ASROCK P81 Pro3 User Manual
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ASROCK P81 Pro3 User Manual

ASROCK P81 Pro3 User Manual

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Summary of Contents for ASROCK P81 Pro3

  • Page 1 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 Chapter 1 Introduction Package Contents Specifications Unique Features Motherboard Layout I/O Panel Chapter 2 Installation Installing the CPU Installing the CPU Fan and Heatsink Installing Memory Modules (DIMM) Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) Jumpers Setup Onboard Headers and Connectors Chapter 3 Software and Utilities Operation Installing Drivers A-Tuning...
  • Page 4 Main Screen OC Tweaker Screen Advanced Screen 4.4.1 CPU Configuration 4.4.2 Chipset Configuration 4.4.3 Storage Configuration 4.4.4 Intel® Smart Connect Technology 4.4.5 Super IO Configuration 4.4.6 ACPI Configuration 4.4.7 USB Configuration 4.4.8 Trusted Computing Tools Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen Boot Screen Security Screen Exit Screen...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1 Introduction

    ASRock’s website without further notice. If you require technical support related to this motherboard, please visit our website for specific information about the model you are using. You may find the latest VGA cards and CPU support list on ASRock’s website as well. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com.

  • Page 6: Specifications

    1.2 Specifications Platform • ATX Form Factor • All Solid Capacitor design • Supports 4 Generation Intel® Core i7 / i5 / i3 / Xeon® / Pentium® / Celeron® in LGA1150 Package • Digi Power Design • 4 Power Phase Design • Supports Intel®...
  • Page 7 P81 Pro3 Rear Panel • 1 x PS/2 Mouse Port • 1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port • 1 x Serial Port: COM1 • 1 x Parallel Port (ECP/EPP support) • 1 x Coaxial SPDIF Out Port • 4 x USB 2.0 Ports • 2 x USB 3.0 Ports...
  • Page 8 Due to limitation, the actual memory size may be less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage under Windows® 32-bit operating systems. Windows® 64-bit operat- ing systems do not have such limitations. You can use ASRock XFast RAM to utilize the memory that Windows® cannot use.

  • Page 9: Unique Features

    LED, FAN-Tastic Tuning, OC Tweaker and a whole lot more. ASRock Instant Flash ASRock Instant Flash is a BIOS flash utility embedded in Flash ROM. This conve- nient BIOS update tool allows you to update the system BIOS in a few clicks without preparing an additional floppy diskette or other complicated flash utility.
  • Page 10 And it also boosts the speed of Adobe Photoshop 5 times faster. Another advantage of ASRock XFast RAM is that it reduces the frequency of accessing your SSDs or HDDs in order to extend their lifespan.
  • Page 11 Windows® 8 brings the ultimate boot up experience. The lightning boot up speed makes it hard to access the UEFI setup. ASRock Restart to UEFI allows users to enter the UEFI automatically when turning on the PC. By enabling this function, the PC will enter the UEFI directly after you restart.

  • Page 12: Motherboard Layout

    T: USB0 B: USB1 USB 2.0 Top: T: USB2 RJ-45 B: USB3 CLRCMOS1 CMOS Battery SPDIF1_OUT1 Audio CODEC PCIE1 P81 Pro3 PCIE2 Fast USB Fast LAN RoHS 32Mb Fast RAM BIOS PCIE3 Intel PCI1 PCI2 Front USB 3.0 PCI3 USB4_5...
  • Page 13 P81 Pro3 No. Description CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN2) Power Fan Connector (PWR_FAN1) CPU Fan Connector (CPU_FAN1) ATX 12V Power Connector (ATX12V1) 2 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM Slots (DDR3_A1, DDR3_B1) ATX Power Connector (ATXPWR1) USB 3.0 Header (USB3_2_3) SATA3 Connector (SATA3_0)

  • Page 14: I/O Panel

    1.5 I/O Panel No. Description No. Description PS/2 Mouse Port USB 2.0 Ports (USB_23) Parallel Port USB 3.0 Ports (USB3_01) LAN RJ-45 Port* USB 2.0 Ports (USB_01) Line In (Light Blue) Coaxial SPDIF Out Port Front Speaker (Lime) COM Port Microphone (Pink) PS/2 Keyboard Port * There are two LEDs on each LAN port.

  • Page 15: Chapter 2 Installation

    Chapter 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 16: Installing The Cpu

    2.1 Installing the CPU 1. Before you insert the 1150-Pin CPU into the socket, please check if the PnP cap is on the socket, if the CPU surface is unclean, or if there are any bent pins in the socket. Do not force to insert the CPU into the socket if above situation is found.
  • Page 17 P81 Pro3...
  • Page 18 Please save and replace the cover if the processor is removed. The cover must be placed if you wish to return the motherboard for after service.

