Asus P9X79 WS User manual

Motherboard
P9X79 WS

ii
E6896
First Edition
October 2011
Copyright © 2011 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
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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
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LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE),
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DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR
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owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

iii
Contents
Contents ...................................................................................................... iii
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
Safety information ...................................................................................... ix
About this guide .......................................................................................... x
P9X79 WS specications summary ......................................................... xii
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 ASUS Workstation Exclusive Features........................... 1-3
1.3.3 ASUS features ................................................................ 1-4
1.3.4 Other special features..................................................... 1-8
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 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ....................................... 2-4
2.2.4 System memory .............................................................. 2-5
2.2.5 Expansion slots............................................................... 2-7
2.2.6 Onboard switches ........................................................... 2-9
2.2.7 Onboard LEDs .............................................................. 2-12
2.2.8 Jumper .......................................................................... 2-21
2.2.9 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-23
2.3 Building your computer system ............................................... 2-35
2.3.1 Additional tools and components to build a PC system 2-35
2.3.2 CPU installation ............................................................ 2-36
2.3.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation................. 2-38
2.3.4 DIMM installation .......................................................... 2-39
2.3.5 Motherboard installation................................................ 2-40
2.3.6 ATX Power connection.................................................. 2-42
2.3.7 SATA device connection................................................ 2-43

iv
Contents
2.3.8 Front I/O Connector ...................................................... 2-44
2.3.9 Rear panel connection .................................................. 2-45
2.3.10 Audio I/O connections................................................... 2-46
2.3.11 USB BIOS Flashback.................................................... 2-49
2.4 Starting up for the rst time...................................................... 2-50
2.5 Turning off the computer........................................................... 2-51
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
3.1 Knowing BIOS .............................................................................. 3-1
3.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 3-1
3.2.1 EZ Mode ......................................................................... 3-2
3.2.2 Advanced Mode .............................................................. 3-3
3.3 Main menu .................................................................................... 3-5
3.4 Ai Tweaker menu.......................................................................... 3-7
3.4.1 DRAM Timing Control ................................................... 3-10
3.4.1 DIGI+ Power Control..................................................... 3-20
3.4.2 CPU Performance Settings........................................... 3-24
3.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 3-29
3.5.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 3-30
3.5.2 CPU Power Management Conguration....................... 3-31
3.5.3 System Agent Conguration ......................................... 3-32
3.5.4 PCH Conguration ........................................................ 3-33
3.5.5 SATA Conguration ....................................................... 3-33
3.5.6 USB Conguration ........................................................ 3-36
3.5.7 Onboard Devices Conguraton..................................... 3-37
3.5.8 APM .............................................................................. 3-39
3.6 Monitor menu ............................................................................. 3-40
3.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 3-43
3.8 Tools menu ................................................................................. 3-44
3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility ................................................ 3-45
3.8.2 ASUS DRAM SPD Information ..................................... 3-45
3.8.3 ASUS O.C. Prole......................................................... 3-46
3.8.4 ASUS Drive Xpert ......................................................... 3-47
3.9 Exit menu.................................................................................... 3-48
3.10 Updating BIOS............................................................................ 3-49

v
Contents
3.10.1 ASUS Update utility ...................................................... 3-49
3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................. 3-52
3.10.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility .................................... 3-53
3.10.4 ASUS BIOS Updater..................................................... 3-54
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
4.3.1 AI Suite II ........................................................................ 4-3
4.3.2 TurboV EVO.................................................................... 4-4
4.3.3 DIGI+ Power Control....................................................... 4-8
4.3.4 EPU............................................................................... 4-10
4.3.5 FAN Xpert+ ....................................................................4-11
4.3.6 Probe II ......................................................................... 4-12
4.3.7 Sensor Recorder........................................................... 4-13
4.3.8 USB 3.0 Boost .............................................................. 4-14
4.3.9 ASUS SSD Caching...................................................... 4-15
4.3.10 ASUS Update................................................................ 4-16
4.3.11 MyLogo2 ....................................................................... 4-17
4.3.12 Audio congurations ..................................................... 4-19
4.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 4-20
4.4.1 RAID denitions ............................................................ 4-20
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ..................................... 4-21
4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ...................................... 4-21
4.4.4 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility .... 4-21
4.4.5 Marvell RAID utility........................................................ 4-25
4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 4-29
4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.... 4-29
4.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®...................... 4-29
4.5.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows®OS installation4-30
4.5.4 Using a USB oppy disk drive....................................... 4-31

vi
Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support
5.1 ATI®CrossFireX™ technology .................................................... 5-1
5.1.1 Requirements.................................................................. 5-1
5.1.2 Before you begin............................................................. 5-1
5.1.3 Installing CrossFireX graphics cards .............................. 5-2
5.1.4 Installing the device drivers............................................. 5-3
5.1.5 Enabling the ATI®CrossFireX™ technology ................... 5-3
5.2 NVIDIA®SLI™ technology ........................................................... 5-5
5.2.1 Requirements.................................................................. 5-5
5.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards .......................... 5-6
5.2.3 Installing three SLI-ready graphics cards........................ 5-7
5.2.4 Installing four SLI-ready graphics cards.......................... 5-8
5.2.5 Installing the device drivers............................................. 5-9
5.2.6 Enabling the NVIDIA®SLI™ technology ......................... 5-9
5.3 NVIDIA®CUDA™ technology .................................................... 5-12
5.3.1 Requirements................................................................ 5-12
5.3.2 Installing CUDA-ready graphics cards .......................... 5-12

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
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.

ix
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.

x
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.