ASRock 990FX EXTREME4: 2. Installation
2. Installation: ASRock 990FX EXTREME4
2. Installation
This is an ATX form factor (12.0-in x 9.6-in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm) motherboard.
Before you install the motherboard, study the con guration of your chassis to ensure
that the motherboard ts into it.
Pre-installation Precautions
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard
components or change any motherboard settings.
Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the
power is switched off or the power cord is detached from the
power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the
motherboard, peripherals, and/or components.
1. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any
component.
2. To avoid damaging the motherboard components due to static elec-
tricity, NEVER place your motherboard directly on the carpet or the
like. Also remember to use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safety
grounded object before you handle components.
3. Hold components by the edges and do not touch the ICs.
4. Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded anti-
static pad or in the bag that comes with the component.
5. When placing screws into the screw holes to secure the mother-
board to the chassis, please do not over-tighten the screws! Doing
so may damage the motherboard.
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2.1 CPU Installation
o
Step 1. Unlock the socket by lifting the lever up to a 90
angle.
Step 2. Position the CPU directly above the socket such that the CPU corner with
the golden triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle.
Step 3. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it ts in place.
The CPU ts only in one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU
into the socket to avoid bending of the pins.
Step 4. When the CPU is in place, press it rmly on the socket while you push
down the socket lever to secure the CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab
to indicate that it is locked.
Lever 90° Up
CPU Golden Triangle
Socker Corner
Small Triangle
STEP 1:
STEP 2 / STEP 3:
STEP 4:
Lift Up The Socket Lever
Match The CPU Golden Triangle
Push Down And Lock
To The Socket Corner Small
The Socket Lever
Triangle
2.2 Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink
After you install the CPU into this motherboard, it is necessary to install a
larger heatsink and cooling fan to dissipate heat. You also need to spray
thermal grease between the CPU and the heatsink to improve heat dis-
sipation. Make sure that the CPU and the heatsink are securely fastened
and in good contact with each other. Then connect the CPU fan to the
CPU FAN connector (CPU_FAN1, see Page 12, No. 6 or CPU_FAN2,
see Page 12, No. 7). For proper installation, please kindly refer to the
instruction manuals of the CPU fan and the heatsink.
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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 of the same color. In other words, you have to install
identical DDR3 DIMM pair in Dual Channel A (DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1; Blue
slots; see p.12 No.10) or identical DDR3 DIMM pair in Dual Channel B (DDR3_
A2 and DDR3_B2; White slots; see p.12 No.11), 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 Confi gurations
DDR3_A1 DDR3_A2 DDR3_B1 DDR3_B2
(Blue Slot) (White Slot) (Blue Slot) (White 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 white slot (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 in the slots of the
same color. In other words, install them either in the set of blue
slots (DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1), or in the set of white 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
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 memory modules on this motherboard, it is
recommended to install them on DDR3_A2 and DDR3_B2 slots.
17
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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2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots)
There are 2 PCI slots and 5 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; White) is used for PCI Express cards with
x1 lane width cards, such as Gigabit LAN card and SATA2 card.
PCIE2 / PCIE4 (PCIE x16 slot; Blue) is used for PCI Express x16 lane
width graphics cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to
TM
TM
support SLI
and CrossFireX
function.
PCIE5 (PCIE x16 slot; Blue) is used for PCI Express x4 lane width
cards, or used to install PCI Express graphics cards to support 3-Way
TM
CrossFireX
function.
1. In single VGA card mode, it is recommended to install a PCI Ex-
press x16 graphics card on PCIE2 slot.
TM
TM
2. In CrossFireX
or SLI
mode, please install PCI Express x16
graphics cards on PCIE2 and PCIE4 slots. Therefore, both these
two slots will work at x16 bandwidth.
TM
3. In 3-Way CrossFireX
mode, please install PCI Express x16 graph-
ics cards on PCIE2, PCIE4 and PCIE5 slots. Therefore, PCIE2 and
PCIE4 slots will work at x16 bandwidth while PCIE5 slot will work at
x4 bandwidth.
4. 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.
Step 5. Fasten the card to the chassis with screws.
Step 6. Replace the system cover.
19
TM
TM
2.5 SLI
and Quad SLI
Operation Guide
®
TM
TM
This motherboard supports NVIDIA
SLI
and Quad SLI
(Scalable Link Interface)
technology that allows you to install up to three identical PCI Express x16 graphics
®
TM
®
cards. Currently, NVIDIA
SLI
technology supports Windows
XP / XP 64-bit /
TM
TM
®
TM
Vista
/ Vista
64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit OS. NVIDIA
Quad SLI
technology support
®
TM
TM
Windows
Vista
/ Vista
64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit OS only. Please follow the installation
procedures in this section.
Requirements
TM
TM
1. For SLI
technology, you should have two identical SLI
-ready
®
TM
graphics cards that are NVIDIA
certi ed. For Quad SLI
technolo-
TM
gy, you should have two identical Quad SLI
-ready graphics cards
®
that are NVIDIA
certi ed.
