ECS GF8200A User Manual

Preface

This publication, including all photographs, illustrations and software, is protected under international copyright laws, with all rights reserved. Neither this manual, nor any of the material contained herein, may be reproduced without written consent of the author.

Version 1.0A

Disclaimer

The information in this document is subject to change without notice. The manufacturer makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. The manufacturer reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time in the content hereof without obligation of the manufacturer to notify any person of such revision or changes.

Trademark Recognition

Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. AMD, Athlon, Sempron, and Duron are registered trademarks of AMD Corporation. Other product names used in this manual are the properties of their respective

owners and are acknowledged.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

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 the 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 the receiver

• Connect the equipment onto 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

Shielded interconnect cables and a shielded AC power cable must be employed with this equipment to ensure compliance with the pertinent RF emission limits governing this device. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the system’s manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Preface

Declaration of Conformity

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference, and

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

Canadian Department of Communications

This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interferencecausing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement sur le matériel brouilieur du Canada.

About the Manual

The manual consists of the following:

Chapter 1 Introducing the Motherboard

Chapter 2 Installing the Motherboard

Chapter 3 Using BIOS

Chapter 4 Using the Motherboard Software

Chapter 5 Setting Up NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Chapter 6 NVIDIA

®®

® Hybrid SLI

®®

® T echnology Support

®®

Describes features of the motherboard.

Go to

Describes installation of motherboard components.

Go to Provides information on us-

ing the BIOS Setup Utility. Go to

Describes the motherboard software

Go to

Provides information about SAT A RAID Setup

Go to

Provides information about SAT A RAID Setup

Go to

page 1

page 7

page 29

page 47

page 57

page 67

Preface

ABLE OF CONTENTSABLE OF CONTENTS

ABLE OF CONTENTS

ABLE OF CONTENTSABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface i

iii

Chapter 1

Introducing the Motherboard 1

Introduction......................................................................................1

Feature ..............................................................................................2

Motherboard Components.............................................................5

Chapter 2

Installing the Motherboard 7

Safety Precautions...........................................................................7

Choosing a Computer Case............................................................7

Installing the Motherboard in a Case............................................7

Checking Jumper Settings...............................................................8

Setting Jumpers...................................................................8

Checking Jumper Settings...................................................9

Jumper Settings...................................................................9

Installing Hardware........................................................................10

Installing the Processor.....................................................10

Installing Memory Modules...............................................11

Expansion Slots..................................................................16

Connecting Optional Devices............................................18

Installing a Hard Disk Drive/CD-ROM/SA T A Hard Drive...21

Installing a Floppy Diskette Drive....................................22

Connecting I/O Devices................................................................23

Connecting Case Components.....................................................25

Front Panel Header...........................................................28

7 7

Chapter 3 29

Using BIOS 29

Using BIOS......................................................................................30

About the Setup Utility ................................................................ 29

The Standard Configuration..............................................29

Entering the Setup Utility...................................................29

Standard CMOS Setup......................................................31

Advanced Setup.................................................................33

Advanced Chipset Setup....................................................35

Integrated Peripherals.......................................................36

Power Management Setup.................................................37

PCI/PNP Configuration.....................................................39

PC Health Status................................................................40

M.I.B (MB Intelligent BIOS)..............................................41

Load Default Settings.......................................................44

Supervisor Password........................................................44

User Password..................................................................45

Save & Exit Setup..............................................................45

Exit Without Saving............................................................45

Updating the BIOS.............................................................46

Chapter 4

47 47

Using the Motherboard Software 47

About the Software CD-ROM...............................................................47

Auto-installing under W indows XP/Vista..................................47

Running Setup....................................................................48

Manual Installation........................................................................52

Utility Software Reference............................................................52

HDMI Audio setting SOP.............................................................53

Chapter 5

57 57

Setting Up NVIDIA RAID Configuration 57

Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array ....................................57

Setting Up a Bootable RAID Array ............................................59

Chapter 6

NVIDIA

®®

® Hybrid SLI

®®

® T echnology Support 67

®®

67 67

Key Features...................................................................................67

Hybrid SLI Products......................................................................68

Hybrid Requirements and Constraints.......................................69

Installation and Use.......................................................................70

Chapter 1

Introducing the Motherboard

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the GF8200A motherboard. This motherboard is a high performance, enhanced function motherboard that supports socket for

Phenom Sempron

This motherboard is based on NVIDIA® GeForce8200 (MCP78S) Premium media and communications processor (MCP) for best desktop platform solution. GeForce8200 is a single-chip, highly integrated, high performance HyperTransport peripheral controller, unmatched by any other single chip-device controller. The memory controller supports DDR2 memory DIMM frequencies of 1066*1 (AM2+)/800/667/533/

400. It supports four DDR2 sockets with maximum memory size of 32 GB*2. High

resolution graphics via one PCI Express x16 slot, two PCI Express x1 slots, 12 USB

2.0 ports (6 USB ports and 3 USB 2.0 headers support additional 6 USB ports) and SATA support with RAID function.

There is an advanced full set of I/O ports in the rear panel, including PS/2 mouse and keyboard connectors, one VGA port, one HDMI port, one eSATA port, six USB ports, one LAN port and audio jacks for microphone, line-in and 6/8-ch (optional) line-out. This motherboard is designed in an ATX form factor using a four-layer printed circuit board and measures 305 mm x 220 mm.

processor (socket AM2+)/AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 Dual-Core/AthlonTM 64/

processors for high-end business or personal desktop markets.

1. Due to the limitation of AMD CPU spec, please refer to Memory QVL

for more information.

2. Due to the DRAM maximum size (2 GB per dimm) at present, the memory maximum size we have tested is 8 GB.

AMD

Introducing the Motherboard

Feature

Processor

This motherboard uses

• Accommodates AMD Phenom AMD Athlon

• Supports HyperTransport

HyperTransportTM Technology is a point-to-point link between two devices, it enables integrated circuits to exchange information at much higher speeds than currently available interconnect technologies.

This board supports CPU up to 95W TDP only.

a socket AM2+/AM2 that carries the following features:

64 X2 Dual-Core/Athlon

processor (socket AM2+)

(HT) 3.0 interface speeds

64/SempronTM processors

Chipset

The NVIDIA® GeForce8200 is a single-chip with proven reliability and performance.

• HyperTransport 3.0 x16 up and down links to the AMD socket AM2+/

AM2 CPU

• PCI Express 16-lane link interface for external graphics processors

• PCI Express Generation 2.0 compatible

• Integrated NVIDIA GeForce® Series DirectX 10 Vertex Shader 4.0 graph-

ics processor

• Compliant with PCI v2.3 interface at 33 MHz

• Integrated SATA 3.0 Gb/s Host Controller

• Twelve USB 2.0 ports supported

• Fast ATA-133 IDE controller

• NVIDIA® MediaShieldTM RAID with support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1,

RAID 5, and JBOD

• NVIDIA® PureVideo® HD video supported

• Integrated Hybrid SLI technology, NVIDIA® UltraShadowTM technology,

full NVIDIA® nView® multi-display technology capability

There are three Hybrid SLI modes for you to select: Save Power, Boost Performance and Additional Displays.

Memory

• Supports DDR2 1066 (AM2+)/800/667/533/400 DDR2 SDRAM with Dual-

channel architecture

• Accommodates four unbuffered DIMMs

• Up to 8 GB per DIMM with maximum memory size up to 32 GB*

Introducing the Motherboard

Audio (Optional)

The onboard Audio provides either of the following features:

• 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio Codec

• DACs Support 96K/48K/44.1KHz DAC sample rate

• Power support: Digital:3.3V; Analog:5.0V

• WOW

• Provides single ended CD input with DRM solutions and legacy

• 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio Codec

• SPDIF In/Out supports 96K/48K/44.1KHz plus SPDIF OUT sup-

• Power support: Digital:3.3V; Analog:5.0V

• MAxx PlayerTM from Waves

• Provides single ended CD input with DRM solutions and legacy

and Tru SurroundTM from SRS

OS issues

ports 88.2 KHz

OS issues

Onboard LAN (Optional)

The onboard LAN provides either of the following features:

• Integrated Gigabit Ethernet Controller for PCI ExpressTM Applications

• Integrated 10/100/1000 transceiver

• Wake-On-LAN and remote wake-up support

• Integrated Fast Ethernet Controller for PCI ExpressTM Applications

• Integrated 10/100 transceiver

• Wake-On-LAN and remote wake-up support

Expansion Options

The motherboard comes with the following expansion options:

• One PCI Express x16 slot for Graphics Interface

• Two PCI Express x1 slots

• Three 32-bit PCI v2.3 compliant slots

• One IDE connector supporting up to two IDE devices

• One floppy disk drive interface

• Five 7-pin SATA connectors

This motherboard supports Ultra DMA bus mastering with transfer rates of 133/ 100/66/33 Mb/s.

Introducing the Motherboard

Integrated I/O

The motherboard has a full set of I/O ports and connectors:

• Two PS/2 ports for mouse and keyboard

• One VGA port

• One HDMI port

• One eSATA port

• Six USB ports

• One LAN port

• Audio jacks for microphone, line-in and 6/8-ch (optional) line-out

BIOS Firmware

The motherboard uses AMI BIOS that enables users to configure many system features including the following:

• Power management

• Wake-up alarms

• CPU parameters

• CPU and memory timing

The firmware can also be used to set parameters for different processor clock speeds.

