User manual AOPEN AX53-1

Chapter 1 Overview The AX53 is a high-performance Pentium®-based system board that utilizes the PCI/ISA architecture. It has four single in-line memory module (SIMM) sockets that allow memory expansion up to a maximum of 512 MB. It also comes either with 256-KB or 512-KB pipelined-burst cache. To further enhance system performance, the board also integrates the Intel 430HX PCIset, a super I/O controller and a PCI mode 4 enhanced IDE controller with bus master support. One main feature of AX53 is the green power-management function that extends energy conservation from system components to display monitor. It complies with the power-saving standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program. The AX53 board measures 284 mm x 208 mm (11.2 in. x 8.2 in., mini-ATX form). 1-1 Overview 1.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Board Layout 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Keyboard controller Multifunction connector Intel 82371SB ASIC Intel 82439HX ASIC PCI slots ISA slots Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector Super I/O controller Voltage regulators with heatsink COM2 port Parallel port PS/2-mouse port PS/2-keyboard port COM1 port connector 72-pin SIMM sockets PS/2 power connector Two-pin fan connector ATX power connector CPU socket Floppy drive connector Pipelined-burst cache IDE1 connector IDE2 connector COAST1 cache upgrade socket IR connector Real-time clock (RTC) HDD LED connector System BIOS 5 6 3 2 1 4 7 8 9 10 12 11 13 14 15 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 20 21 19 18 17 16 1 Cache module type 1-2 Overview 1.2 Specifications Microprocessor Intel Pentium Processor P54C 75/90/100/120/133/150/166/200 MHz P55C 150/166/200 MHz Cyrix 6x86 series P120+, P133+, P150+ AMD K5 series PR75, PR90, PR100 512 MB (maximum) 72-pin SIMM x 4 Intel 430HX PCIset ISA, PCI Three ISA and four PCI slots One parallel connector (SPP/ECP/EPP) Two serial connectors (UART 16C550) Two dual-channel PCI mode 4 IDE connectors (bus master transfer support) One USB connector that supports two ports One floppy disk drive connector (360 KB/720 KB, 1.2 MB/1.44 MB/2.88 MB) 256-KB pipelined-burst cache, upgradable to a maximum of 512-KB via cache upgrade socket AMI Plug-and-Play Flash ROM BIOS Dallas DS12887A 284 mm x 108 mm (11.2 in. x 8.2 in.) Memory SIMM Sockets ASICs Bus Architecture Expansion Slots Connectors Secondary Cache BIOS RTC & Battery Board Size 1-3 Overview 1.3 System Board Parts 1.3.1 Microprocessor The AX53 system board supports Intel Pentium, AMD K5 and Cyrix 6x86 processors. Chapter 2 tells how to install and upgrade the processor. 1.3.2 ASICs The application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are the Intel 82439HX and Intel 82371SB that belong to the Intel 430HX PCIset. This chipset allows the system to support a higher memory (512 MB) and a pipelined-burst cache. It also offers an error checking and correction (ECC) feature that enables the system to detect, as well as correct the DRAM errors. The Intel 82439HX that comes in a unique ball-grid array (BGA) packaging, acts as the memory controller data path and the DRAM data bus buffer. The BGA packaging offers better stability than the regular quad-flat packaging (QFP). The Intel 82371SB operates as the PCI/ISA bridge and IDE controller. 1.3.3 BIOS The board supports the AMI basic input-output system (BIOS). The BIOS is a program that performs the power-on self test (POST) upon booting. During POST, this program activates the peripheral devices, tests onboard memory and prepares the system for operation. For more information on AMI BIOS, see Chapter 3. 1.3.4 Expansion Slots The board has two ISA, three PCI and one PCI-/ISA-shared slots. The ISA expansion slots are the black parallel bars on the system board. The PCI slots are those with white color and are shorter than the ISA slots. There are rows of golden pins inside each slot that serve as a clutch to secure the contacts of the expansion board. For information on how to install the expansion boards, see Chapter 2. 1-4 Overview 1.3.5 DRAM Sockets The system board has four 72-pin SIMM sockets that allow you to expand system memory to a maximum of 512 MB. These sockets accept both singledensity and double-density SIMMs. Chapter 2 tells how to install memory modules and the different memory configurations available. 1.3.6 Second-level Cache The AX53 motherboard may come with 256-KB or 512-KB pipelined-burst second-level cache. The board with 256-KB second-level cache also comes with a COAST cache upgrade socket. The cache upgrade socket enables you to upgrade cache to 512 KB. The pipelined-burst cache improves system performance by shortening the DRAM read prefetch time resulting to a faster data transfer rate. 1.3.7 Dual-channel PCI Mode 4 Enhanced IDE Connectors The AX53 board integrates two dual-channel PCI mode 4 enhanced integrated drive electronics (E-IDE) connectors that allow the system to support four E-IDE devices (including hard disks with more than 528-MB capacity). This feature offers users increased data storage capacity. 1.3.8 Super I/O Controller The onboard super I/O controller accommodates the following: · · · · Two UART 16450/16550-compatible fast serial ports A parallel port with standard parallel port (SPP), enhanced parallel port (EPP) or extended capabilities port (ECP) support. Both the EPP and ECP comply with the IEEE 1284 standards. 3.5-inch floppy disk drives with 720-KB, 1.44-MB or 2.88-MB format. 5.25-inch floppy disk drives with 360-KB, 1.2-MB format 1-5 Overview 1.3.9 USB Connector The onboard Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector enables AX53 to support additional peripheral devices. See Chapter 2 for more details. 1.3.10 Keyboard Port The keyboard port allows you to connect any PS/2-compatible keyboard. See the board layout figure for the location of the keyboard port. Chapter 2 tells how to connect a PS/2 keyboard. 1.3.11 Mouse Port The board supports a PS/2 mouse port. See Chapter 2 for details on how to connect a PS/2 mouse. 1-6