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Memory conﬁgurations - overclocking

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2.4.2 Memory configurations You may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB unbuffered ECC and non‑ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation. • Due to CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 MHz is supported by AM3/AM2+ CPU for one DIMM per channel only. For system stability, when four DIMMs are installed, all DIMMs run at DDR2 800 MHz as the default setting. • We recommend that you install the memory modules from the yellow slots for better overclocking capability. • Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, it is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor. • Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows OS, when you install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be about 3GB or less. For effective use of memory, we recommend that you do any of the following: - Use a maximum of 3GB system memory if you are using a 32-bit Windows OS. - Install a 64-bit Windows OS when you want to install 4GB or more on the motherboard. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 256 megabit (Mb) chips or less. • The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. To operate at the vendor-marked or at a higher frequency, see section 3.6 Advanced menu for manual memory frequency adjustment. • For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition. Chapter 2 ASUS M4A78-E 2-11

Section	Page
Contents	3
Notices	7
Safety information	8
About this guide	9
M4A78-E specifications summary	11
Chapter 1: Product introduction	15
1.1 Welcome!	15
1.2 Package contents	15
1.3 Special features	16
1.3.1 Product highlights	16
1.3.2 ASUS unique features	17
1.3.3 ASUS intelligent performance and overclocking features	19
Chapter 2: Hardware information	21
2.1 Before you proceed	21
2.2 Motherboard overview	22
2.2.1 Motherboard layout	22
2.2.2 Layout contents	23
2.2.3 Placement direction	24
2.2.4 Screw holes	24
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	25
2.3.1 Installing the CPU	25
2.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan	27
2.4 System memory	30
2.4.1 Overview	30
2.4.2 Memory configurations	31
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM	36
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM	36
2.5 Expansion slots	37
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card	37
2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card	37
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments	38
2.5.4 PCI slots	39
2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots	39
2.5.6 Two PCI Express x16 slots	39
2.6 ASUS VGA SWITCH CARD	40
2.7 Jumpers	41
2.8 Connectors	43
2.8.1 Rear panel connectors	43
2.8.2 Audio I/O connections	44
2.8.3 Internal connectors	47
2.9 Starting up for the first time	58
2.10 Turning off the computer	58
Chapter 3: BIOS setup	59
3.1 Knowing BIOS	59
3.2 Updating BIOS	59
3.2.1 ASUS Update utility	60
3.2.2 Creating a bootable floppy disk	62
3.2.3 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility	63
3.2.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility	64
3.3 BIOS setup program	65
3.3.1 BIOS menu screen	65
3.3.2 Menu bar	65
3.3.3 Navigation keys	66
3.3.4 Menu items	66
3.3.5 Submenu items	66
3.3.6 Configuration fields	66
3.3.7 Pop-up window	66
3.3.8 Scroll bar	66
3.3.9 General help	66
3.4 Main menu	67
3.4.1 Primary IDE Master/Slave; SATA 1–5; ESATA	67
3.4.2 Storage Configuration	69
3.4.3 System Information	70
3.5 Ai Tweaker menu	70
3.5.1 AI Overclocking Tuner [Auto]	70
3.5.2 CPU Ratio [Auto]	71
3.5.3 CPU Bus Frequency [XXX]	71
3.5.4 PCIE Frequency [XXX]	71
3.5.5 DRAM Frequency Control [Auto]	71
3.5.6 CPU/NB Frequency [Auto]	71
3.5.7 HT Link Speed [Auto]	71
3.5.8 Memory Configuration	72
3.5.9 DRAM Timing Configuration	73
3.5.10 CPU Voltage [Auto]	74
3.5.11 CPU/NB Voltage [Auto]	75
3.5.12 CPU VDDA Voltage [Auto]	75
3.5.13 DRAM Voltage [Auto]	75
3.5.14 HT Voltage [Auto]	75
3.5.15 NB Voltage [Auto]	75
3.5.16 NB 1.8V Voltage [Auto]	75
3.5.17 SB Voltage [Auto]	75
3.5.18 CPU Spread Spectrum [Enabled]	75
3.5.19 PCIE Spread Spectrum [Enabled]	75
3.6 Advanced menu	76
3.6.1 CPU Configuration	76
3.6.2 Chipset	77
3.6.3 Onboard Devices Configuration	81
3.6.4 USB Configuration	82
3.6.5 PCIPnP	83
3.7 Power menu	84
3.7.1 Suspend Mode [Auto]	84
3.7.2 ACPI 2.0 Support [Disabled]	84
3.7.3 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]	84
3.7.4 APM Configuration	85
3.7.5 Hardware Monitor	86
3.8 Boot menu	87
3.8.1 Boot Device Priority	87
3.8.2 Boot Settings Configuration	88
3.8.3 Security	89
3.9 Tools menu	91
3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2	91
3.9.2 Express Gate	92
3.9.3 ASUS O.C. Profile	93
3.9.4 AI NET 2	94
3.10 Exit menu	95
Chapter 4: Software support	97
4.1 Installing an operating system	97
4.2 Support DVD information	97
4.2.1 Running the support DVD	97
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals	98
4.3 Software information	99
4.3.1 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology	99
4.3.2 Audio configurations	100
4.3.3 ASUS PC Probe II	101
4.3.4 ASUS Express Gate SSD / ASUS Express Gate	102
4.3.5 ASUS AI Suite	103
4.3.6 ASUS EPU	104
4.3.7 ASUS Q-Fan 2	105
4.3.8 ASUS AI Nap	106
4.3.9 ASUS TurboV	107
4.3.10 ASUS Turbo Key	108
4.4 RAID configurations	109
4.4.1 RAID definitions	109
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks	110
4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS	110
4.4.4 AMD® Option ROM Utility®	111
4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk	114
4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS	114
4.5.2 Creating a RAID/SATA driver disk in Windows®	114
Chapter 5: ATI® CrossFireX™ technology support	115
5.1 ATI® CrossFireX™ technology	115
5.1.1 Requirements	115
5.1.2 Before you begin	115
5.1.3 Installing CrossFireX™ graphics cards	116
5.1.4 Installing the device drivers	117
5.1.5 Enabling the ATI® CrossFireX™ technology	117
5.2 ATI® Hybrid CrossFireX™	119
5.2.1 System requirements	119
5.2.2 Before you proceed	119
5.2.3 Installing AMD Chipset Driver	120

Match case Limit results 1 per page

ASUS M4A78-E

2-11

Chapter 2

2.4.2

Memory conﬁgurations

You may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR2 DIMMs

into the DIMM sockets.

•

You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps

the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel conﬁguration. Any excess

memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation.

•

Due to CPU limitation, DDR2 1066 MHz is supported by AM3/AM2+ CPU for one

DIMM per channel only. For system stability, when four DIMMs are installed, all DIMMs

run at DDR2 800 MHz as the default setting.

•

We recommend that you install the memory modules from the yellow slots for better

overclocking capability.

•

Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, it is

recommended that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor.

•

Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows OS, when you install 4GB

or more memory on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be

about 3GB or less. For effective use of memory, we recommend that you do any of the

following:

- Use a maximum of 3GB system memory if you are using a 32-bit Windows OS.

- Install a 64-bit Windows OS when you want to install 4GB or more on the

motherboard.

•

This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 256 megabit (Mb) chips or

less.

•

The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect

(SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module.

Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a

lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. To operate at the vendor-marked or at

a higher frequency, see section

3.6 Advanced menu

for manual memory frequency

adjustment.

•

For system stability, use a more efﬁcient memory cooling system to support a full

memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.