1. Some hardware specifications and software items are subject to change without prior notice.

2. Due to chipset limitation, we recommend that motherboard be operated in the ambiance between 0 and 50

°C.

Introducing the Motherboard

Motherboard Components

Introducing the Motherboard

Table of Motherboard Components

LABEL CO MPONENTS

1. CPU Socket

2. CPU_FAN CPU cooling fan connector

3. DDR2_1~4 240-pin DDR2 SDRAM slots

4. ATX_POWER St andard 24-Pin ATX Power connector

5. IDE Primary IDE connector

6. SPK Internal speaker header

7. SYS_FAN System cooling fan connector

8. SATA1~5 Serial ATA connectors

9. IR Infrar ed header

10. RST_BOT Reset butt on

11. PWR_BOT Power on but t on

12. CLR_CMOS Clea r CMOS jumper

13. F_PANEL Front Panel Switch/LED header

14. NB_FAN Northbridge cooling fan connect or

15. USBPWR_F Front P anel USB Power Select jumper

16. F_USB1~3 Front Panel USB headers

17. COM Onboard Serial port header

18. FDD Floppy disk drive connector

19. CD_IN Analog Audio Input connector

20. F_AUDIO Front Panel Audio header

21. SPDIFO SP DIF out header

22. PCI1~3 32-bit add-on card slots

23. PCIE1~2 P CI Express x1 slots

24. PCIEX16 PCI Express x16 graphics card slot

25. PWR_FAN Power cooling fan connector

26. USBPWR_R Rear USB/PS2 Power Select jumper

27. ATX12V 4-pin +12V power connector

So cket for AMD Phenom

Athlon

64 X2 Dual-Core/AthlonTM 64/SempronTM processors

processor (socket AM2+)/AMD

This concludes Chapter 1. The next chapter explains how to install the motherboard.

Introducing the Motherboard

Chapter 2

Installing the Motherboard

Safety Precautions

• Follow these safety precautions when installing the motherboard

• Wear a grounding strap attached to a grounded device to avoid damage from static electricity

• Discharge static electricity by touching the metal case of a safely grounded object before working on the motherboard

• Leave components in the static-proof bags they came in

• Hold all circuit boards by the edges. Do not bend circuit boards

Choosing a Computer Case

There are many types of computer cases on the market. The motherboard complies with the specifications for the ATX system case. Firstly, some features on the motherboard are implemented by cabling connectors on the motherboard to indicators and switches on the system case. Make sure that your case supports all the features required. Secondly, this motherboard supports one floppy diskette drive and two enhanced IDE drives. Make sure that your case has sufficient power and space for all drives that you intend to install.

Most cases have a choice of I/O templates in the rear panel. Make sure that the I/O template in the case matches the I/O ports installed on the rear edge of the motherboard.

This motherboard carries an ATX form factor of 305 x 220 mm. Choose a case that accommodates this form factor.

Installing the Motherboard in a Case

Refer to the following illustration and instructions for installing the motherboard in a case.

Most system cases have mounting brackets installed in the case, which correspond the holes in the motherboard. Place the motherboard over the mounting brackets and secure the motherboard onto the mounting brackets with screws.

Ensure that your case has an I/O template that supports the I/O ports and expansion slots on your motherboard.

Installing the Motherboard

Do not over-tighten the screws as this can stress the motherboard.

Checking Jumper Settings

This section explains how to set jumpers for correct configuration of the motherboard.

Setting Jumpers

Use the motherboard jumpers to set system configuration options. Jumpers with more than one pin are numbered. When setting the jumpers, ensure that the jumper caps are placed on the correct pins.

The illustrations show a 2-pin jumper. When the jumper cap is placed on both pins, the jumper is SHORT. If you remove the jumper cap, or place the jumper cap on just one pin, the jumper is OPEN.

This illustration shows a 3-pin jumper. Pins 1 and 2 are SHORT

SHORT OPEN

Installing the Motherboard

Checking Jumper Settings

The following illustration shows the location of the motherboard jumpers. Pin 1 is labeled.

Jumper Settings

Jumper Ty pe Description Setting (default)

1-2: NORMAL

CLR_CMOS

3-pin

CLEAR CMOS

2-3: CLEAR

Before clearing the CMOS, make sure to turn the system off.

CLR_CMOS

USBPWR_R

USBPWR_F

To avoid the system instability after clearing CMOS, we recommend

1. users to enter the main BIOS setting page to “Load Optimized Defaults” and then “Save & Exit Setup”.

Make sure the power supply provides enough VCC5_DUAL voltage

2. before selecting the VCC5_DUAL function.

It is required that users place the USBPWR_F & USBPWR_R cap onto 2-3 pin rather than 1-2 pin as default if you want to wake up the computer by USB/PS2 KB/Mouse.

3-pin

Rear USB/PS2 Power Select Jumper

Front Panel USB Power Select Jumper

1-2: VCC5 2-3: VCC5_DUAL

Installing the Motherboard

USBPWR_R

USBPWR_F

Installing Hardware

Installing the Processor

Caution: When installing a CPU heatsink and cooling fan make sure that you DO NOT scratch the motherboard or any of the surface-mount resistors with the clip of the cooling fan. If the clip of the cooling fan scrapes across the motherboard, you may cause serious damage to the motherboard or its components.

On most motherboards, there are small surface-mount resistors near the processor socket, which may be damaged if the cooling fan is carelessly installed.

Avoid using cooling fans with sharp edges on the fan casing and the clips. Also, install the cooling fan in a well-lit work area so that you can clearly see the motherboard and processor socket.

Before installing the Processor

This motherboard automatically determines the CPU clock frequency and system bus frequency for the processor. You may be able to change these settings by making changes to jumpers on the motherboard, or changing the settings in the system Setup Utility. We strongly recommend that you do not over-clock processors or other components to run faster than their rated speed.

Warning:

1. Over-clocking components can adversely affect the reliability of the system and introduce errors into your system. Over-clocking can permanently damage the motherboard by generating excess heat in components that are run beyond the rated limits.

2. Always remove the AC power by unplugging the power cord from the power outlet before installing or removing the motherboard or other hardware components.

This motherboard has a socket AM2+/AM2 processor socket. When choosing a processor, consider the performance requirements of the system. Performance is based on the processor design, the clock speed and system bus frequency of the processor, and the quantity of internal cache memory and external cache memory.

Installing the Motherboard

CPU Installation Procedure

The following illustration shows CPU installation components.

1 Unhook the locking lever of the CPU socket. Pull the

locking lever away from the socket and raising it to the upright position.

2 Match the pin1 corner marked as the beveled edge

on the CPU with the pin1 corner on the socket. Insert the CPU into the socket. Do not use force.

3 Push the locking lever down and hook it under the

latch on the edge of socket. 4 Apply thermal grease to the top of the CPU. 5 Install the cooling fan/heatsink unit onto the CPU,

and secure them all onto the socket base. 6 Plug the CPU fan power cable into the CPU fan

connector (CPU_FAN) on the motherboard.

To achieve better airflow rates and heat dissipation, we suggest that you use a high quality fan with 4800 rpm at least. CPU fan and heatsink installation procedures may vary with the type of CPU fan/heatsink supplied. The form and size of fan/heatsink may also vary.

Installing Memory Modules

This motherboard accommodates four memory modules. It can support four 240-pin DDR2 1066 (AM2+)/800/667/533/400. The total memory capacity is 32 GB*.

DDR2 SDRAM memory module table

Memory module Memory Bus

DDR2 400 200 MHz

DDR2 533 266 MHz

DDR2 667 333 MHz DDR2 800 400 MHz DDR2 1066 533 MHz

You must install at least one module in any of the four slots. Each module can be installed with 8 GB of memory; total memory capacity is 32 GB*.

Do not remove any memory module from its antistatic packaging until you are ready to install it on the motherboard. Handle the modules only by their edges. Do not touch the components or metal parts. Always wear a grounding strap when you handle the modules.

Installing the Motherboard

Installation Procedure

Refer to the following to install the memory modules.

1 This motherboard supports unbuffered DDR2 SDRAM only. 2 Push the latches on each side of the DIMM slot down. 3 Align the memory module with the slot. The DIMM slots are keyed with

notches and the DIMMs are keyed with cutouts so that they can only be installed correctly.

4 Check that the cutouts on the DIMM module edge connector match the

notches in the DIMM slot.

5 Install the DIMM module into the slot and press it firmly down until it

seats correctly. The slot latches are levered upwards and latch on to the edges of the DIMM.

6 Install any remaining DIMM modules.

For best performance and compatibility, we recommend that users install DIMMs in the sequence of DIMM3, DIMM4, DIMM1 and

DIMM2.

Recommend configuration for best performance and compatibility

Numb e r o f DIMMs DIMM 1 DIMM 2 DIMM 3 DIMM 4 AM 2 AM 2 + *

1 2 3 4

Single Channel

Dual Channel

Single Channel

Dual Channel

Unganged Mode

Ganged Mode

Unganged Mode

Ganged Mode

: operation with normal performance : operation with the best performance

Installing the Motherboard

Table A: DDR2 (memory module) QVL (Qualified Vendor List)

The following DDR2 1066 (AM2+)/800/667/533/400 memory modules have been tested and qualified for use with this motherboard.

Type Size Vendor Module Name

DDR2 400

DDR2 533

DDR2 667

256 MB 512 MB

1 GB

256 MB

512 MB

1 GB

2 GB

Hynix HYMP532U646-E3 AA

Nanya NT512T64U88A0F-5A

Elixir M2U25664TUH4A0F-37B

Aeneon AET660UD00-370A98Z Infineon HYS64T64400HU-3.7-A Infineon HYS64T128920HU-3.7-A Infineon HYS64T32400HU-3S-A A-DATA M2OAD5G3H3166I1C52

Apacer 78.91G92.9K5

APOGEE AU51082-667P005

Cosair VS512MB667D2

Kingston KVR667D2N5/512

Micron MT4HTF6464AY-667E1 Nanya NT512T64U88A0BY-3C

PSC AL6E8E63J-6E1

Ramxel RML1520HC38D6F-667

Transcend

A-DATA M2OAD5G3I4176I1C52

Apacer 78.01G9O.9K5

APOGEE AU1G082-667P005

Hynix HYMP112U64CP8-Y5 AB

Kingston KVR667D2N5/1G

Micron MT8HTF12864AY-667E1

PSC AL7E8E63B-6E1T PSC AL7E8E63J-6E1 PSC AL7E8F73C-6E1

Qimonda HYS64T128020HU-3S-B

Ramxel RML1320HC38D7F-667

Samsung M378T2863DZS-CE6 0743 Twinmos 8D23KK-TT

Aeneon AET860UD00-30DC08S Aeneon AET860UD00-30DB08X

Apacer 78.A1G9O.9K4

Hynix HYMP125U64AP8-Y5-AB-A

Kingston KVR667D2N5/2G

Nanya NT2GT64U8HB0JY-3C

PSC AL8E8F73C-6E1 Qimonda HYS64T256020EU-3S-C2 Twinmos 8D-23MK-ED

Transcend K4T51083QC

ZCE6

Installing the Motherboard

Type Size Vendor Module Name

256 MB

512 MB

DDR2 800

1 GB

2 GB

Infineon HYS64T32000HU-25F-B A-DATA M2OAD6G3H3160I1E53 Aeneon AET660UD00-25DB98X

APOGEE AU51082-800P505

Infineon HYS64T64000HU-25F-B

Infinity 04751208CZ5U2D Kingston KHX6400D2ULK2/1G Kingston KVR800D2N5/512

Micron MT8HTF6464AY-80ED4

Nanya NT512T64U88B0BY-25C

PSC AL6E8E63H-8E1 Aeneon AET760UD00-25DC08X Aeneon AET860UD00-25DC08X

Apacer 78.01GA0.9K5

APOGEE AU1G082-800P000

Infineon HYS64T128020HU-25F-B

Infinity 04701G16CZ5U2G Kingston KHX6400D2ULK2/2G Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/2G Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN Kingston KHX6400D2K2/2G Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G

Micron MT8HTF12864AY-80EE1

UMAX U2S12D30TP-8E

Nanya NT1GT64U8HB0BY-25C

NCP NCPT7AUDR-25M48 PSC AL7E8E63H-8E1 PSC AL7E8F73C-8E1

UMAX 53016042-7100B

Apacer 78.A1GA0.9K4

Kingston KHX6400D2/2G

Micron MT16HTF25664AY-800E1

PSC AL8E8F73C-8E1

Qimonda HYS64T256020EU-25F-C2

Installing the Motherboard

Type Size Vendor

512 MB

DDR2 106 6

1 GB

2 GB

Module Name

Kingston

Apacer 78.0AG9S.9K4 1.9 V

Micron MT8HTF12864AY-1GAE1 1.9 V

Qimonda HYS64T128020EU-19F-C

Apacer

Micron MT16HTF25664AY-1GAE1 1.9 V

KVR1066D2N7/512 1.8V /

9905315-094.A00LF

KVR1066D2N7/1G 1.8V /

9905316-106.A01LF

OC Z OCZ2RPR10662GK 1.9 V ~ 2.3 V

78.AAGAL.9KF 1.9V

Memory

Recomm e nd Volt

1.8 V

1.8 V Kingston

1.9 V

Due to the Phenom CPU and memory module limitation, the DRAM may need to adjust the voltage for supporting DDR2 1066. The memory modules which can be used stably are listed in the above QVL table for reference.

Installing the Motherboard

Expansion Slots

Installing Add-on Cards

The slots on this motherboard are designed to hold expansion cards and connect them to the system bus. Expansion slots are a means of adding or enhancing the motherboard’s features and capabilities. With these efficient facilities, you can increase the motherboard’s capabilities by adding hardware that performs tasks that are not part of the basic system.

PCIEX16 Slot The PCI Express x16 slot is used to install an external PCI Express

PCIE1~2 Slots

PCI1~3 Slots This motherboard is equipped with three standard PCI slots. PCI

graphics card that is fully compliant to the PCI Express Generation

2.0.

The PCI Express x1 slots are fully compliant to the PCI Express Generation 1.1 as well.

stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect and is a bus standard for expansion cards, which for the most part, is a supplement of the older ISA bus standard. The PCI slots on this board are PCI v2.3 compliant.

Before installing an add-on card, check the documentation for the card carefully. If the card is not Plug and Play, you may have to manually configure the card before installation.

Installing the Motherboard

Follow these instructions to install an add-on card:

1 Remove a blanking plate from the system case corresponding to the

slot you are going to use.

2 Install the edge connector of the add-on card into the expansion slot.

Ensure that the edge connector is correctly seated in the slot.

3 Secure the metal bracket of the card to the system case with a screw.

For some add-on cards, for example graphics adapters and network adapters, you have to install drivers and software before you can begin using the add-on card.

Installing the Motherboard

Connecting Optional Devices

Refer to the following for information on connecting the motherboard’s optional devices:

F_AUDIO: Front Panel Audio header

This header allows the user to install auxiliary front-oriented microphone and lineout ports for easier access.

Pin Signal Name

Pin Signal Name Function

1 PORT 1L 2 AUD_GND

3 PORT 1R 4 PRESENCE# 5 PORT 2R 6 SENSE1_RETURN

7 SENSE_SEND 8 KEY

9 PORT 2L 10 SENSE2_RETURN

Pin Signal Name

SPDIFO: SPDIF out header

This is an optional header that provides an S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) output to digital multimedia device through optical fiber or coaxial connector.

Pin Signal Name Function

1 SPDIF SPDIF digital output

2 +5VA 5V analog Power

3 Key No pin

4 GND Ground

Installing the Motherboard

IR: Infrared header

The motherboard supports an Infrared (IR) data port. Infrared ports allow the wireless exchange of information between your computer and similarly equipped devices such as printers, laptops, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and other computers.

Pin Signal Name Function

1 Not Assigned Not assigned 2 Key No pin 3 +5V IR Power 4 GND Ground 5 IR_TX IrDA serial output 6 IR_RX IrDA serial input

F_USB1~3: Front Panel USB headers

The motherboard has six USB ports installed on the rear edge I/O port array. Additionally, some computer cases have USB ports at the front of the case. If you have this kind of case, use auxiliary USB connector to connect the front-mounted ports to the motherboard.

Pin Signal Name

1 USBPWR Front Panel USB Power

2 USBPWR Front Panel USB Power 3 USB_FP_P0- USB Port 0 Negative Signal

4 USB_FP_P1- USB Port 1 Negative Signal

5 USB_FP_P0+ USB Port 0 Positive Signal

6 USB_FP_P1+ USB Port 1 Positive Signal 7 GND Ground

8 GND Ground

9 Key No pin

10 NC Not connected

Please make sure that the USB cable has the same pin assignment as indicated above. A different pin assignment may cause damage or system hang-up.

Function

SAT A1~5: Serial A T A connectors

These connectors are used to support the new Serial ATA devices for the highest date transfer rates (3.0 Gb/s), simpler disk drive cabling and easier PC assembly. It eliminates limitations of the current Parallel ATA interface. But maintains register compatibility and software compatibility with Parallel ATA.

Pin Signal Name

1 Ground 2 TX+

3 TX- 4 Ground

5 RX- 6 RX+

7 Ground - -

Due to the limitation of NVIDIA chipset, SATA 4~5 support AHCI/RAID Mode only.

Pin Signal Name

Installing the Motherboard

CD_IN: Analog Audio Input connector

Pin Signal Name Function

1 CD_L CD In left channel 2 GND Ground 3 GND Ground 4 CD_R CD In right channel

COM: Onboard serial port header

Connect a serial port extension bracket to this header to add a second serial port to your system.

Pin Signal Name Function

1 DCDB Data Carrier Detect 2 SINB Serial Input 3 SOUTB UART B Serial Output

4 DTRB UART B Data Terminal Ready 5 GND Ground 6 DSRB Data Set Ready

7 RTSB RART B Request to Send 8 CTSB Clear to Send

9 RI Ring Indicator

10 Key No pin

Installing the Motherboard

Installing a Hard Disk Drive/CD-ROM/SATA Hard Drive

This section describes how to install IDE devices such as a hard disk drive and a CDROM drive.

About IDE Devices

Your motherboard has one IDE interface. An IDE ribbon cable supporting two IDE devices is bundled with the motherboard.

You must orient the cable connector so that the pin1 (color) edge of the cable corresponds to the pin 1 of the I/O port connector.

IDE: IDE Connector

This motherboard supports five high data transfer SATA ports with each runs up to

3.0 Gb/s. To get better system performance, we recommend users connect the CDROM to the IDE channel, and set up the hard drives on the SATA ports.

IDE devices enclose jumpers or switches used to set the IDE device as MASTER or SLAVE. Refer to the IDE device user ’s manual. Installing two IDE devices on one cable, ensure that one device is set to MASTER and the other device is set to SLAVE. The documentation of your IDE device explains how to do this.

About SAT A Connectors

Your motherboard features five SATA connectors supporting a total of five drives. SATA refers to Serial ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) is the standard interface for the IDE hard drives which are currently used in most PCs. These connectors are well designed and will only fit in one orientation. Locate the SATA connectors on the motherboard and follow the illustration below to install the SATA hard drives.

Installing Serial A T A Hard Drives

To install the Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives, use the SATA cable that supports the Serial ATA protocol. This SATA cable comes with an SATA power cable. You can connect either end of the SATA cable to the SATA hard drive or the connector on the motherboard.

SATA cable (optional)

SATA power cable (optional)

Installing the Motherboard

Refer to the illustration below for proper installation:

1 Attach either cable end to the connector on the motherboard. 2 Attach the other cable end to the SATA hard drive. 3 Attach the SATA power cable to the SATA hard drive and connect the

other end to the power supply.

This motherboard supports the “Hot-Plug” function.

Installing a Floppy Diskette Drive

FDD: Floppy Disk Connector

Connect the single end of the floppy connector to the onboard floppy connector firstly, and then connect the remaining plugs on the other end to the floppy drives correspondingly.

You must orient the cable connector so that the pin 1 (color) edge of the cable corresponds to the pin 1 of the I/O port connector.

Installing the Motherboard

Connecting I/O Devices

The backplane of the motherboard has the following I/O ports:

PS2 Mouse Use the upper PS/2 port to connect a PS/2 pointing device.

PS2 Keyboard Use the lower PS/2 port to connect a PS/2 keyboard.

VGA Port Connect your monitor to the VGA port.

HDMI Port

USB Ports Use the USB ports to connect USB devices.

eSATA Port

LAN Port Connect an RJ-45 jack to the LAN port to connect your

computer to the network.

Audio Ports

(optional)

Connect the HDMI port to the HDMI devices.

Use this port to connect to an external SATA box or a Serial ATA port multiplier.

It is suggested that users use the eSATA hard disk with external power.

Use the audio jacks to connect audio devices. The D port is for stereo line-in signal, while the F port is for microphone in signal. This motherboard supports 8-channel audio devices that correspond to the A,B, C, and E port respectively. In addition, all of the 3 ports, B, C, and E provide users with both right & left channels individually. Users please refer to the following note for specific port function definition.

A: Center & Woofer D: Line-in B: Back Surround E: Front Out C: Side Surround F: Mic_in Rear

The above port definition can be changed to audio input or audio output by changing the driver utility setting.

Installing the Motherboard

This motherboard may adopt 6-channel audio ports.

Use the three audio ports to connect audio devices. The first jack is for stereo line-in signal. The second jack is for stereo line-out signal. The third jack is for microphone.

Installing the Motherboard

Connecting Case Components

After you have installed the motherboard into a case, you can begin connecting the motherboard components. Refer to the following:

1 Connect the CPU cooling fan cable to CPU_FAN. 2 Connect the system cooling fan connector to SYS_FAN. 3 Connect the standard power supply connector to ATX_POWER. 4 Connect the auxiliary case power supply connector to ATX12V. 5 Connect the case switches and indicator LEDs to the F_PANEL. 6 Connect the power cooling fan connector to PWR_FAN. 7 Connect the northbridge cooling fan connector to NB_FAN. 8 Connec the case speaker cable to SPK.

Connecting 24-pin power cable

Users please note that the 24-pin power cable can be connected to the ATX_POWER connector.

With ATX v2.x power supply, users please note that when installing 24-pin power cable, the latches of power cable and the ATX_POWER match perfectly.

24-pin power cable

Installing the Motherboard

Connecting 4-pin power cable

The ATX12V power connector is used to provide power to the CPU.

When installing 4-pin power cable, the latches of power cable and the ATX12V match perfectly.

4-pin power cable

CPU_FAN: CPU cooling F AN Power Connector

Pin Signal Name Function

1 GND System Ground 2 +12V Power +12V 3 Sense Sensor 4 Control CPU FAN control

Users please note that the fan connector supports the CPU cooling fan of

1.1A ~ 2.2A (26.4W max) at +12V.

SYS_FAN/PWR_F AN/NB_FAN: F AN Power Connectors

Pin Signal Name Function

1 GND System Ground 2 +12V Power +12V

3 Sense Sensor

ATX_POWER: A TX 24-pin Power Connector

Pin Signal Name Pin Signal Name

1 +3.3V 13 +3.3V

2 +3.3V 14 -12V

3 Ground 15 Ground

4 +5V 16 PS_ON

5 Ground 17 Ground

6 +5V 18 Ground 7 Ground 19 Ground 8 PWRGD 20 -5V

9 +5VSB 21 +5V

10 +12V 22 +5V

11 +12V 23 +5V

12 +3.3V 24 Ground

Installing the Motherboard

ATX12V : A TX 12V Power Connector

Pin Signal Name

1 Ground

2 Ground

3 +12V

4 +12V

SPK: Internal speaker header

Pin Signal Name

1 VCC

2 Key 3 GND

4 Signal

Installing the Motherboard

Front Panel Header

The front panel header (F_PANEL) provides a standard set of switch and LED headers commonly found on ATX or Micro ATX cases. Refer to the table below for information:

Pin Signal Function Pin Signal Function

1 HD_LED_P Hard disk LED (+)

3 HD_LED_N Hard disk LED (-)

5 RST_SW_N Reset Switch (-)

7 RST_SW_P Reset Switch (+)

9 RSVD Reserved

* MSG LED (dual color or single color)

Hard Drive Activity LED

Connecting pins 1 and 3 to a front panel mounted LED provides visual indication that data is being read from or written to the hard drive. For the LED to function properly, an IDE drive should be connected to the onboard IDE interface. The LED will also show activity for devices connected to the SCSI (hard drive activity LED) connector.

Power/Sleep/Message waiting LED

Connecting pins 2 and 4 to a single or dual-color, front panel mounted LED provides power on/off, sleep, and message waiting indication.

2 FP PWR/SLP *MSG LED (+)

4 FP PWR/SLP *MSG LED (-)

6 PWR_SW_P Power Switch (+)

8 PWR_SW_N Power Switch (-)

10 Key No pin

Reset Switch

Supporting the reset function requires connecting pin 5 and 7 to a momentarycontact switch that is normally open. When the switch is closed, the board resets and runs POST.

Power Switch

Supporting the power on/off function requires connecting pins 6 and 8 to a momentary-contact switch that is normally open. The switch should maintain contact for at least 50 ms to signal the power supply to switch on or off. The time requirement is due to internal de-bounce circuitry. After receiving a power on/off signal, at least two seconds elapses before the power supply recognizes another on/off signal.

This concludes Chapter 2. The next chapter covers the BIOS.

Installing the Motherboard

Chapter 3

Using BIOS

About the Setup Utility

The computer uses the latest “American Megatrends Inc. ” BIOS with support for Windows Plug and Play. The CMOS chip on the motherboard contains the ROM setup instructions for configuring the motherboard BIOS.

The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) Setup Utility displays the system’s configuration status and provides you with options to set system parameters. The parameters are stored in battery-backed-up CMOS RAM that saves this information when the power is turned off. When the system is turned back on, the system is configured with the values you stored in CMOS.

The BIOS Setup Utility enables you to configure:

• Hard drives, diskette drives and peripherals

• Video display type and display options

• Password protection from unauthorized use

• Power Management features

The settings made in the Setup Utility affect how the computer performs. Before using the Setup Utility, ensure that you understand the Setup Utility options.

This chapter provides explanations for Setup Utility options.

The Standard Configuration

A standard configuration has already been set in the Setup Utility. However, we recommend that you read this chapter in case you need to make any changes in the future.

This Setup Utility should be used:

• when changing the system configuration

• when a configuration error is detected and you are prompted to make changes to the Setup Utility

• when trying to resolve IRQ conflicts

• when making changes to the Power Management configuration

• when changing the password or making other changes to the Security Setup

Entering the Setup Utility

When you power on the system, BIOS enters the Power-On Self Test (POST) routines. POST is a series of built-in diagnostics performed by the BIOS. After the POST routines are completed, the following message appears:

Press DEL to enter SETUP

Using BIOS

Press the delete key to access the BIOS Setup Utility.

Standard CMOS Setup

Advanced Setup

Advanced Chipset Setup

Integrated Peripherals

Power Management Setup

PCI/PnP Setup

PC Health Status

: Move F10: Save ESC: Exit

< >

Enter : Select

M.I.B. (MB Intelligent Bios)

Load Default Settings Supervisor Password

User Password

Save & Exit Setup Exit Without Saving

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings F1:General Help

Using BIOS

When you start the Setup Utility, the main menu appears. The main menu of the Setup Utility displays a list of the options that are available. A highlight indicates which option is currently selected. Use the cursor arrow keys to move the highlight to other options. When an option is highlighted, execute the option by pressing <Enter>.

Some options lead to pop-up dialog boxes that prompt you to verify that you wish to execute that option. Other options lead to dialog boxes that prompt you for information.

Some options (marked with a triangle the values for the option. Use the cursor arrow keys to scroll through the items in the submenu.

In this manual, default values are enclosed in parenthesis. Submenu items are denoted by a triangle

The default BIOS setting for this motherboard applies for most conditions with optimum performance. It is not suggested to change the default values in the BIOS setup and the manufacture takes no responsibility to any damage caused by changing the BIOS settings.

f) lead to submenus that enable you to change

BIOS Navigation Keys

The BIOS navigation keys are listed below:

KEY FUNCTION

ESC Exits the current menu

< >

+/-/PU/PD Modifies the selected field’s values

Enter Select

F9 Load a default optimized setting F10 Saves the current configuration and exits setup F1 Displays a screen that describes all key functions

Scrolls through the items on a menu

Using BIOS

For the purpose of better product maintenance, the manufacture reserves the right to change the BIOS items presented in this manual. The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference only and may differ from the actual BIOS. Please visit the manufacture’s website for updated manual.

Standard CMOS Setup

This option displays basic information about your system.

Date Tue 04/29/2008

Time 00:02:03

Primary IDE Master Not Detected

Primary IDE Slave Not Detected

IDE BusMaster Enabled

Drive A: 1.44 MB 31/2”

: Move

< >

F1: General Help

Date & Time

The Date and Time items show the current date and time on the computer. If you are running a Windows OS, these items are automatically updated whenever you make changes to the Windows Date and Time Properties utility.

Primary IDE Master/Slave

Your computer has one IDE channel which can be installed with one or two devices (Master and Slave). Use these items to configure each device on the IDE channel.

Standard CMOS Setup

Enter : Select

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

User [Enter], [TAB] or [SHIFT-T AB] to select a field.

Use [+] or [-] to configure system Date.

Primary IDE Master

Device : Not Detected

Type

LBA/Large Mode Auto

Block Mode Auto

PIO Mode Auto

DMA Mode Auto

S.M.A.R.T Auto

32Bit Data Transfer Enabled

: Move

< >

F1: General Help

Primary IDE Master

Enter : Select

Auto

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

Select the type of device connected to the system.

Using BIOS

Type (Auto)

Use this item to configure the type of the IDE device that you specify. If the feature is enabled, it will enhance hard disk performance by reading or writing more data during each transfer.

LBA/Large Mode (Auto)

Use this item to set the LAB/Large mode to enhance hard disk performance by optimizing the area the hard disk is visited each time.

Block Mode (Auto)

If the feature is enabled, it will enhance hard disk performance by reading or writing more data during each transfer.

PIO Mode (Auto)

Use this item to set the PIO mode to enhance hard disk performance by optimizing the hard disk timing.

DMA Mode (Auto)

DMA capability allows user to improve the transfer-speed and data-integrity for compatible IDE devices.

S.M.A.R.T. (Auto)

The S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) system is a diagnostics technology that monitors and predicts device performance. S.M.A.R.T. software resides on both the disk drive and the host computer.

32Bit Data Transfer (Enabled)

Use this item to set the onboard SATA-IDE channel to be disabled, IDE, or RAID.

Press <Esc> to return to the Standard CMOS Setup page.

IDE BusMaster (Enabled)

This item enables or disables the DMA under DOS mode. We recommend you to leave this item at the default value.

Drive A: (1.44 MB 31/2”)

This item defines the characteristics of any diskette drive attached to the system. You can connect one or two diskette drives.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Using BIOS

Advanced Setup

This page sets up more advanced information about your system. Handle this page with caution. Any changes can affect the operation of your computer.

HT Frequency Auto Auto AMD C&Q Enabled Quick Power on Self T est Enabled Boot Up Numlock Status ON LOGO Display Enabled APIC Mode Enabled *1st Boot Devic e Hard Drive 2nd Boot Device CD/DVD 3rd Boot Device 1st FLOPPY DRIVE Hard Disk Drives Press Enter

f f

Removable Drives Press Enter Boot Other Device Yes

< >

HT Frequency Auto (Anto)

This item enables users to manually set up the HyperTransport frequency, ranging from Auto, 1x, to 5x.

AMD C&Q (Enabled)

This item helps the system to lower the frequency when CPU idles. When the frequency decreases, the temperature will drop automatically as well.

Quick Power on Self Test (Enabled)

Enable this item to shorten the power on testing (POST) and have your system start up faster. You might like to enable this item after you are confident that your system hardware is operating smoothly.

Boot Up Numlock Status (ON)

This item defines if the keyboard Num Lock key is active when your system is started.

LOGO Display (Enabled)

Enables or disables the display of the special logo of Black Series during boot.

APIC Mode (Enabled)

This item allows you to enable or disable the APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller) mode. APIC provides symmetric multi-processing (SMP) for systems, allowing support for up to 60 processors.

1st/2nd/3rd Boot Device (Hard Drive/CD/DVD/1st FLOPPY DRIVE)

Use this item to determine the device order the computer used to look for an operating system to load at start-up time. The devices showed here will be different depending on the exact devices installed on your motherboard.

Advanced Setup

: Move

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

HT frequency selection by CPU capability and SouthBridge to CPU frequency selection

Using BIOS

fHard Disk Drives (Press Enter)

Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen:

Hard Disk Drives

Hard Disk Drives *1st Drive Hard Drive

: Move

< >

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

F9: Load Default settings

+/-/: Value

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices.

“*” The default value will change according to the type of the HDD you installed.

Press <Esc> to return to the Advanced Setup page.

f Removable Drives (Press Enter)

Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen:

Removable Drives 1st Drive 1st FLOPPY DRIVE

Removable Drives

Help Item

Specifies the boot sequence from the available devices.

Press <Esc> to return to the Advanced Setup page.

Boot Other Device (Yes)

When enabled, the system searches all other possible locations for an operating system if it fails to find one in the devices specified under the First, Second and Third boot devices.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

: Move

< >

F1: General Help

Enter : Select

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

Using BIOS

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Advanced Chipset Setup

This page sets up more advanced information about your system. Handle this page with caution. Any changes can affect the operation of your computer.

Advanced Chipset Setup

Hybrid SLI support Disabled Share Memory Auto Detection Auto DCT Unganged Mode Auto Memory Hole Remapping Enabled HDMI AUDIO Disabled

: Move

< >

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

iGPU Frame Buffer Size Auto Detect

Hybrid SLI support (Disabled)

This item allows users to enable or disable the NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI technology.

Share Memory Auto Detection (Auto)

Disable this item to set the Share Memory Size. And if the item is set to Auto, Share Memory Size can be controlled according to the dram size. When the dram size is less than 512 MB, Share Memory Size should be set to 64 MB. While between 512 MB and 1 GB, it should be set to 128 MB. When more than 1 GB, it should be set to 256 MB.

DCT Unganged Mode (Auto)

This item is used to select the DCT mode (DRAM Controller mode).

Memory Hole Remapping (Enabled)

This item allows users to enable or disable memory hole remapping.

HDMI AUDIO (Disabled)

This item is used to enable or disable the NB HDMI audio support.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Using BIOS

Integrated Peripherals

This page sets up some parameters for peripheral devices connected to the system.

Onboard IDE Controller Enabled OnChip S-AT A Controller Enabled SAT A Mode select AHCI Mode

AHCI Configuration Press Enter Onboard AUDIO Function Enabled

Onboard LAN Function Enabled Onboard LAN Boot ROM Disabled Serial Port1 Address 3F8/IRQ4 OnBoard IR Disabled USB Controller Enabled Legacy USB Support Enabled

OnBoard IDE Controller (Enabled)

Use this item to enable or disable the onboard IDE interface.

Onboard S-ATA Controller (Enabled)

This item allows you to enable or disable the onboard SATA controller.

SATA Mode select (AHCI Mode)

Use this item to select the mode of the Serial ATA.

Integrated Peripherals

: Move

< >

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

fAHCI Configuration (Press Enter)

Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen:

AHCI Settings AHCI CD/DVD Boot Time out 35

AHCI Port0 Hard Disk

AHCI Port1 Not Detected

f f

AHCI Port2 Not Detected AHCI Port3 Not Detected

AHCI Port4 Not Detected

AHCI Port5 Not Detected

: Move

< >

F1: General Help

AHCI Configuration

Enter : Select

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

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

Press <Esc> to return to the Integrated Peripherals page.

Using BIOS

OnBoard AUDIO Function (Enabled)

Use this item to enable or disable the onboard Audio function.

OnBoard LAN Function (Enabled)

Use this item to enable or disable the onboard LAN function.

OnBoard LAN Boot ROM (Disabled)

Use this item to enable or disable the booting from the onboard LAN or a network add-in card with a remote boot ROM installed.

Serial Port1 Address (3F8/IRQ4)

Use this item to enable or disable the onboard COM1 serial port, and to assign a port address.

OnBoard IR (Disabled)

Use this item to enable or disable the onboard infrared port, and to assign a port address.

USB Controller (Enabled)

Use this item to enable or disable the USB function.

Legacy USB Support (Enabled)

Use this item to enable or disable support for legacy USB devices.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Power Management Setup

This page sets up some parameters for system power management operation.

Power Management Setup

ACPI Suspend Type S3 Soft-off by PWR-BTTN Instant Off PWRON After PWR-Fail Power Off Resume by RING Disabled Resume By PCI/PCI-E/Lan PME Disabled Resume By PS2 KB (S3) Disabled Resume By PS2 MS (S3) Disabled Resume by USB (S3) Disabled Resume on RTC Alarm Disabled

: Move

< >

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

Select the ACPI state used for System Suspend.

ACPI Suspend Type (S3)

Use this item to define how your system suspends. In the default, S3, the suspend mode is a suspend to RAM, i.e, the system shuts down with the exception of a refresh current to the system memory.

Using BIOS

Soft-off by PWR-BTTN (Instant off)

Under ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power management Interface) you can create a software power down. In a software power down, the system can be resumed by Wake Up Alarms. This item lets you install a software power down that is controlled by the power button on your system. If the item is set to Instant-Off, then the power button causes a software power down. If the item is set to Delay 4 Sec, then you have to hold the power button down for four seconds to cause a software power down.

PWRON After PWR-Fail (Power Off)

This item enables your computer to power off, automatically restart or return to its previous status after abnormal power lost.

Resume By RING (Disabled)

The system can be turned off with a software command. If you enable this item, the system can automatically resume if there is an incoming call on the Modem. You must use an ATX power supply in order to use this feature.

Resume By PCI/PCI-E/Lan PME (Disabled)

The system can be turned off with a software command. If you enable this item, the system can automatically resume if there is an incoming call on the PCI Modem or PCI LAN card. You must use an ATX power supply in order to use this feature. Use this item to do wake-up action if inserting the PCI card.

Resume By PS2 KB (S3) (Disabled)

This item enables or disables you to allow keyboard activity to awaken the system from S3 mode.

Resume By PS2 MS (S3) (Disabled)

This item enables or disables you to allow mouse activity to awaken the system from S3 mode.

Resume By USB (S3) (Disabled)

This item allows you to enable/disable the USB device wakeup function from S3 mode.

Resume on RTC Alarm (Disabled)

The system can be turned off with a software command. If you enable this item, the system can automatically resume at a fixed time based on the system’s RTC (realtime clock). Use the items below this one to set the date and time of the wake-up alarm. You must use an ATX power supply in order to use this feature.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Using BIOS

PCI / PnP Setup

This page sets up some parameters for devices installed on the PCI bus and those utilizing the system plug and play capability.

PCI / PnP Setup

iGPU and Ext-VGA Selection Single Init Display First

: Move

< >

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

PCI

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

Select Internal VGA or External VGA CARD to display

iGPU and Ext-VGA Selection (Single)

Use this item to select internal VGA or external VGA card to display.

Init Display First (PCI)

Use this item to select which graphics controller to use as the primary boot devices.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Using BIOS

PC Health Status

On motherboards support hardware monitoring, this item lets you monitor the parameters for critical voltages, temperatures and fan speeds.

PC Health Status

Hardware Health Event Monitoring

Smart Fan Function Press Enter

ShutDown T emperature Disabled

Vcore : 1.224V VDIMM : 1.840V VNB : 1.064V VHT : 1.184V CPU FAN Speed : 1962 RPM SYS FAN Speed : 0 RPM CPU Temperature : 40°C/82°F System Temperature : 34°C/93°F

< >

Smart Fan Function

: Move

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help Item

Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen:

CPU SMART FAN Control Disabled

Help Item

Options

Disabled Enabled

CPU SMART FAN Control (Disabled)

This item allows you to enable or disable the control of the CPU fan speed by changing the CPU temperature.

Press <Esc> to return to the PC Health Status page.

< >

: Move

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

Using BIOS

F10: Save ESC: Exit

ShutDown Temperature (Disabled)

Enable you to set the maximum temperature the system can reach before powering down.

System Component Characteristics

These items display the monitoring of the overall inboard hardware health events, such as System & CPU temperature, CPU & DIMM voltage, CPU & system fan speed,...etc.

• Vcore

• VDIMM

• VNB

• VHT

• CPU FAN Speed

• SYS FAN Speed CPU T emperature

•

• SYS Temperature

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

M.I.B (MB Intelligent BIOS)

This page enables you to set the clock speed and system bus for your system. The clock speed and system bus are determined by the kind of processor you have installed in your system.

AMD Phenon (tm) 9600 Quad-Core Processor Revision : B2 Cache L1 : 512KB Cache L2 : 2048KB Cache L3 : 2MB Speed : 2310MHz, NB CLK : 1800MHz

Auto Detect DIMM/PCI Clk Enabled CPU/LDT Spread Spectrum Enabled PCI Spread Spectrum Enabled CPU Frequency, MHz 200 MHz

DRAM Frequency Auto DRAM Timing Mode Auto

Memory Voltage 1.90V NB Voltage 1.13V HT Voltage 1.20V

M.I.B (MB Intelligent BIOS)

Help item

Options

Disabled Enabled

AMD Phenon (tm) 9600 Quad-Core Processor/Revision/Speed

These are display-only fields and display the information of current manufacturer, brand of the CPU, CPU ID, revision and speed of the CPU installed in your computer.

Cache L1/L2/L3

These items show the actual CPU interal level 1/2/3 cache size.

mnlk

Enter : Select

: Move

F1:General Help

F10: Save ESC: Exit+/-/: Value

F9: Optimized Defaults

Using BIOS

NB Clk

This item shows the frequency of Northbridge clock.

Auto Detect DIMM/PCI Clk (Enabled)

When this item is enabled, BIOS will disable the clock signal of free DIMM/PCI slots.

CPU/LDT Spread Spectrum (Enabled)

If you enable spread spectrum, it can significantly reduce the EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) generated by CPU/LDT.

PCI Spread Spectrum (Enabled)

If you enable spread spectrum, it can significantly reduce the EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) generated by PCI.

CPU Frequency, MHz (200 MHz)

This item indicates the current CPU frequency. Users can not make any change to this item. Please noted that the frequency will be varied with different CPU.

DRAM Frequency (Auto)

This item enables users to adjust the DRAM frequency. The default setting is auto and we recommend users leave the setting unchanged. Modify it at will may cause the system to be unstable.

DRAM Timing Mode (Auto)

This item enables you to specify the DRAM timing mode to be configured automatically or manually.

Memory Voltage (1.90V)

This item allows users to adjust the DDR memory voltage.

NB Voltage (1.13V)

This item allows users to adjust the Northbridge voltage.

HT Voltage (1.20V)

This item allows users to adjust the HyperTransport voltage.

Using BIOS

When using black-boxed CPU, the following screen appears.

AMD Athlon (tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+ Revision : G2 Cache L1 : 256KB Cache L2 : 1024KB Cache L3 : N/A Speed : 2615MHz, NB CLK : N/A Current FSB Multiplier : 13x Maximum FSB Multiplier : 25x

Auto Detect DIMM/PCI Clk Enabled CPU/LDT Spread Spectrum Enabled PCI Spread Spectrum Enabled CPU Frequency , MHz 200 AMD CPU Function: Press Enter

DRAM Frequency Auto DRAM Timing Mode Auto

CPU Voltage Disabled

mnlk

M.I.B (MB Intelligent BIOS)

Enter : Select

: Move

F1:General Help

F9: Optimized Defaults

Help item

Configure CPU frequency

F10: Save ESC: Exit+/-/: Value

fAMD CPU Function:(Press Enter)

Scroll to this item and press <Enter> to view the following screen:

AMD CPU Function:

AMD Overclock Ctrl: Disabled

: Move

< >

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Using BIOS

Help Item

Tells BIOS whether to use the setup options below this to configure the P-States, or whether to configure the P-States automatically

Load Default Settings

This option opens a dialog box to ask if you are sure to install optimized defaults or not. You select [OK], and then <Enter>, the Setup Utility loads all default values; or select [Cancel], and then <Enter>, the Setup Utility does not load default values.

Supervisor Password

This page helps you install or change a password.

Supervisor Password :Not Installed

Change Supervisor Password Press Enter

< >

Supervisor Password (Not Installed)

This item indicates whether a supervisor password has been set. If the password has been installed, Installed displays. If not, Not Installed displays.

Change Supervisor Password (Press Enter)

You can select this option and press <Enter> to access the sub menu. You can use the sub menu to change the supervisor password.

Supervisor Password

: Move

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

+/-/: Value

F9: Load Default settings

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help item

Install or Change the password.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Using BIOS

User Password

This page helps you install or change a password.

User Password

User Password : Not Installed

: Move

< >

Enter : Select

F1: General Help

F9: Load Default settings

+/-/: Value

F10: Save ESC: Exit

Help item

Install or Change the password.

User Password (Not Installed)

This item indicates whether a user password has been set. If the password has been installed, Installed displays. If not, Not Installed displays.

Press <Esc> to return to the main menu setting page.

Save & Exit Setup

Highlight this item and press <Enter> to save the changes that you have made in the Setup Utility and exit the Setup Utility. When the Save and Exit dialog box appears, select [OK] to save and exit, or select [Cancel] to return to the main menu.

Exit Without Saving

Highlight this item and press <Enter> to discard any changes that you have made in the Setup Utility and exit the Setup Utility. When the Exit Without Saving dialog box appears, select [OK] to discard changes and exit, or select [Cancel] to return to the main menu.

If you have made settings that you do not want to save, use the “Exit Without Saving” item and select [OK] to discard any changes you have made.

Using BIOS

Updating the BIOS

You can download and install updated BIOS for this motherboard from the manufacturer’s Web site. New BIOS provides support for new peripherals, improvements in performance, or fixes for known bugs. Install new BIOS as follows:

1 If your motherboard has a BIOS protection jumper, change the setting to

allow BIOS flashing.

2 If your motherboard has an item called Firmware Write Protect in Ad-

vanced BIOS features, disable it. (Firmware Write Protect prevents BIOS from being overwritten.)

3 Prepare a bootable device or create a bootable system disk. (Refer to

Windows online help for information on creating a bootable system disk.)

4 Download the Flash Utility and new BIOS file from the manufacturer’s

Web site. Copy these files to the bootable device.

5 Turn off your computer and insert the bootable device in your com-

puter. (You might need to run the Setup Utility and change the the boot priority items on the Advanced BIOS Features Setup page, to force your computer to boot from the bootable device first.)

6 At the C:\ or A:\ prompt, type the Flash Utility program name and the file

name of the new BIOS and then press <Enter>. Example: AMINF340.EXE040706.ROM

7 When the installation is complete, remove the bootable device from the

computer and restart your computer. If your motherboard has a Flash BIOS jumper, reset the jumper to protect the newly installed BIOS from being overwritten. The computer will restart automatically.

This concludes Chapter 3. Refer to the next chapter for information on the software supplied with the motherboard.

Using BIOS

Chapter 4

Using the Motherboard Software

About the Software CD-ROM

The support software CD-ROM that is included in the motherboard package contains all the drivers and utility programs needed to properly run the bundled products. Below you can find a brief description of each software program, and the location for your motherboard version. More information on some programs is available in a README file, located in the same directory as the software. Before installing any software, always inspect the folder for files named README.TXT, INSTALL.TXT, or something similar. These files may contain important information that is not included in this manual.

Never try to install all software from folder that is not specified for use with

1. your motherboard.

The notice of Intel HD audio installation (optional): The Intel High Defi-

2. nition audio functionality unexpectedly quits working in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Users need to download and install the update packages from the Microsoft Download Center “before” installing HD audio driver bundled in the Driver CD. Please log on to http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;enus;901105#appliesto for more information.

Auto-installing under W indows XP/Vista

The Auto-install CD-ROM makes it easy for you to install the drivers and software for your motherboard.

If the Auto-install CD-ROM does not work on your system, you can still install drivers through the file manager for your OS (for example, Windows Explorer). Refer to the Utility Folder Installation Notes later in this chapter.

The support software CD-ROM disc loads automatically under Windows XP/Vista. When you insert the CD-ROM disc in the CD-ROM drive, the autorun feature will automatically bring up the install screen. The screen has three buttons on it, Setup, Browse CD and Exit.

If the opening screen does not appear; double-click the file “setup.exe” in the root directory.

Using the Motherboard Software

Setup Tab

Setup

Browse CD

Exit

Application Tab

Lists the software utilities that are available on the CD.

Read Me Tab

Displays the path for all software and drivers available on the CD.

Click the Setup button to run the software installation program. Select from the menu which software you want to install.

The Browse CD button is the standard Windows command that allows you to open Windows Explorer and show the contents of the support CD.

Before installing the software from Windows Explorer, look for a file named README.TXT, INSTALL.TXT or something similar. This file may contain important information to help you install the software correctly.

Some software is installed in separate folders for different operating systems.

In installing the software, execute a file named SETUP.EXE or INSTALL.EXE by double-clicking the file and then following the instructions on the screen.

The EXIT button closes the Auto Setup window.

Running Setup

Follow these instructions to install device drivers and software for the motherboard:

1. Click Setup. The installation program begins:

The following screens are examples only. The screens and driver lists will be different according to the motherboard you are installing.

The motherboard identification is located in the upper left-hand corner.

Using the Motherboard Software

2. Click Next. The following screen appears:

3. Check the box next to the items you want to install. The default optionsare recom-

mended.

4. Click Next run the Installation Wizard. An item installation screen appears:

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to install the items.

1. Drivers and software are automatically installed in sequence. Follow the onscreen instructions, confirm commands and allow the computer to restart a few times to complete the installation.

2. During the Windows Vista Driver Auto Setup Procedure, users should use one of the following two methods to install the driver after the system restart.

Using the Motherboard Software

Method 1. Run Reboot Setup

Windows Vista will block startup programs by default when installing drivers after the system restart. You must select taskbar icon Run Blocked Program and run Reboot Setup to install the next driver, until you finish all drivers installation.

Method 2. Disable UAC (User Account Control)

* For administrator account only. Standard user account can only use Method 1.

Disable Vista UAC function before installing drivers, then use CD driver to install drivers, it will continue to install drivers after system restart without running blocked programs.

Follow these instructions to Disable Vista UAC function:

1. Go to Control Panel.

Using the Motherboard Software

2. Select Classic View.

3. Set User Account.

4. Select Turn User Account Control on or off and press Continue.

Using the Motherboard Software

5. Disable User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer item and press OK, then press Restart Now. Then you can restart your computer and continue to drivers without running blocked programs.

install

Manual Installation

Insert the CD in the CD-ROM drive and locate the PATH.DOC file in the root directory. This file contains the information needed to locate the drivers for your motherboard.

Look for the chipset and motherboard model; then browse to the directory and path to begin installing the drivers. Most drivers have a setup program (SETUP.EXE) that automatically detects your operating system before installation. Other drivers have the setup program located in the operating system subfolder.

If the driver you want to install does not have a setup program, browse to the operating system subfolder and locate the readme text file (README.TXT or README.DOC) for information on installing the driver or software for your operating system.

Utility Software Reference

All the utility software available from this page is Windows compliant. They are provided only for the convenience of the customer. The following software is furnished under license and may only be used or copied in accordance with the terms of the license.

These software(s) are subject to change at anytime without prior no tice.

1. Please refer to the support CD for available software.

Please go to ECS website to download AMD Cool “n” Quiet

technology.

Using the Motherboard Software

HDMI Audio setting SOP

OS: XP system

1. Control Panel-->Sound and Audio Device Properties

a. Audio--> Sound playback--> Default device--> HD Auido Output b. Audio--> Sound playback--> Default device--> HDMI Auido Output

a. User Playback Audio speaker function working b. User Playback HDMI speaker function working

Using the Motherboard Software

OS: Vista system

Control Panel--> Soundback--> Sound--> Digital Output Device (HDMI) --> Set Default

1. Volume --> Playback

2. Digital Output Device (HDMI) --> Set Default --> OK User HDMI Playback function working

Using the Motherboard Software

3. Speaker --> Set Default --> OK User Speaker Palyback function working

4. SPDIF-Out --> Set Default --> OK User SPDIF-Out Playback function working

This concludes chapter 4.

Using the Motherboard Software

Memo

Using the Motherboard Software

Chapter 5

Setting Up NVIDIA RAID Configuration

There are two ways to setup NVIDIA RAID Configuration: One is to create a RAID 1 Array for backup or a RAID 0 Array for increased performance just by adding additional disk array without changing the original OS (Non-Bootable RAID Array); while the other is to configure the RAID Array disks when reinstalling the OS

(Bootable RAID Array).

Setting Up a Non-Bootable RAID Array

RAID arrays can be created/deleted using both MediaShield RAID BIOS and the MediaShield RAID Manager from Windows. This section only covers basic BIOS setup required for non-bootable array. See the section "Setting Up a Bootable RAID Array” for instructions on configuring the RAID array in BIOS. See sections on using the MediaShield RAID Manager for details on configuring non-bootable RAID from Windows.

Setting Up the BIOS

Start your computer, then press Delete to enter the BIOS setup. The BIOS CMOS Setup Utility window appears.

Figure 1.1 BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Window

Use the arrow keys to select Integrated Peripherals (see Figure 1.1), then press Enter.

The Integrated Peripherals window appears.

Figure 1.2 Integrated Peripherals Window

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

From the Integrated Peripherals Window, globally set SATA Mode select to

RAID Mode (see Figure 1.2).

Press F10 to save the configuration and exit (F10 is the navigation key to

save the current configuration and exit setup in BIOS setting).

The PC reboots.

Installing the NVIDIA RAID Software Under Windows

This section describes how to run the setup application and install the RAID software.

Start the nForce Setup program to open the NVIDIA Windows nForce

Drivers page.

Figure 1.3 nForce Driver Installation Window

2 Select the modules that you want to install.

Make sure that the “NVIDIA IDE Driver” is selected. You must install the NVIDIA IDE driver in order to enable NVIDIA RAID.

If you do not install the NVIDIA IDE driver, NVIDIA RAID will not be enabled.

Click Next and then follow the instructions.After the installation is com-

pleted, be sure to reboot the PC.

After the reboot, initialize the newly created array.

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Setting Up a Bootable RAID Array

This section explains how to configure a bootable NVIDIA RAID array.

Setting Up the BIOS

Start your computer, then press Delete to enter the BIOS setup. The BIOS CMOS Setup Utility screen appears.

Figure 1.4 BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Screen

Use the arrow keys to select Integrated Peripherals (see Figure 1.4), then press Enter.

The Integrated Peripherals screen (or a screen similar to it) appears.

Figure 1.5 Integrated Peripherals Screen

From the Integrated Peripherals Window, globally set SATA Mode select to RAID Mode (see Figure 1.5).

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Press F10 to save the configuration and exit.

The PC reboots.

Enter the RAID BIOS Setup by pressing F10 when prompted, and proceed

to set up the NVIDIA RAID BIOS as described in the next section.

Configuring the NVIDIA RAID BIOS

The NVIDIA RAID BIOS set up lets you choose the RAID type and which hard drives you want to make part of the array.

Entering the RAID BIOS Setup:

Wait until you see the RAID software prompting you to press F10.

The RAID prompt appears as part of the system POST and boot process prior to loading of the OS. You have a few seconds to press F10 before the screen disappears (see Figure 1.6).

Figure 1.6

Press F10 to enter Define a New Array page.

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

The NVIDIA RAID Utility—Define a New Array screen appears (Figure

1.7).

Figure 1.7 MediaShield BIOS

By default, RAID Mode is set to Mirroring and Striping Block is set to Optimal.

Using the Define a New Array Screen

If necessary, press the tab key to move from field to field until the appropriate field is highlighted.

• Selecting the RAID Mode

By default, this is set to Mirroring. To change to a different RAID mode, press the down arrow key until the mode that you want appears in the RAID Mode box—either Mirroring, Striping, Spanning, Stripe Mirroring or RAID

5. Note: Not all RAID levels are supported on all platforms. And enough Hard

disks are required to complete the RAID configuration.

• Selecting the Strping Block Size

Striping block size is given in kilobytes, and affects how data is arranged on the disk. It is recommended to leave this value at the default Optimal, which is 64KB, but the values can be between 4 KB and 128 KB (4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 KB)

Assigning the Disks

The disks that you enabled from the RAID Config BIOS setup page appear in the Free Disks block. These are the drives that are available for use as RAID array disks.

To designate a free disk to be used as a RAID array disk,

Tab to the Free Disks section.

The first disk in the list is selected Move it from the Free Disks block to the Array Disks block by pressing the

right-arrow key (—>). The first disk in the list is moved, and the next disk in the list is selected and

ready to be moved. Continue pressing the right-arrow key (—>) until all the disks that you want

to use as RAID array disks appear in the Array Disks block.

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Figure 1.8 illustrates the Define a New Array screen after one disk have been assigned as RAID 0 array disk.

Figure 1.8 MediaShield BIOS—Array Disks Assigned

Completing the RAID BIOS Setup

After assigning your RAID array disk, press F7.

The Clear disk array prompt appears.

Figure 1.9 Clear Disk Data Prompt

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Press Y to clear the disk data.

The Array List screen appears, where you can review the RAID arrays that you have set up.

Figure 1.10 Array List Window

Use the arrow keys to select the array that you want to set up, then press B

to specify the array as bootable. Press Enter to view and verify details.

The Array Detail screen shows various information about the array that you selected, such as Striping Block used, RAID Mode, Striping Width, Disk Model Name, and disk capacity.

If you want to mark this disk as empty and wipe out all its contents, press C.

At the prompt, press Y to wipe out all the data, otherwise press N.

Press Enter again to go back to the previous screen and then press F10 to exit

the RAID setup.

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Installing the RAID Drivers

Your system may come with a Windows install CD that already includes NVIDIA RAID drivers. If so, then this section is not relevant.

If that is not the case (or you are trying to install a new version of Windows), then you will need an NVIDIA RAID driver F6 install floppy. Check to see if one came with your system. If not, you can create one by downloading the appropriate driver package and following the steps in this section.

Copy all files in "…\IDE\WinXP\sataraid" to a floppy disk. (For Windows

2000, substitute "Win2K" in the path.) After you complete the RAID BIOS setup, boot from the Windows CD.

The Windows Setup program starts. Press F6 and wait a few moments for the Windows Setup screen to

appear.

Figure 2.13 Windows Setup—Specify Devices

Specify the NVIDIA drivers.

a Insert the floppy that has the RAID driver, press S, then press Enter.

The following Windows Setup screen appears:

Figure 2.14 Windows Setup—Selected SCSI Adapter

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

b Select “NVIDIA RAID CLASS DRIVER (required)” and then press Enter.

c Press S again at the Specify Devices screen, then press Enter.

d Select “NVIDIA NForce Storage Controller (required)” and then press Enter.

The following Windows Setup screen appears listing both drivers:.

Figure 2.15 Windows Setup—NVIDIA drives listed

Press Enter to continue with Windows XP Installation.

Be sure to leave the floppy disk inserted in the floppy drive until the blue screen portion of Windows XP installation is completed, then take out the floppy.

Follow the instructions on how to install Windows XP. After Windows XP is completely installed, it is recommended that you

install the ForceWare software in order to access the MediaShield RAID Management tool.

Note:

This concludes chapter 5.

Each time you add a new hard drive to a RAID array, the RAID driver will have to be installed under Windows once for that hard drive. After that, the driver will not have to be installed.

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Memo

NVIDIA RAID Configuration

Chapter 6

NVIDIA

This motherboard supports the NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology.

Hybrid SLI® technology, based on NVIDIA’s industry-leading SLI technology, delivers multi-GPU (graphics processing unit) benefits when an NVIDIA® motherboard GPU is combined with an NVIDIA discrete GPU. Follow the installation procedure in this section.

® ®

® Hybrid SLI

® ®

® T echnology Support

® ®

Key Features

Hybrid SLI increases graphics performance with GeForce Boost® and provides intelligent power management with HybridPowerTM.

GeForce Boost

GeForce Boost turbocharges the performance of NVIDIA discrete GPUs when combined with NVIDIA motherboard GPUs. Plug any NVIDIA Hybrid SLI-enabled GPU into any NVIDIA Hybrid SLI-enabled motherboard to enjoy additive performance and more for your money.

Users always insert the external graphics card to boost the display efficiency when using the motherboard with onboard VGA and leave the onboard VGA unused. Hybrid SLI technology enables the inserted graphics card to operate SLI together with the onboard VGA to avoid only having efficiency of one graphics card.

HybridPower

HybridPowerTM unleashes graphics performance when needed and switches to quiet, low-power quiet operation for everyday computing. Plug any NVIDIA Hybrid SLIenabled GPU into any NVIDIA Hybrid SLI-enabled motherboard for the ultimate control. Dial up performance for demanding 3D games and applications; reduce noise and power consumption for everyday computing tasks like browsing the Web, word processing, or watching HD videos.

1. HybridPower will unleash adequately when the system needs high graphics performance and reduce noise and power consumption automatically when the system switches to low-power quiet operation.

2. The HybridPower is supported when it connected to onboard display.

NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology Support

Hybrid SLI products

Hybrid SLI Enabled Motherboard

GPUs

Hybrid P ower

Technology GeForce 8300 Yes Yes GeForce 8200 Yes Yes GeForce 8100 Yes Yes nForce 730a Yes Yes nForce 720a Yes Yes

Hybrid SLI Enabled Graphics Card

GeForce 9800 GX2 Yes No GeFor ce 980 0 GTX Y es No GeFo r ce 8500 GT No Yes GeFo r ce 8400 GS No Yes

Reference Website http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybrid_sli.html.

GeForce Boost

Technology

Hybrid SLI Tec hnology GPUs

Hybr id Power GeForce Boost

NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology Support

Hybrid Requirements and Constraints

1 You should have a Hybrid SLI Enabled Motherboard and Hybrid SLI En-

abled Graphics Card. 2 Hybrid SLI is only supported with the Vista operating system. 3 GeForce Boost mode allows up to two displays to be connected to either

mGPU or to the dGPU. When displays are connected to both adapters,

hybrid mode is disabled and multi adapter extended desktop mode is en-

abled. In the multi-adapter extended desktop mode, up to four displays

could be connected (up to two displays driven by mGPU and up to two

displays by dGPU). 4 HybridPower mode requires displays to be connected to the mGPU.

HybridPower cannot be enabled when displays are driven through the

dGPU. 5 Hybrid SLI requires at least 256 MB of frame buffer carve out for the

motherboard GPU. Hybrid SLI will not work if the frame buffer size is set

to be less than 256 MB. 6 For best GeForce Boost performance, the following minimum system

configuration is recommended:

• AMD Phenom CPU or Intel CPU run-ning at FSB 1333 MHz

• 2 × 1024 MB of DDR2-800 DRAM

• Discrete GPU recommended for GeForce Boost

7 Visit the ECS website (

motherboard. 8 Make sure that your graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA®

SLI® Technology. Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website

(www.nvidia.com). Or visit this website (http://www.nvidia.com/object/

hybrid_sli.html) for more Hybrid SLI information. 9 Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the

minimum power required by your system. 1 0 NVIDIA requires that customers update their current inventory and future

builds of GeForce 8400 GS / 8400 cards using VBIOS version 62.98.29.00.00

or later.

www.ecs.com.tw) for for more information of this

Hybrid

NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology Support

Installation and Use

1. Prepare one Hybrid SLI enabled graphics card.

Insert the Hybrid SLI enabled graphics card into the PCIEX16 Slot on the motherboard.

Start your computer, then press Delete to enter the BIOS setup; use the arrow keys

3. to select Advanced Chipset Setup, then press Enter; set the item Hybrid SLI supprt to Enabled.

4. Press F10 to save the configuration and exit the BIOS.

NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology Support

Enter Window Vista to install the latest driver which supports the NVIDIA Hybrid

5. SLI technology.

Restart your computer after installing the driver. You can see the green icon of

6. NVIDIA Hybrid SLI in the bottom right-hand corner while accessing the Windows Vista again.

Click the green Hybrid SLI icon, then the choosing menu appears.7.

Select a graphics mode.

There are three SLI modes for you to select: Save Power, Boost Performance and Additional Displays.

Whether the Save Power and Boost Performace can be used depends on the graphics card being inserted.

NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology Support

Click with your right mouse button on My Computer, then click the option Man-

8. age and choose the Device Manager, finally, click the Display Adapters. The following screen appears.

All in all, the NVIDIA SLI technology works.

This concludes Chapter 6.

NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology Support

ECS GF8200A User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual