Asus A88X-GAMER Manual
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Asus A88X-GAMER Manual

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  • Page 1 A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 2 INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    My Favorites ................2-12 Main menu .................. 2-13 Ai Tweaker menu ................ 2-15 Advanced menu ................. 2-21 Monitor menu ................2-27 Boot menu .................. 2-31 Tool menu ................... 2-37 2.10 Exit menu ..................2-39 Appendices Notices .......................A-1 ASUS contact information ...............A-3...

  • Page 4: Safety Information

    Safety information Electrical safety 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. Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged.
  • Page 5 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 that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package.

  • Page 6: Package Contents

    APUs. ** The maximum 64GB memory capacity can be supported with 16GB or above DIMMs. ASUS will update the memory QVL once the DIMMs are available in the market. Integrated AMD Radeon™ R / HD8000 / HD7000 Series Graphics in...
  • Page 7 ASUS Q-Design - ASUS Q-DIMM - ASUS Q-Slot - ASUS Q-Shield Award-Winning BIOS Design - ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode featuring friendly graphics user interface - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 (continued on the next page)
  • Page 8 BIOS features 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFreen BIOS 3, F12 Printscreen function, F3 My Favorites function and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information Windows ®...

  • Page 9: Chapter1: Product Introduction

    1.2.1 Placement direction with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image. 1.2.2 Screw holes Place six screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 10 Place this side towards the rear of the chassis A88X-GAMER 1.2.3 Motherboard layout 22.9cm(9.0in) KBMS_USB34 CPU_FAN DIGI +VRM EATX12V CHA_FAN2 USB3_12 LAN_USB12 CHA_FAN1 AUDIO PCIEX1_1 A88X-GAMER Intel I211 PCIEX16_1 PCI1 Super ® A88X PCIEX1_2 BATTERY PCIEX16_2 SUPREMEFX 64Mb 1150 PCI2...

  • Page 11: Accelerated Processing Unit (Apu)

    1.2.4 Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page 1-15 1-19 1-16 1-17 1-11 1-19 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) ® A88X-GAMER A88X-GAMER CPU socket FM2+ ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 12 1.3.1 APU installation Chapter 1: Product introduction...
  • Page 13 1.3.2 APU heatsink and fan assembly installation you install the heatsink and fan if necessary. To install the APU heatsink and fan assembly ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 14 To uninstall the APU heatsink and fan assembly Chapter 1: Product introduction...

  • Page 15: System Memory

    System memory 1.4.1 Overview better performance with less power consumption. Channel Sockets A88X-GAMER A88X-GAMER 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets sockets. operation. ® following: ® ® motherboard. ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 16 2.5 Ai Tweaker menu for manual memory www.asus.com 1.4.3 Installing a DIMM Press the retaining clips outward DIMM notch socket. Unlocked retaining clip DIMM slot key until the retaining clips snap back seated. Locked Retaining Clip 1.4.4 Removing a DIMM...

  • Page 17: Expansion Slots

    1.5.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: make the necessary hardware settings for the card. use. seated on the slot. ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 18 1.5.3 PCI slot 1.5.4 PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot 1.5.5 PCI Express x16 slot x16 graphics card to get better performance. IRQ assignments for this motherboard shared – – – – – – – – shared – – – – –...

  • Page 19: Jumpers

    Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC) A88X-GAMER A88X-GAMER CLRTC Normal Clear RTC (Default) A88X-GAMER Clear RTC RAM To erase the RTC RAM: Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer. enter data. battery. ASUS A88X-GAMER...

