Asus Z170-PRO User manual

Motherboard
Z170-PRO

ii
E10417
First Edition
September 2015
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Contents
Safety information...................................................................................................... vi
About this guide........................................................................................................ vii
Z170-PRO specifications summary .......................................................................... ix
Package contents..................................................................................................... xvi
Installation tools and components........................................................................ xvii
Chapter 1: Product Introduction
1.1 Special features..........................................................................................1-1
1.1.1 Product highlights........................................................................ 1-1
1.1.2 Other special features................................................................. 1-2
1.2 Motherboard overview............................................................................... 1-3
1.2.1 Before you proceed..................................................................... 1-3
1.2.2 Motherboard layout ..................................................................... 1-4
1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 1-6
1.2.4 System memory .......................................................................... 1-7
1.2.5 Expansion slots......................................................................... 1-17
1.2.6 Onboard buttons and switches.................................................. 1-19
1.2.7 Jumpers .................................................................................... 1-20
1.2.8 Onboard LEDs .......................................................................... 1-22
1.2.9 Internal connectors.................................................................... 1-23
Chapter 2: Basic Installation
2.1 Building your PC system...........................................................................2-1
2.1.1 Motherboard installation.............................................................. 2-1
2.1.2 CPU installation........................................................................... 2-3
2.1.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation............................... 2-5
2.1.4 DIMM installation......................................................................... 2-7
2.1.5 ATX Power connection................................................................ 2-8
2.1.6 SATA device connection............................................................. 2-9
2.1.7 Front I/O Connector .................................................................. 2-10
2.1.8 Expansion Card installation....................................................... 2-11
2.2 Motherboard rear and audio connections ............................................. 2-12
2.2.1 Rear I/O connection .................................................................. 2-12
2.2.2 Audio I/O connections............................................................... 2-14
2.3 Starting up for the first time.................................................................... 2-16
2.4 Turning off the computer ........................................................................ 2-16

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Chapter 3: BIOS Setup
3.1 Knowing BIOS ............................................................................................3-1
3.2 BIOS setup program ..................................................................................3-2
3.2.1 EZ Mode...................................................................................... 3-3
3.2.2 Advanced Mode .......................................................................... 3-4
3.2.3 QFan Control............................................................................... 3-7
3.2.4 EZTuningWizard ....................................................................... 3-9
3.3 My Favorites .............................................................................................3-12
3.4 Main menu ................................................................................................3-14
3.5 Ai Tweaker menu......................................................................................3-16
3.6 Advanced menu .......................................................................................3-31
3.6.1 CPUConguration .................................................................... 3-32
3.6.2 PlatformMiscConguration...................................................... 3-34
3.6.3 SystemAgent(SA)Conguration ............................................. 3-35
3.6.4 PCHConguration .................................................................... 3-36
3.6.5 PCHStorageConguration....................................................... 3-37
3.6.6 USBConguration .................................................................... 3-39
3.6.7 NetworkStackConguration..................................................... 3-40
3.6.8 OnboardDevicesConguration................................................ 3-40
3.6.9 APMConguration.................................................................... 3-42
3.6.10 HDD/SSD SMART Information ................................................. 3-43
3.6.11 Intel(R)ThunderboltConguration............................................ 3-44
3.7 Monitor menu ...........................................................................................3-47
3.8 Boot menu ................................................................................................3-53
3.9 Tool menu.................................................................................................3-58
3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility ............................................................ 3-58
3.9.2 Secure Erase ............................................................................ 3-58
3.9.3 ASUSOverclockingProle ....................................................... 3-60
3.9.4 ASUS SPD Information............................................................. 3-61
3.9.5 Graphics Card Information........................................................ 3-61
3.10 Exit menu..................................................................................................3-62
3.11 Updating BIOS.......................................................................................... 3-63
3.11.1 EZ Update................................................................................. 3-63
3.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 3...................................................................... 3-64
3.11.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3.......................................................... 3-66

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Chapter 4: Software Support
4.1 Installing an operating system ................................................................. 4-1
4.1.1 Windows®7 and USB 3.0 driver for 100 Series .......................... 4-1
4.2 Support DVD information.......................................................................... 4-8
4.2.1 Running the support DVD ........................................................... 4-8
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals.................................................. 4-9
4.3 Software information ...............................................................................4-10
4.4 AI Suite 3...................................................................................................4-10
4.4.1 Ai Charger................................................................................. 4-14
4.4.2 USB 3.1 Boost........................................................................... 4-15
4.4.3 EZ Update................................................................................. 4-16
4.4.4 Push Notice............................................................................... 4-18
4.4.5 System Information ................................................................... 4-21
4.5 Audio configurations............................................................................... 4-23
Chapter 5: RAID Support
5.1 RAID configurations ..................................................................................5-1
5.1.1 RAIDdenitions .......................................................................... 5-1
5.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks .................................................. 5-2
5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS .................................................... 5-2
5.1.4 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility.................. 5-3
5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk ......................................................................5-7
5.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®.................................... 5-7
5.2.2 Installing the RAID driver during Windows®OS installation........ 5-8
Appendix
Notices .................................................................................................................... A-1
ASUS contact information...................................................................................... A-5