Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-DS2HP User manual

GA-MA78GM-DS2H/
GA-MA78GM-DS2HP/
GA-MA78GM-S2H/
GA-MA78GM-S2HP
AM2+/AM2 socket motherboard for
AMD PhenomTM FX processor/AMD PhenomTM X4 processor/
AMD PhenomTM X3 processor/AMDAthlonTM X2 processor/
AMDAthlonTM processor/AMD SempronTM X2 processor/
AMD SempronTM processor
User's Manual
Rev.2101
12ME-MA78GMS2P-2101R

Motherboard
GA-MA78GM-DS2H/ GA-MA78GM-S2H(P)
Sept. 19, 2008
Sept. 19, 2008
Motherboard
GA-MA78GM-DS2H/GA-MA78GM-S2H(P)

Motherboard
GA-MA78GM-DS2HP
Nov. 20, 2008
Nov. 20, 2008
Motherboard
GA-MA78GM-DS2HP

Copyright
©2008 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.All rights reserved.
Thetrademarksmentionedinthismanualarelegallyregisteredtotheirrespectiveowners.
Disclaimer
Informationinthis manualisprotectedby copyrightlawsandis thepropertyofGIGABYTE.
ChangestothespecificationsandfeaturesinthismanualmaybemadebyGIGABYTEwithoutprior
notice. Nopartofthismanualmaybereproduced,copied,translated,transmitted,orpublishedinany
formor byany meanswithout GIGABYTE'sprior written permission.
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:

- 5 -
Table of Contents
BoxContents ................................................................................................................. 7
OptionalItems................................................................................................................. 7
GA-MA78GM-DS2H/DS2HP/S2H/S2HPMotherboardLayout....................................... 8
BlockDiagram................................................................................................................ 9
Chapter 1 HardwareInstallation ...................................................................................11
1-1 InstallationPrecautions ....................................................................................11
1-2 ProductSpecifications .................................................................................... 12
1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler.............................................................. 15
1-3-1 Installing the CPU ................................................................................................ 15
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler ................................................................................... 17
1-4 InstallingtheMemory ..................................................................................... 18
1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration................................................................ 18
1-4-2 Installing a Memory............................................................................................. 19
1-5 InstallinganExpansionCard ......................................................................... 20
1-6 EnablingtheATIHybridCrossFireXFunction ................................................ 21
1-7 BackPanelConnectors ................................................................................. 22
1-8 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 ............................................................................. 44
2-5 Advanced BIOS Features.............................................................................. 46
2-6 IntegratedPeripherals ..................................................................................... 48
2-7 PowerManagementSetup............................................................................. 51
2-8 PnP/PCIConfigurations................................................................................. 53
2-9 PCHealth Status ........................................................................................... 54
2-10 LoadFail-SafeDefaults................................................................................... 56
2-11 LoadOptimizedDefaults ................................................................................. 56
2-12 Set Supervisor/User Password..................................................................... 57
2-13 Save & Exit Setup......................................................................................... 58
2-14 ExitWithout Saving ....................................................................................... 58

- 6 -
Chapter 3 DriversInstallation ...................................................................................... 59
3-1 InstallingChipsetDrivers ............................................................................... 59
3-2 ApplicationSoftware....................................................................................... 60
3-3 TechnicalManuals.......................................................................................... 60
3-4 Contact........................................................................................................... 61
3-5 System........................................................................................................... 61
3-6 DownloadCenter............................................................................................ 62
Chapter 4 UniqueFeatures......................................................................................... 63
4-1 XpressRecovery2 ......................................................................................... 63
4-2 BIOS Update Utilities..................................................................................... 68
4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility...................................................... 68
4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility ....................................................... 71
4-3 EasyTune 5Pro ............................................................................................. 72
Chapter 5 Appendix .................................................................................................... 73
5-1 Configuring SATAHardDrive(s) .................................................................... 73
5-1-1 Configuring the Onboard SATA Controller......................................................... 73
5-1-2 Making a SATA RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette for Windows XP........................ 79
5-1-3 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System ...................... 80
5-2 ConfiguringAudioInputandOutput................................................................. 85
5-2-1 Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio ............................................................ 85
5-2-2 Installing the S/PDIF In and Out Cable (Optional)............................................ 87
5-2-3 Enabling the DTS (Digital Theater Systems) Function............................... 89
5-2-4 Enabling the Dolby Home Theater Function................................................ 90
5-2-5 Configuring Microphone Recording ................................................................... 91
5-2-6 Using the Sound Recorder................................................................................. 93
5-3 Troubleshooting............................................................................................... 94
5-3-1 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................. 94
5-3-2 Troubleshooting Procedure ................................................................................ 95
5-4 RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................... 97
Only for GA-MA78GM-S2H(P).
Only for GA-MA78GM-DS2H(P).

