Asus RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION User Manual

RAMPAGE IV
BLACK
EDITION

Motherboard

E8670
First Edition
October 2013

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ii

Contents

Safety information ...................................................................................................... vi

About this guide ........................................................................................................ vii

RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION specications summary ........................................ ix

OC Panel specications summary .........................................................................xiii

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

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

Chapter 1: Product Introduction

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

1.1.1 Product highlights

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

1.1.3 ROG exclusive features ..............................................................

1.1.4 ASUS special features ................................................................

1.1.5 ROG rich-bundled software

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

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

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

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

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

1.2.5 Expansion slots .........................................................................

1.2.6 Onboard buttons and switches

1.2.7 Onboard LEDs ..........................................................................

1.2.8 Jumper ......................................................................................

1.2.9 Internal connectors

1.2.10 ProbeIt

....................................................................................... 1-50

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

......................................................... 1-6

.................................................. 1-24

.................................................................... 1-38

1-2

1-3

1-5

1-7

1-7

1-8

1-10

1-11

1-22

1-29

1-37

Chapter 2: Basic Installation

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

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

2.1.2 CPU installation

2.1.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation ...............................

2.1.4 DIMM installation

2.1.5 ATX Power connection ................................................................

2.1.6 SATA device connection ..............................................................

2.1.7 Front I/O Connector ..................................................................

2.1.8 Expansion Card installation

2.1.9 Wi-Fi antenna installation ..........................................................

2.2 BIOS update utility ...................................................................................

........................................................................... 2-3

......................................................................... 2-7

....................................................... 2-11

2-1

2-5

2-8

2-9

2-10

2-12

2-13

iii

2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections .............................................2-14

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

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

2.4 OC Panel ...................................................................................................

2.4.1 OC Panel Overview

2.4.2 Setting up your OC Panel in Normal Mode ...............................

2.4.3 Setting up your OC Panel in Extreme Mode .............................

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

2.6 Turning off the computer .........................................................................

................................................................... 2-18

2-14

2-16

2-18

2-20

2-22

2-23

2-23

Chapter 3: BIOS setup

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

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

3.2.1 EZ Mode

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

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

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

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

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

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

3.6.2 System Agent Conguration

3.6.3 PCH Conguration ....................................................................

3.6.4 SATA Conguration ...................................................................

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

3.6.6 Onboard Devices Conguration ................................................

3.6.7 APM ..........................................................................................

3.6.8 Network Stack ...........................................................................

3.6.9 ROG Effects ..............................................................................

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

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

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

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

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

3.9.3 ASUS SPD Information .............................................................

3.9.4 ASUS Overclocking Prole .......................................................

3.9.5 BIOS Flashback ........................................................................

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

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

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

3.11.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ......................................................................

3.11.2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ..........................................................

3.11.3 ASUS BIOS Updater .................................................................

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

...................................................... 3-26

3-2

3-4

3-6

3-7

3-21

3-23

3-24

3-26

3-27

3-29

3-30

3-32

3-33

3-33

3-34

3-38

3-43

3-43

3-44

3-45

3-46

3-47

3-47

3-49

3-50

3-51

3-52

3-53

iv

Chapter 4: Software support

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

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

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

4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals

.................................................. 4-3

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

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

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

4.4.2 Ai Charger+ ...............................................................................

4.4.3 Wi-Fi Engine

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

4.4.4 Wi-Fi GO! ..................................................................................

4.4.5 USB 3.0 Boost

........................................................................... 4-37

4.4.6 USB BIOS Flashback ................................................................

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

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

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

4.6 ROG Connect

............................................................................................ 4-44

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

4.8 ROG RAMDisk ..........................................................................................

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

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

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

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

4.10 GameFirst II ..............................................................................................

4.10.1 Using EZ Mode .........................................................................

4.10.2 Using Advanced Mode ..............................................................

4-1

4-1

4-4

4-4

4-7

4-18

4-21

4-38

4-40

4-41

4-43

4-46

4-49

4-52

4-52

4-54

4-55

4-57

4-57

4-58

Chapter 5: RAID support

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

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

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

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

5.1.4 Intel

5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk

®

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

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

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

5.2.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows

5.2.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows

®

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

®

OS installation ........ 5-9

5-1

5-2

5-2

5-8

Appendices

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

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

v

Safety information

Electrical safety

To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet

•
before relocating the system.

When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables

•
for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible,
disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.

Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all

•
power cables are unplugged.

Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord. These devices

•
could interrupt the grounding circuit.

Ensure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not

•
sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power
company.

If the power supply is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied service

•
technician or your retailer.

Operation safety

Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals

•
that came with the package.

Before using the product, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the power

•
cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.

To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors,

•
slots, sockets and circuitry.

Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area

•
where it may become wet.

Place the product on a stable surface.

•

If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualied service

•
technician or your retailer.

vi

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the

motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This guide contains the following parts:

1. Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

2. Chapter 2: Basic Installation

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

3. Chapter 3: BIOS setup

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

4. Chapter 4: Software support

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

5. Chapter 5: RAID support

This chapter describes the RAID congurations.

Where to nd more information

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

1. ASUS websites

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

2. Optional documentation

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

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

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.

Typography

Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics

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

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

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

means that you must press the enclosed key.

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

names are linked with a plus sign (+).

viii

RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION specications summary

Intel® Core™ i7 Processors for LGA 2011 socket
Support 22nm CPU

CPU

Chipset Intel® X79 Express Chipset

Memory

Expansion Slots

Multi-GPU Technology

Storage

LAN Intel® Gigabit Ethernet LAN

SupremeFX

High Denition Audio

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0

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

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

types.

8 x DIMM, max. 64GB, DDR3 2800(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/

2400(O.C.)/2133(O.C.)/1866/1600/1333/1066 MHz, non-ECC,

un-buffered memory

Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Prole (XMP)

* Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of

individual CPUs.

** Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will

run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.

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

4 x PCIe3.0 x16 slots, support x16; x16/x16; x16/x8/x16 and
x16/x8/x8/x8 congurations

2 x PCIe2.0 x1 slots

* This motherboard is ready to support PCIe 3.0 SPEC. Functions will be

available when using PCIe 3.0-compliant devices. Please refer to
www.asus.com for updated details.

4-Way/ 3-Way/ Quad-GPU NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology
AMD CrossFireX™ Technology

Intel® X79 Express Chipset:

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

- 4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s ports (black)

®

- Intel

Rapid Storage Technology supports RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10

ASMedia® SATA 6.0 Gb/s controller:

- 2 x External SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports

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

ROG SupremeFX Black 8-Channel High Denition
Audio CODEC

- SupremeFX Shielding Technology: Red Line PCB shielding,
PCB dedicated audio layer and EMI protection cover

- Cirrus Logic® CS4398 DAC: 120dB SNR, -107dB THD+N
(Max. 192kHz/ 24-bit)

- Texas Instruments® TPA6120A2 600ohm headphone amplier

- WIMA® lm capacitors

- ELNA® premium audio capacitors

- NEC TOKIN UC2 audio relay

- High-delity audio operational ampliers (OP-AMPs)

- Differential circuit design

- Content protection for full bitrate lossless DVD Audio, Blu-ray
DVD, and HD-DVD audio content playback

- Jack-detection and multi-streaming

- Optical S/PDIF out port at back panel

- Sonic Radar

- DTS Connect

(continued on the next page)

ix

Wireless

USB

ROG Exclusive Features

Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac supports dual band frequency 2.4/5 GHz
Bluetooth V4.0

Intel® X79 Chipset:

- 10 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports at mid-board*, 3 ports at back
panel, 1 port reserved for ROG Connect)

* 2 x USB2.0 ports at mid-board shares with ROG extension

(ROG_EXT) port.

ASMedia® USB 3.0 SuperSpeed USB HUB Controller:

- 8 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (6 at back panel, 2 at mid-board)

ROG Extreme OC kit

- Slow Mode

- LN2 Mode

- PCIe x16 Lane switch

- EZ Plug

ROG Connect

- RC Poster

- RC Remote

- RC Diagram

ROG Extreme Engine Digi+ III

- 8 phase CPU power

- 3 phase VCCSA power

- 2+2 phase DRAM power

- NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET

- 60A chokes

- 10K Black Metallic Capacitors

UEFI BIOS features

- ROG BIOS Print

- GPU.DIMM Post

- Extreme Tweaker

- Tweakers’ Paradise (CPU/Memory/PCH)

- ROG SSD Secure Erase

- O.C. Prole

- ROG Pulse

CPU Level Up
ProbeIt
ROG RAMDisk

(continued on the next page)

x

Special Features

Back Panel I/O Ports

ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 4

- 4-Way Optimization Tuning Key, consolidating DIGI+ Power
Control, TPU, EPU, and Fan Xpert 2

ASUS Wi-Fi GO!

Overclocking Protection

- COP EX (Component Overheat Protection - EX)

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

ASUS Exclusive Features

- MemOK!

- Onboard Switches: Power/Reset/Clr CMOS (at rear)

- AI Suite 3

- USB 3.0 Boost

- USB Charger+

- AI Charger+

- Disk Unlocker

ASUS EZ DIY

- USB BIOS Flashback

- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

- ASUS EZ Flash 2

ASUS Q-Design

- ASUS Q-Code

- ASUS Q-Shield

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

- ASUS Q-Slot

- ASUS Q-DIMM

- ASUS Q-Connector

1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port
1 x Clear CMOS button
1 x ROG Connect button
2 x External SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
1 x LAN (RJ45) port
6 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports (blue)
4 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (1 port also for ROG Connect)
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
and Bluetooth v4.0)
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
5 x Audio jacks

(continued on the next page)

xi

1 x USB 3.0 connectors supports additional 2 USB 3.0 ports
3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports
[one connector via ROG_EXT header]
6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (gray)
4 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (black)
1 x ROG extension (ROG_EXT) header
8 x 4-pin Fan connectors: 2 x CPU / 3 x Chassis / 3 x Optional
11 x ProbeIt Measurement points
3 x Thermal sensor connectors
1 x SPDIF_Out header
1 x 24-pin EATX Power connector

Internal I/O Connectors

BIOS Features

Manageability WfM2.0, DMI2.7, WOL by PME, PXE

Software

Operating Systems Support Windows® 7, Windows® 8 , Windows® 8.1

Form Factor

1 x 8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
1 x LN2 Mode header
1 x Slow Mode switch
1 x START (Power On) button
1 x RESET button
1 x EZ Plug connector(s) (4-pin Molex power connector)
1 x MemOK! button
1 x BIOS Switch button
1 x Audio front panel (AAFP)
1 x System panel connector
1 x TPM connector
1 x DirectKey button
1 x DRCT (DirectKey) header

2 x 64Mb UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.7, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.7,
ACPI5.0a Multi-Language BIOS

Support DVD

- Drivers and Applications

- Daemon Tool Pro Standard

- Kaspersky Anti-Virus

- ROG CPU-Z

- ROG Mem TweakIt

- ROG RAMDisk

- ASUS Utilities

- ASUS WebStorage

Extended ATX Form Factor, 12-inch x 10.7-inch
(30.5cm x 27.2 cm)

*Specications are subject to change without notice.

xii

OC Panel specications summary

Display 2.6-inch LCM

Pure hardware-based overclocking support

Boot debug POST code

Intuitive tuning in two OC modes

- EXTREME Mode for subzero OC benching

- NORMAL Mode for in-chassis usage

Seamless integration with CPU Level Up at one-click OC button

Real-time control and display CPU fan speed, temperature, BCLK
and RATIO

Adjustable system voltages, frequencies on-the-y

Stylish design with 90 plus-degree-tilt movable faceplate

Features

I/O Ports

Power

Installation
Requirements

Compatibility

(EXTREME Mode)

FanSpeed Control button

- Standard/Silent/Turbo mode

Four (4) additional 4-pin fan headers

LCM backlight on/off

ROG exclusive features

- VGA Hotwire

- Subzero Sense

- Slow Mode

- Pause Switch

- VGA SMB header

- ProbeIt

POWER : 1 x SATA power connector
ROG_EXT port : 1 x 18-1 pin data connection port
FAN : 4 x 4-pin extra Fan connectors

Voltage : +12V, +5V, +5VSB
Power consumption : 5A

1 x 5.25-inch drive bay required for NORMAL Mode installation
1 x SATA power cable from system power supply

RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION and other motherboards with
ROG_EXT port

*Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for the latest motherboard

support/compatibility lists.

**Please install the latest utility/rmware (ROG Connect Plus) for better

compatibility.

***Update the motherboard BIOS to the latest version for better

compatibility with OC Panel.

xiii

Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard ROG RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

1 x ROG Connect cable

2 x 2-in-1 SATA 3.0 Gb/s signal cables

Cables

Accessories

Application DVD

Documentation

3 x 2-in-1 SATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables

1 x SLI® cable

1 x CrossFireTM cable

1 x I/O Shield

OC Panel Kit

- 1 x OC Panel

- 1 x OC Panel 5.25-inch drive bay metal case

- 1 x OC Panel cable

- 1 x set of screws
1 x 2T2R dual-band Wi-Fi moving antennas

1 x ROG Magnet

1 x 2-in-1 ASUS Q-Connector Kit

1 x 12-in-1 ROG Cable label

1 x X-Socket pad

1 x 4-WAY SLI® bridge

1 x 3-WAY SLI® bridge

ROG motherboard support DVD

User’s manual

xiv

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

Installation tools and components

1 set of screws Philips (cross) screwdriver

PC chassis Power supply unit

Intel LGA 2011 CPU Intel LGA 2011 compatible CPU Fan

DDR3 DIMM SATA hard disk drive

Graphics card SATA optical disc drive (optional)

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

xv

xvi

Chapter 1: Product Introduction

Product introduction

1

1.1 Special features

1.1.1 Product highlights

LGA2011 socket for Intel® Core™ i7 processor family

This motherboard supports Intel® Core™ i7 processor family in the LGA2011 package and
supports both the Sandy Bridge-E and the Ivy Bridge-E processors. It provides great system
performance with its quad-channel DDR3 memory slots, PCI Express 2.0/3.0 expansion

slots, and level 3 (L3) cache sizes.

Intel® X79 Express Chipset

Intel® X79 Express Chipset is a single chipset that supports the LGA2011 socket for the
Intel® Core™ i7 processor family. It utilizes the serial point-to-point links, which increases
bandwidth and enhances the system’s performance.

PCIe 3.0 Ready

The 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 you unprecedented data speeds, with the
convenience and seamless transition offered by complete backward compatibility with PCIe

1.0 and PCIe 2.0 devices, and improves and optimizes graphics performance.

* This motherboard is ready to support PCIe 3.0 specication. Functions are available when using PCIe 3.0-

compliant devices. Refer to www.asus.com for updated details.

3-Way/4-way/Quad-GPU SLI™ and CrossFireX™ Support

This motherboard features the most powerful Intel® X79 platform that optimizes PCIe
allocation in multi-GPU SLI and CrossFireX™ solution, giving you a brand-new gaming
enjoyment.

Quad-Channel, 8 x DIMM DDR3 2800 (O.C.)/ 2666 (O.C)/ 2400 (O.C.)/
2133(O.C.)/ 1866 / 1600 / 1333 / 1066 MHz Support

The motherboard supports the quad-channel DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates

of DDR3 2800(O.C.)/ 2666(O.C.)/ 2400(O.C.)/ 2133(O.C.)/ 1866/ 1600/ 1333/ 1066 MHz

to boost the system’s performance, and to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of 3D
graphics, multimedia and Internet applications.

* Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200 / 2000 / 1800MHz memory modules run at DDR3 2133/1866/1600MHz

frequencies as default.

Extra SATA 6Gb/s support

The Intel® X79 Express Chipset natively supports the next-generation SATA (Serial ATA)
interface, delivering up to 6Gb/s data transfer. ASUS provides extra 6Gb/s ports with
enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, and double the bandwidth of current bus systems.

Chapter 1

ASUS RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

1-1

8 DIMM Design

Support for up to 64GB of system memory with an 8-DIMM design on this motherboard
provides you to fully use of modern 64-bit software, ideal for rendering detailed images or

manipulating large les. It also allows you to set up big RAM disks and speed up frequently
accessed programs, minimizing the impact of storage transfer delays while maximizing user
benet.

Complete USB 3.0 integration

This motherboard offers you the strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both the front and rear
panels, allowing you to experience the convenience of the latest plug and play connectivity
solution at speed up to ten times faster than USB 2.0.

1.1.2 ROG Unique Gaming Features

SupremeFX Black

SupremeFX Black delivers premium audio quality without a separate audio card. SupremeFX
Shielding Technology using physical PCB isolation, grounding separation, and EMI cover
shielding combined with premium components such as ELNA audio capacitors and German­made WIMA Film capacitors result in audiophile level audio performance. Lossless audio
quality is ensured thanks to a new front-panel headphone DAC that delivers up to 120dB

SNR. Enhanced with a 600 Ohm headphone amplier, every sound detail is boosted to

maximum clarity and audibility.

Sonic Radar

Sonic awareness can make or break online combat, so we’ve developed a stealthy overlay
that shows you what opponents and teammates are up to. Gunshots, footsteps, and call outs
appear with precise directioning on the on-screen radar, which gives you the advantage of
better intelligence and avoiding sneaky opponent surprises. Even snipers can’t get away that

easy! Plus, it integrates Enhancer, which has four pre-set equalizer bands optimized to FPS

games you can select to best-suit your gameplay preferences, leading to games that always
sound better, clearer, and more real.

GameFirst II

Offering powerful, yet easy-to-use network control, ROG GameFirst II with cFos Trafc

Shaping technology is revamped with a more intuitive ROG user interface. Featuring both
an exclusive EZ Mode for beginners to setup and Advanced Mode for professional users to

tweak, it means whatever your PC does in the background; your fragging will always come
rst!

Chapter 1

Intel Gigabit LAN

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

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

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

1-2

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1.3 ROG exclusive features

Extreme Engine Digi+ III

Extreme Engine Digi+ III offers you a hardcore power delivery for a challenging and extreme

gaming enjoyment. It utilizes the best components such as NexFET™ Power Block

MOSFETs, 60A chokes, and super-premium 10K black metallic solid state capacitors. The
NexFET™ Power Block MOSFETs combine great durability and up to 90% efciency under

normal operation. 60A chokes can handle as much as 60A of power, which is twice that of
generic chokes. Super-premium 10K Black Metallic solid state capacitors are forged for

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

capacitors with 20% wider temperature tolerance.

iROG

The iROG is a special IC that fully maximizes ROG’s unique functions, providing you with full

control of your motherboard at any stage. It greatly increases your overclocking enjoyment,
and offers you with advanced system control and management features purely at a hardware
level.

RAMDisk

RAMDisk reserves part of system memory and turns it into actual storage, so you can

place favorite app and game cache les in it to enjoy high-speed RAM performance while
accessing them. Plus, this extends SSD lifespan and keeps your main storage optimized for

really important tasks, and you get auto data backup and restore.

NOTE: RAMDisk only supports 64-bit operating systems.

CPU Level Up

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

ROG Connect

ROG Connect allows you to monitor the status of your desktop PC and tweak its parameters
in real-time via a notebook. ROG Connect links your main system to a notebook through a
USB cable, allowing you to view real-time POST code and hardware status readouts on your

notebook, as well as make on-the-y parameter adjustments at a purely hardware level.

ASUS RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

Chapter 1

1-3

GPU.DIMM Post

GPU.DIMM Post enables you to catch potential problems even before you enter the OS,
saving you valuable time in detecting component failure under extreme conditions. With GPU.
DIMM Post, quickly and easily check your graphic cards, memory modules’ statuses in the
BIOS, and overclocking settings.

BIOS Print

ROG offers a whole new UEFI BIOS feature to handle the demands of an overclocking
experience. The motherboard features ROG BIOS Print that allows you to easily share your
BIOS settings to others with the press of a button.

ProbeIt

This motherboard consists of eleven (11) ProbeIt measurement points that helps you detect
your system’s current voltage. With the use of a multimeter device, these points can help
measure your system’s important system voltages.

Extreme Tweaker

Extreme Tweaker is the one stop shop to ne-tune your system to optimal performance.

With Extreme Tweaker, you can adjust the system settings such as frequency, over-voltage,
memory timing, and more.

Loadline Calibration

Maintaining ample voltage support for the CPU is critical during overclocking. The
Loadline Calibration ensures stable and optimal CPU voltage under heavy loading. It helps
overclockers enjoy the motherboard's ultimate OC capabilities and benchmark scores.

OC Panel

Overclocking made easier than ever! No more messing with the BIOS, OS, or software
utilities. OC Panel is the next step in dedicated direct tweaking. It works inside the case or
as an external console, and features normal mode with info covering CPU temp, ratio, base
clock, and CPU fan speed. With one press of the CPU Level Up button you can instantly

apply custom proles designed by the world’s leading overclockers, while FanSpeed Control
modies blower RPMs. In extreme mode, some of the most commonly used voltage tuning
settings are offered, along with Subzero Sense and VGA Hotwire, giving you eld access to

super-cool liquid thermal temp readings and streamlined hardware-level GPU overvolting.

Chapter 1

1-4

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1.4 ASUS special features

AI Suite 3

With its user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite 3 consolidates all the exclusive ASUS
features into one simple-to-use software package. It allows you to supervise fan speed
control, voltage and sensor readings. This all-in-one software offers diverse and ease to use
functions, with no need to switch back and forth between different utilities.

USB BIOS FlashBack

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

Simply install a USB storage device containing the BIOS le, press the BIOS Flashback

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

Wi-Fi GO!

ASUS Wi-Fi GO! leads the way to a more enjoyable home entertainment. With ASUS Wi-Fi

GO!, you can wirelessly stream media les to HDTV devices, remotely control and access
your computer using your mobile device, and easily transfer les between your computer and

mobile device.

Conveniently use and enjoy these ASUS Wi-Fi GO! functions:

Cloud GO!: Allows you to control les and sync them all across cloud services in a few

•

clicks.

•

Media Streaming Hub: Allows you to stream media les to an HDTV device.

•

Remote Desktop: Allows you to view your computer’s desktop and remotely operate

•

your computer in real-time from your mobile device.

Remote Keyboard and Mouse: Allows you to use your mobile device’s touch panel as a

•

remote keyboard and mouse for your computer.

Smart Motion Control: Allows you to remotely control your computer using your mobile

•

device’s customized gestures.

File Transfer: Allows you to transfer les between your computer and mobile device.

•

Capture and Send: Allows you to take screenshots and send them to a mobile device.

•

ASUS RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

Chapter 1

1-5

1.1.5 ROG rich-bundled software

Kaspersky® Anti-Virus

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

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

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

DAEMON Tools Pro Standard

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

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

or netbook.

ROG CPU-Z

ROG CPU-Z, authorized by Intel’s CPU Identication (CPUID), is a customized ROG utility

that allows you to gather information about your system’s main components. It gives you
the current information and status of your CPU, motherboard, memory, and other main
components. Get that ROG look of reporting your system’s current information with ROG
CPU-Z.

MemTweakIt

MemTweakIt is a DRAM efciency tool that allows you to ne-tune your DRAM in real time
and allows you to post and share your DRAM conguration scores to the ROG website.

DTS Connect

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

Chapter 1

1-6

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2 Motherboard overview

1.2.1 Before you proceed

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

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

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

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

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

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

ASUS RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

Chapter 1

1-7

1.2.2 Motherboard layout

Chapter 1

1-8

Refer to section 1.2.9 Internal connectors and the section about the Rear I/O Connection
on Chapter 2 for more information about the internal connectors and rear panel
connectors.

Chapter 1: Product introduction

Layout contents

Connectors/Jumpers/Slots Page

1. DDR3 DIMM slots channel 1-11

ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR; 4-pin EATX12V_1;

2.

3.

4.
4-pin CPU_OPT; 4-pin CHA_FAN1/ CHA_FAN2/ CHA_FAN3;
4-pin OPT_FAN1/ OPT_FAN2 / OPT_FAN3)

5.

6.

OPT_TEMP2; OPT_TEMP3)

7. Q-Code LEDs

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

SATA3G_2; SATA3G_3; SATA3G_4 [black])

15.

(7-pin SATA6G_1; SATA6G_2 [gray])

16.

SATA6G_E2; SATA6G_E3 ; SATA6G_E4 [gray])

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

8-pin EATX12V_2)

LGA2011 CPU socket 1-10

CPU, chassis, and power fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN;

Power-on (START) button 1-24

Thermal sensor cable connectors (2-pin OPT_TEMP1;

Slow Mode Switch 1-28

LN2 Mode jumper (3-pin LN2) 1-38

Reset button 1-24

PCIe x16 Lane switch 1-27

USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_78) 1-42

MemOK! button 1-25

Intel® X79 Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA3G_1;

Intel® X79 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors

ASMedia® Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_E1;

DirectKey connector (2-pin DRCT) 1-47

System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL) 1-50

USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB56; USB78; USB910) 1-43

ROG Extension - ROG_EXT connector (18-1 pin ROG_EXT) 1-47

BIOS Switch button 1-27

DirectKey button 1-26

Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS) 1-48

TPM connector (20-1 pin TPM) 1-48

Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-46

Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 1-44

1-49

1-45

1-42

1-31

1-40

1-39

1-41

ASUS RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

Chapter 1

1-9

1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA2011 socket designed for Intel® Core™ i7
Processor Family for the LGA 2011 socket.

Ensure that all power cables are unplugged 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

LGA2011 socket.

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

Chapter 1

1-10

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.2.4 System memory

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

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

Recommended memory congurations

ASUS RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

Chapter 1

1-11

Memory congurations

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

Chapter 1

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

mapped for single-channel operation.

• According to Intel

®

CPU spec, DIMM voltage below 1.65V is recommended to protect

the CPU.

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

• 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:

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

b) Install a 64-bit Windows

®

OS when you want to install 4GB or more on the

®

OS.

motherboard.

c) 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 Extreme Tweaker menu for manual memory
frequency adjustment.

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

memory load (8 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.

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

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

• Always install the DIMMS with the same CAS Latency. For an optimum compatibility,
we recommend that you install memory modules of the same version or data code (D/
C) from the same vendor. Check with the vendor to get the correct memory modules.

1-12

Chapter 1: Product introduction

RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION Motherboard Qualied Vendors List (QVL)

DDR3 2800 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M4A2800C12 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 12-14-14-36 1.65 •

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

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

G.SKILL F3-2800C11Q-16GTXDG 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - 11-14-14-35 1.65 •

ADATA AX3U2800GW8G12-DG2 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 12-14-14-36 1.65 •

ADATA AX3U2800GW4G12-DG2 16GB (4x4GB) SS - - 12-14-14-36 1.65 •

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

SS/DSChip

Brand

Chip

NO.

Timing Voltage

DDR3 2666 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size

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

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

Team TXD38G2666HC11CBK 32GB (4x8GB) DS - - 11-13-13-35 1.65 •

SS/DSChip

Brand

Chip

NO.

Timing Voltage

DDR3 2400 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size

A-DATA AX3U2400GW8G11(XMP) 16GB

Apacer 78.BAGFL.AFD0C(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 11-12-12-30 - • •

Apacer 783BAGF3.AFD0C(XMP) 8GB (2x4GB) DS - - 11-11-11-30 - • •

CORSAIR CMD16GX3M2A2400C10

CORSAIR CMY16GX3M2A2400C10A

CORSAIR CMY16GX3M2A2400C10R

CORSAIR CMZ16GX3M2A2400C10

G.SKILL F3-19200CL10Q2-

G.SKILL F3-2400C11Q-32GXM

G.SKILL F3-19200CL10Q-

(Ver4.21)(XMP)

(Ver4.21)(XMP)

(Ver4.21)(XMP)

(Ver4.21)

64GBZHD
(XMP)

(XMP)

32GBZHD
(XMP)

(2x8GB)

16GB
(2x8GB)

16GB
(8x2GB)

16GB
(2x8GB)

16GB
(2x8GB)

64GB
(8x8GB)

32GB
(4x8GB)

32GB
(4x8GB)

SS/DSChip

DS - - 11-13-13-35 1.65 • •

DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 • •

DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 • •

DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 • •

DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 • • •

DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 • • •

DS - - 11-13-13-31 1.65 • • •

DS - - 10-12-12-31 1.65 •

Brand

Chip
NO.

Timing Voltage

DIMM socket support

(Optional)

2 4 6 8

DIMM socket support

(Optional)

2 4 6 8

DIMM socket support

(Optional)

2 4 6 8

Chapter 1

(Continued on the next page)

ASUS RAMPAGE IV BLACK EDITION

1-13

DDR3 2400 MHz capacity

Vendors Part No. Size

G.SKILL F3-19200CL11Q-

G.SKILL F3-19200CL9D-4GBPIS

G.SKILL F3-19200CL9Q-16GBZMD

GEIL GET34GB2400C9DC

GEIL GOC316GB2400C10QC

GEIL GOC316GB2400C11QC

KINGSTON KHX2400C11D3K4/8GX

KINGSTON KHX24C11K4/16X

KINGSTON KHX24C11T2K2/8X

KINGSTON KHX24C11T3K4

KINGSTON KHX24C11T3K4/32X

Mushkin 997122R

Silicon
Power

Team TXD34G2400HC10QBK

Transcend TX2400KLN-8GK

16GBZHD
(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

SP004GXLYU240NSA
(XMP)

(XMP)

(XMP)

16GB
(4x4GB)

4G (2x2G ) DS - - 9-11-9-28 1.65 •

16GB
(4x4GB)

4GB (2x2GB) DS - - 9-11-9-27 1.65 •

16GB
(4x4GB)

16GB
(4x4GB)

8GB (4x2GB) SS - - 11-13-11-30 1.65 • •

16GB
(4x4GB)

8GB (2x4GB) DS - - - 1.65 • •

16GB
(4x4GB)

32GB
(4x8GB)

16GB
(2x8GB)

4GB SS - - 2400-11-13-

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

8GB
(2x4GB )

SS/DSChip

DS - - 11-11-11-31 1.65 •

DS - - 9-11-11-31 1.65 • •

DS - - 10-11-11-30 1.65 • •

DS - - 11-11-11-30 1.65 • •

DS - - 11-13-13-30 1.65 •

DS - - 2400-11-13-

DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.65 • •

DS - - 2400-10-12-

DS - - 2400-11-12-

Brand

Chip

NO.

Timing Voltage

13-30

12-28

13-32

11-29

DIMM socket support

2 4 6 8

1.65 • •

1.65 • •

- • •

1.6 • • •

(Optional)

Chapter 1

1-14

Chapter 1: Product introduction