  • Page 19: Installing The Cpu Fan And Heatsink

    P81 Pro3 2.2 Installing the CPU Fan and Heatsink...

  • Page 20: Installing Memory Modules (Dimm)

    2.3 Installing Memory Modules (DIMM) This motherboard provides two 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. 2.
  • Page 21 P81 Pro3...

  • Page 22: Expansion Slots (Pci And Pci Express Slots)

    2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) There are 3 PCI slots and 3 PCI Express slots on the 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 documentation of the expansion card and make necessary hardware settings for the card before you start the installation.

  • Page 23: Jumpers Setup

    P81 Pro3 2.5 Jumpers Setup The illustration shows how jumpers are setup. When the jumper cap is placed on the pins, the jumper is “Short”. If no jumper cap is placed on the pins, the jumper is “Open”. The illustration shows a 3-pin jumper whose pin1 and pin2 are “Short”...

  • Page 24: Onboard Headers And Connectors

    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 to the motherboard. System Panel Header Connect the power PLED+ PLED-...
  • Page 25 P81 Pro3 Serial ATA2 Connectors These two SATA2 (SATA2_4: connectors support SATA see p.8, No. 11) data cables for internal (SATA2_5: storage devices with up to see p.8, No. 10) 3.0 Gb/s data transfer rate. Serial ATA3 Connectors These two SATA3...
  • Page 26 1. High Definition Audio supports Jack Sensing, but the panel wire on the chassis must support HDA to function correctly. Please follow the instructions in our manual and chassis manual to install your system. 2. If you use an AC’97 audio panel, please install it to the front panel audio header by the steps below: A.
  • Page 27 P81 Pro3 CPU Fan Connectors This motherboard pro- FAN_SPEED_CONTROL CPU_FAN_SPEED (4-pin CPU_FAN1) vides a 4-Pin CPU fan +12V (see p.8, No. 3) (Quiet Fan) connector. If you plan to connect a (3-pin CPU_FAN2) 3-Pin CPU fan, please (see p.8, No. 1) connect it to Pin 1-3.

  • Page 28: Chapter 3 Software And Utilities Operation

    Chapter 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. The CD automatically displays the Main Menu if “AUTORUN”...

  • Page 29: A-Tuning

    P81 Pro3 3.2 A-Tuning A-Tuning is ASRock’s multi purpose software suite with a new interface, more new features and improved utilities, including XFast RAM, Dehumidifier, 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,...
  • Page 30 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 31 P81 Pro3 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. OC Tweaker Configurations for overclocking the system. System Info View information about the system.
  • Page 32 Tech Service Contact Tech Service.

  • Page 33: Intel® Smart Connect Technology

    P81 Pro3 3.3 Intel® Smart Connect Technology Intel® Smart Connect Technology is a feature that periodically wakes your computer from Windows® sleep state to refresh email or social networking applications. It saves your waiting time and keeps the content always up-to-date.

  • Page 34: Setup Guide

    3.3.2 Setup Guide Installing ASRock Smart Connect Utility Step 1 Install ASRock Smart Connect Utility, which is located in the folder at the following path of the Support CD: \ ASRock Utility > Smart Connect. Step 2 Once installed, run ASRock Smart Connect from your desktop or go to Windows...
  • Page 35 P81 Pro3 Step 3 Click the Add button. Take Foxmail as an example, add Foxmail to the Application list. Step 4 Select Foxmail from the Application List, then click the arrow pointing right to add this application to the Smart Connect List.
  • Page 36 Step 6 Double-click the Intel® Smart Connect Technology Manager icon in the Windows system tray. Step 7 Drag the slider to configure how often the system will connect to the network to download updates. Shorter durations will provide more frequent updates, but may cause more power consumption.
  • Page 37 P81 Pro3 The system will wake up from sleep state periodically, and then start to update Foxmail. The screen will not display anything so the computer can maintain minimum power usage. Afterwards, the system will automatically return to sleep state again.

  • Page 38: Start8

    3.4.1 Installing Start8 Install Start8, which is located in the folder at the following path of the Support CD: \ ASRock Utility > Start8. 3.4.2 Configuring Start8 Style Select between the Windows 7 style and Windows 8 style Start Menu. Then select...
  • Page 39 P81 Pro3 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 40 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 41: Chapter 4 Uefi Setup Utility

    Chapter 4 UEFI SETUP UTILITY 4.1 Introduction ASRock Interactive UEFI is a blend of system configuration tools, cool sound effects 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 42: Navigation Keys

    4.1.2 Navigation Keys Use < > key or < > key to choose among the selections on the menu bar, and use < > key or < > key to move the cursor up or down to select items, then press <Enter>...

  • Page 43: Main Screen

    When you enter the UEFI SETUP UTILITY, the Main screen will appear and display the system overview. Active Page on Entry Select the default page when entering the UEFI setup utility. UEFI Guide UEFI Guide is a quick tutorial for ASRock's UEFI setup Utility. You may abort the tutorial by pressing "esc".

  • Page 44: Oc Tweaker Screen

    4.3 OC Tweaker Screen In the OC Tweaker screen, you can set up overclocking features. Because the UEFI software is constantly being updated, the following UEFI setup screens and descriptions are for reference purpose only, and they may not exactly match what you see on your screen.

  • Page 45: Long Duration Maintained

    P81 Pro3 Long Duration Power Limit Configure Package Power Limit 1 in watts. When the limit is exceeded, the CPU ratio will be lowered after a period of time. A lower limit can protect the CPU and save power, while a higher limit may improve performance.

  • Page 46: Dram Configuration

    DRAM Configuration DRAM Tweaker Fine tune the DRAM settings by leaving marks in checkboxes. Click OK to confirm and apply your new settings. CAS# Latency (tCL) The time between sending a column address to the memory and the beginning of the data in response.
  • Page 47 P81 Pro3 Write Recovery Time (tWR) The amount of delay that must elapse after the completion of a valid write operation, before an active bank can be precharged. Refresh Cycle Time (tRFC) The number of clocks from a Refresh command until the first Activate command to the same rank.
  • Page 48 Use this to change DRAM tRWSR Auto/Manual settings. The default is [Auto]. tWRRD Configure between module write to read delay. tWRRDDR Configure between module write to read delay from different ranks. tWRRDDD Use this to change DRAM tRRSR Auto/Manual settings. The default is [Auto]. Configure between module write to read delay from different DIMMs.
  • Page 49 P81 Pro3 ODT WR (CHA) Configure the memory on die termination resistors' WR for channel A. ODT WR (CHB) Configure the memory on die termination resistors' WR for channel B. ODT NOM (CHA) Use this to change ODT (CHA) Auto/Manual settings. The default is [Auto].

  • Page 50: Voltage Configuration

    CPU Cache Voltage Offset Configure the voltage for the CPU Cache. Setting the voltage higher may increase system stability when overclocking. System Agent Voltage Offset Configure the voltage for the System Agent. Setting the voltage higher may increase system stability when overclocking. CPU Analog IO Voltage Offset CPU I/O Analog Voltage.

  • Page 51: Advanced Screen

    P81 Pro3 4.4 Advanced Screen In this section, you may set the configurations for the following items: CPU Con- figuration, Chipset Configuration, Storage Configuration, Intel® Smart Connect Technology, Super IO Configuration, ACPI Configuration, USB Configuration and Trusted Computing. Setting wrong values in this section may cause the system to malfunction.

  • Page 52: Cpu Configuration

    4.4.1 CPU Configuration Intel Hyper Threading Technology Intel Hyper Threading Technology allows multiple threads to run on each core, so that the overall performance on threaded software is improved. Active Processor Cores Select the number of cores to enable in each processor package. CPU C States Support Enable CPU C States Support for power saving.

  • Page 53: Intel Virtualization Technology

    P81 Pro3 Package C State Support Enable CPU, PCIe, Memory, Graphics C State Support for power saving. CPU Thermal Throttling Enable CPU internal thermal control mechanisms to keep the CPU from overheat- ing. No-Execute Memory Protection Processors with No-Execution Memory Protection Technology may prevent certain classes of malicious buffer overflow attacks.

  • Page 54: Chipset Configuration

    4.4.2 Chipset Configuration Primary Graphics Adapter Select a primary VGA. VT-d Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O helps your virtual machine monitor better utilize hardware by improving application compatibility and reliability, and providing additional levels of manageability, security, isolation, and I/O performance.

  • Page 55: Deep Sleep

    P81 Pro3 Deep Sleep Configure deep sleep mode for power saving when the computer is shut down. Restore on AC/Power Loss Select the power state after a power failure. If [Power Off] is selected, the power will remain off when the power recovers. If [Power On] is selected, the system will start to boot up when the power recovers.

  • Page 56: Storage Configuration

    4.4.3 Storage Configuration SATA Controller(s) Enable/disable the SATA controllers. SATA Mode Selection IDE: For better compatibility. AHCI: Supports new features that improve performance. AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) supports NCQ and other new features that will improve SATA disk performance but IDE mode does not have these advan- tages.

  • Page 57: Intel® Smart Connect Technology

    P81 Pro3 4.4.4 Intel® Smart Connect Technology ® Intel Smart Connect Technology ® Intel Smart Connect Technology automatically updates your email and social networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. while the computer is in sleep mode.

  • Page 58: Super Io Configuration

    4.4.5 Super IO Configuration Serial Port Enable or disable the Serial port. Serial Port Address Select the address of the Serial port. Infrared Port Enable or disable the Infrared port. Parallel Port Enable or disable the Parallel port. Change Settings Select the address of the Parallel port.

  • Page 59: Acpi Configuration

    P81 Pro3 4.4.6 ACPI Configuration Suspend to RAM Select disable for ACPI suspend type S1. It is recommended to select auto for ACPI S3 power saving. 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 60 RTC Alarm Power On Allow the system to be waked up by the real time clock alarm. Set it to By OS to let it be handled by your operating system. USB Keyboard/Remote Power On Allow the system to be waked up by an USB keyboard or remote controller. USB Mouse Power On Allow the system to be waked up by an USB mouse.

  • Page 61: Usb Configuration

    P81 Pro3 4.4.7 USB Configuration USB Controller Enable or disable all the USB 2.0 ports. USB 3.0 Controller Enable or disable all the USB 3.0 ports. Legacy USB Support Enable or disable Legacy OS Support for USB 2.0 devices. If you encounter USB compatibility issues it is recommended to disable legacy USB support.

  • Page 62: Trusted Computing

    4.4.8 Trusted Computing Security Device Support Enable to activate Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security for your hard disk drives.

  • Page 63: Tools

    P81 Pro3 4.5 Tools 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 Driver Installer For users that don’t have an optical disk drive to install the drivers from our support...
  • Page 64 Internet Setting Enable or disable sound effects in the setup utility. UEFI Download Server Select a server to download the UEFI firmware. Dehumidifier Function If Dehumidifier Function is enabled, the computer will power on automatically to dehumidify the system after entering S4/S5 state. Dehumidifier Period Configure the period of time until the computer powers on and enables Dehumidifier after entering S4/S5 state.
  • Page 65 P81 Pro3 Save User Default Type a profile name and press enter to save your settings as user default. Load User Default Load previously saved user defaults.

  • Page 66: Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen

    4.6 Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen This section allows you to monitor the status of the hardware on your system, including the parameters of the CPU temperature, motherboard temperature, fan speed and voltage. CPU Fan 1 & 2 Setting Select a fan mode for CPU Fans 1&2, or choose Customize to set 5 CPU temperatures and assign a respective fan speed for each temperature.

  • Page 67: Boot Screen

    P81 Pro3 4.7 Boot Screen This section displays the available devices on your system for you to configure the boot settings and the boot priority. Fast Boot Fast Boot minimizes your computer's boot time. In fast mode you may not boot from an USB storage device.
  • Page 68 Full Screen Logo Enable to display the boot logo or disable to show normal POST messages. AddOn ROM Display Enable AddOn ROM Display to see the AddOn ROM messages or configure the AddOn ROM if you've enabled Full Screen Logo. Disable for faster boot speed. Boot Failure Guard If the computer fails to boot for a number of times the system automatically restores the default settings.
  • Page 69 P81 Pro3 Launch PXE OpROM Policy Select UEFI only to run those that support UEFI option ROM only. Select Legacy only to run those that support legacy option ROM only. Launch Storage OpROM Policy Select UEFI only to run those that support UEFI option ROM only. Select Legacy only to run those that support legacy option ROM only.

  • Page 70: Security Screen

    4.8 Security Screen In this section you may set or change the supervisor/user password for the system. You may also clear the user password. Supervisor Password Set or change the password for the administrator account. Only the administrator has authority to change the settings in the UEFI Setup Utility. Leave it blank and press enter to remove the password.

  • Page 71: Exit Screen

    P81 Pro3 4.9 Exit Screen Save Changes and Exit When you select this option the following message, “Save configuration changes and exit setup?” will pop out. Select [OK] to save changes and exit the UEFI SETUP UTILITY. Discard Changes and Exit When you select this option the following message, “Discard changes and exit...

  • Page 72: Contact Information

    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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