ASUS E8445 User Manual

H81M-A

H81M-E

Motherboard

E8445
First Edition

June 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, 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
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under the Lesser General Public License Version (“LGPL”) and/or other Free Open Source Software
Licenses. Such software in this product is distributed without any warranty to the extent permitted by the
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Where the applicable license entitles you to the source code of such software and/or other additional data,
you may obtain it for a period of three years after our last shipment of the product, either

(1) for free by downloading it from http://support.asus.com/download
or
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In your request please provide the name, model number and version, as stated in the About Box of the
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The source code will be distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY and licensed under the same license as
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ii

Contents

Safety information ...................................................................................................... iv

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

Package contents ....................................................................................................... vi

H81M series specications summary ......................................................................vi

Product introduction

1.1 Before you proceed ...................................................................................... 1-1

1.2 Motherboard overview .................................................................................

1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ....................................................................

1.4 System memory ............................................................................................

1.5 Expansion slots ............................................................................................

1.6 Jumpers

1.7 Connectors ..................................................................................................

1.8 Onboard LEDs ............................................................................................

1.9 Software support ........................................................................................

BIOS information

2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS .............................................................2-1

2.2 BIOS setup program .....................................................................................

2.3 Main menu .....................................................................................................

2.4 Ai Tweaker menu ..........................................................................................

2.5 Advanced menu ..........................................................................................

2.6 Monitor menu ..............................................................................................

2.7 Boot menu ...................................................................................................

2.8 Tools menu ..................................................................................................

2.9 Exit menu ....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................... 1-11

1-13

1-20

1-21

2-11

2-12

2-13

2-14

2-14

1-1

1-4

1-7

1-9

2-5

2-9

2-9

Appendices

Notices ..................................................................................................................... A-1

ASUS contact information ...................................................................................... A-3

iii

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.

Ensure 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, ensure 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: BIOS information

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

iv

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 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 Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics

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

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

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

means 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 (+).

v

Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard ASUS H81M Series motherboard

Cables 2 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cables

Accessories 1 x I/O Shield

Application DVD Support DVD

Documentation User Guide

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

H81M series specications summary

CPU LGA1150 socket for Intel® 4th Generation CoreTM i7/ i5 / i3, Pentium® and

Chipset Intel® H81 Express Chipset

Memory 2 x DIMMs, max. 16GB DDR3 1600/1333/1066MHz, non-ECC, unbuffered

Graphics Integrated Graphics Processor - Intel® HD Graphics support

Expansion slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot (at x16 mode, yellow)

Storage

Celeron® Processors

Supports 22nm CPU

Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*

®

* Intel

Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.

** Refer to www.asus.com for Intel

®

CPU support list.

memory modules

Dual-channel memory architecture

Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)

* The maximum 16GB memory capacity can be supported with 8GB or above

DIMMs. ASUS will update the memory QVL once the DIMMs are available in the
market.

** Refer to

www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualied Vendors List).

*** Due to Intel® chipset limitations, DDR3 1600MHz and higher memory modules

on XMP mode will run at the maximum transfer rate of DDR3 1600MHz.

Multi-VGA output support: HDMI/DVI-D/RGB port (H81M-A model)

Multi-VGA output support: DVI-D/RGB port (H81M-E model)

- Supports HDMI with max. resolution up to 4096x2160@24Hz /

2560x1600@60Hz (H81M-A model)

- Supports DVI-D with max. resolution up to 1920 x1200@60Hz

- Supports RGB with max. resolution 1920x1200@60Hz

- Maximum shared memory of 1024MB

2 x PCI Express x1 slots

Intel® H81 Express Chipset:

- 2 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (yellow)

- 2 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (dark brown)

- Supports Intel
Technology**

* Due to the limitation of the Intel® H81 chipset, Intel® Rapid Start Technology can

be congured only from the BIOS Setup program.

** These functions will work depending on the CPU installed.

®

Rapid Start Technology* and Intel® Smart Connect

vi

H81M series specications summary

LAN

Audio Realtek® ALC887 8-Channel High Denition Audio CODEC

USB

ASUS unique
features

Realtek® RTL8111G Gigabit LAN Controller

- Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-Streaming and Front Panel Jack-Retasking

* Use a chassis with HD audio module in the front panel to support an

8-channel audio output

Intel® H81 Express Chipset

- 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear panel (blue)*

- 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board, 4 ports at the rear panel)

* Supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost

ASUS 5X Protection

- ASUS motherboards safeguard your PC with 5X Protection: DIGI+VRM,
DRAM Fuse, ESD Guards, All 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors, and Stainless
Steel Back I/O to ensure the best quality, reliability, and durability

ASUS DIGI+ VRM

- ASUS DIGI+ VRM: Digital Power Design for the CPU

- ASUS 3 Phase Power Design

- ASUS CPU power utility

ASUS DRAM Fuse

- Enhanced DRAM overcurrent protection and short circuit damage
prevention

ASUS ESD Guards

- Strong ESD protection for extended component lifespan

ASUS All 5K-Hour Solid Capacitors

- 2.5x Long Lifespan with excellent durability

ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O

- 3x More durable corrosion-resistant coating

ASUS Exclusive Features:

- ASUS USB 3.0 Boost

- ASUS EPU

- ASUS New UEFI BIOS

- ASUS AI Suite 3

- ASUS GPU Boost

- ASUS Anti-surge Protection

- ASUS AI Charger

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

- ASUS Fanless Design: Stylish Heatsink solution

- ASUS Fan Xpert

ASUS Q-Design

- ASUS Q-Slot

ASUS EZ DIY:

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

(continued on the next page)

vii

H81M series specications summary

Back Panel I/O
ports

Internal I/O
connectors/
buttons/switches

BIOS features 64 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7,

Manageability

Support DVD Drivers

Form factor

1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple)

1 x PS/2 mouse port (green)

2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports

4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports

1 x HDMI port (H81M-A model only)

1 x DVI port

1 x RGB port

1 x LAN (RJ-45) port

3 x Audio jacks support 8-channel audio output

2 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0/1.1 ports

2 x SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors

2 x SATA 3.0Gb/s connectors

1 x CPU fan connector

1 x Chassis fan connector

1 x Front panel audio connector

1 x S/PDIF Out connector

1 x 24-pin EATX power connector

1 x 4-pin EATX 12V power connector

1 x Speaker connector

1 x System panel connector

1 x TPM connector (H81M-A model only)

ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree

BIOS 3, My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modied Log, F12 PrintScreen, F3

Shortcut functions and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory
information

WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, PXE

ASUS utilities

EZ Update

Anti-virus software (OEM version)

uATX form factor: 8.9 in x 6.9 in (22.6 cm x 17.5 cm)

viii

Specications are subject to change without notice.

Product introduction

1

1.1 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.

• Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded
object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, 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, or components.

1.2 Motherboard overview

Before you install the motherboard, study the conguration of your chassis to ensure that the
motherboard ts into it.

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

1.2.1 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.

ASUS H81M Series

1-1

H81M-A

1.2.2 Screw holes

Place six 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.

H81M Series motherboards include H81M-A and H81M-E models. Package contents vary
between models. The layout illustrations in this user guide are for H81M-A only.

Place this side towards

the rear of the chassis

1-2

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2.3 Motherboard layout

H81M-A

PCIEX16

PCIEX1_1

PCIEX1_2

SPEAKER

F_PANEL

CLRTC

SPDIF_OUT

KB_USBPWB

USBPWF

USB910 USB1112

AAFP

ATX12V

EATXPWR

CPU_FAN

CHA_FAN

BATTERY

Super

I/O

ALC

887- VD2

RTL
8111G

DIGI

+VRM

64Mb
BIOS

SB_PWR

22.6cm(8.9in)

LGA1150

Intel

®

H81

DDR3 DIMM_A1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM_B1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

SATA6G_1 SATA6G_2 SATA3G_1 SATA3G_2

AUDIO

KBMS

LAN_USB34

USB3_12

USB56

17.5cm(6.9in)

DVI_VGA

HDMI

TPM

2 41 533

2

8

10

1213

14

1516

6

7

9

11

H81M Series motherboards include H81M-A and H81M-E models. Package contents vary
between models. The H81M-E model does not include an HDMI port and a TPM connector.
The layout illustrations in this user guide are for H81M-A only.

ASUS H81M Series

1-3

H81M-A

H81M-A CPU socket LGA1150

1.2.4 Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page

1. Keyboard & USB device wake-up (3-pin KB_USBPWB) 1-12

2. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) 1-17

3. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN) 1-16

4. Intel® LGA1150 CPU socket 1-4

5. DDR3 DIMM slots 1-7

6. Speaker connector (4-pin SPEAKER) 1-17

7. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL) 1-19

8. Intel® H81 Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s connector (7-pin SATA3G_1~2 [dark brown]) 1-18

9. Intel® H81 Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connector (7-pin SATA6G_1~2 [yellow]) 1-18

10. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPWF) 1-12

11. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB910, 1112) 1-16

12. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC) 1-11

13. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 1-15

14. TPM connector (20-1 pin TPM) *H81M-A model only 1-19

15. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-15

16. Onboard LED (SB_PWR) 1-20

1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

This motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1150 socket designed for the Intel® 4th
generation Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® processors.

1-4

Unplug all power cables before installing the CPU.

• 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.

• Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return Merchandise

Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes with the cap on the

LGA1150 socket.

• 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.

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.3.1 Installing the CPU

A

B

A

B

C

1

2

4

3

5

ASUS H81M Series

1-5

1.3.2 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation

Apply the Thermal Interface Material
to the CPU heatsink and CPU
before you install the heatsink and
fan if necessary.

To install the CPU heatsink and fan assembly

1

B

A

B

A

3 4

2

1-6

Chapter 1: Product introduction

H81M-A

H81M-A 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets

DIMM_A1

DIMM_B1

To uninstall the CPU heatsink and fan assembly

1

2

B

A

B

A

1.4 System memory

1.4.1 Overview

This motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Module
(DIMM) sockets. A DDR3 module is notched differently from a DDR or DDR2 module. DO
NOT install a DDR or DDR2 memory module to the DDR3 slot.

According to Intel® CPU spec, DIMM voltage below 1.65V is recommended to protect the
CPU.

1.4.2 Memory congurations

You may install 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB unbuffered non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM
sockets.

ASUS H81M Series

Channel Sockets

Channel A DIMM_A1

Channel B DIMM_B1

1-7