Asus H87M-PRO User Manual

H87M-PRO

Motherboard

E7919
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, 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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ii

Contents

Safety information ...................................................................................................... vi

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

H87M-PRO specications summary ......................................................................... ix

Package contents ..................................................................................................... xiii

Installation tools and components ......................................................................... xiv

Product introduction

1.1 Special features..........................................................................................1-1

1.1.1 Product highlights

1.1.2 DIGI+ VRM Digital Power Design ...............................................

1.1.3 ASUS Exclusive Features ...........................................................

1.1.4 ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution .....................................................

1.1.5 ASUS EZ DIY ..............................................................................

1.1.6 Other special features .................................................................

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

1.2.1 Before you proceed .....................................................................

1.2.2 Motherboard layout .....................................................................

1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................

1.2.4 System memory ........................................................................

1.2.5 Expansion slots .........................................................................

1.2.6 Onboard buttons and switches

1.2.7 Jumpers ....................................................................................

1.2.8 Onboard LEDs ..........................................................................

1.2.9 Internal connectors

........................................................................ 1-1

.................................................. 1-14

.................................................................... 1-18

1-2

1-2

1-3

1-4

1-5

1-6

1-6

1-7

1-9

1-10

1-12

1-16

1-17

Basic Installation

2.1 Building your PC system...........................................................................2-1

2.1.1 Motherboard installation ..............................................................

2.1.2 CPU installation

2.1.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation ...............................

2.1.4 DIMM installation

2.1.5 ATX Power connection ................................................................

2.1.6 SATA device connection ..............................................................

2.1.7 Front I/O Connector ..................................................................

2.1.8 Expansion Card installation

2.2 BIOS update utility ...................................................................................

2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections .............................................

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

......................................................................... 2-7

....................................................... 2-11

2-1

2-5

2-8

2-9

2-10

2-12

2-13

iii

Contents

2.3.1 Rear I/O connection .................................................................. 2-13

2.3.2 Audio I/O connections ...............................................................

2.4 Starting up for the rst time ....................................................................

2.5 Turning off the computer .........................................................................

BIOS setup

3.1 Knowing BIOS ............................................................................................3-1

3.2 BIOS setup program ..................................................................................

3.2.1 EZ Mode

3.2.2 Advanced Mode ..........................................................................

3.3 My Favorites ...............................................................................................

3.4 Main menu ..................................................................................................

3.5 Ai Tweaker menu ........................................................................................

3.6 Advanced menu .......................................................................................

3.6.1 CPU Conguration ....................................................................

3.6.2 PCH Conguration ....................................................................

3.6.3 SATA Conguration ...................................................................

3.6.4 System Agent Conguration

3.6.5 AMT Conguration ....................................................................

3.6.6 USB Conguration ....................................................................

3.6.7 Platform Misc Conguration ......................................................

3.6.8 Onboard Devices Conguration ................................................

3.6.9 APM ..........................................................................................

3.6.10 Network Stack ...........................................................................

3.7 Monitor menu ...........................................................................................

3.8 Boot menu ................................................................................................

3.9 Tools menu ...............................................................................................

3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility ............................................................

3.9.2 ASUS O.C. Prole .....................................................................

3.9.3 ASUS SPD Information .............................................................

3.10 Exit menu ..................................................................................................

3.11 Updating BIOS ..........................................................................................

3.11.1 EZ Update .................................................................................

3.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ......................................................................

3.11.4 ASUS BIOS Updater .................................................................

...................................................................................... 3-3

...................................................... 3-28

2-14

2-17

2-17

3-2

3-4

3-6

3-7

3-9

3-21

3-22

3-25

3-26

3-30

3-31

3-32

3-33

3-35

3-36

3-37

3-40

3-46

3-46

3-46

3-47

3-48

3-49

3-49

3-50

3-52

iv

Contents

Software support

4.1 Installing an operating system .................................................................4-1

4.2 Support DVD information ..........................................................................

4.2.1 Running the support DVD ...........................................................

4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals

4.3 Software information .................................................................................

4.3.1 AI Suite 3

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

4.3.2 DIGI+ VRM ..................................................................................

4.3.3 EPU .............................................................................................

4.3.4 TurboV EVO ................................................................................

4.3.5 Fan Xpert 2 .................................................................................

4.3.6 USB 3.0 Boost

4.3.7 Network iControl

........................................................................... 4-11

........................................................................ 4-12

4.3.8 USB BIOS Flashback ................................................................

4.3.9 EZ Update .................................................................................

4.3.10 USB Charger+ ...........................................................................

4.3.11 System Information ...................................................................

4.3.12 Audio congurations

4.3.13 Intel

®

SBA support ..................................................................... 4-19

.................................................................. 4-17

RAID support

5.1 RAID congurations ..................................................................................5-1

5.1.1 RAID denitions ..........................................................................

5.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ...................................................

5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ....................................................

5.1.4 Intel

5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk

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

5.2.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows

5.2.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows

®

Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility ..................5-3

....................................................................... 5-7

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

®

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

®

OS installation ........ 5-8

4-1

4-1

4-3

4-4

4-6

4-7

4-9

4-13

4-14

4-15

4-16

5-1

5-2

5-2

5-7

Appendices

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

ASUS contact information ...................................................................................... A-4

v

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.

vi

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. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the
motherboard.

• Chapter 2: Basic Installation

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when
installing system components.

• Chapter 3: 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 4: Software support

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

• Chapter 5: RAID support

This chapter describes the RAID congurations.

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.

vii

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 (+).

viii

H87M-PRO specications summary

CPU LGA1150 socket for Intel® 4th Generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3,

Pentium®, and Celeron® Processors

Supports 22nm CPU

Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*

* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.

** Refer to www.asus.com for Intel® CPU support list.

Chipset Intel® H87 Express Chipset

Memory 4 x DIMMs, max. 32GB, DDR3 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz, non-ECC, un-

buffered memory*

Dual-channel memory architecture

Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)

* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs.

Please refer to Memory QVL (Qualied Vendors List) for details.

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

** Refer to

®

*** Due to Intel

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

chipset limitation, DDR3 1600 MHz and higher memory modules on

Expansion slots 1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot [yellow] (at x16 mode)

1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot [dark brown] (max. at x4 mode, compatible with

PCIe x1 and x4 devices)

2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots

* The PCIe x16_2 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 and PCIe x1_2 slot. The

default setting is x2 mode. Go to the BIOS setup to change the settings.

Graphics Integrated Graphics Processor - Intel® HD Graphics support

Dual-VGA output support: DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI, RGB port

- Supports DisplayPort 1.2 with max. resolution 4096 x 2160@24Hz /
3840 x 2160@60Hz

- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160@24Hz / 2560 x
1600@60Hz

- Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200@60Hz

- Supports RGB with max. resolution 1920 x 1200@60Hz

- Supports up to 3 displays simultaneously

- Supports Intel

®

InTru™ 3D, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video

HD Technology, and Intel® Insider™

- Maximum shared memory of 1024MB

Multi-GPU

Supports ATI® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology

support

LAN Realtek® 8111G Gigabit LAN controller

(continued on the next page)

ix

H87M-PRO specications summary

Storage

Audio

USB

Rear panel I/O
ports

Intel® H87 Express Chipset:

- 6 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (yellow) with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10
and Intel® Rapid Start Technology 12 support

- Supports Intel

®

Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start

Technology, Intel® Smart Connect Technology*

Marvell® PCIe SATA 6.0 Gb/s controller**

- 2 x eSATA ports at the back I/O

* These functions will work depending on the CPU installed.

** These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are not supported.

Realtek ALC892 8-Channel High Denition Audio CODEC

- Absolute Pitch 192khz/24bit true BD lossless sound

- Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-streaming and Front Panel Jack­Retasking

- Optical S/PDIF out port at back I/O

Intel® H87 Express Chipset supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost

- 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at mid-board for front panel support

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

Intel® H87 Express Chipset

- 8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 2 ports at the rear panel)

1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse COMBO port

1 x Optical S/PDIF out port

1 x LAN (RJ-45) port

1 x DisplayPort

1 x HDMI port

1 x DVI port

1 x D-Sub port

2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports

4 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, 1 supports USB BIOS Flashback)

2 x eSATA 6.0Gb/s ports

8-channel audio ports

x

ASUS unique
features

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 Digital Power Design

- Digital Power Control: Digital Power Design for the CPU and iGPU

- ASUS 4 Phase Power Design

- ASUS CPU power utility

(continued on the next page)

H87M-PRO specications summary

ASUS unique
features

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 Longer lifespan with excellent durability

ASUS Stainless Steel Back I/O

- 3x More durable corrosion-resistant coating

ASUS Exclusive Features

- ASUS EPU

- ASUS Network iControl featuring instant network bandwidth domination
for top network program in use

- ASUS USB 3.0 Boost featuring speedy USB 3.0 transmission

- ASUS Disk Unlocker featuring 3TB + HDD support

- ASUS GPU Boost

- ASUS MemOK!

- ASUS AI Suite 3

- ASUS AI Charger

- ASUS USB Charger+

- ASUS Anti-Surge

ASUS Q-Design

- ASUS Q-Shield

- ASUS Q-Slot

- ASUS Q-DIMM

- ASUS Q-Connector

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

- ASUS Fanless Design: Stylish Heatsink and MOS Heatsink Solution

- ASUS Fan Xpert 2 featuring Fan Auto Tuning function for optimized

speed control, providing an exclusive tailored fan speed setting for each
fan.

ASUS EZ DIY

- ASUS USB BIOS Flashback with USB BIOS Flashback Wizard for EZ

BIOS download scheduling

- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

Other features

- Support SBA

(continued on the next page)

xi

H87M-PRO specications summary

Internal I/O connectors 1 x 19-pin USB 3.0/2.0 connector supports additional 2 USB 3.0/2.0

BIOS features 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM

Manageability WfM 2.0, DMI 2.0, WOL by PME, PXE

Accessories 3 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cables

Support DVD contents Drivers

Form factor uATX Form Factor, 9.6”x 8.4” (24.4cm x 21.3cm)

port

3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0/1.1 ports

1 x System panel connector

1 x S/PDIF Out connector

1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)

6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (yellow)

1 x CPU fan connector (4-pin) for both 3-pin (DC mode) and 4-pin

(PWM mode) CPU coolers control

3 x Chassis fan connectors (4-pin)

1 x COM connector

1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector

1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector

1 x GPU Switch

1 x MemOK! Button

BIOS 2.7, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2,

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modied

Log, F12 PrintScreen Function, F3 Shortcut Function and ASUS
DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information

1 x User Manual

1 x Q-Shield

1 x 2-in-1 Q-connector (retail version only)

1 x Support DVD

ASUS Update

ASUS Utilities

Anti-virus software (OEM version)

Specications are subject to change without notice.

xii

Package contents

H87M-PRO

User Manual

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

ASUS H87M-PRO motherboard User manual Support DVD

3 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cables 1 x ASUS Q-Shield 1 x 2-in-1 ASUS Q-Connector kit

• If any of the items are damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

• The illustrations above are for reference only. Actual product specications may vary.

xiii

Installation tools and components

1 bag of screws Philips (cross) screwdriver

PC chassis Power supply unit

Intel LGA 1150 CPU Intel LGA 1150 compatible CPU Fan

DDR3 DIMM SATA hard disk drive

xiv

SATA optical disc drive (optional) Graphics card (optional)

The tools and components in the table above are not included in the motherboard package.

Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Product introduction

1

1.1 Special features

1.1.1 Product highlights

LGA1150 socket for Intel® 4th Generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3, Pentium®,
and Celeron® Processors

This motherboard supports Intel® 4th generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3, Pentium®,
and Celeron® processors in the LGA1150 package. It provides great graphics and system
performance with its GPU, dual-channel DDR3 memory slots and PCI Express 2.0/3.0
expansion slots.

Intel® H87 Express Chipset

Intel® H87 Express Chipset is a single-chipset that supports the 1150 socket Intel® 4th
generation Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3, Pentium®, and Celeron® processors. It utilizes the serial
point-to-point links, which increases bandwidth and enhances the system’s performance. It
natively supports up to six USB 3.0 ports for up to ten times faster transfer rate than USB 2.0
and enables the iGPU function for Intel® integrated graphics performance.

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.

Dual-Channel DDR3 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz Support

The motherboard supports the dual-channel DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates

of DDR3 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz to boost the system’s performance, and to meet the higher

bandwidth requirements of 3D graphics, multimedia and Internet applications.

Native SATA 6.0 Gb/s support

With Intel® H87 Express Chipset natively support for the Serial ATA (SATA) storage interface,
this motherboard delivers up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer rates. It also provides enhanced
scalability, faster data retrieval, double the bandwidth of current bus systems.

Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Support

This motherboard features the most powerful Intel® H87 platform that optimizes PCIe
allocation in multi-GPU CrossFireX™ solution, giving you a brand-new gaming enjoyment.

S/PDIF out connector at the back I/O

This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio systems
via the optical S/PDIF (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface) out connector at the back I/O. The
S/PDIF transfers digital audio without converting it to analog format and keeps the best signal
quality.

Chapter 1

ASUS H87M-PRO

1-1

100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors

This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors for durability, improved
lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.

Intel® Smart Response Technology

Intel® Smart Response Technology, an important part of Green ASUS eco-friendly computing,
reduces load and wait time, eliminates unecessary hard drive spin thus lowering power
usage, and uses an installed SSD (requires 18.6 GB available space) as a cache for
frequently accessed data or applications. It combines SSD performance and hard drive
capacity, operating up to six times faster than a hard-drive-only system to boost the system’s
overall performance.

* 4th generation Intel® Core™ processors support Intel® Smart Response Technology.

** An operating system must be installed on the HDD to launch Intel

*** The SSD is reserved for caching function.

®

Smart Response Technology.

Intel® Smart Connect Technology

Intel® Smart Connect Technology allows your system to receive updates for your web
applications in real-time even when your system is in sleep mode. This saves wait time for

applications to update and sync with the cloud for a more efcient computing experience.

Intel® Rapid Start Technology

Intel® Rapid Start Technology allows your computer to quickly resume from a low-power
hibernate state in seconds. Saving your system memory to the designated SSD, it provides
your computer a faster wake-up response time, while still keeping the energy use low.

1.1.2 DIGI+ VRM Digital Power Design

DIGI+ VRM

All-new digital CPU power controls work perfectly together to match digital power signal

(SVID) requests from the CPU, with ultra-fast sensing and response efciently delivering

precision power. Accurate delivery reduces waste, and provides more stable CPU Vcore
voltages. Users can adjust CPU PWM voltages and frequencies for various overclocking
scenarios, with accurate input through UEFI BIOS tuning or the exclusive ASUS interface.
This proprietary design increases overclocking headroom to push performance to its full
potential.

EPU

EPU (Energy Processing Unit), the world’s rst real-time power-saving chip, automatically

detects the current system load and intelligently moderates power usage. It offers a total

system-wide energy optimization, reduces fan noise, and extends the component’s lifespan.

Chapter 1

1.1.3 ASUS Exclusive Features

GPU Boost

GPU Boost accelerates the integrated GPU for extreme graphics performance, facilitates

exible frequency adjustments and easily delivers stable system-level upgrades for every

use.

1-2

Chapter 1: Product introduction

USB 3.0 Boost

ASUS USB 3.0 Boost, which supports USB 3.0 standard UASP (USB Attached SCSI

Protocol), signicantly increases a USB device’s transfer speed up to 170% faster than the

already impressive USB 3.0 transfer speed. It automatically accelerates data speeds for
compatible USB 3.0 peripherals without the need for any user interaction.

USB Charger+

With a dedicated onboard controller, quick-charge all your smart devices such as
smartphones, tablets and more, all up to three times faster, even when the system is
powered off, in sleep or hibernation mode.

Network iControl

Network iControl is an intuitive one-step network control center that makes it easier for you to
manage your bandwidth and allows you to set, monitor and schedule the bandwidth priorities
for your network programs.

AI Suite 3

With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite 3 consolidates all the exclusive ASUS features
into one simple-to-use software package. It allows you to supervise overclocking, energy
management, fan speed control, voltage and sensor readings. This all-in-one software offers
diverse and ease to use functions, with no need to switch back and forth between different
utilities.

MemOK!

MemOK!, the remarkable memory rescue tool, allows you to simply press a button to
patch memory issues, ensure memory boot compatibility, determine fail-safe settings, and
dramatically improve the systemís bootup.

ASUS Anti-Surge Protection

This special design protects expensive devices and the motherboard from damage caused
by power surges from switching power supply unit (PSU).

ESD

Protect your computer with ESD Guards. Electrostatic discharge (ESD) conditions can
happen while plugging or unplugging any USB peripherals-causing damage to the computer.
ASUS ESD Guards clamp the ESD voltage and shunt the majority of the ESD current away
for a more reliable computing environment.

1.1.4 ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

ASUS Fanless Design: stylish heatsink solution

The stylish heatsink features a 0-dB thermal solution that offers you a noiseless PC
environment. The heatsink design also lowers the temperature of the chipset and power

phase area through high efcient heat-exchange. Combined with usability and aesthetics,

the ASUS stylish heatsink will give you an extremely silent and cooling experience with its
elegant appearance.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-3

ASUS Fan Xpert 2

ASUS Fan Xpert 2 provides customizable settings for a cooler and quieter computing

environment. With its Fan Auto Tuning feature, ASUS Fan Xpert 2 automatically detects

and tweaks all fan speeds, and provides you with optimized fan settings based on the fans’
specications and positions.

1.1.5 ASUS EZ DIY

ASUS UEFI BIOS

ASUS UEFI BIOS, a UEFI compliant architecture, offers the rst mouse-controlled intuitive

graphical BIOS interface that goes beyond the traditional keyboard-only BIOS controls,

providing you with more exibility, convenience, and easy to navigate UEFI BIOS than the

traditional BIOS versions. It offers you with dual selectable modes and native support for hard
drives larger than 2.2 TB.

ASUS UEFI BIOS includes the following new features:

• New My Favorite function allows you to quickly access the frequently used items

• New Quick Note function allows you to take notes in the BIOS environment

• New log reminder allows you to view all your modied settings

• F12 BIOS snapshot hotkey

• F3 Shortcut for most accessed information

• ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) information detecting faulty DIMMs, and

helping with difcult POST situations.

USB BIOS Flashback

USB BIOS Flashback offers a hassle-free updating solution for your ultimate convenience.

Install a USB storage device containing the BIOS le, press the reset button of your chassis

for about three seconds, and the UEFI BIOS is automatically updated even without entering
the existing BIOS or operating system. It also allows you to regularly check for UEFI BIOS
updates, and download the latest BIOS automatically.

ASUS Q-Shield

ASUS Q-Shield’s special design makes it convenient and easy to install on your
motherboard. With better electric conductivity, it ideally protects your motherboard against
static electricity and shield it against EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).

ASUS Q-Connector

ASUS Q-Connector is a unique adapter that allows you to easily connect or disconnect the

Chapter 1

chassis front panel cables to one module, eliminating the hassle of plugging one cable at a
time and making the connection quick and accurate.

ASUS Q-Slot

ASUS Q-Slot is designed to speed up and simplify the DIY process to enhance your DIY
experience.

1-4

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1.6 Other special features

DisplayPort Support

DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard that delivers up to 10.8 Gbps of bandwidth
over standard cables, providing billions of colors and bi-directional communications, thus
enabling the fastest refresh rates, and the highest resolution digital display through a single
cable. It also supports HDCP copy protection for Blu-ray discs. Simply output 3D signals
through the connected DisplayPort cable with your 3D display, then you can sit back and
enjoy a perfect 3D animation experience.

HDMI Support

High Denition Multimedia Surface (HDMI) is a set of digital video standards that delivers

mulit-channel audio and uncompressed digital video up to 4K/2K resolution visuals through
a single cable. Supporting HDCP copy protection such as HD DVD and blu-ray discs, HDMI
provides you with the highest quality home theater experience.

ErP Ready

The motherboard is European Union’s Energy-related Products (ErP) ready, and ErP requires

products to meet certain energy efciency requirement in regards to energy consumptions.
This is in line with ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy-efcient products

through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the product and thus
mitigate environmental impacts.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-5

1.2 Motherboard overview

1.2.1 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.

• 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.

Chapter 1

1-6

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2.2 Motherboard layout

H87M-PRO

PCIEX16_1

Marvell

9172

ASM1440

PCIEX16_2

USB910 USB1112 USB1314

PCIEX1_1

PCIEX1_2

AAFP

EATXPWR

CPU_FAN

CHA_FAN2

CHA_FAN1

CHA_FAN3

BATTERY

Super

I/O

ALC
892

RTL

8111G

ASM
1442

DIGI

+VRM

KB_USB78

SPDIFO
_HDMI
_DP

128Mb
BIOS

SB_PWR

CLRTC

21.3cm(8.4in)

24.4cm(9.6in)

USB3_12

Intel

®

H87

DDR3 DIMM_B1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM_B2 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM_A1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM_A2 (64bit, 240-pin module)

SATA6G_1

SATA6G_2

SATA6G_3

SATA6G_4

SATA6G_5

SATA6G_6

AUDIO

LAN_USB3_34

E56_E12
_U3_56

PANEL

SPDIF_OUT

COM

DVI_VGA

DRAM_LED

MemOK!

GPU_LED

GPU_Boost

LGA1150

EATX12V

3 31 2 6

13 121415

3534

7

8

2

10

9

11

ASUS H87M-PRO

Refer to 1.2.9 Internal connectors and 2.3.1 Rear I/O connection for more information
about rear panel connectors and internal connectors.

Chapter 1

1-7

Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Buttons and switches/Slots Page

1. Serial port connectors (10-1 pin COM) 1-23

2. EATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)

3. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN1-3)

®

4. Intel

5. GPU Boost Switch
GPU Boost LED

6. DDR3 DIMM sockets

7. MemOK! button

8. USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_12)

9. Onboard LED (SB_PWR)

10. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)

11. Intel

12. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)

13. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB910, USB1112, USB1314)

14. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)

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

LGA1150 CPU socket 1-9

®

H87 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_1-6) 1-18

1-24

1-22

1-15
1-17

1-10

1-14

1-19

1-17

1-16

1-25

1-20

1-19

1-21

Chapter 1

1-8

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO CPU socket LGA1150

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

• Ensure that all power cables are unplugged before installing the CPU.

• Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for the LGA1150 socket only. DO
NOT install a CPU designed for LGA1155 and LGA1156 sockets on the LGA 1150
socket.

• 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.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-9

1.2.4 System memory

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets

DIMM_A1

DIMM_A2

DIMM_B1

DIMM_B2

The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules
(DIMM) slots.

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.

Recommended memory congurations

Chapter 1

1-10

Chapter 1: Product introduction

Memory congurations

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

• You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps
the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel conguration. Any excess
memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation.

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

• Due to Intel

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

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimal compatibility, we
recommend that you install memory modules of the same version or date code (D/C)
from the same vendor. Check with the retailer to get the correct memory modules.

• Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows OS, when you install 4GB
or more memory on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be
about 3GB or less. For effective use of memory, we recommend that you do any of the
following:

a) Use a maximum of 3GB system memory if you are using a 32-bit Windows OS.

b) Install a 64-bit Windows OS when you want to install 4GB or more on the

c) For more details, refer to the Microsoft

• This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 512Mb (64MB) chips or less
(Memory chip capacity counts in Megabit, 8 Megabit/Mb = 1 Megabyte/MB).

• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect
(SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module.
Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a
lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. To operate at the vendor-marked
or at a higher frequency, refer to section 3.5 Ai Tweaker menu for manual memory
frequency adjustment.

• For system stability, use a more efcient memory cooling system to support a full

memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.

• ASUS exclusively provides hyper DIMM support function.

• Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. Load
the X.M.P. settings in the BIOS for the hyper DIMM support.

• Visit the ASUS website for the latest QVL.

®

chipset limitation, DDR3 1600 MHz and higher memory modules on XMP

motherboard.

®

com/kb/929605/en-us.

support site at http://support.microsoft.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-11

1.2.5 Expansion slots

H87M-PRO

Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may
cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

Slot No. Slot Description

1 PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16_1 slot [Yellow] (at x16 mode)

2 PCIe 2.0 x1_1 slot

Chapter 1

1-12

3 PCIe 2.0 x1_2 slot

4

PCIe 2.0 x16_2 slot [Dark brown] (at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1 and
x4 devices)

Chapter 1: Product introduction

VGA conguration

Single VGA/PCIe
card

PCI Express operating mode

PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16_1 PCIe 2.0 x16_2

x16 (Recommend for single VGA) N/A

Dual VGA/PCIe card x16 x4

• In single VGA card mode, use the PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16_1 slot (yellow) for a PCI Express
x16 graphics card to get better performance.

• We recommend that you provide sufcient power when running CrossFireX™ mode.

• Connect a chassis fan to the motherboard connector labeled CHA_FAN1/2/3 when
using multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment.

• The PCIe x16_2 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 and PCIe x2 slots. The default
setting is x2 mode. Go to the BIOS Setup to change the settings.

IRQ assignments for this motherboard

A B C D E F G H

LAN – – shared – – – – –

Marvell 9172 – – – shared – – – –

PCIE x16_1 shared – – – – – – –

PCIE x16_2 shared – – – – – – –

PCIE x1_1 – – shared – – – – –

PCIE x1_2 – – – shared – – – –

Intel PCH SATA Controller – – – shared – – – –

HD Audio – – – – – – shared –

USB 2.0_1 – – – – – – – shared

USB 2.0_2 – – – – shared – – –

USB 3.0 – – – – – shared – –

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-13

1.2.6 Onboard buttons and switches

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO MemOK! switch

Onboard switches and buttons allow you to ne-tune performance when working on a bare or

open-case system. This is ideal for overclockers and gamers who continually change settings
to enhance system performance.

1. MemOK! button

Installing DIMMs that are incompatible with the motherboard may cause system boot
failure, and the DRAM_LED near the MemOK! to switch lights continuously. Press
and hold the MemOK! button until the DRAM_LED starts blinking to begin automatic
memory compatibility tuning for successful boot.

Chapter 1

• Refer to section 1.2.8 Onboard LEDs for the exact location of the DRAM_LED.

• The DRAM_LED also lights up when the DIMM is not properly installed. Turn off the
system and reinstall the DIMM before using the MemOK! function.

• The MemOK! switch does not function under the Windows™ OS environment.

• During the tuning process, the system loads and tests failsafe memory settings. It
takes about 30 seconds for the system to test one set of failsafe settings. If the test
fails, the system reboots and test the next set of failsafe settings. The blinking speed
of the DRAM_LED increases, indicating different test processes.

• Due to memory tuning requirement, the system automatically reboots when each
timing set is tested. If the installed DIMMs still fail to boot after the whole tuning
process, the DRAM_LED remains lit. Replace the DIMMs with ones recommended in

the Memory QVL (Qualied Vendors Lists) in this user manual or on the ASUS website

at www.asus.com.

• If you turn off the computer and replace DIMMs during the tuning process, the system
continues memory tuning after turning on the computer. To stop memory tuning, turn
off the computer and unplug the power cord for about 5–10 seconds.

• If your system fail to boot due to BIOS overclocking, press the MemOK! switch to boot
and load BIOS default settings. A message will appear during POST reminding you
that the BIOS has been restored to its default settings.

• We recommend that you download and update to the latest BIOS version from the
ASUS website at www.asus.com after using the MemOK! function.

1-14

Chapter 1: Product introduction

2. GPU Boost switch

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO GPU Boost switch

GPU Boost

This switch allows you to turn on or off the GPU Boost function.

To ensure system performance, turn the switch setting to [Enable] when the system is
powered off.

• The GPU Boost LED near the GPU Boost switch lights up when the GPU Boost switch

is enabled. Refer to section 1.2.8 Onboard LEDs for the exact location of the GPU
Boost LED.

• If you enable this switch under the Windows
function will be activated after the next system bootup.

®

OS environment, the GPU Boost

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-15

1.2.7 Jumpers

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO Clear RTC RAM

1 2 2 3

Normal

(Default)

Clear RTC

CLRTC

1. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)

This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can
clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing
the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in
CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1-2 (default) to pins 2-3. Keep the cap on pins 2-3 for
about 5–10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1-2.

3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.

4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter
data.

Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper default
position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!

• If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and move the jumper

• You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For

Chapter 1

1-16

again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After clearing the CMOS, reinstall the
battery.

system failure due to overclocking, use the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature.
Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter
settings to default values.

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2.8 Onboard LEDs

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO GPU Boost LED

GPU_LED

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO DRAM LED

DRAM LED

SB_PWR

ON

Standby Power

Powered Off

OFF

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO Onboard LED

1. Standby Power LED

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that 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 LED.

2. GPU Boost LED

The GPU Boost LED lights up when the GPU Boost switch is turned on.

3. DRAM LED

The DRAM LED checks the DRAM in sequence during the motherboard boot process.
If an error is found, the LED next to the error device will remain lit until the problem is
solved. This user-friendly design provides an easy way to identify problems related to
the DRAM.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-17

1.2.9 Internal connectors

SATA6G_1

GND

RSATA_TXP1

RSATA_TXN1

GND

RSATA_RXN1

RSATA_RXP1

GND

SATA6G_2

GND

RSATA_TXP2

RSATA_TXN2

GND

RSATA_RXN2

RSATA_RXP2

GND

SATA6G_3

GND

RSATA_TXP3

RSATA_TXN3

GND

RSATA_RXN3

RSATA_RXP3

GND

SATA6G_4

GND

RSATA_TXP4

RSATA_TXN4

GND

RSATA_RXN4

RSATA_RXP4

GND

SATA6G_5

GND

RSATA_TXP5

RSATA_TXN5

GND

RSATA_RXN5

RSATA_RXP5

GND

SATA6G_6

GND

RSATA_TXP6

RSATA_TXN6

GND

RSATA_RXN6

RSATA_RXP6

GND

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO Intel® SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors

1. Intel® H87 Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_1/6 [yellow])

These connectors connect to Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s hard disk drives via Serial ATA 6.0
Gb/s signal cables.

If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10

conguration with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology through the onboard Intel® H87

chipset.

• These connectors are set to [AHCI Mode] by default. If you intend to create a Serial
ATA RAID set using these connectors, set the SATA Mode item in the BIOS to [RAID
Mode]. Refer to section 3.6.3 SATA Conguration for details.

• Before creating a RAID set, refer to section

Chapter 1

1-18

bundled in the motherboard support DVD.

• When using NCQ, set the SATA Mode in the BIOS to [

3.6.3 SATA Conguration for details.

5.1 RAID congurations or the manual

AHCI Mode]. Refer to section

Chapter 1: Product introduction

2. USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_12)

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO USB3.0 Front panel connector

USB3_12

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO Digital audio connector

SPDIF_OUT

+5V

SPDIFOUT

GND

This connector allows you to connect a USB 3.0 module for additional USB 3.0 front

or rear panel ports. With an installed USB 3.0 module, you can enjoy all the benets of

USB 3.0 including faster data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps, faster charging time for

USB-chargeable devices, optimized power efciency, and backward compatibility with

USB 2.0.

• The USB 3.0 module is purchased separately.

• These connectors are based on xHCI specication. We recommend you to install the

related driver to fully use the USB 3.0 ports under Windows® 7.

3. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)

This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port(s).
Connect the S/PDIF Out module cable to this connector, then install the module to a
slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

The S/PDIF module is purchased separately.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-19

4. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB910, USB1112, USB1314)

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO USB2.0 connectors

USB+5V

USB_P12-

USB_P12+

GND

NC

USB+5V

USB_P11-

USB_P11+

GND

USB1112

PIN 1

USB+5V

USB_P14-

USB_P14+

GND

NC

USB+5V

USB_P13-

USB_P13+

GND

USB1314

PIN 1

USB+5V

USB_P10-

USB_P10+

GND

NC

USB+5V

USB_P9-

USB_P9+

GND

USB910

PIN 1

These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of
these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system

chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specication supporting up to

480 Mbps connection speed.

Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the
motherboard!

You can connect the front panel USB cable to the ASUS Q-Connector (USB, dark brown)

rst, and install the Q-Connector (USB) to the USB connector onboard if your chassis

supports front panel USB ports.

• The USB 2.0 module is purchased separately.

• These connectors are based on xHCI specication. We recommend you to install the

related driver to fully use the USB 2.0 ports under Windows® 7.

Chapter 1

1-20

Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO Front panel audio connector

AAFP

PIN 1

AGNDNCSENSE1_RETUR

SENSE2_RETUR

PORT1 L

PORT1 R

PORT2 R

SENSE_SEND

PORT2 L

HD-audio-compliant

pin definition

PIN 1

AGNDNCNC

NC

MIC2

MICPWR

Line out_R

NC

Line out_L

Legacy AC’97

compliant definition

This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports
either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel
audio I/O module cable to this connector.

• We recommend that you connect a high-denition front panel audio module to this
connector to avail of the motherboard’s high-denition audio capability.

• If you want to connect a high-denition front panel audio module to this connector, set
the Front Panel Type item in the BIOS setup to [HD]; if you want to connect an AC’97

front panel audio module to this connector, set the item to [AC97]. By default, this
connector is set to [HD].

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-21

6. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN1/2/3)

CPU_FAN3

CHA_FAN1

GND
CHA FAN PWR
CHA FAN IN
CHA FAN PWM

CHA FAN PWM

CHA FAN IN

CHA FAN PWR

GND

CPU_FAN

CPU FAN PWM

CPU FAN IN

CPU FAN PWR

GND

CHA_FAN2

CHA FAN PWM

CHA FAN IN

CHA FAN PWR

GND

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO Fan connectors

Detection latch

Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the
black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

• DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufcient air ow

inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers!
Do not place jumper caps on the fan connectors!

• Ensure that the CPU fan is securely installed to the CPU fan connector.

• The CPU_FAN connector supports the CPU fan of maximum 1A (12 W) fan power.

• If you install two VGA cards, we recommend that you plug the rear chassis fan cable
to the motherboard connector labeled CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2, or CHA_FAN3 for
better thermal environment.

• The CPU_FAN connector and CHA_FAN connectors support the ASUS FAN Xpert 2
feature.

• The CPU fan connector has a special latch that detects the installed CPU fan type and
automatically changes the fan control mode (DC mode and PWM mode) for the most
precise fan control function.

Chapter 1

1-22

Chapter 1: Product introduction

7. Serial port connectors (10-1 pin COM)

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO Serial port (COM) connector

PIN 1

COM

D
C
D

DX
T

D
N
G

S
T
R

I
R

D
X
R

R
T
D

R
S
D

S
T
C

The connector is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to the
connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

The serial port bracket (COM) is purchased separately.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-23

8. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR; 8-pin EATX12V)

H87M-PRO

H87M-PRO EATX power connectors

EATXPWR

PIN 1

GND
+5 Volts
+5 Volts
+5 Volts

-5 Volts
GND
GND
GND
PSON#
GND

-12 Volts
+3 Volts

+3 Volts
+12 Volts
+12 Volts

+5V Standby

Power OK

GND

+5 Volts

GND

+5 Volts

GND
+3 Volts
+3 Volts

EATX12V

PIN 1

+12V DC

+12V DC

+12V DC

+12V DC

GND

GND

GND

GND

These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs are

designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and
push down rmly until the connectors completely t.

• For a fully congured system, we recommend that you use a power supply unit
(PSU) that complies with ATX 12V Specication 2.0 (or later version) and provides a

minimum power of 350 W.

• Do not forget to connect the 4-pin/8-pin EATX 12V power plug. Otherwise, the system
will not boot.

• We recommend that you use a PSU with a higher power output when conguring a

system with more power-consuming devices. The system may become unstable or
may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

• If you want to use two high-end PCI Express x16 cards, use a PSU with 1000W power
or above to ensure the system stability.

• If you are uncertain about the minimum power supply requirement for your system,
refer to the Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator at http://support.asus.
com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.aspx?SLanguage=en-us for details.

Chapter 1

1-24

Chapter 1: Product introduction

9. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)

PIN 1

* Requires an ATX power supply

PWR_LED

SPEAKER

PWR_LED+

PWR_LED-

+5V

Ground

Ground

Speaker

HDD_LED+

HDD_LED-

PWR

Ground

Reset

Ground

PANEL

HDD_LED PWR_SW RESET

H87M-PRO

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

• System power LED (2-pin PWR_LED)

This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED
cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system
power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.

• Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDD_LED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD Activity LED cable

to this connector. The HDD LED lights up or ashes when data is read from or written

to the HDD.

• System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The speaker
allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

• ATX power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWR_SW)

This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power button turns
the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode depending on the BIOS
settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON
turns the system OFF.

• Reset button (2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without
turning off the system power.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 1

1-25

Chapter 1

1-26

Chapter 1: Product introduction

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

Basic Installation

2.1 Building your PC system

2.1.1 Motherboard installation

The diagrams in this section are for reference only. The motherboard layout may vary with
models, but the installation steps are the same for all models.

1. Install the ASUS Q-Shield to the chassis rear I/O panel.

2

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-1

2. Place the motherboard into the chassis, ensuring that its rear I/O ports are aligned to
the chassis’ rear I/O panel.

Chapter 2

2-2

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

3. Place nine screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the

H87M-PRO

chassis.

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

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-3

2.1.2 CPU installation

Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for LGA1150 socket only. DO NOT install
a CPU designed for LGA1155 and LGA1156 socket on the LGA1150 socket.

Chapter 2

2-4

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

2.1.3 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

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-5

To uninstall the CPU heatsink and fan assembly

Chapter 2

2-6

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

2.1.4 DIMM installation

1

2

3

To remove a DIMM

B

ASUS H87M-PRO

A

Chapter 2

2-7

2.1.5 ATX Power connection

OR

Chapter 2

2-8

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

2.1.6 SATA device connection

OR

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-9

2.1.7 Front I/O Connector

IDE_LED

POWER SW

RESET SW

IDE_LED-

IDE_LED+

PWR

Reset

Ground

Ground

To install the ASUS Q-Connector

1 2

To install USB 2.0 connector To install front panel audio connector

To install USB 3.0 connector

Chapter 2

2-10

AAFP

USB 2.0

USB 3.0

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

2.1.8 Expansion Card installation

To install PCIe x16 cards

To install PCIe x1 cards

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-11

2.2 BIOS update utility

USB BIOS Flashback

USB BIOS Flashback allows you to easily update the BIOS without entering the existing
BIOS or operating system. Simply insert a USB storage device to the USB port, press the
USB BIOS Flashback button for three seconds, and the BIOS is updated automatically.

To use USB BIOS Flashback:

1. Download the latest BIOS le from the ASUS website at

2. Extract and rename the BIOS image le to

3. Copy

H87MPRO.CAP to the root directory of the USB storage device.

H87MPRO.CAP.

4. Insert the USB storage device to the USB BIOS Flashback port when the system is
turned off.

5. Press the reset button for three seconds and the power LED on your chassis begins to

ash.

6. Wait until the power LED of your chassis goes out, indicating that the BIOS update
process is completed.

http://support.asus.com

Chapter 2

2-12

USB BIOS Flashback port

For more BIOS update utilities in BIOS setup, refer to the section 3.11.1 EZ Update in
Chapter 3.

• Do not unplug portable disk, power system, or press the CLR_CMOS button while
BIOS update is ongoing, otherwise update will be interrupted. In case of interruption,
please follow the steps again.

• If the light ashes for ve seconds and turns into a solid light, this means that the

BIOS Flashback is not operating properly. This may be caused by improper installation

of the USB storage device and lename/le format error. If this scenario happens,

please restart the system to turn off the light.

• Updating BIOS may have risks. If the BIOS program is damaged during the process
and results to the system’s failure to boot up, please contact your local ASUS Service
Center.

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections

2.3.1 Rear I/O connection

Rear panel connectors

1. PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse combo port

2. Optical S/PDIF OUT port

3. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port

4. Intel USB 3.0 ports, support ASUS USB 3.0 Boost.

5. LAN (RJ-45) port*

6. Audio I/O ports**

7. Intel USB 3.0 ports support ASUS USB 3.0 Boost. Bottom port supports USB
BIOS Flashback.

8. External SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports

9. DVI-D port

10. HDMI port

11. DisplayPort

12. USB 2.0 ports

* and ** : Refer to the tables on the next page for LAN port LEDs, and audio port denitions.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-13

• Due to USB 3.0 controller limitation, USB 3.0 devices can only be used under
Windows® OS environment and after the USB 3.0 driver installation.

• The plugged USB 3.0 device may run on xHCI or EHCI mode, depending on the
operating system’s setting.

• USB 3.0 devices can only be used as data storage only.

• We strongly recommend that you connect USB 3.0 devices to USB 3.0 ports for faster
and better performance for your USB 3.0 devices.

• Due to the design of the Intel
USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports are controlled by the xHCI controller. Some legacy USB

devices must update their rmware for better compatibility.

• Multi-VGA output supports up to three displays under Windows
displays under BIOS, and one display under DOS.

• Intel display architecture design supports the following maximum supported pixel
clocks (Pixel Clock = H total x V Total x Frame Rate (Screen refresh rate)):

- DVI port: 165 MHz

- VGA port: 180 MHz

- HDMI port: 300 MHz

- DisplayPort: 533 MHz

®

8 series chipset, all USB devices connected to the

* LAN ports LED indications

Activity Link LED Speed LED

Status Description Status Description

Off

Orange

Orange (Blinking)

Orange (Blinking
then steady)

No link Off 10 Mbps connection

Linked Orange 100 Mbps connection

Data activity Green 1 Gbps connection

Ready to wake up
from S5 mode

®

OS environment, two

ACT/LINK

LED

LAN port

SPEED

LED

2.3.2 Audio I/O connections

Chapter 2

Audio I/O ports

2-14

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

Connect to Headphone and Mic

Connect to Stereo Speakers

Connect to 2.1 channel Speakers

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-15

Connect to 4.1 channel Speakers

Connect to 5.1 channel Speakers

Chapter 2

2-16

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

2.4 Starting up for the rst time

1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.

2. Ensure that all switches are off.

3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system chassis.

4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge protector.

5. Turn on the devices in the following order:

a. Monitor

b. External SCSI devices (starting with the last device on the chain)

c. System power

6. After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case lights up.
For systems with ATX power supplies, the system LED lights up when you press the
ATX power button. If your monitor complies with the “green” standards or if it has a
“power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up or change from orange to green
after the system LED turns on.

The system then runs the power-on self tests (POST). While the tests are running, the

BIOS beeps (refer to the BIOS beep codes table) or additional messages appear on
the screen. If you do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on
the power, the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and
connections or call your retailer for assistance.

BIOS Beep Description

One short beep VGA detected

One continuous beep followed by two
short beeps then a pause (repeated)

One continuous beep followed by three
short beeps

One continuous beep followed by four
short beeps

Quick boot set to disabled
No keyboard detected

No memory detected

No VGA detected

Hardware component failure

7. At power on, hold down the <Delete> key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the
instructions in Chapter 3.

2.5 Turning off the computer

While the system is ON, press the power button for less than four seconds to put the system
on sleep mode or soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting. Press the power switch
for more than four seconds to let the system enter the soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS
setting.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 2

2-17

Chapter 2

2-18

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

BIOS setup

3

3.1 Knowing BIOS

The new ASUS UEFI BIOS is a Unied Extensible Interface that complies with UEFI

architecture, offering a user-friendly interface that goes beyond the traditional keyboard-

only BIOS controls to enable a more exible and convenient mouse input. You can easily

navigate the new UEFI BIOS with the same smoothness as your operating system. The

term “BIOS” in this user manual refers to “UEFI BIOS” unless otherwise specied.

BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) stores system hardware settings such as storage

device conguration, overclocking settings, advanced power management, and boot
device conguration that are needed for system startup in the motherboard CMOS. In

normal circumstances, the default BIOS settings apply to most conditions to ensure
optimal performance. DO NOT change the default BIOS settings except in the following
circumstances:

An error message appears on the screen during the system bootup and requests you to

•

run the BIOS Setup.

You have installed a new system component that requires further BIOS settings or

•

update.

Inappropriate BIOS settings may result to instability or boot failure. We strongly

recommend that you change the BIOS settings only with the help of a trained service
personnel.

When downloading or updating the BIOS le, rename it as H87MPRO.CAP for this
motherboard.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-1

3.2 BIOS setup program

Use the BIOS Setup to update the BIOS or congure its parameters. The BIOS screen

include navigation keys and brief onscreen help to guide you in using the BIOS Setup
program.

Entering BIOS at startup

To enter BIOS Setup at startup:

• Press <Delete> during the Power-On Self Test (POST). If you do not press <Delete>,
POST continues with its routines.

Entering BIOS Setup after POST

To enter BIOS Setup after POST:

• Press <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Delete> simultaneously.

• Press the reset button on the system chassis.

• Press the power button to turn the system off then back on. Do this option only if you

failed to enter BIOS Setup using the rst two options.

• The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes only, and
may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

• Ensure that a USB mouse is connected to your motherboard if you want to use the
mouse to control the BIOS setup program.

• If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS setting, load the default
settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Optimized
Defaults item under the Exit menu or press hotkey <F5>. See section 3.9 Exit Menu
for details.

• If the system fails to boot after changing any BIOS setting, try to clear the CMOS and
reset the motherboard to the default value. See section 1.2.6 Jumpers for information
on how to erase the RTC RAM.

• The BIOS setup program does not support the bluetooth devices.

BIOS menu screen

The BIOS Setup program can be used under two modes: EZ Mode and Advanced Mode.
You can change modes from the Exit menu or from the Exit/Advanced Mode screen.

Chapter 3

3-2

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.2.1 EZ Mode

By default, the EZ Mode screen appears when you enter the BIOS setup program. The EZ
Mode provides you an overview of the basic system information, and allows you to select
the display language, system performance mode and boot device priority. To access the
Advanced Mode, click Exit/Advanced Mode, then select Advanced Mode or press <F7> hot
key for the advanced BIOS settings.

The default screen for entering the BIOS setup program can be changed. Refer to the

Setup Mode item in section 3.7 Boot menu for details.

Displays the CPU temperature, CPU
voltage output, DRAM information, and
CPU/chassis fan speed

Selects the Advanced
mode functions

Displays the Advanced
mode menus

Selects the boot device priority

Selects the display language
of the BIOS setup program

Selects the boot

device priority

Displays the system properties of the
selected mode on the right hand side

Exits the BIOS setup program
without saving the changes, saves
the changes and resets the system,
or enters the Advanced Mode

Loads optimized
default settings

• The boot device options vary depending on the devices you installed to the system.

• The
system.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Boot Menu(F8) button is available only when the boot device is installed to the

Chapter 3

3-3

3.2.2 Advanced Mode

The Advanced Mode provides advanced options for experienced end-users to congure
the BIOS settings. The gure below shows an example of the Advanced Mode. Refer to the
following sections for the detailed congurations.

To access the Advanced Mode, click Exit, then select Advanced Mode or press F7 hotkey.

Back button Menu bar

General help

Menu bar

The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:

My Favorites For saving the frequently-used system settings and conguration.

Chapter 3

Main For changing the basic system conguration

Ai Tweaker For changing the overclocking settings

Advanced For changing the advanced system settings

Monitor

Boot For changing the system boot conguration

Tool For conguring options for special functions
Exit For selecting the exit options and loading default settings

3-4

Submenu itemMenu items

Pop-up window

Conguration elds

Scroll bar

Navigation keys

For displaying the system temperature, power status, and changing the
fan settings.

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Last modied

settings

Quick note

Menu items

The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example,

selecting Main shows the Main menu items.

The other items (Ai Tweaker, Advanced, Monitor, Boot, Tool, and Exit) on the menu bar have
their respective menu items.

Back button

This button appears when entering a submenu. Press <Esc> or use the USB mouse to click
this button to return to the previous menu screen.

Submenu items

A greater than sign (>) before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a
submenu. To display the submenu, select the item and press <Enter>.

Pop-up window

Select a menu item and press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the conguration

options for that item.

Scroll bar

A scroll bar appears on the right side of a menu screen when there are items that do not t on

the screen. Press the Up/Down arrow keys or <Page Up> / <Page Down> keys to display the
other items on the screen.

Navigation keys

At the bottom right corner of the menu screen are the navigation keys for the BIOS setup
program. Use the navigation keys to select items in the menu and change the settings.

General help

At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item. Use
<F12> key to capture the BIOS screen and save it to the removable storage device.

Conguration elds

These elds show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-congurable, you can
change the value of the eld opposite the item. You cannot select an item that is not
user-congurable.

A congurable eld is highlighted when selected. To change the value of a eld, select it and

press <Enter> to display a list of options.

Quick Note button

This button allows you to enter notes of the activities that you have done in BIOS.

Last Modied button

This button shows the items that you last modied and saved in BIOS Setup.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-5

3.3 My Favorites

MyFavorites is your personal space where you can easily save and access your favorite

BIOS items.

Adding items to My Favorites

To add frequently-used BIOS items to My Favorites:

1. Use the arrow keys to select an item that you want to add. When using a mouse, hover
the pointer to the item.

2. Press <F4> on your keyboard or right-click on your mouse to add the item to My
Favorites page.

Chapter 3

3-6

You cannot add the following items to My Favorites:

• Items with submenu options

• User-congurable items such as language and boot device order

• Conguration items such as Memory SPD Information, system time and date

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.4 Main menu

The Main menu screen appears when you enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS Setup
program. The Main menu provides you an overview of the basic system information, and
allows you to set the system date, time, language, and security settings.

Security

The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings.

• If you have forgotten your BIOS password, erase the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC)

RAM to clear the BIOS password. See section 1.2.6 Jumpers for information on how
to erase the RTC RAM.

• The Administrator or User Password items on top of the screen show the default [

Installed]. After you set a password, these items show [Installed].

ASUS H87M-PRO

Not

Chapter 3

3-7

Administrator Password

If you have set an administrator password, we recommend that you enter the administrator
password for accessing the system. Otherwise, you might be able to see or change only

selected elds in the BIOS setup program.

To set an administrator password:

1. Select the

2. From the

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

To change an administrator password:

1. Select the

2. From the
<Enter>.

3. From the

4. Conrm the password when prompted.

To clear the administrator password, follow the same steps as in changing an administrator

password, but press <Enter> when prompted to create/conrm the password. After you clear

the password, the Administrator Password item on top of the screen shows Not Installed.

User Password

If you have set a user password, you must enter the user password for accessing the system.
The User Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you set a
password, this item shows Installed.

To set a user password:

1. Select the

2. From the

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

To change a user password:

1. Select the

2. From the
<Enter>.

3. From the

Chapter 3

4. Conrm the password when prompted.

To clear the user password, follow the same steps as in changing a user password, but press

<Enter> when prompted to create/conrm the password. After you clear the password, the

User Password item on top of the screen shows Not Installed.

Administrator Password item and press <Enter>.

Create New Password box, key in a password, then press <Enter>.

Administrator Password item and press <Enter>.

Enter Current Password box, key in the current password, then press

Create New Password box, key in a new password, then press <Enter>.

User Password item and press <Enter>.

Create New Password box, key in a password, then press <Enter>.

User Password item and press <Enter>.

Enter Current Password box, key in the current password, then press

Create New Password box, key in a new password, then press <Enter>.

3-8

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.5 Ai Tweaker menu

The Ai Tweaker menu items allow you to congure overclocking-related items.

Be cautious when changing the settings of the Ai Tweaker menu items. Incorrect eld

values can cause the system to malfunction.

The conguration options for this section vary depending on the CPU and DIMM model you

installed on the motherboard.

Scroll down to display other BIOS items.

ASUS MultiCore Enhancement [Enabled]

[Enabled] Default set to [Enabled] for maximum performance under XMP/Manual/

User-dened memory frequency mode.

[Disabled] Allows you to set to default core ratio settings.

CPU Core Ratio [Auto]

Allows you to set the CPU ratio and sync automatically, per core or all cores. Conguration

options: [Auto] [Sync All Cores] [Per Core]

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-9

Min CPU Cache Ratio [Auto]

Allows you to set the uncore ratio of the processor to its possible minimum value.

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [30]

Max CPU Cache Ratio [Auto]

Allows you to set the uncore ratio of the processor to its possible maximum value.

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [30]

CPU bus speed : DRAM speed ratio mode [Auto]

Allows you to set the CPU bus speed to DRAM speed ratio mode.

[Auto] DRAM speed is set to the optimized settings.

[100:133] The CPU bus speed to DRAM speed ratio is set to 100:133.

[100:100] The CPU bus speed to DRAM speed ratio is set to 100:100.

Memory Frequency [Auto]

Chapter 3

Allows you to set the memory operating frequency. The conguration options vary with the

BCLK/PEG Frequency item settings.

iGPU Max. Frequency [Auto]

[Auto] The iGPU frequency is set to its optimized setting depending on the system

[Manual] Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the optimal iGPU frequency value. The

When the CPU Core Ratio is set to [Per Core], the following items appear.

1-Core Ratio Limit [Auto]

Allows you to set the 1-Core Ratio Limit. Select [Auto] to apply the CPU
default Turbo Ratio setting or manually assign a 1-Core Ratio Limit value
that is higher than or equal to the 2-Core Ratio Limit.

2-Core Ratio Limit [Auto]

Allows you to set the 2-Core Ratio Limit. Select [Auto] to apply the CPU
default Turbo Ratio setting or manually assign a 2-Core Ratio Limit value
that is higher than or equal to the 3-Core Ratio Limit. 1-Core Limit must not
be set to [Auto].

3-Core Ratio Limit [Auto]

Allows you to set the 3-Core Ratio Limit. Select [Auto] to apply the CPU
default Turbo Ratio setting or manually assign a 3-Core Ratio Limit value
that is higher than or equal to the 4-Core Ratio Limit. 1-Core/2-Core Ratio
Limit must not be set to [Auto].

4-Core Ratio Limit [Auto]

Allows you to set the 4 Core Ratio Limit. Select [Auto] to apply the CPU
default Turbo Ratio setting or manually assign a 4-Core Ratio Limit value
that is higher than or equal to the 3-Core Ratio Limit. 1-Core/2-Core/3-Core
Limit must not be set to [Auto].

loading.

frequency may vary depending on the system load.

3-10

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

GPU Boost [As Is]

GPU Boost accelerates the integrated GPU for extreme graphics performance. Conguration

options: [As Is] [Enabled]

EPU Power Saving Mode [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the EPU power saving function. Conguration options:

[Disabled] [Enabled]

DRAM Timing Control

The subitems in this menu allow you to set the DRAM timing control features. Use the <+>
and <-> keys to adjust the value. To restore the default setting, type [auto] using the keyboard
and press the <Enter> key.

Changing the values in this menu may cause the system to become unstable! If this
happens, revert to the default settings.

Primary Timings

DRAM CAS# Latency [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [31]

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [31]

DRAM RAS# PRE Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [31]

DRAM RAS# ACT Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [63]

DRAM COMMAND Mode [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [3]

Secondary Timings

DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

DRAM REF Cycle Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [511]

DRAM Refresh Interval [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [65535]

DRAM WRITE Recovery Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [16]

DRAM READ to PRE Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [255]

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-11

DRAM WRITE to READ Delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

DRAM CKE Minimum pulse width [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

DRAM CAS# Write to Latency [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [31]

RTL IOL control

Chapter 3

Third Timings

tRDRD [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [7]

DRAM RTL (CHA_R0D0) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM RTL (CHA_R0D1) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM RTL (CHA_R1D0) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM RTL (CHA_R1D1) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM RTL (CHB_R0D0) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM RTL (CHB_R0D1) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM RTL (CHB_R1D0) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM RTL (CHB_R1D1) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [63]

DRAM IO-L (CHA_R0D0) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

DRAM IO-L (CHA_R0D1) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

DRAM IO-L (CHA_R1D0 [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

DRAM IO-L (CHA_R1D1 [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

DRAM IO-L (CHB_R0D0 [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

DRAM IO-L (CHB_R0D1) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

DRAM IO-L (CHB_R1D0 [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

DRAM IO-L (CHB_R1D1 [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] - [15]

3-12

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

tRDRD_dr [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

tRDRD_dd [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

tWRRD [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [63]

tWRRD_dr [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

tWRRD_dd [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

tWRWR [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [7]

tWRWR_dr [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

tWRWR_dd [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [15]

Dec_WRD

Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1]

tRDWR [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [31]

tRDWR_dr [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [31]

tRDWR_dd [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [31]

MISC

MRC Fast Boot [Auto]

Allows you to enable, disable or automatically set the MRC fast boot. Conguration

options: [Auto] [Enable] [Disable]

DRAM CLK Period [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1] – [14]

Channel A DIMM Control [Enable Bot...]

Conguration options: [Enable Both DIMMS] [Disable DIMM0] [Disable DIMM1]

[Disable Both DIMMS]

Channel B DIMM Control [Enable Bot...]

Conguration options: [Enable Both DIMMS] [Disable DIMM0] [Disable DIMM1]

[Disable Both DIMMS]

Scrambler Setting [Optimized ...]

Allows you to set the optimized setting for stability. Conguration options: [Optimized

(ASUS] [Default (MRC)]

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-13

DIGI+ VRM

CPU Load-Line Calibration [Auto]

Load-line is dened by Intel VRM specication and affects CPU voltage. The CPU

working voltage will decrease proportionally to CPU loading. Higher value gets a
higher voltage and better overclocking performance, but increases the CPU and VRM
thermal conditions. This item allows you to adjust the voltage range from the following

percentages to boost the system performance: 0% (Regular), 25% (Medium), 50%
(High), 75% (Ultra High), and 100% (Extreme). Conguration options: [Auto] [Regular]

[Medium] [High] [Ultra High] [Extreme]

CPU Fixed Frequency [XXX]

This item allows you to set a xed CPU frequency. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust
the value. The values range from 200kHz to 350kHz with a 50kHz interval.

CPU Power Phase Control [Auto]

Allows you to set the power phase based on the CPU. Conguration options: [Auto]
[Standard] [Optimized] [Extreme] [Manual Adjustment]

CPU Power Duty Control [T.Probe]

DIGI + VRM Duty Control adjusts the current of every VRM phase and the thermal
conditions of every component.
[T. Probe] Select to maintain the VRM thermal balance.
[Extreme] Select to maintain the current VRM balance.

CPU Current Capability [Auto]

Allows you to congure the total power range, and extends the overclocking frequency

Chapter 3

range simultaneously. Conguration options: [Auto] [100%] [110%] [120%] [130%]
[140%]

The actual performance boost may vary depending on your CPU specication.

DO NOT remove the thermal module when setting this item to [Extreme] and [Manual
Adjustment]. The thermal conditions should be monitored.

This following item appears only when you set the CPU Power Phase Control item to

[Manual Adjustment].

Manual Adjustment [Fast]

Allows you to set a response for the CPU power phase control.

Conguration options: [Ultra Fast] [Fast] [Medium] [Regular]

3-14

Choose a higher value when overclocking, or under a high CPU loading for extra power
support.

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

CPU Power Management

The subitems in this menu allow you to set the CPU ratio and features.

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep Technology (EIST).
[Disabled] Disables this function.

[Enabled] The operating system dynamically adjusts the processor voltage and

Turbo Mode [Enabled]

Allows you to enable your core processor’s speed to run faster than the marked

frequency in a specic condition. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when you set the Turbo Mode to [Enabled].

Turbo Mode Parameters

CPU Internal Power Switching Frequency

CPU Internal Power Fault Control

core frequency which may result in decreased average consumption
and decreased average heat production.

Long Duration Package Power Limit [Auto]

Allows you to limit the turbo ratio’s long duration package power. Use the
<+> and <-> keys to adjust the value.

Package Power Time Window [Auto]

Allows you to maintain the turbo ratio’s package power time window. Use
the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value.

Short Duration Package Power Limit [Auto]

Allows you to limit the turbo ratio’s short duration power. Use the <+> and
<-> keys to adjust the value.

CPU Integrated VR Current Limit [Auto]

Allows you to set a higher current limiy to prevent frequency and power
throttling when overclocking. Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value.

Frequency Tuning Mode [Auto]

Allows you to increase or decrease the switching frequency of the internal
regulator. Decrease to help consume less power or increase to help votlage

stability. Conguration options: [Auto] [+] [-]

Thermal Feedback [Auto]

Allows your system to take precautionary actions to be taken by the
CPU when the thermal conditions of the external regulator exceeds the

threshold. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

CPU Integrated VR Fault Management [Auto]

Disable this item to prevent tripping the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator
when doing over-voltage. We recommend you to disable this item when

overclocking. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-15

CPU Internal Power Configuration

CPU Internal Power Saving Control

Chapter 3

CPU Integrated VR Efciency Management [Auto]

Allows you to improve power saving when the processor is in low power
state. Disable to make the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator work in high

performance at all times. Conguration options: [Auto] [High Performance]

[Balanced]

Power Decay Mode [Auto]

Allows your system to improve the power saving mode on the Fully
Integrated Voltage Regulator as the processor goes into low current state.

Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

Idle Power-in Response [Auto]

Allows you to set the slew rate for the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator

as it enters manual override mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [Regular]

[Fast]

Idle Power-out Response [Auto]

Allows you to set the slew rate for the Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator as

it exits manual override mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [Regular] [Fast]

Power Current Slope [Auto]

Allows you to set the gradient of the high-speed active phase current
balance during load transients to eliminate current imbalance that can
result from a load current oscillating near the switching frequency.

Conguration options: [Auto] [LEVEL -4] - [LEVEL 4]

Power Current Offset [Auto]

Allows you to increase or decrease the output current sensed by the CPU.

It nds the balance between optimal regulating while staying below the
current threshold. Conguration options: [Auto] [100%] [87.5%] [75.0%]
[62.5%] [50.0%] [37.5%] [25.0%] [12.5%] [0%] [-12.5%] [-25.0%] [-37.5%]
[-50.0%] [-62.5%] [-75.0%] [-87.5%] [-100%]

Power Fast Ramp Response [Auto]

Allows you to increase to enhance the response of the voltage regulator

during the load transient. Conguration options: [Auto] [0.00] - [1.50]

Power Saving Level 1 Threshold [Auto]

Lower value provides sufcient overclocking tolerance to enlarge the

overclocking potential. Higher value provides better power-saving condition.
Use <+> and <-> key to adjust the value. The values range from 0A to 80A
at 1Amp increment.

Power Saving Level 2 Threshold [Auto]

Lower value provides sufcient overclocking tolerance to enlarge the

overclocking potential. Higher value provides better power-saving condition.
Use <+> and <-> key to adjust the value. The values range from 0A to 50A
at 1Amp increment.

Power Saving Level 3 Threshold [Auto]

Lower value provides sufcient overclocking tolerance to enlarge the

overclocking potential. Higher value provides better power-saving condition.
Use <+> and <-> key to adjust the value. The values range from 0A to 30A
at 1Amp increment.

3-16

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Extreme OV [Disabled]

By default, this item is set to [Disabled] and helps provide over voltage protection for the
CPU. When you set this item to [Enabled], you can select voltage settings for overclocking,
but this will not guarantee the CPU’s lifespan.

CPU Core Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to congure the amount of voltage fed to the cores of the processor. Increase the
amount of voltage when increasing core frequency. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual

Mode] [Offset Mode] [Adaptive Mode]

The following item appears only when you set the CPU Core Voltage to [Manual Mode].

CPU Core Voltage Override [Auto]

Allows you to set the CPU Core Voltage override. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the
value. The values range from 0.001V to 1.920V with a 0.001V interval.

The following items appear only when you set the CPU Core Voltage to [Offset Mode] or

[Adaptive Mode].

Offset Mode Sign [+]

[+] To offset the voltage by a positive value.

[–] To offset the voltage by a negative value.

CPU Core Voltage Offset

Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 0.001V
to 0.999V with a 0.001V interval.

The following item appears only when you set the CPU Core Voltage to [Adaptive Mode].

Additional Turbo Mode CPU Core Voltage [Auto]

This item allows you to add voltage for Turbo Mode CPU core. Use the <+>
or <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 0.001V to 1.920V
with a 0.001V interval.

CPU Graphics Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to congure the amount of voltage fed to the onboard graphics unit on the
processor. Increase the amount of voltage when increasing iGPU frequency. Conguration

options: [Auto] [Manual Mode] [Offset Mode] [Adaptive Mode]

The following item appears only when you set the CPU Graphics Voltage to [Manual

Mode].

CPU Graphics Voltage Override [Auto]

Allows you to set the CPU Graphics Voltage override. Use the <+> or <-> keys to
adjust the value, The values range from 0.001V to 1.920V with a 0.001V interval.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-17

The following items appear only when you set the CPU Graphics Voltage to [Offset Mode]
or [Adaptive Mode].

Offset Mode Sign [+]

[+] To offset the voltage by a positive value.

[–] To offset the voltage by a negative value.

CPU Graphics Voltage Offset

Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 0.001V
to 0.999V with a 0.001V interval.

The following item appears only when you set the CPU Graphics Voltage to [Adaptive

Mode].

Additional Turbo Mode CPU Graphics Voltage [Auto]

This item allows you to add voltage for Turbo Mode CPU Graphics. Use
the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 0.001V to

1.920V with a 0.001V interval.

CPU Cache Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to congure the amount of voltage fed to the uncore of the processor including its
cache. Increase the voltage when increasing Ring frequency. Conguration options: [Auto]

[Manual Mode] [Offset Mode]

The following item appears only when you set the CPU Cache Voltage to [Manual Mode].

CPU Cache Voltage Override [Auto]

Allows you to set the CPU Cache Voltage override. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust
the value, The values range from 0.001V to 1.920V with a 0.001V interval.

Offset Mode Sign [+]

[+] To offset the voltage by a positive value.
[–] To offset the voltage by a negative value.

CPU Cache Voltage Offset

Allows you to set the CPU cache voltage offset. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the
value. The values range from 0.001V to 0.999V with a 0.001V interval.

Chapter 3

3-18

The following items appear only when you set the CPU Cache Voltage to [Offset Mode].

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

CPU System Agent Voltage Offset Mode Sign [+]

[+] To offset the voltage by a positive value.

[–] To offset the voltage by a negative value.

CPU System Agent Voltage Offset [Auto]

Allows you to congure the amount of voltage fed to the system agent of the processor

including its PCIe controller and power control unit. Increase the amount of voltage
when increasing DRAM frequency. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the value. The
values range from 0.001V to 0.999V with a 0.001V interval.

CPU Analog I/O Voltage Offset Mode Sign [+]

[+] To offset the voltage by a positive value.

[–] To offset the voltage by a negative value.

CPU Analog I/O Voltage Offset [Auto]

Allows you to congure the amount of voltage fed to the analog portion of the I/O on

the processor. Increase the amount of voltage when increasing DRAM frequency. Use
the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 0.001V to 0.999V with
a 0.001V interval.

CPU Digital I/O Voltage Offset Mode Sign [+]

[+] To offset the voltage by a positive value.

[–] To offset the voltage by a negative value.

CPU Digital I/O Voltage Offset [Auto]

Allows you to congure the amount of voltage fed to the digital portion of the I/O on the

processor. Increase the amount of voltage when increasing DRAM frequency. Use the
<+> or <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 0.001V to 0.999V with a

0.001V interval.

SVID Support [Auto]

Disabling SVID support stops the processor from communicating with the external voltage

regulator. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

• We recommend that you disable this function when overclocking.

• The following item appears only when you set SVID Support to

SVID Voltage Override [Auto]

Allows you to set the SVID Voltage override. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the
value. The values range from 0.001V to 2.440V with a 0.001V interval.

ASUS H87M-PRO

[Enabled].

Chapter 3

3-19

DRAM Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the DRAM voltage. The values range from 1.185V to 1.800V with a 0.005V
interval.

According to Intel CPU specications, DIMMs with voltage requirement over 1.65V may

damage the CPU permanently. We recommend that you install the DIMMs with the voltage
requirement below 1.65V.

PCH VLX Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the voltage for the I/O on the PCH. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the
value. The values range from 1.185V to 2.135V with a 0.005V interval.

PCH Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the Platform Controller Hub voltage. Use the <+> or <-> keys to adjust the
value. The values range from 0.735V to 1.500V with a 0.005V interval.

The system may need better cooling system to work stably under high voltage settings.

DRAM CTRL REF Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set a fraction of DRAM voltage as reference on the control lines. Use the <+>
or <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 0.3950x to 0.6300x with a 0.0050x
interval.

DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA/CHB [Auto]

Allows you to set the DRAM DATA Reference Voltage on Channel A/B. The values range
from 0.3950x to 0.6300x with a 0.0050x interval. Different ratio might enhance DRAM
overclocking ability.

CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto]

[Auto] Automatic conguration.

[Disabled] Enhances the BCLK overclocking ability.

[Enabled] Sets to [Enabled] for EMI control.

Chapter 3

3-20

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.6 Advanced menu

The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system
devices.

Be cautious when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect eld values

can cause the system to malfunction.

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-21

3.6.1 CPU Conguration

The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically
detects.

The items in this menu may vary based on the CPU installed.

Scroll down to display other BIOS items.

Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the overheated CPU to throttle its clock speed to cool down.

[Disabled] Disables the CPU thermal monitor function.

Hyper-threading [Enabled]

The Intel Hyper-Threading Technology allows a hyper-threading processor to appear as two

Chapter 3

logical processors to the operating system, allowing the operating system to schedule two
threads or processes simultaneously.

[Enabled] Two threads per activated core are enabled.

[Disabled] Only one thread per activated core is enabled.

3-22

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Active Processor Cores [All]

Allows you to choose the number of CPU cores to activate in each processor package.

Conguration options: [All] [1] [2] [3]

Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled]

[Enabled] Allows legacy operating systems to boot even without support for CPUs

with extended CPUID functions.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

Execute Disable Bit [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the No-Execution Page Protection Technology.

[Disabled] Forces the XD feature ag to always return to zero (0).

Intel Virtualization Technology [Disabled]

[Enabled] Allows a hardware platform to run multiple operating systems separately

and simultaneously, enabling one system to virtually function as several
systems.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]

[Enabled] Allows a hardware platform to automatically analyze the requirements and

prefetch data and codes for the CPU.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch [Enabled]

[Enabled] Allows a hardware platform to perform adjacent cache line prefetching.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

Boot Performance mode [Max Non-Tu...]

Allows you to select the performance state that the BIOS will set before OS handoff.

Conguration options: [Max Non-Turbo performance] [Max Battery] [Turbo Performance]

CPU Power Management Conguration

This item allows you to manage and congure the CPU’s power.

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology [Enabled]

Allows your system to adjust the processor’s voltage and cores frequency, resulting in
decreased power consumption and heat production.
[Disabled] The CPU runs at its default speed.

[Enabled] The system controls the CPU speed.

Turbo Mode [Enabled]

Allows you to set the processor cores to run faster than the base frequency when

operating below power, current and temperature specication limit. Conguration

options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Chapter 3

ASUS H87M-PRO

3-23

CPU C States

Allows you to enable or disable the CPU C states. Conguration options: [Auto]

[Enabled] [Disabled]

The following items appear only when you set the CPU C States to [Enabled].

Enhanced C1 state [Enabled]

Allows your processor to reduce power when the system is in idle mode.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

CPU C3 Report [Enabled]

Allows you to disable or enable the CPU C3 report to the operating system.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

CPU C6 Report [Enabled]

Allows you to disable or enable the CPU C6 report to the operating system.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

C6 Latency [Short]

Allows you to set the duration of C6 latency for C6 state. Conguration

options: [Short] [Long]

CPU C7 Report [CPU C7s]

Allows you to disable or enable the CPU C7 report to the operating system.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [CPU C7] [CPU C7s]

C7 Latency [Long]

Allows you to set the duration of C7 latency for C7 state. Conguration

options: [Short] [Long]

Package C State Support [Auto]

Allows you to set the a C-state according to the following conguration

options: [Auto] [Enabled] [C0/C1] [C2] [C3] [C6] [CPU C7] [CPU C7s]

Chapter 3

3-24

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.6.2 PCH Conguration

PCI Express Conguration

Allows you to congure the PCI Express slots.

DMI Link ASPM Control [Auto]

Allows you to control the ASPM (Active State Power Management) on both Northbridge

side and Southbridge side of the DMI Link. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

[Auto]

ASPM Support [Disabled]

Allows you to set the ASPM level. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto] [L0s] [L1]

[L0sL1]

PCIe Speed [Auto]

Allows you to select the PCI Express port speed. Conguration options: [Auto] [Gen1]

[Gen2]

Intel Rapid Start Technology [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable Intel Rapid Start Technology. Conguration options: [Enabled]

[Disabled]

The following items appear only when you set the Intel Rapid Start Technology to

[Enabled].

Entry on S3 RTC Wake [Enabled]

The system automatically wakes up and set to Rapid Start Technology S4 mode.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled

Entry After [0]

Allows you to set the wake-up time. The values range from 0 (Immediately)
to 120 minutes.

Active Page Threshold Support [Enabled]

The system automatically goes into sleep mode when the partition size is not enough

for the Intel® Rapid Start Technology to work. Conguration options: [Enabled]
[Disabled]

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-25

Active Memory Threshold [0]

Key in the value for the additional partition size for Rapid Start Technology

to work.

Ensure that the caching partition size is larger than the total memory size.

Hybrid Hard Disk Support [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the hybrid hard disk support. Conguration options:

[Enabled] [Disabled]

Intel Smart Connect Technology

ISCT Support [Disabled]

Allow you to enable or disable the Intel® Smart Connect Technology. Conguration options:
[Enabled] [Disabled]

3.6.3 SATA Conguration

While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. The
SATA Port items show Empty if no SATA device is installed to the corresponding SATA port.

Scroll down to display the other BIOS items.

Chapter 3

3-26

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

SATA Mode Selection [AHCI]

Allows you to set the SATA conguration.

[Disabled] Disables the SATA function.

[IDE] Set to [IDE Mode] when you want to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as

[AHCI] Set to [AHCI Mode] when you want the SATA hard disk drives to use the

[RAID] Set to [RAID Mode] when you want to create a RAID conguration from the

Parallel ATA physical storage devices.

AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface). The AHCI allows the onboard
storage driver to enable advanced Serial ATA features that increases
storage performance on random workloads by allowing the drive to

internally optimize the order of commands.

SATA hard disk drives.

Aggressive LPM Support [Auto]

This item appears only when you set the SATA Mode Selection item to [AHCI] or [RAID], and

allow you to enable the PCH to aggressively enter link power state. Conguration options:

[Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]

IDE Legacy / Native Mode Selection [Native]

This item appears only when you set the SATA Mode Selection item to [IDE]. Conguration

options: [Native] [Legacy]

S.M.A.R.T. Status Check [Enabled]

S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a monitor system. When
read/write of your hard disk errors occur, this feature allows the hard disk to report warning

messages during the POST. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Hot Plug [Disabled] (SATA6G_1 ~ SATA6G_6 [Yellow])

This item appears only when you set the SATA Mode Selection item to [AHCI] or [RAID],

and allow you to enable/disable SATA Hot Plug Support. Conguration options: [Disabled]

[Enabled]

ASUS H87M-PRO

Chapter 3

3-27

3.6.4 System Agent Conguration

VT-d [Disabled]

Allows you to enable virtualization technology function on memory control hub.

[Enabled] Enables the function.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

CPU Audio Device [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable CPU SA Audio devices. Conguration options: [Enabled]

[Disabled]

DVI Port Audio [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the DVI port. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Graphics Conguration

Allows you to select a primary display from iGPU, and PCIe graphical devices.

Primary Display [Auto]

Allows you to select which of the iGPU/PCIE Graphics device for Primary Display.

Conguration options: [Auto] [iGPU] [PCIE] [PCI]

iGPU Memory [Auto]

Allows you to set the system memory size allocated to DVMT 5.0 used by the iGPU.
Conguration options: [Auto] [32M] [64M] [96M] [128M] ~ [448M] [480M] [512M]

[1024M]

Chapter 3

Render Standby [Auto]

Allows you to enable or disable Intel® Graphics Render Standby support to reduce

iGPU power use when the system is idle. Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled]

[Enabled]

3-28

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

iGPU Multi-Monitor [Disabled]

Allows you to enable the iGPU Multi-Monitor. For LucidLogix Virtu MVP function
support, set this item to [Enabled] to empower both integrated and discrete graphics.

The iGPU shared system memory size will be xed at 64MB.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

DMI Conguration

Allows you to control various DMI (Desktop Management Interface) functions.

DMI Gen 2 [Auto]

Allows you to enable or disable DMI Gen 2. Conguration options: [Auto] [Enabled]

[Disabled]

NB PCIe Conguration

Allows you to congure the NB PCI Express settings.

PCIEx16_1 Link Speed [Auto]

Allows you to congure the PCIEx16 speed. Conguration options: [Auto] [Gen1]

[Gen2] [Gen3]

DMI Link ASPM Control [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the control of Active State Power Management on SA

side of the DMI Link. Conguration options: [Disabled] [L0s] [L1] [L0sL1]

PEG - ASPM [Disabled]

Allows you to control ASPM support for the PEG device. Conguration options:

[Disabled] [Auto] [ASPM L0s] [ASPM L1] [ASPM L0sL1]

Memory Conguration

Allows you to congure the memory conguration parameters.

Memory Scrambler [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Memory Scrambler support. Conguration options:

[Enabled] [Disabled]

Memory Remap [Enabled]

Allows you to enable remapping the memory above 4GB. Conguration options:

[Enabled] [Disabled]

ASUS H87M-PRO

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3.6.5 AMT Conguration

The items in this menu allow you to congure the Active Management parameters..

Intel AMT [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable Intel® Active Management Technology BIOS Extension.

iAMT H/W is always enabled. This option just controls the BIOS extension execution. If

enabled, this requires additional rmware in the SPI device. Conguration options: [Disabled]

[Enabled]

BIOS Hotkey Pressed [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the BIOS hotkey press. Conguration options: [Disabled]

[Enabled]

Un-congure ME [Enabled]

Allows you to uncongure ME without password. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

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Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.6.6 USB Conguration

The items in this menu allow you to change the USB-related features.

The USB Devices item shows the auto-detected values. If no USB device is detected, the
item shows None.

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the support for USB devices on legacy operating systems (OS).

[Disabled] The USB devices can be used only for the BIOS setup program. It cannot

[Auto] Allows the system to detect the presence of USB devices at startup. If

Intel xHCI Mode [Smart Auto]

[Auto] Keeps the last operation of xHCI controller in OS during bootup.

[Smart Auto] Enables the operation of xHCI controller.

[Enabled] Enables the xHCI controller.

[Disabled] Disables the xHCI controller.

EHCI Hand-off [Disabled]

[Enabled] Enables the support for operating systems without an EHCI hand-off

[Disabled] Disables the EHCI Hand-off support.

USB Single Port Control

Allows you to enable or disable the individual USB port.

be recognized in boot devices list.

detected, the USB controller legacy mode is enabled. If no USB device is
detected, the legacy USB support is disabled.

feature.

Refer to section 1.2.2 Motherboard layout for the location of the USB ports.

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3.6.7 Platform Misc Conguration

The items in this menu allow you to congure the platform-related features.

PCI Express Native Power Management [Disabled]

Allows you to enhance the power saving feature of PCI Express and perform ASPM

operations in the operating system. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following item appears only when you set the PCI Express Native Power Management
to [Enabled].

Native ASPM [Disabled]

[Enabled] Vista controls the ASPM support for the device.

[Disabled] BIOS controls the ASPM support for the device.

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Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.6.8 Onboard Devices Conguration

Scroll down to view the other BIOS items.

HD Audio Controller [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the High Denition Audio Controller.

[Disabled] Disables the controller.

The following two items appear only when you set the HD Audio Controller item to

[Enabled].

Front Panel Type [HD]

Allows you to set the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC’97 or

high-denition audio depending on the audio standard that the front panel audio

module supports.

[HD] Sets the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to high denition

audio.

[AC97] Sets the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC’97

SPDIF Out Type [SPDIF]

[SPDIF] Sets to an SPDIF audio output.

[HDMI] Sets to an HDMI audio output.

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PCI Express X16_2 slot (Dark brown) Bandwidth [X2 mode]

[X2 mode] PCIex16_2 slot runs at x2 mode with all slots enabled.

[X4 mode] PCIex16_2 slot runs at x4 mode for high performance support. PCIex1_1

and PCIex1_2 will be disabled.

Marvel Storage Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Marvel Storage controller.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Marvel Storage OPROM [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Marvel Storage OPROM.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Marvel Storage Power Saving[Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Marvel Storage Power Saving function.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Realtek LAN Controller [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the Realtek® LAN controller.

[Disabled] Disables the Realtek

The following item appears only when you set the Realtek LAN Controller item to
[Enabled].

®

LAN controller.

Realtek PXE OPROM [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the PXE OptionRom of the Realtek LAN controller.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Serial Port Conguration

The sub-items in this menu allow you to set the serial port conguration.

Serial Port [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the serial port (COM). Conguration options: [Enabled]

[Disabled]

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Change Settings [IO=3F8h; IRQ=4]

Allows you to select the Serial Port base address. Conguration options: [IO=3F8h;
IRQ=4] [IO=2F8h; IRQ=3] [IO=3E8h; IRQ=4] [IO=2E8h; IRQ=3]

This item functions only if there is a serial port (COM) connector on the motherboard.

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.6.9 APM

Deep S4 [Disabled]

When enabled, the system in S4 state will further reduce power usage and will power off the
USB and PS/2 devices. The system in deep S4 state can be woken up via the power button,

devices in LAN, or other ways except via the USB and PS/2 devices. Conguration options:

[Disabled] [Enabled]

Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off]

[Power On] The system goes into ON state after an AC power loss.

[Power Off] The system goes into OFF state after an AC power loss.

[Last State] The system goes into either OFF or ON state, whatever the system state

Power On By PCIE [Disabled]

[Disabled] Disables the PCIE devices to generate a wake-on-LAN feature of the

[Enabled] Enables the PCIE devices to generate a wake-on-LAN feature of the

Power On By Ring [Disabled]

[Disabled] Disables Ring to generate a wake event.

[Enabled] Enables Ring to generate a wake event.

Power On By RTC [Disabled]

[Disabled] Disables RTC to generate a wake event.

[Enabled] When set to [Enabled], the items

was before the AC power loss.

Realtek LAN device or other installed PCIE LAN devices.

Realtek LAN device or other installed PCIE LAN devices.

RTC Alarm Date (Days) and Hour/

Minute/Second will become user-congurable with set values.

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3.6.10 Network Stack

Network Stack [Disabled]

This item allows user to disable or enable the UEFI network stack. Conguration options:

[Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when you set the Network Stack to [Enabled].

Ipv4/Ipv6 PXE Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Ipv4/Ipv6 PXE boot option. Conguration options:

[Disabled] [Enabled]

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Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.7 Monitor menu

The Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you to change
the fan settings.

Scroll down to display the other BIOS items.

CPU Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU temperature.
Select [Ignore] if you do not wish to display the detected temperature.

CPU Fan Speed [xxxx RPM] or [Ignore] / [N/A], Chassis Fan 1/2 Speed [xxxx
RPM] or [Ignore] / [N/A]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU and chassis fan

speed in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not connected to the motherboard, the eld

shows N/A. Select [Ignore] if you do not wish to display the detected speed.

CPU Input Voltage (VCCIN), 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard
voltage regulators. Select [Ignore] if you do not want to detect this item.

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CPU Q-Fan Control [Enabled]

[Disabled] Disables the CPU Q-Fan control feature.

[Enabled] Enables the CPU Q-Fan control feature.

CPU Fan Speed Low Limit [200 RPM]

Allows you to disable or set the CPU fan warning speed. Conguration options: [Ignore] [100

RPM] [200 RPM] [300 RPM] [400 RPM] [500 RPM]

CPU Fan Profile [Standard]

Allows you to set the appropriate performance level of the CPU fan.
[Standard] Set to make the CPU fan adjust automatically depending on the CPU

[Silent] Set to minimize the fan speed for quiet CPU fan operation.

[Turbo] Set to achieve maximum CPU fan speed.

[Manual] Set to assign detailed fan speed control parameters.

Chassis1/2/3 Q-Fan Control [Enabled]

[Disabled] Disables the Chassis Q-Fan control feature.

Chapter 3

[Enabled] Enables the Chassis Q-Fan control feature.

The following items appear only when you set the CPU Q-Fan Control item to [Enabled].

temperature.

The following four items appear only when you set CPU Fan Prole to [Manual].

CPU Upper Temperature [70]

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the upper limit of the CPU temperature.
The values range from 20ºC to 75ºC.

CPU Fan Max. Duty Cycle(%) [100]

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the maximum CPU fan duty cycle. The

values range from 20% to 100%. When the CPU temperature reaches the

upper limit, the CPU fan will operate at the maximum duty cycle.

CPU Lower Temperature [20]

Displays the lower limit of the CPU temperature.

CPU Fan Min. Duty Cycle(%) [20]

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the minimum CPU fan duty cycle. The

values range from 20% to 100%. When the CPU temperature is under

40ºC, the CPU fan will operate at the minimum duty cycle.

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Chapter 3: BIOS setup

The following items appear only when you set the Chassis1/2/3 Q-Fan Control items to
[Enabled].

Chassis1/2/3 Fan Speed Low Limit [600 RPM]

Allows you to disable or set the chassis fan warning speed. Conguration options: [Ignore]

[200 RPM] [300 RPM] [400 RPM] [500 RPM] [600 RPM]

Chassis1/2/3 Fan Profile [Standard]

Allows you to set the appropriate performance level of the chassis fan.
[Standard] Set to make the CPU fan adjust automatically depending on the CPU

[Silent] Set to minimize the fan speed for quiet CPU fan operation.

[Turbo] Set to achieve maximum CPU fan speed.

[Manual] Set to assign detailed fan speed control parameters.

The following four items appear only when you set the Chassis1/2/3 Fan Prole items to

[Manual].

temperature.

Chassis1/2/3 Upper Temperature [70]

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the upper limit of the CPU temperature.
The values range from 40ºC to 75ºC.

Chassis1/2/3 Fan Max. Duty Cycle(%) [100]

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the maximum chassis fan duty cycle.

The values range from 60% to 100%. When the chassis temperature

reaches the upper limit, the chassis fan will operate at the maximum duty
cycle.

Chassis1/2/3 Lower Temperature [40]

Displays the lower limit of the chassis temperature.

CPU Fan1/2/3 Min. Duty Cycle(%) [60]

Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the minimum chassis fan duty cycle.

The values range from 60% to 100%. When the chassis temperature is

under 40ºC, the chassis fan will operate at the minimum duty cycle.

Anti Surge Support [Enabled]

This item allows you to enable or disable the Anti Surge function. Conguration options:

[Disabled] [Enabled]

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3.8 Boot menu

The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options.

Scroll down to display the other BIOS items.

Boot Conguration

Fast Boot [Enabled]

[Disabled] Allows your system to go back to its normal boot speed.

[Enabled] Allows your system to accelerate the boot speed.

USB Support [Partial In...]

[Disabled] All USB devices will not be available until OS boot up for a fastest
POST time.

[Full Initialization] All USB devices will be available during POST. This process will

Chapter 3

[Partial Initialization] For a faster POST time, only USB ports with keyboard and mouse

3-40

The following four items appear only when you set Fast Boot to [Enabled].

extend the POST time.

connections will be detected.

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

PS/2 Keyboard and Mouse Support [Auto]

Select any of these settings when PS/2 keyboard and mouse are installed. These
settings only apply when Fast Boot is enabled.
[Auto] For a faster POST time, PS/2 devices will only be available when

[Full Initialization] For full system control, PS/2 devices will be available during

[Disabled] For the fastest POST time, all PS/2 devices will not be available

Network Stack Driver Support [Disabled]

[Disabled] Select to skip the network stack driver from loading during POST.
[Enabled] Select to load the network stack driver during POST.

Next Boot after AC Power Loss [Normal Boot]

[Normal Boot] Returns to normal boot on the next boot after an AC power loss.

[Fast Boot] Accelerates the boot speed on the next boot after an AC power loss.

the system boots up or rebooted when the PS/2 devices have not
been reconnected or changed. If you disconnect or change PS/2
devices before restarting the system, PS/2 devices will not be
available and BIOS setup program will not be accessible via PS/2
devices.

POST at any circumstances. This process will extend POST time.

until your computer enters the operating system.

Boot Logo Display [Enabled]

[Enabled] Display the boot logo during POST.

[Disabled] Hide the logo during POST.

Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo 2™ feature.

Boot Logo Size Control [Auto]

This item appears only when you set the Boot Logo Display item to [Enabled].

[Auto] Automatically adjust the boot logo size according to Windows®

[Full Screen] Display the boot logo in full screen.

Post Delay Time [3 sec]

This item appears only when you set the Boot Logo Display item to [Enabled]. This
item allows you to select a desired additional POST waiting time to easily enter the
BIOS Setup. You can only execute the POST delay time during normal boot. The
values range from 0 to 10 seconds.

requirements.

This feature will only work when set under normal boot.

Post Report [5 sec]

This item appears only when you set the Boot Logo Display item to [Disabled]. This

item allows you to select a desired POST report waiting time. Conguration options: [1

sec] - [10 sec] [Until Press ESC]

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Bootup NumLock State [On]

[On] Set the power-on state of the NumLock to [On].

[Off] Set the power-on state of the NumLock to

[Off].

Wait For ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled]

[Disabled] Disables the function.

[Enabled] The system waits for the <F1> key to be pressed when error occurs.

Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS]

[Force BIOS] The third-party ROM messages will be displayed during the boot sequence.

[Keep Current] The third-party ROM messages will be displayed only if the third-party

manufacturer had set the add-on device to do so.

Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled]

[Enabled] Allows the option ROMs to trap Interrupt 19.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

Setup Mode [EZ Mode]

[Advanced Mode] Allows you to go to Advanced Mode of the BIOS after POST.

[EZ Mode] Allows you to go to EZ Mode of the BIOS after POST.

CSM (Compatibility Support Module)

Allows you to congure the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) items to fully support the

various VGA, bootable devices and add-on devices for better compatibility.

Launch CSM [Enabled]

[Auto] The system automatically detects the bootable devices and the add-

[Enabled] For better compatibility, enable the CSM to fully support the non-UEFI

[Disabled] Disable the CSM to fully support the Windows

on devices.

driver add-on devices or the Windows® UEFI mode.

Security Boot.

®

Security Update and

Chapter 3

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The following four items appear when you set Launch CSM to [Enabled].

Boot Devices Control [UEFI and Legacy OpROM]

Allows you to select the type of devices that you want to boot. Conguration

options: [UEFI and Legacy OpROM] [Legacy OpROM only] [UEFI only]

Boot from Network Devices [Legacy OpROM rst]

Allows you to select the type of network devices that you want to launch.

Conguration options: [Legacy OpROM rst] [UEFI driver rst] [Ignore]

Boot from Storage Devices [Legacy OpROM rst]

Allows you to select the type of storage devices that you want to launch.

Conguration options: [Both, Legacy OpROM rst] [Both, UEFI rst]
[Legacy OpROM rst] [UEFI driver rst] [Ignore]

Boot from PCIe/PCI Expansion Devices [Legacy OpROM rst]

Allows you to select the type of PCIe/PCI expansion devices that you want

to launch. Conguration options: [Legacy OpROM rst] [UEFI driver rst]

Chapter 3: BIOS setup