Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel
Related Manuals for BCM RX945GC
Summary of Contents for BCM RX945GC
- Page 1 Micro-ATX RX945GC Intel® 65nm Core™ 2 Duo (E4xxx Series) / Pentium® Dual Core (E2xxx Series) / Pentium® 4 (6x1 Series) / Pentium® D (9xx Series) w/ 533/800MHz FSB User’s Manual First Edition – May 2008...
- Page 2 For detailed information, please always refer to the electronic user's manual. Copyright Notice Copyright © 2008 BCM Advanced Research, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this document may be reproduced, copied, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior written permission of the original manufacturer.
- Page 3 BCM has come to be known. Your satisfaction is our primary concern. Here is a guide to BCM customer services. To...
- Page 4 Our dealers are well trained and ready to give you the support you need to get the most from your BCM products. In fact, most problems reported are minor and are able to be easily solved over the phone.
- Page 5 If any of BCM products is defective, it will be repaired or replaced at no charge during the warranty period. For out-of-warranty repairs, you will be billed according to the cost of replacement materials, service time, and freight.
- Page 6 This manual describes in detail the BCM RX945GC Main board. We strongly recommend that you study this manual carefully before attempting to interface with RX945GC or change the standard configurations. Whilst all the necessary information is available in this manual we would recommend that unless you are confident, you contact your supplier for guidance.
- Page 7 Document Amendment History Revision Date Comment May, 2008 W.H. Initial Release...
-
Page 8: Table Of Contents
Contents Chapter 1: System Setup ....................Welcome! ............................12 Packing Contents..........................12 Special Features ...........................13 1.3.1 Product Highlights.........................13 Before you proceed........................14 Mainboard Overview ........................15 1.5.1 Placement direction ........................15 1.5.2 Screw Holes ..........................15 1.5.3 Mainboard Layout .........................16 Central Processing Unit (CPU) .....................17 1.6.1 Installing the CPU .........................18 1.6.2 Installing the CPU Heatsink and fan .....................20... - Page 9 1.11 Jumpers ............................37 1.11.1 Clear CMOS Jumpers: JP1......................37 1.11.2 The Header: J35 ...........................37 1.12 The Expansion Slots ........................38 1.12.1 Installation of expansion card .......................38 1.12.2 Setup an expansion card ......................38 1.12.3 PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Express Slot ..............38 1.12.3.1 ......................39 PCI-E x16 Slot: PCIE_16 1.12.3.2 PCI-E x1 Slot: J18.........................39 1.12.4...
- Page 10 Mainboard Specifications Model RX945GC Processor Intel® 65nm Socket 775 Core 2 Duo (E4xxx Series)/ Pentium® Dual Core (E2xxx Series)/ Pentium® 4 (6x1 Series)/ Pentium® D (9xx Series) Supports CPU FSB 800/533MHz North Bridge Intel® 945GC DDR2 400/533/667 SDRAM Memory * Supports DDR2 400 (PC2-3200), DDR2 533 (PC2-4200), DDR2 667 (PC2-5300) memory modules up to 4GB max.
- Page 11 Onboard I/O Headers 1 x IDE Connector SATA 4 x Std. SATA Connectors 2 x USB Headers (4 ports on headers) RS232 1 x Header CD-IN 1 x Header Front Audio 1 x Header Front Panel 1 x Headers Fan Header 3 x Headers Chassis Intrusion Header 1 x Header...
-
Page 12: Chapter 1: System Setup
The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another line of BCM long life motherboards! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below. -
Page 13: Special Features
1.3 Special Features 1.3.1 Product Highlights Intel® 945GC Express Chipset The Intel® 945GC Express Chipset provides all business with more effective costs management, safer computing environment, and deploys more responsive PCs. It features the integrated GMA950 graphics engine, which provides 400MHz 24-bit RAMDAC, 2D, 3D graphics, SW DVD @ 30fps (full screen). DDR2 Memory Support The mainboard supports DDR2 memory that features data transfer rates of 667/533/400MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. -
Page 14: Before You Proceed
1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to avoid damaging them due to static electricity •... -
Page 15: Mainboard Overview
1.5 Mainboard Overview Before you install the mainboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it. Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the mainboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage mainboard components. 1.5.1 Placement direction When installing the mainboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. -
Page 16: Mainboard Layout
1.5.3 Mainboard Layout... -
Page 17: Central Processing Unit (Cpu)
PnP cap/socket pins/motherboard components. BCM will shoulder the cost of repair only, if the damage is shipment/ transit-related. • Keep the PnP cap after installing the mainboard. BCM will process Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the mainboard comes with the cap on the LGA775 socket. -
Page 18: Installing The Cpu
1.6.1 Installing the CPU To install a CPU 1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard 2. Press the load lever with your thumb (A) and move it to the left (B) until it is released from the retention tab. To prevent damage to the socket pins, do not remove the PnP cap unless you have installed the CPU. - Page 19 4. Lift the load plate with your thumb and forefinger to a 100° angle (A), then push the PnP cap from the load plate window to remove (B). 5. Position the CPU over the socket, making sure the gold triangle is on the bottom-left corner of the socket.
