ASUS P9D-X, E7959 User Manual

P9D-X

Motherboard

E7959
First Edition

April 2013

Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted,

transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means,
except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission
of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless
such repair, modification 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 identification or explanation and to the
owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.

ii

Contents

Notices ......................................................................................................................vii

Federal Communications Commission Statement .........................................vii

Canadian Department of Communications Statement ...................................vii

REACH ......................................................................................................

Safety information ....................................................................................................

Electrical safety ............................................................................................. viii

Operation safety ............................................................................................ viii

Australia statement notice ...............................................................................ix

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

How this guide is organized ............................................................................ x

Where to find more information ....................................................................... x

P9D-X Specications Summary ............................................................................... xii

Chapter 1: Product Introduction

1.1 Welcome! .................................................................................................... 1-3

1.2 Package contents

1.3 Serial number label ....................................................................................

1.4 Special features

1.4.1 Product highlights

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features ...........................................................

....................................................................................... 1-3

.......................................................................................... 1-4

........................................................................ 1-4

Chapter 2: Hardware Information

2.1 Before you proceed ...................................................................................2-3

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

2.2.1 Placement direction

2.2.2 Screw holes

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

2.2.4 Layout contents ...........................................................................

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

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

2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink .......................................................

2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan

2.3.4 Installing the CPU heatsink in rack ...........................................

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

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

2.4.2 Memory Configurations .............................................................

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM on a single clip DIMM socket

..................................................................... 2-4

................................................................................. 2-4

...................................... 2-12

........................ 2-15

vii

viii

1-4

1-6

2-4

2-5

2-6

2-8

2-8

2-11

2-13

2-14

2-14

2-14

x

iii

Contents

2.5 Expansion slots........................................................................................2-16

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card

2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card .................................................

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments

2.5.4 PCI Express x16 slot (x16 link) .................................................

2.5.5 PCI Express x8 slot (x4 link) .....................................................

2.5.6 PCI slot

2.5.7 Installing the Audio card ............................................................

2.5.8 Connecting the Thermal sensor cable ......................................

2.6 Onboard LEDs ..........................................................................................

2.7 Jumpers .................................................................................................... 2-23

2.8 Connectors ............................................................................................... 2-26

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

2.8.2 Internal connectors

...................................................................................... 2-18

Chapter 3: Powering Up

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

3.2 Powering off the computer

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

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

........................................................................ 3-4

Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS .......................................................... 4-3

4.1.1 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility

4.1.2 ASUS EzFlash Utility

4.1.3 BUPDATER utility ........................................................................

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

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

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

4.2.3 Menu items

4.2.4 Submenu items ...........................................................................

4.2.5 Navigation keys ...........................................................................

4.2.6 General help

4.2.7 Configuration fields .....................................................................

4.2.8 Pop-up window

4.2.9 Scroll bar .....................................................................................

.................................................................................. 4-9

................................................................................ 4-9

............................................................................ 4-9

...................................................... 2-16

................................................................ 2-17

.................................................................... 2-27

................................................... 4-3

................................................................... 4-4

2-16

2-18

2-18

2-19

2-20

2-21

2-26

3-4

3-4

4-5

4-7

4-8

4-8

4-9

4-9

4-9

4-9

iv

Contents

4.3 Main menu ................................................................................................4-10

4.3.1 System Date

4.3.2 System Time .............................................................................

4.4 Advanced menu .......................................................................................

4.4.1 CPU Configuration ....................................................................

4.4.2 PCH-IO Configuration ...............................................................

4.4.3 SATA Configuration ...................................................................

4.4.4 System Agent (SA) Configuration .............................................

4.4.5 PCI Subsystem Settings ...........................................................

4.4.6 USB Configuration ....................................................................

4.4.7 TPM

4.4.8 ACPI Settings ............................................................................

4.4.9 WHEA Support ..........................................................................

4.4.10 NCT6779D Super IO Configuration ..........................................

4.4.11 Intel

4.4.12 Onboard LAN Configuration ......................................................

4.4.13 MIO Card Configuration ............................................................

4.4.14 Serial Port Console Redirection ................................................

4.4.15 Runtime Error Logging Support ................................................

4.4.16 APM ..........................................................................................

4.4.17 Network Stack ...........................................................................

4.4.18 Intel RC Drivers Version Detail

4.5 Event Logs menu .....................................................................................

4.6 Boot menu ................................................................................................

4.7 Monitor menu ...........................................................................................

4.8 Security ..................................................................................................... 4-36

4.9 Tool menu .................................................................................................

4.10 Exit menu ..................................................................................................

............................................................................. 4-10

........................................................................................... 4-22

Server Platform Services ................................................... 4-24

.................................................. 4-30

4-10

4-11

4-12

4-15

4-16

4-17

4-19

4-21

4-22

4-23

4-23

4-25

4-25

4-26

4-29

4-29

4-30

4-31

4-32

4-35

4-39

4-39

Chapter 5: RAID Conguration 5-1

5.1 Setting up RAID .......................................................................................... 5-3

5.1.1 RAID definitions ..........................................................................

5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives ............................................................

5.1.3 Setting the RAID mode in BIOS ..................................................

5.1.4 RAID configuration utilities ..........................................................

5-3

5-4

5-4

5-4

v

Contents

5.2 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology enterprise

SATA Option ROM Utility ...........................................................................

5.2.1 Creating a RAID set ....................................................................

5.2.2 Deleting a RAID set

5.2.3 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ......................................................

5.2.4 Exiting the Intel

SATA Option ROM utility ...........................................................

5.2.5 Rebuilding the RAID

5.2.6 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility ........................

5.3 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology enterprise (Windows) ...................... 5-13

5.3.1 Creating a RAID set ..................................................................

5.3.2 Changing a Volume Type ..........................................................

5.3.3 Deleting a volume .....................................................................

5.3.4 Preferences ...............................................................................

Chapter 6: Driver installation

6.1 RAID driver installation .............................................................................6-3

6.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk

6.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver

6.2 Management applications and utilities installation ................................

6.3 Running the Support DVD ........................................................................

6.4 Installing the LAN driver

6.5 Installing the VGA driver .........................................................................

6.7 Installing the Intel

®

I210 Gigabit Adapter driver .................................... 6-23

..................................................................... 5-8

®

Rapid Storage Technology enterprise

.................................................................. 5-10

......................................................... 6-3

............................................. 6-5

.......................................................................... 6-15

5-5

5-6

5-9

5-10

5-12

5-14

5-16

5-17

5-18

6-7

6-7

6-20

Appendix A: Reference Information

A.1 P9D-X block diagram ................................................................................ A-3

ASUS contact information ..........................................................................................

vi

1

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 modifications 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.

REACH

Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of
Chemicals) regulatory framework, we publish the chemical substances in our products at
ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

vii

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 adapter 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 fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified 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 qualified service

•
technician or your retailer.

viii

DO NOT

throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to
enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin
indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in
municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.

DO NOT

throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste. This symbol
of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal
waste.

Australia statement notice

From 1 January 2012 updated warranties apply to all ASUS products, consistent with
the Australian Consumer Law. For the latest product warranty details please visit http://
support.asus.com. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the
Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and
compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled
to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the
failure does not amount to a major failure.

If you require assistance please call ASUS Customer Service 1300 2787 88 or visit us at
http://support.asus.com

ix

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the
motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This user guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technologies 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: RAID conguration

This chapter provides instructions for setting up, creating, and configuring RAID sets
using the available utilities.

• Chapter 6: Driver installation

This chapter provides instructions for installing the necessary drivers for different

system components.

• Appendix: Reference information

This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when configuring
the motherboard.

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 flyers,
that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the
standard package.

x

Conventions used in this guide

To ensure 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

Italics

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

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

Command

Indicates a menu or an item to select.
Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

that you must press the enclosed key.

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

names are linked with a plus sign (+).

Example: <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Del>
Means that you must type the command exactly as shown,
then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets.

Example: At DOS prompt, type the command line:

format A:/S

xi

P9D-X Specications Summary

Processor Support / System Bus

Intel® Xeon® processor E3-1200 v3 product family
Intel® Core™ i3 Processor Family*

1 x Socket LGA1150

Core Logic

Form Factor

ASUS Features

Memory

Expansion
Slots
(follow SSI
Location
number)

Fan Speed Control

Rack Ready
(Rack and Pedestal
dual use)

ASWM Enterprise

Total Slots

Capacity

Memory Type

Total PCI/PCI-E Slots

Slot Location 1

Slot Location 2

Slot Location 3

Slot Location 4

Slot Location 5

Slot Location 6

Slot Location 7

Intel® C222 Chipset

ATX, 12 in. x 9.6 in.

4 (2 Channels)

Maximum up to 32GB

DDR3 1333/1600 ECC UDIMM

6

1 x PCI 32bit/33 MHz

1 x PCI 32bit/33 MHz

1 x PCI 32bit/33 MHz

1 x PCI-E x8 (x4 Gen2 link)

-

1 x PCI-E x16 (x16 Gen3 link)

MIO slot

Intel® C222:

Storage

SATA Controller

- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s ports

- 2 x SATA 6Gb/s ports

- Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Enterprise
(RSTe) supports software RAID 0, 1, 10, & 5
(Windows)

* Refer to www.asus.com for the complete list of supported CPUs.

(continued on the next page)

xii

Networking
Graphic

Onboard I/O
Connectors

Rear I/O
Connectors

Management
Solution

Monitoring

Environment

LAN

VGA

TPM Header

PSU Connector

SATA DOM Power
Connector

USB Connector/
Header

Fan Header

Chassis Intruder

Front LAN LED

Serial Port Header
VGA Header

External Serial Port

External USB Port

VGA Port

RJ-45

PS/2 KB/Mouse

Software

CPU Temperature

FAN RPM

2 x Intel® I210AT

Aspeed AST1300 64MB
1
24-pin ATX power connector +

8-pin ATX 12V power connector

4-pin power connector

2 x USB 2.0 pin header (up to 4 devices)
1 x USB 2.0 connector (Type A USB socket)

5 x 4 pin headers
1
2
1

1
1
2 x USB 3.0

2 x USB 2.0
1
2 x GbE LAN
1

ASWM Enterprise

Operation temperature:

10oC – 35oC (50oF – 95oF)

Non operation temperature:

-40oC – 70oC (-40oF – 158oF)

Non operation humidity:

20% – 90% (Non condensing)

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

xiii

xiv

Chapter 1:
Product Introduction

Chapter summary

1

This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports. This
chapter contains the following sections:

1.1 Welcome! .................................................................................................... 1-3

1.2 Package contents

1.3 Serial number label ....................................................................................

1.4 Special features

....................................................................................... 1-3

1-4

.......................................................................................... 1-4

ASUS P9D-X

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® P9D-X 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.

Items Standard Gift Box Pack Standard Bulk Pack

I/O Shield

Cables

Application CD

Documentation
Accessory
Packaging Qty.

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

SATA DOM Power cable
SATA 3G cable
SATA 6G cable
Support CD
ASWM Enterprise SDVD

Motherboard User Guide

Metal Plate for LGA1150

1
1 -­4
2
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1

1 pc per carton 10 pcs per carton

1

--

--

ASUS P9D-X

1-3

1.3 Serial number label

Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must take note of the
motherboard's serial number containing 12 characters
below. With the correct serial number of the product, ASUS Technical Support team members
can then offer a quicker and satisfying solution to your problems.

xxS2xxxxxxxx

shown as the figure

P9D-X

xxS2xxxxxxxx

Made

in

China

合格

1.4 Special features

1.4.1 Product highlights

Latest processor technology

This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1200 v3/ CoreTM i3 series
in LGA1150 package, which has memory and PCI Express controller integrated to support
2-channel (4 DIMMs) DDR3 memory and 16 PCI Express 3.0 lanes. The Intel® Xeon®
E3-1200 v3 have improve CPU performance and integrated voltage regulators making it one
of the most powerful and energy efficient CPU in the world.

Intel® Turbo Boost

Intel® Turbo Boost automatically allows the processor to run faster than the marked frequency
if the processor is operating below its power, current, and temperature specification
limits. This technology increases performance of both multi-threaded and single-threaded
workloads.

Intel® Hyper Threading

The thread-level parallelism on each processor makes more efficient use of the processor
resources, higher processing throughout and improved performance on today's multi­threaded software.

Intel® EM64T

The motherboard supports Intel® processors with the Intel® EM64T (Extended Memory 64
Technology). The Intel® EM64T feature allows your computer to run on 64-bit operating
systems and access larger amounts of system memory for faster and more efficient
computing.

DDR3 memory support

The motherboard supports ECC UDIMM DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates
of 1600/1333 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of server and workstation
applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture boosts system performance, eliminates
bottlenecks with peak bandwidth up to 25Gb/s, and dramatically reduces the memory voltage
to just 1.5V compared to DDR2's memory voltage of 1.8V.

1-4

Chapter 1: Product introduction

PCI Express 3.0

PCI Express 3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the PCI Express bus standard that provides twice the
performance and speed of PCIe 2.0. It provides an optimal graphics performance,
unprecedented data speed, and seamless transition with its complete backward
compatibility to PCIe 1.0/2.0 devices.

Intel® I210AT LAN Solution

The motherboard comes with two Gigabit LAN controllers and ports which provide a total
solution for your networking needs. The onboard Intel® I210AT Gigabit LAN controllers
use the PCI Express interface and could achieve network throughput close to Gigabit
bandwidth.

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)

The Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) intelligently manages the CPU
resources by automatically adjusting the CPU voltage and core frequency depending on
the CPU loading and system speed or power requirement.

Serial ATA II technology

The motherboard supports the Serial ATA II 3 Gb/s technology through the Serial ATA
interface and Intel® C222 chipset. The Serial ATA II specification provides twice the
bandwidth of the current Serial ATA products with a host of new features, including Native
Command Queuing (NCQ), Power Management (PM) Implementation Algorithm, and Hot
Swap. Serial ATA allows thinner, more flexible cables with lower pin count and reduced
voltage requirements.

Serial ATA III technology

The motherboard supports the Serial ATA III 6 Gb/s technology through the Serial ATA
interface and Intel® C222 chipset. Get enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, double
the bandwidth of current bus systems with up to 6Gbps data transfer rates.

USB 2.0 technology

The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specification that
dramatically increases the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB 1.1 to
a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.

USB 3.0 technology

The motherboard implements the USB 3.0 technology with data transfer speeds of up to
5Gbps, faster charging time for USB-chargeable devices, optimized power efficiency, and
backward compatibility with USB 2.0.

Temperature, fan, and voltage monitoring

The CPU temperature is monitored to prevent overheating and damage. The system fan
rotations per minute (RPM) is monitored for timely failure detection. The chip monitors the
voltage levels to ensure stable supply of current for critical components.

ASUS P9D-X

1-5

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features

ASUS Fan Speed technology

The ASUS Fan Speed technology smartly adjusts the fan speeds according to the system
loading to ensure quiet, cool, and efficient operation.

ASUS MIO Audio card

The ASUS MIO audio card is a discrete 8-channel high definition audio (High Definition
Audio previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC that enables the clearest high quality audio
output. It has jack-sensing feature, retasking functions, and multi-streaming technology
that simultaneously send different audio streams to different destinations for high-end
sound quality.

1-6

Chapter 1: Product introduction

Chapter 2:
Hardware Information

Chapter summary

2

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. This chapter contains the following sections:

2.1 Before you proceed ...................................................................................2-3

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

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

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

2.5 Expansion slots

2.6 Onboard LEDs ..........................................................................................

2.7 Jumpers .................................................................................................... 2-24

2.8 Connectors ............................................................................................... 2-29

........................................................................................ 2-16

2-4

2-8

2-14

2-21

Chapter 1: Product introduction

2.1 Before you proceed

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 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.

ASUS P9D-X

2-3

2.2 Motherboard overview

Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the
motherboard fits into it.

To optimize the motherboard features, we highly recommend that you install it in an ATX 1.1
compliant chassis.

Ensure to unplug the chassis power cord before installing or removing the motherboard.
Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components!

2.2.1 Placement direction

When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correct
orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in
the image below.

2.2.2 Screw holes

Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the
chassis.

DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.

Place this side towards

2-4

the rear of the chassis

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.2.3 Motherboard layout

ASUS P9D-X

2-5

2.2.4 Layout contents

Slots/Sockets Page

1. CPU sockets 2-8

2. DDR3 sockets

3. PCI Express x16 / PCI Express x8 / PCI slot

Onboard LEDs Page

1. Standby Power LED (SB_PWR1)

2.

3.

Jumpers Page

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1)

3.
(3-pin LAN_SW1, LAN_SW2,)

4. ME firmware force recovery setting (3-pin ME_RCVR1)

Power LED (+5V_LED) 2-20

Location LED (LOC_LED1) 2-21

LAN controller setting

2-14

2-18

2-20

2-22

2-23

2-23

2-24

Rear panel connectors Page

1. PS/2 keyboard/mouse port 2-25

2. USB 3.0 ports 1 and 2

3. COM1 port

4.

5.

6. Power-on Button

7. Location

8. Power LED

9.

2-6

Video Graphics Adapter port 2-25

RJ-45 ports for LAN 2-25

LED

USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2 2-25

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2-25

2-25

2-25

2-25

2-25

Internal connectors Page

1. Serial ATA 6.0/3.0 Gbps connector
(7-pin SATA 6Gbps 1-2 connector [Light Blue])
(7-pin SATA 3Gbps 3-6 connector [Black])

2.

3.
(10-1 pin USB78, 10-1 pin USB1011, A-Type USB9)

4. Thermal sensor cable connectors (3-pin TR1)

5. CPU, front, and rear fan connectors
(4-pin FRNT_FAN1, REAR_FAN1, CPU_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2,
FRNT_FAN3)

6. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin SGPIO1)

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12. System panel connector (20-1 pin PANEL1)

13.

Hard disk activity LED connector (4-pin HDLED1) 2-27

USB 2.0 connector

Serial port connectors (10-1 pin COM2) 2-29

Trusted Platform Module connector (20-1 pin TPM1) 2-30

SATA DOM power connector (4-pin PWR3) 2-30

VGA connector (16-1 pin VGA_HDR1) 2-31

ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR1, 8-pin EATX12V1) 2-32

Auxiliary panel connector (20-2 pin AUX_PANEL1) 2-34

2-26

2-27

2-28

2-28

2-29

2-33

ASUS P9D-X

2-7

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1150 socket designed for the Intel® Xeon®
E3-1200 v3 and Intel® Core™ i3 processor..

• Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on the socket and
the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your retailer immediately if the PnP cap
is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard
components. ASUS will shoulder the cost of repair only if the damage is shipment/
transit-related.

• The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts resulting from
incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/incorrect removal of the PnP
cap.

2.3.1 Installing the CPU

To install the CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

2-8

Before installing the CPU, ensure that the socket box is facing toward you and the load
lever is on your right.

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2. Press the load lever with your thumb
(A), then move it to the right (B) until it is
released from the retention tab.

Do not remove the PnP cap yet from
the CPU socket. Doing so may bend
the pins of the socket.

3. Lift the load lever until the load plate is
completely lifted.

Load plate

Load lever

Retention tab

4. Position the CPU above the socket,
ensuring that the gold triangle mark is
on the bottom-left corner of the socket,
then fit the CPU notches to the socket's
alignment keys.

The CPU fits in only one orientation.
DO NOT force the CPU into the
socket to prevent bending the pins on
the socket and damaging the CPU.

ASUS P9D-X

Gold

triangle

mark

Alignment

key

CPU notches

Alignment
key

2-9

5. Close the load plate (A), ensuring that
the front edge of the load plate slides
under the retention lock (B) then push
down the load lever (C).

6. Insert the load lever under the retention tab to remove the PnP cap from the CPU
socket.

Load lever

Load lever

Retention
lock

7. Apply some Thermal Interface Material
to the exposed area of the CPU that the
heatsink will be in contact with, ensuring
that it is evenly spread in a thin layer.

Some heatsinks come with pre­applied Thermal Interface Material. If
so, skip this step.

The Thermal Interface Material is
toxic and inedible. DO NOT eat it. If
it gets into your eyes or touches your
skin, wash it off immediately and seek
professional medical help.

2-10

Retention tab

Chapter 2: Hardware information