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ii
Contents
Safety information ...................................................................................................... vi
About this guide ......................................................................................................... vi
M5A78L-M LX3 Series specications summary .................................................... viii
Package contents ........................................................................................................ x
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 Special features ............................................................................................ 1-1
ASUS contact information ...................................................................................... A-3
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 qualied 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 qualied service
•
technician or your retailer.
About this guide
This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the
motherboard.
How this guide is organized
This guide contains the following parts:
• Chapter 1: Product introduction
This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it
supports.
• Chapter 2: BIOS information
This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus.
Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
vi
Where to nd more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software
updates.
1. ASUS websites
The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software
products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.
2. Optional documentation
Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty yers,
that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the
standard package.
Conventions used in this guide
To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used
throughout this manual.
DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to
complete a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to
complete a task
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. .
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.
Typography
Bold textIndicates 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 (+).
vii
M5A78L-M LX3 Series specications summary
CPUAMD
ChipsetAMD® 760G(780L) / SB710
Front side busUp to 5200 MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface
MemoryDual-channel memory architecture
GraphicsIntegrated ATI Radeon™ HD 3000 GPU
Expansion slots1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slot
Storage / RAID4 x Serial ATA 3Gb/s connectors support RAID 0, 1, 10 and JBOD
LANQualcomm Atheros Gb LAN
AudioRealtek® ALC887 8-channel* High Denition Audio CODEC
USBSupports up to 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board, 4 ports at the
ASUS Unique
Features
®
Socket AM3+ for AMD® FX™ / Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II /
Sempron™ 100 series processors
AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology
Supports AMD® AM3/AM3+ CPU up to 95W
* Refer to www.asus.com for the AMD® CPU support list
2 x 240-pin DIMM slots support maximum 16GB unbuffered ECC and non-
Form factorMicroATX form factor: 9.6 in x 7.4 in (24.4 cm x 18.8 cm)
PLUS R2.0 only)
1 x PS/2 Mouse port
1 x COM port
1 x D-Sub port
1 x LAN (RJ-45) port
4 x USB 2.0 ports
3 x Audio jacks
4 x SATA 3.0Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU fan connector
1 x Chassis fan connector
1 x Front panel audio connector
1 x Speaker connector
1 x System panel connector
1 x 24-pin EATX power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
SM BIOS 2.7
ASUS Update
ASUS PC Probe II
Anti-Virus software (OEM version)
Specications are subject to change without notice.
ix
Package contents
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS
PCIEX16
PCIEX1_1
PCI1
USB78USB56
AAFP
ATX12V
EATXPWR
CPU_FAN
Lithium Cell
CMOS Power
Super
I/O
ALC
887-VD2
AR
8161
ICS
9LPRS483
KBMS
16Mb
BIOS
SB_PWR
CLRTC
USBPW5-8
USBPW1-4
KBPWR
AMD
®
RS780L
AMD
®
SB710
DDR3 DIMM_A1 (64bit, 240-pin module)
SOCKET AM3+
DDR3 DIMM_B1 (64bit, 240-pin module)
SATA3G_2 SATA3G_4
SATA3G_1 SATA3G_3
AUDIO
LAN1_USB12
USB34
CHA_FAN
SPEAKER
EPU
F_PANEL
VGACOM1
User Manual
Check your motherboard package for the following items.
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series motherboard2 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s cables
1 x I/O ShieldUser GuideSupport DVD
x
• If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.
• The illustrated items above are for reference only. Actual product specications may
vary with different models.
Product introduction
1
1.1 Special features
1.1.1 Product highlights
AMD® FX™ / 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
dual-channel DDR3 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 32nm manufacturing process.
HyperTransport™ 3.0 support
HyperTransport™ 3.0 technology provides 2.6 times more bandwidth than HT1.0 that
radically improves system efciency for a smoother and faster computing environment.
AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet Technology
This motherboard supports the AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet technology which monitors system
operation and automatically adjusts CPU voltage and frequency for a cool and quiet
operating environment.
Dual-Channel DDR3 1866 support
This motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 1866 /1600
/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest operating system,
3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications.
Hybrid CrossFireX™ support
ATI Hybrid CrossFireX™ technology greatly boosts graphics performance with an onboard
GPU and a discrete GPU.
* Hybrid CrossFireX™ is supported by Windows® Vista or later versions only.
** Refer to www.amd.com for the discrete GPUs that support Hybrid CrossFireX™.
Gigabit LAN solution
The onboard LAN controller is a highly integrated Gb LAN controller. It is enhanced with an
ACPI management function to provide efcient power management for advanced operating
systems.
Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology and RAID support
This motherboard supports hard drives based on the Serial ATA (SATA) 3Gb/s storage
specication, delivering enhanced scalability and doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed
data retrieval and save. It also supports RAID 0, RAID 1, and RAID 0+1 congurations for
Serial ATA hard drives.
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series
1-1
100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors (M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS
only)
This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors for durability, improved
lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.
1.1.2 ASUS Exclusive Features
Core Unlocker
ASUS Core Unlocker simplies the activation of a latent AMD® CPU-with just pressing a key.
Enjoy an instant performance boost by simply unlocking the extra cores, without performing
complicated BIOS changes.
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).
ASUS EPU
ASUS EPU is a unique power saving technology that detects the current system loadings and
adjusts the power consumption in real time.
ASUS EZ Flash 2
ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly utility that allows you to update the BIOS without using a
bootable oppy disk or an OS-based utility.
ASUS MyLogo2™
This feature allows you to convert your favorite photo into a 256-color boot logo for a more
colorful and vivid image on your screen.
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto-recovery tool that allows you to restore a corrupted BIOS
le using the bundled support DVD or a USB ash disk that contains the BIOS le.
ErP ready
The motherboard is European Union´s Energy-related Products (ErP) ready, and ErP
requires products to meet certain energy efciency requirements in regards to energy
consumptions. This is in line with ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy-
efcient products through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the
product and thus mitigate environmental impacts.
1-2
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.2 Before you proceed
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS Onboard LED
SB_PWR
ON
Standby Power Powered Off
OFF
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.
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.
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series
1-3
1.3 Motherboard overview
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS
1.3.1 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.
1.3.2 Screw holes
Place six screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis.
DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.
Place this side towards
the rear of the chassis.
1-4
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.3.3 Motherboard layout
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS
PCIEX16
PCIEX1_1
PCI1
USB78USB56
AAFP
ATX12V
EATXPWR
CPU_FAN
Lithium Cell
CMOS Power
Super
I/O
ALC
887-VD2
AR
8161
ICS
9LPRS483
KBMS
16Mb
BIOS
SB_PWR
CLRTC
USBPW5-8
USBPW1-4
KBPWR
18.8cm(7.4in)
24.4cm(9.6in)
AMD
®
RS780L
AMD
®
SB710
DDR3 DIMM_A1 (64bit, 240-pin module)
SOCKET AM3+
DDR3 DIMM_B1 (64bit, 240-pin module)
SATA3G_2 SATA3G_4
SATA3G_1 SATA3G_3
AUDIO
LAN1_USB12
USB34
CHA_FAN
SPEAKER
EPU
F_PANE
L
VGACOM1
3153 426
111913 12
4
7
10
8
7
M5A78L-M LX3 Series motherboards include M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS and M5A78L-M LX3
models. The package contents vary from models. The layout illustrations in this user guide
are for M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS only.
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series
1-5
1.3.4 Layout contents
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS CPU socket AM3+
Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LEDPage
1. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPW 1-4, USBPW 5-8) 1-18
2. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR)1-18
3. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)1-21
4. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN and 3-pin CHA_FAN)1-24
5. AMD CPU socket1-6
6. DDR3 DIMM slots1-10
7. SATA 3.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA3G_1~4) 1-22
8. Standby power LED (SB_PWR)1-3
9. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL)1-23
10. Speaker connector (4-pin SPEAKER)1-23
11. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78) 1-24
12. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)1-17
13. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)1-20
1.4 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
This motherboard comes with an AM3+ socket designed for FX™ / Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II /
Sempron™ 100 series processors.
The AM3+ socket has a different pinout from the AM2+/AM2 socket. Ensure that you use a
CPU designed for the AM3+ socket. The CPU ts in only one correct orientation. DO NOT
force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the pins and damaging the CPU!
1-6
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.4.1 CPU installation
1
2
43
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series
1-7
1.4.2 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation
Apply the Thermal Interface Material
to the CPU heatsink and CPU
before you install the heatsink and
fan if necessary.
To install the CPU heatsink and fan assembly
1
2
534
1-8
Chapter 1: Product introduction
To uninstall the CPU heatsink and fan assembly
1
3
2
4
5
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series
1-9
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS
M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets
DIMM_A1
DIMM_B1
1.5 System memory
1.5.1 Overview
This motherboard comes with two 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 gure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets:
ChannelSockets
Channel ADIMM_A1
Channel BDIMM_B1
1-10
Chapter 1: Product introduction
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