Asus MAXIMUS VI IMPACT User Manual

MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Motherboard

E8469 First Edition

July 2013

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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

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Contents

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

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

MAXIMUS VI IMPACT specications summary ........................................................ x

Package contents ..................................................................................................... xiv

Installation tools and components .......................................................................... xv

Chapter 1: Product Introduction

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

1.1.1 Product highlights

1.1.2 ROG Gaming Features ...............................................................

1.1.3 ROG Exclusive Features

1.1.4 ASUS Special Features ..............................................................

1.1.5 ROG rich bundled software .........................................................

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

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

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

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

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

1.2.5 Expansion slot ...........................................................................

1.2.6 Onboard buttons .......................................................................

1.2.7 Jumper ......................................................................................

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

1.2.9 Internal connectors

1.2.10 ProbeIt

1.2.11 SupremeFX Impact audio card .................................................

....................................................................................... 1-40

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

............................................................. 1-2

.................................................................... 1-31

1-2

1-3

1-5

1-6

1-8

1-9

1-16

1-18

1-21

1-22

1-41

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

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

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

2.1.2 CPU installation

2.1.3 SupremeFX Impact audio card installation .................................

2.1.4 DIMM installation

2.1.5 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation ...............................

2.1.6 ATX Power connection ..............................................................

2.1.7 SATA device connection ............................................................

2.1.8 Front I/O Connector ..................................................................

2.1.9 Expansion Card installation

2.1.10 mPCIe Combo II card installation

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

......................................................................... 2-6

....................................................... 2-13

.............................................. 2-14

2-1

2-5

2-7

2-10

2-11

2-12

iii

2.2 BIOS update utility ................................................................................... 2-19

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

2.3.1 Rear I/O connection ..................................................................

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

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

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

2-20

2-22

2-25

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

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

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

3.2.1 EZ Mode

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

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

3.4 Extreme Tweaker menu .............................................................................

3.5 Main menu ................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

3.6.4 System Agent Conguration

3.6.5 USB Conguration ....................................................................

3.6.6 Platform Misc Conguration ......................................................

3.6.7 Onboard Devices Conguration ................................................

3.6.8 APM ..........................................................................................

3.6.9 Network Stack Conguration

3.6.10 ROG Effects ..............................................................................

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

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

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

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

3.9.2 ROG SSD Secure Erase ...........................................................

3.9.3 ASUS Overclocking Prole .......................................................

3.9.4 ASUS SPD Information .............................................................

3.9.5 ROG OC Panel H-Key Congure ..............................................

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

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

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

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

...................................................... 3-36

..................................................... 3-42

3-2

3-4

3-6

3-7

3-28

3-30

3-31

3-33

3-35

3-38

3-39

3-40

3-41

3-43

3-44

3-47

3-53

3-55

3-56

3-58

3-59

3.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ...................................................................... 3-60

3.11.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ..........................................................

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

3-61

3-62

Chapter 4: Software support

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

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

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

4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals

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

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

4.4 AI Suite 3 .....................................................................................................

4.4.1 Dual Intelligent Processors 4 with 4-Way Optimization ...............

4.4.2 USB 3.0 Boost

........................................................................... 4-19

4.4.3 USB BIOS Flashback ................................................................

4.4.4 USB Charger+ ...........................................................................

4.4.5 Wi-Fi Engine

.............................................................................. 4-23

4.4.6 Wi-Fi GO! ..................................................................................

4.4.7 EZ Update .................................................................................

4.4.8 System Information ...................................................................

4.5 Audio congurations ...............................................................................

4.6 ROG Connect

............................................................................................ 4-47

4.7 MemTweakIt ..............................................................................................

4.8 RAMDisk ...................................................................................................

4.9 Sonic Radar ..............................................................................................

4.9.1 Main menu ...............................................................................

4.9.2 Game presets and Radar Selection .........................................

4.9.3 Advanced Settings ...................................................................

4.10 Perfect Voice .............................................................................................

4-1

4-3

4-7

4-20

4-22

4-25

4-42

4-44

4-46

4-49

4-51

4-54

4-56

4-57

4-59

Chapter 5: RAID support

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

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

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

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

5.1.4 Intel

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

5-1

5-2

5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk.......................................................................5-7

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

5.2.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows

5.2.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows

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

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

5-7

Appendices

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

ASUS contact information ...................................................................................... A-5

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.

vii

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:

1. Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

2. Chapter 2: Basic Installation

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

3. 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.

