AOpen AP5T-HW User Manual

Chapter 2

Hardware Installation

This chapter gives you a step-by-step procedure on how to install your system. Follow each section accordingly.

Caution: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage your processor, disk drives, expansion boards, and other components. Always observe the following precautions before you install a system component.

1. Do not remove a component from its protective packaging until you are ready to install it.

2. Wear a wrist ground strap and attach it to a metal part of the system unit before handling a component. If a wrist strap is not available, maintain contact with the system unit throughout any procedure requiring ESD protection.

2-1

Hardware Installation

JP6

PWR1

COM2

JP3

JP4

JP1

2.1 Jumper and Connector Locations

The following figure shows the locations of the jumpers and connectors on the system board:

S A

BIO

USB

KBC

I S

PCI 4

PCI 3

PiiX4

PCI 2

Super I/O

PCI 1

FDC

IDE1

IDE2

PS2 MS

I M M

KB1

COM1

PRINTER

JP14 JP18

JP11

JP20

FAN

HDD LED

IrDA

PANEL

JP2

JP5

2-2

Hardware Installation

Jumpers:

JP1,JP2,JP3: CPU frequency ratio JP4,JP5,JP6: CPU external (bus) clock JP11: CPU core voltage setting (Vcore) JP14: Clear CMOS JP18: Onboard Super I/O enable/disable JP20: Onboard PS/2 mouse enable/disable

Connectors:

KB1: AT keyboard connector PWR1: AT (PS/2) power connector PS2 MS: PS/2 mouse connector USB: USB connector COM1: COM1 connector COM2: COM2 connector FDC: Floppy drive connector PRINTER: Printer connector IDE1: IDE1 primary channel IDE2: IDE2 secondary channel FAN: CPU fan connector IrDA: IrDA (Infrared) connector HDD LED: HDD LED connector PANEL: Front panel (Multifunction) connector

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Hardware Installation

2.2 Jumpers

Jumpers are made by pin headers and plastic connecting caps for the purpose of customizing your hardware. Doing so requires basic knowledge of computer hardware, be sure you understand the meaning of the jumpers before you change any setting. The onboard jumpers are normally set to their default with optimized settings.

On the mainboard, normally there is a bold line marked beside pin 1 of the jumper, sometimes, there are numbers also. If we connect (short) plastic cap to pin 1 and 2, we will say set it at 1-2, and when we say jumper is open, that means no plastic cap connected to jumper pins.

Open

1 2

Short

1 2

Jumper set at 1-2

1 2

Jumper set at 2-3

1 2

2-4

2.2.1 Setting the CPU Voltage

Hardware Installation

JP11

1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12

CPU Core Voltage (Vcore)

3.45V (Intel P54C or IDT C6)

3.52V (Cyrix or AMD K5)

2.9V (AMD K6-166/200 or Cyrix M2)

2.8V (MMX P55C)

3.2V (AMD K6-233)

2.5V/2.2V/2.0V (Reserved)

JP11 is used to select CPU core voltage (Vcore), normally it is set to default 3.45V for INTEL Pentium P54C. It must be changed if you have CPU with different core voltage, such as INTEL PP/MT MMX (P55C), AMD K5/K6 and Cyrix 6x86, refer to the CPU specification for more details.

JP11

1 3 5 7 9

3.45V P54C

IDT C6

JP11

3.52V

6x86 or

JP11

2 4 6 8

2.9V

K6-166 K6-200

JP11

1 3 5 7 9

2.8V

MMX

P55C

Warning: Please make sure that you have installed CPU fan properly if Intel PP/MT-233 or AMD K6-200/233 is being selected to use. It may cause your system unstable if you can not meet the heat dissipation requirement from above CPU type. It is recommended to adopt larger fan on these CPU for better air flow in the system. Please refer to AOpen 's web site (http://www.aopen.com.tw) to choose a proper CPU fan.

JP11

2 4 6 8

3.2V

K6-233

Tip: Normally, for single voltage CPU, Vcpuio (CPU I/O Voltage) is equal to Vcore, but for CPU that needs dual voltage such as PP/MT (P55C) or Cyrix 6x86L, Vcpuio is different from Vcore and must be set to Vio (PBSRAM and Chipset Voltage). The single or dual voltage CPU is automatically detected by hardware circuit.

Tip: JP11 pin 11-12 is reserved for future CPU, the most possible value is 2.0V. It is not yet decided when this manual is printed. Use voltage meter or check your distributor before you use pin 11-12.

2-5

Hardware Installation

CPU Type JP11 Vcore

INTEL P54C Single Voltage 1-2 3.45V INTEL MMX

P55C AMD K5 Single Voltage 3-4 3.52V AMD K6-166/200 Dual Voltage 5-6 2.9V AMD K6-233 Dual Voltage 9-10 3.2V Cyrix 6x86 Single Voltage 3-4 3.52V Cyrix 6x86L Dual Voltage 7-8 2.8V Cyrix M2 Dual Voltage 5-6 2.9V IDT C6 Single Voltage 1-2 3.45V

2.2.2 Selecting the CPU Frequency

Dual Voltage 7-8 2.8V

JP3

1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-3

JP1

1-2 2-3 2-3 1-2 2-3 2-3 1-2 1-2

JP2

1-2 1-2 2-3 2-3 1-2 2-3 2-3 1-2

CPU Frequency Ratio

1.5x (3.5x) 2x

2.5x (1.75x) 3x 4x

4.5x 5x

5.5x

Intel Pentium, Cyrix 6x86 and AMD K5/K6 CPU are designed to have different Internal (Core) and External (Bus) frequency. The ratio of Core/Bus frequency is selected by JP1, JP2, which CPU is using to multiply external clock and produce internal frequency. Note that JP3 is reserved for future CPU.

Note: JP3 is reserved for future CPU. It is NC pin (no connection) for current CPU on the market. It should be no harm to connect to 1-2 or 2-3. If you find any unstable problem, please try to remove the jumper cap, and leave it Open.

Note: Intel PP/MT MMX 233MHz is using 1.5x jumper setting for

3.5x frequency ratio, and AMD PR166 is using 2.5x setting for

1.75x frequency ratio.

Core frequency = Ratio * External bus clock

2-6

Hardware Installation

JP6

1-2 1-2 2-3 2-3

JP4

1-2 2-3 1-2 2-3

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

1.5x (3.5x)

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

2.5x (1.75x)

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

4.5x

JP3 JP1 JP2

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

5.5x

Note: Intel PP/MT 233MHz is using 1.5x jumper setting for

3.5x frequency ratio, and AMD PR166 is using 2.5x setting for

1.75x frequency ratio.

JP5

2-3 1-2 2-3 1-2

CPU External Clock

60MHz 66MHz 75MHz

83.3MHz

JP6, JP4 and JP5 are the selections of CPU external clock (bus clock), which is actually the clock from clock generator.

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Hardware Installation

JP6 JP4 JP5

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

60MHz

JP6 JP4 JP5

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

75MHz

JP6 JP4 JP5

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

66MHz

JP6 JP4 JP5

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3

83.3MHz

Warning: INTEL TX chipset supports only 60/66MHz external CPU bus clock, the 75/83.3MHz settings are for internal test only, set to 75/83.3MHz exceeds the specification of TX chipset, which may cause serious system damage.

Caution: Following table are possible settings of current CPU available on the market. The correct setting may vary because of new CPU product, refer to your CPU specification for more details.

Warning: Cyrix 6x86 P200+ uses 75MHz external clock, the jumper setting shown on the table below is for user's convenient. It may cause serious system damage to use 75MHz clock.

INTEL Pentium

P54C 90 90MHz = 1.5x 60MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 P54C 100 100MHz = 1.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 120 120MHz = 2x 60MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 P54C 133 133MHz = 2x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 150 150MHz = 2.5x 60MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 P54C 166 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

CPU Core Frequency

Ratio External

Bus Clock

JP3 & JP1 & JP2 JP6 & JP4 & JP5

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Hardware Installation

INTEL Pentium

PP/MT 150 150MHz = 2.5x 60MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 PP/MT 166 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 PP/MT 200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 PP/MT 233 233MHz = 3.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

Cyrix 6x86 & 6x86L

P150+ 120MHz = 2x 60MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 P166+ 133MHz = 2x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 P200+ 150MHz = 2x 75MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 2-3 & 1-2 & 2-3

Cyrix M2 CPU Core

MX-PR166 150MHz = 2.5x 60MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 MX-PR200 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 MX-PR233 200MHz = 3x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 MX-PR266 233MHz = 3.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

AMD K5 CPU Core

PR90 90MHz = 1.5x 60MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 PR100 100MHz = 1.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 PR120 90MHz = 1.5x 60MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 PR133 100MHz = 1.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 PR166 116MHz = 1.75x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

CPU Core Frequency

Frequency

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

JP3 & JP1 & JP2 JP6 & JP4 & JP5

AMD K6 CPU Core

Frequency

PR2-166 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 PR2-200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 PR2-233 233MHz = 3.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

IDT C6 CPU Core

Frequency

C6-150 150MHz = 2x 75MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 2-3 & 1-2 & 2-3 C6-180 180MHz = 3x 60MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 C6-200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 2-3 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

JP3 & JP1 & JP2 JP6 & JP4 & JP5

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Hardware Installation

Note: Cyrix 6x86 and AMD K5 CPU use P-rating for the reference of CPU benchmark compared with INTEL P54C, their internal core frequency is not exactly equal to P-rating marked on the CPU. For example, Cyrix P166+ is 133MHz but performance is almost equal to P54C 166MHz and AMD PR133 is 100MHz but performance is almost equal to INTEL P54C 133MHz.

Note: INTEL TX chipset does not support CPU with 50/55MHz external bus clock, so that INTEL P54C 75MHz, Cyrix P120+,P133+ and AMD PR75 are not supported by this mainboard.

2.2.3 Disabling the Onboard Super I/O Controller

JP18

1-2 2-3

Onboard Super I/O

Enable (default) Disable

The board is default to enable the onboard Super I/O controller. In case you wish to use an external I/O control card, you need to disable the onboard I/O before using the external I/O card. To disable it, set the jumper JP18 to 2-3.

JP18

1 2 3

Enable

(default)

2.2.4 Disabling the PS/2 Mouse Function

JP20

1-2 2-3

PS/2 Mouse

Enable (default) Disable

The PS/2 mouse function is normally enabled and occupies IRQ12. To reassign IRQ12 for other function, disable the PS/2 mouse function by setting the jumper JP20 to 2-3.

JP18

1 2 3

Disable

2-10

Hardware Installation

2.2.5 Clearing the CMOS

JP14

1-2

2-3

Clear CMOS

Normal operation (default) Clear CMOS

JP20

1 2 3

Enable

JP20

1 2 3

Disable

(default)

You need to clear the CMOS if you forget your system password. To clear the CMOS, follow the procedures listed below:

JP14

1 2 3

JP14

1 2 3

Normal Operation

Clear CMOS

(default)

The procedure to clear CMOS:

1. Turn off the system power.

2. Locate JP14 and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds.

3. Return JP14 to its normal setting by shorting pins 1-2.

4. Turn on the system power.

5. Press during bootup to enter the BIOS Setup Utility and specify a new password, if needed.

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Hardware Installation

2.3 Connectors

2.3.1 Power Cable

A standard baby AT (PS/2) power supply has two cables with six wires on each. Plug in these cables to the onboard power connector in such a way that all the black wires are in the center. The power connector is marked as PWR1 on the system board.

Caution: Make sure that the power supply is off before connecting or disconnecting the power cable.

Black wire (GND)

Red wire (+5V)

PWR1

2.3.2 CPU Fan

Plug in the fan cable to the two-pin fan connector onboard. The fan connector is marked FAN on the system board. Attach the heatsink and fan to the CPU. Check its orientation, make sure the air flow go through the heatsink.

+12V GND

FAN

2-12

Air Flow

Heatsink

2.3.3 PS/2 Mouse

3 1 2 4

5 6

Hardware Installation

To connect a PS/2 mouse, insert the PS/2 mouse bracket connector to PS2 MS on the system board. Then plug in the PS/2 mouse cable to the mouse port on the bracket.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Description

MS DATA NC GND +5V MS CLK NC

PS2 MS

2.3.4 Serial Devices (COM1/COM2)

To support serial devices, insert the serial device connector into the serial port on the bracket. Plug in the 10-pin flat cable to the appropriate onboard connectors. The serial port 1 connector is marked as COM1 and the serial port 2 connector is marked as COM2 on the system board.

COM2

COM1

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Hardware Installation

2.3.5 USB Device (optional)

You need a USB bracket to have your system to support additional USB device(s). To attach a USB bracket, simply insert the bracket cable to the onboard USB connector marked as USB.

1 3 5 7 9

Description

V0 D0D0+ GND NC

2 4 6 8 10

Description

V1 D1D1+ GND NC

9 10

USB

2.3.6 Floppy Drive

Connect the 34-pin floppy drive cable to the floppy drive connector marked as

FDC on the system board.

FDC

2-14

Hardware Installation

2.3.7 Printer

Plug in the 26-pin printer flat cable to the onboard parallel connector marked as PRINTER on the board.

PRINTER

2.3.8 IDE Hard Disk and CD ROM

This mainboard supports two 40 pin IDE connectors marked as IDE1 and IDE2. IDE1 is also known as primary channel and IDE2 as secondary channel, each channel supports two IDE devices that makes total of four devices.

In order to work together, the two devices on each channel must be set differently to master and slave mode, either one can be hard disk or CDROM. The setting as master or slave mode depends on the jumper on your IDE device, please refer to your hard disk and CDROM manual accordingly.

Connect your first IDE hard disk to master mode of the primary channel. If you have second IDE device to install in your system, connect it as slave mode on the same channel, and the third and fourth device can be connected on secondary channel as master and slave mode respectively.

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Hardware Installation

(1st)

(2nd)

Caution: The specification of IDE cable is maximum 46cm (18 inches), make sure your cable does not excess this length.

Caution: For better signal quality, it is recommended to set far end side device to master mode and follow the suggested sequence to install your new device . Please refer to following figure.

IDE1

IDE2

IDE1 (Primary Channel)

2-16

Slave

IDE2 (Secondary Channel)

Slave

(4th)

Master

(3rd)

2.3.9 Hard Disk LED

Hardware Installation

The HDD LED connector is marked as HDD LED on the board. This connector is designed for different type of housing, actually only two pins are necessary for the LED. If your housing has four pin connector, simply plug it in. If you have only two pin connector, please connect to pin 1-2 or pin 3-4 according to the polarity.

1 2

HDD LED

4-pin connector

2.3.10 Panel Connector

The Panel (multifunction) connector is a 20pin connector marked as PANEL on the board. Attach the power LED, keylock, speaker, reset switch, suspend switch, and green mode LED connectors to the corresponding pins as shown in the figure.

Some housings have a five-pin connector for the keylock and power LED Since power LED and keylock are aligned together, you can still use this kind of connector.

1 2 3 4

Description

HDD LED GND GND HDD LED

1 2 3

HDD LED

2-pin connector

at pin 1-2

GND

KEYLOCK

GND

RESET

POWER LED

SPEAKER

+5V

GND

SPEAKER

HDD LED

2-pin connector

10 20

PANEL

1 2

at pin 3-4

+5V GND GREEN LED GND SUSPEND SW SUSPEND SW GND NC RESET GND

2-17

Hardware Installation

+++

Keylock

Power LED

Speaker

Other housings may have a 12-pin connector. If your housing has this type of connector, connect it to PANEL as shown in the figure. Make sure that the red wire of the connector is connected to +5V.

