Asus M4A78 PLUS - Motherboard - ATX User Manual
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Asus M4A78 PLUS - Motherboard - ATX User Manual

Asus M4A78 PLUS - Motherboard - ATX User Manual

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Summary of Contents for Asus M4A78 PLUS - Motherboard - ATX

  • Page 1 M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 2 Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Welcome! ..................1-1 Package contents ................. 1-1 Special features ................1-1 1.3.1 Product highlights ............1-1 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ..........1-4 Before you proceed ..............1-6 Onboard LED ................. 1-6 Motherboard overview ..............1-7 1.5.1 Placement direction ............1-7 1.5.2...
  • Page 4 BIOS setup Managing and updating your BIOS ..........2-1 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility ............2-1 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility ........... 2-2 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility ........2-3 BIOS setup program ..............2-4 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen ............2-5 2.2.2...
  • Page 5 Boot Device Priority ............2-18 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration .......... 2-18 2.6.3 Security ................. 2-19 Tools menu ................. 2-20 2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ............2-20 2.7.2 Express Gate ..............2-21 2.7.3 AI NET 2................ 2-21 Exit menu ..................2-22...

  • Page 6: Notices

    Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation.

  • Page 7: Safety Information

    Safety information Electrical safety • To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.

  • Page 8: Conventions Used In This Guide

    Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. Optional documentation Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer.

  • Page 9: M4A78 Plus Specifications Summary

    / Athlon™ X2 (AM3 CPU) Support 45nm CPU AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology Support CPU up to 140W Refer to www.asus.com for the AMD CPU support list Chipset AMD 770 / SB700 System bus Up to 5200 MT/s; HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface for AM3 /...
  • Page 10 ASUS overclocking SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection) from 200MHz to features 550MHz at 1 MHz increment Adjust DRAM Voltage ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) BIOS 8Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI v2.0, WfM2.0, ACPIv2.0a, SM BIOS v2.5 Accessories 2 x Serial ATA cables...

  • Page 11: Chapter 1 Product Introduction

    ® The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below.

  • Page 12: High Definition Audio

    Dual channel DDR2 1066 This motherboard supports native DDR2 1066. It provides faster data transfer rate and more bandwidth to increase memory data transfer rate and computing efficiency, enhancing system performance in 3D graphics and other memory demanding applications. ASUS M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 13 • DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+/AM3 CPU only. Refer to the ASUS website at www.asus.com for the supported CPU models. • Due to AM2+/AM3 CPU limitation, only one DDR2 1066 DIMM is supported per channel. When four DDR2 1066 DIMMs are installed, all DIMMs run at 800MHz frequency by default for system stability.

  • Page 14: Innovative Asus Features

    BIOS file using the bundled support DVD, or USB disk that contains the BIOS file. ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a utility that allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS-based utility. ASUS Q-Fan...

  • Page 15: Asus Ai Nap

    This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line with the ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and recyclable products/packaging to safeguard consumers’ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.

  • Page 16: Before You Proceed

    ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a reminder that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LED. SB_PWR M4A78 PLUS Standby Power Powered Off M4A78 PLUS Onboard LED ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 17: Motherboard Overview

    Motherboard overview 1.5.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.5.2 Screw holes Place six screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis.

  • Page 18: Motherboard Layout

    13. Optical drive audio in connector (4-pin CD) 1-28 5, 6) IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_EIDE) 1-24 14. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-29 Onboard LED 15. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM1) 1-27 Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC) 1-20 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 19: Central Processing Unit (Cpu)

    Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a CPU socket designed for AMD AM3 Phenom™ II / Athlon™ ® X4 / Athlon™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 / processors and AM2+ / AM2 Phenom™ X4 / Phenom™ X3 / Athlon™ X2 / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors. The CPU socket is not compatible with AMD Opteron™...
  • Page 20 CPU FAN PWR CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWM M4A78 PLUS M4A78 PLUS CPU fan connector Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector. 1-10 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 21: Installing The Heatsink And Fan

    1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan Ensure that you use only AMD-certified heatsink and fan assembly. To install the CPU heatsink and fan: Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink fits properly on the retention module base. •...

  • Page 22: System Memory

    DDR DIMM socket. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: M4A78 PLUS M4A78 PLUS 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Sockets Mode DIMM_A1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_B2 Populated Single-channel Populated Dual-channel (1) Populated Populated Dual-channel (2) Populated Populated Populated Populated 1-12 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 23: Memory Configurations

    1.7.2 Memory configurations You may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation.
  • Page 24 A3R12E3GEF633ACAOY · · · Samsung M378T5263AZ3-CE6 K4T2G084QA-HCE6 Samsung · · · ELIXIR M2Y1G64TU8HA2B-3C M2TU51280AE- ELIXIR · · · 3C717095R28F ELIXIR M2Y1G64TU8HBOB-3C N2TU51280BE- ELIXIR · · · 3C639009W1CF Leadmax LRMP512U64A8-Y5 HY5PS12821CFP-Y5 Hynix · · · C 702AA 1-14 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 25 DDR2-800MHz capability DIMM support Chip Size Vendor Part No. Chip No. Brand Kingston KHX6400D2LL/1G Heat-Sink Package Kingston · · · 512MB Kingston KHX6400D2LLK2/1GN Heat-Sink Package Kingston · · · 512MB Kingston KVR800D2N6/512 E5108AJBG-8E-E Elpida · · · Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G D6408TR4CGL25USL36240 Kingston ·...
  • Page 26 Heat-Sink Package · · · OCZ2VU8004GK Heat-Sink Package · · OCZ2P8004GK Heat-Sink Package · · · Elixir M2Y1G64TU8HB0B-25C N2TU51280BE-25C802006Z1DV Elixir · · · Elixir M2Y1G64TU88D5B-AC N2TU16800E-AC Elixir · · · 0828.GS Elixir M2Y2G64TU8HD5B-AC N2TUG80DE-AC Elixir · 0826.SG 1-16 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 27 Dual-channel memory configuration. • C*: Supports four modules inserted into both the yellow slots and the black slots as two pairs of Dual-channel memory configuration. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for the latest QVL. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-17...

  • Page 28: Installing A Dimm

    DIMM. Support the DIMM lightly with your fingers when pressing the retaining clips. The DIMM might get damaged when it flips out with extra force. DDR2 DIMM notch Remove the DIMM from the socket. 1-18 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 29: Expansion Slots

    Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

  • Page 30: Jumpers

    • You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the CPU Parameter Recall (C.P.R) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter settings to default values. 1-20 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 31: Connectors

    1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel connectors 4 5 6 7 PS/2 Mouse port. This port is for a PS/2 mouse. USB 2.0 port 11. This 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub.
  • Page 32 USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. Optical S/PDIF Out port. This port connects an external audio output device via a optical S/PDIF cable. PS/2 Keyboard port. This port is for a PS/2 keyboard. 1-22 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 33: Internal Connectors

    The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate. • If you are uncertain about the minimum power supply requirement for your system, refer to the Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator at http://support.asus. com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.aspx?SLanguage=en-us for details. Chapter 1: Product introduction...
  • Page 34 If any device jumper is set as “Cable-Select”, ensure that all other device jumpers have the same setting. PRI_IDE M4A78 PLUS PIN1 NOTE:Orient the red markings on the IDE ribbon cable to PIN 1. M4A78 PLUS IDE connector 1-24 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 35 Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA5, SATA6) These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard disk and optical disk drives. The Serial ATA 3Gb/s is backward compatible with Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s specification. The data transfer rate of the Serial ATA 3Gb/s is faster than the standard parallel ATA with 133 MB/s (Ultra DMA133).

  • Page 36: System Panel Connector 20-8 Pin Panel

    Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF. • Reset button (2-pin RESET) This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power. 1-26 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 37 USB connectors (10-1 pin USBE12, USBE34, USB910) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.
  • Page 38 The LPT (Line Printing Terminal) connector supports devices such as a printer. LPT standardizes as IEEE 1284, which is the parallel port interface on IBM PC-compatible computers. M4A78 PLUS PIN 1 M4A78 PLUS Parallel Port Connector 1-28 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 39 CHA_FAN +12V Rotation CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWR CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWM M4A78 PLUS PWR_FAN +12V Rotation M4A78 PLUS fan connectors Only the CPU fan supports the ASUS Q-FAN feature. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-29...

  • Page 40: Software Support

    The contents of the Support DVD are subject to change at any time without notice. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for updates. To run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD to the optical drive.

  • Page 41: Chapter 2 Bios Setup

    BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or AFUDOS utilities. 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows environment. ®...

  • Page 42: Asus Ez Flash 2 Utility

    2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to use an OS-based utility. Before using this utility, download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.

  • Page 43: Asus Crashfree Bios 3 Utility

    2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can update a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash disk that contains the updated BIOS file.

  • Page 44: Bios Setup Program

    • The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard.

  • Page 45: Bios Menu Screen

    • The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS information. Chapter 2: BIOS setup...

  • Page 46: Navigation Keys

    (C)Copyright 1985-2008, A m e r i c a n Megatrends, Inc. Pop-up window Press the Scroll bar <Up> / <Down> arrow keys or <Page Up> /<Page Down> keys to display the other items on the screen. ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 47: Main Menu

    Main menu When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information. Refer to section “2.2.1 BIOS menu screen” for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Advanced...

  • Page 48: Sata 1, Sata 2, Sata 3, Sata 5, Sata 6, And Esata

    Selects the DMA mode. Configuration options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] 32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled] Enables or disables 32-bit data transfer. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 49: Sata Configuration

    2.3.5 SATA Configuration This menu allows you to configure the SATA devices. OnChip SATA Channel [Enabled] Enables or disables the OnChip SATA Channel. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] OnChip SATA Type [SATA] Allows you to select the SATA type. Configuration options: [SATA] [RAID] [AHCI] When SATA is configured as [AHCI] in BIOS, only SATA port 1-3 can be detected.

  • Page 50: Jumperfree Configuration

    Configuration options: [Auto] [+ 50mv] [+ 100mv] [+ 150mv] VDDNB Over Voltage [Auto] Allows you to select the NB voltage or set it to auto for safe mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [+ 33mv] [+ 66mv] [+100mv] 2-10 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...
  • Page 51 HyperTransport Speed [Auto] Allows you to set HyperTransport speed. Configuration options: [200 Mhz] [400 Mhz] [600 Mhz] [800 Mhz] [1 Ghz] [2 Ghz] [Auto] Hyper Transport Width [Auto] The Hyper Transport link will run at this width. Configuration options: [Auto] [8 Bit] [16 Bit] Memory Clock Mode [Auto] Allows you to set the memory clock mode.

  • Page 52: Cpu Configuration

    Allows you to enable or disable the generation of ACPI_PPC, _PSS, and _PCT objects. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] CPU Prefetching [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the CPU prefetching. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] C1E Configuration [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable C1E configuration. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] 2-12 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 53: Chipset

    2.4.3 Chipset The Chipset menu allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the submenu. NorthBridge Configuration Memory Configuration Bank Interleaving [Auto] Allows you to enable the bank memory interleaving. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Channel Interleaving [Disabled] Allows you to enable the channel memory interleaving.

  • Page 54: Onboard Devices Configuration

    When set to [No], BIOS configures all the devices in the system. When set to [Yes] and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system configures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot. Configuration options: [No] [Yes] 2-14 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 55: Usb Configuration

    2.4.6 USB Configuration The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the configuration options. The Module Version and USB Devices Enabled items show the auto-detected values. If no USB device is detected, the item shows None.

  • Page 56: Power Menu

    When set to Power Off, the system goes into off state after an AC power loss. When set to Power On, the system goes on after an AC power loss. Configuration options: [Power On] [Power Off] [Last State] 2-16 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

  • Page 57: Hw Monitor Configuration

    Select Ignored if you do not wish to display the detected voltage output. Smart Q-Fan Function [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Q-Fan feature that smartly adjusts the fan speeds for more efficient system operation. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Fan Auto Mode Start Voltage [5.0V]...

  • Page 58: Boot Menu

    This allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Set this item to [Enabled] to use the ASUS MyLogo 2™ feature. AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS] Sets the display mode for option ROM. Configuration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current] Bootup Num-Lock [On] Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.

  • Page 59: Security

    Hit ‘DEL’ Message Display [Enabled] When set to Enabled, the system displays the message Press DEL to run Setup during POST. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.6.3 Security The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings. Select an item then press <Enter>...

  • Page 60: Tools Menu

    (C)Copyright 1985-2007, American Megatrends, Inc. 2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <OK>, a confirmation message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Yes] or [No], then press <OK> to confirm your choice.

  • Page 61: Express Gate

    2.7.2 Express Gate [Auto] Allows you to enable or disable the ASUS Express Gate feature. The ASUS Express Gate feature is a unique instant-on environment that provides quick access to the Internet browser and Skype. Configuration options: [Auto] [Enabled] [Disabled] Enter OS Timer [10 Seconds] Sets countdown duration that the system waits at the Express Gate’s first screen...

  • Page 62: Exit Menu

    When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a confirmation window appears. Select OK to load default values. Select Exit & Save Changes or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM. 2-22 ASUS M4A78 PLUS...

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