-
Page 20: Installing The Cpu Heatsink And Fan
1.6.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan The Intel® LGA775 processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance. • When you buy a boxed Intel® processor, the package includes the CPU fan and heatsink assembly. - Page 21 Push down two fasteners at a time in a diagonal sequence to secure the heatsink and fan assembly in place 3. Connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPUFAN. Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to plug in this connector.
-
Page 22: Uninstalling The Cpu Heatsink And Fan
1.6.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan. To uninstall the CPU heatsink and fan: 1. Disconnect the CPU fan cable from the connector on the motherboard. 2. Rotate each fastener counterclockwise. 3. Pull up two fasteners at a time in a diagonal sequence to disengage the heatsink and fan assembly from the mainboard. - Page 23 4. Rotate each fastener clockwise to ensure correct orientation when reinstalling. The narrow end of the groove should point outward after resetting. (The photo shows the groove shaded for emphasis.)
-
Page 24: System Memroy
1.7 System Memory 1.7.1 Overview The mainboard comes with two 240-pin DDR2 Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. You may use 667MHz (PC2-5300), 533MHz (PC-4200), or 400MHz (PC2-3200); Non-ECC, Un-buffered 1.8V DDR2 memory modules on this board (2GB maximum for each slot). If there is only one memory module is installed (single-channel mode), be sure the memory module is installed on the solt “DIMM-1”... -
Page 25: Installing Dimm
1.7.3 Installing DIMM Make sure to unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMS or other system components. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to both the mainboard and the components. 1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward. 2. - Page 26 3. DDR2 memory modules are not interchangeable with DDR and is DDR2 standard is not backward compatible. You shall always install DDR2 memory modules in the DDR2 memory slots. 4. To enable the system boot-up successfully, always inset the memory module into the DMM_A1 slot first.
-
Page 27: Removing A Dimm
1.7.4 Removing a DIMM Follow these steps to remove a DIMM. 1. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to unlock the DIMM. 2. Remove the DIMM from the socket. -
Page 28: Power Supply
1.8 Power Supply 1.8.1 ATX 24-pin Power Connector: ATX-POWER This connector connects to an ATX 24-pin connector from power supply unit (PSU). To connect the ATX 24-pin power connector, make sure the 24-pin power connector from PSU is inserted in the proper orientation and the pins are aligned. - Page 29 1. For a fully configured system, we recommend that you use a power supply unit (PSU) that complies with ATX 12 V specification 2.0 (or later version) and provides a minimum power of 350W. 2. Do not forget to connect the 4-pin “ATX-POWER-4P” power plug; otherwise, the system will not boot.
-
Page 30: Back Panel
1.9 Back Panel • Mouse/Keyboard Connector The standard PS/2 ® mouse/ keyboard DIN connector is for a PS/2® mouse/ keyboard. • USB Port The USB (Universal Serial Bus) port is for attaching USB devices such as keyboard, mouse, or other USB compatible devices. - Page 31 • Audio Ports These audio connectors are used for audio devices. You can differentiate the color of the audio jacks for different audio sound effects. ▪ Line-In (Blue color): is used for external CD player, tape player or other audio devices. ▪...
-
Page 32: Connectors/Headers
1.10 Connectors/ Headers 1.10.1 IDE Connector: ATA-HDD This connector supports IDE hard disk drives, optical disk drives and other IDE devices. If you install two IDE devices on the same cable, you must configure the drives separately to master/ slave mode by setting jumpers. Refer to IDE device vendor’s documentation for jumper setting instructions. -
Page 33: Fan Power Connector: Cpu-Fan, Sfan-1, Sfan-2
1.10.3 Fan Power Connectors: CPU-FAN, SFAN-1, SFAN-2 The fan power connectors support system cooling fan with +12V. When connecting the wire to these fan connectors, please note that the red wire is designated as “Power” and should be connected to “+12V” pin; the black wire is designated as “Ground”... -
Page 34: Front Panel Audio Connector: Front-Audio (J6)
1.10.6 Front Panel Audio Connector: FRONT-AUDIO (J6) This connector allows you to connect the front panel audio and is compliant with Intel® Front Panel I/O Connectivity Design Guide. 1.10.7 Front USB Connectors: FRONT USB-1, FRONT USB-2 This connector is compliant with Intel® I/O Connectivity Design Guide, which is ideal for connecting high-speed USB peripherals such as USB HDD, USB digital cameras, USB MP3 players, USB printers, etc. -
Page 35: Serial Port Connector: Com-1
1.10.8 Serial Port Connector: COM-1 This connector is a 16550A high speed communication port that sends/receives 16 byte FIFOs. -
Page 36: Front Panel Connector: Front Panel (J34)
1.10.9 Front Panel Connectors: FRONT PANEL (J34) These connectors are for electrical connections to the front panel switches and LEDs. Signal Description HD_LED+ HD LED+ PWR/SLPLED+ Power LED+ HD_LED- HD LED- PWR/SLPLED- Power LED- RST_SW ResetSwitch PWR_SW PowerSwitch RST_SW ResetWitch PWR_SW PowerSwitch IrDA... -
Page 37: Jumpers
1.11 Jumpers 1.11.1 Clear CMOS Jumper: JP1 There is a CMOS RAM onboard that has a power supply from an external battery to keep the data of system configuration. For normal state (default), the jumper is set on pin location 1 and 2. To clear the CMOS, set the jumper to pin location 2 and 3 for at least 30 seconds while the system is off. -
Page 38: The Expansion Slots
1.12 The Expansion Slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the expansion slots and the expansion cards that they support. Make sure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage mainrboard components. -
Page 39: Pci-E X16 Slot: Pcie_16
1.12.3.1 PCI-E x 16 Slot: PCIE_16 This slot supports PCI-E x16 graphic cards or ADD2-DVI cards. 1.12.3.2 PCI-E x1 Slot: This slot supports PCI-E x1 cards. 1.12.4 PCI Slots: PCI-1, PCI-2 The PCI slot supports LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other add-on cards that comply with PCI specifications. -
Page 40: Chapter 2: Starting Up The System
Chapter 2: Starting Up the System 2.1 Starting Up Your System After all connections are made, close your computer case cover. Be sure all the switches are off, and check that the power supply input voltage is set to the local voltage, usually in-put voltage is 220V∼240V or 110V∼120V depending on your country’s voltage used. - Page 41 “Shut down” and then click “Shut down the computer” The power supply should turn off after windows shut down.
-
Page 42: Chapter 3: Bios Setup
Chapter 3: BIOS Setup 3.1 Introducing BIOS The BIOS is a program located on a Flash Memory on the motherboard. This program is a bridge between motherboard and operating system. When you start the computer, the BIOS program gains control. The BIOS first operates an auto-diagnostic test called POST (power on self test) for all the necessary hardware, it detects the entire hardware device and configures the parameters of the hardware synchronization. -
Page 43: Getting Help
3.3 Getting Help Main Menu The main menu lists the setup functions you can make changes to. You can use the arrow keys to select the item. The on-line description of the highlighted setup function is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Sub- Menu If you find a right pointer symbol (as shown in the picture below) appears to the left of certain fields that means a sub-menu can be launched from this field. -
Page 44: The Main Menu
3.4 The Main Menu Once you enter the Award ® BIOS CMOS Setup Utility, the Main Menu will appear on the screen. The Main Menu allows you to select from fourteen setup functions and two exit choices. Use arrow keys to select among the items and press <Enter>... -
Page 45: Standard Cmos Features
3.5 Standard CMOS Features The items in Standard CMOS Setup Menu are divided into several categories. Use the arrow keys to highlight the item and then use the <PgUp> or <PgDn> keys to select the value you want in each item. Date The date format is <day><month><date><year>. - Page 46 Press PgUp/<+> or PgDn/<–> to select Manual, None, Auto type. Note that the specifications of your drive must match with the drive table. The hard disk will not work properly if you enter improper information for this category. If your hard disk drive type is not matched or listed, you can use Manual to define your own drive type manually.
- Page 47 All, But Keyboard POST stops for all errors except keyboard errors.
-
Page 48: Advanced Bios Features
3.6 Advanced BIOS Features CPU Feature See 3.6.1. Hard Disk Boot Priority See 3.6.2. Logo Image Select a logo to be shown during bootup. Virus Warning Allow you to enabled or disabled boot sector overwrite protection Quick Power On Self Test Select Enabled to reduce the amount of test ran during power-on self-test (POST). - Page 49 First/Second/Third Boot Device Selects order for boot devices Boot Other Device If enabled, the BIOS will check for unlisted boot devices after it has failed to boot from the three listed boot devices. Boot Up NumLock Status Controls the state of the NumLock key when the system boots. Gate A20 Option Refers to the way the system addresses memory above 1 MB (extended memory).
-
Page 50: Cpu Feature
3.6.1 CPU Feature Delay Prior to Thermal Some Intel processors have a function called Thermal Control Circuit (TCC) to prevent overheating of the CPU. When TCC is activated, the CPU idles about 50-70% of the time to cool down the processor. During bootup, the CPU will typically heat up during heavy load, and it is not desired to trigger the TCC too early because it will reduce performance. -
Page 51: Hard Disk Boot Priority
3.6.2 Hard Disk Boot Priority Hard Disk Boot Priority Use arrow key to select a device, and <Pg Up>/<Pg Down> to change . -
Page 52: Advanced Chipset Features
3.7 Advanced Chipset Features DRAM Timing Selectable Control the DRAM timing manually by the SPD (EEPROM on the RAM module). DRAM RAS# To CAS# Delay This field allow you to insert a timing delay between the CAS and RAS strobe. Avalable choices: 2 or 3. DRAM RAS# Precharge Select the number of CPU clocks allocated for the RAS# signal to accumulate its charge before the DRAM is refreshed. - Page 53 System BIOS Cacheable This option allow you to Enable or Disable the system BIOS to be cache to DRAM. Available choice: Enabled or Disabled. Video BIOS Cacheable: This Option Allow you to Enable or Disable the video BIOS to be cache to DRAM. Available choice: Enabled or Disabled.
-
Page 54: Integrated Peripherals
3.8 Integrated Peripherals... -
Page 55: Onchip Ide Device
3.8.1 OnChip IDE Device IDE HDD Block Mode Block mode is also called block transfer, multiple commands, or multiple sector read/write. If your IDE hard drive supports block mode (most new drives do), select Enabled for automatic detection of the optimal number of block read/writes per sector the drive can support. - Page 56 Selects the PIO mode for Primary IDE Slave. Avalable options are: Auto, Mode 0, Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3 or Mode 4. IDE Primary Master UDMA Enables UDMA detection for Primary IDE Master. Available options are: Auto or Disabled. IDE Primary Slave UDMA Enables UDMA detection for Primary IDE Slave.
-
Page 57: Onboard Device
3.8.2 Onboard Device USB Controller This option allows you to Enabled or Disabled the onboard USB controller. Available choices: Enabled or Disabled. USB 2.0 Controller This option allows you to Enabled or Disabled onboard USB 2.0 or 1.1 only. Available choice: Enabled or Disabled. - Page 58 Azalia/ AC97 Audio Select This option allows you to use the HD audio (Azalia). Available choice: Auto or Disabled.
-
Page 59: Superio Device
3.8.3 SuperIO Device Power Up By PS/2 Device Enables the system to be turned on through PS/2 keyboard or mouse. Hot Key Select Sets the Hot Key to turn on the system. Onboard Serial Port 1/2 Select an address and corresponding interrupt for the first and the second serial ports. Available settings are: 3F8/IRQ4, 2E8/IRQ3, 3E8/IRQ4, 2F8/IRQ3, Disabled, Auto. - Page 60 Onboard Parallel Port: There is a built-in parallel port on the on-board Super I/O chipset that provides Standard, ECP, and EPP features. It has the following option: Disabled Line Printer port 0 (3BCH/IRQ7)/ Line Printer port 2 (278H/IRQ5)/ Line Printer port 1 (378H/IRQ7) Parallel Port Mode SPP : Standard Parallel Port...
