ASUS Z8PE-D18 User Manual

Z8PE-D18

Motherboard

E4850

Second Edition V2
June 2009

Copyright © 2009 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.

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

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

product is defaced or missing.

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

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

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

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

ii

Contents

Contents ...................................................................................................... iii

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

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

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

Z8PE-D18 specications summary ........................................................... xi

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3

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

1.3 Serial number label ......................................................................

1.4 Special features ............................................................................

1.4.1 Product highlights ...........................................................

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features ...............................................

Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-3

2.2 Motherboard overview .................................................................

2.2.1 Placement direction ........................................................

2.2.2 Screw holes ....................................................................

2.2.3 Motherboard layouts .......................................................

2.2.4 Layout contents ...............................................................

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) .................................................

2.3.1 Installing the CPU .........................................................

2.3.2

2.4 System memory .........................................................................

2.4.1 Overview .......................................................................

2.4.2 Memory Congurations .................................................

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM ..........................................................

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................

2.5 Expansion slots ..........................................................................

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card .........................................

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card .....................................

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments ...................................................

2.5.4 MIO/PCIE slot ...............................................................

2.5.5 PCI Express x16 slots (x16 link; x8 link) .......................

2.5.6 PCI slot .........................................................................

Installing the CPU heatsink and fan .............................. 2-13

1-3

1-4

1-4

1-4

1-6

2-6

2-6

2-6

2-7

2-8

2-10

2-10

2-15

2-15

2-15

2-17

2-17

2-18

2-18

2-18

2-19

2-20

2-20

2-20

iii

Contents

2.5.7 PIKE slot ....................................................................... 2-20

2.5.8 Installing an ASUS PIKE RAID card .............................

2.5.9 Installing i Button ...........................................................

2.5.10 Installing ASMB4 management board ...........................

2.5.11 Connect Thermal sensor cable .....................................

2.5.12 Installing the audio card ................................................

2.6 Jumpers ......................................................................................

2.7 Connectors .................................................................................

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors ..................................................

2.7.2 Internal connectors .......................................................

Chapter 3: Powering up

3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer ..........................................................

Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-3

4.1.1 AFUDOS utility ................................................................

4.1.2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ......................................

4.2 BIOS setup program ....................................................................

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen ..........................................................

4.2.2 Menu bar .........................................................................

4.2.3 Navigation keys ...............................................................

4.2.4 Menu items .....................................................................

4.2.5 Sub-menu items ..............................................................

4.2.6 Conguration elds .........................................................

4.2.7 Pop-up window ...............................................................

4.2.8 Scroll bar .........................................................................

4.2.9 General help ...................................................................

4.3 Main menu ..................................................................................

4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] .................................................

4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] .......................................

4.3.3 SATA1–6 ........................................................................

4.3.4 IDE Conguration ..........................................................

4.3.5 AHCI Conguration .......................................................

4.3.6 System Information .......................................................

2-21

2-22

2-22

2-23

2-23

2-24

2-29

2-29

2-30

3-4

4-3

4-6

4-7

4-8

4-8

4-8

4-9

4-9

4-9

4-9

4-9

4-9

4-10

4-10

4-10

4-11

4-12

4-13

4-14

iv

Contents

4.4 Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-16

4.4.1 CPU Conguration ........................................................

4.4.2 Chipset Conguration ...................................................

4.4.3 Legacy Device Conguration ........................................

4.4.4 USB Conguration ........................................................

4.4.5 PCIPnP Conguration ...................................................

4.4.6 APM Conguration ........................................................

4.4.7 Event Log Conguration ...............................................

4.4.8 Hardware Monitor .........................................................

4.4.9 PCI Express Conguration ............................................

4.4.10 ACPI Conguration .......................................................

4.5 Server menu ...............................................................................

4.5.1 Remote Access Conguration .......................................

4.6 Boot menu ..................................................................................

4.6.1 Boot Device Priority ......................................................

4.6.2 Removable Drives .........................................................

4.6.3 Boot Settings Conguration ..........................................

4.6.4 Security .........................................................................

4.7 Exit menu ....................................................................................

Chapter 5: RAID conguration

Chapter summary ..................................................................................... 5-2

5.1 Setting up RAID ............................................................................

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

5.1.2 Installing hard disk drives ................................................

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

5.1.4 RAID conguration utilities ..............................................

5.2 LSI Software RAID Conguration Utility ....................................

5.2.1 Creating a RAID set ........................................................

5.2.2 Adding or viewing a RAID conguration .......................

5.2.3 Initializing the virtual drives ...........................................

5.2.4 Rebuilding failed drives .................................................

5.2.5 Checking the drives for data consistency .....................

5.2.6 Deleting a RAID conguration .......................................

5.2.7 Selecting the boot drive from a RAID set ......................

5.2.8 Enabling WriteCache ....................................................

4-16

4-20

4-24

4-25

4-26

4-27

4-28

4-28

4-30

4-30

4-33

4-33

4-35

4-35

4-36

4-36

4-38

4-40

5-3

5-3

5-4

5-4

5-4

5-5

5-6

5-12

5-13

5-17

5-19

5-22

5-23

5-24

v

Contents

5.3 Intel® Matrix Storage Manager Option ROM Utility ................. 5-25

5.3.1 Creating a RAID set ......................................................

5.3.2 Creating a Recovery set ...............................................

5.3.3 Deleting a RAID set ......................................................

5.3.4 Resetting disks to Non-RAID ........................................

5.3.5 Recovery Volume Options ............................................

5.3.6 Exiting the Intel

6.3.7 Rebuilding the RAID .....................................................

5.3.8 Setting the Boot array in the BIOS Setup Utility ............

Chapter 6: Driver installation

6.1 RAID driver installation ............................................................... 6-3

6.1.1 Creating a RAID driver disk ............................................

6.1.2 Windows

6.1.3 Red Hat

6.1.4 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server OS ...............................

6.2 Intel chipset device software installation ................................

6.3 LAN driver installation ...............................................................

6.3.1 Windows XP/Server 2003 .............................................

6.4 Display driver installation .........................................................

6.4.1 Windows

6.5 Management applications and utilities installation ................

6.5.1 Running the support CD ...............................................

6.5.2 Drivers menu .................................................................

6.5.3 Utilities menu ................................................................

6.5.4 Make disk menu ............................................................

6.5.5 Contact information .......................................................

®

Matrix Storage Manager .................... 5-32

®

OS .................................................................. 6-6

®

Enterprise Linux OS ........................................ 6-9

®

Server 2003 ................................................. 6-22

5-26

5-27

5-29

5-30

5-31

5-32

5-34

6-3

6-12

6-14

6-18

6-18

6-22

6-25

6-25

6-25

6-26

6-26

6-26

Appendix: Reference information

A.1 Z8PE-D18 block diagram .............................................................A-3

vi

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

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

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and

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

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

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

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

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is

required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modications

to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

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

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

REACH

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

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

vii

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.

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

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

Operation safety

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

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

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

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

• Place the product on a stable surface.

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

service technician or your retailer.

viii

This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical,
electronic equipment, and mercury-containing button cell battery) should not
be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic
products.

About this guide

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

the motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This user guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction

This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new
technologies 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: Powering up

This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down
the system.

• Chapter 4: 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 5: RAID conguration

This chapter provides instructions for setting up, creating, and conguring

RAID sets using the available utilities.

• Chapter 6: Driver installation

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

• Appendix: Reference information

This appendix includes additional information that you may refer to when

conguring the motherboard.

Where to nd more information

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

1. ASUS websites

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

2. Optional documentation

Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty

yers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not

part of the standard package.

ix

Conventions used in this guide

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

DANGER/WARNING:

when trying to complete a task.

CAUTION:

when trying to complete a task.

IMPORTANT:

task.

NOTE:

task.

Information to prevent damage to the components

Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a

Tips and additional information to help you complete a

Information to prevent injury to yourself

Typography

Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.

Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

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

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

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

Example: <Ctrl+Alt+D>

Command

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

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

Means that you must type the command

format A:/S

x

Z8PE-D18 specications summary

Processor Support / System Bus

Core Logic

Form Factor
ASUS Features Fan Speed

Memory Total Slots

Expansion Slots
(follow SSI
Loacation #)

Storage SATA Controller

Control
Rack Ready

(Rack and
Pedestal dual
use)

ASWM

Capacity

Memory Type

Memory Size

Total PCI/PCI-X/
PCI-E Slots

Slot Loacation 1

Slot Loacation 2
Slot Loacation 3

Slot Loacation 4
Slot Loacation 5

Slot Loacation 6

Additional Slot 1

SAS Controller

2 * socket 1366
Intel® Xeon® W5500 Series (130W)

Intel® Xeon® X5500 Series (95W)
Intel® Xeon® E5500 Series (80W)
Intel® Xeon® L5500 Series (60W/38W)

QPI 4.8 / 5.86 / 6.4 GT/s
Intel® 5520 I/O Hub

Intel® ICH10R I/O Controller
SSI EEB, 12” x 13”
V

V

V
18 (3-channel per CPU, 9 DIMM per CPU)
Maximum up to 144GB (RDIMM)

Maximum up to 48GB (UDIMM)
DDR3 800/1066/1333 Reg DIMM/ Unbuffered DIMM

with ECC / non ECC
1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB (RDIMM)

1GB, 2GB, 4GB (UDIMM)
6

1 * PCI-E x8 (Gen1 x4 Link)
(Auto disable if PIKE slot is occupied )

1 * PCI32
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 x16 Link)

(Auto switch to x8 Link if slot 4 is occupied )
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 x8 Link)
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 x16 Link)

(Auto turn off if slot 6 is occupied )
1 * PCI-E x16 (Gen2 x16 Link for 1U FH/FL Card)

(Auto turn off if slot 5 is occupied; MIO supported )

1* PIKE Slot for Stroage expansion
Intel® ICH10R:

6 SATA2 300MB/s ports
Intel Matrix Storage (for Windows only)
(Support software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5)
LSI® MegaRAID (for Linux/Windows)
(Support software RAID 0, 1, 10)

Optional:
ASUS PIKE 1064E 4-port SAS RAID card
ASUS PIKE 1068E 8-port SAS RAID card
ASUS PIKE 6480 8-port SAS RAID card
ASUS PIKE 1078 8-port SAS HW RAID card

(continued on the next page)

xi

Z8PE-D18 specications summary

Networking LAN
Graphic VGA
Onboard I/O

Connectors

Rear I/O
Connectors

Management
Solution

Monitoring CPU

Environment

*Specications are subject to change without notice.

