Biostar TA790GXB3 Owner's Manual

TA790GXB3/TA785-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 ................... 14

3.1 How to Setup Jumpers ....................................................................14

3.2 Detail Settings.................................................................................. 14

Chapter 4: Hybrid CrossFireX Function ................. 19

4.1 Hybrid CrossFireX Requirements .................................................. 19

4.2 Hybrid CrossFireX Installation.......................................................19

Chapter 5: RAID Functions ................................... 20

5.1 Operating System............................................................................ 20

5.2 Raid Arrays ......................................................................................20

5.3 How RAID Works.............................................................................20

Chapter 6: T-Series BIOS & Software ................... 24

6.1 T-Series BIOS ....................................................................................24

6.2 T-Series Software............................................................................. 32

Chapter 7: Useful Help ......................................... 42

7.1 Driver Installation Note .................................................................42

7.2 Extra Information ...........................................................................43

7.3 AMI BIOS Beep Code.......................................................................44

7.4 Troubleshooting............................................................................... 45

Appendix: SPEC In Other Languages .................... 46

German .................................................................................................................46

French....................................................................................................................48

Italian.................................................................................................................... 50

Spanish ..................................................................................................................52

Portuguese............................................................................................................54

Polish .....................................................................................................................56

Russian ..................................................................................................................58

Arabic .................................................................................................................... 60

Japanese................................................................................................................ 62

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

TA790GXB3/TA785-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.

 The operating temperatures of the computer should be

0 to 45 degrees Celsius.

1.2 PACKAGE CHECKLIST

IDE Cable X 1 (optional)
Serial ATA Cable X 3
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
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.

1

Motherboard Manual

1.3 MOTHERBOARD FEATURES

CPU

FSB

Chipset

Super I/O

Main

Memory

Graphics

IDE

SATA II

LAN

Sound

Socket AM3

AMD Phenom II/ Athlon II processors

Support HyperTransport 3.0

Supports up to 5.2 GT/s Bandwidth

AMD 790GX (TA790GXB3)

AMD 785G (TA785-A3)

AMD SB750 (TA790GXB3)

AMD SB710 (TA785-A3)

ITE 8718

Provides the most commonly used legacy

Super I/O functionality.

Low Pin Count Interface

DDR3 DIMM Slots x 4

Max Memory Capacity 16GB

Each DIMM supports 512MB/

1GB/2GB/4GB DDR3

AMD 790GX (Radeon HD 3300)

AMD 785G (Radeon HD4200)

AMD SB750 (TA790GXB3)

AMD SB710 (TA785-A3)

AMD SB750 (TA790GXB3)

AMD SB710 (TA785-A3)

Realtek RTL 8111DL

ALC662

PCI Slot x3 Supports PCI expansion cards

PCI Express Gen2 x16 Slot x1 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x16 expansion cards Slots

PCI Express Gen2 x1 Slot x2 Supports PCI-E Gen2 x1 expansion cards

SPEC

AMD 64 Architecture enables 32 and 64 bit

computing

Supports Hyper Transport 3.0

Environment Control initiatives,

H/W Monitor

Fan Speed Controller

ITE's "Smart Guardian" function

Dual Channel Mode DDR3 memory module

Supports DDR3 800 / 1066 / 1333

Supports DDR3 1600 (OC)

Registered DIMM and ECC DIMM is not supported

Max Shared Video Memory is 512MB

DX10/UVD/HDCP support

Ultra DMA 33 / 66 / 100 / 133 Bus Master Mode

supports PIO Mode 0~4,

Data transfer rates up to 3 Gb/s.

SATA Version 2.0 specification compliant.

