Foxconn A88GA User Manual

User’s Manual

A88GA Series Motherboard

Statement:

This manual is the intellectual property of Foxconn, Inc. Although the information

in this manual may be changed or modied at any time, Foxconn does not obligate

itself to inform the user of these changes.

Trademark:

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Version:

User’s Manual V1.0 for A88GA Series motherboard.

P/N: 3A222GC00-000-G

Symbol description:

Caution : refers to important information that can help you to use motherboard

better, and tells you how to avoid problems.

Warning : indicating a potential risk of hardware damage or physical injury

may exist.

WEEE:

The use of this symbol indicates that this product may not be treated as household

waste. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential

negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could other-

wise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product. For more detailed

information about recycling of this product, please contact your local city ofce, your

household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased this product.

More information:

If you want more information about our products, please visit Foxconn’s

website: http://www.foxconnchannel.com

All trade names are registered trademarks of respective manufacturers listed.

All images are for reference only, please refer to the physical motherboard for specic features.

Declaration of conformity

HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY COMPANY LTD

66 , CHUNG SHAN RD., TU-CHENG INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT,

TAIPEI HSIEN, TAIWAN, R.O.C.

declares that the product

Motherboard A88GA / A88GA-S

is in conformity with

(reference to the specication under which conformity is declared in

accordance with 89/336 EEC-EMC Directive)

■ EN 55022:1998/A2: 2003 Limits and methods of measurements of radio

disturbance characteristics of information technology equipment

■ EN 61000-3-2/:2000 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

Part 3: Limits Section 2: Limits for harmonic current emissions (equipment input current <= 16A per phase)

■ EN 61000-3-3/A1:2001 Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

Part 3: Limits

Section 2: Limits of voltage uctuations and icker in low

voltage supply systems for equipment with rated current <= 16A

■ EN 55024/A2:2003 Information technology equipment-Immunity

characteristics limits and methods of measurement

Signature : Place / Date : TAIPEI/2010

Printed Name : James Liang

Declaration of conformity

Trade Name: FOXCONN

Model Name:

A88GA / A88GA-S

Responsible Party: PCE Industry Inc.

Address: 458 E. Lambert Rd.

Fullerton, CA 92835

Telephone: 714-738-8868

Facsimile: 714-738-8838

Equipment Classication: FCC Class B Subassembly

Type of Product: Motherboard

Manufacturer: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY

COMPANY LTD

Address: 66 , CHUNG SHAN RD., TU-CHENG

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT, TAIPEI HSIEN,

TAIWAN, R.O.C.

Supplementary Information:

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

two conditions : (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device

must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation.

Tested to comply with FCC standards.

Signature : Date : 2010

Installation Precautions

Please carefully read the following procedures to install your computer :

■ It is suggested to select high-quality, certied fans in order to avoid damage

to the motherboard and CPU due to high temperature. Never turn on the

computer if the CPU fan is not properly installed.

■ We cannot guarantee that your system can operate normally when your

CPU is overclocked. Normal operation depends on the overclocking capac-

ity of your device.

■ If there is any, when connecting USB, audio, or S/PDIF cables to the internal

connectors on the motherboard, make sure their pinouts are matching with

the connectors on the motherboard. Incorrect connections might damage

the motherboard.

■ When handling the motherboard, avoid touching any metal leads or connec-

tors.

■ If there is a PCI Express x16 graphics card installed in your system, we

recommend using a 24-pin ATX power supply to get the best performance.

■ Before turning on the power, please make sure the power supply AC input

voltage setting has been congured to the local standard.

■ To prevent damage to the motherboard, do not allow screws to come in contact

with the motherboard circuit or its components. Also, make sure there are no

leftover screws or metal components placed on the motherboard or within the

computer casing.

■ If you are uncertain about any installation steps or have a problem related to

the use of the product, please consult a certied computer technician.

■ Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is the sudden and momentary electric current

that ows between two objects at different electrical potentials. Normally it

comes out as a spark which will quickly damage your electronic equipment.

Please wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling

components such as a motherboard, CPU or memory.

■ Ensure that the DC power supply is turned off before installing or removing

CPU, memory, expansion cards or other peripherals. It is recommended to

unplug the AC power cord from the power supply outlet. Failure to unplug

the power supply cord may result in serious damage to your system.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Product Introduction

Product Specications ..............................................................................2

Layout.......................................................................................................4

Back Panel Connectors ............................................................................5

Chapter 2 Hardware Install

Install the CPU and CPU Cooler ..............................................................8

Install the Memory ..................................................................................10

Install an Expansion Card ......................................................................12

Install other Internal Connectors ............................................................13

Jumpers ..................................................................................................17

Install driver and utility ............................................................................18

Chapter 3 BIOS Setup

Enter BIOS Setup ...................................................................................21

Main Menu..............................................................................................21

System Information ................................................................................23

Advanced BIOS Features.......................................................................24

Core Releaser ........................................................................................25

Fox Central Control Unit .........................................................................26

Advanced Chipset Features ...................................................................31

Integrated Peripherals ............................................................................34

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

PC Health Status ....................................................................................39

BIOS Security Features..........................................................................40

Load Optimal Defaults ............................................................................40

Save Changes and Exit ..........................................................................41

Discard Changes and Exit ......................................................................41

Chapter 4 RAID Conguration

RAID Introduction ...................................................................................43

Install SATA Hard Disks ..........................................................................44

RAID Conguration ................................................................................44

Create RAID Driver Disk ........................................................................46

Install Windows OS ................................................................................47

Technical Support :

Website :

http://www.foxconnchannel.com

Support Website :

http://www.foxconnsupport.com

Worldwide Online Contact Support :

http://www.foxconnsupport.com/inquiry.aspx

CPU Support List :

http://www.foxconnsupport.com/cpusupportlist.aspx

Memory, VGA Compatibility List :

http://www.foxconnsupport.com/complist.aspx

Support

Thank you for buying Foxconn A88GA Series motherboard. Foxconn

products are engineered to maximize computing power, providing

only what you need for break-through performance.

With advanced overclocking capability and a range of connectivity

features for today multi-media computing requirements, A88GA /

A88GA-S enables you to unleash more power from your compu-

ter.

This chapter includes the following information:

■ Product Specications

■ Layout

■ Back Panel Connectors

CPU

Support AM3 socket PhenomTM II processors, Max processor power up to

140W

For the latest CPU information,

please visit:

http://www.foxconnsupport.com/cpusupportlist.aspx

HyperTransport Up to 4400MT/s (HT3.0) for AM3 CPU

Chipset North Bridge: AMD 880G

South Bridge: AMD SB710

Memory 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMMs

Support up to 16GB of system memory

Dual channel DDR3 1800(oc*)/1600(oc*)/1333/1066 MHz architecture

(oc*:Overclocking )

Expansion Slots 1 x PCI Express x16 slot

2 x PCI Express x1 slots

3 x PCI slots

VGA

Integrated ATI RadeonTM HD4250 GPU

Support Hybrid Graphic Technology

Dual independent displays support with HDMI/DVI and D-Sub

Support DirectX 10.1, Shader Model 4.1, Universal Video Decoder (UVD) 2.0

Storage SB710 chipset:

- 5 x SATA connectors and 1 x eSATA connector

300MB/s data transfer rate

Support RAID 0, 1, 10

- 1 x IDE connector

LAN Realtek

8111E Gigabit LAN chip

Audio Realtek ALC887 audio chip:

- High Denition Audio

- 2/4/5.1/7.1-channel

- Support for S/PDIF Out

- Support Jack-Sensing function

USB Support hot plug

Support up to 10 x USB 2.0 ports (6 rear panel ports, 2 onboard USB

headers supporting 4 extra ports) and 2 x USB 3.0 ports (Only for

A88GA-S)

Support USB 2.0 protocol up to 480Mb/S

Support USB 3.0 protocol up to 4.8Gb/s

1-1 Product Specications

(Continued on the next page)

Internal Connectors 1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector

1 x 8-pin ATX 12V power connector

5 x SATA connectors

2 x USB 2.0 connectors (supporting 4 x USB devices)

1 x CPU fan header (4-pin)

1 x System fan header (4-pin)

1 x NB fan header (4-pin)

1 x IDE connector

1 x Front panel connector

1 x CD_IN connector

1 x Front Audio connector

1 x SPDIF_OUT connector

1 x Chassis intrusion alarm header (INTR)

1 x Speaker connector

Back Panel 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port

Connectors 1 x VGA port

1 x DVI-D port

6 x USB 2.0 ports

2 x USB 3.0 ports (Only for A88GA-S)

1 x RJ-45 LAN port

1 x eSATA Port

8-channel Audio ports

Hardware Monitor System voltage detection

CPU/System temperature detection

CPU/System/NB fan speed detection

CPU overheating warning

CPU/System/NB fan speed control

PCI Express x1 Gen2.0 Support 500MB/s (1GB/s concurrent) bandwidth

Low power consumption and power management features

PCI Express x16 Gen2.0 Support 8GB/s (16GB/s concurrent) bandwidth

Low power consumption and power management features

Green Function Support ACPI (Advanced Conguration and Power Interface)

Support S0 (normal), S1 (power on suspend), S3 (suspend to RAM),

S4 (suspend to disk), S5 (soft - off)

Bundled Software FOX ONE, FOX LiveUpdate, FOX LOGO, FOX DMI

Operating System Support for Microsoft® Windows® 7/Vista/XP

Form Factor ATX Form Factor, 30.5cm x 23.6cm (12 inches x 9.3 inches)

1-2 Layout

1. 8-pin ATX 12V Power Connector

2. North Bridge: AMD 880G

3. NB_FAN Header

4. PCI Express x1 Slot

5. PCI Express x16 Slot

6. PCI Slots

7. CD_IN Connector

8. Front Audio Connector

9. SPDIF_OUT Connector

10. Speaker Connector

11. South Bridge: AMD SB710

12. Front USB 2.0 Connectors

13. Clear CMOS Jumper

14. Front Panel Connector

15. SYS_FAN Header

16. SATA Connectors

17. IDE Connector

18. Chassis intrusion alarm header (INTR)

19. 24-pin ATX Power Connector

20. DDR3 DIMM Slots

21. CPU Socket

22. CPU_FAN Header

Note : The above motherboard layout is for reference only, please refer to the physical mother

board for detail.

1615 17

425 6

1918

1-3 Back Panel Connectors

1. PS/2 Keyboard Port

Use the PS/2 port to connect a PS/2 keyboard.

2. USB 2.0 Ports

These USB ports support the USB 2.0/1.1 specication. Use these ports for USB devices such as an USB keyboard / mouse, USB printer, USB ash drive and etc.

3. USB 3.0 Ports (Only for A88GA-S)

To connect easily with next-generation components and peripherals, USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 components.

4. VGA Port

To connect with external display devices, such as monitor or LCD display.

5. DVI-D Port

The DVI-D port supports DVI-D specication. Connect a monitor that supports DVI-D connection

to this port.

6. eSATA Port

To connect external SATA device to your system by expanding the internal SATA port(s) to the

chassis back panel. External SATA device shall provide power by its own.

LAN PortVGA PortPS/2 Keyboard Port

Audio Ports

Line Out

Microphone

Subwoofer

Rear Speaker

Side Speaker

Line In

DVI-D Port

USB 2.0 Ports eSATA Port

USB 2.0 Ports

USB 3.0 Ports

USB 2.0 Ports

7. Audio Ports

For the denition of each audio port, please refer to the table below :

8. RJ-45 LAN Port

The Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 10/100/1000Mb/s data rate.

Active

LED

Link

LED

LAN Type

Left: Active Right: Link

Status Description Status Description

1000M

Off No Link Off No Link

Green

Blinking

Data Activity

Off 10 Mb/s Connection

Green 100 Mb/s Connection

Orange 1000 Mb/s Connection

Port 2-channel 4-channel 5.1-channel 7.1-channel

Blue Line In Line In Line In Line In

Green Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out

Pink Microphone In Microphone In Microphone In Microphone In

Orange - - Center/Subwoofer Out Center/Subwoofer Out

Black - Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out

Grey - - - Side Speaker Out

This chapter introduces the hardware and software installation proc-

ess, including the installation of the CPU, memory, power supply,

slots, pin headers and the mounting of jumpers. Caution should be

exercised during the installation of these modules. Please refer to the

motherboard layout prior to any installation and read the contents in

this chapter carefully.

This chapter includes the following information :

■ Install the CPU and CPU Cooler

■ Install the Memory

■ Install an Expansion Card

■ Install other Internal Connectors

■ Jumpers

■ Install driver and utility

Please visit the following website for more supporting information about your motherboard.

CPU Support List:

http://www.foxconnsupport.com/cpusupportlist.aspx

Memory, VGA Compatibility List:

http://www.foxconnsupport.com/complist.aspx

2-1 Install the CPU and CPU Cooler

Install the CPU

Locate the Pin-1 CPU triangle mark and the Pin-1 of the CPU socket.

Pin-1 triangle marking of CPU

1. Release the CPU socket lever. 2. Align Pin-1 of the CPU with the CPU

socket, and gently put the CPU

onto the socket.

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the CPU:

■ Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU.

■ Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power supply before

installing the CPU to prevent hardware damage.

■ Locate the Pin-1 of the CPU. The CPU cannot be inserted if oriented incorrectly.

■ Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the CPU.

■ Do not turn on the computer if the CPU cooler is not installed, otherwise overheating

and damage of the CPU may occur.

■ Set the CPU host frequency in accordance with the CPU specications. It is not

recommended that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specications

since it does not meet the standard requirements for the peripherals. If you want to

set the frequency beyond the standard specications, please do so according to your

hardware specications including the CPU, graphics card, memory, hard drive, etc.

Pin-1 corner of the CPU socket

3. When CPU is properly seated,

push the CPU socket lever back

to its locked position.

Install the CPU Cooler

Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler. (The following procedures use Foxconn cooler as the example.)

1. Apply and spread an even thermal

grease on the surface of CPU.

2. Buckle the heatsink rmly at one side of the stand.

3. Buckle the heatsink at another

side, and press the fasten lever

down to tightly seat the cooler.

4. Attach the CPU cooler connector

to the CPU fan header on the

motherboard .

Use extreme care when removing the CPU cooler because the thermal grease may adhere to the CPU. Inadequately removing the CPU cooler may damage the CPU.

2-2 Install the Memory

Dual Channel Memory Conguration

This motherboard provides four DDR3 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel Technology.

When memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically check the memory in your system.

Four DDR3 memory sockets are divided into two channels :

Channel 0 : DIMM1, DIMM3

Channel 1 : DIMM2, DIMM4

The combinations of DIMM modules are :

It is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be

used and please select dual channel rst to achieve optimum performance.

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory :

■ Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory

of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.

■ Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before

installing the memory to prevent hardware damage.

■ Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only

one direction. If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.

DIMM1 DIMM2 DIMM3 DIMM4

Single Channel DS/SS - - -

Single Channel DS/SS - DS/SS -

Single Channel - DS/SS - -

Single Channel - DS/SS - DS/SS

Dual Channel DS/SS DS/SS - -

Dual Channel - - DS/SS DS/SS

Dual Channel DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS

(DS : Double Side, SS : Single Side, - : No Memory)

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