Asus P8H61 PRO User Manual

P8H61 PRO

Motherboard

E6316

First Edition (V1)

January 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, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing byASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.

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

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

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

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 defined 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 notification 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).

ii

Contents

Notices.........................................................................................................	vi
Safety information......................................................................................	vii
About this guide.........................................................................................	vii
P8H61 PRO specifications summary.........................................................	ix

Chapter 1:		Product introduction
1.1	Welcome!.......................................................................................		1-1
1.2	Package contents.........................................................................		1-1
1.3	Special features............................................................................		1-1
	1.3.1	Product highlights ............................................................	1-1
	1.3.2	Innovative ASUS features ................................................	1-3
1.4	Before you proceed......................................................................		1-5
1.5	Motherboard overview.................................................................		1-6
	1.5.1	Placement direction .........................................................	1-6
	1.5.2	Screw holes .....................................................................	1-6
	1.5.3	Motherboard layout ..........................................................	1-7
	1.5.4	Layout contents . ..............................................................	1-7
1.6	Central Processing Unit (CPU)....................................................		1-8
	1.6.1	Installing the CPU ............................................................	1-8
	1.6.2	Installing the CPU heatsink and fan ...............................	1-11
	1.6.3	Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan ..........................	1-12
1.7	System memory..........................................................................		1-13
	1.7.1	Overview ........................................................................	1-13
	1.7.2	Memory configurations . .................................................	1-14
	1.7.3	Installing a DIMM ...........................................................	1-16
	1.7.4	Removing a DIMM .........................................................	1-16
1.8	Expansion slots..........................................................................		1-17
	1.8.1	Installing an expansion card ..........................................	1-17
	1.8.2	Configuring an expansion card ......................................	1-17
	1.8.3	PCI slots . .......................................................................	1-17
	1.8.4	PCI Express x1 slots .....................................................	1-17
	1.8.5	PCI Express x16 slot . ....................................................	1-17
1.9	Jumpers	.......................................................................................	1-18
1.10	Connectors..................................................................................		1-19
	1.10.1 ..................................................	Rear panel connectors	1-19
	1.10.2 ........................................................	Internal connectors	1-21

iii

Contents

1.11	Onboard switches.......................................................................		1-26
1.12	Onboard LEDs.............................................................................		1-28
1.13	Software support........................................................................		1-29
	1.13.1	Installing an operating system.......................................	1-29
	1.13.2	Support DVD information...............................................	1-29

Chapter 2:		BIOS information
2.1	Managing and updating your BIOS.............................................		2-1
	2.1.1	ASUS Update utility.........................................................	2-1
	2.1.2	ASUS EZ Flash 2............................................................	2-2
	2.1.3	ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility.......................................	2-3
	2.1.4	ASUS BIOS Updater.......................................................	2-4
2.2	BIOS setup program.....................................................................		2-7
2.3	Main menu...................................................................................		2-11
	2.3.1	System Language...........................................................	2-11
	2.3.2	System Date...................................................................	2-11
	2.3.3	System Time...................................................................	2-11
	2.3.4	Security...........................................................................	2-11
2.4	Ai Tweaker menu........................................................................		2-13
	2.4.1	Ai Overclock Tuner........................................................	2-13
	2.4.2	Memory Frequency........................................................	2-14
	2.4.3	EPU Power Saving Mode..............................................	2-14
	2.4.4	OC Tuner.......................................................................	2-14
	2.4.5	DRAM Timing Control....................................................	2-14
	2.4.6	CPU Power Management..............................................	2-14
	2.4.7	CPU Offset Mode Sign..................................................	2-15
	2.4.8	DRAM Voltage...............................................................	2-16
	2.4.9	VCCIO Voltage..............................................................	2-16
	2.4.10	CPU PLL Voltage...........................................................	2-16
	2.4.11	PCH Voltage..................................................................	2-16
	2.4.12	Load-Line Calibration....................................................	2-16
	2.4.13	CPU Spread Spectrum..................................................	2-16
2.5	Advanced menu..........................................................................		2-17
	2.5.1	CPU Configuration.........................................................	2-17
	2.5.2	SystemAgent Configuration..........................................	2-18
	2.5.3	PCH Configuration.........................................................	2-19

iv

Contents

	2.5.4	SATAConfiguration........................................................	2-19
	2.5.5	USB Configuration.........................................................	2-20
	2.5.6	Onboard Devices Configuration....................................	2-20
	2.5.7	APM...............................................................................	2-22
2.6	Monitor menu..............................................................................		2-23
	2.6.1	CPU Temperature / MB Temperature............................	2-23
	2.6.2	CPU / Chassis Fan 1/2 Speed.......................................	2-23
	2.6.3	CPU Q-Fan Control.......................................................	2-23
	2.6.4	Chassis Q-Fan Control..................................................	2-24
	2.6.5	CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage...	2-25
	2.6.6	Anti Surge Support........................................................	2-25
2.7	Boot menu...................................................................................		2-26
	2.7.1	Bootup NumLock State..................................................	2-26
	2.7.2	Full Screen Logo...........................................................	2-26
	2.7.3	Option ROM Messages.................................................	2-27
	2.7.4	Setup Mode...................................................................	2-27
	2.7.5	Boot Option Priorities.....................................................	2-27
	2.7.6	Boot Override................................................................	2-27
2.8	Tools menu..................................................................................		2-28
	2.8.1	ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility.................................................	2-28
	2.8.2	ASUS SPD Information.................................................	2-28
	2.8.3	ASUS O.C. Profile.........................................................	2-28
2.9	Exit menu.....................................................................................		2-29

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

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

•This device may not cause harmful interference, and

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

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

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

•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

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

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

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

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

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

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

REACH

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

vi

Safety information

Electrical safety

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

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

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

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

•Ensure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company.

•If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

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 that 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 qualified service technician or your retailer.

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring 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.

vii

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.

Where to find more information

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

1.ASUS websites

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

2.Optional documentation

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

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

P8H61 PRO specifications summary

CPU	LGA1155 socket for Intel® Second Generation Core™ i7 /
		Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 Processors
	Supports 32nm CPU
	Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
	* The Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the
	CPU types.
Chipset	** Refer to www.asus.com for Intel® CPU support list.
	Intel® H61 Express Chipset
Memory	2 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support maximum 16GB* unbuffered
		non-ECC DDR3 1333 / 1066MHz memory modules
	Dual-channel memory architecture
	Support Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)*
	*	The maximum 16GB memory capacity can be supported with
		8GB or above DIMMs. ASUS will update the memory QVL
		once the DIMMs are available in the market.
	**	Refer to www.asus.com for the Memory QVL (Qualified
		Vendors Lists).
	*** 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
Expansion slots		memory if you are using a Windows® 32-bit operating system.
	1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot
	2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots
Storage	3 x PCI slots
	Intel® H61 Express Chipset:
		- 4 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s connectors
	ASMedia SATA 6.0Gb/s controller:
LAN		- 2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connectors
	Realtek® 8111E Gigabit LAN controller
Audio	ALC887 8-channel High DefinitionAudio CODEC supports:
		- Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, and Front Panel Jack-
		Retasking
USB		- Optical S/PDIF out ports at mid-board and back I/O
	ASMedia USB 3.0 controller:
		- 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue, at the back I/O)

Intel® H61 Express Chipset:

- 10 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at the back panel)

(continued on the next page)

ix

P8H61 PRO specifications summary

ASUS Special	100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors
features	ASUS Exclusive Overclocking Features:
	-	Turbo V
	ASUS Hybrid Switches
	-	MemOK!
	-	Turbo Key II
	ASUS Protect 3.0 technology
	-	ASUS EPU
	- Anti-Surge protection
	-	LOW EMI solution
	-	ESD
	ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution
	- ASUS Fanless Design: Stylish Heatsink Solution and MOS
		Heatsink
	-	ASUS Fan Xpert
	ASUS EZ DIY
	-	ASUS EFI BIOS
	- ASUS AI Suite II
	-	ASUS AI Charger
	- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
	- ASUS EZ Flash 2
ASUS Exclusive	-	ASUS MyLogo 2
	Precision Tweaker:
Overclocking	-	vCore: adjustable CPU voltage at 0.010V increment
features	-	vCCIO: adjustable I/O voltage at 0.005V increment

-vDRAM Bus: 190-step DRAM voltage control

-vPCH: 190-step chipset voltage control

SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection)

-BCLK/PEG frequency tuning from 80MHz up to 300MHz at a 1MHz increment

Overclocking Protection:

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

Rear panel ports	1 x PS/2 Keyboard port
	1 x PS/2 Mouse port
	1 x Optical S/PDIF out port
	1 x LAN (RJ-45) port
	6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
	2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue)
	8-channel audio ports
	(continued on the next page)

P8H61 PRO specifications summary

Internal connectors / switches

BIOS features

Manageability

Accessories

Support DVD

Form factor

2 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0/1.1 ports 1 x System panel connector

1 x S/PDIF Out connector

4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors

2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors

1 x Front panel audio connector

1 x CPU fan connector

2 x Chassis fan connectors

1 x COM connector

1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector

1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector

1 x Turbo Key II switch

1 x MemOK! switch

32 Mb Flash ROM, EFI BIOS, PnP, DMI v2.0, WfM2.0, SMBIOS v2.6, ACPI v2 0a, Multi-language BIOS

WOL by PME, WOR by PME, PXE

2 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cable

1 x I/O shield

1 x Support DVD

1 x User Manual

Drivers

ASUS Update

ASUS Utilities

Anti-virus software (OEM version)

ATX form factor: 12.0 in x 8.4 in (30.5 cm x 21.3 cm)

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

xi

xii

Chapter 1

Product introduction

1.1Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® P8H61 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.

1.2Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard	ASUS P8H61 PRO motherboard
Cables	2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cables
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.

1.3Special features

1.3.1Product highlights

LGA1155 socket for Intel® Second Generation Core™ i7/ Core™ i5/ Core™ i3 Processors

This motherboard supports the Intel® Second Generation Core™ i7/ Core™ i5/ Core™ i3 processors in LGA1155 package with memory and PCI Express controllers integrated to support 2-channel (2 DIMMs) DDR3 memory and 16 PCI Express 2.0 lanes. This provides great graphics performance. Intel® Second Generation Core™ i7/ Core™ i5/ Core™ i3 processors are among the most powerful and energy efficient CPUs in the world.

ASUS P8H61 PRO

1-1

Intel® H61 Express Chipset

The Intel® H61 Express Chipset is the latest single-chipset design to support the new 1155 socket Intel® Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 2nd generation processors. It provides improved performance by utilizing serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability.

Dual-Channel DDR3 1333 / 1066MHz support

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

True Serial ATA 6Gb/s support

ASUS provides extra SATA 6.0Gb/s ports with enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, and double the bandwidth of current bus systems.

USB 3.0 support

Experience ultra-fast data transfer 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.

PCI Express 2.0 support

This motherboard supports PCI Express 2.0 devices for double speed and bandwidth which enhances system performance.

S/PDIF out connector at the back I/O

This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio systems via the optical S/PDIF (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface) out connecor at the back I/O. The S/PDIF transfers digital audio without converting it to analog format and keeps the best signal quality.

8-channel high definition audio

The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High DefinitionAudio, previously codenamedAzalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output and jack-detect feature that automatically detects and identifies what types of peripherals are plugged into the audio I/O jacks and notifies users of inappropriate connection, which means there will be no more confusion of Line-in, Line-out, and Mic jacks.

Gigabit LAN solution

The onboard LAN controller is a highly integrated Gb LAN controller. It is enhanced with anACPI management function to provide efficient power management for advanced operating systems.

1-2	Chapter 1: Product introduction

100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors

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

1.3.2Innovative ASUS features

ASUS EFI BIOS (EZ Mode)

ASUS brand new EFI BIOS offers a user-friendly interface that goes beyond traditional keyboard BIOS input to enable more flexible and convenient mouse controls. You can easily navigate the new EFI BIOS with the same smoothness as their operating system, while the exclusive EZ Mode displays frequently-accessed setup info, while the Advanced Mode is for experienced performance enthusiasts that demand far more intricate system settings.

MemOK!

MemOK! quickly ensures memory boot compatibility. This remarkable memory rescue tool requires a mere push of the button to patch memory issues. MemOK! determines failsafe settings and dramatically improves your system boot success. Get your system up and running in no time.

ASUS TurboV

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

ASUS Anti-Surge Protection

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

AI Suite II

With its fast 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, and 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.

Fanless Design: stylish heatsink solution

The stylish heatsink features a 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 efficient 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 P8H61 PRO

1-3

Fan Xpert

ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows you to adjust 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 profiles offer flexible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment.

ASUS MyLogo2™

This feature allows you to convert your favorite photo into a 256-color boot logo for a more colorful and vivid image on your screen.

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto-recovery tool that allows you to restore a corrupted BIOS file using the bundled support DVD or USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file.

ASUS EZ Flash 2

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

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.

ErP ready

The motherboard is European Union´s Energy-related Products (ErP) ready, and ErP requires products to meet certain energy efficiency requirements in regards to energy consumptions. This is in line with

ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy-efficient products through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the product and thus mitigate environmental impacts.

1-4	Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.4Before 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 P8H61 PRO

1-5

1.5Motherboard overview

Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits 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.

1.5.1Placement 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.

1.5.2Screw 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

P8H61 PRO

1-6

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.5.3Motherboard layout

1	2	3	4	1		5	6		7
			21.3cm(8.4in)

		TURBO_KEY_II
KBMS		02LED2	CPU_FAN
			MemOK!
	EATX12V	EPU		8
			DRAM_LED
USB3_12

ASM

USB3.0

SPDIF_O2

USB56

LGA1155

USB34

LAN1_USB12

AUDIO

AAFP

Lithium Cell

CMOS Power

CHA_FAN1

RTL

8111E

PCIEX16_1

P8H61 PRO

PCIEX1_1

Super

I/O

ASM

PCIEX1_2

1083

PCI1

PCI2

ALC

887

PCI3

COM1

SPDIF_OUT

SB_PWR USB78

USB910 PANEL

17

16

15

14

13

12

DDR3 DIMM A1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

DDR3 DIMM B1 (64bit, 240-pin module)

2

EATXPWR

30.5cm(12.0in)

1

CHA_FAN2

Intel®

H61

32Mb

BIOS

SATA3G_4

SATA3G_3 SATA6G_E2

ASM

SATA 6.0

9

CLRTC

SATA3G_2

SATA3G_1 SATA6G_E1

11 10

1.5.4Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED		Page	Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED		Page
1.	CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN,	1-26	10.	Intel® H61 Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s connectors	1-22
	4-pin CHA_FAN1, 4-pin CHA_FAN2)			(7-pin SATA3G_1~4 [blue])
2.	ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin	1-23	11.	Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)	1-18
	EATX12V)
3.	Turbo Key II LED (O2LED2)	1-28	12.	System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)	1-25
4.	Turbo Key II switch	1-26	13.	USB connectors (10-1 pin USB78, USB910)	1-24
5.	Intel® LGA1155 CPU socket	1-8	14.	Onboard LED (SB_PWR)	1-28
6.	DDR3 DIMM sockets	1-13	15.	Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)	1-24
7.	MemOK! switch	1-27	16.	Serial port connectors (10-1 pin COM1)	1-21
8.	DRAM LED	1-28	17.	Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)	1-21
9.	ASMedia Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin	1-22
	SATA6G_E1/E2 [navy blue])

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1.6Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1155 socket designed for the Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 processors.

Unplug all power cables before installing the CPU.

• 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

LGA1155 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.

1.6.1Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1.Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

P8H61 PRO

P8H61 PRO CPU socket LGA1155

2.Press the load lever with your thumb (A), and then move it to the right (B) until it is released from the retention tab.

To prevent damage to the socket pins, do not remove the PnP cap unless you are installing a CPU.

Load lever

B

Retention tab

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3.Lift the load lever in the direction of the arrow until the load plate is completely lifted.

4.Remove the PnP cap from the CPU socket by lifting the tab only.

5.Position the CPU over the socket, ensuring that the gold triangle is on the bottom left corner of the socket, and then fit the socket alignment keys into the CPU notches.

PnP cap

CPU notches

The CPU fits in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and damaging the CPU!

Gold

triangle

mark

Alignment keys

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

Some heatsinks come with preapplied thermal paste. If so, skip this step.

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

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

7.Close the load plate (A), and then push down the load lever (B), ensuring that the front edge of the load plate slides under the retention knob (C).

B

A

C

8.Insert the load lever under the retention tab.

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1.6.2Installing the CPU heatsink and fan

The Intel® LGA1155 processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.

• When you buy a boxed Intel® processor, the package includes the CPU fan and heatsink assembly. If you buy a CPU separately, ensure that you use only Intel® certified multi directional heatsink and fan.

•Your Intel® LGA1155 heatsink and fan assembly comes in a push-pin design and requires no tool to install.

•Use an LGA1155-compatible CPU heatsink and fan assembly only. The LGA1155 socket is incompatible with the LGA775 and LGA1366 sockets in size and dimension.

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

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

To install the CPU heatsink and fan:

1.Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the four fasteners match the holes on the motherboard.

Orient the heatsink and fan assembly such that the CPU fan cable is closest to the CPU fan connector.

2.Push down two fasteners at a time in a diagonal sequence to secure the heatsink and fan assembly in place.

A B

A

B

B

A

1

1

B A

The type of CPU heatsink and fan assembly may differ, but the installation steps and functions should remain the same. The illustration above is for reference only.

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