Asus P5E3 Pro User Manual

P5E3 PRO

Motherboard

E4777

First Edition V1
June 2009

Copyright © 2009 ASUSTeK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, 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.

ii

Contents

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

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

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

P5E3 PRO specications summary .......................................................... ix

Chapter 1 Product introduction

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

1.2 Package contents .........................................................................

1.3 Special features ............................................................................

1.3.1 Product highlights ...........................................................

1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ...............................................

1.4 Before you proceed .....................................................................

1.5 Motherboard overview .................................................................

1.5.1 Placement direction ........................................................

1.5.2 Screw holes ....................................................................

1.5.3 Motherboard layout .........................................................

1.5.4 Layout contents ...............................................................

1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................

1.6.1 Installing the CPU ...........................................................

1.6.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan ..............................

1.6.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan .........................

1.7 System memory .........................................................................

1.7.1 Overview .......................................................................

1.7.2 Memory congurations ..................................................

1.7.3 Installing a DIMM ..........................................................

1.7.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................

1.8 Expansion slots ..........................................................................

1.8.1 Installing an expansion card .........................................

1.8.2 Conguring an expansion card .....................................

1.8.3 PCI slots ........................................................................

1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slots .....................................................

1.8.5 PCI Express x16 slot .....................................................

1.9 Jumpers ......................................................................................

1-1

1-1

1-1

1-3

1-6

1-7

1-7

1-7

1-8

1-8

1-9

1-9

1-12

1-13

1-14

1-14

1-15

1-18

1-18

1-19

1-19

1-19

1-19

1-19

1-19

1-20

iii

Contents

1.10 Connectors ................................................................................. 1-21

1.10.1 Rear panel connectors ..................................................

1.10.2 Internal connectors .......................................................

1.11 Software support ........................................................................

1.11.1 Installing an operating system ......................................

1.11.2 Support DVD information ..............................................

Chapter 2 BIOS information

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

2.1.1 ASUS Update utility ........................................................

2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ...................................................

2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ......................................

2.2 BIOS setup program ....................................................................

2.2.1 BIOS menu screen ..........................................................

2.2.2 Menu bar .........................................................................

2.2.3 Navigation keys ...............................................................

2.2.4 Menu items .....................................................................

2.2.5 Submenu items ...............................................................

2.2.6 Conguration elds .........................................................

2.2.7 Pop-up window ...............................................................

2.2.8 Scroll bar .........................................................................

2.2.9 General help ...................................................................

2.3 Main menu ....................................................................................

2.3.1 System Time ...................................................................

2.3.2 System Date ...................................................................

2.3.3 Language ........................................................................

2.3.4 SATA 1-6 .........................................................................

2.3.5 SATA Conguration .........................................................

2.3.6 System Information .........................................................

2.4 Ai Tweaker menu ..........................................................................

2.5 Advanced menu .........................................................................

2.5.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................

2.5.2 Chipset ..........................................................................

2.5.3 Onboard Devices Conguration ....................................

2.5.4 USB Conguration ........................................................

1-21

1-22

1-28

1-28

1-28

2-1

2-2

2-3

2-4

2-5

2-5

2-6

2-6

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2-7

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2-7

2-8

2-9

2-9

2-14

2-14

2-15

2-15

2-16

iv

Contents

2.5.5 PCI PnP ........................................................................ 2-17

2.6 Power menu ................................................................................

2.6.1 Suspend Mode ..............................................................

2.6.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume ........................................

2.6.3 ACPI 2.0 Support ..........................................................

2.6.4 ACPI APIC Support .......................................................

2.6.5 APM Conguration ........................................................

2.6.5 Hardware Monitor .........................................................

2.7 Boot menu ..................................................................................

2.7.1 Boot Device Priority ......................................................

2.7.2 Boot Settings Conguration ..........................................

2.7.3 Security .........................................................................

2.8 Tools menu .................................................................................

2.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ..........................................................

2.8.2 Express Gate ................................................................

2.8.3 ASUS O.C. Prole .........................................................

2.8.4 AI NET 2

2.9 Exit menu ....................................................................................

........................................................................ 2-23

2-18

2-18

2-18

2-18

2-18

2-18

2-19

2-20

2-20

2-20

2-21

2-22

2-22

2-23

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2-24

v

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://green.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to
enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin
indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in
municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.

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

vi

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 adpater or extension cord. These devices
could interrupt the grounding circuit.

• Make sure 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.

•

The optical S/PDIF is an optional component (may or may not be included in your

motherboard) and is dened as a CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT.

INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION, AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM.

•

Never dispose of the battery in re. it could explode and release harmful substances into

the environment.

•

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

material collection point.

•

Never replace the battery with an incorrect battery type.

•

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

•

DISPOSE OF USED BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE ABOVE BATTERY-RELATED
INSTRUCTIONS.

Operation safety

•

Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals
that came with the package.

•

Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the power
cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.

•

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

•

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

This motherboard should only be used in environments with ambient temperatures between

5℃ (41℉) and 40℃ (104℉).

•

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:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

• Chapter 2: BIOS information

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus.
Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.

Where to nd more information

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

1. ASUS websites

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

2. Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty yers,

that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the
standard package.

Conventions used in this guide

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

DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to

complete a task.

CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to

complete a task.

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

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

Typography

Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

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

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

viii

P5E3 PRO specications summary

CPU LGA775 Socket for Intel® Core™2 Extreme /Core™2 Quad /

Chipset Northbridge: Intel® X48

System bus 1600/1333/1066/800MHz
Memory Dual-channel memory architecture

Expansion slots 2 x PCIe x16 slots (both @x16 mode) supports CrossFireX

Storage Southbridge

LAN Marvell88E8056 PCIe Gigabit LAN Controller featuring AI NET2

Audio Realtek ALC 1200, Audio 8-channel CODEC

USB 12 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6-ports at back

AI Lifestyle Unique
Features

Core™2 Duo / Pentium® dual-core /Celeron® dual-core /
Celeron® processors
Supports Intel® 45nm multi-core CPU
Support Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)

(Refer to www.asus.com for Intel® CPU support list)

Southbridge: Intel® ICH9R with Intel® Extreme Memory Proles
Technology

- 4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbuffered non-ECC
DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800MHz memory modules

- Supports up to 8GB system memory
* When you install a total memory of 4GB capacity or more,

Windows® 32-bit operating system may only recognize less than
3GB. We recommend a maximum of 3GB system memory if you
are using a Windows® 32-bit OS.

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

(Qualied Vendors Lists).

Technology
2 x PCIe x1 slots
2 x PCI slots

- 6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports

- Intel Matrix Storage Technology supports RAID 0,1,5 and 10
Marvell 88SE6111

- 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices

- Supports Jack-detect, Multi-streaming

- Coaxial/Optical S/PDIF output

panel)

ASUS Power Saving Solution

- ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit)

- ASUS 3rd Generation 8-phase Power
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

- Efcient Heat-pipe and Heat-sink module

- ASUS Q-Fan
ASUS EZ DIY

- ASUS O.C. Prole

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

(continued on the next page)

ix

P5E3 PRO specications summary

Other Features ASUS MyLogo 2

ASUS Exclusive
Overclocking Features

Rear panel ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard port

Internal connectors 1 x High Denition analog front panel audio connector

BIOS features 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI v2.0, WfM2.0, SMBIOS

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

Accessories 1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable

Support DVD Drivers

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

Multi-language BIOS

Precision Tweaker 2:

- FSB tuning from 200MHz up to 800MHz at 1MHz increment

- Memory tuning from 800MHz up to 3200MHz

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

1 x Coaxial/Optical S/PDIF Out port
1 x LAN (RJ-45) port
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
8-channel audio I/O ports

1 x COM connector
1 x System panel connector
3 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0 ports
1 x CPU/ 1 x Chassis/ 1 x Power fan connectors
1 x CD audio-in connector
1 x IDE connector
1 x 24-pin EPS Power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V Power connector
6 x SATA connectors

v2.5, ACPI v2 0a, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

2 x Serial ATA cables
1 x I/O shield
User Manual

ASUS Update
ASUS PC Probe II
Anti-virus software (OEM version)

*Specications are subject to change without notice.

x

Chapter 1

Product introduction

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® P5E3 PRO motherboard!
The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another

standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!
Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in

your package with the list below.

1.2 Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard ASUS P5E3 PRO motherboard

Cables 2 x Serial ATA cables

1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable

Accessories 1 x I/O shield

Application DVD ASUS motherboard support DVD

Documentation User Manual

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

1.3 Special features

1.3.1 Product highlights

Intel® Core™2 Extreme / Core™2 Quad / Core™2 Duo CPU

ASUS P5E3 PRO 1-1

support

This motherboard supports Intel® LGA775 Core™ 2 Extreme / Core™
2 Quad/ Core™ 2 Duo processors, which are excellent for multitasking,
multimedia, and enthusiastic gamers with 1600 / 1333/ 1066/ 800

MHz FSB. This motherboard also supports Intel® CPUs in the 45nm

manufacturing process.

Intel® X48 Chipset

The Intel® X48 Express Chipset is the latest chipset designed to support
dual-channel DDR3 1333/1066/800 architecture, 1600/1333/1066/800
FSB (Front Side Bus), dual PCI Express x16 graphics, and multi-core
CPUs. With the specially included Intel® Fast Memory Access technology,

available memory bandwidth usage is optimized and memory access

latency is reduced.

Dual channel DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 support

This motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer

rates of 1600/1333/1066/800 MHz providing great performance for 3D

graphics and other memory-demanding applications.

ATI CrossFire™X Technology

ATI’s CrossFire™X boosts image quality along with rendering speed,
eliminating the need to scale down screen resolution to get high quality

images. CrossFire™X allows higher antialiasing, anisotropic ltering,
shading, and texture settings. Adjust your display congurations,

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

PCIe 2.0

This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 device for twice the
current speed and bandwidth. This enhances system performance while
still providing backward compatibility to PCIe 1.0 devices.

Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology

This motherboard supports hard drives based on the Serial ATA (SATA)

3Gb/s storage specications, delivering enhanced scalability and

doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data saving and retrieval.

S/PDIF digital sound ready

This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home
theater audio systems via the S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital
Interface) jack. It allows digital audio transfer and keeps the best signal
quality.

High Denition Audio

Enjoy high-end sound quality on your PC! The onboard 8-channel HD

audio (High Denition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC
enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature,

retasking functions, and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously
sends different audio streams to different destinations. You can now talk
to your partners on the headphones while playing multi-channel network
games.

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features

ASUS MyLogo2™

Turn your favorite photos into 256-color boot logos to personalize your

system.

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto-recovery tool that allows you to

restore a corrupted BIOS le using the bundled support DVD or USB
ash disk that contains the latest BIOS le.

ASUS Q-FAN

ASUS Q-FAN technology intelligently and automatically adjusts CPU/
Chassis fan speed according to system load and temperature, enabling
users to work in distraction-free environment with minimal noise.

ASUS EZ Flash 2

ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a utility that allows you to update the BIOS without
using an OS-based utility.

ASUS EPU

The ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) provides total system power
management by detecting current PC loading and intelligently moderating
power in real-time. It automatically provides the most appropriate power
usage to save power and money!

ASUS 3rd Generation 8-Phase Power Design

The ASUS 3rd Generation 8-Phase Power Design provides highly

efcient operation to generate less heat (at least 18°C (32.4°F)) than

other conventional power solutions. It reduces input ripple current and
output ripple voltage, which keeps CPU and power module from suffering
the risk of high power stress. It has the advantages of quick transient

response and stability, especially benecial when CPU requires more

current immediately under heavy loading or overclocking mode.

DO NOT uninstall the heat-pipe by yourself. Doing so may bend the tubing and affect
the heat dissipation performance.

Heat-pipe

The Heat Pipe design effectively directs the heat generated by the
chipsets to the heatsink near the back IO ports, where it can be carried

away by existing airow from CPU fan or bundled optional fan. The

purpose of the innovative heat pipe design on this motherboard is that
the groundbreaking fanless design does not have lifetime problems as
a chipset fan does. Furthermore, it provides options for users to install

side-ow fan or passive cooler. The Heat Pipe design is the most reliable

fanless thermal solution to date.

ASUS P5E3 PRO 1-3

Express Gate

Express Gate is a unique OS built into the motheroard. Five seconds
after bootup, you can instantly surf the Internet without entering the
Windows® OS.

• Express Gate complies with the OpenGL standard. Refer to http://support.asus.com
for Express Gate source codes.

• ASUS Express Gate supports le uploading from SATA HDDs, ODDs, and USB
drives. It supports le downloading to USB devices only.

• The actual boot time is subject to hardware conguration and product models.

ASUS AI NET2

ASUS AI NET2 remotely detects the cable connection immediately after
turning on the system, and any faulty cable connections are reported
back up to 100 meters at 1 meter accuracy.

ASUS Multi-language BIOS

The multi-language BIOS allows you to select the language of your

choice from the available options. The localized BIOS setup menu helps
you congure your system easier and faster.

ASUS AI Direct Link

AI Direct Link can easily and efciently transfer large amounts of data

via the network cable - saving up to 70% of the total time taken. With

AI Direct Link, it becomes easy to backup or share large data les like

movies or other media content.

ASUS O.C. Prole

The motherboard features the ASUS O.C. Prole that allows users to

conveniently store or load multiple BIOS settings. The BIOS settings can

be stored in the CMOS or a separate le, giving users freedom to share

and distribute their favorite settings.

Precision Tweaker 2

Allows the user to adjust the NB Voltage, FSB termination Voltage, CPU

PLL Voltage and the DRAM Voltage in 0.02v steps to netune voltages to
achieve the most precise setting for the ultimate customized overclocking
conguration.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction

Noise Filter

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

C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)

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

Green ASUS

This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s

Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line

with the ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and recyclable

products/packaging to safeguard consumers’ health while minimizing the

impact on the environment.

ASUS P5E3 PRO 1-5

1.4 Before you proceed

SB_PWR

ON

Standy Power Powered Off

OFF

P5E3 PRO

P5E3 PRO Onboard LED

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

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

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

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

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

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

Onboard LED

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system
is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a reminder that you must shut down
the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard
component. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LED.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.5 Motherboard overview

P5E3 PRO

Before you install the motherboard, study the conguration of your chassis to ensure that the
motherboard ts into it.

Ensure that you unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard.
Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

1.5.1 Placement direction

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

1.5.2 Screw holes

Place six screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis.

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

Place this side towards
the rear of the chassis

ASUS P5E3 PRO 1-7

1.5.3 Motherboard layout

P5E3 PRO

PCIEX16_1

PCIEX1_1

PCIEX1_2

PCIEX16_2

PCI2

PCI1

USB78USB910

USB1112

AAFP

ICS

9LRS954A4GLF

ATX12V

CPU_FAN

PWR_FAN

CHA_FAN

Intel

®

X48

Lithium Cell

CMOS Power

ALC
1200

8Mb
BIOS

LGA775

Intel

®

ICH9R

DDR3 DIMM_A1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM_A2 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM_B1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM_B2 (64bit, 240-pin module)

SATA2

SATA1

SATA4

SATA3

SATA6

SATA5

CLRTC

SB_PWR

AUDIO

KB_USB56

LAN_USB12

USB34

SPDIF_
O12

EATXPWR

30.5cm(12in)

24.4cm(9.6in)

Super

I/O

EPU

COM1

PRI_IDE

CD

Marvell

®

88E8056

PANEL

Marvell

®

88SE6111

1 2 3 2 4

1

5

7

8

6

11 9103121311

1.5.4 Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page

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

2 CPU/ChassisPower fan connectors

(4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN, 3-pin
PWR_FAN))

3. LGA775 CPU socket 1-9 10. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC) 1-20

4. DDR3 DIMM slots 1-14 11. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB78, USB910,

5. COM connector 1-23 12. Optical drive audio connector (4-pin CD) 1-24

6. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_EIDE) 1-25 13. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-27

7. Serial ATA connectors [red]

1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction

(7-pin SATA1-6)

1-23 8. Onboard LED 1-5

1-22 9. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL) 1-26

USB1112)

1-24

1-27

1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

P5E3 PRO CPU socket 775

P5E3 PRO

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA775 socket designed for the Intel®
Core™2 Extreme / Core™2 Quad / Core™2 Duo / Pentium® dual-core /Celeron® dual-core /
Celeron® processors.

• Unplug all power cables before installing the CPU.

• Connect the chassis fan cable to the CHA_FAN connector to ensure system stability.

• 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

LGA775 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.

The motherboard supports Intel® LGA775 processors with the Intel® Enhanced Intel
SpeedStep® Technology (EIST) and Hyper-Threading Technology.

1.6.1 Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

Before installing the CPU, ensure that the cam box is facing towards you and the load lever
is on your left.

ASUS P5E3 PRO 1-9