ASUS P8Z68-V PRO GEN3 User Manual

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

Motherboard

E6850

First Edition

September 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........................................................................................................	viii
P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 specifications summary...........................................................	x

Chapter 1:		Product introduction
1.1	Welcome!	.....................................................................................................	1-1
1.2	Package contents.......................................................................................		1-1
1.3	Special features..........................................................................................		1-2
	1.3.1 ........................................................................	Product highlights	1-2
	1.3.2 ............................	Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM	1-3
	1.3.3 ............................................................	ASUS Exclusive Features	1-4
	1.3.4 .....................................................	ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution	1-4
	1.3.5 ..............................................................................	ASUS EZ DIY	1-5
	1.3.6 ..................................................................	Other special features	1-6

Chapter 2:		Hardware information
2.1	Before you proceed....................................................................................		2-1
2.2	Motherboard overview...............................................................................		2-2
	2.2.1	Motherboard layout......................................................................	2-2
	2.2.2	Central Processing Unit (CPU)....................................................	2-4
	2.2.3	System memory...........................................................................	2-5
	2.2.4	Expansion slots..........................................................................	2-12
	2.2.5	Onboard switches......................................................................	2-14
	2.2.6	Onboard LEDs...........................................................................	2-18
	2.2.7	Jumper.......................................................................................	2-20
	2.2.8	Internal connectors....................................................................	2-21
2.3	Building your computer system..............................................................		2-30
	2.3.1	Additional tools and components to build a PC system.............	2-30
	2.3.2	CPU installation.........................................................................	2-31
	2.3.3	CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation..............................	2-33
	2.3.4	DIMM installation.......................................................................	2-35
	2.3.5	Motherboard installation............................................................	2-36
	2.3.6	ATX Power connection..............................................................	2-38
	2.3.7	SATA device connection............................................................	2-39
	2.3.8	Front I/O Connector...................................................................	2-40
	2.3.9	Expension Card installation.......................................................	2-41
	2.3.10	Rear panel connection...............................................................	2-42
	2.3.11	Audio I/O connections................................................................	2-45

iii

Contents

2.4	Starting up for the first time....................................................................	2-48
2.5	Turning off the computer.........................................................................	2-48

Chapter 3:		BIOS setup
3.1	Knowing BIOS.............................................................................................		3-1
3.2	BIOS setup program...................................................................................		3-1
	3.2.1	EZ Mode......................................................................................	3-2
	3.2.2	Advanced Mode...........................................................................	3-3
3.3	Main menu...................................................................................................		3-5
3.4	Ai Tweaker menu........................................................................................		3-7
3.5	Advanced menu........................................................................................		3-14
	3.5.1	CPU Configuration.....................................................................	3-15
	3.5.2	SystemAgent Configuration......................................................	3-17
	3.5.3	PCH Configuration.....................................................................	3-17
	3.5.4	SATAConfiguration....................................................................	3-18
	3.5.5	USB Configuration.....................................................................	3-20
	3.5.6	Onboard Devices Configuration.................................................	3-21
	3.5.7	APM...........................................................................................	3-24
3.6	Monitor menu............................................................................................		3-25
3.7	Boot menu.................................................................................................		3-28
3.8	Tools menu................................................................................................		3-29
	3.8.1	ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility.............................................................	3-29
	3.8.2.	ASUS O.C. Profile.....................................................................	3-30
3.9	Exit menu...................................................................................................		3-31
3.10	Updating BIOS..........................................................................................		3-32
	3.10.1	ASUS Update utility...................................................................	3-32
	3.10.2	ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility.............................................................	3-35
	3.10.3	ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility.................................................	3-36
	3.10.4	ASUS BIOS Updater..................................................................	3-37

Chapter 4:		Software support
4.1	Installing an operating system..................................................................		4-1
4.2	Support DVD information...........................................................................		4-1
	4.2.1	Running the support DVD............................................................	4-1
	4.2.2	Obtaining the software manuals..................................................	4-2
4.3	Software information..................................................................................		4-3
	4.3.1	AI Suite II.....................................................................................	4-3
	4.3.2	DIGI+ VRM..................................................................................	4-4
	4.3.3	BT GO!.........................................................................................	4-5

iv

Contents

	4.3.4	TurboV EVO................................................................................	4-7
	4.3.5	EPU...........................................................................................	4-12
	4.3.6	ASUS FAN Xpert.......................................................................	4-13
	4.3.7	ASUS Probe II...........................................................................	4-14
	4.3.8	Ai Charger+...............................................................................	4-15
	4.3.9	Audio configurations..................................................................	4-16
4.4	RAID configurations.................................................................................		4-17
	4.4.1	RAID definitions.........................................................................	4-17
	4.4.2	Installing Serial ATA hard disks..................................................	4-18
	4.4.3	Setting the RAID item in BIOS...................................................	4-18
	4.4.4	Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility.................	4-18
4.5	Creating a RAID driver disk.....................................................................		4-24
	4.5.1	Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.................	4-24
	4.5.2	Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®..................................	4-24
	4.5.3	Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation.......	4-25
	4.5.4	Using a USB floppy disk drive...................................................	4-26

Chapter 5:		Multiple GPU technology support
5.1	ATI® CrossFireX™ technology...................................................................		5-1
	5.1.1	Requirements..............................................................................	5-1
	5.1.2	Before you begin..........................................................................	5-1
	5.1.3	Installing two CrossFireX™ graphics cards.................................	5-2
	5.1.4	Installing the device drivers.........................................................	5-3
	5.1.5	Enabling the ATI® CrossFireX™ technology................................	5-3
5.2	NVIDIA® SLI™ technology..........................................................................		5-4
	5.2.1	Requirements..............................................................................	5-4
	5.2.2	Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards.......................................	5-4
	5.2.3	Installing the device drivers.........................................................	5-5
	5.2.4	Enabling the NVIDIA® SLI™ technology......................................	5-5
5.3	LucidLogix® Virtu™ solution.....................................................................		5-8
	5.3.1	Hardware installation...................................................................	5-8
	5.3.2	Software configuration.................................................................	5-9

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 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 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 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.

vii

About this guide

Thisuserguidecontainstheinformationyouneedwheninstallingandconfiguringthemotherboard.

