AOpen AX5T-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 awristground strapandattach 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

WKUP

JP14

HDD LED

IrDA

PIIX4

TXC

JP4

FAN2

2.1 Jumper and Connector Locations

The following figure shows the location of the jumpers and connectors on the mainboard.

I S A 4

PANEL

Jumpers:

COM2

I S A 3

BIOS

IDE2

IDE1

FDC

JP11

USB

SPWR

FAN1

PRINTER KB MS

M M

JP3 JP2 JP1

I M M

JP6 JP5

COM1

I M M

JP1,JP2,JP3: CPU frequency ratio JP4,JP5,JP6: CPU external (bus) clock JP11: CPU core voltage setting (Vcore) JP14: Clear CMOS

2-2

Hardware Installation

Connectors:

PS2 MS: PS/2 mouse connector KB2: PS/2 keyboard connector COM1: COM1 connector COM2: COM2 connector PRINTER: Printer connector PWR2: ATX power connector USB: USB connector FDC: Floppy drive connector IDE1: IDE1 primary channel IDE2: IDE2 secondary channel FAN1: CPU fan connector (2-pin normal type) FAN2: CPU fan connector (3-pin type for fan monitoring function) WKUP: IR & MODEM wake-up connector IrDA: IrDA (Infrared) connector HDD LED: HDD LED connector PANEL: Front panel (Multifunction) connector

2-3

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)

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

JP11

2 4 6

8 10 12

10 12

3.52V

6x86 or

JP11

1 3 5 7 9

2.9V K6-166 K6-200

JP11

10 12

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 fromabove CPU type. It is recommended to adopt larger fan on these CPU for better air flow in the system.

JP11

2 4 6

8 10 12

10 12

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 Vio Vcpuio

INTEL P54C Single Voltage 1-2 3.45V 3.45V Vcore INTEL MMX P55C Dual Voltage 7-8 2.8V 3.45V Vio AMD K5 Single Voltage 3-4 3.52V 3.45V Vcore AMD K6-166/200 Dual Voltage 5-6 2.9V 3.45V Vio AMD K6-233 Dual Voltage 9-10 3.2V 3.45V Vio Cyrix 6x86 Single Voltage 3-4 3.52V 3.45V Vcore Cyrix 6x86L Dual Voltage 7-8 2.8V 3.45V Vio Cyrix M2 Dual Voltage 5-6 2.9V 3.45V Vio

Caution: Above table is 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.

2.2.2 Selecting the CPU Frequency

JP3

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

2-6

JP2

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

JP1

1-2 2-3 2-3 1-2 2-3 2-3 1-2 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 byJP1, 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.

Hardware Installation

Core frequency = Ratio * External bus clock

JP4

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

JP5

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

JP6

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

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

1.5x (3.5x)

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

2.5x (1.75x)

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

CPU External Clock

60MHz 66MHz 75MHz

83.3MHz

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

4.5x

JP3 & JP2 & JP1

1 2 3

5.5x

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

2-7

Hardware Installation

1 2 3

JP4 & JP5 & JP6

JP6 JP5 JP4

60MHz

JP4 & JP5 & JP6

JP6 JP5 JP4

75MHz

JP4 & JP5 & JP6

JP6 JP5 JP4

66MHz

JP4 & JP5 & JP6

JP6 JP5 JP4

83.3Mz

Warning: INTEL TX chipset supports only 60/66MHz external CPU bus clock, the 75/83.3 MHz 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 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 100 100MHz = 1.5x 66MHz 1-2 & 1-2 & 1-2 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 120 120MHz = 2x 60MHz 2-3 & 1-2 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 133 133MHz = 2x 66MHz 2-3 & 1-2 & 1-2 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 150 150MHz = 2.5x 60MHz 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 166 166MHz = 2.5x 66MHz 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2 P54C 200 200MHz = 3x 66MHz 1-2 & 2-3 & 1-2 2-3 & 2-3 & 1-2

CPU Core Frequency

Ratio External

Bus Clock

JP1 & JP2 & JP3 JP4 & JP5 & JP6

2-8

Hardware Installation

INTEL Pentium MMX

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

Cyrix 6x86 & 6x86L

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

Cyrix M2 CPU Core

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

AMD K5 CPU Core

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

CPU Core Frequency

Frequency

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

Ratio External

Bus Clock

JP1 & JP2 & JP3 JP4 & JP5 & JP6

AMD K6 CPU Core

Frequency

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

Ratio External

Bus Clock

JP1 & JP2 & JP3 JP4 & JP5 & JP6

2-9

Hardware Installation

Note: Cyrix 6x86, M2 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 166MHzand 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.

2-10

2.2.3 Clearing the CMOS

Hardware Installation

JP14

1-2

2-3

Clear CMOS

Normal operation (default) Clear CMOS

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

JP14

1 2

Normal Operation

JP14

1 2

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.

2-11

Hardware Installation

3.3V

2.3 Connectors

2.3.1 Power Cable

The ATX power supply uses 20-pin connectorshown below.Make sure youplug in the right direction.

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

+5V

5V SB

+5V

PWR2

2.3.2 ATX Soft-Power Switch Connector

The ATX soft-power switch connector is a 2-pin header on the system board. Locate the power switch cable from your ATX housing. It is 2-pin female connector from the housing front panel. Plug this connector to the soft-power switch connector marked SPWR.

This switch is default for system power on/off, but if you enable the "Power Bottom Override" function in BIOS setup, this switch can be used as suspend switch, push and release this switch less than 4 seconds, the system will go into suspend mode. Push this switch longer than 4 seconds, system will then power off. Refer to section 3.5 "Power Management Setup" for detail.

SPWR

2-12

Hardware Installation

PS/2 Mouse

2.3.3 CPU Fan

Plug in the fan cable to the 2-pin fan connector FAN1 or 3-pin FAN2 depends on the type of your fan. Three pins fan has an extra pin called SENSE, which periotically sends fan signal out. The fan monitoring function must use 3-pin fan.

GND +12V

SENSE

FAN2

+12V GND

FAN1

Air Flow

Heatsink

Attach the heatsink and fan to the CPU. Check its orientation, make sure the air flow go through the heatsink.

2.3.4 PS/2 Mouse

The onboard PS/2 mouse connector is a 6-pin Mini-Din connector marked PS2 MS. The view angle of drawing shown here is from back panel of the housing.

PCB

2-13

Hardware Installation

PS/2 KB

COM1

COM2

2.3.5 Keyboard

The onboard PS/2 keyboard connector is a 6-pin Mini-Din connector marked KB2. The view angle of drawing shown here is from back panel of the housing.

PCB

2.3.6 Serial Devices (COM1/COM2)

The onboard serial connectors are 9-pin D-type connector on the back panel of mainboard. The serial port 1 connector is marked as COM1 andthe serial port 2 connector is marked as COM2.

COM1

2-14

COM2

PCB

Hardware Installation

PRINTER

2.3.7 Printer

The onboard printer connector is a 25-pin D-type connector marked PRINTER. The view angle of drawing shown here is from back panel of the housing.

PCB

2.3.8 USB Device

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

2.3.9 Floppy Drive

Connect the 34-pin floppy drive cable to the floppy drive connector marked as FDC on the system board.

2-15

Hardware Installation

FDC

2.3.10 IDE Hard Disk and CD ROM

This mainboard supports two 40 pin IDE connectors marked as IDE1 andIDE2. IDE1 is also known as primarychannel 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 connectedon secondary channel as master and slave mode respectively.

IDE2

IDE1

2-16

Hardware Installation

(3rd)

(4th)

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.

IDE2 (Secondary Channel)

IDE1 (Primary Channel)

Slave (2nd)

2.3.11 Hard Disk LED

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 3 4

Slave

Master

(1st)

Description

HDD LED GND GND HDD LED

2-17

Hardware Installation

111020

+++

1 2

HDD LED

4-pin connector

2.3.12 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 keylockare aligned together, youcan still use this kind of connector.

1 2

HDD LED

2-pin connector

at pin 1-2

GND

KEYLOCK

GND

RESET

POWER LED

SPEAKER

+5V

GND

SPEAKER

HDD LED

2-pin connector

at pin 3-4

+5V GND Reserved GND NC NC GND NC RESET GND

10 20

PANEL

1 2

2-18

Keylock

Power LED

Speaker

Reset

PANEL

Hardware Installation

Other housings may have a 12-pin connector. If your housing has this type of connector, connect it to

+5V

PANEL as shown in the figure. Make sure that the red wire of the connector is connected to +5V.

10 20

PANEL

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.

Caution:. 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 because you always force it to suspend.

2.3.13 IrDA Connector

Serial port 2 can be configured to support wireless infrared module, with this module andapplication 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

Description

+5V NC IRRX GND IRTX +3.3V

2-19

Hardware Installation

1 2 3 4 5 6

IrDA

2.3.14 Wake-up Connector

This mainboard implements special circuit to support Modem Ring-On, both Internal Modem Card (AOpen MP32) and external box Modem are supported. Since Internal Modem card consumes no power when system power is off, it is recommended to use Internal Modem. To use AOpen MP32, connect 4-pin cable from RING connector of MP32 to WKUP connector on the mainboard. Refer to Appendix B "Frequently Asked Question" for detail.

1 2 3 4

Description

+5V SB NC RING GND

2-20

Note: Wake-Up Connector and Modem Ring-On

are patent applied.

Tip: Not only for Modem Ring-On, there are many other possible applications. For example, IR wakeup or voice wakeup.

1 2 3

WKUP

Hardware Installation

Bank1

Bank0

2.4 Configuring the System Memory

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

Pin 1 of DIMM1

Pin 1 of

Pin 1 of DIMM2

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 mainboard are always 64-bit wide SDRAM. ♦ Size: single side, 1Mx64 (8MB), 2Mx64 (16MB), 4Mx64 (32MB), 8Mx64

(64MB), 16Mx64 (128MB), and double side, 1Mx64x2 (16MB), 2Mx64x2 (32MB), 4Mx64x2 (64MB), 8Mx64x2 (128MB), 16Mx64x2 (256MB).

♦ Speed: normally marked -67, which means synchronous to maximum 67MHz. ♦ Parity: without parity (32 bit wide)

Because Pentium and Pentium Pro processor has 64 bit bus width, the four SIMM sockets are arranged in two banks of two sockets each, theyare 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.

2-21

Hardware Installation

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.

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 pipe-line 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 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

2-22

Bank1

Hardware Installation

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 double side at Bank0, DIMM1 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 DIMM1, the other must beempty.

Double side module at either Bank1 or DIMM2, the other must beempty.

Followingtable explains more about the RAS limitation. You can seethat 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.

Tip: If youhave DIMM madeby 3V EDO, itis 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.

2-23

Hardware Installation

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

Samsung KM416511220AT-G12 2 Yes NEC D4S16162G5-A12-7JF 2 No

Hitachi HM5216805TT10

TI TI TI TI

TMX626812DGE-12 TMS626812DGE-15 TMS626162DGE-15 TMS626162DGE-M67

CAS Latency Time

2 No 2 Yes 3 Yes 3 Yes 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.

2-24

Hardware Installation

Warning: Donot install anySIMM that containsmore than 24 chips. SIMMs contain more than 24 chips exceed the INTEL chipsetdriving 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:

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

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

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.

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 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.

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

Hardware Installation

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 adjustedto have even count "1" for eachbyte. When nexttime, if memoryis read with odd number of "1", the parity error is occurred and this is called single bit error detection.

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AOpen AX5T-HW User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual