Asus P8Z68-M PRO User Manual - Page 14

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Chapter 1: Product introduction

Intel

®

Z68 Express Chipset

The Intel

®

Z68 Express Chipset is the latest single-chipset design to

support the new 1155 socket Intel

®

Core™ i7 / Core™ i5 / Core™ i3

second generation processors. It uses serial point-to-point links, which

allows increased bandwidth and stability, and provides an improved

performance. It also provides two SATA 6.0 Gb/s and four SATA 3.0

Gb/s ports for faster data retrieval at double the bandwidth of current

bus systems. Moreover,

Intel

®

Z68 Express Chipset also supports

iGPU function, letting users enjoy the latest Intel integrated graphic

performance.

Dual-Channel DDR3 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 1866(O.C.) / 1600 /

1333 / 1066 Support

The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer

rates of 2200(O.C.) / 2133(O.C.) / 1866 / 1600/ 1333 / 1066 MHz to meet

the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics, multimedia,

and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture enlarges

the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance.

* Due to CPU behavior, DDR3 2200/2000/1800 MHz memory module will run at

DDR3 2133/1866/1600 MHz frequency as default.

Intel

®

Smart Response Technology

Inte

®

Smart Response Technology boosts overall system performance. It

uses an installed fast SSD (min. 18.6GB available capacity required) as

a cache for frequently accessed data. Key benefits include reduced load

and wait times, and lower power consumption through the elimination

of unnecessary hard drive spin. This technology combines SSD

performance with hard drive capacity, operating up to 4X faster than a

hard drive-only system, and an important part of Green ASUS eco-

friendly computing.

LucidLogix

®

Virtu

LucidLogix

®

Virtu is designed for the Intel

®

Sandy Bridge platform's

powerful integrated graphics. Its GPU virtualization dynamically

assigns tasks to the best available graphics resources based on power,

performance and system load on Windows

®

7 based PCs.

It allows

users to fully utilize the unique capabilities of advanced Sandy Bridge

multimedia features alongside the high end 3D rendering performance

provided by installed graphics cards. When no discrete graphics are

needed, the graphics card is put in idle mode to lower utilization, heat,

fan speed and power draw down to near zero, making the system more

environmentally-friendly. For users with diverse needs, LucidLogix

®

Virtu

GPU virtualization provides great flexibility and efficiency.

USB 3.0 Support

Experience ultra-fast data transfer at 4.8Gbps with USB 3.0 - the latest

connectivity standard. Built to connect easily with next-generation

components and peripherals, USB 3.0 transfers data 10 times faster and

is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 components.

Section	Page
Notices	6
Safety information	7
About this guide	8
P8Z68-M PRO specifications summary	9
Chapter 1	13
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	15
1.3.3 Intel® Smart Response Technology & LucidLogix® VirtuTM Solution	18
1.4 Before you proceed	21
1.5 Motherboard overview	22
1.5.1 Placement direction	22
1.5.2 Screw holes	22
1.5.3 Motherboard layout	23
1.5.4 Layout contents	23
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)	24
1.6.1 Installing the CPU	24
1.6.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan	27
1.6.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan	28
1.7 System memory	29
1.7.1 Overview	29
1.7.2 Memory configurations	30
1.7.3 Installing a DIMM	35
1.7.4 Removing a DIMM	35
1.8 Expansion slots	36
1.8.1 Installing an expansion card	36
1.8.2 Configuring an expansion card	36
1.8.3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots	36
1.8.4 PCI slots	36
1.9 Jumpers	37
1.10 Connectors	38
1.10.1 Rear panel connectors	38
1.10.2 Internal connectors	40
1.11 Onboard switches	46
1.12 Onboard LEDs	47
1.13 Software support	49
1.13.1 Installing an operating system	49
1.13.2 Support DVD information	49
Chapter 2	51
BIOS information	51
2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS	51
2.1.1 ASUS Update utility	51
2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2	52
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility	53
2.1.4 ASUS BIOS Updater	54
2.2 BIOS setup program	57
2.3 Main menu	61
2.3.1 System Language [English]	61
2.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]	61
2.3.3 System Time [xx:xx:xx]	61
2.3.4 Security	61
2.4 Ai Tweaker menu	63
2.4.1 Ai Overclock Tuner [Auto]	64
2.4.2 Turbo Ratio [By All Cores]	64
2.4.3 Internal PLL Overvoltage [Auto]	64
2.4.4 Memory Frequency [Auto]	64
2.4.5 iGPU Max. Frequency [Auto]	64
2.4.6 EPU Power Saving Mode [Disabled]	65
2.4.7 OC Tuner	65
2.4.8 DRAM Timing Control	65
2.4.9 CPU Power Management	65
2.4.10 CPU Offset Mode Sign [+]	66
2.4.11 iGPU Offset Mode Sign [+]	66
2.4.12 DRAM Voltage [Auto]	66
2.4.13 VCCIO Voltage [Auto]	67
2.4.14 CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]	67
2.4.15 PCH Voltage [Auto]	67
2.4.16 Load-Line Calibration [Auto]	67
2.4.17 CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto]	67
2.5 Advanced menu	68
2.5.1 CPU Configuration	68
2.5.2 System Agent Configuration	70
2.5.3 PCH Configuration	70
2.5.4 SATA Configuration	70
2.5.5 USB Configuration	71
2.5.6 Onboard Devices Configuration	71
2.5.7 APM	73
2.6 Monitor menu	74
2.6.1 CPU Temperature / MB Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]	75
2.6.2 CPU / Chassis /PWR Fan Speed [xxxx RPM] or [Ignore] / [N/A]	75
2.6.3 CPU Q-Fan Control [Enabled]	75
2.6.4 Chassis Q-Fan Control [Enabled]	76
2.6.5 CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage	76
2.6.6 Anti Surge Support [Enabled]	76
2.7 Boot menu	77
2.7.1 Bootup NumLock State [On]	77
2.7.2 Full Screen Logo [Enabled]	77
2.7.3 Wait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled]	77
2.7.4 Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS]	78
2.7.5 Setup Mode [EZ Mode]	78
2.7.6 Boot Option Priorities	78
2.7.7 Boot Override	78
2.8 Tools menu	79
2.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash Utility	79
2.8.2 ASUS SPD Information	79
2.8.3 ASUS O.C. Profile	79

Asus P8Z68-M PRO User Manual - Page 14

Dual-Channel DDR3 2200O.C. / 2133O.C. / 1866O.C. / 1600 - intel z68

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