-
Page 61: Power Management Setup
3.9 Power Management Setup PCI Express PM Function See Section 3.9.1 ACPI Function Enables or disables the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). ACPI Suspend Type This option allows you to select ACPI suspend mode. Available choice: S1, S3 or S1 & S3. Power Management This option allows you to select the type (or degree) of power saving for the Suspend mode. - Page 62 Video Off Method Determines the manner in which the monitor is blanked. Blank Screen System: only writes blanks to the video buffer. V/H SYNC+Blank: System turns off vertical and horizontal synchronization ports and writes blanks to the video buffer. DPMS: Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS) mode uses the software supplied for your video subsystem to select video power management values.
- Page 63 Power On by Ring An input signal on the Ring Indicator (RI) line (such as a modem) that awakens the system from the off state. Resume by Alarm This function is for setting date and time for your computer to boot up. During Disabled, you cannot use this function.
- Page 64 should be adjusted to max speed when the CPU gets too hot. For example, if the “lo-limit” was set at 35ºC, “PWM start” at 30%, “PWM gradient” at 1.56%, and “hi-limit” at 65ºC, then the fan will initially be at 30% duty cycle. At each degree of temperature increase, the fan will increase 1.56% duty cycle.
-
Page 65: Pnp/Pci Configurations
3.10 PnP/PCI Configurations PCI Express Configuration See Section 3.10.1. Primary Video Device This item allows you to select which display will have priority. To use a PCI video card as the primary display, select “PCI GFX”. Available choice: PCI GFX, i945G or PCIe GFX. Resource Controlled By: The Award Plug and Play BIOS has the capacity to automatically configure all of the boot and Plug and Play compatible devices. - Page 66 IRQ Resources: When resources are controlled manually, assign each system interrupt a type, depending on the type of device using the interrupt. PCI/VGA Palette Snoop: Leave this field at Disabled. The settings are Enabled, Disabled.
-
Page 67: Pci Express Configuration
3.10.1 PCI Express Configuration PCI Express x1 Slot Controls whether the PCIe x1 slot is Enabled, Disabled, or Auto-detected. ROM on PCIe x1 Slot Enables or disables the device’s ROM on the PCIe x1 slot. Onboard PCIe Lan1 Enables or disables PCIe LAN device (82573L). Onboard PCIe Lan1 BootROM Enables or disables the BootROM (PXE) from the PCIe LAN device (82573L). -
Page 68: Pc Health Status
3.11 PC Health Status CPU Shutdown Temperature This item allows user to setup the CPU shutdown temperature. Chassis Intruder Detect Enable/Disable the Chassis Intruder Detection. Once enabled (also need to setup the chassis wiring to J20) and if chassis is opened, the system will prompted with a warning message during system post “Warning! A Computer Chassis Intruder Event has been logged”. -
Page 69: Frequency/Voltage Control
3.12 Frequency/Voltage Control Auto Detect PCI Clk When Enabled, this feature turns off the PCI clock when there is no activity on the PCI device. This is commonly used to reduce EMI. Spread Spectrum Spreads the energy of a single frequency over a wide band of frequencies to remove spikes. This is commonly used to reduce EMI. -
Page 70: Load Manufacturer Settings
3.13 Load Manufacturer Settings Load Fail-Safe Defaults: When you press <Enter> on this item, you get a confirmation dialog box with a message similar to: Restore Fail-Safe Settings (Y/N)? N Pressing <Y> loads the default values that are factory settings for optimal performance system operations. Load Optimized Defaults (RECOMMENDED FOR REGULAR OPERATIONS): When you press <Enter>... -
Page 71: Set Supervisor Password/ User Password
3.14 Set Supervisor Password/ User Password You can set either supervisor or user password, or both of them. The differences are: Can only enter but do not have the right to change the options of the setup User password: menus. When you select this function, the following message will appear at the center of the screen to assist you in creating a password. -
Page 72: Exit
3.15 Exit Save & Exit Setup System will save the changes set by the user under the CMOS and restart the system. Exit Without Saving System will restart without saving any changes.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the RX945GC and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers