Asus P9X79 WS User manual

Motherboard
P9X79 WS

ii
E6896
First Edition
October 2011
Copyright © 2011 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
RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS
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 ...................................................................................... 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.

xi
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

xii
P9X79 WS specications summary
CPU 2nd Generation Intel®Core™ i7 Processor family for the
LGA 2011 Socket
Intel®Xeon®series processor for the LGA 2011 Socket
* Supports Intel®Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
** Refer to www.asus.com for CPU support list
Chipset Intel®X79 Express Chipset
Memory 8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB, DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2133(O.
C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz, ECC, Non-ECC, un-
buffered Memory
Quad channel memory architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)
* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical
characteristics of individual CPUs.
** Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz
memory module will run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz
as default.
*** Refer to www.asus.com for the memory QVL
(Qualied Vendors Lists).
Expansion Slots 4 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots (dual@x16/x16; Quad@x8/x8/x8/
x8; Triple@x16/x8/x8)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot (White@x4 speed)
* This motherboard is ready to support PCIe 3.0 SPEC.
Functions will be available when using PCIe 3.0-
compliant devices. Please refer to www.asus.com for
updated details.
Multi-GPU support Supports NVIDIA®4-Way SLI™ Technology
Supports AMD®Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology
Storage Intel®X79 Express Chipset:
- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0,1,5 and 10
support
- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s ports with RAID 0,1,5 and 10
support
Marvell®9128 SATA controllers:
- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports
LAN 1 x Intel®82579V Gigabit LAN PHY
1 x Intel®82574L Gigabit LAN controller
USB ASMedia USB 3.0 controllers
- 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at mid-board for front panel
support
- 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at back panel
Intel®X79 Express Chipset
- 13 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (5 ports at mid-board, 8 ports at
back panel)
(continued on the next page)

xiii
Audio Realtek® ALC 898 8-channel High Denition Audio
CODEC
- Supports 192kHz/ 24bit BD Lossless Sound
- DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC II
- Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-Streaming, and
Front Panel Jack-Retasking
- Optical S/PDIF Out port at back I/O
ASUS Unique Features ASUS Power Design
- 8+2 Phase Power Design
- CPU Power Utility
ASUS DRAM Power
- Industry leading Digital 2+2 Phase Power Design
- DRAM Power Utility
ASUS TPU
- Auto Tuning, TurboV
- TPU Switch
ASUS EPU
- EPU Utility
- EPU Switch
ASUS Exclusive Features
- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly
graphics user interface
- ASUS SSD Caching
- USB 3.0 Boost
- Front Panel USB 3.0 Support
- MemOK!
- AI Suite II
- AI Charger+
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
- ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-pipe solution
- ASUS Fan Xpert+
ASUS EZ DIY
- USB BIOS Flashback
- ASUS O.C. Prole
- ASUS Q-Connector
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility
ASUS MyLogo 2
Multi-language BIOS
ASUS Q-Design ASUS Q-Code
ASUS Shield
ASUS Q-Slot
ASUS Q-Connector
ASUS Q-DIMM
(continued on the next page)
P9X79 WS specications summary

xiv
Workstation Unique
Features
6 x PCIe x 16 slots
Quick Gate: 1 vertical USB 2.0 on board
ASUS SASsaby series Cards support
ASUS WS Diag. LED
ASUS WS 3-color LED
BIOS Features 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0,
SM BIOS 2.6, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ
Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
Back Panel I/O Ports 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue)
8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (white port can be switched to USB
BIOS Flashback)
1 x USB BIOS Flashback Switch
1 x PS/2 Keyboard port
1 x PS/2 Mouse port
1 x IEEE1394a
2 x Lan Connector
1 x optical S/PDIF Out port
1 x 8-channel Audio I/O
Internal I/O Connectors 1 x USB 3.0/2.0 connector support additional 2 USB ports
(19-pin)
2 x USB 2.0/1/1 connectors support additional 4 USB
ports
1 x USB 2.0/1.1 trpe A vertical ports
4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
4 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU Fan connector (4-pin)
1 x CPU Opt Fan connectors (4-pin)
4 x Chassis Fan connectors (4-pin)
1 x Front panel audio connector(AAFP)
1 x S/PDIF Out header
1 x Clear CMOS button
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector
1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
1 x System Panel (Q-Connector)
1 x 4-pin EZ_PLUG Power connector
1 x MemOK! Button
1 x EPU switch
1 x TPU switch
1 x PWR button
1 x Reset button
Manageability WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE
P9X79 WS specications summary
(continued on the next page)

xv
*Specications are subject to change without notice.
Accessories 4 x Serial ATA 6Gb/s cables
4 x Serial ATA 3Gb/s cables
1 x ASUS 4-Way SLI bridge connector
1 x ASUS 3-Way SLI bridge connector
1 x ASUS SLI bridge connector
2 in 1 Q-connector
I/O shield
User’s Manual
Support DVD Drivers
ASUS Utilities
ASUS Update
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Form Factor CEB Form Factor, 12"x 10.5"

xvi

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

ASUS P9X79 WS
Chapter summary 1
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Special features............................................................................ 1-2

ASUS P9X79 WS 1-1
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS P9X79 WS 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 P9X79 WS
I/O modules 1 x 2-port USB 2.0 + 1-port eSATA3.0 module
Cables 4 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cables
2 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s power cables
2 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s cables
1 x COM port cable
Accessories 1 x ASUS Q-Shield (I/O shield)
1 x ASUS 2-in-1 Q-Connector Kit (Retail version only)
1 x 2-Way SLI bridge connector
1 x 3-Way SLI bridge connector
1 x 4-Way SLI bridge connector
Application DVD ASUS motherboard support DVD
Documentation User guide

1-2 Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.3 Special features
1.3.1 Product highlights
Intel®Socket 2011 for 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Processor
Extreme Edition
This motherboard supports the latest Intel®2nd Generation Core™ i7 Processor
Extreme in LGA2011 package, with memory and PCI Express controllers
integrated to quad-channel (8 DIMMs) DDR3 memory and 16 PCI Express 2.0
lanes. This provides great graphicsperformance. Intel®2nd Generation Core™ i7
Processor Extreme is one of the most powerful and energy efcient CPUs in the
world.
Intel®X79 Express Chipset
The Intel®X79 Express Chipset is the latest single-chipset design that supports the
new socket 2011 Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7 Processor Extreme. It improves
performance by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing for increased bandwidth
and stability. Additionally,the X79 comes with 2 SATA 6Gb/s and 4 SATA 3Gb/s
ports for faster data retrieval, doubling the bandwidth of current bus systems.
PCIe 3.0 Ready
The latest PCI Express bus standard delivers improved encoding for 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). PCIe 3.0
provides users unprecedented data speeds, combined with the convenicnce
and seamless transition offered by complete backward compatibility with PCIe
1.0 and PCIe 2.0 devices. It is a must-have feature PC users aiming to improve
and optimize graphics performance, as well as have the latest, most future-proof
technology.
* This motherboard is ready to support PCIe 3.0 SPEC. Functions will be
available when using PCIe 3.0-compliant devices. Please refer to www.asus.
com for updated details.
Quad-Channel DDR3 2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz
Support
The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of
2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth
requirements ofthe latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet
applications. The quadchannel DDR3 architecture quadruple the bandwidth of your
system memory to boost system performance.
* Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at
DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.