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ASROCK FM2A88X+ BTC User Manual

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Summary of Contents for ASROCK FM2A88X+ BTC

  • Page 1 FM2A88X+ BTC FM2A88X+ BTC User Manual...

  • Page 2: Copyright Notice

    (including damages for loss of profits, loss of business, loss of data, interruption of business and the like), even if ASRock has been advised of the possibility of such damages arising from any defect or error in the documentation or product.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. Introduction Package Contents Specifications Unique Features Motherboard Layout I/O Panel 2. Installation CPU Installation Installation of CPU Fan and Heatsink Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM) Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) Jumpers Setup Onboard Headers and Connectors CrossFireX and Quad CrossFireX Operation Guide 26...
  • Page 4 4.4.1 CPU Configuration 4.4.2 North Bridge Configuration 4.4.3 South Bridge Configuration 4.4.4 Storage Configuration 4.4.5 Super IO Configuration 4.4.6 ACPI Configuration 4.4.7 USB Configuration Tool Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen Boot Screen Security Screen Exit Screen...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    In case any modifications of this manual occur, the updated ver- sion will be available on ASRock website without further notice. You may find the latest VGA cards and CPU support lists on ASRock website as well. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com...

  • Page 6: Specifications

    1.2 Specifications Platform • ATX Form Factor • All Solid Capacitor design • High Density Glass Fabric PCB • Supports Socket FM2+ 95W / FM2 100W processors • 4 + 2 Power Phase design Chipset • AMD A88X (Bolton-D4) Memory •...
  • Page 7 • 1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port • 1 x D-Sub Port • 1 x DVI-D Port • 4 x USB 2.0 Ports (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) • 2 x USB 3.0 Ports (AMD A88X (Bolton-D4)) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protection)) •...
  • Page 8 • 1 x Front Panel Audio Connector • 1 x USB Power Jumper (Ultra USB Power) • 2 x USB 2.0 Headers (Support 4 USB 2.0 ports) (Supports ESD Protection (ASRock Full Spike Protec- tion)) • 1 x USB 3.0 Header by AMD A88X (Bolton-D4) (Sup- ports 2 USB 3.0 ports) (Supports ESD Protection (AS-...
  • Page 9 ® ® under Windows 8.1 / 8 / 7. For Windows 64-bit OS with 64- bit CPU, there is no such limitation. You can use ASRock XFast ® RAM to utilize the memory that Windows cannot use. Wake-On-WAN allows you to wake up this system from remote mobile devices, such as smart phones, tables, or other PCs.

  • Page 10: Unique Features

    You can setup the BIOS more conveniently now. ASRock Instant Boot ASRock Instant Boot allows you to turn on your PC in just a few seconds, provides a much more efficient way to save energy, time, money, and improves system running speed for your sys- tem.
  • Page 11 Real-Time Analysis of Your Data: With the status window, you can easily recognize which data streams you are transferring currently. ASRock XFast RAM ASRock XFast RAM is included in A-Tuning. It fully utilizes the ® memory space that cannot be used under Windows 32-bit operating systems.
  • Page 12 S4/S5 state. ASRock Easy RAID Installer ASRock Easy RAID Installer can help you to copy the RAID driver from a support CD to your USB storage device. After copying the RAID driver to your USB storage device, please change “SATA Mode”...
  • Page 13 UEFI setup. AS- Rock Restart to UEFI technology is designed for those requiring frequent UEFI access. It is included in ASRock’s exclusive all- in-one A-Tuning tuning program that allows users to easily enter the UEFI automatically when turning on the PC next time.
  • Page 14 ASRock Good Night LED ASRock Good Night LED technology offers you a better sleep- ing environment by extinguishing the unessential LEDs. By enabling Good Night LED in the BIOS, the LAN/Power/HDD LEDs will be switched off when the system is powered on.

  • Page 15: Motherboard Layout

    FM2A88X+ BTC 1.4 Motherboard Layout USB01_PWR1 CPU_FAN2 CPU_FAN1 ATX12V1 USB 2.0 T: USB0 B: USB1 USB 3.0 T: USB2 B: USB3 USB 2.0 PCIE_PWR1 T: USB4 B: USB5 CHA_FAN1 PWR_FAN1 PCIE1 CMOS BATTERY PCIE2 64Mb FM2A88X+ BTC BIOS CHA_FAN2 PCIE3 PCIE4 PCI Express 3.0...
  • Page 16 No. Description ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V1) CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN1) CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN2) 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM Slots (DDR3_A1, DDR3_B1) 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM Slots (DDR3_A2, DDR3_B2) ATX Power Connector (ATXPWR1) USB 3.0 Header (USB3_2_3) Chassis Fan Connector (CHA_FAN2) SATA3 Connectors (SATA_7_8) 10 SATA3 Connectors (SATA_5_6) SATA3 Connectors (SATA_3_4)

  • Page 17: I/O Panel

    FM2A88X+ BTC 1.5 I/O Panel No. Description No. Description PS/2 Mouse Port (Green) USB 3.0 Ports (USB23) LAN RJ-45 Port* D-Sub Port (VGA1) Line In (Light Blue) DVI-D Port (DVI1) Front Speaker (Lime) USB 2.0 Ports (USB01) Microphone (Pink) PS/2 Keyboard Port (Purple) USB 2.0 Ports (USB45)

  • Page 18: Installation

    2. Installation This is an ATX form factor motherboard. Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it. Pre-installation Precautions Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.

  • Page 19: Cpu Installation

    FM2A88X+ BTC 2.1 CPU Installation 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.

  • Page 20: Installation Of Cpu Fan And Heatsink

    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.

  • Page 21: Installation Of Memory Modules (Dimm)

    FM2A88X+ BTC 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. 1. For dual channel configuration, you always need to install identical (the same brand, speed, size and chip-type) DDR3 DIMM pairs.

  • Page 23: Expansion Slots (Pci And Pci Express Slots)

    FM2A88X+ BTC 2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) There are 2 PCI slots and 5 PCI Express slots on this motherboard. Before installing an expansion card, please make sure that the power supply is switched off or the power cord is unplugged. Please read the documenta- tion of the expansion card and make necessary hardware settings for the card before you start the installation.

  • Page 24: Jumpers Setup

    2.5 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”...

  • Page 25: Onboard Headers And Connectors

    FM2A88X+ BTC 2.6 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...

  • Page 26: Front Panel Audio Header

    Front Panel Audio Header This is an interface for the front PRESENCE# panel audio cable that allows (9-pin HD_AUDIO1) MIC_RET OUT_RET convenient connection and (see p.11 No. 21) control of audio devices. OUT2_L J_SENSE OUT2_R MIC2_R MIC2_L 1. High Definition Audio supports Jack Sensing, but the panel wire on the chassis must support HDA to function correctly.
  • Page 27 FM2A88X+ BTC 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).
  • Page 28 (3-pin PWR_FAN1) (see p.11 No. 22) CPU Fan Connector Please connect the CPU fan FAN_SPEED_CONTROL cable to the connector and (4-pin CPU_FAN1) CPU_FAN_SPEED +12V match the black wire to the (see p.11 No. 2) ground pin. 1 2 3 4 +12V CPU_FAN_SPEED (3-pin CPU_FAN2)
  • Page 29 FM2A88X+ BTC ATX 12V Power Connector Please connect an ATX 12V power supply to this connector. (8-pin ATX12V1) (see p.11 No. 1) 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.

  • Page 30: Crossfirex Tm And Quad Crossfirex Tm Operation Guide

    2.7 CrossFireX and Quad CrossFireX Operation Guide This motherboard supports CrossFireX and Quad CrossFireX that allows you to install up to two identical PCI Express x16 graphics cards. Currently ® CrossFireX and Quad CrossFireX are supported with Windows 7 / 7 64-bit / 8 / 8 64-bit / 8.1 / 8.1 64-bit OS.
  • Page 31 FM2A88X+ BTC Step 3 Connect a VGA cable or a DVI cable to the monitor connector or the DVI connector of the graphics card that is inserted to PCIE4 slot.

  • Page 32: Driver Installation And Setup

    2.7.2 Driver Installation and Setup Step 1 Power on your computer and boot into OS. Step 2 Remove the AMD drivers if you have any VGA drivers installed in your system. The Catalyst Uninstaller is an optional download. We recommend using this utility to uninstall any previously installed Catalyst drivers prior to installation.

  • Page 33: Amd Dual Graphics Operation Guide

    FM2A88X+ BTC 2.8 AMD Dual Graphics Operation Guide This motherboard supports AMD Dual Graphics feature. AMD Dual Graphics brings multi-GPU performance capabilities by enabling an AMD A88X (Bolton-D4) integrated graphics processor and a discrete graphics processor to operate simultaneously with combined output to a single display for blisteringly-fast frame ®...
  • Page 34 Step 7. You can also click “AMD VISION Engine Control Center” on your ® Windows taskbar to enter AMD VISION Engine Control Center. AMD VISION Engine Control Center Step 8. In AMD VISION Engine Control Center, please choose “Performance”. Click “AMD CrossFire ”.

  • Page 35: Software And Utilities Operation

    FM2A88X+ BTC 3. Software and Utilities Operation 3.1 Installing Drivers The Support CD that comes with the motherboard contains necessary drivers and useful utilities that enhance the motherboard’s features. Running The Support CD To begin using the support CD, insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.

  • Page 36: Using A-Tuning

    Good Night LED, FAN-Tastic Tuning, OC Tweaker and a whole lot more. 3.2.1 Installing A-Tuning When you install the all-in-one driver to your system from ASRock’s support CD, A-Tuning will be auto-installed as well. After the installation, you will find the icon “A-Tuning“...

  • Page 37: Fast Boot

    FM2A88X+ BTC Tools Various tools and utilities. XFast RAM Boost the system’s performance and extend the HDD’s or SDD’s lifespan! Create a hidden partition, then assign which files should be stored in the RAM drive. Fast Boot Fast Boot minimizes your computer's boot time. Please note that Ultra Fast mode is only supported by Windows 8 and the VBIOS must support UEFI GOP if you are using an external graphics card.

  • Page 38: System Info

    FAN-Tastic Tuning Configure up to five different fan speeds using the graph. The fans will automatically shift to the next speed level when the assigned temperature is met. Dehumidifier Prevent motherboard damages due to dampness. Enable this function and configure the period of time until the computer powers on, and the duration of the dehumidifying process.
  • Page 39 FM2A88X+ BTC Tech Service Contact Tech Service.
  • Page 40 3.3.1 Installing Start8 Install Start8, which is located in the folder at the following path of the Sup- port CD: \ ASRock Utility > Start8. 3.3.2 Configuring Start8 Style Select between the Windows 7 style and Windows 8 style Start Menu. Then...
  • Page 41 FM2A88X+ BTC Configure Configure provides configuration options, including icon sizes, which shortcuts you want Start Menu to display, quick access to recently used apps, the functionality of the power button, and more. Control...
  • Page 42 Control lets you configure what a click on the start button or a press on the Windows key does. Desktop Desktop allows you to disable the hot corners when you are working on the desktop. It also lets you choose whether or not the system boots directly into desktop mode and bypass the Metro user interface.

  • Page 43: Uefi Setup Utility

    4. UEFI SETUP UTILITY 4.1 Introduction ASRock Interactive UEFI is a blend of system configuration tools, cool sound ef- fects and stunning visuals. Not only will it make BIOS setup less difficult but also a lot more amusing. This section explains how to use the UEFI SETUP UTILITY to configure your system.

  • Page 44: Navigation Keys

    4.1.2 Navigation Keys Please check the following table for the function description of each navigation key. Navigation Key(s) Function Description Moves cursor left or right to select Screens Moves cursor up or down to select items + / - To change option for the selected items <Tab>...

  • Page 45: Oc Tweaker Screen

    FM2A88X+ BTC 4.3 OC Tweaker Screen In the OC Tweaker screen, you can set up overclocking features. CPU Configuration Overclock Mode Use this to select Overclock Mode. Configuration options: [Auto] and [Manual]. The default value is [Auto]. Spread Spectrum This item should always be [Auto] for better system stability.
  • Page 46 CPU Load-line Calibration CPU Load-line Calibration helps prevent APU voltage droop when the system is under heavy load. NB Load-line Calibration NB Load-line Calibration helps prevent NB voltage droop when the system is under heavy load. GFX Engine Clock Use this to adjust GFX Engine Clock. The default value is [Auto]. DRAM Timing Configuration Load XMP Setting Load XMP settings to overclock the DDR3 memory and perform beyond...
  • Page 47 FM2A88X+ BTC DRAM Timing Control DRAM Slot Use this item to view SPD data. DRAM Timing Control Use this item to control DRAM timing. Power Down Enable Use this item to enable or disable DDR power down mode. Bank Interleaving Interleaving allows memory accesses to be spread out over banks on the same node, or accross nodes, decreasing access contention.

  • Page 48: Advanced Screen

    4.4 Advanced Screen In this section, you may set the configurations for the following items: CPU Configu- ration, Nouth Bridge Configuration, South Bridge Configuration, Storage Configura- tion, Super IO Configuration, ACPI Configuration and USB Configuration. Setting wrong values in this section may cause the system to malfunction.

  • Page 49: Cpu Configuration

    FM2A88X+ BTC 4.4.1 CPU Configuration Core C6 Mode Use this item to enable or disable Core C6 mode. The default value is [Enabled]. Cool ‘n’ Quiet Use this item to enable or disable AMD’s Cool ‘n’ Quiet technology. The default value is [Enabled]. Configuration options: [Enabled] and [Disabled].

  • Page 50: North Bridge Configuration

    4.4.2 North Bridge Configuration IOMMU This allows you to enable or disable IOMMU support. Primary Graphics Adapter This item will switch the PCI Bus scanning order while searching for video card. It allows you to select the type of Primary VGA in case of multiple video controllers.

  • Page 51: South Bridge Configuration

    FM2A88X+ BTC 4.4.3 South Bridge Configuration Onboard HD Audio Select [Auto], [Enabled] or [Disabled] for the onboard HD Audio feature. If you select [Auto], the onboard HD Audio will be disabled when PCI Sound Card is plugged. Front Panel Select [Auto] or [Disabled] for the onboard HD Audio Front Panel.

  • Page 52: Storage Configuration

    4.4.4 Storage Configuration SATA Controller Use this item to enable or disable the “SATA Controller” feature. SATA Mode Use this item to adjust SATA Mode. The default value of this option is [AHCI Mode]. Configuration options: [AHCI Mode], [RAID Mode] and [IDE Mode]. If you set this item to RAID mode, it is suggested to install SATA ODD driver on SATA_5, SATA_6, SATA_7 and SATA_8 ports.

  • Page 53: Super Io Configuration

    FM2A88X+ BTC 4.4.5 Super IO Configuration Serial Port Use this item to enable or disable the onboard serial port. Serial Port Address Use this item to set the address for the onboard serial port. Configuration options: [3F8h / IRQ4] and [3E8h / IRQ4].

  • Page 54: Acpi Configuration

    4.4.6 ACPI Configuration Suspend to RAM Use this item to select whether to auto-detect or disable the Suspend-to- RAM feature. Select [Auto] will enable this feature if the OS supports it. Check Ready Bit Enable to enter the operating system after S3 only when the hard disk is ready, this is recommended for better system stability.
  • Page 55 FM2A88X+ BTC USB Keyboard/Remote Power On Use this item to enable or disable USB Keyboard/Remote to power on the system. USB Mouse Power On Use this item to enable or disable USB Mouse to power on the system. ACPI HPET table Use this item to enable or disable ACPI HPET Table.

  • Page 56: Usb Configuration

    4.4.7 USB Configuration USB Controller Use this item to enable or disable the use of USB controller. A88X USB 3.0 Controller Use this item to enable or disable the use of USB 3.0 controller. Legacy USB Support Use this option to select legacy support for USB devices. There are four confi guration options: [Enabled], [Auto], [Disabled] and [UEFI Setup Only].

  • Page 57: Tool

    OMG, guest accounts without permission to modify the system time are required. UEFI Tech Service Contact ASRock Tech Service if you are having trouble with your PC. Please setup network configuration before using UEFI Tech Service. Easy RAID Installer Easy RAID Installer helps you to copy the RAID driver from the support CD to your USB storage device.
  • Page 58 UEFI Update Utility Instant Flash Instant Flash is a UEFI flash utility embedded in Flash ROM. This conve- nient UEFI update tool allows you to update system UEFI without entering ® operating systems first like MS-DOS or Windows . Just save the new UEFI file to your USB flash drive, floppy disk or hard drive and launch this tool, then you can update your UEFI only in a few clicks without prepar- ing an additional floppy diskette or other complicated flash utility.
  • Page 59 FM2A88X+ BTC Dehumidifier Function Users may prevent motherboard damages due to dampness by enabling “Dehumidifier Function”. When enabling Dehumidifier Function, the com- puter will power on automatically to dehumidify the system after entering S4/S5 state. Dehumidifier Period This allows users to configure the period of time until the computer powers on and enables “Dehumidifier”...

  • Page 60: Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen

    4.6 Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen In this section, it allows you to monitor the status of the hardware on your system, including the parameters of the CPU temperature, motherboard temperature, CPU fan speed, chassis fan speed, and the critical voltage. CPU Fan 1 Setting This allows you to set the CPU fan 1speed.

  • Page 61: Boot Screen

    FM2A88X+ BTC 4.7 Boot Screen In this section, it will display the available devices on your system for you to config- ure the boot settings and the boot priority. Fast Boot Fast Boot minimizes your computer’s boot time. There are three con- figuration options: [Disabled], [Fast] and [Ultra Fast].
  • Page 62 Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS] - The third-party ROM messages will be forced to display during the bootsequence. [Keep Current] - The third-party ROM messages will be displayed only if the third-partymanufacturer had set the add-on device to do so. Boot Failure Guard Enable or disable the feature of Boot Failure Guard.

  • Page 63: Security Screen

    FM2A88X+ BTC 4.8 Security Screen In this section, you may set or change the supervisor/user password for the system. For the user password, you may also clear it. Secure Boot ® Enable to support Windows 8 Secure Boot.

  • Page 64: Exit Screen

    4.9 Exit Screen Save Changes and Exit When you select this option, it will pop-out the following message, “Save configuration changes and exit setup?” Select [OK] to save the changes and exit the UEFI SETUP UTILITY. Discard Changes and Exit When you select this option, it will pop-out the following message, “Discard changes and exit setup?”...

  • Page 65: Contact Information

    FM2A88X+ BTC Contact Information If you need to contact ASRock or want to know more about ASRock, you’re welcome to visit ASRock’s website at http://www.asrock.com; or you may contact your dealer for further information. For technical questions, please submit a support request form at http://www.asrock.com/support/tsd.asp...

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