ASRock 990FX Extreme9 Owner's Manual

990FX Extreme9

User Manual

Version 1.0

Published July 2013

No part of this manual may be reproduced, transcribed, transmitted, or translated in

any language, in any form or by any means, except duplication of documentation by

the purchaser for backup purpose, without written consent of ASRock Inc.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be regis-

tered 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.

Disclaimer:

Specications and information contained in this manual are furnished for informa-

tional use only and subject to change without notice, and should not be constructed

as a commitment by ASRock. ASRock assumes no responsibility for any errors or

omissions that may appear in this manual.

With respect to the contents of this manual, ASRock does not provide warranty of

any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to the implied warran-

ties or conditions of merchantability or tness for a particular purpose.

In no event shall ASRock, its directors, ofcers, employees, or agents be liable for

any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including damages for

loss of prots, loss of business, loss of data, interruption of business and the like),

even if ASRock has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising from

any defect or error in the manual or product.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-

lowing two conditions:

(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that

may cause undesired operation.

CALIFORNIA, USA ONLY

The Lithium battery adopted on this motherboard contains Perchlorate, a toxic

substance controlled in Perchlorate Best Management Practices (BMP) regulations

passed by the California Legislature. When you discard the Lithium battery in Cali-

fornia, USA, please follow the related regulations in advance.

“Perchlorate Material-special handling may apply, see

www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate”

ASRock Website: http://www.asrock.com

Contents

1. Introduction ................................................................ 5

1.1 Package Contents ..................................................................... 6

1.2 Specications ............................................................................. 6

1.3 Unique Features ........................................................................ 10

1.4 Motherboard Layout ................................................................. 14

1.5 I/O Panel .................................................................................. 15

2. Installation .................................................................. 17

Pre-installation Precautions ................................................................ 17

2.1 CPU Installation ......................................................................... 18

2.2 Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink ...................................... 18

2.3 Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM) .................................... 19

2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) ........................... 21

2.5 SLITM, 3-Way SLITM, and Quad SLI

2.6 CrossFireXTM, 3-Way CrossFireXTM and Quad CrossFireXTM

Operation Guide ........................................................................ 29

2.7 Surround Display Information .................................................... 33

2.8 ASRock Smart Remote Installation Guide ................................. 34

2.9 Jumpers Setup ........................................................................... 36

2.10 Onboard Headers and Connectors ....................................... 37

2.11 Smart Switches .......................................................................... 44

2.12 Dr. Debug .............................................................................. 45

2.13 Serial ATA3 (SATA3) Hard Disks Installation ......................... 46

2.14 Hot Plug and Hot Swap Functions for SATA3 HDDs ................. 46

2.15 SATA3 HDD Hot Plug Feature and Operation Operation Guide 47

2.16 Driver Installation Guide ............................................................ 49

2.17 Installing Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / Vista

64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit With RAID Functions .............................. 49

2.17.1 Installing Windows® XP / XP 64-bit With RAID

Functions ....................................................................... 49

2.17.2 Installing Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM /

Vista

64-bit With RAID Functions ................................ 50

2.18 Installing Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / Vista

64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions ......................... 51

2.18.1 Installing Windows® XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID

Functions ....................................................................... 51

2.18.2 Installing Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM /

Vista

64-bit Without RAID Functions ........................... 52

2.19 Untied Overclocking Technology ............................................ 52

Operation Guide .............. 23

3. UEFI SETUP UTILITY .................................................. 53

3.1 Introduction ................................................................................ 53

3.1.1 UEFI Menu Bar ................................................................ 53

3.1.2 Navigation Keys ............................................................... 54

3.2 Main Screen ............................................................................... 54

3.3 OC Tweaker Screen................................................................... 55

3.4 Advanced Screen ...................................................................... 59

3.4.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................... 60

3.4.2 North Bridge Conguration .............................................. 61

3.4.3 South Bridge Conguration ............................................. 62

3.4.4 Storage Conguration ...................................................... 63

3.4.5 Super IO Conguration .................................................... 65

3.4.6 ACPI Conguration .......................................................... 66

3.4.7 USB Conguration ........................................................... 68

3.5 Tool ............................................................................................ 69

3.6 Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen ............................... 72

3.7 Boot Screen ............................................................................... 73

3.8 Security Screen ......................................................................... 75

3.9 Exit Screen ................................................................................ 76

4. Software Support ....................................................... 77

4.1 Install Operating System ............................................................ 77

4.2 Support CD Information ............................................................. 77

4.2.1 Running Support CD ....................................................... 77

4.2.2 Drivers Menu ................................................................... 77

4.2.3 Utilities Menu ................................................................... 77

4.2.4 Contact Information ......................................................... 77

1. Introduction

Thank you for purchasing ASRock 990FX Extreme9 motherboard, a reliable moth-

erboard produced under ASRock’s consistently stringent quality control. It delivers

excellent performance with robust design conforming to ASRock’s commitment to

quality and endurance.

In this manual, chapter 1 and 2 contain introduction of the motherboard and step-

by-step guide to the hardware installation. Chapter 3 and 4 contain the conguration

guide to BIOS setup and information of the Support CD.

Because the motherboard specications and the BIOS software might

be updated, the content of this manual will be subject to change without

notice. In case any modications of this manual occur, the updated ver-

sion will be available on ASRock website without further notice. You may

nd the latest VGA cards and CPU support lists on ASRock website as

well. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com

If you require technical support related to this motherboard, please visit

our website for specic information about the model you are using.

www.asrock.com/support/index.asp

1.1 Package Contents

ASRock 990FX Extreme9 Motherboard (ATX Form Factor)

ASRock 990FX Extreme9 Quick Installation Guide

ASRock 990FX Extreme9 Support CD

1 x ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card

1 x ASRock 3-Way SLI-2S1S Bridge Card

6 x Serial ATA (SATA) Data Cables (Optional)

2 x Serial ATA (SATA) HDD Power Cables (Optional)

1 x I/O Panel Shield

1 x Front USB 3.0 Panel with 2.5” HDD/SSD Rack

4 x HDD Screws

6 x Chassis Screws

1 x Rear USB 3.0 Bracket

ASRock Reminds You...

To get better performance in Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM

/ VistaTM 64-bit, it is recommended to set the BIOS option in Storage

Conguration to AHCI mode.

1.2 Specications

Platform - ATX Form Factor

- Premium Gold Capacitor design (100% Japan-made

high-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors)

- Multiple Filter Cap (MFC) (Filter different noise by 3 different

capacitors: DIP solid cap, POSCAP and MLCC)

CPU - Support for Socket AM3+ processors

- Support for Socket AM3 processors: AMD PhenomTM II X6 /

X4 / X3 / X2 (except 920 / 940) / Athlon II X4 / X3 / X2 /

Sempron processors

- Supports 8-Core CPU

- Supports UCC feature (Unlock CPU Core) (see CAUTION 1)

- Digi Power Design

- Advanced 12 + 2 Power Phase Design

- Dual-Stack MOSFET (DSM)

- Supports CPU up to 140W

- Supports AMD’s Cool ‘n’ QuietTM Technology

- FSB 2600 MHz (5.2 GT/s)

- Supports Untied Overclocking Technology

- Supports Hyper-Transport 3.0 (HT 3.0) Technology

Chipset - Northbridge: AMD 990FX

- Southbridge: AMD SB950

Memory - Dual Channel DDR3 Memory Technology

- 4 x DDR3 DIMM slots

- Supports DDR3 2450(OC)/2100(OC)/1600/1333/1066

non-ECC, un-buffered memory (see CAUTION 2)

- Max. capacity of system memory: 64GB (see CAUTION 3)

- Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP) 1.3 / 1.2

- Supports AMD Memory Prole (AMP)

Expansion Slot - 4 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (PCIE1 @ x16 mode; PCIE3

@ x4 mode; PCIE4/PCIE5: single at x16 (PCIE4) / x8 (PCIE5)

or dual at x8/x8 mode)

- 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot

- 1 x PCI slot

- Supports AMD Quad CrossFireXTM, 3-Way CrossFireX

and CrossFireX

- Supports NVIDIA® Quad SLITM, 3-Way SLITM and SLI

Audio - 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection

(Realtek ALC898 Audio Codec)

- Premium Blu-ray audio support

LAN - PCIE x1 Gigabit LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s

- Intel® 82583V

- Supports Wake-On-LAN

- Supports PXE

Rear Panel I/O I/O Panel

- 1 x PS/2 Mouse Port

- 1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port

- 1 x Coaxial SPDIF Out Port

- 1 x Optical SPDIF Out Port

- 4 x Ready-to-Use USB 2.0 Ports

- 4 x Ready-to-Use USB 3.0 Ports

- 2 x eSATA3 Connectors

- 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED

LED)

- 1 x IEEE 1394 Port

- 1 x Clear CMOS Switch with LED

- HD Audio Jack: Side Speaker/Rear Speaker/Central/Bass/

Line in/Front Speaker/Microphone

SATA3 - 6 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors by AMD SB950, support

RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, JBOD and RAID 5),

NCQ, AHCI and “Hot Plug” functions

- 2 x SATA3 6.0 Gb/s connectors by ASMedia ASM1061,

support NCQ, AHCI and “Hot Plug” functions

USB 3.0 - 4 x Rear USB 3.0 ports by Etron EJ188H, support

USB 1.1/2.0/3.0 up to 5Gb/s

- 2 x Front USB 3.0 headers (support 4 USB 3.0 ports) by

Etron EJ188H, support USB 1.1/2.0/3.0 up to 5Gb/s

Connector - 8 x SATA3 6.0Gb/s connectors

- 1 x IR header

- 1 x CIR header

- 1 x COM port header

- 1 x IEEE 1394 header

- 1 x Power LED header

- 2 x CPU Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)

- 3 x Chassis Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 2 x 3-pin)

- 1 x Power Fan connector (3-pin)

- 24 pin ATX power connector

- 8 pin 12V power connector (Hi-Density Power Connector)

- Front panel audio connector

- 2 x USB 2.0 headers (support 4 USB 2.0 ports)

- 2 x USB 3.0 headers (support 4 USB 3.0 ports)

- 1 x Dr. Debug (7-Segment Debug LED)

- 1 x Power Switch with LED

- 1 x Reset Switch with LED

BIOS Feature - 32Mb AMI UEFI Legal BIOS with GUI support

- Supports “Plug and Play”

- ACPI 1.1 Compliance Wake Up Events

- Supports jumperfree

- SMBIOS 2.3.1 Support

- CPU, VCCM, NB, SB Voltage Multi-adjustment

Support CD - Drivers, Utilities, AntiVirus Software (Trial Version),

CyberLink MediaEspresso 6.5 Trial, Google Chrome

Browser and Toolbar

Hardware - CPU Temperature Sensing

Monitor - Chassis Temperature Sensing

- CPU/Chassis/Power Fan Tachometer

- CPU/Chassis Quiet Fan

- CPU/Chassis/Power Fan Multi-Speed Control

- Voltage Monitoring: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, Vcore

OS - Microsoft® Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

VistaTM 64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit compliant

Certications - FCC, CE, WHQL

- ErP/EuP Ready (ErP/EuP ready power supply is required)

* For detailed product information, please visit our website: http://www.asrock.com

WARNING

Please realize that there is a certain risk involved with overclocking,

including adjusting the setting in the BIOS, applying Untied Overclocking

Technology, or using third-party overclocking tools. Overclocking may

affect your system’s stability, or even cause damage to the components

and devices of your system. It should be done at your own risk and

expense. We are not responsible for possible damage caused by

overclocking.

CAUTION!

1. ASRock UCC (Unlock CPU Core) feature simplies AMD CPU

activation. As long as a simple switch of the UEFI option “AS-

Rock UCC”, you can unlock the extra CPU core to enjoy an

instant performance boost. When UCC feature is enabled, the

dual-core or triple-core CPU will boost to the quad-core CPU,

and some CPU, including quad-core CPU, can also increase L3

cache size up to 6MB, which means you can enjoy the upgrade

CPU performance with a better price. Please be noted that UCC

feature is supported with AM3/AM3+ CPU only, and in addition,

not every AM3/AM3+ CPU can support this function because

some CPU’s hidden core may be malfunctioned.

2. Whether 2450/2100MHz memory speed is supported depends

on the AM3/AM3+ CPU you adopt. If you want to adopt DDR3

2450/2100 memory module on this motherboard, please refer

to the memory support list on our website for the compatible

memory modules.

ASRock website: http://www.asrock.com

3. Due to the operating system limitation, the actual memory size

may be less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage un-

der Windows® 8 / 7 / VistaTM. For Windows® 64-bit OS with 64-

bit CPU, there is no such limitation. You can use ASRock XFast

RAM to utilize the memory that Windows® cannot use.

1.3 Unique Features

ASRock Extreme Tuning Utility (AXTU)

ASRock Extreme Tuning Utility (AXTU) is an all-in-one tool to

ne-tune different system functions in a user-friendly interface,

which includes Hardware Monitor, Fan Control, Overclocking,

OC DNA, IES and XFast RAM. In Hardware Monitor, it shows

the major readings of your system. In Fan Control, it shows the

fan speed and temperature for you to adjust. In Overclocking,

you are allowed to overclock CPU frequency for optimal system

performance. In OC DNA, you can save your OC settings as

a prole and share it with your friends. Your friends then can

load the OC prole to their own system to get the same OC set-

tings. In IES (Intelligent Energy Saver), the voltage regulator

can reduce the number of output phases to improve efciency

when the CPU cores are idle without sacricing computing per-

formance. In XFast RAM, it fully utilizes the memory space that

cannot be used under Windows® OS 32-bit CPU.

ASRock Instant Boot

ASRock Instant Boot allows you to turn on your PC in just a few

seconds, provides a much more efcient way to save energy,

time, money, and improves system running speed for your sys-

tem. It leverages the S3 and S4 ACPI features which normally

enable the Sleep/Standby and Hibernation modes in Windows®

to shorten boot up time. By calling S3 and S4 at specic timing

during the shutdown and startup process, Instant Boot allows

you to enter your Windows® desktop in a few seconds.

ASRock Instant Flash

ASRock Instant Flash is a BIOS ash utility embedded in Flash

ROM. This convenient BIOS update tool allows you to update

system BIOS without entering operating systems rst like MS-

DOS or Windows®. With this utility, you can press the <F6> key

during the POST or the <F2> key to enter into the BIOS setup

menu to access ASRock Instant Flash. Just launch this tool and

save the new BIOS le to your USB ash drive, oppy disk or

hard drive, then you can update your BIOS only in a few clicks

without preparing an additional oppy diskette or other compli-

cated ash utility. Please be noted that the USB ash drive or

hard drive must use FAT32/16/12 le system.

ASRock APP Charger

If you d es ir e a fast er, less restricted way of c ha rg in g y ou r

Apple devices, such as iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, ASRock has

prepared a wonderful solution for you - ASRock APP Charger.

Simply install the APP Charger driver, it makes your iPhone

charge much quickly from your computer and up to 40% faster

than before. ASRock APP Charger allows you to quickly charge

many Apple devices simultaneously and even supports continu-

ous charging when your PC enters into Standby mode (S1),

Suspend to RAM (S3), hibernation mode (S4) or power off (S5).

With APP Charger driver installed, you can easily enjoy the mar-

velous charging experience.

ASRock XFast USB

ASRock XFast USB can boost USB stor age device perfor-

mance. The performance may depend on the properties of the

device.

ASRock XFast LAN

ASRock XFast LAN provides a faster internet access, which in-

cludes the benets listed below. LAN Application Prioritization:

You can congure your application’s priority ideally and/or add

new programs. Lower Latency in Game: After setting online

game’s priority higher, it can lower the latency in games. Trafc

Shaping: You can watch Youtube HD videos and download si-

multaneously. Real-Time Analysis of Your Data: With the status

window, you can easily recognize which data streams you are

transferring currently.

ASRock XFast RAM

ASRock XFast RAM is a new function that is included into AS-

Rock Extreme Tuning Utility (AXTU). It fully utilizes the memory

space that cannot be used under Windows® OS 32-bit CPU.

ASRock XFast RAM shortens the loading time of previously

visited websites, making web surfing faster than ever. And it

also boosts the speed of Adobe Photoshop 5 times faster. An-

other advantage of ASRock XFast RAM is that it reduces the

frequency of accessing your SSDs or HDDs in order to extend

their lifespan.

ASRock Crashless BIOS

ASRock Crashless BIOS allows users to update their BIOS

without fear of failing. If power loss occurs during the BIOS up-

date process, ASRock Crashless BIOS will automatically nish

the BIOS update procedure after regaining power. Please note

that BIOS les need to be placed in the root directory of your

USB disk. Only USB2.0 ports support this feature.

ASRock OMG (Online Management Guard)

Administrators are able to establish an internet curfew or restrict

internet access at specied times via OMG. You may schedule

the starting and ending hours of internet access granted to other

users. In order to prevent users from bypassing OMG, guest

accounts without permission to modify the system time are re-

quired.

ASRock Internet Flash

ASRock Internet Flash searches for available UEFI firmware

updates from our servers. In other words, the system can auto-

detect the latest UEFI from our servers and ash them without

entering Windows® OS.

ASRock UEFI System Browser

ASRoc k UEFI system b rowse r is a use ful tool inc luded in

graphical UEFI. It can detect the devices and configurations

that users are currently using in their PC. With the UEFI system

browser, you can easily examine the current system congura-

tion in UEFI setup.

ASRock Dehumidier Function

Users may prevent motherboard damages due to dampness by

enabling “Dehumidier Function”. When enabling Dehumidier

Function, the computer will power on automatically to dehumidi-

fy the system after entering S4/S5 state.

ASRock Easy RAID Installer

ASRock Easy RAID Installer can help you to copy the RAID

driver from a support CD to your USB storage device. After

copying the RAID driver to your USB storage device, please

change “SATA Mode” to “RAID”, then you can start installing the

OS in RAID mode.

ASRock Fast Boot

With ASRock’s exclusive Fast Boot technology, it takes less

than 1.5 seconds to logon to Windows® 8 from a cold boot. No

more waiting! The speedy boot will completely change your user

experience and behavior.

ASRock X-Boost

ASRock’s X-Boost Technology is a smart auto-overclocking

function and is brilliantly designed to unlock the hidden power of

your CPUs. Simply press “X” when turning on the PC, X-Boost

will automatically overclock the relative components to get up to

15.77% performance boost! With the smart X-Boost, overclock-

ing CPU can become a near one-button process.

* The functionality of “Unlock CPU Cores” feature might vary by

different processors.

ASRock Restart to UEFI

Windows® 8 brings the ultimate boot up experience. The light-

ning boot up speed makes it hard to access the UEFI setup. AS-

Rock Restart to UEFI technology is designed for those requiring

frequent UEFI access. It allows users to easily enter the UEFI

automatically when turning on the PC next time. Just simply

enable this function; the PC will be assured to access the UEFI

directly in the very beginning.

Turbo 50 / Turbo 60 Overclocking

Simply click the Turbo 50 / Turbo 60 button in UEFI, the system

performance will boost up to 50% or 60% increase by automati-

cally overclocking CPU, Memory frequency and all related volt-

age settings.

ASRock Good Night LED

ASRock Good Night LED technology can offer you a better en-

vironment by extinguishing the unessential LED. By enabling

Good Night LED in BIOS, the Power / HDD / LAN LED will be

switched off when system is on. Not only this, Good night LED

will automatically switch off Power and Keyboard LED when the

system enters into Standby / Hibernation mode as well.

1.4 Motherboard Layout

DDR3_ A1 (64 b it, 240 -pin m o dule )

DDR3_ A2 (64 b it, 240 -pin m o dule )

FSB 800

DDR3_ B1 (64 b it, 240 -pin m o dule )

DDR3_ B2 (64 b it, 240 -pin m o dule )

AMD

SB9 50

Chi ps et

ATX12V1

32Mb BIOS

CMOS

BATTER Y

CLRCMOS1

COM1

AUDIO CODEC

Super

I/O

IR1

HD_AUDIO1

PCIE 2

HDLED RESET

PLEDPW RBTN

PANEL1

SPEAKER1

PCIE 1

PLED1

SATA3_5_6

SATA3_3_4

SATA3_1_2

PCI1

USB6_7

FRONT_139 4

Dr.

Debug

CPU_FAN1

AMD

990F X

Chip set

PS2

Mouse

Coaxial

SPDIF

PS2

Keyboar d

Optical

SPDIF

Clr

CMOS

USB 2.0 T:US B2 B: USB3

IEEE 1394

Top: RJ-45

Top:

SIDE SPK

Center:

REAR SPK

Bottom:

CTR BASS

Top:

LINE IN

Center:

FRONT

Bottom:

MIC IN

USB 3.0 T:US B2 B: USB3

eSATA

CHA_FAN3

LAN

990 FX E xt rem e9

RoHS

CPU_FAN2

USB4_5

USB3_4_5

SO CK E T AM 3b

USB3_6_7

PWRBTNRSTBTN

CHA_FAN2

CHA_FAN1

PWR_FAN1

USB 2.0 T:US B0 B: USB1

eSATA

PCIE 3

PCIE 4

PCIE 5

SATA3_A1_A 2

CIR1

USB 3.0 T:USB 0 B:U SB1

FSB 800

1 ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V1) 21 Power Switch (PWRBTN)

2 CPU Heatsink Retention Module 22 Reset Switch (RSTBTN)

3 AM3+ CPU Socket 23 Dr. Debug (LED)

4 CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN1) 24 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN3)

5 CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN2) 25 USB 2.0 Header (USB6_7)

6 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN2) 26 USB 2.0 Header (USB4_5)

7 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM Slots 27 Consumer Infrared Module Header (CIR1)

(Dual Channel A: DDR3_A1, DDR3_B1) 28 System Panel Header (PANEL1)

8 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM Slots 29 Clear CMOS Jumper (CLRCMOS1)

(Dual Channel B: DDR3_A2, DDR3_B2) 30 Power LED Header (PLED1)

9 Power Fan Connector (PWR_FAN1) 31 Serial Port Connector (COM1)

10 ATX Power Connector (ATXPWR1) 32 Infrared Module Header (IR1)

11 USB 3.0 Header (USB3_6_7) 33 Front Panel IEEE 1394 Header

12 USB 3.0 Header (USB3_4_5) (FRONT_1394)

13 Northbridge Controller 34 Front Panel Audio Header (HD_AUDIO1)

14 Southbridge Controller 35 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE5)

15 SATA3 Connector (SATA3_A1_A2) 36 SPI Flash Memory (32Mb)

16 SATA3 Connector (SATA3_5_6) 37 PCI Slot (PCI1)

17 SATA3 Connector (SATA3_3_4) 38 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE4)

18 SATA3 Connector (SATA3_1_2) 39 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE3)

19 Chassis Speaker Header (SPEAKER1) 40 PCI Express 2.0 x1 Slot (PCIE2)

20 Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN1) 41 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Slot (PCIE1)

1.5 I/O Panel

ACT/LINK

LED

SPEED

LED

1 PS/2 Mouse Port (Green) 11 Microphone (Pink)

2 Coaxial SPDIF Out Port 12 USB 3.0 Ports (USB3_2_3)

3 USB 2.0 Ports (USB01) 13 IEEE 1394 Port (IEEE 1394)

4 USB 2.0 Port (USB23) *** 14 eSATA3 Connector (ESATA1)

* 5 LAN RJ-45 Port *** 15 eSATA3 Connector (ESATA2)

6 Side Speaker (Gray) 16 USB 3.0 Ports (USB3_0_1)

7 Rear Speaker (Black) 17 Optical SPDIF Out Port

8 Central / Bass (Orange) 18 Clear CMOS Switch (CLRCBTN)

9 Line In (Light Blue) 19 PS/2 Keyboard Port (Purple)

** 10 Front Speaker (Lime)

* There are two LED next to the LAN port. Please refer to the table below for the LAN port LED

indications.

Activity/Link LED SPEED LED

Status Description Status Description

2 4

LAN Port LED Indications

Off No Link Off 10Mbps connection

Blinking Data Activity Orange 100Mbps connection

On Link Green 1Gbps connection

LAN Port

If you use 2-channel speaker, please connect the speaker’s plug into “Front Speaker Jack”.

See the table below for connection details in accordance with the type of speaker you use.

TABLE for Audio Output Connection

Audio Output Channels Front Speaker Rear Speaker Central / Bass Side Speaker

(No. 10) (No. 7) (No. 8) (No. 6)

2 V -- -- --

4 V V -- --

6 V V V --

8 V V V V

To enable Multi-Streaming function, you need to connect a front panel audio cable to the front

panel audio header. After restarting your computer, you will nd “Mixer” tool on your system.

Please select “Mixer ToolBox” , click “Enable playback multi-streaming”, and click “ok”.

Choose “2CH”, “4CH”, “6CH”, or “8CH” and then you are allowed to select “Realtek HDA Pri-

mary output” to use Rear Speaker, Central/Bass, and Front Speaker, or select “Realtek HDA

Audio 2nd output” to use front panel audio.

*** eSATA3 connector supports SATA Gen3 in cable 1M.

2. Installation

This is an ATX form factor motherboard. Before you install the motherboard, study

the conguration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard ts into it.

Pre-installation Precautions

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard

components or change any motherboard settings.

Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the

power is switched off or the power cord is detached from the

power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the

motherboard, peripherals, and/or components.

1. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any

component.

2. To avoid damaging the motherboard components due to static elec-

tricity, NEVER place your motherboard directly on the carpet or the

like. Also remember to use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safety

grounded object before you handle components.

3. Hold components by the edges and do not touch the ICs.

4. Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded anti-

static pad or in the bag that comes with the component.

5. When placing screws into the screw holes to secure the mother-

board to the chassis, please do not over-tighten the screws! Doing

so may damage the motherboard.

2.1 CPU Installation

Step 1. Unlock the socket by lifting the lever up to a 90

angle.

Step 2. Position the CPU directly above the socket such that the CPU corner with

the golden triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle.

Step 3. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it ts in place.

The CPU ts only in one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU

into the socket to avoid bending of the pins.

Step 4. When the CPU is in place, press it rmly on the socket while you push

down the socket lever to secure the CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab

to indicate that it is locked.

Lever 90° Up

CPU Golden Triangle

STEP 1:

Lift Up The Socket Lever

STEP 2 / STEP 3:

Match The CPU Golden Triangle

To The Socket Corner Small

Triangle

Socker Corner

Small Triangle

STEP 4:

Push Down And Lock

The Socket Lever

2.2 Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink

After you install the CPU into this motherboard, it is necessary to install a

larger heatsink and cooling fan to dissipate heat. You also need to spray

thermal grease between the CPU and the heatsink to improve heat dis-

sipation. Make sure that the CPU and the heatsink are securely fastened

and in good contact with each other. Then connect the CPU fan to the

CPU FAN connector (CPU_FAN1, see Page 14, No. 4 or CPU_FAN2,

see Page 14, No. 5). For proper installation, please kindly refer to the

instruction manuals of the CPU fan and the heatsink.

2.3 Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM)

This motherboard provides four 240-pin DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) DIMM slots,

and supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. For dual channel conguration,

you always need to install identical (the same brand, speed, size and chip-type)

DDR3 DIMM pair in the slots. In other words, you have to install identical DDR3

DIMM pair in Dual Channel (DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1; see p.14 No.7) or identical

DDR3 DIMM pair in Dual Channel (DDR3_A2 and DDR3_B2; see p.14 No.8), so

that Dual Channel Memory Technology can be activated. This motherboard also

allows you to install four DDR3 DIMMs for dual channel conguration, and please

install identical DDR3 DIMMs in all four slots. You may refer to the Dual Channel

Memory Conguration Table below.

Dual Channel Memory Congurations

DDR3_A1 DDR3_A2 DDR3_B1 DDR3_B2

(Black Slot) (Black Slot) (Black Slot) (Black Slot)

(1) - Populated - Populated

(2) Populated - Populated -

(3)* Populated Populated Populated Populated

* For the conguration (3), please install identical DDR3 DIMMs in all four

slots.

1. Please install the memory module into DDR3_A2 and DDR3_B2

slots for the rst priority.

2. If you want to install two memory modules, for optimal compatibility

and reliability, it is recommended to install them either in the set

of DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1 slots, or in the set of DDR3_A2 and

DDR3_B2 slots.

3. If only one memory module or three memory modules are installed

in the DDR3 DIMM slots on this motherboard, it is unable to activate

the Dual Channel Memory Technology.

4. If a pair of memory modules is NOT installed in the same Dual

Cha nn el , for examp le , installi ng a p ai r of me mo ry modules in

DDR3_A1 and DDR3_A2, it is unable to activate the Dual Channel

Memory Technology .

5. It is not allowed to install a DDR or DDR2 memory module into

DDR3 slot; otherwise, this motherboard and DIMM may be dam-

aged.

6. If you adopt DDR3 2450/2100 memory modules on this mother-

board, it is recommended to install them on DDR3_A2 and DDR3_

B2 slots.

Installing a DIMM

Please make sure to disconnect power supply before adding or

removing DIMMs or the system components.

Step 1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the retaining clips outward.

Step 2. Align a DIMM on the slot such that the notch on the DIMM matches the

break on the slot.

notch break

notch

break

damage to the motherboard and the DIMM if you force the DIMM into

the slot at incorrect orientation.

The DIMM only ts in one correct orientation. It will cause permanent

Step 3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the slot until the retaining clips at both ends

fully snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.

2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)

There is 1 PCI slot and 5 PCI Express slots on this motherboard.

PCI Slot: PCI slot is used to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit PCI

interface.

PCIE Slots:

PCIE1 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width graphics

cards.

PCIE2 (PCIE x1 slot) is used for PCI Express cards with x1 lane width

cards, such as ASRock Game Blaster, Gigabit LAN card, SATA card.

PCIE3 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x4 lane width graphics

cards.

PCIE4 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width graphics

cards.

PCIE5 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x8 lane width graphics

cards.

PCIE1 PCIE2 PCIE3 PCIE4 PCIE5

Single Graphics Card x16 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Two Graphics Cards in x16 N/A N/A x16 N/A

CrossFireXTM or SLITM Mode

Three Graphics Cards in x16 N/A N/A x8 x8

3-Way CrossFireXTM or

3-Way SLITM Mode

PCIE Slot Congurations

1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Express

x16 graphics card in the PCIE1 slot.

2. In CrossFireXTM mode or SLITM mode, please install the PCI Express

x16 graphics cards in PCIE1 and PCIE4 slots. Both these two slots

will work at x16 bandwidth.

3. In 3-Way CrossFireXTM mode or 3-Way SLITM mode, please install the

PCI Express x16 graphics cards in PCIE1, PCIE4 and PCIE5 slots.

PCIE1 will work at x16 bandwidth, while PCIE4 and PCIE5 slots will

work at x8 bandwidth.

4. Please connect a chassis fan to the motherboard’s chassis fan

connector (CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN3) when using

multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment.

Installing an expansion card

Step 1. Before installing the expansion card, please make sure that the power

supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the

documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware

settings for the card before you start the installation.

Step 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed

in a chassis).

Step 3. Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the

screws for later use.

Step 4. Align the card connector with the slot and press rmly until the card is

completely seated on the slot.

Step 5. Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.

Step 6. Replace the system cover.

2.5 SLITM, 3-Way SLITM and Quad SLI

Operation Guide

This motherboard supports NVIDIA® SLITM, 3-Way SLITM and Quad SLITM (Scalable

Link Interface) technology that allows you to install up to three identical PCI Express

x16 graphics cards. Currently, NVIDIA® SLITM technology supports Windows® XP

/ XP 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / 8 / 8 64-bit OS. NVIDIA® 3-Way

SLI

and Quad SLITM technology support Windows® VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit / 7 / 7

64-bit / 8 / 8 64-bit OS only. Please follow the installation procedures in this section.

Requirements

1. For SLITM technology, you should have two identical SLITM-ready graphics

cards that are NVIDIA® certied. For 3-Way SLITM technology, you should

have three identical 3-Way SLITM-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA®

certied. For Quad SLITM technology, you should have two identical Quad

SLITM-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA® certied.

2. Make sure that your graphics card driver supports NVIDIA® SLITM technology.

Download the driver from NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.com).

3. Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the

minimum power required by your system. It is recommended to use

NVIDIA® certied PSU. Please refer to NVIDIA® website for details.

2.5.1 Graphics Card Setup

2.5.1.1 Installing Two SLITM-Ready Graphics Cards

Step 1. Install the identical SLITM-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA® certied

because different types of graphics cards will not work together properly.

(Even the GPU chips version shall be the same.) Insert one graphics card

into PCIE1 slot and the other graphics card to PCIE4 slot. Make sure that

the cards are properly seated on the slots.

Step2. If required, connect the auxiliary power source to the PCI Express graph-

ics cards.

Step3. Align and insert the ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card to the goldngers on

each graphics card. Make sure the ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card is rmly

in place.

ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card

Step4. Connect a VGA cable or a DVI cable to the monitor connector or the DVI

connector of the graphics card that is inserted to PCIE1 slot.

+ 54 hidden pages

ASRock 990FX Extreme9 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual