MSI K9N2 SLI PLATINUM - Motherboard - ATX User manual

i
K9N2SLIPlatinum
Series
MS-7374(v1.X)Mainboard
G52-73741X1

ii
CopyrightNotice
The materialinthisdocumentistheintellectual propertyof MICRO-STAR
INTERNATIONAL.Wetakeeverycareinthe preparationof thisdocument, butno
guaranteeisgivenastothecorrectnessofitscontents.Ourproductsareunder
continualimprovementand wereservetherighttomakechangeswithoutnotice.
Trademarks
Alltrademarksarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
NVIDIA,theNVIDIAlogo,DualNet, and nForceareregisteredtrademarksortrade-
marksofNVIDIACorporationin theUnitedStatesand/orothercountries.
AMD,Athlon ,Athlon XP,Thoroughbred ,andDuron areregisteredtrade-
marksofAMDCorporation.
Intel®andPentium®areregisteredtrademarksofIntelCorporation.
PS/2and OS®/2areregisteredtrademarksofInternationalBusiness Machines
Corporation.
Windows®95/98/2000/NT/XPareregisteredtrademarksofMicrosoftCorporation.
Netware®isaregisteredtrademarkofNovell,Inc.
Award®isaregisteredtrademarkofPhoenixTechnologiesLtd.
AMI®isaregisteredtrademarkofAmericanMegatrendsInc.
RevisionHistory
Revision RevisionHistory Date
V1.0 FirstreleaseforPCB1.X April2008
TechnicalSupport
Ifaproblemariseswithyoursystemandnosolutioncanbeobtainedfromtheuser’s
manual,pleasecontactyourplaceofpurchaseorlocaldistributor.Alternatively,
pleasetrythefollowing helpresourcesforfurtherguidance.
Visit theMSI websiteforFAQ,technical guide,BIOSupdates,driverupdates,
andotherinformation: http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?
func=faqIndex
Contactourtechnicalstaff at: http://support.msi.com.tw/

iii
SafetyInstructions
CAUTION: Dangerofexplosionifbatteryisincorrectlyreplaced.
Replaceonlywiththe sameorequivalenttype recommendedbythe
manufacturer.
1. Alwaysread thesafetyinstructionscarefully.
2. KeepthisUser’sManualforfuturereference.
3. Keepthisequipmentawayfromhumidity.
4. Laythisequipmentonareliableflatsurfacebeforesetting itup.
5. Theopeningsontheenclosureareforairconvectionhenceprotectstheequip-
ment fromoverheating.DONOTCOVERTHEOPENINGS.
6. Makesurethevoltageofthe powersourceandadjustproperly110/220Vbe-
foreconnectingtheequipmenttothepowerinlet.
7. Placethe powercordsuchawaythatpeoplecannotstepon it. Donotplace
anythingoverthepowercord.
8. AlwaysUnplug thePowerCordbeforeinsertinganyadd-oncardormodule.
9. All cautionsand warningsontheequipmentshouldbenoted.
10. Neverpouranyliquidintotheopeningthatcoulddamage orcauseelectrical
shock.
11. If anyof thefollowing situationsarises, gettheequipmentcheckedbyaservice
personnel:
†Thepowercordorplugisdamaged.
†Liquid haspenetratedintotheequipment.
†Theequipmenthasbeen exposedtomoisture.
†Theequipmenthasnotworkwelloryoucannotgetitworkaccording to
User’sManual.
†Theequipmenthasdroppedand damaged.
†Theequipmenthasobvioussign of breakage.
12.DONOTLEAVETHISEQUIPMENTINANENVIRONMENTUNCONDITIONED,STOR-
AGETEMPERATUREABOVE600C(1400F),IT MAYDAMAGETHEEQUIPMENT.

iv
FCC-BRadio Frequency Interference Statement
Thisequipmenthasbeen
tested and found tocomply
withthe limitsforaClassB
digitaldevice,pursuanttoPart
15of the FCCRules.Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonable protection
againstharmful interferenceinaresidentialinstallation.Thisequipmentgenerates,
usesand canradiateradiofrequencyenergyand,ifnotinstalledand used in accor-
dancewiththeinstructions,maycauseharmful interferencetoradiocommunications.
However,thereisno guarantee thatinterferencewill notoccurin aparticular
installation.Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmful interferencetoradioortelevision
reception,whichcanbedeterminedbyturning theequipmentoff and on,the useris
encouragedtotrytocorrecttheinterferencebyone ormoreof themeasureslisted
below.
†Reorientorrelocatethereceiving antenna.
†Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentand receiver.
†Connecttheequipmentintoanoutleton acircuitdifferentfromthatto
whichthereceiverisconnected.
†Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/televisiontechnicianforhelp.
Notice1
Thechangesormodificationsnotexpresslyapprovedbythepartyresponsible for
compliancecould void theuser’sauthoritytooperatetheequipment.
Notice2
Shieldedinterfacecablesand A.C.powercord,ifany,mustbeusedinorderto
complywiththeemissionlimits.
VOIRLANOTICED’ INSTALLATIONAVANTDERACCORDERAURESEAU.
Micro-StarInternational
MS-7374
ThisdevicecomplieswithPart15oftheFCCRules.Operationissubjecttothe
followingtwoconditions:
(1)thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterference,and
(2)thisdevicemustaccept anyinterferencereceived,includinginterferencethat
maycauseundesiredoperation.

v
WEEE (WasteElectricaland ElectronicEquipment) Statement

vi

vii

viii
CONTENTS
CopyrightNotice..............................................................................................................ii
Trademarks.......................................................................................................................ii
RevisionHistory..............................................................................................................ii
Technical Support...........................................................................................................ii
SafetyInstructions.........................................................................................................iii
FCC-B RadioFrequencyInterferenceStatement........................................................iv
WEEE(WasteElectricalandElectronicEquipment)Statement....................................v
Chapter1.GettingStarted....................................................................................1-1
MainboardSpecifications...................................................................................1-2
MainboardLayout................................................................................................1-4
PackingChecklist.................................................................................................1-5
Chapter2.HardwareSetup..................................................................................2-1
Quick ComponentsGuide....................................................................................2-2
CPU(CentralProcessingUnit)............................................................................2-3
Memory.................................................................................................................2-6
PowerSupply......................................................................................................2-8
BackPanel..........................................................................................................2-10
Connectors........................................................................................................2-12
Button.................................................................................................................2-19
Slots....................................................................................................................2-20
LEDStatusIndicators........................................................................................2-25
Chapter3BIOSSetup.............................................................................................3-1
EnteringSetup.....................................................................................................3-2
TheMainMenu.....................................................................................................3-4
StandardCMOSFeatures...................................................................................3-6
AdvancedBIOSFeatures...................................................................................3-8
IntegratedPeripherals........................................................................................3-11
PowerManagementSetup...............................................................................3-13
H/WMonitor........................................................................................................3-16
BIOSSetting Password.....................................................................................3-17
Cell Menu............................................................................................................3-18
USERSETTINGS................................................................................................3-23
LoadFail-Safe/Optimized Defaults.................................................................3-24
AppendixARealtekALC888Audio....................................................................A-1
InstallingtheRealtekHDAudioDriver................................................................A-2

ix
SoftwareConfiguration......................................................................................A-4
HardwareSetup................................................................................................A-19
AppendixBNVIDIARAID.........................................................................................B-1
Introduction..........................................................................................................B-2
RAIDConfiguraiton..............................................................................................B-3
Installing Driver....................................................................................................B-7
NVIDIARAIDUtilityInstallation.............................................................................B-8
Using theNVMediaShield Software.................................................................B-11
AppendixCJMicronRAIDIntroduction............................................................C-1
Introduction..........................................................................................................C-2
JMicronRAIDBIOSUtility....................................................................................C-3
Installing Driver..................................................................................................C-11
JMicron RAIDConfigurer...................................................................................C-13
AppendixDDualCoreCenter..............................................................................D-1
Activating DualCoreCenter...............................................................................D-2
Main......................................................................................................................D-3
DOT(DyanmicOverClocking)..............................................................................D-5
Clock.....................................................................................................................D-6
Voltage.................................................................................................................D-7
FANSpeed...........................................................................................................D-8
Temperature.........................................................................................................D-9
UserProfile........................................................................................................D-10

1-1
Getting Started
Getting Started
Chapter1
Thankyouforchoosing theK9N2SLIPlatinumSeries
(MS-7374v1.X)ATXmainboard.TheK9N2SLIPlatinum
Seriesmainboardsarebasedon NVIDIA nForce750a
SLI singlechipsetforoptimalsystemefficiency.De-
signed tofittheadvanced AMD Phenom/Athlon/
Sempron seriesinSocketAM2/AM2+,the K9N2SLI
PlatinumSeriesdeliverahighperformanceand profes-
sionaldesktopplatformsolution.

MS-7374Mainboard
1-2
MainboardSpecifications
ProcessorSupport
-AMD Phenom/ Athlon/Sempron seriesprocessorsinAM2/AM2+
package
-Supports4pinCPUFanPin-HeaderwithFanSpeedControl
(ForthelatestinformationaboutCPU, pleasevisit
http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=cpuform)
SupportedFSB
-AM2CPUsupportsHyperTransport1.0
-AM2+CPUsupportsHyperTransport3.0
Chipset
-NVIDIA®nForce750aSLI(MCP72P)chipset
MemorySupport
-DDR21066(forAM2+CPUonly)/800/667DRAM(240pin/1.8V)
-4DDR2DIMMs(8GB Max)
(Formoreinformation oncompatiblecomponents,pleasevisit
http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=testreport)
LAN
-Supports10/100/1000FastEthernetbyRealtek8211BL
1394 (optional)
-Transferrateisup to400Mbps
-ControlledbyVIA VT6308P(optional)
Audio
-ChipintegratedbyRealtek®ALC888
-Flexible8-channelaudiowithjacksensing
-CompliantwithAzalia1.0spec
IDE
-2IDEports(one bynForce750a SLI, onebyJMB363)
-SupportsUltraDMA66/100/133 mode
-SupportsPIO,BusMasteroperationmode
SATA
-6SATAIIportsbynForce750a SLI
-2ESATA(External-SATA)ports(back panel)byJMB363
-Supportsstorageanddatatransfersatupto3Gb/s
RAID
-SATA1~6supportRAID0/1/0+1/5orJBODmode
-2ESATA(External-SATA)portssupport RAID0/1mode
Floppy
-1floppyport
-Supports1FDD with360KB, 720KB,1.2MB,1.44MBand 2.88MB

1-3
Getting Started
Connectors
Back panel
-1PS/2mouseport
-1PS/2keyboardport
-11394 port(optional)
-1OpticalSPDIF-outjack
-1DVI-D port
-1LANjack
-4USB2.0ports
-2ESATAports
-6flexibleaudiojacks
On-BoardPinheaders
-3USB 2.0pinheaders
-11394pinheader(optional)
-1FrontPanelAudiopinheader
-1CD-inpinheader
-1Serialportpinheader
-1TPMModulepinheader(optional)
-1SPDIF-outpinheader
-1ChassisIntrusion pinheader
TPM (optional)
-SupportsTPM
Slots
-2PCIExpress x16 slotscompatiblewithPCIE2.0specification,
supportsSLImode
a.the mazarine PCIEx16 (PCI_E1)slot supportsup toPCIE2.0
x16speed
b.the blue PCIEx16(PCI_E3)slotisaspecialdesignthat
supportsuptoPCIE2.0x8speed
c.ifyouintendtouse both PCIEx16 slots,pleaseusethemwith
graphicscards in SLI mode and thesetwoPCIEx16 laneswill
autoarrangefromx16/x0tox8/x8
-1PCIExpress x1slot
-2PCIslots
FormFactor
-ATX (30.5cmX 24.4cm)
Mounting
-9mounting holes

MS-7374Mainboard
1-4
K9N2SLIPlatinumSeries(MS-7374v1.X)
ATXMainboard
MainboardLayout
PCI 2
PCI 1
BATT
+
I
D
E
1
A
T
X
1
Socket AM2
DIM
M
1
DIM
M
2
DIM
M
3
DIM
M
4
JCOM1
JAUD1 JCD1 SPDOUT1 FDD1
J1394_1
JFP1
RESET
PWR_BTN
CLEARCMOS
JFP2 IDE2
JUSB2 JUSB3
JUSB1
JTPM1
SATA5
SATA1_3
SATA6
SYSFAN3
CPUFAN1
JPW2 JPW3
SYSFAN1 SYSFAN2
SATA2_4
SYSFAN4
PCI_E3
PCI_E2
PCI_E1
Top: LANJack
Bottom:USBports
USBports
T:Line-In
M:Line-Out
B:Mic
T:RS-Out
M:CS-Out
B:SS-Out
Top:mouse
Bottom:keyboard
eSATAports
Top: DVI
Bottom:
1394port(optional)
OpticalSPDIF-out
ports
JMicron
JMB363
Audio
Coedc
JCI1 I/O
Chip
LAN
Chip
NForce
750aSLI
VIA
VT6308P
(optional)
(Optional)
(Optional)

1-5
Getting Started
PackingChecklist
PowerCable
User’sGuide
MSImotherboard MSIDriver/UtilityCD
*The picturesareforreferenceonlyandmayvaryfromthepackingcontentsofthe
productyoupurchased.
FloppyCable
IDECable
SLIVideoLinkCard
Back IOShield
1394 Bracket(Optional)
SATACable
externalSATACable
(Optional)

2-1
HardwareSetup
HardwareSetup
Chapter2
Thischapterprovidesyou withtheinformation about
hardwaresetupprocedures.Whiledoingthe installation,
becarefulinholdingthecomponentsandfollowthe
installationprocedures.Forsomecomponents,ifyou
install inthewrong orientation,thecomponentswillnot
workproperly.
Useagroundedwrist strapbeforehandlingcomputer
components.Staticelectricitymaydamagethe
components.

2-2
MS-7374Mainboard
DDR2DIMMs,
p.2-6
JFP2, p.2-18
BackPanel
I/O, p.2-10 IDE1, p.2-12
ATX1, p.2-8
PCISlots,
p.2-24
JUSB1~3, p.2-16
SATA, p.2-13
SYSFAN2, p.2-14
CPUFAN1, p.2-14
PCIExpress
slots, p.2-20
CPU, p.2-3
J1394_1,
p.2-17
Quick ComponentsGuide
JAUD1,
p.2-15
CLEARCMOS,
p.2-19
SYSFAN3,
p.2-14
JFP1, p.2-18
JCD1,
p.2-15
JCI1, p.2-15
FDD1,
p.2-13
SPDOUT1,
p.2-14
JPW3, p.2-8
JTPM1, p.2-17
JCOM1,
p.2-16
RESET,p.2-19
PWR_BTN,
p.2-19
SYSFAN4,
p.2-14
IDE2,
p.2-12
SYSFAN1,
p.2-14
JPW2, p.2-8

2-3
HardwareSetup
The mainboardsupportsAMD®Phenom/Athlon/SempronprocessorsinSocket
AM2/AM2+.The Socket AM2/AM2+ offeraeasyCPUinstallation.Whenyou are
installingtheCPU, make suretheCPUhas aheatsinkand acooling fan
attachedon thetop topreventoverheating. If youdonothavetheheatsinkand
cooling fan,contactyourdealertopurchaseand installthembeforeturningonthe
computer.
Forthe latestinformation aboutCPU,pleasevisit http://global.msi.com.tw/index.
php?func=cpuform
CPU(CentralProcessingUnit)
Important
Overheating
Overheating will seriouslydamage the CPUand system.Always makesure
thecoolingfancanworkproperlytoprotectthe CPUfromoverheating.Make
surethatyouapplyan even layerofthermalpaste(orthermaltape)between
the CPUand the heatsinktoenhanceheatdissipation.
Replacing theCPU
WhilereplacingtheCPU,alwaysturnofftheATXpowersupplyorunplug the
powersupply spowercordfromthegrounded outlet firsttoensurethe safety
ofCPU.
Overclocking
Thismainboardisdesigned tosupportoverclocking.However,pleasemake
sureyourcomponentsareabletotoleratesuchabnormalsetting,while
doing overclocking.Anyattempttooperatebeyond productspecificationsis
notrecommended. Wedonotguaranteethedamages orrisks caused
byinadequateoperation orbeyondproductspecifications.

2-4
MS-7374Mainboard
CPUInstallation Procedures forSocketAM2/AM2+
1.Pleaseturnoffthepowerand
unplug thepowercordbefore
installing the CPU.
2.Pulltheleversidewaysaway
fromthe socket. Makesureto
raisetheleverup toa90-de-
greeangle.
3.Lookforthegold arrowonthe
CPU.Thegold arrowshould point
asshownin thepicture.TheCPU
canonlyfitinthecorrect
orientation.Lowerthe CPUdown
ontothesocket.
4.If theCPUiscorrectlyinstalled,
thepinsshould becompletely
embeddedintothesocketand
cannotbeseen.Pleasenote
thatanyviolation ofthe correct
installationproceduresmay
causepermanentdamagesto
yourmainboard.
5.Press theCPUdownfirmlyinto
thesocketandclosethelever.
AstheCPUislikelytomovewhile
theleverisbeingclosed,al-
waysclosetheleverwithyour
fingerspressingtightlyon top of
the CPUtomakesurethe CPUis
properlyand completelyembed-
dedintothesocket.
Openthelever
90degree
Sliding
theplate
Goldarrow
Goldarrow
Goldarrow
Correct CPU
placement
O
IncorrectCPU
placement
Pressdown
theCPU
Close
thelever

2-5
HardwareSetup
Installing CPUCooler Set
Whenyouareinstallingthe CPU, make suretheCPUhas aheatsinkanda
cooling fanattachedon thetop topreventoverheating. If youdonothavethe
heatsinkandcoolingfan,contactyourdealertopurchaseandinstallthembefore
turning onthecomputer.
2.Thenpress downtheotherendof
thecliptofastenthe cooling seton
the topofthe retentionmechanism.
LocatetheFixLeverand liftitup.
1.Positionthecooling set ontothere-
tentionmechanism.
Hookoneendoftheclip tohook
first.
3.Fastendownthelever. 4.AttachtheCPUfancable totheCPU
fanconnectoronthemainboard.
Fixed Lever
Important
1.Readthe CPUstatusinBIOS(Chapter3).
2.Mainboardphotosshowninthissection arefordemonstration oftheCPU/
coolerinstallation only.The appearanceofyourmainboardmayvarydepend-
ingonthemodel you purchase.

2-6
MS-7374Mainboard
Memory
TheseDIMM slotsareusedforinstalling memorymodules.
Formoreinformationoncompatiblecomponents, pleasevisit http://global.msi.com.
tw/index.php?func=testreport
1
DIMM1
DIMM2
DIMM3
DIMM4
2
DIMM1
DIMM2
DIMM3
DIMM4
Dual-ChannelMemory Population Rules
InDual-Channelmode,thememorymodulescantransmitand receivedatawithtwo
databuslinessimultaneously.EnablingDual-Channelmodecanenhancethesystem
performance.The following illustrationsexplain thepopulationrulesforDual-Channel
mode.
Empty
Installed
Important
-DDR2memorymodulesarenotinterchangeable withDDRandtheDDR2
standardisnotbackwardscompatible.You shouldalways install DDR2
memorymodulesinthe DDR2DIMM slots.
-InDual-Channelmode,makesurethatyouinstall memorymodulesof the
sametypeand density in different channelDIMM slots.
-Toenable successful systemboot-up,alwaysinsertthememorymodules
intothe DIMM1first.
-Due tothe chipsetresourcedeployment, thesystemdensitywill onlybe
detected up to7+GB(notfull 8GB) when eachDIMM isinstalled witha2GB
memorymodule.
DDR2
240-pin,1.8V
64x2=128 pin56x2=112 pin