Asus Rampage II Extreme - Republic of Gamers... User manual

Motherboard
Rampage II
Extreme

ii
E4268
Second Edition V2
October 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
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....................................................................................................... viii
Safety information ...................................................................................... ix
About this guide .......................................................................................... x
Rampage II Extreme 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 ROG Intelligent Performance & Overclocking features... 1-5
1.3.3 ROG unique features ...................................................... 1-7
1.3.4 ASUS special features .................................................... 1-8
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1
2.2 Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-6
2.2.1 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-6
2.2.2 SupremeFX X-Fi audio card layout................................. 2-6
2.2.3 Layout contents............................................................... 2-7
2.2.4 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-8
2.2.5 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-8
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-9
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ......................................................... 2-10
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan.............................. 2-13
2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan ......................... 2-14
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-15
2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-15
2.4.2 Memory congurations.................................................. 2-16
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-21
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-21
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-22
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-22
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-22
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-23

iv
Contents
2.5.4 PCI slots........................................................................ 2-24
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots..................................................... 2-24
2.5.6 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots............................................. 2-24
2.6 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-26
2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-28
2.7.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-28
2.7.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-30
2.7.3 Onboard switches ......................................................... 2-42
2.7.4 TweakIt.......................................................................... 2-43
2.7.5 ProbeIt .......................................................................... 2-45
2.8 Installing accessories................................................................ 2-46
2.8.1 Installing the optional fan .............................................. 2-46
2.8.2 Installing the audio card ................................................ 2-47
2.8.3 Installing EL I/O shield and LCD Poster........................ 2-48
2.8.4 Installing the third party fusion block............................. 2-49
2.9 Starting up for the rst time...................................................... 2-50
2.10 Turning off the computer........................................................... 2-51
2.10.1 Using the OS shut down function.................................. 2-51
2.10.2 Using the dual function power switch............................ 2-51
Chapter 3: BIOS setup
3.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 3-1
3.1.1 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 3-1
3.1.2 Creating a bootable oppy disk....................................... 3-4
3.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 3-5
3.1.4 AFUDOS utility................................................................ 3-6
3.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 3-8
3.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 3-9
3.2.1 BIOS menu screen........................................................ 3-10
3.2.2 Menu bar....................................................................... 3-10
3.2.3 Navigation keys............................................................. 3-10
3.2.4 Menu items ....................................................................3-11
3.2.5 Sub-menu items.............................................................3-11
3.2.6 Conguration elds ........................................................3-11
3.2.7 Pop-up window ..............................................................3-11

v
Contents
3.2.8 Scroll bar........................................................................3-11
3.2.9 General help ..................................................................3-11
3.3 Extreme Tweaker menu ............................................................. 3-12
3.3.1 Congure System Performance Settings...................... 3-13
3.4 Main menu .................................................................................. 3-20
3.4.1 System Time ................................................................. 3-20
3.4.2 System Date ................................................................. 3-20
3.4.3 Legacy Diskette A ......................................................... 3-20
3.4.4 Language ...................................................................... 3-20
3.4.5 SATA 1–6.........................................................................................3-21
3.4.6 Storage Conguration ................................................... 3-22
3.4.7 AHCI Conguration ....................................................... 3-23
3.4.8 System Information ....................................................... 3-24
3.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 3-25
3.5.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 3-25
3.5.2 Chipset.......................................................................... 3-27
3.5.3 Onboard Device Conguration...................................... 3-28
3.5.4 USB Conguration ........................................................ 3-29
3.5.5 PCI PnP ........................................................................ 3-30
3.5.6 LCD Poster and LED Control........................................ 3-31
3.5.7 iROG Conguration....................................................... 3-33
3.6 Power menu................................................................................ 3-34
3.6.1 Suspend Mode.............................................................. 3-34
3.6.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume........................................ 3-34
3.6.3 ACPI 2.0 Support .......................................................... 3-34
3.6.4 ACPI APIC Support....................................................... 3-34
3.6.5 APM Conguration........................................................ 3-35
3.6.6 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 3-36
3.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 3-39
3.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 3-39
3.7.2 Boot Settings Conguration .......................................... 3-40
3.7.3 BIOS Boot Priority......................................................... 3-41
3.7.4 Security ......................................................................... 3-42
3.8 Tools menu ................................................................................. 3-44
3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2.......................................................... 3-44

vi
Contents
3.8.2 ASUS O.C. Prole......................................................... 3-45
3.8.3 AI NET 2........................................................................ 3-46
3.8.4 BIOS Flashback ............................................................ 3-47
3.9 Exit menu.................................................................................... 3-48
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 Drivers menu................................................................... 4-2
4.2.3 Utilities menu .................................................................. 4-3
4.2.4 Make disk menu.............................................................. 4-5
4.2.5 Manual menu .................................................................. 4-6
4.2.6 Video menu..................................................................... 4-6
4.2.7 ASUS Contact information .............................................. 4-7
4.2.8 Other information ............................................................ 4-7
4.3 Software information ................................................................... 4-9
4.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3™........................................................... 4-9
4.3.2 AI NET 2.........................................................................4-11
4.3.3 Sound Blaster X-Fi audio utility..................................... 4-12
4.3.4 ASUS PC Probe II......................................................... 4-16
4.3.5 ASUS AI Suite............................................................... 4-22
4.3.6 ASUS AI Nap ................................................................ 4-24
4.3.7 ASUS Fan Xpert ........................................................... 4-25
4.3.8 CPU Level Up ............................................................... 4-27
4.3.9 ASUS EPU-6 Engine .................................................... 4-28
4.3.10 ASUS TurboV................................................................ 4-32
4.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 4-34
4.4.1 RAID denitions ............................................................ 4-34
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ..................................... 4-35
4.4.3 Intel® RAID congurations............................................. 4-35
4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 4-43
4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.... 4-43
4.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®...................... 4-43

vii
Contents
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 two CrossFireX graphics cards........................ 5-2
5.1.4 Installing three CrossFireX graphics cards ..................... 5-3
5.1.5 Installing the device drivers............................................. 5-4
5.1.6 Enabling the ATI®CrossFireX™ technology ................... 5-4
5.2 NVIDIA®SLI™ technology ........................................................... 5-6
5.2.1 Requirements.................................................................. 5-6
5.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards .......................... 5-7
5.2.3 Installing three SLI-ready graphics cards........................ 5-8
5.2.4 Installing the device drivers............................................. 5-9
5.2.5 Enabling the NVIDIA®SLI™ technology ......................... 5-9
Appendix: Debug code table

viii
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.

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 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.
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.

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.
• Appendix: Debug code table
The Appendix lists the debug code table for the LCD Poster.

xi
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 /iExtremeII.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.

xii
Rampage II Extreme specications summary
CPU LGA1366 socket for Intel®Core™ i7 Processor Extreme
Edition / Core™ i7 Processor
Supports Intel®Dynamic Speed Technology
Supports Intel®Smart Cache
* Refer to www.asus.com for Intel®CPU support list.
Chipset Intel®X58 / ICH10R
System Bus Up to 6.4GT/s; Intel®QuickPath Interconnect
Memory Triple channel memory architecture
6 x DIMM, max. 12GB, DDR3 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 /
1066 MHz, non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)
* Refer to www.asus.com or this user manual for the
Memory QVL (Qualied Vendors Lists).
Expansion Slots 3 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (at x16/x8/x8 or dual x16
speed)
2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots (PCIEX1_1 (black) is
compatible with the audio slot)
1 x PCI slot
Multi-GPU Technology Supports NVIDIA®3-Way SLI™ Technology
Supports ATI®CrossFireX™ Technology
Storage Intel®ICH10R Southbridge:
- 6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports
- Intel®Matrix Storage Technology supports RAID
0,1, 5, and 10
JMicron®363 controller:
- 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 for up to 2 PATA
devices
- 1 x External SATA 3.0 Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go)
- 1 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s port
LAN Dual Gigabit LAN controllers, both featuring AI NET 2
Supports Teaming Technology
High Denition Audio SupremeFX X-Fi Audio Card
- ADI® AD2000B 8-channel High Denition Audio
CODEC
- EAX®Advanced™ HD 4.0
- X-Fi CMSS®-3D
- X-Fi Crystalizer™
- Creative ALchemy
- Supports 1 x S/PDIF out header
- Supports Coaxial / Optical S/PDIF Out ports on rear
IEEE 1394 2 x IEEE 1394a ports (one at midboard; one at back panel)
(continued on the next page)

xiii
USB 12 x USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at midboard; 6 ports at back
panel)
ROG Exclusive
Overclocking Features
TweakIt
ProbeIt
Extreme Engine with ML Cap
- 16-phase power design for CPU
- 3-phase QPI/DRAM power design
- 3-phase power design for Northbridge
- 3-phase power design for Memory
- ML Caps on CPU, NB, and memory respectively
CPU Level Up
iROG
Extreme Tweaker
BIOS Flashback
Loadline Calibration
Intelligent overclocking tools:
- ASUS TurboV
- ASUS O.C. Prole
Overclocking Protection:
- COP EX (Component Overheat Protection -EX)
- Voltiminder LED
- ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)
Other Special Features External LCD Poster
Onboard Switches: Power / Reset / Clr CMOS (at back
panel)
EL I/O
Q-Fan Plus
ROG BIOS Wallpaper
ASUS EPU-6 Engine
ASUS Fan Xpert
ASUS Q-Connector
ASUS EZ Flash 2
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
ASUS MyLogo 3™
BIOS Features 16 Mb AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4,
ACPI 2.0a, Multi-Language BIOS
Manageability WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chassis Intrusion, PXE
Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port (purple)
1 x External SATA port
1 x IEEE1394a port
2 x LAN (RJ45) ports
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x Clr CMOS switch
(continued on the next page)
Rampage II Extreme specications summary