Note: If your housing comes with Turbo switch and Turbo LED connectors, you may use these connectors for Suspend switch and Green mode LED functions, respectively.

Note: Pressing the Suspend switch allows you to manually force the system to suspend mode. However, this is possible only if the Power Management function in the BIOS Setup menu is enabled.

Green LED

Suspend SW

Reset

PANEL

+5V

PANEL

Warning: If you use toggle mode Turbo switch as Suspend switch, be sure to push it twice to simulate momentary mode. Otherwise the system may hang or fail to reboot.

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Hardware Installation

KB1

2.3.11 Keyboard

The onboard keyboard connector is a five-pin AT-compatible connector marked as KB1. The view angle of drawing shown here is from back panel of the housing.

Note: The mini DIN PS/2 keyboard connector is optional.

PCB

2-19

Hardware Installation

2.3.12 IrDA Connector

Serial port 2 can be configured to support wireless infrared module, with this module and application software such as Laplink, user can transfer files to or from laptops, notebooks, PDA and printers. This mainboard supports IrDA (115Kbps, 1 meter) as well as ASK-IR (19.2Kbps).

Install infrared module onto IrDA connector and enable infrared function from BIOS setup, make sure to have correct orientation when you plug onto IrDA connector.

Note: Onboard serial port 2 (COM2) will not be available after IrDA connector is enabled.

1 2 3 4 5 6

IrDA

1 2 3 4 5 6

Description

+5V NC IRRX GND IRTX +3.3V

2-20

Hardware Installation

DIMM2

Bank1

Bank0

DIMM1

168

2.4 Configuring the System Memory

Pin 1 of

This mainboard has four 72 pin SIMM sockets (Single-in-line Memory Module) and two 168 pin DIMM socket (Dual-in-line Memory Module) that allow you to install system memory from minimum 8MB up to maximum 256MB.

Pin 1 of

The SIMM supported by this mainboard can be identified by 4 kinds of factors: ♦ Size: single side, 1Mx32 (4MB), 4Mx32 (16MB), 16Mx32 (64MB), and double

side, 1Mx32x2 (8MB), 4Mx32x2 (32MB), 16Mx32x2 (128MB).

♦ Speed: 60ns or 70ns access time ♦ Type: FPM (Fast page mode) or EDO (Extended data output) ♦ Parity: without parity (32 bit wide) or with parity (36 bit wide).

The DIMM supported by this motherboard are always 64-bit wide SDRAM, which can be identified by following factors:

I. Size: single side, 1Mx64 (8MB), 2Mx64 (16MB), 4Mx64 (32MB), 8Mx64

(64MB), 16Mx64 (128MB), and double side, 1Mx64x2 (16MB), 2Mx64x2 (32MB), 4Mx64x2 (64MB), 8Mx64x2 (128MB).

Tip: Here is a trick to check if your DIMM is single-side or double-side -- if there are traces connected to golden finger pin 114 and pin 129 of the DIMM, the DIMM is probably double-side; otherwise, it is single-side. Following figure is for your reference.

Pin 129

Pin 114

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Hardware Installation

buffered

non-buffered

Reserved

II. Speed: normally marked as as -12, which means the clock cycle time is 12ns

and maximum clock of this SDRAM is 83MHz. Sometimes you can also find the SDRAM marked as -67, which means maximum clock is 67MHz.

III. Buffered and non-buffered: This motherboard supports non-buffered

DIMMs. You can identify non-buffered DIMMs and buffered DIMMs according to the position of the notch, following figure is for your reference:

Because the positions are different, only non-buffered DIMMs can be inserted

into the DIMM sockets on this motherboard. Although most of DIMMs on current market are non-buffered, we still recommand you to ask your dealer for the correct type.

