Asus SABERTOOTH X79 User Manual - Page 17

ASUS SABERTOOTH X79

1-5

Chapter 1

ASUS MyLogo2™

This feature allows you to convert your favorite photo into a 256-color boot logo for a more

colorful and vivid image on your screen.

ASUS Multi-language BIOS

The multi-language BIOS allows you to select the language of your choice from the available

options. The localized BIOS setup menu helps you configure your system easier and faster.

1.3.6

ASUS Exclusive Features

ASUS SSD Caching

SSD caching from ASUS is easier than ever. At 3X faster, this feature boosts system

performance by using an installed SSD with no capacity limitations as a cache for frequently

accessed data. Harness a combination of SSD-like performance and response and hard

drive capacity with just one click, no rebooting needed and instant activation for complete

ease of use.

USB 3.0 Boost

New ASUS USB 3.0 Boost technology supports UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol), the

latest USB 3.0 standard. With USB 3.0 Boost technology, the performance of a USB device

transmission speed is significantly increased up to 170%, adding to an already impressive

fast USB 3.0 transfer speed. With USB 3.0 Boost technology, the system provides a user-

friendly graphical interface, which spontaneously accelerates the transfer speed through USB

3.0 peripherals with an ASUS exclusive auto-detect setting.

USB BIOS Flashback

USB BIOS Flashback offers the most convenient way to flash the BIOS ever! It allows

overclockers to try new BIOS versions easily, without even entering their existing BIOS or

operating system. Just plug in USB storage and push the dedicated button for 3 seconds,

and the BIOS is automatically flashed using standby power. Worry-free overclocking for the

ultimate convenience!

1.3.7

Other special features

Power eSATA 6Gb/ Ready

Powered eSATA 6Gb/s combines data and power connectivity. Users enjoy 2X faster transfer

rates, and can use external SATA 6Gb/s devices with no additional power adapters. ASUS

provides extra ports with enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, and double the bandwidth

of current bus systems for extra speed and accessibility.

* Power eSATA requires a specially designed signal cable to provide 5V power for the external

SATA device. The cable is purchased separately.

ErP Ready

The motherboard is European Union’s Energy-related Products (ErP) ready, and ErP requires

products to meet certain energy efficiency requirement in regards to energy consumptions.

This is in line with ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and energy-efficient products

through product design and innovation to reduce carbon footprint of the product and thus

mitigate environmental impacts.

Section	Page
SABERTOOTH X79 specifications summary	10
Chapter 1: Product introduction	13
1.1 Welcome!	13
1.2 Package contents	13
1.3 Special features	14
1.3.1 Product highlights	14
1.3.2 “Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solutions	15
1.3.3 “TUF ENGINE!” Power Design	15
1.3.4 “Safe & Stable!” Guardian Angel	16
1.3.5 ASUS EZ DIY	16
1.3.6 ASUS Exclusive Features	17
1.3.7 Other special features	17
Chapter 2: Hardware information	19
2.1 Before you proceed	19
2.2 Motherboard overview	20
2.2.1 Motherboard layout	20
2.2.2 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	22
2.2.3 System memory	23
2.2.4 Expansion slots	30
2.2.5 Jumper	32
2.2.6 Onboard switch	33
2.2.7 Onboard LEDs	34
2.2.8 Internal connectors	35
2.3 Building your computer system	44
2.3.1 Additional tools and components to build a PC system	44
2.3.2 CPU installation	45
2.3.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation	47
2.3.4 DIMM installation	48
2.3.5 Motherboard installation	49
2.3.6 Thermal Armor for ASUS SABERTOOTH X79	51
2.3.7 ATX Power connection	53
2.3.8 SATA device connection	54
2.3.9 Front I/O Connector	55
2.3.10 Expension Card installation	56
2.3.11 Rear panel connection	57
2.3.12 Audio I/O connections	59
2.3.13 USB BIOS Flashback	61
2.4 Starting up for the first time	62
2.5 Turning off the computer	62
Chapter 3: BIOS setup	63
3.1 Knowing BIOS	63
3.2 BIOS setup program	63
3.2.1 EZ Mode	64
3.2.2 Advanced Mode	65
3.3 Main menu	67
3.4 Ai Tweaker menu	69
3.5 Advanced menu	79
3.5.1 CPU Configuration	80
3.5.2 PCH Configuration	82
3.5.3 SATA Configuration	82
3.5.4 USB Configuration	84
3.5.5 Onboard Devices Configuraton	85
3.5.6 APM	87
3.6 Monitor menu	88
3.7 Boot menu	92
3.8 Tool menu	94
3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility	94
3.8.2 ASUS DRAM SPD Information	95
3.8.3 ASUS O.C. Profile	96
3.8.4 ASUS Drive Xpert	97
3.9 Exit menu	98
3.10 Updating BIOS	99
3.10.1 ASUS Update utility	99
3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility	102
3.10.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility	103
3.10.4 ASUS BIOS Updater	104
Chapter 4: Software support	107
4.1 Installing an operating system	107
4.2 Support DVD information	107
4.2.1 Running the support DVD	107
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals	108
4.3 Software information	109
4.3.1 AI Suite II	109
4.3.2 ASUS TUF Thermal Radar	110
4.3.3 TurboV EVO	114
4.3.4 DIGI+ Power Control	117
4.3.5 Sensor Recorder	119
4.3.6 USB 3.0 Boost	120
4.3.7 ASUS SSD Caching	121
4.3.8 ASUS Update	122
4.3.9 MyLogo2	123
4.3.10 Audio configurations	125
4.4 RAID configurations	126
4.4.1 RAID definitions	126
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks	127
4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS	127
4.4.4 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility	127
4.4.5 Marvell RAID utility	131
4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk	135
4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS	135
4.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®	135
4.5.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation	136
4.5.4 Using a USB floppy disk drive	137
Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support	139
5.1 AMD® CrossFireX™ technology	139
5.1.1 Requirements	139
5.1.2 Before you begin	139
5.1.3 Installing two CrossFireX™ graphics cards	140
5.1.4 Installing the device drivers	141
5.1.5 Enabling the AMD® CrossFireX™ technology	141
5.2 NVIDIA® SLI™ technology	142
5.2.1 Requirements	142
5.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards	142
5.2.3 Installing the device drivers	143

Asus SABERTOOTH X79 User Manual - Page 17

ASUS Exclusive Features, Other special features - overclocking

Page 17 highlights