ASUS M4A78 PRO User Manual

M4A78 PRO

Motherboard

E4341

First Edition V1

December 2008

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

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

product is defaced or missing.

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

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

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

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

Contents ...................................................................................................... iii

Notices ......................................................................................................... vi

Safety information ..................................................................................... vii

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

M4A78 PRO specications summary ....................................................... ix

Chapter 1 Product introduction

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

1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-1

1.3 Special features ............................................................................ 1-1

1.3.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-1

1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ............................................... 1-2

1.4 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 1-4

1.5 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 1-5

1.5.1 Placement direction ........................................................ 1-5

1.5.2 Screw holes .................................................................... 1-5

1.5.3 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 1-6

1.5.4 Layout contents ............................................................... 1-6

1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 1-7

1.6.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 1-7

1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan ........................................ 1-8

1.7 System memory ......................................................................... 1-10

1.7.1 Overview ....................................................................... 1-10

1.7.2 Memory congurations .................................................. 1-10

1.7.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 1-15

1.7.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 1-15

1.8 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 1-16

1.8.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 1-16

1.8.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 1-16

1.8.3 PCI slots ........................................................................ 1-16

1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slots ..................................................... 1-16

1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot ..................................................... 1-16

1.9 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 1-17

1.10 Connectors ................................................................................. 1-19

1.10.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 1-19

1.10.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 1-22

iii

Contents

1.11 Software support ........................................................................ 1-31

1.11.1 Installing an operating system ...................................... 1-31

1.11.2 Support DVD information .............................................. 1-31

Chapter 2 BIOS information

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

2.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy disk ....................................... 2-1

2.1.2 ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 2-2

2.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ................................................... 2-3

2.1.4 AFUDOS utility ................................................................ 2-4

2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 2-5

2.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 2-6

2.2.1 BIOS menu screen .......................................................... 2-7

2.2.2 Menu bar ......................................................................... 2-7

2.2.3 Navigation keys ............................................................... 2-8

2.2.4 Menu items ..................................................................... 2-8

2.2.5 Submenu items ............................................................... 2-8

2.2.6 Conguration elds ......................................................... 2-8

2.2.7 General help ................................................................... 2-8

2.2.8 Pop-up window ............................................................... 2-8

2.2.9 Scroll bar ......................................................................... 2-8

2.3 Main menu .................................................................................... 2-9

2.3.1 System Time ................................................................... 2-9

2.3.2 System Date ................................................................... 2-9

2.3.3 Legacy Diskette A ........................................................... 2-9

2.3.4 Primary IDE Master/Slave ............................................... 2-9

2.3.5 SATA 1–6 ..................................................................... 2-10

2.3.6 Storage Conguration ....................................................2-11

2.3.7 System Information ........................................................2-11

2.4 Ai Tweaker menu ........................................................................ 2-12

2.4.1 AI Overclocking ............................................................ 2-12

2.4.2 DRAM Frequency Control ............................................ 2-12

2.4.3 HT Link Speed ............................................................. 2-13

2.4.4 Processor Voltage ........................................................ 2-15

2.4.5 CPU/NB Voltage .......................................................... 2-15

2.4.6 CPU VDDA Voltage ...................................................... 2-16

Contents

2.4.7 DRAM Voltage ............................................................. 2-16

2.4.8 HT Voltage ................................................................... 2-16

2.4.9 NB Voltage ................................................................... 2-16

2.4.10 NB 1.8V Voltage ........................................................... 2-16

2.4.11 SB Voltage ................................................................... 2-16

2.4.12 CPU Spread Spectrum ................................................ 2-16

2.4.13 PCIE Spread Spectrum ................................................ 2-16

2.4.14 SB Clock Spread Spectrum .......................................... 2-16

2.5 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 2-17

2.5.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 2-17

2.5.2 Chipset .......................................................................... 2-18

2.5.3 Onboard Devices Conguration .................................... 2-20

2.5.4 USB Conguration ........................................................ 2-21

2.6 Power menu ................................................................................ 2-21

2.6.1 Suspend Mode ............................................................. 2-22

2.6.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume ........................................ 2-22

2.6.3 ACPI 2.0 Support .......................................................... 2-22

2.6.4 ACPI APIC Support ...................................................... 2-22

2.6.5 APM Conguration ........................................................ 2-22

2.6.6 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 2-23

2.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 2-24

2.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 2-24

2.7.2 Boot Settings Conguration .......................................... 2-24

2.7.3 Security ......................................................................... 2-25

2.8 Tools menu ................................................................................. 2-26

2.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 .......................................................... 2-26

2.8.2 Express Gate ............................................................... 2-26

2.8.3 ASUS O.C. Prole ......................................................... 2-27

2.8.4 AI NET 2........................................................................ 2-27

2.9 Exit menu .................................................................................... 2-28

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

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

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and

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

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital

device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This

equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed

and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur

in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user

is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

•

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

•

Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

•

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

connected.

•

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

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modications to this unit not

expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority

to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

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

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

DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin

indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in

municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.

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

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 that all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.

•

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

•

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

•

Place the product on a stable surface.

•

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

technician or your retailer.

About this guide

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

motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

supports.

• Chapter 2: BIOS setup

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus.

Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

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 yourselfInformation to prevent injury to yourself

when trying to complete a task.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the componentsInformation 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 aTips and additional information to help you complete a

task.

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.

Typography

Bol d te xt Indicates a menu or an item to select.Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign means that you must press the enclosed key. Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or Return key.

<Key1>+<Key2>+<Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key names are linked with a plus sign (+). Example: <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<D>

Command Means that you must type the command exactly as shown,Means that you must type the command exactly as shown,

then supply the required item or value enclosed in

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

afudos /iM4A78PRO.ROM

viii

M4A78 PRO specications summary

CPU AMD® Phenom™ X4 / Phenom™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 /

Chipset AMD 780G / SB700

System bus Up to 5200 MT/s; HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface for

Memory Dual-channel memory architecture

VGA Integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 GPU

Expansion Slots 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot

Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors (socket AM2+/AM2)

Compatible with AMD® Phenom™ II / Athlon™ X4/ Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 (AM3 CPU) AMD® 45nm CPU support AMD Cool’n’Quiet™ Technology

AM3 / AM2+ CPU 2000 / 1600 MT/s for AM2 CPU

- 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbufferred ECC / non-ECC DDR2 1066* / 800 / 667 MHz

memory modules

- Supports up to 16 GB system memory

*Due to AMD CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+ / AM3 CPUs for one DIMM per channel only. Refer

to www.asus.com or this user manual for the Memory

QVL (Qualied Vendors Lists). ** Due to OS limitation, when installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Hence, a

total installed memory of less than 3GB is recommended.

- Supports HDMI™ Technology with max. resolution up to 1920 x 1080 (1080P)

- Supports Dual-link DVI with max. resolution up to

2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz

- Supports D-Sub with max. resolution up to 2560 x 1440 @ 75 Hz

- Hybrid CrossFireX™ support

HDMI / DVI / D-Sub support (Dual independent displays support with HDMI / DVI and D-Sub)

- Supports Microsoft® DirectX 10, OpenGL 2.0, Pixel

Shader 4.0

- Hardware Decode Acceleration for H.264, VC-1, and MPEG-2

- Maximum shared memory of 512MB

2 x PCIe x1 slots 3 x PCI 2.2 slots

(continued on the next page)

M4A78 PRO specications summary

Storage 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices

LAN Atheros® L1E Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET 2

High Denition Audio VIA1708S 8-channel High Denition Audio CODEC8-channel High Denition Audio CODEC

USB 12 x USB 2.0 /1.1 ports (8 at mid-board; 4 on the rear

ASUS Unique Features ASUS Power Solution:

Special Features Uses 100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors!

6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors supporting RAID 0, 1, 10 and JBOD conguration

- Supports Jack-Detection and Multi-StreamingSupports Jack-Detection and Multi-StreamingMulti-Streaming

- Optical S/PDIF Out port at back I/OS/PDIF Out port at back I/O

- ASUS Noise Filter

panel)

- ASUS 4+1 Phase Power Design

- ASUS Anti-Surge Protection ASUS Green Design:

- ASUS EPU

- ASUS AI Nap ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution:

- ASUS Fanless Design: Feather heatsink solution

- ASUS Q-Fan 2

ASUS EZ DIY

- ASUS Express Gate

- ASUS Q-Connector

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS O.C. Prole

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

ASUS MyLogo 2™ AMD OverDrive Support* * Advanced cooling system is required when advanced

overclock functions of AMD OverDrive are enabled.

(continued on the next page)

M4A78 PRO specications summary

ASUS Exclusive Overclocking Features

Rear panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple)

Internal I/O connectors 4 x USB connectors support additional 8 USB ports

Intelligent overclocking tools:

- AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU Frequency Tuner)

- ASUS TurboV

- ASUS Turbo Key Precision Tweaker:

- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 50mv increment

- vDIMM: 8-step DRAM voltage control

- vChipset: 4-step Chipset voltage control SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection):

- FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 600MHz at 1MHz increment

- PCIe frequency tuning from 100MHz to 150MHz at 1MHz increment

Overclocking protection:

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

1 x PS/2 mouse port (green) 1 x S/PDIF Out (Optical)

1 x HDMI Out 1 x D-Sub 1 x DVI 1 x LAN (RJ-45)

4 x USB 2.0/1.1 8-channel audio I/O

1 x Floppy disk drive connector 1 x COM connector 1 x IDE connector 6 x SATA connectors 1 x CPU Fan connector 1 x Chassis Fan connector 1 x Power Fan connector 1 x Front panel audio connector 1 x S/PDIF Out Header 1 x Chassis Intrusion connector 1 x CD audio in

1 x 24-pin ATX Power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector

1 x System Panel (Q-Connector)

(continued on the next page)

M4A78 PRO specications summary

BIOS features 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM2.0, SM

Support DVD contents Drivers

Form factor ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)

*Specications are subject to change without notice.

BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0a, ASUS EZ Flash 2

Express Gate ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update AMD OverDrive Utility (AOD) Anti-Virus Utility (OEM version)

xii

Chapter 1

Product introduction

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® M4A78 PRO motherboard! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another

standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!

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

1.2 Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard ASUS M4A78 PRO motherboard

Cables 1 x Serial ATA cable

2 x SATA cables Accessories 1 x I/O shield

Application DVD ASUS motherboard support DVD Documentations User manual

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

1.3 Special features

1.3.1 Product highlights

AMD® Phenom™ II / Athlon™ X4 / Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2

Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-1

processors (socket AM3)

This motherboard supports AMD® AM3 multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power

consumption. It features dual-channel DDR2 1066 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransort™ 3.0

based system bus. This motherboard also supports AMD® CPUs in the new 45nm manufacturing process.

AMD® Phenom™ X4 / Phenom™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors (socket AM2+ / AM2)

The motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2+ multi-core processors. It

features dual-channel DDR2 1066 memory support, data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0 based system bus and AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology.

AMD® 780G chipset

The AMD 780G Northbridge is the latest AMD chipset designed for both HT1.0 and 5200MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and external graphics in PCI Express 2.0 standard. It features the integrated ATI RV610-based graphics and fully Directx 10.0 compliant.

Dual channel DDR2 1066 support

This motherboard supports DDR2 1066, which provides faster data

transfer rate and more bandwidth to increase memory data transfer rate

and computing efciency. This enhances system performance in 3D

graphics and other memory demanding applications.

Due to AM2+ CPU limitation, only one DDR2 1066 is supported per channel. When four DDR2 1066 DIMMs are installed, all DIMMs run at 800MHz frequency by default for

system stability.

AMD® Hybrid CrossFireX Technology

Hybrid CrossFireX Technology is a unique multi-GPU technology

combining the onboard GPU and the discrete graphics card together to enhance 3D graphics performance.

Visit www.amd.com for the Hybrid CrossreX selected GPUs.

1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features

ASUS Power Solution

ASUS 4+1 Phase Power Design

To fully unleash the next-generation AM3 CPU’s potential, ASUS M4A78

PRO motherboard has adopted a brand-new 4-phase VRM power

design. It delivers high power efciency and supreme overclocking ability. Furthermore, high quality power components can effective lower system temperature to ensure longer component lifespan. ASUS M4A78 PRO also features an extra 1-phase power for integrated memory/HT controller to

provide independent power to vital components.

ASUS EPU

The ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) provides total system energy

efciency by detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating

power in real-time. It automatically provides the most appropriate power usage for the CPU, VGA card, memory, chipset, hard drives, and system

fans—helping save power and money!

ASUS Anti-Surge

This special design prevents expensive devices and the motherboard from damage caused by lighting strikes or power surges.

1-2 ASUS M4A78 PRO

AI Nap

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

ASUS EZ O.C.

ASUS TurboV

Feel the adrenaline rush of real-time O.C.—now a reality with the ASUS TurboV. This easy O.C. tool allows you to overclock without exiting or rebooting the OS: and its user-friendly interface makes overclock with ust

a few clicks away. More, the ASUS OC Proles in TurboV provides the

best O.C. settings in different scenarios.

ASUS Turbo Key

ASUS Turbo Key allows the user to turn the PC power button into a physical overclocking button. After the easy setup, Turbo Key can boost performances without interrupting ongoing work or games—with just one

touch!

Other ASUS Features

ASUS Express Gate

Taking only 5 seconds to bootup, Express Gate is the one-stop gateway

to instant fun! It’s a unique motherboard built-in OS. You can utilize the

most popular Instant Messengers (IM) like MSN, Skype, Google talk, QQ,

and Yahoo! Messenger to keep in touch with friends, or quickly check on

the weather and e-mails just before leaving your house. What’s more, the user-friendly picture manager lets you view your pictures without entering

Windows at anytime!

The actual boot time depends on the system conguration.

Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-3

1.4 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, switch off the ATX power supply and detach its power cord. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

Onboard 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.

1-4 ASUS M4A78 PRO

1.5 Motherboard overview

1.5.1 Placement direction

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

1.5.2 Screw holes

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

Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.

Place this side towards the rear of the chassis.

Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-5

1.5.3 Motherboard layout

1.5.4 Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page

1. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR) 1-18

2. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) 1-23

3. CPU socket AM2+/AM2 1-7

4. CPU, Chassis and Power Fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN1, 3-pin PWR_FAN)

5. DDR2 DIMM slots 1-10

6. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1-6) 1-25

7. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) 1-24

8. System panel connector (10-1 pin PANEL) 1-26

9. Onboard LED (SB_PWR) 1-4

10. Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS) 1-22

11. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPW1-4, USBPW5-8, USBPW9-12) 1-18

12. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB910, USB1112) 1-27

13. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) 1-17

14. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) 1-27

15. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 1-28

16. Optical drive audio in connector (4-pin CD) 1-28

17. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-29

18. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1) 1-29

1-22

1-6 ASUS M4A78 PRO

1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with a CPU socket designed for AMD® AM3 Phenom™ II /

Athlon™ X4 / Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 processors and AM2+ / AM2 Phenom™ X4 / Phenom™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors.

The CPU socket is not compatible with AMD® Opteron™ processors. Do not install an Opteron™ processor on this motherboard.

1.6.1 Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

2. Press the lever sideways to unlock the socket, then lift it up to a 90°100° angle.

Socket lever

Ensure that the socket lever is lifted up to 90°-100° angle, otherwise the CPU will not t in

completely.

3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle.

4. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it ts in place.

The CPU ts only in one correct

orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the pins

and damaging the CPU!

Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-7

Small triangle

Gold triangle

5. When the CPU is in place, push down the socket lever to secure the CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab to indicate that it is locked.

6. Install a CPU heatsink and fan following the instructions that came with the heatsink package. You can also refer to section 1.6.2 Installing heatsink and fan for instructions.

7. Connect the CPU fan cable to the CPU_FAN connector on the motherboard.

Do not forget to connect the CPU

fan connector! Hardware monitoring

errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector.

1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan

Ensure that you use only AMD-certied heatsink and fan assembly.

To install the CPU heatsink and fan:

1. Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink ts

properly on the retention module base.

• The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon purchase.

• You do not have to remove the retention module base when installing the CPU or installing other motherboard components.

• If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, ensure that a Thermal Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU heatsink or CPU before you install the heatsink and fan assembly.

CPU Fan

CPU Heatsink

Retention bracket

Retention Module Base

Retention bracket lock

1-8 ASUS M4A78 PRO

Your boxed CPU heatsink and fan assembly should come with installation instructions for

the CPU, heatsink, and the retention mechanism. If the instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the latter.

2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.

3. Align the other end of the retention bracket to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place.

Ensure that the fan and heatsink assembly perfectly ts the retention mechanism module

base, otherwise you cannot snap the retention bracket in place.

4. Push down the retention bracket lock on the retention mechanism to secure the heatsink and fan to the module base.

5. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.

Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if

you fail to plug this connector.

Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-9

1.7 System memory

1.7.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. A DDR2 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR DIMM but has a 240-pin footprint compared to the 184-pin DDR DIMM. DDR2 DIMMs are notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR DIMM socket. The gure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets:

Channel Sockets

Channel A DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2

Channel B DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2

1.7.2 Memory congurations

You may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC DDR2 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.

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, we recommend that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor.

• 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 install a 64-bit Windows OS when having 4GB or more memory installed on the motherboard.

• This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 256 megabit (Mb) chips or less.

• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its SPD. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than

the vendor-marked value.

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

memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.

1-10 ASUS M4A78 PRO

+ 50 hidden pages

ASUS M4A78 PRO User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Notices

Safety information

About this guide

1.1 Welcome!

1.2 Package contents

1.3 Special features

1.3.1 Product highlights

1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features

1.4 Before you proceed

1.5 Motherboard overview

1.5.1 Placement direction

1.5.2 Screw holes

1.5.3 Motherboard layout

1.5.4 Layout contents

1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

1.6.1 Installing the CPU

1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan

1.7 System memory

1.7.1 Overview