®
TM
2. Make sure that your graphics card driver supports NVIDIA
SLI
®
technology. Download the driver from NVIDIA
website
(www.nvidia.com).
3. Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least
the minimum power required by your system. It is recommended
®
®
to use NVIDIA
certi ed PSU. Please refer to NVIDIA
website for
details.
2.5.1 Graphics Card Setup
TM
2.5.1.1 Installing Two SLI
-Ready Graphics Cards
TM
®
Step 1. Install the identical SLI
-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA
certi ed
because different types of graphics cards will not work together properly.
(Even the GPU chips version shall be the same.) Insert one graphics card
into PCIE2 slot and the other graphics card to PCIE4 slot. Make sure that
the cards are properly seated on the slots.
Step2. If required, connect the auxiliary power source to the PCI Express
graphics cards.
20
Step3. Align and insert ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card to the gold ngers on each
graphics card. Make sure ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card is rmly in place.
ASRock SLI_Bridge_2S Card
Step4. Connect a VGA cable or a DVI cable to the monitor connector or the DVI
connector of the graphics card that is inserted to PCIE2 slot.
2.5.2 Driver Installation and Setup
Install the graphics card drivers to your system. After that, you can enable the Multi-
®
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) feature in the NVIDIA
nView system tray utility.
Please follow the below procedures to enable the multi-GPU feature.
®
For Windows
XP / XP 64-bit OS:
TM
(For SLI
mode only)
®
A. Double-click NVIDIA Settings icon on your Windows
taskbar.
B. From the pop-up menu, select Set SLI and PhysX confi guration. In
Set PhysX GPU acceleration item, please select Enabled. In Select
an SLI confi guration item, please select Enable SLI. And click Apply.
C. Reboot your system.
TM
D. You can freely enjoy the bene t of SLI
feature.
21
®
TM
TM
For Windows
Vista
/ Vista
64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit OS:
TM
TM
(For SLI
and Quad SLI
mode)
A. Click the Start icon on your Windows taskbar.
B. From the pop-up menu, select All Programs, and then click NVIDIA
Corporation.
C. Select NVIDIA Control Panel tab.
D. Select Control Panel tab.
E. From the pop-up menu, select Set SLI and PhysX confi guration. In
Set PhysX GPU acceleration item, please select Enabled. In Select
an SLI confi guration item, please select Enable SLI. And click Apply.
F. Reboot your system.
TM
TM
G.You can freely enjoy the bene t of SLI
or Quad SLI
feature.
TM
®
* SLI
appearing here is a registered trademark of NVIDIA
Technologies Inc., and is used
only for identi cation or explanation and to the owners’ bene t, without intent to infringe.
22
TM
TM
TM
2.6 CrossFireX
, 3-Way CrossFireX
and Quad CrossFireX
Operation Guide
TM
TM
This motherboard supports CrossFireX
, 3-way CrossFireX
and Quad
TM
TM
CrossFireX
feature. 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
TM
intelligent software design and an innovative interconnect mechanism, CrossFireX
enables the highest possible level of performance and image quality in any 3D
TM
®
application. Currently CrossFireX
feature is supported with Windows
XP with
TM
TM
TM
Service Pack 2 / Vista
/ 7 OS. 3-way CrossFireX
and Quad CrossFireX
feature
®
TM
are supported with Windows
Vista
/ 7 OS only. Please check AMD website for
TM
TM
AMD
CrossFireX
driver updates.
1. If a customer incorrectly configures their system they will not see the
TM
TM
performance bene ts of CrossFireX
. All three CrossFireX
components, a
TM
TM
CrossFireX
Ready graphics card, a CrossFireX
Ready motherboard and a
TM
CrossFireX
Edition co-processor graphics card, must be installed correctly
TM
to bene t from the CrossFireX
multi-GPU platform.
TM
2. If you pair a 12-pipe CrossFireX
Edition card with a 16-pipe card, both
TM
cards will operate as 12-pipe cards while in CrossFireX
mode.
2.6.1 Graphics Card Setup
TM
2.6.1.1 Installing Two CrossFireX
-Ready Graphics
Cards
TM
Different CrossFireX
cards may require different methods to enable CrossFi-
TM
reX
feature. In below procedures, we use Radeon HD 3870 as the example
TM
TM
graphics card. For other CrossFireX
cards that AMD
has released or will
TM
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.
23
Step 2. Connect two Radeon graphics cards by installing CrossFire Bridge on
CrossFire Bridge Interconnects on the top of Radeon graphics cards.
(CrossFire Bridge is provided with the graphics card you purchase, 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.)
24
TM
2.6.1.2 Installing Three CrossFireX
-Ready Graphics
Cards
Step 1. Install one Radeon graphics card to PCIE2 slot. For the proper installation
procedures, please refer to section “Expansion Slots”.
Step 2. Install one Radeon graphics card to PCIE4 slot. For the proper installation
procedures, please refer to section “Expansion Slots”.
Step 3. Install one Radeon graphics card to PCIE5 slot. For the proper installation
procedures, please refer to section “Expansion Slots”.