4. Chapter 4: Software support

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

5. Chapter 5: RAID support

This chapter describes the RAID congurations.

Where to nd more information

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

1. ASUS website

The ASUS website (www.asus.com) provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products.

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.

viii

Conventions used in this guide

To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.

DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task

IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. .

NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.

Typography

Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics

<Key> Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign

<Key1> + <Key2> + <Key3> If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

means that you must press the enclosed key.

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

names are linked with a plus sign (+).

MAXIMUS VI IMPACT specications summary

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

Supports 22nm CPU

CPU

Chipset

Memory

Expansion slots

VGA

Storage

LAN

Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*

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

types.

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

Intel® Z87 Express Chipset

Dual channel memory architecture

2 x DIMM, max. 16GB, DDR3 3000 (O.C.) / 2933 (O.C.) / 2800 (O.C.) / 2666 (O.C.) / 2600 (O.C.) / 2400 (O.C.) / 2200 (O.C.) / 2133

(O.C.) / 2000 (O.C.) / 1866 (O.C.) / 1800 (O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 MHz,

non-ECC, un-buffered memory

Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)

* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of

individual CPUs.

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

1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot

1 x mini-PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot* on mPCIe Combo II expansion card

* The mini PCIe slot is pre-installed with a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module.

Integrated Intel® HD Graphics Processor

DisplayPort 1.2 with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24Hz and 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz

HDMI with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160 at 24Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz

Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, and Intel® Insider™

Intel® Z87 Express Chipset

4 x SATA 6 Gb/s ports

- Intel

Rapid Storage Technology 12 supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and

- Intel

Smart Response Technology, Intel® Rapid Start

Technology, and Intel® Smart Connect Technology*

1 x eSATA port

1 x M.2 (NGFF) Socket 2 on mPCIe Combo II expansion card

- Supports PCI Express 2.0 and SATA 6 Gb/s standards

- Supports M.2 (NGFF) Type 2242/2260/2280/22110 SSD card (up to 110mm in length)

* The supported functions depend on the CPU installed.

1 x Intel® I217-V Gigabit LAN Controller

(continued on the next page)

MAXIMUS VI IMPACT specications summary

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac supports dual frequency band 2.4/5 Ghz

Wireless

Audio

USB

Back I/O Ports

Bluetooth v4.0/3.0+HS

* The module is pre-installed on the mPCIe Combo II expansion card.

ROG SupremeFX Impact 8-Channel High Denition

Audio*

- Lineout DAC playback Signal-to-Noise (A-weighted, differential output): 115 dB

- Headphone DAC playback Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-weighted, differential output): 110 dB

- SupremeFX Shielding Technology

- ELNA

Premium Audio Capacitors

- TI LM4562 high delity audio OP AMP

- Content Protection for Full Rate lossless DVD Audio, Blu-ray DVD, and HD-DVD audio content playback

- Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel Jack-retasking*

- Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel

Audio Feature:

- Sonic Radar

- DTS Connect

- Music PnP

* Jack-retasking supports 8-channel audio output using a chassis with

HD audio module in the front panel.

Intel® Z87 Express Chipset

6 x USB 3.0 ports (4 ports at back panel [blue], 2 ports at mid-board

[red]*)

6 x USB 2.0 ports (4 ports at back panel, 1 for ROG Connect; 2

ports at mid-board**)

* Supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost. UASP standard on the Intel® native

USB 3.0 is only supported under Windows® 8.

** 2 x USB2.0 ports at mid-board share with ROG extension (ROG_EXT)

port.

1 x Optical S/PDIF out

1 x HDMI port

1 x DisplayPort

1 x Clear CMOS button

1 x Q-Code LED

1 x DirectKey button

1 x MemOK! button

1 x ROG Connect button

4 x USB 2.0 ports

1 x eSATA port

4 x USB 3.0 ports [blue]

1 x LAN (RJ45) port

3 x Audio jacks

(continued on the next page)

MAXIMUS VI IMPACT specications summary

SupremeFX Impact

Impact Power

- Full digital 8+2 phase CPU/DRAM power

- 60A BlackWing Chokes

- 10K Black Metallic Capacitors

mPCIe Combo II (mPCIe/M.2 combo card)

ROG GameFirst II

ROG RAMDisk

CPU Level Up

ROG Connect*

- RC TweakIt

ROG Exclusive Features

Special Features

- RC Diagram

- RC Remote

- RC Poster

UEFI BIOS features

- Extreme Tweaker

- Tweaker’s Paradise

- ROG SSD Secure Erase

- BIOS Print

- GPU.DIMM Post

- O.C. Prole

- ROG Pulse

ProbeIt

* The dedicated ROG Connect cable is sold separately.

ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 4

- 4-way Optimization Tuning Key, consolidating DIGI+ Power

Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 2

ASUS Exclusive Features

- AI Suite 3

- USB 3.0 Boost

- USB Charger+

- AI Charger

- Disk Unlocker

ASUS EZ DIY

- USB BIOS Flashback

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

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

ASUS Q-Design

- ASUS Q-Code

- ASUS Q-Shield

- ASUS Q-Cable

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

- ASUS Q-DIMM

(continued on the next page)

xii

MAXIMUS VI IMPACT specications summary

1 x USB 3.0 connector (supports additional 2 USB 3.0 ports)

1 x USB 2.0 connector (supports additional 2 USB 2.0 port sharing with ROG_EXT header)

1 x ROG Extension (ROG_EXT) header

4 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors

1 x 4-pin CPU fan connector

3 x 4-pin Chassis fan connectors

1 x 24-pin EATX power connector

1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector

10 x ProbeIt measurement points

Internal Connectors

BIOS Features

Manageability WfM2.0, DMI2.0, WOL by PME, PXE

Software

Form Factor Mini-ITX Form Factor, 6.7” x 6.7” (17cm x 17cm)

1 x LN2 Mode jumper

1 x FastBoot jumper

1 x Power-on button

1 x Reset button

1 x DRCT (DirectKey) header

1 x S/PDIF out header

1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP)

1 x System panel connector

1 x TPM connector

1 x SupremeFX Impact connector

1 x mPCIe Combo II connector

64 Mb UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI

2.0a, Multi-language BIOS

Drivers

ROG GameFirst II

ROG RAMDisk

ROG CPU-Z

ROG Mem TweakIt

Kaspersky® Anti-Virus

DAEMON Tools Pro Standard

ASUS WebStorage

ASUS Utilities

Specications are subject to change without notice.

xiii

Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard ROG MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Cables 4 x SATA 6 Gb/s cables

Accessories I/O Shield

1 x 12-in-1 ROG cable label

1 x Q-Cable

1 x Optional 4-in-1 washers for CPU cooler backplate

1 x SupremeFX Impact audio card

1 x mPCIe Combo II card with dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth v4.0/3.0+HS module

1 x 2T2R dual-band Wi-Fi moving antennas

Application DVD ROG motherboard support DVD

Documentation User guide

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

xiv

Installation tools and components

1 bag of screws Philips (cross) screwdriver

PC chassis Power supply unit

Intel LGA 1150 CPU Intel LGA 1150 compatible CPU Fan

DDR3 DIMM SATA hard disk drive

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

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

xvi

Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Product introduction

1.1 Special features

1.1.1 Product highlights

Republic of Gamers

The Republic of Gamers offers you the best of the best. We offer the best hardware engineering, the fastest performance, the most innovative ideas, and we welcome the best gamers to join in. In the Republic of Gamers, mercy rules are only for the weak, and bragging rights means everything. We believe in making statements and we excel in competitions. If your character matches our trait, then join the elite Republic of Gamers and make your presence felt.

LGA1150 socket for 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 / Intel

Intel

Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® Processors

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

2.0/3.0 expansion slots.

Intel® Z87 Express Chipset

Intel® Z87 Express Chipset is a single-chipset that supports the LGA1150 socket 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7/ Intel® Core™ i5/ Intel® Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron®

processors. It utilizes the serial point-to-point links, which increases bandwidth and enhances

the system’s performance. It natively supports up to six USB 3.0 ports for up to ten times faster transfer rate than USB 2.0, and enables the iGPU function for Intel® integrated graphics performance.

PCI Express® 3.0

PCI Express® 3.0 (PCIe 3.0) is the PCI Express bus standard that provides twice the performance and speed of PCIe 2.0. It provides an optimal graphics performance, unprecedented data speed and seamless transition with its complete backward compatibility to PCIe 1.0/2.0 devices.