PSU Connector

USB
Connectors

Management
Connector

Fan Header
SMBus
Chassis

Intruder
Front LAN LED
Serial Port

Header
External Serial

Port
External USB

Port
VGA Port
RJ-45
PS/2 KB/Mouse
Software
Out of Band

Remote
Management

Temperature
FAN RPM

1* Dual Port Intel 82576EB (VMDq) + 1* Mgmt LAN
Aspeed AST2050 8MB
24-pin SSI power connector + 8-pin SSI 12V + 8-pin

SSI 12V power connector
3 (support 5 USB port)

(One for internal Type A USB connector )
Onboard socket for optional management card

8 * 4pin
2
1

2
1

1

2

1
2 + 1 Management Port
1
ASWM
Optional ASMB4-iKVM for KVM-over-Internet

V

V

Operation temperature: 10℃ ~ 35℃
Non operation temperature: -40℃ ~ 70℃
Non operation humidity: 20% ~ 90%

(Non condensing)

LSI® MegaRAID function is available only when you install ASUS PIKE 1078
RAID card with iBTN.

DO NOT touch the Northbridge chipset! The Northbridge chipset may become

overheated. Remember to provide sufcinet air ow to keep the system stable.

xii

This chapter describes the motherboard
features and the new technologies it supports.

Chapter 1:

Product

introduction

1

Chapter summary

1

1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-3

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

1.3 Serial number label ......................................................................

1.4 Special features ............................................................................

1-3

1-4

1-4

ASUS Z8PE-D18

1.1 Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS® Z8PE-D18 motherboard!

The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it
another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!

Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the
items in your package with the list below.

1.2 Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Standard Gift Box Pack Standard Bulk Pack

Cables SATA data cable

Accessories IO shield

Application CD Support CD

Documentation User Guide

Packing Qty.

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

6 --

1 1

1 1

1 1

1pcs per carton 10pcs per carton

Optional items Description

PIKE 1064E LSI 4 port SAS RAID card
PIKE 1068E LSI 8 port SAS RAID card
PIKE 1078 LSI 8 port SAS RAID card with Hardware RAID 5, 6, 50, 60

PIKE 6480 Marvell 8 port SAS RAID card
ASMB4-iKVM Remote Management solution provides KVM over IP solution.
ASUS MIO audio card Discrete 8 channel audio card provides clearest high quality

ASUS Z8PE-D18 1-3

sounds

1.3 Serial number label

Before requesting support from the ASUS Technical Support team, you must take
note of the motherboard's serial number containing 12 characters

shown as 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.

xxS2xxxxxxxx

Z8PE-D18

xxS2xxxxxxxx

Made

in

China

合格

1.4 Special features

1.4.1 Product highlights

Latest processor technology

This motherboard supports the latest Intel® Xeon 5500 series processors in LGA
1366 package with integrated memory controller to support 3-channel (9 DIMM per
CPU) DDR3 memory. Intel® Xeon 5500 series processor supports Intel QuickPath
Interconnect (QPI) with a system bus of up to 6.4GT/s. Intel

processor is the one of the most powerful and energy-efcient CPUs in the world.

Intel Turbo Boost

Intel Turbo Boost dynamically reroute power to improve performance. The
processor will automatically overclock as long as the CPU temperature is allowed.

Intel Hyper Threading

The thread-level parallelism on each processor makes more efcient use of the

processor resources, higher processing throughout and improved performance on
today's multi-threaded software.

®

Xeon 5500 series

Intel® EM64T

The motherboard supports Intel® processors with the Intel® EM64T (Extended
Memory 64 Technology). The Intel® EM64T feature allows your computer to run on
64-bit operating systems and access larger amounts of system memory for faster

and more efcient computing.

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction

DDR3 memory support

The Z8PE-D18 supports UDIMM and RDIMM DDR3 memory that features data
transfer rates of 1333/1066/800 MHZ to meet the higher bandwidth requirements
of server and workstation applications. The 3-channel DDR3 architecture boosts
system performance, eliminating bottlenecks with peak bandwidth of up to 32GB/s.
Furthermore, the supply voltage for the memory is reduced from 1.8 V for DDR2 to
just 1.5V for DDR3. This voltage reduction limits the power consumption and heat
generation of DDR3 which makes it an ideal memory solution.

PCIe 2.0

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

82576 LAN Solution

The motherboard comes with one Gigabit LAN controller and dual ports which
provide a total solution for your networking needs. The onboard Intel 82576
Gigabit LAN controllers use the PCI Express interface and could achieve network
throughput close to Gigabit bandwidth.

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST)

The Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) intelligently manages the
CPU resources by automatically adjusting the CPU voltage and core frequency
depending on the CPU loading and system speed or power requirement.

Serial ATA II technology

The motherboard supports the Serial ATA II 3 Gb/s technology through the Serial

ATA interface and Intel ICH10R chipset. The Serial ATA II specication provides

twice the bandwidth of the current Serial ATA products with a host of new
features, including Native Command Queuing (NCQ), Power Management (PM)

Implementation Algorithm, and Hot Swap. Serial ATA allows thinner, more exible

cables with lower pin count and reduced voltage requirements.

USB 2.0 technology

The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specication,

dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB

1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 1-5

Temperature, fan, and voltage monitoring

The CPU temperature is monitored to prevent overheating and damage. The
system fan rotations per minute (RPM) is monitored for timely failure detection.
The chip monitors the voltage levels to ensure stable supply of current for critical
components.

100% Japan-made Conductive Polymer Capacitors

This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors (5000hrs)
onboard for durability, improved lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity.

1.4.2 Innovative ASUS features

ASUS EPU

With current trends leaning towards power efciency, the Z8PE-D18 is equipped

with the ASUS exclusive EPU technology to provide total system power saving by
detecting current CPU loadings and intelligently moderating power in real-time.

PIKE (Proprietary I/O Kit Expansion)

PIKE is an on-demand upgrade kit for users. This ASUS unique feature enables
users to choose their preferred I/O solutions. ASUS provides multiple SAS
solutions for different segments and purposes and PIKE saves lots of validation
efforts and hardware cost for end users. Moreover, the special patent design offers
multiple I/O solutions without occupying the Slot 6 in 1U system.

ASUS Flex-E Technology

ASUS Flex-E Technology allows PCIE slots to automatically switch congurations for
Graphic Card and Storage Utilization. ASUS Flex-E Technology offers two kinds of
congurations, PCI-E x8 Link on both Slot 3 and 4 or PCI-E x16 Link on the Slot 3.

The PCI-E signal of the Slot 3 would switch to x16 Link automatically when the Slot 4

is not occupied. It also offers two kinds of congurations for Slot 5 and 6, PCI-E x16

Link on either Slot 5 or 6. The PCI-E signal of the Slot 5 (or Slot 6) would switch to

x16 Link automatically when the Slot 6 (or Slot 5) is not occupied. With this exibility,

ASUS Flex-E makes motherboards suitable for both Server and Workstation.

ASUS MIO Audio card

Enjoy high-end sound quality! The ASUS MIO audio card is a discrete 8-channel

high denition audio (High Denition Audio previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC

enable clearest high quality audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions,
and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously send different audio streams to
different destinations.

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction

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

Chapter 2:

Hardware

2

information

Chapter summary

2

2.1 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-3

2.2 Motherboard overview .................................................................

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) .................................................

2.4 System memory .........................................................................

2.5 Expansion slots ..........................................................................

2.6 Jumpers ......................................................................................

2.7 Connectors .................................................................................

2-6

2-10

2-15

2-18

2-24

2-29

ASUS Z8PE-D18

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.

• Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal
object, such as the power supply case, before handling components 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 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, and/or
components.

Onboard LED

1. Standby Power LED

The motherboard comes with a standby power LED. The green LED lights up

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

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-3

2. CPU warning LED (ERR_CPU1, ERR_CPU2)

The CPU warning LEDs light up to indicate that an impending failure of the

corresponding CPU.

The warning LEDs function only when you install the ASUS ASMB4.

3. DIMM warning LED (ERR_DIMMA1/2; ERR_DIMMB1/2; ERR_DIMMC1/2;
ERR_DIMMD1/2; ERR_DIMME1/2; ERR_DIMMF1/2)

The DIMM warning LEDs light up to indicate that an impending failure of the

corresponding DIMMs.

The warning LEDs function only when you install the ASUS ASMB4.

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware information

4. BMC LED (BMC_LED1)

The green heartbeat LED blinks per second to indicate that the ASMB4 is

working normally.

• The heartbeat LED functions only when you install the ASUS ASMB4.

• Everytime after the AC power is replugged, you have to wait for about 30
seconds for the system power up.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-5

2.2 Motherboard overview

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

To optimize the motherboard features, we highly recommend that you install it in an

SSI EEB 1.1 compliant chassis.

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

2.2.1 Placement direction

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

2.2.2 Screw holes

Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard
to the chassis.

DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.

Place this side towards

the rear of the chassis

2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.2.3 Motherboard layouts

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-7

2.2.4 Layout contents

Slots/Soocket Page

1. CPU sockets 2-10

2. DDR3 sockets

3. MIO / PCIE slot

4. PCI Express x 16 slots

5. PIKE slot

Jumpers Page

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1))

3. CPU Fan and Chassis Fan control setting
(3-pin CPUFAN_SEL1, CHAFAN_SEL1)

4. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1, LAN_SW2)

5. DDR3 voltage control setting

(4-pin LVDDR3_SEL1; LVDDR3_SEL2)

6. iBTN RAID setting (3-pin IBTN_SEL1)

7. Force BIOS recovery setting (3-pin RECOVERY1)

8. RAID conguration utility selection (3-pin RAID_SEL1))

2-15

2-20

2-20

2-20

2-24

2-25

2-25

2-26

2-26

2-27

2-28

2-28

Rear panel connectors Page

1. PS/2 mouse port (green) 2-29

2. RJ-45 port for iKVM

3. PS/2

4. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2

5. Serial (COM1) port

6. Video Graphics Adapter port

7. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port

8. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port

2-8 Chapter 2: Hardware information

keyboard port (purple) 2-29

2-29

2-29

2-29

2-29

2-29

2-29

Internal connectors Page

1. Serial ATA connectors

(7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4; RED)
(7-pin SATA5, SATA6; Black)

2. SAS connectors

(7-pin SAS1, SAS2, SAS3, SAS4; Red)
(7-pin SAS5, SAS6, SAS7, SAS8; Blue)

3. Hard disk activity LED connector (4-pin HDLED1)

4. USB connector (10-1 pin USB34, USB56; A-Type USB7)

5. Thermal sensor cable connectors (3-pin TR1, TR2)

6. CPU, front and rear fan connectors
(4-pin CPU_FAN1, CPU_FAN2, FRNT_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2,
FRNT_FAN3, FRNT_FAN4, REAR_FAN1, REAR_FAN2)

7. LPC debug card connector (14-1 pin LPC1)

8. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin SGPIO1)

9. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connectors
(8-1 pin SGPIO2/3)

10. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM2)

11. BMC header (BMC_FW1)

12. Power Supply SMBus

13. SSI power
(24-pin SSIPWR1, 8-pin SSI12V1, 8-pin SSI12V2)

14. System panel

15. Auxiliary panel connector (20-2 pin AUX_PANEL1)

connector (5-pin PSUSMB1)

connectors

connector (20-1 pin PANEL1)

2-30

2-31

2-31

2-32

2-32

2-33

2-33

2-34

2-34

2-35

2-35

2-36

2-36

2-37

2-38

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-9

2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The motherboard comes with dual surface mount LGA 1366 Socket designed for
the Intel® Xeon 5500 series CPU in the Land Grid Array (LGA) package.

•

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 shoulders the repair
cost 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 Socket 1366.

• 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.

• Intel suports and validates dual processor congurations only in which both

processors operate with the same Intel QuickPath Interconnect frequency,
core number, core frequency, power segment, and have the same internal

cache sizes. Mixing componenets operating at different internal clock

frequencies is not supported and will not be validated by Intel. Combining
processors from different power segments is also not supported. While
mixing processors, CPU information in BIOS will only shows the information
of CPU1.

2.3.1 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 toward you and
the load lever is on your left.

2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information

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

A

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.

B

Load lever

Load plate

4

3

PnP cap

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-11

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

and then t the socket alignment key

into the CPU notch.

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!

7. 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.

Gold
triangle
mark

CPU notch

Alignment key

DO NOT eat the Thermal Interface Material. If it gets into your eyes or touches
your skin, ensure that you wash it off immediately and seek professional
medical help.

To prevent contaminating the Thermal Interface Material, DO NOT spread the

Thermal Interface Material with your nger directly.

2-12 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan

The Intel Xeon 5500 series processors require a specially designed heatsink to
ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.

• Ensure to use qualied heatsink assembly 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. Orient and place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the
screw holes are matched with the heatsink standoffs.

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

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

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-13

3. Connect the fan cable to the 4-pin connector labeled CPU_FAN1 or
CPU_FAN2 depending on the CPU socket you install.

4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 to install the other heatsink if you have installed a second
CPU, then connect the fan cable to the other 4-pin connector.

2-14 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.4 System memory

2.4.1 Overview

The motherboard comes with eighteen (18) Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual
Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.

A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is
notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. DDR3 modules
are developed for better performance with less power consumption.

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

2.4.2 Memory Congurations

You may install 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB,or 8 GB Registerd or Unbuffered with ECC/

Non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets using the memory congurations

in this section.

• 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 conguraton, when installing only one DIMM, install it to the

orange slots labeled DIMM_A1, DIMM_B1, or DIMM_C1.

For CPU2 conguraton, when installing only one DIMM, install it to the

orange slots labeled DIMM_D1, DIMM_E1, or DIMM_F1.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-15

Memory population table

For UDIMM and Quad Ranks RDIMM:

CPU 1 Conguration

DIMM_A3 DIMM_A2 DIMM_A1 DIMM_B3 DIMM_B2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_C3 DIMM_C2 DIMM_C1

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs -- -- -- --
6 DIMMs

CPU 2 Conguration

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs -- -- -- --
6 DIMMs

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- --

DIMM_D3

DIMM_D2 DIMM_D1 DIMM_E3 DIMM_E2 DIMM_E1 DIMM_F3 DIMM_F2 DIMM_F1

--

--

--

--

-- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

--

For RDIMM (Single Rank, Dual Ranks):

CPU 1 Conguration

DIMM_A3 DIMM_A2 DIMM_A1 DIMM_B3 DIMM_B2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_C3 DIMM_C2 DIMM_C1
1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs

6 DIMMs

7 DIMMs

8 DIMMs

9 DIMMs

CPU 2 Conguration

1 DIMM

2 DIMMs

3 DIMMs

4 DIMMs

5 DIMMs

6 DIMMs

7 DIMMs

8 DIMMs

9 DIMMs

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

-- -- --

-- --

DIMM_D3 DIMM_D2 DIMM_D1 DIMM_E3 DIMM_E2 DIMM_E1 DIMM_F3 DIMM_F2 DIMM_F1

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- -- --

-- -- -- --

-- -- --

-- --

--

2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.4.3 Installing a DIMM

Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other
system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the
motherboard and the components.

To install a DIMM:

1. Press the retaining clips outward

to unlock a DIMM socket.

2. Align a DIMM on the socket

such that the notch on the DIMM

1

matches the break on the socket.

3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the

socket until the retaining clips
snap back in place and the DIMM
is properly seated.

• A DDR3 DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it ts in only one direction. DO

NOT force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.

• The DDR3 DIMM sockets do not support DDR and DDR2 DIMMs. DO NOT
install DDR or DDR2 DIMMs to the DDR3 DIMM sockets.

2.4.4 Removing a DIMM

To remove a DIMM:

1. Simultaneously press the retaining
clips outward to unlock the DIMM.

Support the DIMM lightly with

your ngers when pressing the

retaining clips. The DIMM might

get damaged when it ips out

with extra force.

1

2

3

DDR3 DIMM notch

1

Unlocked retaining clip

2

1

2. Remove the DIMM from the socket.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-17

2.5 Expansion slots

In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following subsections
describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support.

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.

2.5.1 Installing an expansion card

To install an expansion card:

1. Before installing the expansion card, read the documentation that came with
it and make the necessary hardware settings for the card.

2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a
chassis).

3. Remove the bracket opposite the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screw
for later use.

4. Align the card connector with the slot and press rmly until the card is

completely seated on the slot.

5. Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier.

6. Replace the system cover.

2.5.2 Conguring an expansion card

After installing the expansion card, congure the it by adjusting the software

settings.

1. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See
Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup.

2. Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page.

3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card.

When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share

IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conicts will

arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card
inoperable.

2-18 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.5.3 Interrupt assignments

Standard Interrupt assignments

IRQ Priority Standard function

0 1 System Timer

1 2 Keyboard Controller

2 - Programmable Interrupt

3* 11 Communications Port (COM2)

4* 12 Communications Port (COM1)

5* 13 --

6 14 Floppy Disk Controller

7* 15 --

8 3 System CMOS/Real Time Clock

9* 4 ACPI Mode when used

10* 5 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

11* 6 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering

12* 7 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port

13 8 Numeric Data Processor

14* 9 Primary IDE Channel

15* 10 Secondary IDE Channel

* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-19

2.5.4 MIO/PCIE slot

The MIO/PCIE slot supports a MIO audio card or a PCI Express card. The MIO
audio card offers great sound quality to complement the robust video power.

2.5.5 PCI Express x16 slots (x16 link; x8 link)

The onboard PCI Express x16 slots provides two x16 link or one x16 link and two
x8 links to Intel 5520 IOH chipset. These slots support VGA cards and various
server class high performance add-on cards.

2.5.6 PCI slot

The PCI slot supports cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other

cards that comply with PCI specications.

2.5.7 PIKE slot

The PIKE slot allows you to choose and change your preferred SAS solution easily.
Install an optional ASUS PIKE RAID card based on your needs.

PCI-E x16 slot (Gen2 x16 link)

(Auto turn off if slot location 5

is occupied; MIO supported)

PCI-E x16 slot (Gen2 x16 link)

(Auto turn off if slot

location 6 is occupied)

PCI-E x16 slot (Gen2 x8 link)

PCI-E x16 slot (Gen2 x16 link)

(Auto switch to x8 link if slot

location 4 is occupied)

PCI-E x8 slot (Gen1 x4 link)

PCI slot

PIKE Interface

The PIKE Interface is for ASUS PIKE RAID card only.

2-20 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.5.8 Installing an ASUS PIKE RAID card

Follow the steps below to install an optional ASUS RAID card on your motherboard.

1. Locate the PIKE RAID card slot on the motherboard.

2. Align the golden ngers of the RAID card with the PIKE RAID card slot.

3. Insert the RAID card into the PIKE RAID card slot. Ensure that it is
completely seated on the PIKE RAID card slot.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-21

2.5.9 Installing i Button

Follow the steps below to install an optional i Button on your motherboard.

1. Locate the I Button slot on the
motherboard.

2. Snap the I Button in place.

You need to install I Button before using PIKE 1078 functions.

2.5.10 Installing ASMB4 management board

Follow the steps below to install an optional ASMB4 management board on your
motherboard.

1. Locate the BMC_FW header on the
motherboard.

2. Orient and press the ASMB4
management card in place.

2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.5.11 Connect Thermal sensor cable

Follow the steps below to connect the thermal sensor cable to the connector on
your motherboard.

1. Locate the TR1 or TR2 connector
on the motherboard.

2. Connect the thermal sensor cable to
the connector.

3. Place the other end of the thermal sensor cable to the device you would like
to monitor temperature.

2.5.12 Installing the audio card

1. Locate the MIO/PCIE slot on the
motherboard.

Align the card connector with the

2.

slot and press rmly until the card

sits on the slot completely.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-23

2.6 Jumpers

1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC1)

This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS.
You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters
by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery
powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such
as system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Move the jumper cap from pins 1–2 (default) to pins 2–3. Keep the cap
on pins 2–3 for about 5–10 seconds, then move the cap back to pins 1–2.