TM
Step 4. Use one CrossFire
Bridge to connect Radeon graphics cards on PCIE2
TM
and PCIE4 slots, and use the other CrossFire
Bridge to connect Radeon
TM
graphics cards on PCIE4 and PCIE5 slots. (CrossFire
Bridge is provided
with the graphics card you purchase, not bundled with this motherboard.
Please refer to your graphics card vendor for details.)
25
TM
CrossFire
Bridge
Step 5. 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.)
26
2.6.2 Driver Installation and Setup
Step 1. Power on your computer and boot into OS.
TM
Step 2. Remove the ATI
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.
TM
Please check AMD website for ATI
driver updates.
Step 3. Install the required drivers to your system.
®
For Windows
XP OS:
TM
®
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.
®
TM
For Windows
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-
TM
TM
reX
”, and then check the item “Enable CrossFireX
”. Select “2 GPUs”
and click “Apply” (if you install two Radeon graphics cards). Select “3
GPUs” and click “OK” (if you install three Radeon graphics cards).
27
TM
Although you have selected the option “Enable CrossFire
”, the Cross-
TM
FireX
function may not work actually. Your computer will automatically
reboot. After restarting your computer, please con rm whether the option
TM
“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
TM
CrossFireX
feature.
TM
TM
Step 7. You can freely enjoy the bene t of CrossFireX
, 3-Way CrossFireX
or
TM
Quad CrossFireX
feature.
TM
TM
* 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.
TM
TM
* For further information of AMD
CrossFireX
technology, please check AMD website for
updates and details.
2.7 Surround Display Feature
This motherboard supports Surround Display upgrade. With the external add-on PCI
Express VGA cards, you can easily enjoy the bene ts of Surround Display feature.
For the detailed instruction, please refer to the document at the following path in the
Support CD:
..\ Surround Display Information
28
2.8 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
Clear CMOS Jumper
(CLRCMOS1)
(see p.12, No. 3)
Clear CMOSDefault
Note: CLRCMOS1 allows you to clear the data in CMOS. The data in CMOS in-
cludes system setup information such as system password, date, time, and
system setup parameters. To clear and reset the system parameters to de-
fault 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 action.
The Clear CMOS Switch has the same function as the Clear CMOS
jumper.
29
2.9 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!
FDD connector
(33-pin FLOPPY1)
(see p.12 No. 30)
the red-striped side to Pin1
Note: Make sure the red-striped side of the cable is plugged into Pin1 side of the
connector.
Primary IDE connector (Blue)
(39-pin IDE1, see p.12 No. 18)
connect the blue end
connect the black end
to the motherboard
to the IDE devices
80-conductor ATA 66/100/133 cable
Note: Please refer to the instruction of your IDE device vendor for the details.
Serial ATA (SATA) Either end of the SATA data
Data Cable cable can be connected to the
(Optional)
SATA3 hard disk or the SATA3
connector on this motherboard.
3.5mm Audio Cable Either end of the 3.5mm audio
(Optional)
cable can be connected to the
portable audio devices, such
as MP3 player and mobile
phone or the Line-in port of
your PC.
Serial ATA (SATA) Please connect the black end
Power Cable of SATA power cable to the
(Optional)
power connector on each drive.
connect to the SATA
Then connect the white end of
HDD power connector
SATA power cable to the power
connect to the
power supply
connector of the power supply.
30
Serial ATA3 Connectors These eight Serial ATA3
(SATA3_1_2: see p.12, No. 21)
(SATA3) connectors support
(SATA3_3_4: see p.12, No. 20)
SATA data cables for internal
(SATA3_5_6: see p.12, No. 19)
storage devices. The current
(SATA3_7: see p.12, No. 32)
SATA3 interface allows up to
(SATA3_8: see p.12, No. 33)
6.0 Gb/s data transfer rate. If
you install the HDD on the
eSATA port on the rear I/O,
the internal SATA3_8 will not
SATA3_1_2 SATA3_3_4 SATA3_5_6
function.
SATA3_8 SATA3_7
USB 2.0 Headers Besides six default USB 2.0
(9-pin USB2_3)
ports on the I/O panel, there
DUMMY
GND
GND
(see p.12 No. 14)
are two USB 2.0 headers on
P+3
P+2
P-3
P-2
this motherboard. Each USB 2.0
USB_PWR
USB_PWR
header can support two USB
1
2.0 ports.
DUMMY
(9-pin USB8_9)
GND
GND
(see p.12 No. 13)
P+9
P+8
P-9
P-8
USB_PWR
USB_PWR
1
USB 3.0 Header Besides two default USB 3.0
(19-pin USB3_0_1)
ports on the I/O panel, there is
(see p.12 No. 28)
one USB 3.0 header on this
motherboard. This USB 3.0
header can support two USB
3.0 ports.
Infrared Module Header This header supports an
(5-pin IR1)
optional wireless transmitting
(see p.12 No. 44)
and receiving infrared module.
31
Internal Audio Connectors This connector allows you
(4-pin CD1)
to receive stereo audio input
CD1
(CD1: see p.12 No. 42)
from sound sources such as
a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, TV
tuner card, or MPEG card.
1
Front Panel Audio Header This is an interface for the front
MIC2_L
GND
(9-pin HD_AUDIO1)
panel audio cable that allows
MIC2_R
PRESENCE#
OUT2_R
MIC_RET
(see p.12 No. 43)
convenient connection and
J_SENSE
OUT2_L
OUT_RET
control of audio devices.
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”.
®
TM
TM
For Windows
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.12 No. 29)
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.
32
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.
PLED (System Power LED):
Connect to the power status indicator on the chassis front panel. The
LED is on when the system is operating. The LED keeps blinking
when the sys-tem is in S1 sleep state. The LED is off when the system
is in S3/S4 sleep state or powered off (S5).
HDLED (Hard Drive Activity LED):
Connect to the hard drive activity LED on the chassis front panel. The
LED is on when the hard drive is reading or writing data.
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 assign-ments are matched correctly.
Chassis Speaker Header Please connect the chassis
1
SPEAKER
(4-pin SPEAKER 1)
speaker to this header.
DUMMY
+5V
DUMMY
(see p.12 No. 23)
Power LED Header Please connect the chassis
(3-pin PLED1)
power LED to this header to
(see p.12 No. 22)
indicate system power status.
The LED is on when the system
is operating. The LED keeps
blinking in S1 state. The LED is
off in S3/S4 state or S5 state
(power off).
Chassis and Power Fan Connectors Please connect the fan cables
(4-pin CHA_FAN1)
to the fan connectors and
GND
(see p.12 No. 45)
match the black wire to the
+12V
CHA_FA N_SPEED
ground pin. CHA_FAN1/2/3 fan
FA N_SPEED_CONTROL
speed can be controlled through
CHA_FA N_SPEED
(3-pin CHA_FAN2)
+12V
UEFI or AXTU.
GND
(see p.12 No. 4)
GND
+12V
(3-pin CHA_FAN3)
CHA_FA N_SPEED
(see p.12 No. 2)
33
(3-pin PWR_FAN1)
(see p.12 No. 40)
PWR_FAN_SPEED
+12V
GND
CPU Fan Connectors Please connect the CPU fan
CPU_FAN_SPEED
+12V
FAN_SPEED_CONTROL
GND
(4-pin CPU_FAN1)
cable to the connector and
(see p.12 No. 6)
match the black wire to the
1 2 3 4
ground pin.
Though this motherboard provides 4-Pin CPU fan (Quiet Fan) support, the 3-Pin
CPU fan still can work successfully even without the fan speed control function.
If you plan to connect the 3-Pin CPU fan to the CPU fan connector on this
motherboard, please connect it to Pin 1-3.
Pin 1-3 Connected
3-Pin Fan Installation
(3-pin CPU_FAN2)
+12V
GND
PWR_FAN_SPEED
(see p.12 No. 7)
ATX Power Connector Please connect an ATX power
12
24
(24-pin ATXPWR1)
supply to this connector.
(see p.12 No. 12)
1
13
Though this motherboard provides 24-pin ATX power connector,
12
24
it can still work if you adopt a traditional 20-pin ATX power supply.
To use the 20-pin ATX power supply, please plug your power
supply along with Pin 1 and Pin 13.
20-Pin ATX Power Supply Installation
1
13
ATX 12V Power Connector Please connect an ATX 12V
8 5
(8-pin ATX12V1)
power supply to this connector.
4 1
(see p.12 No. 5)
Though this motherboard provides 8-pin ATX 12V power connector, it can still work
if you adopt a traditional 4-pin ATX 12V power supply. To use the 4-pin ATX power
supply, please plug your power supply along with Pin 1 and Pin 5.
8 5
4-Pin ATX 12V Power Supply Installation
4 1
34
IEEE 1394 Header Besides one default IEEE 1394
GND
+12V
+12V
(9-pin FRONT_1394)
port on the I/O panel, there is
RXTPBM_0
RXTPBP_0
GND
GND
(see p.12 No. 15)
one IEEE 1394 header
RXTPAM_0
RXTPAP_0
1
(FRONT_1394) on this
motherboard. This IEEE 1394
header can support one IEEE
1394 port.
Serial port Header This COM1 header supports a
RRXD1
DDTR#1
(9-pin COM1)
serial port module.
DDSR#1
CCTS#1
(see p.12 No.31)
1
RRI#1
RRTS#1
GND
TTXD1
DDCD#1
HDMI_SPDIF Header HDMI_SPDIF header, providing
(2-pin HDMI_SPDIF1)
SPDIF audio output to HDMI
(
see p.12 No. 1)
VGA card, allows the system to
connect HDMI Digital TV/
projector/LCD devices. Please
connect the HDMI_SPDIF
connector of HDMI VGA card to
this header.
Front USB 3.0 Panel Installation Guide
Step 1 Step 2 Screw the 2.5” HDD/SSD to the Front
Prepare the bundled Front USB 3.0
Panel, four HDD screws, and six
USB 3.0 Panel with four HDD screws.
chassis screws.
Step 3 Screw the Front USB 3.0 Panel to
Intall the Front USB 3.0 Panel into
Step 4
the 2.5” drive bay of the chassis.
the drive bay with six chassis screws.
35
Step 5 Step 6
Plug the Front USB 3.0 cable into the
The Front USB 3.0 Panel is ready
USB 3.0 header (USB3_0_1) on the
to use.
motherboard.
Rear USB 3.0 Bracket Installation Guide
Step 1
Unscrew the two screws from the Front
Put the USB 3.0 cable and the
Step 2
USB 3.0 Panel.
rear USB 3.0 bracket together.
Step 3
Screw the two screws into the rear
Put the rear USB 3.0 bracket into
Step 4
USB 3.0 bracket.
the chassis.
36
2.10 Smart Switches
This motherboard has three smart switches: power switch, reset switch and clear
CMOS switch, allowing users to quickly turn on/off or reset the system or clear the
CMOS values.
Power Switch Power Switch is a smart switch,
(PWRBTN)
allowing users to quickly turn
(see p.12 No. 26)
on/off the system.
Reset Switch Reset Switch is a smart switch,
(RSTBTN)
allowing users to quickly reset
(see p.12 No. 25)
the system.
Clear CMOS Switch Clear CMOS Switch is a smart
(CLRCBTN)
switch, allowing users to quickly
(see p.13 No. 17)
clear the CMOS values
37
2.11 Dr. Debug
Dr. Debug is used to provide code information, which makes troubleshooting even
easier. Please see the diagrams below for reading the Dr. Debug codes.
Status Code Description
0x00 Not used
0x01 Power on. Reset type detection (soft/hard)
0x02 AP initialization before microcode loading
0x03 North Bridge initialization before microcode loading
0x04 South Bridge initialization before microcode loading
0x05 OEM initialization before microcode loading
0x06 Microcode loading
0x07 AP initialization after microcode loading
0x08 North Bridge initialization after microcode loading
0x09 South Bridge initialization after microcode loading
0x0A OEM initialization after microcode loading
0x0B Cache initialization
0x0C – 0x0D Reserved for future AMI SEC error codes
0x0E Microcode not found
0x0F Microcode not loaded
0x10 PEI Core is started
0x11 Pre-memory CPU initialization is started
0x12 Pre-memory CPU initialization (CPU module speci c)
0x13 Pre-memory CPU initialization (CPU module speci c)
0x14 Pre-memory CPU initialization (CPU module speci c)
0x15 Pre-memory North Bridge initialization is started
0x16 Pre-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x17 Pre-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x18 Pre-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x19 Pre-memory South Bridge initialization is started
0x1A Pre-memory South Bridge initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x1B Pre-memory South Bridge initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x1C Pre-memory South Bridge initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x1D – 0x2A OEM pre-memory initialization codes
0x2B Memory initialization. Serial Presence Detect (SPD) data reading
0x2C Memory initialization. Memory presence detection
0x2D Memory initialization. Programming memory timing information
0x2E Memory initialization. Con guring memory
0x2F Memory initialization (other)
0x30 Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below)
0x31 Memory Installed
0x32 CPU post-memory initialization is started
0x33 CPU post-memory initialization. Cache initialization
0x34 CPU post-memory initialization. Application Processor(s) (AP) initialization
0x35 CPU post-memory initialization. Boot Strap Processor (BSP) selection
0x36 CPU post-memory initialization. System Management Mode (SMM)
initialization
38
0x37 Post-Memory North Bridge initialization is started
0x38 Post-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x39 Post-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x3A Post-Memory North Bridge initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x3B Post-Memory South Bridge initialization is started
0x3C Post-Memory South Bridge initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x3D Post-Memory South Bridge initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x3E Post-Memory South Bridge initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x3F-0x4E OEM post memory initialization codes
0x4F DXE IPL is started
0x50 Memory initialization error. Invalid memory type or incompatible memory
speed
0x51 Memory initialization error. SPD reading has failed
0x52 Memory initialization error. Invalid memory size or memory modules do not
match
0x53 Memory initialization error. No usable memory detected
0x54 Unspeci ed memory initialization error
0x55 Memory not installed
0x56 Invalid CPU type or Speed
0x57 CPU mismatch
0x58 CPU self test failed or possible CPU cache error
0x59 CPU micro-code is not found or micro-code update is failed
0x5A Internal CPU error
0x5B reset PPI is not available
0x5C-0x5F Reserved for future AMI error codes
0xE0 S3 Resume is stared (S3 Resume PPI is called by the DXE IPL)
0xE1 S3 Boot Script execution
0xE2 Video repost
0xE3 OS S3 wake vector call
0xE4-0xE7 Reserved for future AMI progress codes
0xE8 S3 Resume Failed
0xE9 S3 Resume PPI not Found
0xEA S3 Resume Boot Script Error
0xEB S3 OS Wake Error
0xEC-0xEF Reserved for future AMI error codes
0xF0 Recovery condition triggered by rmware (Auto recovery)
0xF1 Recovery condition triggered by user (Forced recovery)
0xF2 Recovery process started
0xF3 Recovery rmware image is found
0xF4 Recovery rmware image is loaded
0xF5-0xF7 Reserved for future AMI progress codes
0xF8 Recovery PPI is not available
0xF9 Recovery capsule is not found
0xFA Invalid recovery capsule
0xFB – 0xFF Reserved for future AMI error codes
0x60 DXE Core is started
0X61 NVRAM initialization
39
0x62 Installation of the South Bridge Runtime Services
0x63 CPU DXE initialization is started
0x64 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module speci c)
0x65 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module speci c)
0x66 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module speci c)
0x67 CPU DXE initialization (CPU module speci c)
0x68 PCI host bridge initialization
0x69 North Bridge DXE initialization is started
0x6A North Bridge DXE SMM initialization is started
0x6B North Bridge DXE initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x6C North Bridge DXE initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x6D North Bridge DXE initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x6E North Bridge DXE initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x6F North Bridge DXE initialization (North Bridge module speci c)
0x70 South Bridge DXE initialization is started
0x71 South Bridge DXE SMM initialization is started
0x72 South Bridge devices initialization
0x73 South Bridge DXE Initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x74 South Bridge DXE Initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x75 South Bridge DXE Initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x76 South Bridge DXE Initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x77 South Bridge DXE Initialization (South Bridge module speci c)
0x78 ACPI module initialization
0x79 CSM initialization
0x7A – 0x7F Reserved for future AMI DXE codes
0x80 – 0x8F OEM DXE initialization codes
0x90 Boot Device Selection (BDS) phase is started
0x91 Driver connecting is started
0x92 PCI Bus initialization is started
0x93 PCI Bus Hot Plug Controller Initialization
0x94 PCI Bus Enumeration
0x95 PCI Bus Request Resources
0x96 PCI Bus Assign Resources
0x97 Console Output devices connect
0x98 Console input devices connect
0x99 Super IO Initialization
0x9A USB initialization is started
0x9B USB Reset
0x9C USB Detect
0x9D USB Enable
0x9E – 0x9F Reserved for future AMI codes
0xA0 IDE initialization is started
0xA1 IDE Reset
0xA2 IDE Detect
0xA3 IDE Enable
0xA4 SCSI initialization is started
0xA5 SCSI Reset
40
0xA6 SCSI Detect
0xA7 SCSI Enable
0xA8 Setup Verifying Password
0xA9 Start of Setup
0xAA Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below)
0xAB Setup Input Wait
0xAC Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below)
0xAD Ready To Boot event
0xAE Legacy Boot event
0xAF Exit Boot Services event
0xB0 Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP Begin
0xB1 Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP End
0xB2 Legacy Option ROM Initialization
0xB3 System Reset
0xB4 USB hot plug
0xB5 PCI bus hot plug
0xB6 Clean-up of NVRAM
0xB7 Con guration Reset (reset of NVRAM settings)
0xB8 – 0xBF Reserved for future AMI codes
0xC0 – 0xCF OEM BDS initialization codes
0xD0 CPU initialization error
0xD1 North Bridge initialization error
0xD2 South Bridge initialization error
0xD3 Some of the Architectural Protocols are not available
0xD4 PCI resource allocation error. Out of Resources
0xD5 No Space for Legacy Option ROM
0xD6 No Console Output Devices are found
0xD7 No Console Input Devices are found
0xD8 Invalid password
0xD9 Error loading Boot Option (LoadImage returned error)
0xDA Boot Option is failed (StartImage returned error)
0xDB Flash update is failed
0xDC Reset protocol is not available
41
2.12 Serial ATA3 (SATA3) Hard Disks Installation
This motherboard adopts AMD SB950 chipset that supports Serial ATA3 (SATA3)
hard disks and RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, JBOD and RAID 5) functions for
SATA3_1 to SATA3_6 connectors. It also adopts Marvell SE9120 chipset that sup-
ports Serial ATA3 (SATA3) hard disks for SATA3_7 and SATA3_8 connectors. You
may install SATA3 hard disks on this motherboard for internal storage devices. This
section will guide you to install the SATA3 hard disks.
STEP 1: Install the SATA3 hard disks into the drive bays of your chassis.
STEP 2: Connect the SATA power cable to the SATA3 hard disk.
STEP 3: Connect one end of the SATA data cable to the motherboard’s SATA3 con-
nector.
STEP 4: Connect the other end of the SATA data cable to the SATA3 hard disk.
2.13 Hot Plug and Hot Swap Functions for SATA3 HDDs
This motherboard supports Hot Plug and Hot Swap functions for SATA3 in RAID /
AHCI mode. AMD SB950 and Marvell SE9120 chipsets provide hardware support
for Advanced Host controller Interface (AHCI), a new programming interface for
SATA host controllers developed thru a joint industry effort.
NOTE
What is Hot Plug Function?
If the SATA3 HDDs are NOT set for RAID con guration, it is called “Hot
Plug” for the action to insert and remove the SATA3 HDDs while the system
is still power-on and in working condition.
However, please note that it cannot perform Hot Plug if the OS has been
installed into the SATA3 HDD.
What is Hot Swap Function?
If SATA3 HDDs are built as RAID 1 or RAID 5 then it is called “Hot Swap”
for the action to insert and remove the SATA3 HDDs while the system is still
power-on and in working condition.
42
2.14 SATA3 HDD Hot Plug Feature and Operation Guide
This motherboard supports Hot Plug feature for SATA3 HDD in RAID / AHCI
mode. Please read below operation guide of Hot Plug feature carefully. Before you
process the SATA3 HDD Hot Plug, please check below cable accessories from the
motherboard gift box pack.
A. 7-pin SATA data cable
B. SATA power cable with SATA 15-pin power connector interface
A. SATA data cable (Red) B. SATA power cable
SATA 7-pin
The SATA 15-pin power
1x4-pin conventional
connector
connector (Black) connect
power connector (White)
to SATA3 HDD
connect to power supply
Caution
1. Without SATA 15-pin power connector interface, the SATA3 Hot Plug cannot be
processed.
2. Even some SATA3 HDDs provide both SATA 15-pin power connector and IDE
1x4-pin conventional power connector interfaces, the IDE 1x4-pin conventional
power connector interface is de nitely not able to support Hot Plug and will cause
the HDD damage and data loss.
Points of attention, before you process the Hot Plug:
1. Below operation procedure is designed only for our motherboard, which supports
SATA3 HDD Hot Plug.
* The SATA3 Hot Plug feature might not be supported by the chipset because of
its limitation, the SATA3 Hot Plug support information of our motherboard is
indicated in the product spec on our website: www.asrock.com
2. Make sure your SATA3 HDD can support Hot Plug function from your dealer or
HDD user manual. The SATA3 HDD, which cannot support Hot Plug function, will
be damaged under the Hot Plug operation.
3. Please make sure the SATA3 driver is installed into system properly. The latest
SATA3 driver is available on our support website: www.asrock.com
4. Make sure to use the SATA power cable & data cable, which are from our
motherboard package.
5. Please follow below instructions step by step to reduce the risk of HDD crash or
data loss.
43
How to Hot Plug a SATA3 HDD:
Points of attention, before you process the Hot Plug:
Please do follow below instruction sequence to process the Hot Plug, improper
procedure will cause the SATA3 HDD damage and data loss.
Step 1
Please connect SATA power cable 1x4-pin
Step 2
Connect SATA data cable to
end (White) to the power supply 1x4-pin
the motherboard’s SATAII / SATA3
cable.
connector.
SATA power cable 1x4-pin
power connector (White)
Step 3
Connect SATA 15-pin power cable
Step 4
Connect SATA data cable to the
connector (Black) end to SATA3 HDD.
SATA3 HDD.
How to Hot Unplug a SATA3 HDD:
Points of attention, before you process the Hot Unplug:
Please do follow below instruction sequence to process the Hot Unplug, improper
procedure will cause the SATA3 HDD damage and data loss.
Step 1
Unplug SATA data cable from SATA3 HDD side.
Step 2
Unplug SATA 15-pin power cable connector (Black) from SATA3 HDD side.
44
2.15 Driver Installation Guide
To install the drivers to your system, please insert the support CD to your optical
drive rst. Then, the drivers compatible to your system can be auto-detected and
listed on the support CD driver page. Please follow the order from up to bottom side
to install those required drivers. Therefore, the drivers you install can work properly.
®
TM
2.16 Installing Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/
TM
Vista
64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit With RAID Functions
®
TM
TM
If you want to install Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/ Vista
64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit
on a RAID disk composed of 2 or more SATA3 HDDs with RAID functions, please
follow below procedures according to the OS you install.
®
2.16.1 Installing Windows
XP / XP 64-bit With RAID Functions
®
If you want to install Windows
XP / XP 64-bit on a RAID disk composed of 2 or
more SATA3 HDDs with RAID functions, please follow below steps.
STEP 1: Set up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen Storage Con guration.
B. Set the “SATA Mode” option to [RAID].
STEP 2: Make a SATA3 Driver Diskette.
A. Insert the ASRock Support CD into your optical drive to boot your system.
B. During POST at the beginning of system boot-up, press <F11> key, and
then a window for boot devices selection appears. Please select CD-ROM as
the boot device.
C. When you see the message on the screen, “Generate Serial ATA driver diskette
[YN]?”, press <Y>.
D. Then you will see these messages,
Please insert a diskette into the fl oppy drive.
WARNING! Formatting the fl oppy diskette will
lose ALL data in it!
Start to format and copy fi les [YN]?
Please insert a oppy diskette into the oppy drive, and press any key.
E. The system will start to format the oppy diskette and copy SATA3 drivers into
the oppy diskette.
45
STEP 3: Use “RAID Installation Guide” to set RAID confi guration.
Before you start to con gure RAID function, you need to check the RAID installation
guide in the Support CD for proper con guration. Please refer to the BIOS RAID
installation guide part of the document in the following path in the Support CD:
.. \ RAID Installation Guide
®
STEP 4: Install Windows
XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system.
®
After step 1, 2, 3, you can start to install Windows
XP / XP 64-bit OS on your
®
system. At the beginning of Windows
setup, press F6 to install a third-party RAID
driver. When prompted, insert the SATA3 driver diskette containing the AMD RAID
driver. After reading the oppy disk, the driver will be presented. Select the driver to
install according to the OS you install.
®
TM
2.16.2 Installing Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/
TM
Vista
64-bit With RAID Functions
®
TM
TM
If you want to install Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/ Vista
64-bit on a RAID disk
composed of 2 or more SATA3 HDDs with RAID functions, please follow below
steps.
STEP 1: Set up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen Storage Con guration.
B. Set the “SATA Mode” option to [RAID].
STEP 2: Use “RAID Installation Guide” to set RAID confi guration.
Before you start to con gure RAID function, you need to check the RAID installation
guide in the Support CD for proper con guration. Please refer to the BIOS RAID
installation guide part of the document in the following path in the Support CD:
.. \ RAID Installation Guide
STEP 3: Make a SATA3 Driver Diskette.
Make a SATA3 driver diskette by following section 2.16.1 step 2 on page 45.
®
TM
TM
STEP 4: Install Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/ Vista
64-bit OS on your sys-
tem.
46
®
TM
2.17 Installing Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/
TM
Vista
64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions
®
TM
TM
If you want to install Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/ Vista
64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit
OS on your SATA3 HDDs without RAID functions, please follow below procedures
according to the OS you install.
®
2.17.1 Installing Windows
XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions
®
If you want to install Windows
XP / XP 64-bit on your SATA3 HDDs without RAID
functions, please follow below steps.
Using SATA3 HDDs with NCQ and Hot Plug functions (AHCI mode)
STEP 1: Set up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen Storage Con guration.
B. Set the option “SATA Mode” to [AHCI]. (For SATA3_1 to SATA3_6 ports.)
Set the option “Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode” to [AHCI]. (For SATA3_7 and
SATA3_8 ports.)
STEP 2: Make a SATA3 Driver Diskette.
Make a SATA3 driver diskette by following section 2.16.1 step 2 on page 45.
®
STEP 3: Install Windows
XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system.
®
You can start to install Windows
XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system. At the begin-
®
ning of Windows
setup, press F6 to install a third-party AHCI driver. When prompt-
ed, insert the SATA3 driver diskette containing the AMD AHCI driver. After reading
the oppy disk, the driver will be presented. Select the driver to install according to
the OS you install.
Using SATA3 HDDs without NCQ and Hot Plug functions (IDE mode)
STEP 1: Set up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen Storage Con guration.
B. Set the option “SATA Mode” to [IDE]. (For SATA3_1 to SATA3_6 ports.)
Set the option “Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode” to [IDE]. (For SATA3_7 and
SATA3_8 ports.)
®
STEP 2: Install Windows
XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system.
47
®
TM
2.17.2 Installing Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/
TM
Vista
64-bit Without RAID Functions
®
TM
TM
If you want to install Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/ Vista
64-bit on your SATA3
HDDs without RAID functions, please follow below steps.
Using SATA3 HDDs with NCQ and Hot Plug functions (AHCI mode)
STEP 1: Set up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen Storage Con guration.
B. Set the option “SATA Mode” to [AHCI]. (For SATA3_1 to SATA3_6 ports.)
Set the option “Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode” to [AHCI]. (For SATA3_7 and
SATA3_8 ports.)
®
TM
TM
STEP 2: Install Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/ Vista
64-bit OS on your sys-
tem.
Using SATA3 HDDs without NCQ and Hot Plug functions (IDE mode)
STEP 1: Set up UEFI.
A. Enter UEFI SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen Storage Con guration.
B. Set the option “SATA Mode” to [IDE]. (For SATA3_1 to SATA3_6 ports.)
Set the option “Marvell SATA3 Operation Mode” to [IDE]. (For SATA3_7 and
SATA3_8 ports.)
®
TM
TM
STEP 2: Install Windows
7 / 7 64-bit / Vista
/ Vista
64-bit OS on your sys-
tem.
2.18 Untied Overclocking Technology
This motherboard supports Untied Overclocking Technology, which means during
overclocking, FSB enjoys better margin due to xed PCI / PCIE buses. Before you
enable Untied Overclocking function, please enter “Overclock Mode” option of UEFI
setup to set the selection from [Auto] to [Manual]. Therefore, CPU FSB is untied
during overclocking, but PCI / PCIE buses are in the xed mode so that FSB can
operate under a more stable overclocking environment.
Please refer to the warning on page 9 for the possible overclocking risk
before you apply Untied Overclocking Technology.
48
