Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 User manual

GA-X38-DQ6
LGA775 socket motherboard for Intel®CoreTM processor family/
Intel®Pentium®processor family/Intel®Celeron®processor family
User's Manual
Rev.1002
12ME-X38DQ6-1002R

Motherboard
GA-X38-DQ6
Sept. 3, 2007
Motherboard
GA-X38-DQ6
Sept. 3, 2007

Copyright
©2007 GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGYCO., 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 manualisprotected bycopyrightlaws andistheproperty ofGIGABYTE.
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-X38-DQ6Motherboard Layout ................................................................................ 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
1-3-3 Removing the Crazy Cool Heatsink from the Back of the Motherboard ..... 16
1-4 InstallingtheMemory ..................................................................................... 17
1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration................................................................ 17
1-4-2 Installing a Memory............................................................................................. 18
1-5 InstallinganExpansion Card ......................................................................... 19
1-6 InstallingtheSATABracket ............................................................................. 20
1-7 BackPanelConnectors ................................................................................. 21
1-8 InternalConnectors ........................................................................................ 23
Chapter 2 BIOSSetup................................................................................................. 37
2-1 StartupScreen................................................................................................ 38
2-2 TheMainMenu .............................................................................................. 39
2-3 StandardCMOSFeatures ............................................................................. 41
2-4 Advanced BIOS Features.............................................................................. 43
2-5 IntegratedPeripherals ..................................................................................... 45
2-6 PowerManagementSetup ............................................................................. 49
2-7 PnP/PCIConfigurations................................................................................. 51
2-8 PC HealthStatus ........................................................................................... 52
2-9 MBIntelligentTweaker(M.I.T.) ....................................................................... 54
2-10 LoadFail-SafeDefaults................................................................................... 58
2-11 LoadOptimizedDefaults ................................................................................. 58
2-12 Set Supervisor/User Password..................................................................... 59
2-13 Save & Exit Setup......................................................................................... 60

- 5 -
2-14 ExitWithoutSaving ....................................................................................... 60
Chapter 3 DriversInstallation ...................................................................................... 61
3-1 InstallingChipsetDrivers ............................................................................... 61
3-2 SoftwareApplications ..................................................................................... 62
3-3 DriverCDInformation .................................................................................... 62
3-4 HardwareInformation ..................................................................................... 63
3-5 Contact Us..................................................................................................... 63
Chapter 4 UniqueFeatures......................................................................................... 65
4-1 XpressRecovery2 ......................................................................................... 65
4-2 BIOS Update Utilities..................................................................................... 70
4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility...................................................... 70
4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility ....................................................... 73
4-3 EasyTune 5Pro ............................................................................................. 75
4-4 WindowsVistaReadyBoost........................................................................... 76
Chapter 5 Appendix .................................................................................................... 77
5-1 ConfiguringSATAHard Drive(s) .................................................................... 77
5-1-1 Configuring Intel®ICH9R SATA Controllers ...................................................... 77
5-1-2 Configuring GIGABYTE SATA2 SATA Controller ............................................. 83
5-1-3 Making a SATA RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette ..................................................... 89
5-1-4 Installing the SATA RAID/AHCI Driver and Operating System ...................... 90
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 DTS (Digital Theater Systems) Function................................. 102
5-2-4 Configuring Microphone Recording ................................................................. 103
5-2-5 Using the Sound Recorder............................................................................... 105
5-3 Teaming ........................................................................................................ 106
5-4 Troubleshooting............................................................................................. 108
5-4-1 Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................... 108
5-4-2 Troubleshooting Procedure .............................................................................. 109
RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................111

- 6 -
Box Contents
GA-X38-DQ6motherboard
Motherboarddriverdisk
User'sManual
QuickInstallationGuide
Intel®LGA775CPU InstallationGuide
OneIDEcableandone floppy disk drive cable
FourSATA3Gb/scables
Two SATAbrackets
I/O Shield
Two screws
Theboxcontentsaboveare for reference only andtheactualitemsshalldepend on product package youobtain.
Thebox contentsare subject tochange withoutnotice.
Optional Items
2-portUSB2.0bracket (Part No. 12CR1-1UB030-51R)
2-portIEEE1394abracket(PartNo.12CF1-1IE008-01R)
2-portSATApowercable (Part No.12CF1-2SERPW-01R)
S/PDIF in cable (Part No. 12CR1-1SPDIN-01R)
COM port cable (Part No. 12CF1-1CM001-32R)
LPTportcable(PartNo.12CF1-1LP001-01R)

- 7 -
GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboard Layout
KB_MS CPU_FAN
LGA775
ATX
GA-X38-DQ6
F_AUDIO
PWR_FAN
ATX_12V_2X
Intel®X38
USB_LAN
AUDIO
RCA_SPDIF
USB_1394_1
PCIE_12V
PCIE_1
SYS_FAN1
USB_1394_2
GIGABYTE
SATA2
SPDIF_IN
F_1394
F_PANEL
PWR_LED
F_USB2
LPT
SYS_FAN2
IDE
F_USB1
CD_IN
FDD
PCIE_16_1
PCIE_2
CODEC
TSB43AB23
PCIE_16_2
PCI1
PCI2
BAT
GSATAIIA
IT8718
RTL8111B
Intel®ICH9R
PCIE_3
GSATAIIB
SATAII2
SATAII4
SATAII5
CLR_CMOS
CI
MAIN_BIOS
BP_BIOS
NB_FAN
SATAII3
DDRII1
DDRII2
DDRII3 DDRII4
COM
SPDIF_O
USB_LAN2
TPM
SATAII0
SATAII1
RTL8111B

- 8 -
Block Diagram
LGA775
Processor
Host
Interface
Intel®
X38 MCH CLK (400/333/266/200 MHz)
DDR2 1066/800/667 MHz
Dual BIOS
2 PCI
PCI Bus
Dual Channel Memory
6 SATA 3Gb/s
PCI CLK
(33 MHz)
3 IEEE 1394a
12 USB Ports
IT8718
CPU CLK+/-
(400/333/266/200 MHz)
TSB43AB23
Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out
Line-Out
MIC
Line-In
SPDIF In
SPDIF Out
Side Speaker Out
Surround Speaker Out
CODEC
PCIe CLK
(100 MHz)
PCI Express x16
Intel®
ICH9R
TPM
Floppy
PS/2 KB/Mouse
LPT Port
COM Port
3 PCI Express x1
PCI Express Bus
x1
x1
2 SATA 3Gb/s
ATA-133/100/66/
33 IDE Channel
GIGABYTE
SATA2
x1 x1
PCIeCLK
(100MHz)
x1
RTL
8111B
LAN1
RJ45
RTL
8111B
LAN2
RJ45

Hardware Installation- 9 -
English
1-1 Installation Precautions
Themotherboardcontainsnumerousdelicateelectroniccircuitsandcomponentswhichcanbecome
damagedasaresult of electrostatic discharge (ESD).Priortoinstallation,carefully read the user's
manualandfollowtheseprocedures:
•Priortoinstallation,donotremoveorbreakmotherboardS/N(SerialNumber)stickeror
warrantystickerprovidedbyyourdealer.Thesestickersarerequiredforwarrantyvalidation.
•AlwaysremovetheAC powerbyunplugging 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 asphysicalharm totheuser.
•Ifyouareuncertainaboutanyinstallationstepsorhaveaproblemrelatedtotheuseofthe
product,pleaseconsultacertifiedcomputertechnician.
Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboard - 10 -
English
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®processor Extreme Edition/Intel®Pentium®D processor/
Intel®Pentium®4 processor Extreme Edition/Intel®Pentium®4 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®X38 Express Chipset
South Bridge: Intel®ICH9R
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 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 DTS (dts NEO:PC)
Support for S/PDIF In/Out
Support for CD In
LAN 2 x Realtek 8111B chip (10/100/1000 Mbit)
Support for Teaming
Expansion Slots 2 x PCI Express x16 slots supporting ATI CrossFireTM technology
(The PCI Express x16 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)
3 x PCI Express x1 slots
2 x PCI slots
Storage Interface South Bridge:
- 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors (SATAII0, SATAII1, SATAII2, SATAII3,
SATAII4, SATAII5) supporting up to 6 SATA 3Gb/s devices
- Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5 and RAID 10
GIGABYTE SATA2 chip:
- 1 x IDE connector supporting ATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices
- 2 x SATA 3 Gb/s connectors (GSATAIIA, GSATAIIB) supporting up to
2 SATA 3Gb/s devices
- Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1 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 3 IEEE 1394a ports (2 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394 bracket
connected to the internal IEEE 1394 header)

Hardware Installation- 11 -
English
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 4-pin PCIe 12V power connector
1 x floppy disk drive connector
1 x IDE connector
8 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU fan header
2 x system fan headers
1 x power 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 header
1 x S/PDIF Out header
2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers
1 x IEEE 1394a header
1 x parallel port header
1 x Trusted Platform Module (TPM) header
1 x serial port header
1 x power LED header
1 x chassis intrusion header
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
8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
2 x IEEE 1394a 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 IT8718 chip
Hardware Monitor System voltage detection
CPU/System temperature detection
CPU/System/Power fan speed detection
CPU overheating warning
CPU/System/Power fan fail warning
CPU fan speed control

GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboard - 12 -
English
BIOS 2 x 8 Mbit flash
Use of licensed AWARD BIOS
Support for Dual BIOSTM
PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.3, ACPI 1.0b
Unique Features Support for @BIOS
Support for Download Center
Support for Q-Flash
Support for EasyTune(Note 2)
Support for Xpress Install
Support for Xpress Recovery2
Support for Virtual Dual BIOS
Bundled Software Norton Internet Security (OEM version)
Overclocking Voltage adjustments in BIOS Setup (CPU/DDR2/PCIe/FSB/(G)MCH)
allow you to:
- Increase CPU voltage (Note 3)
- Increase DDR2 voltage by 0.05V to 1.55V with 0.05V increment
- Increase PCIe voltage by 0.05V to 0.35V with 0.05V increment
- Increase FSB voltage by 0.05V to 0.35V with 0.05V increment
- Increase (G)MCH voltage by 0.025V to 0.375V with 0.025V increment
Frequency adjustments in BIOS Setup (CPU/DDR2/PCIe) allow you to:
- Adjust CPU host frequency from 100 MHz to 700 MHz with 1 MHz
increment
- Adjust DDR2 frequency
- Adjust PCI Express x16 frequency from 90 MHz to 150 MHz with
1 MHz increment
Operating System Support for Microsoft®Windows®Vista/XP/2000 (Note 4)
Form Factor ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 24.4cm
(Note 1) Due to Windows 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) Available functions in Easytune may differ by motherboard model.
(Note 3) The adjustable CPU voltage range depends on the CPU being used.
(Note 4) Due to chipset limitation, Intel ICH9R RAID driver does not support Windows 2000 operating
system.

Hardware Installation- 13 -
English
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-X38-DQ6 Motherboard - 14 -
English
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 -
English
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. Checkthatthe Male andFemale push pins
are joined closely. (Refer to your CPU cooler instal-
lation manual for instructions on installing the cooler.)
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.)
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.
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

GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboard - 16 -
English
1-3-3 Removing the Crazy Cool Heatsink from the Back of the Motherboard
To install a non-Intel CPU cooler that requires extra mounting holes, follow the steps below to remove
the Crazy Cool heatsink from the back of the motherboard.
Tools needed:
1. A Philips screwdriver
2. Screws provided with the motherboard
1. Use extreme care when installing or removing
the Crazy Cool heatsink. The user shall be re-
sponsible for damage of motherboard function(s)
or component(s) resulting from the removal of the
Crazy Cool heatsink.
2. Always keep the removed screws in a safe place.
Step 1:
Use a Philips screw-
driver to unfasten the
three screws as
shown in the picture
to the left and remove
the screws.
Step 4:
Through the heatsink
mounting holes, insert
one of the screws pro-
vided with the
motherboard from the
The Crazy Cool Heatsink
back of the board.
On the front side of
the board, align the
spring nut removed
in Step 2 through the
heatsink hole and
tightenittothescrew.
(Note) The components received may vary in appearance from the ones illustrated above.
Step 2:
Unfasten the two spring
nutsontheNorthBridge
heatsink as shown and
removethe spring nuts.
Step 3:
After removing the
spring nuts, remove
the Crazy Cool
heatsink from the back
of the motherboard.
Step 5:
Do the same for the other screw to complete the removal of the Crazy
Cool heatsink.

Hardware Installation- 17 -
English
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.
DDRII1 DDRII2 DDRII3 DDRII4
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: DDRII1, DDRII2
Channel 1: DDRII3, DDRII4
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
DDRII1 DDRII2 DDRII3 DDRII4
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)

GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboard - 18 -
English
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
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 -
English
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.
PCI Express x1 Slot
PCI Slot
PCI Express x16 Slot
Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express x16 Graphics Card:
•Installing a Graphics Card:
Gently insert the graphics card into the PCI Ex-
press x16 slot. Make sure the small white-draw-
able bar securely locks the graphics card.
•Removing the Card:
Pull out the small white-
drawable bar at the end
of the PCI Express x16
slot to release the card
and then pull the card
straight up from the slot.
You can also press the
latch on the back of the
white-drawable bar to
release the card.
•The motherboard pro-
vides a PCIE_12V
power connector, which
can supply extra power
to the onboard PCI Ex-
press x16 slots. When
you install two graphics
cards, connect the
power cable from your
power supply to this
connector.

GA-X38-DQ6 Motherboard - 20 -
English
1-6 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 the bracket
to the SATA port on
your motherboard.
Step 3:
Connect the power
cablefrom the bracket
to the power supply.
Step 4:
Plug one end of the
SATAsignal cable into
the external SATAcon-
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 SATAsignal cable. Before connecting the SATAsignal
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