User manual ASUS A8N-SLI PREMIUM

A8N-SLI Premium Motherboard E2435 Revised Edition V3 February 2006 Copyright © 2006 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. ("ASUS"). Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing. ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT. Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners' benefit, without intent to infringe. ii Contents Notices ...............................................................................................viii Safety information .............................................................................. ix About this guide ................................................................................... x How this guide is organized ...................................................... x Where to find more information .............................................. xi Conventions used in this guide ................................................ xi Typography ......................................................................................... xi A8N-SLI Premium specifications summary ..........................................xii Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 1.2 1.3 Welcome! .............................................................................. 1-1 Package contents ................................................................. 1-1 Special features .................................................................... 1-2 1.3.1 1.3.2 1.3.3 2.1 2.2 Product highlights ................................................... 1-2 ASUS Proactive features ........................................ 1-5 Innovative ASUS features ....................................... 1-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information Before you proceed .............................................................. 2-1 Motherboard overview .......................................................... 2-2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4 2.3 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.4.4 2.5 2.5.1 2.5.2 Placement direction ................................................ 2-2 Screw holes ............................................................. 2-2 Motherboard layout ................................................ 2-3 Layout Contents ..................................................... 2-4 Overview ................................................................. 2-6 Installling the CPU ................................................... 2-6 Installing the heatsink and fan ................................ 2-8 Overview ............................................................... 2-11 Memory Configurations ......................................... 2-11 Installing a DIMM ................................................... 2-14 Removing a DIMM .................................................. 2-14 Installing an expansion card .................................. 2-15 Configuring an expansion card .............................. 2-15 iii Central Processing Unit (CPU) .............................................. 2-6 System memory.................................................................. 2-11 Expansion slots ................................................................... 2-15 Contents 2.5.3 2.5.4 2.5.5 2.5.6 2.5.7 2.6 2.7 Interrupt assignments ........................................... 2-16 PCI slots ................................................................ 2-16 Two PCI Express x16 slots .................................... 2-17 PCI Express x1 slot ............................................... 2-17 Universal PCIe slot (PCI Express x4 slot) .............. 2-17 Jumpers .............................................................................. 2-18 Connectors ......................................................................... 2-19 2.7.1 2.7.2 Rear panel connectors .......................................... 2-19 Internal connectors ............................................... 2-21 Chapter 3: Powering up 3.1 3.2 Starting up for the first time ................................................ 3-1 Powering off the computer ................................................... 3-2 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.3 3.3.1 3.3.2 4.1 Using the OS shut down function ........................... 3-2 Using the dual function power switch ..................... 3-2 Vocal POST messages............................................. 3-3 Winbond Voice Editor ............................................. 3-5 ASUS POST ReporterTM .......................................................... 3-3 Chapter 4: BIOS setup Managing and updating your BIOS ........................................ 4-1 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 4.1.5 4.1.6 4.2 4.2.1 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.2.4 4.2.5 4.2.6 4.2.8 4.2.7 iv Creating a bootable floppy disk .............................. 4-1 Updating the BIOS ................................................... 4-2 Saving the current BIOS file .................................... 4-4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ................................ 4-5 ASUS EZ Flash utility ............................................... 