Asus Blitz Extreme User Manual

Blitz Extreme

Motherboard

E3152

First Edition V1 June 2007

No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the

product is defaced or missing.

ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or

copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

Contents

Notices ....................................................................................................... viii

Safety information ...................................................................................... ix

About this guide .......................................................................................... x

Blitz Extreme specications summary .................................................... xii

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 Package contents .........................................................................

1.3 Special features ............................................................................

1.3.1 ROG intelligent Performace & Overclocking features ....

1.3.2 ROG unique features .....................................................

1.3.3 Product highlights ...........................................................

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1

2.2 Motherboard overview .................................................................

2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................

2.2.2 Screw holes ....................................................................

2.2.3 Motherboard layout .........................................................

2.2.4 Audio card layout ............................................................

2.2.5 Layout contents ...............................................................

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................

2.3.1 Installing the CPU .........................................................

2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan ..............................

2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan .........................

2.4 System memory .........................................................................

2.4.1 Overview .......................................................................

2.4.2 Memory congurations ..................................................

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM ..........................................................

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................

2.5 Expansion slots ..........................................................................

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card .........................................

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card .....................................

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ...................................................

2.5.4 PCI slots ........................................................................

2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots .....................................................

1-1

1-2

1-4

1-7

2-5

2-6

2-7

2-9

2-10

2-12

2-14

2-16

2-17

2-19

2-20

2-21

2-22

iii

Contents

2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots ................................................... 2-22

2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................

2.7 EL I/O shield, LCD Poster

2.7.1 EL I/O shield and LCD Poster Installation .....................

2.7.2 Audio card Installation ...................................................

2.8 Connectors .................................................................................

2.8.1 Rear panel connectors ..................................................

2.8.2 Internal connectors .......................................................

2.8.3 Onboard switches .........................................................

2.8.4 Installing the optional fans ............................................

2.8.5 Installing the DIY Pedestal ............................................

Chapter 3: Powering up

3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-1

3.2 Turning off the computer .............................................................

3.2.1 Using the OS shut down function ....................................

3.2.2 Using the dual function power switch ..............................

Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1

4.1.1 ASUS Update utility ........................................................

4.1.2 Creating a bootable oppy disk .......................................

4.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ...................................................

4.1.4 AFUDOS utility ................................................................

4.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ......................................

4.2 BIOS setup program ....................................................................

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen ........................................................

4.2.2 Menu bar .......................................................................

4.2.3 Navigation keys .............................................................

4.2.4 Menu items ....................................................................

4.2.5 Sub-menu items .............................................................

4.2.6 Conguration elds ........................................................

4.2.7 Pop-up window ..............................................................

4.2.8 Scroll bar ........................................................................

4.2.9 General help ..................................................................

4.3 Main menu ..................................................................................

and Audio card Installation ........... 2-24

2-23

2-24

2-25

2-26

2-29

2-38

2-39

2-41

3-2

4-1

4-4

4-5

4-6

4-8

4-9

4-10

4-11

4-12

Contents

4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] ................................................. 4-12

4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] .......................................

4.3.3 Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.] .................................

4.3.4 Language [English] .......................................................

4.3.5

4.3.6 SATA Conguration .......................................................

4.3.7 AHCI Conguration .......................................................

4.3.8 System Information .......................................................

4.4 Extreme Tweaker menu .............................................................

4.4.1 Ai Overclocking [Auto] ...................................................

PCIE Frequency [Auto] ................................................................ 4-18

DRAM Frequency [Auto] .............................................................. 4-18

DRAM Timing Control [Auto] ........................................................ 4-18

Loadline Calibration [Auto] ........................................................... 4-20

FSB Termination Voltage [Auto] ................................................... 4-20

DRAM Voltage [Auto] ................................................................... 4-21

South Bridge Voltage [Auto] ......................................................... 4-21

PLL Voltage [Auto] ....................................................................... 4-21

NB LED Selection [NB Volt] ......................................................... 4-22

SB LED Selection [PLL Volt] ........................................................ 4-22

4.5 Advanced menu .........................................................................

4.5.1 Ai Net 2 .........................................................................

4.5.2 USB Conguration ........................................................

4.5.3 CPU Conguration ........................................................

4.5.4 Chipset ..........................................................................

4.5.5 OnBoard Devices Conguration ...................................

4.5.6 PCI PnP ........................................................................

4.6 Power menu ................................................................................

4.6.1 Suspend Mode [Auto] ...................................................

4.6.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume [Disabled] .......................

4.6.3 ACPI 2.0 Support [Enabled] ..........................................

4.6.4 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled] .......................................

4.6.5 APM Conguration ........................................................

4.6.6 Hardware Monitor .........................................................

4.7 Boot menu ..................................................................................

SATA 1-6 ..........................................................................................4-13

4-12

4-14

4-15

4-16

4-17

4-22

4-23

4-25

4-26

4-27

4-28

4-29

4-30

4-31

4-35

Contents

4.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-35

4.7.2 Boot Settings Conguration ..........................................

4.7.3 Security .........................................................................

4.8 Tools menu .................................................................................

4.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ..........................................................

4.8.2 ASUS O.C. Prole .........................................................

4.9 Exit menu ....................................................................................

Chapter 5: Software support

5.1 Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1

5.2 Support DVD information ............................................................

5.2.1 Running the support DVD ...............................................

5.2.2 Drivers menu ...................................................................

5.2.3 Utilities menu ..................................................................

5.2.4 Make disk menu ..............................................................

5.2.5 Manual menu ..................................................................

5.2.6 ASUS Contact information ..............................................

5.2.7 Other information ............................................................

5.3 Software information ...................................................................

5.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3™ ...........................................................

5.3.2 AI NET2 .........................................................................

5.3.3 ASUS PC Probe II .........................................................

5.3.4 ASUS AI Suite ...............................................................

5.3.5 ASUS AI Gear 2 ............................................................

5.3.6 ASUS AI Nap ................................................................

5.3.7 ASUS AI N.O.S. ............................................................

5.3.8 ASUS Q-Fan Plus .........................................................

5.3.9 ASUS AI Booster ...........................................................

5.3.10 SoundMAX

5.4 RAID congurations ..................................................................

5.4.1 RAID denitions ............................................................

5.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks .....................................

5.4.3 Intel

5.4.4 JMicron

5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk .......................................................

5.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS ....

High Denition Audio utility ....................... 5-25

RAID congurations ............................................. 5-31

RAID Conguration ........................................ 5-39

4-36

4-37

4-39

4-40

4-41

5-1

5-2

5-3

5-5

5-6

5-7

5-9

5-11

5-12

5-18

5-20

5-21

5-22

5-23

5-24

5-30

5-31

5-47

5.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows

Chapter 6: ATI

CrossFire™ technology support

® ......................................

5-47

6.1 Overview ....................................................................................... 6-1

6.1.1 Requirements ..................................................................

6.1.2 Before you begin .............................................................

6.2 Installing CrossFire™ graphics cards .......................................

6.3 Software information ...................................................................

6.3.1 Installing the device drivers .............................................

6.3.2 Using the Catalyst™ Control Center ...............................

6-1

6-2

6-5

6-7

Appendix: CPU features

A.1 Intel® EM64T ..................................................................................A-1

A.2 Enhanced Intel SpeedStep

A.2.1 System requirements ......................................................

A.2.2 Using the EIST ................................................................

A.3 Intel

Hyper-Threading Technology ...........................................A-3

A.4 Debug Code Table ........................................................................

Technology (EIST) ........................A-1

A-1

A-2

A-4

vii

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

•

This device may not cause harmful interference, and

•

This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

•

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

•

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

•

Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

•

Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is

required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modications

to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.

This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

viii

Safety information

Electrical safety

•

To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the

electrical outlet before relocating the system.

•

When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.

•

Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged.

•

Seek professional assistance before using an adpater or extension cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.

•

Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company.

•

If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied service technician or your retailer.

Operation safety

•

Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package.

•

Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.

•

To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.

•

Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area where it may become wet.

•

Place the product on a stable surface.

•

If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualied

service technician or your retailer.

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring

the motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports.

• Chapter 2: Hardware information

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

• Chapter 3: Powering up

This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down the system.

• Chapter 4: BIOS setup

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

• Chapter 5: Software support

This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package and the software.

• Chapter 6: ATI CrossFire™ support

This chapter describes the ATI CrossFire™ feature and shows the graphics card installation procedures.

• Appendix: CPU features

The Appendix describes the CPU features and technologies that the motherboard supports as well as the debug code table for the LCD Poster.

Where to nd more information

Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.

1. ASUS websites

The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

2. Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty

yers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not

part of the standard package.

Conventions used in this guide

To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.

DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself

when trying to complete a task.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components

when trying to complete a task.

IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a

task.

NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a

task.

Typography

Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign

means that you must press the enclosed key.

Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or Return key.

<Key1+Key2+Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the

key names are linked with a plus sign (+).

Example: <Ctrl+Alt+D>

Command Means that you must type the command exactly

as shown, then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets.

Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line:

afudos /i[lename]

afudos /iBlitz-Extreme.ROM

Blitz Extreme specications summary

CPU LGA775 socket for Intel® Core™2 Quad /

Chipset Intel® P35 / ICH9R with Intel® Fast Memory Access

System Bus 1333 / 1066 / 800 MHz

Memory 4 x DIMM, max. 8GB, DDR3 1333* / 1066 / 800 MHz,

Expansion Slots 2 x PCI Express x16 slots (support dual graphics

CrossFire™ Technology Support ATI CrossFire™ graphics cards (both at x8

Storage Southbridge

LAN Dual Gigabit LAN controllers, both featuring AI NET2

High Denition Audio SupremeFX II Audio Card

IEEE 1394 VIA 6308P 1394a controller supports 2 x 1394a ports

USB 12 x USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at back

Core™2 Extreme / Core™2 Duo / Pentium® Extreme / Pentium® D / Pentium® 4 / Celeron® D Processors Support Intel® next generation 45nm Multi-Core CPU Compatible with Intel® 06/05B/05A processors * Refer to www.asus.com for Intel CPU support list

Technology

non-ECC, un-buffered memory Dual channel memory architecture * This chipset ofcially supports the memory frequency up to DDR3 1066MHz. Tuned by ASUS Super Memspeed Technology, this motherboard natively supports up to DDR3 1333. Refer to www.asus.com or user manual for Memory QVL (Qualied Vendor List).

solution) 3 x PCI Express x1 (PCIEx1_1 is compatible with the audio slot.) 2 x PCI 2.2

mode)

- 6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports

- Intel Matrix Storage Technology supports RAID 0, 1, 10, 5.

JMicron® JMB363 PATA and SATA controller

- 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices

- 2 x External SATA 3.0 Gb/s port (SATA On-the-Go)

- ADI 1988B 8-channel High Denition Audio CODEC

- Noise Filter Coaxial / Optical S/PDIF out ports at back I/O

(one at midboard; one at back I/O)

panel)

(continued on the next page)

xii

Blitz Extreme specications summary

ASUS Exclusive Overclocking features

ASUS Special Features Fusion Block System

Back Panel I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard (purple)

Internal I/O Connectors 3 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0

Crosslinx technology Extreme Tweaker Loadline Calibration Intelligent overclocking tools:

- CPU level up

- AI NOS™ (Non-delay Overclocking System)

- AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)

- AI Booster Utility

- O.C. Prole Overclocking protection:

- COP EX (Component Overheat Protection -EX)

- Voltiminder LED

- ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)

LCD Poster EL I/O Onboard Switches: Power / Reset / Clr CMOS Q-Connector Q-Fan Plus ASUS EZ Flash2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS3 ASUS MyLogo3™ Multi-Language BIOS

1 x S/PDIF Out (Coaxial + Optical) 2 x External SATA 2 x LAN (RJ45) port 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x IEEE1394a port 1 x Clr CMOS switch

ports 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x IDE connector for two devices 6 x SATA connectors 8 x Fan connectors (1 x CPU/ 1 x Power/ 4 x Chassis/ 2 x Optional) 2 x Thermal sensor connectors 1 x IEEE1394a connector 1 x S/PDIF Out connector 1 x Chassis Intrusion connector 24-pin ATX Power connector 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector 1 x En/Dis-able Clr CMOS 1 x EL I/O Shield connector 1 x System panel connector 1 x LCD poster connector

(continued on the next page)

xiii

Blitz Extreme specications summary

BIOS Features 16 Mb AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.4,

Manageability WOL by PME, Chassis Intrusion, PXE

Accessories Fusion Block System Accessory

Software The hottest 3D game: S.T.A.L.K.E.R

Form Factor ATX Form Factor, 12”x 9.6” (30.5cm x 24.5cm)

ACPI 2.0a Multi-Language BIOS

ASUS Optional Fan DIY Pedestal 3 in 1 ASUS Q-connector kit UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable Floppy disk drive cable Serial ATA cables Serial ATA power cables 2-port USB2.0 module IEEE1394a module EL I/O Shield Thermal sensor cables Cable ties User's manual

Support DVD: Drivers ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update ASUS AI Suite Futuremark® 3DMark® 06 Advanced Edition Kaspersky Anti-Virus software

*Specications are subject to change without notice.

xiv

This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.

Product

introduction

Chapter summary

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 Package contents .........................................................................

1.3 Special features ............................................................................

1-1

1-2

ASUS Blitz Extreme

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® Blitz Extreme motherboard!

The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it

another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!

Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below.

1.2 Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard ASUS Blitz Extreme

I/O modules USB 2.0 module IEEE 1394a module

Cables Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable Floppy disk drive cable Serial ATA cables Serial ATA power cables Thermal sensor cables

Accessories Fusion Block System Accessory EL I /O shield LCD Poster ASUS Optional Fan 3-in-1 ASUS Q-Connector Kit Cable ties DIY Pedestal

DVD/CD ASUS motherboard support DVD The hottest game: S.T.A.L.K.E.R

Documentation User guide

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

ASUS Blitz Extreme 1-1

1.3 Special features

1.3.1 ROG intelligent Performace & Overclocking features

Crosslinx

Crosslinx is a unique technology utilizing a dedicated special graphics controller to optimize PCIe allocation with dual x8 lanes. Such architecture eliminates the x4

bottleneck found on competing x16, x4 solutions. Hence, the Crosslinx is able to provide faster graphics performance.

Fusion Block System

Building on the ROG unique heatpipe, the Fusion Block System (FBS) provides dual paths to cool down the motherboard. Users will be able to connect the FBS with the watercooling circuit.

Component Overheat Protection -EX (COP EX)

When the temperature of Northbridge and Southbridge reaches the limit of

specications, the motherboard will automatically shut down to protect NB and SB

from burning.

Voltiminder LED

The voltage warning LED uses green, yellow, and red light on the motherboard to highlight the voltage status of each respecitve component (CPU, memory, NB, SB).

2-Phase DDR3

The 2-phase DDR3 supplies stable power to memory in turns. Each phase only shoulders half of the loading compared with the only one phase power module.

8 phase DrMOS power

The DrMOS, the next generation of CPU power module, provides higher efciency

for energy saving and higher quality power supply to the processor. With thtis latest technology, this motherboard allows users to reach the highest overclock frequency and to have the most stable platform.

Super Memspeed Technology

To attain top performance, ASUS has managed to break through current FSB

and DRAM ratio proportions by utilizing Super Memspeed Technology- the latest

technology that provides even more precise overclocking options to unleash

the true potential of DDR3 memory. Native DDR3 1333 maximizes system

performance by eliminating the bottleneck when overclocking both the CPU and the memory- providing great performance for 3D graphics and other memory demanding applications.

1-2 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Loadline Calibration

The Loadline calibration ensures stable and optimal CPU voltage when heavy loading.

Extreme Tweaker

This feature allows you to ne tune the CPU/memory voltage and gradually increase the memory Front Side Bus (FSB) and PCI Express frequency at 1MHz

increment to achieve maximum system performance.

AI NOS™ (Non-Delay Overclocking System)

The patented ASUS Non-delay Overclocking System™ (AI NOS™) technology auto-detects the CPU loading and dynamically overclocks the CPU speed when needed. Unlike other dynamic overclocking techniques, AI NOS™ reacts much faster to satisfy your need for speed. See page 4-17 and 5-22 for details.

AI Booster

The ASUS AI Booster allows you to overclock the CPU speed in Windows environment without the hassle of booting the BIOS.

ASUS O.C. Prole

The motherboard features the ASUS O.C. Prole that allows users to conveniently

store or load multiple BIOS settings. The BIOS settings can be stored in the

CMOS or a separate le, giving users freedom to share and distribute their favorite

settings. See page 4-40 for details.

C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)

The C.P.R. feature of the motherboard BIOS allows automatic re-setting to the BIOS default settings in case the system hangs due to overclocking. When the system hangs due to overclocking, C.P.R. eliminates the need to open the system chassis and clear the RTC data. Simply shut down and reboot the system, and the BIOS automatically restores the CPU default setting for each parameter.

ASUS Blitz Extreme 1-3

1.3.2 ROG unique features

Supreme FX II features

Supreme FX II extends all the features of the 1st generation and places a shielding to enhancethe sound quality. It also lights up the model name with stylish LEDs.

Noise Filter

This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises (non-voice signals) like computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates it in the incoming audio stream while recording. See page 5-29 for details.

LCD Poster

The LCD Poster uses an external panel to smartly display the error message of the physical system during the Power-On Self Test (POST) to inform you the boot error instead of the “code name.”

Onboard Switches

A power-on button, a reset button, and a clear CMOS button are onboard to

provide overclockers and gamers the convenience of ne-tuning performance

when working on a bare (open-case) system. Press the power-on button to wake up the system, the reset button to reboot, and the clear CMOS button to clear setup information when the system hangs due to overclocking. See page 2-38 for details.

ASUS Q-Fan plus technology

The ASUS Q-Fan plus technology smartly adjusts the CPU and chassis fan

1 speeds according to the system loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efcient

operation. See pages 4-32 and 5-23 for details.

Optional Fan

The optional fan is specically designed to provide sufcient airow over the CPU power modules and chipset area when water-cooling or passive-cooling is utilized,

ensuring effective heat dissipation for the entire system. See page 2-39 for details.

(for water-cooling/passive-cooling only)

ASUS Multi-language BIOS

The multi-language BIOS allows you to select the language of your choice from the

available options. The localized BIOS menus allow easier and faster conguration.

See page 4-12 for details.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

ASUS MyLogo3

This new feature present in the motherboard allows you to personalize and add style to your system with customizable boot logos. See page 5-9 for details.

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

ASUS Quiet Thermal solution makes system more stable and enhances the overclocking capability.

AI Gear 2

AI Gear 2 allows you to choose from proles to adjust CPU frequency and vCore voltage, minimizing system noise and saving 50% power consumption

at most. You can real-time chnage the mode under operating system to suit your needs. See page 5-20 for details.

AI Nap

With AI Nap, the system can continue running at minimum power and noise when you are temporarily away. To wake the system and return to the OS environment, simply click the mouse or press a key. See page 5-21 for details.

8-Phase Power Design

The ASUS 8-Phase Power Design provides highly efcient operation to

generate less heat (at least 15°C (59°F)) than other conventional power solutions. It reduces input ripple current and output ripple voltage, which keeps CPU and power module from suffering the risk of high power stress. It has the advantages of quick transient response and stability, especially

benecial when CPU requires more current immediately under heavy loading

or overclocking mode.

Fanless Design - Stack Cool 2

ASUS Stack Cool 2 is a fan-less and zero-noise cooling solution that lowers

the temperature of critical heat generating components. The motherboard uses a special design on the printed circuit board (PCB) to dissipate heat these critical components generate.

ASUS EZ DIY

ASUS EZ DIY feature collection provides you easy ways to install computer components, update the BIOS or back up your favorite settings.

ASUS Blitz Extreme 1-5

ASUS Q-Connector

ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily connect or disconnect the chassis front panel cables to the motherboard. This unique module eliminates the trouble of connecting the system panel cables one at a time and avoiding wrong cable connections. See page 2-37 for details.

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 allows users to restore corrupted BIOS data

from a USB ash disk containing the BIOS le. See page 4-8 for details.

ASUS EZ Flash 2

EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply press the predened

hotkey to launch the utility and update the BIOS without entering the OS. Update your BIOS easily without preparing a bootable diskette or using an

OS-based ash utility. See pages 4-5 and 4-39 for details.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

1.3.3 Product highlights

Green ASUS

This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Restriction

on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line with the ASUS vision

of creating environment-friendly and recyclable products/packaging to safeguard

consumers’ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.

Intel® Quad-core Processor Ready

This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Quad-core processors in the LGA775 package. It is excellent for multi-tasking, multi-media and enthusiastic gamers. Intel® Quad-core processor is one of the most powerful CPU in the world.

Intel® Core™2 Duo/ Intel® Core™2 Extreme CPU support

This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Core™2 processor in the LGA775 package. With the new Intel® Core™ microarchitecture technology and 1333/ 1066

/ 800 MHz FSB, the Intel® Core™2 is one of the most powerful and energy efcient

CPUs in the world.

Intel P35 Chipset

The Intel® P35 Express Chipset is the latest chipset designed to support 8GB of dual-channel DDR3 1066/800 architecture, 1333/1066/800 FSB (Front Side Bus), PCI Express x16 graphics and multi-core CPU. It especially includes Intel®

Fast Memory Access technology that signicantly optimizes the use of available

memory bandwidth and reduces the latency of the memory accesses.

DDR3 memory support

The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 1066

/ 800 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics,

multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance.

Furthermore, this motherboard does not restrict the memory size across two channels. Users may install different memory size DIMMs into the two channels

and enjoy dual-channel and single-channel functions at the same time. This new

feature optimizes the use of available memory size.

ASUS Blitz Extreme 1-7

Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s technology and SATA-On-The-Go

This motherboard supports the next-generation hard drives based on the Serial ATA

(SATA) 3Gb/s storage specication, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling

the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. The external SATA port located at the back I/O provides smart setup and hot-plug functions. Easily backup photos, videos and other entertainment contents to external devices. See page 2-27 for details.

Dual RAID solution

The Intel® P35 chipset incorporates six Serial ATA connectors with high performance RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10 functions. Making this motherboard an ideal solution to enhance hard disk performance and data back up protection without the cost of add-on cards. See page 2-30 for details.

IEEE 1394a support

The IEEE 1394a interface provides high speed digital interface for audio/video appliances such as digital television, digital video camcorders, storage peripherals & other PC portable devices. See pages 2-28 and 2-32 for details.

S/PDIF digital sound ready

This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio systems via coaxial and optical S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface) jacks. It allows to transfer digital audio without converting to analog format and keeps the best signal quality. See pages 2-28 and 2-35 for details.

Dual Gigabit LAN solution

The integrated dual Gigabit LAN design allows a PC to serve as a network gateway

for managing trafc between two separate networks. This capability ensures rapid

transfer of data from WAN to LAN without any added arbitration or latency. See page 2-26 for details.

High Denition Audio

Enjoy high-end sound quality on your PC! The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Denition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multi-

streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphone while playing multi-channel network games. See pages 2-27 for details.

1-8 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the jumpers and connectors on the motherboard.

information

Hardware

Chapter summary

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1

2.2 Motherboard overview .................................................................

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................

2.4 System memory .........................................................................

2.5 Expansion slots ..........................................................................

2.6 Jumper ........................................................................................

2.7 EL I/O, LCD Poster and Audio card Installation ......................

2.8 Connectors .................................................................................

2-5

2-9

2-16

2-20

2-23

2-24

2-26

ASUS Blitz Extreme

2.1 Before you proceed

BLITZ EXTREME

BLITZ EXTREME CPU LED

CPU_CRAZY CPU_HIGH CPU_NORMAL

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.

• Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.

• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.

• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component.

• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply 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.

Onboard LEDs

The motherboard comes with LEDs that indicate the voltage conditions of CPU, memory, northbridge, southbridge and FSB frenquency. You may adjust the voltages in BIOS. There are also an LED for hard disk drive activity and an onboard switch for power status. For more information on voltage adjustment, refer to 4.4 Extreme Tweaker menu

1. CPU LED

Refer to the illustration below for the location of the CPU LED and the table

below for LED denition.

CPU Voltage

ASUS Blitz Extreme 2-1

Normal (green) High (yellow) Crazy (red)

1.10000~1.50000 1.51250~1.69375 1.70000~1.90000

2. Memory LED

BLITZ EXTREME

BLITZ EXTREME DDR LED

DDR_CRAZY DDR_HIGH DDR_NORMAL

BLITZ EXTREME

BLITZ EXTREME North/South Bridge LED

NB_CRAZY NB_HIGH NB_NORMAL

SB_CRAZY SB_HIGH SB_NORMAL

Refer to the illustration below for the location of the memory LED and the

table below for LED denition.

Normal (green) High (yellow) Crazy (red)

DRAM Voltage

1.80~2.20 2.22~2.60 2.62~3.40

3. Northbridge/Southbridge LEDs

Northbridge and southbridge LEDs each have two different voltage displays.

The northbridge LED displays either the 1.25V NB voltage or the 1.20V FSB termination voltage. The southbridge LED shows either the 1.50V CPU PLL voltage or the 1.05V SB voltage. You can select the voltage to display in BIOS. Refer to the illustration below for the location of the northbridge/

southbridge LEDs and the table below for LED denition.

Normal (green) High (yellow) Crazy (red)

North Bridge Voltage

FSB Termination Voltage

PLL Voltage

South Bridge Voltage

2-2 Chapter 2: Hardware information

1.25~1.59 1.61~1.83 1.85~2.03

1.20~1.40 1.42~1.60 1.62~1.80

1.50~1.60 1.62~1.80 1.82~2.00

1.050~1.125 1.150~1.175 1.200~1.225

BLITZ EXTREME

BLITZ EXTREME Frequency LED

Fast Default

4. FSB frenquency LED

There are ve LEDs that light up to indicate the level of FSB frequency. One

lit blue LED suggests that the frequency is low (default), while ve lit blue

LEDs shows that the frequency is high (fast). Refer to the illustration below for the location of the FSB frenquency LEDs and the table below for LED

denition.

CPU FSB

200MHz

CPU FSB

266MHz

CPU FSB

333MHz

200-299

(Default)

266-299

(Default)

333-399

(Default)

300-399

(Overclocking)

400-499

(Overclocking)

500-599

(Overclocking)

2 3 4 5

300-399

(Overclocking)

400-499

(Overclocking)

500-599

(Overclocking)

2 3 4 5

400-499

(Overclocking)

500-549

(Overclocking)

550-599

(Overclocking)

2 3 4 5

600~

(Overclocking)

(Fast)

600~

(Overclocking)

(Fast)

600~

(Overclocking)

(Fast)

ASUS Blitz Extreme 2-3

BLITZ EXTREME

BLITZ EXTREME Hard Disk LED

HD_LED

5. Hard Disk LED

BLITZ EXTREME

BLITZ EXTREME Power on switch

The HD LED is designed for indication of the hard disk activity. It blinks when

the data is written into or read from the hard disk drive. It stays unlit if there is no hard disk connected to the motherboard or the hard disk does not function.

6. Power LED

The motherboard comes with a power-on switch as the standby power LED.

The swtich lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a reminder that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard poweron switch.

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware information

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