ASUS M4A79XTD EVO, M4A79XTD EVO USB3 User Manual

M4A79XTD EVO

Motherboard

E4805

First Edition V1

July 2009

Copyright © 2009 ASUSTeK Computer INC. All Rights Reserved.

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

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing byASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.

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

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

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.

ii

Contents

Notices.......................................................................................................................	vii
Safety information....................................................................................................	viii
About this guide..........................................................................................................	ix
M4A79XTD EVO specifications summary................................................................	xi

Chapter 1:		Product introduction
1.1	Welcome!	.....................................................................................................	1-1
1.2	Package contents.......................................................................................		1-1
1.3	Special features..........................................................................................		1-2
	1.3.1 ........................................................................	Product highlights	1-2
	1.3.2 .................................................................	ASUS unique features	1-3
	1.3.3 ............	ASUS intelligent performance and overclocking features	1-5

Chapter 2:		Hardware information
2.1	Before you proceed....................................................................................		2-1
2.2	Motherboard overview...............................................................................		2-2
	2.2.1	Motherboard layout ......................................................................	2-2
	2.2.2	Layout contents . ..........................................................................	2-3
	2.2.3	Placement direction .....................................................................	2-4
	2.2.4	Screw holes .................................................................................	2-4
2.3	Central Processing Unit (CPU)..................................................................		2-5
	2.3.1	Installing the CPU ........................................................................	2-5
	2.3.2	Installing the CPU heatsink and fan .............................................	2-7
2.4	System memory........................................................................................		2-10
	2.4.1	Overview ....................................................................................	2-10
	2.4.2	Memory configurations . .............................................................	2-11
	2.4.3	Installing a DIMM .......................................................................	2-15
	2.4.4	Removing a DIMM .....................................................................	2-15
2.5	Expansion slots........................................................................................		2-16
	2.5.1	Installing an expansion card ......................................................	2-16
	2.5.2	Configuring an expansion card ..................................................	2-16
	2.5.3	Interrupt assignments ................................................................	2-17
	2.5.4	PCI slots . ...................................................................................	2-18
	2.5.5	PCI Express x1 slots ..................................................................	2-18
	2.5.6	Two PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots ..................................................	2-18
2.6	Jumpers	.....................................................................................................	2-19
2.7	Connectors................................................................................................		2-21
	2.7.1 ...............................................................	Rear panel connectors	2-21
	2.7.2 ................................................................	Audio I/O connections	2-22

iii

Contents

	2.7.3	Internal connectors....................................................................	2-25
	2.7.4.	ASUS Q-Connector (system panel)...........................................	2-34
2.8	Starting up for the first time....................................................................		2-35
2.9	Turning off the computer.........................................................................		2-35

Chapter 3:		BIOS setup
3.1	Knowing BIOS.............................................................................................		3-1
3.2	Updating BIOS............................................................................................		3-1
	3.2.1	ASUS Update utility.....................................................................	3-2
	3.2.2	ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility...............................................................	3-4
	3.2.3	ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility...................................................	3-5
3.3	BIOS setup program...................................................................................		3-6
	3.3.1	BIOS menu screen......................................................................	3-6
	3.3.2	Menu bar......................................................................................	3-6
	3.3.3	Navigation keys...........................................................................	3-7
	3.3.4	Menu items..................................................................................	3-7
	3.3.5	Submenu items............................................................................	3-7
	3.3.6	Configuration fields......................................................................	3-7
	3.3.7	Pop-up window............................................................................	3-7
	3.3.8	Scroll bar......................................................................................	3-7
	3.3.9	General help................................................................................	3-7
3.4	Main menu...................................................................................................		3-8
	3.4.1	Primary IDE Master/Slave; SATA 1-6..........................................	3-8
	3.4.2	Storage Configuration................................................................	3-10
	3.4.3	System Information....................................................................	3-11
3.5	Advanced menu........................................................................................		3-11
	3.5.1	JumperFree Configuration.........................................................	3-12
	3.5.2	CPU Configuration.....................................................................	3-16
	3.5.3	Chipset.......................................................................................	3-17
	3.5.4	Onboard Devices Configuration.................................................	3-18
	3.5.5	USB Configuration.....................................................................	3-19
	3.5.6	PCIPnP......................................................................................	3-20
3.6	Power menu..............................................................................................		3-21
	3.6.1	Suspend Mode...........................................................................	3-21
	3.6.2	ACPI 2.0 Support.......................................................................	3-21
	3.6.3	ACPI APIC Support....................................................................	3-21
	3.6.4	APM Configuration.....................................................................	3-22
	3.6.5	Hardware Monitor......................................................................	3-23

iv

Contents

3.7	Boot menu.................................................................................................		3-25
	3.7.1	Boot Device Priority...................................................................	3-25
	3.7.2	Boot Settings Configuration.......................................................	3-26
	3.7.3	Security......................................................................................	3-27
3.8	Tools menu................................................................................................		3-29
	3.8.1	ASUS EZ Flash 2.......................................................................	3-29
	3.8.2	Express Gate.............................................................................	3-29
	3.8.3	ASUS O.C. Profile.....................................................................	3-30
	3.8.4	AI NET 2....................................................................................	3-31
3.9	Exit menu...................................................................................................		3-32

Chapter 4:		Software support
4.1	Installing an operating system..................................................................		4-1
4.2	Support DVD information...........................................................................		4-1
	4.2.1	Running the support DVD............................................................	4-1
	4.2.2	Obtaining the software manuals..................................................	4-2
4.3	Software information..................................................................................		4-3
	4.3.1	ASUS PC Probe II.......................................................................	4-3
	4.3.2	Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology.......................................................	4-4
	4.3.3	ASUS AI Suite..............................................................................	4-5
	4.3.4	ASUS EPU...................................................................................	4-6
	4.3.5	ASUS Q-Fan 2.............................................................................	4-7
	4.3.6	ASUS TurboV..............................................................................	4-8
	4.3.7	ASUS Turbo Key..........................................................................	4-9
	4.3.8	ASUS Express Gate..................................................................	4-10
	4.3.9	VIA® High DefinitionAudio utility................................................	4-11
4.4	RAID configurations.................................................................................		4-12
	4.4.1	RAID definitions.........................................................................	4-12
	4.4.2	Installing Serial ATA hard disks..................................................	4-13
	4.4.3	Setting the RAID item in BIOS...................................................	4-13
	4.4.4	AMD® Option ROM Utility®.........................................................	4-13
4.5	Creating a RAID driver disk.....................................................................		4-17
	4.5.1	Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.................	4-17
	4.5.2	Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®..................................	4-17
	4.5.3	Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation.......	4-17
	4.5.4	Using a USB floppy disk drive...................................................	4-18

Contents

Chapter 5:		ATI® CrossFireX™ technology support
5.1	ATI® CrossFireX™ technology...................................................................		5-1
	5.1.1	Requirements..............................................................................	5-1
	5.1.2	Before you begin..........................................................................	5-1
5.2	Installing CrossFireX™ graphics cards....................................................		5-2
5.3	Software information..................................................................................		5-3
	5.3.1	Installing the device drivers.........................................................	5-3
	5.3.2	Enabling the ATI® CrossFireX™ technology................................	5-3

vi

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

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

•This device may not cause harmful interference, and

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

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or

television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

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

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

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

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

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

REACH

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

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.

vii

Safety information

Electrical safety

•To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system.

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

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

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

•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 fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

•The optical S/PDIF is an optional component (may or may not be included in your motherboard) and is defined as a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT.

INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION, AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.

•Never dispose of the battery in fire. It could explode and release harmful substances into the environment.

•Never dispose of the battery with your regular household waste. Take it to a hazardous material collection point.

•Never replace the battery with an incorrect battery type.

•RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT TYPE.

•DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE ABOVE BATTERYRELATED INSTRUCTIONS.

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.

This motherboard should only be used in environments with ambient temperatures between 5°C (41°F) and 40°C (104°F).

•Place the product on a stable surface.

•If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

viii

About this guide

Thisuserguidecontainstheinformationyouneedwheninstallingandconfiguringthemotherboard.

How this guide is organized

This guide contains the following parts:

•Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

•Chapter 2: Hardware information

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

•Chapter 3: 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: ATI® CrossFireX™ technology support

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

Where to find more information

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

1.ASUS websites

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

2.Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package.

ix

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	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> + <Del>

M4A79XTD EVO specifications summary

CPU

Chipset

System bus

Memory

Expansion slots

Storage

LAN

Audio

USB

IEEE 1394

AMD® Socket AM3 for AMD® Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series processors

Supports 45nm CPU

AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology

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

AMD® 790X / SB750

Up to 5200MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface

Dual-channel memory architecture

4 x 240-pin DIMM slots support maximum 16GB unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR3 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz memory modules

* Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL

(Qualified Vendors List).

** When you install a total memory of 4GB or more, Windows®

32-bit operating system may only recognize less than 3GB.

We recommend a maximum of 3GB system memory if you are using a Windows® 32-bit operating system.

2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots with ATI CrossFireX™ support (@ full x16 or dual x8 link)

2 x PCIe x1 slots

2 x PCI 2.2 slots

AMD® SB750 southbridge:

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

- 6 x Serial ATA 3Gb/s connectors support RAID 0, RAID 1,

RAID 5, RAID 10, and JBOD configurations

Marvell 88SE6121

- 1 x SATA 3Gb/s port (black)

- 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s port (SATA on-the-go)

Realtek® 8112L Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2

VIA® VT1708S High DefinitionAudio 8-channel CODEC

- DTS Surround Sensation Ultra-PC

- Supports Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, and Front Panel

Jack-Retasking technologies

- Optical S/PDIF Out port at back I/O - ASUS Noise Filtering

Supports up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board, 8 ports at the back panel)

VIA® VT6315N controller supports 2 IEEE 1394a ports (1 port at mid-board, 1 port at the back panel)

(continued on the next page)

xi

M4A79XTD EVO specifications summary

ASUS unique features

Other features

ASUS exclusive overclocking features

Back panel I/O ports

ASUS Power Solutions:

- 8+2 Phase Power Design

- ASUS Anti-Surge Protection

ASUS Green Design:

- ASUS EPU

ASUS Express Gate

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution:

- ASUS Fanless Design: Stylish heat sink solution - ASUS Q-Fan 2

ASUS EZ DIY:

- ASUS Q-Shield

- ASUS Q-Connector

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS O.C. Profile

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

100% All High-Quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors!

ASUS MyLogo 2™

AMD® OverDrive Support*

* Advanced cooling system is required when advanced overclocking functions of AMD OverDrive are enabled.

Intelligent overclocking tools:
- AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU Frequency Tuner)
-	TurboV
-	Turbo Key

Precision Tweaker 2:

- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125V increment - vChipset (N.B.): 16-step Chipset voltage control

- vDIMM: 50-step DRAM voltage control

SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection):

- FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 600MHz at 1MHz increment - PCIe frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 150MHz at 1MHz

increment

Overclocking Protection:

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

1 x PS/2 Keyboard port (purple)

1 x PS/2 Mouse port (green)

1 x Optical S/PDIF Out port

1 x External SATA port

1 x IEEE 1394a port

1 x LAN (RJ-45) port

8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports

8-channel audio I/O ports

(continued on the next page)

xii

M4A79XTD EVO specifications summary

Internal I/O connectors	2 x USB connectors support additional 4 USB ports
	1 x COM connector
	1 x IDE connector
	7 x SATA connectors
	1 x Front panel audio connector
	1 x System panel connector (Q-Connector)
	1 x IEEE 1394a connector
	1 x S/PDIF Out connector
	1 x CPU fan connector
	1 x Power fan connector
	2 x Chassis fan connectors
	1 x Chassis intrusion connector
	1 x CD audio-in connector
	1 x 24-pin EATX power connector
	1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
BIOS	8Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3,
	ACPI2.0a, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
Manageability	WOL by PME, WOR by PME, WOR by Ring, PXE,
	Chassis intrusion
Accessories	1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable
	4 x Serial ATA cables
	1 x Q-Shield
	1 x User Manual
	2 in 1 Q-connector (USB, System panel; Retail version only)
Support DVD	Drivers
	ASUS Express Gate
	ASUS Update
	ASUS PC Probe II
	ASUS AI Suite
	AMD OverDrive Utility (AOD)
	Anti-Virus software (OEM version)
Form factor	ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)

*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

xiii

xiv

Chapter 1

Chapter 1:

Product introduction

1.1Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® M4A79XTD EVO 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.

1.2Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO Motherboard

4 x Serial ATA signal cables

1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable	1 x ASUS Q-Shield (I/O shield)

	2 in 1 Q-Connector (USB, system panel; Retail	Support DVD
	version only)
	;YKX3GT[GR

User Guide

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

•The illustrated items above are for reference only.Actual product specifications may vary with different models.

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO

1-1

1 Chapter

1.3Special features

1.3.1Product highlights

AMD® Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series CPU support

This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM3 multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dualchannel DDR3 1333 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0-based system bus. This motherboard also supports AMD® CPUs in the new 45nm manufacturing process.

AMD® 790X / SB750 Chipset

The AMD® 790X / SB750 Chipset is designed to support up to 5200MT/s HyperTransport™

3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and PCI Express™ 2.0 x16 graphics. It is optimized withAMD’s latest AM3 multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities.

ATI CrossFireX™ Technology

ATI’s CrossFireX™ boosts image quality along with rendering speed, eliminating the need to scale down screen resolution to get high quality images. CrossFireX™ allows higher antialiasing, anisotropic filtering, shading, and texture settings.Adjust your display

configurations, experiment with the advanced 3D settings, and check the effects with a realtime 3D-rendered previews within ATI Catalyst™ Control Center.

Dual-Channel DDR3 1800 (O.C.)

The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 1800

(O.C.)/1600/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest operation system, 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture doubles the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidths of up to 25.6 GB/s. Furthermore, the supply voltage for the memory is reduced from 1.8 V for DDR2 to just 1.5 V for DDR3. This voltage reduction limits the power consumption and heat generation of DDR3 which makes it an ideal memory solution.

100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors

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

Green ASUS

This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line with theASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and recyclable products/packaging to safeguard consumers’ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.

1-2	Chapter 1: Product Introduction

1.3.2ASUS unique features

ASUS Power Solution

ASUS Power solution intelligently and automatically provides balanced computing power and energy consumption.

8+2 Phase Power Design

To fully unleash the next-generation AM3 CPU's potential, the ASUS M4 Series motherboards have adopted the brand new 8-phase VRM power design, which delivers high power efficiency and supreme overclocking ability. This series’ high quality power components effectively lowers system temperature to ensure longer component lifespan. This series also features an extra 2 phase power dedicated to integrated memory/HT controller.

ASUS Anti-Surge Protection

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

ASUS Green Design

This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) to safeguard consumers’ health while minimizing the impact of the environment.

ASUS EPU

The ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) provides total system power management by detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power usage for critical PC components in real-time - helping save power and money!

Express Gate

Express Gate is an ASUS exclusive OS that provides you with quick access to the Internet and key applications before entering the Windows® OS. Refer to pages 3-29, 3-30 and 4-10 for details.

Chapter 1

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO

1-3

1 Chapter

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

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

Fanless Design—Stylish Heatsink Design

The streamline-shaped heatsink features 0-dB thermal solution that offers users a noiseless PC environment. Not only the beautifully curved fins upgrade the visual enjoyment for motherboard users, but also the special StreamlineAirflow Guiding design lowers the temperature of the north bridge chipset through high efficient heat-exchange. Combined with usability and aesthetics, the ASUS streamline-shaped heat-sink will give users an extremely silent and cooling experience with the elegant appearance!

Q-Fan 2

ASUS Q-Fan 2 technology intelligently adjusts both CPU fan and chassis fan speeds according to system loading to ensure quiet, cool and efficient operation.

ASUS Crystal Sound

This feature can enhance speech-centric applications like Skype, online game, video conference and recording.

Noise Filtering

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

ASUS EZ DIY

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

ASUS 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 shields it against Electronic Magnetic Interference (EMI).

ASUS Q-Connector

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

ASUS O.C. Profile

The motherboard features theASUS O.C. Profile that allows you to conveniently store or load multiple BIOS settings. The BIOS settings can be stored in the CMOS or a separate file, giving you the freedom to share and distribute your favorite settings.

1-4	Chapter 1: Product Introduction

ASUS EZ Flash 2

ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply press the predefined hotkey to launch the utility and update the BIOS without entering the OS. Update your

BIOS easily without preparing a bootable diskette or using an OS-based flash utility.

1.3.3ASUS intelligent performance and overclocking features

TurboV

Feel the adrenaline rush of real-time OC—now a reality with the ASUS TurboV. This easy OC tool allows you to overclock without exiting or rebooting the OS; and its user-friendly interface makes overclock with just a few clicks away. Moreover, theASUS OC profiles in TurboV provides the best O.C. settings in different scenarios.

Turbo Key

ASUS Turbo Key allows you 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!

Precision Tweaker 2

Allows you to adjust the CPU voltage in 0.0125v steps and NB/DRAM voltage in 0.02v steps to fine-tune voltage to achieve the most precise setting for the ultimate overclocking configuration.

C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)

The BIOS C.P.R. feature automatically restores the CPU default settings when the system hangs due to overclocking failure. C.P.R. eliminates the need to open the system chassis and clear the RTC data. Simply shut down and reboot the system, and the BIOS automatically restores the CPU parameters to their default settings.

Chapter 1

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO

1-5

1 Chapter

1-6	Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Chapter 2

Chapter 2:

Hardware information

2.1Before 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.

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.

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2.2Motherboard overview

2.2.1Motherboard layout

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Refer to 2.7 Connectors for more information about rear panel connectors and internal connectors.

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2.2.2Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED		Page
1.	CPU, chassis, and power fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN,	2-27
	4-pin CHA_FAN1, 3-pin CHA_FAN2, 3-pin PWR_FAN)
2.	ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)	2-31
3.	Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1)	2-33
4.	AM3 CPU socket	2-5
5.	DDR3 DIMM slots	2-10
6.	IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)	2-25
7.	Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1–6, SATA_E1)	2-26
8.	Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)	2-19
9.	USB connectors (10-1 pin USB910, USB1112)	2-28
10.	IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2)	2-29
11.	System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)	2-32
12.	Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS)	2-29
13.	CPU overvoltage setting (3-pin OV_CPU)	2-20
14.	Optical drive audio connector (4-pin CD)	2-33
15.	Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)	2-30
16.	Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)	2-30
17.	Onboard power LED (SB_PWR)	2-1

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2.2.3Placement direction

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

2.2.4Screw holes

Place nine 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

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2.3Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with an AMD® AM3 socket for AMD® Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series processors.

The AM3 socket has a different pinout from the AM2+/AM2 socket. Make sure you use a CPU designed for theAM3 socket. The CPU fits in only one correct orientation. DO

NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the CPU!

2.3.1Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1.Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

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

			Socket lever
	Make sure that the socket lever is lifted
	up to a 90˚ angle. Otherwise, the CPU
	will not fit in completely.

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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 fits in place.

Gold triangle

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

Some heatsinks come with pre-applied thermal paste. If so, skip this step.

The Thermal Interface Material is toxic and inedible. DO NOT eat it. If it gets into your eyes or touches your

skin, wash it off immediately, and seek professional medical help.

To prevent contaminating the paste, DO NOT spread the paste with your finger.

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2.3.2Installing the CPU heatsink and fan

The AMD® AM3 processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.

• 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.

•Ensure that you use onlyAMD-certified heatsink and fan assembly.

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

Ensure that you have installed the motherboard to the chassis before you install the CPU fan and heatsink assembly.

To install the CPU heatsink and fan

1.Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the heatsink fits properly on the retention module base.

		CPU fan
	Retention bracket	CPU heatsink
	lock
	Retention bracket	Retention module
		base

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.

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

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

Ensure that the fan and heatsink assembly perfectly fits 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.

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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.

This connector is backward compatible with old 3-pin CPU fan.

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2.4System memory

2.4.1Overview

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

A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. DDR3 modules are developed for better performance with less power consumption.

The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets:

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Recommended memory configurations

One DIMM:

You may install one memory module in any slot as a single-channel operation.

Two DIMMs (dual-channel operation):

Four DIMMs (dual-channel operation):

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