Gigabyte GA-A55-DS3P User manual

GA-A55-DS3P
User's Manual
Rev. 1001
12ME-A55DS3P-1001R

Motherboard
GA-A55-DS3P
Jul. 1, 2011
Jul. 1, 2011
Motherboard
GA-A55-DS3P

Copyright
©2011 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. All rights reserved.
The trademarks mentioned in this manual are legally registered to their respective owners.
Disclaimer
Information in this manual is protected by copyright laws and is the property of GIGABYTE.
Changes to the specications and features in this manual may be made by GIGABYTE with-
out prior notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, translated, transmitted, or
published in any form or by any means without GIGABYTE's prior written permission.
Documentation Classications
In order to assist in the use of this product, GIGABYTE provides the following types of documentations:
For quick set-up of the product, read the Quick Installation Guide included with the product.
For detailed product information, carefully read the User's Manual.
For product-related information, check on our website at:
http://www.gigabyte.com
Identifying Your Motherboard Revision
The revision number on your motherboard looks like this: "REV: X.X." For example, "REV: 1.0"
means the revision of the motherboard is 1.0. Check your motherboard revision before updating
motherboard BIOS, drivers, or when looking for technical information.
Example:

- 4 -
Table of Contents
Box Contents...................................................................................................................6
Optional Items .................................................................................................................6
GA-A55-DS3P Motherboard Layout ................................................................................7
GA-A55-DS3P Motherboard Block Diagram ...................................................................8
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation .....................................................................................9
1-1 Installation Precautions.................................................................................... 9
1-2 Product Specications.................................................................................... 10
1-3 Installing the APU and APU Cooler................................................................ 13
1-3-1 Installing the APU ...................................................................................................13
1-3-2 Installing the APU Cooler........................................................................................15
1-4 Installing the Memory..................................................................................... 16
1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Conguration .....................................................................16
1-4-2 Installing a Memory ...............................................................................................17
1-5 Installing an Expansion Card ......................................................................... 18
1-6 Setup of the AMD Dual Graphics Conguration............................................. 19
1-7 Back Panel Connectors.................................................................................. 20
1-8 Internal Connectors........................................................................................ 22
Chapter 2 BIOS Setup ..................................................................................................31
2-1 Startup Screen ............................................................................................... 32
2-2 The Main Menu .............................................................................................. 33
2-3 MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)........................................................................ 35
2-4 Standard CMOS Features.............................................................................. 40
2-5 Advanced BIOS Features .............................................................................. 42
2-6 Integrated Peripherals.................................................................................... 44
2-7 Power Management Setup............................................................................. 47
2-8 PC Health Status............................................................................................ 49
2-9 Load Fail-Safe Defaults.................................................................................. 51
2-10 Load Optimized Defaults................................................................................ 51
2-11 Set Supervisor/User Password ...................................................................... 52
2-12 Save & Exit Setup .......................................................................................... 53
2-13 Exit Without Saving........................................................................................ 53

- 5 -
Chapter 3 Drivers Installation........................................................................................55
3-1 Installing Chipset Drivers ............................................................................... 55
3-2 Application Software ...................................................................................... 56
3-3 Technical Manuals.......................................................................................... 56
3-4 Contact........................................................................................................... 57
3-5 System ........................................................................................................... 57
3-6 Download Center ........................................................................................... 58
3-7 New Utilities ................................................................................................... 58
Chapter 4 Unique Features...........................................................................................59
4-1 Xpress Recovery2.......................................................................................... 59
4-2 BIOS Update Utilities ..................................................................................... 62
4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility.............................................................62
4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility .............................................................65
4-3 EasyTune 6 .................................................................................................... 66
4-4 Q-Share.......................................................................................................... 67
4-5 SMART Recovery........................................................................................... 68
4-6 Auto Green..................................................................................................... 69
Chapter 5 Appendix ......................................................................................................71
5-1 Conguring SATA Hard Drive(s) .................................................................... 71
5-1-1 Conguring SATA Controllers ................................................................................71
5-1-2 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System ...............................77
5-2 Conguring Audio Input and Output............................................................... 81
5-2-1 Conguring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio...................................................................81
5-2-2 Conguring S/PDIF Out..........................................................................................83
5-2-3 Conguring Microphone Recording........................................................................84
5-2-4 Using the Sound Recorder .....................................................................................86
5-3 Troubleshooting.............................................................................................. 87
5-3-1 Frequently Asked Questions ..................................................................................87
5-3-2 Troubleshooting Procedure ....................................................................................88

- 6 -
Box Contents
GA-A55-DS3P motherboard
Motherboard driver disk
User's Manual
Quick Installation Guide
Four SATA cables
I/O Shield
Optional Items
2-port USB 2.0 bracket (Part No. 12CR1-1UB030-5*R)
2-port SATA power cable (Part No. 12CF1-2SERPW-0*R)
COM port cable (Part No. 12CF1-1CM001-3*R)
The box contents above are for reference only and the actual items shall depend on the product package you obtain.
The box contents are subject to change without notice.

- 7 -
GA-A55-DS3P Motherboard Layout
KB_MS CPU_FAN
Socket FM1
ATX
GA-A55-DS3P
F_AUDIO
AUDIO
PCIEX4
DDR3_4
DDR3_3 DDR3_2 DDR3_1
BAT
F_USB3F_USB4
SYS_FAN2
TPMSPDIF_O
COM
ATX_12V
AMD A75/A55
SATA2_0
SATA2_2
SATA2_4
SATA2_1
SATA2_3
SATA2_5
PCI2
PCI3
HDMI
R_USB2
R_USB1
CODEC
PWR_FAN
SYS_FAN
PCIEX1_2
PCIEX1_1
OPTICAL
USB_LAN
PCIEX16
PCI1
F_USB2 F_USB1 F_PANEL
M_BIOSB_BIOS
CLR_CMOS
Realtek
RTL8111E
iTE IT8720

- 8 -
GA-A55-DS3P Motherboard Block Diagram
UMI
AMD A75/A55
PCI Bus
AMD APU
3 PCI
PCI CLK
(33 MHz)
COM Port
iTE
IT8720
LPC
Bus
PS/2 KB/Mouse
Dual BIOS
14 USB 2.0/1.1
6 SATA 3Gb/s
PCI Express Bus
PCI Express Bus
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
1 PCI Express x16
2 PCI Express x1
x16
x1 x1
x4
1 PCI Express x4
x1
LAN
RJ45
Realtek
RTL8111E
APU CLK+/- (100 MHz)
DISP CLK+/- (100 MHz)
DDR3 1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz
Dual Channel Memory
HDMI
Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out
Line Out
MIC
Line In
S/PDIF Out
Side Speaker Out
Surround Speaker Out
CODEC

- 9 - Hardware Installation
1-1 Installation Precautions
The motherboard contains numerous delicate electronic circuits and components which can
become damaged as a result of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Prior to installation, carefully read
the user's manual and follow these procedures:
Prior to installation, do not remove or break motherboard S/N (Serial Number) sticker or•
warranty sticker provided by your dealer. These stickers are required for warranty validation.
Always remove the AC power by unplugging the power cord from the power outlet before•
installing or removing the motherboard or other hardware components.
When connecting hardware components to the internal connectors on the motherboard,•
make sure they are connected tightly and securely.
When handling the motherboard, avoid touching any metal leads or connectors.•
It is best to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling electronic com-•
ponents such as a motherboard, APU or memory. If you do not have an ESD wrist strap,
keep your hands dry and rst touch a metal object to eliminate static electricity.
Prior to installing the motherboard, please have it on top of an antistatic pad or within an•
electrostatic shielding container.
Before unplugging the power supply cable from the motherboard, make sure the power sup-•
ply has been turned off.
Before turning on the power, make sure the power supply voltage has been set according to•
the local voltage standard.
Before using the product, please verify that all cables and power connectors of your hard-•
ware components are connected.
To prevent damage to the motherboard, do not allow screws to come in contact with the•
motherboard circuit or its components.
Make sure there are no leftover screws or metal components placed on the motherboard or•
within the computer casing.
Do not place the computer system on an uneven surface.•
Do not place the computer system in a high-temperature environment.•
Turning on the computer power during the installation process can lead to damage to sys-•
tem components as well as physical harm to the user.
If you are uncertain about any installation steps or have a problem related to the use of the•
product, please consult a certied computer technician.
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