IV. 2-clock and 4-clock signals: Although both of 2-clock and 4-clock signals

are supported by AP5T, we strongly recommand you to choose 4-clock SDRAM in consideration of reliability.

Tip: To identify 2-clock and 4-clock SDRAM, you may check if there are traces connected to golden finger pin 79 and pin 163 of the SDRAM. If there are traces, the SDRAM is probably 4-clock; Otherewise, it is 2-clock.

V. Parity: This motherboard supports standard 64 bit wide (without parity)

SDRAM.

Because Pentium processor has 64 bit bus width, the four SIMM sockets are arranged in two banks of two sockets each, they are Bank0 and Bank1. Both SIMMs in each bank must be in the same size and type. It is allowed to have different speed and type in different bank, for example, 70ns FPM in one bank and 60ns EDO in another bank, in such case, each bank is independently optimized for maximum performance. The memory timing requires at least 70ns fast page mode DRAM chip, but for optimum performance, 60ns EDO DRAM is recommended.

Warning: The default memory timing setting is 60ns to obtain the optimal performance. Because of the specification limitation, 70ns SIMM is recommended to be used only for CPU external clock 60MHz.

2-22

Hardware Installation

Tip: EDO DRAM is designed to improve the DRAM read performance. Unlike traditional fast page mode, that tristates the memory output data to start the precharge activity, EDO DRAM holds the memory data valid until the next memory access cycle, which is similar to pipeline effect and reduces one clock state.

There is no jumper setting required for the memory size or type. It is automatically detected by the system BIOS. You can use any single side SIMM and DIMM combination list below for BANK0/BANK1 or DIMM socket, and the total memory size is to add them together. Note that because TX chipset

limitation, the maximum is only 256MB.

SIMM1 SIMM2 Subtotal of

Bank0

None None 0MB None None 0MB 4MB 4MB 8MB 4MB 4MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 16MB 8MB 8MB 16MB 16MB 16MB 32MB 16MB 16MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 64MB 32MB 32MB 64MB 64MB 64MB 128MB 64MB 64MB 128MB 128MB 128MB 256MB 128MB 128MB 256MB

DIMM1 Size of DIMM1 DIMM2 Size of DIMM2

None 0MB None 0MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 8MB 16MB 16MB 16MB 16MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 32MB 64MB 64MB 64MB 64MB 128MB 128MB 128MB 128MB 256MB 256MB 256MB 256MB

SIMM3 SIMM4 Subtotal of

Total Memory Size = Subtotal of Bank0 + Subtotal of Bank1 + Size of DIMM1 + Size of DIMM2

Bank1

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Hardware Installation

DIMM1, the other must be empty.

DIMM2, the other must be empty.

For double side memory module, there is one limitation. This mainboard supports only 4 RAS# (Row address latch) signals for DRAM control. They can only be occupied by one DRAM module, they can not be shared. The simple rule is: If double side module at either Bank0 or DIMM1, the other must be empty. If you use at DIMM1, Bank0 must be empty. Bank1 and DIMM2 have the same limitation.

Double side module at either Bank0 or

Double side module at either Bank1 or

Following table explains more about the RAS limitation. You can see that Bank0 1st side and DIMM1 2nd side use the same RAS0#, and Bank0 2nd side and DIMM1 1st side use the same RAS1#. If you are using single side SIMM at Bank0 and single side DIMM at DIMM1, it should be no problem. But only one double side DIMM or double side SIMM can be at Bank0 or DIMM1.

RAS0# RAS1# RAS2# RAS3#

Bank0 1st side

X X

Bank0 2nd side

X X

Bank1 1st side

X X

Bank1 2nd side

X X

DIMM1 1st side

DIMM1 2nd side

DIMM2 1st side

DIMM2 2nd side

Caution: Make sure that you install the same SIMM type and size for each bank.

