1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Asus Manuals
  4. Motherboard
  5. M4A78-HTPC
  6. User manual

Asus M4A78-HTPC User Manual

User manual
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

M4A78-HTPC
Series

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading

Related Manuals for Asus M4A78-HTPC

Summary of Contents for Asus M4A78-HTPC

  • Page 1 M4A78-HTPC Series...
  • 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

    Contents Contents ...................... iii Notices ......................vi Safety information ..................vii About this guide ..................vii M4A78-HTPC specifications summary ............. ix Chapter 1 Product introduction Welcome! ..................1-1 Package contents ................. 1-1 Special features ................1-1 1.3.1 Product highlights ............1-1 1.3.2...

  • Page 4: Contents

    BIOS information 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 ..............2-3 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen ............2-4 2.2.2...
  • Page 5 Boot Device Priority ............2-19 2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration .......... 2-19 2.6.3 Security ................. 2-19 Tools menu ................. 2-21 2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ............2-21 2.7.2 Express Gate [Auto] ............2-21 2.7.3 AI NET 2................ 2-21 Exit menu ..................2-22...

  • Page 6: Notices

    Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our products at ASUS REACH website at http://green.asus.com/english/REACH.htm. DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling.

  • 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-Htpc Specifications Summary

    CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 is supported by ® AM3 / AM2+ CPUs for one DIMM per channel only. Refer to www.asus.com or this user manual for the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists). ** Due to OS limitation, when installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB.
  • Page 10 ASUS Power Solution: Features - ASUS 4+1 Phase Power Design ASUS Absolute Pitch Hi-Fi ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution: - ASUS Tranquil Mode (AM3/AM2+ CPUs only) - ASUS Fanless Design: heatsink solution ASUS Express Gate ASUS Home Theater Gate ASUS Crystal Sound...
  • Page 11 - GPU tuning from 500MHz up to 999MHz - PCIe frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 150MHz at 1MHz increment Overclocking protection: - ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) Rear panel I/O ports 1 x S/PDIF Out port (Coaxial) 1 x S/PDIF Out port (Optical)
  • Page 12 M4A78-HTPC specifications summary BIOS features 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0, ASUS EZ Flash 2 Support DVD contents Drivers ASUS Express Gate ASUS Home Theater Gate ASUS PC Probe II ASUS Update...

  • Page 13: 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 14: Innovative Asus Features

    VRM power design. It delivers high power efficiency and supreme overclocking ability. Furthermore, high quality power components can effective lower system temperature to ensure longer component lifespan. ASUS M4A78-HTPC also features an extra 1-phase power for integrated memory/HT controller to provide independent power to vital components. ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 15: Asus Unique Features

    The ASUS Home Theater Gate, specially designed for the HTPC series, allows you to easily and quickly launch media applications to enjoy your music and movies. For RC Edition: Use the bundled remote controller to launch the ASUS Home Theater Gate and start media applications. ASUS Unique Features...

  • 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. ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • 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 eight screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the...

  • Page 18: Motherboard Layout

    1-25 USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, USB910) 1-26 Audio power connector (4-pin AUDIO_PWR) 1-26 Optical drive audio in connector (4-pin CD) 1-27 Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-28 Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 1-27 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • 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: Installing The Heatsink And Fan

    • If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, ensure that a Thermal Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU heatsink or CPU before you install the heatsink and fan assembly. CPU Fan CPU Heatsink Retention bracket Retention Module Base Retention bracket lock ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 21 Your boxed CPU heatsink and fan assembly should come with installation instructions for the CPU, heatsink, and the retention mechanism. If the instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the latter. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base. Align the other end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.

  • Page 22: System Memory

    • For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition. 1-10 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 23 M4A78-HTPC Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2-1066MHz capability DIMM socket Chip Timing support (Optional) Vendor Part No. Size Chip NO. Voltage Brand Dimm(Bios) Apacer BoxP/N:CH.02GAF.C0KK2 2048MB(Kit of 2) DS N/A Heat-Sink Package 5-5-5-15 • • • (78.0AG9S.9KF) Apacer BoxP/N:CH.04GAF.F0KK2 4096MB(Kit of 2) DS N/A...
  • Page 24 1024MB DS N/A Heat-Sink Package • • • KINGSTON KVR800D2N6/1G 1024MB DS ELPIDA E5108AJBG-8E-E • • • KINGSTON KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN(EPP) 2048MB(Kit of 2) DS N/A Heat-Sink Package • KINGSTON KHX6400D2/2G 2048MB DS N/A Heat-Sink Package • • • 1-12 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 25 DDR2-800MHz capability (continued) DIMM socket Chip Timing support (Optional) Vendor Part No. Size Chip NO. Voltage Brand Dimm(Bios) KINGSTON KVR800D2N6/4G 4096MB DS ELPIDA E2108ABSE-8G-E • • • NANYA NT 512T64U88B0BY-25C 512MB NT5TU64M8BE-25C • • • NANYA NT1GT64U8HB0BY-25C 1024MB NT5TU64M8BE-25C • •...
  • Page 26 • B*: Supports two modules inserted into either the yellow slots or the black slots as one pair of 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 for the latest QVL. 1-14 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 27: Installing A Dimm

    1.7.3 Installing a DIMM Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the motherboard and the components. Press the retaining clips outward to DDR2 DIMM notch unlock a DDR2 DIMM socket.

  • Page 28: Expansion Slots

    This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.8.5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot This motherboard supports a PCI Express 2.0 x16 graphics card that complies with the PCI Express specifications. 1-16 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 29: Jumpers

    Jumpers Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords.

  • Page 30: Connectors

    Side Speaker Out port (gray). This port connects the side speakers in an 8-channel audio configuration. Refer to the audio configuration table on next page for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel configuration. 1-18 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 31 Audio 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel configuration Headset Port 4-channel 6-channel 8-channel 2-channel Light Blue Line In Line In Line In Line In Lime Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Pink Mic In Mic In Mic In Mic In Orange...
  • Page 32 Frame Buffer Size--256MB or higher Playback software CyberLink PowerDVD 7.3 ® Best resolution File format Windows XP Windows Vista Non-protected clips 1920 x 1080p 1920 x 1080p HD-DVD 1920 x 1080p 1280 x 1080p Blu-Ray 1280 x 1080p 1280 x 1080p 1-20 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 33 Troubleshooting on HDTV overscaling or underscaling: If your desktop is extending beyond the viewable display area or the desktop or image is not filling the entire display area while using the onboard HDMI out port and the HDMI cable, you can resize the desktop appearing on your HDTV screen.

  • Page 34: Internal Connectors

    Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors. Only the CPU_FAN and CHA_FAN1–2 connectors support the ASUS Q FAN 2 feature. 1-22 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 35 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 36: Ide Connector (40-1 Pin Pri_Ide)

    This prevents incorrect insertion when you connect the IDE cable. • Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 IDE devices. If any device jumper is set as “Cable-Select”, ensure that all other device jumpers have the same setting. 1-24 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 37 Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1-5) 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 38: System Panel Connector (10-1 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-HTPC...

  • Page 39: Usb Connectors (10-1 Pin Usb56, Usb78, Usb910)

    USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, 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 40: Optical Drive Audio In Connector (4-Pin Cd)

    This connector allows you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a CD-ROM, TV tuner, or MPEG card. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) ports. The S/PDIF module is purchased separately. 1-28 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 41 Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports either High Definition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector. •...
  • Page 42 ASUS Q-Connector (system panel) You can use the ASUS Q-Connector to connect/disconnect chassis front panel cables in a few steps. Refer to the instructions below to install the ASUS Q-Connector. Connect the front panel cables to the ASUS Q-Connector. Refer to the labels on the Q-Connector to...

  • Page 43: Software Support

    ASUS website at www.asus.com for updates. • For detailed software instructions, see the Manual menu in the Support DVD or download the latest software manual from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. To run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD to the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer.

  • Page 44: Asus Home Theater Gate

    1.11.3 ASUS Home Theater Gate The ASUS Home Theater Gate, specially designed for the HTPC series, allows you to easily and quickly launch media applications to enjoy your music and movies. With the bundled remote controller, you can launch the ASUS Home Theater Gate and start media applications with just one touch.
  • Page 45 Using the remote controller (RC Edition only) Use the remote controller to launch the ASUS Home Theater Gate and start media applications. Connect the IR receiver to the USB 2.0 port 1 or 2 before using the remote controller. Mute...
  • Page 46 1-34 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 47: Chapter 2 Bios Information

    BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 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 48: 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 a bootable floppy disk or a DOS-based utility. Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS from the ASUS website at www.asus.com.

  • Page 49: Asus Crashfree Bios 3 Utility

    The BIOS file in the motherboard support DVD may be older than the BIOS file published on the ASUS official website. If you want to use the newer BIOS file, download the file at support.asus.com and save it to a USB flash drive.

  • Page 50: 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 file for this motherboard.

  • Page 51: Navigation Keys

    • The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter 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. 2.2.3 Navigation keys At the bottom right corner of a menu screen are the navigation keys for that particular menu.

  • Page 52: Main Menu

    Selects the type of IDE drive. Setting to [Auto] allows automatic selection of the appropriate IDE device type. Select [CDROM] if you are specifically configuring a CD-ROM drive. Select [ARMD] (ATAPI Removable Media Device) if your device is either a ZIP, LS-120, or MO drive. Configuration options: [Not Installed] [Auto] [CDROM] [ARMD] ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 53: Sata 1-5/Esata

    LBA/Large Mode [Auto] Enables or disables the LBA mode. Setting to [Auto] enables the LBA mode if the device supports this mode, and if the device was not previously formatted with LBA mode disabled. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] Block (Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto] Enables or disables data multi-sectors transfers.

  • Page 54: Sata Configuration

    This menu gives you an overview of the general system specifications. The BIOS automatically detects the items in this menu. BIOS Information Displays the auto-detected BIOS information. Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification. System Memory Displays the auto-detected system memory. ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 55: Advanced Menu

    Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Be cautious when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit JumperFree Configuration Adjust System...
  • Page 56 Configuration options: [Auto] [3 CLK] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [7 CLK DH_Only] TRCD [Auto] Configuration options: [3 CLK] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [Auto] TRP [Auto] Configuration options: [3 CLK] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [Auto] 2-10 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...
  • Page 57 tRTP [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2-4 CLK] [3-5 CLK] TRAS [Auto] Configuration options: [5 CLK] [6 CLK] – [17 CLK] [18 CLK] [Auto] TRC [Auto] Configuration options: [11 CLK] [12 CLK] – [25 CLK] [26 CLK] [Auto] tWR [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [3 CLK] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] TRRD [Auto] Configuration options: [2 CLK] [3 CLK] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [Auto] tWTR [Auto]...

  • Page 58: Cpu Configuration

    Microcode Updation [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the microcode updation. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Secure Virtual Machine Mode [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the AMD Secure Virtual Machine mode (SVM). Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-12 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 59: Chipset

    Cool ’n’ Quiet [Enabled] Enables or disables the AMD Cool’n’Quiet function. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] CPU Prefetching [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable CPU prefetching. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] C1E Configuration [Auto] Allows you to enable or disable the Enhanced Halt State support. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] 2.4.3 Chipset...

  • Page 60: Ecc Configuration

    Configuration options: [Auto] [32MB] [64MB] [128MB] [256MB] [512MB] Surround View [Auto] If you set the PCI Express device as the primary display and enable this item, you may use the internal graphics as the secondary display. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] 2-14 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 61: Onboard Devices Configuration

    CPU Spread Spectrum [Enabled] Set to [Disabled] to enhance FSB overclocking ability or [Enabled] for EMI control. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] PCIE Spread Spectrum [Enabled] Set to [Disabled] to enhance PCIE overclocking ability or [Enabled] for EMI control. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration HD Audio Controller [Enabled]...

  • Page 62: Power Menu

    In S3 sleep state, the system appears to be off and consumes less power than in the S1 state. When signaled by a wake-up device or event, the system resumes to its working state exactly where it was left off. [Auto] - Detected by OS. 2-16 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 63: Acpi 2.0 Support [Disabled]

    2.5.2 ACPI 2.0 Support [Disabled] Allows you to add more tables for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) 2.0 specifications. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support in the Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

  • Page 64: Boot Menu

    The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the submenu. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Boot Settings Specifies the Boot Device Priority Boot Device Priority sequence. Boot Settings Configuration A virtual floppy disk Security drive (Floppy Drive B: ) may appear when you set the CD-ROM drive as the first boot device. ←→ Select Screen ↑↓ Select Item Enter Go to Sub Screen F1 General Help F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit v02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2009, American Megatrends, Inc. 2-18 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 65: Boot Device Priority

    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 66: Change User Password

    Password Check [Setup] When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the Setup utility. When set to [Always], BIOS checks for user password both when accessing Setup and booting the system. Configuration options: [Setup] [Always] 2-20 ASUS M4A78-HTPC...

  • Page 67: Tools Menu

    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 68: 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-HTPC...

This manual is also suitable for:

M4a78-htpc series

Table of Contents