Hardware Installation - 10 -
1-2 ProductSpecications
APU FM1 Socket:
- AMD A series processors
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest APU support list.)
Chipset AMD A75/A55
Memory 4 x 1.5V DDR3 DIMM sockets supporting up to 32 GB of system memory
* Due to Windows 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical
memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB.
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR3 1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz memory modules
* The1866 MHz memory speed is supported only when one or two DDR3 1866 MHz
DIMMs are installed. It is not supported when four DIMMs are installed. (Dual channel
memory mode must be enabled when installing two DIMMs.)
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest supported memory speeds and memory
modules.)
Onboard
Graphics
APU:
- 1 x HDMI port, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920x1200
(HDMI port do not support Hot plug. If you want to change to another graphics
port when the computer is on, be sure to turn off the computer rst.)
Audio Realtek ALC889 codec
High Denition Audio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
Support for S/PDIF Out
LAN 1 x Realtek RTL8111E chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed,
be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
2 x PCI Express x1 slots
(All PCI Express slots conform to the PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
3 x PCI slots
Multi-Graphics
Technology Support for AMD Dual Graphics technology

Storage Interface Chipset:
- 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors supporting up to 6 SATA 3Gb/s devices
- Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10, and JBOD
USB Chipset:
- Up to 14 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports on the back panel, 8 ports available
through the internal USB headers)

- 11 - Hardware Installation
Internal
Connectors
1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
1 x APU fan header
2 x system fan headers
1 x power fan header
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x S/PDIF Out header
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x serial port header
1 x clearing CMOS jumper
1 x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header
Back Panel
Connectors
1 x PS/2 keyboard port
1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
1 x HDMI port
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
1 x RJ-45 port
6 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Rear Speaker Out/Side Speaker
Out/Line In/Line Out/Microphone)
I/O Controller iTE IT8720 chip
Hardware
Monitor
System voltage detection
APU/System temperature detection
APU/System/Power fan speed detection
APU overheating warning
APU/System/Power fan fail warning
APU/System fan speed control
* Whether the APU/system fan speed control function is supported will depend on the
APU/system cooler you install.
BIOS 2 x 32 Mbit ash
Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
Support for DualBIOS™
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b

Hardware Installation - 12 -
Unique Features Support for @BIOS
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Xpress BIOS Rescue
Support for Download Center
Support for Xpress Install
Support for Xpress Recovery2
Support for EasyTune
* Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model.
Support for Smart Recovery
Support for Auto Green
Support for ON/OFF Charge
Support for 3TB+ Unlock
Support for Q-Share
Bundled
Software Norton Internet Security (OEM version)
Operating
System Support for Microsoft®Windows 7/Vista/XP
Form Factor ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 22.5cm
* GIGABYTE reserves the right to make any changes to the product specications and product-related information
without prior notice.

- 13 - Hardware Installation
1-3 Installing the APU and APU Cooler
1-3-1 Installing the APU
A. Locate the pin one (denoted by a small triangle) of the APU socket and the APU.
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the APU:
Make sure that the motherboard supports the APU.•
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest APU support list.)
Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing•
the APU to prevent hardware damage.
Locate the pin one of the APU. The APU cannot be inserted if oriented incorrectly.•
Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the APU.•
Do not turn on the computer if the APU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating and dam-•
age of the APU may occur.
Set the APU host frequency in accordance with the APU specications. It is not recommended •
that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specications since it does not meet the
standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the frequency beyond the standard
specications, please do so according to your hardware specications including the APU, graph-
ics card, memory, hard drive, etc.
A Series APU
A Small Triangle Marking
Denotes APU Pin One
FM1 Socket
A Small Triangle Mark
Denotes Pin One of the
Socket

Hardware Installation - 14 -
B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the APU into the motherboard APU socket.
Before installing the APU, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the•
power outlet to prevent damage to the APU.
Do not force the APU into the APU socket. The APU cannot t in if oriented incorrectly. Adjust the •
APU orientation if this occurs.
Step 1:
Completely lift up the APU socket locking lever.
Step 2:
Align the APU pin one (small triangle marking) with the triangle mark
on the APU socket and gently insert the APU into the socket. Make
sure that the APU pins t perfectly into their holes. Once the APU is
positioned into its socket, place one nger down on the middle of the
APU, lowering the locking lever and latching it into the fully locked
position.
APU Socket
Locking Lever

- 15 - Hardware Installation
1-3-2 Installing the APU Cooler
Follow the steps below to correctly install the APU cooler on the APU. (The following procedure uses the GI-
GABYTE cooler as the example.)
Use extreme care when removing the APU cooler because the thermal grease/tape between the
APU cooler and APU may adhere to the APU. Inadequately removing the APU cooler may damage
the APU.
Step 1:
Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease
on the surface of the installed APU.
Step 2:
Place the APU cooler on the APU.
Step 3:
Hook the APU cooler clip to the mounting lug
on one side of the retention frame. On the other
side,push straight down on the the APU cooler
clip to hook it to the mounting lug on the reten-
tion frame.
Step 4:
Turn the cam handle from the left side to the
right side (as the picture above shows) to lock
into place. (Refer to your APU cooler installation
manual for instructions on installing the cooler.)
Step 5:
Finally, attach the power connector of the APU cooler to the APU fan
header (CPU_FAN) on the motherboard.

Hardware Installation - 16 -
1-4 Installing the Memory
Due to APU limitations, read the following guidelines before installing the memory in Dual Channel mode.
1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR3 memory module is installed.
2. When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that
memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used and installed in the same colored
DDR3 sockets for optimum performance. For optimum performance, when enabling Dual Channel
mode with two memory modules, we recommend that you install them in the DDR3_1 and DDR3_2
sockets.
Dual Channel Memory Congurations Table
(SS=Single-Sided, DS=Double-Sided, "- -"=No Memory)
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory:
Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory of the•
same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest supported memory speeds and memory modules.)
Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing•
the memory to prevent hardware damage.
Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only one direc-•
tion. If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.
1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Conguration
This motherboard provides four DDR3 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel Technology. After the
memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically detect the specications and capacity of the memory. En-
abling Dual Channel memory mode will double the original memory bandwidth.
The four DDR3 memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as
following:
Channel 0: DDR3_2, DDR3_4
Channel 1: DDR3_1, DDR3_3
DDR3_4 DDR3_2 DDR3_3 DDR3_1
Two Modules - - DS/SS - - DS/SS
DS/SS - - DS/SS - -
Four Modules DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS
DDR3_4 DDR3_2 DDR3_3 DDR3_1
The 1866 MHz memory speed is supported only when one or two DDR3 1866 MHz DIMMs are
installed. It is not supported when four DIMMs are installed. (Dual channel memory mode must be
enabled when installing two DIMMs.)

- 17 - Hardware Installation
1-4-2 Installing a Memory
Notch
DDR3 DIMM
A DDR3 memory module has a notch, so it can only t in one direction. Follow the steps below to correctly
install your memory modules in the memory sockets.
Before installing a memory module, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the power
cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the memory module.
DDR3 and DDR2 DIMMs are not compatible to each other or DDR DIMMs. Be sure to install
DDR3 DIMMs on this motherboard.
Step 1:
Note the orientation of the memory module. Spread the retaining
clips at both ends of the memory socket. Place the memory module
on the socket. As indicated in the picture on the left, place your n-
gers on the top edge of the memory, push down on the memory and
insert it vertically into the memory socket.
Step 2:
The clips at both ends of the socket will snap into place when the
memory module is securely inserted.

Hardware Installation - 18 -
1-5 Installing an Expansion Card
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion card:
Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that came•
with your expansion card.
Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing•
an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.
Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the expansion slot.
1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back panel.
2. Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is fully seated in the slot.
3. Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into the slot.
4. Secure the card’s metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.
5. After installing all expansion cards, replace the chassis cover(s).
6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for your
expansion card(s).
7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating system.
Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card:
•Installing a Graphics Card:
Gently push down on the top edge of the card until
it is fully inserted into the PCI Express slot. Make
sure the card is securely seated in the slot and
does not rock.
•Removing the Card from
the PCIEX4 Slot:
Press the latch at the end
of the PCI Express slot
to release the card and
then pull the card straight
up from the slot.
•Removing the Card from
the PCIEX16 Slot:
Gently push back on the
lever on the slot and then
lift the card straight out
from the slot.
PCI Slot
PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Express x16 Slot (PCIEX4)
PCI Express x16 Slot (PCIEX16)

- 19 - Hardware Installation
1-6 Setup of the AMD Dual Graphics Conguration
(Note) Make sure the drivers for the Chipset, onboard graphics, and external graphics card are properly
installed.
Combining the onboard GPU with a discrete graphics card, AMD's Dual Graphics technology can provide
signicantly advanced display performance for AMD platform. Read the following instructions on conguring a
Dual Graphics system.
A. System Requirements
- AMD A series processor
- Windows 7 operating system
- An AMD Dual Graphics technology-supported motherboard and correct driver
- An AMD Radeon HD 6000 series graphics card that supports AMD Dual Graphics technology (for more
details, please visit AMD's ofcial website ) and correct driver
B. Installing the Graphics Cards and Conguring BIOS Setup
Step 1:
Observe the steps in "1-5 Installing an Expansion Card" and install an AMD Dual Graphics technology-
supported graphics card on the PCIEX16 slot. Plug the monitor cable into the graphics card and start up your
computer.
Step 2:
Enter BIOS Setup to set the following items under the Advanced BIOS Features menu:
- Set UMA Frame Buffer Size to 512MB or 1024MB.
- Set Init Display First to Onboard.
Save the settings and exit BIOS Setup. Power off your computer.
Step 3:
Remove the monitor cable from the graphics card and plug it into the integrated graphics port on the back
panel and restart your computer.
C. Conguring the Graphics Driver
After installing the graphics card driver in the operating system, go to
the AMD VISION Engine Control Center. Browse to Performance\
AMD CrossFire™and ensure the Enable CrossFire™check box is
selected.

Hardware Installation - 20 -
1-7 BackPanelConnectors
PS/2KeyboardandPS/2MousePort
Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse and the lower port (purple) to connect a PS/2
keyboard.
OpticalS/PDIFOutConnector
This connector provides digital audio out to an external audio system that supports digital optical audio.
Before using this feature, ensure that your audio system provides an optical digital audio in connector.
HDMIPort (Note)
HDMI (High-Denition Multimedia Interface) is an all-digital audio/video interface capable of transmit-
ting uncompressed audio/video signals. The HDMI port is HDCP compliant and supports Dolby TrueHD
and DTS HD Master Audio formats. It also supports up to 192KHz/24bit 8-channel LPCM audio output.
You can use this port to connect your HDMI-supported monitor. The maximum supported resolution is
1920x1200, but the actual resolutions supported are dependent on the monitor being used.
After installing the HDMI monitor, make sure to set the default sound playback device to HDMI. (The
item name may differ depending on your operating system. The screenshot below is from Windows 7.)
(Note) HDMI port do not support Hot plug. If you want to change to another graphics port when the com-
puter is on, be sure to turn off the computer rst.
In Windows 7, select Start>Control Panel>Hardware and
Sound>Sound>Playback, set RealtekHDMIOutput - ATIHDMI
Audio to the default playback device.
In order to get better playback quality, when playing the HD DVD or Blu-ray discs, refer to the recom-
mended system requirements (or better) below.
•Processor: AMD A series processor
•Memory: Two 1 GB DDR3 1333 memory modules with dual channel mode enabled
•BIOS Setup: At least 512 MB of UMA Frame Buffer Size (refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," "Advanced
BIOS Features," for more information)
•Playback software: CyberLink PowerDVD 10.0 or later (Note: Please ensure Hardware Acceleration
is enabled.)
•HDCP compliant monitor(s)