Caution: There are some old DIMMs made by EDO or FPM memory chip, they can only accept 5V power and probably can not fit into the DIMM socket, make sure you have 3.3V true SDRAM DIMM before your insert it.

2-24

Hardware Installation

Tip: If you have DIMM made by 3V EDO, it is possible that TX chipset can support it. But because it is so rare, the only 3V EDO DIMM had been tested by this mainboard is Micron MT4LC2M8E7DJ-6.

Warning: Do not use SIMM and SDRAM DIMM together unless you have 5V tolerance SDRAM (such as Samsung or TI). The FPM/EDO operate at 5V while SDRAM operates at 3.3V. If you combine them together the system will temporary work fine; however after a few months, the SDRAM 3.3V data input will be damaged by 5V FPM/EDO data output line.

There is an important parameter affects SDRAM performance, CAS Latency Time. It is similar as CAS Access Time of EDO DRAM and is calculated as number of clock state. The SDRAM that AOpen had tested are listed below. If your SDRAM has unstable problem, go into BIOS "Chipset Features Setup", change CAS Latency Time to 3 clocks.

Manufacturer Model Suggested CAS

Latency Time

Samsung KM416511220AT-G12 2 Yes NEC D4S16162G5-A12-7JF 2 No Hitachi HM5216805TT10 2 No Fujitsu 81117822A-100FN 2 No TI TMX626812DGE-12 2 Yes TI TMS626812DGE-15 3 Yes TI TMS626162DGE-15 3 Yes TI TMS626162DGE-M67 3 Yes

5V Tolerance

The driving capability of new generation chipset is limited because the lack of memory buffer (to improve performance). This makes DRAM chip count an important factor to be taking into consideration when you install SIMM/DIMM. Unfortunately, there is no way that BIOS can identified the correct chip count, you need to calculate the chip count by yourself. The simple rule is: By visual inspection, use only SIMM with chip count less than 24 chips, and use only DIMM which is less than 16 chips.

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Hardware Installation

Warning: Do not install any SIMM that contains more than 24 chips. SIMMs contain more than 24 chips exceed the chipset driving specification. Doing so may result in unstable system behavior.

Warning: Although Intel TX chipset supports x4 SDRAM chip. Due to loading issue, it is not recommended to use this kind of SDRAM.

Tip: The SIMM/DIMM chip count can be calculated by following example:

1. For 32 bit non-parity SIMM using 1M by 4 bit DRAM chip, 32/4=8 chips.

2. For 36 bit parity SIMM using 1M by 4 bit DRAM chip, 36/4=9 chips.

3. For 36 bit parity SIMM using 1M by 4 bit and 1M by 1 bit DRAM, the chip count will be 8 data chips(8= 32/4) plus 4 parity chips(4=4/1), total is 12 chips.

4. For 64 bit DIMM using 1M by 16 bit SDRAM, the chip count is 64/16=4 chips.

Following table list the recommended DRAM combinations of SIMM and DIMM:

SIMM Data chip

1M by 4 None 1Mx32 x1 8 4MB Yes 1M by 4 None 1Mx32 x2 16 8MB Yes 1M by 4 1M by 1 1Mx36 x1 12 4MB Yes 1M by 4 1M by 4 1Mx36 x1 9 4MB Yes 1M by 4 1M by 4 1Mx36 x2 18 8MB Yes 1M by 16 None 1Mx32 x1 2 4MB Yes 1M by 16 None 1Mx32 x2 4 8MB Yes 1M by 16 1M by 4 1Mx36 x1 3 4MB Yes 1M by 16 1M by 4 1Mx36 x2 6 8MB Yes 4M by 4 None 4Mx32 x1 8 16MB Yes 4M by 4 None 4Mx32 x2 16 32MB Yes 4M by 4 4M by 1 4Mx36 x1 12 16MB Yes 4M by 4 4M by 1 4Mx36 x2 24 32MB Yes