RAID 0,1,5,1+0 support

(RAID 5 for TA790GXB3 only)

10 / 100 Mb/s / 1Gb/s auto negotiation

Half / Full duplex capability

5.1channels audio out

Supports HD Audio

2

On Board

Connectors

Back Panel

I/O

Board Size

OS Support

TA790GXB3/TA785-A3

SPEC

Floppy Connector x1 Each connector supports 2 Floppy drives

IDE Connector x1 Each connector supports 2 IDE device

SATA Connector x6 Each connector supports 1 SATA devices

Front Panel Connector x1 Supports front panel facilities

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)

System Fan Header x2 System Fan Power supply

CMOS clear Header x1 Restore CMOS data to factory default

USB Connector x3 Each connector supports 2 front panel USB ports

Serial Port Connector x1 Connects to RS-232 Port

Power Connector (24pin) x1 Connects to Power supply

Power Connector (4pin) x2 Connects to Power supply

PS/2 Keyboard x1

PS/2 Mouse x1

VGA port x1

DVI-D port x1

LAN port x1

USB Port x4

Audio Jack x3

225 mm (W) x 305 mm (L) ATX

Windows XP / Vista 32 / Vista 64

Connects to PS/2 Keyboard

Connects to PS/2 Mouse

Connect to D-SUB monitor

Connect to DVI monitor

Connect to RJ-45 ethernet cable

Connect to USB devices

Provide Audio-In/Out and microphone connection

Biostar reserves the right to add or remove support

for any OS With or without notice.

1.4 REAR PANEL CONNECTORS

PS/2
Mouse

PS/ 2
Keyboard

DVI-D

VGA

LAN

Line In/
Surround

Line Out

Mic In 1/
Bass/ Center

USBX2USBX2

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Motherboard Manual

1.5 MOTHERBOARD LAYOUT

KBMS1

DVI1

VGA1

USB1

RJ45USB1

AUDIO2

CD_IN1

LAN

SPDIF1

Codec

F_AUDIO1

Note: represents the 1■

ATX PW R2

JUSBV1

F_COM1

AUXPWR1

SYS_FAN1

PEX1_1

PEX1_2

PEX16_ 1

PCI1

PCI2

PCI3

FDD1

AMD

790GX/

785G

BAT1

JUSBV2 F_USB1 F_USB3F_USB2

st

pin.

CPU_FAN1

Socket AM3

Super I/O

PH1

PH2

PH3

PH4

DDR3_A1

AMD

SB750/

SB710

SYS_FAN2

DDR3_B1

JCMOS1

BIOS

DDR3_A2

SATA6

SATA5

SATA4

SATA3

SATA2

IDE1

PANEL1

DDR3_B2

ATXPWR1

SATA1

LED_D2
LED_D1

SW_RST

SW_PWR

4

TA790GXB3/TA785-A3

CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE INSTALLATION

2.1 I

NSTALLING CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

Step 1: Pull the lever toward direction A from the socket and then raise the

lever up to a 90-degree angle.

Step 2: 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 CPU_FAN1. This completes the
installation.

6

TA790GXB3/TA785-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.

CPU_FAN1: CPU Fan Header

41

SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2: System Fan Headers

SYS_FAN1

Pin

Assignment

1 Ground
2 +12V
3

FAN RPM rate
sense

4 Smart Fan

Control (By Fan)

Pin Assignment

1 Ground
2 +12V
3

FAN RPM
rate sense

13

SYS_FAN2

Note:

The CPU_FAN1, SYS_FAN1, and SYS_FAN2 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 connected 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

TA790GXB3/TA785-A3

DIMM Socket

Location

DIMMA1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB

DIMMB1 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB

DIMMA2 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB

DIMMB2 512MB/1GB/2GB/4GB

DDR3 Module

Total Memory

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)

DDR3_A1 DDR3_B1 DDR3_A2 DDR3_B2

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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.

240

139

10

TA790GXB3/TA785-A3

SATA1~SATA6: 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.

Pin

SATA6
SATA5
SATA4
SATA3
SATA2
SATA1

147

Assignment

1 Ground
2 TX+
3 TX­4 Ground
5 RX­6 RX+
7 Ground

AUXPWR1: 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

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Motherboard Manual

2

3

ATXPWR1: ATX 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

ATXPWR2: ATX Power Source Connector

Connecting this connector will provide +12V to CPU power circuit.

Pin

41

1 +12V
2 +12V
3 Ground
4 Ground

Assignment

Note:

Before you power on the system, please make sure that both ATXPWR1 and ATXPWR2
connectors have been plugged-in.

12

TA790GXB3/TA785-A3

PEX16_1: PCI-Express Gen2 x16 Slot

- PCI-Express 2.0 compliant.

- Maximum theoretical realized bandwidth of 8GB/s simultaneously per

direction, for an aggregate of 16GB/s totally.

- 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: 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.

PEX16_1

PEX1_1

PEX1_2

PCI1~PCI3: Peripheral Component Interconnect Slots

This motherboard is equipped with 3 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.

PCI1

PCI2

PCI3

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Motherboard Manual

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

PANEL1: 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.

D

E

L

_

R

P

W

916
1

+

P

S

K

H

f

f

n

/

O

O

-

+

8

-

+

S

T

R

D

L

E

14

Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function

1 +5V 9 N/A
2N/A 10N/A
3 N/A 11 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

TA790GXB3/TA785-A3

JCMOS1: Clear CMOS Header

Placing the jumper on pin2-3 allows user to restore the BIOS safe setting and
the CMOS data. Please carefully follow the procedures to avoid damaging the
motherboard.

13

13

Pin 1-2 Close:

Normal Operation (Default).

Pin 2-3 Close:

31

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.

F_USB1~F_USB3: 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.

Pin

Assignment

1 +5V (fused)
2 +5V (fused)
3 USB­4 USB­5 USB+

F_USB1 F_

USB2

F_

2

1

USB3

10

9

6 USB+
7 Ground
8 Ground
9 Key

10 NC

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Motherboard Manual

F_AUDIO1: 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.

CD_IN1: 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.

Pin Assignment

1 Mic Left in
2 Ground
3 Mic Right in
4 GPIO
5 Right line in
6 Jack Sense
7 Front Sense
8 Key

2

10

1

9

4

1

9 Left line in

10 Jack Sense

Pin

Assignment

1 Left Channel Input
2 Ground
3 Ground
4 Right Channel Input

SPDIF1: Digital Audio-out Connector

This connector allows user to connect the PCI bracket SPDIF output header.

16

13

Pin

Assignment

1 +5V
2 SPDIF_OUT
3 Ground

On-Board LED Indicators

There are 6 LED indicators showing system status.

LED_D1 & LED_D2: Debug Indicators

PH1 ~ PH4: Power Status Indicators

Please refer to the tables below for specific messages:

LED_D1 LED_D2 Message

ON ON Normal

ON OFF Memory Error
OFF ON VGA Error
OFF OFF Abnormal: CPU / Chipset error.

PH1~PH4 Phase Indicator

ON Phase Active

OFF Phase Disable

On-Board Buttons

There are 2 on-board buttons.

PH1

PH2

TA790GXB3/TA785-A3

PH4

PH3

LED_D2
LED_D1

SW_RST: Reset button.
SW_PWR: Power Switch button.

SW_PWR

SW_RST

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Motherboard Manual

9

JUSBV1/JUSBV2: Power Source Headers for USB Ports

Pin 1-2 Close:

JUSBV1: +5V for USB ports at USB1/RJ45USB1.

JUSBV2: +5V for USB ports at front panel (F_USB1~F_USB3).

Pin 2-3 Close:

JUSBV1: +5V STB for USB ports at USB1/ RJ45USB1.

JUSBV2: +5V STB for USB ports at front panel (F_USB1~F_USB3).

JUSBV1

13

1

3

Pin 1-2 close

1

3

1

3

Pin 2-3 close

F_COM1: Serial Port Connector

The motherboard has a Serial Port Connector for connecting RS-232 Port.

18

JUSBV2

210

Pin

1 Carrier detect
2 Received data
3 Transmitted data
4 Data terminal ready
5 Signal ground
6 Data set ready
7 Request to send
8 Clear to send
9 Ring indicator

10 NC

1

Assignment