Asus M5A97 PRO User Manual

M5A97
PRO

Motherboard

ii

E6413

First Edition
May 2011

Copyright © 2011 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
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.

Offer to Provide Source Code of Certain Software

This product may contain copyrighted software that is licensed under the General Public License (“GPL”)
and under the Lesser General Public License Version (“LGPL”). The GPL and LGPL licensed code in this
product is distributed without any warranty. Copies of these licenses are included in this product.

You may obtain the complete corresponding source code (as dened in the GPL) for the GPL Software,

and/or the complete corresponding source code of the LGPL Software (with the complete machine­readable “work that uses the Library”) for a period of three years after our last shipment of the product
including the GPL Software and/or LGPL Software, which will be no earlier than December 1, 2011, either
(1) for free by downloading it from http://support.asus.com/download;
or
(2) for the cost of reproduction and shipment, which is dependent on the preferred carrier and the location
where you want to have it shipped to, by sending a request to:

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Legal Compliance Dept.
15 Li Te Rd.,
Beitou, Taipei 112
Taiwan

In your request please provide the name, model number and version, as stated in the About Box of the
product for which you wish to obtain the corresponding source code and your contact details so that we
can coordinate the terms and cost of shipment with you.

The source code will be distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY and licensed under the same license as
the corresponding binary/object code.

This offer is valid to anyone in receipt of this information.

ASUSTeK is eager to duly provide complete source code as required under various Free Open Source
Software licenses. If however you encounter any problems in obtaining the full corresponding source code
we would be much obliged if you give us a notication to the email address [e-mail], stating the
product and describing the problem (please do NOT send large attachments such as source code archives
etc to this email address).

iii

Contents

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

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

About this guide ....................................................................................................... viii

M5A97 PRO specications summary ........................................................................ x

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 Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM ........................... 1-2

1.3.3 ASUS Exclusive Features ........................................................... 1-3

1.3.4 ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution ..................................................... 1-4

1.3.5 ASUS EZ DIY .............................................................................. 1-4

1.3.6 Other special 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 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-4

2.2.3 System memory .......................................................................... 2-5

2.2.4 Expansion slots ......................................................................... 2-14

2.2.5 Jumper ...................................................................................... 2-16

2.2.6 Onboard switches ..................................................................... 2-17

2.2.7 Onboard LEDs .......................................................................... 2-18

2.2.8 Internal connectors....................................................................2-19

2.3 Building your computer system ............................................................. 2-25

2.3.1 Additional tools and components to build a PC system ............ 2-25

2.3.2 CPU installation.........................................................................2-26

2.3.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation ............................. 2-27

2.3.4 DIMM installation.......................................................................2-30

2.3.5 Motherboard installation ............................................................ 2-31

2.3.6 ATX Power connection .............................................................. 2-33

2.3.7 SATA device connection ............................................................ 2-34

2.3.8 Front I/O Connector .................................................................. 2-35

2.3.9 Expension Card installation.......................................................2-36

2.3.10 Rear panel connection .............................................................. 2-37

2.3.11 Audio I/O connections ............................................................... 2-39

2.4 Starting up for the rst time .................................................................... 2-41

iv

Contents

2.5 Turning off the computer ......................................................................... 2-41

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

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

3.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................................. 3-1

3.2.1 EZ Mode......................................................................................3-2

3.2.2 Advanced Mode .......................................................................... 3-3

3.3 Main menu ..................................................................................................3-5

3.4 Ai Tweaker menu ........................................................................................ 3-7

3.5 Advanced menu .......................................................................................3-13

3.5.1 CPU Conguration .................................................................... 3-14

3.5.2 North Bridge Conguration........................................................3-15

3.5.3 SATA Conguration ................................................................... 3-16

3.5.4 USB Conguration .................................................................... 3-18

3.5.5 CPU Core On/Off Function ....................................................... 3-19

3.5.6 Onboard Devices Conguration ................................................ 3-19

3.5.7 APM .......................................................................................... 3-21

3.6 Monitor menu ...........................................................................................3-22

3.7 Boot menu ................................................................................................3-24

3.8 Tools menu ............................................................................................... 3-25

3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ...................................................................... 3-25

3.8.2 ASUS SPD Information ............................................................. 3-26

3.8.3 ASUS O.C. Prole ..................................................................... 3-27

3.9 Exit menu .................................................................................................. 3-28

3.10 Updating BIOS .......................................................................................... 3-29

3.10.1 ASUS Update utility...................................................................3-29

3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ............................................................. 3-32

3.10.3 ASUS BIOS Updater ................................................................. 3-34

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 AI Suite II.....................................................................................4-3

4.3.2 DIGI+ VRM .................................................................................. 4-4

4.3.3 TurboV EVO ................................................................................ 4-5

4.3.4 EPU ............................................................................................. 4-9

v

Contents

4.3.5 FAN Xpert.................................................................................. 4-10

4.3.6 Probe II...................................................................................... 4-11

4.3.7 Sensor Recorder ....................................................................... 4-12

4.3.8 Ai Charger+ ...............................................................................4-13

4.3.9 Monitor ...................................................................................... 4-14

4.3.10 System Information ................................................................... 4-15

4.3.11 Audio congurations..................................................................4-16

4.4 RAID congurations ................................................................................4-17

4.4.1 RAID denitions ........................................................................ 4-17

4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks ................................................. 4-18

4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS .................................................. 4-18

4.4.4 AMD® Option ROM Utility .......................................................... 4-19

4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk.....................................................................4-22

4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS ................ 4-22

4.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows® .................................. 4-22

4.5.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation ...... 4-23

4.5.4 Using a USB oppy disk drive ................................................... 4-24

Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support

5.1 ATI® CrossFireX™ technology .................................................................. 5-1

5.1.1 Requirements .............................................................................. 5-1

5.1.2 Before you begin ......................................................................... 5-1

5.1.3 Installing two CrossFireX™ graphics cards ................................ 5-2

5.1.4 Installing the device drivers ......................................................... 5-3

5.1.5 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 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.

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://csr.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 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.

viii

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: 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 how to install and congure multiple ATI® CrossFireX™

graphics cards.

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.

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.

Italic

s 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.that you must press the enclosed key.

Example: <Enter> means that you must press the Enter or
Return key.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>

x

M5A97 PRO specications summary

CPU AMD® Socket AM3+ for AMD® FX Series CPU up to 8-core

Chipset AMD® 970 / SB950

System bus Up to 4800 MT/s; HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface

Memory 4 x DIMM, max. 32GB, DDR3 2133(O.C.) / 1866 / 1800 / 1600 /

Expansion slots 2 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots (blue at x16 mode,black at x4 mode)mode)

Multi-GPU support Supports ATI® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology

Storage AMD® SB950 Chipset

LAN Realtek® 8111E Gigabit LAN controller

Audio Realtek® ALC892 8-channel High Denition Audio CODEC

USB 1 x ASMedia USB 3.0 controllers:

AMD® 140W CPU Support
AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology (by CPU type)
Supports 32nm CPU
* Compatible with AMD® Socket AM3 for AMD® Phenom™ II

/Athlon™ II /Sempron™ 100 Series Processors

1333 / 1066 MHz, ECC, non-ECC, un-buffered memory
Dual channel memory architecture
* Due to CPU spec., AMD 100 series CPUs support up to DDR3

1066MHz. With ASUS design, this motherboard can support up
to DDR3 1333MHz.

** 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.

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

QVL (Qualied Vendors Lists)

2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots
2 x PCI slots

- 6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports supporting RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10

JMicron® JMB362 SATA controller

- 2 x eSATA 3.0 Gb/s ports

- Supports 192khz/24bit BD Lossless Sound

- DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC

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

- Optical S/PDIF Out ports at back I/O

- ASUS Noise Filter

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

AMD® SB950 Chipset:

- 14 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports

(6 ports at midboard; 8 ports at back panel)

(continued on the next page)

xi

M5A97 PRO specications summary

ASUS unique features

ASUS exclusive
overclocking features

ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM:

ASUS DIGI+ VRM

- Industry leading Digital 6+2 Phase Power Design

- ASUS DIGI+ VRM Utility

ASUS EPU

- EPU

ASUS TPU

- Auto Tuning, TurboV

ASUS Exclusive Features:

- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user
interface

- MemOK!

- AI Suite II

- AI Charger+

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution:

- ASUS Fanless Design: Heat sink solution

- ASUS Fan Xpert

ASUS Q-Design:

- ASUS Q-Slot

- ASUS Q-DIMM

- ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)

- ASUS Q-Connector

ASUS EZ DIY:

- ASUS O.C. Prole

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

- ASUS MyLogo 2

- Precision Tweaker 2

- Multi-language BIOS

Precision Tweaker 2

- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.00625V increment

- vDDNB: Adjustable CPU/NB voltage at 0.00625V increment

- vNB: Adjustable NB voltage at 0.00625V increment

- vNB HT: Adjustable HT voltage at 0.00625V increment

- vDRAM Bus: Adjustable DRAM voltage at 0.00625V
increment

- vSB: Adjustable SB voltage at 0.00500V increment

SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection):

- Internal Base Clock tuning from 100MHz up to 600MHz at
1MHz increment

- PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 150MHz
at 1MHz increment

Overclocking Protection:

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

(continued on the next page)

M5A97 PRO specications summary

Back panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port

Internal I/O connectors 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 6 USB ports

BIOS features 32 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0,

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

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.

1 x Optical S/PDIF Out port
1 x LAN (RJ-45) port
2 x eSATA ports
2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue)
8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
8-channel Audio I/O ports

6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors
1 x CPU Fan connector (4-pin)
2 x Chassis Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin)
1 x Power Fan connector (1 x 3-pin)
1 x COM connector
Front panel audio connector
1 x S/PDIF Out header
1 x Clear CMOS jumper
24-pin EATX Power connector
8-pin EATX 12V Power connector
System Panel (Q-Connector)
1 x MemOK! button

SM BIOS 2.6, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS,
ASUS EZ Flash 2

ASUS Utilities
ASUS Update
Anti-virus software (OEM version)

xii

Chapter 1

User Manual

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® M5A97 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.

Chapter 1

ASUS M5A97 PRO

motherboard

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

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

• The illustrated items above are for reference only. Actual product specications may

vary with different models.

User guide Support DVD

1 x ASUS I/O Shield

ASUS M5A97 PRO 1-1

1-2 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Chapter 1

1.3 Special features

1.3.1 Product highlights

AMD® Socket AM3+; AMD® FX / Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100
Series Processors

This motherboard supports AMD® AM3+ / 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 4800MT/s via

HyperTransport™ 3.0 based system bus. This motherboard also supports AMD® CPUs in the
new 32nm manufacturing process.

AMD® 970 chipset

AMD® 970 Chipset is designed to support up to 4800MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0)

interface speed and PCI Express™ 2.0 x16 graphics. It is optimized with AMD®’s latest AM3+

and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities.

ATI Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Support

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 ltering, shading and texture settings. Adjust your display
congurations, experiment with the 3D settings, and check the effects with a real-time 3D-

rendered previews within ATI Catalyst™ Control Center.

Dual-Channel DDR3 2133(O.C.) / 1866 / 1800 / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 Support

The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 2133(O.C.) /

1866 / 1800 / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of

the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3
architecture enlarges the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance.

AMD SB950 Chipset

The AMD® SB950 Southbridge Chipset natively supports the next-generation Serial ATA
(SATA) interface, delivering up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer.

True USB 3.0 Support

Experience ultra-fast data transfers at 4.8Gbps with USB 3.0 - the latest connectivity
standard. Built to connect easily with next generation components and peripherals, USB 3.0
transfers data 10X faster and is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 components.

1.3.2 Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM

The world’s rst Dual Intelligent Processors from ASUS pioneered the use of two onboard

chips—EPU (Energy Processing Unit) and TPU (TurboV Processing Unit). New generation
Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM digital power design launch control into a new

era, empowering users with superior exibility and perfect precision to ensure optimized
performance, extreme system stability and greater power efciency.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 1-3

Chapter 1

DIGI+ VRM

The new ASUS DIGI+ VRM design upgrades motherboard power delivery to a digital
standard. The 6+2 digital architecture delivers twice the precision power, intelligently
adjusting PWM voltage and frequency modulation with minimal power loss through BIOS
tuning and exclusive user interface to increase over-clocking range while performance
reaches its full potential. It also adjusts frequencies dynamically, cutting radiation interference
by half to enhance system stability through enabling VRM spread spectrum. The DIGI+ VRM

digital power design empowers users with superior exibility and perfect precision to ensure
optimized performance, extreme system stability, and greater power efciency.

2X Precise Power Control

ASUS DIGI+ VRM delivers twice the precision power, intelligently adjusting PWM voltage and

frequency modulation to minimize power loss while performance reaches its full potential.

2X Less Radiation

ASUS DIGI+ VRM adjusts frequencies dynamically, cutting radiation by half to enhance
system stability through enabling spread spectrum.

TPU

Unleash your performance with AI Suite II utility. The TPU chip offers precise voltage control
and advanced monitoring through Auto Tuning and TurboV functions. Auto tuning offers

a user friendly way to automatically optimize the system for fast, yet stable clock speeds,
while TurboV enables unlimited freedom to adjust CPU frequencies and ratios for optimized

performance in diverse situations.

EPU

Tap into the world’s rst real-time PC power saving chip through AI Suite II utility. Get
total system-wide energy optimization by automatically detecting current PC loadings and

intelligently moderating power consumption. This also reduces fan noise and extends
component longevity.

1.3.3 ASUS Exclusive Features

MemOK!

MemOK! quickly ensures memory boot compatibility. This remarkable memory rescue tool
requires a mere push of a button to patch memory issues. MemOK! determines failsafe
settings and dramatically improves your system boot success.

AI Suite II

With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite II 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.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Chapter 1

1.3.4 ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

ASUS Fanless Design—Heat-sink solution

The stylish heatsink features 0-dB thermal solution that offers users a noiseless PC
environment. Not only the beautiful shape upgrades the visual enjoyment for motherboard
users, but also the heatsink design 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 users an extremely silent and cooling experience with the elegant
appearance!

ASUS Fan Xpert

ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows you to adjust both the CPU and chassis fan speeds
according to different ambient temperatures caused by different climate conditions in different

geographic regions and your PC’s loading. The built-in variety of useful proles offer exible

controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment.

1.3.5 ASUS EZ DIY

ASUS UEFI BIOS (EZ Mode)

The new ASUS UEFI BIOS is an Unied Extensible Firmware Interface, offering a user-

friendly interface that goes beyond traditional keyboard-only BIOS controls to enable more

exible and convenient mouse input. Users can easily navigate the new UEFI BIOS with the

same smoothness as their operating system. The exclusive EZ Mode displays frequently­accessed setup info, while the Advance Mode is for experienced performance enthusiasts
that demand far more intricate system settings.

Supports Hard Drives over 2.2TB

ASUS UEFI BIOS natively supports hard drives larger than 2.2TB in 64-bit, with full storage

space utilization, helping deliver far more exciting computing than traditional BIOS versions!

ASUS Q-Design

ASUS Q-Design enhances your DIY experience. All of Q-LED, Q-Slot and Q-DIMM design
speed up and simplify the DIY process!

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 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 M5A97 PRO 1-5

Chapter 1

1.3.6 Other special features

DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC

DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC delivers exceptional 5.1 surround experience through the
most common PC audio setups—your existing stereo speakers or headphones. In addition
to virtual surround, “Bass enhancement” provides stronger low frequency bass sound, and

“Voice clarication” provides clear human dialogue even with loud background sound. With

these technologies, you may experience a better home-theater audio with ease.

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.

Chapter 1

1-6 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Hardware information

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.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-1

2-2 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.2 Motherboard overview

2.2.1 Motherboard layout

Refer to

2.2.8 Internal connectors

information about rear panel connectors and internal connectors.

and

2.3.10 Rear panel connection

for more

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-3

Chapter 2

Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page

1. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V) 2-23

2. CPU socket AM3+ 2-4

3. CPU, chassis, and power fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN,
4-pin CHA_FAN1, 3-pin CHA_FAN2, 3-pin PWR_FAN)

4. DDR3 DIMM slots 2-5

5. MemOK! switch 2-17

6. AMD® SB950 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors
(7-pin SATA6G_1-6 [gray])

7. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) 2-16

8. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL) 2-24

9. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1) 2-21

10. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB910, USB1112, USB1314) 2-20

11. Standby power LED (SB_PWR) 2-18

12. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 2-21

13. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 2-20

2-22

2-19

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with an AM3+ socket designed for AMD® FX / Phenom™ II / Athlon
™ II / Sempron™ 100 Series Processors.

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

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-5

Chapter 2

2.2.3 System memory

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

2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

Memory congurations

You may install 1GB, 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.

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

• Due to CPU spec., AMD 100 series CPUs support up to DDR3 1066MHz. With ASUS
design, this motherboard can support up to DDR3 1333MHz.

• When overclocking, some AMD CPU models may not support DDR3 1600 or higher
frequency DIMMs.

• 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:

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

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

motherboard.
For more details, refer to the Microsoft® support site at
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605/en-us.

• 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
frequency adjustment.

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

memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.

3.4 Ai Tweaker menu

for manual memory

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-7

Chapter 2

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 2000MHz
capability for AMD AM3+ CPU

Vendor Part No. Size

A-DATA AX3U2000GB2G9B(XMP) 2GB DS - - 9-11-9-27 1.55~1.75 • •

CORSAIR

Crucial BL12864BE2009.8SFB3(EPP) 1GB SS - - 9-9-9-28 2 •

KINGSTON KHX2000C9AD3T1K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB ( 3x 2GB ) DS - - - 1.65 • • •

AEXEA AXA3ES4GK2000LG28V(XMP) 4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS - - - 1.65 • • •

Silicon Power SP002GBLYU200S02(XMP) 2GB DS - - - - • • •

Team TXD32048M2000C9-L(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288RT-20 9-9-9-24 1.6 •

CMT6GX3M3A2000C8(XMP) 6GB ( 3x 2GB )

SS/DSChip

Brand

DS -

Chip NO. Timing Voltage

-

8-9-8-24 1.65

DIMM socket support
(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

• •

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1866MHz
capability for AMD AM3+ CPU

Vendor Part No. Size

CORSAIR TR3X6G1866C9DVer4.1(XMP) 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • •

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9(XMP) 8GB ( 2x 4GB ) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 • • •

G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH (XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • • •

G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBTD(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • • •

G.SKILL F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR(XMP) 8GB ( 2x 4GB ) DS - - 9-10-9-28 1.5 • • •

KINGSTON KHX1866C9D3T1K3/3GX(XMP) 3GB ( 3x 1GB ) SS - - - 1.65 • • •

KINGSTON KHX1866C9D3T1K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 9 1.65 • • •

OCZ OCZ3G1866LV4GK 4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS - - 10-10-10 1.65 • •

OCZ OCZ3P1866C9LV6GK 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9 1.65 • •

Super Talent W1866UX2G8(XMP) 2GB(2 x 1GB) SS - - 8-8-8-24 - • • •

Team TXD32048M1866C9(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288RT-16 9-9-9-24 1.65 • •

SS/DSChip

Brand

Chip NO. Timing Voltage

DIMM socket support
(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

•

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1800MHz
capability for AMD AM3+ CPU

DIMM socket support

Vendor Part No. Size SS/DS Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage

G.SKILL F3-14400CL6D-4GBFLS(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 6-8-6-24 1.65 • • •

G.SKILL F3-14400CL9D-4GBRL(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.6 • •

KINGSTON KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - - 1.65 • • •

(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

2-8 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 2000 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU

Vendor Part No. Size

A-DATA AX3U2000GC4G9B(XMP) 4GB DS - - 9-11-9-27 1.55~1.75 •

Apacer 78.AAGD5.9KD(XMP)

CORSAIR CMT6GX3M3A2000C8(XMP) 6GB ( 3x 2GB ) DS - - 8-9-8-24 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-16000CL9D-4GBRH(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-16000CL9D-4GBTD(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-16000CL9T-6GBTD(XMP) 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.6 •

G.SKILL F3-16000CL7Q-8GBFLS(XMP) 8GB(4 x 2GB) DS - - 7-9-7-24 1.65 • •

GEIL GUP34GB2000C9DC(XMP)

KINGSTON KHX2000C9AD3T1K2/4GX(XMP) 4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS - - 9 1.65 •

KINGSTON KHX2000C9AD3W1K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB ( 3x 2GB ) DS - - 9 1.65 •

Transcend TX2000KLN-8GK (388375)(XMP) 4GB DS - - 1.6 • •

AEXEA AXA3ES2G2000LG28V(XMP) 2GB DS - - - 1.65 •

AEXEA AXA3ES4GK2000LG28V(XMP) 4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS - - - 1.65 •

Patriot

Team

Team TXD32048M2000C9-L(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288LT-20 9-9-9-24 1.5 •

Team TXD32048M2000C9-L(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288RT-20 9-9-9-24 1.6 • •

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1866 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU

Vendor Part No. Size

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9(XMP) 8GB ( 2x 4GB ) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 • • •

G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH (XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • • •

G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBTD(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • • •

KINGSTON KHX1866C9D3T1K3/3GX(XMP) 3GB ( 3x 1GB ) SS - - - 1.65 • • •

KINGSTON KHX1866C9D3T1K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 9 1.65 •

OCZ OCZ3G1866LV4GK 4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS - - 10-10-10 1.65 • •

OCZ OCZ3P1866C9LV6GK 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9 1.65 •

Super Talent W1866UX2G8(XMP) 2GB(2 x 1GB) SS - - 8-8-8-24 - •

Team TXD32048M1866C9(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288RT-16 9-9-9-24 1.65 • • •

SS/DSChip

Chip NO. Timing Voltage

Brand

- 9-9-9-27

6GB(3 x 2GB) DS

4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS

PX7312G2000ELK(XMP) 12GB ( 3x 4GB )

TXD32048M2000C9(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288RT-20 9-9-9-24 1.5 •

-

- 9-9-9-28

-

- -

DS

SS/DSChip

Chip NO. Timing Voltage

Brand

- •

1.65 •

9-11-9-27 1.65

DIMM socket support
(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

DIMM socket support
(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

•

•

•

•

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1800 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU

Vendor Part No. Size

G.SKILL F3-14400CL6D-4GBFLS(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 6-8-6-24 1.65 • • •

G.SKILL F3-14400CL9D-4GBRL(XMP) 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.6 • • •

KINGSTON KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - - 1.65 • • •

SS/

Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage

DS

DIMM socket support
(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-9

Chapter 2

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1600 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU

Vendor Part No. Size

CORSAIR HX3X12G1600C9(XMP) 12GB ( 6x

CORSAIR CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9(XMP)

CORSAIR CMG4GX3M2A1600C6 4GB ( 2x

CORSAIR CMD4GX3M2B1600C8 4GB( 2x

CORSAIR CMG4GX3M2A1600C6 4GB( 2x

CORSAIR CMX4GX3M2A1600C8(XMP) 4GB( 2x

CORSAIR CMD4GX3M2A1600C8(XMP) 4GB(2 x

CORSAIR CMG4GX3M2A1600C7(XMP)

CORSAIR CMX4GX3M2A1600C9(XMP) 4GB(2 x

CORSAIR CMP6GX3M3A1600C8(XMP) 6GB ( 3x

CORSAIR CMP6GX3M3A1600C8(XMP) 6GB ( 3x

CORSAIR CMX6GX3M3C1600C7(XMP) 6GB ( 3x

CORSAIR TR3X6G1600C8D(XMP) 6GB(3 x

CORSAIR CMP8GX3M2A1600C9(XMP) 8GB ( 2x

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8(XMP) 8GB ( 2x

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9(XMP) 8GB ( 2x

CORSAIR CMX8GX3M4A1600C9(XMP) 8GB(4 x

Crucial BL12864BN1608.8FF(XMP) 2GB( 2x

Crucial BL25664BN1608.16FF(XMP) 2GB DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

G.SKILL F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH(XMP) 4GB(2 x

G.SKILL F3-12800CL8D-4GBRM(XMP) 4GB(2 x

G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBECO(XMP) 4GB(2 x

G.SKILL F3-12800CL8T-6GBPI(XMP) 6GB(3 x

G.SKILL F3-12800CL7D-8GBRH(XMP) 8GB ( 2x

G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL(XMP) 8GB ( 2x

G.SKILL F3-12800CL8D-8GBECO(XMP) 8GB (

GEIL GET316GB1600C9QC(XMP) 16GB ( 4x

GEIL GE34GB1600C9DC(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

GEIL GUP34GB1600C7DC(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

GEIL GVP38GB1600C8QC(XMP) 8GB ( 4x

KINGMAX FLGD45F-B8MF7(XMP) 1GB SS - - - • • •

KINGSTON KHX1600C9D3K3/12GX(XMP) 12GB( 3x

KINGSTON KHX1600C7D3K2/4GX(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

KINGSTON KHX1600C8D3K2/4GX(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

KINGSTON KHX1600C9D3K2/4GX(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

SS/

Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage

DS

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.6 • • •

2GB )

DS -

16GB ( 4x
4GB )

DS - - 6-6-6-18 1.65 • •

2GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 • •

2GB )

DS - - 6-6-6-18 1.65 • •

2GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

2GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

2GB)

DS -

4GB(2 x
2GB)

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • •

2GB)

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

2GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

2GB )

DS - - 7-8-7-20 1.65 • • •

2GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 •

2GB)

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • •

4GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.5 • • •

4GB )

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

4GB )

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • •

2GB)

SS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

1GB )

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • •

2GB )

DS - - 7-7-7-24 1.65 • • •

2GB)

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.6 • • •

2GB)

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.35 • • •

2GB)

DS - - 8-8-8-21 1.6~1.65 •

2GB)

DS - - 7-8-7-24 1.6 • • •

4GB )

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

4GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.35 • • •

2x4GB )

DS - - 9-9-9-28 1.6 • • •

4GB )

DS - - 9-9-9-28 1.6 • •

2GB )

DS - - 7-7-7-24 1.6 • • •

2GB )

DS - - 8-8-8-28 1.6 • • •

2GB )

DS N/A - - 1.65 • • •

4GB )

DS - - - 1.65 • • •

2GB )

DS - - 8 1.65 • •

2GB )

DS - - - 1.65 • • •

2GB )

- 9-9-9-24

- 7-7-7-20

DIMM socket support
(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

• •

1.5

• •

1.65

•

2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1600 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU (continued)

Vendor Part No. Size

Kingston KHX1600C9D3LK2/4GX(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

KINGSTON

KINGSTON KHX1600C9D3K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB ( 3x

KINGSTON KHX1600C9D3T1K3/6GX(XMP) 6GB ( 3x

OCZ OCZ3G16004GK 4GB ( 2x

OCZ OCZ3BE1600C8LV4GK 4GB( 2x

OCZ OCZ3OB1600LV4GK 4GB(2 x

OCZ

OCZ

OCZ OCZ3X1600LV6GK(XMP) 6GB(3 x

Super Talent WP160UX4G8(XMP) 4GB(2 x

Super Talent WP160UX4G9(XMP) 4GB(2 x

Super Talent WB160UX6G8(XMP) 6GB(3 x

Super Talent WB160UX6G8(XMP) 6GB(3 x

AEXEA AXA3PS2G1600S18V(XMP) 2GB DS - - - 1.65 • • •

AEXEA AXA3PS4GK1600S18V(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

Asint SLZ3128M8-EGJ1D(XMP) 2GB DS Asint 3128M8-GJ1D - - • • •

EK Memory EKM324L28BP8-I16(XMP) 4GB( 2x

GoodRam GR1600D364L9/2G 2GB DS GoodRam GF1008KC-JN - - • • •

KINGTIGER KTG2G1600PG3(XMP) 2GB DS - - - - • • •

Mushkin 996805(XMP) 4GB ( 2x

Mushkin 998805(XMP) 6GB ( 3x

Patriot PX7312G1600LLK(XMP) 12GB ( 3x

Patriot PGS34G1600LLKA2 4GB ( 2x

Patriot PGS34G1600LLKA 4GB( 2x

PATRIOT PGS34G1600LLKA 4GB(2 x

Patriot PVT36G1600LLK(XMP) 6GB(3 x

Patriot PX538G1600LLK(XMP) 8GB ( 2x

Team TXD31024M1600C8-D(XMP) 1GB SS Team T3D1288RT-16 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

Team TXD32048M1600HC8-D(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288RT-16 8-8-8-24 1.65 • • •

2GB )

KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX(XMP)

OCZ3G1600LV6GK

OCZ3X1600LV6GK(XMP) 6GB(3 x

4GB ( 2x
2GB )

2GB )

2GB )

2GB )

2GB )

2GB)

6GB(3 x
2GB)

2GB)

2GB)

2GB)

2GB)

2GB)

2GB)

2GB )

2GB )

2GB )

2GB )

4GB )

2GB )

2GB )

2GB)

2GB)

4GB )

SS/

Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage

DS

DS - - - 1.65 • • •

- -

DS

DS - - 9 1.65 • • •

DS - - - 1.65 • •

DS - - 8-8-8 1.7 • •

DS - - 8-8-8 1.65 • •

DS - - 9-9-9 1.65 • • •

- -

DS

DS - - 8-8-8 1.65 • • •

DS - - 8-8-8 1.65 • • •

DS - - 8 - • •

DS - - 9 - • • •

DS - - - - • • •

DS - - 8 - • • •

DS - - - 1.65 • • •

DS - - 9 - • • •

DS - - 6-8-6-24 1.65 • • •

DS - - 6-8-6-24 1.65 • •

DS - - 8-9-8-24 1.65 • • •

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.7 • • •

DS - - 7-7-7-20 1.7 • • •

DS - - 7-7-7-20 1.7 • • •

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.65 •

DS - - 8-9-8-24 1.65 • • •

9

8-8-8

DIMM socket support
(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

1.65 •

1.65 •

• •

•

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-11

Chapter 2

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1333 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU

DIMM socket support

Vendor Part No. Size

Apacer 78.01GC6.9L0 1GB SS Apacer AM5D5808DEJSBG 9 - • • •

Apacer

CORSAIR TW3X4G1333C9A 4GB ( 2x

CORSAIR CMX8GX3M2A1333C9(XMP) 8GB ( 2x

CORSAIR CMX8GX3M4A1333C9 8GB(4 x

Crucial CT12864BA1339.8FF 1GB SS MICRON D9KPT 9 - • • •

Crucial BL25664BN1337.16FF(XMP) 2GB DS - - 7-7-7-24 1.65 • • •

Crucial

Crucial CT25672BA1339.18FF 2GB DS MICRON D9KPT(ECC) 9 - • • •

ELPIDA EBJ10UE8BDF0-DJ-F 1GB SS ELPIDA J1108BDSE-DJ-F - - • • •

ELPIDA EBJ10UE8EDF0-DJ-F 1GB SS ELPIDA J1108EDSE-DJ-F - - • • •

ELPIDA EBJ20UF8BCF0-DJ-F 2GB SS Elpida J2108BCSE-DJ-F - - • • •

ELPIDA EBJ21UE8BDF0-DJ-F 2GB DS ELPIDA J1108BDSE-DJ-F - - • • •

G.SKILL F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT 4GB ( 2x

G.SKILL F3-10666CL8D-

G.SKILL F3-10666CL7D-

G.SKILL F3-10666CL8D-

G.SKILL F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL 8GB ( 2x

G.SKILL F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL 8GB ( 2x

GEIL GET316GB1333C9QC 16GB (

GEIL GG34GB1333C9DC 4GB ( 2x

GEIL GB34GB1333C7DC 4GB(2 x

GEIL GG34GB1333C9DC 4GB(2 x

GEIL GV34GB1333C7DC 4GB(2 x

GEIL GVP38GB1333C7QC 8GB ( 4x

Hynix HMT112U6TFR8A-H9 1GB SS Hynix H5TC1G83TFR - - • • •

Hynix HMT325U6BFR8C-H9 2GB SS Hynix H5TQ2G83BFR - - • • •

Hynix HMT125U6BFR8C-H9 2GB DS Hynix H5TQ1G83BFRH9C 9 - • •

Hynix HMT125U6TFR8A-H9 2GB DS Hynix H5TC1G83TFR - - • • •

Hynix HMT351U6BFR8C-H9 4GB DS Hynix H5TQ2G83BFR - - • • •

KINGMAX FLFE85F-C8KM9 2GB SS Kingmax KFC8FNMXF-BXX-15A - - • • •

KINGMAX FLFE85F-B8KL9 2GB DS KINGMAX KFB8FNLXL-BNF-15A - - • • •

KINGMAX FLFF65F-C8KM9 4GB DS Kingmax KFC8FNMXF-BXX-15A - - • • •

Kingston KVR1333D3N9/1G 1GB SS Elpida J1108BDSE-DJ-F 9 1.5 • • •

Kingston KVR1333D3N9/2G 2GB DS Kingston D1288JPNDPLD9U 9 1.5 • • •

Kingston KHX1333C9D3UK2/

KINGSTON KVR1333D3N9K2/4G 4GB ( 2x

MICRON MT4JTF12864AZ-1G4D1 1GB SS Micron D9LGQ - - • •

MICRON MT8JTF25664AZ-1G4D1 2GB SS Micron D9LGK - - • • •

MICRON MT8JTF25664AZ-1G4D1 2GB SS Micron D9LGK - - • • •

MICRON MT16JTF51264AZ-1G4D1 4GB DS Micron D9LGK - - • • •

OCZ OCZ3RPR13332GK 2GB ( 2x

OCZ OCZ3P1333LV3GK 3GB(3 x

OCZ OCZ3G1333LV4GK 4GB ( 2x

78.A1GC6.9L1

CT25664BA1339.16FF

4GBHK(XMP)

4GBRH(XMP)

4GBECO(XMP)

4GX(XMP)

SS/

Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage

DS

AM5D5808FEQSBG 9

2GB DS

2GB )

4GB )

2GB)

2GB DS

2GB )

4GB ( 2x
2GB )

4GB(2 x
2GB)

4GB(2 x
2GB)

4GB )

4GB )

4x 4GB )

2GB )

2GB)

2GB)

2GB)

2GB )

4GB ( 2x
2GB )

2GB )

1GB )

1GB)

2GB )

Apacer

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

D9KPT 9

MICRON

DS G.SKILL D3 128M8CE9 2GB 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

DS - - 8-8-8-21 1.5 • • •

DS - - 7-7-7-21 1.5 • • •

DS - - 8-8-8-24 1.35 • • •

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • • •

DS GEIL GL1L128M88BA115FW 9-9-9-24 1.3 • • •

DS GEIL GL1L128M88BA15FW 7-7-7-24 1.5 • • •

DS GEIL GL1L128M88BA12N 9-9-9-24 1.3 • • •

DS - - 7-7-7-24 1.5 • • •

DS - - 7-7-7-24 1.5 • •

DS - - 9 1.25 • •

DS KINGSTON D1288JEMFPGD9U - 1.5 • • •

SS - - 6-6-6 1.75 • •

SS - - 7-7-7 1.65 • • •

DS - - 9-9-9 1.65 • • •

(Optional)

1
DIMM2 DIMM4 DIMM

- •

- •

•

•

•

•

2-12 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1333 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU (continued)

Vendor Part No. Size

OCZ OCZ3RPR13334GK 4GB ( 2x

OCZ

OCZ OCZX1333LV6GK(XMP) 6GB(3 x

OCZ OCZ3G1333LV8GK 8GB ( 2x

OCZ OCZ3G1333LV8GK 8GB ( 2x

OCZ OCZ3RPR1333C9LV8GK 8GB ( 2x

PSC PC310600U-9-10-A0 1GB SS PSC A3P1GF3FGF - - • •

PSC

PSC

SAMSUNG M378B2873EH1-CH9 1GB SS SAMSUNG K4B1G0846E - - • •

SAMSUNG M378B2873FHS-CH9 1GB SS SAMSUNG K4B1G0846F - - • • •

SAMSUNG M378B5773DH0-CH9 2GB SS Samsung K4B2G08460 - - • • •

SAMSUNG M378B5673FH0-CH9 2GB DS SAMSUNG K4B1G0846F - - • • •

SAMSUNG M378B5273BH1-CH9 4GB DS SAMSUNG K4B2G0846B-HCH9 9 - • • •

SAMSUNG M378B5273CH0-CH9 4GB DS SAMSUNG K4B2G0846C K4B2G0846C - • • •

SAMSUNG M378B5273DH0-CH9 4GB DS Samsung K4B2G08460 - - • •

SAMSUNG M378B1G73AH0-CH9 8GB DS SAMSUNG K4B4G0846A-HCH9 - - • • •

Transcend TS256MLK64V3N (566577) 2GB SS Hynix H5TQ2G83BFR 9 - • •

Transcend TS256MLK64V3N (574206) 2GB SS Micron D9LGK 9 - • •

Transcend TS512MLK64V3N (389889) 4GB DS Hynix H5TQ2G83BFR 9 - • •

Transcend TS512MLK64V3N (574831) 4GB DS Micron D9LGK 9 - • • •

ACTICA ACT1GHU64B8F1333S 1GB SS Samsung K4B1G0846F - - • • •

ACTICA ACT1GHU72C8G1333S 1GB SS Samsung K4B1G0846F(ECC) - - • • •

ACTICA ACT2GHU64B8G1333M 2GB DS Micron D9KPT - - • •

ACTICA ACT2GHU64B8G1333S 2GB DS Samsung K4B1G0846F - - • •

ACTICA ACT2GHU72D8G1333M 2GB DS Micron D9KPT(ECC) - - •

ACTICA ACT2GHU72D8G1333S 2GB DS Samsung K4B1G0846F(ECC) - - • • •

ACTICA ACT4GHU64B8H1333H 4GB DS Hynix H5TQ2G83AFR - - • • •

ACTICA ACT4GHU72D8H1333H 4GB DS Hynix H5TQ2G83AFR(ECC) - - • • •

BUFFALO D3U1333-1G 1GB SS Elpida J1108BFBG-DJ-F - - • • •

BUFFALO FSH1333D3G-T3G(XMP) 3GB(3 x

BUFFALO D3U1333-2G 2GB DS Elpida J1108BFBG-DJ-F - • • •

BUFFALO D3U1333-4G 4GB DS NANYA NT5CB256M8BN-CG - • • •

EK Memory EKM324L28BP8-I13 4GB(2 x

Elixir M2F2G64CB88B7N-CG 2GB SS Elixir N2CB2G808N-CG - - • • •

Elixir M2F4G64CB8HB5N-CG 4GB DS Elixir N2CB2G808N-CG - - • • •

GoodRam GR1333D364L9/2G 2GB DS Qimonda IDSH1G-03A1F1C-13H - - • • •

KINGTIGER F10DA2T1680 2GB DS KINGTIGER KTG1333PS1208NST-C9 - - • • •

KINGTIGER KTG2G1333PG3 2GB DS - - - - • • •

Patriot PSD32G13332 2GB DS Prtriot PM128M8D3BU-15 9 - • • •

Patriot PGS34G1333LLKA 4GB(2 x

Patriot PVS34G1333ELK 4GB(2 x

Patriot PVS34G1333LLK 4GB(2 x

Silicon Power SP001GBLTE133S01 1GB SS NANYA NT5CB128M8AN-CG - - • • •

Silicon Power SP001GBLTU1333S01 1GB SS NANYA NT5CB128M8AN-CG - - • • •

Silicon Power SP002GBLTE133S01 2GB DS NANYA NT5CB128M8AN-CG - - • • •

Silicon Power SP002GBLTU133S02 2GB DS S-POWER I0YT3E0 9 - • • •

Team TXD31024M1333C7(XMP) 1GB SS Team T3D1288LT-13 7-7-7-21 1.75 • • •

Team TXD31048M1333C7-D(XMP) 1GB SS Team T3D1288LT-13 7-7-7-21 1.75 •

Team TXD32048M1333C7-D(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288LT-13 7-7-7-21 1.5-1.6 • •

Team TXD32048M1333C7-D(XMP) 2GB DS Team T3D1288LT-13 7-7-7-21 1.5-1.6 • •

DIMM socket support

SS/

Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage

DS

DS - - 6-6-6 1.75 • •

2GB )

OCZ3P1333LV4GK 4GB(2 x

AL8F8G73D-DG1 2GB

PC310600U-9-10-B0 2GB DS PSC A3P1GF3FGF - - • • •

DS -

2GB)

DS NA - 8-8-8 1.6 • • •

2GB)

DS - - 9-9-9 1.65 • • •

4GB )

DS - - 9-9-9 1.65 • •

4GB )

DS - - 9-9-9 1.65 • •

4GB )

DS PSC

SS - - 7-7-7-20 - • • •

1GB)

DS - - 9 - • • •

2GB)

DS - - 7-7-7-20 1.7 • • •

2GB)

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 • •

2GB)

DS - - 7-7-7-20 1.7 • •

2GB)

-

A3P1GF3DGF

7-7-7 1.65

- -

(Optional)

1
DIMM2 DIMM4 DIMM

• •

• •

•

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-13

Chapter 2

M5A97 PRO Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 1067 MHz
capability for AMD AM3 CPU

DIMM socket support

Vendor Part No. Size SS/DS Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage

Crucial CT12864BA1067.8FF 1GB SS MICRON D9KPT 7 - • • •

CT12864BA1067.8SFD 1GB

Crucial

Crucial CT12872BA1067.9FF 1GB SS MICRON D9KPT(ECC) 7 - • • •

Crucial CT25664BA1067.16FF 2GB DS MICRON D9KPT 7 - • • •

Crucial CT25664BA1067.16SFD 2GB DS MICRON D9JNL 7 - • • •

Crucial CT25672BA1067.18FF 2GB DS MICRON D9KPT(ECC) 7 - • • •

ELPIDA EBJ10UE8BAW0-AE-E 1GB SS ELPIDA J1108BABG-DJ-E 7 - • • •

EBJ10UE8EDF0-AE-F 1GB

ELPIDA

ELPIDA EBJ21UE8BAW0-AE-E 2GB DS ELPIDA J1108BABG-DJ-E 7 - • • •

ELPIDA EBJ21UE8EDF0-AE-F 2GB DS ELPIDA J1108EDSE-DJ-F - - • • •

GEIL GG34GB1066C8DC 4GB ( 2x

Hynix HMT112U6AFP8C-G7N0 1GB SS HYNIX H5TQ1G83AFPG7C 7 - • • •

Hynix HYMT112U64ZNF8-G7 1GB SS HYNIX HY5TQ1G831ZNFP-G7 7 - •

Hynix HMT125U6AFP8C-G7N0 2GB DS HYNIX H5TQ1G83AFPG7C 7 - • • •

Hynix HYMT125U64ZNF8-G7 2GB DS HYNIX HY5TQ1G831ZNFP-G7 7 - • • •

Kingston KVR1066D3N7/1G 1GB SS Kingston D1288JPNDPLD9U 7 1.5 • • •

Kingston KVR1066D3N7/2G 2GB DS Elpida J1108BDSE-DJ-F 7 1.5 • • •

KINGSTON KVR1066D3N7K2/4G 4GB ( 2x

MICRON MT8JTF12864AZ-1G1F1 1GB SS MICRON 8ZF22 D9KPV 7 - • • •

MICRON MT16JTF25664AZ-

1G1F1

SAMSUNG M378B5273BH1-CF8 4GB DS SAMSUNG K4B2G0846B-HCF8 8 1.5 • • •

Elixir M2Y2G64CB8HC5N-BE 2GB DS Elixir N2CB1G80CN-BE - - • • •

Elixir M2Y2G64CB8HC9N-BE 2GB DS - - - - • • •

2GB )

2GB )

2GB DS MICRON 8ZF22 D9KPV 7 - • •

MICRON D9JNL

SS

SS ELPIDA

DS GEIL GL1L128M88BA115FW 8-8-8-20 1.3 • •

DS KINGSTON D1288JELDNGD9U - 1.5 • • •

J1108EDSE-DJ-F

7 -

- -

Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided
DIMM support:

• 1 DIMM:

•

Supports one (1) module inserted into any slot as Single-channel memory

conguration.

Supports two (2) modules inserted into either the blue slots or the black

2 DIMMs:

We suggest that you install the module into A2 slot.

slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory conguration.

you install the modules into slots A2 and B2 for better compatibility.

• 4 DIMMs:

Supports four (4) modules inserted into both the blue and black slots as

two pairs of Dual-channel memory conguration.

(Optional)

1 DIMM 2 DIMM 4 DIMM

• •

•

• •

•

We suggest that

• When overclocking, some AMD CPU models may not support DDR3 1600 or higher
frequency DIMMs.

• Visit the ASUS website for the latest QVL.

2-14 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.2.4 Expansion slots

Ensure to 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 2.0 x16_1 slot [blue] (at x16 mode)

2 PCIe 2.0 x1_1 slot

3 PCIe 2.0 x1_2 slot

4 PCIe 2.0 x16_2 slot [black] (at x4 mode)

5 PCI slot 1

6 PCI slot 2

VGA conguration

Single VGA/PCIe card

Dual VGA/PCIe card

PCI Express operating mode

PCIe 2.0 x16_1 PCIe 2.0 x16_2

x16
(Recommend for single VGA)

x16 x4

N/A

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-15

Chapter 2

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

• In CrossFireX™ mode, use the PCIe 2.0 x16_1 and PCIe 2.0 x16_2 slots for PCI
Express x16 graphics cards to get better performance.

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

Refer to page 2-23 for details.

• Connect a chassis fan to the motherboard connector labeled CHA_FAN1/2 when using
multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment. See page 2-22 for details.

IRQ assignments for this motherboard

A B C D E F G H

HD Audio shared – – – – – – –
Realtek 8111E – – – – shared – – –
JMicron ATA

Controller 0
JMicron ATA
Controller 1
USB 3.0 #1 – – – – – – shared –

Onchip SATA Controller – – – shared – – – –
Onchip USB 1 – – shared – – – – –
Onchip USB 2 – – shared – – – – –
Onchip Azaliz shared – – – – – – –
PCI slot 1 – shared – – – – – –
PCI slot 2 – – shared – – – – –
PCIE x16_1 shared – – – – – – –
PCIE x16_2 – – – – shared – – –
PCIE x1_1 – – – shared – – – –
PCIE x1_2 – – shared – – – – –

– – – shared – – – –

– – – shared – – – –

2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.2.5 Jumper

Clear RTC RAM (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

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-

for about 5–10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1-2.

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

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

• Due to the chipset behavior, AC power off is required to enable C.P.R. function. You
must turn off and on the power supply or unplug and plug the power cord before
rebooting the system.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-17

Chapter 2

2.2.6 Onboard switches

Onboard switches 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.

MemOK! switch

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

• Refer to section

• The DRAM_LED also lights 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 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 lights continuously. 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 messgae 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.

2.2.7 Onboard LEDs

for the exact location of the DRAM_LED.

2-18 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.2.7 Onboard LEDs

1. POST State LEDs

The POST State LEDs of CPU, DRAM, VGA card, and HDD indicate key components
status during POST (Power-on Self Test). If an error is found , the LED next to the
error device will continue lighting until the problem is solved. This user-friendly design
provides an intuitional way to locate the root problem within a second.

2. Standby Power LED

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED. The green LED 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 M5A97 PRO 2-19

Chapter 2

2.2.8 Internal connectors

1. AMD® SB950 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_1-6 [gray])

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 through the onboard AMD® SB950 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 3.5.3 SATA Conguration for details.

• Before creating a RAID set, refer to section 4.4 RAID congurations or the manual
bundled in the motherboard support DVD.

•

When using NCQ, set the

3.5.3 SATA Conguration

•

You must install Windows® XP Service Pack 3 or later versions before using Serial
ATA hard disk drives. The Serial ATA RAID feature is available only if you are using
Windows® XP SP3 or later versions.

SATA Mode

for details.

in the BIOS to [AHCI Mode]. Refer to section

2-20 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

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

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 that supports up to

48 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, blue) rst, and

then 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.

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 M5A97 PRO 2-21

Chapter 2

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

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,If you want to connect a high-denition front panel audio module to this connector,

set the

Azalia Front Panel

AC'97 front panel audio module to this connector, set the item to
this connector is set to

item in the BIOS setup to

.

[HD]

if you want to connect an

[HD];

[AC97]

5. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1)

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.

3. TPU LED

. By default,

4. EPU LED

The serial port bracket (COM1) is purchased separately.

2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

6. CPU, chassis, and power fan connectors
(4-pin CPU_FAN; 4-pin CHA_FAN1; 3-pin CHA_FAN2; 3-pin PWR_FAN)

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!

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

• Only the CPU_FAN, CHA_FAN 1 and CHA_FAN 2 connectors support the ASUS FAN
Xpert feature.

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

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-23

Chapter 2

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

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 12 V Specication 2.0 (or later version) and provides a

minimum power of 450 W.

• Do not forget to connect the 8-pin EATX12 V power plug; otherwise, the system will

not boot.

• Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended 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 or more 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

com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

http://support.asus.

for details.

2-24 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

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

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

• System power LED (2-pin PLED)

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 IDE_LED)

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

to this connector. The IDE 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 PWRSW)

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 M5A97 PRO 2-25

Chapter 2

2.3 Building your computer system

2.3.1 Additional tools and components to build a PC system

1 bag of screws Philips (cross) screwdriver

PC chassis Power supply unit

AMD AM3+ CPU AMD AM3+ compatible CPU Fan

DIMM SATA hard disk drive

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

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

2-26 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.3.2 CPU installation

1

2

The AMD AM3+ socket is compatible with AMD AM3+ and AM3 processors. Ensure 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 connectors on the socket and
damaging the CPU!

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-27

Chapter 2

3

2.3.3 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.

2-28 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

To install the CPU heatsink and fan assembly

1

2

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-29

Chapter 2

3

4

5

2-30 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.3.4 DIMM installation

1

2

3

To remove a DIMM

B

A

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-31

Chapter 2

2.3.5 Motherboard installation

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

1

2

2-32 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

3

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

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-33

Chapter 2

2.3.6 ATX Power connection

1

2

OR OR

2-34 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.3.7 SATA device connection

1

OR

2

OR

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-35

Chapter 2

2.3.8 Front I/O Connector

IDE_LED

POWER SW

RESET SW

IDE_LED-

IDE_LED+

PWR

Reset

Ground

Ground

To install ASUS Q-Connector

1 2

To install USB 2.0 Connector To install front panel audio connector

AAFP

USB 2.0

2-36 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

2.3.9 Expension Card installation

To install PCIe x16 cards

To install PCIe x1 cards To install PCI cards

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-37

Chapter 2

2.3.10 Rear panel connection

Rear panel connectors

1. PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port 7. Optical S/PDIF Out port

2. USB 3.0 ports 1 and 2 8. External SATA port

3. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4 9. External SATA port

4. USB 2.0 ports 5 and 6 10. USB 2.0 ports 7 and 8

5. Realtek® LAN (RJ-45) port* 11. Audio I/O ports**

6. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2

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

2-38 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

* LAN ports LED indications

Activity Link LED Speed LED

Status Description Status Description

OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection

ORANGE Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection

** Audio 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel conguration

Port Headset

Light Blue Line In Line In Line In Line In

Lime Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out

Pink Mic In Mic In Mic In Mic In

Orange – – Center/Subwoofer Center/Subwoofer

Black – Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out

Gray – – – Side Speaker Out

• DO NOT insert a different connector to the external SATA port.

• 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.

• 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.

• If you want to use the hot-plug function of the external SATA ports, you have to set the

JMB Storage Controller
JMB36X Controller Driver

Onboard Devices Conguration

item in the BIOS setting to [Enabled] and install the

from the motherboard support DVD. Refer to section

for details.

ACT/LINK

LED

LAN port

JMicron

SPEED

LED

3.5.6

4-channel 6-channel 8-channel

2-channel

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-39

Chapter 2

2.3.11 Audio I/O connections

Audio I/O ports

Connect to Headphone and Mic

Connect to Stereo Speakers

Connect to 2.1 channel Speakers

2-40 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 2

Connect to 4.1 channel Speakers

Connect to 5.1 channel Speakers

Connect to 7.1 channel Speakers

When the DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC function is enabled, ensure to connect the rear
speaker to the gray port.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 2-41

Chapter 2

2.4 Starting up for the rst time

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

2. Be sure 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 or POST. While the tests are running, the

BIOS beeps (refer to the BIOS beep codes table below) 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, pressing the power switch for less than four seconds puts the system
on sleep mode or soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting. Pressing the power switch
for more than four seconds lets the system enter the soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS
setting.

Chapter 2

2-42 Chapter 2: Hardware information

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

3.1 Knowing BIOS

The new ASUS UEFI BIOS is an Unied Extensible Firmware Interface, offering a user-

friendly interface that goes beyond traditional keyboard-only BIOS controls to enable more

exible and convenient mouse input. Users can easily navigate the new UEFI BIOS with

the same smoothness as their 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 optimum
performance. We recommend that you 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 settings of the BIOS may result to instability or failure to boot. We strongly

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

3.2 BIOS setup program

A BIOS setup program is provided for BIOS item modication. When you start up the

computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program. Press <Del>
during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to enter the Setup utility. Otherwise, POST continues
with its test routines.

If you wish to enter Setup after POST, press <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete>, or press the reset
button on the system chassis to restart the system. You can also turn the system off and then

turn it back on to restart the system. Do this last option only if the rst two failed.

• 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. 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 sectionSee section 2.2.5 Jumper for information

on how to erase the RTC RAM.

The BIOS setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a
menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various submenus and select from the
available options using a keyboard or a USB mouse.

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 button in the
EZ Mode/Advanced Mode screen.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-1

Chapter 3

3-2 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

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.

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

Setup Mode item in sectionsection 3.7 Boot memu for details.

Displays the CPU/motherboard temperature,
CPU/5V/3.3V/12V voltage output,
CPU/chassis/power fan speed

Monday [4/11/2011]

Temperature Voltage Fan Speed

CPU +145.4ºF/+63.0ºC CPU 1.320V 5V 4.950V CPU_FAN 2626RPM PWR_FAN N/A

MB +84.2ºF/+29.0ºC 3.3V 3.216V 12V 11.840V CHA_FAN1 N/A CHA_FAN2 N/A

System Performance

Performance Energy Saving

Boot Priority

Use the mouse to drag or keyboard to navigate to decide the boot priority.

Selects the boot device priority

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

UEFI BIOS Utility - EZ Mode

M5A97 PRO

BIOS Version : 0119 Build Date : 04/07/2011

CPU Type : AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 965 Processor Speed : 3439 MHz

Total Memory : 4096 MB

Quiet

Selects the display language of
the BIOS setup program

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

Normal

Power Saving mode

Normal mode ASUS Optimal mode

Selects the boot device priority

Clicks to display all fan

speeds if available

Exit/Advanced Mode

Boot Menu(F8)

Loads optimized default

English

Default(F5)

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

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

system.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-3

Chapter 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 EZ Mode, click Exit, then select ASUS EZ Mode.

Back button

Menu items

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Back Advanced\ Onboard Devices Conguration >

JMB Storage Controller Enabled

JMB Storage OPROM Enabled

Display OptionRom in POST Enabled

Asmedia USB 3.0 Controller Enabled

Asmedia USB 3.0 Battery Charging Support Enabled

Realtek LAN Controller Enabled

Realtek PXE OPROM Disabled

> Serial Port Conguration

> SB HD Azalia Conguration

Ai Tweaker

Submenu item

Menu bar

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Pop-up window

Conguration elds

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

JMB Storage OPROM

Disabled
Enabled

Scroll bar

General help

Enabled/Disabled JMB Storage OPROM.

: Select Screen

→←

: Select Item

↑↓

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

Navigation keys

Exit

Menu bar

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

Main For changing the basic system conguration

Ai Tweaker For changing the overclocking settings

Advanced For changing the advanced system settings

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

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 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

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. Use
<F12> key to capture the BIOS screen and save it to the removable storage device.

General help

At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item.

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.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-5

Chapter 3

3.3 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.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

BIOS Version 0119 x64
Build Date 04/07/2011

CPU Information
AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 965 Processor

Memory Information
Total Memory 4096MB (DDR3)
EC Version MBECG-0005

System Language English

System Date [Mon 04/11/2011]
System Time [16:46:15]

Access Level Administrator

> Security

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Choose the system default languageBIOS Information

Security

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

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Back Main\ Security >

Password Description

If ONLY the Administrator's password is set,
then this only limits access to Setup and is
only asked for when entering Setup
If ONLY the User's password is set, then this
is a power on password and must be entered to
boot or enter Setup. In Setup the User will
have Administrator rights

Administrator Password Not Installed
User Password Not Installed

Administrator Password
User Password

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

To clear the administrator password,
key in the current password in the
Enter Current Password box,
and then press <Enter> when

prompted to create/conrm the

password.

Exit

Exit

• If you have forgotten your BIOS password, erase the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC)
RAM to clear the BIOS password. See section 2.2.5 Jumper for information on how to
erase the RTC RAM.

• The Administrator or User Password items on top of the screen show the default
Not Installed. After you set a password, these items show Installed.

3-6 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

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 Administrator Password item and press <Enter>.

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

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

To change an administrator password:

1. Select the Administrator Password item and press <Enter>.

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

<Enter>.

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

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 User Password item and press <Enter>.

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

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

To change a user password:

1. Select the User Password item and press <Enter>.

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

<Enter>.

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

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.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-7

Chapter 3

3.4 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.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Exit

Main

Current CPU Speed : 3439MHz
Target CPU Speed : 3400MHz
Current Memory Frequency: 1333MHz
Current NB Frequency : 2000MHz
Current HT Link Speed : 2000MHz

Ai Overclock Tuner Auto

OC Tuner CANCEL

CPU Ratio Auto

Memory Frequency Auto

CPU/NB Frequency Auto

HT Link Speed Auto

CPU Spread Spectrum Auto

PCIe Spread Spectrum Auto

EPU Power Saving Mode Disabled

EPU Setting Auto

> DRAM Timing Control

> DRAM Driving Control

DIGI+ VRM

CPU Load-Line Calibration Auto

CPU/NB Load-Line Calibration Auto

Scroll down to display the following items:

CPU Currrent Capability Auto

CPU/NB Currrent Capability Auto

CPU Power Phase Control Standard

CPU Voltage Frequency Auto

VRM Spread Spectrum Disabled

CPU Power Duty Control T.Probe

CPU & NB Voltage Offset Mode

Offset Mode Sign +

CPU Offset Voltage 1.320V Auto

CPU/NB Offset Mode Sign +

CPU/NB Offset Voltage 1.100V Auto

CPU VDDA Voltage 2.500V Auto

DRAM Voltage 1.550V Auto

NB Voltage 1.100V Auto

NB HT Voltage 1.200V Auto

NB 1.8V Voltage 1.800V Auto

SB Voltage 1.800V Auto

Ai Tweaker

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

[D.O.C.P.] When DOCP is enabled CPU
Bus, CPU ratio and memory parameters

will be auto optimized.

→←: Select Screen
↑↓: Select Item

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

3-8 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

Ai Overclock Tuner [Auto]

Allows you to select the CPU overclocking options to achieve the desired CPU internal

frequency. Select any of these preset overclocking conguration options:

[Auto] Loads the optimal settings for the system.

[Manual] Allows you to individually set overclocking parameters.

[D.O.C.P.] CPU Bus, CPU ratio and memory parameters will be auto optimized.

OC Tuner [CANCEL]

OC Tuner automatically overclocks the frequency and voltage of CPU and DRAM for

enhancing the system performance. Conguration options: [OK] [Cancel]

CPU Ratio [Auto]

Allows user can manually adjust the maximum non-CPB mode CPU ratio. The value will be
limit to CPU base or factory setting. Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the ratio. The valid
value ranges vary according to your CPU model.

Memory Frequency [Auto]

Allows you to set the memory operating frequency.

Conguration options: [Auto] [DDR3-800MHz] [DDR3-1066MHz] [DDR3-1333MHz] [DDR3­1600MHz]

CPU/NB Frequency [Auto]

Allows you to select the CPU/NB frequency.

Conguration options: [Auto] [1400MHz] [1600MHz] [1800MHz] [2000MHz]

HT Link Speed [Auto]

Allows you to select the HyperTransport link speed.

Conguration options: [Auto] [800MHz] [1000MHz] [1200MHz] [1400MHz] [1600MHz]
[1800MHz] [2000MHz]

CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto]

[Auto] Automatic conguration.

[Disabled] Enhances CPU bus frequency overclocking ability.

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

PCIe Spread Spectrum [Auto]

[Auto] Automatic conguration.

[Disabled] Enhances the PCIE overclocking ability.

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

EPU Power Saving Mode [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the EPU power saving function.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Selecting a very high memory frequency may cause the system to become unstable! If this
happens, revert to the default setting.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-9

Chapter 3

EPU Setting [Auto]

This item appears only when you set the EPU Power Saving Mode item to [Enabled] and
allows you to select the EPU power saving mode.

Conguration options: [Auto] [Light Power Saving Mode] [Medium Power Saving Mode] [Max

Power Saving Mode]

DRAM Timing Control

DRAM CAS# Latency [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [4 CLK] – [12 CLK]

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [5 CLK] – [12 CLK]

DRAM RAS# PRE Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [5 CLK] – [12 CLK]

DRAM RAS# ACT Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [15 CLK] – [30 CLK]

DRAM READ to PRE Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [7 CLK]

DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [7 CLK]

DRAM WRITE to READ Delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [7 CLK]

DRAM CAS# WRITE Latency [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [5 CLK] – [12 CLK]

DRAM WRITE Recovery Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [7 CLK] [8 CLK] [10 CLK] [12 CLK]

DRAM REF Cycle Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [90ns] [110ns] [160ns] [300ns] [350ns]

DRAM Row Cycle Time [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [11 CLK] – [42 CLK]

DRAM READ to WRITE Delay [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [3 CLK] – [17 CLK]

DRAM WRITE to READ Delay(DD) [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [2 CLK] – [10 CLK]

DRAM WRITE to WRITE Timing [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [2 CLK] – [10 CLK]

DRAM READ to READ Timing [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [2 CLK] – [10 CLK]

DRAM Refresh Rate [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [Every 7.8ms] [Every 3.9ms]

DRAM Command Rate [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T]

3-10 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

DRAM Driving Control

CKE drive strength [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1x] [1.25x] [1.5x] [2x]

CS/ODT drive strength [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1x] [1.25x] [1.5x] [2x]

ADDR/CMD drive strength [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [1x] [1.25x] [1.5x] [2x]

MEMCLK drive strength [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1x] [1.25x] [1.5x]

Data drive strength [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1x] [1.25x] [1.5x]

DQS drive strength [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1x] [1.25x] [1.5x]

Processor ODT [Auto]

Conguration options: [Auto] [240 ohms +/- 20%] [120 ohms +/- 20%] [60 ohms +/­20%]

DIGI+ VRM

CPU Load-Line Calibration [Auto]

Load-line is dened by AMD VRM spec and affects CPU voltage. The CPU working voltage

will decrease proportionally to CPU loading. Higher load-line calibration would get higher
voltage and better overclocking performance, but increase the CPU and VRM thermal. 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]

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

CPU/NB Load-Line Calibration [Auto]

Allows you to select the CPU/NB Load-Line mode.

Conguration options: [Auto] [Regular] [High] [Extreme]

CPU Currrent Capability [Auto]

This item provides wider total power range for overclocking. A higher value brings a wider
total power range and extends the overclocking frequency range simultaneously.

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

Do not remove the thermal module while changing the DIGI+ VRM related parrameters .
The thermal conditions should be monitored.

Some of the following items are adjusted by typing the desired values using the numeric
keypad and press the <Enter> key. You can also use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the
value. To restore the default setting, type [auto] using the keyboard and press the <Enter>
key.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-11

Chapter 3

CPU/NB Currrent Capability [Auto]

This item provides wider total DRAM controller power range for overclocking. A higher
value brings a wider total power range and extends the overclocking frequency range
simultaneously.
Conguration options: [Auto] [100%] [110%] [120%] [130%]

CPU Power Phase Control [Standard]

Phase number is the number of woorking VRM phase. Increasing phase number under
heavy system loading to get more transient and better thermal performance. Reducing phase

number under light system loading to increase VRM efciency

[Standard] Proceeds phase control depending on the CPU loading.

[Optimized] Loads the ASUS optimized phase tuning prole.

[Extreme] Proceeds the full phase mode.

[Manual Adjustment] Allows manual adjustment.

CPU Voltage Frequency [Auto]

Switching frequency will affects the VRM transient response and component thermal. Higher

frequency gets quicker transient response. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual]

VRM Spread Spectrum [Disabled]

This item allows you to enable the spread spectrum to enhance system stability.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CPU Power Duty Control [T.Probe]

[T.Probe] Maintains the VRM thermal balance.

[Extreme] Maintains the VRM current balance.

CPU & NB Voltage [Offset Mode]

[Manual Mode] Allows you to set a xed CPU & NB voltage.

[Offset Mode] Allows you to set the Offset voltage.

CPU Manual Voltage

This item appears only when you set the CPU & NB Voltage item to [Manual Mode]. Allows
you to set the CPU voltage. The values range is by CPU standard with a 0.00625V interval.

CPU/NB Manual Voltage

This item appears only when you set the CPU & NB Voltage item to [Manual Mode]. Allows
you to set the CPU/NB voltage. The values range is by CPU standard with a 0.00625V
interval.

Offset Mode Sign [+]

This item appears only when you set the CPU & NB Voltage item to [Offset Mode].

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

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

CPU Offset Voltage [Auto]

This item appears only when you set the CPU & NB Voltage item to [Offset Mode]
and allows you to set the Offset voltage. The values range is by CPU standard with a

0.00625V interval.

3-12 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

CPU/NB Offset Mode Sign [+]

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

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

CPU/NB Offset Voltage [Auto]

This item appears only when you set the CPU & NB Voltage Mode item to [Offset] and
allows you to set the CPU/NB Offset voltage. The values range is by CPU standard
with a 0.00625V interval.

CPU VDDA Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the CPU VDDA voltage. The values range from 2.20000V to 2.90000V with
a 0.00625V interval.

DRAM Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the DRAM voltage. The values range from 1.20V to 2.20V with a 0.00625V
interval.

NB Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the Northbridge voltage. The values range from 1.100000V to 1.250000V
with a 0.00625V interval.

NB HT Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the HyperTransport voltage. The values range from 1.200000V to

1.400000V with a 0.00625V interval.

NB 1.8V Voltage [Auto]

The values range from 1.80V to 2.80V with a 0.005V interval.

SB Voltage [Auto]

Allows you to set the Southbridge voltage. The values range from 1.10V to 1.80V with a 0.005V
interval.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-13

Chapter 3

3.5 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.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

> CPU Conguration

> North Bridge

> SATA Conguration

> USB Conguration

> CPU Core On/Off Function

> Onboard Devices Conguration

> APM

Ai Tweaker

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

CPU Conguration Parameters

: Select Screen

→←

: Select Item

↑↓

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

Exit

3-14 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.5.1 CPU Conguration

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

The items shown in this screen may be different due to the CPU you installed.

Back Advanced\ CPU Conguration >

CPU Conguration

AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 270 Processor

Dual Core Running @ 3433 MHz 1375 mV

Max Speed: 3400 MHZ Intended Speed: 3400 MHZ
Microcode Patch Level: 10000c8

--------------- Cache per Core --------------­L1 Instruction Cache: 64 KB/2-way
L1 Data Cache: 64 KB/2-way
L2 Cache: 1024 KB/16-way
Total L3 Cache per Socket: 0 MB/~way

Cool’n’ Quiet Enable

C1E Enabled

SVM Enabled

Cool‘n’Quiet [Enable]

Allows you to enable or disable AMD Cool’n’Quiet function.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

C1E [Enabled]

Enable this feature will let your system utilize the AMD specic ACPI states to save power
consumption. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Ai Tweaker

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Enable/disable the generation of
ACPI_PPC, _PSS, and _PCT objects.

: Select Screen

→←

: Select Item

↑↓

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

Exit

SVM [Enabled]

Enable AMD virtualization in CPU. This secure virtual mode will let you run multiple OS

(guest) on the same physical hardware by decoupling OS and physical hardware with the
hypervisor layer.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-15

Chapter 3

3.5.2 North Bridge Conguration

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Exit

Main

Back Advanced\ North Bridge Conguration >

North Bridge Conguration

IOMMU Mode Disabled

> Memory Conguration

Initate Graphic Adapter PEG/PCI

Memory Information

Total Memory: 4096MB (DDR3)

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

IOMMU is supported on LINUX based
systems to convert 32bit I/O to 64bit
MMIO.

IOMMU Mode [Disabled]

IOMMU is supported on LINUX based systems to convert 32bit I/O to 64bit MMIO.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [64MB]

Memory Conguration

Bank Interleaving [Auto]

Conguration options: [Aute] [Disabled]

Channel Interleaving [Auto]

Conguration options: [Aute] [Disabled]

ECC Mode [Enable]

Enables or disables the DRAM ECC mode that allows the hardware to report and
correct memory errors.

[Disabled] Disables the DRAM ECC mode.

[Enable] Set to [Enable] to adjust ECC mode automatically.

Power Down Enable [Disabled]

Enables or disables the DDR power down mode.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Memory Hole Remapping [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

DCT Unganged Mode [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Initiate Graphic Adapter [PEG/PCI]

Allows you to decide which graphics controller to use as the primary boot device.

Conguration options: [PCI/PEG] [PEG/PCI]

3-16 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.5.3 SATA Conguration

While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. The SATA
Port items show Not Present if no SATA device is installed to the corresponding SATA port.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Exit

Back Advanced\ SATA Conguration >

SATA Conguration

SATA Port1 Not Present
SATA Port2 Not Present
SATA Port3 Not Present
SATA Port4 Not Present
SATA Port5 Not Present
SATA Port6 Not Present

> SB SATA Conguration

SB SATA Conguration

Options for SATA Conguration.

OnChip SATA Channel [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the onboard channel SATA port.

[Disabled] Disables the onboard channel SATA port.

SATA Port1–Port4 [AHCI]

Allows you to set the SATA conguration.

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

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

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

SATA Port5–Port6 [AHCI]

Setting this item to [IDE] instead of [RAID] or [AHCI] allows the system to recognize the

optical drives connected to the SATA connectors 5 or 6 when installing Windows XP
OS.

Main

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Options for SATA Conguration.

The following two items appear only when you set the OnChip SATA Channel item to
[Enabled].

Parallel ATA physical storage devices.

hard disk drives.

(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.

• When the SATA Port1–Port 4 and the SATA Port5–Port 6 items are set to [AHCI], the

information of the SATA connectors 1–6 can be seen only under the OS environment
or during POST.

• For Windows® XP OS, you have to install the AHCI driver, so that you could use the
SATA connectors 1–6 in AHCI mode under the OS environment.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-17

Chapter 3

If you use a SATA optical drive to run the Windows XP OS installation disk, we strongly
recommend that you install the optical drive to the SATA connectors 5/6 and set them to
[IDE] mode.

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

[Enabled] Enables the S.M.A.R.T feature.

[Disabled] Disables the S.M.A.R.T feature.

SATA Hot Plug on PORT1 [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

SATA Hot Plug on PORT2 [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

SATA Hot Plug on PORT3 [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

SATA Hot Plug on PORT4 [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

SATA Hot Plug on PORT5 [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

SATA Hot Plug on PORT6 [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

3-18 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.5.4 USB Conguration

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

Back Advanced\ USB Conguration >

USB Conguration

USB Devices:
1 Mouse

Legacy USB Support Enabled

Legacy USB3.0 Support Enabled

EHCI Hand-off Disabled

> SB USB Conguration

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.

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

Legacy USB3.0 Support [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the support for USB 3.0 devices on legacy operating systems

[Disabled] Disables the function.

EHCI Hand-off [Disabled]

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

[Disabled] Disables the function.

SB USB Conguration

Options for SB USB Conguration.

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 18 Fn 0) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 19 Fn 0) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 22Fn 0) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

OHCI HC (Bus 0 Dev 20 Fn 5) [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Enables Legacy USB support. AUTO
option disables legacy support if no
USB devices are connected. DISABLE
option will keep USB devices
available only for EFI applications.

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

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

(OS).

feature.

Exit

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-19

Chapter 3

3.5.5 CPU Core On/Off Function

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Exit

Main

Back Advanced\ CPU Core On/Off Function >

ASUS Core Unlocker Disabled

CPU Core Activation Auto

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Enabled ASUS Core Unlocker to get FULL
computing power of processor. [Warning]
System might become unstable due to
different CPU margins.

ASUS Core Unlocker [Disabled]

[Enabled] Enables the ASUS Core Unlocker to get the full computing power of the

[Disabled] Disables this function.

processor.

CPU Core Activation [Auto]

This item lets user turn off core except core 1, user can turn off 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc core
manually. Conguration options: [Auto] [Manual]

3.5.6 Onboard Devices Conguration

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Back Advanced\ Onboard Devices Conguration >

JMB Storage Controller Enabled

JMB Storage OPROM Enabled

Display OptionRom in POST Enabled

Asmedia USB 3.0 Controller Enabled

Asmedia USB 3.0 Battery Charging Support Disabled

Realtek LAN Controller Enabled

Realtek PXE OPROM Disabled

> Serial Port Conguration

> SB HD Azalia Conguration

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Enabled/Disabled JMB Storage OPROM.

: Select Screen

→←

: Select Item

↑↓

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

Exit

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

3-20 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

JMB Storage Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the JMB storage controller.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

JMB Storage OPROM [Enabled]

This item appears only when you set the previous item to [Enabled] and allows you to enable
or disable the OptionRom of the JMB storage controller.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Display OptionRom in POST [Enabled]

This item appears only when you set the JMB Storage OPROM item to [Enabled] and
allows you to display or hide the OptionRom of the JMB storage controller during POST.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Asmedia USB 3.0 Controller [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the USB 3.0 controller.

[Disabled] Disables the controller.

Asmedia USB 3.0 Battery Charging Support [Disabled]

[Enabled] Enables this function.

[Disabled] Disables this function.

Realtek LAN Controller [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the Realtek LAN controller.

[Disabled] Disables the controller.

Realtek PXE OPROM [Disabled]

This item appears only when you set the previous item to [Enabled] and allows you to enable
or disable the PXE OptionRom of the Realtek LAN controller.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

If you want to use the full functin of the JMB storage contorller (ex. AHCI), we recommend
that you set this item to [Enabled] and install the JMicron JMB36X Controller Driver from
the motherboard support DVD.

Serial Port Conguration

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

This item functions only if there is a serial port (COM1) connector on the motherboard.

Serial Port [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the serial port (COM).

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

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]

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-21

Chapter 3

SB HD Azalia Conguration

Options for SB HD Azalia.

HD Audio Azalia Device [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the HD Audio controller.

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

Azalia Front Panel [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.

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

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

SPDIF Out Type [SPDIF]

[SPDIF] Sets to [SPDIF] for SPDIF audio output.

[HDMI] Sets to [HDMI] for HDMI audio output.

3.5.7 APM

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Exit

Main

Back Advanced\ APM >

ErP Ready Enabled

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Allow BIOS to switch off some power
at S5 to get the system ready for Eup
requirement. When set to Enabled, all
other PME options will be switched off.

ErP Ready [Enabled]

[Disabled] Disables the Energy Related Products (ErP) Ready function.

[Enabled] Allows BIOS to switch off some power at S5 state to get system ready for

the ErP requirement. When set to [Enabled], power for WOL, WO_USB,
audio and onboard LEDs will be switched off at S5 state.

3-22 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.6 Monitor menu

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

CPU Temperature +69ºC / +181ºF+69ºC / +181ºF

MB Temperature +35ºC / +120ºF

VCORE Voltage +1.320 V

3.3V Voltage +3.216 V

5V Voltage +4.950 V

12V Voltage +11.788 V

VDDA2.5V Voltage +2.532V

CPU Fan Speed 3325 RPM

Chassis Fan Speed N/A

Chassis Fan 2 Speed N/A

Power Fan Speed N/A

CPU Q-Fan Control Enabled

CPU Fan Prole Standard

CPU Fan Speed Low Limit 600 RPM

Chassis Q-Fan Control Disabled

CPU Temperature / MB Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU and motherboard
temperatures.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Ai Tweaker

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

: Select Screen

→←

: Select Item

↑↓

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

Exit

CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard
voltage regulators.

CPU Fan Speed [xxxx RPM] / [N/A]
Chassis Fan 1/2 Speed [xxxx RPM] / [N/A]
Power Fan Speed [xxxx RPM] / [N/A]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU, chassis,
and power fan speed in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not connected to the

motherboard, the eld shows N/A.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-23

Chapter 3

CPU Q-Fan Control [Enabled]

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

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

CPU Fan Profile [Standard]

This item appears only when you enable the CPU Q-Fan Control feature and allows
you to set the appropriate performance level of the CPU fan.

[Standard] Sets to [Standard] to make the CPU fan automatically adjust depending on

the CPU temperature.

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

[Turbo] Sets to [Turbo] to achieve maximum CPU fan speed.

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

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 Lower Temperature [20]

Displays the lower limit of the CPU temperature.

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

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. Once CPU temperature reaches 75 degree, fan will run up to full
speed.

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

Set the minimum CPU fan duty cycle when CPU temperature is lower the CPU Lower
Temperature setting.

CPU Fan Speed Low Limit [600 RPM]

This item appears only when you enable the CPU Q-Fan Control feature and allows you to
disable or set the CPU fan warning speed.

Conguration options: [Ignore] [200 RPM] [300 RPM] [400 RPM] [500 RPM] [600 RPM]

Chassis Q-Fan Control [Disabled]

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

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

3-24 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.7 Boot menu

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

Boot Conguration

Bootup NumLock State On

Full Screen Logo Enabled

Wait For ‘F1’ If Error Enabled

Option ROM Messages Force BIOS

Interrupt 19 Capture Disabled

Setup Mode EZ Mode

Boot Option Priorities

Boot Override

Bootup NumLock State [On]

[On] Sets the power-on state of the NumLock to [On].

[Off] Sets the power-on state of the NumLock to [Off].

Full Screen Logo [Enabled]

[Enabled] Enables the full screen logo display feature.

[Disabled] Disables the full screen logo display feature.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Ai Tweaker

Version 2.00.1201. Copyright (C) 2010 American Megatrends, Inc.

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Select the keyboard NumLock state

: Select Screen

→←

: Select Item

↑↓

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

Exit

Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo 2™ feature.

Wait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system waits for the F1 key to be pressed when error occurs.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS]

[Force BIOS] The third-party ROM messages will be forced to display during the boot

[Keep Current] The third-party ROM messages will be displayed only if the third-party

sequence.

manufacturer had set the add-on device to do so.

Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled]

[Enabled] Enables option ROMs to trap Int 19.

[Disabled] Disables option ROMs to trap Int 19.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-25

Chapter 3

Setup Mode [EZ Mode]

[Advanced Mode] Sets Advanced Mode as the default screen for entering the BIOS setup

[EZ Mode] Sets EZ Mode as the default screen for entering the BIOS setup program.

program.

Boot Option Priorities

These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices. The
number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of devices
installed in the system.

• To select the boot device during system startup, press <F8> when ASUS Logo appears.

• To access Windows OS in Safe Mode, do any of the following:

- Press <F8> after POST.

Boot Override

These items displays the available devices. The number of device items that appears on
the screen depends on the number of devices installed in the system. Click an item to start
booting from the selected device.

3.8 Tools menu

The Tools menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an item

then press <Enter> to display the submenu.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

> ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility

> ASUS SPD Information

> ASUS O.C. Prole

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Be used to update BIOS

Exit

3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2

Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <Enter>, a conrmation message

appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Yes] or [No], then press <Enter> to

conrm your choice.

For more details, refer to section 3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility.

3-26 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.8.2 ASUS SPD Information

This item allows you to get DRAM SPD information.

Back Tool\ ASUS SPD Information >

DIMM Slot # Slot 2

Manufacturer Micron

Module Size 2048 MBytes
Maximum Bandwidth 1333 Mhz

Part Number 16JTF25664AY-1G4D1
Serial Number ea18bd43
Product Week/Year 50/2008
SPD Ext.

JEDEC ID JEDEC

Frequency (Mhz) 1333

Voltage (V) 1.500
CAS# Lantency (tCL) 9
RAS# to CAS# (tRCD) 9
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 9
tRAS 24
tRC 33

tWR 10
tRRD 4
tRFC 74
tWTR 5
tRTP 5
tFAW 20

DIMM Slot # [Slot 2]

Conguration options: [Slot 1] [Slot 2] [Slot 3] [Slot 4]

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Main

Ai Tweaker

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

DIMM Slot number

: Select Screen

→←

: Select Item

↑↓

Enter: Select
+/-: Change Opt.
F1: General Help
F2: Previous Values

F5: Optimized Defaults

F10: Save ESC: Exit
F12: Print Screen

Exit

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-27

Chapter 3

3.8.3 ASUS O.C. Prole

This item allows you to store or load multiple BIOS settings.

UEFI BIOS Utility - Advanced Mode

Exit

Main

Back Tool\ ASUS O.C. Prole >

O.C. Prole Conguration

Setup Prole1 Status : Not Installed
Setup Prole2 Status : Not Installed
Setup Prole3 Status : Not Installed
Setup Prole4 Status : Not Installed
Setup Prole5 Status : Not Installed
Setup Prole6 Status : Not Installed
Setup Prole7 Status : Not Installed
Setup Prole8 Status : Not Installed

Add Your CMOS Prole

Label

Save to Prole 1

Load CMOS Prole

Load from Prole 1

Ai Tweaker

The

Setup Prole Status

Advanced Monitor Boot Tool

Save BIOS settings to Prole

items show

Not Installed

if no prole is created.

Save to Prole

Allows you to save the current BIOS settings to the BIOS Flash, and create a prole. Key in a
prole number from one to eight and label name, press <Enter>, and then select

Yes

.

Load from Prole

Allows you to load the previous BIOS settings saved in the BIOS Flash. Key in the proleKey in the prole

number that saved your BIOS settings, press <Enter>, and then select

• DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent the system
boot failure!

• We recommend that you update the BIOS le only coming from the same memory/CPU
conguration and BIOS version.

Yes

.

3-28 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.9 Exit menu

The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal default values for the BIOS items, and
save or discard your changes to the BIOS items. You can access the EZ Mode from the Exit
menu.

Load Optimized Defaults

This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup

menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a conrmation window appears.

Select Yes to load the default values.

Save Changes & Reset

Once you are nished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit menu to

ensure the values you selected are saved. When you select this option or if you press <F10>,

a conrmation window appears. Select Yes to save changes and exit.

Discard Changes & Exit

This option allows you to exit the Setup program without saving your changes. When youWhen you
select this option or if you press <Esc>, a conrmation window appears. Select Yes to
discard changes and exit..

Exit

Load Optimized Defaults

Save Changes & Reset

Discard Changes & Exit

ASUS EZ Mode

Launch EFI Shell from lesystem device

ASUS EZ Mode

This option allows you to enter the EZ Mode screen.

Launch EFI Shell from lesystem device

This option allows you to attempt to launch the EFI Shell application (shellx64.e) from one of
the available lesystem devices.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-29

Chapter 3

3.10 Updating BIOS

The ASUS website publishes the latest BIOS versions to provide enhancements on system
stability, compatibility, or performance. However, BIOS updating is potentially risky. If there
is no problem using the current version of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS.
Inappropriate BIOS updating may result in the system’s failure to boot. Carefully follow the
instructions of this chapter to update your BIOS if necessary.

Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for this

motherboard.

The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard BIOS setup program.

1. ASUS Update: Updates the BIOS in Windows® environment.

2. ASUS EZ Flash 2: Updates the BIOS using a USB ash drive.

3. ASUS BIOS Updater: Updates and backups the BIOS in DOS environment using the

motherboard support DVD and a USB ash disk drive.

Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a USB ash disk in case you need

to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS
Update or BIOS Updater utilities.

3.10.1 ASUS Update utility

The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard
BIOS in Windows® environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you to:

• Update the BIOS directly from the Internet

• Download the latest BIOS le from the Internet

• Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS le

• Save the current BIOS le

• View the BIOS version information

This utility is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package.

ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet
Service Provider (ISP).

Launching ASUS Update

After installing AI Suite II from the motherboard support DVD, launch ASUS Update by
clicking Update > ASUS Update on the AI Suite II main menu bar.

Quit all Windows® applications before you update the BIOS using this utility.

3-30 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

Updating the BIOS through the Internet

To update the BIOS through the Internet:

1. From the ASUS Update screen, select

Update BIOS from Internet, and then
click Next.

2. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you

to avoid network trafc.

If you want to enable the BIOS

downgradable function and auto BIOS
backup function, check the checkboxs
before the two items on the screen.

3. Select the BIOS version that you want

to download. Click Next.

4. You can decide whether to change the BIOS boot logo, which is the image appearing

on screen during the Power-On Self-Tests (POST). Click Yes if you want to change the
boot logo or No to continue.

5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update process.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-31

Chapter 3

Updating the BIOS through a BIOS le

To update the BIOS through a BIOS le:

1. From the ASUS Update screen, select

Update BIOS from le, and then click
Next.

2. Click Browse to locate the BIOS le
and then click Next.

3. You can decide whether to change the
BIOS boot logo. Click Yes if you want to
change the boot logo or No to continue.

4. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update process.

• The screenshots in this section are for reference only. The actual BIOS information
vary by models.

• Refer to the software manual in the support DVD or visit the ASUS website at

www.asus.com for detailed software conguration.

3-32 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility

The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to use a

bootable oppy disk or an OS-based utility.

Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS from the ASUS website
at www.asus.com.

To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2:

1. Insert the USB ash disk that contains the latest BIOS le to the USB port.

2. Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Go to theEnter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Go to the Tool menu to select
ASUS EZ Flash Utility and press <Enter> to enable it.

Exit

ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility V01.02

Flash Info

MODEL: M5A97 PRO VER: 0130 DATE: 04/22/2011

fs0:\

Drive Folder Info

fs0:\ 04/26/11 12:33p <DIR> ati8782_Win7Vista32
fs1:\ 04/26/11 08:10p <DIR> BIOS
01/12/08 04:18a <DIR> DIGI Phase
01/12/08 04:13a <DIR> DIGI CPU Current
01/12/08 04:16a <DIR> DIGI DRAM Current
01/12/08 04:14a <DIR> DIGI DRAM
01/12/08 04:02a <DIR> DIGI CPU
01/12/08 04:19a <DIR> DIGI Duty

File Infor

MODEL: VER: DATE:

Help Info

[Enter] Select or Load [Tab] Switch [Up/Down/PageUp/PageDown/Home/End] Move [Esc] Exit [F2] Backup

3. Press <Tab> to switch to the Drive eld.

4. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to nd the USB ash disk that contains the latest BIOS,

and then press <Enter>.

5. Press <Tab> to switch to the Folder Info eld.

6. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to nd the BIOS le, and then press <Enter> to perform to perform
the BIOS update process. Reboot the system when the update process is done.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-33

Chapter 3

• This function can support devices such as a USB ash disk with FAT 32/16 format and

single partition only.

• DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system
boot failure!

Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select
the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit menu. See section 3.9 Exit Menu for
details.

3-34 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 3

3.10.3 ASUS BIOS Updater

The ASUS BIOS Updater allows you to update BIOS in DOS environment. This utility also

allows you to copy the current BIOS le that you can use as a backup when the BIOS fails or

gets corrupted during the updating process.

Before updating BIOS

1. Prepare the motherboard support DVD and a USB ash drive in FAT32/16 format and

single partition.

2. Download the latest BIOS le and BIOS Updater from the ASUS website at http://
support.asus.com and save them on the USB ash drive.

3. Turn off the computer and disconnect all SATA hard disk drives (optional).

Booting the system in DOS environment

1. Insert the USB ash drive with the latest BIOS le and BIOS Updater to the USB port.

2. Boot your computer. When the ASUS Logo appears, press <F8> to show the BIOS
Boot Device Select Menu. Insert the support DVD into the optical drive and select the

optical drive as the boot device.

SATA: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
USB XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
UEFI: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Enter Setup

 ↑ and ↓ to move selection
ENTER to select boot device
ESC to boot using defaults

The succeeding utility screens are for reference only. The actual utility screen displays may
not be same as shown.

• NTFS is not supported under DOS environment. Do not save the BIOS le and BIOS
Updater to a hard disk drive or USB ash drive in NTFS format.

• Do not save the BIOS le to a oppy disk due to low disk capacity.

Please select boot device:

3. When the Make Disk menu appears, select the FreeDOS command prompt item by

pressing the item number.

4. At the FreeDOS prompt, type d: and press <Enter> to switch the disk from

Drive C (optical drive) to Drive D (USB ash drive).

Welcome to FreeDOS (http://www.freedos.org)!

C:\>d:

D:\>

ASUS M5A97 PRO 3-35

Chapter 3

Backing up the current BIOS

To backup the current BIOS le using the BIOS Updater

Ensure that the USB ash drive is not write-protected and has enough free space to save
the le.

1. At the FreeDOS prompt, type bupdater /o[lename] and press <Enter>.

D:\>bupdater /oOLDBIOS1.rom

Filename Extension

The [lename] is any user-assigned lename with no more than eight alphanumeric

characters for the lename and three alphanumeric characters for the extension.

2. The BIOS Updater backup screen appears indicating the BIOS backup process. When
BIOS backup is done, press any key to return to the DOS prompt.

ASUSTek BIOS Updater for DOS V1.18 [2010/04/29]

Current ROM

BOARD: M5A97 PRO
VER: 0204
DATE: 08/05/2010

PATH: A:\

BIOS backup is done! Press any key to continue.

Note

Saving BIOS:

Update ROM

BOARD: Unknown
VER: Unknown
DATE: Unknown

Updating the BIOS le

To update the BIOS le using BIOS Updater

1. At the FreeDOS prompt, type bupdater /pc /g and press <Enter>.

D:\>bupdater /pc /g

2. The BIOS Updater screen appears as below.

ASUSTek BIOS Updater for DOS V1.18 [2010/04/29]

3. Press <Tab> to switch between screen elds and use the <Up/Down/Home/End> keys
to select the BIOS le and press <Enter>. BIOS Updater checks the selected BIOS le
and prompts you to conrm BIOS update.

Chapter 3

4. Select Yes and press <Enter>. When BIOS update is done, press <ESC> to exit BIOS
Updater. Restart your computer.

Current ROM

BOARD: M5A97 PRO
VER: 0204
DATE: 08/05/2010

PATH: A:\

A:

Note

[Enter] Select or Load [Tab] Switch [V] Drive Info
[Up/Down/Home/End] Move [B] Backup [Esc] Exit

M5A97 PRO.ROM 4194304 2010-08-05 17:30:48

Are you sure to update BIOS?

Yes No

Update ROM

BOARD: Unknown
VER: Unknown
DATE: Unknown

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot
failure!

• For BIOS Updater version 1.04 or later, the utility automatically exits to the DOS
prompt after updating BIOS.

• Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability.
Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit BIOS menu. See Chaper 3
of your motherboard user manual for details.

• Ensure to connect all SATA hard disk drives after updating the BIOS le if you have

disconnected them.

3-36 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Software support

4.1 Installing an operating system

This motherboard supports Windows® XP/ 64-bit XP/ Vista / 64-bit Vista / 7 / 64-bit 764-bit Vista / 7 / 64-bit 7
operating systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to

maximize the features of your hardware.

• Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Use the setup procedures presented
in this chapter for reference only. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed
information.

• Ensure that you install the Windows® XP Service Pack 3 or later versions before
installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability.

4.2 Support DVD information

The support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software
applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard features.

The contents of the support DVD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the
ASUS website at www.asus.com for updates.

4.2.1 Running the support DVD

Place the support DVD into the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the Drivers menu if
Autorun is enabled in your computer. Click each menu tab and select the items you want to install.

The Drivers menu shows the available

device drivers if the system detects

installed devices. Install the necessary

menu shows the

applications and

other software that

the motherboard

ASUS M5A97 PRO 4-1

drivers to use the devices.

The Utilities

supports.

Click an item

to install

If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support DVD to

locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder. Double-click the ASSETUP.EXE to run

the DVD.

The Make Disk menu
contains items to
create the RAID/AHCI
driver disk.

The Manual menu contains
the list of supplementary user
manuals. Click an item to open
the folder of the user manual.

Click the Contact
tab to display the
ASUS contact
information.

Click an icon
to display DVD/
motherboard
information

Chapter 4

4-2 Chapter 4: Software support

Chapter 4

4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals

The software manuals are included in the support DVD. Follow the instructions below to get
the necessary software manuals.

The software manual les are in Portable Document Format (PDF). Install the Adobe®

Acrobat® Reader from the Utilities menu before opening the les.

1. Click the Manual tab. Click ASUS
Motherboard Utility Guide from
the manual list on the left.

2. The Manual folder of the support
DVD appears. Double-click the
folder of your selected software.

3. Some software manuals are
provided in different languages.
Double-click the language to
show the software manual.

The screenshots in this section are for reference only. The actual software manuals
containing in the support DVD vary by models.

ASUS M5A97 PRO 4-3

Chapter 4

4.3 Software information

Most of the applications in the support DVD have wizards that will conveniently guide you
through the installation. View the online help or readme le that came with the software

application for more information.

4.3.1 AI Suite II

AI Suite II is an all-in-one interface that integrates several ASUS utilities and allows users to
launch and operate these utilities simultaneously.

Installing AI Suite II

To install AI Suite II on your computer

1. Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The Drivers installation tab appears if your
computer has enabled the Autorun feature.

2. Click the Utilities tab, then click AI Suite II.

3. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete installation.

Using AI Suite II

AI Suite II automatically starts when you enter the Windows® operating system (OS). The AI
Suite II icon appears in the Windows® notication area. Click the icon to open the AI Suite II
main menu bar.

Click each button to select and launch a utility, to monitor the system, to update the

motherboard BIOS, to display the system information, and to customize the settings of AI

Suite II.

Click to customize

Click to show the
system information

Click to update the motherboard BIOS

Click to monitor sensors
or CPU frequency

Click to select a utility

Shortcut to the Auto Tuning
Mode under TurboV EVO

• The Auto Tuning button appears only on models with the TurboV EVO function.

• The applications in the Tool menu vary with models.

• The screenshots of AI Suite II in this user manual are for reference only. The actual
screenshots vary with models.

• Refer to the software manual in the support DVD or visit the ASUS website

at www.asus.com for detailed software conguration.

the interface settings

4-4 Chapter 4: Software support

Chapter 4

4.3.2 DIGI+ VRM

ASUS DIGI+ VRM allows you to adjust VRM voltage and frequency modulation to enhance

reliability and stability. It also provides the highest power efciency, generating less heat to
longer component lifespan and minimize power loss.

After installing AI Suite II from the motherboard support DVD, launch DIGI+ VRM by clicking

Tool > DIGI+ VRM on the AI Suite II main menu bar.

Function description

1. CPU Load-line Calibration

Higher load-line calibration could get higher voltage and good overclocking performance but increase
the CPU and VRM thermal.

2. CPU Current Capability

CPU Current Capability provides wider total power range for overclocking. A higher value setting gets
higher VRM power consumption delivery.

3. CPU Voltage Frequency

Switching frequency will affect the VRM transient response and component thermal.

4. CPU/NB Load Line Calibration

Set to a higher value for system performance, or to a lower value for better thermal solution.

5. CPU/NB Current Capability

Setting CPU/NB Current Capability to a higher value increases the overclocking frequency range of the
DRAM Controller.

6. CPU Power Phase Control

Increase phase number under heavy system loading to get more transient and better thermal

performance. Reduce phase number under light system loading to increase VRM efciency.

7. CPU Power Duty Control

CPU Power Duty Control adjusts the current of every VRM phase and the thermal of every phase
component.

1

2

3

4

5

Application helps

6

7

Apply all changes
immediately

Undo all changes
without applying

• The actual performance boost may vary depending on your CPU and DRAM

specication.

• Do not remove the thermal module. The thermal conditions should be monitored.