SIMM Parity chip

Bit size per side

Single/ Double side

Chip count

SIMM size

Recommended

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Hardware Installation

SIMM Data chip

16M by 4 None 16Mx32 x1 8 64MB Yes, but not

16M by 4 None 16Mx32 x2 16 128MB Yes, but not

16M by 4 16M by 4 16Mx36 x1 9 64MB Yes, but not

16M by 4 16M by 4 16Mx36 x2 18 128MB Yes, but not

DIMM Data chip

1M by 16 1Mx64 x1 4 8MB Yes 1M by 16 1Mx64 x2 8 16MB Yes 2M by 8 2Mx64 x1 8 16MB Yes 2M by 8 2Mx64 x2 16 32MB Yes

DIMM Data chip

2M by 32 2Mx64 x1 2 16MB Yes, but not tested. 2M by 32 2Mx64 x2 4 32MB Yes, but not tested. 4M by 16 4Mx64 x1 4 32MB Yes, but not tested. 4M by 16 4Mx64 x2 8 64MB Yes, but not tested. 8M by 8 8Mx64 x1 8 64MB Yes, but not tested. 8M by 8 8Mx64 x2 16 128MB Yes, but not tested.

SIMM Parity chip

Bit size per side

Single/ Double side

Chip count

SIMM size

DIMM size Recommended

Recommended

tested.

Warning: 64MB SIMMs using 16M by 4 bit chip (64M bit technology) are not available in the market and are not formally tested by AOpen quality test department yet. However they are supported by design specification from Intel and they will be tested as soon as they are available. Note that 64MB SIMMs using 16M by 1 bit chip (16M bit technology) have chip count exceed 24 and are strongly not recommended.

Tip: 8 bit = 1 byte, 32 bit = 4 byte. The SIMM size is represented by number of data byte (whether with or without parity), for example, the size of single side SIMM

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Hardware Installation

using 1M by 4 bit chip is 1Mx32 bit, that is, 1M x 4 byte= 4MB. For double side SIMM, simply multiply it by 2, that is, 8MB.

Following table are possible DRAM combinations that is NOT recommended:

SIMM Data chip

1M by 1 None 1Mx32 x1 32 4MB No 1M by 1 1M by 1 1Mx36 x1 36 4MB No 1M by 4 1M by 1 1Mx36 x2 24 8MB No 4M by 1 None 4Mx32 x1 32 16MB No 4M by 1 4M by 1 4Mx36 x1 36 16MB No 16M by 1 None 16Mx32 x1 32 64MB No 16M by 1 16M by 1 16Mx36 x1 36 64MB No

SIMM Parity chip

Bit size per side

Single/ Double side

Chip count

SIMM size

Recommended

DIMM Data chip

4M by 4 4Mx64 x1 16 32MB No 4M by 4 4Mx64 x2 32 64MB No 16M by 4 16Mx64 x1 16 128MB No 16M by 4 16Mx64 x2 32 256MB No

Bit size per side

Single/ Double side

Chip count

DIMM size Recommended

Memory error checking is supported by parity check. To use parity check you need 36 bit SIMM (32 bit data + 4 bit parity), which are automatically detected by BIOS.

Tip: The parity mode uses 1 parity bit for each byte, normally it is even parity mode, that is, each time the memory data is updated, parity bit will be adjusted to have even count "1" for each byte. When next time, if memory is read with odd number of "1", the parity error is occurred and this is called single bit error detection.

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Hardware Installation

2.5 CPU Thermal Protection

This motherboard implements special thermal protection circuit below the CPU. When temperature is higher than a predefined value, the CPU speed will automatically slow down and there will be warning from BIOS and also ADM (AOpen Desktop Manager, similar as Intel LDCM) or HWMON utility software.

ADM is a very powerful network and hardware monitor software. If you do not need network monitor function, you may also use HWMON, which is a small utility for hardware monitoring. Both ADM and HWMON are available on the bundled CD and our web site.

CPU Thermal Protection is automatically implemented by BIOS and ADM, no hardware installation is needed.

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AOpen AP5T-HW User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual