Gigabyte GA-EP45-EXTREME User manual

GA-EP45-EXTREME
LGA775 socket motherboard for Intel®CoreTM processor family/
Intel®Pentium®processor family/Intel®Celeron®processor family
User's Manual
Rev.1001
12ME-EP45EXT-1001R

Jun. 6, 2008
Motherboard
GA-EP45-EXTREME
Motherboard
GA-EP45-EXTREME
Jun. 6, 2008

Copyright
©2008 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.All rights reserved.
Thetrademarksmentionedinthismanualarelegallyregisteredtotheirrespectiveowners.
The logo is exclusively licensed to GIGABYTE UNITED INC. by GIGA-BYTE
TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
GIGABYTE UNITED INC. is designated by GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD as the exclu-
siveglobaldistributorofGIGABYTEbrandedmotherboards.
Disclaimer
Informationinthis manualisprotectedby copyrightlawsandis thepropertyofGIGABYTE.
ChangestothespecificationsandfeaturesinthismanualmaybemadebyGIGABYTEwithoutprior
notice. Nopartofthismanualmaybereproduced,copied,translated,transmitted,orpublishedinany
formorbyanymeanswithoutGIGABYTE'spriorwrittenpermission.
Documentation Classifications
Inordertoassistintheuseofthisproduct,GIGABYTEprovidesthefollowingtypesofdocumentations:
Forquickset-upoftheproduct,readtheQuickInstallationGuideincludedwiththeproduct.
Fordetailedproductinformation,carefullyreadtheUser'sManual.
For instructions on how to use GIGABYTE's unique features, read or download the
informationon/fromtheSupport\Motherboard\TechnologyGuidepageonourwebsite.
Forproduct-relatedinformation,checkonourwebsiteat:
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw
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
motherboardBIOS,drivers,orwhenlookingfortechnicalinformation.
Example:

- 4 -
Table of Contents
BoxContents ................................................................................................................. 6
OptionalItems................................................................................................................. 6
GA-EP45-EXTREMEMotherboardLayout .................................................................... 7
BlockDiagram................................................................................................................ 8
Chapter 1 HardwareInstallation .................................................................................... 9
1-1 InstallationPrecautions ..................................................................................... 9
1-2 ProductSpecifications .................................................................................... 10
1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler.............................................................. 13
1-3-1 Installing the CPU ................................................................................................ 13
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler ................................................................................... 15
1-4 InstallingtheHybridSilent-PipeModule......................................................... 16
1-5 InstallingtheMemory ..................................................................................... 17
1-5-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration................................................................ 17
1-5-2 Installing a Memory............................................................................................. 18
1-6 InstallinganExpansion Card ......................................................................... 19
1-7 InstallingtheSATABracket ............................................................................. 20
1-8 BackPanelConnectors ................................................................................. 21
1-9 OnboardLEDsand Switches......................................................................... 23
1-10 InternalConnectors ........................................................................................ 25
Chapter 2 BIOSSetup................................................................................................. 37
2-1 StartupScreen................................................................................................ 38
2-2 TheMainMenu .............................................................................................. 39
2-3 MB IntelligentTweaker(M.I.T.) ....................................................................... 41
2-4 StandardCMOSFeatures ............................................................................. 48
2-5 Advanced BIOS Features.............................................................................. 50
2-6 IntegratedPeripherals ..................................................................................... 53
2-7 PowerManagementSetup ............................................................................. 56
2-8 PnP/PCIConfigurations................................................................................. 58
2-9 PCHealthStatus ........................................................................................... 59
2-10 LoadFail-SafeDefaults................................................................................... 61
2-11 LoadOptimizedDefaults ................................................................................. 61
2-12 Set Supervisor/User Password..................................................................... 62
2-13 Save & Exit Setup......................................................................................... 63
2-14 ExitWithoutSaving ....................................................................................... 63

- 5 -
Chapter 3 DriversInstallation ...................................................................................... 65
3-1 InstallingChipsetDrivers ............................................................................... 65
3-2 ApplicationSoftware....................................................................................... 66
3-3 TechnicalManuals.......................................................................................... 66
3-4 Contact........................................................................................................... 67
3-5 System........................................................................................................... 67
3-6 DownloadCenter............................................................................................ 68
Chapter 4 UniqueFeatures......................................................................................... 69
4-1 XpressRecovery2 ......................................................................................... 69
4-2 BIOS Update Utilities..................................................................................... 74
4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility...................................................... 74
4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility ....................................................... 77
4-3 EasyTune6.................................................................................................... 78
4-4 Dynamic Energy SaverAdvanced ................................................................ 79
4-5 Q-Share ......................................................................................................... 81
4-6 TimeRepair .................................................................................................... 82
4-7 Teaming .......................................................................................................... 83
Chapter 5 Appendix .................................................................................................... 85
5-1 Configuring SATAHardDrive(s) .................................................................... 85
5-1-1 Configuring the Onboard SATA Controller......................................................... 85
5-1-2 Making a SATA RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette ..................................................... 91
5-1-3 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System ...................... 93
5-2 ConfiguringAudioInputandOutput ................................................................. 98
5-2-1 Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio ............................................................ 98
5-2-2 Installing the S/PDIF In Cable (Optional)......................................................... 100
5-2-3 Enabling the Dolby Home Theater Function .................................................. 102
5-2-4 Configuring Microphone Recording ................................................................. 103
5-2-5 Using the Sound Recorder............................................................................... 105
5-3 Troubleshooting ............................................................................................. 106
5-3-1 Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................... 106
5-3-2 Troubleshooting Procedure .............................................................................. 107
5-4 POST Error Code ........................................................................................ 109
RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................113

- 6 -
Box Contents
GA-EP45-EXTREMEmotherboard
Motherboarddriverdisk
User'sManual
QuickInstallationGuide
Intel®LGA775CPUInstallationGuide
OneIDEcableandonefloppydisk drive cable
FourSATA3Gb/s cables
OneSATAbracket
I/O shield
One2-portIEEE1394abracket
OneHybridSilent-Pipemodulekit
Optional Items
2-portUSB2.0bracket(Part No. 12CR1-1UB030-51R)
2-portIEEE1394abracket(PartNo.12CF1-1IE008-01R)
2-portSATApowercable(PartNo.12CF1-2SERPW-01R)
S/PDIF in cable (Part No. 12CR1-1SPDIN-01R)
COM port cable (Part No. 12CF1-1CM001-32R)
•Theboxcontentsabove are for referenceonlyand the actual itemsshalldependon product packageyouobtain.
Thebox contentsare subject to change without notice.
•Themotherboardimageisforreferenceonly.

- 7 -
GA-EP45-EXTREME Motherboard Layout
(Note) For error code information, please refer to Chapter 5.
F_USB1F3_1394F1_1394
KB_MS CPU_FAN
LGA775 ATX
GA-EP45-EXTREME
F_AUDIO
PWR_FAN
ATX_12V_2X
Intel®P45
USB_LAN2
AUDIO
R_SPDIF
PCIEX1_1
R_USB
SPDIF_I
PWR_LED
IDE
CD_IN
FDD
PCI1
PCIEX16_1
CODEC
TSB43AB23
PCI3
PCIEX8_1
IT8720
Intel®ICH10R
PCI2
CLR_CMOS
M_BIOS
B_BIOS
DDR2_1
DDR2_2
DDR2_3 DDR2_4
COMA
SPDIF_O
PHASELED
USB_LAN1
RTL8111C
PCIEX4_1 IT8213
F_PANEL
F_USB2
SYS_FAN1
F2_1394SYS_FAN2
SATA2_2
SATA2_0
SATA2_1
SATA2_3
SATA2_4 SATA2_5
Debug
LED(Note)
CMOS_SW
BAT RTL8111C
RST_SW PW_SW
CI
F_LED1/2/3/4/5
CPU_LED1/2/3
CT_LED1/2
DDR_LED1/2/3
SB_LED1/2/3
NB_LED1/2/3
NBT_LED1/2

- 8 -
Block Diagram
LGA775
Processor
Host
Interface
Intel®
P45 MCH CLK (400/333/266/200 MHz)
DDR2 1200/1066/800/667 MHz
Dual BIOS
3 PCI
PCI Bus
Dual Channel Memory
6 SATA 3Gb/s
PCI CLK
(33 MHz)
ATA-133/100/
66/33 IDE
Channel
12 USB Ports
IT8720
CPU CLK+/-
(400/333/266/200 MHz)
IT8213
Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out
Line-Out
MIC
Line-In
SPDIF In
SPDIF Out
Side Speaker Out
Surround Speaker Out
CODEC
Intel®
ICH10R
Floppy
PS/2 KB/Mouse
COM Port
PCI Express Bus x1
x1
RTL
8111C
RJ45
RTL
8111C
LAN2
RJ45
PCI Express x16
3 IEEE 1394a
TSB43AB23
PCIeCLK
(100MHz)
x1
PCI Express x3
Switch
PCI Express x1
LAN1
Switch
x16x8
PCIeCLK
(100MHz)
PCIeCLK
(100MHz)
PCIeCLK
(100MHz) LPCBus