4-7 ASUS Update utility ................................................ 4-8 BIOS menu screen ................................................. 4-12 Menu bar ............................................................... 4-12 Legend bar ............................................................ 4-13 Menu items ........................................................... 4-13 Sub-menu items .................................................... 4-13 Configuration fields ............................................... 4-13 General help .......................................................... 4-14 Pop-up window ...................................................... 4-14 BIOS setup program ............................................................ 4-11 Contents 4.3 Main menu........................................................................... 4-15 4.3.1 4.3.2 4.3.3 4.3.4 4.3.5 4.3.5 4.3.7 4.3.8 4.4 4.4.1 4.4.2 4.4.3 4.4.4 4.4.5 4.4.6 4.4.7 4.4.8 4.4.9 4.5 4.5.1 4.5.2 4.5.3 4.5.4 4.6 4.6.1 4.6.3 4.6.2 4.6.4 4.6.5 4.6.6 4.7 5.1 System Time ........................................................ 4-15 System Date ........................................................ 4-15 Language ............................................................. 4-15 Legacy Diskette A ............................................... 4-15 Primary and Secondary IDE Master/Slave ............. 4-16 First, Second, Third, Fourth SATA Master ............ 4-18 HDD SMART Monitoring ......................................... 4-19 Installed Memory ................................................... 4-19 CPU Configuration ................................................. 4-20 PCIPnP ................................................................... 4-23 Onboard Devices Configuration............................. 4-24 SLI Configuration................................................... 4-29 JumperFree Configuration ..................................... 4-30 LAN Cable Status .................................................. 4-32 PEG Link Mode....................................................... 4-33 Speech Configuration ............................................ 4-34 Instant Music ......................................................... 4-34 ACPI Suspend Type ............................................... 4-35 ACPI APIC Support ................................................ 4-35 APM Configuration ................................................ 4-36 Hardware Monitor.................................................. 4-38 Boot Device Priority .............................................. 4-40 Hard Disk Drives .................................................... 4-41 Removable Drives.................................................. 4-41 CDROM Drives ....................................................... 4-42 Boot Settings Configuration ................................ 4-42 Security ................................................................. 4-44 Advanced menu .................................................................. 4-20 Power menu ........................................................................ 4-35 Boot menu .......................................................................... 4-40 Exit menu ............................................................................ 4-46 Installing an operating system .............................................. 5-1 Chapter 5: Software support v Contents 5.2 Support CD information ........................................................ 5-1 5.2.1 5.2.2 5.2.3 5.2.4 5.2.5 5.2.6 5.4 5.4.1 5.4.2 5.4.3 5.4.4 5.5 5.5.1 5.5.2 5.5.3 5.6 5.7 Running the support CD .......................................... 5-1 Drivers menu ........................................................... 5-2 Utilities menu .......................................................... 5-3 Manuals menu ......................................................... 5-5 ASUS Contact information ...................................... 5-6 Other information ................................................... 5-6 ASUS MyLogo2TM ..................................................... 5-9 AI NET 2 ................................................................ 5-11 Using the Virtual Cable TesterTM ........................... 5-11 Audio configurations ............................................. 5-12 Using the NVIDIA® FirewallTM.................................. 5-18 Installing hard disks ............................................... 5-22 NVIDIA® RAID configurations ................................. 5-23 Silicon Image RAID configurations ......................... 5-30 Software information ............................................................ 5-9 RAID configurations ............................................................ 5-21 Creating a RAID driver disk ................................................. 5-40 Cool n Quiet!TM Technology ............................................... 5-41 5.7.1 5.7.2 Enabling Cool n Quiet!TM Technology ................... 5-41 Launching the Cool n Quiet!TM software .............. 5-42 Managing your nForceTM system ............................ 5-43 Clock control ......................................................... 5-44 Voltage/Fan control .............................................. 5-44 Information ........................................................... 5-45 Other options ........................................................ 5-45 Launching the ASUS AI Selector ........................... 5-46 Using the SLI mode ............................................... 5-47 5.8 Using the NVIDIA® nTuneTM utility ....................................... 5-43 5.8.1 5.8.2 5.8.3 5.8.4 5.8.5 5.9 Using the ASUS AI Selector utility ...................................... 5-46 5.9.1 5.9.2 Chapter 6: SLITM technology support 6.1 Overview ............................................................................... 6-1 6.1.1 6.1.2 Requirements .......................................................... 6-1 ASUS Certified SLI Graphics cards .......................... 6-1 vi 6.2 Dual graphics card setup ...................................................... 6-3 6.2.1 6.2.2 6.2.3 6.2.4 Installing SLI-ready graphics cards .......................... 6-3 Setting the SLI mode in BIOS .................................. 6-7 Installing the device drivers .................................... 6-7 Enabling the multi-GPU feature in Windows ............ 6-7 Appendix A.1 Using the SATA extension module ....................................... A-1 A.1.1 A.1.1 Installing the 2-port SATA extension module ......... A-1 Installing SATA hard drives ..................................... A-2 vii Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: · This device may not cause harmful interference, and · This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturers instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: · Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. · Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. · Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. · Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate this equipment. Canadian Department of Communications Statement This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. viii Safety information Electrical safety · To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. · When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device. · Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged. · Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit. · Make sure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company. · If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer. Operation safety · Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package. · Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately. · To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry. · Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area where it may become wet. · Place the product on a stable surface. · If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified service technician or your retailer. The symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products. ix About this guide This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. How this guide is organized This manual contains the following parts: · Chapter 1: Product introduction This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. · Chapter 2: Hardware information This chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard. · Chapter 3: Powering up This chapter describes the power up sequence, the vocal POST messages, and ways of shutting down the system. · Chapter 4: BIOS setup This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided. · Chapter 5: Software support This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package. · · Chapter 6: NVIDIA ® SLITM technology support This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. Appendix: Installation options This appendix describes how to install optional accessories to your motherboard. x Where to find more information Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. 2. Optional documentation Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package. Conventions used in this guide To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task. Typography Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select Used to emphasize a word or a phrase Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign means that you must press the enclosed key Example: means that you must press the Enter or Return key ++ If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key names are linked with a plus sign (+) Example: ++ Italics Command Means that you must type the command exactly as shown, then supply the required item or value enclosed in brackets Example: At the DOS prompt, type the command line: awdflash A8NSLI.ROM xi A8N-SLI Premium specifications summary CPU Socket 939 for AMD AthlonTM 64FX/AMD AthlonTM 64 processor Supports AMD 64 architecture that enables simultaneous 32-bit and 64-bit architecture Supports AMD® Cool n Quiet! Technology NVIDIA® nForceTM 4 SLI Supports NVIDIA® Scalable Link InterfaceTM (SLI) technology 1600/2000 MT per second Dual-channel memory architecture 4 x 184-pin DIMM sockets support ECC/non-ECC unbufferred 400/333/266 MHz DDR memory modules Supports up to 4 GB system memory 2 x PCI Express x16 slots with Scalable Link Interface (SLITM) support 1 x PCI Express x1 slot 1 x PCI Express x4 slot running at 1 GB/s bandwidth 3 x PCI slots SLITM mode supports: - 2 x identical SLITM-ready PCI Express x16 graphics cards (Note: In SLI mode, the PCI Express x16 slots work at the bandwidth of PCI Express x8. The combined bandwidth of these maintain the bandwidth of PCI Express x16.) Chipset System Bus Memory Expansion slots Scalable Link Interface (SLITM) Single card mode supports (default): - 1 x any PCI Express x16 graphics card on the first slot (blue) ASUS AI Selector ASUS EZ PlugTM ASUS PEG Link for dual PCI Express graphics cards ASUS Two-slot thermal design Storage NVIDIA® nForceTM 4 SLI chipset supports: - 2 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 - 4 x Serial ATA II devices - RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, and JBOD Silicon Image 3114R RAID controller supports: - 4 x Serial ATA with RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, and RAID 5 configuration (continued on the next page) xii A8N-SLI Premium specifications summary AI Overclocking AI NOSTM (Non-Delay Overclocking System) ASUS AI Overclocking (Intelligent CPU frequency tuner) ASUS PEG Link for single/dual graphics card Fixed PCI Express/PCI/SATA frequencies ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) Precision Tweaker supports: - DIMM voltage: 9-step DRAM voltage control - Core voltage: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.0125 increment - PCI Express Frequency: Allows 1MHz increment from 100MHz to 200MHz - Stepless Frequency Selection(SFS) allows 1MHz increment from 200 MHz to 400 MHz ASUS AI Cool-Pipe ASUS AI Selector ASUS Post ReporterTM ASUS EZFlash ASUS Q-Fan ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 ASUS Multi-language BIOS ASUS MyLogo2 ASUS Instant Music ASUS SLI Warning LED ASUS EZ Plug 1 x Floppy disk drive connector 2 x IDE connectors 8 x Serial ATA connectors 1 x CPU fan connector 1 x Power fan connector 2 x Chassis fan connector 1 x Chipset fan connector 1 x Serial port connector (COM port) 1 x 24-pin ATX power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12 V power connector 1 x 4-pin ASUS EZ PlugTM connector 3 x USB 2.0 connectors for 6 additional USB 2.0 ports 1 x Internal audio connectors (CD\AUX) 1 x IEEE 1394 connector 1 x GAME/MIDI connector 1 x Chassis intrusion connector 1 x Front panel audio connector System panel connector Special features Internal connectors (continued on the next page) xiii A8N-SLI Premium specifications summary LAN NVIDIA® nForceTM 4 built-in Gigabit MAC with external Marvell® PHY supports: - NV ActiveArmor - NV Firewall - AI NET2 Marvell® 88E8001 PCI Gigabit LAN controller supports: - Marvell® Virtual Cable Tester technology - AI NET2 Realtek® ALC850 8-channel CODEC 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out port 1 x Optical S/PDIF out port Supports Universal Audio Jack (UAJ®) Technology Supports Audio Sensing and Enumeration Technology T1 1394a controller supports: - 2 x IEEE 1394 connector Supports up to 10 USB 2.0 ports 1 x Parallel port 1 x IEEE 1394 port 2 x LAN (RJ-45) port 4 x USB 2.0 ports 1 x Optical S/PDIF out port 1 x Coaxial S/PDIF out port 1 x PS/2 keyboard port 1 x PS/2 mouse port 8-channel audio ports 4 Mb Flash ROM, Phoenix-Award BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.3 ATX power supply (with 24-pin and 4-pin 12 V plugs) ATX 12 V 2.0 compliant ATX form factor: 12 in x 9.6 in (30.5 cm x 24.4 cm) Device drivers ASUS PC Probe ASUS Live Update utility ASUS CoolnQuiet! utility Anti-virus utility (OEM version) NVIDIA® nTuneTM utility AI Audio IEEE 1394 USB Rear panel BIOS features Power Requirement Form Factor Support CD contents *Specifications are subject to change without notice. xiv This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports. Product introduction 1 Chapter summary 1.1 1.2 1.3 Welcome! .............................................................................. 1-1 Package contents ................................................................. 1-1 Special features .................................................................... 1-2 ASUS A8N-SLI Premium 1.1 Welcome! Thank you for buying an ASUS ® A8N-SLI Premium motherboard! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below. 1.2 Package contents ASUS A8N-SLI Premium motherboard Serial ATA 2-port extension module IEEE1394 (1 port) module USB 2.0 2-port module USB 2.0 + GAME port module 8 x Serial ATA signal cables Serial ATA power cable with dual plugs Ultra DMA/133 cable 40-conductor IDE cable Floppy disk drive cable COM cable I/O shield SLITM flexible cable ASUS motherboard support CD InterVideo® WinDVD Suite® (retail box only) User guide Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard I/O modules Cables Accessories Application CDs Documentation If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer. ASUS A8N-SLI Premium 1-1 1.3 1.3.1 Special features Product highlights Latest processor technology The AMD AthlonTM 64FX and AthlonTM 64 desktop processors are based on AMDs 64-bit and 32-bit architecture, which represents the landmark introduction of the industrys first x86-64 technology. These processors provide a dramatic leap forward in compatibility, performance, investment protection, and reduced total cost of ownership and