Asus CROSSHAIR User Manual

Motherboard Crosshair
ii E271 1 Second Edition V2 July 2006 Copyright © 2006 ASUST eK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUST eK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”). Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless such repair , modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing. ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT W ARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED W ARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANT ABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A P ARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT , SPECIAL, INCIDENT AL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DA T A, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT . SPECIFICA TIONS AND INFORMA TION CONT AINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMA TIONAL USE ONL Y , AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE A T ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THA T MA Y APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT . Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.
iii Contents Notices ......................................................................................................... vi Safety information ..................................................................................... vii About this guide ....................................................................................... viii Crosshair specications summary ............................................................ x Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Special features ............................................................................ 1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-2 1.3.2 ASUS Unique features .................................................. 1-5 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 2-2 2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 2-2 2.2.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 2-2 2.2.3 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 2-3 2.2.4 Audio card layout ............................................................ 2-3 2.2.5 Layout contents ............................................................... 2-4 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-6 2.3.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-6 2.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fan ........................................ 2-8 2.3.3 Installing the optional fan ...............................................2-1 1 2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-12 2.4.1 Overview ....................................................................... 2-12 2.4.2 Memory congurations .................................................. 2-12 2.4.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-19 2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-19 2.5 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 2-20 2.5.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-20 2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-20 2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-21 2.5.4 PCI slots ........................................................................ 2-22 2.5.5 PCI Express x4 slot ....................................................... 2-22 2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots ................................................... 2-22
iv Contents 2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-23 2.7 Audio Card and EL I/O Installation ........................................... 2-24 2.7.1 Audio Card Installation .................................................. 2-24 2.7.2 EL I/O Installation .......................................................... 2-24 2.8 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-25 2.8.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 2-25 2.8.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-28 2.8.3 Onboard switches ......................................................... 2-35 Chapter 3: Powering up 3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-1 3.2 Powering off the computer .......................................................... 3-2 3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function .................................... 3-2 3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch .............................. 3-2 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1 4.1.1 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 4-1 4.1.2 Creating a bootable oppy disk ....................................... 4-4 4.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ................................................... 4-5 4.1.4 Updating the BIOS .......................................................... 4-6 4.1.5 Saving the current BIOS le ............................................ 4-8 4.1.6 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 4-9 4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................. 4-10 4.2.1 BIOS menu screen .........................................................4-1 1 4.2.2 Menu bar ........................................................................4-1 1 4.2.3 Legend bar .................................................................... 4-12 4.2.4 Menu items ................................................................... 4-12 4.2.5 Sub-menu items ............................................................ 4-12 4.2.6 Conguration elds ....................................................... 4-12 4.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................. 4-13 4.2.8 General help ................................................................. 4-13 4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-14 4.3.1 System T ime ................................................................ 4-14 4.3.2 System Date ................................................................ 4-14 4.3.3 Language ..................................................................... 4-14 4.3.4 Legacy Diskette A ........................................................ 4-14 4.3.5 Primary IDE Master/Slave ............................................. 4-15
v Contents 4.3.6 SA T A 1/2/3/4/5/6 .......................................................... 4-17 4.3.7 HDD SMART Monitoring .............................................. 4-18 4.3.8 Installed Memory ........................................................... 4-18 4.3.9 Usable Memory ............................................................. 4-18 4.4 Extreme T weaker menu ............................................................. 4-19 4.4.1 LinkBoost ...................................................................... 4-19 4.4.2 AI T uning ....................................................................... 4-19 4.4.3 DRAM Conguration ..................................................... 4-23 4.4.4 SLI-Ready Memory ....................................................... 4-28 4.4.5 SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC. ........................................ 4-28 4.4.6 AMD Live! ..................................................................... 4-28 4.4.7 AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Function ......................................... 4-28 4.4.8 NVIDIA GPU Ex ............................................................ 4-28 4.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-29 4.5.1 AI NET2 ........................................................................ 4-29 4.5.2 PEG Link Mode ............................................................. 4-30 4.5.3 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-30 4.5.4 Onboard Device Conguration ...................................... 4-31 4.6 Power menu ................................................................................ 4-35 4.6.1 ACPI Suspend T ype ..................................................... 4-35 4.6.2 ACPI APIC Support ....................................................... 4-35 4.6.3 APM Conguration ........................................................ 4-36 4.6.4 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-37 4.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-41 4.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-41 4.7.2 Removable Drives ......................................................... 4-42 4.7.3 Hard Disk Drives ........................................................... 4-42 4.7.4 Boot Settings Conguration ......................................... 4-43 4.7.5 Security ......................................................................... 4-44 4.8 T ools menu ................................................................................. 4-46 4.8.1 ASUS Music Alarm ........................................................ 4-46 4.8.2 ASUS O.C. Prole ......................................................... 4-47 4.8.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 .......................................................... 4-49 4.9 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-50
vi Contents Chapter 5: Software support 5.1 Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1 5.2 Support DVD information ............................................................ 5-1 5.2.1 Running the support DVD ............................................... 5-1 5.2.2 Drivers menu ................................................................... 5-2 5.2.3 Utilities menu .................................................................. 5-3 5.2.4 Make Disk menu ............................................................. 5-5 5.2.5 Manuals menu ................................................................ 5-6 5.2.6 ASUS Contact information .............................................. 5-6 5.2.7 Other information ............................................................ 5-7 5.3 Software information ................................................................... 5-9 5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3 .............................................................. 5-9 5.3.2 SoundMAX ADI1988 ......................................................5-1 1 5.3.3 Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ T echnology .......................................... 5-16 5.3.4 ASUS PC Probe II ......................................................... 5-18 5.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 5-24 5.4.1 NVIDIA® MediaShield RAID congurations .................. 5-25 5.4.2 Silicon Image RAID congurations ............................... 5-32 5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk ....................................................... 5-40 Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support 6.1 Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Dual graphics card setup ............................................................ 6-2 6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cards ................................. 6-2 6.2.2 Installing the device drivers ............................................. 6-5 6.2.3 Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows® ................ 6-5 Appendix: Debug Code A.1 Debug code table ......................................................................... A-1
vii Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer ’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However , there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver . • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. Canadian Department of Communications Statement This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user ’s authority to operate this equipment.
viii Safety information Electrical safety • T o prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device. • Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged. • Seek professional assistance before using an adpater or extension cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit. • Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company . • If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied service technician or your retailer . Operation safety • Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package. • Handle the product with caution. Some sharp edges and points might cause physical injury . Installing the motherboard with cut or puncture resistant gloves is highly recommended. • Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately . • T o avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry . • Avoid dust, humidity , and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area where it may become wet. • Place the product on a stable surface. • If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualied service technician or your retailer .
ix About this guide This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the motherboard. How this guide is organized This guide contains the following parts: • Chapter 1: Product introduction This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. • Chapter 2: Hardware information This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard. • Chapter 3: Powering up This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down the system. • Chapter 4: BIOS setup This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided. • Chapter 5: Software support This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package. • Chapter 6: NVIDIA ® SLI™ technology support This chapter tells ow to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. • Appendix: Debug Code This appendix explains the debug code on the LCD poster . Where to nd more information Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. 2. Optional documentation Y our product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty yers, that may have been added by your dealer . These documents are not part of the standard package.
x Conventions used in this guide T o make sure that you perform certain tasks properly , take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. T ypography Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select. Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase. <Key> Key s e ncl ose d i n t he le ss- tha n a nd gre ate r-t ha n s ign mea ns tha t y ou mus t p re ss the en clo sed ke y. Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or Return key . <Key1 Key2 Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously , the key names are linked with a plus sign ( ). Example: <Ctrl Alt D> Command Means that you must type the command exactly as shown, then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets. Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line: format A: /S DANGER/W ARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. NOTE: T ips and additional information to help you complete a task. IMPORT ANT : Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.
xi Crosshair specications summary (continued on the next page) CPU Support AMD® Socket AM2 Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64/ Sempron AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ T echnology AMD64 architecture enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit computing AMD Live!™ Ready Chipset NVIDIA nForce® 590 SLI™ MCP NVIDIA LinkBoost™ T echnology System bus 2000 / 1600 MT/s Memory Dual channel memory architecture 4 x DIMM, max. 8GB, DDR2-800/667/533, ECC and non- ECC, un-buffered memory Expansion slots 2 x PCI Express x16 slot with NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support, at full x16, x16 speed 1 x PCI Express x4 3 x PCI 2.2 Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) Support two identical NVIDIA SLI-Ready graphics cards (both at x16 mode) ASUS two-slot thermal design ASUS PEG Link High Denition Audio SupremeFX Audio Card featuring ADI 1988B 8-channel High Denition Audio CODEC Support Jack-Sensing, Enumeration, Multi-streaming and Jack-Retasking 8 channel audio ports Coaxial, Optical S/PDIF out on back I/O port * ASUS Array Mic * Noise Filter Storage NVIDIA nForce® 590 SLI™ MCP supports: * 1 x Ultra DMA 133 / 100 / 66 / 33 * 6 x Serial A T A 3.0Gb/s with NCQ * NVIDIA MediaShield™ RAID supports RAID 0, 1, 0 1, 5 and JBOD span cross Serial A T A drives Silicon Image® 3132 SA T A controller supports: * 2 x External Serial A T A 3.0Gb/s port on back I/O (SA T A On-the-Go) * Support RAID 0, 1, JBOD, RAID 0 1(10) and 5 through multiplier
xii Crosshair specications summary (continued on the next page) Dual Gigabit LAN Dual Gigabit LAN controllers support NVIDIA DualNet® technology NVIDIA nForce® 590 SLI™ MCP built-in dual Gigabit MAC with external Marvell PHY * Support T eaming and fail-over functions * Support TCP/IP Acceleration IEEE 1394 TI 1394 controller supports 2 x 1394a ports USB max. 10 USB2.0/1.1 ports ASUS Exclusive Overclocking features Intelligent overclocking tools: * ASUS AI NOS™ (Non-delay Overclocking System) * AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner) * AI Clock Skew * ASUS PEG Link - automatically performance tuning for graphics cards * ASUS O.C. Prole: overclocking conguration-sharing tool * Extreme T weaker * ASUS AI Booster Utility * Adjustable FSB/DDR2 ratio. Fixed PCI/PCIe frequencies. Overclocking Protection: * ASUS C.P .R.(CPU Parameter Recall) ASUS Unique features LCD Poster EL I/O Onboard LED Onboard switches: Power / Reset / Clr CMOS Q-Connector Q-Fan Plus ASUS CrashFree BIOS3 ASUS EZ Flash2 ASUS Music Alarm ASUS MyLogo3 AI NET2 Multi-language BIOS Rear panel I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port 1 x PS/2 Mouses 1 x Optical 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF Output 2 x External SA T A 2 x LAN (RJ45) port 4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x IEEE 1394a port 1 x onboard LED switch 1 x LCD Poster BIOS features 8Mb AW ARD BIOS, PnP , DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
xiii Crosshair specications summary Internal connectors 3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE connector for two devices 6 x SA T A connectors 1 x CPU / 7 x option Fan 3 x thermal sensor connector 1 x IEEE1394a connector 1 x S/PDIF output connector Chassis Intrusion connector Front Panel Audio connector 24-pin A TX Power connector 8-pin A TX 12V Power connector System panel connector 1 x EL I/O Shield connector Manageability WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chasis Intrusion, PXE Power requirements A TX power supply (with 24-pin and 8-pin 12 V plugs) A TX 12 V 2.0 compliant Support DVD contents Drivers ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update ASUS AI Booster Futuremark ® 3DMark® 06 Advanced Edition NVIDIA MediaShield™ RAID Kaspersky® Anti-Virus Accessories 1 x SLI bridge 1 x ASUS Array Mic 1 x ASUS Optional Fan 1 x ASUS Q-Connector Kit (system panel; Retail version only) 3 x Thermo sensor cables 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable 1 x Floppy disk drive cable 6 x SA T A cables 7 x Cable ties 3 x SA T A power cable for 6 devices 1 x 2-port USB2.0 module 1 x IEEE1394a module 1 x EL I/O Shield InterVideo® Media Launcher (OEM version only) User's manual Form factor A TX Form Factor , 12”x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.5cm) *Specications are subject to change without notice.
xiv
1 Product introduction This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.
ASUS Crosshair Chapter summary 1 1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Special features ............................................................................ 1-2
ASUS Crosshair 1-1 1.1 Welcome! Th a nk yo u f or bu yin g a n ASU S ® Crosshair motherboard ! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below . If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer . 1.2 Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard ASUS Crosshair motherboard I/O modules USB 2.0 module IEEE 1394a module Cables Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable Floppy disk drive cable Serial A T A cables Serial A T A power cables Thermal sensor cables Accessories I/O shield with EL ASUS SLI Bridge Optional fan for water-cooling/passive cooling only Application CD ASUS motherboard support DVD Intervideo ® WinDVD Suite (OEM version) Documentation User guide
1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.3 Special features 1.3.1 Product highlights Latest processor technology The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket that supports AMD Athlon™ 64 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ processor . With an integrated low- latency high-bandwidth memory controller and a highly scalable HyperT ransport™ technology-based system bus, the motherboard provides a powerful platform for your diverse computing needs, increased ofce productivity , and enhanced digital media experience. See page 2-6for details. NVIDIA ® nForce ® 590-SLI chipset The NVIDIA ® nForce 590-SLI chipset supports the NVIDIA ® Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology that allows two graphics processing units (GPUs) in a single system. This technology takes advantage of the PCI Express™ bus architecture and features intelligent hardware and software solutions that allows multiple GPUs to work together and achieve exceptional graphics performance. See Chapter 6 for details. The NVIDIA ® nForce 590-SLI chipset also supports six (6) Serial A T A 3.0 Gb/s devices, dual PCI Express™ x16 slots at with NVIDIA ® SLI ™ support at full x16, x16 mode, and up to 10 USB 2.0 ports. 64-bit CPU support The motherboard supports 64-bit computing, which is the next generation technology to replace the current 32-bit architecture. The 64-bit architecture delivers advanced system performance, faster memory access, and increased productivity . This motherboard provides excellent compatibility and exibility by support either 64-bit or 32-bit architecture. See page 2-6 for details. DDR2 memory support Th e m o th e rb oar d sup po r ts DD R2 me mor y that features data transfer rates of 800 MHz, 667 MHz or 533 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR2 architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidths of up to 10.7 GB/s. See pages 2-12 to 2-16 for details.
ASUS Crosshair 1-3 PCI Express™ interface Th e m o th e rb oar d ful ly su ppo rt s P CI Ex p re ss, the latest I/O interconnect technology that speeds up the PCI bus. PCI Express features point-to-point serial interconnections between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data in packets. This high speed interface is software compatible with existing PCI specications. See page 2-20 for details. Serial A T A I/II technology and SA T A-On-The-Go Th e m o th e rb oar d ful ly su ppo rt s the Serial A T A II 3.0 Gb/s technology through the Serial A T A interfaces and the NVIDIA ® NF590-SLI chipset. The Serial A T A 3 Gb/s specication provides twice the bandwidth of the current Serial A T A products with a host of new features, including Nativa Command Queueing (NCQ), and Power Management (PM) Implementation Algorithm. Serial A T A allows for thinner , more exible cables with lower pin count and reduced voltage required. Leveraging these Serial A T A 3Gb/s features is the SA T A-On-The-Go. Supported by the Silicon Image Sil3132 Serial A T A controller , external SA T A ports on the rear panel I/O provide smart setup, hot-plug and support for up to 16 devices per port with port-multiplier functions. See pages 2-23 and 2-27 for details. Dual RAID solution Onboard RAID controllers provide the motherboard with dual-RAID functionality that allows you to select the best RAID solution using IDE or Serial A T A devices. The NVIDIA ® NF590-SLI chipset allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0 1, RAID 5, and JBOD conguration for six SA T A 3.0 Gb/s. See pages 2-27 and 5-24. The Silicon Image ® 3132 controller supports two additional external Serial A T A 3.0 Gb/s ports on the rear panel and allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0 1, RAID 5 through port multiplier and JBOD congurations on these ports. See pages 2-23 and 5-31 for details. IEEE 1394a support The IEEE 1394a interface provides high-speed and exible PC connectivity to a wide range of peripherals and devices compliant to the IEEE 1394a standard. The IEEE 1394a interface allows up to 400 Mbps transfer rates through simple, low-cost, high-bandwidth asynchronous (real-time) data interfacing between computers, peripherals, and consumer electronic devices such as camcorders, VCRs, printers, TVs, and digital cameras. See pages 2-22 and 2-28 for details.
1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction S/PDIF digital sound ready The mo the rbo ard su ppo rt s t he S/P DIF technology through the S/PDIF interfaces on the rear panel. The S/PDIF technology turns your computer into a high-end entertainment system with digital connectivity to powerful audio and speaker systems. See page 2-25 for details. USB 2.0 technology The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specication, dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB 1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1. See pages 2-25 and 2-28 for details. Dual Gigabit LAN solution The motherboard comes with dual Gigabit LAN controllers to provide the total solution for your networking needs. These network controllers use the PCI Express segment to provide faster data bandwidth for your wired or wireless Internet, LAN, and le sharing requirements. See page 2-23 for details. AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet T echnology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet T echnology , which monitors system operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool and quiet operating environment.
ASUS Crosshair 1-5 1.3.2 ASUS Unique features 8-Phase Power Design The ASUS 8-Phase Power Design prolongs CPU lifespan and keeps the system stable by preventing high power stress to the CPU and power supply module. The design ensures high efciency operation to generate less heat compared with conventional power solutions, thus achieving cool system environment and making this motherboard ideal for overclocking. Fanless Design The ASUS fanless design allows multi-directional heat ow from major thermal sources in the motherboard to lower overall system temperature, resulting in quieter operation and longer system life. ASUS has devoted special efforts to address the thermal issues across the motherboard, and most notably in the following areas: CPU, power , VGA, Northbridge and Southbridge. The heat pipe, heatsink, and strategic board layout were tailor made to dissipate heat in the most efcient manner . PEG Link Mode for two graphics cards This feature enhances your PCI Express graphics card performance. It allows the motherboard to automatically adjust the PCI Express graphics link mode to the correct frequency based on the system conguration. Four additional settings are available for overclocking the PEG Link Mode. See page 4-24 for details. ASUS T wo-slot thermal design The motherboard is designed with one PCI slot and one PCIEx4 slot placed between the PCI Express x16 slots, allowing increased airow between the two PCI Express x16 graphics cards. This special design permits more room for ventilation, thus lowering the overall system temperature. AI NOS™ (Non-Delay Overclocking System) ASUS Non-delay Overclocking System™ (NOS) is a technology that auto-detects the CPU loading and dynamically overclocks the CPU speed only when needed. See page 4-20 for details.
1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction AI NET 2 AI NET 2 is a BIOS-based diagnostic tool that detects and reports Ethernet cable faults and shorts. With this utility , you can easily monitor the condition of the Ethernet cable(s) connected to the Marvell ® LAN (RJ-45) port. During the bootup process, AI NET 2 immediately diagnoses the LAN cable and reports shorts and faults up to 100 meters at 1 meter accuracy . See pages 4-23 and 5-1 1 for details. Extreme T weaker This feature allows you to ne tune the CPU/memory voltage and gradually increase the memory Front Side Bus (FSB) and PCI Express frequency at 1MHz increment to achieve maximum system performance. Optional fan (for water-cooling/passive-cooling only) The optional fan is specically designed to provide sufcient airow over the CPU power modules and chipset area when water-cooling or passive-cooling is utilized, ensuring effective heat dissipation for the entire system. See page 2-1 1 for details. ASUS Q-Connector The ASUS Q-Connector allows you to connect or disconnect chassis front panel cables in one easy step. This unique adapter eliminates the trouble of plugging in one cable at a time, making connection quick and error-free. See pages 2-34 for details. ASUS LCD Poster The LCD Poster displays actual boot error messages instead of codes that other debug cards show . This unique feature allows you to easily nd out which devices fail during the boot process, eliminating guesswork and allowing you to solve the problem immediately . Onboard LEDs This motherboard features onboard LEDs located near connector labels, allowing you to connect cables and devices without a ashlight. With this ASUS-patented feature, you can easily identify connector locations to make sure that cables and devices are plugged in and installed correctly .
ASUS Crosshair 1-7 Onboard Switches A power-on button, a resetbutton, and a clear CMOS button are onboard to provide overclockers and gamers the convenience of ne-tuning performance when working on a bare (open-case) system. Press the power-on button to wake up the system, the reset button to reboot, and the clear CMOS button to clear setup information when the system hangs due to overclocking. See page 2-34 for details. CrashFree BIOS 3 This feature allows you to restore the original BIOS data from the support DVD in case the BIOS codes and data are corrupted. This protection eliminates the need to buy a replacement ROM chip. See page 4-9 for details. ASUS Q-Fan plus technology The ASUS Q-Fan plus technology smartly adjusts the CPU and chassis fan 1 speeds according to the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efcient operation. See page 4-40 for details. ASUS Multi-language BIOS The multi-language BIOS allows you to select the language of your choice from the available options. The localized BIOS menus allow easier and faster conguration. See page 4-14 for details. ASUS MyLogo3 This new feature present in the motherboard allows you to personalize and add style to your system with customizable boot logos. See page 5-9 for details.
1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction C.P .R. (CPU Parameter Recall) The C.P .R. feature of the motherboard BIOS allows automatic re-setting to the BIOS default settings in case the system hangs due to overclocking. When the system hangs due to overclocking, C.P .R. eliminates the need to open the system chassis and clear the RTC data. Simply shut down and reboot the system, and the BIOS automatically restores the CPU default setting for each parameter . Supreme FX features This feature can enhance speech-centric applications like Skype, online game, video conference and recording. ASUS Array Mic The Bundled Superbeam Array Microphone receives only the sound coming from the reception cone and ignores the sounds coming from other directions. This mechanism eliminates a large number of interferences, including neighboring speakers and reverberations. It also uses advanced de-reverberation techniques to reduce echo and minimize its effect on the speech engine. This feature can enchance speech-centric applications like Skype, online game, video conference, and recording. See page 5-15 for details. Noise Filter This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises (non-voice signals) like computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates it in the incoming audio stream while recording. See page 5-15 for details. DTS® Connect This feature is consists of two elements: DTS interactive and DTS NEO:PC. DTS interactive re-encodes your stereo or multi-channel sound into a DTS audio signal and send it out from your PC to any DTS enabled system. While DTS NEO:PC turns your stereo audio such as MP3, WMA, CD, and other sound format into a convincing multi-channel audio experience. See page 5-14 for details.
2 Hardware information This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the jumpers and connectors on the motherboard.
ASUS Crosshair Chapter summary 2 2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 2-2 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-6 2.4 System memory ......................................................................... 2-12 2.5 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 2-20 2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................ 2-23 2.7 Audio Card and EL I/O Installation ........................................... 2-24 2.8 Connectors ................................................................................. 2-25
ASUS Crosshair 2-1 Onboard LED Blue lights strategically located beside key motherboard connectors allow you to install components conveniently , even without a ashlight. 2.1 Before you proceed T ake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to avoid damaging them due to static electricity . • Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them. • Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component. Before you install or remove any component, make sure to press the onboard LED switch rst and the standby power LED is off. Failure to do so may cause injury or severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, and/or components. On Board LED switch
2-2 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.2 Motherboard overview Before you install the motherboard, study the conguration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard ts into it. 2.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below . 2.2.2 Screw holes Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis • Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. • Remove the lm on the heatsink before installation. Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. CROSSHAIR
ASUS Crosshair 2-3 ASUS Crosshair 2-3 2.2.3 Motherboard layout CHASSIS1 FLOPPY USB78 USB56 ADFP1 WIFI_G_USB910 PWN_SW RST_SW O_SW2 IE1394_1 IE1394_2 O_SW1 O_SW1 SPDIF_OUT SPDIF_OUT ESA T A12 LAN1_USB12 LAN2_USB34 CPU_FAN OPT_F AN4 OPT_FAN2 OPT_FAN1 WJ1 WJ2 WJ3 OPT_FAN5 OPT_FAN3 F _ _ T N O R F _ A H C N A A TX12V1 P_ELJ1 CLRTC_EN SA T A1 SA T A2 SA T A3 SA T A4 SA T A5 SA T A6 TSB43AB22A P ANEL SB_PWR CR2032 3V Lithium Cell CMOS Power Super I/O PCI3 PCI2 PCI1 AUDIO_1 PCIEX16_2 PCIEX16_1 PCIEX4_1 24.5cm ( 9.6in ) ) n i 0 . 2 1 ( m c 5 . 0 3 PS2/2KBMS T :Mouse B:Keyboard DDR2 DIMM_A1 (64 bit, 240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_A2 (64 bit, 240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B1 (64 bit, 240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B2 (64 bit, 240-pin module) EA TXPWR PRI_IDE 9 3 9 t e k c o S NVIDIA ® MCP55PXE NVIDIA ® C51XE 8Mb BIOS CROSSHAIR CHA_REAR_FAN 2.2.4 Audio card layout 1 2 eSA T A LCD Poster 1394 LED SW SPDIF OU T
2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.2.5 Layout contents Slots Page 1. DDR2 DIMM slots 2-12 2. PCI slots 2-22 3. PCI Express x 4 slot 2-22 4. PCI Express x16 slots 2-22 Jumper Page 1. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLR TC) 2-23 Rear panel connectors Page 1. PS/2 mouse port (green) 2-25 2. Coaxial S/PDIF Out port 2-25 3. Onboard LED switch 2-25 4. IEEE 1394a port 2-25 5. External SA T A ports 2-25 6. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port. 2-26 7. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port 2-26 8. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2, 3 and 4 2-27 9. Optical S/PDIF Out port 2-27 10. PS/2 keyboard port (purple) 2-27 Supreme FX Page 1. Line In port (light blue) 2-27 2. Line Out port (lime) 2-27 3. Microphone port (pink) 2-27 4. Center/Subwoofer port (orange) 2-27 5. Side Speaker Out port (gray) 2-27 6. Rear Speaker Out port (black) 2-27
ASUS Crosshair 2-5 Internal connectors Page 1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) 2-28 2. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) 2-28 3. NVIDIA ® NF590-SLI Southbridge Serial A T A connectors (7-pin SA T A1 [blue], SA T A2 [blue], SA T A3 [blue], SA T A4 [blue], SA T A5 [blue], SA T A6 [blue]) 2-29 4. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78) 2-30 5. IEEE 13 94a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2) 2-30 6. CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors (4-pin CPU_F AN, 3-pin CHA_REAR_F AN, 3-pin CHA_FRONT_FAN, 3-pin OPT_F AN1, 3-pin OPT_FAN2, 3-pin OPT_F AN3, 3-pin OPT_F AN4, 3-pin OPT_FAN5) 2-31 7. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS) 2-31 8. AT X p ow er co n ne ct o rs (24-pin EA TXPWR, 8-pin EA TX12V , 2-32 9. System panel connector (20-pin P ANEL) • System power LED (Green 3-pin PLED) • Hard disk drive activity LED (Red 2-pin IDE_LED) • System warning speaker (Orange 4-pin SPEAKER) • A TX power button/soft-off button (Y ellow 2-pin PWR) • Reset button (Blue 2-pin RESET) 2-33 10. Thermo sensor cable connectors (WJ1/2/3, 2-pin) 2-34 Onboard switches Page 1. Clear CMOS switch 2-33 2. Power-on switch 2-33 3. Reset switch 2-34
2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.3.1 Installing the CPU T o install a CPU: 1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard. Make sure that the socket lever is lifted up to 90º angle; otherwise, the CPU will not t in completely . 2. Unlock the socket by pressing the lever sideways, then lift it up to a 90º angle. 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket designed for the AMD Athlon™ 64 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ processor . Socket lever The AM2 socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed for the AMD Opteron™ processor . Make sure you use a CPU is designed for the AM2 socket. The CPU ts in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the CPU! CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR CPU AM2 940
ASUS Crosshair 2-7 3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle. 4. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it ts in place. 5. When the CPU is in place, push down the socket lever to secure the CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab to indicate that it is locked. 6. Install a CPU heatsink and fan following the instructions that came with the heatsink package. Gold triangle Small triangle
2-8 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fan The AMD Athlon™ 64FX/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ 64 X2/Sempron™ processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance. Make sure that you use only AMD-certied heatsink and fan assembly . T o install the CPU heatsink and fan: 1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink ts properly on the retention module base. • The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon purchase. • Y ou do not have to remove the retention module base when installing the CPU or installing other motherboard components. • If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly , make sure that a Thermal Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU heatsink or CPU before you install the heatsink and fan assembly . Y our boxed CPU heatsink and fan assembly should come with installation instructions for the CPU, heatsink, and the retention mechanism. If the instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the latter . Retention bracket lock Retention bracket Retention module base CPU heatsink CPU fan
ASUS Crosshair 2-9 2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base. 3. Align the other end of the retention bracket (near the retention bracket lock) to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place. 4. Push up the retention bracket lock on the retention mechanism to secure the heatsink and fan to the module base. Make sure that the fan and heatsink assembly perfectly ts the retention mechanism module base, otherwise you cannot snap the retention bracket in place.
2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information 5. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_F AN. Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector . CROSSHAIR CPU_FAN CROSSHAIR CPU fan connector CPU_F AN GND 12V Rotation RPM adjustment
ASUS Crosshair 2-11 2.3.3 Installing the optional fan 1. Position the fan above the pipe and heatsink assembly . 2. Fit the grooved edge to the heatsink. 3. Carefully push down the fan until it snugly ts the heatsink, then connect the fan cables. 4. The above photo shows the fans installed on the motherboard. • Plug the optional fan cables to any of the OPT F AN1~5 connectors on the motherboard. • Make sure the optional fan is installed correctly to prevent damage to the fan and motherboard components. Install the optional fan only if you are using a passive cooler or a water cooler . Installing the optional fan with an active CPU cooler will interfere with the airow and destabilize the system.
2-12 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.4 System memory 2.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. A DDR2 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR DIMM but has a 240-pin footprint compared to the 184-pin DDR DIMM. DDR2 DIMMs are notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR DIMM socket. The gure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: Channel Sockets Channel A DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 Channel B DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR 240-pin DDR DIMM Sockets 1 12 Pins 128 Pins 2 A _ M M I D 1 A _ M M I D 1 B _ M M I D 2 B _ M M I D 2.4.2 Memory congurations Y ou may install 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • If you installed Windows ® XP 32-bit version operating system, we recommend that you install less than 3 GB of total memory . For Windows ® XP 64-bit version operating system, the maxium support is 8 GB of total memory . • For dual-channel conguration, the total size of memory module(s) installed per channel must be the same (DIMM_A1 DIMM_A2 = DIMM_B1 DIMM_B2). • Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency . For optimum compatibility , we recommend that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor . Refer to the DDR2 Qualied Vendors List on the next page for details.
ASUS Crosshair 2-13 Qualied V endors Lists (QVL) Qualied V endors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual Size V endor Chip No. CL Chip Brand SS/ DS Part No. DIMM Support A* B* C* 512MB KINGSTO N Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS KHX6400D2/512 512MB KINGSTO N K4T51083QC N/A N/A SS KVR800D2N5/512 V V V 1024MB KINGST ON K4T51083QC N/A N/A DS KVR800D2N5/1G V 256MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-ZCE7 N/A N/A SS M378T3253FZ3-CE7 256MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-ZCE7(ECC) N/A N/A SS M391T3253FZ3-CE7 V V V 512MB SAMSUNG EDD339XX N/A N/A SS M378T6553CZ3-CE7 512MB Inneon HYB18T256800AF25 N/A N/A DS HYS64T64520HU-2.5-A V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T256800AF25F N/A N/A DS HYS64T64020HU-25F-A V V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821BFP-S5 N/A N/A SS HYMP564U64BP8-S5 V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821BFP-S5 N/A N/A DS HYMP512U64BP8-S5 V V 512MB MICRON 5JAIIZ9DQQ N/A N/A SS MT8HTF6464A Y -80EA3 V V V 1024MB MICRON 5JAIIZ9DQQ N/A N/A DS MT16HTF12864A Y-80EA3 V V V 512MB MICRON 5ZD22D9GKX N/A N/A SS MT8HTF6464A Y -80ED4 V V V 1024MB MICRON 5ZD22D9GKX N/A N/A DS MT16HTF12864A Y-80ED4 V V 512MB MICRON 6CD22D9GKX N/A N/A SS MT8HTF6464AY -80ED4 V V 1024MB MICRON 6CD22D9GKX N/A N/A DS MT16HTF12864A Y -80ED4 V V 512MB CORSAIR Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS CM2X512A-6400 1024MB CORSAIR Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS CM2X1024-6400PRO 1024MB CORSAIR Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS CM2X1024-6400C4 V 256MB A-DAT A E2508AB-GE-E N/A N/A SS M20EL6F3G3170A1D0Z 256MB A-DAT A E2508AB-GE-E N/A N/A SS M20EL6F3G3160A1D0Z 256MB A-DAT A E2508AB-GE-E N/A N/A SS M2OEL6F3G3160A1D0Z V V 512MB A-DAT A E2508AB-GE-E N/A N/A DS M2OEL6F3H4170A1D0Z 512MB A-DAT A N/A N/A N/A SS M2OAD6G3H3160J1E52 512MB A-DAT A AD29608A8A-25EG N/A N/A SS M20AD6G3H3160I1E5E 256MB Apacer E2508AB-GE-E N/A N/A SS 78.81091.420 V 512MB Apacer E2508AB-GE-E N/A N/A DS 78.91091.420 512MB Crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS BL6464AA804.8F A DDR2-800 MHz capability (Continued on the next page)
2-14 Chapter 2: Hardware information Qualied V endors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual Size V endor Chip No. CL Chip Brand SS/ DS Part No. DIMM Support A* B* C* 1024MB Crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS BL12864AA804.16F A V V 256MB TwinMOS E2508AB-GE-E N/A N/A SS 8G-24IK2-EBT 512MB OCZ Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS OCZ28001024EBDCPE-K 512MB Elixir N2TU51280AE-25C N/A N/A SS M2Y51264TU88A2B-25C 512MB NANYA NT5TU64M8AE-25C N/A N/A SS NT512T64U88A1BY -25C 512MB NANYA NT5TU64M8BE-25C N/A N/A SS NT512T64U88B0BY -25C 1024MB NANY A NT5TU64M8BE-25C N/A N/A DS NT1GT64U8HB0BY -25C 1024MB GEIL Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS GX22GB6400UDC DDR2-800 MHz capability SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided DIMM support: A - Supports one module inserted into either slot, in Single-channel memory conguration. B - Supports one pair of modules inserted into either Channel A or Channel B as one pair of Dual-channel memory conguration. C - S u p p o r t s f o u r m o d u l e s i n s e r t e d i n t o t h e y e l l o w a n d b l a c k s l o t s a s t w o p a i r s o f Dual-channel memory conguration. Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-800 MHz QVL.
ASUS Crosshair 2-15 DDR2-667 MHz capability (Continued on the next page) Qualied V endors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual Size V endor Chip No. CL Brand SS/ DS Part No. DIMM support A* B* C* 512MB KINGSTON E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A SS KVR667D2N5/512 V V V 1024MB KINGSTON E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A DS KVR667D2N5/1G V 512MB KINGSTON E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A SS KVR667D2E5/512 V V V 256MB KINGSTON HYB18T256800AF3 N/A N/A SS KVR667D2N5/256 V V V 256MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-ZCE6 N/A N/A SS M378T3253FZ0-CE6 V V V 512MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-ZCE6 N/A N/A DS M378T6453FZ0-CE6 V V V 256MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-ZCE6(ECC) N/A N/A SS M391T3253FZ0-CE6 V V 512MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-ZCE6(ECC) N/A N/A DS M391T6453FZ0-CE6 V V 256MB SAMSUNG K4T51 163QC-ZCE6 N/A N/A SS M378T3354CZ0-CE6 V V 512MB SAMSUNG ZCE6K4T51083QC N/A N/A SS M378T6553CZ0-CE6 V V V 1024MB SAMSUNG ZCE6K4T51083QC N/A N/A DS M378T2953CZ0-CE6 V V V 512MB MICRON 4VB41D9CZM N/A N/A DS MT16HTF6464AY -667B4 V V V 256MB Inneon HYB18T512160AF-3S N/A N/A SS HYS64T32000HU-3S-A V V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF3S N/A N/A SS HYS64T64000HU-3S-A V V V 1024MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF3S N/A N/A DS HYS64T128020HU-3S-A V V 256MB Inneon HYB18T256800AF3S(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYS72T32000HU-3S-A V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF3S(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYS72T64000HU-3S-A V V V 1024MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF3S( ECC) N/A N/A DS HYS72T128020HU-3S-A V V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800BF3S(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYS72T64000HU-3S-B V V V 1024MB Inneon HYB18T512800BF3S( ECC) N/A N/A DS HYS72T128020HU-3S-B V V V 256MB Inneon HYB18T512160BF-3S N/A N/A SS HYS64T32000HU-3S-B V V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800BF3S N/A N/A SS HYS64T64000HU-3S-B V V V 1024MB Inneon HYB18T512800BF3S N/A N/A DS HYS64T128020HU-3S-B V V V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y5 N/A N/A SS HYMP564U64AP8-Y5 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y5 N/A N/A DS HYMP512U64AP8-Y5 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS1G831FP-Y5(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYMP1 12U72P8-Y5 V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y5(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYMP564U72AP8-Y5 V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y5(ECC) N/A N/A DS HYMP512U72AP8-Y5 V V V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y4 N/A N/A SS HYMP564U64AP8-Y4 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y4 N/A N/A DS HYMP512U64AP8-Y4 V V V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y4(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYMP564U72AP8-Y4 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-Y4(ECC) N/A N/A DS HYMP512U72AP8-Y4 V V V 256MB ELPIDA E2508AB-6E-E N/A N/A SS EBE25UC8ABF A-6E-E V 512MB ELPIDA E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A SS EBE51UD8AEF A-6E-E V V V 1024MB ELPIDA Engineering Sample N/A N/A DS EBE1 1UD8AEF A-6E-E V 512MB crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS BL6464AA664.16FB V V V
2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information DDR2-667 MHz capability SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided DIMM support: A - Supports one module inserted into either slot, in Single-channel memory conguration. B - Supports one pair of modules inserted into either Channel A or Channel B as one pair of Dual-channel memory conguration. C - Supports four modules inserted into the yellow and black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory conguration. Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-667 MHz QVL. Qualied V endors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual Size V endo Chip No. CL Chip Brand SS/ DS Part No. DIMM Support A* B* C* 1024MB crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS BL12864AA664.16FA V V V 512MB crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS BL6464AL664.16FB V V V 1024MB crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS BL12864AL664.16FA V V 512MB crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS BL6464AA663.8FA V V 1024MB crucial Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS BL12864AA663.16FA 512MB Kingmax E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A SS KLCC28F-A8EB5 V V V 1024MB Kingmax E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A DS KLCD48F-A8EB5 512MB Apacer E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A SS 78.91092.420 1024MB Apacer E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A DS 78.01092.420 512MB A-DA T A E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A SS M20EL5G3H3160B1C0Z V V V 512MB A-DAT A AD29608A8B-3EG N/A N/A SS M20AD5Q3H3163J1C52 512MB Transcend E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A SS TS64MLQ64V6J V V V 1024MB Transcend E5108AE-6E-E N/A N/A DS TS128MLQ64V6J V V 512MB T winMOS E5108AE-GE-E N/A N/A SS 8G-25JK5-EBT 512MB GEIL Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS GX21GB5300UDC 512MB GEIL Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS GX21GB5300DC 256MB NANY A NT5TU32M16AG-3C N/A N/A SS NT256T64UH4A0FY -3C 512MB NANY A NT5TU64M8AE-3C N/A N/A SS NT512T64U88A0BY -3C 512MB NANY A NT5TU64M8BE-3B N/A N/A SS NT512T64U88B0BY -3C 1024MB NANYA NT5TU64M8BE-3B N/A N/A DS NT1GT64U8HB0BY -3C 512MB Elixir N2TU51280AF-3C N/A N/A SS M2U51264TU88A0F-3C 1024MB Elixir N2TU51280AF-3C N/A N/A DS M2U1G64TU8HA2F-3C 512MB OCZ Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS OCZ26671024EBDCPE-K 1024MB OCZ Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A DS OCZ26672048EBDCPE-K 512MB OCZ Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS OCZ2P6671GK 1024MB PQI E5108AE-5C-E N/A N/A DS MEAD-403LA 512MB WINTEC 4UAI2D9CRZ N/A N/A SS 39127282 1024MB WINTEC 4WAIID9CWX N/A N/A DS 39137282 512MB MDT 18D51280D-30518 N/A N/A SS M512-667-8 1024MB MDT 18D51280D-30528 N/A N/A DS M924-667-16 512MB Kingbox DD2640800-667 N/A N/A SS N/A 1024MB Kingbox DD2640800-667 N/A N/A DS N/A
ASUS Crosshair 2-17 DDR2-533 MHz capability (Continued on the next page) Qualied V endors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual Size Vendor Chip No. CL Chip Brand SS/ DS Part No. DIMM Support A* B* C* 256MB KINGSTON E51 16AF-5C-E N/A N/A SS KVR533D2N4/256 V V V 512MB KINGSTON HYB18T512800AF37 N/A N/A SS KVR533D2N4/512 V V V 1024MB KINGSTON 5YDIID9GCT N/A N/A DS KVR533D2N4/1G V V V 512MB SAMSUNG K4T51083QB-GCD5 N/A N/A SS M378T6553BG0-CD5 V 256MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-GCD5 N/A N/A SS M378T3253FG0-CD5 V V V 512MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-GCD5 N/A N/A DS M378T6453FG0-CD5 V V V 512MB SAMSUNG K4T56083QF-GCD5(ECC) N/A N/A DS M391T6453FG0-CD5 V V V 1024MB SAMSUNG K4T51083QB-GCD5(ECC) N/A N/A DS M391T2953BG0-CD5 V V V 256MB MICRON 4DBIIZ9BQT N/A N/A SS N/A V V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF3(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYS72T64000HU-3.7-A 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800AC37 N/A N/A SS HYS64T64000GU-3.7-A V V 256MB Inneon HYB18T512160AF-3.7 N/A N/A SS HYS64T32000HU-3.7-A V V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF37 N/A N/A SS HYS64T64000HU-3.7-A V V V 1024MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF37 N/A N/A DS HYS64T128020HU-3.7-A V V V 2048MB Inneon HYB18T1G800AF-3.7 N/A N/A DS HYS64T256020HU-3.7-A V V V 256MB Inneon HYB18T5121608BF-3.7 N/A N/A SS HYS64T32000HU-3.7-B V V V 512MB Inneon HYB18T512800BF37 N/A N/A SS HYS64T64000HU-3.7-B V V V 1024MB Inneon HYB18T512800BF37 N/A N/A DS HYS64T128020HU-3.7-B V V V 256MB Inneon HYB18T256800AF37(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYS72T32000HU-3.7-A V V V 1024MB Inneon HYB18T512800AF37(ECC) N/A N/A DS HYS72T128020HU-3.7-A V V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821F-C4 N/A N/A SS HYMP564U648-C4 V V V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821F-C4(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYMP564U728-C4 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821F-C4 N/A N/A DS HYMP512U648-C4 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821F-C4(ECC) N/A N/A DS HYMP512U728-C4 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821F-E3(ECC) N/A N/A DS HYMP512U728-C4 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821FP-C4(ECC) N/A N/A SS HYMP564U728-C4 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821FP-C4 N/A N/A DS HYMP512U648-C4 V V 512MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-C3 N/A N/A SS HYMP564U64AP8-C3 V V V 1024MB Hynix HY5PS12821AFP-C3 N/A N/A DS HYMP512U64AP8-C3 V V V 512MB ELPIDA E5108AB-5C-E(ECC) N/A N/A SS EBE51ED8ABFA-5C-E V V V 512MB ELPIDA E5108AB-5C-E N/A N/A SS EBE51UD8ABFA-5C V V V 512MB ELPIDA E5108AB-5C-E N/A N/A SS EBE51UD8ABFA-5C-E V V V 1024MB ELPIDA E5108AB-5C-E N/A N/A DS EBE1 1UD8ABF A-5C-E V V 2048MB ELPIDA E1108AA-5C-E N/A N/A DS EBE21EE8AAF A-5C-E V 256MB CORSAIR MIII0051832M8CEC N/A N/A SS VS256MB533D2 V V 512MB CORSAIR MI1 10052432M8CEC N/A N/A DS VS512MB533D2 V V 256MB Apacer E51 16AB-5C-E N/A N/A SS 78.81077.420 V V V 256MB KINGMAX E51 16AB-5C-E N/A N/A SS KLBB68F-36EP4 V V
2-18 Chapter 2: Hardware information DDR2-533 MHz capability Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided DIMM support: A - Supports one module inserted into either slot, in Single-channel memory conguration. B - Supports one pair of modules inserted into either Channel A or Channel B as one pair of Dual-channel memory conguration. C - Supports two pairs of modules inserted into the yellow and black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory conguration. Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2-533 MHz QVL. Qualied V endors List (QVL) Standard table for user manual Size V endor Chip No. CL Chip Brand SS/ DS Part No. DIMM Support A* B* C* 512MB KINGMAX E5108AE-5C-E N/A N/A SS KLBC28F-A8EB4 V V V 1024MB KINGMAX E5108AE-5C-E N/A N/A DS KLBD48F-A8EB4 V V V 512MB KINGMAX KKEA88E4AAK-37 N/A N/A SS KLBC28F-A8KE4 V V V 1024MB KINGMAX 5MB22D9DCN N/A N/A DS KLBD48F-A8ME4 V V V 512MB Transcend K4T51083QB-GCD5 N/A N/A SS TS64MLQ64V5J V V V 1024MB Transcend K4T51083QB-GCD5 N/A N/A DS TS128MLQ64V5J V V V 256MB CENTURY K4T56083QF-GCD5 N/A N/A SS 25V6S8SSD5F4-K43 512MB CENTURY E5108AB-5C-E N/A N/A SS 25V2H8EL5CB4-J43 1024MB CENTURY E5108AB-5C-E N/A N/A DS 25V0H8EL5CB4-J45 1024MB CENTURY E5108AB-5C-E N/A N/A DS 25VOH8EL5C 256MB elixir N2TU51216AF-37B N/A N/A SS M2U25664TUH4A0F-37B 512MB elixir N2TU51280AF-37B N/A N/A SS M2U51264TU88A0F-37B 256MB Aeneon AET960UD00-37C88X N/A N/A SS AET560UD00-370A98X 512MB Aeneon AET960UD00-37C88X N/A N/A SS AET660UD00-370A98X 512MB Aeneon AET93F370AG0513 N/A N/A SS AET660UD00-370A98X 256MB Aeneon AET94F370A N/A N/A SS AET560UD00-370A98Z 256MB Aeneon AET94F370A N/A N/A SS AET560UD00-370A98X 512MB Aeneon AET93F370A N/A N/A SS AET660UD00-370A98Z 512MB Aeneon AET93F370A N/A N/A SS AET660UD00-370A98X 512MB Aeneon AET93F370 N/A N/A SS AET660UD00-370A98X 1024MB Aeneon AET93F370A N/A N/A DS AET760UD00-370A98X 256MB NANYA NT5TU32M16AF-37B N/A N/A SS NT256T64UH4A0F-37B 512MB NANYA NT5TU64M8AF-37B N/A N/A SS NT512T64U88A0F-37B 512MB NANYA NT5TU64M8AF-37B(ECC) N/A N/A SS NT512T72U89A0F-37B 1024MB NANY A NT5TU64M8AF-37B N/A N/A DS NT1GT64U8HA0F-37B 1024MB PQI 64MX8D2-E N/A N/A DS MEAB-323LA 512MB PQI 64MX8D2-E N/A N/A SS MEAB-423LA 512MB TwinMOS K4T51083QB-GCD5 N/A N/A SS 8D-22JB5-K2T 256MB SimpleT ech 858S032F25A N/A N/A SS SVM-42DR2/256 512MB SimpleT ech 858S064F25A N/A N/A SS SVM-42DR2/512 1024MB Patriot Heat-Sink Package N/A N/A SS PDC21G5600 XBLK 512MB MDT 18D51280D-3.70S20 N/A N/A SS M512-533-8 1024MB MDT 18D51280D-3.70448 N/A N/A DS M924-533-16
ASUS Crosshair 2-19 2.4.3 Installing a DIMM Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the motherboard and the components. T o install a DIMM: 1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward. 2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that the notch on the DIMM matches the break on the socket. 3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated. 2.4.4 Removing a DIMM T o remove a DIMM: 1. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to unlock the DIMM. 2. Remove the DIMM from the socket. • A DDR2 DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it ts in only one direction. Do not force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM. • The DDR2 DIMM sockets do not support DDR DIMMs. DO not install DDR DIMMs to the DDR2 DIMM sockets. Support the DIMM lightly with your ngers when pressing the retaining clips. The DIMM might get damaged when it ips out with extra force. 1 2 1 DDR2 DIMM notch Unlocked retaining clip DDR2 DIMM notch 1 2 3
2-20 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.5 Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. 2.5.1 Installing an expansion card T o install an expansion card: 1. Before installing the expansion card, read the documentation that came with it and make the necessary hardware settings for the card. 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a chassis). 3. Remove the bracket opposite the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screw for later use. 4. Align the card connector with the slot and press rmly until the card is completely seated on the slot. 5. Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier . 6. Replace the system cover . 2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card After installing the expansion card, congure the it by adjusting the software settings. 1. T urn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any . See Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup. 2. Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page. 3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card. Make sure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable. Refer to the table on the next page for details.
ASUS Crosshair 2-21 2.5.3 Interrupt assignments Standard interrupt assignments * These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices. A B C D E F G H PCI Slot 1 shared - - - - - - - PCI Slot 2 - shared - - - - - - PCI Slot 3 shared Onboard 1394 shared - - - - - - - PCIE x 16 1 shared - - - - - - - PCIE x 16 2 - - - - - shared - - PCIE x 4 - - - - - - shared - IRQ assignments for this motherboard IRQ Priority Standard function 0 1 System T imer 1 2 Keyboard Controller 2 - Redirect to IRQ#9 5 13 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering* 6 14 Floppy Disk Controller 7 15 Nvidia nForce PCI system 8 3 System CMOS/Real T ime Clock 9 4 Nvidia nForce Networking Controller 10 5 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering* 1 1 6 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering* 12 7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port* 13 8 Numeric Data Processor 14 9 Primary IDE Channel
2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.5.4 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specications. Refer to the gure below for the location of the slots. 2.5.5 PCI Express x4 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x4 network cards, SCSI cards and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specications. Refer to the gure below for the location of the slot. 2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots This motherboard supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards that comply with the PCI Express specications. Refer to the gure below for the location of the slots. PCI slot PCI Express x 16 slot PCI slot PCI Express x 16 slot PCI slot PCI Express x4 slot
ASUS Crosshair 2-23 2.6 Jumper Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to enable the CLRTC switch. Y ou can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard clr CMOS switch helps you easily to clear the system setup information such as system passwords. See page 2-35 for details. T o erase the RTC RAM: 1. T urn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord. 2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3 to enable the CLRTC function. 3. Press down the clr CMOS button and again to release it. 4. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer . 5. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data. The clr CMOS button will not function until the jumper cap on CLRTC is moved to the ENABLE position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure! • Make sure to re-enter your previous BIOS settings after you clear the CMOS. • Y ou do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the C.P .R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter settings to default values. • T o prevent accidental pressing of the Clear CMOS switch, the CLRTC jumper default setting disables the switch. CROSSHAIR Disable (Default) Enable 1 2 2 3 CROSSHAIR Clear RTC RAM CLRTC_EN
2-24 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.7 Audio Card and EL I/O Installation 2.7.1 Audio Card Installation 2.7.2 EL I/O Installation 1. T ake out the Audio card from the package. 2. Locate the slot on the motherboard. 3. Align the card connector with the slot and press rmly until the card sits on the slot completely . 4. The above photo shows the audio card installed on the motherboard. 1. T a k e ou t t h e EL I /O f r o m th e package. 2. L o c at e t he c on n e c t o r o n t h e motherboard. 3. Connector the cable to the connector in a correct orientation. 4. The above photo shows the EL I/O installed on the motherboard.
ASUS Crosshair 2-25 2.8 Connectors 2.8.1 Rear panel connectors 1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. Coaxial S/PDIF Out port. This port connects an external audio output device via an optical S/PDIF cable. 3. LCD Poster . This poster displays actual boot error messages. 1 17 2 3 4 5 12 13 14 15 6 7 8 9 10 1 1 16 4. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port. Supported by NV Gigabit LAN controller , this port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table on the next page for the LAN port LED indications. 5. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port . Supported by the NV Gigabit LAN controller , this port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN port LED indications. SPEED LED ACTIVITY/ LINK LED LAN port 32-bit OS LAN port LED indications * Blinking Activity/Link Speed LED Description OFF OFF Soft-off Mode YELLOW* OFF During Power ON/OFF YELLOW* ORANGE 100 Mbps connection 64-bit OS LAN port LED indications Activity/Link Speed LED Description DNR DNR Soft-off Mode DNR DNR During Power ON/OFF DNR DNR 100 Mbps connection DNR DNR 1 Gbps connection
2-26 Chapter 2: Hardware information 6. Line In port (light blue). This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player , or other audio sources. 7. Line Out port (lime). This port connects a headphone or a speaker . In 4-channel, 6-channel, and 8-channel conguration, the function of this port becomes Front Speaker Out. 8. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone. 9. Center/Subwoofer port (orange). This port connects the center/subwoofer speakers. 10. Rear Speaker Out port (black). This port connects the rear speakers on a 4-channel, 6-channel, or 8-channel audio conguration. 1 1. Side Speaker Out port (gray). This port connects the side speakers in an 8-channel audio conguration. Refer to the audio conguration table below for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel conguration. Audio 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel conguration Port Headset 2-channel 4-channel 6-channel 8-channel Light Blue Line In Line In Line In Line In Lime Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Pink Mic In Mic In Mic In Mic In Orange – – Center/Subwoofer Center/Subwoofer Black – Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Ou Rear Speaker Out Gray – – Side Speaker Out – 12. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2, 3 and 4. These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. 13. External SA T A ports. These ports connect to an external SA T A box or a Serial A T A port multiplier . These ports support a Serial A T A hard disk driv es that you can combine with an external Serial A T A 3.0 Gb/s device to congure a RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0 1 (10), RAID 5, or JBOD set through the onboard Silicon Image® SA T A RAID controller . Refer to Chapter 5 for details on how to set up Serial A T A RAID congurations.
ASUS Crosshair 2-27 • DO NOT insert a dif ferent connector to this port. • DO NOT unplug the external Serial A T A box when a RAID 0 or RAID 1 is congured. • Before creating a RAID set using Serial A T A hard disks, make sure that y o u ha ve co nn e ct e d th e Serial A T A signal cable and installed Serial A T A hard disk drives; otherwise, you cannot enter the Silicon Image RAID utility and SA T A BIOS setup during POST . • The external SA T A ports support external Serial A T A 1.5 and 3 Gb/s devices. Longer cables support higher power requirements to deliver signal up to two meters away , and enables improved hot-swap function. • If you intend to create a RAID conguration using this connector , set the Silicon 3132 Controller item in the BIOS to [RAID Mode]. See section “4.4.6 Onboard Devices Conguration” for details. • Use these ports and an external Serial A T A box connected to the external SA T A port, if you want to congure a RAID 0 or RAID 1 set. • The Serial A T A port multiplier and external Serial A T A box are purchased separately . 14. IEEE 1394a port. This 6-pin IEEE 1394a port provides high-speed connectivity for audio/video devices, storage peripherals, PCs, or portable devices. 15. Onboard LED switch. This motherboard features onboard LEDs that light up the labels, making it easy for you to install or plug in devices even in the dark. Press this switch to turn on the onboard LEDs. 16. Optical S/PDIF Out port . This port connects an external audio output device via an optical S/PDIF cable. 17. PS/2 keyboard port (purple) . This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.
2-28 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.8.2 Internal connectors 1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) This connector is for the provided oppy disk drive (FDD) signal cable. Insert one end of the cable to this connector , then connect the other end to the signal connector at the back of the oppy disk drive. Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when using a FDD cable with a covered Pin 5. 2. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) The onboard IDE connector is for the Ultra DMA (133/)100/66 signal cable. There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray . Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE connector , then select one of the following modes to congure your device. CROSSHAIR FLOPPY PIN1 NOTE: Orient the red markings on the floppy ribbon cable to PIN1. CROSSHAIR Floppy disk drive connector • Pin 20 on the IDE connector is removed to match the covered hole on the Ultra DMA cable connector. This prevents incorrect insertion when you connect the IDE cable. • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 IDE devices. If any device jumper is set as “Cable-Select,” make sure all other device jumpers have the same setting. Drive jumper setting Mode of device(s) Cable connector Single device Cable-Select or Master - Black T wo devices Cable-Select Master Black Slave Gray Master Master Black or gray Slave Slave
ASUS Crosshair 2-29 CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR IDE connector PIN1 PRI_IDE NOTE: Orient the red markings (usually zigzag) on the ID E ribbon cable to PIN1. 3. NVIDIA ® NF590-SLI Southbridge Serial A T A connectors (7-pin SA T A1 [blue], SA T A2 [blue], SA T A3 [blue], SA T A4 [blue], SA T A5 [blue], SA T A6 [blue]) These connectors are for the Serial A T A signal cables for Serial A T A 3.0 Gb/s hard disk and optical disk drives. The Serial A T A 3.0 Gb/s is backward compatible with Serial A T A 1.5 Gb/s specication. If you installed Serial A T A hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0 1 (10), RAID 5, or JBOD conguration through the onboard NVRAID controller . Refer to section “5.4.1 NVIDIA ® RAID congurations” for details on how to set up Serial A T A RAID congurations. The RAID function of these connectors is set to [Disabled] by default. If you intend to create a Serial A T A RAID set using these connectors, enable the RAID Enabled item in the BIOS. See section “4.5.4 Onboard Device Conguration > Serial-A T A Conguration” for details. CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR SA T A connectors SA TA1 GND RSATA_TX_1_DP RSATA_TX_1_DN GND RSATA_RX_1_DN RSATA_RX_1_DP GND SA TA2 GND RSATA_TX_2_DP RSATA_TX_2_DN GND RSATA_RX_2_DN RSATA_RX_2_DP GND SA TA3 GND RSATA_TX_3_DP RSATA_TX_3_DN GND RSATA_RX_3_DN RSATA_RX_3_DP GND SA TA4 GND RSATA_TX_4_DP RSATA_TX_4_DN GND RSATA_RX_4_DN RSATA_RX_4_DP GND SA TA5 GND RSATA_TX_5_DP RSATA_TX_5_DN GND RSATA_RX_5_DN RSATA_RX_5_DP GND SA TA6 GND RSATA_TX_6_DP RSATA_TX_6_DN GND RSATA_RX_6_DN RSATA_RX_6_DP GND
2-30 Chapter 2: Hardware information 4. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB910) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB/GAME module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specication that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed. Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard! CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR USB 2.0 connectors USB56 USB78 GND USB_P5 USB_P5- USB 5V GND NC USB_P6 USB_P6- USB 5V GND USB_P7 USB_P7- USB 5V GND NC USB_P8 USB_P8- USB 5V USB910 USB 5V USB_P10- USB_P10 GND NC USB 5V USB_P9- USB_P9 GND 5. IEE E 1 394 a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2) This connector is for a IEEE 1394a port. Connect the IEEE 1394a module cable to this connector , then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. Never connect a USB cable to the IEEE 1394a connector . Doing so will damage the motherboard! CROSSHAIR 12V 12V 1 TPB2- GND TPA2- GND GND TPB2- TPA2- IE1394_2 CROSSHAIR IEEE 1394 connector
ASUS Crosshair 2-31 6. CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors (4-pin CPU_F AN, 3-pin CHA_REAR_F AN, 3-pin CHA_FRONT_F AN, 3-pin OPT_F AN1, 3-pin OPT_F AN2, 3-pin OPT_F AN3, 3-pin OPT_F AN4, 3-pin OPT_F AN5) The fa n c onn ect ors su pp ort co oli ng fan s o f 3 50 mA ~ 1000 mA (24 W max.) or a total of 1 A ~ 3.48 A (41.76 W max.) at 12V . Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, making sure that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector . Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufcient air ow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! Do not place jumper caps on the fan connectors! CROSSHAIR CPU_F AN GND 12V Rotation OPT_F AN1 GND 12V Rotation OPT_F AN2 GND 12V Rotation OPT_F AN5 GND 12V Rotation OPT_F AN4 GND 12V Rotation CHA_FRONT_F AN GND 12V Rotation OPT_F AN3 GND 12V Rotation CHA_REAR_F AN OPT_FAN1 CHA__REAR_FAN CHA__FRONT_FAN OPT_FAN3 OPT_FAN4 CPU_FAN OPT_FAN2 OPT_FAN5 CROSSHAIR Fan connectors GND 12V Rotation RPM adjustment 7. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS) This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. Connect one end of the chassis intrusion sensor or switch cable to this connector . The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to this connector when a chassis component is removed or replaced. The signal is then generated as a chassis intrusion event. By default, the pins labeled “Chassis Signal” and “Ground” are shorted with a jumper cap. Remove the jumper caps only when you intend to use the chassis intrusion detection feature. CROSSHAIR GND (Default) Chassis Signal 5VSB_MB CHASSIS CROSSHAIR Chassis intrusion connector
2-32 Chapter 2: Hardware information 8. AT X p o we r c onn ec tor s (24-pin EA TXPWR, 8-pin EA TX12V) These connectors are for A TX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs are designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down rmly until the connectors completely t. CROSSHAIR A TX12V EA TXPWR 3 Volts 3 Volts Ground 5 Volts Ground 5 Volts Ground Power OK 5V Standby 12 Volts 12V DC 12V DC 12V DC 12V DC GND GND GND GND 12 Volts 3 Volts 3 Volts -12 Volts Ground PSON# Ground Ground Ground -5 Volts 5 Volts 5 Volts 5 Volts Ground CROSSHAIR A TX power connectors • For a fully congured system, we recommend that you use a power supply unit (PSU) that complies with A TX 12 V Specication 2.0 (or later version) and provides a minimum power of 600 W . • Do not forget to connect the 8-pin A TX 12 V power plug; otherwise, the system will not boot. • T o support an AMD ® Dual-Core CPU,make sure that the PSU can provide at least 16 A and 19 A peak on the 12V_2 lead. • Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended when co nguring a system with more po wer-consuming devic es. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.
ASUS Crosshair 2-33 • System power LED (3-pin PLED) This 3-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector . The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power , and blinks when the system is in sleep mode. • Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin IDE_LED) This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD Activity LED cable to this connector . The IDE LED lights up or ashes when data is read from or written to the HDD. • System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER) This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker . The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings. • A TX power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWR) This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode depending on the BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF . • Reset button (2-pin RESET) This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power . 14. System panel connector (20-pin P ANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. The syt em p an el c on nec tor is colo r- cod ed for eas y co nne ct ion . R efe r t o th e connector descriptions on the next page for details. CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR System panel connector P ANEL PLED PLED * Requires an A TX power supply IDE_LED PLED- 5V Speaker IDE_LED- PWR Ground Ground Ground Ground Reset IDE_LED PWRSW RESET SPEAKER
2-34 Chapter 2: Hardware information Q-Connector (System panel) ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily to connect the chassis front panel cables to the motherboard. Perform these steps to install ASUS Q-Connector . Step2. Carefully connect the ASUS Q-Connector to the System panel connector . Step1. Connect the front panel cables to their respective connectors on the ASUS Q- Connector . Refer to the labels on the Q-Connector for proper connection and pin denition. Step3. When installed, the Q-connector appears as shown. The ASUS Q-Connector ts only in one orientation; if it doesn’t t, try reversing it.
ASUS Crosshair 2-35 2.8.3 Onboard switches Onboard switches allow you to ne-tune performance when working on a bare or open-case system. This is ideal for overclockers and gamers who continually change settings to enhance system performance. 1. Clear CMOS switch Press the clear CMOS switch to clear setup information when the system hangs due to overclocking. CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR CMOS switch T o prevent accidental pressing of the Clear CMOS switch, the CLRTC jumper default setting disables the switch. See page 2-23 for details. 15. Thermal sensor cable connectors (W1/2/3, 2-pin) These connectors are for temperature monitoring. Connect the thermal sensor cables to these connectors and place the other ends to the devices, which you want to monitor temperature. The optional fan1~3 can work with the temperature sensors for a better cooling effect. CROSSHAIR WJ1 T emperature2 Ground T emperature2 Ground WJ2 T emperature3 Ground WJ3 CROSSHAIR Thermal sensor cable connectors
2-36 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2. Power-on switch Press the clear power-on switch to wake/power up the system. CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR Power on switch 3. Reset switch Press the reset switch to reboot the system. CROSSHAIR CROSSHAIR Reset switch
3 Powering up This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down the system.
ASUS Crosshair Chapter summary 3 3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-1 3.2 Powering off the computer .......................................................... 3-2
ASUS Crosshair 3-1 3.1 Starting up for the rst time 1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover . 2. Be sure that all switches are off. 3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system chassis. 4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge protector . 5. T urn on the devices in the following order: a. Monitor b. External SCSI devices (starting with the last device on the chain ) c. System power 6. After applying power , the system power LED on the system front panel case lights up. For systems with A TX power supplies, the system LED lights up when you press the A TX power button. If your monitor complies with “green” standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns on. The system then runs the power-on self tests or POST . While the tests are running, the BIOS beeps or additional messages appear on the screen. If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power , the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and connections or call your retailer for assistance. 7. At power on, hold down the <Delete> key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the instructions in Chapter 4.
3-2 Chapter 3: Powering up 3.2 Powering off the computer 3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function If you are using Windows ® 2000: 1. Click the Start button then click Shut Down. 2. Make sure that the Shut Down option button is selected, then click the OK button to shut down the computer . 3. The power supply should turn off after Windows ® shuts down. If you are using Windows ® XP: 1. Click the Start button then select T urn Off Computer . 2. Click the T urn Off button to shut down the computer . 3. The power supply should turn off after Windows ® shuts down. 3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch While the system is ON, pressing the power switch for less than four seconds puts the system to sleep mode or to soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds lets the system enter the soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS setting. Refer to section “4.6 Power Menu” in Chapter 4 for details.
4 BIOS setup This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
Chapter summary 4 ASUS Crosshair 4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1 4.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................. 4-10 4.3 Main menu .................................................................................. 4-14 4.4 Extreme T weaker menu ............................................................. 4-19 4.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-28 4.6 Power menu ................................................................................ 4-34 4.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-40 4.8 T ools menu ................................................................................. 4-45 4.9 Exit menu .................................................................................... 4-49
ASUS Crosshair 4-1 4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. 1. ASUS Update (Updates the BIOS in Windows ® environment.) 2. ASUS EZ Flash 2 (Updates the BIOS in DOS using a oppy disk or a USB ash disk.) 3. Award BIOS Flash Utility (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable oppy disk.) 4. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 (Updates the BIOS using a bootable oppy disk or the motherboard support DVD when the BIOS le fails or gets corrupted.) Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities. Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a bootable oppy disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or A ward BIOS Flash utilities. Installing ASUS Update T o install ASUS Update: 1. Place the support DVD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX. See page 5-3 for the Utilities screen menu. 3. The ASUS Update utility is copied to your system. 4.1.1 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows ® environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you to: • Save the current BIOS le • Download the latest BIOS le from the Internet • Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS le • Update the BIOS directly from the Internet, and • V iew the BIOS version information. This utility is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package. ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
4-2 Chapter 4: BIOS setup Quit all Windows ® applications before you update the BIOS using this utility . 3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next. Updating the BIOS through the Internet T o update the BIOS through the Internet: 1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows ® desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate . The ASUS Update main window appears. 2. Select Update BIOS from the Internet option from the drop-down menu, then click Next.
ASUS Crosshair 4-3 Updating the BIOS through a BIOS le T o update the BIOS through a BIOS le: 1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows ® desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate . The ASUS Update main window appears. 2. Select Update BIOS from a le option from the drop-down menu, then click Next. 4. From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that you wish to download. Click Next. 5. Follow the screen instructions to complete the update process. The ASUS Update utility is capable of updating itself through the Internet. Always update the utility to avail all its features. 3. Locate the BIOS le from the Open window , then click Open. 4. Follow the screen instructions to complete the update process.
4-4 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.1.2 Creating a bootable oppy disk 1. Do either one of the following to create a bootable oppy disk. DOS environment a. Insert a 1.44MB oppy disk into the drive. b. At the DOS prompt, type format A:/ S then press <Enter>. Windows ® XP environment a. Insert a 1.44 MB oppy disk to the oppy disk drive. b. Click Start from the Windows ® desktop, then select My Computer. c. Select the 3 1/2 Floppy Drive icon. d. Click File from the menu, then select Format. A Format 3 1/2 Floppy Disk window appears. e. Select Create an MS-DOS startup disk from the format options eld, then click Start. Windows ® 2000 environment T o create a set of boot disks for Windows ® 2000: a. Insert a formatted, high density 1.44 MB oppy disk into the drive. b. Insert the Windows ® 2000 CD to the optical drive. c. Click Start, then select Run. d. From the Open eld, type D:\bootdisk\makeboot a: assuming that D: is your optical drive. e. Press <Enter>, then follow screen instructions to continue. 2. Copy the original or the latest motherboard BIOS le to the bootable oppy disk.
ASUS Crosshair 4-5 4. Insert the oppy disk that contains the BIOS le to the oppy disk drive then press <Enter>. The following screen appears. Do not shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved Message: Please wait... For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: 5. When the correct BIOS le is found, EZ Flash 2 performs the BIOS update process and automatically reboots the system when done. T o update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: 1. Visit the ASUS website (www .asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for the motherboard. 2. Save the BIOS le to a oppy disk, then restart the system. 3. Press <Alt> <F2> during POST to display the following. Insert Disk then press Enter or ESC to continue POST 4.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to go through the long process of booting from a oppy disk and using a DOS-based utility . The EZ Flash utility is built-in the BIOS chip so it is accessible by pressing <Alt> <F2> during the Power-On Self T ests (POST).
4-6 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.1.4 Updating the BIOS The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) can be updated using the AwardBIOS Flash Utility . Follow these instructions to update the BIOS using this utility . 1. Download the latest BIOS le from the ASUS web site. Unzip the le and save it to a oppy disk. Save only the updated BIOS le in the oppy disk to avoid loading the wrong BIOS le. 2. Copy the AwardBIOS Flash Utility (awdash.exe) from the Software folder of the support DVD to the oppy disk with the latest BIOS le. 3. Boot the system in DOS mode using the bootable oppy disk you created earlier . 4. When the A:> appears, replace the bootable oppy disk with the oppy disk containing the new BIOS le and the Award BIOS Flash Utility . 5. At the prompt, type awdash then press <Enter>. The Award BIOS Flash Utility screen appears. AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved Message: Please input File Name! For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: 0113.bin Message: Do You Want To Save Bios (Y/N) 6. T ype the BIOS le name in the File Name to Program eld, then press <Enter>.
ASUS Crosshair 4-7 7. Press <N> when the utility prompts you to save the current BIOS le. The following screen appears. 8. The utility veries the BIOS le in the oppy disk and starts ashing the BIOS le. Do not turn off or reset the system during the ashing process! AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved Warning: Don’t Turn Off Power Or Reset System! 9. The utility displays a Flashing Complete message indicating that you have successfully ashed the BIOS le. Remove the oppy disk then press <F1> to restart the system. AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved F1 Reset For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: 0113.bin Flashing Complete Press <F1> to Continue Write OK No Update Write Fail For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: 0113.bin Programming Flash Memory - OFE00 OK Write OK No Update Write Fail
4-8 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4. The utility saves the current BIOS le to the oppy disk, then returns to the BIOS ashing process. 3. T ype a lename for the current BIOS le in the Save current BIOS as eld, then press <Enter>. T o save the current BIOS le using the AwardBIOS Flash Utility: 1. Follow steps 1 to 6 of the previous section. 2. Press <Y> when the utility prompts you to save the current BIOS le. The following screen appears. 4.1.5 Saving the current BIOS le Y ou can use the A wardBIOS Flash Utility to save the current BIOS le. Y ou can load the current BIOS le when the BIOS le gets corrupted during the ashing process. AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved Message: For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: 0113.bin Save current BIOS as: AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved Message: Please Wait! For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: 0113.bin Checksum: D800H Save current BIOS as: old.bin AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.14 (C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved Message: Please Wait! For C51MCP55-CROSSHAIR-00 DATE:04/10/2006 Flash Type - Unknown Flash File Name to Program: 0113.bin Now Backup System BIOS to File! Make sure that the oppy disk has enough disk space to save the le.
ASUS Crosshair 4-9 4.1.6 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. Y ou can update a corrupted BIOS le using the motherboard support DVD or the oppy disk that contains the updated BIOS le. Prepare the motherboard support DVD or the oppy disk containing the updated motherboard BIOS before using this utility . Recovering the BIOS from the support DVD T o recover the BIOS from the support DVD: 1. T urn on the system. 2. Insert the motherboard support DVD to the optical drive. 3. The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the DVD for the BIOS le. 4. Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can cause system boot failure! Award BootBlock BIOS v1.0 Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software, Inc. BIOS ROM checksum error Detecting IDE ATAPI device... Found CDROM, try to Boot from it... Pass When found, the utility reads the BIOS le and starts ashing the corrupted BIOS le. Award BootBlock BIOS v1.0 Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software, Inc. BIOS ROM checksum error Detecting IDE ATAPI device...
4-10 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.2 BIOS setup program This motherboard supports a programmable Low-Pin Count (LPC) chip that you can update using the provided utility described in section “4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS.” Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconguring your system, or prompted to“Run Setup.” This section explains how to congure your system using this utility . Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the conguration of your computer in the future. For example, you can enable the security password feature or change the power management settings. This requires you to recongure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the LPC chip. The LPC chip on the motherboard stores the Setup utility . When you start up the computer , the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program. Press <Del> during the Power-On Self-T est (POST) to enter the Setup utility; otherwise, POST continues with its test routines. If you wish to enter Setup after POST , restart the system by pressing <Ctrl Alt Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. Y ou can also restart by turning the system off and then back on. Do this last option only if the rst two failed. The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various sub-menus and make your selections from the available options using the navigation keys. • The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability . Select the Load Default Settings item under the Exit Menu. See section “4.9 Exit Menu.” • The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes only , and may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website (www .asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for this motherboard.
ASUS Crosshair 4-11 4.2.1 BIOS menu screen Select Menu Item Specic Help Change the day, month, year and century. Legend bar General help Menu bar Sub-menu items Conguration elds Menu items Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit System Time 15 : 30 : 36 System Date Thu, Apr 6 2006 Language [English] Legacy Diskette A: [1.44M, 3.5 in.] Primary IDE Master [ST321122A] Primary IDE Slave [ASUS CDS520/A] SATA1 [None] SATA2 [None] SATA2 [None] [None] SATA3 [None] SATA3 [None] [None] SATA4 [None] SATA4 [None] [None] SATA5 [None] SATA5 [None] [None] SATA6 [None] SATA6 [None] [None] HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled] Installed Memory 512MB Usable Memory 511MB 4.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: Main For changing the basic system conguration Extreme T weaker For changing the overclocking settings Advanced For changing the advanced system settings Power For changing the advanced power management (APM) conguration Boot For changing the system boot conguration T ools For conguring options for special functions Exit For selecting the exit options and loading default settings T o select an item on the menu bar , press the right or left arrow key on the keyboard until the desired item is highlighted. • The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference purposes only , and may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website (www .asus.com) to download the latest BIOS information.
4-12 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.2.4 Menu items The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items. The other items (Advanced, Power , Boot, and Exit) on the menu bar have their respective menu items. 4.2.5 Sub-menu items A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a sub-menu. T o display the sub-menu, select the item and press <Enter>. 4.2.6 Conguration elds These elds show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-congurable, you can change the value of the eld opposite the item. Y ou cannot select an item that is not user-congurable. A congurable eld is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. T o change the value of a eld, select it then press <Enter> to display a list of options. Refer to “4.2.7 Pop-up window .” 4.2.3 Legend bar At the bottom of the Setup screen is a legend bar . The keys in the legend bar allow you to navigate through the various setup menus. The following table lists the keys found in the legend bar with their corresponding functions. Navigation Key Function <F1> Displays the General Help screen <F5> Loads setup default values <Esc> Exits the BIOS setup or returns to the main menu from a sub-menu Left or Right arrow Selects the menu item to the left or right Up or Down arrow Moves the highlight up or down between elds Page Down or – (minus) Scrolls backward through the values for the highlighted eld Page Up or (plus) Scrolls forward through the values for the highlighted eld <Enter> Brings up a selection menu for the highlighted eld <F10> Saves changes and exit
ASUS Crosshair 4-13 4.2.7 Pop-up window Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the conguration options for that item. F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Species the capacity and physical size of diskette drive A. System Time 15 : 30 : 36 System Date Thu, Apr 6 2006 Language [English] Legacy Diskette A: [1.44M, 3.5 in.] Primary IDE Mast er [ST321122A] Primary IDE Slav e [ASUS CDS520/A] SATA1 [None] SATA1 [None] [None] SATA2 [None] SATA2 [None] [None] SATA3 [None] SATA3 [None] [None] SATA4 [None] SATA4 [None] [None] SATA5 [None] SATA5 [None] [None] SATA6 [None] SATA6 [None] [None] HDD SMART Monito ring [Disabled] Installed Memory 512MB Usable Memory 512MB 4.2.8 General help At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item. Pop-up menu Legacy Diskette A: Disabled ..... [ ] 720K , 3.5 in. ..... [ ] 1.44M, 3.5 in. ..... [ ] ↑↓ :Move ENTER:Accept ESC:Abort
4-14 Chapter 4: BIOS setup F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Change the day, month, year and century. System Time 15 : 30 : 36 System Date Thu, Apr 6 2006 Language [English] Legacy Diskette A: [1.44M, 3.5 in.] Primary IDE Master [ST321122A] Primary IDE Slave [ASUS CDS520/A] SATA1 [None] SATA1 [None] [None] SATA2 [None] SATA2 [None] [None] SATA3 [None] SATA3 [None] [None] SATA4 [None] SATA4 [None] [None] SATA5 [None] SATA5 [None] [None] SATA6 [None] SATA6 [None] 6 [None] HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled] Installed Memory 512MB Usable Memory 511MB 4.3 Main menu When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information. Refer to section “4.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them. 4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] Allows you to set the system time. 4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you to set the system date. 4.3.3 Language [English] Allows you to choose the BIOS language version from the options. Conguration options: [English] [French] [Deutsch] [Chines (T rad.)] [Chinese (Simp.)] [Japanese] 4.3.4 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.] Sets the type of oppy drive installed. Conguration options: [Disabled] [720K , 3.5 in.] [1.44M, 3.5 in.]
ASUS Crosshair 4-15 4.3.5 Primary IDE Master/Slave While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each IDE device. Select a device item then press <Enter> to display the IDE device information. The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Capacity , Cylinder , Head, Sector and T ransfer Mode). These values are not user-congurable. These items show N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system. PIO Mode [Auto] Sets the PIO mode for the IDE device. Conguration options: [Auto] [Mode 0] [Mode 1] [Mode 2] [Mode 3] [Mode 4] UDMA Mode [Auto] Disables or sets the UDMA mode. Conguration options: [Disable] [Auto] Primary IDE Master/Slave [Auto] Select [Auto] to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive. If automatic detection is successful, the BIOS automatically lls in the correct values for the remaining elds on this sub-menu. If the hard disk was already formatted on a previous system, the setup BIOS may detect incorrect parameters. Select [Manual] to manually enter the IDE hard disk drive parameters. If no drive is installed select [None]. Conguration options: [None] [Auto] [Manual] F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Select Menu Item Specic Help Set a PIO mode for IDE device. Mode0 through 4 for successive increase in performance. Primary IDE Master PIO Mode [Auto] UDMA Mode [Auto] Primary IDE Master [Auto] Access Mode [Auto] Capacity 82 GB Cylinder 39420 Head 16 Sector 255 Transfer Mode UDMA 5
4-16 Chapter 4: BIOS setup Capacity Displays the auto-detected hard disk capacity . This item is not congurable. Cylinder Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not congurable. Head Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not congurable. Sector Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not congurable. T ransfer Mode Shows the T ransfer mode. This item is not congurable. Access Mode [Auto] The default [Auto] allows automatic detection of an IDE hard disk drive. Select [CHS] for this item if you set the IDE Primary Master/Slave to [Manual]. Conguration options: [CHS] [LBA] [Large] [Auto] Before attempting to congure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the correct conguration information supplied by the drive manufacturer . Incorrect settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk. After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility , such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives. This is necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk. Make sure to set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.
ASUS Crosshair 4-17 4.3.6 S A T A 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial A T A devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each SA T A device. Select a device item then press <Enter> to display the SA T A device information. The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Capacity , Cylinder , Head, Landing Zone and Sector). These values are not user- congurable. These items show 0 if no SA T A device is installed in the system. Extended IDE Drive [Auto] Selects the type of xed disk connected to the system. Conguration options: [None] [Auto] Access Mode [Auto] Sets the sector addressing mode. Conguration options: [Large] [Auto] F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Select Menu Item Specic Help Selects the type of xed disk connected to the system. SATA1 Extended IDE Drive [Auto] Access Mode [Auto] Capacity 0 MB Cylinder 0 Head 0 Landing Zone 0 Sector 0 Before attempting to congure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the correct conguration information supplied by the drive manufacturer . Incorrect settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk. Capacity Displays the auto-detected hard disk capacity . This item is not congurable. Cylinder Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not congurable.
4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS setup Head Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not congurable. Landing Zone Shows the number of landing zone per track. This item is not congurable. Sector Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not congurable. After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility , such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives. This is necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk. Make sure to set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active. 4.3.7 HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the HDD Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting T echnology (SMART) feature. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 4.3.8 Installed Memory [xxx MB] Shows the size of installed memory . 4.3.9 Usable Memory [XXX MB] Shows the size of usable memory .
ASUS Crosshair 4-19 4.4 Extreme Tweaker menu The Extreme menu items allow you to congure overclocking-related items. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to select overclock prole . LinkBoost [Enabled] AI Tuning [Auto] x Overclock Options Disabled x N.O.S Mode Auto x N.O.S Sensitivity Normal x N.O.S Overclock 3% x Overclocking x Over Voltage DRAM Conguration SLI-Ready Memory [Disabled] x SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC CPUOC 0% AMD Live! [Disabled] AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Function [Disabled] NVIDIA GPU Ex [Disabled] F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit 4.4.1 LinkBoost [Enabled] When you install 7900GTX or 7950 GX2 graphics card, this model will auto overclock to get a better performance. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 4.4.2 AI T uning [Auto] Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired CPU internal frequency . Selct either one of the preset overclocking conguration options: Manual Allows you to individually set overclocking parameters. Auto Loads the optimal settings for the system. Standard Loads the standard settings for the system. AI Overclock Loads overclocking proles with optimal parameters for stability when overclocking. AI N.O.S. The ASUS Non-delay Overclocking System feature intelligently determines the system load and automatically boosts the performance for the most demanding tasks. The following item becomes user-congurable when you set AI T uning to [ AI Overclock] Overclock Options [Disabled] Allows you to set the overclocking options. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Overclock 3%] [Overclock 5%] [Overclock 8%] [Overclock 10%] T ake caution when changing the settings of the Extreme menu items. Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.
4-20 Chapter 4: BIOS setup The following item becomes user-congurable when you set AI T uning to [ AI N.O.S.] N.O.S. Mode [Auto] Allows you to set the Non-delay Overclocking System mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual] The following items become user-congurable when you set N.O.S. Mode to [ Manual]. N.O.S. Sensitivity [Normal] Allows you to set the Non-delay Overclocking System sensitivity . Conguration options: [Normal] [Sensitive] [Less-Sensitive] N.O.S. Overclock [3%] Allows you to set the Non-delay Overclocking System overclocking options. Conguration options: [3%] [5%] [8%] [10%] The Overclocking and Over V oltage items become user-congurable when you set AI T uning to [Manual ]. Overclocking This sub-menu allows you to adjust the system frequency-related items. Select an item, then press <Enter> to edit. F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Overclocking CPU Type AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3800 CPU Speed 2000 MHz Cache RAM 512K CPU Frequency [Auto] [Auto] Memory Clock Frequency [Auto] PCIEX16_1 Clock [Auto] PCIEX16_2 Clock [Auto] CPU<->NB HT Speed [Auto] NB to SB HT Frequency [Auto] [Auto] NB --> SB HT Speed [5xNB to SB HT Frequency] SB --> NB HT Speed [5xSB to NB HT Frequency] CPU<->NB HT Width [ ↓16 ↑16] NB<->SB HT Width [ ↓16 ↑16] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Extreme Tweaker CPU Frequency [XXX] (value is auto-detected) Indicates the frequency sent by the clock generator to the system bus and PCI bus. The bus frequency (external frequency) multiplied by the bus multiple equals the CPU speed. The BIOS auto-detects the value of this item. The values range from 200.0 to 400.0.
ASUS Crosshair 4-21 CPU Multiplier [Auto] Allows you to set the operating CPU multiplier . the conguration options may vary depending on the type of CPU installed. Conguration options:[Auto] [5x] [6x]~[25x] Memory Clock Frequency [Auto] Sets the memory clock frequency . Conguration options: [Auto] [DDR2 400] [DDR2 533] [DDR2 667] [DDR2 800] PCIEX16_1 / PCIEX16_2 Clock [Auto] PCIEX16_2 Clock [Auto] Clock [Auto] Allows you to set the PCI Express clock. Conguration options: [Auto] [100MHz] ~[200MHz] CPU<->NB HT Speed [Auto] Allows you to set the CPU to Northbridge HT Speed. Conguration options: [Auto] [1xCPU Frequency] [2xCPU Frequency] [3xCPU Frequency] [4xCPU Frequency] [5xCPU Frequency] NB to SB HT Frequency [Auto] Allows you to set the Northbridge to Southbridge HT frequency . Conguration options: [Auto] [200MHz] ~ [400MHz] NB-->SB HT Speed [5xNB to SB HT Frequency] Allows you to set the Northbridge to Southbridge HT Speed. Conguration options: [1xNB to SB HT Frequency] [2xNB to SB HT Frequency] [3xNB to SB HT Frequency] [4xNB to SB HT Frequency] [5xNB to SB HT Frequency] SB-->NB HT Speed [5xSB to NB HT Frequency] Allows you to set the Southbridge to Northbridge HT Speed. Conguration options: [1xSB to NB HT Frequency] [2xSB to NB HT Frequency] [3xSB to NB HT Frequency] [4xSB to NB HT Frequency] [5xSB to NB HT Frequency] CPU<->NB HT Width [ ↓16 ↑16] Allows you to set the CPU to Northbridge HT width. Conguration options: [ ↓ 8 ↑ 8] [↓ 16 ↑ 16] NB<->SB HT Width [ ↓16 ↑16] Allows you to set the Northbridge to Southbridge HT width. Conguration options: [ ↓ 4 ↑ 4] [↓ 8 ↑ 8] [↓ 16 ↑ 16] Setting a very high CPU frequency may cause the system to become unstable. If this happens, revert to the default setting.
4-22 Chapter 4: BIOS setup F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to set. Advanced Voltage Control CPU Voltage Range [Auto] x CPU Voltage Auto DDR2 Voltage Control [Auto] HT Link Voltage [Auto] NB Core Voltage [Auto] SB Core Voltage [Auto] SB PLL Voltage [Auto] DDR2 Termination Voltage [Auto] DDR2 Controller Ref Voltage [Auto] DDR2 Channel A Ref Voltage [Auto] DDR2 Channel B Ref Voltage [Auto] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Extreme Tweaker Over V oltage This sub-menu allows you to adjust the voltage-related items. Select an item, then press <Enter> to edit. CPU V oltage Range [Auto] Allows you to set the operating CPU voltage range. Conguration options: [Auto] [0.85V -0.95V] [0.95V -1.05V] ~ [1.75V -1.85V] The following item becomes user-congurable when you set the CPU V oltage Range to any of the available options, except [Auto]. CPU V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the operating CPU voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [1.75000V] [1.75625V] [1.76250V] [1.76875V] [1.77500V] [1.78125V] [1.78750V] [1.79375V] [1.8000V] [1.80625V] [1.81250V] [1.81875V] [1.82500V] [1.83125V] [1.83750V] [1.84375V] [1.85000V] DDR2 V oltage Control [Auto] Allows you to set the operating DDR2 voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [1.850V] [1.875V] [1.900V] ~ [3.425V] HT Link V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the HT Link voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [1.200V] [1.225V] [1.250V] [1.275V] ~ [1.575V] NB Core V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the NB Core voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [1.200V] [1.225V] [1.250V] [1.275V]~[1.575V]
ASUS Crosshair 4-23 SB Core V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the SB Core voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [1.500V] [1.525V] [1.550V]~[1.875V] SB PLL V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the SB PLL voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [1.50V] [1.55V]~[1.85V] DDR2 T ermination V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the DDR2 termination voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [DDR2_V ol/2] [DDR2_V ol/2 -50mV] [DDR2_V ol/2-100mV] [DDR2_V ol/2-150mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 50mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 100mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 150mV] DDR2 Controller Ref V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the DDR2 Controller Ref V oltage Conguration options: [Auto] [DDR2_V ol/2] [DDR2_V ol/2- 50mV] [DDR2_V ol/2-100mV] [DDR2_V ol/2-150mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 50mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 100mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 150mV] DDR2 Channel A Ref V oltage / DDR2 Channel B Ref V oltage [Auto] Allows you to set the DDR2 Controller/ChannelA/B Ref voltage. Conguration options: [Auto] [DDR2_V ol/2] [DDR2_V ol/2-100mV] [DDR2_ V ol/2 50mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 100mV] [DDR2_V ol/2 150mV] 4.4.3 DRAM Conguration The items in the sub-menu show the DRAM-related information auto-detected by the BIOS. F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to set. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Extreme Tweaker DRAM Conguration Tcl [Auto] Trcd [Auto] Trp [Auto] Tras [Auto] Width of DRAM Interface [Auto] 1T/2T Memory Timing [Auto] AI Clock Skew [Auto] x Channel A Clock Skew Normal X Channel B Clock Skew Normal Advanced Memory Settings DRAM Timing Control Output Driver Control Current DRAM Timing 533MHz-4-4-4-11-1T
4-24 Chapter 4: BIOS setup T cl [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] T rcd [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] T rp [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] T ras [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [5] [6] [7]~[18] Width of DRAM Interface [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [64-bit] 1T/2T Memory T iming [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T] DRAM ECC Enable [Disabled] Enables or disables the DRAM ECC function. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] This item appears only when you install DRAM modules that support ECC function. AI Clock Skew [Auto] Below items become user-congurable when you set the AI Clock Skew to [Manual]. Channel A Clock Skew: [Advance 900ps] [Advance 750ps] [Advance 600ps] [Advance 450ps] [Advance 300ps] [Advance 150ps] [Normal] [Delay 150ps] [Delay 300ps] [Delay 450ps] [Delay 600ps] [Delay 750ps] [Delay 900ps] Channel B Clock Skew: [Advance 900ps] [Advance 750ps] [Advance 600ps] [Advance 450ps] [Advance 300ps] [Advance 150ps] [Normal] [Delay 150ps] [Delay 300ps] [Delay 450ps] [Delay 600ps] [Delay 750ps] [Delay 900ps]
ASUS Crosshair 4-25 CPU On-die T ermination [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [300 ohm] [150 ohm] [75 ohm] T rc [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1 1] [12] [13]~[26] T wr [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] T rrd [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5] T rwt [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5] ~ [9] T wtr [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1] [2] [3] T rtp [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [2/4] [3/5] T wrrd [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] T wrwr [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1] [2] [3] T rdrd [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5] T ref [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [7.8 us] [3.9 us] T rfc [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] DRAM T ermination [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [75 ohms] [150 ohms] [50 ohms] Max Async Latency [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0 ns] [1 ns] [2 ns] ~ [15 ns] Advanced Memory Settings F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to set. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Extreme Tweaker Advanced Memory Settings CPU On-die Termination [Auto] Trc [Auto] Twr [Auto] Trrd [Auto] Trwt [Auto] Twtr [Auto] Trtp [Auto] Twrrd [Auto] Twrwr [Auto] Trdrd [Auto] Tref [Auto] Trfc [Auto] DRAM Termination [Auto] Max Async Latency [Auto] [Auto] R/W Queue Bypass [Auto] Dynamic Idle Cycle Counter [Auto] Idle Cycle Limit [Auto] DCQ Bypass Maximum [Auto] DRAM Burst Length [Auto] DRAM Bank Interleaving [Enabled]
4-26 Chapter 4: BIOS setup CHA/CHB CKE Fine Delay [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/64 MEMCLK delay] [2/64 MEMCLK delay] [3/64 MEMCLK delay] ~ [31/64 MEMCLK delay] CHA/CHB CKE Setup Time [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1/2 MEMCLK] [1 MEMCLK] CHA/CHB C/S ODT Fine Delay [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/64 MEMCLK delay] [2/64 MEMCLK delay] [3/64 MEMCLK delay] ~ [31/64 MEMCLK delay] CHA/CHB C/S ODT Setup Time [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1/2 MEMCLK] [1 MEMCLK] CHA/CHB Add/CMD Fine Delay [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/64 MEMCLK delay] [2/64 MEMCLK delay] [3/64 MEMCLK delay] ~ [31/64 MEMCLK delay] CHA/CHB Add/CMD Setup Time [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1/2 MEMCLK] [1 MEMCLK] Read DQS Timing Control [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/96 MEMCLK delay] [2/96 MEMCLK delay] [3/96 MEMCLK delay] ~ [47/96 MEMCLK delay] DRAM T iming Control F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to set. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Extreme Tweaker DRAM Timing Control CHA CKE Fine Delay [Auto] CHB CKE Fine Delay [Auto] CHA CKE Setup Time [Auto] CHB CKE Setup Time [Auto] CHA CS/ODT Fine Delay [Auto] CHB CS/ODT Fine Delay [Auto] CHA CS/ODT Setup Time [Auto] CHB CS/ODT Setup Time [Auto] CHA Add/CMD Fine Delay [Auto] CHB Add/CMD Fine Delay [Auto] CHA Add/CMD Setup Time [Auto] CHB Add/CMD Setup Time [Auto] Read DQS Timing Control [Auto] Write Data Timing Control [Auto] DQS Receiver Enable Timing [Auto] R/W Queue Bypass [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [2x] [4x] [8x] [16x] Dynamic Idle Cycle Counter [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] Idle Cycle Limit [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0 cycles] [4 cycles] [8 cycles] [16 cycles] [32 cycles] [64 cycles] [128 cycles] [256 cycles] DCQ Bypass Maximum [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0x] [1x] [2x]~[15x] DRAM Burst Length [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [64-byte] [32-byte] DRAM Bank Interleaving [Enabled] Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
ASUS Crosshair 4-27 Write Data T iming Control [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [No delay] [1/96 MEMCLK delay] [2/96 MEMCLK delay] [3/96 MEMCLK]...[47/96 MEMCLK delay] DQS Receiver Enable Timing [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0 ps] [50 ps] [100 ps] [150 ps] ~ [8700 ps] CHA/CHB CKE Drive Strength [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x] CHA/CHB C/S ODT Drive Strength [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x] CHA/CHB Add/CMD Drive Strength [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x] MEMCLK Drive Strength [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] Data Drive Strength [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] DQS Drive Strength [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] DRAM Drivers Weak Mode [Auto] Conguration options: [Auto] [Normal] [Weak] Output Driver Control F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →← : Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to set. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Extreme Tweaker Output Driver Control CHA CKE Drive Strength [Auto] CHB CKE Drive Strength [Auto] CHA CS/ODT Drive Strength [Auto] CHB CS/ODT Drive Strength [Auto] CHA Add/CMD Drive Strength [Auto] Add/CMD Drive Strength [Auto] CHB Add/CMD Drive Strength [Auto] Add/CMD Drive Strength [Auto] MEMCLK Drive Strength [Auto] MEMCLK Drive Strength [Auto] Data Drive Strength [Auto] DQS Drive Strength [Auto] DRAM Drivers Weak Mode [Auto]
4-28 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.4.4 SLI-Ready Memory [Disabled] Allows you to select the SPD prole for SLI-Ready memory modules. The conguration options may vary depending on the type of module you installed. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Optimal] [High Performance] [High Frequency] The following item becomes user-congurable when SLI-Ready Memory is set to Enabled. 4.4.5 SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC [CPUOC 0%] Conguration options: [CPUOC 0%] [CPUOC 1%]~[CPUOC 14%] [CPUOC MAX] 4.4.6 AMD Live! [Disabled] Enables or disables AMD Live! Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 4.4.7 AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Function [Disabled] Enables or disables the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet technology . Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] 4.4.8 NVIDIA GPU Ex [Disabled] Enables or disables with the optimized NVIDIA Ex graphics driver . Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled]
ASUS Crosshair 4-29 POST Check LAN Cable [Disabled] POST Check LAN2 Cable [Disabled] Enables or disables checking of the LAN/LAN2 cable during the Power-On Self-T est (POST). Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 4.5.1 AI NET2 F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Enable or Disable LAN cable check during POST. AI NET2 POST Check LAN Cable [Disabled] POST Check LAN2 Cable [Disabled] Pair Status Length LAN1(1-2) Open N/A LAN1(3-6) Open N/A LAN1(4-5) Open N/A LAN1(7-8) Open N/A LAN2(1-2) Open N/A LAN2(3-6) Open N/A LAN2(4-5) Open N/A LAN2(7-8) Open N/A Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced 4.5 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for system devices. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to set. AI NET2 PEG Link Mode PCIPnP Onboard Device Conguration F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit T ake caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.
4-30 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.5.2 PEG Link Mode Select Menu Item Specic Help Enhance performance on PCIE serial graphic card. PEG Link Mode PEG Link Mode [Auto] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced PEG Link Mode [Auto] Allows you to enhance the performance of your PCI Express graphics card. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Normal] [Fast] [Faster] Setting to [Fast] or [Faster] may cause your system to be unstable. If this happens, revert to the default setting [Auto]. Select Menu Item Specic Help Select Yes if you are using a Plug and Play capable operating system. Select No if you need the BIOS to congure non-boot devices. PCIPnP Plug & Play O/S [No] Resources Controlled By [Auto] x IRQ Resources Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced 4.5.3 PCIPnP Plug & Play O/S [No] When set to [No], the BIOS congures all the devices in the system. When set to [Y es] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system congures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot. Conguration options: [No] [Y es] Resources Controlled By [Auto] When set to [Auto], the BIOS automatically congures all the boot and Plug and Play compatible devices. Set to [Manual] if you want to assign the IRQ DMA and memory base address elds. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual]
ASUS Crosshair 4-31 IRQ Resources IRQ Resources IRQ-5 assigned to [PCI Device] IRQ-7 assigned to [PCI Device] IRQ-9 assigned to [PCI Device] IRQ-10 assigned to [PCI Device] IRQ-11 assigned to [PCI Device] IRQ-14 assigned to [PCI Device] IRQ-15 assigned to [PCI Device] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced Select Menu Item Specic Help Legacy ISA for devices compliant with the original PC AT bus specication, PCI/ISA PnP for devices compliant with the Plug and Play standard whether designed for PCI or ISA bus architecture. IRQ-xx assigned to When set to [PCI Device], the specic IRQ is free for use of PCI/PnP devices. When set to [Reserved], the IRQ is reserved for legacy ISA devices. Conguration options: [PCI Device] [Reserved] F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Onboard Device Conguration IDE Function Setup Serial-ATA Conguration USB Conguration Onboard 1394 Controller [Enabled] Onboard 1st nVidia LAN [Enabled] Onboard 2nd nVidia LAN [Enabled] Onboard nVidia Lan Boot ROM [Disabled] Primary Display Adapter [PCIEX16_1] HD Audio [Auto] Front Panel Support Type [AC97] [AC97] Silicon SATAII Controller [SATA Mode] Internal Connector LED [Disabled] LCD Poster Back Light [Disabled] LCD Poster Mode [Current Time] x LCD Poster String Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced 4.5.4 Onboard Device Conguration The item IRQ Resources becomes user-congurable when you set Resources Controlled By to [Manual].
4-32 Chapter 4: BIOS setup IDE Function Setup This sub-menu contains IDE function-related items. Select an item then press <Enter> to edit. Select Menu Item Specic Help Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced IDE Function Setup OnChip IDE Channel0 [Enabled] IDE DMA transfer access [Enabled] IDE Prefetch Mode [Enabled] OnChip IDE Channel0 [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the onchip IDE channel 0 controller . Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] IDE DMA transfer access [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the IDE DMA transfer access. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] IDE Prefetch Mode [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the IDE PIO read prefetch mode. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Serial-A T A Conguration This sub-menu allows you to change Serial A T A settings. Select an item then press <Enter> to edit. Select Menu Item Specic Help Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced Serial-ATA Conguration Serial-ATA Controller [Enabled] RAID Enabled [Disabled] x SATA1 RAID Disabled x SATA2 RAID Disabled x SATA3 RAID Disabled x SATA4 RAID Disabled x SATA5 RAID Disabled x SATA6 RAID Disabled Serial-A T A Controller [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the onboard Serial A T A controller . Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] RAID Enabled [Disabled] Enables or disables the onboard RAID controller . When set to [Enabled], the succeeding items become user-congurable. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
ASUS Crosshair 4-33 USB Conguration The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options. USB Controller [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the onchip USB controller . Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 controller . Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] USB Legacy Support [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable support for USB devices on legacy operating systems (OS). Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Onboard 1394 [Enabled] Allows you to disable or enable the onboard 1394 device support. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Onboard 1st/2nd Nvidia LAN [Enabled] Enables or disables the onboard NVIDIA ® LAN controller . Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] OnBoard nVidia LAN Boot ROM [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN boot ROM. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Primary Display Adapter [PCIEX16_1] Allows you to select the graphics controller to use as the primary boot device. Conguration options: [PCI Slot] [PCIEX16_2] [PCIEX16_1] SA T A1/2/3/4/5/6 [Disabled] Enables or disables the RAID function of the rst to sixth SA T A master drive. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Select Menu Item Specic Help Enable or disable the USB 1.1 and 2.0 Controller. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Advanced USB Conguration USB Controller [Enabled] USB2.0 Controller [Enabled] USB Legacy support [Enabled]
4-34 Chapter 4: BIOS setup HD Audio [Auto] Allows you to disable or set the High-Denition audio function. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] Front Panel Support T ype [AC97] Allows you to set the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC`97 or high-denition audio depending on the audio standard that the front panel audio module supports. Conguration options: [AC97] [HD Audio] Silicon SA T AII Controller [SA T A Mode] Allows you to disable or set the function of the extended SA T A II controller . Conguration options: [Disabled] [SA T A Mode] [RAID Mode] Internal Connector LED [by Switch] Allows you to control the internal connector LED by Switch or Always on. Conguration options: [By Switch] [Always On] LCD Poster Back Light [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the LCD poster backlight. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] LCD Poster Mode [Current Time] Allows you to select the LCD poster mode. Conguration options: [Current T ime] [User String] The following item becomes congurable when the “LCD Poster Mode” item is set to [User String]. LCD Poster String Allows you to enter a string on the LCD poster .
ASUS Crosshair 4-35 4.6 Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options. 4.6.1 ACPI Suspend T ype [S1&S3] Allows you to select the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI) state to be used for system suspend. Conguration options: [S1 (POS)] [S3(STR)] [S1&S3] 4.6.2 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI) support in the Application-Specic Integrated Circuit (ASIC). When set to Enabled, the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the RSDT pointer list. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to select overclock prole . ACPI Suspend Type [S1&S3] ACPI APIC support [Enabled] APM Conguration Hardware Monitor F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit
4-36 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.6.3 APM Conguration Restore on AC Power Loss [Power-Off] Allows you to enable or disable the Restore on AC Power Loss function. Conguration options: [Power-Off] [Power-On] PWR Button < 4 secs [Instant-Off] Allows you to set the event after the power button is pressed for more than 4 seconds. Conguration options: [Suspend] [Instant-Off] Power Up On PCI/PCIE Devices [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the PME to wake up from S5 by PCI devices & NV Onboard LAN. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] USB Resume from S5 [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the support of USB keyboard or mouse resumption from S5. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake event. When this item is set to Enabled, the items Date of Month Alarm and T ime (hh:mm:ss) Alarm items become user-congurable with set values. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Date (of Month) Alarm [XX] T o set the date of alarm, highlight this item and press <Enter> to display the Date of Month Alarm pop-up menu. Key-in a value within the specied range then press <Enter>. V alue ‘0’ means everyday . Conguration options: [Min=0] [Max=31] Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to select whether or not to restart the system after AC power loss. APM Conguration Restore on AC Power Loss [Power-Off] PWR Button < 4 secs [Instant-Off] Power Up On PCI/PCIE Devices [Disabled] USB Resume from S5 [Disabled] Power On by RTC Alarm [Disabled] x Date (of Month) Alarm [ 0] x Alarm Time (hh:mm) 0 : 0 : 0 Power Up By PS/2 Mouse [Disabled] Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Power F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit
ASUS Crosshair 4-37 4.6.4 Hardware Monitor The items in this sub-menu displays the hardware monitor values automatically detected by the BIOS. It also allows you to change CPU Q-Fan feature-related parameters. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options. Alarm Time (hh:mm) [ X: X: X] T o set the time of alarm: 1. Highlight this item and press <Enter> to display a pop-up menu for the hour eld. 2. Key-in a value (Min=0, Max=23), then press <Enter>. 3. Press <T AB> to move to the minutes eld then press <Enter>. 4. Key-in a minute value (Min=0, Max=59), then press <Enter>. Power Up By PS/2 Mouse [Disabled] When set to [Enabled], this parameter allows you to use the PS/2 mouse to turn on the system. This feature requires an A TX power supply that provides at least 1A on the 5VSB lead. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled] Allows you to disable the Power On by PS/2 keyboard function or set specic keys on the PS/2 keyboard to turn on the system. This feature requires an A TX power supply that provides at least 1A on the 5VSB lead. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Space Bar] [Ctrl-ESC] [Power Key] Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to go to the sub-menu. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Power F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit Hardware Monitor Voltage Monitor Temperature Monitor Fan Speed Monitor Fan Speed Control CPU Fan Connector Type [4-Pin Fan] Fan Boost Function [Disabled] CPU Fan Speed warning [800 RPM]
4-38 Chapter 4: BIOS setup V oltage Monitor 12V / 5V / 3.3V V oltage DDR2 / DDR2 T ermination / CPU Core/ CPU-NB HT V oltage NB 2.5V / NB Core / SB Core / SB PLL V oltage / Sil3132 ESA T A / Marvell LAN PHY V oltage The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to set. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Power F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit Voltage Monitor 12V Voltage [12.03V] 5V Voltage [ 4.99V] 3.3V Voltage [ 3.26V] DDR2 Voltage [ 1.87V] DDR2 Termination Voltage [ 0.92V] CPU Core Voltage [ 1.44V] CPU-NB HT Voltage [ 1.26V] NB 2.5V Voltage [ 2.75V] NB Core Voltage [ 1.21V] SB Core Voltage [ 1.58V] SB PLL Voltage [ 1.58V] Sil3132 ESATA Voltage [ 1.82V] Marvell LAN PHY Voltage [ 1.77V] Select Menu Item Specic Help Temperature Monitor CPU Temperature 57ºC M/B Temperature 37ºC OPT1 Temperature 0ºC OPT2 Temperature 0ºC OPT3 Temperature 0ºC Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Power T emperature Monitor CPU, M/B, OPT1/2/3 T emperature The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the motherboard, CPU, and OPT1/2/3 temperatures. These items are not user-congurable.
ASUS Crosshair 4-39 Voltage Monitor CPU Fan Control [Duty Cycle Mode] CPU Fan Duty Cycle [100%] CHA Rear Fan Control [Duty Cycle Mode] CHA Rear Fan Duty Cycle [100%] x CHA Rear Fan Q-Fan Sense CPU Temperature CHA Front Fan Control [Duty Cycle Mode] CHA Front Fan Duty Cycle [100%] x CHA Rear Fan Q-Fan Sense CPU Temperature OPT Fan1 Control [Duty Cycle Mode] OPT Fan1 Duty Cycle [100%] x OPT Fan1 Target Temperature 40ºC/104ºF OPT Fan2 Control [Duty Cycle Mode] OPT Fan2 Duty Cycle [100%] x OPT Fan2 Target Temperature 40ºC/104ºF OPT Fan3 Control [Duty Cycle Mode] OPT Fan3 Duty Cycle [100%] x OPT Fan3 Target Temperature 40ºC/104ºF OPT Fan4 Duty Cycle [100%] OPT Fan5 Duty Cycle [100%] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Power Fan Speed Control Select Menu Item Specic Help Fan Speed Monitor CPU FAN Speed 2960 RPM CHA Rear FAN Speed 0 RPM CHA Front FAN Speed 0 RPM OPT1 FAN Speed 0 RPM OPT2 FAN Speed 0 RPM OPT3 FAN Speed 0 RPM OPT4 FAN Speed 0 RPM OPT5 FAN Speed 0 RPM Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Power Fan Speed Monitor CPU F AN / CHA Rear F AN Speed OPT1/2/3/4/5 F AN Speed The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU, Chassis, and OPT1/2/3/4/5 fan speed in rotations per minute (RPM). If any of the fans is not connected to the motherboard, the eld shows 0. These items are not user-congurable. Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to enable or disable. CPU / CHA Rear / CHA Front / OPT Fan1, 2, 3, Fan Control [Duty Cycle Mode] Allows you to select the fan control mode. Conguration options: [Duty Cycle Mode] [Q-F AN Mode] CPU / CHA Rear / CHA Front / OPT Fan1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5 Fan Duty Cycle [100%] Fan Duty Cycle [100%] Allows you to set the fan duty cycle. When the Fan Control item is set to Q-F AN Mode, this item is not user-congurable. Conguration options: [60%] [70%] [80%] [90%] [100%]
4-40 Chapter 4: BIOS setup CHA Rear/Front Fan Q-Fan Sense [CPU T emperature] Allows the Q-Fan to sense CPU/MB temperature and to adjust the fan speed. When the previous items are set to Q-F AN Mode, these items become user- congurable. Conguration options: [CPU T emperature] [MB T emperature] OPT Fan1/2/3 T arget T emperature [40ºC/104ºF] Allows the Q-Fan to sense the temperature of fans connected to OPT Fan1/2/3 and to adjust the fan speed. When the OPT Fan1/2/3 Control items are set to Q-F AN Mode, these items become user-congurable. Conguration options: [10ºC/50ºF] [15ºC/59ºF] [20ºC/68ºF] [25ºC/77ºF] [30ºC/86ºF] [35ºC/95ºF] [40ºC/104ºF] [45ºC/1 13ºF] [50ºC/122ºF] [55ºC/131ºF] [60ºC/140ºF] [65ºC/149ºF] [70ºC/158ºF] [75ºC/167ºF] [80ºC/176ºF] [85ºC/ 185ºF] The thermo sensor cables need to be connected to the optional fans rst for this function. CPU Fan Connector T ype [4-Pin Fan] Allows you to select the type of CPU fan cable connected to the CPU fan. Conguration options: [4-Pin Fan] [3-Pin Fan] Fan Boost Function [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the fan boost function. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] When the Fan Boost Function is enabled, the 3-pin CPU fan will run at full speed. CPU Fan Speed warning [800 RPM] Allows you to set the CPU fan warning speed function, which gives off a warning when the CPU fan speed is too low . If you set this item to [Disabled], the system If you set this item to [Disabled], the system will not warn you even if no fan is installed or if the fan is not functioning properly . Conguration options: [Disabled] [800 RPM] [1200 RPM] [1600 RPM]
ASUS Crosshair 4-41 4.7 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Select Boot Device Priority Boot Device Priority Removable Drives Hard Disk Drives Boot Settings Conguration Security F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit 4.7.1 Boot Device Priority Select Menu Item Specic Help Select Your Boot Device Priority Boot Device Priority 1st Boot Device [Removable] 2nd Boot Device [Hard Disk] 3rd Boot Device [CDROM] 4th Boot Device [Disabled] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Boot 1st ~ 4th Boot Device [Removable] These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices. The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of devices installed in the system. Conguration options: [Removable] [Hard Disk] [CDROM] [Disabled]
4-42 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.7.2 Removable Drives 1. Floppy Disks Allows you to assign a removable drive attached to the system. Select Menu Item Specic Help Removable Drives 1. Floppy Disks Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Boot 4.7.3 Hard Disk Drives 1. SA T A 1: XXXXXXXXX Allows you to assign hard disk drives attached to the system. Select Menu Item Specic Help Hard Disk Drives 1. SATA 1: XXXXXXXXX Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Boot
ASUS Crosshair 4-43 4.7.4 Boot Settings Conguration F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to enable or disable. Boot Settings Conguration Case Open Warning [Enabled] Quick Boot [Enabled] Boot Up Floppy Seek [Disabled] Bootup Num-Lock [On] Typematic Rate Setting [Disabled] x Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) 6 x Typematic Delay (Msec) 250 OS Select For DRAM > 64MB [Non-OS2] Full Screen LOGO [Enabled] Halt On [All Errors] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Boot Case Open W arning [Enabled] Enables or disables the chassis open status feature. Setting to Enabled, clears the chassis open status. Refer to section “2.8.2 Internal connectors” for setting details. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Quick Boot [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the system quick boot feature. When Enabled, the system skips certain tests while booting. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Boot Up Floppy Seek [Disabled] Enables or disables the chassis open status feature. Setting to Enabled, clears the chassis open status. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Bootup Num-Lock [On] Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock. Conguration options: [Off] [On] T ypematic Rate Setting [Disabled] Allows you to set the keystroke rate. Enable this item to congure the T ypematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and the T ypematic Delay (Msec). Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] The items T ypematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and T ypematic Delay (Msec) become user-congurable only when the item T ypematic Rate Setting is enabled.
4-44 Chapter 4: BIOS setup T ypematic Rate (Chars/Sec) [6] Allows you to select the rate at which a character repeats when you hold a key . Conguration options: [6] [8] [10] [12] [15] [20] [24] [30] T ypematic Delay (Msec) [250] Allows you to set the delay before keystrokes begin to repeat. Conguration options: [250] [500] [750] [1000] OS Select for DRAM > 64MB [Non-OS2] Set this item to OS2 only when you are running on an OS/2 operating system with an installed RAM of greater than 64 MB. Conguration options: [Non-OS2] [OS2] Full Screen LOGO [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Make sure that the above item is set to [Enabled] if you want to use the ASUS MyLogo3™ feature. Halt On [All Errors] Allows you to set the error report type. Conguration options: [All Errors] [No Errors] [All, But Keyboard] [All, But Diskette] [All, But Disk/Key] 4.7.5 Security Select Menu Item Specic Help Security Supervisor Password Clear User Password Clear Password Check [Setup] Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Boot Supervisor Password User Password These elds allow you to set passwords: T o set a password: 1. Select an item then press <Enter>. 2. T ype in a password using a combination of a maximum of eight (8) alpha-numeric characters, then press <Enter>.
ASUS Crosshair 4-45 3. When prompted, conrm the password by typing the exact characters again, then press <Enter>. The password eld setting is changed to Set. T o clear the password: 1. Select the password eld and press <Enter> twice. The following message appears: PASSWORD DISABLED !!! Press any key to continue... 2. Press any key to continue. The password eld setting is changed to Clear . A note about passwords The Supervisor password is required to enter the BIOS Setup program preventing unauthorized access. The User password is required to boot the system preventing unauthorized use. Forgot your password? If you forget your password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real T ime Clock (RTC) RAM. The RAM data containing the password information is powered by the onboard button cell battery . If you need to erase the CMOS RAM, refer to section “2.6 Jumper” for instructions. Password Check This eld requires you to enter the password before entering the BIOS setup or the system. Select [Setup] to require the password before entering the BIOS Setup. Select [System] to require the password before entering the system. Conguration options: [Setup] [System]
4-46 Chapter 4: BIOS setup The succeeding items become user-congurable when you enable the ASUS Music Alarm. 4.8 Tools menu The T ools menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu. Select Menu Item Specic Help ASUS Music Alarm ASUS O.C. Prole ASUS EZ Flash 2 F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Sub-menu F10: Save and Exit Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit 4.8.1 ASUS Music Alarm Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to select. ASUS Music Alarm ASUS Music Alarm [Disabled] x Alarm Date: Sunday Enabled x Monday Enabled x Tuesday Enabled x Wednesday Enabled x Thursday Enabled x Friday Enabled x Saturday Enabled x Alarm Time (hh:mm) 0 : 0 x Audio CD Drive Primary IDE Master x Detect CD Enter x Starting Track N/A x Repeat Track Disabled x Length 10 Mins x Volume 16 Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Tools F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit ASUS Music Alarm [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Music Alarm function. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Alarm Date: Sunday/Monday/T uesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/ Saturday [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the alarm for a particular day . Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
ASUS Crosshair 4-47 4.8.2 ASUS O.C. Prole This item allows you to store or load multiple BIOS settings. Select Menu Item Specic Help Press [Enter] to select. ASUS BIOS Prole Load BIOS Prole Save BIOS Prole Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Tools Select Menu Item Specic Help Load BIOS Prole from Prole 1. Load BIOS Prole Load from Prole 1 Load from Prole 2 Load from File Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Tools Load BIOS Prole Alarm Time (hh:mm) 0 : 0 Allows you to set the alarm time. Press <T ab> to select the eld, then use < > or <-> to change the value. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Audio CD Drive [Primary IDE Master] Allows you to select the connection conguration of the optical storage device from which the alarm music will play from. Conguration options: [Primary IDE Master] [Primary IDE Slave] Detect CD [Enter] Press <Enter> to search the CD track number . Starting T rack Allows you to choose the starting track from the CD from which you would like the alarm music to play . Repeat T rack [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the repeat track function. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Single] [All] Length [10 Mins] Allows you to set the length of the music alarm. Conguration options: [10 Mins] [20 Mins] [30 Mins] [1 Hour] V olume [16] Allows you to set the volume level of the music alarm. Conguration options: [01] ~ [32]
4-48 Chapter 4: BIOS setup Load from Prole 1/2 Allows you to load the previous BIOS settings saved in the BIOS Flash. Press <Enter> to load the le. Load from File Allows you to load the previous BIOS le saved in the hard disk/oppy disk/USB ash disk with the F A T32/16/12 format. Follow the instructions below to load the BIOS le. 1. Insert the storage devices that contains the “xxx.CMO” le. 2. Turn on the system. 3. Enter BIOS setup program. Go to the “T ools” menu to select “Load from File.” Press <Enter> then the setup screen will appear . 4. Press <T ab> to switch between drives before the correct “xxx.CMO” le is found. Then press <Enter> to load the le. 5. A pop-up message will inform you when the loading process nishes. • Suggest only to update the BIOS le coming from the same memory/CPU conguration and BIOS version. • Only the “xxx.CMO” le can be loaded. Select Menu Item Specic Help Save current BIOS Prole to Prole 1. Save BIOS Prole Save to Prole 1 Save to Prole 2 Save to File Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Tools Save BIOS Prole Save to Proe 1/2 Allows you to save the current BIOS le to the BIOS Flash. Press <Enter> to save the le. Save to File Allows you to save the current BIOS le to the hard disk/oppy disk/USB ash disk with F A T32/16/12 format. Follow the instructions below to save the BIOS le. 1. Insert the storage devices with enough space. 2. T urn on the system. 3. Enter the BIOS setup program. Go to the “T ools” menu to select “Sa ve to File.” Press <Enter> then the setup screen will appear . 4. Press <T ab> to switch between the drives. Press hot-key <S> to save the le.
ASUS Crosshair 4-49 4.8.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <Enter>, a conrmation message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Y es] or [No], then press <Enter> to conrm your choice. ASUSTek O.C. Prole Utility B313 BOARD: CROSSHAIR VER: 0115 DATE: 05/04/2006 Current CMOS Update CMOS BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown PATH: A:\ A: Note [Enter] Select [S] Save [ESC]: Exit [Tab] Switch [Up/Down/Home/End] Move CMOS backup is done! Press any key to Exit. The BIOS le will be saved as “xxx.CMO“. 5. Key in the le name. Then press <Enter>. 6. A pop-up message will inform you when the saving process nishes. ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility B311 FLASH TYPE: Winbond W39V080A 8Mb LPC BOARD: CROSSHAIR VER: 0115 DATE: 05/04/2006 Current ROM Update ROM BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown PATH: A:\ A: Note [Enter] Select [S] Save [ESC] Exit [Tab] Switch [Up/Down/Home/End] Move
4-50 Chapter 4: BIOS setup 4.9 Exit menu The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values for the BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items. Exit & Save Changes Once you are nished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM. An onboard backup battery sustains the CMOS RAM so it stays on even when the PC is turned off. When you select this option, a conrmation window appears. Select YES to save changes and exit. Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit. Exit & Discard Changes Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program. If you made changes to elds other than System Date, System T ime, and Password, the BIOS asks for a conrmation before exiting. Load Setup Default This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a conrmation window appears. Select YES to load default values. Select Exit & Save Changes or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM. Discard Changes This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the previously saved values. After selecting this option, a conrmation appears. Select YES to discard any changes and load the previously saved values. If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes, the program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save your changes before exiting. Press <Enter> to save the changes while exiting. Phoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select Menu Item Specic Help This option save data to CMOS and exiting the setup menu. Exit & Save Changes Exit & Discard Changes Load Setup Default Discard Changes F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/ : Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select SubMenu F10: Save and Exit
5 Software support This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package.
ASUS Crosshair Chapter summary 5 5.1 Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1 5.2 Support DVD information ............................................................ 5-1 5.3 Software information ................................................................... 5-9 5.4 RAID congurations .................................................................. 5-24 5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk ....................................................... 5-40
ASUS Crosshair 5-1 If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer , browse the contents of the support DVD to locate the le ASSETUP .EXE from the BIN folder . Double-click the ASSETUP .EXE to run the DVD. Click an item to install 5.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows ® 2000/2003 Server/XP/64-bit XP operating systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware. 5.2 Support DVD information The support DVD that came with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard features. 5.2.1 Running the support DVD Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer . • Motherboard settings and hardware options vary . Use the setup procedures presented in this chapter for reference only . Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information. • Make sure that you install Windows ® 2000 Service Pack 4 or the Windows ® XP Service Pack2 or later versions before installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability . The contents of the support DVD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website(www .asus.com) for updates. Click an icon to display support DVD/ motherboard information
5-2 Chapter 5: Software support 5.2.2 Drivers menu The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices. ASUS InstAll-Drivers Installation Wizard Installs all of the drivers through the Installation Wizard. AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Driver Installs the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ technology driver . Nvidia Chipset Driver Program Installs the NVIDIA® Chipset drivers for the NVIDIA® nForce™ 590 SLI chipset. SoundMAX ADI1988 Audio Driver Installs the SoundMAX® ADI1988 audio driver and application. Silicon Image SA T A Driver Installs the Silicon Image® Serial A T A RAID driver . USB 2.0 Driver Installs the USB 2.0 driver .
ASUS Crosshair 5-3 5.2.3 Utilities menu The Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS InstAll-Drivers Installation Wizard Installs all of the drivers through the Installation Wizard. 3DMark06 Software Installs the 3DMark06 software. Adobe Reader V7.0 Installs the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader that allows you to open, view , and print documents in Portable Document Format (PDF). ASUS Ai Booster The ASUS AI Booster application allows you to overclock the CPU speed in Windows® environment. ASUS Cool ‘n’ Quiet Utility Installs the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ software. ASUS Update The ASUS Update utility allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. This utility requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
5-4 Chapter 5: Software support Microsoft DirectX 9.0c Installs the Microsoft® DirectX 9.0c driver . The Microsoft DirectX® 9.0c is a multimedia technology that enhances computer graphics and sound. DirectX® improves the multimedia features of you computer so you can enjoy watching TV and movies, capturing videos, or playing games in your computer . Visit the Microsoft website (www .microsoft.com) for updates. Anti-Virus Utility The anti-virus application scans, identies, and removes computer viruses. View the online help for detailed information. ASUS PC Probe II This smart utility monitors the fan speed, CPU temperature, and system voltages, and alerts you of any detected problems. This utility helps you keep your computer in healthy operating condition. ASUS Screen Saver Bring life to your idle screen by installing the ASUS screen saver .
ASUS Crosshair 5-5 5.2.4 Make Disk menu The Make Disk menu contains items to create the RAID driver disk. Make NV SA T A/RAID 32bit 2K Driver Make NV SA T A/RAID 32bit XP Driver Make NV SA T A/RAID 32bit 2K3 Driver Allows you to create an NVIDIA® Serial A T A RAID driver disk for a 32-bit 2K/XP/ 2K3 system. Make NV SA T A/RAID 64bit XP Driver Make NV SA T A/RAID 64bit 2K3 Drive Allows you to create an NVIDIA® Serial A T A RAID driver disk for a 64-bit XP/2K3 system. Make Silicon Image 32bit RAID Driver Make Silicon Image 32bit SA T A Driver Allows you to create a Silicon Image® Serial A T A/RAID driver disk for a 32-bit system. Make Silicon Image 64bit RAID Driver Make Silicon Image 64bit SA T A Driver Allows you to create a Silicon Image® Serial A T A/RAID driver disk for a 64-bit system.
5-6 Chapter 5: Software support 5.2.5 Manuals menu The Manuals menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to open the folder of the user manual. Most user manual les are in Portable Document Format (PDF). Install the Adobe ® Acrobat ® Reader from the Utilities menu before opening a user manual le. 5.2.6 ASUS Contact information Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. Y ou can also nd this information on the inside front cover of this user guide.
ASUS Crosshair 5-7 5.2.7 Other information The icons on the top right corner of the screen give additional information on the motherboard and the contents of the support DVD. Click an icon to display the specied information. Motherboard Info Displays the general specications of the motherboard. Browse this DVD Displays the support DVD contents in graphical format.
5-8 Chapter 5: Software support T echnical support Form Displays the ASUS T echnical Support Request Form that you have to ll out when requesting technical support. Filelist Displays the contents of the support DVD and a brief description of each in text format.
ASUS Crosshair 5-9 5.3 Software information Most of the applications in the support DVD have wizards that will conveniently guide you through the installation. View the online help or readme le that came with the software application for more information. 5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3™ The ASUS MyLogo3™ utility lets you customize the boot logo. The boot logo is the image that appears on screen during the Power-On Self-T ests (POST). The ASUS MyLogo3™ is automatically installed when you install the ASUS Update utility from the support DVD. See section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details. T o launch the ASUS MyLogo3™: 1. Launch the ASUS Update utility . Refer to section “4.1.1 ASUS Update utility” for details. 2. Select Options from the drop down menu, then click Next. 3. Check the option Launch MyLogo to replace system boot logo before ashing BIOS, then click Next. 4. Select Update BIOS from a le from the drop down menu, then click Next. 5. When prompted, locate the new BIOS le, then click Next . The ASUS MyLogo window appears. 6. From the left window pane, select the folder that contains the image you intend to use as your boot logo. • Before using the ASUS MyLogo3™, use the A ward BIOS Flash utility to make a copy of your original BIOS le, or obtain the latest BIOS version from the ASUS website. See section “4.1.4 Updating the BIOS.” • Make sure that the BIOS item Full Screen Logo is set to [Enabled] if you wish to use ASUS MyLogo2. See section “4.6.5 Boot Settings Conguration”. • Y ou can create your own boot logo image in GIF , JPG, or BMP le formats.
5-10 Chapter 5: Software support 9. When the screen returns to the ASUS Update utility , ash the original BIOS to load the new boot logo. 10. After ashing the BIOS, restart the computer to display the new boot logo during POST . 8. Adjust the boot image to your desired size by selecting a value on the Ratio box. 7. When the logo images appear on the right window pane, select an image to enlarge by clicking on it.
ASUS Crosshair 5-11 5.3.2 SoundMAX ® High Denition Audio utility The ADI AD1988B High Denition Audio CODEC provides 8-channel audio capability through the SoundMAX ® audio utility with AudioESP™ software to deliver the ultimate audio experience on your PC. The software implements high quality audio synthesis/rendering, 3D sound positioning, and advanced voice-input technologies. Follow the installation wizard to install the ADI AD1988B Audio Driver from the support DVD that came with the motherboard package to activate the SoundMAX ® audio utility . If the SoundMAX ® audio utility is correctly installed, you will nd the SoundMAX ® icon on the taskbar . • Y ou must use 4-channel, 6-channel or 8-channel speakers for this setup. • SoundMAX ® requires Microsoft ® Windows ® 2000/XP or later version. Make s u r e t h at o n e o f t h e s e op er a ti n g s y s t e m s i s i n st a l le d b e f o r e i n s t a l l i ng SoundMAX ® . • Jack R etaskin g func tion w orks o n Hig h Den ition front panel a udio p orts only .
5-12 Chapter 5: Software support From the taskbar , double-click on the SoundMAX ® icon to display the SoundMAX ® Control Panel. Audio Setup Wizard By clicking the icon from the SoundMAX ® control panel, you can easily congure your audio settings. Simply follow succeeding screen instructions and begin enjoying High Denition Audio.
ASUS Crosshair 5-13 Jack conguration This screen helps you congure your computer ’s audio ports, depending on the audio devices you have installed. Adjust speaker volume This screen helps you adjust speaker volume. Click the T est button to hear the changes you have made. Adjust microphone volume This screen helps you adjust microphone volume. Y ou will be asked to re ad pre- written text to allow the AudioWizard to adjust the volume as you speak.
5-14 Chapter 5: Software support Audio preferences Click the icon to go to the Preferences page. This page allows you to change various audio settings. General options Click the General tab to choose your playback and recording devices, enable/ disable the AudioESP™ feature, and enable/disable digital output. DTS. This feature is consists of two elements: DTS interactive and DTS NEO:PC. DTS interactive re-encodes your stereo or multi-channel sound into a DTS audio signal and send it out from your PC to any DTS enabled system. While DTS NEO:PC turns your stereo audio such as MP3, WMA, CD, and other sound format into a convincing multi-channel audio experience.
ASUS Crosshair 5-15 Microphone options Click the Listening Environment tab allows you to optimize your microphone input settings. Enhanced Microphone Features V oice recording Enables Noise Filter function. Detects repetitive and stationary noises like computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates it in the incoming sudio stream while recording. Y ou can enable it for a be tter recording quality . Directional Array Receives only the sound coming from the reception cone and eliminates interferences including neighboring speakers and reverberations. Y ou can enable it to transit clearer sound during on-line games, MSN, or Skype. Speaker Phone Advanced de-reverberation techniques can help to reduce echo and minimize its effect on the speech engine. Y ou can enable it when you have conference call to reduce echoes in the other side. The directional Array and Speaker Phone function only when working with the ASUS Array Mic.
5-16 Chapter 5: Software support 5.3.3 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ T echnology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ T echnology that dynamically and automatically change the CPU speed, voltage, and amount of power depending on the task the CPU performs. Enabling Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ T echnology T o enable Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ T echnology: 1. T urn on the system and enter BIOS by pressing the <Del> key during the Power On Self-T ests (POST). 2. Go to Extreme -> AMD Cool ‘n’Quiet function and set it to [Enabled]. See section “4.4 Extreme Menu.” 3. Save your changes and exit BIOS Setup. 4. Reboot your computer and set your Power Option Properties depending on your operating system. Windows® 2000/XP 1. From the Windows® 2000/XP operating system, click the Start button. Select Settings, then Control Panel. 2. Make sure the Control Panel is set to Classic View . 3. Double-click the Display icon in the Control Panel then select the Screen Saver tab. 4. Click the Power button. The following dialog box appears. 5. From the Power schemes combo list box, select Minimal Power Management. 6. Click OK to effect settings.
ASUS Crosshair 5-17 • Make sure to install the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ driver and application before using this feature. • The AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology feature works only with the AMD heatsink and fan assembly with monitor chip • If you purchased a separate heatsink and fan package, use the ASUS Q-Fan technology feature to automatically adjust the CPU fan speed according to your system loading. Launching the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software The motherboard support DVD includes the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software that enables you to view your system’s real-time CPU Frequency and voltage. T o launch the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ program: 1. If you are using Windows® 2000, click the Start button. Select Programs-> ASUS -> Cool & Quiet -> Cool & Quiet. 2. If you are using Windows® XP , click the Start button. Select All Programs-> ASUS -> Cool & Quiet -> Cool & Quiet. 3. The Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology screen appears and displays the current CPU Frequency and CPU V oltage. Make sure to install the Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ software from the motherboard support DVD. Refer to section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details.
5-18 Chapter 5: Software support 5.3.4 ASUS PC Probe II PC Probe II is a utility that monitors the computer ’s vital components, and detects and alerts you of any problem with these components. PC Probe II senses fan rotations, CPU temperature, and system voltages, among others. Because PC Probe II is software-based, you can start monitoring your computer the moment you turn it on. With this utility , you are assured that your computer is always at a healthy operating condition. Installing PC Probe II T o install PC Probe II on your computer: 1. Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The Drivers installation tab appears if your computer has an enabled Autorun feature. If Autorun is not enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support DVD to locate the setup.exe le from the ASUS PC Probe II folder. Double-click the setup.exe le to start installation. 2. Click the Utilities tab, then click ASUS PC Probe II. 3. Follow the screen instructions to complete installation. Launching PC Probe II Y ou can launch the PC Probe II right after installation or anytime from the Windows ® desktop. T o launch the PC Probe II from the Windows ® desktop, click Start > All Programs > ASUS > PC Probe II > PC Probe II v1.00.43. The PC Probe II main window appears. After launching the application, the PC Probe II icon appears in the Windows ® taskbar . Click this icon to close or restore the application. Using PC Probe II Main window The PC Probe II main window allows you to view the current status of your system and change the utility conguration. By default, the main window displays the Preference section. Y ou can close or restore the Preference section by clicking on the triangle on the main window right handle. Click to close the Preference panel
ASUS Crosshair 5-19 Sensor alert When a system sensor detects a problem, the main window right handle turns red, as the illustrations below show . When displayed, the monitor panel for that sensor also turns red. Refer to the Monitor panels section for details. Preferences Y ou can customize the application using the Preference section in the main window . Click the box before each preference to activate or deactivate. Button Function Opens the Conguration window Opens the Report window Opens the Desktop Management Interface window Opens the Peripheral Component Interconnect window Opens the Windows Management Instrumentation window Opens the hard disk drive, memory , CPU usage window Shows/Hides the Preference section Minimizes the application Closes the application
5-20 Chapter 5: Software support Hardware monitor panels The hardware monitor panels display the current value of a system sensor such as fan rotation, CPU temperature, and voltages. The hardware monitor panels come in two display modes: hexagonal (large) and rectangular (small). When you check the Enable Monitoring Panel option from the Preference section, the monitor panels appear on your computer ’s desktop. Changing the monitor panels position T o change the position of the monitor panels in the desktop, click the arrow down button of the Scheme options, then select another position from the list box. Click OK when nished. Moving the monitor panels All monitor panels move together using a magnetic effect. If you want to detach a monitor panel from the group, click the horseshoe magnet icon. Y ou can now move or reposition the panel independently . Adjusting the sensor threshold value Y ou can adjust the sensor threshold value in the monitor panel by clicking the < > or <-> buttons. Y ou can also adjust the threshold values using the Cong window . Yo u c a nn o t adj us t t he se nso r t hr esh ol d v alu es in a sm all mo n it o ri n g pan el . Large display Small display Click to increase value Click to decrease value
ASUS Crosshair 5-21 Monitoring sensor alert The monitor panel turns red when a component value exceeds or is lower than the threshold value. Refer to the illustrations below . Large display Small display WMI browser Click to display the WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) browser . This browser displays various Windows ® management information. Click an item from the left panel to display on the right panel. Click the plus sign ( ) before WMI Information to display the available information. Y ou can enlarge or reduce the browser size by dragging the bottom right corner of the browser . DMI browser Click to display the DMI (Desktop Management Interface) browser . This browser displays various desktop and system information. Click the plus sign ( ) before DMI Information to display the available information.
5-22 Chapter 5: Software support PCI browser Click to display the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) browser . This browser provides information on the PCI devices installed on your system. Click the plus sign ( ) before the PCI Information item to display available information. Usage The Usage browser displays real-time information on the CPU, hard disk drive space, and memory usage. Click to display the Usage browser . CPU usage The CPU tab displays real- time CPU usage in line graph representation. If the CPU has an enabled Hyper-Threading, two separate line graphs display the operation of the two logical processors. Hard disk drive space usage The Hard Disk tab displays the used and available hard disk drive space. The left panel of the tab lists all logical drives. Click a hard disk drive to display the information on the right panel. The pie chart at the bottom of the window represents the used (blue) and the available HDD space.
ASUS Crosshair 5-23 Memory usage The Memory tab shows both used and available physical memory . The pie chart at the bottom of the window represents the used (blue) and the available Conguring PC Probe II Click to view and adjust the sensor threshold values. The Cong window has two tabs: Sensor/Threshold and Preference. The Sensor/ Threshold tab enables you to activate the sensors or to adjust the sensor threshold values. The Preference tab allows you to customize sensor alerts, or change the temperature scale. Loads the default threshold values for each sensor Applies your changes Cancels or ignores your changes Lo ads y ou r s ave d co ng u r at ion Saves your conguration
5-24 Chapter 5: Software support 5.4 RAID congurations The motherboard comes with the Silicon Image Sil3132 and the NVIDIA ® nForce™ 590- SLI Southbridge RAID controllers that allow you to congure Serial A T A hard disk drives as RAID sets. The motherboard supports the following RAID congurations. RAID 0 (Data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write data in parallel, interleaved stacks. T wo hard disks perform the same work as a single drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone, thus improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives is required for this setup. RAID 1 (Data mirroring) copies and maintains an identical image of data from one drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software directs all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of the data in the other drive. This RAID conguration provides data protection and increases fault tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an existing drive and a new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same size or larger than the existing drive. RAID 0 1 is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity (redundancy data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID 0 1 conguration you get all the benets of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 congurations. Use four new hard disk drives or use an existing drive and three new drives for this setup. RAID 5 stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard disk drives. Among the advantages of RAID 5 conguration include better HDD performance, fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity . The RAID 5 conguration is best suited for transaction processing, relational database applications, enterprise resource planning, and other business systems. Use a minimum of three identical hard disk drives for this setup. RAID 10 is a striped conguration with each stripe a RAID 1 array of drives. It combines the features of both RAID 1 and RAID 0. Fault tolerance is provided through mirroring while adding performance through striping. This of fers higher performance than a RAID 1 conguration but at a much higher cost. A minimum of four hard disk drives is required for this setup. JBOD (Spanning) stands for Just a Bunch of Disks and refers to hard disk drives that are not yet congured as a RAID set. This conguration stores the same data redundantly on multiple disks that appear as a single disk on the operating system. Spanning does not deliver any advantage over using separate disks independently and does not provide fault tolerance or other RAID performance benets.
ASUS Crosshair 5-25 If you want to boot the system from a hard disk drive included in a RAID set, copy rst the RAID driver from the support DVD to a oppy disk before you install an operating system to a selected hard disk drive. Refer to section “5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk” for details. 5.4.1 NVIDIA ® RAID congurations The motherboard includes a high performance SA T A RAID controller integrated in the NVIDIA ® nForce™ 590-SLI southbridge chipset. It supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0 1, RAID 5 and JBOD for six independent Serial A T A channels. Installing Serial A T A (SA T A) hard disks The motherboard supports Ultra DMA 133/100/66 and Serial A T A hard disk drives. For optimal performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity when creating a disk array . T o install the SA T A hard disks for a RAID conguration: 1. Install the SA T A hard disks into the drive bays. 2. Connect the SA T A signal cables. 3. Connect a SA T A power cable to the power connector on each drive. Refer to the RAID controllers user manual in the motherboard support DVD for detailed information on RAID congurations. See section “5.2.5 Manuals menu.” Setting the BIOS RAID items After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in the BIOS before setting your RAID conguration. T o set the BIOS RAID items: 1. Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-T est (POST) to enter the BIOS Setup Utility . 2. Enable the RAID Enabled item in the BIOS. See section “4.5.4 Onboard Device Conguration > Serial-A T A Conguration” for details. 3. Select and enable the IDE or SA T A drive(s) that you want to congure as RAID. See section “4.5.4 Onboard Device Conguration > Serial-A T A Conguration” for details. 4. Save your changes and Exit Setup. • For detailed descriptions on the NVIDIA® RAID conguration, refer to the “NVIDIA ® RAID User ’s Manual” found in your motherboard support DVD. • When using Windows 2000 operating system, make sure to install the Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 or later versions. Make sure to re-enter your NVRAID settings after the CMOS is cleared; otherwise, the system will not recognize your RAID setup.
5-26 Chapter 5: Software support Entering the NVIDIA ® RAID utility T o enter the NVIDIA ® RAID utility: 1. Boot up your computer . 2. During POST , press <F10> to display the main menu of the utility . The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only , and may not exactly match the items on your screen. [F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [ ↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup At the bottom of the screen are the navigation keys. These keys allow you to move through and select menu options. NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004 - Dene a New Array - RAID Mode: Striping Striping Block: Optimal Free Disks Array Disks Loc Disk Model Name Loc Disk Model Name 1.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 1.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ →] Add 2.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 2.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX [ ←] Del Creating a RAID V olume T o create a RAID volume: 1. From the NVIDIA ® RAID utility Dene a New Array menu, select RAID Mode then press <Enter>. The following submenu appears. Use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID mode then press <Enter>. Mirroring Striping Stripe Mirroring Spanning
ASUS Crosshair 5-27 TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing, we recommend a higher array block size for optimum performance. T ake caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost! 2. Press <T AB> select the Striping Block then press <Enter>. The following submenu appears: If you selected Striping or Stripe Mirroring, use the up or down arrow keys to select the stripe size for your RAID 0 array then press <Enter>.The available values range from 8 KB to 128 KB. The default selection is 128 KB. The strip value should be chosen based on the planned drive usage. • 8 /16 KB - low disk usage • 64 KB - typical disk usage • 128 KB - performance disk usage 3.` Press <T AB> to select the Free Disks area. Use the left or right arrow keys to assign the array disks. 4. Press <F7> to create RAID set. The following message box appears. Clear disk data? [Y] YES [N] NO 5. Press <Y> to clear the selected disks or <N> to proceed without clearing the disks. The following screen appears. 8K ↑ 16K 32K 64K 128K Optim ↓
5-28 Chapter 5: Software support Rebuilding a RAID array T o rebuild a RAID array: 1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear . [Ctrl-X]Exit [ ↑↓]Select [B]Set Boot [N]New Array [ENTER]Detail NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004 - Array List - Boot Id Status Vendor Array Model Name No 4 Healthy NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen. 6. Press <Ctrl X> to save settings and exit. [R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG - Array Detail - RAID Mode: Mirroring Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity 2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB 1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB
ASUS Crosshair 5-29 A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen. 2. Press <R> to rebuild a RAID array . The following screen appears. 3. Use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array to rebuild, then press <F7>. The following conrmation message appears. [ ↑↓] Select [F6] Back [F7] Finish Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG - Select Disk Inside Array - RAID Mode: Mirroring Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity 2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB 1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB Rebuild array? [ENTER] OK [ESC] Cancel 4. Press <Enter> to start rebuilding array or press <Esc> to cancel. 5. After the rebuild process, the Array list menu appears.
5-30 Chapter 5: Software support Deleting a RAID array T o delete a RAID array: 1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear . [R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG - Array Detail - RAID Mode: Mirroring Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity 2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB 1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen. 2. Press <D> to delete a RAID array . The following conrmation message appears. Delete this array? [Y] YES [N] No 4. If you selected Y es, the Dene a New Array menu appears. T ake caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost! 3. Press <Y> to delete array or press <N> to cancel.
ASUS Crosshair 5-31 Clearing a disk data T o clear disk data: 1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear . [R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG - Array Detail - RAID Mode: Mirroring Striping Width: 1 Striping Block: 64K Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity 2 1 Master 0 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB 1 0 Master 1 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXX.XXGB A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen. 2. Press <C> to clear disk. The following conrmation message appears. T ake caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost! Clear disk data? [Y] YES [N] 5. Press <Y> to clear the disk data or press <N> to cancel.
5-32 Chapter 5: Software support 5.4.2 Silicon Image RAID congurations The Silicon Image RAID controller supports RAID 0 and RAID 1 congurations. Use the Silicon Image RAID utility to congure a disk array . Installing External Serial A T A (E-SA T A) hard disks T o install the External SA T A hard disks for a RAID conguration: 1. Connect one end of the E-SA T A signal cables to the rear panel port. 2. Connect the other end of the E-SA T A signal cables to the external SA T A disk drives. The installation procedure in this section is provided for reference only , refer to the user ’s manual that comes with the external drive for detailed installation instructions. Setting the BIOS RAID items After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in the BIOS before setting your RAID conguration. T o set the BIOS RAID items: 1. Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-T est (POST) to enter the BIOS Setup Utility . 2. From the Advanced > Onboard Device Conguration menu item in the BIOS set the Silicon SA T A II Controller item to RAID Mode. See section “4.5.4 Onboard Device Conguration” for details. 3. Save your changes and Exit Setup. Launching the Silicon Image Array Management Software Launch the Silicon Image Array Management software from Windows ® XP by clicking the Start button and selecting All Programs > Silicon Image > Sam For details on the Silicon Image SA T ARaid™ RAID conguration, refer to the “Sil3132 SA T A RAID User ’s Manual” in your motherboard support DVD.
ASUS Crosshair 5-33 Entering the Silicon Image BIOS RAID Conguration Utility T o enter the Silicon Image BIOS RAID conguration utility: 1. Boot up your computer . 2. During POST , press <Ctrl S> or <F4>. The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only , and may not exactly match the items on your screen. The Main Menu on the upper left corner allows you to select an operation to be performed. The Main Menu options include the following: Create RAID set - creates a new legacy RAID set or allocates spare drives. Delete RAID set - deletes a RAID set or deallocates a spare drive. Rebuild RAID1 set - rebuilds a RAID 1 set (e.g., swapped drives). Resolve Conicts - automatically restores disrupted drives on a RAID set. Low Level Format - creates a pattern of reference marks on a drive. Formatting the disks erases all data previously stored in the drive. Logical Drive Info -shows the current conguration of each RAID set. On the upper right corner of the screen is the Help message box. The message describes the function of each menu item. At the bottom of the screen is the legend box. The keys on the legend box allow you to navigate through the setup menu options. The following lists the keys found in the legend box and their corresponding functions. ↑ , ↓ : Select/Move to the next item ESC : Previous Menu Enter : Select Ctrl-E : Exit Create RAID set Delete RAID set Rebuild Raid1 set Resolve Conicts Low Level Format Logical Drive Info RAID Conguration Utility - Silicon Image Inc. Copyright (C) 2004 ↑↓ :Select Menu ESC:Previous Menu Enter:Select Ctrl-E:Exit MAIN MENU PHYSICAL DRIVE 0 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 1 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 2 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 3 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB STXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB LOGICAL DRIVE HELP Press “Enter” to create RAID set
5-34 Chapter 5: Software support Manual conguration a. Select Manual conguration and press <Enter>. The following pop-up menu appears. b. Use the up or down arrow keys to select a chunk size appropriate to your drive usage then press <Enter>. MAIN MENU Auto conguration Manual conguration chunk size 4K 8K 16K 32K 64K 128K Creating a RAID 0 set (Striped) T o create a RAID set: 1. From the Silicon Image conguration utility main menu, select Create RAID set then press <Enter> to display an option menu. 2. Select RAID 0 then press <Enter> to display the following. 3. Select your desired method of conguration. Auto conguration a. Select Auto Conguration the press <Enter>. b. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up or down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>. c. Press <Y> to conrm or <N> to return to the Main Menu. MAIN MENU Auto conguration Manual conguration By default, Auto conguration sets the stripe size to 64K and sets the logical drives based on the physical drives installed. MAIN MENU Create RAID set Delete RAID set Rebuild Raid1 set Resolve Conicts Low Level Format Logical Drive Info RAID0 RAID1 SPARE DRIVE CONCATENATION
ASUS Crosshair 5-35 2. Select RAID 1 then press <Enter> to display the following. MAIN MENU Auto conguration Manual conguration c. The selection bar moves to the Physical Drive menu Using the up or down arrowkeys, select a drive then press <Enter> to set the rst drive of the RAID set. d. Repeat step c to set the second, third, and fourth drive. The number of available drives depend on the installed and enabled physical drives in the system. TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing, we recommend a higher array block size for optimum performance. PHYSICAL DRIVE 0 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 1 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 2 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 3 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB Creating a RAID 1 set (Mirrored) T o create a RAID 1 set: 1. From the Silicon Image conguration utility main menu, select Create RAID set then press <Enter>. The following sub-menu appears. MAIN MENU Create RAID set Delete RAID set Rebuild Raid1 set Resolve Conicts Low Level Format Logical Drive Info RAID0 RAID1 RAID10 SPARE DRIVE RAID0 RAID1 SPARE DRIVE CONCATENATION e. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up or down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>. f. Press <Y> to conrm or <N> to return to the Main Menu.
5-36 Chapter 5: Software support PHYSICAL DRIVE 0 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 1 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 2 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 3 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB c. Repeat step b to select the target drive. d. After selecting the source and target drives, the following pop-up menu appears. Manual conguration a. Select Manual conguration and press <Enter>. The selection bar moves to the Physical Drives menu. b. Using the up or down arrow keys, select the source drive and press <Enter>. 3. Select your desired method of conguration. Auto conguration a. Select Auto Conguration then press <Enter>. b. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up or down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>. c. Press <Y> to conrm or <N> to return to the Main Menu. • Auto-conguration creates a RAID 1 set without a backup copy of the current source disk data. • When migrating a single hard disk drive to a RAID 1 set, use of the Manual conguration is recommended. MAIN MENU Auto conguration Manual conguration Create with data copy Create without data copy • The Create with data copy option allows you to copy the current data from the source drive to the mirror drive. • Select Create with data copy if you have important data in your source drive. • The Create without data copy option disables the disk copy function of the Mirrored set. • If you selected Create without data copy , the RAID 1 set must be repartitioned and reformatted to guarantee the consistency of its contents.
ASUS Crosshair 5-37 e. If you selected Create with data copy , the following pop-up menu appears. MAIN MENU Auto conguration Manual conguration online copy ofine copy The online copy option automatically copies the data to the target drives on the background while writing to the source drives. The ofine copy option allows you to copy the contents of the source drive to the target drives now . f. Use the up or down arrow keys to select desired copy method, then press <Enter>. g. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up or down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>. h. Press <Y> to conrm or <N> to return to the Main Menu. A copy progress appears if you previously selected ofine copy .
5-38 Chapter 5: Software support • Congure a CONCA TENA TION set when using a single Serial A T A drive; otherwise, the system will not recognize the drive. • Y ou can also create a RAID set using the SA T ARAID5 GUI utility under a Windows ® environment. Creating a CONCA TENA TION set T o create a CONCA TENA TION set: 1. From the Silicon Image conguration utility main menu, select Create RAID set then press <Enter>. 2. From the sub-menu Select CONCA TENA TION then press <Enter>. MAIN MENU Create RAID set Delete RAID set Rebuild Raid1 set Resolve Conicts Low Level Format Logical Drive Info RAID0 RAID1 RAID10 SPARE DRIVE RAID0 RAID1 SPARE DRIVE CONCATENATION PHYSICAL DRIVE 0 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 1 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 2 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 3 XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXMB 3. The selection bar moves to the Physical Drive menu. Using the up or down arrow keys, select a drive then press <Enter> to set a drive for the RAID set. 4. The utility prompts a message to input the RAID size, use the up or down arrow keys to set the RAID size then press <Enter>. 5. Press <Y> to conrm or <N> to return to the Main Menu.
ASUS Crosshair 5-39 5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk A oppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows ® 2000/XP operating system on a hard disk drive that is included in a RAID set. T o create a RAID driver disk: 1. Place the motherboard support DVD into the DVD-ROM drive. 2. Select Make Disk tab. 3. From the Make Disk menu, select the RAID driver disk you want to create or browse the contents of the support DVD to locate the driver disk utility . Refer to section “5.2.4 Make Disk menu” for details. 4. Insert oppy disk to oppy disk drive. 5. Follow succeeding screen information to complete process. 6. Write-protect the oppy disk to avoid computer virus infection. T o install the RAID driver: 1. During the OS installation, the system prompts you to press the F6 key to install third-party SCSI or RAID driver . 2. Press <F6> then insert the oppy disk with RAID driver into the oppy disk drive. 3. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to complete the installation. Due to chipset limitation, the Serial A T A ports supported by the NVIDIA chipset doesn’t support Serial Optical Disk Drives (Serial ODD) under DOS.
5-40 Chapter 5: Software support
6 This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. NVIDIA ® SLI™ technology support
ASUS Crosshair Chapter summary 6.1 Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Dual graphics cards setup .......................................................... 6-2
ASUS Crosshair 6-1 6.1 Overview The motherboard supports the NVIDIA ® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology that allows you to install two identical PCI Express™ x16 graphics cards. Follow the installation procedures in this section. Requirements • Y ou should have two identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA ® certied. • Make sure that your graphics card driver s upports the NVIDIA SLI technology . Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www .nvidia.com). • Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum power required by your system. See “8. A TX power connectors” on page 2-32 for details. • The NVIDIA SLI technology supports Windows ® XP™ 32-bit/64bit operating system only . • Visit the NVIDIA zone website (http://www .nzone.com) for the latest certied graphics card and supported 3D application list.
6-2 Chapter 6: NVIDIA ® SLI™ technology support 6.2 Dual graphics card setup 6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cards Install only identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA ® -certied. Different types of graphics cards will not work together properly . T o install the graphics cards: 1. Prepare two graphics cards. Each graphics card should have goldngers for the SLI connector . 2. Remove the metal bracket covers opposite the two PCI Express x16 slots. Goldngers
ASUS Crosshair 6-3 4. Insert the second graphics card into the other slot. Make sure that the card is properly seated on the slot. If required, connect an auxiliary power source to the PCI Express graphics cards. 3. Insert one graphics card into either the blue or black slot. Make sure that the card is properly seated on the slot.
6-4 Chapter 6: NVIDIA ® SLI™ technology support 7. Connect a VGA cable or a DVI-I cable to the graphics card/s. We recommend to install an additional chassis fan for better thermal environment. 5. Align and insert the SLI connector to the goldngers on each graphics card. Make sure that the connector is rmly in place. 6. When installing two VGA cards using a 20-pin A TX PSU with sufcient 12v capability , we recommend that you connect the auxillary power source from the power supply to the graphics card. Refer to the PSU documentation for dual VGA power requirements. SLI connector
ASUS Crosshair 6-5 NVIDIA Settings icon T o enable the multi-GPU feature: 1. Click the NVIDIA Settings icon on your Windows taskbar . 2. From the pop-up menu, select nView Desktop Manager then click nView Properties. Make sure that your PCI Express graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI technology . Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www .nvidia. com). 6.2.2 Installing the device drivers Refer to the documentation that came with your graphics card package to install the device drivers. 6.2.3 Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows ® After installing your graphics cards and the device drivers, enable the Multi-Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) feature in the NVIDIA nView properties. 3. From the nView Desktop Manager window , select the Desktop Management tab. 4. Click Properties to display the Display Properties dialog box.
6-6 Chapter 6: NVIDIA ® SLI™ technology support 5. From the Display Properties dialog box, select the Settings tab then click Advanced. 6. Select the NVIDIA GeForce tab. 7. Click the slider to display the following screen, then select the SLI multi-GPU item. 8. Click the Enable SLI multi-GPU check box. 9. Click OK when done. Slider
A Debug Code The appendix explains the debug code on the LCD poster .
ASUS Crosshair Chapter summary A A.1 Debug Code .................................................................................. A-1
ASUS Crosshair A-1 A.1 Debug Code Table Code Description CPU INIT CPU Initiation DET CPU T est CMOS R/W functionality . CHIPINIT Early chipset initialization: -Disable shadow RAM -Disable L2 cache (socket 7 or below) -Program basic chipset registers DET DRAM Detect memory -Auto-detection of DRAM size, type and ECC. -Auto-detection of L2 cache (socket 7 or below) DC FCODE Expand compressed BIOS code to DRAM EFSHADOW Call chipset hook to copy BIOS back to E000 & F000 shadow RAM. DC XCODE Expand the Xgroup codes locating in physical address 1000:0 INIT IO Initial Superio_Early_Init switch. CLR SCRN 1. Blank out screen 2. Clear CMOS error ag INIT8042 1. Clear 8042 interface 2. Initialize 8042 self-test ENABLEKB 1. T est special keyboard controller for Winbond 977 series Super I/O chips. 2. Enable keyboard interface. DIS MS 1. Disable PS/2 mouse interface (optional). 2. Auto detect ports for keyboard & mouse followed by a port & interface swap (optional). 3. Reset keyboard for Winbond 977 series Super I/O chips. R/W FSEG T est F000h segment shadow to see whether it is R/W-able or not. If test fails, keep beeping the speaker . DET FLASH Auto detect ash type to load appropriate ash R/W codes into the run time area in F000 for ESCD & DMI support. TESTCMOS Use walking 1’s algorithm to check out interface in CMOS circuitry . Also set real-time clock power status, and then check for override. PRG CHIP Program chipset default values into chipset. Chipset default values are MODBINable by OEM customers. INIT CLK Initial Early_Init_Onboard_Generator switch. CHECKCPU Detect CPU information including brand, SMI type (Cyrix or Intel) and CPU level (586 or 686). INTRINIT Initial interrupts vector table. If no special specied, all H/W interrupts are directed to SPURIOUS_INT_HDLR & S/W interrupts to SPURIOUS_soft_HDLR. REC MPS Initial EARL Y_PM_INIT switch. Reserved Load keyboard matrix (notebook platform) Reserved HPM initialization (notebook platform) SET FDD 1. Check validity of RTC value: e.g. a value of 5Ah is an invalid value for RTC minute. 2. Load CMOS settings into BIOS stack. If CMOS checksum fails, use default value instead. 3. Prepare BIOS resource map for PCI & PnP use. If ESCD is valid, take into consideration of the ESCD’s legacy information. 4. Onboard clock generator initialization. Disable respective clock resource to empty PCI & DIMM slots. 5. Early PCI initialization: -Enumerate PCI bus number -Assign memory & I/O resource -Search for a valid VGA device & VGA BIOS, and put it nto C000:0. INITINT9 Initialize INT 09 buffer
A-2 Appendix: Debug Code T able CPUSPEED 1. Program CPU internal MTRR (P6 & PII) for 0-640K memory address. 2. Initialize the APIC for Pentium class CPU. 3. Program early chipset according to CMOS setup. Example: onboard IDE controller . 4. Measure CPU speed. 5. Invoke video BIOS. TESTVRAM 1. Initialize multi-language 2. Put information on screen display , including A ward title, CPU type, CPU speed . RESET KB Reset keyboard except Winbond 977 series Super I/O chips. 8254TEST T est 8254 8259MSK1 T est 8259 interrupt mask bits for channel 1. 8259MSK2 T est 8259 interrupt mask bits for channel 2. 8259TEST T est 8259 functionality . Reserved Initialize EISA slot COUNTMEM 1. Calculate total memory by testing the last double word of each 64K page. 2. Program write allocation for AMD K5 CPU. MP INIT 1. Program MTRR of M1 CPU 2. Initialize L2 cache for P6 class CPU & program CPU with proper cacheable range. 3. Initialize the APIC for P6 class CPU. 4. On MP platform, adjust the cacheable range to smaller one in case the cacheable ranges between each CPU are not identical. USB INIT Initialize USB TEST MEM T est all memory (clear all extended memory to 0) SHOW MP Display number of processors (multi-processor platform) PNP LOGO 1. Display PnP logo 2. Early ISA PnP initialization -Assign CSN to every ISA PnP device. Reserved Initialize the combined T rend Anti-V irus code. SHOW EZF (Optional Feature) Show message for entering A WDFLASH.EXE from FDD (optional) ONBD IO 1. Initialize Init_Onboard_Super_IO switch. 2. Initialize Init_Onbaord_AUDIO switch. EN SETUP Okay to enter Setup utility; i.e. not until this POST stage can users enter the CMOS setup utility . MSINST AL Initialize PS/2 Mouse CHK ACPI Prepare memory size information for function call: INT 15h ax=E820h EN CACHE Turn on L2 cache SET CHIP Program chipset registers according to items described in Setup & Auto- conguration table. AUTO CFG 1. Assign resources to all ISA PnP devices. 2. Auto assign ports to onboard COM ports if the corresponding item in Setup is set to “AUTO”. INIT FDC 1. Initialize oppy controller 2. Set up oppy related elds in 40:hardware. CUTIRQ12 (Optional Feature) Enter A WDFLASH.EXE if : -A WDFLASH is found in oppy drive. -AL T F2 is pressed DET IDE Detect & install all IDE devices: HDD, LS120, ZIP , CDROM….. COM/LPT Detect serial ports & parallel ports. DET FPU Detect & install co-processor
ASUS Crosshair A-3 CPU CHG CPU change CPR F AIL CPR error F AN F AIL Fan error UCODEERR UCODE error FLOPYERR Floppy error KB ERROR Keyboard error HD ERR HDD error CMOS ERR CMOS error MS ERROR Mouse error 80P ERR 80 port error BOOT CHG Boot device change SMARTERR HDD smart function error HM ERROR Hard monitor error AINETERR AI NET error CASEOPEN Case open P ASSWORD Clear EP A or customization logo. 1. Call chipset power management hook. 2. Recover the text fond used by EP A logo (not for full screen logo) 3. If password is set, ask for password. MEM2CMOS Save all data in stack back to CMOS INIT PNP USB FINAL Initialize ISA PnP boot devices 1. USB nal Initialization 2. NET PC: Build SYSID structure 3. Switch screen back to text mode 4. Set up ACPI table at top of memory . 5. Invoke ISA adapter ROMs 6. Assign IRQs to PCI devices 7. Initialize APM 8. Clear noise of IRQs. READ HDD BOOTMENU Read HDD boot sector information for T rend Anti-Virus code 1. Enable L2 cache 2. Program boot up speed 3. Chipset nal initialization. 4. Power management nal initialization 5. Clear screen & display summary table 6. Program K6 write allocation 7. Program P6 class write combining NUM LOCK 1. Program daylight saving 2. Update keyboard LED & typematic rate UPDT DMI 1. Build MP table 2. Build & update ESCD 3. Set CMOS century to 20h or 19h 4. Load CMOS time into DOS timer tick 5. Build MSIRQ routing table. INT 19H Boot attempt (INT 19h)
A-4 Appendix: Debug Code T able