Core™ i5 /

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Chapter 1

1-1

1.1.2 ROG Gaming Features

SupremeFX Impact

The bundled SupremeFX Impact sound card brings you the best-in-class 115dB SNR sound for your motherboard in mini-ITX form factor. Its exclusive differential circuit design and four

Op-Amps ensure lossless multi-channel gaming audio with exceptional clarity and delity.

The audiophile-grade TI LM4562 Op-Amp, one of the four Op-Amps, boosts high-end

headphone enjoyment of up to 600ohm impedance, ner detail, and stronger bass.

The Music PnP function provides you with a true home entertainment media center, allowing

you to stream audio les to your computer’s speakers via the front panel’s MIC-IN port. It

allows you to enjoy listening to your favorite tracks when your computer is turned off.

Sonic Radar

Sonic Radar, an audio app designed for First Person Shooting (FPS) games, shows the precise direction and intensity of where a sound is coming from. In-game sound including

gunshots, footprints, voice call-outs, or even a ticking bomb, is visualized as radar signals

on the Sonic Radar display, providing you the advantage to know potential threats and avoid sneaky surprises.

GameFirst II

ASUS GameFirst II, with cFOS Trafc Shaping technology, provides a powerful and user-

friendly network control to easily frag your gaming system. Featuring the EZ Mode for

beginners’ setup and Advanced Mode for professionals’ tweaking, your frags comes rst.

Intel Gigabit LAN

The LAN solution from Intel has been long known to have a better throughput, lower CPU

utilization as well as better stability. With the Intel Gigabit LAN solutions onboard, the

ultimate network experience can therefore be delivered to its users like never before.

1.1.3 ROG Exclusive Features

Impact Power

The Impact Power vertical architecture provides you the same vaunted overvolting and

overclocking exibilities just like any othe ROG boards - without sacricing stability,

overclocking, and precision on mini-ITX form factor. For precise CPU/memory digital power

control, Impact Power utilizes the best components such as BlackWing chokes, special n

design, and super-premium 10K black metallic solid state capacitors.

BlackWing chokes can handle as much as 60A of power, which is twice that of generic

chokes.The special n design, with its highly conductive and efcient gold-treated coating,

results in 3-5C lower choke temperatures for added stability and ensures minimal-loss power

Chapter 1

delivery. Super-premium 10K Black Metallic solid state capacitors are forged for overclocking

and the most extreme demands, lasting up to ve times longer than generic capacitors with

20% wider temperature tolerance.

1-2

Chapter 1: Product introduction

RAMDisk

RAMDisk is an innovative program that reserves a part of your system’s memory and turns

it into a high-speed virtual drive where you can store cache les and game apps for instant access. By optimizing the SSD, RAMDisk allows you to automatically backup, update, and restore les.

RAMDisk only supports 64-bit operating systems.

CPU Level Up

With ROG’s CPU Level Up, overclocking has never been so easy, or cost-free. Simply select the processor that you want to overclock to, and the motherboard will do the rest.

1.1.4 ASUS Special Features

AI Suite 3

With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite 3 consolidates all the exclusive ASUS features into one simple-to-use software package. It allows you to supervise 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.

USB BIOS FlashBack

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

Install a USB storage device containing the BIOS le, press the BIOS Flashback button for

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

1.1.5 ROG rich bundled software

Kaspersky® Anti-Virus

Kaspersky® Anti-Virus Personal offers premium antivirus protection for individual users and

home ofces. It is based on advanced antivirus technologies. The product incorporates the

Kaspersky® Anti-Virus engine, which is renowned for malicious program detection rates that are among the industry’s highest.

DAEMON Tools Pro Standard

DAEMON Tools Pro offers essential functionality to backup CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs. It converts optical media into virtual discs and emulates devices to work with the virtual copies.

DAEMON Tools Pro organizes data, music, video, and photo collections on a PC, notebook,

or netbook.

ROG CPU-Z

ROG CPU-Z is a customized ROG version utitity authorized by Intel’s CPU Indentication

(CPUID) that allows you to gather information of the main devices of your system. It gives you the information and status of your CPU, motherboard, memory, and the whole component. Use the ROG look of reporting your system’s current information with ROG CPU-Z.

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

1-3

Chapter 1

MemTweakIt

MemTweakIt is a DRAM efciency tool that allows you to read DRAM timings and allows you to post and share your DRAM conguration scores to the ROG website.

DTS Connect

To get the most out of your audio entertainment across all formats and quality levels, DTS Connect combines two enabling technologies, DTS Neo:PC™ upmixes stereo sources (CDs, MP3s, WMAs, internet radio) into as many as 7.1 channels of incredible surround sound. Consumers can connect their PC to a home theater system. DTS Interactive is capable of performing mult-channel encoding of DTS bitstreams on personal computers, and sending encoded bitstreams out of a digital audio connection (such as S/PDIF or HDMI) designed to deliver audio to an external decoder.

Chapter 1

1-4

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2 Motherboard overview

1.2.1 Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.

• Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.

• Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.

• Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in the bag that came with the component.

• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Chapter 1

1-5

1.2.2 Motherboard layout

Chapter 1

1-6

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

Chapter 1: Product introduction

Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Buttons/Slots Page

1. LN2 Mode jumper 1-21

2. CPU, and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN; 4-pin CHA_

FAN1-3)

3. TPM connector (10-1 pin TPM)

4. LGA1150 CPU Socket

5. DDR3 DIMM slots

6. ATX Power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)

7. RESET button

8. START (Power-on) button

9. Front panel and speaker connectors (10-1 pin F_PANEL; 4 pin

SPEAKER)

10. USB 3.0 connectors (20-1 pin USB3_12)

11. DirectKey connector (2-pin DRCT)

12. Intel

13. mPCIe Combo II connector

14. SupremeFX Impact connector (20-1 pin SUPREMEFX_IMPACT)

15. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB1314)

16. ROG Extension connector (8 pin ROG_EXT)

17. Fast Boot jumper (3-pin FAST_BOOT)

18. MemOK! button

19. DirectKey button

20. Q_Code LEDs

Z87 Serial ATA 6 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_1-4 [red]) 1-31

1-34

1-38

1-8

1-9

1-35

1-18

1-36

1-32

1-37

1-38

1-39

1-33

1-37

1-21

1-19

1-20

1-24

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Chapter 1

1-7

1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

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

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

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

• Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your retailer immediately if the PnP cap is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. ASUS will shoulder the cost of repair only if the damage is shipment/ transit-related.

• Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return Merchandise

Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes with the cap on the

LGA1150 socket.

• The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/incorrect removal of the PnP cap.

Chapter 1

1-8

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2.4 System memory

The motherboard comes with two 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

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Chapter 1

1-9

Memory congurations

You may install 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB unbuffered and non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.

• Memory module with memory frequency higher than 2133 MHz and its corresponding timing or the loaded XMP prole is not the JEDEC memory standard. The stability and

compatibility of these memory modules depend on the CPU’s capabilities and other installed devices.

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

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

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

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

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

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

motherboard.

c) For more details, refer to the 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).

support site at http://support.microsoft.

Chapter 1

1-10

• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. To operate at the vendor-marked or at a higher frequency, refer to section 3.4 Extreme Tweaker menu for manual memory frequency adjustment.

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

memory load (2 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.

Chapter 1: Product introduction

MAXIMUS VI IMPACT Motherboard Qualied Vendors List (QVL)

DDR3 3000 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

G.SKILL F3-3000C12Q-16GTXDG 16GB (4x4GB) SS - - 12-14-14-35 1.65V •

Brand

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM socket support

NO.

(Optional)

DDR3 2933 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

G.SKILL F3-2933C12D-16GTXDG 16GB (2 x8GB) DS 12-14-14-35 1.65V •

Brand

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM socket support

NO.

(Optional)

DDR3 2800 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

A_DATA AX3U2800GW4G12-DG2 32GB (4x8GB) DS 12-14-14-36 1.65V •

Apacer 78.BAGH5.AFD0C 4GB DS 12-14-14-35 1.65V •

AVEXIR AVD3U28001204G-4CI 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 12-14-14-35 1.65V •

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M4A2800C11 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 11-14-14-35 1.65V •

CORSAIR CMY8G3M2A2800C12R 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 12-14-14-36 1.65V •

G.SKILL F3-2800C11D-16GTXDG 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 11-14-14-35 1.65V •

G.SKILL F3-2800C12Q-16GZHD 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 12-14-14-35 1.65V •

G.SKILL F3-2800C12Q-32GTXDG 32GB (4x8GB) DS 12-14-14-35 1.65V •

Brand

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM socket support

NO.

(Optional)

DDR3 2666 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

APACER 78.BAGFF.AFC0C 16GB (4x4GB) SS - - 12-13-13-35 1.65V •

APACER 78.CAGFF.AFD0C 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 12-13-13-35 1.65V •

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M4A2666C11 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 11-13-13-35 1.65V •

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M4A2666C10 16GB (4x4GB) DS 10-12-12-31 1.65V •

CORSAIR CMY8GX3M2A2666C10R 8GB (2 x4GB) DS 10-12-12-31 1.65V •

G.SKILL F3-2666C11Q-32GTXD(XMP) 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 11-13-13-35 1.65V •

G.SKILL F3-2666C10Q-16BZHD(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65V •

GEIL GOC332GB2666C11QC(XMP) 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 11-13-13-35 1.65V •

TEAM TXD38G2666HC11CBK 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 11-13-13-35 1.65V •

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Brand

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM socket

NO.

support

(Optional)

Chapter 1

1-11

DDR3 2400 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

A-DATA AX3U2400GC4G10(XMP) 4GB DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

A-DATA AX3U2400GW8G11(XMP) 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 11-13-13-35 1.65 •

Apacer 783BAGF3.AFD0C(XMP) 8GB ( 2x 4GB ) DS - - 11-11-11-30 - •

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M2A2400C10

CORSAIR CMD32GX3M4A2400C10

CORSAIR CMY16GX3M2A2400C10A

CORSAIR CMY16GX3M2A2400C10R

CORSAIR CMZ16GX3M2A2400C10 (Ver4.21) 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

CORSAIR CMZ16GX3M4A2400C9R

G.SKIIL F3-19200CL10Q2-64GBZHD(XMP) 64GB (8x 8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

G.SKIIL F3-2400C11Q-32GXM(XMP) 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 11-13-13-31 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-19200CL10Q-32GBZHD(XMP) 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-19200CL11Q-16GBZHD(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 11-11-11-31 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-19200CL9D-4GBPIS(XMP) 4G (2x 2GB) DS - - 9-11-9-28 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-19200CL9Q-16GBZMD(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 9-11-11-31 1.65 •

GEIL GET34GB2400C9DC(XMP) 4GB (2x2GB) DS - - 9-11-9-27 1.65 •

GEIL GOC316GB2400C10QC(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 10-11-11-30 1.65 •

GEIL GOC316GB2400C11QC(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 11-11-11-30 1.65 •

Kingston KHX2400C11D3K4/8GX(XMP) 8GB (4x2GB) SS - - 11-13-11-30 1.65 •

KINGSTON KHX24C11K4/16X(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 11-13-13-30 1.65 •

KINGSTON KHX24C11T2K2/8X(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - - 1.65 •

KINGSTON KHX24C11T3K4/32X(XMP) 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 •

Patriot PXD38G2400C11K(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 2400 11-11-

Team TXD34G2400HC10QBK(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

Team TXD38G2400HC10QBK(XMP) 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

(Ver4.21)(XMP)

(Ver5.29)(XMP)

(Ver4.21)(XMP)

(Ver4.13)(XMP)

16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

16GB (8x2GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 2400 9-11-11-31 1.65 •

Brand

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM

NO.

11-30

1.65 •

socket support

(Optional)

DDR3 2200 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DS Chip

Chapter 1

GEIL GET34GB2200C9DC(XMP) 4GB (2x2GB) DS - - 9-10-9-28 1.65 •

GEIL GET38GB2200C9ADC(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-11-9-28 1.65 •

1-12

Brand

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM socket

NO.

support

(Optional)

Chapter 1: Product introduction

DDR3 2133 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

A-DATA AX3U2133XW8G10(XMP) 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 10-11-11-30 1.65 •

A-DATA AX3U2133XW8G10(XMP) 8GB DS - - 10-11-11-30 1.65 •

Apacer 78.BAGE4.AFD0C(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 - •

Apacer AHU04GFB33CAQ3R(XMP) 4GB DS - - 11-13-13-31 - •

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M2A2133C9

CORSAIR CMD32GX3M4A2133C9

CORSAIR CMD8GX3M2A2133C9

CORSAIR CMD8GX3M2B2133C9

CORSAIR CMY8GX3M2A2133C11R

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A2133C11R

G.SKILL F3-17000CL11Q2-64GBZLD(XMP) 64GB (8x8GB) DS - - 11-11-11-30 1.5 •

G.SKILL F3-17000CL9Q-16GBXLD(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 9-11-9-28 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 9-11-10-28 1.65 •

G.SKILL F3-2133C10Q-32GSR(XMP) 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.5 •

G.SKILL F3-2133C11Q-32GZL(XMP) 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 11-11-11-31 1.5 •

KINGSTON KHX2133C11D3K4/16GX(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 11-12-11-30 1.65 •

KINGSTON KHX21C11T3FK8/64X(XMP) 64GB (8x8GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.5 •

Patriot PV316G213C1K(XMP) 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 11-11-11-30 1.5 •

Patriot PXD38G2133C11K(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 •

Patriot PXD38G2133C11K(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 2133 11-11-

Team TLD34G2133HC11ABK(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 11-11-11-31 1.65 •

Team TLD38G2133HC11ABK(XMP) 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 11-11-11-31 1.65 •

(Ver4.21)(XMP)

(Ver1.5)(XMP)

(Ver5.12)(XMP)

(Ver4.21)(XMP)

16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 9-11-11-31 1.65 •

32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 9-11-11-31 1.65 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-11-10-27 1.5 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-11-11-31 1.65 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 11-11-11-27 1.5 •

Brand

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM socket

NO.

11-27

1.5 •

support

(Optional)

DDR3 2133 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

AEXEA AXA3ES4GK2000LG28V

(XMP)

Asint SLA302G08-ML2HB (XMP) 4GB DS Hynix H5TQ2G83B

GEIL GUP34GB2000C9DC (XMP) 4GB (2x2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-28 1.65 •

Patriot PV736G2000ELK (XMP) 6GB (3x2GB) DS - - 7-7-7-20 1.65 •

Patriot PX7312G2000ELK (XMP) 12GB (3x4GB) DS - - 9-11-9-27 1.65 •

4GB (2x2GB) DS - - - 1.65 •

ASUS MAXIMUS VI IMPACT

Chip NO. Timing Voltage DIMM socket

Brand

FRH9C

9-9-9-27 - •

support

(Optional)

Chapter 1

1-13

DDR3 2000 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

AEXEA AXA3ES4GK2000LG28V(XMP) 4GB (2x2GB) DS - - - 1.65 •

Asint SLA302G08-ML2HB(XMP) 4GB DS Hynix H5TQ2G

GEIL GUP34GB2000C9DC(XMP) 4GB (2x2GB) DS - - 9-9-9-28 1.65 •

Patriot PV736G2000ELK(XMP) 6GB (3x2GB) DS - - 7-7-7-20 1.65 •

Patriot PX7312G2000ELK(XMP) 12GB

DDR3 1866 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size SS/DSChip

A-DATA AX3U1866XW8G10(XMP) 16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 10-11-10-30 1.5 •

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M4A1866C9

CORSAIR CMD32GX3M4A1866C9

CORSAIR CMD8GX3M2A1866C9

CORSAIR CMT32GX3M4X1866C9(Ver3

CORSAIR CMY16GX3M2A1866C9 (Ver

CORSAIR CMY8GX3M2A1866C9

CORSAIR CMZ16GX3M2A1866C10

CORSAIR CMZ32GX3M4X1866C10

CORSAIR CMZ32GX3M4X1866C10(Ver

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

Chapter 1

CORSAIR CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9G

Crucial BLE4G3D1869DE1XT0.16F

G.SKILL F3-14900CL10Q2-

(Ver4.13)(XMP)

(Ver8.16)(XMP)

(Ver3.24)(XMP)

(Ver4.13)(XMP)

(Ver5.12)(XMP)

(Ver8.16)(XMP)

.23)(XMP)

4.21)(XMP)

(Ver3.24)(XMP)

(Ver5.29)(XMP)

(Ver3.23)(XMP)

3.23)(XMP)

(Ver8.16)(XMP)

(Ver5.12)(XMP)

MD(XMP)

64GBZLD(XMP)

Chip NO. Timing Voltage DIMM socket

Brand

83BFRH9C

(3x4GB)

DS - - 9-11-9-27 1.65 •

Brand

16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - - 1.5 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

16GB (2x8GB) DS - - 10-11-10-30 1.5 •

32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 10-11-10-27 1.5 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 1866 9-10-9-27 1.5 •

4GB DS - - 9-9-9-27 1.5 •

64GB (8x8GB) DS - - 10-11-10-30 1.5 •

9-9-9-27 - •

Chip

Timing Voltage DIMM socket

NO.

support

(Optional)

support

(Optional)

1-14

(Continued on the next page)

Chapter 1: Product introduction

+ 192 hidden pages