3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.

4. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup
to re-enter data.

Except when clearing the RTC RAM, never remove the cap on CLRTC jumper
default position. Removing the cap will cause system boot failure!

If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and move the
jumper again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After the CMOS clearance,
reinstall the battery.

2-24 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2. VGA controller setting (3-pin VGA_SW1)

This jumper allows you to enable or disable the onboard VGA controller. Set
to pins 1–2 to activate the VGA feature.

3. CPU Fan and Chassis Fan control setting
(3-pin CPUFAN_SEL1, CHAFAN_SEL1)

These jumpers allow you to switch for fan pin selection. The CPUFAN_SEL1
jumper is for the CPU fans control and the CHAFAN_SEL1 jumper is for the
front fans and rear fans control. Set to pins 1–2 when using 4-pin fans or pins
2–3 when using 3-pin fans.

• If you use a 4-pin fan but set the jumper to pin 2-3, the fan you installed
may not work.

• If you use a 3-pin fan but set the jumper for a 4-pin fan, the fan control will
not work and the fan you installed will always run at full speed.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-25

4. LAN controller setting (3-pin LAN_SW1, LAN_SW2)

These jumpers allow you to enable or disable the onboard Intel

®

82576EB

Gigabit LAN controllers. Set to pins 1-2 to activate the Gigabit LAN feature.

5. DDR3 voltage control setting (4-pin LVDDR3_SEL1; LVDDR3_SEL2)

These jumpers allow you to adjust the DIMM voltage. Set to pins 1–2 to
select 1.5V BIOS control, pins 2–3 to select 1.2V Force or 3–4 to select

1.35V Force.

2-26 Chapter 2: Hardware information

6. iBTN RAID setting (3-pin IBTN_SEL1)

This jumper allows you to select the RAID conguration utility to use when

you create disk arrays. Place the jumper caps on pins 1–2 if you install a
PIKE RAID card to the motherboard and want to use the LSI Logic MPT
Setup Utility (default). Or you can place the jumper caps on pins 2–3 to create
the LSI Mega RAID 5 supported by Intel® ICH10R SATA controller.

• LSI Logic MPT Setup Utility is available only when you install a PIKE RAID
card.

• LSI Mega RAID 5 fucntion is available only when you place the iBTN to
I_BTN1 slot and install an optional ASUS PIKE RAID card.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-27

7. Force BIOS recovery setting (3-pin RECOVERY1)

This jumper allows you to quickly update or recover the BIOS settings when it
becomes corrupted.

To update the BIOS:

1. Prepare a USB ash disk that contains the original or latest BIOS for the

motherboard (XXXXXX.ROM) and the AFUDOS.EXE utility.

2. Set the jumper to pins 2–3.

3. Insert the USB ash and turn on the system to update the BIOS.

4. Shut down the system.

5. Set the jumper back to pins 1–2.

6. Turn on the system.

8. RAID conguration utility selection (3-pin RAID_SEL1)

This jumper allows you to select the RAID conguration utility to use when

you create disk arrays. Place the jumper caps over pins 1–2 if you want to

use the LSI Logic Embedded SATA RAID Setup Utility (default); otherwise,

place the jumper caps to pins 2–3 to use the Intel® Matrix Storage Manager.

2-28 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.7 Connectors

2.7.1 Rear panel connectors

1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.

2. RJ-45 port for iKVM.

management card.

3. PS/2

4.

keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.

USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports

are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.

5. Serial (COM1) port.

other serial devices.

6. Video Graphics Adapter port.

compatible devices.

7. LAN 1 (RJ-45) port.

Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN
port LED indications.

8. LAN 2 (RJ-45) port.

Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN
port LED indications.

This RJ-45 port functions only when you install ASMB4

This 9-pin communication port is for pointing devices or

This port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-

This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area

This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area

LAN port LED indications

LED

LAN port

SPEED

LED

Activity/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

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-29

ACT/LINK

2.7.2 Internal connectors

1. Serial ATA connectors
(7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4; RED)

(7-pin SATA5, SATA6; Black)

Supported by the Intel® ICH10R chipset, these connectors are for the Serial
ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives that allows up to 3Gb/s of
data transfer rate.

If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1,

RAID 10, or RAID 5 conguration.

The actual data transfer rate depends on the speed of Serial ATA hard disks
installed.

2-30 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2. SAS connectors
(7-pin SAS1, SAS2, SAS3, SAS4; Red)
(7-pin SAS5, SAS6, SAS7, SAS8; Blue)

This motherboard comes with eight (8) Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) connectors,
the next-generation storage technology that supports both Serial Attached
SCSI (SAS) and Serial ATA (SATA). Each connector supports one device.

• These connectors function only when you install a PIKE RAID card.

• Connect the SAS hard disk drives to SAS connectors 1–4 (red) when
installing a 4-port PIKE RAID card.

3. Hard disk activity LED connector (4-pin HDLED1)

This LED connector is for the storage add-on card cable connected to the
SATA or SAS add-on card. The read or write activities of any device connected
to the SATA or SAS add-on card causes the front panel LED to light up.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-31

4. USB connector (10-1 pin USB34, USB56; A-Type USB7)

These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cables to
connectors USB34 and USB56, then install the modules to a slot opening at
the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0

specication that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.

5. Thermal sensor cable connectors (3-pin TR1, TR2)

These connectors are for temperature monitoring. Connect the thermal
sensor cables to these connectors and place the other ends to the devices,
which you want to monitor temperature.

2-32 Chapter 2: Hardware information

6. CPU, front and rear fan connectors
(4-pin CPU_FAN1, CPU_FAN2, FRNT_FAN1, FRNT_FAN2, FRNT_FAN3,
FRNT_FAN4, REAR_FAN1, REAR_FAN2)

The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350 mA–740 mA (8.88 W max.)
or a total of 3.15 A–6.66 A (53.28 W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cables to
the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each
cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

• DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufcient

air ow inside the system may damage the motherboard components.

• These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors!

• All fans feature the ASUS Smart Fan technology.

7. LPC debug card connector (14-1 pin LPC1)

This is a low pin count interface used to plug in the LPC debug card.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-33

8. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connector (6-1 pin SGPIO1)

This connector is used for the SGPIO peripherals for the LSI MegaRAID and
Intel Matrix RAID SATA LED.

9. Serial General Purpose Input/Output connectors (8-1 pin SGPIO2/3)

These connector is used for the SAS chip SGPIO interface that controls the
LED pattern generation, device information and general purpose data.

These connectors functions only when you install an ASUS PIKE SAS RAID
card.

2-34 Chapter 2: Hardware information

10. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM2)

This connector is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module
cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back
of the system chassis.

11. BMC header (BMC_FW1)

The BMC connector on the motherboard supports an ASUS

®

Server

Management Board 4 Series (ASMB4).

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-35

12. Power Supply SMBus connector (5-pin PSUSMB1)

This connector allows you to connect SMBus (System Management Bus) to
the power supply unit to read PSU information. Devices communicate with an
SMBus host and/or other SMBus devices using the SMBus interface.

13. SSI power connectors
(24-pin SSIPWR1, 8-pin SSI12V1, 8-pin SSI12V2)

These connectors are for an SSI power supply plugs. The power supply

plugs are designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the
proper orientation and push down rmly until the connectors completely t.

• DO NOT forget to connect the 24+8+8-pin power plugs; otherwise, the

system will not boot up.

• Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended when

conguring a system with more power-consuming devices. The system

may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

• Ensure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum
power required by your system.

2-36 Chapter 2: Hardware information

14. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL1)

This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

1. System power LED (3-pin PLED)

This 3-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis
power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up
when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in
sleep mode.

2. Message LED (2-pin MLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the message LED cable that connects to
the front message LED. The message LED is controlled by Hardware
monitor to indicate an abnormal event occurance.

3. System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)

This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning
speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

4. Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin HDDLED)

This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD

Activity LED cable to this connector. The IDE LED lights up or ashes

when data is read from or written to the HDD.

5. SSI power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWRSW)

This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power
button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode
depending on the BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more
than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.

6. Reset button (2-pin RESET)

This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system
reboot without turning off the system power.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 2-37

15. Auxiliary panel connector (20-pin AUX_PANEL1)

This connector is for additional front panel features including front panel
SMB, locator LED and switch, chassis intrusion, and LAN LEDs.

1. Front panel SMB (6-1 pin FPSMB)

These leads connect the front panel SMBus cable.

2. LAN activity LED (2-pin LAN1_LED, LAN2_LED

)

These leads are for Gigabit LAN activity LEDs on the front panel.

3. Chassis intrusion (4-1 pin CHASSIS)

These leads are for the intrusion detection feature for chassis with
intrusion sensor or microswitch. When you remove any chassis
component, the sensor triggers and sends a high-level signal to these
leads to record a chassis intrusion event. The default setting is short
CASEOPEN and GND pin by jumper cap to disable the function.

4. Locator LED (2-pin LOCATORLED1 and 2-pin LOCATORLED2)

These leads are for the locator LED1 and LED2 on the front panel.
Connect the Locator LED cables to these 2-pin connector. The LEDs will
light up when the Locator button is pressed.

5. Locator Button/Swich (2-pin LOCATORBTN)

These leads are for the locator button on the front panel. This button
queries the state of the system locator.

2-38 Chapter 2: Hardware information

This chapter describes the power up
sequence, and ways of shutting down the
system.

Chapter 3:

Powering up

3

Chapter summary

3

3.1 Starting up for the rst time ........................................................ 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer ..........................................................

3-4

ASUS Z8PE-D18

3.1 Starting up for the rst time

1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.

2. Be sure that all switches are off.

3. Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system
chassis.

4. Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge
protector.

5. Turn on the devices in the following order:

a. Monitor

b. External storage devices (starting with the last device on the chain)

c. System power

6. After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case
lights up. For systems with ATX power supplies, the system LED lights up
when you press the ATX power button. If your monitor complies with “green”
standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up
or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns on.

The system then runs the power-on self-test or POST. While the tests are

running, the BIOS beeps or additional messages appear on the screen. If you
do not see anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power,
the system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and
connections or call your retailer for assistance.

7. At power on, hold down the <Del> key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the
instructions in Chapter 4.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 3-3

3.2 Powering off the computer

If you are using Windows® 2000/2003 Server:

1. Click the Start button then click Shut Down.

2. Select Shut Down from the What do you want the computer to do? list box.

3. Select Shutdown Event Tracker.

4. Make sure that the Planned check box is checked.

5. Select shutdown option from the list box.

6. If necessary, key in comments.

7. Click OK.

3-4 Chapter 3: Powering up

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

Chapter 4:

BIOS setup

4

Chapter summary

4

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-3

4.2 BIOS setup program ....................................................................

4.3 Main menu ..................................................................................

4.4 Advanced menu .........................................................................

4.5 Server menu ...............................................................................

4.6 Boot menu ..................................................................................

4.7 Exit menu ....................................................................................

4-7

4-10

4-16

4-33

4-35

4-40

ASUS Z8PE-D18

4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS

The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic
Input/Output System (BIOS) setup:

1.

AFUDOS utility

(Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable USB

ash disk drive.)

2.

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3

(To recover the BIOS using a bootable USB ash

disk drive when the BIOS le fails or gets corrupted.)

Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a bootable

disk drive

motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities.

in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original

USB ash

4.1.1 AFUDOS utility

The AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment using
a bootable USB ash disk drive with the updated BIOS le. This utility also allows
you to copy the current BIOS le that you can use as backup when the BIOS fails

or gets corrupted during the updating process.

Copying the current BIOS

To copy the current BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility:

The succeeding BIOS screens are for reference only. The actual BIOS screen
displays may not be the same as shown.

1. Copy the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the motherboard support CD to

the bootable USB ash disk drive you created earlier.

2. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt type:

afudos /o[lename]

where the [lename] is any user-assigned lename not more than eight
alphanumeric characters for the main lename and three alphanumeric

characters for the extension name.

A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.rom

Main lename Extension name

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-3

3. Press <Enter>. The utility copies the current BIOS le to the USB ash disk

drive.

A:\>afudos /oOLDBIOS1.rom

AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB))
Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.

Reading ash ..... done

Write to le...... ok

A:\>

The utility returns to the DOS prompt after copying the current BIOS le.

Updating the BIOS le

To update the BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility:

1. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com and download the latest BIOS le
for the motherboard. Save the BIOS le to a bootable USB ash disk drive.

Write the BIOS lename on a piece of paper. You need to type the exact BIOS
lename at the DOS prompt.

2. Copy the AFUDOS utility (afudos.exe) from the motherboard support CD to

the bootable USB ash disk drive you created earlier.

3. Boot the system in DOS mode, then at the prompt, type:

afudos /i[lename]

where [lename] is the latest or the original BIOS le on the bootable USB
ash disk drive, then press <Enter>.

A:\>afudos /i8036A0.ROM

The utility veries the le, then starts updating the BIOS le.

A:\>afudos /i8036A0.ROM
AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB))
Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING!! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS

Reading le ....... done

Reading ash ...... done

Advance Check ......

Erasing ash ...... done

Writing ash ...... 0x0008CC00 (9%)

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent
system boot failure!

4-4 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

5. The utility returns to the DOS prompt after the BIOS update process is
completed. Reboot the system from the hard disk drive.

A:\>afudos /i8036A0.ROM
AMI Firmware Update Utility - Version 1.19(ASUS V2.07(03.11.24BB))
Copyright (C) 2002 American Megatrends, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING!! Do not turn off power during ash BIOS

Reading le ....... done

Reading ash ...... done

Advance Check ......

Erasing ash ...... done

Writing ash ...... done

Verifying ash .... done

Please restart your computer

A:\>

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-5

4.1.2 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility

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

the BIOS le when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can
update a corrupted BIOS le using a USB ash drive that contains the updated
BIOS le.

Prepare a USB ash drive containing the updated motherboard BIOS before

using this utility.

Recovering the BIOS from a USB ash drive

To recover the BIOS from a USB ash drive:

1. Remove any oppy disk from the oppy disk drive and turn the system.

2. Insert the USB ash drive with the original or updated BIOS le to one USB

port on the system.

3. The utility will automatically recover the BIOS. It resets the system when the

BIOS recovery nished.

DO NOT shut down or reset the system while recovering the BIOS! Doing so
would cause system boot failure!

The recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard.

Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS le.

4-6 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.2 BIOS setup program

This motherboard supports a programmable Low-Pin Count (LPC) chip that you
can update using the provided utility described in section

updating your BIOS

.

Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconguring
your system, or prompted to “Run Setup.” This section explains how to congure

your system using this utility.

Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the

conguration of your computer in the future. For example, you can enable the

security password feature or change the power management settings. This

requires you to recongure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the
computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the

LPC chip.

The LPC chip on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you start up the
computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program. Press

<Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to enter the Setup utility; otherwise,

POST continues with its test routines.

If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing
<Ctrl+Alt+Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You can
also restart by turning the system off and then back on. Do this last option only if

the rst two failed.

The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a
menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various sub-menus and make
your selections from the available options using the navigation keys.

4.1 Managing and

• The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions
to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after
changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system
compatibility and stability. Select the
Exit Menu. See section

• The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes
only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

• Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for

this motherboard.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-7

4.8 Exit Menu

Load Setup Defaults

.

item under the

4.2.1 BIOS menu screen

Menu bar

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

System Time [13:44:30]
System Date [Fri, 02/13/2009]
Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]

SATA 1 : [ST3160812AS]
SATA 2 : [Not Detected]
SATA 3 : [Not Detected]
SATA 4 : [Not Detected]
SATA 5 : [Not Detected]
SATA 6 : [Not Detected]

IDE Conguration
AHCI Conguration
System Information

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Sub-menu items

Conguration eldsMenu items

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

General help

Use [ENTER], [TAB]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to
select a eld.

Use [+] or [-] to
congure system Date.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Navigation keys

4.2.2 Menu bar

The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:

Main For changing the basic system conguration

Advanced For changing the advanced system settings

Server For changing the advanced server settings

Boot For changing the system boot conguration

Exit For selecting the exit options and loading default

settings

To select an item on the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key on the keyboard
until the desired item is highlighted.

4.2.3 Navigation keys

At the bottom right corner of a menu screen are the navigation keys for that
particular menu. Use the navigation keys to select items in the menu and change
the settings.

The navigation keys differ from one screen to another.

4-8 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.2.4 Menu items

The highlighted item on the

menu bar displays the specic

items for that menu. For
example, selecting Main shows
the Main menu items.

System Time [11:17:09]
System Date [Wed 12/17/2008]
Legacy Diskette A [1.44 MB 3.5 in.]

SATA1 [Not Detected]
SATA2 [Not Detected]
SATA3 [Not Detected]]
SATA4 [Not Detected]
SATA5 [Not Detected]
SATA6 [Not Detected]

IDE Conguration
AHCI Conguration
System Information

Use [ENTER], [TAB]

or [SHIFT-TAB] to

select a eld.

Use [+] or [-] to

congure system

Date.

The other items (Advanced,
Power, Boot, and Exit) on the
menu bar have their respective
menu items.

Main menu items

4.2.5 Sub-menu items

A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a
sub-menu. To display the sub-menu, select the item and press <Enter>.

4.2.6 Conguration elds

These elds show the values for the menu items. If an item is user-congurable,
you can change the value of the eld opposite the item. You cannot select an item
that is not user-congurable.

A congurable eld is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. To
change the value of a eld, select it then press <Enter> to display a list of options.

Refer to 4.2.7 Pop-up window.

4.2.7 Pop-up window

Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the

conguration options for that item.

4.2.8 Scroll bar

A scroll bar appears on the right side of a
menu screen when there are items that do

not t on the screen. Press the Up/Down

arrow keys or <Page Up> /<Page Down>
keys to display the other items on the
screen.

Pop-up window

Scroll bar

4.2.9 General help

At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected
item.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-9

4.3 Main menu

When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving
you an overview of the basic system information.

Refer to section 4.2.1 BIOS menu screen for information on the menu screen
items and how to navigate through them.

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

System Time [13:44:30]
System Date [Fri, 02/13/2009]

SATA 1 : [ST3160812AS]
SATA 2 : [Not Detected]
SATA 3 : [Not Detected]
SATA 4 : [Not Detected]
SATA 5 : [Not Detected]
SATA 6 : [Not Detected]

IDE Conguration
AHCI Conguration
System Information

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

4.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx]

Allows you to set the system time.

4.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]

Allows you to set the system date.

Use [ENTER], [TAB]
or [SHIFT-TAB] to
select a eld.

Use [+] or [-] to
congure system Date.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Field
Tab Select Field
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4-10 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.3.3 SATA1–6

The items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the SATA

devices installed in the system. Select an item then press <Enter> if you wish to

congure the item.

Main

SATA 1

Device :Hard Disk
Vendor :xxxxxxxxx
Size :xx.xGB
LBA Mode :Supported
Block Mode:16Sectors
PIO Mode :4
Async DMA :MultiWord DMA-2
Ultra DMA :Ultra DMA-6
S.M.A.R.T.:Supported

LBA/Large Mode [Auto]
Block(Multi-Sector Transfer)M [Auto]
PIO Mode [Auto]
DMA Mode [Auto]
SMART Monitoring [Auto]
32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device,

Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and
S.M.A.R.T. monitoring). These values are not user-congurable. These items show

N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system.

LBA/Large Mode [Auto]

Enables or disables the LBA mode. Setting to [Auto] enables the LBA mode if the
device supports this mode, and if the device was not previously formatted with LBA

mode disabled. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Disabled: Disabled LBA
Mode.
Auto: Enables LBA
Mode if the device
supports it and the
device is not already
formatted with LBA
Mode disabled.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto]

Enables or disables data multi-sectors transfers. When set to [Auto], the data
transfer from and to the device occurs multiple sectors at a time if the device
supports multi-sector transfer feature. When set to [Disabled], the data transfer
from and to the device occurs one sector at a time.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

PIO Mode [Auto]

Allows you to select the data transfer mode.

Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]

DMA Mode [Auto]

Sets the DMA mode.

Conguration options: [Auto] [SWDMA0] [SWDMA1] [SWDMA2] [MWDMA0]

[MWDMA1] [MWDMA2] [UDMA0] [UDMA1] [UDMA2] [UDMA3] [UDMA4] [UDMA5]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-11

SMART Monitoring [Auto]

Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology.

Conguration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled]

Enables or disables 32-bit data transfer.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

4.3.4 IDE Conguration

The items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the SATA

devices installed in the system. Select an item then press <Enter> if you wish to

congure the item.

Main

IDE Conguration

SATA Conguration [Enhanced]
Congure SATA as [IDE]

Hard Disk Write Protect [Disabled]
IDE Detect Time Out (Sec) [35]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Options

Disabled
Compatible
Enhanced

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

SATA Conguration [Enhanced]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Compatible] [Enhanced]

Configure SATA as [IDE]

Sets the conguration for the Serial ATA connectors supported by the
Southbridge chip. Conguration options: [IDE] [RAID] [AHCI]

• If you want to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical
storage devices, keep the default setting [IDE].

• If you want the Serial ATA hard disk drives to use the Advanced Host
Controller Interface (AHCI), set this item to [AHCI]. The AHCI allows
the onboard storage driver to enable advanced Serial ATA features that
increases storage performance on random workloads by allowing the drive

to internally optimize the order of commands.

®

• If you want to create RAID sets with LSI MegaRAID utility, or Intel
Storage Technology from the Serial ATA hard disk drives, set this item to
[RAID].

4-12 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Matrix

Hard Disk Write Protect [Disabled]

Disables or enables device write protection. This will be effective only if the device
is accessed through BIOS.

Conguration option: [Disabled] [Enabled]

IDE Detect Time Out (Sec) [35]

Selects the time out value for detecting ATA/ATAPI devices.

Conguration options: [0] [5] [10] [15] [20] [25] [30] [35]

4.3.5 AHCI Conguration

This menu is the section for AHCI conguration.

Main

AHCI Settings

AHCI CD/DVD Boot Time out [35]

SATA Port1 [Not Detected]
SATA Port2 [Not Detected]
SATA Port3 [Not Detected]
SATA Port4 [Not Detected]
SATA Port5 [Not Detected]
SATA Port6 [Not Detected]

AHCI CD/DVD Boot Time out [35]

Selects the boot time out value for SATA CD/DVD devices in AHCI mode.
Congifuration options: [0] [5] [10] [15] [20] [25] [30] [35]

SATA Port1–6 [XXXX]

Displays the status of auto-detection of SATA devices.

Main

SATA Port1

Device :Not Detected

SATA Port0 [Auto]
SMART Monitoring [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Some SATA CD/DVD in
AHCI mode need to
wait ready longer.

Select the type
of device connected
to the system.

SATA Port0 [Auto]

Allows you to select the type of device connected to the system.

Conguration options: [Auto] [Not Installed]

SMART Monitoring [Enabled]

Allows you to set the Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-13

4.3.6 System Information

This menu gives you an overview of the general system specications. The BIOS

automatically detects the items in this menu.

Main

AMIBIOS

Version :0216
Build Date :02/10/09

Processor

Type :Genuine Intel(R) CPU @ 2.40GHz
Speed :2400MHZ

System Memory

Usable Size : 1016MB

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

System Memory Information

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

AMIBIOS

Displays the auto-detected BIOS information.

Processor

Displays the auto-detected CPU specication.

System Memory

Displays the auto-detected system memory.

System Memory Information

Displays system memory information.

Main

System Memory Information

CPU1 Memory Information

CPU2 Memory Information

CPU1/2 Memory Configuration

Allows you to check information of installed memory (9 DIMMs per CPU).

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

4-14 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

CPU1/2 Memory Conguration

Displays the auto-detected memory specication.

Main

CPU1 Memory Conguration

Speed N/A

DIMM_A1 N/A

DIMM_A2 N/A
DIMM_A3 N/A

DIMM_B1 N/A

DIMM_B2 N/A
DIMM_B3 N/A

DIMM_C1 N/A

DIMM_C2 N/A
DIMM_C3 N/A

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-15

4.4 Advanced menu

The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other
system devices.

Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect

eld values can cause the system to malfunction.

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

CPU Conguration
Chipset Conguration
Legacy Device Conguration
USB Conguration
PCIPnP Conguration
APM Conguration
Event Log Conguration
Hardware Monitor
PCI Exppress Conguration
ACPI Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Congure CPU.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4.4.1 CPU Conguration

The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS
automatically detects. Some items may not appear if your CPU does not support
the related functions.

Advanced

Congure advanced CPU settings

Module Version:3F.11

Manufacturer:Intel
Brand String:Genuine Intel(R) CPU @ 0000 @ 2.67GHz
Frequency :2.66GHz
BCLK Speed :133MHz
Cache L1 :128 KB
Cache L2 :1024 KB
Cache L3 :8192 KB
Ratio Status:Unlocked (Min:12, Max:20)
Ratio Actual Value :20
CPUID :106A2

Ratio CMOS Setting: [Auto]
C1E Support [Enabled]
Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]
Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch [Enabled]
Intel(R) Virtualization Tech [Enabled]
CPU TM Function [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Sets the ratio between
CPU Core Clock and the
FSB Frequency.
Note:If an invalid
ratio is set in CMOS
then actual and
setpoint values may
differ.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4-16 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Scroll down for more items.

Advanced

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Execute-Disable Bit Capability [Enabled]
Intel(R) HT Technology [Enabled]
Active Processor Cores [All]
A20M [Disabled]
DCU Mode [32KB 8-way without]
DCA Prefetch Delay [32]
Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Enabled]
Intel(R) TurboMode tech [Enabled]
Intel(R) C-STATE Tech [Enabled]
C3 State [ACPI C3]
C6 State [Enabled]
C7 State [Enabled]
C State package limit setting [Auto]
C1 Auto Demotion [Enabled]
C3 Auto Demotion [Enabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Sets the ratio between
CPU Core Clock and the
FSB Frequency.
Note:If an invalid
ratio is set in CMOS
then actual and
setpoint values may
differ.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Ratio CMOS Setting [Auto]

Allows you to adjust the ratio between CPU Core Clock and BCLK Frequency.
Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value.

Conguration options: [Auto] [12.0] [13.0] [14.0] [15.0] [16.0] [17.0] [18.0] [19.0]

[20.0]

C1E Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable Enhanced Halt State support.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Hardware Prefetcher [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Hardware Prefetcher function.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch function.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel(R) Virtualization Tech [Enabled]

The Intel® Virtualization Technology allows a hardware platform to run multiple
operating systems separately and simultaneously, enabling one system to virtually

function as several systems. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CPU TM Function [Enabled]

This function enables the overheated CPU to throttle the clock speed to cool down.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-17

Execute-Disable Bit Capability [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the No-Execution Page Protection Technology.

Setting this item to [Disabled] forces the XD feature ag to always return to zero (0).
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel(R) HT Technology [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Intel Hyper-Threading Technology function.
When disabled, only one thread per activated core is enabled.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Active Processor Cores [All]

Allows you to choose the number of CPU cores to activate in each processor

package.Conguration options: [All] [1] [2]

A20M [Disabled]

Legacy OSes and APs may need A20M enabled.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

DCU Mode [32KB 8-way without]

Allows you to select the mode for the Data Cache.

Conguration options: [32KB 8-way without ECC] [16KB 4-way with ECC]

DCA Prefetch Delay [32]

Allows you to select the time delay in bus clocks from snoop to prefetch.

Conguration options: [8] [16] [24] [32] [40]—[104] [112] [120]

Intel(R) SpeedStep (TM) Tech [Enabled]

When set to [Disabled], the CPU runs at its default speed. When set to [Enabled],
the CPU speed is controlled by the operating system.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel(R) TurboMode tech [Enabled]

Turbo mode allows processor cores to run faster than marked frequency in specic
condition.Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Intel(R) C-STATE Tech [Enabled]

The Intel® C-State Technology allows the CPU to save more power under idle
mode. Enable this item only when you install a C-State Technology-supported

CPU. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when you

item to [Enabled].

4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

set the

Intel(R) C-STATE Tech

C3 State [ACPI C3]

Allows you to select Nehalem C state action.

Conguratiton options: [Disabled] [ACPI C2] [ACPI C3]

C6 State [Enabled]

Allows you to select Nehalem C state action.

Conguratiton options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

C7 State [Enabled]

Allows you to select Nehalem C state action.

Conguratiton options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

C State package limit setting [Auto]

We recommend that you set this item to [Auto] for BIOS to automatically detect the
C-State mode supported by your CPU.

Conguration options: [Auto] [C1] [C3] [C6] [C7]

C1 Auto Demotion [Enabled]

When this item is enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C3/C6/C7 requests to
C1 based on the uncore auto-demote information.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

C3 Auto Demotion [Enabled]

When this item is enabled, the CPU will conditionally demote C6/C7 requests to C3
based on the uncore auto-demote information.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-19

4.4.2 Chipset Conguration

The Chipset conguration menu allows you to change advanced chipset settings.

Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.

Advanced

Advanced Chipset Settings

WARNING: Setting wrong values in below sections
may cause system to malfunction.

CPU Bridge Conguration
NorthBridge Conguration
SouthBridge Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Congure CPU Bridge
features.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

CPU Bridge Conguration

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced

Advanced

CPU Bridge Chipset Conguration

CPU Bridge Chipset Conguration

CPU REVISION :B0

CPU Revision :B0
Current CSI Frequency :6.400GT

Current CSI Frequency :4.800GT
Current Memory Frequency :1066 Mhz

Current Memory Frequency :1066 Mhz

CSI Links Speed [Full-Speed]

CSI Links Speed [Full-Speed]
CSI Frequency [Auto]

CSI Frequency [Auto]
CSI Isochronous [Disabled]
Memory Frequency [Auto]

CSI L0s [Enabled]
Memory Mode [Independent]

CSI L1 [Disabled]
Demand Scrubbing [Disabled]
Patrol Scrubbing [Disabled]

Memory Frequency [Auto]
Throttling - Closed Loop [Disabled]

Memory Mode [Independent]
Throttling - Open Loop [Disabled]

Memory ECC Function [Enabled]
Double Rate Refresh [Auto]
Demand Scrubbing [Enabled]
Patrol Scrubbing [Disabled]
NUMA Aware [Auto]
Page Policy [Closed]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

To transition the CSI

To transition the CSI
links to full-speed

links to full-speed
or leave them in

or leave them in
slow-mode.

slow-mode.

←→ Select Screen

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option

+- Change Option
F1 General Help

F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit

F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

ESC Exit

Scroll down for more items.

Adaptive Page [Disabled]
Data Scramble [Enabled]
Split Below 4GB [Disabled]
Channel Interleaving [6:1]
Rank Interleaving [4:1]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

4-20 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

CSI Links Speed [Full-Speed]

Allows you to set the speed of CSI Links.

Conguration options: [Slow-Mode] [Full-Speed]

CSI Frequency [Auto]

Allows you to set the CSI frequency.

Conguration options: [Auto] [4.800GT] [5.866GT] [6.400GT]

CSI Isochronous [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CSI L0s [Enabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

CSI L1 [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Memory Frequency [Auto]

You may allow the system to detect DDR3 memory frequency via SPD or designate

a specic frequency.
Conguration options: [Auto] [Force DDR-800] [Force DDR-1066] [Force DDR-1333]

Memory Mode [Independent]

Allows you to set Memory channel mode.

Conguration options: [Independent] [Channel Mirroring] [Lockstep] [Sparing]

Memory ECC Function [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable Memory ECC fucntion.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Double Rate Refresh [Auto]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Demand Scrubbing [Enabled]

Enables or disables the ECC demand scrub.Conguration options: [Disabled]

[Enabled]

Patrol Scrubbing [Disabled]

Enables or disables the ECC patrol scrub.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

NUMA Aware [Auto]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-21

Page Poilcy [Closed]

Conguration options: [Closed] [Open]

Adaptive Page [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Data Scramble [Disabled]

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Split Below 4 GB [Disabled]

Conguation options: [Disabled] [Auto]

Channel Interleaving [6:1]

Allows you to set the channel interleaving setting.

Conguation options: [1:1] [2:1] [4:1] [6:1]

Rank Interleaving [4:1]

Allows you to set the rank interleaving setting.

Conguation options: [1:1] [2:1] [4:1]

North Bridge Conguration

The North Bridge Conguration menu shows the auto-detected Northbridge values.

Advanced

NorthBridge Chipset Conguration

NB Revision :B3
Current CSI Frequency :4.800GT

Crystal Beach / DMA [Disabled]

V02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Crystal Beach / DMA [Disabled]

Conguation options: [Disabled] [Auto]

4-22 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

South Bridge Conguration

Advanced

CPU Bridge Chipset Conguration

USB Functions [Enabled]
USB Port Congure [8+4 USB Ports]

USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]

HDA Controller [Enabled]
Reserved Page Route [PCI]

SLP_S4# Min. Assertion Width [1 to 2 seconds]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

USB Functions [Enabled]

Allows you to congure the amount of USB ports to be enabled.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

USB Port Congure [8+4 USB Ports]

This item disappears when you set the

Conguration options: [6+6 USB Ports] [8+4 USB Ports]

USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 controller. This item become

uncongurable if you set the
[12 USB Ports]. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

USB Functions

USB Functions

Options

Disabled
Enabled

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

item to [Disabled].

item to [10 USB Ports] or

HDA Controller [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the High Denition Audio controller.
Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

Reserved Page Route [PCI]

Conguration options: [PCI] [LPC]

SLP_S4# Min. Assertion Width [1 to 2 seconds]

Conguration options: [4 to 5 seconds] [3 to 4 seconds] [2 to 3 seconds]
[1 to 2 seconds]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-23

4.4.3 Legacy Device Conguration

Advanced

Legacy Device Conguration

Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]
Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Serial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]

Allows you to select the Serial Port1 base address.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [3F8/IRQ4] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]

Serial Port2 Address [2F8/IRQ3]

Allows you to select the Serial Port2 base address.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [2F8/IRQ3] [3E8/IRQ4] [2E8/IRQ3]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Allows BIOS to Enable
or Disable Floppy
Controller.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4-24 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.4.4 USB Conguration

Advanced

USB Conguration

Module Version - 2.24.3-13.4

USB Devices Enabled :

None

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]
USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]
BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]
Hotplug USB FDD Support [Auto]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enables support for
legacy USB. AUTO
option disables
legacy support if
no USB devices are
connected.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

The following item appears only when you set

USB Function

to [Enabled].

Legacy USB Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable support for legacy USB devices. Setting to [Auto]
allows the system to detect the presence of USB devices at startup. If detected, the
USB controller legacy mode is enabled. If no USB device is detected, the legacy

USB support is disabled. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]

The following item appears only when you set

USB Function

to [Enabled].

USB 2.0 Controller Mode [HiSpeed]

Allows you to set the USB 2.0 controller to HiSpeed (480Mbps) or FullSpeed

(12Mbps). Conguration options: [FullSpeed] [HiSpeed]

BIOS EHCI Hand-Off [Enabled]

Enables or disables the BIOS EHCI hand-off support.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Hotplug USB FDD Support [Auto]

Allows you to congure the Hotplug USB FDD support.
Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-25

4.4.5 PCIPnP Conguration

The PCIPnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP
devices.

Take caution when changing the settings of the PCI/PnP Conguration menu
items. Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.

Advanced

Advanced PCI/PnP Settings

WARNING: Setting wrong values in below sections
may cause system to malfunction.

Plug And Play O/S [No]

PCI Option ROM Scan Order [Bus 0 First]
Onboard Option ROM Priority [High]

Onboard LAN1 Boot [PXE]
Onboard LAN2 Boot [PXE]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

NO: lets the BIOS
congure all the
devices in the system.
YES: lets the
operating system
congure Plug and
Play (PnP) devices not
required for boot if
your system has a Plug
and Play operating
system.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Plug And Play O/S [No]

When set to [No], BIOS congures all the devices in the system. When set to

[Yes] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system

congures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot.
Conguration options: [No] [Yes]

PCI Option ROM Scan Order [Bus 0 First]

Allows you to select the PCI option ROM scanning order. The scanning of the
option ROM will start from the lowest bus, device, fucntion number if you set this

item to [Bus 0 First]; the scanning starts from the highest bus, device, function

number if you set this item to [Bus N First].

Conguration options: [Bus 0 First] [Bus N First]

Onboard Option ROM Priority [High]

Allows you to select the onboard option ROM priority.

Conguration options: [Normal] [High]

Onboard LAN1/2 Boot [PXE]

Allows you to congure the onboard LAN1/2 boot mode.
Conguration: [Disabled] [PXE] [iSCSI]

4-26 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.4.6 APM Conguration

Advanced

Power On Conguration

Restore on AC Power Loss [Last State]

Resume On Ring [Disabled]
Resume On PME# (Wake On LAN) [Disabled]

Resume On RTC Alarm [Disabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Restore on AC Power Loss [Last State]

When set to [Power Off], the system goes into off state after an AC power loss.
When set to [Power On], the system will reboot after an AC power loss. When set
to [Last State], the system goes into either off or on state, whatever the system
state was before the AC power loss.

Conguration options: [Power Off] [Power On] [Last State]

Resume On Ring [Disabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system enables RI to generate a wake event while the

computer is in Soft-off mode. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Options

Power Off
Power On
Last State

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Resume On PME# (Wake On LAN) [Disabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system enables the PCI-E and PCI-X to generate a
wake event while the computer is in Soft-off mode.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Resume On RTC Alarm [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake-up event.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when the

Resume On RTC Alarm

to [Enabled].

RTC Alarm Date [15]

To set the alarm date, highlight this item and press the <+> or <-> key to
make the selection.

System Time [12:30:30]

Use the <ENTER>, <TAB> or <SHIFT-TAB> key to select a eld. Use the <+>
or <-> key to congure alarm time.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-27

item is set

4.4.7 Event Log Conguration

Main Advanced

Event Logging details

View Event Log
Mark all events as read
Clear Event Log

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

View Event Log

Press <Enter> to read all the unread event log.

Mark all events as read

Press <Enter> to mark all the events as read.

Clear Event Log

Press <Enter> to clear all events on the event log.

4.4.8 Hardware Monitor

Advanced

Hardware Monitor

CPU1 Temperature [ 27.5ºC/ 81.5ºF]
CPU2 Temperature [ 0 ºC/ 32 ºF]

TR1 Temperature [ N/A ]
TR2 Temperature [ N/A ]

CPU Fan1 Speed [ 4200RPM]
CPU Fan2 Speed [ N/A ]
Front Fan1 Speed [ N/A ]
Front Fan2 Speed [ N/A ]
Front Fan3 Speed [ N/A ]
Front Fan4 Speed [ N/A ]
Rear Fan1 Speed [ N/A ]
Rear Fan2 Speed [ N/A ]
Fan Speed Control [Generic Mode]
VCORE1 Voltage [ 1.052 V]

VCORE2 Voltage [ N/A ]

+1.5V_P1DDR3 Voltage [ 1.508 V]

+1.5V_P2DDR3 Voltage [ N/A ]

+1.5V_ICH Voltage [ 1.520 V]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Scroll down for more items.

P1VTT Voltage [ 1.022 V]
P2VTT Voltage [ 1.022 V]
+1.1V_IOH Voltage [ 0.204 V]
+12V Voltage [12.000 V]
+5V Voltage [ 5.196 V]
+3.3V Voltage [ 3.246 V]
+5VSB Voltage [ 5.132 V]
+3VSB Voltage [ 3.198 V]
VBAT Voltage [ 3.126 V]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

View all unread events
on the Event Log.

CPU1 Temperature

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

4-28 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

CPU1/2 Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]
TR1/2 Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the motherboard
component and CPU temperatures. Select [Ignored] if you do not wish to display
the detected temperatures.

CPU Fan1/2; Front Fan1–4 Speed [xxxxRPM] or [Ignored] / [N/A]
Rear Fan1/2 Speed [xxxxRPM] or [Ignored] / [N/A]

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the speed of
CPU fans, front fans, and rear fans in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not

connected to the motherboard, the eld shows [N/A].

