Asus SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 User's Manual - Page 16

1-2

Chapter 1: Product introduction

Chapter 1

Complete USB 3.0 Solution

This motherboard offers you the strategic USB 3.0 accessibility for both the front and rear

panels, allowing you to experience the convenience of the latest plug and play connectivity

solution at speed up to ten times faster than USB 2.0.

1.1.2

“Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solution

TUF CeraM!X - Heatsink Coating Technology

This feature offers better cooling solution for an overall improvement in system stability. Its

innovative ceramics actively conducts heat away from the system, and replaces traditional

anti-oxidant for better heat dissipation.

DO NOT uninstall the heatsink module by yourself. Doing so may bend the tubing and

affect the heat dissipation performance.

TUF Thermal Radar

The TUF Thermal Radar monitors the temperature of the motherboard’s critical parts and

automatically adjusts fan speeds in real time to ensure that the system remains stable and

does not overheat. It consists of multiple sensors for various components, allowing you to

monitor each area, while increasing options for fan control housed inside the chassis. The

Thermal Radar calculates ideal fan speeds based on different parameters that you have

selected for each component, keeping your system cool and more stable.

1.1.3

“TUF ENGINE!” Power Design

DIGI+ Power Control

DIGI+ Power Control includes multiple digital voltage controllers, allowing ultra-precise

modulation and tuning of both CPU and DRAM. This innovative and industry-leading ASUS

technology provides accurate voltage tuning for better efficiency, stability, and performance.

Efficient Switching Power (E.S.P.) Design

E.S.P., an ASUS exclusive feature, is designed for key components such as CPU, memory,

graphics cards, LAN, and USB 3.0 to help improve system efficiency and reduce heat

generation.

TUF Components (Choke, Cap. & MOSFET; certified by military-standard)

This motherboard provides rugged performance even in the most challenging conditions

with its robust TUF chokes, solid capacitors, and MOSFETs, which are certified through a

third-party, military-grade testing. TUF Chokes or Alloy Choke is made up of a compound

of various metals instead of the standard iron, which supports up to 40A rated current,

25% higher than the standard chokes. The TUF Chokes are packaged in a single piece,

eliminating the emission of vibration noise, delivering superb characteristics, and durability

under extreme conditions.

Section	Page
Safety information	7
About this guide	8
SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 specifications summary	10
Package contents	13
Installation tools and components	14
Product introduction	15
1.1 Special features	15
1.1.1 Product highlights	15
1.1.2 “Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solution	16
1.1.3 “TUF ENGINE!” Power Design	16
1.1.4 “Safe & Stable!” Guardian Angel	17
1.1.5 ASUS EZ DIY	17
1.1.6 Other special features	18
1.2 Motherboard overview	19
1.2.1 Before you proceed	19
1.2.2 Motherboard layout	20
1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	22
1.2.4 System memory	23
1.2.5 Expansion slots	36
1.2.6 Onboard buttons	38
1.2.7 Jumpers	40
1.2.8 Onboard LEDs	41
1.2.9 Internal connectors	42
Basic Installation	53
2.1 Building your PC system	53
2.1.1 Motherboard installation	53
2.1.2 CPU installation	56
2.1.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation	57
2.1.4 DIMM installation	59
2.1.5 ATX Power connection	60
2.1.6 SATA device connection	61
2.1.7 Front I/O Connector	62
2.1.8 Expansion Card installation	63
2.2 BIOS update utility	64
2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections	65
2.3.1 Rear I/O connection	65
2.3.2 Audio I/O connections	67
2.4 Starting up for the first time	69
2.5 Turning off the computer	70
BIOS setup	71
3.1 Knowing BIOS	71
3.2 BIOS setup program	72
3.2.1 EZ Mode	73
3.2.2 Advanced Mode	74
3.3 Main menu	76
3.4 Ai Tweaker menu	78
3.5 Advanced menu	87
3.5.1 CPU Configuration	88
3.5.2 North Bridge Configuration	89
3.5.3 South Bridge Configuration	90
3.5.4 SATA Configuration	91
3.5.5 USB Configuration	92
3.5.6 CPU Core On/Off Function	93
3.5.7 Onboard Devices Configuration	94
3.5.8 APM	96
3.5.9 Network Stack	97
3.6 Monitor menu	98
3.7 Boot menu	101
3.8 Tools menu	103
3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility	103
3.8.2 ASUS SPD Information	104
3.8.3 ASUS O.C. Profile	105
3.9 Exit menu	106
3.10 Updating BIOS	107
3.10.1 ASUS Update	107
3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2	110
3.10.3 ASUS BIOS Updater	111
Software support	115
4.1 Installing an operating system	115
4.2 Support DVD information	115
4.2.1 Running the support DVD	115
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals	116
4.3 Software information	117
4.3.1 AI Suite II	117
4.3.2 ASUS TUF Thermal Radar	118
4.3.3 Remote GO!	122
4.3.4 TurboV EVO	133
4.3.5 DIGI+ Power Control	136
4.3.6 Sensor Recorder	139
4.3.7 Ai Charger+	141
4.3.8 USB 3.0 Boost	142
4.3.9 USB BIOS Flashback Wizard	143
4.3.10 Network iControl	145
4.3.11 ASUS Update	150
4.3.12 MyLogo2	151
4.3.13 Audio configurations	152
RAID support	155
5.1 RAID configurations	155
5.1.1 RAID definitions	155
5.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks	156
5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS	156
5.1.4 AMD® Option ROM Utility	157
5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk	161
5.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS	161
5.2.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®	161
5.2.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation	162
5.2.4 Using a USB floppy disk drive	163
Multiple GPU support	165
6.1 AMD® CrossFireX™ technology	165
6.1.1 Requirements	165
6.1.2 Before you begin	165
6.1.3 Installing two CrossFireX™ graphics cards	166
6.1.4 Installing the device drivers	168
6.1.5 Enabling the AMD® CrossFireX™ technology	168
6.2 NVIDIA® SLI™ technology	170
6.2.1 Requirements	170
6.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards	170
6.2.3 Installing the device drivers	171
6.2.4 Enabling the NVIDIA® SLI™ technology	172
Appendices	175
Notices	175

Asus SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 User's Manual - Page 16

“Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solution, 1.1.3 “TUF ENGINE!” Power Design - difference

Page 16 highlights