How this guide is organized

This guide contains the following parts:

•Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

•Chapter 2: Hardware information

This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

•Chapter 3: BIOS setup

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

•Chapter 4: Software support

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

•Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support

This chapter describes how to install and configure multipleATI® CrossFireX™ and NVIDIA® SLI™ graphics cards.

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.

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	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> + <Del>

ix

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 specifications summary

CPU

Chipset

Memory

Expansion slots

VGA

Multi-GPU support

Storage

LAN

LGA1155 socket for Intel® 2nd Generation Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 / Pentium / Celeron Processors

Supports 32nm / 22nm CPU

Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0*

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

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

Intel® Z68 Express Chipset

4 x DIMM, max. 32GB, DDR3 2200(O.C.)* / 2133(O.C.) /

1866(O.C.) / 1600/1333/1066MHz,non-ECC,un-bufferedmemory

Dual channel memory architecture

Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)

* Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.

** Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. Some hyper DIMMs only support one DIMM per channel. Please refer to Memory QVL for details.

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

QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists)

2 x PCI Express 3.0 / 2.0 x16 slots (single at x16 or dual at x8 / x8 mode)

1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot [black] (max. at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1 and x4 devices)

2 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots

2 x PCI slots

* The PCIe x16_3 slot shares bandwidth with PCIe x1_1 slot, PCIe x1_2 slot, USB3_34 and eSATA. The PCIe x16_3 default setting is in x1 mode.

** Actual PCIe speed depends on installed CPU type.

Multi-VGA output support: HDMI, DVI-D, and RGB ports

Supports HDMI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @60Hz Supports DVI with max. resolution 1920 x 1200 @60Hz Supports RGB with max. resolution 2048 x 1536 @75Hz

Maximum shared memory of 1748MB

Supports NVIDIA® Quad-GPU SLI™ Technology

Supports ATI® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology

Supports LucidLogix® VirtuTM Technology*

* LucidLogix® VirtuTM supports Windows® 7 operating systems.

Intel® Z68 Express Chipset

- 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports (gray) - 4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports (blue)

- Intel® Rapid Storage Technology supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 - Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology on 2nd generation

Intel® CoreTM processor family*

* Intel® Smart Response Technology supports Windows® 7/ Vista operating systems.

Marvell® PCIe SATA 6.0 Gb/s controller**

- 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports (navy blue)

JMicron® JMB362 SATA controller**

- 1 x eSATA 3.0 Gb/s port

** These SATA ports are for data hard drives only. ATAPI devices are not supported.

Intel® 82579 Gigabit LAN - Dual interconnect between the Integrated LAN controller and Physical Layer (PHY)

(continued on the next page)

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 specifications summary

Bluetooth

Audio

IEEE 1394

USB

ASUS unique features

ASUS Q-Design

Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR

ASUS BT GO! Utility

Realtek® ALC892 8-channel High DefinitionAudio CODEC - Absolute Pitch 192khz/24bit True BD Lossless Sound

- BD Audio Layer Content Protection

- DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC

- Supports Jack-Detection, Multi-Streaming and

Front Panel Jack-Retasking

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

VIA® VT6308P controller supports 2 x IEEE 1394a ports (2 headers at mid-board)

2 x ASMedia USB 3.0 controllers

- 2 x USB 3.0 ports at mid-board for front panel support (blue) - 2 x USB 3.0 ports at back panel (blue)

Intel® Z68 Express Chipset

- 12 x USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at back panel)

ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM:

ASUS DIGI+ VRM

- Industry leading Digital 16-phase* Power Design

- ASUS DIGI+ VRM Utility

* 12-phase for CPU, 4-phase for iGPU

ASUS EPU

- EPU, EPU switch

ASUS TPU

- Auto Tuning, TurboV, GPU Boost, TPU switch

ASUS BT GO! (Bluetooth):

- Folder Sync, BT Transfer, Shot & Send, BT to Net, Music Player, Personal Manager

ASUS BT Turbo Remote:

- Exclusive Smartphone Interface supporting iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile and Symbian systems

ASUS Exclusive Features

- ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user
-	interface
	MemOK!
-	AI Suite II
-	AI Charger+
-	Anti Surge
-	Disk Unlocker

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solutions

- ASUS Fanless Design: Heat-sink solution

- ASUS Fan Xpert

ASUS EZ DIY

- ASUS Q-Shield

- ASUS Q-Connector

- ASUS O.C. Tuner

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

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

ASUS Q-Slot

ASUS Q-DIMM

(continued on the next page)

xi

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 specifications summary

ASUS exclusive overclocking features

Back panel I/O ports

Internal I/O connectors

BIOS features

Manageability

Support DVD contents

Form factor

Precision Tweaker 2

- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.005V increment - vCCIO: Adjustable I/O voltage at 0.00625V increment - vDRAM Bus: 160-step memory voltage control

- vPCH: 90-step chipset voltage control

- vCPU_PLL: 160-step CPU & PLL voltage control

SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection)

- BCLK/PCIE frequency tuning from 80MHz up to 300MHz at 0.1MHz increment

Overclocking protection

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

1 x Optical S/PDIF Out port

1 x Bluetooth module

1 x eSATA port

1 x Intel® LAN (RJ-45) port

2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue)

6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports

1 x HDMI port

1 x DVI port

1 x VGA port

8-channel Audio I/O ports

1 x USB 3.0/2.0 connectors support additional 2 USB ports (19-pin) 3 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 6 USB ports

4 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (2 x gray, 2 x navy blue) 4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (blue)

2 x CPU Fan connector (4-pin)

2 x Chassis Fan connectors (1 x 4-pin, 1 x 3-pin) 2 x Power Fan connector (3-pin)

2 x IEEE1394a connector

1 x Front panel audio connector

1 x S/PDIF Out header

1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector

1 x 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector

1 x System Panel (Q-Connector)

1 x MemOK! button

1 x EPU switch

1 x TPU switch

64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS,

ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, F12 PrintScreen Function

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

Drivers

ASUS Utilities

ASUS Update

Anti-virus software (OEM version)

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

*Specifications are subject to change without notice.

xii

Chapter 1

Chapter 1:

Product introduction

1.1Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 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.

Chapter 1

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 motherboard

1 x ASUS Q-Shield

	2 x Serial ATA 3.0	Gb/s cables	1 x ASUS SLI™ bridge connector
	2 x Serial ATA 6.0	Gb/s cables

1 x 2-in-1 ASUS Q-Connector kit	1x ASUS USB 3.0 Bracket
Manual
User
User guide		Support DVD

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

•The illustrated items above are for reference only.Actual product specifications may vary with different models.

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

1-1

1 Chapter

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 (4 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.

Intel® Z68 Express Chipset

The Intel® Z68 Express Chipset is the latest single-chipset design to support the new 1155 socket Intel® Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3 second generation processors. It uses serial point-to-point links, which allows increased bandwidth and stability, and provides an improved performance. It also provides two SATA 6.0 Gb/s and four SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports for faster data retrieval at double the bandwidth of current bus systems. Moreover, Intel® Z68 Express Chipset also supports iGPU function, letting users enjoy the latest Intel integrated graphic performance.

PCI Express® 3.0

The latest PCI Express bus standard delivers improved encoding for twice the performance of current PCIe 2.0. Total bandwidth for a x16 link reaches a maximum of 32GB/s, double the 16GB/s of PCIe 2.0 (in x16 mode). PCIe 3.0 provides users unprecedented data speeds, combined with the convenience and seamless transition offered by complete backward compatibility with PCIe 1.0 and PCIe 2.0 devices. It’s a must-have feature for PC users aiming to improve and optimize graphics performance, as well as have the latest, most future-proof technology.

* Actual PCIe Speed depends on installed CPU type.

Intel® Smart Response Technology

Intel® Smart Response Technology boosts overall system performance. It uses an installed fast SSD (min 18.6GB available capacity) as a cache for frequently accessed data. Harnesses the combination of SSD-like performance and response with hard drive capacity, running 4X faster than an HDD-only system.

*Intel® Smart Response Technology supports Windows® 7/ Vista operating systems.

**Intel® Smart Response Technology is supported by 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processor family.

***Operating systems must be installed on the HDD to launch Intel® Smart Response Technology. The capacity of the SSD is reserved for caching function.

Quad-GPU SLI™ and Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Support

The motherboard’s powerful Intel® Z68 platform optimizes PCIe allocation in multiple-GPU configurations of either SLI™ or CrossFireX™. This allows you to enjoy a never before-experienced brand new gaming style.

1-2	Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Dual-Channel DDR3 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 Support

The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 2200(O.C.) /

2133(O.C.) / 1866 / 1600/ 1333 / 1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture enlarges the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance.

*Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.

Complete USB 3.0 Integration

ASUS facilitates strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both the front and rear panel - 4 USB 3.0 ports in total. Experience the latest plug & play connectivity at speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0. The P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 affords greater convenience to high speed connectivity.

Extra SATA 6.0 Gb/s Support

The Intel® Z68 Express Chipset natively supports the next-generation Serial ATA (SATA) interface, delivering up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer. ASUS provides extra SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports with enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, and double the bandwidth of current bus systems.

1.3.2Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM

The world’s first Dual Intelligent Processors fromASUS pioneered the use of two onboard chips—EPU (Energy Processing Unit) and TPU (TurboV Processing Unit). New generation Dual Intelligent Processors 2 with DIGI+ VRM digital power design launch control into a new era, empowering users with superior flexibility and perfect precision to ensure optimized performance, extreme system stability and greater power efficiency.

DIGI+ VRM

New ASUS DIGI+ VRM upgrades motherboard power delivery to a digital standard. The 16 digital architecture delivers twice the precision power. With iGPU on P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 motherboards, DIGI+ VRM intelligently adjust Vcore PWM, integrated graphics voltages and frequency modulation to minimize power loss through BIOS tuning and the exclusive user interface. It increases overclocking range while performance reaches its full potential, adjusting frequencies dynamically and cutting EM interference by half to enhance system stability through enabled spread spectrum. The DIGI+ VRM digital power design empowers

users with superior flexibility and perfect precision to ensure optimized performance. extreme system stability, and greater power efficiency.

2X Precise Power Control

ASUS DIGI+ VRM delivers twice the precision power, intelligently adjusting PWM voltage and frequency modulation to minimize power loss while performance reaches its full potential.

2X Less Radiation

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

Chapter 1

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

1-3

1 Chapter

TPU

Unleash your performance with ASUS' simple onboard switch or AI Suite II utility. The TPU chip offers precise voltage control and advanced monitoring through Auto Tuning and TurboV functions.Auto Tuning offers a user friendly way to automatically optimize the system for fast, yet stable clock speeds, while TurboV enables unlimited freedom to adjust CPU frequencies and ratios for optimized performance in diverse situations.

EPU

Tap into the world's first real-time PC power saving chip through a simple onboard switch or AI Suite II utility. Get total system-wide energy optimization by automatically detecting current

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

1.3.3ASUS Exclusive Features

GPU Boost

GPU Boost accelerates the integrated CPU for extreme graphics performance. The userfriendly interface facilitates flexible frequency adjustments. It easily delivers stable systemlevel upgrades for every use.

BT GO! (Bluetooth)

Onboard Bluetooth wireless design enables smart connectivity to Bluetooth devices with no additional adapter.ASUS BT GO! comes with 7 special functions that offer significant breakthrough in Bluetooth evolution, including Folder Sync, BT Transfer, BT Turbo Remote, BT-to-Net, Music Player, Shot and Send, and Personal Manager. All are accessible through the exclusive, user-friendly ASUS interface.

MemOK!

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

AI Suite II

With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite II consolidates all the exclusive ASUS features into one simple to use software package. It allows users to supervise overclocking, energy management, fan speed control, voltage and sensor readings, and even interact with mobile devices via Bluetooth. This all-in-one software offers diverse and ease to use functions, with no need to switch back and forth between different utilities.

1.3.4ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

ASUS Fanless Design—Heat-sink solution

The stylish heatsink features 0-dB thermal solution that offers users a noiseless PC environment. Not only the beautiful shape upgrades the visual enjoyment for motherboard users, but also the heatsink design lowers the temperature of the chipset and power phase area through high efficient heat-exchange. Combined with usability and aesthetics, theASUS stylish heatsink will give users an extremely silent and cooling experience with the elegant appearance!

1-4	Chapter 1: Product Introduction

ASUS Fan Xpert

ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows you to adjust both the CPU and chassis fan speeds according to different ambient temperatures caused by different climate conditions in different geographic regions and your PC’s loading. The built-in variety of useful profiles offer flexible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment.

1.3.5ASUS EZ DIY

ASUS UEFI BIOS (EZ Mode)

ASUS UEFI BIOS offers a user-friendly interface that goes beyond traditional keyboard-only

BIOS controls to enable more flexible and convenient mouse input. Users can easily navigate the UEFI BIOS with the smoothness of their operating system. Quick and simple overclocking and setup sharing is facilitated by the F12 hotkey BIOS snapshot feature. The exclusive EZ Mode displays frequently-accessed setup info, while the Advanced Mode is for experienced performance enthusiasts that demand far more intricate system control, including detailed DRAM information.

Supports hard drives over 2.2TB

ASUS UEFI BIOS natively supports hard drives larger than 2.2TB in 64-bit, with full storage space utilization helping deliver far more exciting computing than traditional BIOS versions.

ASUS Q-Design

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

ASUS Q-Shield

The specially designedASUS Q-Shield does without the usual "fingers" - making it convenient and easy to install. With better electric conductivity, it ideally protects your motherboard against static electricity and shields it against Electronic Magnetic Interference (EMI).

ASUS Q-Connector

ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily connect or disconnect the chassis front panel cables to the motherboard. This unique module eliminates the trouble of connecting the system panel cables one at a time and avoiding wrong cable connections.

ASUS EZ-Flash 2

ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly utility that allows you to update the BIOS without using a bootable floppy disk or an OS-based utility.

Chapter 1

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

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1 Chapter

1.3.6Other special features

LucidLogix® Virtu™

LucidLogix® Virtu™ is designed for the Intel® Sandy Bridge platform’s powerful integrated graphics. Its GPU virtualization dynamically assigns tasks to the best available graphics resources based on power, performance and system load on Windows® 7 based PCs. It allows users to fully utilize the unique capabilities of advanced Sandy Bridge multimedia features alongside the high end 3D rendering performance provided by installed graphics cards. When no discrete graphics are needed, the graphics card is put in idle mode to lower utilization, heat, fan speed and power draw down to near zero, making the system more environmentally-friendly. For users with diverse needs, LucidLogix® Virtu™ GPU virtualization provides great flexibility and efficiency.

*LucidLogix® VirtuTM supports Windows® 7 operating system.

**Intel® Quick Sync Video feature is supported by 2nd generation Intel® CoreTM processor family.

DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC

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

“Voice clarification” provides clear human dialogue even with loud background sound. With these technologies, you may experience a better home-theater audio with ease.

ErP Ready

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

1-6	Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Chapter 2

Chapter 2:

Hardware information

2.1Before 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 P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

2-1

2.2Motherboard overview

2.2.1Motherboard layout

2 Chapter

Refer to 2.2.8 Internal connectors and 2.3.10 Rear panel connection for more information about rear panel connectors and internal connectors.

2-2	Chapter 2: Hardware information

Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots		Page
1.	CPU, chassis, and power fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN	2-26
	/CPU_FAN_OPT, 4-pin CHA_FAN1, 3-pin CHA_FAN2,
	3-pin PWR_FAN1-2)
2.	ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)	2-28
3.	LGA1155 CPU socket	2-4
4.	DDR3 DIMM slots	2-5
5.	TPU switch	2-16
6.	EPU switch	2-17
7.	MemOK! switch	2-15
8.	USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_34)	2-23
9.	Marvell® Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors	2-23
	(7-pin SATA6G_E1/E2 [navy blue])
10.	Intel® Z68 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors	2-21
	(7-pin SATA6G_1/2 [gray])
11.	Intel® Z68 Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors	2-22
	(7-pin SATA3G_3–6 [blue])
12.	Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)	2-20
13.	System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)	2-29
14.	IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_1-2)	2-25
15.	USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB78, USB910, USB1112)	2-24
16.	Reset switch	2-14
17.	POWER-on switch	2-14
18.	Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)	2-27
19.	Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)	2-25

Chapter 2

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

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2 Chapter

2.2.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)

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

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

•The LGA1156 CPU is incompatible with the LGA1155 socket. DO NOT install a LGA1156 CPU on the LGA1155 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

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.

2-4	Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.2.3System memory

The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) slots.

A DDR3 module is notched differently from a DDR or DDR2 module. DO NOT install a DDR or DDR2 memory module to the DDR3 slot.

Chapter 2

Recommended memory configurations

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

2-5

Memory configurations

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

2 Chapter

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

•Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.

•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 optimum compatibility, we recommend that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor.

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

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

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

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

•This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 512Mb (64MB) chips or less (Memory chip capacity counts in Megabit, 8 Megabit/Mb = 1 Megabyte/MB).

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

or at a higher frequency, refer to section 3.4 Ai Tweaker menu for manual memory frequency adjustment.

•For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.

2-6	Chapter 2: Hardware information

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

DDR3-2200 (O.C.) MHz capability

Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support (Optional)
			DS	Brand	NO.			1 DIMM	2 DIMM 4 DIMM
G.SKILL	F3-17600CL7D-4GBFLS(XMP)	4G ( 2x 2G )	DS	-	-	7-10-10-28	1.65	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-17600CL8D-4GBPS(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.65	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-17600CL9D-4GBTDS(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•
GEIL	GET34GB2200C9DC(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-10-9-28	1.65	•	•
KINGMAX	FLKE85F-B8KHA(XMP)	4G ( 2x 2G )	DS	-	-	-	1.5~1.7	•	•
KINGMAX	FLKE85F-B8KJAA-FEIS(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	Kingmax	N/A	-	-	•	•

*The memory modules in 2200MHz and above are supported by this motherboard, however, the actual frequency support varies depending on the O.C. margin of the installed CPU.

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

DDR3-2133 (O.C.) MHz capability

Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support (Optional)
			DS	Brand	NO.			1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
CORSAIR	CMGTX3(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	9-11-9-27	1.65	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-19200CL9D-4GBPIS(XMP)	4G ( 2x 2G )	DS	-	-	9-11-11-31	1.65	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-19200CL9D-4GBPIS(XMP)	4G ( 2x 2G )	DS	-	-	9-11-9-28	1.65	•	•
GEIL	GET34GB2400C9DC(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-11-9-27	1.65	•	•
Transcend	TX2400KLU-4GK	2GB	DS	-	-		1.65	•	•	•
	(381850)(XMP)
Transcend	TX2400KLU-	2GB	DS	-	-		1.65	•	•
	4GK(374243)(XMP)
Patriot	PVV34G2400C9K(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-11-9-27	1.66	•	•

*The above QVL is for the DDR3 2400 MHz memory module. Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2400 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133 MHz frequency.

	Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support (Optional)
				DS	Brand	NO.			1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
	KINGSTON	KHX2333C9D3T1K2/4GX(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS		-	-	-	1.65	•	•

*The above QVL is for the DDR3 2333 MHz memory module. Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2333 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133 MHz frequency..

	Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support (Optional)
				DS	Brand	NO.			1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
	KINGSTON	KHX2250C9D3T1K2/4GX(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB ) DS		-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•

*The above QVL is for the DDR3 2250 MHz memory module. Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2250 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133 MHz frequency.

Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support (Optional)
			DS	Brand	NO.			1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
G.SKILL	F3-17600CL7D-	4G ( 2x 2G )	DS	-	-	7-10-10-28	1.65	•	•
	4GBFLS(XMP)
G.SKILL	F3-17600CL8D-4GBPS(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.65	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-17600CL9D-	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•
	4GBTDS(XMP)
GEIL	GET34GB2200C9DC(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-10-9-28	1.65	•	•
KINGMAX	FLKE85F-B8KHA(XMP)	4G ( 2x 2G )	DS	-	-	-	1.5~1.7	•	•
KINGMAX	FLKE85F-B8KJAA-FEIS(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	Kingmax	N/A	-	-	•	•

*The above QVL is for the DDR3 2200 MHz memory module. Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 2133 MHz frequency.

Chapter 2

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

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2 Chapter

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

DDR3-2133 (O.C.) MHz capability (continued)

	Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support (Optional)
				DS	Brand	NO.			1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
	CORSAIR	CMT4GX3M2A2133C9(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-10-9-24	1.65	•	•	•
	G.SKILL	F3-17066CL9D-	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•
		4GBTDS(XMP)
	G.SKILL	F3-17066CL8D-4GBPS(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.65	•	•
	G.SKILL	F3-17066CL9D-4GBTD(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65		•
	G.SKILL	F3-17066CL9T-6GB-T	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•
	GEIL	GE34GB2133C9DC(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-28	1.65	•
	GEIL	GU34GB2133C9DC(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-28	1.65		•
	KINGSTON	KHX2133C9AD3T1K2/	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•
		4GX(XMP)
	KINGSTON	KHX2133C9AD3W1K2/	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•
		4GX(XMP)
	KINGSTON	KHX2133C9AD3X2K2/	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•
		4GX(XMP)
	KINGSTON	KHX2133C9D3T1K2/	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•
		4GX(XMP)
	KINGSTON	KHX2133C9AD3T1FK4/	8GB ( 4x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•
		8GX(XMP)
	Patriot	PVV34G2133C9K(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-11-9-27	1.66	•	•

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

DDR3-1866 (O.C.) MHz capability

			SS/	Chip				DIMM socket support
Vendors	Part No.	Size			Chip NO.	Timing	Voltage	(Optional)
			DS	Brand						4 DIMM
								1 DIMM	2 DIMM
Apacer	78.AAGD5.9KD(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-27	-	•	•	•
CORSAIR	CMT6GX3M3A2000C8(XMP)	6GB ( 3x 2GB )	DS	-	-	8-9-8-24	1.65	•	•	•
Crucial	BL12864BE2009.8SFB3(EPP)	1GB	SS	-	-	9-9-9-28	2	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-16000CL9D-4GBRH(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-16000CL9D-4GBTD(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-16000CL7T-6GBPS(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	7-8-7-20	1.65	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-16000CL9T-6GBPS(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-16000CL9T-6GBTD(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.6	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-16000CL7Q-8GBFLS(XMP)	8GB(4 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	7-9-7-24	1.65	•	•
GEIL	GUP34GB2000C9DC(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9-28	1.65	•	•	•
GEIL	GE38GB2000C9QC(XMP)	8GB(4 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-28	1.65	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX2000C9AD3T1K3/3GX(XMP)	3GB ( 3x 1GB )	SS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX2000C9AD3T1K2/4GX(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX2000C9AD3W1K2/	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•
	4GX(XMP)
KINGSTON	KHX2000C9AD3T1K3/6GX(XMP)	6GB ( 3x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX2000C9AD3T1K3/6GX(XMP)	6GB ( 3x 2GB )	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX2000C9AD3W1K3/	6GB ( 3x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•
	6GX(XMP)
OCZ	OCZ3B2000LV6GK	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	7-8-7	1.65	•	•
Transcend	TX2000KLN-8GK (388375)(XMP)	4GB	DS	-	-		1.6	•	•	•
AEXEA	AXA3ES2G2000LG28V(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•
AEXEA	AXA3ES4GK2000LG28V(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•
Gingle	9CAASS37AZZ01D1	2GB	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	-	•	•
Patriot	PX7312G2000ELK(XMP)	12GB ( 3x 4GB )	DS	-	-	9-11-9-27	1.65	•	•	•
Patriot	PVT36G2000LLK(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.65	•	•	•
Silicon	SP002GBLYU200S02(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	-	-	•	•	•
Power
Team	TXD32048M2000C9(XMP)	2GB	DS	Team	T3D1288RT-20	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•	•
Team	TXD32048M2000C9-L(XMP)	2GB	DS	Team	T3D1288LT-20	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•
Team	TXD32048M2000C9-L(XMP)	2GB	DS	Team	T3D1288RT-20	9-9-9-24	1.6	•	•	•

*The above QVL is for the DDR3 2000 MHz memory module. Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2000 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 1866 MHz frequency.

2-8	Chapter 2: Hardware information

Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip NO.	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support
								(Optional)
			DS	Brand				1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
CORSAIR	TR3X6G1866C9DVer4.1(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•
CORSAIR	CMZ8GX3M2A1866C9(XMP)	8GB ( 2x 4GB )	DS	-	-	9-10-9-27	1.5	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH (XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-15000CL9D-4GBTD(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX1866C9D3T1K3/3GX(XMP)	3GB ( 3x 1GB )	SS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX1866C9D3T1K3/6GX(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•
OCZ	OCZ3RPR1866C9LV3GK	3GB ( 3x 1GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9	1.65	•	•
OCZ	OCZ3G1866LV4GK	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	10-10-10	1.65	•	•
OCZ	OCZ3P1866C9LV6GK	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9	1.65			•
OCZ	OCZ3RPR1866C9LV6GK	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9	1.65	•	•
Super Talent	W1866UX2G8(XMP)	2GB(2 x 1GB)	SS	-	-	8-8-8-24	-	•	•	•
Team	TXD32048M1866C9(XMP)	2GB	DS	Team	T3D1288RT-16	9-9-9-24	1.65	•	•	•

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

DDR3-1600 MHz capability

Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support (Optional)
			DS	Brand	NO.			1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
G.SKILL	F3-14400CL6D-4GBFLS(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	6-8-6-24	1.65	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-14400CL9D-4GBRL(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.6	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX1800C9D3T1K3/6GX(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•

*The above QVL is for the DDR3 1800 MHz memory module. Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 1800 MHz memory module will run at DDR3 1600 MHz frequency.

Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip	Chip NO.	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support
								(Optional)
			DS	Brand				1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
CORSAIR	CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8(XMP)	8GB ( 2x 4GB )	DS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.5	•	•	•
CORSAIR	CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9(XMP)	8GB ( 2x 4GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•	•
Crucial	BL12864BN1608.8FF(XMP)	2GB( 2x 1GB )	SS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.65	•	•	•
Crucial	BL25664BN1608.16FF(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.65	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-12800CL8D-8GBECO(XMP)	8GB ( 2x4GB )	DS	-	-	8-8-8-24	1.35	•	•	•
GEIL	GUP34GB1600C7DC(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	7-7-7-24	1.6	•	•	•
GEIL	GVP38GB1600C8QC(XMP)	8GB ( 4x 2GB )	DS	-	-	8-8-8-28	1.6	•	•	•
KINGMAX	FLGD45F-B8MF7(XMP)	1GB	SS	-	-		-	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX1600C9D3X2K2/4GX(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KHX1600C9D3K3/6GX(XMP)	6GB ( 3x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.65	•	•	•
OCZ	OCZ3BE1600C8LV4GK	4GB( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	8-8-8	1.65	•	•	•
OCZ	OCZ3OB1600LV4GK	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9-9-9	1.65	•		•
Super Talent	WP160UX4G9(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9	-	•	•	•
Super Talent	WB160UX6G8(XMP)	6GB(3 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	8	-	•	•	•
AEXEA	AXA3PS2G1600S18V(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•
AEXEA	AXA3PS4GK1600S18V(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	-	1.65	•	•	•
Asint	SLZ3128M8-EGJ1D(XMP)	2GB	DS	Asint	3128M8-GJ1D	-	-	•	•	•
EK Memory	EKM324L28BP8-I16(XMP)	4GB( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	-	•	•	•
EK Memory	EKM324L28BP8-I16(XMP)	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9	-	•	•	•
Elixir	M2P2G64CB8HC9N-DG(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	-	-	•	•	•
GoodRam	GR1600D364L9/2G	2GB	DS	GoodRam	GF1008KC-JN	-	-	•	•	•
KINGTIGER	KTG2G1600PG3(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	-	-	•	•	•
Mushkin	996805(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	6-8-6-24	1.65	•	•	•
Mushkin	998805(XMP)	6GB ( 3x 2GB )	DS	-	-	6-8-6-24	1.65	•	•	•
Patriot	PX7312G1600LLK(XMP)	12GB ( 3x 4GB )	DS	-	-	8-9-8-24	1.65	•	•	•
Patriot	PX538G1600LLK(XMP)	8GB ( 2x 4GB )	DS	-	-	8-9-8-24	1.65	•	•	•
Team	TXD32048M1600HC8-D(XMP)	2GB	DS	Team	T3D1288RT-16	8-8-8-24	1.65	•	•	•

Chapter 2

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

2-9

2 Chapter

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

DDR3-1333 MHz capability

			SS/					DIMM socket support
Vendors	Part No.	Size		Chip Brand	Chip NO.	Timing	Voltage	(Optional)		4
			DS					1	2
								DIMM	DIMM	DIMM
A-DATA	SU3U1333W8G9-B	8GB	DS	Elpida	J4208BASE-DJ-F	9	-	•	•	•
Apacer	78.01GC6.9L0	1GB	SS	Apacer	AM5D5808DEJSBG	9	-	•	•	•
Apacer	78.A1GC6.9L1	2GB	DS	Apacer	AM5D5808FEQSBG	9	-	•	•	•
CORSAIR	TW3X4G1333C9A	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•	•
CORSAIR	CMX8GX3M2A1333C9(XMP)	8GB ( 2x 4GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•	•
Crucial	BL25664BN1337.16FF(XMP)	2GB	DS	-	-	7-7-7-24	1.65	•	•	•
Crucial	CT25664BA1339.16FF	2GB	DS	MICRON	D9KPT	9	-	•	•	•
ELPIDA	EBJ20UF8BCF0-DJ-F	2GB	SS	Elpida	J2108BCSE-DJ-F	-	-	•	•	•
ELPIDA	EBJ21UE8BDF0-DJ-F	2GB	DS	ELPIDA	J1108BDSE-DJ-F	-	-	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	G.SKILL	D3 128M8CE9 2GB	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•	•
G.SKILL	F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	8-8-8-21	1.5	•	•	•
GEIL	GET316GB1333C9QC	16GB ( 4x 4GB	DS	-	-	9-9-9-24	1.5	•	•	•
		)
GEIL	GVP38GB1333C7QC	8GB ( 4x 2GB )	DS	-	-	7-7-7-24	1.5	•	•	•
Hynix	HMT325U6BFR8C-H9	2GB	SS	Hynix	H5TQ2G83BFR	-	-	•	•	•
Hynix	HMT351U6BFR8C-H9	4GB	DS	Hynix	H5TQ2G83BFR	-	-	•	•	•
KINGMAX	FLFE85F-C8KM9	2GB	SS	Kingmax	KFC8FNMXF-BXX-15A	-	-	•	•	•
KINGMAX	FLFF65F-C8KM9	4GB	DS	Kingmax	KFC8FNMXF-BXX-15A	-	-	•	•
Kingston	KHX1333C9D3UK2/4GX(XMP)	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9	1.25	•	•	•
KINGSTON	KVR1333D3N9K2/4G	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	KINGSTON	D1288JEMFPGD9U	-	1.5	•	•	•
MICRON	MT8JTF25664AZ-1G4D1	2GB	SS	Micron	D9LGK	-	-	•	•	•
MICRON	MT16JTF51264AZ-1G4D1	4GB	DS	Micron	D9LGK	-	-	•	•	•
OCZ	OCZ3G1333LV4GK	4GB ( 2x 2GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9	1.65	•	•	•
OCZ	OCZ3G1333LV8GK	8GB ( 2x 4GB )	DS	-	-	9-9-9	1.65	•	•	•
PSC	PC310600U-9-10-A0	1GB	SS	PSC	A3P1GF3FGF	-	-	•	•	•
PSC	PC310600U-9-10-B0	2GB	DS	PSC	A3P1GF3FGF	-	-	•	•	•
SAMSUNG	M378B5273DH0-CH9	4GB	DS	Samsung	K4B2G08460	-	-	•	•	•
SAMSUNG	M378B1G73AH0-CH9	8GB	DS	SAMSUNG	K4B4G0846A-HCH9	-	-	•	•	•
Transcend	TS256MLK64V3N (574206)	2GB	SS	Micron	D9LGK	9	-	•	•	•
Transcend	TS512MLK64V3N (574831)	4GB	DS	Micron	D9LGK	9	-	•	•	•
ACTICA	ACT4GHU64B8H1333H	4GB	DS	Hynix	H5TQ2G83AFR	-	-	•	•	•
ACTICA	ACT4GHU72D8H1333H	4GB	DS	Hynix	H5TQ2G83AFR(ECC)	-	-	•	•	•
BUFFALO	D3U1333-2G	2GB	DS	Elpida	J1108BFBG-DJ-F		-	•	•	•
BUFFALO	D3U1333-4G	4GB	DS	NANYA	NT5CB256M8BN-CG		-	•	•
EK Memory	EKM324L28BP8-I13	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	9	-	•	•	•
Elixir	M2F2G64CB88B7N-CG	2GB	SS	Elixir	N2CB2G808N-CG	-	-	•	•	•
Elixir	M2F4G64CB8HB5N-CG	4GB	DS	Elixir	N2CB2G808N-CG	-	-	•	•	•
GoodRam	GR1333D364L9/2G	2GB	DS	Qimonda	IDSH1G-03A1F1C-13H	-	-	•	•	•
KINGTIGER	F10DA2T1680	2GB	DS	KINGTIGER	KTG1333PS1208NST-C9	-	-	•	•	•
KINGTIGER	KTG2G1333PG3	2GB	DS	-	-	-	-	•	•	•
Patriot	PSD32G13332	2GB	DS	Prtriot	PM128M8D3BU-15	9	-	•	•
Patriot	PGS34G1333LLKA	4GB(2 x 2GB)	DS	-	-	7-7-7-20	1.7	•	•	•
Silicon Power	SP001GBLTE133S01	1GB	SS	NANYA	NT5CB128M8AN-CG	-	-	•	•	•
Silicon Power	SP002GBLTE133S01	2GB	DS	NANYA	NT5CB128M8AN-CG	-	-	•	•	•
Team	TXD31024M1333C7(XMP)	1GB	SS	Team	T3D1288LT-13	7-7-7-21	1.75	•	•	•
Team	TXD32048M1333C7-D(XMP)	2GB	DS	Team	T3D1288LT-13	7-7-7-21	1.5-1.6	•	•	•

2-10	Chapter 2: Hardware information

P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)

DDR3-1066 MHz capability

	Vendors	Part No.	Size	SS/	Chip Brand	Chip NO.	Timing	Voltage	DIMM socket support
									(Optional)
				DS					1 DIMM	2 DIMM	4 DIMM
	Crucial	CT12864BA1067.8FF	1GB	SS	MICRON	D9KPT	7	-	•	•	•
	Crucial	CT12864BA1067.8SFD	1GB	SS	MICRON	D9JNL	7	-	•	•	•
	Crucial	CT12872BA1067.9FF	1GB	SS	MICRON	D9KPT(ECC)	7	-	•	•	•
	Crucial	CT25664BA1067.16FF	2GB	DS	MICRON	D9KPT	7	-	•	•	•
	Crucial	CT25664BA1067.16SFD	2GB	DS	MICRON	D9JNL	7	-	•	•	•
	Crucial	CT25672BA1067.18FF	2GB	DS	MICRON	D9KPT(ECC)	7	-	•	•	•
	ELPIDA	EBJ10UE8BAW0-AE-E	1GB	SS	ELPIDA	J1108BABG-DJ-E	7	-	•	•	•
	ELPIDA	EBJ10UE8EDF0-AE-F	1GB	SS	ELPIDA	J1108EDSE-DJ-F	-	-	•	•	•
	ELPIDA	EBJ11UD8BAFA-AG-E	1GB	DS	ELPIDA	J5308BASE-AC-E	8	-	•	•
	ELPIDA	EBJ21UE8BAW0-AE-E	2GB	DS	ELPIDA	J1108BABG-DJ-E	7	-	•	•	•
	ELPIDA	EBJ21UE8EDF0-AE-F	2GB	DS	ELPIDA	J1108EDSE-DJ-F	-	-	•	•	•
	GEIL	GG34GB1066C8DC	4GB ( 2x	DS	GEIL	GL1L128M88BA115FW	8-8-8-20	1.3	•	•	•
			2GB )
	Hynix	HMT112U6AFP8C-	1GB	SS	HYNIX	H5TQ1G83AFPG7C	7	-	•	•	•
		G7N0
	Hynix	HYMT112U64ZNF8-G7	1GB	SS	HYNIX	HY5TQ1G831ZNFP-G7	7	-	•	•
	Hynix	HMT125U6AFP8C-	2GB	DS	HYNIX	H5TQ1G83AFPG7C	7	-	•	•	•
		G7N0
	Hynix	HYMT125U64ZNF8-G7	2GB	DS	HYNIX	HY5TQ1G831ZNFP-G7	7	-	•	•	•
	Kingston	KVR1066D3N7/1G	1GB	SS	Kingston	D1288JPNDPLD9U	7	1.5	•	•	•
	Kingston	KVR1066D3N7/2G	2GB	DS	Elpida	J1108BDSE-DJ-F	7	1.5	•	•	•
	MICRON	MT8JTF12864AZ-	1GB	SS	MICRON	8ZF22 D9KPV	7	-	•	•	•
		1G1F1
	MICRON	MT8JTF12864AZ-	1GB	SS	MICRON	D9KPT	7	-	•	•	•
		1G1F1
	MICRON	MT9JSF12872AZ-	1GB	SS	MICRON	D9KPT(ECC)	7	-	•	•	•
		1G1F1
	MICRON	MT16JTF25664AZ-	2GB	DS	MICRON	8ZF22 D9KPV	7	-	•	•	•
		1G1F1
	MICRON	MT16JTF25664AZ-	2GB	DS	MICRON	D9KPT	7	-	•	•	•
		1G1F1
	MICRON	MT18JSF25672AZ-	2GB	DS	MICRON	D9KPT(ECC)	7	-	•	•	•
		1G1F1
	SAMSUNG	M378B5273BH1-CF8	4GB	DS	SAMSUNG	K4B2G0846B-HCF8	8	1.5	•	•	•
	Elixir	M2Y2G64CB8HA9N-BE	2GB	DS	-	-	-	-	•	•	•
	Elixir	M2Y2G64CB8HC5N-BE	2GB	DS	Elixir	N2CB1G80CN-BE	-	-	•	•	•
	Elixir	M2Y2G64CB8HC9N-BE	2GB	DS	-	-	-	-	•	•	•
	WINTEC	3DU3191A-10	1GB	DS	Qimonda	IDSH51-03A1F1C-10F	7	-	•	•

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

DIMM support:

•1 DIMM: Supports one (1) module inserted into any slot as Single-channel memory configuration. We suggest that you install the module into A2 slot.

•2 DIMMs: Supports two (2) modules inserted into either the blue slots or the black slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration. We suggest that you install the modules into slots A2 and B2 for better compatibility.

•4 DIMMs: Supports four (4) modules inserted into both the blue and black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory configuration.

•ASUS exclusively provides hyper DIMM support function.

•Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. Load the X.M.P. or D.O.C.P. settings in the BIOS for the hyper DIMM support.

•Visit the ASUS website for the latest QVL.

Chapter 2

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3

2-11

2.2.4Expansion slots

Ensure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

2 Chapter

Slot No. Slot Description

1PCIe 2.0 x1_1 slot

2PCIe 3.0/ 2.0 x16_1 slot (single at x16 or dual at x8/x8 mode)

3PCIe 2.0 x1_2 slot

4PCI slot 1

5PCIe 3.0/ 2.0 x16_2 slot [gray] (at x8 mode)

6PCI slot 2

7PCIe 2.0 x16_3 slot [black] (at x4 mode, compatible with PCIe x1 and x4 devices)

	VGA configuration	PCI Express operating mode
		PCIe 3.0/ 2.0 x16_1	PCIe 3.0/ 2.0 x16_2
	Single VGA/PCIe card	x16	N/A
		(Recommend for single VGA)
	Dual VGA/PCIe card
		x8	x8

2-12	Chapter 2: Hardware information