iii
Contents
Notices
.........................................................................................................
vi
Safety information
.....................................................................................
vii
About this guide
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viii
M3A78-EM specifications summary
...........................................................
x
Chapter 1:
Product introduction
1.1
Welcome!
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1-2
1.2
Package contents
.........................................................................
1-2
1.3
Special features
............................................................................
1-2
1.3.1
Product highlights
...........................................................
1-2
1.3.2
ASUS unique features
....................................................
1-6
1.3.3
ASUS stylish features
.....................................................
1-8
1.3.4
ASUS intelligent overclocking features
...........................
1-8
1.4
Before you proceed
.....................................................................
1-9
1.5
Motherboard overview
...............................................................
1-10
1.5.1
Motherboard layout
.......................................................
1-10
1.5.2
Placement direction
.......................................................
1-11
1.5.3
Screw holes
...................................................................
1-11
1.6
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
.................................................
1-12
1.6.1
Installing the CPU
.........................................................
1-12
1.6.2
Installing the heatsink and fan
......................................
1-14
1.7
System memory
.........................................................................
1-16
1.7.1
Overview
.......................................................................
1-16
1.7.2
Memory configurations
..................................................
1-16
1.7.3
Installing a DIMM
..........................................................
1-20
1.7.4
Removing a DIMM
........................................................
1-20
1.8
Expansion slots
..........................................................................
1-21
1.8.1
Installing an expansion card
.........................................
1-21
1.8.2
Configuring an expansion card
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1-21
1.8.3
PCI slots
........................................................................
1-24
1.8.4
PCI Express x1 slot
.......................................................
1-24
1.8.5
PCI Express x16 slot
.....................................................
1-24
1.9
Jumpers
......................................................................................
1-25
1.10
Connectors
.................................................................................
1-26
1.10.1
Rear panel connectors
..................................................
1-26
1.10.2
Internal connectors
.......................................................
1-29