Gigabyte GA-M720-US3 User Manual

GA-M720-US3

AM2+/AM2 socket motherboard for AMD PhenomTM FX processor/AMD PhenomTM X4 processor/ AMD PhenomTM X3 processor/AMD AthlonTM X2 processor/ AMD AthlonTM processor/AMD SempronTM X2 processor/ AMD SempronTM processor

User's Manual

Rev. 1002 12ME-M720US3-1002R

Dec. 8, 2008

Motherboard

GA-M720-US3

Dec. 8, 2008

Motherboard

GA-M720-US3

Disclaimer

Information in this manual is protected by copyright laws and is the property of GIGABYTE. Changes to the specifications and features in this manual may be made by GIGABYTE without prior notice. No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, translated, transmitted, or published in any form or by any means without GIGABYTE's prior written permission.

Documentation Classifications

In order to assist in the use of this product, GIGABYTE provides the following types of documentations:

 For quick set-up of the product, read the Quick Installation Guide included with the product.  For detailed product information, carefully read the User's Manual.  For instructions on how to use GIGABYTE's unique features, read or download the

information on/from the Support\Motherboard\Technology Guide page on our website.

For product-related information, check on our website at: http://www.gigabyte.com.tw

Identifying Your Motherboard Revision

The revision number on your motherboard looks like this: "REV: X.X." For example, "REV: 1.0" means the revision of the motherboard is 1.0. Check your motherboard revision before updating motherboard BIOS, drivers, or when looking for technical information. Example:

Table of Contents

Box Contents ................................................................................................................. 6

Optional Items................................................................................................................. 6

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard Layout ..............................................................................7

Block Diagram................................................................................................................ 8

Chapter 1 Hardware Installation .................................................................................... 9

1-1 Installation Precautions ..................................................................................... 9

1-2 Product Specifications .................................................................................... 10

1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler .............................................................. 12

1-3-1 Installing the CPU ................................................................................................12

1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler ................................................................................... 14

1- 4 Installing the Memory ..................................................................................... 15

1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration ................................................................ 15

1-4-2 Installing a Memory............................................................................................. 16

1- 5 Installing an Expansion Card ......................................................................... 1 7

1- 6 Back Panel Connectors ................................................................................. 1 8

1- 7 Internal Connectors ........................................................................................ 20

Chapter 2 BIOS Setup................................................................................................. 31

2-1 Startup Screen................................................................................................ 32

2- 2 The Main Menu .............................................................................................. 3 3

2- 3 MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)....................................................................... 35

2- 4 Standard CMOS Features ............................................................................. 3 9

2-5 Advanced BIOS Features .............................................................................. 41

2-6 Integrated Peripherals ..................................................................................... 43

2- 7 Power Management Setup ............................................................................. 46

2- 8 PnP/PCI Configurations................................................................................. 48

2- 9 PC Health Status ........................................................................................... 4 9

2-10 Load Fail-Safe Defaults................................................................................... 51

2- 1 1 Load Optimized Defaults ................................................................................. 51

2-12 Set Supervisor/User Password..................................................................... 52

2-13 Save & Exit Setup......................................................................................... 53

2-14 Exit Without Saving ....................................................................................... 53

- 4 -

Chapter 3 Drivers Installation ...................................................................................... 55

3- 1 Installing Chipset Drivers ............................................................................... 55

3-2 Software Applications ..................................................................................... 5 6

3- 3 Driver CD Information .................................................................................... 5 6

3- 4 Hardware Information ..................................................................................... 57

3-5 Contact Us.....................................................................................................57

Chapter 4 Unique Features......................................................................................... 59

4- 1 Xpress Recovery2 ......................................................................................... 59

4-2 BIOS Update Utilities..................................................................................... 62

4-2-1 Updating the BIOS with the Q-Flash Utility ...................................................... 62

4-2-2 Updating the BIOS with the @BIOS Utility ....................................................... 65

4- 3 EasyTune 6.................................................................................................... 66

4-4 Easy Energy Saver ...................................................................................... 67

Chapter 5 Appendix .................................................................................................... 69

5- 1 Configuring SATA Hard Drive(s) .................................................................... 6 9

5-1-1 Configuring the Onboard SATA Controller......................................................... 69

5-1-2 Making a SATA RAID/AHCI Driver Diskette for Windows XP........................ 74

5-1-3 Installing the SATA RAID Driver and Operating System ................................75

5-2 Configuring Audio Input and Output................................................................. 79

5-2-1 Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio ............................................................ 79

5-2-2 Configuring S/PDIF Out ....................................................................................... 81

5-2-3 Configuring Microphone Recording ................................................................... 82

5-2-4 Using the Sound Recorder ................................................................................. 84

5-3 Troubleshooting ............................................................................................... 85

5-3-1 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................................. 85

5-3-2 Troubleshooting Procedure ................................................................................ 86

5-4 Regulatory Statements ................................................................................... 88

- 5 -

Box Contents

GA-M720-US3 motherboard Motherboard driver disk User's Manual Quick Installation Guide One IDE cable Two SATA 3Gb/s cables I/O Shield

• The box contents above are for reference only and the actual items shall depend on product package you obtain. The box contents are subject to change without notice.

• The motherboard image is for reference only.

Optional Items

Floppy disk drive cable (Part No. 12CF1-1FD001-7*R) 2-port USB 2.0 bracket (Part No. 12CR1-1UB030-5*R) 2-port IEEE 1394a bracket (Part No. 12CF1-1IE008-0*R) 2-port SATA power cable (Part No. 12CF1-2SERPW-0*R) COM port cable (Part No. 12CF1-1CM001-3*R)

- 6 -

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard Layout

KB_MS

RCA_SPDIF

R_USB

USB_1394_1

USB_1394_2

USB_LAN

AUDIO

RTL8111C

CODEC

CD_IN

IT8720

M_BIOS

SPDIF_O

B_BIOS

ATX_12V

CPU_FAN

F_AUDIO

PCIEX1_1

PCIEX1_2

PCIEX16

PCI1

PCI2

PCI3

PCI4

COM

FDD

Socket AM2

NVIDIA

nForce 720D

GA-M720-US3

TSB43AB23

F1_1394

SATA2_2

SATA2_1

SATA2_0

SYS_FAN2

DDR2_2

DDR2_1

F_USB1

DDR2_4

DDR2_3

SATA2_3

BATTERY

F_USB2

PWR_LED

F_PANEL

PWR_FAN

ATX

SATA2_5

SATA2_4

IDE

SYS_FAN1

CLR_CMOS

- 7 -

Block Diagram

PCIe CLK

(100 MHz)

1 PCI Express x16

PCI Express x1 Bus

PCIe CLK (100 MHz)

2 PCI Express x1

LAN

PCI Express x16

RJ45

Realtek

8111C

PCI Bus

TSB43AB23

AMD Socket

AM2+/AM2

CPU

Hyper Transport 3.0

NVIDIA

nForce 720D

CPU CLK+/-(200 MHz)

DDR2 1200

Dual Channel Memory

12 USB Ports

6 SATA 3Gb/s

ATA-133/100/66/33 IDE Channel

LPC BUS

IT8720

(Note)

/1066/800 MHz

Dual BIOS

Floppy

COM Port

CODEC

PS/2 KB

3 IEEE 1394a

4 PCI

MIC

Line-In

Line-Out

SPDIF Out

Side Speaker Out

Surround Speaker Out

PCI CLK

(33 MHz)

Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out

(Note) Whether 1200 MHz memory speed is supported depends on the CPU being used.

- 8 -

Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

1- 1 Installation Precautions

The motherboard contains numerous delicate electronic circuits and components which can become damaged as a result of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Prior to installation, carefully read the user's manual and follow these procedures:

• Prior to installation, do not remove or break motherboard S/N (Serial Number) sticker or warranty sticker provided by your dealer. These stickers are required for warranty validation.

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

• When connecting hardware components to the internal connectors on the motherboard, make sure they are connected tightly and securely.

• When handling the motherboard, avoid touching any metal leads or connectors.

• It is best to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling electronic

components such as a motherboard, CPU or memory. If you do not have an ESD wrist strap, keep your hands dry and first touch a metal object to eliminate static electricity.

• Prior to installing the motherboard, please have it on top of an antistatic pad or within an electrostatic shielding container.

• Before unplugging the power supply cable from the motherboard, make sure the power supply has been turned off.

• Before turning on the power, make sure the power supply voltage has been set according to the local voltage standard.

• Before using the product, please verify that all cables and power connectors of your hardware components are connected.

• To prevent damage to the motherboard, do not allow screws to come in contact with the motherboard circuit or its components.

• Make sure there are no leftover screws or metal components placed on the motherboard or within the computer casing.

• Do not place the computer system on an uneven surface

• Do not place the computer system in a high-temperature environment.

• Turning on the computer power during the installation process can lead to damage to system

components as well as physical harm to the user.

• If you are uncertain about any installation steps or have a problem related to the use of the product, please consult a certified computer technician.

Hardware Installation- 9 -

1- 2 Product Specifications

CPU  Support for Socket AM2+/AM2 processors:

AMD PhenomTM FX processor/AMD PhenomTM X4 processor/ AMD PhenomTM X3 processor/AMD AthlonTM X2 processor/ AMD AthlonTM processor/AMD Sempron AMD Sempron

processor

(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.) Hyper Transport Bus  5200/2000 MT/s Chipset  NVIDIA® nForce 720D chipset Memory  4 x 1.8V DDR2 DIMM sockets supporting up to 16 GB of system memory

 Dual channel memory architecture  Support for DDR2 1200

(Note 2)

/1066/800 MHz memory modules

(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.) Audio  Realtek ALC888 codec

 High Definition Audio  2/4/5.1/7.1-channel  Support for S/PDIF Out  Support for CD In

LAN  Realtek 8111C chip (10/100/1000 Mbit) Expansion Slots  1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)

(The PCI Express x16 slot conforms to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)

 2 x PCI Express x1 slots  4 x PCI slots

Storage Interface  NVIDIA® nForce 720D chipset:

- 1 x IDE connector supporting ATA-133/100/66/33 and up to 2 IDE devices

- 6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors supporting up to 6 SATA 3Gb/s devices

- Support for SATA RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 and JBOD

 iTE IT8720 chip:

- 1 x floppy disk drive connector supporting up to 1 floppy disk drive

IEEE 1394  T.I. TSB43AB23 chip

 Up to 3 IEEE 1394a ports (2 on the back panel, 1 via the IEEE 1394a bracket

connected to the internal IEEE 1394a header) USB  Integrated in the NVIDIA® nForce 720D chipset

 Up to 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (8 on the back panel, 4 via the USB brackets

connected to the internal USB headers) Internal Connectors  1 x 24-pin ATX main power connector

 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector  1 x floppy disk drive connector  1 x IDE connector  6 x SATA 3Gb/s connectors  1 x CPU fan header  2 x system fan headers  1 x power fan header  1 x front panel header

X2 processor/

(Note 1)

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 10 -

Internal Connectors  1 x front panel audio header

 1 x CD In connector  1 x S/PDIF Out header  2 x USB 2.0/1.1 headers  1 x IEEE 1394a header  1 x serial port header  1 x power LED header  1 x chassis intrusion header

Back Panel  1 x PS/2 keyboard port Connectors  1 x PS/2 mouse port

 1 x coaxial S/PDIF Out connector  1 x optical S/PDIF Out connector  8 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports  2 x IEEE 1394a ports  1 x RJ-45 port  6 x audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out/Rear Speaker Out/Side

Speaker Out/Line In/Line Out/Microphone) I/O Controller  iTE IT8720 chip Hardware Monitor  System voltage detection

 CPU/System temperature detection  CPU/System fan speed detection  CPU overheating warning  CPU/System fan fail warning  CPU/System fan speed control

(Note 3)

BIOS  2 x 8 Mbit flash

 Use of licensed AWARD BIOS  Support for DualBIOS

 PnP 1.0a, DMI 2.0, SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 1.0b

Unique Features  Support for @BIOS

 Support for Download Center  Support for Q-Flash  Support for EasyTune

(Note 4)

 Support for Xpress Install  Support for Xpress Recovery2  Support for Virtual Dual BIOS  Support for Easy Energy Saver

(Note 5)

Bundled Software  Norton Internet Security (OEM version) Operating System  Support for Microsoft® Windows® Vista/XP Form Factor  ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 21.5cm

(Note 1) Due to Windows XP 32-bit operating system limitation, when more than 4 GB of physical

memory is installed, the actual memory size displayed will be less than 4 GB. (Note 2) Whether 1200 MHz memory speed is supported depends on the CPU being used. (Note 3) Whether the CPU/System fan speed control function is supported will depend on the CPU/System cooler you install. (Note 4) Available functions in EasyTune may differ by motherboard model. (Note 5) Due to the hardware limitation, you must install the AMD AM2+ PhenomTM Series CPU to

enable support for Easy Energy Saver.

Hardware Installation- 11 -

1-3 Installing the CPU and CPU Cooler

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

• Make sure that the motherboard supports the CPU. (Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest CPU support list.)

• Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing the CPU to prevent hardware damage.

• Locate the pin one 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 specifications. It is not recommended that the system bus frequency be set beyond hardware specifications since it does not meet the standard requirements for the peripherals. If you wish to set the frequency beyond the standard specifications, please do so according to your hardware specifications including the CPU, graphics card, memory, hard drive, etc.

1-3-1 Installing the CPU

A. Locate the pin one (denoted by a small triangle) of the CPU socket and the CPU.

A Small Triangle Mark Denotes Pin One of the Socket

A Small Triangle Marking Denotes CPU Pin One

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 12 -

AM2 Socket

AM2+/AM2 CPU

B. Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU into the motherboard CPU socket.

Before installing the CPU, make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the CPU.

CPU Socket Locking Lever

Step 1: Completely lift up the CPU socket locking lever.

Step 2: Align the CPU pin one (small triangle marking) with the triangle mark on the CPU socket and gently insert the CPU into the socket. Make sure that the CPU pins fit perfectly into their holes. Once the CPU is positioned into its socket, place one finger down on the middle of the CPU, lowering the locking lever and latching it into the fully locked position.

Do not force the CPU into the CPU socket. The CPU cannot fit in if oriented incorrectly. Adjust the CPU orientation if this occurs.

Hardware Installation- 13 -

1-3-2 Installing the CPU Cooler

Follow the steps below to correctly install the CPU cooler on the CPU. (The following procedure uses the GIGABYTE cooler as the example.)

Step 1: Apply an even and thin layer of thermal grease on the surface of the installed CPU.

Step 3: Hook the CPU cooler clip to the mounting lug on one side of the retention frame. On the other side, push straight down on the the CPU cooler clip to hook it to the mounting lug on the retention frame.

Step 5: Finally, attach the power connector of the CPU cooler to the CPU fan header (CPU_FAN) on the motherboard.

Step 2: Place the CPU cooler on the CPU.

Step 4: Turn the cam handle from the left side to the right side (as the picture above shows) to lock into place. (Refer to your CPU cooler installation manual for instructions on installing the cooler.)

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

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 14 -

1-4 Installing the Memory

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. (Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.)

• 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.

1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration

This motherboard provides four DDR2 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel Technology. After the memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically detect the specifications and capacity of the memory. Enabling Dual Channel memory mode will double the original memory bandwidth.

The four DDR2 memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory sockets as following:

Channel 0: DDR2_1, DDR2_3 Channel 1: DDR2_2, DDR2_4

Dual Channel Memory Configurations T able

DDR2_1 DDR2_2 DDR2_3 DDR2_4

Two Modules

Four Modules

(SS=Single-Sided, DS=Double-Sided, "- -"=No Memory)

DS/SS DS/SS - - - -

- - - - DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS

If two memory modules are to be installed, it is recommended that you install them in the DDR2_1 and DDR2_2 sockets.

DDR2_1

DDR2_2

DDR2_4

DDR2_3

Due to CPU limitation, read the following guidelines before installing the memory in Dual Channel mode.

1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR2 memory module is installed.

2. When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used and installed in the same colored DDR2 sockets for optimum performance.

Hardware Installation- 15 -

1-4-2 Installing a Memory

Before installing a memory module , make sure to turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the memory module. DDR2 DIMMs are not compatible to DDR DIMMs. Be sure to install DDR2 DIMMs on this motherboard.

Notch

DDR2 DIMM

A DDR2 memory module has a notch, so it can only fit in one direction. Follow the steps below to correctly install your memory modules in the memory sockets.

Step 1: Note the orientation of the memory module. Spread the retaining clips at both ends of the memory socket. Place the memory module on the socket. As indicated in the picture on the left, place your fingers on the top edge of the memory, push down on the memory and insert it vertically into the memory socket.

Step 2: The clips at both ends of the socket will snap into place when the memory module is securely inserted.

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 16 -

1- 5 Installing an Expansion Card

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion card:

• Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that came with your expansion card.

• Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.

PCI Express x1 Slot

PCI Express x16 Slot

PCI Slot

Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the expansion slot.

1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back panel.

2. Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is fully seated in the slot.

3. Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into the slot.

4. Secure the card's metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.

5. After installing all expansion cards, replace the chassis cover(s).

6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for your expansion card(s).

7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating system.

Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express x16 Graphics Card:

• Installing a Graphics Card: Gently push down on the top edge of the card until it is fully inserted into the PCIEX16 slot. Make sure the card is securely seated in the slot and does not rock.

• Removing the Card: Gently push back on the lever on the slot and then lift the card straight out from the slot.

Hardware Installation- 17 -

1-6 Back Panel Connectors

PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Port

Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse and the lower port (purple) to connect a PS/2 keyboard.

Optical S/PDIF Out Connector

This connector provides digital audio out to an external audio system that supports digital optical audio. Before using this feature, ensure that your audio system provides an optical digital audio in connector.

Coaxial S/PDIF Out Connector

This connector provides digital audio out to an external audio system that supports digital coaxial audio. Before using this feature, ensure that your audio system provides a coaxial digital audio in connector.

USB Port

The USB port supports the USB 2.0/1.1 specification. Use this port for USB devices such as an USB keyboard/mouse, USB printer, USB flash drive and etc.

IEEE 1394a Port

The IEEE 1394 port supports the IEEE 1394a specification, featuring high speed, high bandwidth and hotplug capabilities. Use this port for an IEEE 1394a device.

RJ-45 LAN Port

The Gigabit Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 1 Gbps data rate. The following describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.

Connection/ Speed LED

LAN Port

Activity LED

Connection/Speed LED:

State Description Orange 1 Gbps data rate Green 100 Mbps data rate Off 10 Mbps data rate

Activity LED:

State Description Blinking Data transmission or receiving is occurring Off No data transmission or receiving is occurring

• When removing the cable connected to a back panel connector, first remove the cable from your device and then remove it from the motherboard.

• When removing the cable, pull it straight out from the connector. Do not rock it side to side to prevent an electrical short inside the cable connector.

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 18 -

Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Jack (Orange)

Use this audio jack to connect center/subwoofer speakers in a 5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

Rear Speaker Out Jack (Black)

Use this audio jack to connect rear speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

Side Speaker Out Jack (Gray)

Use this audio jack to connect side speakers in a 7.1-channel audio configuration.

Line In Jack (Blue)

The default line in jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as an optical drive, walkman, etc.

Line Out Jack (Green)

The default line out jack. Use this audio jack for a headphone or 2-channel speaker. This jack can be used to connect front speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

Mic In Jack (Pink)

The default Mic in jack. Microphones must be connected to this jack.

In addition to the default speakers settings, the ~ audio jacks can be reconfigured to perform different functions via the audio software. Only microphones still MUST be connected to the default Mic in jack ( ). Refer to the instructions on setting up a 2/4/5.1/

7.1-channel audio configuration in Chapter 5, "Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio."

Hardware Installation- 19 -

1-7 Internal Connectors

1) ATX_12V

2) ATX

3) CPU_FAN

4) SYS_FAN1/SYS_FAN2

5) PWR_FAN

6) FDD

7) IDE

8) SATA2_0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

9) PWR_LED

91011

1617 18

11) F_PANEL

12) F_AUDIO

13) CD_IN

14) SPDIF_O

15) F_USB1 / F_USB2

16) F1_1394

17) COM

18) CI

19) CLR_CMOS

10) BATTERY

Read the following guidelines before connecting external devices:

• First make sure your devices are compliant with the connectors you wish to connect.

• Before installing the devices, be sure to turn off the devices and your computer. Unplug the

power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the devices.

• After installing the device and before turning on the computer, make sure the device cable has been securely attached to the connector on the motherboard.

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 20 -

1/2) ATX_12V/ATX (2x2 12V Power Connector and 2x12 Main Power Connector)

With the use of the power connector, the power supply can supply enough stable power to all the components on the motherboard. Before connecting the power connector, first make sure the power supply is turned off and all devices are properly installed. The power connector possesses a foolproof design. Connect the power supply cable to the power connector in the correct orientation. The 12V power connector mainly supplies power to the CPU. If the 12V power connector is not connected, the computer will not start.

• To meet expansion requirements, it is recommended that a power supply that can withstand high power consumption be used (500W or greater). If a power supply is used that does not provide the required power, the result can lead to an unstable or unbootable system.

• The main power connector is compatible with power supplies with 2x10 power connectors. When using a 2x12 power supply, remove the protective cover from the main power connector on the motherboard. Do not insert the power supply cable into pins under the protective cover when using a 2x10 power supply.

ATX_12V:

3 1

ATX_12V

4 2

Pin No. Definition

1 GND 2 GND 3 +12V 4 +12V

13 1

24 12

ATX

ATX:

Pin No. Definition

1 3.3V 2 3.3V 3 GND 4 +5V 5 GND 6 +5V 7 GND 8 Power Good 9 5V SB(stand by +5V) 10 +12V 11 +12V (Only for 2x12-pin A TX) 12 3.3V (Only for 2x12-pin ATX)

Pin No. Definition

13 3.3V 14 -12V 15 GND 16 PS_ON(soft On/Off) 17 GND 18 GND 19 GND 20 -5V 21 +5V 22 +5V 23 +5V (Only for 2x12-pin A TX) 24 GND (Only for 2x12-pin ATX)

Hardware Installation- 21 -

3/4/5) CPU_FAN/SYS_F AN1/SYS_FAN2/PWR_FAN (Fan Headers)

The motherboard has a 4-pin CPU fan header (CPU_FAN), a 3-pin (SYS_FAN2) and a 4-pin (SYS_FAN1) system fan headers, and a 3-pin power fan header (PWR_FAN). Most fan headers possess a foolproof insertion design. When connecting a fan cable, be sure to connect it in the correct orientation (the black connector wire is the ground wire). The motherboard supports CPU fan speed control, which requires the use of a CPU fan with fan speed control design. For optimum heat dissipation, it is recommended that a system fan be installed inside the chassis.

CPU_FAN:

CPU_FAN

SYS_FAN1

PWR_FAN

SYS_FAN2

• Be sure to connect fan cables to the fan headers to prevent your CPU and system from overheating. Overheating may result in damage to the CPU or the system may hang.

• These fan headers are not configuration jumper blocks. Do not place a jumper cap on the headers.

Pin No. Definition

1 GND 2 +12V / Speed Control 3 Sense 4 Speed Control

SYS_FAN1:

Pin No. Definition

1 GND 2 +12V / Speed Control 3 Sense 4 Reserve

SYS_FAN2/PWR_FAN:

Pin No. Definition

1 GND 2 +12V 3 Sense

6) FDD (Floppy Disk Drive Connector)

This connector is used to connect a floppy disk drive. The types of floppy disk drives supported are: 360 KB, 720 KB, 1.2 MB, 1.44 MB, and 2.88 MB. Before connecting a floppy disk drive, be sure to locate pin 1 of the connector and the floppy disk drive cable. The pin 1 of the cable is typically designated by a stripe of different color.

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 22 -

7) IDE (IDE Connector)

The IDE connector supports up to two IDE devices such as hard drives and optical drives. Before attaching the IDE cable, locate the foolproof groove on the connector. If you wish to connect two IDE devices, remember to set the jumpers and the cabling according to the role of the IDE devices (for example, master or slave). (For information about configuring master/slave settings for the IDE devices, read the instructions from the device manufacturers.)

8) SATA2_0/1/2/3/4/5 (SATA 3Gb/s Connectors)

The SATA connectors conform to SATA 3Gb/s standard and are compatible with SATA 1.5Gb/s standard. Each SATA connector supports a single SATA device. The NVIDIA® nForce 720D controller supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10 and JBOD. Refer to Chapter 5, "Configuring SATA Hard Drive(s)," for instructions on configuring a RAID array.

Pin No. Definition

1 GND

SATA2_2

SATA2_1

SATA2_0

SATA2_5

SATA2_4

SATA2_3

2 TXP 3 TXN 4 GND 5 RXN 6 RXP 7 GND

Please connect the L-shaped end of the SATA 3Gb/s cable to your SATA hard drive.

• Due to a chipset limitation, the SATA2_4/SATA2_5 connectors only support AHCI/RAID mode.

• A RAID 0 or RAID 1 configuration requires at least two hard drives. If more than two hard

drives are to be used, the total number of hard drives must be an even number.

• A RAID 5 configuration requires at least three hard drives. (The total number of hard drives does not have to be an even number.)

• A RAID 10 configuration requires at least four hard drives and the total number of hard drives must be an even number.

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9) PWR_LED (System Power LED Header)

This header can be used to connect a system power LED on the chassis to indicate system power status. The LED is on when the system is operating. The LED keeps blinking when the system is in S1 sleep state. The LED is off when the system is in S3/S4 sleep state or powered off (S5).

Pin No. Definition

1 MPD+ 2 MPD-

3 MPD-

System Status LED S0 On S1 Blinking S3/S4/S5 Off

10) BATTERY

The battery provides power to keep the values (such as BIOS configurations, date, and time information) in the CMOS when the computer is turned off. Replace the battery when the battery voltage drops to a low level, or the CMOS values may not be accurate or may be lost.

You may clear the CMOS values by removing the battery:

1. Turn off your computer and unplug the power cord.

2. Gently remove the battery from the battery holder and wait for one minute. (Or use a metal object like a screwdriver to touch the positive and negative terminals of the battery holder, making them short for 5 seconds.)

3. Replace the battery.

4. Plug in the power cord and restart your computer.

• Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord before replacing the battery.

• Replace the battery with an equivalent one. Danger of explosion if the battery is replaced

with an incorrect model.

• Contact the place of purchase or local dealer if you are not able to replace the battery by yourself or uncertain about the battery model.

• When installing the battery, note the orientation of the positive side (+) and the negative side (-) of the battery (the positive side should face up).

• Used batteries must be handled in accordance with local environmental regulations.

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11) F_PANEL (Front Panel Header)

Connect the power switch, reset switch, speaker and system status indicator on the chassis front panel to this header according to the pin assignments below. Note the positive and negative pins before connecting the cables.

Message/Power/

Activity LED

Power

Sleep LED Speaker

Switch

PW+

MSG+

PW-

RES-

Reset Switch

RES+

SPEAK+

2 1

Hard Drive

MSG-

HD-

HD+

SPEAK-

20 19

• MSG (Message/Power/Sleep LED, Yellow):

System Status LE D S0 On S1 Blinking S3/S4/S5 Off

Connects to the power status indicator o n the chassis front panel. The LED is on when the system is operating. The LED keeps blinking when the system is in S1 sleep state. The LED is off when the system is in S3/S4 sleep state or powered off (S5).

• PW (Power Switch, Red): Connects to the power switch on the chassis front panel. You may configure the way to turn off your system using the power switch (refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," "Power Management Setup," for more information).

• SPEAK (Speaker, Orange): Connects to the speaker on the chassis front panel. The system reports system startup status by issuing a beep code. One single short beep will be heard if no problem is detected at system startup. If a problem is detected, the BIOS may issue beeps in different patterns to indicate the problem. Refer to Chapter 5, "Troubleshooting," for information about beep codes.

• HD (Hard Drive Activity LED, Blue) Connects to the hard drive activity LED on the chassis front panel. The LED is on when the hard drive is reading or writing data.

• RES (Reset Switch, Green): Connects to the reset switch on the chassis front panel. Press the reset switch to restart the computer if the computer freezes and fails to perform a normal restart.

• NC (Purple): No connection

The front panel design may differ by chassis. A front panel module mainly consists of power switch, reset switch, power LED, hard drive activity LED, speaker and etc. When connecting your chassis front panel module to this header, make sure the wire assignments and the pin assignments are matched correctly.

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12) F_AUDIO (Front Panel Audio Header)

The front panel audio header supports Intel High D efinition audio (HD) and AC'97 audio. You may connect your chassis front panel audio module to this header. Make sure the wire assignments of the module connector match the pin assignments of the motherboard header. Incorrect connection between the module connector and the motherboard header will make the device unable to work or even damage it.

For HD Front Panel Audio:

Pin No. Definition

1 MIC2_L 2 GND 3 MIC2_R 4 -ACZ_DET 5 LINE2_R 6 GND 7 FAUDIO_JD 8 No Pin 9 LINE2_L 10 GND

• The front panel audio header supports HD audio by default. If your chassis provides an AC'97 front panel audio module, refer to the instructions on how to activate AC'97 functioninality via the audio software in Chapter 5, "Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio."

• Audio signals will be present on both of the front and back panel audio connections simultaneously. If you want to mute the back panel audio (only supported when using an HD front panel audio module), refer to Chapter 5, "Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio."

• Some chassis provide a front panel audio module that has separated connectors on each wire instead of a single plug. For information about connecting the front panel audio module that has different wire assignments, please contact the chassis manufacturer.

13) CD_IN (CD In Connector)

You may connect the audio cable that came with your optical drive to the header.

For AC'97 Front Panel Audio:

Pin No. Definition

1 MIC 2 GND 3 MIC Power 4NC 5 Line Out (R) 6NC 7NC 8 No Pin 9 Line Out (L) 10 NC

Pin No. Definition

1 CD-L 2 GND 3 GND 4 CD-R

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14) SPDIF_O (S/PDIF Out Header)

This header supports digital S/PDIF out and connects a S/PDIF digital audio cable (provided by expansion cards) for digital audio output from your motherboard to certain expansion cards like graphics cards and sound cards. For example, some graphics cards may require you to use a S/PDIF digital audio cable for digital audio output from your motherboard to your graphics card if you wish to connect an HDMI display to the graphics card and have digital audio output from the HDMI display at the same time. For information about connecting the S/PDIF digital audio cable, carefully read the manual for your expansion card.

Pin No. Definition

1 SPDIFO 2 GND

15) F_USB1/F_USB2 (USB Headers, Yellow)

The headers conform to USB 2.0/1.1 specification. Each USB header can provide two USB ports via an optional USB bracket. For purchasing the optional USB bracket, please contact the local dealer.

Pin No. Definition

1 Power (5V) 2 Power (5V)

10 9

3 USB DX4USB DY5 USB DX+ 6 USB DY+ 7 GND 8 GND 9 No Pin 10 NC

• Do not plug the IEEE 1394 bracket (2x5-pin) cable into the USB header.

• Prior to installing the USB bracket, be sure to turn off your computer and unplug the

power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the USB bracket.

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16 ) F1_1394 (IEEE 1394a Header, Gray)

The header conforms to IEEE 1394a specification. The IEEE 1394a header can provide one IEEE 1394a port via an optional IEEE 1394a bracket. For purchasing the optional IEEE 1394a bracket, please contact the local dealer.

Pin No. Definition

1TPA+

2TPA3 GND 4 GND 5 TPB+ 6 TPB7 Power (12V) 8 Power (12V) 9 No Pin 10 GND

• Do not plug the USB bracket cable into the IEEE 1394a header.

• Prior to installing the IEEE 1394a bracket, be sure to turn off your computer and unplug

the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the IEEE 1394a bracket.

• To connect an IEEE 1394a device, attach one end of the device cable to your computer and then attach the other end of the cable to the IEEE 1394a device. Ensure that the cable is securely connected.

17) COM (Serial Port Header)

The COM header can provide one serial port via an optional COM port cable. For purchasing the optional COM port cable, please contact the local dealer.

1092

GA-M720-US3 Motherboard - 28 -

Pin No. Definition

1 NDCD -

2 NSIN 3 NSOUT 4 NDTR 5 GND 6 NDSR 7 NRTS 8 NCTS 9 NRI 10 No Pin

18) CI (Chassis Intrusion Header)

This motherboard provides a chassis detection feature that detects if the chassis cover has been removed. This function requires a chassis with chassis intrusion detection design.

Pin No. Definition

1 Signal 2 GND

19) CLR_CMOS (Clearing CMOS Jumper)

Use this jumper to clear the CMOS values (e.g. date information and BIOS configurations) and reset the CMOS values to factory defaults. To clear the CMOS values, place a jumper cap on the two pins to temporarily short the two pins or use a metal object like a screwdriver to touch the two pins for a few seconds.

Open: Normal

Short: Clear CMOS Values

• Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before clearing the CMOS values.

• After clearing the CMOS values and before turning on your computer, be sure to remove the jumper cap from the jumper. Failure to do so may cause damage to the motherboard.

• After system restart, go to BIOS Setup to load factory defaults (select Load Optimized Defaults) or manually configure the BIOS settings (refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," for

BIOS configurations).

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