Hardware Installation- 9 -
1-1 Installation Precautions
Themotherboardcontainsnumerousdelicateelectroniccircuitsandcomponentswhichcanbecome
damagedasaresultof electrostatic discharge (ESD). Priortoinstallation,carefullyreadthe user's
manualandfollowtheseprocedures:
•Priortoinstallation,donotremoveorbreakmotherboardS/N(SerialNumber)stickeror
warrantystickerprovidedbyyourdealer.Thesestickersarerequiredforwarrantyvalidation.
•AlwaysremovetheACpowerbyunplugging thepowercord fromthepoweroutletbefore
installingorremovingthemotherboardorotherhardwarecomponents.
•Whenconnectinghardwarecomponentstotheinternalconnectorsonthemotherboard,
makesuretheyareconnectedtightlyandsecurely.
•Whenhandlingthemotherboard,avoidtouchinganymetalleadsorconnectors.
•Itisbesttowearanelectrostaticdischarge(ESD)wriststrapwhenhandlingelectronic
componentssuchasamotherboard,CPUormemory.IfyoudonothaveanESDwriststrap,
keepyourhandsdryandfirsttouchametalobjecttoeliminatestaticelectricity.
•Priortoinstallingthemotherboard,pleasehaveitontopofanantistaticpadorwithinan
electrostaticshieldingcontainer.
•Beforeunpluggingthepowersupplycablefromthemotherboard,makesurethepowersupply
hasbeenturnedoff.
•Beforeturningonthepower,makesurethepowersupplyvoltagehasbeensetaccordingto
thelocalvoltagestandard.
•Beforeusingtheproduct,pleaseverifythatallcablesandpowerconnectorsofyourhardware
componentsareconnected.
•Topreventdamagetothemotherboard,donotallowscrewstocomeincontactwiththe
motherboardcircuitoritscomponents.
•Makesuretherearenoleftoverscrewsormetalcomponentsplacedonthemotherboardor
withinthecomputercasing.
•Donotplacethecomputersystemonanunevensurface
.
•Donotplacethecomputersysteminahigh-temperatureenvironment.
•Turningonthecomputerpowerduringtheinstallationprocesscanleadtodamagetosystem
componentsaswell asphysicalharmto theuser.
•Ifyouareuncertainaboutanyinstallationstepsorhaveaproblemrelatedtotheuseofthe
product,pleaseconsultacertifiedcomputertechnician.
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

GA-EP45-EXTREME Motherboard - 10 -
1-2 Product Specifications
CPU Support for an Intel®CoreTM 2 Extreme processor/
Intel®CoreTM 2 Quad processor/Intel®CoreTM 2 Duo processor/
Intel®Pentium®Dual-Core processor/Intel®Celeron®processor
in the LGA 775 package
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
L2 cache varies with CPU
Front Side Bus 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz FSB
Chipset North Bridge: Intel®P45 Express Chipset
South Bridge: Intel®ICH10R
Memory 4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 8 GB of system memory (Note 1)
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR2 1200/1066/800/667 MHzmemory modules
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.)
Audio Realtek ALC889A codec
High Definition Audio
2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
Support for Dolby®Home Theater (Note 2)
Support for S/PDIF In/Out
Support for CD In
LAN 2 x Realtek 8111C chips (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Support for Teaming
Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot (Note 3)
1 x PCI Express x8 slot
(The PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX8_1 slots support ATI CrossFireXTM technology
and conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
1 x PCI Express x4 slot (Note 4)
1 x PCI Express x1 slot
3 x PCI slots
Storage Interface South Bridge:
- 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors supporting up to 6 SATA 3Gb/s devices
- Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, and RAID 10
iTE IT8213 chip:
- 1 x IDE connector supportingATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
iTE IT8720 chip:
- 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive
IEEE 1394 T.I. TSB43AB23 chip
Up to 3 IEEE 1394a ports (via the IEEE 1394a brackets connected to the
internal IEEE 1394a headers)

Hardware Installation- 11 -
USB Integrated in the South Bridge
Up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (8 on the back panel, 4 via the USB brackets
connected to the internal USB headers)
Internal Connectors 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector
6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU 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 CD In connector
1 x S/PDIF In header
1 x S/PDIF Out header
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
3 x IEEE 1394a headers
1 x serial port header
1 x power LED header
1 x chassis intrusion header
1 x power switch
1 x reset switch
Back Panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
Connectors 1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x coaxial S/PDIF Out connector
1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
1 x clearing CMOS switch
8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
2 x RJ-45 ports
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
CPU/System/North Bridge temperature detection
CPU/System/Power fan speed detection
CPU overheating warning
CPU/System/Power fan fail warning
CPU/System fan speed control (Note 5)

GA-EP45-EXTREME Motherboard - 12 -
BIOS 2 x 8 Mbit flash
Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
Support for DualBIOSTM
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b
Unique Features Support for @BIOS
Support for Q-Flash
Support for Virtual Dual BIOS
Support for Download Center
Support for Xpress Install
Support for Xpress Recovery2
Support for EasyTune(Note 6)
Support for Dynamic Energy Saver Advanced
Support for Time Repair
Support for Q-Share
Bundled Software Norton Internet Security (OEM version)
Operating System Support for Microsoft®Windows®Vista/XP
Form Factor ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm
(Note 1) Due to Windows Vista/XP 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.
(Note 2) For Windows Vista/XP 32-bit operating system only.
(Note 3) If you are installing one PCI Express graphics card, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16_1 slot
for optimum performance. When both of the PCIEX16_1 and PCIEX8_1 slots are installed with
expansion cards, the PCIEX16_1 will operate at x8 mode.
(Note 4) The PCI Express x4 slot shares bandwidth with the PCI Express x1 slot. When it is
populated with a PCI Express x4 card, the PCI Express x1 slot become unavailable.
(Note 5) Whether the CPU/system fan speed control function is supported will depend on the CPU/
system cooler you install.
(Note 6) Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model.

Hardware Installation- 13 -
1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler
Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU:
•Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
•Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before
installing the CPU to prevent hardware damage.
•Locate the pin one of the CPU. The CPU cannot be inserted if oriented incorrectly. (Or you
may locate the notches on both sides of the CPU and alignment keys on the CPU socket.)
•Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the CPU.
•Do not turn on the computer if the CPU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating and
damage of the CPU may occur.
•Set the CPU host frequency in accordance with the CPU specifications. It is not recom-
mended that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specifications since it
does not meet the standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the fre-
quency beyond the standard specifications, please do so according to your hardware
specifications including the CPU, graphics card, memory, hard drive, etc.
1-3-1 Installing the CPU
A. Locate the alignment keys on the motherboard CPU socket and the notches on the CPU.
NotchNotch
AlignmentKey
AlignmentKey
LGA775CPU
LGA775CPUSocket
Pin One Corner of the CPU Socket
Triangle Pin One Marking on the CPU

GA-EP45-EXTREME Motherboard - 14 -
B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU into the motherboard CPU socket.
Step 2:
Remove the protective socket cover.
Step 4:
Hold the CPU with your thumb and index
fingers. Align the CPU pin one marking (triangle)
with the pin one corner of the CPU socket (or
you may align the CPU notches with the socket
alignment keys) and gently insert the CPU
into position.
Step 3:
Lift the metal load plate on the CPU socket.
Step 5:
Once the CPU is properly inserted, replace
the load plate and push the CPU socket lever
back into its locked position.
Before installing the CPU, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the power
cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the CPU.
Step 1:
Completely raise the CPU socket lever.
CPU Socket Lever

Hardware Installation- 15 -
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler
Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler on the motherboard. (The following procedure
uses Intel®boxed cooler as the example cooler.)
Step 1:
Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease
on the surface of the installed CPU.
Step 2:
Before installing the cooler, note the direction
of the arrow sign on the male push pin.
(Turning the push pin along the direction of
arrow is to remove the cooler, on the contrary,
is to install.)
Male
Push Pin
Female
Push Pin
The Top
of Female
Push Pin
Direction of
the Arrow Sign
on the Male
Push Pin
Step 3:
Place the cooler atop the CPU, aligning the
four push pins through the pin holes on the
motherboard. Push down on the push pins
diagonally.
Step 4:
You should hear a "click" when pushing down each
pushpin. Checkthat theMale and Femalepush pins
are joined closely. (Refer to your CPU cooler instal-
lation manual for instructions on installing the cooler.)
Use extreme care when removing the CPU cooler because the thermal grease/tape between
the CPU cooler and CPU may adhere to the CPU. Inadequately removing the CPU cooler may
damage the CPU.
Step 5:
After the installation, check the back of the
motherboard. If the push pin is inserted as the
picture above, the installation is complete.
Step 6:
Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU
cooler to the CPU fan header (CPU_FAN) on
the motherboard.

GA-EP45-EXTREME Motherboard - 16 -
1-4 Installing the Hybrid Silent-Pipe Module
Step 1:
Apply an even thin
layer of thermal
grease on the sur-
face of the North
Bridge heatsink base
and it grooves.
Follow the steps below to install the Hybrid Silent-Pipe module: Step 2:
Position the heatpipe
underneath the
heatsink of the Hybrid
Silent-Pipe module
into the tunnel of the
North Bridge heasink
base.
Step 3:
Secure the Hybrid
Silent-Pipe heatsink
to the heatsink base
by the included
screws.(Use one
hand to hold the top
of the fins to avoid
shaking.)
Step 4:
The picture on the left
shows that four
screws are fastened
to the heatsink and
heatsink base.
Read the following guideline before you begin to install the Hybrid Silent-Pipe module:
Hybrid Silent-Pipe
If you want to connect the front audio module from your chassis to the F_AUDIO connector
on the motherboard, be sure to connect it before installing the Hybrid Silent-Pipe module to
avoid interference.
Tools needed:
1. A Philip's screwdriver
2. Thermal grease
3. Screws included with the motherboard
(Note) The components received may vary in appearance from the products illustrated.
Step 5:
Secure the Hybrid
Silent-Pipe bracket to
the chassis back
panel with a screw
to complete the
installation.

Hardware Installation- 17 -
1-5 Installing the 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 memory support list.)
•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
direction. If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.
Due to chipset limitation, read the following guidelines before installing the memory in Dual Channel mode.
1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR2 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 DDR2 sockets for optimum performance.
When memory modules of different capacity and chips are installed, a message which says
memory is operating in Flex Memory Mode will appear during the POST. Intel®Flex Memory
Technology offers greater flexibility to upgrade by allowing different memory sizes to be
populated and remain in Dual Channel mode/performance.
Two Modules
Four Modules
DDR2_1 DDR2_2 DDR2_3 DDR2_4
DS/SS - - DS/SS - -
- - DS/SS - - DS/SS
DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS
DualChannelMemoryConfigurationsTable
(SS=Single-Sided, DS=Double-Sided, "- -"=No Memory)
1-5-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration
This motherboard provides four DDR2 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel
Technology. After the memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically detect the
specifications and capacity of the memory. Enabling Dual Channel memory mode
will double the original memory bandwidth.
The four DDR2 memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory
sockets as following:
Channel 0: DDR2_1, DDR2_2
Channel 1: DDR2_3, DDR2_4
DDR2_1 DDR2_2
DDR2_3 DDR2_4

GA-EP45-EXTREME Motherboard - 18 -
1-5-2 Installing a Memory
Notch
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.
DDR2 DIMMs are not compatible to DDR DIMMs. Be sure to install DDR2 DIMMs on
this motherboard.
DDR2 DIMM
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 fingers 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.
A DDR2 memory module has a notch, so it can only fit in one direction. Follow the steps below to
correctly install your memory modules in the memory sockets.

Hardware Installation- 19 -
1-6 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.
PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Slot
PCI Express x16/x8/x4 Slot
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 x16 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:
Press the white latch at the end of the PCI Express slot to release the card
and then pull the card straight up from the slot.

GA-EP45-EXTREME Motherboard - 20 -
1-7 Installing the SATABracket
The SATA bracket includes one SATA bracket, one
SATA signal cable, and one SATA power cable.
Step 1:
Locate one free PCI
slot and secure the
SATA bracket to the
chassis back panel
with a screw.
Follow the steps below to install the SATA bracket:
Step 2:
Connect the SATA
cablefrom thebracket
to the SATA port on
your motherboard.
Step 3:
Connect the power
cablefrom thebracket
to the power supply.
Step 4:
Plug one end of the
SATA signal cable into
the external SATA con-
nector on the bracket.
Then attach the SATA
power cable to the
power connector on
the bracket.
The SATA bracket allows you to connect external SATA device(s) to your system by expanding the
internal SATA port(s) to the chassis back panel.
•Turn off your system and the power switch on the power supply before installing or
removing the SATA bracket and SATA power cable to prevent damage to hardware.
•Insert the SATA signal cable and SATA power cable securely into the corresponding connec-
tors when installing.
Step 5:
Connect the other ends of the SATA signal cable and SATA power cable
to your SATA device. For SATA device in external enclosure, you only
need to connect the SATA signal cable. Before connecting the SATA signal
cable, make sure to turn off the power of the external enclosure.
SATABracket
External
SATA
Connector Power
Connector External SATA
Connector
SATA Signal Cable SATA Power Cable