development. See page 2-6. Scalable Link Interface (SLITM) technology The NVIDIA® nForce4® Scalable Link Interface (SLITM) technology allows two graphics processing units (GPUs) in a single system. This technology takes advantage of the PCI ExpressTM bus architecture and features intelligent hardware and software solutions that allows multiple GPUs to work together and achieve exceptional graphics performance. See Chapter 6 for details. Built-in NVFirewallTM and NVActiveArmorTM The NVIDIA® FirewallTM (NVFirewallTM) is an easy-to-use high-performance desktop firewall application that protects your system from intruders. Integrated into the NVIDIA® nForce4® SLITM chipset with the NVIDIA® Gigabit Ethernet, it provides advanced anti-computer-hacking technologies, remote management capabilities, and a user-friendly setup wizard that improves overall system security. Enhancing your network security is the NVIDIA® ActiveArmorTM (NV ActiveArmorTM) engine that provides advanced data packet inspection. This innovative technology ensures that only safe data packets are passed on the network. It boosts overall system performance by offloading the CPU from the rigorous task of filtering data packets. See page 5-18 for details. AMD Cool n Quiet!TM Technology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool n Quiet!TM Technology that dynamically and automatically changes the CPU speed, voltage and amount of power depending on the task the CPU performs. See pages 4-20 and 5-41. 1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction HyperTransportTM Technology HyperTransportTM Technology is a high-speed, low latency, point-to-point link designed to increase the communication speed between integrated circuits in computers, networking and telecommunicatons equipment up to 48 times faster than other existing technologies. Dual Channel DDR memory support Employing the Double Data Rate (DDR) memory technology, the motherboard supports up to 4GB of system memory using DDR400/333/266 DIMMs. The ultra-fast 400MHz memory bus delivers the required bandwidth for the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. See page 2-11. Serial ATA II technology The motherboard supports the next-generation Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology through the Serial ATA interfaces and the NVIDIA® SLITM chipset. The SATA 3Gb/s specification provides twice the bandwidth of the current Serial ATA products with a host of new features including Native Command Queuing (NCQ), Power Management (PM) Implementation Algorithm, and Hot Swap. Additionally, Serial ATA allows thinner, more flexible cables with lower pin count, and reduced voltage requirement. See pages 2-22 and 2-23. Dual RAID solution Onboard RAID controllers provide the motherboard with dual-RAID functionality that allows you to select the best RAID solution using IDE or Serial ATA devices. The NVIDIA® nForce4® SLITM allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and JBOD configuration for four SATA connectors or two PATA connectors. See pages 2-22 and 5-23 for details. The Sil3114R controller supports four additional SATA connectors and allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, and a software patch to support a bootable RAID 5 configuration. See pages 2-23 and 5-30 for details. PCI ExpressTM interface The motherboard fully supports PCI Express, the latest I/O interconnect technology that speeds up the PCI bus. PCI Express features point-to-point serial interconnections between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data in packets. This high speed interface is software compatible with existing PCI specifications. See page 2-17 for details. ASUS A8N-SLI Premium 1-3 S/PDIF digital sound ready The motherboard supports the S/PDIF Out function through the S/PDIF interfaces on the rear panel. The S/PDIF technology turns your computer into a high-end entertainment system with digital connectivity to powerful audio and speaker systems. See page 2-19 for details. IEEE 1394a support The IEEE 1394a interface provides high-speed and flexible PC connectivity to a wide range of peripherals and devices compliant to the IEEE 1394a standard. The IEEE 1394a interface allows up to 400 Mbps transfer rates through simple, low-cost, high-bandwidth asynchronous (real-time) data interfacing between computers, peripherals, and consumer electronic devices such as camcorders, VCRs, printers, TVs, and digital cameras. See pages 2-19 and 2-28 for details. USB 2.0 technology The motherboard implements the Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 specification, dramatically increasing the connection speed from the 12 Mbps bandwidth on USB 1.1 to a fast 480 Mbps on USB 2.0. USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1. See page 2-19 and 2-25 for details. Temperature, fan, and voltage monitoring The CPU temperature is monitored by the ASIC (integrated in the Winbond Super I/O) to prevent overheating and damage. The system fan rotations per minute (RPM) is monitored for timely failure detection. The ASIC monitors the voltage levels to ensure stable supply of current for critical components. See section "4.5.4 Hardware Monitor" on page 4-38. 1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction