ASRock 970 extreme3 r2.0: 2. Installation

2.3 Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM)

This motherboard provides four 240-pin DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) DIMM slots,

and supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. For dual channel conguration,

you always need to install identical (the same brand, speed, size and chip-type)

DDR3 DIMM pair in the slots. In other words, you have to install identical DDR3

DIMM pair in Dual Channel (DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1; Black slots; see p.2 No.7)

or identical DDR3 DIMM pair in Dual Channel (DDR3_A2 and DDR3_B2; Black

slots; see p.2 No.8), so that Dual Channel Memory Technology can be activated.

This motherboard also allows you to install four DDR3 DIMMs for dual channel

conguration, and please install identical DDR3 DIMMs in all four slots. You may

refer to the Dual Channel Memory Conguration Table below.

Dual Channel Memory Congurations

DDR3_A1 DDR3_A2 DDR3_B1 DDR3_B2

(Black Slot) (Black Slot) (Black Slot) (Black Slot)

(1) Populated - Populated -

(2) - Populated - Populated

(3)* Populated Populated Populated Populated

*

For the conguration (3), please install identical DDR3 DIMMs in all four

slots.

1. Please install the memory module into the slots DDR3_A2 and

DDR3_B2 for the rst priority.

2. If you want to install two memory modules, for optimal compatibility

and reliability, it is recommended to install them either in the set of

slots DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1, or in the set of slots DDR3_A2 and

DDR3_B2.

3. If only one memory module or three memory modules are installed

in the DDR3 DIMM slots on this motherboard, it is unable to activate

the Dual Channel Memory Technology.

4. If a pair of memory modules is NOT installed in the same Dual

Channel, for example, installing a pair of memory modules in

DDR3_A1 and DDR3_A2, it is unable to activate the Dual Channel

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Memory Technology .

5. It is not allowed to install a DDR or DDR2 memory module into

DDR3 slot; otherwise, this motherboard and DIMM may be dam-

aged.

6. If you adopt DDR3 2100/1866/1800/1600 memory modules on this

motherboard, it is recommended to install them on DDR3_A2 and

DDR3_B2 slots.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

Installing a DIMM

Please make sure to disconnect power supply before adding or

removing DIMMs or the system components.

Step 1. Unlock a DIMM slot by pressing the retaining clips outward.

Step 2. Align a DIMM on the slot such that the notch on the DIMM matches the

break on the slot.

The DIMM only ts in one correct orientation. It will cause permanent

damage to the motherboard and the DIMM if you force the DIMM into

the slot at incorrect orientation.

Step 3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the slot until the retaining clips at both ends

fully snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)

There are 2 PCI slots and 4 PCI Express slots on this motherboard.

PCI Slots: PCI slots are used to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit PCI

interface.

PCIE Slots:

PCIE1 / PCIE3 (PCIE x1 slot) is used for PCI Express cards with x1

lane width cards, such as Gigabit LAN card and SATA2 card.

PCIE2 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width graphics

cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to support

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CrossFireX

function.

PCIE4 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x4 lane width cards,

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or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to support CrossFireX

function.

1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Ex-

press x16 graphics card on PCIE2 slot.

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2. In CrossFireX

mode, please install PCI Express x16 graphics

cards on PCIE2 and PCIE4 slots. Therefore, PCIE2 slot will work at

x16 bandwidth while PCIE4 slot will work at x4 bandwidth.

3. Please connect a chassis fan to motherboard chassis fan connec-

tor (CHA_FAN1, CHA_FAN2 or CHA_FAN3) when using multiple

graphics cards for better thermal environment.

Installing an expansion card

Step 1. Before installing the expansion card, please make sure that the power

supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the

documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware

settings for the card before you start the installation.

Step 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed

in a chassis).

Step 3. Remove the bracket facing the slot that you intend to use. Keep the

screws for later use.

Step 4. Align the card connector with the slot and press rmly until the card is

completely seated on the slot.

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Step 5. Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.

Step 6. Replace the system cover.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

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2.5 CrossFireX

and Quad CrossFireX

Operation Guide

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This motherboard supports CrossFireX

and Quad CrossFireX

feature.

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CrossFireX

technology offers the most advantageous means available of

combining multiple high performance Graphics Processing Units (GPU) in a single

PC. Combining a range of different operating modes with intelligent software design

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and an innovative interconnect mechanism, CrossFireX

enables the highest

possible level of performance and image quality in any 3D application. Currently

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®

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CrossFireX

feature is supported with Windows

XP with Service Pack 2 / Vista

/

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®

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7 / 8 OS. Quad CrossFireX

feature is supported with Windows

Vista

/ 7 / 8 OS

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only. Please check AMD website for AMD CrossFireX

driver updates.

1. If a customer incorrectly configures their system they will not see the

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performance benets of CrossFireX

. All three CrossFireX

components, a

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CrossFireX

Ready graphics card, a CrossFireX

Ready motherboard and a

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CrossFireX

Edition co-processor graphics card, must be installed correctly

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to benet from the CrossFireX

multi-GPU platform.

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2. If you pair a 12-pipe CrossFireX

Edition card with a 16-pipe card, both

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cards will operate as 12-pipe cards while in CrossFireX

mode.

2.5.1 Graphics Card Setup

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2.5.1.1 Installing Two CrossFireX

-Ready Graphics Cards

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Different CrossFireX

cards may require different methods to enable CrossFi-

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reX

feature. For other CrossFireX

cards that AMD has released or will release

in the future, please refer to AMD graphics card manuals for detailed installation

guide.

Step 1. Insert one Radeon graphics card into PCIE2 slot and the other Radeon

graphics card to PCIE4 slot. Make sure that the cards are properly seated

on the slots.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

Step 2. Connect two Radeon graphics cards by installing a CrossFire Bridge on

the CrossFire Bridge Interconnects on the top of the Radeon graphics

cards. (The CrossFire Bridge is provided with the graphics card you pur-

chase, not bundled with this motherboard. Please refer to your graphics

card vendor for details.)

CrossFire Bridge

or

Step 3. Connect the DVI monitor cable to the DVI connector on the Radeon graph-

ics card on PCIE2 slot. (You may use the DVI to D-Sub adapter to convert

the DVI connector to D-Sub interface, and then connect the D-Sub monitor

cable to the DVI to D-Sub adapter.)

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

2.5.2 Driver Installation and Setup

Step 1. Power on your computer and boot into OS.

Step 2. Remove the AMD driver if you have any VGA driver installed in your sys-

tem.

The Catalyst Uninstaller is an optional download. We recommend using this

utility to uninstall any previously installed Catalyst drivers prior to installation.

Please check AMD website for AMD driver updates.

Step 3. Install the required drivers to your system.

®

For Windows

XP OS:

®

A. AMD recommends Windows

XP Service Pack 2 or higher to be

®

installed (If you have Windows

XP Service Pack 2 or higher installed

in your system, there is no need to download it again):

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

B. You must have Microsoft .NET Framework installed prior to

downloading and installing the CATALYST Control Center. Please

check Microsoft website for details.

®

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For Windows

8 / 7 / Vista

OS:

Install the CATALYST Control Center. Please check AMD website for de-

tails.

Step 4. Restart your computer.

Step 5. Install the VGA card drivers to your system, and restart your computer.

®

Then you will nd “ATI Catalyst Control Center” on your Windows

taskbar.

ATI Catalyst Control Center

Step 6. Double-click “ATI Catalyst Control Center”. Click “View”, select “CrossFi-

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reX

”, and then check the item “Enable CrossFireX

”. Select “2 GPUs”

and click “Apply” (if you install two Radeon graphics cards).

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

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Although you have selected the option “Enable CrossFire

”, the Cross-

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FireX

function may not work actually. Your computer will automatically

reboot. After restarting your computer, please conrm whether the option

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“Enable CrossFire

” in “ATI Catalyst Control Center” is selected or not;

if not, please select it again, and then you are able to enjoy the benet of

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CrossFireX

feature.

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Step 7. You can freely enjoy the benet of CrossFireX

or Quad CrossFireX

feature.

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* CrossFireX

appearing here is a registered trademark of AMD Technologies Inc., and is

used only for identication or explanation and to the owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

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* For further information of AMD CrossFireX

technology, please check AMD website for

updates and details.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

2.6 Jumpers Setup

The illustration shows how jumpers are

setup. When the jumper cap is placed on

pins, the jumper is “Short”. If no jumper cap

is placed on pins, the jumper is “Open”. The

illustration shows a 3-pin jumper whose

pin1 and pin2 are “Short” when jumper cap

is placed on these 2 pins.

Jumper Setting Description

Clear CMOS Jumper

(CLRCMOS1)

(see p.2, No. 21)

Clear CMOSDefault

Note: CLRCMOS1 allows you to clear the data in CMOS. To clear and reset the

system parameters to default setup, please turn off the computer and unplug

the power cord from the power supply. After waiting for 15 seconds, use a

jumper cap to short pin2 and pin3 on CLRCMOS1 for 5 seconds. However,

please do not clear the CMOS right after you update the BIOS. If you need

to clear the CMOS when you just nish updating the BIOS, you must boot

up the system rst, and then shut it down before you do the clear-CMOS ac-

tion. Please be noted that the password, date, time, user default prole, 1394

GUID and MAC address will be cleared only if the CMOS battery is removed.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

2.7 Onboard Headers and Connectors

Onboard headers and connectors are NOT jumpers. Do NOT place

jumper caps over these headers and connectors. Placing jumper caps

over the headers and connectors will cause permanent damage of the

motherboard!

Serial ATA3 Connectors These ve Serial ATA3

(SATA3_1: see p.2, No. 17)

(SATA3) connectors support

SATA3_3 SATA3_1

(SATA3_2: see p.2, No. 18)

SATA data cables for internal

(SATA3_3: see p.2, No. 16)

storage devices. The current

(SATA3_4: see p.2, No. 19)

SATA3 interface allows up to

SATA3_5 SATA3_4 SATA3_2

(SATA3_5: see p.2, No. 20)

6.0 Gb/s data transfer rate.

Serial ATA (SATA) Either end of the SATA data

Data Cable cable can be connected to the

(Optional)

SATA / SATA2 / SATA3 hard

disk or the SATA3 connector on

this motherboard.

USB 2.0 Headers Besides four default USB 2.0

(9-pin USB_4_5)

ports on the I/O panel, there

(see p.2 No. 26)

are three USB 2.0 headers on

this motherboard. Each USB 2.0

header can support two USB

2.0 ports.

(9-pin USB_6_7)

(see p.2 No. 27)

U SB_PWR

(9-pin USB_8_9)

P-9

P +9

(see p.2 No. 28)

GND

DUMMY

1

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GND

P +8

P-8

U SB_PWR

Infrared Module Header This header supports an

(5-pin IR1)

optional wireless transmitting

(see p.2 No. 29)

and receiving infrared module.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard

Consumer Infrared Module Header This header can be used to

(4-pin CIR1)

connect the remote

(see p.2 No. 25)

controller receiver.

GND

Front Panel Audio Header This is an interface for the front

P RESENCE#

M IC_RET

(9-pin HD_AUDIO1)

panel audio cable that allows

OUT_RET

(see p.2 No. 32)

convenient connection and

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control of audio devices.

O UT2_L

J _SENSE

O UT2_R

M IC2_R

M IC2_L

1. High Denition Audio supports Jack Sensing, but the panel wire on

the chassis must support HDA to function correctly. Please follow the

instruction in our manual and chassis manual to install your system.

2. If you use AC’97 audio panel, please install it to the front panel audio

header as below:

A. Connect Mic_IN (MIC) to MIC2_L.

B. Connect Audio_R (RIN) to OUT2_R and Audio_L (LIN) to OUT2_L.

C. Connect Ground (GND) to Ground (GND).

D. MIC_RET and OUT_RET are for HD audio panel only. You don’t

need to connect them for AC’97 audio panel.

E. To activate the front mic.

®

For Windows

XP / XP 64-bit OS:

Select “Mixer”. Select “Recorder”. Then click “FrontMic”.

®

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For Windows

8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / Vista

/ Vista

64-bit OS:

Go to the “FrontMic” Tab in the Realtek Control panel. Adjust

“Recording Volume”.

System Panel Header This header accommodates

(9-pin PANEL1)

several system front panel

(see p.2 No. 23)

functions.

Connect the power switch, reset switch and system status indicator

on the chassis to this header according to the pin assignments below.

Note the positive and negative pins before connecting the cables.

PWRBTN (Power Switch):

Connect to the power switch on the chassis front panel. You may con-

gure the way to turn off your system using the power switch.

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RESET (Reset Switch):

Connect to the reset switch on the chassis front panel. Press the reset

switch to restart the computer if the computer freezes and fails to per-

form a normal restart.

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ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 Motherboard