Asus Z8PE-D12X - Motherboard - SSI EEB 3.61 User manual

Motherboard
Z8PE-D12 Series
Z8PE-D12X
Z8PE-D12

ii
E4297
First Edition V1
April 2009
Copyright © 2009 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
Notices........................................................................................................ vii
Safety information .................................................................................... viii
About this guide ......................................................................................... ix
Typography .................................................................................................. x
Z8PE-D12 Series specications summary ............................................... xi
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-3
1.3 Serial number label...................................................................... 1-4
1.4 Special features............................................................................ 1-4
1.4.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-4
1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features ............................................... 1-6
Chapter 2: Hardware information
2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-3
2.2 Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-6
2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-6
2.2.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-6
2.2.3 Motherboard layouts ....................................................... 2-7
2.2.4 Layout contents............................................................... 2-9
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................. 2-11
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ..........................................................2-11
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan.............................. 2-14
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-16
2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-16
2.4.2 Memory Congurations................................................. 2-17
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-18
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-18
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-19
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-19
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-19
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-20
2.5.4 MIO PCIE slot ............................................................... 2-21
2.5.5 PCI Express x16 slots (x16 link; x8 link) ....................... 2-21
2.5.6 PIKE slot ....................................................................... 2-21

iv
Contents
2.5.7 Installing an ASUS PIKE RAID card ............................. 2-22
2.5.8 Installing i Button........................................................... 2-23
2.5.9 Installing ASMB4 management board........................... 2-23
2.5.10 Connect Thermal sensor cable ..................................... 2-24
2.5.11 Installing the audio card ................................................ 2-24
2.6 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-25
2.7 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-31
2.7.1 Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-31
2.7.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-32
Chapter 3: Powering up
3.1 Starting up for the rst time........................................................ 3-3
3.2 Powering off the computer.......................................................... 3-4
3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function.................................... 3-4
3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch.............................. 3-4
Chapter 4: BIOS setup
4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-3
4.1.1 AFUDOS utility................................................................ 4-3
4.1.2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-6
4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-7
4.2.1 BIOS menu screen.......................................................... 4-8
4.2.2 Menu bar......................................................................... 4-8
4.2.3 Navigation keys............................................................... 4-8
4.2.4 Menu items ..................................................................... 4-9
4.2.5 Sub-menu items.............................................................. 4-9
4.2.6 Conguration elds ......................................................... 4-9
4.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................... 4-9
4.2.8 Scroll bar......................................................................... 4-9
4.2.9 General help ................................................................... 4-9
4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-10
4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ................................................. 4-10
4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]....................................... 4-10
4.3.3 Legacy Diskette A [1.44 MB 3.5 in.] .............................. 4-10
4.3.4 SATA1—6; IDE Primary Master/Slave Conguration.....4-11
4.3.5 IDE Conguration.......................................................... 4-12

v
Contents
4.3.6 AHCI Conguration ....................................................... 4-13
4.3.7 System Information ....................................................... 4-14
4.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-16
4.4.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 4-16
4.4.2 Chipset Conguration ................................................... 4-20
4.4.3 Legacy Device Conguration ........................................ 4-24
4.4.4 USB Conguration ........................................................ 4-25
4.4.5 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-26
4.4.6 Power On Conguration................................................ 4-27
4.4.7 Event Log Conguration ............................................... 4-28
4.4.8 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-28
4.4.9 PCI Express Conguration............................................ 4-30
4.4.10 ACPI Conguration ....................................................... 4-30
4.5 Server menu ............................................................................... 4-33
4.5.1 Remote Access Conguration....................................... 4-33
4.6 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-35
4.6.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-35
4.6.2 Removable Drives......................................................... 4-36
4.6.3 Boot Settings Conguration .......................................... 4-36
4.6.4 Security ......................................................................... 4-38
4.7 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-40
Exit & Save Changes ................................................................... 4-40
Exit & Discard Changes ............................................................... 4-40
Discard Changes.......................................................................... 4-40
Load Setup Defaults .................................................................... 4-40
Chapter 5: RAID conguration
5.1 Setting up RAID............................................................................ 5-3
5.1.1 RAID denitions .............................................................. 5-3
5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives................................................ 5-4
5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ........................................ 5-4
5.1.4 RAID conguration utilities.............................................. 5-4
5.2 LSI Software RAID Conguration Utility .................................... 5-5
5.2.1 Creating a RAID set ........................................................ 5-6
5.2.2 Adding or viewing a RAID conguration ....................... 5-12

vi
Contents
5.2.3 Initializing the virtual drives ........................................... 5-13
5.2.4 Rebuilding failed drives................................................. 5-17
5.2.5 Checking the drives for data consistency ..................... 5-19
5.2.6 Deleting a RAID conguration....................................... 5-22
5.2.7 Selecting the boot drive from a RAID set...................... 5-23
5.2.8 Enabling WriteCache .................................................... 5-24
5.3 Intel®Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM Utility ................. 5-25
5.3.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 5-26
5.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ............................................... 5-27
5.3.3 Deleting a RAID set ...................................................... 5-29
5.3.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ........................................ 5-30
5.3.5 Recovery Volume Options ............................................ 5-31
5.3.6 Exiting the Intel®Matrix Storage Manager .................... 5-32
6.3.7 Rebuilding the RAID ..................................................... 5-32
5.3.8 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility............ 5-34
Chapter 6: Driver installation
6.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 6-3
6.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................ 6-3
6.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver ................................ 6-6
6.2 Intel chipset device software installation ................................ 6-12
6.3 LAN driver installation............................................................... 6-16
6.3.1 Windows XP/Server 2003 ............................................. 6-16
6.4 Display driver installation ......................................................... 6-20
6.4.1 Windows®Server 2003 ................................................. 6-20
6.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 6-23
6.5.1 Running the support CD ............................................... 6-23
6.5.2 Drivers menu................................................................. 6-23
6.5.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 6-24
6.5.4 Make disk menu............................................................ 6-24
6.5.5 Contact information....................................................... 6-24
Appendix: Reference information
A.1 Z8PE-D12 block diagram.............................................................A-3
A.2 Z8PE-D12X block diagram...........................................................A-4

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.
REACH
Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction
of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our
products at ASUS REACH website at http://green.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

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.
• 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.
This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical,
electronic equipment, and mercury-containing button cell battery) should not
be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic
products.

ix
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring
the motherboard.
How this guide is organized
This user guide contains the following parts:
• Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technologies 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: Powering up
This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down
the system.
• Chapter 4: 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 5: RAID conguration
This chapter provides instructions for setting up, creating, and conguring
RAID sets using the available utilities.
• Chapter 6: Driver installation
This chapter provides instructions for installing the necessary drivers for
different system components.
• Appendix: Reference information
This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when
conguring the motherboard.
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.

x
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: format A:/S
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.

xi
Z8PE-D12 Series specications summary
Model Name Z8PE-D12X Z8PE-D12
Processor Support / System Bus 2 * socket 1366 2 * socket 1366
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
W5500 Series (130W)
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
X5500 Series (95W)
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
E5500 Series (80W)
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
L5500 Series (60W)
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
W5500 Series (130W)
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
X5500 Series (95W)
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
E5500 Series (80W)
Quad-Core Intel®Xeon®
L5500 Series (60W)
QPI 4.8 / 5.86 / 6.4 GT/s QPI 4.8 / 5.86 / 6.4 GT/s
Core Logic Intel 5520 I/O Hub
Intel ICH10R I/O Controller
NEC uPD720404 PCI-X
Bridge
Intel 5520 I/O Hub
Intel ICH10R I/O Controller
Form Factor SSI EEB, 12” x 13” SSI EEB, 12” x 13”
ASUS Features Smart Fan V V
Rack Ready
(Rack and
Pedestal dual
use)
V V
ASWM V V
Memory Total Slots 12 (3-channel per CPU, 6
DIMM per CPU)
12 (3-channel per CPU, 6
DIMM per CPU)
Capacity Maximum up to 96GB
(RDIMM)
Maximum up to 24GB
(UDIMM)
Maximum up to 96GB
(RDIMM)
Maximum up to 24GB
(UDIMM)
Memory Type DDR3 800/1066/1333 Reg
DIMM/ Unbuffered DIMM
with ECC/ non ECC
DDR3 800/1066/1333 Reg
DIMM/ Unbuffered DIMM
with ECC/ non ECC
Memory Size 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB* 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB*

xii
Z8PE-D12 Series specications summary
Expansion Slots
(follow SSI
Loacation #)
Total PCI/PCI-X/
PCI-E Slots
6 4
Slot Loacation 1 1 * PCI-X 100/133 MHz -
Slot Loacation 2 1 * PCI-X 100/133 MHz -
Slot Loacation 3 1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8
Link)
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8
Link)
Slot Loacation 4 1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8
Link)
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8
Link)
Slot Loacation 5 1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8
Link)
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 X8
Link)
Slot Loacation 6 1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 x16
Link)
(Auto switch to x8 Link if
slot 5 is occupied )
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 x16
Link)
(Auto switch to x8 Link if
slot 5 is occupied )
Slot Loacation 7 1* MIO Slot for Audio card 1* MIO Slot for Audio card
Additional Slot
1
1* PIKE Slot for Stroage
expansion
1* PIKE Slot for Stroage
expansion
Storage IDE Controller IT8213F IT8213F
SATA Controller Intel®ICH10R:
6 SATA2 300MB/s ports
Intel Matrix Storage (for
Windows only)
(Support software RAID 0,
1, 10 & 5)
LSI®MegaRAID (for Linux/
Windows)
(Support software RAID 0,
1, 10)
Intel®ICH10R:
6 SATA2 300MB/s ports
Intel Matrix Storage (for
Windows only)
(Support software RAID 0,
1, 10 & 5)
LSI®MegaRAID (for Linux/
Windows)
(Support software RAID 0,
1, 10)
SAS Controller Optional:
ASUS PIKE 1064E 4-port
SAS RAID card
Asus PIKE 1068E 8-port
SAS RAID card
Asus PIKE 1078 8-port SAS
HW RAID card
Optional:
ASUS PIKE 1064E 4-port
SAS RAID card
Asus PIKE 1068E 8-port
SAS RAID card
Asus PIKE 1078 8-port SAS
HW RAID card
Networking LAN 2* Intel 82574L PCIE GbE
LAN
2* Intel 82574L PCIE GbE
LAN
Graphic VGA Aspeed AST2050 8MB Aspeed AST2050 8MB

xiii
*Specications are subject to change without notice.
• LSI®MegaRAID function is available only when you install ASUS PIKE
1078 RAID card with iBTN.
• The onboard IDE connector is designed for ODD only (PATA).
Z8PE-D12 Series specications summary
DO NOT touch the Northbridge chipset! The Northbridge chipset may become
overheated. Remember to provide sufcinet air ow to keep the system stable.
Onboard I/O
Connectors
Floppy
Connector
1 0
PSU Connector 24-pin ATX power connector
+ 8-pin ATX 12V + 8-pin
ATX 12V power connector
24-pin ATX power connector
+ 8-pin ATX 12V + 8-pin
ATX 12V power connector
USB
Connectors
3 (support 5 USB port)
(One for internal Type A
USB connector )
3 (support 5 USB port)
(One for internal Type A
USB connector )
Fan Header 8 * 4pin 8 * 4pin
SMBus 1 1
Chassis
Intruder
1 1
Front LAN LED 2 2
Serial Port
Header
1 1
Rear I/O
Connectors
External Serial
Port
1 1
External USB
Port
2 2
VGA Port 1 1
RJ-45 3 (one for iKVM) 3 (one for iKVM)
PS/2 KB/Mouse 1 1
Management
Solution
Software ASWM ASWM
Out of Band
Remote
Management
Optional ASMB4-iKVM for
KVM-over-IP support
Optional ASMB4-iKVM for
KVM-over-IP support
Monitoring CPU
Temperature
V V
FAN RPM V V
Environment Operation temperature:
10℃ ~ 35℃
Non operation temperature:
-40℃ ~ 70℃
Non operation humidity:
20% ~ 90%
(Non condensing)
Operation temperature:
10℃ ~ 35℃
Non operation temperature:
-40℃ ~ 70℃
Non operation humidity:
20% ~ 90%
(Non condensing)

xiv

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

ASUS Z8PE-D12 Series
Chapter summary 1
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3
1.2 Package contents......................................................................... 1-3
1.3 Serial number label...................................................................... 1-4
1.4 Special features............................................................................ 1-4

ASUS Z8PE-D12 Series 1-3
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS®Z8PE-D12 Series 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.
1.2 Package contents
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
Standard Gift Box Pack Standard Bulk Pack
Z8PE-D12 series Z8PE-D12 series
Cables
SATA data cable 6 --
IDE cable 1 --
FDD cable 1 (Z8PE-D12X only) --
Accessories IO shield 1 1
Application CD
Support CD 1 1
CA eTrust Anti-virus
software CD 1 1
Documentation User Guide 1 1
Packing Qty. 1pcs per carton 10pcs per carton
Optional items Description
PIKE 1064E LSI 4 port SAS RAID card
PIKE 1068E LSI 8 port SAS RAID card
PIKE 1078 LSI 8 port SAS RAID card with Hardware RAID 5, 6, 50, 60
PIKE 6480 Marvell 8 port SAS RAID card
ASMB4-iKVM Remote Management solution provides KVM over IP solution.
ASUS MIO audio card Discrete 8 channel audio card provides clearest high quality
sounds

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.4 Special features
1.4.1 Product highlights
Latest processor technology
This motherboard supports the latest Intel Xeon 5500 series processors in LGA
1366 package with integrated memory controller to support 3-channel (6 DIMM per
CPU) DDR3 memory. Intel Xeon 5500 series processor 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 Xeon 5500 series processor is the one of the most powerful and
energy-efcient CPUs in the world.
Intel Turbo Boost
Intel Turbo Boost dynamically reroute power to improve performance. The
processor will automatically overclock as long as the CPU temperature is allowed.
Intel Hyper Threading
The thread-level parallelism on each processor makes more efcient use of the processor
resources, higher processing throughout and improved performance on today's multi-
threaded software.
Intel®EM64T
The motherboard supports Intel®processors with the Intel®EM64T (Extended
Memory 64 Technology). The Intel®EM64T feature allows your computer to run on
64-bit operating systems and access larger amounts of system memory for faster
and more efcient computing.
1.3 Serial number label
Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must take
note of the motherboard's serial number containing 12 characters xxM0Axxxxxxx
shown as the gure below. With the correct serial number of the product, ASUS
Technical Support team members can then offer a quicker and satisfying solution
to your problems.
xxM0Axxxxxxx
Z8PE-D12 Made
in
China
合格

ASUS Z8PE-D12 Series 1-5
DDR3 memory support
The Z8PE-D12X supports UDIMM and RDIMM DDR3 memory that features data transfer
rates of 1333/1066 MHZ to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of server and
workstation applications. The 3-channel DDR3 architecture boosts system performance,
eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidth of up to 32GB/s. Furthermore, the supply voltage
for the memory is reduced from 1.8 V for DDR2 to just 1.5V for DDR3. This voltage reduction
limits the power consumption and heat generation of DDR3 which makes it an ideal memory
solution.
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.
82574L LAN Solution
The motherboard comes with dual Gigabit LAN controllers and ports which provide a total
solution for your networking needs. The onboard Intel 82574L Gigabit LAN controllers use the
PCI Express interface and could achieve network throughput close to Gigabit bandwidth.
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)
The Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) intelligently manages the CPU resources
by automatically adjusting the CPU voltage and core frequency depending on the CPU
loading and system speed or power requirement.
Serial ATA II technology
The motherboard supports the Serial ATA II 3 Gb/s technology through the Serial
ATA interface and Intel ICH10R chipset. The Serial ATA II specication provides
twice the bandwidth of the current Serial ATA products with a host of new
features, including Native Command Queuing (NCQ), Power Management (PM)
Implementation Algorithm, and Hot Swap. Serial ATA allows thinner, more exible
cables with lower pin count and reduced voltage requirements.
USB 2.0 technology
The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specication,
dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB
1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.
Temperature, fan, and voltage monitoring
The CPU temperature is monitored to prevent overheating and damage. The
system fan rotations per minute (RPM) is monitored for timely failure detection.
The chip monitors the voltage levels to ensure stable supply of current for critical
components.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction
100% Japan-made Conductive Polymer Capacitors
This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors (5000hrs)
onboard for durability, improved lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.
1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features
ASUS EPU
With current trends leaning towards power efciency, the Z8PE-D12X is equipped
with the ASUS exclusive EPU technology to provide total system power saving by
detecting current CPU loadings and intelligently moderating power in real-time.
PIKE (Proprietary I/O Kit Expansion)
PIKE is an on-demand upgrade kit for users. This ASUS unique feature enables
users to choose their preferred I/O solutions. ASUS provides multiple SAS
solutions for different segments and purposes and PIKE saves lots of validation
efforts and hardware cost for end users. Moreover, the special patent design offers
multiple I/O solutions without occupying the Slot 6 in 1U system.
ASUS Flex-E Technology
ASUS Flex-E Technology allows PCIE slots to automatically switch congurations
for Graphic Card and Storage Utilization. ASUS Flex-E Technology offers two kinds
of congurations, PCI-E x8 Link on both Slot 5 and 6 or PCI-E x16 Link on the Slot 6.
The PCI-E signal of the Slot 6 would switch to x16 Link automatically when the Slot
5 is not occupied. With this exibility, ASUS Flex-E makes motherboards suitable
for both Server and Workstation.
ASUS MIO Audio card
Enjoy high-end sound quality! The ASUS MIO audio card is a discrete 8-channel
high denition audio (High Denition Audio previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC
enable clearest high quality audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions,
and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously send different audio streams to
different destinations.