Asus M4A78-HTPC User Manual - Page 15

ASUS HTPC Features

Absolute Pitch Hi-Fi

The independent audio power supply, which is an unprecedented design

on motherboards, effectively reduces electrical noise and ensures

the purity of sounds. Its gold-plated RCA stereo audio connectors are

compatible with amplifiers and do not require any additional connectors,

making it easy and simple to connect your PC to your home theater

speakers.

•

For better sound quality, connect a power plug to the 4-pin audio power connector.

Refer to page 1-26 for details.

•

If you intend to use the RCA audio output function in Windows

®

Vista™ OS, set the

RCA Audio

item in the BIOS to [Enabled]. Refer to page 2-15 for details.

ASUS Tranquil Mode

The revolutionary ASUS Tranquil Mode effectively reduces fan speeds,

which lower the CPU power usage while increasing energy efficiency. With

the reduction in fan speeds, the noise also decreases, thus providing you

with the perfect environment to enjoy watching movies or playing music.

ASUS Tranquil Mode is supported by AM3/AM2+ CPU only.

ASUS Home Theater Gate

The ASUS Home Theater Gate, specially designed for the HTPC series,

allows you to easily and quickly launch media applications to enjoy your

music and movies.

For RC Edition:

Use the bundled remote controller to launch the ASUS

Home Theater Gate and start media applications.

ASUS Unique Features

ASUS Express Gate

Express Gate is an ASUS exclusive OS, which lets you instantly access

the Internet and key applications before entering Windows

®

.

The actual boot time depends on the system configuration.

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1-3

Section	Page
Contents	3
Notices	6
Safety information	7
About this guide	7
M4A78-HTPC specifications summary	9
Chapter 1 Product introduction	13
1.1 Welcome!	13
1.2 Package contents	13
1.3 Special features	13
1.3.1 Product highlights	13
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features	14
1.4 Before you proceed	16
1.5 Motherboard overview	17
1.5.1 Placement direction	17
1.5.2 Screw holes	17
1.5.3 Motherboard layout	18
1.5.4 Layout contents	18
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	19
1.6.1 Installing the CPU	19
1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan	20
1.7 System memory	22
1.7.1 Overview	22
1.7.2 Memory configurations	22
1.7.3 Installing a DIMM	27
1.7.4 Removing a DIMM	27
1.8 Expansion slots	28
1.8.1 Installing an expansion card	28
1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card	28
1.8.3 PCI slot	28
1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slots	28
1.8.5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot	28
1.9 Jumpers	29
1.10 Connectors	30
1.10.1 Rear panel connectors	30
1.10.2 Internal connectors	34
1.11 Software support	43
1.11.1 Installing an operating system	43
1.11.2 Support DVD information	43
1.11.3 ASUS Home Theater Gate	44
Chapter 2 BIOS information	47
2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS	47
2.1.1 ASUS Update utility	47
2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility	48
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility	49
2.2 BIOS setup program	49
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen	50
2.2.2 Menu bar	50
2.2.3 Navigation keys	51
2.2.4 Menu items	51
2.2.5 Submenu items	51
2.2.6 Configuration fields	51
2.2.7 General help	51
2.2.8 Pop-up window	51
2.2.9 Scroll bar	51
2.3 Main menu	52
2.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx]	52
2.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]	52
2.3.3 Language [English]	52
2.3.4 SATA 1/SATA 3	52
2.3.5 SATA 1–5/ESATA	53
2.3.6 SATA Configuration	54
2.3.7 System Information	54
2.4 Advanced menu	55
2.4.1 JumperFree Configuration	55
2.4.2 CPU Configuration	58
2.4.3 Chipset	59
2.4.4 Onboard Devices Configuration	61
2.4.5 PCIPnP	61
2.4.6 USB Configuration	61
2.5 Power menu	62
2.5.1 Suspend Mode [Auto]	62
2.5.2 ACPI 2.0 Support [Disabled]	63
2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]	63
2.5.4 APM Configuration	63
2.5.5 Hardware Monitor	63
2.6 Boot menu	64
2.6.1 Boot Device Priority	65
2.6.2 Boot Settings Configuration	65
2.6.3 Security	65
2.7 Tools menu	67
2.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2	67
2.7.2 Express Gate [Auto]	67
2.7.3 AI NET 2	67

Asus M4A78-HTPC User Manual - Page 15

ASUS HTPC Features, Absolute Pitch Hi-Fi, ASUS Tranquil Mode, ASUS Home Theater Gate, ASUS Unique - rc

Page 15 highlights