Asus RS720QA-E6RS12, RS724QA-E6RS12 User Manual

RS720QA-E6/RS12 RS724QA-E6/RS12

2U Rackmount Server User Guide

E6512

First Edition V1

April 2011

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”).

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 tness for a particular purpose. In no event shall ASUS, its directors, ofcers, employees, or agents be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including damages for loss of prots, 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.

Specications and information contained in this manual ae 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.

Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the

product is defaced or missing.

Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or

copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

Contents

Notices ........................................................................................................ vii

Safety information .................................................................................... viii

About this guide ......................................................................................... ix

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 System package contents ........................................................... 1-2

1.2 Serial number label ...................................................................... 1-2

1.3 Systemspecications ................................................................. 1-3

1.4 Front panel features ..................................................................... 1-5

1.5 Rear panel features ...................................................................... 1-5

1.6 Internal features ........................................................................... 1-7

1.7 LED information ........................................................................... 1-8

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs ............................................................ 1-8

1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs .......................................................... 1-9

1.7.3 HDD status LED .............................................................. 1-9

Chapter 2: Hardware setup

2.1 Chassis cover ............................................................................... 2-2

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-4

2.2.1 Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-4

2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink ............................................. 2-7

2.3 System memory ........................................................................... 2-8

2.3.1 Overview ......................................................................... 2-8

2.3.2 Memory Congurations ................................................... 2-9

2.3.3 Installing a DIMM ...........................................................2-11

2.3.4 Removing a DIMM .........................................................2-11

2.4 Hard disk drives ......................................................................... 2-12

2.5 Expansion slot ............................................................................ 2-14

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card to the riser card bracket ... 2-14

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 2-15

2.6 Cable connections ..................................................................... 2-16

2.7 Removable/optional components ............................................. 2-17

2.7.1 System fans .................................................................. 2-17

2.7.2 Redundant power supply module ................................. 2-18

2.7.3 Installing ASMB4 series management board (optional) 2-20

2.7.4 Installing ASUS PIKE Riser Card (optional) .................. 2-21

iii

Contents

Chapter 3: Installation options

3.1 Installing friction rail kit items .................................................... 3-2

3.1.1 Attaching the xing latches to the server ........................ 3-2

3.1.2 Attaching the rack rails .................................................... 3-3

3.1.3 Mounting the server to the rack ...................................... 3-4

Chapter 4: Motherboard information

4.1 Motherboard layouts .................................................................... 4-2

4.2 Jumpers ........................................................................................ 4-5

4.3 Internal connectors ...................................................................... 4-9

4.4 Internal LEDs .............................................................................. 4-19

Chapter 5: BIOS setup

5.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 5-2

5.1.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ................................................... 5-2

5.1.2 BUPDATER utility............................................................ 5-3

5.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ...................................... 5-5

5.2 BIOS setup program .................................................................... 5-6

5.2.1 BIOS menu screen .......................................................... 5-7

5.2.2 Menu bar ......................................................................... 5-7

5.2.3 Navigation keys ............................................................... 5-7

5.2.4 Menu items ..................................................................... 5-8

5.2.5 Sub-menu items .............................................................. 5-8

5.2.6 Conguration elds ......................................................... 5-8

5.2.7 Pop-up window ............................................................... 5-8

5.2.8 Scroll bar ......................................................................... 5-8

5.2.9 General help ................................................................... 5-8

5.3 Main menu .................................................................................... 5-9

5.3.1 System Time ................................................................... 5-9

5.3.2 System Date ................................................................... 5-9

5.3.3 SATA1—6 ........................................................................ 5-9

5.3.4 Storage Conguration ....................................................5-11

5.3.5 System Information ....................................................... 5-12

5.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 5-14

5.4.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................ 5-14

5.4.2 Chipset Conguration ................................................... 5-16

Contents

5.4.3 Onboard Devices Conguration .................................... 5-23

5.4.4 USB Conguration ........................................................ 5-24

5.4.5 PCIPnP ......................................................................... 5-25

5.4.6 Event Log Conguration ............................................... 5-25

5.5 Server menu ............................................................................... 5-26

5.6 Power menu ................................................................................ 5-28

5.6.1 ACPI APIC Support ....................................................... 5-28

5.6.2 APM Conguration ........................................................ 5-28

5.6.3 Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 5-29

5.7 Boot menu .................................................................................. 5-31

5.7.1 Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 5-31

5.7.2 Hard Disk Drives; CDROM Drives ................................ 5-31

5.7.3 Boot Settings Conguration .......................................... 5-32

5.7.4 Security ......................................................................... 5-33

5.8 Tools menu ................................................................................. 5-35

5.9 Exit menu .................................................................................... 5-36

Chapter6: RAIDconguration

6.1 Setting up RAID ............................................................................ 6-2

6.1.1 RAID denitions .............................................................. 6-2

6.1.2 Installing hard disk drives ................................................ 6-2

6.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS ........................................ 6-2

6.2 FastBuild Utility ............................................................................ 6-3

6.2.1 Creating a RAID set (RAID 0, RAID 1, or RAID 5) .......... 6-4

6.2.2 Deleting a RAID set ...................................................... 6-10

6.2.3 Viewing the Drive Assignment....................................... 6-12

6.2.4 Viewing the Controller Conguration............................. 6-13

Chapter 7: Driver installation

7.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 7-2

7.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................ 7-2

7.1.2 Installing the RAID controller driver ................................ 7-4

7.2 ATI SM Bus controller driver installation ................................. 7-13

7.3 LAN driver installation ............................................................... 7-14

7.4 Display driver installation ......................................................... 7-18

7.5 Mellanox ConnectX QDR PCI Gen2 Channel Adapter driver

installation (RS724QA-E6/RS12 only) ...................................... 7-21

Contents

7.5.1 Windows operating system ........................................... 7-21

7.5.2

7.6 Management applications and utilities installation ................ 7-28

7.6.1 Running the support DVD ............................................. 7-28

7.6.2 Drivers menu ................................................................. 7-28

7.6.3 Utilities menu ................................................................ 7-29

7.6.4 Make disk menu ............................................................ 7-29

7.6.5 Contact information ....................................................... 7-29

Red Hat® Enterprise Linux OS .............................7-25

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.

WARNING! The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the

graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes

or modications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for

compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

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

This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

REACH Information

Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction

of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we publish the chemical substances in our products at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

vii

Safety information

Electrical Safety

• Before installing or removing signal cables, ensure that the power cables for

the system unit and all attached devices are unplugged.

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

electrical outlet before relocating the system.

• When adding or removing any additional 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.

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

service technician or your dealer.

Operation Safety

• Any mechanical operation on this server must be conducted by certied or

experienced engineers.

• Before operating the server, carefully read all the manuals included with the

server package.

• Before using the server, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the

power cables are not damaged. If any damage is detected, contact your dealer as soon as possible.

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

• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Place the server on a stable surface.

viii

This product is equipped with a three-wire power cable and plug for the user’s safety. Use the power cable with a properly grounded electrical outlet to avoid electrical shock.

Lithium-Ion Battery Warning

CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace

only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

CD-ROM Drive Safety Warning

CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT

Heavy System

CAUTION! This server system is heavy. Ask for assistance when moving or

carrying the system.

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.

About this guide

Audience

This user guide is intended for system integrators, and experienced users with at

least basic knowledge of conguring a server.

Contents

This guide contains the following parts:

1. Chapter 1: Product Introduction

This chapter describes the general features of the server, including sections

on front panel and rear panel specications.

2. Chapter 2: Hardware setup

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

3. Chapter 3: Installation options

This chapter describes how to install optional components into the barebone server.

4. Chapter 4: Motherboard information

This chapter gives information about the motherboard that comes with the server. This chapter includes the motherboard layout, jumper settings, and connector locations.

5. Chapter 5: BIOS setup

This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus and describes the BIOS parameters.

6. Chapter6:RAIDconguration

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

7 Chapter 7: Driver installation

This chapter provides instructions for installing the necessary drivers for different system components.

Conventions

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

Italics

<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>

Command

exactly as shown, then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets.

Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line:

Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

Means that you must type the command

format A:/S

References

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

1. ASUS Server Web-based Management (ASWM) user guide

This manual tells how to set up and use the proprietary ASUS server management utility.

2. ASUS websites

The ASUS websites worldwide provide updated information for all ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

Chapter 1

This chapter describes the general features of the chassis kit. It includes sections on front panel and rear panel

specications.

ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12

Product introduction

1.1 System package contents

Check your system package for the following items.

Model Name RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12 Chassis ASUS R21A 2U Rackmount Chassis

Motherboard 4 x ASUS KGNH-D16 Server Boards (RS720QA-E6/RS12)

Component 2 x 1600W Power Supply

Accessories 1 x RS72xQA-E6/RS12 User’s Guide

Optional Items 8 x CPU Heatsinks (varies by territories)

* ASUS System Web-based Management ** The Mellanox driver is included in the motherboard support DVD or in an individual driver disc,

depending on the shipping sequence. This is subjected to change without notice.

4 x ASUS KGMH-D16/QDR Server Boards (RS724QA-E6/RS12)

4 x PCIe Riser Card (RE16R-R12B) 2 x Front I/O Board (FPB-R21A) 2 x Power Supply Power Distribution Board (PDB-R21A) 1 x Power Connection Board (PSB-R21A) 1 x Backplane Board (BP12LX-R21A) 2 x Midplane Board (MP8LX-R21A-M) 4 x Connection Board (CB-R21A) 4 x System Fans (80 x 38mm)

1 x ASWM 2.0 User’s Guide 1 x RS72xQA-E6/RS12 Support CD (including ASWM*) 1 x Mellanox driver disc (RS724QA-E6/RS12 only) 1 x Bag of Screws 2 x AC Power Cables

1 x Friction Rail Kit

ASMB4-iKVM Remote management card PIKE Riser Card (RE16R-R12B-PIKE)

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

1.2 Serial number label

Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must take note of the product’s serial number containing 14 characters such as xxS0xxxxxxxxxx. See the gure below.

With the correct serial number of the product, ASUS Technical Support team members can then offer a quicker and satisfying solution to your problems.

RS720QA-E6/RS12

xxS0xxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-2

1.3 Systemspecications

The ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12 is a 2U barebone server system featuring the ASUS KGNH-D16 server boards. The ASUS RS724QA-E6/RS12 is a 2U barebone server system featuring the ASUS KGMH-D16/QDR server boards. The servers

support AMD® LGA1944 Opteron™ 6100 series processors, plus other latest technologies through the chipsets onboard.

Model Name RS720QA-E6/RS12 RS724QA-E6/RS12

2 x Socket G34 (LGA1944) per node

Processor / System Bus

Core Logic

ASUS Features

Memory

Expansion Slots

Storage

HDD Bays

Networking LAN

Smart Fan ASWM2.0

Total Slots

Capacity

Memory Type

Memory Size

Total PCI/PCI-X/ PCI-E Slots

Slot Type and Additional Slot

SATA Controller

SAS Controller

I = internal A or S will be hot-swappable

8/12 Core AMD® Opteron™ 6100 Series (ACP < 80W)

HyperTransport™ Technology 3.0, 6.4 GT/s per link

- AMD SR5650

- AMD SP5100

√ √ 16 DIMMS per Node (4-channel per CPU, 8 DIMMs

per CPU)

Maximum up to 256GB (RDIMM) per node Maximum up to 64GB (UDIMM) per node

DDR3 800/1066/1333 UDIMM with ECC/non ECC DDR3 800/1066/1333 RDIMM

1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB (RDIMM) 1GB, 2GB, 4GB (UDIMM)

1 per Node

1 x PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot (x16 link) (Low prole / HL) per Node or

1 x PIKE Riser Card Slot for Storage Enhancement (Optional)

- AMD SP5100

- 6 x SATA2 300MB/s ports

- PROMISE® SW RAID (for Linux/Windows, supports RAID 0, 1 & 5)

Optional: (PIKE Riser Card is necessary)

- ASUS PIKE 1068E 8-port SAS RAID card

- ASUS PIKE 2008 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card

- ASUS PIKE 2008/IMR 8-port SAS2 6G RAID card

- ASUS PIKE 2108 8-port SAS2 6G HW RAID card

3 x Hot-swap 3.5” HDD Bays per Node (Total 12 x 3.5” HDD in 2U)

2 x Intel® 82574L + 1 x Mgmt

LAN per Node

- AMD SR5670

- AMD SP5100

- Mellanox ConnectX-2 MT25418 B0 QDR

2 x Intel® 82574L + 1 x Mgmt

LAN per Node

1 x Single Port Mellanox

ConnectX2 QDR InniteBand with QSFP

interface per Node

(continued on the next page)

ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12 1-3

Model Name RS720QA-E6/RS12 RS724QA-E6/RS12

Graphic VGA

Onboard I/O

Aspeed AST2050 8MB

Per Node:

- 1 x External Serial Port

- 3 x RJ-45 ports (1 for ASMB4-iKVM)

- 2 x USB 2.0 ports

- 1 x VGA port

- 1 x Internal A Type USB Port

Per Node:

- 1 x External Serial Port

- 3 x RJ-45 ports (1 for ASMB4-iKVM)

- 2 x USB 2.0 ports

- 1 x VGA port

- 1 x Internal A Type USB Port

- 1 x QSFP Port for Inniband QDR

Windows® Server 2008 Enterprise 32 / 64-bit Windows® Server 2003 R2 Enterprise 32 / 64-bit

OS Support

RedHat® Enterprise Linux AS5.0 32 / 64-bit SuSE® Linux Enterprise Server 10 32 / 64-bit (Subject to change without any notice)

Anti-virus Software

Optional anti-virus CD Pack

Out of Band Management Solution

Remote

Hardware

Software Dimension (HH x WW x DD) Net Weight Kg (CPU, DRAM &

HDD not inclu ded) Power Supply

Optional ASMB4-iKVM for KVM-over-IP support

ASUS ASWM 2.0

750mm x 444mm x 87mm (2U)

25 Kg

1+1 Redundant 1600W (80+ Platinum) Power Supply

Input:

Power Rating

1000W: 100–120Vac, 12–10A, 50–60Hz, Class 1 1200W: 120–140Vac, 12–10A, 50–60Hz, Class 1 1620W: 180–240Vac, 10.5–8A, 50–60Hz, Class 1

Operation temperature: 10°C–35°C

Environment

Non operation temperature: -40°C–70°C Non operation humidity: 20%–90% ( Non-condensing)

*Specicationsaresubjecttochangewithoutnotice.

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-4

1.4 Front panel features

Front panel Node 2 Node 1

HDD 1 (Node 1)

HDD 2 (Node 1)

HDD 3 (Node 1)

HDD 1 (Node 2) HDD 1 (Node 3) HDD 1 (Node 4)

HDD 2 (Node 2)

HDD 3 (Node 2)

HDD 2 (Node 3)

HDD 3 (Node 3)

Refer to section 1.7.1 Front panel LEDs for the LED descriptions.

1.5 Rear panel features

PSU 2

Node 4

Front panel

Node 4 Node 3

HDD 2 (Node 4)

HDD 3 (Node 4)

Node 2

PSU 1

Node 3

Node 1

When installing only two nodes, install the nodes to node slot number 1 and 3 or

number 2 and 4.

ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12 1-5

RS720QA-E6/RS12

LAN port 3*

USB ports

LAN port 2

LAN port 1

* This port is for ASUS ASMB4-iKVM controller card only.

RS724QA-E6/RS12

LAN port 3*

USB ports

LAN port 2

LAN port 1

* This port is for ASUS ASMB4-iKVM controller card only.

** This port allows connection with a QSFP cable to an InniBand switch.

InniBand

port**

VGA port

Serial port

Inniband(MQSFP1)indications

Activity LED Link LED Description

Off Off No device Orange Green Device plugged in; Ready

Orange

Blinking

Green Device plugged in; Data transmitting

LINK LEDACT LED

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-6

1.6 Internal features

The barebone server includes the basic components as shown.

1. Redundant power supply and power fan

2. ASUS KGNH-D16 Server Boards (RS720QA-E6/RS12); KGMH-D16/QDR

Server Boards (RS724QA-E6/RS12)

3. System fans

4. SATA/SAS backplane (hidden)

5. Hot-swap HDD trays (SAS and SATA)

6. Front LED Boards

Turn off the system power and detach the power supply before removing or replacing any system component.

The barebone server does not include a oppy disk drive. Connect a USB oppy disk drive to any of the USB ports on the front or rear panel if you need to use a oppy disk.

*WARNING

HAZARDOUS MOVING PARTS

KEEP FINGERS AND OTHER BODY PARTS AWAY

ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12 1-7

1.7 LED information

1.7.1 Front panel LEDs

Power switch and LED Location switch and LED

Message LED

LAN1 LED LAN2 LED

Message LED

Power switch and LED Location switch and LED

LED Icon

Power LED ON System power ON

Message LED

Location LED

LAN LEDs

Display

Description

status

OFF System is normal; no incoming event

1. Without ASMB4-iKVM installed: CPU over-heated

2. With ASMB4-iKVM installed: a hardware monitor event is

indicated

OFF Normal status

Location switch is pressed (Press the location switch again to

turn off)

OFF No LAN connection

Blinking LAN is transmitting or receiving data

ON LAN connection is present

LAN1 LED LAN2 LED

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8

1.7.2 LAN (RJ-45) LEDs

SPEED LED

ACT/LINK LED ACT/LINK LED

SPEED LED

ACT/LINK LED SPEED LED

Status Description Status Description

OFF No link OFF 10 Mbps connection

GREEN Linked ORANGE 100 Mbps connection

BLINKING Data activity GREEN 1 Gbps connection

1.7.3 HDD status LED

HDD Activity LED (Green)

HDD Status LED (Red)

SATAII/SAS HDD LED Description

OFF HDD not present

HDD Activity LED (Green)

HDD Status LED (Red)

ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12 1-9

ON HDD present, no activity

Blinking

OFF HDD not present

ON HDD has failed and should be swapped immediately

Blinking

1. Read/write data from/into the SATAII/SAS HDD

2. Locating (blinking with the HDD status LED)

1. RAID rebuilding

2. Locating (blinking with the HDD activity LED)

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-10

Chapter 2

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

ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12

Hardware setup

2.1 Chassis cover

Removing the top cover

1. Loosen the six screws on the top and the two sides of the top cover, as

shown in the following gures.

2. Lift the rear end of the top cover,

and follow the direction of the arrow

in the right gure to slide the cover

toward the rear panel until it is disengaged from the chassis.

Removing the server node

1. Remove the screw located on the node latch.

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-2

2. Hold the server node lever and press the node latch.

3. Firmly pull the server node out of the server chassis.

When installing only two nodes, install the nodes to node slot number 1 and 3 or

number 2 and 4. Refer to section

1.5 Rear panel features

for details.

2-3ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12

2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with two surface mount LGA1944 sockets designed for the AMD® Opteron™ 6100 series processors.

• Your boxed AMD® Opteron™ LGA1944 processor package should come with installation instructions for the CPU and heatsink. If the instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the latter.

• 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 LGA1944 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.

2.2.1 Installing the CPU

To install a CPU:

1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.

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

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-4

2. Press the load lever with your

thumb (A), then move it to the left

(B) until it is released from the

retention tab.

Retention tab

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

3. Lift the load lever in the direction of the arrow to a 135º angle.

4. Lift the load plate with your thumb and forenger to a 100º angle.

5. Remove the PnP cap from the CPU socket.

6. Position the CPU over the socket, ensuring that the gold triangle is on the bottom-right corner of the socket,

and then t the socket alignment key

into the CPU notch.

Load lever

Load plate

Gold triangle mark

PnP cap

The CPU ts in only one correct

orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the

socket and damaging the CPU!

Alignment keys

2-5ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12

7. Close the load plate (A), then push

the load lever (B) until it snaps into

the retention tab.

Apply some Thermal Interface Material to the exposed area of the CPU that the heatsink will be in contact with, ensuring that it is spread in an even thin layer. Some heatsinks come with pre-applied Thermal Interface Material. If so, skip this step.

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2.2.2 Installing the CPU heatsink

The AMD Opteron™ 6100 series processors require a specially designed heatsink

to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.

• Ensure to use qualied heatsink assembly with dimension 90mm x 90mm x 27mm only.

• Ensure that you have applied the thermal grease to the top of the CPU before installing the heatsink and fan.

Follow these steps to install the CPU heatsink and fan.

1. Locate the heatsink standoffs on the motherboard.

2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to tighten the four heatsink screws in a diagonal

sequence, ensuring that the screw holes are matched with the heatsink standoffs.

Ensure that the heatsink is not skewed or tilted, otherwise the CPU will overheat.

2-7ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12

2.3 System memory

2.3.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with sixteen (16) Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

The gure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets:

Chapter 2: Hardware setup2-8

2.3.2 MemoryCongurations

You may install 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 8GB and 16GB registered DDR3 DIMMs or 1 GB, 2 GB, and 4 GB ECC/non-ECC, unbuffered DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets using the memory congurations in this section.

Memory population table

For UDIMM (Single Rank, Dual Ranks)

CPU1Conguration

A2 A1 B2 B1 C2 C1 D2 D1 – – – – – – – – 2 DIMMs 4 DIMMs 6 DIMMs 8 DIMMs

CPU1+2Conguration

A2 A1 B2 B1 C2 C1 D2 D1 E2 E1 F2 F1 G2 G1 H2 H1 2 DIMMs 4 DIMMs 6 DIMMs 8 DIMMs 10 DIMMs 12 DIMMs 14 DIMMs 16 DIMMs

For RDIMM (Single Rank, Dual Ranks & Quad Ranks)

CPU1Conguration

A2 A1 B2 B1 C2 C1 D2 D1 – – – – – – – – 2 DIMMs 4 DIMMs 6 DIMMs 8 DIMMs

CPU1+2Conguration

A2 A1 B2 B1 C2 C1 D2 D1 E2 E1 F2 F1 G2 G1 H2 H1 2 DIMMs 4 DIMMs 6 DIMMs 8 DIMMs 10 DIMMs 12 DIMMs 14 DIMMs 16 DIMMs

2-9ASUS RS720QA-E6/RS12, RS724QA-E6/RS12

• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, it is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor.

• For CPU1, install DIMMs to the blue slots in the order of: DIMM_A2 -> DIMM_C2 -> DIMM_B2 -> DIMM_D2. For CPU1+CPU2, install DIMMs to the blue slots in the order of: DIMM_A2 -> DIMM_E2 -> DIMM_C2 -> DIMM_G2.

• For Quad Rank DIMMs, when installing less than or equal to four DIMMs, install them to the blue slots in the order of: DIMM_A2 -> DIMM_C2 -> DIMM_B2 -> DIMM_D2. For CPU1+CPU2, install DIMMs to the blue slots in the order of: DIMM_A2 -> DIMM_E2 -> DIMM_C2 -> DIMM_G2.

• For Quad Rank DIMMs, when installing more than four DIMMs, install them to the blue slots in the order of: DIMM_A2 -> DIMM_C2 -> DIMM_B2

-> DIMM_D2 -> DIMM_A1 -> DIMM_C1 -> DIMM_B1 -> DIMM_D1. For CPU1+CPU2, install them to the blue slots in the order of: DIMM_A2

-> DIMM_E2 -> DIMM_C2 -> DIMM_G2 -> DIMM_B2 -> DIMM_F2 -> DIMM_D2 -> DIMM_H2 -> DIMM_A1 -> DIMM_E1 -> DIMM_C1 -> DIMM_G1 -> DIMM_B1 -> DIMM_F1 -> DIMM_D1 -> DIMM_H1.

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