Biostar TA790GX A3+ Owner's Manual
TA790GX A3+Setup Manual
FCC Information and Copyright
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of 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 the instructions, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. There is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
The vendor makes no representations or warranties with respect to the
contents here and specially disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability
or fitness for any purpose. Further the vendor reserves the right to revise this
publication and to make changes to the contents here without obligation to
notify any party beforehand.
Duplication of this publication, in part or in whole, is not allowed without first
obtaining the vendor’s approval in writing.
The content of this user’s manual is subject to be changed without notice and
we will not be responsible for any mistakes found in this user’s manual. All the
brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................ 1
1.1 Before You Start ................................................................................ 1
1.2 Package Checklist............................................................................. 1
1.3 Motherboard Features...................................................................... 2
1.4 Rear Panel Connectors ..................................................................... 3
1.5 Motherboard Layout......................................................................... 4
Chapter 2: Hardware Installation ............................................. 5
2.1 Installing Central Processing Unit (CPU)....................................... 5
2.2 FAN Headers...................................................................................... 7
2.3 Installing System Memory ................................................................ 8
2.4 Connectors and Slots....................................................................... 10
Chapter 3: Headers & Jumpers Setup ..................................... 13
3.1 How to Setup Jumpers .................................................................... 13
3.2 Detail Settings.................................................................................. 13
Chapter 4: (Hybrid) CrossFireX Function................................ 19
4.1 CrossFireX Requirements................................................................ 19
4.2 CrossFireX Installation .................................................................... 19
4.3 Hybrid CrossFire X Requirements .................................................. 20
4.4 Hybrid CrossFireX Installation....................................................... 20
4.5 Ope ration Modes Supporting List ................................................. 21
Chapter 5: RAID Functions ..................................................... 22
5.1 Operating System............................................................................ 22
5.2 Raid Arrays ...................................................................................... 22
5.3 How RAID Works............................................................................. 22
Chapter 6: T-Series BIOS & Software ..................................... 26
6.1 T-Series BIOS..................................................................................... 26
6.2 T-Series Software ............................................................................. 34
Chapter 7: Useful Help ............................................................ 44
7.1 Driver Installation Note.................................................................. 44
7.2 Extra Information............................................................................ 45
7.3 AMI BIOS Beep Code....................................................................... 46
7.4 Troubleshooting............................................................................... 47
Appendix: SPEC In Other Languages ...................................... 48
German.................................................................................................................. 48
French .................................................................................................................... 50
Italian..................................................................................................................... 52
Spanish ................................................................................................................... 54
Portuguese ............................................................................................................ 56
Polish...................................................................................................................... 58
Russian ................................................................................................................... 60
Arabic..................................................................................................................... 62
Japanese ................................................................................................................ 64
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
TA790GX A3+
1.1 B
EFORE YOU START
Thank you for choosing our product. Before you start installing the
motherboard, please make sure you follow the instructions below:
Prepare a dry and stable working environment with
sufficient lighting.
Always disconnect the computer from power outlet
before operation.
Before you take the motherboard out from anti-static
bag, ground yourself properly by touching any safely
grounded appliance, or use grounded wrist strap to
remove the static charge.
Avoid touching the components on motherboard or the
rear side of the board unless necessary. Hold the board
on the edge, do not try to bend or flex the board.
Do not leave any unfastened small parts inside the
case after installation. Loose parts will cause short
circuits which may damage the equipment.
Keep the computer from dangerous area, such as heat
source, humid air and water.
1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST
IDE Cable X 1
Serial ATA Cable X 2
Serial ATA Power Cable X 1
Rear I/O Panel for ATX Case X 1
User’s Manual X 1
Fully Setup Driver CD X 1
DCCFX-P2 Paddle Card X 1
FDD Cable X 1 (optional)
USB 2.0 Cable X1 (optional)
S/PDIF out Cable X 1 (optional)
Note: The package contents may be different due to area or your motherboard version.
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Motherboard Manual
1.3 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES
CPU
FSB
Chipset
Super I/O
Main
Memory
Graphics
IDE
SATA II
LAN
Sound
IEEE 1394
On Board
Connector
2
Socket AM3
AMD Pheno m II proc es sors
Support HyperTransport 3.0
Supports up to 5.2 GT/s Bandwidth
AMD 790GX
AMD SB750
ITE 8718
Prov ides the most co mmon ly used legacy
Super I/O functionality.
Low Pin Count Interface
DIMM Slots x 4
Each DIMM supports 256MB/512MB/
1GB/2GB/4GB DDR3
Max Memory Capicity 16GB
Radeon HD 3300
AMD SB750
AMD SB750
Realtek RTL 8111DL
ALC888
LSI FW322 1394a
PCI Slot x2 Supports PCI expansion cards
PCI Express Gen2 x16 Slot x2 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x16 expansion cards Slots
PCI Express Gen2 x1 Slot x2 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x1 expansion cards
Floppy Connector x1 Each connector supports 2 Floppy drives
IDE Conn ector x1 Each connector supports 2 IDE device
SATA Connector x6 Each connector support s 1 SATA devices
Front Panel Connector x1 Supports front panel facilit ies
Front Audio Connector x1 Supports front panel audio function
CD-in Connector x1 Supports CD audio-in function
S/PDIF out Connector x1 Supports digital audio out function
CPU Fan Header x1 CPU Fan power supply (with Smart Fan function)
SPEC
AMD 64 Architecture enables 32 and 64 bit
computing
Supports Hyper Transport 3.0 and PowerNow
En v ironment Co n t rol in itiatives ,
H/W Mon itor
Fan Sp eed Contro ller
ITE's "S mart Guardian " funct ion
Dual Channel Mod e DDR3 memory mo du le
Supports DDR3 1333 / 1066 / 800
Registered D IMM and ECC D IMM is not supported
Onboard side port memory 128MB DDR2
Max Shared V ideo Memo ry is 512 MB
DX10/UVD/HDCP support
(Hybrid) CrossFireX s upport (by AT I driver)
Ultra DMA 33 / 66 / 100 / 133 Bus Master Mode
supports PIO Mode 0~4,
Data transfer rates up to 3 Gb/s.
SATA Ver s io n 2.0 s pe c if icat ion co mpl iant .
RAID 0,1,5,1+0 support
10 / 100 Mb/s / 1Gb/s auto negot iation
Half / Full duplex capability
7.1channels audio out
Supports HD Audio
System Fan Header x2 System Fan Power supply
CMOS clear Header x1 Restore CMOS data to factory default
USB Connector x3 Each conne ctor suppo rts 2 front panel USB ports
IEEE 1394 Connector x1 Connects to IEEE 1394 device
Power Connector (24pin) x1 Connects to Power supp ly
Power Connector (4pin) x2 Connects to Power supply
PS/2 Ke yboard x1
PS/2 Mous e x1
HDMI port x1
Back Panel
I/O
Board Size
OS Support
VGA port x1
DVI-D port x1
LAN port x1
USB Port x4
Audio Jack x6
244 mm (W) x 305 mm (L) ATX
Windows XP / Vista 32 / Vista 64
1.4 REAR PANEL CONNECTORS
TA790GX A3+
SPEC
Connects to PS/2 Keyboard
Connects to PS/2 Mouse
Connect to HDTV
Connect to D-SUB monitor
Connect to DVI monitor
Connect to RJ-45 ethernet cable
Connect to USB dev ices
Provide Audio-In/Out and microphone connection
Biostar reserves the r ight to add or remove support
for any OS With or without notice.
PS/ 2
Mousd
HDMI
DVI-D
VGA
IEEE 1394
USBX2PS/ 2
LAN
USBX2
Keyboard
Center
Rear
Side
Line In
Line Out
Mic In
NOTE: The HDMI and DVI-D ports both can provide digital video signals out-put function, but
these two interfaces cannot work at the same time. The chipset uses the same channel
to control HDMI and DVI-D, so these ports ca nnot transmit video signal to different display
panels simultaneously.
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Motherboard Manual
1.5 MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT
JKBMS1
JHDMI1
VGA
DVI
J1394_US1
JUSBLAN 1
JAUDIO2
LAN
JC DIN1
JATXPWR3
JATXPWR1
PEX1_1
PEX1_2
JNFAN1
PEX16_2
AMD
790GX
BAT 1
JCFAN1
Socket AM3
DDR3_A1
DDR3_B1
DDR3_A2
DDR3_B2
JATXPW R2
IDE1
PHASE1_LED
PHASE2_LED
AMD
SB75 0
PHASE3_LED
PHASE4_LED
SATA5-6
SATA3-4
LE D_D1
LE D_D2
PEX16_1
Co dec
PCI 1
PCI 2
JSPDIF_OUT1
JAUDIOF1
J1394_1
Note: ■ represents the 1st pin.
4
FDD1
Super I/O
JUSB5 JUSB3 JUSB4
JPANEL1
SATA1-2
BIO S
JCMOS1
RST SW 1
JSFAN1
PWRSW1
CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION
TA790GX A3+
2.1 I
NSTALLING CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
Step 1: Remove the socket protection cap.
Step 2: Pull the lever toward direction A from the socket and then raise the
lever up to a 90-degree angle.
Step 3: Look for the white triangle on socket, and the gold triangle on
CPU should point towards this white triangle. The CPU will fit only
in the correct orientation.
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Motherboard Manual
Step 3: Hold the CPU down firmly, and then close the lever toward direct
B to complete the installation.
Step 4: Put the CPU Fan on the CPU and buckle it. Connect the CPU
FAN power cable to the JCFAN1. This completes the installation.
6
TA790GX A3+
2.2 FAN HEADERS
These fan headers support cooling-fans built in the computer. The fan
cable and connector may be different according to the fan manufacturer.
Connect the fan cable to the connector while matching the black wire to
pin#1.
JCFAN1: CPU Fan Header
14
JNFAN1: NorthBridge Fan Header
JSFAN1: System Fan Header
JNFAN1
13
JSFAN1
Pin
Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
3
FAN RPM r ate
sense
4 Smart Fan
Control (By Fan)
Pin Assignment
1 Ground
2 +12V
3
FAN RPM
rate sense
13
Note:
The JCFAN1, JNFAN1, and JSFAN1 support 4-pin and 3-pin head connectors. When
connecting with wires onto connectors, please note that the red wire is the positive and
should be co nnected to pin#2, and the black wire is Ground and should be connected to
GND.
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Motherboard Manual
2.3 INSTALLING SYSTEM MEMORY
A. DDR3 Modules
DDR3_A1
DDR3_B1
DDR3_A2
DDR3_B2
1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the retaining clips outward. Align a
DIMM on the slot such that the notch on the DIMM matches the
break on the Slot.
2. Insert the DIMM vertically and firmly into the slot until the retaining
chip snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.
8
B. Memory Capacity
TA790GX A3+
DIMM Socket
Location
DDR3_A1 256MB/512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB
DDR3_B1 256MB/512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB
DDR3_A2 256MB/512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB
DDR3_B2 256MB/512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB
DDR3 Module
Total Me m ory
Size
Max is 16GB.
C. Dual Channel Memory installation
Please refer to the following requirements to activate Dual Channel
function:
Install memory module of the same density in pairs, shown in the table.
Dual Channel Status
Enabled O O X X
Enabled X X O O
Enabled O O O O
(O means memory installed, X means memory not installed.)
The DRAM bus width of the memory module must be the same (x8 or
x16)
DIMMA1
DIMMB1 DIMMA2 DIMMB2
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Motherboard Manual
2.4 CONNECTORS AND SLOTS
FDD1: Floppy Disk Connector
The motherboard provides a standard floppy disk connector that supports 360K,
720K, 1.2M, 1.44M and 2.88M floppy disk types. This connector supports the
provided floppy drive ribbon cables.
234
133
IDE1: IDE/ATAPI Connector
The motherboard has a 32-bit Enhanced IDE Controller that provides PIO Mode
0~4, Bus Master, and Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 functionality.
The IDE connector can connect a master and a slave drive, so you can connect
up to two drives.
39
40
2
1
10
TA790GX A3+
PEX16_1: PCI-Express Gen2 x16 Slot (x16/x8 Speed)
- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.
- PCI-Express Gen2 supports a raw bit-rate of 5.0Gb/s on the data pins.
- 2X bandwidth over the PCI-Express 1.1 architecture.
- x16 Speed Mode: Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 8GB/s
simultaneously per direction, for an aggregate of 16GB/s
totally. (Must be with DCCFX-P2 in PEX16_2)
- x8 Speed Mode: Maxi mum theoretical realized bandwidth of 4GB/s
simultaneously per direction, for an aggregate of 8GB/s
totally. (Without DCCFX-P2 in PEX16_2 or using
CrossFireX)
- PEX16_1 slot is reserved for graphics or video cards. The design of this
motherboard supports dual PCI-Express graphics cards using CrossFireX
technology with multiple displays. When using CrossFireX, this slot is
master and runs with x8 speed.
- To make this slot run with x16 speed, please insert the Paddle Card
DCCFX-P2 into PEX16_2.
PEX16_2: PCI-Express Gen2 x16 Slot (x8 Speed)
- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.
- PCI-Express Gen2 supports a raw bit-rate of 5.0Gb/s on the data pins.
- 2X bandwidth over the PCI-Express 1.1 architecture.
- x8 Speed Mode: Maxi mum theoretical realized bandwidth of 4GB/s
simultaneously per direction, for an aggregate of 8GB/s
totally.
- PEX16_2 slot is reserved for graphics or video cards. The design of this
motherboard supports dual PCI-Express graphics cards using CrossFireX
technology with multiple displays. This slot is slave when using CrossFireX.
- Note: NVIDIA Dual Graphics is not supported
PEX16_2
PEX16_1
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Motherboard Manual
PEX1_1/PEX1_2: PCI-Express Gen2 x1 Slots
- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.
- Data transfer bandwidth up to 500MB/s per direction; 1GB/s in total.
- PCI-Express Gen2 supports a raw bit-rate of 5.0Gb/s on the data pins.
- 2X bandwidth over the PCI-Express 1.1 architecture.
PEX1_1
PEX1_2
PCI1~PCI2: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slots
This motherboard is equipped with 2 standard PCI slots. PCI stands for
Peripheral Component Interconnect, and it is a bus standard for expansion
cards. This PCI slot is designated as 32 bits.
12
PCI1
PCI2
TA790GX A3+
CHAPTER 3: HEADERS & JUMPERS SETUP
3.1 H
OW TO SETUP JUMPERS
The illustration shows how to set up jumpers. When the jumper cap is
placed on pins, the jumper is “close”, if not, that means the jumper is
“open”.
Pin opened Pin closed Pin1-2 closed
3.2 DETAIL SETTINGS
JPANEL1: Front Panel Header
This 16-pin connector includes Power-on, Reset, HDD LED, Power LED, and
speaker connection. It allows user to connect the PC case’s front panel switch
functions.
_
L
D
R
E
W
P
916
1
+
K
P
S
f
/
O
f
n
O
-
+
8
-
+
T
R
S
D
E
H
L
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 +5V 9 N/A
2 N/A 10 N/A
3 N/ A 1 1 N/A N/A
4 Speaker
5 HDD LED (+) 13 Power LED (+)
6 HDD LED (-)
7 Ground 15 Power button
8 Reset control
Speaker
Connector
Hard drive
LED
Reset button
12 Power LED (+)
14 Power LED (-)
16 Ground
N/A
Power LED
Power-on button
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Motherboard Manual
JATXPW R2: AT X Power Source Connector
This connector allows user to connect 24-pin power connector on the ATX
power supply.
12
1
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
13 +3.3V 1 +3.3V
14 -12V 2 +3.3V
15 Ground 3 Ground
16 PS_ON 4 +5V
17 Ground 5 Ground
18 Ground 6 +5V
19 Ground 7 Ground
20 NC 8 PW_OK
21 +5V 9 Standby Voltage+5V
22 +5V 10 +12V
23 +5V 11 +12V
24 Ground 12 +3.3V
24
13
JATXPW R3: AT X Power Source Connector
This connector provides +12V to CPU power circuit.
85
14
Pin Assignment
1 +12V
2 +12V
3 +12V
4 +12V
5 Ground
6 Ground
7 Ground
8 Ground
14
Note:
Before power on the system, please make sure that both JATXPWR2 and JATXPWR3
connectors have been plugged-in.
If the CPU power plug is 4-pin, please plug it into Pin 1-2-5-6 of JATXPWR3.
TA790GX A3+
JATXPWR1: Auxiliary Power for Graphics
This connector is an auxiliary power connection for graphics cards. Exclusive
power for the graphics card provides better graphics performance.
Pin
Assignment
1 +12V
14
2 Ground
3 Ground
4 VCC
JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Header
By placing the jumper on pin2-3, it allows user to restore the BIOS safe setting
and the CMOS data, please carefully follow the procedures to avoid damaging
the motherboard.
31
Pin 1-2 Close:
Normal Operation (default).
31
Pin 2-3 Close:
13
Clear CMOS data.
※ Clear CMOS Procedures:
1. Remove AC power line.
2. Set the jumper to “Pin 2-3 close”.
3. Wait for five seconds.
4. Set the jumper to “Pin 1-2 close”.
5. Power on the AC.
6. Reset your desired password or clear the CMOS data.
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Motherboard Manual
SATA1-2/SATA3-4/SATA5-6: Serial ATA Connectors
The motherboard has a PCI to SATA Controller with 6 channels SATA interface,
it satisfies the SATA 2.0 spec and with transfer rate of 3.0Gb/s.
SATA1-2 SATA3-4 SATA5-6
JUSB3~JUSB5: Headers for USB 2.0 Ports at Front Panel
This header allows user to connect additional USB cable on the PC front panel,
and also can be connected with internal USB devices, like USB card reader.
JUSB5
JUSB3
2
1
JUSB4
10
9
Pin
Assignment
1 +5V (fused)
2 +5V (fused)
3 USB4 USB5 USB+
6 USB+
7 Ground
8 Ground
9 Key
10 NC
16
TA790GX A3+
JAUDIOF1: Front Panel Audio Header
This header allows user to connect the front audio output cable with the PC front
panel. This header allows only HD audio front panel connector; AC’97 connector
is not acceptable.
Pin Assignment
1 Mic Left in
2 Ground
3 Mic Right in
4 GPIO
5 Right line in
6 Jack Sense
7 Front Sense
2
10
1
9
8 Key
9 Left line in
10 Jack Sense
JSPDIF_OUT1: Digital Audio-out Connector
This connector allows user to connect the PCI bracket SPDIF output header.
Pin
Assignment
1 +5V
2 SPDIF_OUT
3 Ground
13
JCDIN1: CD-ROM Audio-in Connector
This connector allows user to connect the audio source from the variaty devices,
like CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, PCI sound card, PCI TV turner card etc.
Assignment
Pin
1 Left Channel Input
2 Ground
1
3 Ground
4 Right Channel Input
4
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Motherboard Manual
On-Board LED Indicators
There are 6 LED indicators showing system status.
LED1 & LED2: Debug Indicators
PH1 ~ PH4: Power Status Indicators
Please refer to the tables below for specific messages:
LED1 LED2 Message
ON ON Norma l
ON OFF Memory Error
OFF ON VGA Error
OFF OFF Abnormal: CPU / Chipset error.
PHASE1_LED~PHASE4_LED Phase Indicator
ON Phase Active
OFF Phase Disable
On-Board Buttons
There are 2 on-board buttons.
PHASE1_LED
PHASE2_LED
PHASE3_LED
PHASE4_LED
LED_D2
LED_D1
18
PWRSW1: Power Switch button.
RSTSW1: Reset button.
PWRSW1
RSTSW1
TA790GX A3+
CHAPTER 4: (HYBRID) CROSSFIREX FUNCTION
4.1 C
ROSSFIREX REQUIREMENTS
Only Windows XP/Vista supports CrossFireX (Dual Video) function.
A pair of graphics cards with Radeon HD3650/HD3850/HD3870/HD4850/
HD4870/HD4670/HD4650/HD4350/HD4550/HD4830 GPU.
The graphics card driver should support CrossFireX technology.
The power supply unit must provide at least the minimum power required by
the system, or the system will be unstable. A power supply above 500W is
recommended under CrossFireX mode.
Note: Dual-core (x2) Graphics card is not supported.
4.2 CROSSFIREX INSTALLATION
Step 1: Insert the two CrossFireX-Ready graphics cards into PEX16_1 (Master)
and PEX16_2 (Slave)
PEX16_2(Slave)
R adeo n HD 3650/HD 3850/
Pair of Radeon HD
R adeo n HD 4350/HD 4550 /HD 4830
4850/HD 4870/ H D 4670/H D 4650
HD 3870
PEX16_1(Master)
Notice: Make sure both the graphics cards are seated into slots
completely.
Step 2: Connect a 4-pin ATX power cable to Auxiliary Power Connector
(JATXPWR1), this will ensure the stabilization of your system.
Step 3: Connect the CrossFireX Bridge with two graphics cards. Installation
completes.
NOTE
For more detail information of hardware/software installation and configuration
of CrossFireX function, please visit following web-sites:
http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/tutorials.html
http://ati.amd.com/technology/crossfire/howitworksdemo.html
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