  • Page 20: Connectors

    Connectors 1.7.1 Rear panel connectors 5 6 7 8 PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port. Optical S/PDIF Out port. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. LAN (RJ-45) port. through a network hub. LAN port LED indications Activity/Link LED Speed LED ACT/LINK SPEED Status Description Status Description...
  • Page 21 Side Speaker Out port (gray). This port connects to the side speakers in a Port Headset 4.1 channel 5.1 channel 7.1 channel 2.1 channel Pink Mic in Mic in Orange USB 2.0 ports. USB 3.0 ports 1 and 2 ® operating system. ® DVI-D port. HDMI port. content. ASUS A88X-GAMER 1-13...
  • Page 22 CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, and 4-pin CHA_FAN1/2) black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector. CPU_FAN CHA_FAN2 CHA FAN IN CHA FAN PWR CHA_FAN1 A88X-GAMER A88X-GAMER Fan connectors place jumper caps on the fan connectors. Chapter 1: Product introduction...
  • Page 23 +12 Volts +5 Volts +5V Standby +5 Volts Power OK -5 Volts +5 Volts +5 Volts PSON# A88X-GAMER +3 Volts -12 Volts +3 Volts +3 Volts PIN 1 A88X-GAMER ATX power connectors system will not boot up. ASUS A88X-GAMER 1-15...
  • Page 24 RSATA_RXN4 RSATA_RXP4 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_6 RSATA_TXP5 RSATA_TXP6 RSATA_TXN5 RSATA_TXN6 RSATA_RXN5 RSATA_RXN6 A88X-GAMER RSATA_RXP5 RSATA_RXP6 SATA6G_7 SATA6G_8 RSATA_TXP7 RSATA_TXP8 RSATA_TXN7 RSATA_TXN8 RSATA_RXN7 RSATA_RXN8 RSATA_RXP7 RSATA_RXP8 A88X-GAMER SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors [RAID] for details. ® ® [AHCI] for details. 1-16 Chapter 1: Product introduction...
  • Page 25 PIN 1 +HDD_LED- PWR_SW RESET A88X-GAMER System panel connector allows you to hear system beeps and warnings. This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.
  • Page 26 Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) AAFP PIN 1 A88X-GAMER HD-audio-compliant Legacy AC’97 pin definition compliant definition A88X-GAMER Front panel audio connector the Front Panel Type [HD] 2.6.5 Onboard Devices for details. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM) PIN 1 A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 27 PIN 1 PIN 1 PIN 1 A88X-GAMER USB2.0 connectors USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_34) USB3_34 PIN 1 USB3+5V A88X-GAMER USB3+5V IntA_P1_SSRX- IntA_P2_SSRX- IntA_P1_SSRX+ IntA_P2_SSRX+ IntA_P1_SSTX- IntA_P2_SSTX- IntA_P1_SSTX+ IntA_P2_SSTX+ IntA_P1_D- IntA_P2_D- IntA_P1_D+ IntA_P2_D+ A88X-GAMER USB3.0 Front panel connector ASUS A88X-GAMER 1-19...

  • Page 28: Onboard Leds

    TPM connector (20-1 pin TPM) A88X-GAMER PIN 1 A88X-GAMER TPM Connector Onboard LEDs Standby Power LED A88X-GAMER SB_PWR Standby Power Powered Off A88X-GAMER Onboard LED Chapter 1: Product introduction...

  • Page 29: Software Support

    ® ® ® ® ® ® 1.9.2 Support DVD information www.asus.com for updates. To run the Support DVD The following screen is for reference only. Click an icon to display Support DVD/motherboard information Click an item to install ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 30 1-22 Chapter 1: Product introduction...

  • Page 31: Chapter 2: Bios Information

    The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard BIOS setup program. ® EZ Update: Updates the BIOS in Windows environment. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3: Restores the BIOS using the motherboard support DVD or a ASUS BIOS Updater: Updates the BIOS in DOS environment using the motherboard ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 32 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 or an OS-based utility. Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Go to the Tool menu to select ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility and press <Enter>...
  • Page 33 <Enter>. the BIOS update process. Reboot the system when the update process is done. single partition only. boot failure! Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select 2.10 Exit Menu for details. ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 34 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the A88XGMR.CAP. http://support.asus.com Recovering the BIOS To recover the BIOS: Turn on the system. system compatibility and stability, we recommend that you press <F5> to load default BIOS values.
  • Page 35 2.1.4 ASUS BIOS Updater The ASUS BIOS Updater allows you to update BIOS in a DOS environment. This utility also gets corrupted during the updating process. The succeeding utility screens are for reference only. The actual utility screen displays may not be same as shown.
  • Page 36 At the FreeDOS prompt, type bupdater /pc /g and press <Enter>. The BIOS Updater screen appears as below. ASUSTek BIOS Updater for DOS V1.30 A88X-GAMER 0205 06/20/2014 A88XGMR.CAP 8194 2014-06-20 15:25:48 Updater. Restart your computer. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! prompt after updating BIOS.

  • Page 37: Bios Setup Program

    Refer to section 1.6 Jumpers on how to erase the RTC RAM. BIOS menu screen The BIOS setup program can be used under two modes: EZ Mode and Advanced Mode. F7 or from the Advanced Mode/EZ Mode button in the EZ Mode/Advanced Mode screen. ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 38 EZ Mode By default, the EZ Mode screen appears when you enter the BIOS setup program. The EZ Mode provides you an overview of the basic system information, and allows you to select the display language, system performance mode and boot device priority. To access the Advanced Mode, click Advanced Mode or press F7.
  • Page 39 To switch from EZ Mode to Advanced Mode, click Advanced Mode(F7) or press F7 hotkey. Quick Note (F9) Pop-up Menu Scroll bar Menu bar Language MyFavorite(F3) Qfan Control(F6) EZ Tuning Wizard(F11) Hot Keys Goes back to EZ Mode General help Menu items Displays the CPU temperature, CPU, and memory voltage output ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 40 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: My Favorites Main Ai Tweaker For changing the overclocking settings Advanced For changing the advanced system settings Monitor For displaying the system temperature, power status, and changing the fan settings Boot Tool Exit...
  • Page 41 At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item. Use <F12> key to capture the BIOS screen and save it to the removable storage device. press <Enter> to display a list of options. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-11...

