 2-47
2.3.10 Audio I/O connections............................................................... 2-48
2.3.11 USB BIOS Flashback................................................................ 2-51
2.4 Starting up for the rst time.................................................................... 2-52

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Contents
2.5 Turning off the computer......................................................................... 2-52
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
3.1 Knowing BIOS ............................................................................................ 3-3
3.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................................. 3-3
3.2.1 EZ Mode...................................................................................... 3-4
3.2.2 Advanced Mode .......................................................................... 3-5
3.3 Main menu ..................................................................................................3-7
3.4 Ai Tweaker menu........................................................................................ 3-9
3.5 Advanced menu ....................................................................................... 3-24
3.5.1 CPU Conguration .................................................................... 3-25
3.5.2 System Agent Conguration...................................................... 3-27
3.5.3 PCH Conguration .................................................................... 3-28
3.5.4 SATA Conguration................................................................... 3-28
3.5.5 USB Conguration .................................................................... 3-30
3.5.6 Onboard Devices Conguraton................................................. 3-32
3.5.7 APM .......................................................................................... 3-34
3.6 Monitor menu ........................................................................................... 3-35
3.7 Boot menu ................................................................................................3-38
3.8 Tools menu ............................................................................................... 3-42
3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility ............................................................ 3-42
3.8.2 ASUS DRAM SPD Information ................................................. 3-42
3.8.3 ASUS O.C. Prole..................................................................... 3-43
3.9 Exit menu.................................................................................................. 3-44
3.10 Updating BIOS.......................................................................................... 3-45
3.10.1 ASUS Update utility................................................................... 3-45
3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility............................................................. 3-48
3.10.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility................................................. 3-49
3.10.4 ASUS BIOS Updater................................................................. 3-50
Chapter 4: Software support
4.1 Installing an operating system ................................................................. 4-3
4.2 Support DVD information.......................................................................... 4-3
4.2.1 Running the support DVD ........................................................... 4-3
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals.................................................. 4-4
4.3 Software information ................................................................................. 4-5
4.3.1 ASUS AI Suite II.......................................................................... 4-5
4.3.2 ASUS SSD Caching II................................................................. 4-6
4.3.3 Ai Charger+................................................................................. 4-8

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Contents
4.3.4 ASUS Update.............................................................................. 4-9
4.3.5 DIGI+ Power Control.................................................................4-10
4.3.6 EPU........................................................................................... 4-12
4.3.7 FAN Xpert+ ............................................................................... 4-13
4.3.8 MyLogo2 ................................................................................... 4-14
4.3.9 Probe II...................................................................................... 4-16
4.3.10 TurboV EVO .............................................................................. 4-17
4.3.11 USB 3.0 Boost........................................................................... 4-21
4.3.12 Audio congurations.................................................................. 4-22
4.3.13 ASUS Dr. Power Utility.............................................................. 4-23
4.4 RAID congurations ................................................................................ 4-25
4.4.1 RAID denitions ........................................................................ 4-25
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ................................................. 4-26
4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS .................................................. 4-26
4.4.4 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility ................ 4-26
4.4.5 Marvell RAID utility.................................................................... 4-30
Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support
5.1 ATI®CrossFireX™ technology .................................................................. 5-3
5.1.1 Requirements.............................................................................. 5-3
5.1.2 Before you begin......................................................................... 5-3
5.2 NVIDIA®SLI™ technology ......................................................................... 5-9
5.2.1 Requirements.............................................................................. 5-9
5.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards .................................... 5-10
5.2.3 Installing three SLI-ready graphics cards.................................. 5-11
5.2.4 Installing four SLI-ready graphics cards.................................... 5-12
5.3 NVIDIA®CUDA™ technology .................................................................. 5-15
5.3.1 Requirements............................................................................ 5-15
5.3.2 Installing CUDA-ready graphics cards ...................................... 5-15

vi
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.
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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.

vii
REACH
Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of
Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our products at
ASUS website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.
ASUS Recycling/Takeback Services
ASUS recycling and takeback programs come from our commitment to the highest standards
for protecting our environment. We believe in providing solutions for you to be able to
responsibly recycle our products, batteries, other components as well as the packaging
materials. Please go to http://csr.asus.com/english/Takeback.htm for detailed recycling
information in different regions.
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.

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.
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.
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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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ix
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.
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: Multiple GPU technology support
This chapter describes how to install and congure multiple ATI®CrossFireX™ and
NVIDIA®SLI™ graphics cards.

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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.
Conventions used in this guide
To ensure 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+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:
BUPDATER /iP9X79WS.ROM