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Asus SABERTOOTH 55i User Manual - Page 17

TUF ENGINE! Power Design, Ultimate COOL! Thermal Solutions - overclock

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Chapter 1 1.3.2 "TUF ENGINE!" Power Design ASUS 12+2 Phase Power Design The groundbreaking 12+2 phase VRM design is brought to the ASUS motherboards. 12+2 phase power design, 12-phase for vCore and extra 2-phase for Memory controller inside CPU can provide the highest power efficiency, and hence generates less heat to effectively enhance the overclocking capability. With the high quality power components such as low RDS (on) MOSFETs, Ferrite core chokes with lower hysteresis loss and 100% Japan-made high quality conductive polymer capacitors, ASUS 12+2 phase VRM design also ensure longer component life and minimum power loss. ESP - Efficient Switching Power Design Exclusively for this motherboard, the power switching design is provided not only for the CPU, but also for other key components such as graphics card, PCI slots, and chipsets. E.S.P. dramatically improves system efficiency and reduces heat generation. TUF Cap. & MOSFET (certified by military standard) Get rugged performance even in the most challenging conditions with robust capacitors and MOSFETs - certified through third-party, military testing. 1.3.3 "Ultimate COOL!" Thermal Solutions CeraM!X Heatsink Coating Technology Innovative ceramics actively conducts heat away from the system. It replaces traditional antioxidants to dissipate heat better with its microscopic irregular surface and enlarged area. Better cooling leads to overall improvement in system stability. DO NOT uninstall the heatsink module by yourself. Doing so may bend the tubing and affect the heat dissipation performance. CoolMem! Fan Frame CoolMem! fan frame provides an effective and easy DIY way to cool the memory. The frame encloses 40mm or 50mm fans and fits them directly over the memory module. CoolMem! Fan Frame keeps your memory under a proper operating temperature, helping your system cool and stable. T.Probe Technology The T.Probe microchip detects and balances power phase loading and temperature in real-time. This feature optimizes the power phase functions, allowing components to run at lower temperatures and extending their lifespan. ASUS Fan Xpert ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows you to adjust both the CPU and chassis fan speeds according to different ambient temperatures caused by different climate conditions in different geographic regions and your PC's loading. The built-in variety of useful profiles offer flexible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment. Refer to page 4-4 for details. ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i 1-3

Section	Page
Contents	3
Notices	7
Safety information	8
About this guide	9
SABERTOOTH 55i 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 “TUF ENGINE!” Power Design	17
1.3.3 “Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solutions	17
1.3.4 “Safe & Stable!” Guardian Angel	18
1.3.5 ASUS exclusive features	18
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	28
2.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan	29
2.4 System memory	30
2.4.1 Overview	30
2.4.2 Memory configurations	31
2.4.3 Installing a DIMM	37
2.4.4 Removing a DIMM	37
2.5 Expansion slots	38
2.5.1 Installing an expansion card	38
2.5.2 Configuring an expansion card	38
2.5.3 Interrupt assignments	39
2.5.4 PCI slots	40
2.5.5 PCI Express 2.0 x1 slots (2.5GT/s)	40
2.5.6 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots	40
2.6 Jumpers	42
2.7 Onboard switches	43
2.8 Connectors	46
2.8.1 Rear panel connectors	46
2.8.2 Audio I/O connections	47
2.8.3 Internal connectors	50
2.8.4. ASUS Q-Connector (system panel)	59
2.9 Onboard LEDs	60
2.10 Starting up for the first time	61
2.11 Turning off the computer	61
Chapter 3: BIOS setup	63
3.1 Knowing BIOS	63
3.2 Updating BIOS	63
3.2.1 ASUS Update utility	64
3.2.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility	66
3.2.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility	67
3.2.4 ASUS BIOS Updater	67
3.3 BIOS setup program	70
3.3.1 BIOS menu screen	70
3.3.2 Menu bar	70
3.3.3 Navigation keys	71
3.3.4 Menu items	71
3.3.5 Submenu items	71
3.3.6 Configuration fields	71
3.3.7 Pop-up window	71
3.3.8 Scroll bar	71
3.3.9 General help	71
3.4 Main menu	72
3.4.1 SATA 1-6	72
3.4.2 Storage Configuration	74
3.4.3 AHCI Configuration	75
3.4.4 System Information	75
3.5 Ai Tweaker menu	76
3.5.1 Ai Overclock Tuner [Auto]	76
3.5.2 CPU Ratio Setting [Auto]	77
3.5.3 Intel(R) SpeedStep(TM) Tech [Enabled]	77
3.5.8 DRAM Frequency [Auto]	78
3.5.9 QPI Frequency [Auto]	78
3.5.10 DRAM Timing Control	78
3.5.4 Intel(R) TurboMode Tech [Enabled]	78
3.5.5 Xtreme Phase Full Power Mode [Auto]	78
3.5.6 BCLK Frequency [XXX]	78
3.5.7 PCIE Frequency [XXX]	78
3.5.11 CPU Differential Amplitude [Auto]	80
3.5.12 CPU Clock Skew [Auto]	80
3.5.13 CPU Voltage Mode [Offset]	80
3.5.14 IMC Voltage [Auto]	81
3.5.15 DRAM Voltage [Auto]	81
3.5.16 CPU PLL Voltage [Auto]	81
3.5.17 PCH Voltage [Auto]	82
3.5.18 DRAM DATA REF Voltage on CHA/B [Auto]	82
3.5.19 DRAM CTRL REF Voltage on CHA/B [Auto]	82
3.5.20 Load-Line Calibration [Auto]	82
3.5.21 CPU Spread Spectrum [Auto]	82
3.5.22 PCIE Spread Spectrum [Auto]	82
3.6 Advanced menu	83
3.6.1 CPU Configuration	83
3.6.2 North Bridge Configuration	85
3.6.3 Onboard Devices Configuration	86
3.6.4 USB Configuration	87
3.6.5 PCIPnP	88
3.6.6 Intel VT-d [Disabled]	88
3.6.7 T.Probe [Enabled]	88
3.7 Power menu	89
3.7.1 Suspend Mode [Auto]	89
3.7.2 Repost Video on S3 Resume [No]	89
3.7.3 ACPI 2.0 Support [Disabled]	89
3.7.4 ACPI APIC Support [Enabled]	89
3.7.5 EuP Ready [Disabled]	89
3.7.6 APM Configuration	90
3.7.7 Hardware Monitor	91
3.8 Boot menu	92
3.8.1 Boot Device Priority	92
3.8.2 Boot Settings Configuration	93
3.8.3 Security	94
3.9 Tools menu	96
3.9.1 ASUS O.C. Profile	96
3.9.2 Drive Xpert Configuration	98
3.9.3 AI NET 2	99
3.9.4 ASUS EZ Flash 2	99
3.10 Exit menu	100
Chapter 4: Software support	101
4.1 Installing an operating system	101
4.2 Support DVD information	101
4.2.1 Running the support DVD	101
4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals	102
4.3 Software information	103
4.3.1 ASUS PC Probe II	103
4.3.2 ASUS Fan Xpert	104
4.3.3 VIA® High Definition Audio utility	105
4.3.4 ASUS Drive Xpert	106
4.3.5 ASUS T.Probe	107
4.4 RAID configurations	108
4.4.1 RAID definitions	108
4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks	109
4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS	109
4.4.4 Intel® Matrix Storage Manager option ROM utility	109
4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk	113
4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS	113
4.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows®	113
4.5.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation	114
4.5.4 Using a USB floppy disk drive	114
Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support	117
5.1 ATI® CrossFireX™ technology	117
5.1.1 Requirements	117
5.1.2 Before you begin	117
5.1.3 Installing two CrossFireX™ graphics cards	118
5.1.4 Installing the device drivers	119
5.1.5 Enabling the ATI® CrossFireX™ technology	119
5.2 NVIDIA® SLI™ technology	121
5.2.1 Requirements	121
5.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards	121
5.2.3 Installing the device drivers	122

Match case Limit results 1 per page

ASUS SABERTOOTH 55i

1-3

Chapter 1

1.3.2

“TUF ENGINE!” Power Design

ASUS 12+2 Phase Power Design

The groundbreaking 12+2 phase VRM design is brought to the ASUS motherboards. 12+2

phase power design, 12-phase for vCore and extra 2-phase for Memory controller inside

CPU can provide the highest power efﬁciency, and hence generates less heat to effectively

enhance the overclocking capability. With the high quality power components such as low

RDS (on) MOSFETs, Ferrite core chokes with lower hysteresis loss and 100% Japan-made

high quality conductive polymer capacitors, ASUS 12+2 phase VRM design also ensure

longer component life and minimum power loss.

ESP – Efﬁcient Switching Power Design

Exclusively for this motherboard, the power switching design is provided not only for the

CPU, but also for other key components such as graphics card, PCI slots, and chipsets.

E.S.P. dramatically improves system efﬁciency and reduces heat generation.

TUF Cap. & MOSFET (certiﬁed by military standard)

Get rugged performance even in the most challenging conditions with robust capacitors and

MOSFETs – certiﬁed through third-party, military testing.

1.3.3

“Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solutions

CeraM!X Heatsink Coating Technology

Innovative ceramics actively conducts heat away from the system. It replaces traditional

antioxidants to dissipate heat better with its microscopic irregular surface and enlarged area.

Better cooling leads to overall improvement in system stability.

DO NOT uninstall the heatsink module by yourself. Doing so may bend the tubing and

affect the heat dissipation performance.

CoolMem! Fan Frame

CoolMem! fan frame provides an effective and easy DIY way to cool the memory. The frame

encloses 40mm or 50mm fans and ﬁts them directly over the memory module. CoolMem! Fan

Frame keeps your memory under a proper operating temperature, helping your system cool

and stable.

T.Probe Technology

The T.Probe microchip detects and balances power phase loading and temperature in

real-time. This feature optimizes the power phase functions, allowing components to run at

lower temperatures and extending their lifespan.

ASUS Fan Xpert

ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows you to adjust both the CPU and chassis fan speeds

according to different ambient temperatures caused by different climate conditions in different

geographic regions and your PC’s loading. The built-in variety of useful proﬁles offer ﬂexible

controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment. Refer to page 4-4 for details.