  • Page 42: My Favorites

    My Favorites My Favorites is your personal space where you can easily save and access your favorite BIOS items. Adding items to My Favorites to open Setup Tree Map screen. On the Setup Tree Map screen, select the BIOS items that you want to save in My Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-12...

  • Page 43: Main Menu

    RAM to clear the BIOS password. See section 1.6 Jumpers for information on how to erase the RTC RAM. Administrator or User Password items on top of the screen show the default Not Installed. After you set a password, these items show Installed. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-13...
  • Page 44 Administrator Password If you have set an administrator password, we recommend that you enter the administrator password for accessing the system. Otherwise, you might be able to see or change only To set an administrator password: Select the Administrator Password item and press <Enter>. From the Create New Password To change an administrator password: Select the Administrator Password item and press <Enter>.

  • Page 45: Ai Tweaker Menu

    Ai Tweaker menu values can cause the system to malfunction. installed on the motherboard. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-15...
  • Page 46 Scroll down to display the following items: Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-16...
  • Page 47 2.5.3 CPU Ratio [Auto] model. 2.5.4 NB Frequency [Auto] can also key in the desired value using the numeric keypad. 2.5.5 EPU Power Saving Mode [Disabled] [Disabled] [Enabled] EPU Setting [Auto] ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-17...
  • Page 48 2.5.6 GPU Boost [Auto] GPU Engine Frequency [Auto] 2.5.7 OC Tuner OK to start automatic overclocking. 2.5.8 DRAM Timing Control The sub-items in this menu allow you to set the DRAM timing control features. Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value. To restore the default setting, type [auto] using the keyboard and press <Enter>.
  • Page 49 2.5.15 DIGI+ VRM CPU Load Line Calibration [Auto] VRM thermal. This item allows you to adjust the voltage range from the following percentages CPU/NB Load Line Calibration [Auto] ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-19...
  • Page 50 CPU Current Capability [100%] This item provides wider total power range for overclocking. A higher value brings a CPU/NB Current Capability [100%] This item provides wider total power range for overclocking. A higher value brings a CPU Power Phase Control [Standard] system loading to get more transient and better thermal performance.

  • Page 51: Advanced Menu

    Advanced menu devices. can cause the system to malfunction. detects. AMD PowerNow function [Enabled] NX Mode [Enabled] [Enabled] [Disabled] SVM [Enabled] CPB Mode [Auto] APM Master enable [Enabled] ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-21...
  • Page 52 C6 Mode [Enabled] IOMMU [Disabled] Bank Interleaving [Enabled] [Disabled] Channel Interleaving [Enabled] [Disabled] Core Leveling Mode [Automatic mode] options: [Automatic mode] [One core per processor] [One Compute Unit] [One core per Compute Unit] While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. The Not Present if no SATA device is installed to the corresponding SATA port.
  • Page 53 Enables the support for operating systems without an EHCI hand-off feature. [Disabled] Disables the function. USB Single Port Control Allows you to enable/disable individual USB ports. USB3_1/2/3/4 [Enabled] 1.2.3 Motherboard layout in this user manual for the locations of the USB ports. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-23...
  • Page 54 USB5~10 [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable an individual USB port. Refer to the section 1.2.3 Motherboard layout in this user manual for the locations of the USB ports. IGFX Multi-Monitor [Disabled] Enables or disables the Internal Graphics Device Multi-Monitor support for add-on VGA ®...
  • Page 55 Allows you to enable or disable entering deep S5 sleep mode. The system in deep S5 state Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off] before the AC power loss. WOL (include AC Power Loss) [Disabled] Power On By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled] ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-25...
  • Page 56 Power On By PME [Disabled] +5VSB lead. Power On By Ring [Disabled] [Disabled] Disables Ring to generate a wake event. [Enabled] Enables Ring to generate a wake event. Power On By RTC [Disabled] [Disabled] Disables RTC to generate a wake event. [Enabled] When set to [Enabled], the items RTC Alarm Date (Days) and Hour/ Minute/Second...

