Asus M2N68 SE User Manual - Page 11

1.1

Welcome!

Thank you for buying an ASUS

®

M2N68 SE motherboard!

The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another

standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards!

Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in

your package with the list below.

1.2

Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

Motherboard

ASUS M2N68 SE motherboard

Cables

1 x Serial ATA cable

1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 cable

Accessories

1 x I/O shield

Application DVD

ASUS motherboard support DVD

Documentation

User guide

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

1.3

Special features

1.3.1

Product highlights

AMD

®

Socket AM2+ Phenom™ FX /

Phenom / Athlon™ / CPU support

This motherboard supports AMD

®

Socket AM2+ multi-core processors with unique L3 cache

and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dual-

channel DDR2 1066 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 2000MT/s via

HyperTransport™ 1.0 based system bus. See page 1-7 for details.

AMD

®

Socket AM2 Athlon™ 64 x2/ Sempron /

Athlon™ 64 FX / Athlon™ 64 CPU support

The motherboard supports AMD

®

Socket AM2 Athlon™ / Sempron processors. It features

2000 / 1600 MT/s HyperTransport™-based system bus, dual-channel un-buffered DDR2 800

memory support and AMD™ Cool ‘n’ Quiet! Technology. See page 1-7 for details.

Chapter 1

Product introduction

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1-1

Section	Page
Notices	6
Safety information	7
About this guide	7
M2N68 SE specifications summary	9
Chapter 1	11
Product introduction	11
1.1 Welcome!	11
1.2 Package contents	11
1.3 Special features	11
1.3.1 Product highlights	11
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features	12
1.4 Before you proceed	14
1.5 Motherboard overview	15
1.5.1 Placement direction	15
1.5.2 Screw holes	15
1.5.3 Motherboard layout	16
1.5.4 Layout contents	17
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	17
1.6.1 Installing the CPU	17
1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan	19
1.7 System memory	20
1.7.1 Overview	20
1.7.2 Memory configurations	21
1.7.3 Installing a DIMM	25
1.7.4 Removing a DIMM	25
1.8 Expansion slots	26
1.8.1 Installing an expansion card	26
1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card	26
1.8.4 PCI slots	26
1.8.5 PCI Express x1 slots	26
1.8.6 PCI Express x16 slot	26
1.9 Jumpers	27
1.10 Connectors	28
1.10.1 Rear panel connectors	28
1.10.2 Internal connectors	29
1.11 Software support	36
1.11.1 Installing an operating system	36
1.11.2 Support DVD information	36
Chapter 2	37
BIOS information	37
2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS	37
2.1.1 ASUS Update utility	37
2.1.2 Creating a bootable floppy disk	38
2.1.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility	39
2.1.4 AFUDOS utility	40
2.1.5 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility	41
2.2 BIOS setup program	43
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen	44
2.2.2 Menu bar	44
2.2.3 Navigation keys	45
2.2.4 Menu items	45
2.2.5 Sub-menu items	45
2.2.6 Configuration fields	45
2.2.7 General help	45
2.2.8 Pop-up window	45
2.2.9 Scroll bar	45
2.3 Main menu	46
2.3.1 System Time	46
2.3.2 System Date	46
2.3.3 Legacy Diskette A	46
2.3.4 Storage Configuration	46
2.3.5 Primary IDE Master/Slave	47
2.3.6 SATA 1~4	47
2.3.7 System Information	48
2.4 Advanced menu	49
2.4.1 JumperFree Configuration	49
2.4.2 CPU Configuration	50
2.4.3 Chipset	51
2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration	52
2.4.5 PCI PnP	52
2.4.6 USB Configuration	53
2.5 Power menu	54
2.5.1 Suspend Mode	54
2.5.2 ACPI Version Features	54
2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support	54
2.5.4 APM Configuration	54
2.5.5 Hardware Monitor	55
2.6 Boot menu	56
2.6.1 Boot Device Priority	56
2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration	56
2.6.3 Security	57
2.7 Tools menu	58
2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2	58

Asus M2N68 SE User Manual - Page 11

Asus M2N68 SE Manual

Page 11 highlights