- 7 -
Box Contents
GA-MA78GM-DS2H or GA-MA78GM-DS2HP or GA-MA78GM-S2H or
GA-MA78GM-S2HPmotherboard
Motherboarddriverdisk
User'sManual
QuickInstallationGuide
OneIDE cableand onefloppy diskdrivecable
Two SATA3Gb/scables
I/O Shield
Optional Items
2-portUSB 2.0bracket (PartNo.12CR1-1UB030-51R)
2-portIEEE1394abracket(PartNo.12CF1-1IE008-01R)
2-portSATApowercable (PartNo. 12CF1-2SERPW-01R)
COM port cable (Part No. 12CF1-1CM001-32R)
S/PDIF in and out cable (Part No. 12CR1-1SPINO-11R)
LPTportcable(PartNo.12CF1-1LP001-01R)
•Thebox contentsaboveare forreference only andthe actual itemsshall depend onproduct packageyouobtain.
Theboxcontentsaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.
•Themotherboardimageisforreferenceonly.

- 8 -
GA-MA78GM-DS2H/DS2HP/S2H/S2HP Motherboard Layout
KB_MS
Socket AM2
ATX
GA-MA78GM-DS2H(P)/S2H(P)
USB LAN
CD_IN
F_AUDIO
AUDIO
M_BIOS
FDD
PCIE_16
IT8718
IDE
DDR2_1
DDR2_2
DDR2_3
DDR2_4
F_1394_1
TSB43AB23
PCIE_1
PCI1 BATTERY
CI
CODEC
ATX_12V
AMD 780G
ESATA 1394 USB
COM
HDMI
PWR_LED
F_USB1
CLR_CMOS
RTL8111C
CPU_FAN
SATA2_0
SATA2_3 SATA2_1
F_USB2 F_USB3
OPTICAL
PCI2
SPDIF_IO SYS_FAN
AMD SB700
SATA2_2
F_PANEL
LPT
DVI-D VGA
F_USB4
SATA2_4
NB_FAN
B_BIOS
"*" The GA-MA78GM-DS2H and GA-MA78GM-DS2HP adopt All-Solid Capacitor design.

- 9 -
Block Diagram
(Note) Simultaneous output for DVI-D and HDMI is not supported.
AMD Socket
AM2+/AM2
CPU
CPU CLK+/-(200 MHz)
Hyper Transport 3.0
1 PCI Express x1
PCI Express Bus AMD 780G
DDR2 1066/800/667 MHzDIMM
Dual Channel Memory
6 SATA 3Gb/s
ATA-133/100/66/33
IDE Channel
x1
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
LPC BUS
PCI Express x16
AMD SB700 12 USB Ports
GFX CLK (100 MHz)
D-Sub
Line-Out
MIC
CODEC
Line-In
SPDIF In
SPDIF Out
Side Speaker Out
Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out
Surround Speaker Out
DVI-D or HDMI(Note)
2 PCI
PCI Bus
2 IEEE 1394a
TSB43AB23
RJ45
RTL
8111C
LAN
LPT Port
Floppy
COM Port
PS/2 KB/Mouse
IT8718
1 PCI Express x16
Dual BIOS

- 10 -

Hardware Installation- 11 -
1-1 Installation Precautions
Themotherboardcontainsnumerousdelicateelectroniccircuitsandcomponentswhichcanbecome
damagedas aresult ofelectrostaticdischarge (ESD).Prior toinstallation,carefully readthe user's
manualandfollowtheseprocedures:
•Priortoinstallation,donotremoveorbreakmotherboardS/N(SerialNumber)stickeror
warrantystickerprovidedbyyourdealer.Thesestickersarerequiredforwarrantyvalidation.
•AlwaysremovetheAC powerbyunpluggingthepower cordfromthepoweroutlet before
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-MA78GM Series Motherboard - 12 -
1-2 Product Specifications
CPU Support for Socket AM2+/AM2 processors:
AMD PhenomTM FX processor/AMD PhenomTM X4 processor/
AMD PhenomTM X3 processor/AMD AthlonTM X2 processor/
AMD AthlonTM processor/AMD SempronTM X2 processor/
AMD SempronTM processor
(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)
Hyper Transport Bus 5200/2000 MT/s
Chipset North Bridge: AMD 780G
South Bridge: AMD SB700
Memory 4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory (Note 1)
Dual channel memory architecture
Support for DDR2 1066 (Note 2)/800/667 MHz memory 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 DTS (dts NEO:PC, dts INTERACTIVE)
Support for Dolby®Home Theater(Note 3)
Support for S/PDIF In/Out
Support for CD In
LAN Realtek 8111C chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
(The PCI Express x16 slot conforms to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
1 x PCI Express x1 slot
2 x PCI slots
Storage Interface South Bridge:
- 1 x IDE connector supportingATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
- 5 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATA2_0, SATA2_1, SATA2_2, SATA2_3,
SATA2_4) supporting up to 5 SATA 3Gb/s devices
- 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port on the back panel supporting up to 1 SATA
3Gb/s device
- Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10 and JBOD
iTE IT8718 chip:
- 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive
IEEE 1394 T.I. TSB43AB23 chip
Up to 2 IEEE 1394a ports (1 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394a bracket
connected to the internal IEEE 1394a header)
USB Integrated in the South Bridge
Up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 on the back panel, 8 via the USB brackets
connected to the internal USB headers)
Only for GA-MA78GM-S2H(P).
Only for GA-MA78GM-DS2H(P).
"*" The GA-MA78GM-DS2H and GA-MA78GM-DS2HP adopt All-Solid Capacitor design.

Hardware Installation- 13 -
Internal Connectors 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector
5 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU fan header
1 x system fan header
1 x North Bridge fan header
1 x front panel header
1 x front panel audio header
1 x CD In connector
1 x S/PDIF In/Out header
1 x IEEE 1394a header
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x parallel port header
1 x serial port header
1 x chassis intrusion header
1 x power LED header
Back Panel 1 x PS/2 keyboard port
Connectors 1 x PS/2 mouse port
1 x D-Sub port
1 x DVI-D port(Note 4)
1 x HDMI port
1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector
1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port
1 x IEEE 1394a port
4 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 IT8718 chip
Hardware Monitor System voltage detection
CPU/System temperature detection
CPU/System fan speed detection
CPU overheating warning
CPU/System fan fail warning
CPU/System fan speed control (Note 5)
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

GA-MA78GM Series Motherboard - 14 -
Unique Features Support for @BIOS
Support for Download Center
Support for Q-Flash
Support for EasyTune(Note 6)
Support for Xpress Install
Support for Xpress Recovery2
Support for Virtual Dual BIOS
Bundled Software Norton Internet Security (OEM version)
Operating System Support for Microsoft®Windows®Vista/XP
Form Factor Micro ATX Form Factor; 24.3cm x 24.3cm
(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) Whether 1066 MHz memory speed is supported depends on the CPU being used.
(Note 3) For Windows Vista/XP 32-bit operating system only.
(Note 4) The DVI-D port does not support D-Sub connection by adapter.
(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- 15 -
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.
•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 frequency
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 pin one (denoted by a small triangle) of the CPU socket and the CPU.
AM2+/AM2CPU
AM2Socket
A Small Triangle Mark
Denotes Pin One of the
Socket
ASmallTriangleMarking
Denotes CPU Pin One

GA-MA78GM Series Motherboard - 16 -
Step 2:
Align the CPU pin one (small triangle marking)
with the triangle mark on the CPU socket and
gently insert the CPU into the socket. Make
sure that the CPU pins fit perfectly into their
holes. Once the CPU is positioned into its
socket, place one finger down on the middle of
the CPU, lowering the locking lever and latch-
ing it into the fully locked position.
Step 1:
Completely lift up the CPU socket locking lever.
CPU Socket Locking
Lever
Do not force the CPU into the CPU socket. The CPU cannot fit in if oriented incorrectly. Adjust
the CPU orientation if this occurs.
B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU into the motherboard CPU socket.
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.

Hardware Installation- 17 -
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.
1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler
Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler on the CPU. (The following procedure uses
the GIGABYTE cooler as the example.)
Step 1:
Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease
on the surface of the installed CPU.
Step 2:
Place the CPU cooler on the CPU.
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 CPU cooler installa-
tion manual for instructions on installing the
cooler.)
Step 3:
Hook the CPU cooler clip to the mounting lug on
one side of the retention frame. On the other side,
push straight down on the the CPU cooler clip to
hook it to the mounting lug on the retention frame.
Step 5:
Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU
cooler to the CPU fan header (CPU_FAN) on
the motherboard.

GA-MA78GM Series Motherboard - 18 -
1-4 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.
1-4-1 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_3
Channel 1: DDR2_2, DDR2_4
Due to CPU 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.
DualChannelMemoryConfigurationsTable
(SS=Single-Sided, DS=Double-Sided, "- -"=No Memory)
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
If two memory modules are to be installed, it is recom-
mended that you install them in the DDRII_1 and DDRII_2
sockets.
DDR2_1 DDR2_2
DDR2_3
DDR2_4

Hardware Installation- 19 -
1-4-2 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
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.
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.

GA-MA78GM Series Motherboard - 20 -
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 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 x16
slot. Make sure the card is securely seated in
the slot and does not rock.
•Removing the Card:
Gently push back on the lever on the slot and then lift the card straight out
from the slot.
PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Slot
PCI Express x16 Slot