  • Page 57: Monitor Menu

    Monitor menu The Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you to change the fan settings. Scroll down to display the following items: 2.7.1 Qfan Tuning for each fan. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-27...
  • Page 58 2.7.2 CPU Temperature / MB Temperature [xxx C/xxxoF] temperatures. Select Ignore if you do not wish to display the detected temperatures. 2.7.3 CPU / Chassis Fan 1/2 Speed [xxxx RPM] or [Ignore] / [N/A] shows N/A. Select Ignore if you do not wish to display the detected speed. 2.7.4 CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard...
  • Page 59 CPU Fan Max. Duty Cycle (%) [100] CPU Middle Temperature [45ºC] ºC to 75ºC. CPU Fan Middle. Duty Cycle (%) [60] CPU Lower Temperature [40ºC] ºC to 75ºC. CPU Fan Min. Duty Cycle(%) [60] º will operate at the minimum duty cycle. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-29...
  • Page 60 2.7.6 CHA_FAN1/2 Q-Fan Control [Enabled] feature to [Enabled] Chassis Fan 1/2 Q-Fan Source [CPU] The assignment fan will be controlled according to the selected temperature source. Chassis Fan 1/2 Fan Speed Low Limit [600 RPM] This item appears only when you enable the Chassis Q-Fan Control feature and Chassis Fan 1/2 Profile [Standard] This item allows you to set the appropriate performance level of the chassis fan.

  • Page 61: Boot Menu

    When this item is set to [Enabled], the selected fan is controlled based on the temperature source. 2.7.7 Anti Surge Support [Disabled] This item allows you to enable or disable the Anti Surge function. Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-31...
  • Page 62 Scroll down to display the following items: 2.8.1 Fast Boot [Enabled] [Enabled] Select to accelerate the boot speed. [Disabled] Select to go back to normal boot. The following four items appear when you set Fast Boot to [Enabled]. SATA Support [All Devices] [All Devices] All devices connected to SATA ports will be available during [Hard Drive Only]...
  • Page 63 This feature will only work under normal boot. Post Report [5 sec] 2.8.3 Bootup NumLock State [On] 2.8.4 Wait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled] When this item is set to [Enabled], the system waits for the F1 key to be pressed when error ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-33...
  • Page 64 2.8.5 Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS] [Force BIOS] The third-party ROM messages will be forced to display during the boot manufacturer had set the add-on device to do so. 2.8.6 Interrupt 19 Capture [Disabled] [Enabled] Allows the option ROMs to trap Interrupt 19. [Disabled] Disables this function.
  • Page 65 This item appears only when you load the default Secure Boot keys. This item allows you to clear all default Secure Boot keys. Save Secure Boot Keys PK Management Delete PK Load PK from File Load KEK from File ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-35...
  • Page 66 variable. DB Management applications, operating system loaders, and UEFI drivers that you can load on the single computer. Delete the db Load db from File Allows you to load the downloaded db from a USB storage device. Allows you to load the additional db from a storage device so that more images can be loaded securely.

  • Page 67: Tool Menu

    Click an item to start booting from the selected device. Tool menu then press <Enter> to display the submenu. 2.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility For more details, see section 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2. 2.9.2 Setup Animator [Enabled] ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-37...
  • Page 68 This item allows you to store or load multiple BIOS settings. items show Not assigned boot failure! USB drive. 2.9.4 ASUS SPD Information DIMM Slot # [DIMM_A1] Chapter 2: BIOS information...

  • Page 69: Exit Menu

    This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup Save Changes & Reset Discard Changes & Exit Yes to Launch EFI Shell from USB drives the available USB devices. ASUS A88X-GAMER 2-39...
  • Page 70 Chapter 2: BIOS information...

  • Page 71: Appendices

    Cet appareil est conforme aux normes CNR exemptes de licence d’Industrie Canada. Le fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) cet appareil ne doit pas provoquer d’interférences et (2) cet appareil doit accepter toute interférence, y compris celles susceptibles de provoquer un fonctionnement non souhaité de l’appareil. ASUS A88X-GAMER...
  • Page 72 ASUS Recycling/Takeback Services ASUS recycling and takeback programs come from our commitment to the highest standards for protecting our environment. We believe in providing solutions for you to be able to responsibly recycle our products, batteries, other components as well as the packaging materials.

  • Page 73: Asus Contact Information

    +1-812-282-3777 +1-510-608-4555 Web site usa.asus.com Technical Support Telephone +1-812-282-2787 Support fax +1-812-284-0883 Online support support.asus.com ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany and Austria) Address Harkort Str. 21-23, D-40880 Ratingen, Germany +49-2102-959911 Web site www.asus.de Online contact www.asus.de/sales Technical Support Telephone +49-1805-010923* Support Fax...
  • Page 74 Appendices...

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