Asus Z9PA-D8 User manual

Motherboard
Z9PA-D8
Series

ii
E7572
First Edition
August 2012
Copyright © 2012 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 .......................................................................................... x
Z9PA-D8 series specications summary................................................. xii
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................................................................. 2-4
2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-4
2.2.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-4
2.2.3 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-5
2.2.4 Layout contents............................................................... 2-7
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-8
2.3.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-8
2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-13
2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-13
2.4.2 Memory Congurations................................................. 2-13
2.5 Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-16
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-16
2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-16
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-17
2.5.4 PCI Express x16 slot (x16 link) ..................................... 2-17
2.5.5 PCI Express x8 slot (x8 link) ......................................... 2-17
2.5.6 PCI Express x8 slot (x4 link) ......................................... 2-17
2.5.7 PIKE slots (Z9PA-D8 SKU only).................................... 2-18
2.5.8 Installing an ASUS PIKE RAID card ............................. 2-19
2.5.9 Installing ASMB6 management board........................... 2-20
2.5.10 Installing the audio card ................................................ 2-20
2.6 Onboard LEDs............................................................................ 2-21

iv
Contents
2.7 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 2-26
2.8 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-30
2.8.1 Rear panel connector.................................................... 2-30
2.8.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-31
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 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3................................................ 4-3
4.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2............................................................ 4-4
4.1.3 BUPDATER..................................................................... 4-5
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 Menu items ..................................................................... 4-9
4.2.4 Submenu items ............................................................... 4-9
4.2.5 Navigation keys............................................................... 4-9
4.2.6 General help ................................................................... 4-9
4.2.7 Conguration elds ......................................................... 4-9
4.2.8 Pop-up window ............................................................... 4-9
4.2.9 Scroll bar......................................................................... 4-9
4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-10
4.3.1 System Date ................................................................. 4-10
4.3.2 System Time ................................................................. 4-10
4.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-11
4.4.1 CPU Conguration .........................................................4-11
4.4.2 CPU Power Management Conguration....................... 4-13
4.4.3 Chipset Conguration ................................................... 4-15
4.4.4 PCH SATA Conguration .............................................. 4-21
4.4.5 PCI Subsystem Settings ............................................... 4-22
4.4.6 USB Conguration ........................................................ 4-25
4.4.7 Trusted Computing........................................................ 4-27

v
Contents
4.4.8 ACPI Settings................................................................ 4-27
4.4.9 WHEA Conguration ..................................................... 4-28
4.4.10 APM setting................................................................... 4-28
4.4.11 Serial Port Console Redirection.................................... 4-29
4.4.12 Onboard LAN Conguration.......................................... 4-32
4.4.13 ME Subsystem.............................................................. 4-33
4.4.14 Onboard Devices Conguration.................................... 4-33
4.4.15 Runtime Error Logging.................................................. 4-34
4.5 Server Mgmt menu..................................................................... 4-35
4.5.1 System Event Log......................................................... 4-36
4.5.2 BMC network conguration........................................... 4-37
4.6 Event Logs menu ....................................................................... 4-38
4.6.1 Change Smbios Event Log Settings ............................. 4-38
4.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-40
4.7.1 CSM parameters........................................................... 4-42
4.8 Monitor menu ............................................................................. 4-43
4.9 Security menu ............................................................................ 4-44
4.10 Tool menu ................................................................................... 4-46
4.11 Exit menu.................................................................................... 4-46
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
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®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise SATA Option
ROM Utility.................................................................................. 5-25

vi
Contents
5.3.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 5-27
5.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ............................................... 5-28
5.3.3 Deleting a RAID set ...................................................... 5-30
5.3.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ........................................ 5-31
5.3.5 Exiting the Intel®Rapid Storage Technology utility........ 5-32
5.3.6 Rebuilding the RAID ..................................................... 5-32
5.3.7 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility............ 5-34
5.4 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise Utility
(Windows) ................................................................................... 5-35
5.4.1 Creating a RAID set ...................................................... 5-36
5.4.2 Changing a Volume Type.............................................. 5-38
5.4.3 Deleting a volume ......................................................... 5-39
5.4.4 Preferences................................................................... 5-40
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............................... 6-16
6.3 Intel@Network Connections Software installation.................. 6-19
6.4 VGA driver installation............................................................... 6-22
6.5 Intel®C600 MEI NULL HECI Driver............................................ 6-24
6.6 Intel®Rapid Storage Technology enterprise 3.1 installation . 6-25
6.7 Asmedia ASM104x USB 3.0 Host Controller Driver
installation .................................................................................. 6-28
6.8 Intel®WG82574L Gigabit Adapters Driver installation............ 6-31
6.9 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 6-35
6.9.1 Running the support DVD ............................................. 6-35
6.9.2 Drivers menu................................................................. 6-35
6.9.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 6-36
6.9.4 Make disk menu............................................................ 6-36
6.9.5 Contact information....................................................... 6-36
Appendix: Reference information
A.1 Z9PA-D8 block diagram ...............................................................A-3
A.2 Z9PA-D8C 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 publish the chemical substances in our
products at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.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.

ix
Australia statement notice
From 1 January 2012 updated warranties apply to all ASUS products, consistent
with the Australian Consumer Law. For the latest product warranty details please
visit http://support.asus.com. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be
excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or
refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable
loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the
goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major
failure.
If you require assistance please call ASUS Customer Service 1300 2787 88 or visit
us at http://support.asus.com
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
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.

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> + <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: 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.

xii
Z9PA-D8 series specications summary
(continued on the next page)
Model Name Z9PA-D8 Z9PA-D8C
Processor Support 2 x LGA 2011 socket
Intel®Xeon®processor E5-2600 product family (up
to 135W)
Intel®QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) 6.4/7.2/8.0
GT/s
Core Logic Intel®C602-A chipset
Form Factor 12” x 10”
ASUS
Features
FAN speed
control
P
Rack Ready
(Rack and
Pedestal dual
use)
P
Rack Optimized
(Dedicate for
Rack)
-
ASWM
Enterprise
P
Memory Total Slots 8 (4-channel per CPU, 4 DIMM per CPU)
Voltage 1.5V/1.35V
Capacity Maximum up to 256GB
Memory Type DDR3 1066/1333/1600 RDIMM
DDR3 1066/1333/1600 ECC UDIMM/Non-ECC
UDIMM
DDR3 1066/1333 LR-DIMM
Memory Size 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB* (RDIMM)
2GB, 4GB, 8GB* (UDIMM)
8GB, 16GB, 32GB* (LRDIMM)
Expansion
Slots
Total PCI/PCI-
X/PCI-E Slots
5
Slot Location 2 1 x PCI -E x8 (x4 GEN2 Link)
Slot Location 3 1 x PCI -E x16 (x16 GEN3 Link)
(Auto switch to x8 Link if slot 4 is occupied)
Slot Location 4 1 x PCI -E x8 (x8 GEN3 Link)
Slot Location 5 1 x PCI -E x16 (x16 GEN3 Link)
(Auto switch to x8 Link if slot 6 is occupied)
Slot Location 6 1 x PCI -E x8 (x8 GEN3 Link), MIO-892 supported
Additional Slot 1 PIKE slot for Storage
expansion (GEN3
supported)
N/A

xiii
Z9PA-D8 series specications summary
Model Name Z9PA-D8 Z9PA-D8C
Storage SATA Controller Intel®C602-A Chipset:
<AHCI>
4 x SATA 3 Gb/s, 2 x
SATA 6 Gb/s
Intel®Rapid Storage
Technology
(for Windows only)
(Supports software
RAID 0, 1, 10, & 5)
LSI®Mega RAID
(for Windows/Linux)
(Supports software
RAID 0, 1, & 10)
Intel®C602-A Chipset:
<AHCI>
4 x SATA 3 Gb/s, 2 x
SATA 6 Gb/s
Intel®Rapid Storage
Technology
(for Windows only)
(Supports software
RAID 0, 1, 10, & 5)
SAS Controller Optional:
ASUS PIKE 2008
8-port SAS 6G RAID
card
ASUS PIKE 2008/IMR
8-port SAS 6G RAID
card
ASUS PIKE 2108
8-port SAS 6G H/W
RAID card
ASUS PIKE 2208
8-port SAS 6G H/W
RAID card
ASUS PIKE 9230
4-port SATA 6G RAID
card
N/A
Networking LAN 2 x Intel® 82574L +
1 Management port
2 x Intel® 82574L
Graphic VGA Aspeed AST2300
16MB
Aspeed AST1300
64MB
(continued on the next page)

xiv
Z9PA-D8 series specications summary
Model Name Z9PA-D8 Z9PA-D8C
Onboard I/O
Connectors
TPM header 1
PSU connector 24-pin SSI power connector + 8-pin SSI 12V
power connector (95W or below CPU only)
24-pin SSI power connector + 8-pin SSI 12V +
8-pin SSI 12V power connector
(Support both ATX and SSI powert supply)**
Management
connector
Onboard socket for
management card
N/A
USB
connectors
1 x USB connector (Type A USB socket)
2 x USB pin header (up to 4 devices)
Fan header 8 x 4-pin
SMBus 1
Chassis
intruder
1
Front LAN LED 2
Serial port
header
1
Real I/O
Connectors
External Serial
port
1
External USB
port
2 x USB 3.0 (from Asmedia AS1042)
2 x USB 2.0
VGA port 1
RJ-45 2 x GbE LAN +
1 x Mgmt LAN
2 x GbE LAN
PS/2 KB/Mouse 1
Management
Solution
Software ASWM Enterprise
Out of Band
Bemote
Management
Optional ASMB6-iKVM
for KVM-over-Internet
N/A
Monitoring CPU
Temperature
P
FAN RPM P
Environment Operating Temperature: 10°C ~ 35°C
Non-operating Temperature: -40°C ~ 70°C
Non-operating Humidity: 20% ~ 90%
(non-condensing)
*Refer to ASUS Server AVL for latest update.
** Minimum requirement of ATX Power supply:1) 500W 2) All +12V output ≥ 20A
***Specications are subject to change without notice.

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

ASUS Z9PA-D8
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 Z9PA-D8 1-3
1.1 Welcome!
Thank you for buying an ASUS®Z9PA-D8 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
I/O Shield 1 1
Cables SATA DOM Power cable 1 -
SATA 6G cable 2 -
SATA 3G cable 4 -
Application CD Support CD 1 1
ASWM Enterprise SDVD 1 1
Documentation Motherboard User Guide 1 1
Packing Qty. 1 pc per carton 10 pcs per carton
Optional items Description
PIKE 2208 LSI 8-port SAS 6G HW RAID card
PIKE 2108 LSI 8-port SAS 6G HW RAID card
PIKE 2008/IMR LSI 8-port SAS 6G RAID card
PIKE 2008 LSI 8-port SAS 6G RAID card
PIKE 9230 MARVELL 4-port SATA 6G RAID card
ASMB6-iKVM Remote management solution provides KVM over IP solution

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.4 Special features
1.4.1 Product highlights
Latest Processor Technology
The motherboard supports Intel Xeon®processor E5-2600 product family in LGA
2011 package with integrated memory controller to support 4 channel DDR3
memory (4 DIMM for CPU). Intel Xeon®processor E5-2600 product family supports
Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) with a system bus of up to 8.0GT/s.
Optimized Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
Optimized Intel® Turbo Boost Technology further optimizes the processor’s
performance and automatically allows it to run faster than the marked frequency if
it is operating below power, temperature, and current limits.
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), feature which 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
For faster and quicker troubleshooting solutions from the ASUS Technical Support
team, provide the product’s serial number containing 12 characters such as
xxS2xxxxxxxx as shown in the gure below.
xxS2xxxxxxxx
Z9PA-D8 Made
in
China
合格

ASUS Z9PA-D8 1-5
DDR3 memory support
The motherboard supports the 4-channel DDR3 memory that features data transfer
rates of DDR3 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz to boost the system’s performance, and to
meet the higher bandwidth requirements of server and workstation applications.
The 4-channel DDR3 architecture also manages trafc with bandwidth of up to
52GB/s, and reduces voltage thus reducing power usage and heat generation.
Also, the motherboard supports LR-DIMM (Load reduced DIMM) which uses a
specially designed buffer to reduce the data load to a single load and can increase
overall server system memory capacity.
PCI Express®3.0
PCI Express®3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the PCI Express bus standard that provides
twice the performance and speed of PCIe 2.0. It provides an optimal graphics
performance, unprecedented data speed, and seamless transition with its
complete backward compatibility to PCIe 1.0/2.0 devices.
Intel®82574L Gigabit LAN Solution
This motherboard features the built-in dual server class Intel®Gigabit LAN ports,
which helps reduce CPU usage, thus increasing throughput to achieve highly-
reliable network connections, outstanding performance, and better support for
diverse operating systems.
Intel® 82574L chipset is VMware-certied to support the virtualization technology.
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® C602 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.
Serial ATA III technology
The motherboard supports the Serial ATA III technology through the Serial ATA
interface and Intel®C602 chipset, delivering up to 6Gb/s data transfer rates.
Additionally, get enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, double the bandwidth of
current bus systems.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction
USB 2.0 technology
The motherboard provides USB 2.0 accessibility, allowing you to experience the
dramatic increase in connection speed from 12Mbps bandwidth on USB 1.1 to a
fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.
Complete USB 3.0 Integration
ASUS facilitates the strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for rear panel — two USB 3.0
ports in total. Experience the latest plug & play connectivity at speeds up to 10
times faster than USB 2.0. The motherboard affords greater convenience to high
speed connectivity.
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.
1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features
ASUS Fan Speed control technology
The ASUS Fan Speed control technology smartly adjusts the fan speeds according
to the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efcient operation.
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 PCI slot in 1U system.
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
that offers the clearest high quality audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking
functions, and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously send different audio
streams to different destinations.