Intel 945GC User manual

USER'S MANUAL
Of
Intel 945GC Express Chipset
&
Intel FW82801GB ICH Chipset
Based
M/B For LGA 775 Core 2 Duo Processor
No. G03-945GCDMS-F
Rev: 6.0
Release date: JAN. 2008
Trademark:
* Specifications and Information contained in this documentation are furnished for information use only, and are
subject to change at any time without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by manufacturer.

ii
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION OF INTEL 945GC MOTHERBOARD SERIES
1-1 FEATURES OF MOTHERBOARD.................................................................................... 1
1-1.1 SPECIAL FEATURES OF MOTHERBOARD.................................................... 2
1-2 SPECIFICATION................................................................................................................... 3
1-3 ITEM CHECKLIST..............................................................................................................4
1-4 LAYOUT DIAGRAM & JUMPER SETTING................................................................... 4
CHAPTER 2 HARDWARE INSTALLATION
2-1 INSTALL LGA 775 SUPPORTED INTEL PROCESSOR................................................ 5
2-2 INSTALL MEMORY............................................................................................................ 6
2-3 EXPANSION CARDS........................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 3 CONNCTORS, HEADERS & JUMPERS SETTING
3-1 CONNECTORS..................................................................................................................... 8
3-2 HEADERS.............................................................................................................................. 10
CHAPTER 4 USEFUL HELP
4-1 HOW TO UPDATE BIOS..................................................................................................... 12
4-2 TROUBLE SHOOTING....................................................................................................... 12
Environmental Protection Announcement
Do not dispose this electronic device into the trash while discarding. To minimize pollution
and ensure environment protection of mother earth, please recycle.
TABLE OF CONTENT

1
Chapter 1
Introduction of Intel 945GC Motherboard Series
1-1 Features of motherboard
The Intel 945GC chipset motherboard series are based on the latest Intel 945GC Express
Chipset and Intel FW82801GB ICH Chipset technology which supports the innovative 65nm and
90nm Dual-Core Intel® Pentium® D Processor 8 and 9 Series, Intel® Pentium® D Processor,
and Intel® Core 2 Duo® (Code Name: Conroe) Processor with Intel® Hyper-Threading
Technology. The motherboard is optimized to deliver innovative features and professional
desktop platform solution with the advantages of the new generation dual core Intel® Core 2
Duo® Processor for those who demand the best experience of personal computing. Through the
high bandwidth of dual channel DDR2 400/DDR2 533MHz/DDR2 667MHz system
memories which are expandable to 2.0GB and the next generation PCI Express interface for
the latest graphics cards from both NVIDIA & ATI.
The Intel 945GC chipset motherboard series for Intel® Core 2 Duo® Processor are absolutely
the cost-effective solution for game enthusiasts and applications, and it also meets the
demanding usage of computing of gaming, multimedia entertainment and business applications.
Moreover, the Intel 945GC express chipset incorporates Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
which support the Microsoft* DirectX* 9,Vertex Shader 3.0 and Transform and Lighting
provides incredible visual quality, faster graphics performance and flexible display options
without the need for a separate graphics card.
The motherboards implement Intel 945GC Express Chipset which supports Front Side Bus
1333MHz/1066MHz/800MHz of data transferring and offers with 200MHz/266/333MHz
memory clock frequency for Dual channel DDR2 400/DDR2 533/DDR2 667 MHz memory
DIMMs to double the performance of memory access. The motherboard is embedded with
ICH7 chipset of providing one parallel Ultra ATA 100 interface for two IDE drives and four
serial ATA2 interface of 3.0Gb / s data transfer rate for four serial ATA devices.
The 945GC motherboard series offer one PCI-Express x16 graphics slot of 4Gbyte/sec data
transfer rate at each relative direction which gets 3.5 times of bandwidth more than AGP 8X
and it’s up to a peak concurrent bandwidth of 8Gbyte/sec at full speed to guarantee the
ultimate GPU computing performance. Two 32-bit PCI slots guarantee the rich connectivity
for the I/O of peripherals. The motherboards are designed of tackling the profuse multimedia
requirements nowadays.
The motherboards provide optional 10 / 100 or 10/ 100/1000 Ethernet compatible LAN
function by using the Realtek RTL8100C 10/100 LAN NIC, Realtek RTL8101E-GR 10/100
LAN NIC or Realtek RTL8110SC 10/100/1000 LAN NIC which supports 10M / 100M bps or
10M 100M /1000M bps data transfer rate. And the embedded Realtek ALC880 , ALC883 or
ALC662-GR chipset fully compatible with Sound Blaster Pro standards with providing
optional Azalia 8-channel Audio CODEC or 6-channel AC 97 CODEC offers you with the
home cinema quality and satisfying software compatibility.

2
Embedded USB controller as well as capability of expanding to 8 of USB2.0 functional ports
delivering 480Mb/s of rich connectivity, these motherboards meet the demands of future USB
peripherals which are also equipped with hardware monitor function on system to monitor
and protect your system and maintain your non-stop business computing.
Some special features---CPU Thermal Throttling/ CPU Vcore 7-shift / CPU Smart Fan/) in this
motherboard are designed for power user to use the over-clocking function in more flexible ways. But
please be caution that the over-clocking maybe causes the fails in system reliabilities. This
motherboard provides the guaranteed performance and meets the demands of the next generation
computing. But if you insist to gain more system performance with variety possibilities of the
components you choose, please be careful and make sure to read the detailed descriptions of these
value added product features, please get them in the coming section.
1-1.1 Special Features of Motherboard
CPU Thermal Throttling Technology---(The CPU Overheat Protection Technology)
To prevent the increasing heat from damage of CPU or accidental shutdown while at high workload, the CPU
Thermal Throttling Technology will force CPU to enter partially idle mode from 87.5% to 12.5% according to
preset CPU operating temperature in BIOS (from 40℃to 90℃). When the system senses the CPU operating
temperature reaching the preset value, the CPU operating bandwidth will be decreased to the preset idle
percentage to cool down the processor. When at throttling mode the beeper sound can be optionally selected to
indicate it is in working.
CPU Smart Fan---( The Noise Management System（Only support 4-pin CPU cooler）)
It’s never been a good idea to gain the performance of your system by sacrificing its acoustics. CPU
Smart Fan Noise Management System is the answer to control the noise level needed for now-a-day’s
high performance computing system. The system will automatically increase the fan speed when CPU
operating loading is high, after the CPU is in normal operating condition, the system will low down
the fan speed for the silent operating environment. The system can provide the much longer life cycle
for both CPU and the system fans for game use and business requirements.
CPU Vcore 7-Shift--- (Shift to Higher Performance)
The CPU voltage can be adjusted up by 7 steps for the precisely over-clocking of extra demanding
computing performance.
.

3
1-2 Specification
Spec Description
Design ∗Micro ATX form factor 4 layers PCB size: 24.4*21.0cm
Chipset ∗Intel 945GC Memory Controller Hub (MCH) Chipset
∗Intel 82801GB I/O Controller Hub (ICH7) Chipset
CPU Socket
(LGA775 )
∗Support Intel Pentium 4, Celeron D, Pentium D, and Core 2 Duo 775-Land
LGA Package utilizes Flip-Chip Land Grid Array (FCLGA) package processor
∗Support FSB Frequency 1333/1066/800MHz or FSB Frequency 800/533MHz
Memory Socket ∗240-pin DDR2 RAM module socket x 2
∗Support Dual channel DDR2 400/DDR2 533/DDR2 667 MHz RAM Module
and which is expandable to 2.0GB.
Expansion Slots ∗PCI-Express x16 slot 1pcs delivers up to 8 GB/s of concurrent bandwidth.
∗32-bit PCI slot x 2pcs at 133MHz
Integrate IDE and
Serial ATA2
∗One PCI IDE controller that supports PCI Bus Mastering, ATA PIO/DMA and
the ULTRA DMA 33/66/100 functions that deliver the data transfer rate up to
100 MB/s; four Serial ATA2 ports provide 3.0 Gb /sec data transfer rate.
Integrated VGA ∗Integrated Graphic Media Accelerator 950
∗256-bit graphics core running at 400MHz
∗1.6 GPixels/sec and 1.6 GTexels/sec fill rate
∗Up to 224 MB maximum video memory
∗Up to 4 pixels per clock rendering
Optional LAN
∗Integrated Realtek RTL8110SC PCI 10 / 100 / 1000 LAN / RTL8100C PCI
10/100 LAN／RTL8101E-GR 10/100 PCI-E LAN chip.
∗Support Fast Ethernet LAN function of providing 10Mb / 100Mb 1000 Mb/s
or 10Mb / 100Mb/s data transfer rate
6CH-Audio
(Option)
∗Realtek 6-channel ALC662-GR, ALC ALC880 or ALC883 AC’97 Audio
Codec onboard
∗Audio driver and utility included
HD 8-CH
Audio (Option)
∗Realtek ALC880 or ALC883 Azalia 8-channel Audio Codec integrated
∗Support 8-channel 3D surround & Positioning Audio
∗Audio driver and utility included
BIOS ∗Award 4MB Flash ROM
Multi I/O ∗PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse connectors
∗Floppy disk drive connector x1
∗Parallel headerx1 / Serial port x1 (Optional)
∗D-Sub 15-pin VGA Conn.
∗Optional DVI port
∗USB 2.0 connector x 4, headers x4 (connecting cable option)
∗8-channel Audio connector (Line-in, Line-out, MIC/ 8CH Audio)

4
1-3 Item Checklist
5Intel 945GC Platform Processor Chipset based motherboard
5Cable for IDE
5CD for motherboard utilities
5Cable for Serial ATA Port
5Intel 945GC Platform Processor Chipset motherboard User’s Manual
1-4 Layout Diagram & Jumper Setting
ATX 12V Power Connector
Floppy
Connecto
r
Intel 945GC Chipset
Front Panel
Connector
Clear CMOS (JBAT)
ATX Power
Connector
CPU FAN
CPU Socket mPGA775
Intel 82801GB
ICH Chipset
Speak Conn.
DDR2
DIMMx2
USB Port
(USB2, USB3)
4MBit FWH BIOS
Optional 8-CH
Azalia /6-CH
AC97AudioCodec
CD Audio
32-bit PCI Slot
PC99
Back Panel
K/B Power ON
Jumper (JP1)
USB Port
LAN Connector
PS2 KB
Mouse Port
Audio Connecto
r
SYSFAN1
Front Panel Audio
Optional RTL8100C/
8101E-GR/8110SC
PCI/ ,PCIE LAN
Controller
ATA100
IDE Connector
Serial-ATA2
Connector
(SATA1, 2, 3, 4)
FINTEK F71872F I/O Chipset
USB Port
SYS
FAN2
PCI EXPRESSx16
USB Power ON
Jumper (JP3)
Parallel Connector

5
Chapter 2
Hardware Installation
2-1 Install LGA 775 Supported Intel Processor
This motherboard provides a 775-pin surface mount, LGA775 Land Grid Array socket,
referred to as the LGA775 socket supports Intel Pentium 4 processor in the 775 Pin package
utilizes Flip-Chip Land Grid Array (FC-LGA) package technology.
The CPU that comes with the motherboard should have a cooling FAN attached to prevent
overheating. If this is not the case, then purchase a correct cooling FAN before you turn on
your system.
WARNING! Be sure that there is sufficient air circulation across the processor’s
heatsink and CPU cooling FAN is working correctly, otherwise it may
cause the processor and motherboard overheat and damage, you may install
an auxiliary cooling FAN, if necessary.
To install a CPU, first turn off your system and remove its cover. Locate the LGA775
socket and open it by first pulling the level sideways away from the socket then upward to a
90-degree angle. Insert the CPU with the correct orientation as shown below. The notched
corner should point toward the end of the level. Because the CPU has a corner pin for two
of the four corners, the CPU will only fit in the orientation as shown.
CPU LGA775 Socket
Colden Arrow
LGA775

6
2-2 Install Memory
This motherboard provides two 240-pin DDR2 DUAL INLINE MEMORY MODULES
(DIMM) socket for DDR2 memory expansion available from minimum memory volume of
128MB to maximum memory volume of 2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM.
Valid Memory Configurations
Bank 240-Pin DIMM PCS Total Memory
Bank 0, 1 (DIMM1) DDR2 400/ 533 DDR DRAM Module X1 128MB∼1.0GB
Bank 2, 3 (DIMM2) DDR2 400/ 533 DDR DRAM Module X1 128MB∼1.0GB
Total Memory (Max.2.0GB) 2 128MB∼2.0GB
Recommend DIMM Module Combination
1. One DIMM Module ----Plug in DIMM1
2. Two DIMM Modules---Plug in DIMM1 and DIMM2 for Dual channel function
For Dual channel Limited!
3. Dual channel function only supports when 2 DIMM Modules plug in either both DIMM1 &
DIMM2
4. DIMM1 & DIMM2 must be the same type, same size, same frequency for dual channel
function.
Install DDR2 SDRAM modules to your motherboard is not difficult, you can refer to figure
below to see how to install a 240-Pin DDR2 400/DDR2 533 SDRAM module.
NOTE! When you install DIMM module fully into the DIMM socket the eject tab
should be locked into the DIMM module very firmly and fit into its
indention on both sides.

7
2-3 Expansion Cards
The 945GC motherboard series offer one PCI-Express x16 graphics slot of 4Gbyte/sec data
transfer rate at each relative direction which gets 3.5 times of bandwidth more than AGP 8X
and it’s up to a peak concurrent bandwidth of 8Gbyte/sec at full speed to guarantee the
ultimate GPU computing performance. Two 32-bit PCI slots guarantee the rich connectivity
for the I/O of peripherals. The motherboards are designed of tackling the profuse multimedia
requirements nowadays..
PE1 / PCI-E x16 Slot
32-bit PCI Slot

8
Chapter 3
Connectors, Headers & Jumpers Setting
3-1 Connectors
(1) Power Connector (24-pin block) : ATXPWR1
ATX Power Supply connector:
This is a new defined 24-pins
connector that usually comes with
ATX case. The ATX Power Supply
allows using soft power on
momentary switch that connect from
the front panel switch to 2-pins
Power On jumper pole on the
motherboard. When the power
switch on the back of the ATX
power supply turned on, the full
power will not come into the system
board until the front panel switch is
momentarily pressed. Press this
switch again will turn off the power to the system board.
** We recommend that you use an ATX 12V Specification 2.0-compliant power supply
unit (PSU) with a minimum of 350W power rating. This type has 24-pin and 4-pin
power plugs.
** If you intend to use a PSU with 20-pin and 4-pin power plugs, make sure that the 20-pin
power plug can provide at least 15A on +12V and the power supply unit has a minimum
power rating of 350W. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the
power is inadequate.
(2) ATX 12V Power Connector (4-pin block) : ATX12V
This is a new defined 4-pins connector that usually comes with ATX Power Supply.
The ATX Power Supply which fully supports AM2 processor must including this
connector for support extra 12V voltage to maintain system power
consumption. Without this connector might cause system unstable
because the power supply can not provide sufficient current for
system.
(3) PS/2 Mouse & PS/2 Keyboard Connector: KB1
The connectors are for PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 Mouse.
(4) USB Port connector: CN3
The connectors are 4-pin connectors that connect USB devices to the system board.
(5) LAN Port connector: UL1
This connector is standard RJ45 connector for Network
The USBLAN1 support 10M/100M bps or 10M/100M/1000M bps data transfer rate
(6) Audio Line-In, Lin-Out, MIC, Surrback, Surround, GEN/LEF Connector,
SURROUND1 (Option) This Connector are 6 phone Jack for LINE-OUT, LINE-IN, MIC,
Surrback, Surround, GEN/LEF
Line-out : (GREEN) Audio output to speaker
Line-in : (BLUE) Audio input to sound chip
MIC : (PINK) Microphone Connector
Pin 1
ROW1 ROW2
24-Pin
ROW1 ROW2
Pin 1
20-Pin
PIN ROW1 ROW2
1 3.3V 3.3V
2 3.3V -12V
3 GND GND
4 5V Soft Power On
5 GND GND
6 5V GND
7 GND GND
8 Power OK -5V
9 +5V (for Soft Logic) +5V
10 +12V +5V
11 +12V +5V
12 +3V GND