xiv
Internal I/O Connectors 3 x USB connectors support additional 6 USB ports
1 x Floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector
6 x SATA connectors (Blue)
1 x SATA connector (Black)
1 x CPU Fan connector
3 x Chassis Fan connectors
1 x Power Fan connector
3 x Optional Fan connectors
8 x Probe connectors
3 x Thermal sensor connectors
1 x BIOS FlashBack boot up selection header
1 x ROG light connector
1 x IEEE1394a connector
1 x LCD Poster connector
1 x EL I/O Shield connector
1 x Chassis Intrusion connector
24-pin EATX Power connector
8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
1 x En/Dis-able Clr CMOS header
1 x System panel connector
Accessories ProbeIt Cable
3-Way SLI™ Cable
SLI™ Cable
ASUS Optional Fan
SupremeFX X-Fi Audio Card
External LCD Poster
3 in 1 ASUS Q-Connector kit
UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable
Serial ATA signal cables
Serial ATA power cables
2-port USB2.0 + IEEE 1394a module
EL I/O Shield
Thermal sensor cables
Cable ties
User's manual
Software Support DVD:
- Drivers and applications
Sound Blaster X-Fi utility
Futuremark®3DMark®Vantage Advanced Edition
Kaspersky®Anti-virus software
ASUS PC Probe II
ASUS Update
ASUS AI Suite
Form Factor ATX Form Factor, 12”x 10.6” (30.5 cm x 26.9 cm)
Rampage II Extreme specications summary
*Specications are subject to change without notice.

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

ROG Rampage II Extreme
Chapter summary 1
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-1
1.3 Special features............................................................................ 1-2

ROG Rampage II Extreme 1-1
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ROG Rampage II Extreme 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 ROG Rampage II Extreme
I/O module 2-port USB 2.0 + IEEE 1394a module
Cables ProbeIt cable
3-Way SLI cable
SLI cable
Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable
Serial ATA signal cables
Serial ATA power cables
Thermal sensor cables
Accessories SupremeFX X-Fi Audio Card
External LCD Poster
ASUS Optional Fan
3-in-1 ASUS Q-Connector Kit
EL I/O Shield
Cable ties
Application DVD ROG motherboard support DVD
Documentation User guide

1-2 Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.3 Special features
1.3.1 Product highlights
Republic of Gamers
The Republic of Gamers consists only the best of the best. We offer the best
hardware engineering, the fastest performance, the most innovating ideas, and we
welcome the best gamers to join in. In the Republic of Gamers, mercy rules are
only for the weak, and bragging rights means everything. We believe in making
statements and we excel in competitions. If your character matches our trait, then
join the elite club, make your presence felt, in the Republic of Gamers.
Intel®Core™ i7 Processor Extreme Edition /
Core™ i7 Processor support
This motherboard supports the latest Intel®Core™ i7 processors in LGA1366
package with integrated memory controller to support 3-channel (6 DIMMs) DDR3
memory. Supports Intel®QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) with a system bus of up
to 6.4GT/s and a max bandwidth of up to 25.6GB/s. Intel®Core™ i7 processor is
one of the most powerful and energy efcient CPUs in the world. See page 2-9 for
details.
Intel®X58 Chipset
The Intel®X58 Express Chipset is the latest chipset designed to support latest
Intel®Core™ i7 Processors and Intel’s next generation system interconnect
interface, Intel®QuickPath Interconnect (QPI), providing improved performance by
utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. It also
supports up to 36 PCI Express 2.0 lanes providing better graphics performance.
Triple-Channel DDR3 memory support
The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates
of 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth
requirements of the latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and
Internet applications. The triple-channel DDR3 architecture triples the bandwidth
of your system memory to boost system performance, eliminating bottlenecks
with peak bandwidths of up to 43.2 GB/s. See page 2-15 for details.

ROG Rampage II Extreme 1-3
SLI and CrossFireX on Demand
Fret no longer because with the ROG motherboard, you’ll be able to run both
multi-GPU setups. This motherboard features SLI and CrossFireX on Demand
technology, supporting up to three graphics cards in a 3-Way SLI or CrossFireX
conguration. Whichever path you take, you can be assured of jaw-dropping
graphics at a level previously unseen.
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. See page 2-24 for details.
Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s technology and SATA-On-The-Go
This motherboard supports hard drives based on the Serial ATA (SATA) 3 Gb/s
storage specication, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus
bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. The external SATA port
provides smart setup and hot-plug functions. Easily backup photos, videos and
other entertainment contents to external devices. See pages 2-29, 2-32 and 2-33
for details.
Dual Gigabit LAN
The integrated dual Gigabit LAN design allows a PC to serve as a network
gateway for managing trafc between two separate networks. This capability
ensures rapid transfer of data from WAN to LAN without any added arbitration or
latency. See page 2-28 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 pages 2-28 and 2-34 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, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions, and multi-
streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different
destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphones while playing
multi-channel network games. See pages 2-29 for details.
100% Japan-made Conductive Polymer Capacitors
This motherboard uses all high-quality Japan-made conductive polymer capacitors
onboard 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/packaging to safeguard
consumers’ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.