Fan Speed Control [Generic Mode]

Allows you to congure the ASUS Smart Fan feature that smartly adjusts the fan
speeds for more efcient system operation.
Conguration options: [Full Speed Mode] [Whisper Mode] [Generic Mode]

[High Density Mode]

VCORE1/2 Voltage, +1.5V_P1/2DDR3 Voltage, +1.5V_ICH Voltage,
P1/2VTT Voltage, +1.1V_IOH Voltage, +12V Voltage, +5V Voltage,
+3.3V Voltage, +5VSB Voltage, +3VSB Voltage, VBAT Voltage

The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the
onboard voltage regulators. Select [Ignored] if you do not want to detect this item.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-29

4.4.9 PCI Express Conguration

Advanced

PCI Express Conguration

Active State Power-Management [Disabled]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Active State Power-Management [Disabled]

Enables or disables the PCI Express L0s and L1 link power states.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enable/Disable
PCI Express L0s and
L1 link power
states.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4.4.10 ACPI Conguration

Advanced

ACPI Settings

Advanced ACPI Conguration
Chipset ACPI Conguration
General WHEA Conguration

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Advanced ACPI
Conguration
settings.

Use this section to
congure additional
ACPI options.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

4-30 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Advanced ACPI Conguration

Advanced

Advanced ACPI Conguration

ACPI 2.0 Support [Enabled]
ACPI APIC support [Enabled]
BIOS-->AML ACPI table [Enabled]
Headless mode [Disabled]

ACPI 2.0 Support [Enabled]

Species the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI) version
supported. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface

(ACPI) support in the Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC). When
set to [Enabled], the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the RSDT pointer list.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS-->AML ACPI table [Enabled]

Allows you to include the BIOS-->AML exchange table pointer to (X)RSDT pointer

list.Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Headless mode [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Headless operation mode through ACPI.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Add additional tables
as per ACPI 2.0
specications.

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-31

Chipset ACPI Conguration

Advanced

South Bridge ACPI Conguration

Energy Lake Feature [Disabled]
APIC ACPI SCI IRQ [Disabled]
USB Device Wakeup From S3/S4 [Disabled]
High Performance Event Timer [Disabled]
HPET Memory Address [FED00000h]

Energy Lake Feature [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Energy Lake feature.

Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]

We do not recommend you enable this feature.

APIC ACPI SCI IRQ [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the APIC ACPI SCI IRQ feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

USB Device Wakeup From S3/S4 [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the USB device wakeup from S3/S4 feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

High Performance Event Timer [Disabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the High Performance Event Timer feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enabled
Disabled

Options

HPET Memory Address [FED00000h]

Conguration options: [FED00000h] [FED01000h] [FED02000h] [FED03000h]

General WHEA Conguration

Advanced

General WHEA Conguration

WHEA Support [Enabled]

WHEA Support [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the Windows Hardware Error Architecture (WHEA)

support.Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

4-32 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Enable or disable
Windows Hardware
Error Architecture.

4.5 Server menu

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

Remote Access Conguration

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Congure Remote
Access.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4.5.1 Remote Access Conguration

The items in this menu allows you to congure the Remote Access features. Select
an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options.

Server

Congure Remote Access type and parameters

Remote Access [Enabled]

Serial port number [COM2]

Base Address, IRQ [2F8h, 3]

Serial Port Mode [57600 8,n,1]
Flow Control [Hardware]
Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]
Terminal Type [VT-UTF8]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Select Remote Access
type.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Remote Access [Enabled]

Enables or disables the remote access feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

The following items appear only when Remote Access is set to [Enabled].

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-33

Serial port number [COM2]

Selects the serial port for console redirection.

Conguration options: [COM1] [COM2]

Base Address. IRQ [2F8h, 3]

This item is not user-congurable and changes with the conguration of Serial

port number.

Serial Port Mode [57600 8,n,1]

Sets the Serial port mode.
Conguration options: [115200 8,n,1] [57600 8,n,1] [38400 8,n,1] [19200 8,n,1]
[09600 8,n,1]

Flow Control [Hardware]

Allows you to select the ow control for console redirection.
Conguration options: [None] [Hardware] [Software]

Redirection After BIOS POST [Disabled]

Sets the redirection mode after the BIOS Power-On Self-Test (POST). Some
operating system may not work when set to [Always].

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Boot Loader] [Always]

Terminal Type [VT-UTF8]

Allows you to select the target terminal type.

Conguration options: [ANSI] [VT100] [VT-UTF8]

4-34 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

4.6 Boot menu

The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item
then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

Boot Settings

Boot Device Priority
Removable Drives

Boot Settings Conguration
Security

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

4.6.1 Boot Device Priority

Boot

Boot Device Priority

1st Boot Device [1st FLOPPY DRIVE]
2nd Boot Device [ATAPI CD-ROM]
3rd Boot Device [Hard Drive]
4th Boot Device [Network:IBA GE Slo]
5th Boot Device [Network:IBA GE Slo]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Species the Boot
Device Priority
sequence.

A virtual oppy disk
drive (Floppy Drive B:
) may appear when you
set the CD-ROM drive
as the rst boot
device.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

Species the Boot
Device Priority
sequence.

A device enclosed
in parenthesis has
been disabled in the
corresponding type
menu.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

1st ~ xxth Boot Device [XXXXXXX]

These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices.
The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of

devices installed in the system. Conguration options: [xxxxx Drive] [Disabled]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-35

4.6.2 Removable Drives

Boot

Removable Drives

1st Device [1st FLOPPY DRIVE]

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

1st Device [1st FLOPPY DRIVE]

Allows you to species the boot sequence from the available devices.
Conguration options: [1st FLOPPY DRIVE] [Disabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Species the boot
sequence from the
available devices.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

4.6.3 Boot Settings Conguration

Boot

Boot Settings Conguration

Quick Boot [Enabled]
Full Screen Logo [Enabled]
AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS]
Bootup Num-Lock [On]
Wait For ‘F1‘ If Error [Enabled]
Hit ‘DEL‘ Message Display [Enabled]
Interrupt 19 Capture [Enabled]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Allows BIOS to skip
certain tests while
booting. This will
decrease the time
needed to boot the
system.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

+- Change Option
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Quick Boot [Enabled]

Enabling this item allows the BIOS to skip some power on self tests (POST) while
booting to decrease the time needed to boot the system. When set to [Disabled],

BIOS performs all the POST items. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

4-36 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

Full Screen Logo [Enabled]

Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo2™ feature.

AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS]

Allows you to set the display mode for Options ROM.

Conguration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current]

Bootup Num-Lock [On]

Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.

Conguration options: [Off] [On]

Wait For ‘F1‘ If Error [Enabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system waits for the <F1> key to be pressed when error

occurs. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Hit ‘DEL‘ Message Display [Enabled]

When set to [Enabled], the system displays the message “Press DEL to run Setup”

during POST. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

Interrupt 19 Capture [Enabled]

When set to [Enabled], this function allows the option ROMs to trap Interrupt 19.

Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-37

4.6.4 Security

The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings. Select

an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options.

Boot

Security Settings

Supervisor Password : Not Installed
User Password : Not Installed

Change Supervisor Password
Change User Password

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Change Supervisor Password

Select this item to set or change the supervisor password. The Supervisor
Password item on top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you set

a password, this item shows Installed.

To set a Supervisor Password:

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

<Enter> to change
password.
<Enter> again to
disable password.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Change
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

1. Select the

Change Supervisor Password item and press <Enter>.

2. From the password box, type a password composed of at least six letters
and/or numbers, then press <Enter>.

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

The message “Password Installed” appears after you successfully set your
password.

To change the supervisor password, follow the same steps as in setting a user
password.

To clear the supervisor password, select the Change Supervisor Password then
press <Enter>. The message “Password Uninstalled” appears.

If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real
Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section 4.2 Jumper for information on how to
erase the RTC RAM.

4-38 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to
change other security settings.

Main Advanced Server Power Boot Tools Exit

Supervisor Password : Installed
User Password : Not Installed

Change Supervisor Password
User Access Level [Full Access]
Change User Password
Password Check [Setup]

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

<Enter> to change
password.
<Enter> again to
disable password.

User Access Level [Full Access]

This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items.

Conguration options: [No Access] [View Only] [Limited] [Full Access]

No Access prevents user access to the Setup utility.

View Only allows access but does not allow change to any eld.

Limited allows changes only to selected elds, such as Date and Time.

Full Access allows viewing and changing all the elds in the Setup utility.

Change User Password

Select this item to set or change the user password. The User Password item on
top of the screen shows the default Not Installed. After you set a password, this
item shows Installed.

To set a User Password:

1. Select the

2. On the password box that appears, type a password composed of at least six
letters and/or numbers, then press <Enter>.

3. Conrm the password when prompted.

The message “Password Installed” appears after you set your password
successfully.

To change the user password, follow the same steps as in setting a user password.

Change User Password item and press <Enter>.

Password Check [Setup]

When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the Setup
utility. When set to [Always], BIOS checks for user password both when accessing

Setup and booting the system. Conguration options: [Setup] [Always]

ASUS Z8PE-D18 4-39

4.7 Exit menu

The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values for the
BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items.

Main Advanced Server Boot Exit

Exit Options

Exit & Save Changes
Exit & Discard Changes
Discard Changes

Load Setup Defaults

v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2008, American Megatrends, Inc.

Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options
from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.

Exit & Save Changes

Once you are nished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit

menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM. An onboard
backup battery sustains the CMOS RAM so it stays on even when the PC is turned

off. When you select this option, a conrmation window appears. Select YES to

save changes and exit.

BIOS SETUP UTILITY

Exit system setup
after saving the
changes.

F10 key can be used
for this operation.

←→ Select Screen
↑↓ Select Item

Enter Go to Sub Screen
F1 General Help
F10 Save and Exit
ESC Exit

If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes, the
program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save your changes
before exiting. Press <Enter> to save the changes while exiting.

Exit & Discard Changes

Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the

Setup program. If you made changes to elds other than System Date, System
Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a conrmation before exiting.

Discard Changes

This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the

previously saved values. After selecting this option, a conrmation appears. Select

YES to discard any changes and load the previously saved values.

Load Setup Defaults

This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the

Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a conrmation

window appears. Select
or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM.

4-40 Chapter 4: BIOS setup

to load default values. Select

YES

Exit & Save Changes