EPOX 9npa User Manual
TRADEMARK
All products and company names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
These specifications are subject to change without notice.
Manual Revision 1.0
January 12, 2005
nVIDIA nVIDIA
nVIDIA nVIDIA
nVIDIA
nForcenForce
nForcenForce
nForce
44
44
4
Ultra /Ultra /
Ultra /Ultra /
Ultra /
nVIDIA nVIDIA
nVIDIA nVIDIA
nVIDIA
nForcenForce
nForcenForce
nForce
44
44
4
mainboard for AMD Socket mainboard for AMD Socket
mainboard for AMD Socket mainboard for AMD Socket
mainboard for AMD Socket
939 based939 based
939 based939 based
939 based
Athlon 64 Athlon 64
Athlon 64 Athlon 64
Athlon 64
processorprocessor
processorprocessor
processor
User’User’
User’User’
User’
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ss
s
ManualManual
ManualManual
Manual
60000029NPA10
ii
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES:
THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES WHICH EXTEND BEYOND THE
DESCRIPTION ON THE FACE OF THE MANUFACTURER LIMITED
WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER EXPRESSLY EXCLUDES ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING ITS
PRODUCTS; INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR
NONINFRINGEMENT. THIS DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES SHALL
APPLY TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED UNDER LOCAL LAWS IN THE
COUNTRY PURCHASED IN WHICH LOCAL LAWS DO NOT ALLOW OR
LIMIT THE EXCLUSION OF THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES.
iii
80 Port Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of some basic POST Codes, possible problems and solutions. For
more detailed information about POST Codes, refer to Appendix C in this manual.
POST CODE Problem Solution
FFh or CFh 1.BIOS chip inserted
incorrectly
2. Incorrect BIOS update
version
3. Mainboard problem
4. Add-on card inserted
incorrectly.
1. Reinsert the BIOS
chip
2. Download the correct
BIOS version update
from the manufacturer's
Web site.
3. Replace mainboard
4. Remove and replace the
add-on card
C1h - C5h 1. Memory module
inserted incorrectly
2. Memory compatibility
problem
3. Memory module
damaged
1. Reinsert memory
mo dule
2. Replace memory
with correct type
3. Replace memory
mo dule
2Dh 1. Error occured in VGA
BIOS
2. VGA card inserted
incorrectly
1. Replace VGA card
2. Reinsert the VGA
card
26 h Overclock error Clear CMOS or press the insert
key to power on the system
07h - 1 2h 1. Init keybo ard
controller error
2. RTC error
1. Ensure that the keyboard and
mouse are connected
correctly.
2. Replace the RTC battery.
Initial Keyboard
iv
Table of Contents
Section 1 Introduction
Package Contents ...................................................... 1- 1
Mainboard Features ................................................... 1- 2
System Block Diagram ............................................... 1- 6
Section 2 Specification
Mainboard Specification ............................................ 2- 1
Section 3 Installation
Mainboard Layout ..................................................... 3- 1
Easy Installation Procedure ....................................... 3- 2
CPU Insertion ............................................................. 3- 2
Jumper Settings .......................................................... 3- 4
System Memory Configuration .................................. 3- 5
Expansion Slots .......................................................... 3- 6
Device Connectors..................................................... 3- 7
Power-On/Off (Remote) .............................................. 3- 14
External Modem Ring-in Power ON and
Keyboard Power ON Function (KBPO) ..................... 3- 14
STR (Suspend To RAM) Function ............................ 3- 15
CPU Overheating Protection...................................... 3- 16
Section 4 BIOS Setup
Main Menu ................................................................ 4- 1
Standard CMOS Setup ............................................... 4- 2
Advanced BIOS Features .......................................... 4- 3
Advanced Chipset Features ...................................... 4- 5
Integrated Peripherals ................................................ 4- 7
Power Management Setup ......................................... 4- 11
Page
v
PNP/PCI Configuration .............................................. 4- 13
PC Health Status ........................................................ 4- 15
Power BIOS Features ................................................. 4- 17
Defaults Menu ........................................................... 4- 19
Supervisor/User Password Setting ............................ 4- 20
Exit Selecting .............................................................. 4- 21
Section 5 RAID Configuration
Introduction ............................................................... 5- 1
NVidia RAID Features ................................................. 5- 3
Enable RAID Function ............................................... 5- 4
Section 6 Driver Installation
Easy Driver Installation .............................................. 6- 1
Realtek Sound Manager Quick User guide ................ 6- 2
Appendix Appendix A
Update Your System BIOS ......................................... A- 1
Appendix B
NVidia RAID BIOS Utility ............................................ B- 1
Appendix C
POST Codes ............................................................... C- 1
vi
Page Left Blank
Introduction
Page 1-1
Section 1
INTRODUCTION
1-1 Package Contents
Contents
A. Mainboard
B. User’s manual
C. Floppy drive cable
D. HDD drive cable
E. CD (drivers and utilities)
F. I/O Shield
G .S-ATA data and power cable
Powerpack items (Optional)
H. Mini heatsink
I. Tool Pen
Optional Items
J. Game & COM bracket cable
K. IEEE 1394 two ports cable
L. Extra USB2.0 port cable
M.S/PDIF Module
B
A
C
D
USER’S
MANUAL
E
F
G
K
J
M
If you need the optional item, please
contact your dealer for assistance.
H
L
I
Introduction
Page 1-2
1-2 Mainboard Features
Brief Introduction
Socket 939
Socket 939-based motherboards are designed to provide performance enhance-
ments for AMD Athlon 64/ Athlon 64 FX processor-based systems, and it also
expected to be the next-generation of platform innovations.
For more information about all the new features AthlonTM Processor deliver, check out
the AMD website at http://www.amd.com
Chipset
The board is designed with NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra or nForce4 chipset, featuring
performance and stability with the most innovative technology and features,
including the world’s first and only native Gigabit Ethernet interface and
hardware-optimized Firewall security solution. A chipset designed for the
enthusiast class/high-end PCs running AMD Athlon 64 FX 53 processors.
For more details about the NVIDIA nForce4, please visit the NVIDIA Web site at
http://www.nvidia.com.
PCI-Express (PCI-E)
Next generation peripheral interface to succeed to current PCI bus for the next
decade. With smaller slot size and 250MB/sec (PCI-E*1) or 4GB/sec(PCI-E*16)
maximum transfer, PCI-Express overcomes PCI bus bottleneck.
DDR400
Supports dual channel of DDR400 memory to give you twice the memory
bandwidth for greater system performance.
Hardware Monitoring
Hardware monitoring enables you to monitor various aspects of the system opera-
tion and status. This includes CPU temperature, voltage and fan speed in RPMs.
GbE LAN
This mainboard is optionally equipped with the NVIDIA Gigabit ethernet LAN
feature. The new Gigabit Ethernet LAN allows data transmission at 1,000 megabits
per second (Mbps), which runs 10 times faster than conventional 10/100BASE-T
Ethernet LANs.
Introduction
Page 1-3
Serial ATA II (Optional)
The second generation SATA interface with double the transferring speed up to
300MB/sec. It supports NCQ to provide faster reading speed for your storage
devices. Hot-plug has also become its standard function to plug/unplug
whenever you want.
Serial ATA
Support Serial ATA, an evolutionary replacement for Parallel ATA IDE storage
interface. Increases the peak data transfer speed up to 150MB/sec and allows
future enhancements to the computing platform.
S-ATA RAID
RAID function available on chipset S-ATAⅡ, S-ATA ports.
P-ATA RAID
This signifies Parallel-ATA (P-ATA) with RAID function, commonly known as
'IDE RAID'. This feature is provided by designing extra IDE controllers on board
in addition to the standard IDE ports from chipsets. These extra controllers may
provide 2 ports (up to 4 IDE devices) for RAID 0, 1 0+1 function or even 4 ports
(up to 8 IDE devices) for RAID 0, 1, 10 function.
IEEE 1394 (Optional)
Supports IEEE 1394a (or Firewire) for easy connection to Video Camcorder and
external drives. The IEEE1394a specifications defines a transfer rate of up to
400Mbps.
USB2.0
A popular USB standard for plugging in peripherals with up to 480Mbps transfer
speed while maintaining backward compatibility with older USB1.1 device.
8ch
Delivers 8 channel audio to bring you the latest in audio realism from DVD
movies and games. Perfect for your home theatre system.
AMD Cool'n'QuietTM Technology
AMD's Cool'n'QuietTM Technology lowers CPU operating voltage when the
system is in idle mode. This helps to reduce heat dissipation and in effect lowers
the fan speed to noise from your PC. To enable Cool'n'QuietTM the BIOS must
support this feature.
Introduction
Page 1-4
NVIDIA ActiveArmorTM (only supported in the NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra MCPs)
Enhances networks security while delivers the highest system performance by
off-loading CPU-intensive packet filtering tasks in hardware, providing users
with a PC networking environment that is both fast and secure.
NV Firewall
An unprecedented addition design for nForce product, provide high performance
& enhanced reliability of PC security solution to the users. The features would be
more advanced than many stand-alone firewalls can provide!
Introduction
Page 1-5
Special Features
&
Magic Health
Reports your system hardware status for every boot-up to help detect faults
early. Monitor hardware status including CPU temperature, CPU/Memory/
Chipset voltage, fan RPM speed for chassis fan, CPU fan & Power supply fan.
&
EZ-Boot
Simply press “ESC” to select your bootable device. No more hassle to search
the BIOS menu, change and re-start.
&
PowerBIOS
Supporting a full range of overclocking setting via BIOS. Various adjustable
feature include FSB/Chipset/Memory voltage tweaking.
&
80 Port
An onboard LED-display trouble-shooting device, facilitating user to detect
boot-up problems.
&
QuickSPDIF
On board SPDIF-out connector for quick connection to multi-channel
speakers. Not only removes cable cluttering but also delivers loss-free digital
audio to let you enjoy DVD movies and games with crystal clear sound.
&
EZ-Button
A handy power-on button located onboard to turn on/off the system easily,
especially while debugging or testing the system.
&
LEDION
Onboard LED indicators to show the power status CPU, Chipset and DRAM.
You know immediately where to look if the system fails to start.
BIOS Features:
H/W Features:
Introduction
Page 1-6
1-3 System Block Diagram
Specification
Page 2-1
Section 2
SPECIFICATION
Mainboard Specification
Processor
Support Socket-939 based AMD Athlon-64/ Athlon-64 FX up to 4000+
with 2.0GTs Hyper Transport
Chipset
nVidia nForce4 Ultra or nForce4 Chipset
Main Memory
Four 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMM sockets
Support single-sided or double-sided 2.5v DDR-266/333/400 DIMMs
with dual channel architecture in 128/256/512Mb technologies
Supports up to 4GB memory size
Expansion Slots
Three PCI connectors compliant with PCI v2.3
Three PCI-E x1 connectors compliant with PCI Express 1.0a
One PCI-E x16 connectors compliant with PCI Express 1.0a
USB
Ten USB connectors compliant with USB2.0 from embedded USB controller
(4 connectors at rear panel)
P-ATA IDE
Two IDE interface (up to 4 IDE devices) with UDMA-33, ATA-66/100/133
support from embedded IDE controller
1394a (Optional)
Two 1394a ports with up to 400Mbps bandwidth from onboard VIA
VT6307 1394 controller
Specification
Page 2-2
S-ATA RAID
S-ATA II ---> Four S-ATA ports with up to 300MBps bandwidth from
nForce4 Ultra with RAID 0, 1, 0+1, JBOD support, or
S-ATA ---> Four S-ATA ports with up to 150MBps bandwidth from
nForce4 with RAID 0, 1, 0+1, JBOD support
LAN
1Gbps Ethernet from VITESSE VSC8201 LAN PHY supports:
- nVidia Fireware
- nVidia ActiveArmor Secure Network Engine (only supported in the NVIDIA
nForce4 Ultra MCPs)
Audio
Selectable 2, 6 or 8-CH audio from onboard ALC850 AC’97 v2.3 compliant
CODEC
- Support CD-In, S/PDIF-in and S/PDIF-out
- Optical & Coaxial S/PDIF-out available on rear panel
- Support Jack detection for fool-proof audio device installation
- Rear panel audio jacks configuration:
I/O
Onboard Winbond W83627THF LPC bus I/O controller
Legacy peripheral interface for PS/2 keyboard & mouse, FDD, Parallel,
Serial, Game and IrDA (v1.0 compliant)
Support Hardware Monitoring for fan speed monitoring, CPU/System
temperature
Intelligent fan speed control for quiet operation
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Specification
Page 2-3
BIOS
Flash EEPROM with Award Plug&Play BIOS
Support ACPI S3 (Suspend To RAM) mode in ACPI compliant O/S
Support EZ Boot for fast bootable device selection
Support Magic Health for system hardware status report during system
boot-up
Peripheral Interfaces
))
))
) At Rear Panel
PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports
One Parallel (printer) port
One S/PDIF-Out Coaxial jack
One S/PDIF-Out Optical
One Serial port
One RJ45 LAN connector
Four USB2.0 ports
Six Audio jacks
))
))
) Onboard connector and pin-header
One floppy drive connector
Two ATA-100/133 IDE connector
Six extra USB2.0 ports
One CD-IN connector
One S/PDIF-in/out connector
One IR connector
One Game port connector
One Serial Port (COM2) connector
Two 1394a connectors (Optional)
Four S-ATA connectors
Three Fan connectors
One RESET and One PW-ON button
Specification
Page 2-4
Front Panel Controller
Supports Reset & Soft-Off switches
Supports HDD & Power LEDs
Supports PC speaker
Supports Front Panel Audio connector
Special Features
Support KBPO function – Keyboard power on, turn on the computer from
keyboard
Support Wake-On-LAN by PME
Support USB resume in S3
Onboard 80 Port LED display for system debugging
PowerBIOS for excellent overclocking capabilities through
- Programmable FSB, PCI-E and PCI Clock output frequency with 1MHz fine
tuning
- Support BIOS adjustable CPU multiplier & Core voltage, FSB clock, PCI-E
x16 voltage & clock, Chipset voltage, DIMM frequency and voltage
settings
Support LEDION – onboard LED power indicator for CPU, DDR and PCI-E
Form Factor
305mm x 245 mm ATX size
Installation
Page 3-1
Mainboard Layout
Note: Depending on the model you purchased, some components
are optional and may not be available.
Section 3
INSTALLATION
Installation
Page 3-2
Step 2
Align pin 1 on the CPU with pin 1 on
the CPU socket and gently insert the
CPU. The CPU is keyed to prevent
incorrect insertion. Do not force the
processor into the socket. If it does not
go in easily, check for mis-orientation
and reinsert the CPU.
Make sure the processor is fully
inserted into the socket.
<Figure 2>
Easy Installation Procedure
The following must be completed before powering on your new system:
3-1. CPU Installation
3-2. Jumper Settings
3-3. System Memory
3-4. Expansion Slots
3-5. Device Connectors
3-1 CPU Installation
Step 1
Open the socket by raising the actuation
lever.
<Figure 1>
Note:
Thermal compound and qualified heatsink recommended by
AMD are a must to avoid CPU overheat damage
.
Installation
Page 3-3
<Figure 3>
Step 3
Close the socket by lowering and
locking the actuation lever.
Apply thermal compound to the top of
the CPU.
<Figure 4>
Step 4
Insert the heatsink as shown above.
Press the clips in the direction of the
arrows shown in Figure 4 to secure the
assembly to the CPU socket.
Step 5
Plug the CPU fan power into the mainboard’s
CPU fan connector.
The installation is complete.
<Figure 5>
Installation
Page 3-4
3-2 Jumper Settings
1
JCMOS:
Settings:
1-2: Normal (Default)
2-3: Clear CMOS
Clear CMOS data Jumper
If the CMOS data becomes corrupted or
you forgot the supervisor or user
password, clear the CMOS data to
reconfigure the system back to the
default values stored in the ROM BIOS.
To CMOS Clear data, please follow the steps below.
1. Turn off the system.
2. Change the jumper from “1-2” to “2-3” position for
a few seconds.
3. Replace the jumper back to the “1-2” position.
4. Turn on the system and hold down the <Del> key
to enter BIOS setup.
1
JUSB:
Settings:
1-2: Connect (S3 enabled)
2-3: Disconnect (No S3)
USB S3 Wake up Jumper
This jumper disconnects 5V standby
voltage to USB devices. This means USB
devices will not be able to wake-up the
system from S3 (Suspend to RAM) power
saving mode.
Installation
Page 3-5
3-3 System Memory Configuration
The mainboard accommodates Four PC2100/PC2700/PC3200 184-pin DIMMs (Dual In-
line Memory Modules):
• Supports up to 4.0GB of 266/333/400MHz DDR SDRAM.
• Supports unbuffered DIMM configurations defined in JEDEC DDR DIMM
specification.
DIMM 2
DIMM 4
Dual Channel 2
Dual Channel 1
DIMM 1
Dual Channel interface:
• Dual channel memory access offers increased system performance.
• For dual channel to operate, both channel must be populated with same
amount of memory, preferably of the same type.
• The four DIMM sockets are divided into two colors to help you identify the
channel pairs <Figure 6>. Each dual channel pair has the same color, e.g.
DIMM1 and DIMM3. To obtain best performance, simply mount DIMM
sockets of the same color.
Memory configurations supported:
* SS: Single-Sided DIMM, DS: Double-Sided DIMM
Note: Using non-compliant memory with higher bus speeds (overclocking)
may severely compromise the integrity of the system.
<Figure 6>
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Installation
Page 3-6
3-4 Expansion Slots
VGA Card Installation Caution
1. Remove the bracket (on the PC case) for the slot you intend to use.
2. Firmly press down the card into the slot until it is completely
seated. Ensure the VGA slot clicker is locked as shown in the
picture below.
3. Secure the card's bracket to the PC case with a screw.
PCI-E Slots
The mainboard is equipped with three
PCI-E*1 compliant with PCI Express 1.0a.
PCI-E VGA Slots
The elongated PCI-E*16 is intended for
PCI-E VGA card installation.
PCI Slots
The mainboard is equipped with three
PCI slots.
PCI Slots
PCI-E Slots
PCI-E
VGA Slot
Installation
Page 3-7
JCPU_FAN / JPWR_FAN / JSYS_FAN:
CPU/Power/Chassis Fan Power Connectors
JCPU_FAN: The CPU must be kept cool by using a
heatsink with fan assembly.
JPWR_FAN: If you are installing an additional fan
in the unit, connect to this fan
connector.
JSYS_FAN: The chassis fan will provide adequate
airflow throughout the chassis to
prevent overheating the CPU.
Figure 7 - I/O Ports
JCPU_FAN
JSYS_FAN
JCPU_FAN
JSYS_FAN
JPWR_FAN
JPWR_FAN
3-5 Device Connectors
The I/O back panel for this mainboard is shown below. When installing the
mainboard into the computer case, use the bundled I/O shield to protect this back
panel.
Ground
+12V
Sense
This mainboard is equipped with intelligent fan
speed control. Refer to the PC Health Status
submenu of the BIOS.
USB2.0 x 4 ports
Parallel Port
PS/2
Mouse
PS/2
Keyboard
RJ45
LAN
COM1S/PDIF-out
Coaxial Jack
S/PDIF-out
Optical
7.1 Audio Channel
Ground
+12V
Sense
Ground
+12V
Sense
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