Asus CROSSHAIR II E3769 User Manual
Crosshair II  
Formula  
 
Contents  
Contents ...................................................................................................... iii  
Notices....................................................................................................... viii  
Safety information ...................................................................................... ix  
About this guide .......................................................................................... x  
Crosshair II Formula 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  
ROG Intelligent Performance & Overclocking features... 1-2  
ROG unique features...................................................... 1-3  
Product highlights ........................................................... 1-6  
Chapter 2:  
Hardware information  
2.1  
2.2  
Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1  
Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-4  
2.2.1  
2.2.2  
2.2.3  
2.2.4  
2.2.5  
Placement direction ........................................................ 2-4  
Screw holes .................................................................... 2-4  
Motherboard layout......................................................... 2-5  
Audio card layout ............................................................ 2-5  
Layout contents............................................................... 2-6  
2.3  
2.4  
Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-8  
2.3.1  
2.3.2  
2.3.3  
Installing the CPU ........................................................... 2-8  
Installing the heatsink and fan ...................................... 2-10  
Installing the optional fans ............................................ 2-13  
System memory ......................................................................... 2-14  
2.4.1  
2.4.2  
2.4.3  
2.4.4  
Overview....................................................................... 2-14  
Memory configurations.................................................. 2-15  
Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 2-18  
Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 2-18  
2.5  
Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-19  
2.5.1  
2.5.2  
2.5.3  
2.5.4  
Installing an expansion card ......................................... 2-19  
Configuring an expansion card ..................................... 2-19  
Interrupt assignments ................................................... 2-20  
PCI slots........................................................................ 2-21  
iii  
 
Contents  
2.5.5  
2.5.6  
PCI Express x1 slots..................................................... 2-21  
PCI Express x16 slots................................................... 2-21  
2.6  
2.7  
Slide switch ................................................................................ 2-23  
Audio card, I/O shield, and LCD Poster installation ............... 2-24  
2.7.1  
2.7.2  
Audio card Installation................................................... 2-24  
I/O shield and LCD Poster Installation.......................... 2-25  
2.8  
Connectors ................................................................................. 2-26  
2.8.1  
2.8.2  
2.8.3  
Rear panel connectors.................................................. 2-26  
Internal connectors ....................................................... 2-29  
Onboard switches ......................................................... 2-40  
Chapter 3:  
Powering up  
3.1  
Starting up for the first time........................................................ 3-1  
3.2  
Turning off the computer............................................................. 3-2  
3.2.1  
3.2.2  
Using the OS shut down function.................................... 3-2  
Using the dual function power switch.............................. 3-2  
Chapter 4:  
4.1  
BIOS setup  
Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1  
4.1.1  
4.1.2  
4.1.3  
4.1.4  
4.1.5  
ASUS Update utility ........................................................ 4-1  
ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility................................................... 4-4  
Updating the BIOS.......................................................... 4-5  
Saving the current BIOS file............................................ 4-7  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility ...................................... 4-8  
4.2  
BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-9  
4.2.1  
4.2.2  
4.2.3  
4.2.4  
4.2.5  
4.2.6  
4.2.7  
4.2.8  
BIOS menu screen........................................................ 4-10  
Menu bar....................................................................... 4-10  
Legend bar.....................................................................4-11  
Menu items ....................................................................4-11  
Sub-menu items.............................................................4-11  
Configuration fields ........................................................4-11  
Pop-up window ............................................................. 4-12  
General help ................................................................. 4-12  
4.3  
4.4  
Extreme Tweaker menu ............................................................. 4-13  
4.3.1 Configuring System Performance Settings................... 4-13  
Main menu .................................................................................. 4-22  
iv  
Contents  
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  
System Time ................................................................. 4-22  
System Date ................................................................. 4-22  
Language...................................................................... 4-22  
Legacy Diskette A ......................................................... 4-22  
Primary IDE Master/Slave............................................. 4-23  
SATA1–4.........................................................................................4-25  
HDD SMART Monitoring............................................... 4-26  
Installed Memory........................................................... 4-26  
Usable Memory............................................................. 4-26  
4.4.10 System Information....................................................... 4-26  
4.5  
Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-27  
4.5.1  
4.5.2  
4.5.3  
4.5.4  
4.5.5  
4.5.6  
4.5.7  
AI NET2 ........................................................................ 4-27  
PCIPnP ......................................................................... 4-28  
Onboard Device Configuration...................................... 4-29  
USB Configuration ........................................................ 4-30  
IDE Function Setup....................................................... 4-31  
MCP Storage Config..................................................... 4-31  
LCD Poster and Onboard LED Control......................... 4-32  
4.6  
4.7  
Power menu................................................................................ 4-34  
4.6.1  
4.6.2  
4.6.3  
4.6.4  
ACPI Suspend Type...................................................... 4-34  
ACPI APIC support ....................................................... 4-34  
APM Configuration........................................................ 4-35  
Hardware Monitor ......................................................... 4-36  
Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-40  
4.7.1  
4.7.2  
4.7.3  
4.7.4  
4.7.5  
4.7.6  
Boot Device Priority ...................................................... 4-40  
Removable Drives......................................................... 4-41  
Hard Disk Drives........................................................... 4-41  
CDROM Drives ............................................................. 4-41  
Boot Settings Configuration ......................................... 4-42  
Security......................................................................... 4-43  
4.8  
4.9  
Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-45  
4.8.1  
ASUS O.C. Profile......................................................... 4-45  
4.8.3  
ASUS EZ Flash 2.......................................................... 4-47  
Exit menu.................................................................................... 4-48  
v
Contents  
Chapter 5:  
Software support  
5.1  
5.2  
Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1  
Support DVD information............................................................ 5-1  
5.2.1  
5.2.2  
5.2.3  
5.2.4  
5.2.5  
5.2.6  
5.2.7  
5.2.8  
Running the support DVD............................................... 5-1  
Drivers menu................................................................... 5-2  
Utilities menu .................................................................. 5-3  
Make Disk menu ............................................................. 5-5  
Manuals menu ................................................................ 5-6  
Video menu..................................................................... 5-6  
ASUS Contact information.............................................. 5-7  
Other information ............................................................ 5-7  
5.3  
Software information ................................................................... 5-9  
5.3.1  
5.3.2  
5.3.3  
5.3.4  
5.3.5  
5.3.6  
5.3.7  
5.3.8  
5.3.9  
ASUS MyLogo3™........................................................... 5-9  
AI NET 2.........................................................................5-11  
AI Audio 2 (SoundMAX® High Definition Audio utility)... 5-12  
ASUS PC Probe II......................................................... 5-21  
ASUS AI Suite............................................................... 5-27  
ASUS AI Gear 2............................................................ 5-29  
ASUS AI Nap ................................................................ 5-30  
ASUS Q-Fan Plus......................................................... 5-31  
ASUS AI Booster 2........................................................ 5-32  
5.3.10 CPU Level Up ............................................................... 5-33  
5.4  
RAID configurations .................................................................. 5-34  
5.4.1  
RAID definitions ............................................................ 5-34  
5.4.2  
NVIDIA® RAID configurations........................................ 5-35  
5.5  
Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 5-42  
5.5.1  
5.5.2  
Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS.... 5-42  
Creating a RAID/SATA driver disk in Windows®............ 5-42  
Chapter 6:  
6.1  
NVIDIA®technology support  
NVIDIA® SLI™ technology........................................................... 6-1  
6.1.1  
6.1.2  
6.1.3  
6.1.4  
Requirements.................................................................. 6-1  
Graphics card setup........................................................ 6-2  
Installing the device drivers............................................. 6-6  
Enabling the NVIDIA® SLI™ technology in Windows® .... 6-6  
vi  
Contents  
6.2  
NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology ............................................... 6-9  
6.2.1  
6.2.2  
System requirements ..................................................... 6-9  
Enabling GeForce® Boost and HybridPower™............. 6-10  
Appendix:  
A.1  
Debug code table  
Debug code table .........................................................................A-1  
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 manufacturer’s  
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 user’s 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 adpater 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.  
This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical  
and electronic equipment, and mercury-containing button cell battery) 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 guide 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 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 DVD that comes with the  
motherboard package.  
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support  
This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards and  
how to use the SLI™ and Hybrid SLI® features.  
Appendix: Debug code table  
The Appendix includes the debug code table for the LCD Poster.  
Where to find more information  
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and  
software updates.  
1.  
2.  
ASUS websites  
The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and  
software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.  
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.  
x
 
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  
Italics  
Indicates a menu or an item to select.  
Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.  
<Key>  
Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign  
means that you must press the enclosed key.  
Example: <Enter> means that you must press the  
Enter or Return key.  
<Key1+Key2+Key3>  
If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the  
key names are linked with a plus sign (+).  
Example: <Ctrl+Alt+D>  
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:  
format A:/S  
xi  
Crosshair II Formula specifications summary  
CPU  
AMD® Socket AM2+ for AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom /  
Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors  
AMD Socket AM2 for Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX /  
Athlon 64 / Sempron processors  
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology  
Chipset  
NVIDIA® nForce® 780a SLI™  
System Bus  
Up to 5200 MT/s; HyperTransport™ 3.0 interface for  
AM2+ CPU  
2000 / 1600 MT/s for AM2 CPU  
Memory  
Dual-channel memory architecture  
-
4 x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbuffered ECC/  
non��CC DDR2 1066�/800/667MHz memory  
modules  
-
Supports up to 8 GB system memory  
*DDR2 1066 is supported by some of the AM2+ CPUs  
only. Refer to www.asus.com or this user manual for the  
Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists).  
VGA  
Integrated NVIDIA® GPU  
Hybrid SLI Support (supports Windows® Vista™ only)  
Maximum shared memory of 512MB  
Supports HDMI™ Technology 1080P with a maximum  
resolution of 1920 x 1080 bpp; maximum DVI  
resolution of 1920 x 1200 bpp  
Supports D-Sub with a maximum resolution of  
1920 x 1440 bpp @ 75 Hz  
Multi VGA output support: HDMI/DVI & D-Sub  
Supports Microsoft® DirectX® 10, OpenGL® 2.0,  
Pixel Shader 4.0  
Support PCIe 2.0/1.0 architecture  
Expansion Slots  
3 x PCIe 2.0 x16 slots (support NVIDIA® SLI™  
technology � dual x16 or 3-way x8 x8 x8 speed)  
2 x PCIe x1 slots (PCIEX1_1 (black) is compatible with  
the audio slot.)  
2 x PCI 2.2 slots  
Storage  
Chipset supports:  
-
-
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66/33  
6 x SATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors support RAID 0, 1,  
0+1, 5, and JBOD  
(Use SATA 1–4 connectors for IDE mode)  
LAN  
Dual Gigabit LAN, both featuring AI NET 2  
High Definition Audio  
SupremeFX II Audio Card  
�
ADI 1988B 8�channel High Definition Audio COD�C  
-
Noise Filter  
Coaxial / Optical S/PDIF Out ports at back I/O  
IEEE 1394  
2 x I��� 1394a ports (one at midboard; one at back  
panel)  
(continued on the next page)  
xii  
 
Crosshair II Formula specifications summary  
USB  
12 x USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at midboard, 6 ports at back  
panel)  
ASUS ROG  
Extreme Tweaker  
Overclocking Features  
New 8+2 phase power design  
Intelligent overclocking tools:  
-
-
-
�
CPU Level Up  
AI Overclocking (intelligent CPU frequency tuner)  
AI Booster Utility  
O.C. Profile  
Overclocking protection:  
-
-
-
COP EX (Component Overheat Protection -EX)  
Voltiminder LED  
ASUS C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)  
ASUS ROG Special  
Features  
LCD Poster  
ROG BIOS Wallpaper  
Onboard Switches: Power / Reset / Clr CMOS (at rear)  
Q-Connector  
ASUS Q-Fan Plus  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
ASUS Q-Shield  
ASUS MyLogo 3™  
Stack Cool 2  
100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors  
Back Panel I/O Ports  
1 x HDMI port  
1 x VGA port  
1 x PS/2 Keyboard (purple)  
1 x S/PDIF Out (Coaxial + Optical)  
1 x IEEE1394a port  
2 x LAN (RJ45) ports  
6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports  
1 x Clr CMOS switch  
Internal I/O Connectors  
3 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 6 USB 2.0  
ports  
1 x Floppy disk drive connector  
1 x IDE connector for two devices  
6 x SATA connectors (Use SATA 1–4 connectors for IDE  
mode)  
8 x Fan connectors (1 x CPU / 1 x Power / 3 x Chassis /  
3 x Optional)  
3 x Thermal sensor connectors  
1 x IEEE1394a connector  
1 x S/PDIF Out connector  
1 x Chassis Intrusion connector  
24-pin ATX Power connector  
8-pin ATX 12V Power connector  
1 x En/Dis-able Clr CMOS slide switch  
1 x LCD Poster connector  
1 x System panel connector  
(continued on the next page)  
xiii  
Crosshair II Formula specifications summary  
BIOS Features  
8 MB AWARD BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0,  
SM BIOS 2.4, ACPI 2.0a Multi-Language BIOS  
Manageability  
Accessories  
WOL by PME, WOR by PME, Chassis Intrusion, PXE  
3-Way SLI bridge  
ASUS SLI bridge  
LCD Poster  
ASUS Optional Fan  
SupremeFX II Audio Card  
HDMI/DVI adapter  
3 in 1 ASUS Q-connector kit  
UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable  
Floppy disk drive cable  
Serial ATA cables  
Serial ATA power cables  
2-port USB2.0 + IEEE 1394a module  
ASUS Q-Shield  
Cable ties  
User's manual  
Software  
The hottest 3D game: Company of Heroes—Opposing  
Fronts  
Support DVD:  
Drivers  
ASUS PC Probe II  
ASUS Update  
ASUS AI Suite  
Futuremark® 3DMark® 06 Advanced Edition  
Kaspersky® Anti-virus software  
Form Factor  
ATX Form Factor, 12”x 9.6” (30.5 cm x 24.5 cm)  
�Specifications are subject to change without notice.  
xiv  
This chapter describes the motherboard  
features and the new technologies  
it supports.  
Chapter 1: Product  
1
introduction  
 
Chapter summary  
1
1.1  
1.2  
1.3  
Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-1  
Package contents......................................................................... 1-1  
Special features............................................................................ 1-2  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
1.1  
Welcome!  
Thank you for buying an ASUS® Crosshair II Formula 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  
Check your motherboard package for the following items.  
Motherboard  
I/O module  
Cables  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
USB 2.0 + IEEE 1394a module  
Ultra DMA 133/100/66 cable  
Floppy disk drive cable  
Serial ATA cables  
Serial ATA power cables  
Accessories  
LCD Poster  
SupremeFX II Audio Card  
HDMI/DVI adapter  
ASUS Q-Shield  
3-Way SLI bridge  
ASUS SLI bridge  
ASUS Optional Fan  
3-in-1 ASUS Q-Connector Kit  
Cable ties  
Application DVD/CD  
Documentation  
ASUS motherboard support DVD  
The hottest game: Company of Heroes—Opposing  
Fronts  
Kaspersky® Anti-virus software  
Futuremark® 3DMark® 06 Advanced Edition  
User guide  
If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
1-1  
 
1.3  
Special features  
1.3.1  
ROG Intelligent Performance & Overclocking features  
CPU Level Up  
Ever wish that you could have a more expansive CPU? Upgrade your CPU at no  
additional cost with ROG’s CPU Level Up! Simply choose a processor you want to  
OC to, and the motherboard will do the rest for you. See the new CPU speed and  
enjoy the performance instantly! Overclocking is never as easy as this. See pages  
4-13 and 5-33 for details.  
Component Overheat Protection -EX (COP EX)  
The COP EX allows overclockers to increase chipset voltages without the worries  
of overheating. It can also be used to monitor and save an overheating GPU.  
The COP EX allows more freedom and less constraint for maximum performance  
achievement.  
Voltiminder LED  
In the pursuit of extreme performance, overvoltage adjustment is critical but risky.  
Acting as the “red zone” of a tachometer, the Voltiminder L�D displays the voltage  
status for CPU, SB, PCIe bridge, and Memory in a intuitive color-coded fashion.  
The Voltiminder LED allows quick voltage monitoring for overclockers. See pages  
2-1 and 2-2 for details.  
Extreme Tweaker  
�xtreme Tweaker is the one stop shop to fine�tune your system to optimal  
performance. No matter if you are looking for frequency adjustment, over-voltage  
options, or memory timing settings, they are all here! See page 4-13 for details.  
8+2 Phase Power Design  
ASUS 8+2 Phase Power Design, with independent power to vital components,  
ultimately enhances memory performance and ensures quick response and  
stability of CPU under heavy loading or overclocking modes.  
AI Booster 2  
Overclocking has never been so fun with a user-friendly utility under Window that  
provides accurate settings for the CPU, chipset and memory. Now it's even easier  
to achieve astounding overclocking results without any hassles! See page 5-32 for  
details.  
1-2  
Chapter 1: Product Introduction  
 
ASUS O.C. Profile  
Overclock immediately with OC profile presets. Much more than simple frequency  
settings, this profile contains comprehensive and detailed tuning to frequency,  
voltages, and even timings to give gamers a real professional level of overclocking  
configuration. See page 4�45 for details.  
C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall)  
When the system hangs due to overclocking failure, there is no need to open the  
system chassis to clear CMOS data. Simply reboot the system, and the BIOS  
automatically restores the CPU default settings for each parameter.  
Due to the chipset behavior, AC power off is required before using C.P.R.  
function.  
1.3.2  
ROG unique features  
Supreme FX II features  
Supreme FX II delivers an excellent high definition audio experience to the gamers  
of ROG. The SupremeFX II features unique audio innovations for gamers to spot  
enemies in 3D environment during game play. SupremeFX II also provides a  
special tool to emphasize human voices in games to help make dialogues clearer  
and audible.  
Noise Filter  
This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises (non-voice signals) like  
computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates  
it in the incoming audio stream while recording.  
External LCD Poster  
The new LCD Poster now posts critical POST information in an ever friendly  
and flexible external display. When system malfunction occurs, the LCD Poster  
automatically detects device failure and translates the errors on the LCD during  
POST. Unlike other competing 2 digit displays, users do not need to read  
“gibberish” to find out what is wrong. See page 2�25 for details.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
1-3  
 
Onboard Switches  
With an easy press during overclocking, this exclusive onboard switch allows  
gamers to effortlessly fine�tune the performance without having to short the pins or  
moving jumpers. See page 2-40 for details.  
BIOS Wallpaper  
BIOS Wallpaper is designed to make BIOS with style. Unlike ordinary blue  
and white BIOS screen, this feature allows you to set any photos you like as a  
wallpaper for your BIOS. Now you have a unique BIOS screen like never before!  
See page 4-43 for details.  
Fanless Design–Stack Cool 2  
ASUS Stack Cool 2 is a fan�less and zero�noise cooling solution that lowers the  
temperature of critical heat generating components. The motherboard uses a  
special design on the printed circuit board (PCB) to dissipate heat these critical  
components generate.  
AI Nap  
With AI Nap, the system can continue running at minimum power and noise when  
you are temporarily away. To wake the system and return to the OS environment,  
simply click the mouse or press a key. See page 5-30 for details.  
Optional Fan  
The optional fan is specifically designed to provide sufficient airflow over the CPU  
power modules and chipset area when water�cooling or passive�cooling is utilized,  
ensuring effective heat dissipation for the entire system. See pages 2-13 for  
details.  
ASUS MyLogo 3  
ASUS MyLogo 3 is a new feature present in the motherboard that allows you to  
personalize and add style to your system with customizable and animated boot  
logos. See page 4-43 for details.  
1-4  
Chapter 1: Product Introduction  
AI Audio 2  
AI Audio 2 allows you to experience crisp, clear sounds by restoring and  
compensating for clarity and quality of compressed audio in all movies, music and  
games. It also provides stereo to multi�channel sound field expansion for realistic  
front and rear environments and virtualized surround sound for added vocal clarity  
when used in stereo speakers or headphones. See pages 5-12 for details.  
ASUS EZ DIY  
ASUS EZ DIY feature collection provides you easy ways to install computer  
components, update the BIOS or back up your favorite settings.  
ASUS Q-Connector  
The ASUS Q-Connector allows you to connect or disconnect chassis front  
panel cables in one easy step with one complete module. This unique  
adapter eliminates the trouble of plugging in one cable at a time, making  
connection quick and accurate. See page 2-39 for details.  
ASUS Q-Shield  
The specially designed ASUS Q�Shield does without the usual “fingers”—  
making it convenient and easy to install. With better electric conductivity,  
it ideally protects your motherboard against static electricity and shields it  
against Electronic Magnetic Interference (EMI). See page 2-25 for details.  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply launch this tool and  
update BIOS using a USB flash disk without entering the OS. You can update  
your BIOS in a few clicks without preparing an additional floppy diskette or  
using an OS�based flash utility. See pages 4�4 and 4�47 for details.  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2  
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 allows users to restore corrupted BIOS data  
using the motherbaord support DVD that contains the BIOS file. See page  
4-8 for details.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
1-5  
1.3.3  
Product highlights  
Republic of Gamers  
The Republic of Gamers consists only the best of the best. We offer the best  
hardware engineering, the fastest performance, the most innovating ideas, and we  
welcome the best gamers to join in. In the Republic of Gamers, mercy rules are  
only for the weak, and bragging rights means everything. We believe in making  
statements and we excel in competitions. If your character matches our trait, then  
join the elite club, make your presence felt, in the Republic of Gamers.  
AMD® Socket AM2+ Phenom™ FX / Phenom X4 /  
Phenom X2 / Athlon™ X2 / Sempron™ CPU support  
This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2+ multi-core processors with  
unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power  
consumption. It features dual-channel DDR2 1066 memory support and  
accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0 based  
system bus. See page 2-8 for details.  
HyperTransport™ 3.0 support  
HyperTransport™ 3.0 technology provides 2.6 times more bandwidth than  
HyperTransport™ 1.0, radically improving system efficiency to create a smoother,  
faster computing environment.  
AMD® Socket AM2 Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™  
64 FX / Athlon™ 64 / Sempron™ CPU support  
This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM2 single-core Athlon™ 64 /  
Sempron™ and dual-core Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon™ 64 FX processors with 2MB  
/ 1MB / 512KB L2 cache based on 64-bit architecture. It features 2000 / 1600  
MT/s HyperTransport™-based system bus, dual-channel un-buffered DDR2 800  
memory support, and AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology. See page 2-8 for details.  
NVIDIA® nForce® 780a SLI chipset  
The NVIDIA® nForce 780a SLI chipset supports the NVIDIA® Scalable Link  
Interface (SLI™) technology that allows three graphics processing units (GPUs)  
in a single system. It’s designed for enthusiast, extreme overclocking capability,  
ultimate gaming performance with SLI technology support. It’s definitely one of the  
fastest platform in the world. The NVIDIA® nForce 780a SLI chipset also supports  
six (6) Serial ATA 3 Gb/s devices, PCI Express™ x16 slots with NVIDIA® SLI™  
support at dual x16 mode or at triple x8 mode, and up to 12 USB 2.0 ports.  
1-6  
Chapter 1: Product Introduction  
 
Native DDR2 1066 memory support  
This motherboard is the AMD® platform with native DDR2 1066 support. It provides  
faster data transfer rate and more bandwidth to increase memory computing  
efficiency, enhancing system performance in 3D graphics and other memory  
demanding applications. See page 2-14 for details.  
DDR2 1066 is supported by some of the AM2+ CPUs only. Refer to www.asus.  
com for the supported CPU models.  
Hybrid SLI™  
Hybrid SLI™ technology is a unique hybrid multi-GPU technology built upon  
NVIDIA. Hybrid SLI technology today includes two primary features: GeForce  
Boost and HybridPower™. GeForece Boost turbo-charges performance of NVIDIA  
discrete graphics cards when combined with motherboard GPUs. HybridPower™  
unleashes graphics performance when needed and enables low-power operation  
when performance is not needed. You can switch from the discrete GeForce  
GPU(s) to the motherboard GPU for a quiet, low power PC experience.  
NVIDIA® 3-Way SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface)  
NVIDIA 3-Way SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) takes advantage of the increased  
bandwidth of the PCI Express 2.0 bus architecture and features intelligent  
hardware and software that allows three GPUs to efficiently work together to  
deliver earth-shattering, scalable performance. For some applications nearly triple  
performance! See Chapter 6 for details.  
HDMI/DVI support  
HDMI (High�Definition Multimedia Interface) is a set of digital video standards that  
delivers multi-channel audio and uncompressed digital video through a single  
cable for full HD 1080p visuals. Supporting HDCP copy protection such as HD  
DVD and Blu-ray Discs, HDMI provides you with the highest-quality home theater  
experience.  
With the bundled HDMI to DVI adapter, this motherboard also supports DVI output.  
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) provides high quality visuals for digital display devices  
like LCD monitors. The interface of this motherboard supports dual VGA outputs  
for both HDMI/DVI and RGB. See page 2-28 for details.  
Since the Intel® driver for Windows® XP OS does not include screen scraper  
defense, you can only play HD DVD or Blu-Ray Disc under Windows® Vista™.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
1-7  
Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s technology  
This motherboard supports the next-generation hard drives based on the Serial  
ATA (SATA) 3Gb/s storage specification, delivering enhanced scalability and  
doubling the bus bandwidth for high-speed data retrieval and saves. See page  
2-30 for details.  
PCIe 2.0  
This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 device for twice the current speed  
and bandwidth. This enhances system performance while still providing backward  
compatibility to PCIe 1.0 devices. See page 2-21 for details.  
Dual Gigabit LAN  
The integrated dual Gigabit LAN design allows a PC to serve as a network  
gateway for managing traffic between two separate networks. This capability  
ensures rapid transfer of data from WAN to LAN without any added arbitration or  
latency. See page 2-26 for details.  
IEEE 1394a support  
The IEEE 1394a interface provides high speed digital interface for audio/video  
appliances such as digital television, digital video camcorders, storage peripherals  
& other PC portable devices. See pages 2-27 and 2-32 for details.  
High Definition Audio  
Enjoy high-end sound quality on your PC! The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High  
Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) COD�C enables high�quality  
192KHz/24�bit audio output, jack�sensing feature, retasking functions, and multi�  
streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different  
destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphones while playing  
multi-channel network games. See pages 2-27 for details.  
Green ASUS  
This motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union’s Restriction  
on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line with the ASUS vision  
of creating environment-friendly and recyclable products/packaging to safeguard  
consumers’ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.  
1-8  
Chapter 1: Product Introduction  
This chapter lists the hardware setup  
procedures that you have to perform  
when installing system components. It  
includes description of the jumpers and  
connectors on the motherboard.  
Chapter 2: Hardware  
2
information  
 
Chapter summary  
2
2.1  
2.2  
2.3  
2.4  
2.5  
2.6  
2.7  
2.8  
Before you proceed ..................................................................... 2-1  
Motherboard overview................................................................. 2-4  
Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................... 2-8  
System memory ......................................................................... 2-14  
Expansion slots.......................................................................... 2-19  
Slide switch ................................................................................ 2-23  
Aduio card, I/O shield, and LCD Poster Installation ............... 2-24  
Connectors ................................................................................. 2-26  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2.1  
Before you proceed  
Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components  
or change any motherboard settings.  
•
•
Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any  
component.  
Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal  
object, such as the power supply case, before handling components to  
avoid damaging them due to static electricity.  
•
•
Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.  
Whenever you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic  
pad or in the bag that came with the component.  
•
Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power  
supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power  
supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard,  
peripherals, and/or components.  
Onboard LEDs  
The motherboard comes with LEDs that indicate the voltage conditions of CPU,  
memory, southbridge, and bridge (PCIe). You may adjust the voltages in BIOS.  
There are also an LED for hard disk drive activity and an onboard switch for power  
status. For more information about voltage adjustment, refer to 4.3 Extreme  
Tweaker menu.  
1.  
CPU LED  
Refer to the illustration below for the LED location and the table below for  
L�D definition.  
CPU_CRAZY  
CPU_HIGH  
CPU_NORMAL  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA CPU LED  
Normal (green)  
High (yellow)  
1.375–1.4875  
Crazy (red)  
Vcore Voltage  
0.775–1.3625  
1.5000–  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-1  
 
2.  
Memory LED  
Refer to the illustration below for the LED location and the table below for  
L�D definition.  
DDR_CRAZY  
DDR_HIGH  
DDR_NORMAL  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA DDR LED  
Normal (green)  
High (yellow)  
2.12–2.50  
Crazy (red)  
DDR2 Voltage  
1.80–2.10  
2.52–  
3.  
Southbridge / Bridge (PCIe) LEDs  
The Southbridge LED has two different voltage displays: SB Voltage or  
HT Voltage; you can select the voltage to display in BIOS. The Bridge (PCIe)  
LED displays BR Voltage. Refer to the illustration below for the LED location  
and the table below for L�D definition.  
SB_CRAZY  
SB_HIGH  
SB_NORMAL  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
BR_CRAZY  
®
BR_HIGH  
BR_NORMAL  
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Southbridge/Bridge(PCIe) LED  
Normal (green)  
1.10–1.30  
High (yellow)  
1.32–1.50  
1.42–1.60  
1.42–1.60  
Crazy (red)  
1.52–  
SB Voltage  
HT Voltage  
BR Voltage  
1.20–1.40  
1.62–  
1.20–1.40  
1.62–  
2-2  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
4.  
Hard Disk LED  
The hard disk LED is designed to indicate the hard disk activity. It blinks when  
data is being written into or read from the hard disk drive. The LED does not  
light up when there is no hard disk drive connected to the motherboard or  
when the hard disk drive does not function.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
HD_LED  
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Hard Disk LED  
5.  
Power LED  
The motherboard comes with a power-on switch that lights up to indicate  
that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a reminder  
that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable before  
removing or plugging in any motherboard component. The illustration below  
shows the location of the onboard power-on switch.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Power on switch  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-3  
2.2  
Motherboard overview  
Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to  
ensure that the motherboard fits into it.  
Make sure to unplug the power cord before installing or removing the  
motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage  
motherboard components.  
2.2.1  
Placement direction  
When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the  
correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis  
as indicated in the image below.  
2.2.2  
Screw holes  
Place nine (9) screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard  
to the chassis.  
DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.  
Place this side towards  
the rear of the chassis  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
2-4  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
2.2.3  
Motherboard layout  
24.5cm (9.6in)  
CHA_FAN1 CHA_FAN2  
LCD_CON  
CPU_FAN  
PWR_FAN  
CPU_CRAZY  
CLR_CMOS  
CPU_HIGH  
CPU_NORMAL  
KB_USB56  
SPDIF_O12  
EATX12V  
SPDIF_OUT  
VGA_HDMI  
LAN2_USB34  
E1394  
SB_CRAZY  
SB_HIGH  
SB_NORMAL  
EATXPWR  
OPT_TEMP3  
LAN1_USB12  
®
NVIDIA  
®
nForce  
780a SLI™  
OPT_FAN3  
DDR_CRAZY  
DDR_HIGH  
PCIEX1_1  
DDR_NORMAL  
ROG  
PCIEX16_1  
BR_CRAZY  
BR_HIGH  
BR_NORMAL  
88E1116  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
PCIEX1_2  
®
NVIDIA  
HD_LED  
®
nForce 200  
88E8056  
PCIEX16_2  
PCI1  
Lithium Cell  
CMOS Power  
OPT_FAN1  
OPT_TEMP2  
CLR_SW  
OPT_FAN2  
Super  
I/O  
PCIEX16_3  
PCI2  
CHASSIS  
CHA_FAN3  
BIOS  
PANEL  
IE1394_2  
USB1112 FLOPPY  
USB78  
USB910  
RESET  
Refer to 2.8 Connectors for more information about rear panel connectors and  
internal connectors.  
2.2.4  
Audio card layout  
SUPREMEFX II  
Listen with Absolute HD  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-5  
 
2.2.5  
Layout contents  
Slots  
Page  
2-14  
2-21  
2-21  
2-21  
1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
DDR2 DIMM slots  
PCI slots  
PCI Express x 1 slots  
PCI Express x 16 slots  
Slide switch  
Page  
1.  
Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC_SW)  
2-23  
Rear panel connectors  
Page  
2-26  
2-26  
2-26  
2-26  
2-27  
2-27  
2-27  
2-27  
2-27  
2-27  
2-27  
2-27  
2-27  
2-28  
2-28  
2-28  
2-28  
1.  
PS/2 keyboard port (purple)  
2.  
Coaxial S/PDIF Out port  
VGA port  
3.  
4.  
LAN 1/2 (RJ-45) port  
Line In port (light blue)  
Line Out port (lime)  
5.*  
6.*  
7.*  
8.*  
9.*  
10.*  
11.  
12.  
13.  
14.  
15.  
16.  
17.  
Microphone port (pink)  
Center/Subwoofer port (orange)  
Rear Speaker Out port (black)  
Side Speaker Out port (gray)  
USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2  
IEEE 1394a port  
USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4  
HDMI port  
Optical S/PDIF Out port  
USB 2.0 ports 5 and 6  
Clear CMOS switch  
*These audio ports are on the Supreme FX II audio card.  
2-6  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
Internal connectors  
Page  
1.  
2.  
IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)  
2- 29  
NVIDIA® nForce 780a SLI Serial ATA connectors  
(7�pin SATA1–4 [blue]; 7�pin SATA5–6 [black])  
2- 30  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
7.  
Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)  
USB connectors (10�1 pin USB78; USB910; USB1112)  
IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2)  
Thermal sensor cable connectors (2-pin OPT_TEMP1/2/3)  
2- 31  
2- 31  
2- 32  
2- 32  
CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors  
(4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN1–3, 3-pin PWR_FAN,  
3-pin OPT_FAN1–3)  
2- 33  
8.  
9.  
Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS)  
2- 34  
2- 34  
Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT, for ASUS HDMI  
VGA card)  
10.  
11.  
12.  
ATX power connectors (24�pin �ATXPWR; 8�pin �ATX12V)  
ROG connector (2-pin ROG)  
2- 35  
2-37  
2-38  
System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)  
Onboard switches  
Page  
2-40  
2-40  
1.  
2.  
Power-on switch  
Reset switch  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-7  
2.3  
Central Processing Unit (CPU)  
The motherboard comes with an AM2+/AM2 socket designed for AMD® Socket  
AM2+ Phenom™ FX / Phenom / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processor or for Socket  
AM2 Athlon 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 / Sempron processor.  
The AM2+/AM2 socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed  
for the AMD Opteron processor. Make sure you use a CPU designed for the  
AM2+/AM2 socket. The CPU fits in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force  
the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the connectors on the socket and  
damaging the CPU!  
2.3.1  
Installing the CPU  
To install a CPU:  
1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA CPU socket AM2+/AM2  
2.  
Unlock the socket by pressing the  
lever sideways, then lift it up to a  
90º angle.  
Socket lever  
Make sure that the socket lever is lifted up to a 90º angle; otherwise, the CPU  
will not fit in completely.  
2-8  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
3.  
4.  
Position the CPU above the socket  
such that the CPU corner with the  
gold triangle matches the socket  
corner with a small triangle.  
Carefully insert the CPU into the  
socket until it fits in place.  
Gold triangle  
Small triangle  
5.  
6.  
When the CPU is in place, push  
down the socket lever to secure the  
CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab  
to indicate that it is locked.  
Install a CPU heatsink and fan  
following the instructions that came  
with the heatsink package.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-9  
2.3.2  
Installing the heatsink and fan  
The AMD® Phenom™ FX / Phenom / Athlon™ 64 X2 / Athlon 64 FX / Athlon 64 /  
Sempron™ processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to  
ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.  
Make sure that you use only AMD�certified heatsink and fan assembly.  
To install the CPU heatsink and fan:  
1.  
Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, making sure that the heatsink  
fits properly on the retention module base.  
•
•
•
The retention module base is already installed on the motherboard upon  
purchase.  
You do not have to remove the retention module base when installing the  
CPU or installing other motherboard components.  
If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, make sure  
that a Thermal Interface Material is properly applied to the CPU heatsink or  
CPU before you install the heatsink and fan assembly.  
CPU fan  
CPU heatsink  
Retention module base  
Retention bracket  
Retention bracket lock  
Your boxed CPU heatsink and fan assembly should come with installation  
instructions for the CPU, heatsink, and the retention mechanism. If the  
instructions in this section do not match the CPU documentation, follow the  
latter.  
2-10  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
2.  
Attach one end of the retention bracket  
to the retention module base.  
3.  
Align the other end of the retention  
bracket (near the retention bracket  
lock) to the retention module base.  
A clicking sound denotes that the  
retention bracket is in place.  
Make sure that the fan and  
heatsink assembly perfectly fits  
the retention mechanism module  
base, otherwise you cannot snap  
the retention bracket in place.  
4.  
Push down the retention bracket lock  
on the retention mechanism to secure  
the heatsink and fan to the module  
base.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-11  
5.  
When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable  
to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.  
CPU_FAN  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA CPU fan  
•
•
Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring  
errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector.  
This connector is backward compatiable with old 3-pin CPU fan.  
2-12  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
2.3.3  
Installing the optional fans  
Install the optional fan only if you are using a passive cooler or a water cooler.  
Installing the optional fan with an active CPU cooler will interfere with the airflow  
and destabilize the system.  
2.  
Fit the fan to the grooved edge of  
the heatsink.  
1.  
Position the fan above the pipe  
and heatsink assembly.  
3.  
Carefully push down the fan until  
it snugly fits the heatsink, then  
connect the fan cable.  
4.  
The photo shows the fan installed  
on the motherboard.  
•
•
Plug the optional fan cable to the CHA_FAN1/2 connector on the  
motherboard.  
Make sure the optional fan is installed correctly to prevent damage to the  
fan and motherboard components.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-13  
 
2.4  
System memory  
2.4.1  
Overview  
The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory  
Modules (DIMM) sockets.  
The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets:  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets  
Channel  
Sockets  
Channel A  
Channel B  
DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2  
DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2  
2-14  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
2.4.2  
Memory configurations  
You may install 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB unbuffered ECC/non-ECC  
DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.  
Recommended Memory Configurations  
Sockets  
Mode  
DIMM_A1  
Populated  
–
DIMM_A2  
DIMM_B1  
–
DIMM_B2  
–
–
Single-Channel  
–
–
Populated  
Populated  
Populated  
–
–
Dual-channel (1)  
Dual-channel (2)  
Populated  
Populated  
Populated  
Populated  
•
You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The  
system maps the total size of the lower�sized channel for the dual�channel  
configuration. Any excess memory from the higher�sized channel is then  
mapped for single-channel operation.  
•
Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility,  
it is recommended that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor.  
•
If you install four 1 GB memory modules, the system may only recognize less  
than 3GB because the address space is reserved for other critical functions.  
This limitation appears on Windows® XP/Vista 32-bit operation system which  
does not support Physical Address Extension (PAE).  
•
•
If you install Windows® XP/Vista 32-bit operation system, a total memory of  
less than 3GB is recommended.  
This motherboard does not support memory modules made up of 128 Mb  
chips.  
Notes on memory limitations  
•
Due to chipset limitation, this motherboard can only support up to 8 GB on  
the operating systems listed below. You may install a maximum of 2 GB  
DIMMs on each slot.  
64-bit  
Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition  
Windows® Vista x64 Edition  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-15  
 
Crosshair II Formula Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists  
(QVL) DDR2-800MHz capability for AM2 CPU  
DIMM socket  
A* B* C*  
SS/  
DS  
Size  
Vendor  
Chip No.  
CL  
Part No.  
1024MB  
1024MB  
1024MB  
1024MB  
2048MB  
2048MB  
2048MB  
512MB  
KINGSTON  
KINGSTON  
KINGSTON  
KINGSTON  
KINGSTON  
Qimonda  
Qimonda  
Hynix  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
V59C1512804QBF25  
Heat-Sink Package  
E1108ACBG-8E-E  
4-4-4-12  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
DS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
KHX6400D2LL/1G  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
4-4-4-12  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
5
KHX6400D2LLK2/1GN  
KVR800D2N5/1G  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
KHX6400D2ULK2/1G  
KVR800D2N5/2G  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HYB18T1G800C2F-25F  
HYB18T1G800C2F-2.5  
HY5PS12821CFP-S5  
HY5PS12821CFP-S5  
Heat-Sink Package  
E1108AB-8E-E(ECC)  
E1108AB-8E-E(ECC)  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
AM4B5708JQJS8E  
AM4B5808CQJS8E  
AM4B5808CQJS8E  
AD29608A8A-25EG  
AD26908A8A-25EG  
KKA8FEIBF-HJK-25A  
KKA8FEIBF-HJK-25A  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
NT5TU64M8BE-25C  
NT5TU64M8BE-25C  
NT5TU64M8CE-25D  
NT5TU128M8CE-AC  
A3R12E3HEF641B9A05  
A3R12E3HEF641B9A05  
E2508AB-GE-E  
HYS64T256020EU-25F-C2  
HYS64T256020EU-2.5-C2  
HYMP564U64CP8-S5  
HYMP512U64CP8-S5  
CM2X1024-6400C4  
EBE10EE8ABFA-8E-E  
EBE21EE8ABFA-8E-E  
BL12864AA804.16FD  
BL12864AL804.16FD3  
BL12864AA804.16FD3  
78.91G9I.9K5  
6
5-5-5  
5-5-5  
4
1024MB  
1024MB  
1024MB  
2048MB  
1024MB  
1024MB  
1024MB  
512MB  
Hynix  
CORSAIR  
ELPIDA  
ELPIDA  
Crucial  
5
5
4
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Crucial  
4
Crucial  
4
Apacer  
N/A  
N/A  
5
1024MB  
2048MB  
512MB  
Apacer  
78.01GA0.9K5  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Apacer  
78.A1GA0.9K4  
A-DATA  
A-DATA  
KINGMAX  
KINGMAX  
Super Talent  
Super Talent  
NANYA  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
5
M2OAD6G3H3160G1E53  
M2OAD6G3I4170I1E58  
KLDC28F-A8KI5  
1024MB  
512MB  
1024MB  
512MB  
KLDD48F-ABKI5  
•
•
T800UA12C4  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1024MB  
512MB  
T800UB1GC4  
NT512T64U880BY-25C  
NT1GT64U8HB0BY-25C  
NT1GT64U8HCOBY-25D  
NT2GT64U8HC0BY-AC  
AL6E8E63B8E1K  
1024MB  
1024MB  
2048MB  
512MB  
NANYA  
5
•
•
•
NANYA  
N/A  
5
NANYA  
PSC  
5
•
•
1024MB  
256MB  
PSC  
5
AL7E8E63B-8E1K  
TwinMOS  
Elixir  
5
8G-24IK2-EBT  
1024MB  
N2TU51280BE-25C  
N/A  
M2Y1G64TU8HB0B-25C  
•
•
SS - Single-sided / DS - Double-sided  
DIMM support:  
•
•
•
A*: Supports one module inserted in any slot as Single-channel  
memory configuration.  
B*: Supports one pair of modules inserted into either the blue slots  
or the white slots as one pair of Dual�channel memory configuration.  
C*: Supports four modules inserted into both the blue and white slots  
as two pairs of Dual�channel memory configuration.  
Visit the ASUS website for the latest DDR2�1066/800/667MHz QVL.  
2-16  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
Crosshair II Formula Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL)  
DDR2-667MHz capability for AM2 CPU  
DIMM socket  
SS/  
Size  
Vendor  
Chip No.  
CL  
Part No.  
DS  
A* B* C*  
512MB  
KINGSTON  
KINGSTON  
KINGSTON  
Qimonda  
SAMSUNG  
SAMSUNG  
Hynix  
D6408TEBGGL3U  
E5108AGBG-6E-E  
E1108AB-6E-E  
5
SS  
DS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
SS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
DS  
DS  
SS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
DS  
SS  
SS  
DS  
KVR667D2N5/512  
KVR667D2N5/1G  
KVR667D2N5/2G  
HYS64T256020EU-3S-C2  
M378T6553EZS-CE6  
M378T2953EZ3-CE6  
HYMP512U64CP8-Y5  
VS512MB667D2  
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1024MB  
2048MB  
2048MB  
512MB  
N/A  
N/A  
5
HYB18T1GB00C2F-3S  
K4T51083QE  
5
1024MB  
1024MB  
512MB  
K4T51083QE  
5
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HY5PS12821CFP-Y5  
64M8CFEG  
5
CORSAIR  
CORSAIR  
ELPIDA  
A-DATA  
A-DATA  
A-DATA  
crucial  
N/A  
N/A  
5
1024MB  
512MB  
64M8CFEG  
VS1GB667D2  
E5108AE-6E-E  
EBE51UD8AEFA-6E-E  
M2OAD5G3H3166I1C52  
M2OAD5G3I4176I1C52  
M2ONY5H3J4170I1C5Z  
BL6464AA663.8FD  
BL12864AA663.16FD  
BL12864AL664.16FD  
BL12864AA663.16FD2  
78.91G92.9K5  
512MB  
AD29608A8A-3EG  
AD29608A8A-3EG  
NT5TU128M8BJ-3C  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
AM4B5708JQJS7E  
AM4B5808CQJS7E  
AM4B5808CQJS7E  
KKEA88B4LAUG-29DX  
KKEA88B4LAUG-29DX  
Heat-Sink Package  
Heat-Sink Package  
TMM6208G8M30C  
NT5TU128M8BJ-3C  
NT5TU64M8BE-3C  
A3R12E3GEF637BLC5N  
A3R12E3GEF637BLC5N  
5
1024MB  
2048MB  
512MB  
5
N/A  
3
1024MB  
1024MB  
1024MB  
512MB  
crucial  
3
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
crucial  
3
crucial  
3
Apacer  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
5
1024MB  
2048MB  
512MB  
Apacer  
78.01G9O.9K5  
Apacer  
78.A1G9O.9K4  
Kingmax  
Kingmax  
Super Talent  
Super Talent  
TwinMOS  
NANYA  
KLCC28F-A8KB5  
1024MB  
512MB  
5
KLCD48F-A8KB5  
5
T6UA512C5  
1024MB  
512MB  
5
T6UB1GC5  
•
5
8D-23JK5M2ETP  
2048MB  
512MB  
5
NT2GT64U8HB0JY-3C  
NT512T64U88B0BY-3C  
AL6E8E63B-6E1K  
AL7E8E63B-6E1K  
•
•
•
•
NANYA  
5
512MB  
PSC  
5
•
•
1024MB  
PSC  
5
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-17  
2.4.3  
Installing a DIMM  
Unplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other  
system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage to both the  
motherboard and the components.  
2
To install a DIMM:  
DDR2 DIMM notch  
3
1.  
2.  
Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing  
the retaining clips outward.  
Align a DIMM on the socket  
1
such that the notch on the DIMM  
matches the break on the socket.  
1
3.  
Firmly insert the DIMM into the  
socket until the retaining clips  
snap back in place and the DIMM  
is properly seated.  
Unlocked retaining clip  
•
A DDR2 DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it fits in only one direction. Do  
not force a DIMM into a socket to avoid damaging the DIMM.  
•
The DDR2 DIMM sockets do not support DDR DIMMs. Do not install DDR  
DIMMs to the DDR2 DIMM sockets.  
2.4.4  
Removing a DIMM  
To remove a DIMM:  
2
1. Simultaneously press the retaining  
clips outward to unlock the DIMM.  
Support the DIMM lightly with  
your fingers when pressing the  
retaining clips. The DIMM might  
get damaged when it flips out with  
extra force.  
1
DDR2 DIMM notch  
1
2.  
Remove the DIMM from the socket.  
2-18  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
2.5  
Expansion slots  
In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections  
describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support.  
Make sure to unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion  
cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard  
components.  
2.5.1  
Installing an expansion card  
To install an expansion card:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
Before installing the expansion card, read the documentation that came with  
it and make the necessary hardware settings for the card.  
Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is already installed in a  
chassis).  
Remove the bracket opposite the slot that you intend to use. Keep the screw  
for later use.  
Align the card connector with the slot and press firmly until the card is  
completely seated on the slot.  
5.  
6.  
Secure the card to the chassis with the screw you removed earlier.  
Replace the system cover.  
2.5.2  
Configuring an expansion card  
After installing the expansion card, configure it by adjusting the software settings.  
1.  
Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See  
Chapter 4 for information on BIOS setup.  
2.  
3.  
Assign an IRQ to the card. Refer to the tables on the next page.  
Install the software drivers for the expansion card.  
When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share  
IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Otherwise, conflicts will  
arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card  
inoperable. Refer to the table on the next page for details.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-19  
 
2.5.3  
Interrupt assignments  
IRQ  
Priority Standard function  
0
1
1
2
System Timer  
Keyboard Controller  
2
–
Redirect to IRQ#9  
4
12  
13  
14  
15  
3
Reserved  
5
IRQ Holder for PCI Steering*  
Floppy Disk Controller  
NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI  
System CMOS/Real Time Clock  
IRQ Holder for PCI Steering*  
IRQ Holder for PCI Steering*  
IRQ Holder for PCI Steering*  
Reserved  
6
7
8
9
4
10  
11  
12  
13  
14  
5
6
7
8
Numeric Data Processor  
Primary IDE Channel  
9
IRQ assignments for this motherboard  
A
B
C
D
E
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
F
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
G
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
H
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
PCIE x16_1  
shared shared shared shared  
shared shared shared shared  
shared shared shared shared  
PCIE x16_2  
PCIE x16_3  
USB 1.0 controller 1  
USB 1.0 controller 2  
USB 1.0 controller 3  
USB 1.0 controller 4  
USB 2.0 controller  
HD audio  
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
shared  
shared  
shared  
shared  
shared  
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
shared  
–
–
–
shared  
IEEE 1394  
–
2-20  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
2.5.4  
PCI slots  
The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other  
cards that comply with PCI specifications. Refer to the figure below for the location  
of the slots.  
2.5.5  
PCI Express x1 slots  
This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards and other  
cards that comply with the PCI �xpress specifications. Refer to the figure below for  
the location of the slots.  
•
•
Install the audio card prior to other compatible cards to the black PCIe x1  
slot.  
Install a PCIe x1 device to a PCIe x1 slot prior to a PCIe x16 slot.  
2.5.6  
PCI Express x16 slots  
This motherboard has three PCI Express x16 slots that support PCI Express x16  
graphic cards complying with the PCI �xpress specifications. With three graphics  
cards installed, the motherboard can enable multi-display. All of the three PCI  
Express x16 slots support PCIe 2.0 devices.  
This motherboard supports 3 SLI-ready Express x16 graphics cards that comply  
with the PCI �xpress specifications.  
Audio/PCI Express x1 slot  
PCI Express x 16 slot  
PCI Express x 1 slot  
PCI slot  
PCI Express x 16 slot  
PCI slot  
PCI Express x16 slot  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-21  
 
Primary PCI Express x16 slots  
The primary PCI Express x16 slots support PCI Express x16 graphics cards that  
comply with the PCI �xpress specifications.  
Universal PCI Express x16 slots (max. x8 mode)  
This motherboard also supports universal PCI Express x16 slots with a maximum  
speed of 8 GB/s. The operating frequency of this slot changes, depending on the  
type of PCI Express card you install. Refer to the table below for details.  
PCI Express operating mode  
VGA configuration  
PCIex16_1  
PCIex16_2  
PCIex16_3  
Single VGA/PCIe card x16  
x8  
x16  
x16  
x8  
Dual VGA/PCIe card  
Triple VGA/PCIe card  
x16  
x16  
N/A  
x8  
When running 3-Way SLI™ mode, the PCIe operating frequency will reach x8,  
x8, x8.  
•
We recommend that you install a VGA card to the primary (blue) PCI  
Express x16 slots, and install any other PCI Express device to the universal  
(white) PCI Express x16 slot.  
•
•
•
•
•
•
Currently, only NVIDIA® SLI™-Ready GeForce® 8800 Ultra and GeForce®  
8800 GTX graphics cards support 3-Way SLI™ mode.  
3-Way SLI™ mode is supported by Windows® Vista OS only. For more  
information, go to NVIDIA® official website (www.nvidia.com).  
Currently, only NVIDIA® GeForce® 8500 GT and GeForce® 8400 GS  
graphics cards support GeForce Boost function under Hybrid SLI™ mode.  
Currently, only NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800 GX2 and GeForce® 9800 GTX  
graphics cards support Hybrid Power function under Hybrid SLI™ mode.  
Hybrid SLI™ mode is supported by Windows® Vista OS only. For more  
information, go to www.nvidia.com/hybridsli.  
Before enabling the HybridPower™ function, ensure that you have  
connected your display to the onboard VGA port or the HDMI/DVI port at  
the rear panel. Refer to 2.8.1 Rear panel connectors for details.  
•
Connect a rear chassis fan to the motherboard connector labeled  
OPT_FAN1/2 when using multiple graphics cards for better thermal  
environment. See page 2-32 for details.  
•
We recommend that you provide sufficient power when running NVIDIA®  
SLI™ mode. See page 2-34 for details.  
2-22  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
2.6  
Slide switch  
1.  
Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC_SW)  
This jumper allows you to enable the clr CMOS switch. You can clear the  
CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the  
CMOS RTC RAM data. The clr CMOS switch on the back I/O helps you  
easily to clear the system setup information such as system passwords.  
To erase the RTC RAM:  
1. Press down the clr CMOS switch on the back I/O.  
2. Hold down the <Del> key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup  
to re-enter data.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
CLR_SW  
Enable  
Disable  
(Default)  
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Clear RTC RAM slide switch  
clr CMOS switch behavior  
System power state  
Clearing CMOS  
G3* S5* S0 (DOS mode) S0 (OS mode)  
S1 S3 S4  
**  
*G3: Power off without +5VSB power (AC power loss); S5: Power off with +5VSB power  
**The system shuts dowm immediately.  
•
The clr CMOS switch will not function if the jumper cap on CLRTC_SW is  
moved to the Disable position, but the shutdwon function in S0 mode (DOS  
mode) still works.  
•
•
Make sure to re-enter your previous BIOS settings after you clear the  
CMOS.  
You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to CPU  
overclocking. With the C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) feature, shut down  
and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset CPU parameter  
settings to default values. If the system hangs due to overclocking of  
memory timing or chipset voltage and the power button fails to function,  
pressing down the clr CMOS switch will shut down the system and clear  
CMOS simultaneously.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-23  
 
2.7  
Audio card, I/O shield, and LCD Poster  
installation  
2.7.1  
Audio card Installation  
1.  
Take out the Audio card from the  
package.  
2.  
Locate the audio slot on the  
motherboard.  
3.  
Align the card connector with the  
slot and press firmly until the card  
sits on the slot completely.  
4.  
The photo below shows the  
audio card installed on the  
motherboard.  
2-24  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
2.7.2  
I/O shield and LCD Poster Installation  
1.  
Install the I/O shield to the chassis 2.  
by snapping it in place from inside.  
Orient the motherboard and install  
it to the chassis. Make sure that the  
motherboard external ports fit the  
I/O openings.  
3.  
Thread the LCD Poster cable  
through the opening until its  
stopper snaps into place.  
4.  
Plug the LCD Poster cable into  
the onboard connector labeled  
LCD_CON.  
5.  
Place the LCD Poster on the  
chassis or to wherever you like.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-25  
 
2.8  
Connectors  
2.8.1  
Rear panel connectors  
5
6
7
8
9
1
2
3
4
10  
17  
16  
15  
14  
13  
12  
11  
1.  
2.  
PS/2 keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard.  
Coaxial S/PDIF Out port. This port connects an external audio output device  
via a coaxial S/PDIF cable.  
3.  
4.  
VGA port. This port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices.  
LAN 1/2 (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area  
Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN  
port LED indications.  
32-bit OS LAN port LED indications  
Activity/Link  
OFF  
Speed LED  
OFF  
Description  
Soft-off Mode  
YELLOW*  
YELLOW*  
YELLOW*  
* Blinking  
OFF  
During Power ON/OFF  
100 Mbps connection  
1 Gbps connection  
ACT/LINK SPEED  
LED LED  
ORANGE  
GREEN  
64-bit OS LAN port LED indications  
LAN port  
Activity/Link  
OFF  
Speed LED  
OFF  
Description  
Soft-off Mode  
YELLOW*  
YELLOW*  
YELLOW*  
* Blinking  
OFF  
During Power ON/OFF  
100 Mbps connection  
1 Gbps connection  
ORANGE  
GREEN  
2-26  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
5.  
6.  
Line In port (light blue). This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or  
other audio sources.  
Line Out port (lime). This port connects a headphone or a speaker. In  
4�channel, 6�channel, and 8�channel configuration, the function of this port  
becomes Front Speaker Out.  
7.  
8.  
Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone.  
Center/Subwoofer port (orange). This port connects the center/subwoofer  
speakers.  
9.  
Rear Speaker Out port (black). This port connects the rear speakers on a  
4�channel, 6�channel, or 8�channel audio configuration.  
10. Side Speaker Out port (gray). This port connects the side speakers in an  
8�channel audio configuration.  
Refer to the audio configuration table on the next page for the function of the  
audio ports in 2, 4, 6, or 8�channel configuration.  
Audio 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel configuration  
Headset  
2-channel  
Light Blue Line In  
Port  
4-channel  
6-channel  
8-channel  
Line In  
Line In  
Line In  
Lime  
Line Out  
Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out  
Front Speaker Out  
Mic In  
Pink  
Mic In  
Mic In  
Mic In  
Orange  
Black  
Gray  
–
–
–
–
Center/Subwoofer  
Rear Speaker Ou  
–
Center/Subwoofer  
Rear Speaker Out  
Side Speaker Out  
Rear Speaker Out  
–
11. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are  
available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.  
12. IEEE 1394a port. This 6-pin IEEE 1394a port provides high-speed  
connectivity for audio/video devices, storage peripherals, PCs, or portable  
devices.  
13. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are  
available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-27  
14. HDMI port. This port is for a high-  
definition multimedia interface (HDMI)  
connector.  
•
This motherboard comes with  
dual-VGA outputs through the  
onboard VGA and HDMI ports.  
You can simultaneously connect  
two displays to these ports.  
•
With the bundled HDMI-to-DVI  
adapter, this motherboard also  
supports DVI output.  
Before enabling the HybridPower™ function, ensure that you have connected  
your display to the onboard VGA port or the HDMI/DVI port at the rear panel.  
Playback of HD DVD and Blu-Ray Discs  
The speed and bandwidth of the CPU/Memory, DVD player, and drivers will  
affect the playback quality. Following is a configuration example for your  
reference. Using the CPU/Memory of higher speed and bandwidth with the  
higher-version DVD player and drivers will upgrade the playback quality.  
CPU: AMD Athlon 4400+  
DIMM: DDR2-800 512MB  
Playback software: PowerDVD Ultra v7.3  
15. Optical S/PDIF Out port. This port connects an external audio output device  
via an optical S/PDIF cable.  
16. USB 2.0 ports 5 and 6. These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are  
available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.  
17. Clear CMOS switch. Press the clear CMOS switch to clear setup information  
when the system hangs due to overclocking.  
2-28  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
2.8.2  
Internal connectors  
1.  
IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)  
The onboard IDE connector is for the Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable.  
There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable:  
blue, black, and gray. Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE  
connector, then select one of the following modes to configure your device.  
Mode of  
device(s)  
Drive jumper setting  
Cable connector  
Single device  
Two devices  
Cable-Select or Master  
-
Black  
Black  
Master  
Slave  
Master  
Slave  
Cable-Select  
Gray  
Master  
Slave  
Black or gray  
•
•
Pin 20 on the IDE connector is removed to match the covered hole on the  
Ultra DMA cable connector. This prevents incorrect insertion when you  
connect the IDE cable.  
Use the 80-conductor IDE cable for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 IDE devices.  
If any device jumper is set as “Cable-Select,” make sure all other device  
jumpers have the same setting.  
PRI_IDE  
NOTE:Orient the red markings  
on the IDE ribbon cable to PIN 1.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
PIN1  
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA IDE connector  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-29  
 
2.  
NVIDIA® nForce 780a SLI Serial ATA connectors  
(7-pin SATA1–4 [blue]; 7-pin SATA5–6 [black])  
These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk  
and optical disk drives.  
If you install Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1,  
RAID 0+1, RAID 5, or JBOD configuration through thee onbooaard NVIDIA®  
nForce 780a SLI controller.  
SATA2  
SATA4  
SATA6  
SATA1  
SATA3  
SATA5  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA SATA connectors  
•
•
•
SATA1–4 connectors are set to �IDE� by default. If you intend to create  
a Serial ATA RAID set using these connectors, set the SATA Operation  
Mode item to �RAID� in the BIOS. See section 4.5.6 MCP Storage Config  
for details.  
SATA 5–6 connectors support AHCI mode and RAID mode only. Make sure  
to install the AHCI driver or RAID driver in the bundled support DVD before  
connecting devices to SATA 5–6 connectors. Otherwise, the devices will not  
work.  
For RAID 5, use at least three hard disk drives. For RAID 0+1, use at least  
four hard disk drives. Use two to four Serial ATA hard disk drives for each  
RAID 0 or RAID 1 set.  
•
•
Before creating a RAID set, refer to 5.4.2 NVIDIA® RAID configurations or  
the manual bundled in the motherboard support DVD.  
You must install the Windows® XP Service Pack 1 before using Serial  
ATA hard disk drives. The Serial ATA RAID feature (RAID 0/RAID 1/RAID  
5/RAID 10) is available only if you are using Windows® XP or later version.  
right angle side  
Connect the right-angle side  
of SATA signal cable to SATA  
device. Or you may connect the  
right-angle side of SATA cable to  
the onboard SATA port to avoid  
mechanical conflict with huge  
graphics cards.  
2-30  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
3.  
Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY)  
This connector is for the provided floppy disk drive (FDD) signal cable. Insert  
one end of the cable to this connector, then connect the other end to the  
signal connector at the back of the floppy disk drive.  
Pin 5 on the connector is removed to prevent incorrect cable connection when  
using a FDD cable with a covered Pin 5.  
FLOPPY  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
PIN1  
NOTE:Orient the red markings  
RESET  
on the floppy ribbon cable to PIN 1.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Floppy disk drive connector  
4.  
USB connectors (10-1 pin USB 78; USB 910; USB1112)  
These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable  
to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the  
back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0  
specification that supports up to 480 Mbps connection speed.  
USB1112  
USB910  
USB78  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
PIN  
1
PIN  
1
PIN  
1
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA USB 2.0 connectors  
Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the  
motherboard!  
You can connect the USB cable to ASUS Q�Connector (USB, blue) first, and  
then install the Q-Connector (USB) to the USB connector onboard.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-31  
5.  
IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2)  
This connector is for a IEEE 1394a port. Connect the IEEE 1394a module  
cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back  
of the system chassis.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
IE1394_2  
PIN  
1
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA IEEE 1394 connector  
Never connect a USB cable to the IEEE 1394a connector. Doing so will damage  
the motherboard!  
You can connect the 1394 cable to ASUS Q�Connector (1394, red) first, and  
then install the Q-Connector (1394) to the 1394 connector onboard.  
6.  
Thermal sensor cable connectors (2-pin OPT_TEMP1/2/3)  
These connectors are for temperature monitoring. Connect the thermal  
sensor cables to these connectors and place the other ends to the devices  
which you want to monitor temperature. The optional fan1/2/3 can work with  
the temperature sensors for a better cooling effect.  
OPT_TEMP3  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
OPT_TEMP1  
OPT_TEMP2  
Temperature  
Ground  
Temperature  
Ground  
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Thermal sensor cable connectors  
Enable OPT1/2/3 Cable Overheat Protection in BIOS if you connect thermal  
sensor cables to these connectors. Refer to page 4-38 for details.  
The thermal sensor cable is purchased separately.  
2-32  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
7.  
CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors  
(4-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN1–3, 3-pin PWR_FAN,  
3-pin OPT_FAN1–3)  
The fan connectors support cooling fans of 350 mA–1000 mA (24 W max.) or  
a total of 1 A–3.48 A (41.76 W max.) at +12V. Connect the fan cables to the  
fan connectors on the motherboard, making sure that the black wire of each  
cable matches the ground pin of the connector.  
DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air  
flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are  
not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors!  
PWR_FAN  
CPU_FAN PWR_FAN CHA_FAN1 CHA_FAN2 CHA_FAN3  
CPU_FAN  
OPT_FAN3  
CHA_FAN1  
CHA_FAN2  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
OPT_FAN1 OPT_FAN2 OPT_FAN3  
OPT_FAN1  
OPT_FAN2  
CHA_FAN3  
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA FAN connectors  
•
•
Only the CPU_FAN, CHA_FAN1–3, and OPT_FAN1–3 connectors support  
the ASUS Q-Fan Plus feature.  
If you install multiple VGA cards, we recommend that you plug the chassis  
fan cable to the motherboard connector labled OPT_FAN1/2 for better  
thermal environment.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-33  
8.  
Chassis intrusion connector (4-1 pin CHASSIS)  
This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch.  
Connect one end of the chassis intrusion sensor or switch cable to this  
connector. The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to  
this connector when a chassis component is removed or replaced. The signal  
is then generated as a chassis intrusion event.  
By default, the pin labeled “Chassis Signal” and “Ground” are shorted with  
a jumper cap. Remove the jumper caps only when you intend to use the  
chassis intrusion detection feature.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
CHASSIS  
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Chassis intrusion connector  
9.  
Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT for ASUS HDMI VGA card)  
This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF)  
port(s). If you are using an ASUS HDMI-equipped graphics card, connect the  
HDMI card to this connector with a S/PDIF Out cable.  
SPDIF_OUT  
GND  
SPDIFOUT  
+5V  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Digital audio connector  
The ASUS HDMI-equipped graphics card and the S/PDIF Out cable are  
purchased separately.  
2-34  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
10. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)  
These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs  
are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper  
orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.  
EATX12V  
EATXPWR  
GND  
+12V DC  
+12V DC  
+12V DC  
+12V DC  
+3 Volts  
GND  
GND  
GND  
GND  
+12 Volts  
+12 Volts  
+5V Standby  
Power OK  
GND  
+5 Volts  
+5 Volts  
+5 Volts  
-5 Volts  
GND  
PIN 1  
+5 Volts  
GND  
GND  
GND  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
+5 Volts  
GND  
PSON#  
GND  
+3 Volts  
+3 Volts  
-12 Volts  
+3 Volts  
RESET  
PIN 1  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA ATX power connectors  
•
•
Make sure to remove the cap on the EATX12V connector before connecting  
an 8-pin EPS +12V power plug.  
Use only an 8-pin EPS +12V power plug for the EATX12V connector.  
•
For a fully configured system, we recommend that you use a power supply  
unit (PSU) that complies with ATX 12 V Specification 2.0 (or later version)  
and provides a minimum power of 400 W.  
•
Do not forget to connect the 4�pin/8pin �ATX12V power plug; otherwise,  
the system will not boot.  
•
Use of a PSU with a higher power output is recommended when  
configuring a system with more power�consuming devices. The system  
may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.  
•
If you are uncertain about the minimum power supply requirement for your  
system, refer to the Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator  
at http://support.asus.com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.  
aspx?SLanguage=en-us for details.  
•
If you want to use two or more high-end PCI Express x16 cards, use a PSU  
with 1000 W power or above to ensure the system stability.  
•
If you want to use 3�Way SLI™ configuration, visit the NVIDIA website  
(www.nvidia.com) for the qualified PSU vendor list.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-35  
Power supply requirements  
Heavy Loading  
CPU  
Phenom 9600  
Memory  
VGA  
1 GB*4  
8800 Ultra*3  
SATA-HDD  
IDE-CDROM  
IDE-HDD  
USB  
6
1
1
4
+12V_8Pin +12V_24pin +5V_24pin +3V_24pin +12V_VGA1 +12V_VGA2 +12V_VGA3  
Voltage (V) 12.14  
Current (A) 11.32  
Power (W) 137.425  
12.21  
5.22  
3.456  
6.98  
12.2  
12.2  
12.2  
6.6  
13.71  
6.41  
6.51  
6.59  
167.399  
33.460  
24.123  
79.422  
80.398  
Total PSU  
Po_max(w)  
80.52  
SATA-HDD IDE-CDROM IDE-HDD USB  
Quantity  
Power  
6
1
1
4
10.45  
10  
10  
12.68  
12.68  
2.5  
10  
698.127  
Total Power 62.7  
Normal Loading  
CPU  
Athlon 64 X2 5000+  
Memory  
VGA  
1 GB*4  
8800 Ultra*2  
SATA-HDD  
IDE-CDROM  
IDE-HDD  
USB  
4
1
0
4
+12V_8Pin +12V_24pin +5V_24pin +3V_24pin +12V_VGA1 +12V_VGA2 +12V_VGA3  
Voltage (V) 12.14  
Current (A) 6.74  
Power (W) 81.824  
12.21  
8.92  
5.225  
6.22  
3.455  
6.87  
23.736  
USB  
4
12.2  
12.2  
6.52  
6.82  
108.913  
32.500  
79.544  
83.204  
Total PSU  
Po_max(w)  
0
SATA-HDD IDE-CDROM IDE-HDD  
Quantity  
Power  
4
1
0
10.45  
10  
10  
12.68  
0
2.5  
471.521  
Total Power 41.8  
10  
2-36  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
Light Loading  
CPU  
Sempron 1100+  
Memory  
VGA  
1 GB*2  
8800 Ultra*1  
SATA-HDD  
IDE-CDROM  
IDE-HDD  
USB  
2
1
0
4
+12V_8Pin +12V_24pin +5V_24pin +3V_24pin +12V_VGA1 +12V_VGA2 +12V_VGA3  
Voltage (V) 12.19  
Current (A) 3.19  
Power (W) 38.886  
12.21  
5.55  
5.22  
3.456  
5.36  
12.16  
6.5  
5.04  
67.766  
26.309  
18.524  
79.04  
0
0
SATA-HDD IDE-CDROM IDE-HDD USB  
Total PSU  
Quantity  
Power  
2
1
0
4
Po_max(w)  
10.45  
10  
10  
12.68  
0
2.5  
10  
271.425  
Total Power 20.9  
11. ROG connector (2-pin ROG)  
This connector is for the box labeled as Republic of Gamers on the heatpipe  
assembly. Connect the cable of the box to this connector, and the box lights  
up when the system is on.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA ROG connector  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-37  
12. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)  
This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.  
PLED  
SPEAKER  
PANEL  
PIN 1  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
IDE_LED  
PWRSW RESET  
RESET  
* Requires an ATX power supply  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA System panel connector  
•
•
System power LED (2-pin PLED)  
This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis  
power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when  
you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.  
Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin IDE_LED)  
This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD Activity  
L�D cable to this connector. The ID� L�D lights up or flashes when data is  
read from or written to the HDD.  
•
•
System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)  
This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The  
speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.  
ATX power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWRSW)  
This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power button  
turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode depending  
on the BIOS settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds  
while the system is ON turns the system OFF.  
•
Reset button (2-pin RESET)  
This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system  
reboot without turning off the system power.  
2-38  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
ASUS Q-Connector (system panel)  
You can use the ASUS Q-Connector to connect/disconnect chassis front panel  
cables in a few steps. Refer to the instructions below to install the ASUS Q-  
Connector.  
1.  
2.  
3.  
Connect the front panel cables to the  
ASUS Q-Connector.  
Refer to the labels on the Q-Connector  
to know the detailed pin definitions, then  
match them to the respective front panel  
cable labels.  
Install the ASUS Q-Connector to the  
system panel connector, making sure  
the orientation matches the labels on the  
motherboard.  
The front panel functions are now enabled.  
The figure shows the Q�Connector properly  
installed on the motherboard.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
2-39  
2.8.3  
Onboard switches  
Onboard switches allow you to fine�tune performance when working on a bare  
or open-case system. This is ideal for overclockers and gamers who continually  
change settings to enhance system performance.  
1.  
Power-on switch  
Press the power-on switch to wake/power up the system.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Power on switch  
2.  
Reset switch  
Press the reset switch to reboot the system.  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
®
RESET  
CROSSHAIR II FORMULA Reset switch  
2-40  
Chapter 2: Hardware information  
 
This chapter describes the power up  
sequence, the vocal POST messages,  
and ways of shutting down the system.  
Chapter 3: Powering up  
3
 
Chapter summary  
3
3.1  
Starting up for the first time........................................................ 3-1  
3.2  
Turning off the computer............................................................. 3-2  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
3.1  
Starting up for the first time  
1.  
2.  
3.  
After making all the connections, replace the system case cover.  
Be sure that all switches are off.  
Connect the power cord to the power connector at the back of the system  
chassis.  
4.  
5.  
Connect the power cord to a power outlet that is equipped with a surge  
protector.  
Turn on the devices in the following order:  
a. Monitor  
b. External SCSI devices (starting with the last device on the chain)  
c. System power  
6.  
After applying power, the system power LED on the system front panel case  
lights up. For systems with ATX power supplies, the system LED lights up  
when you press the ATX power button. If your monitor complies with “green”  
standards or if it has a “power standby” feature, the monitor LED may light up  
or switch between orange and green after the system LED turns on.  
The system then runs the power-on self tests or POST. If you do not see  
anything within 30 seconds from the time you turned on the power, the  
system may have failed a power-on test. Check the jumper settings and  
connections or call your retailer for assistance.  
7.  
At power on, hold down the <Delete> key to enter the BIOS Setup. Follow the  
instructions in Chapter 4.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
3-1  
 
3.2  
Turning off the computer  
3.2.1  
Using the OS shut down function  
If you are using Windows® Vista™:  
1.  
2.  
Click the Start button then select Shut Down.  
The power supply should turn off after Windows® shuts down.  
If you are using Windows® XP:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
Click the Start button then select Turn Off Computer.  
Click the Turn Off button to shut down the computer.  
The power supply should turn off after Windows® shuts down.  
3.2.2  
Using the dual function power switch  
While the system is ON, pressing the power switch for less than four seconds puts  
the system to sleep mode or to soft-off mode, depending on the BIOS setting.  
Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds lets the system enter the  
soft-off mode regardless of the BIOS setting. Refer to section 4.6 Power Menu for  
details.  
3-2  
Chapter 3: Powering up  
 
This chapter tells how to change  
the system settings through the BIOS  
Setup menus. Detailed descriptions  
of the BIOS parameters are also  
provided.  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
4
 
Chapter summary  
4
4.1  
4.2  
4.3  
4.4  
4.5  
4.6  
4.7  
4.8  
4.9  
Managing and updating your BIOS ............................................ 4-1  
BIOS setup program .................................................................... 4-9  
Extreme Tweaker menu ............................................................. 4-13  
Main menu .................................................................................. 4-22  
Advanced menu ......................................................................... 4-27  
Power menu................................................................................ 4-34  
Boot menu .................................................................................. 4-40  
Tools menu ................................................................................. 4-45  
Exit menu.................................................................................... 4-48  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4.1  
Managing and updating your BIOS  
The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic  
Input/Output System (BIOS) setup.  
1.  
2.  
3.  
ASUS Update (Updates the BIOS in Windows® environment.)  
ASUS EZ Flash 2 (Updates the BIOS using a floppy disk or USB flash disk.)  
Award BIOS Flash Utility (Updates the BIOS using a bootable USB flash  
disk or a DVD ROM.)  
4.  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 (Updates the BIOS using a USB flash disk or the  
motherboard support DVD when the BIOS file fails or gets corrupted.)  
Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.  
Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a bootable USB flash  
disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original  
motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or Award BIOS Flash utilities.  
4.1.1  
ASUS Update utility  
The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the  
motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you  
to:  
•
•
•
•
•
Save the current BIOS file  
Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet  
Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS file  
Update the BIOS directly from the Internet, and  
View the BIOS version information.  
This utility is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard  
package.  
ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an  
Internet Service Provider (ISP).  
Installing ASUS Update  
To install ASUS Update:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
Place the support DVD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears.  
Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX.  
The ASUS Update utility is copied to your system.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-1  
 
Quit all Windows® applications before you update the BIOS using this utility.  
Updating the BIOS through the Internet  
To update the BIOS through the Internet:  
1.  
Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows® desktop by clicking Start  
> Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update  
main window appears.  
2.  
Select Update BIOS from the  
Internet option from the drop-down  
menu, then click Next.  
3.  
Select the ASUS FTP site nearest  
you to avoid network traffic, or  
click Auto Select. Click Next.  
4-2  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
4.  
5.  
From the FTP site, select the BIOS  
version that you wish to download.  
Click Next.  
Follow the screen instructions to  
complete the update process.  
The ASUS Update utility is  
capable of updating itself through  
the Internet. Always update the  
utility to avail all its features.  
Updating the BIOS through a BIOS file  
To update the BIOS through a BIOS file:  
1.  
2.  
Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows® desktop by clicking Start  
> Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update  
main window appears.  
Select Update BIOS from a file  
option from the drop-down menu,  
then click Next.  
3.  
Locate the BIOS file from the Open  
window, then click Open.  
CrosshairII  
4.  
Follow the screen instructions to  
complete the update process.  
CrosshairII  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-3  
4.1.2  
ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility  
The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to  
go through the long process of using a DOS-based utility. The EZ Flash 2 utility  
is built-in the BIOS chip so it is accessible by pressing <Alt> + <F2> during the  
Power-On Self Tests (POST).  
To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2:  
1.  
Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for  
the motherboard.  
2.  
Save the BIOS file to a USB flash disk, then restart the system.  
You can launch the EZ Flash 2 by two methods.  
3.  
(1) Insert the USB flash disk that contains the BIOS file to the USB port.  
Press <Alt> + <F2> during POST to display the following.  
ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility B327  
FLASH TYPE: MXIC MX25L8005 8Mb SPI  
Current ROM  
BOARD: CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
VER: 0114  
Update ROM  
BOARD: Unknown  
VER: Unknown  
DATE: 02/27/2008  
DATE: Unknown  
PATH: A:\  
A:  
Note  
[Enter] Select  
[S] Save  
[ESC] Exit  
[Tab] Switch  
[Up/Down/Home/End] Move  
(2) Enter BIOS setup program. Go to the Tools menu to select EZ Flash2  
and press <Enter> to enable it.  
You can switch between drives by pressing <Tab> before the correct file  
is found. Then press <Enter>.  
4.  
When the correct BIOS file is found, �Z Flash 2 performs the BIOS update  
process and automatically reboots the system when done.  
•
This function can support devices such as USB flash disk or hard disk with  
FAT 32/16/12 format only.  
•
Do not shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent  
system boot failure!  
4-4  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.1.3  
Updating the BIOS  
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) can be updated using the AwardBIOS  
Flash Utility. Follow these instructions to update the BIOS using this utility.  
1.  
Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS web site. Rename the file and  
save it to a CD ROM or a USB flash disk in FAT 16/12 format.  
Save only the updated BIOS file in the disk to avoid loading the wrong BIOS file.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
Copy the AwardBIOS Flash Utility (awdflash.exe) from the Software folder of  
the support DVD to theCD ROM or a USB flash disk with the latest BIOS file.  
Boot the system in DOS mode using the bootable CD ROM or a USB flash  
disk you created earlier.  
Under the DOS mode, use <X:> (X stands for the name of the disk  
assignment) to switch to the folder of CD ROM or USB flash disk you saved  
the BIOS file and AwardBIOS Flash Utility.  
5.  
At the prompt, type  
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.18  
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved  
awdflash then press  
<Enter>. The Award  
For MCP72XE-CROSSHAIRII-00  
DATE:02/15/2008  
Flash Type - MXIC MX25L8005 SPI  
BIOS Flash Utility screen  
appears.  
File Name to Program:  
Message: Please input File Name!  
6.  
Type the BIOS file name  
in the File Name to  
Program field, then press  
<Enter>.  
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.18  
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved  
For MCP72XE-CROSSHAIRII-00  
DATE:02/15/2008  
Flash Type - MXIC MX25L8005 SPI  
File Name to Program: 0109.bin  
Message: Do You Want To Save Bios (Y/N)  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-5  
 
7.  
8.  
Press <N> when the utility prompts you to save the current BIOS file. The  
following screen appears.  
The utility verifies the  
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.18  
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved  
BIOS file in the CD ROM  
or the USB flash disk and  
starts flashing the BIOS  
file.  
For MCP72XE-CROSSHAIRII-00  
Flash Type - MXIC MX25L8005 SPI  
DATE:02/15/2008  
File Name to Program: 0109.bin  
Programming Flash Memory - OFE00 OK  
Write OK  
No Update  
Write Fail  
Warning: Don’t Turn Off Power Or Reset System!  
Do not turn off or reset the system during the flashing process!  
9.  
The utility displays a  
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.18  
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved  
Flashing Complete  
message indicating that  
you have successfully  
flashed the BIOS file.  
Remove the disk then  
press <F1> to restart the  
system.  
For MCP72XE-CROSSHAIRII-00  
DATE:02/15/2008  
Flash Type - MXIC MX25L8005 SPI  
File Name to Program: 0109.bin  
Flashing Complete  
Press <F1> to Continue  
Write OK  
F1 Reset  
No Update  
Write Fail  
4-6  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
4.1.4  
Saving the current BIOS file  
You can use the AwardBIOS Flash Utility to save the current BIOS file. You can  
load the current BIOS file when the BIOS file gets corrupted during the flashing  
process.  
Make sure that the CD ROM or the USB flash disk has enough disk space to  
save the file.  
To save the current BIOS file using the AwardBIOS Flash Utility:  
1.  
2.  
Follow steps 1 to 6 of the  
previous section.  
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.18  
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved  
For MCP72XE-CROSSHAIRII-00  
DATE:02/15/2008  
Press <Y> when the utility  
prompts you to save the  
current BIOS file. The  
Flash Type - MXIC MX25L8005 SPI  
File Name to Program: 0109.bin  
Save current BIOS as:  
following screen appears.  
Message:  
3.  
Type a filename for the  
current BIOS file in the  
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.18  
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved  
Save current BIOS as field, For MCP72XE-CROSSHAIRII-00  
then press <Enter>.  
DATE:02/15/2008  
Flash Type - MXIC MX25L8005 SPI  
File Name to Program: 0109.bin  
Checksum: 810DH  
Save current BIOS as: 0110.bin  
Message: Please Wait!  
4.  
The utility saves the  
AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS V1.18  
(C) Phoenix Technologies Ltd. All Rights Reserved  
current BIOS file to the  
disk, then returns to the  
BIOS flashing process.  
For MCP72XE-CROSSHAIRII-00  
DATE:02/15/2008  
Flash Type - MXIC MX25L8005 SPI  
File Name to Program: 0110.bin  
Now Backup System BIOS to  
File!  
Message: Please Wait!  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-7  
 
4.1.5  
ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility  
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore  
the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can  
update a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD that contains the  
updated BIOS file.  
•
•
•
Prepare the motherboard support DVD containing the updated motherboard  
BIOS before using this utility.  
You can monitor the BIOS recovery process on your display only when  
installing an external graphics card.  
If you use the onboard VGA output, your display does not show when the  
BIOS recovery is proceeding. Insert the support DVD to the optical drive  
and wait for a few minutes to restart your system.  
Recovering the BIOS from the support DVD  
To recover the BIOS from the support DVD:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
Turn on the system.  
Insert the motherboard support DVD to the optical drive.  
The utility displays the following message and automatically checks the DVD  
for the BIOS file.  
Award BootBlock BIOS v1.0  
Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software, Inc.  
BIOS ROM checksum error  
Detecting IDE ATAPI device...  
Found CDROM, try to Boot from it... Pass  
When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and starts flashing the corrupted  
BIOS file.  
Award BootBlock BIOS v1.0  
Copyright (c) 2000, Award Software, Inc.  
BIOS ROM checksum error  
Detecting IDE ATAPI device...  
4.  
Restart the system after the utility completes the updating process.  
•
Only the USB flash disk with FAT 32/16/12 format and single partition can  
support ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2. The device size should be smaller than  
8GB.  
•
DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so  
can cause system boot failure!  
4-8  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.2  
BIOS setup program  
This motherboard supports a programmable Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) chip  
that you can update using the provided utility described in section “4.1 Managing  
and updating your BIOS.”  
Use the BIOS Setup program when you are installing a motherboard, reconfiguring  
your system, or prompted to “Run Setup.” This section explains how to configure  
your system using this utility.  
Even if you are not prompted to use the Setup program, you can change the  
configuration of your computer in the future. For example, you can enable the  
security password feature or change the power management settings. This  
requires you to reconfigure your system using the BIOS Setup program so that the  
computer can recognize these changes and record them in the CMOS RAM of the  
SPI chip.  
The SPI chip on the motherboard stores the Setup utility. When you start up the  
computer, the system provides you with the opportunity to run this program. Press  
<Del> during the Power�On Self�Test (POST) to enter the Setup utility; otherwise,  
POST continues with its test routines.  
If you wish to enter Setup after POST, restart the system by pressing  
<Ctrl+Alt+Delete>, or by pressing the reset button on the system chassis. You can  
also restart by turning the system off and then back on. Do this last option only if  
the first two failed.  
The Setup program is designed to make it as easy to use as possible. Being a  
menu-driven program, it lets you scroll through the various sub-menus and make  
your selections from the available options using the navigation keys.  
•
The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions  
to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after  
changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system  
compatibility and stability. Select the Load Setup Default item under the  
Exit Menu. See section 4.9 Exit Menu.  
•
The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes  
only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.  
•
Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS file for  
this motherboard.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-9  
 
4.2.1  
BIOS menu screen  
Menu items  
Menu bar  
Configuration fields  
General help  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Main Advanced Power Boot Tools  
15 : 30 : 36  
Extreme Tweaker  
Exit  
System Time  
System Date  
Language  
Select Menu  
Thu, Feb 21 2008  
[English]  
Item Specific Help  
Legacy Diskette A:  
[1.44M, 3.5 in.]  
Change the internal  
time.  
Primary IDE Master  
Primary IDE Slave  
SATA 1  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[Disabled]  
SATA 2  
SATA 3  
SATA 4  
HDD SMART Monitoring  
Installed Memory  
Usable Memory  
256MB  
191MB  
System Information  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
Sub-menu items  
Legend bar  
4.2.2  
Menu bar  
The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:  
Main  
For changing the basic system configuration  
Extreme Tweaker For changing the overclocking settings  
Advanced  
Power  
For changing the advanced system settings  
For changing the advanced power management (APM)  
configuration  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
For changing the system boot configuration  
For configuring options for special functions  
For selecting the exit options and loading default  
settings  
To select an item on the menu bar, press the right or left arrow key on the keyboard  
until the desired item is highlighted.  
•
•
The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference purposes  
only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.  
Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS  
information.  
4-10  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.2.3  
Legend bar  
At the bottom of the Setup screen is a legend bar. The keys in the legend bar allow  
you to navigate through the various setup menus. The following table lists the keys  
found in the legend bar with their corresponding functions.  
Navigation Key  
<F1>  
Function  
Displays the General Help screen  
Loads setup default values  
<F5>  
<Esc>  
Exits the BIOS setup or returns to the main menu from a  
sub-menu  
Left or Right arrow  
Up or Down arrow  
Selects the menu item to the left or right  
Moves the highlight up or down between fields  
Page Down or – (minus) Scrolls backward through the values for the highlighted field  
Page Up or + (plus)  
<Enter>  
Scrolls forward through the values for the highlighted field  
Brings up a selection menu for the highlighted field  
Saves changes and exit  
<F10>  
4.2.4  
Menu items  
The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specific items for that menu.  
For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items.  
The other items (Advanced, Power, Boot, and Exit) on the menu bar have their  
respective menu items.  
4.2.5  
Sub-menu items  
A solid triangle before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a  
sub-menu. To display the sub-menu, select the item and press <Enter>.  
4.2.6  
Configuration fields  
These fields show the values for the menu items. If an item is user�configurable,  
you can change the value of the field opposite the item. You cannot select an item  
that is not user�configurable.  
A configurable field is enclosed in brackets, and is highlighted when selected. To  
change the value of a field, select it then press <�nter> to display a list of options.  
Refer to “4.2.7 Pop-up window.”  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-11  
 
4.2.7  
Pop-up window  
Select a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the  
configuration options for that item.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
System Time  
System Date  
Language  
15 : 30 : 36  
Select Menu  
Item Specific Help  
Thu, Feb 21 2008  
[English]  
Legacy Diskette A:  
e the internal  
Legacy Diskette A:  
Primary IDE Master  
Primary IDE Slave  
SATA 1  
Disabled  
..... [ ]  
..... [ ]  
..... [ ]  
720K , 3.5 in.  
1.44M, 3.5 in.  
SATA 2  
SATA 3  
SATA 4  
HDD SMART Monitori
Installed Memory  
Usable Memory  
↑↓ :Move ENTER:Accept ESC:Abort  
System Information  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
Pop-up menu  
4.2.8  
General help  
At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected  
item.  
4-12  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.3  
Extreme Tweaker menu  
The �xtreme Tweaker menu items allow you to configure overclocking�related  
items.  
Take caution when changing the settings of the Extreme Tweaker menu items.  
Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
CPU Level Up  
AI Tuning  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Select Menu  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
Disabled  
Disabled  
200  
Item Specific Help  
x
x
x
Overclock Options  
N.O.S. Option  
CPU Frequency  
CPU Multiplier  
K8<->NB HT Speed  
K8<->NB HT Width  
PCIE Clock  
Warning: this  
function belongs  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[100]  
to overclocking,  
and it may cause  
instability. Select  
a CPU level, and the  
rest will be auto-  
adjusted. If you want  
to adjust more, set  
Ai Overclock Tuner  
to Manual after you  
select a CPU level.  
DRAM Configuration  
SLI-Ready Memory  
SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC  
[Disabled]  
CPUOC o%  
x
Vcore Voltage  
VDDNB Voltage  
DDR2 Voltage  
SB Voltage  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
HT Voltage  
VDDA Voltage  
BR Voltage  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
Scroll down to see more items.  
DDR2 Controller Ref Voltage [Auto]  
DDR2 Channel A Ref Voltage [Auto]  
DDR2 Channel B Ref Voltage [Auto]  
CPU Configuration  
Spread Spectrum Control  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
4.3.1  
Configuring System Performance Settings  
CPU Level Up [Auto]  
Allows you to select a CPU level, and the related parameters will be automatically  
adjusted according to the selected CPU level. If you want to manually configure the  
settings in detail, set AI Tuning to �Manual� after selecting a CPU level.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [Athlon64 3800+] [Athlon64 4000+] [Crazy]  
•
•
The configuration options vary with your CPU model.  
The option [Crazy] appears when you use an Athlon64 4000+ /  
Athlon LE-1620 / AthlonX2 BE2400 / AthlonX2 6000+ CPU.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-13  
 
AI Tuning [Auto]  
Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired CPU internal  
frequency. Select any one of the preset overclocking configuration options:  
Manual  
Auto  
Allows you to individually set overclocking parameters.  
Loads the optimal settings for the system.  
Standard  
Loads the standard settings for the system.  
Loads overclocking profiles with optimal parameters for stability when  
overclocking.  
AI Overclock  
ASUS Non-delay Overclocking System feature intelligently  
determines the system load and automatically boosts the  
performance for the most demanding tasks.  
AI N.O.S.  
Allows you to select a CPU level, and the related parameters will be  
adjusted automatically.  
CPU Level Up  
The following item becomes configurable when you set AI Tuning to �AI  
Overclock�.  
Overclock Options [Disabled]  
Allows you to set the overclocking options.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Overclock 3%] [Overclock 5%] [Overclock 8%]  
�Overclock 10%�  
The following item become configurable when you set AI Tuning to �AI N.O.S.�.  
N.O.S. Option [Disabled]  
Allows you to set the overclocking options.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Overclock 3%] [Overclock 5%] [Overclock 8%]  
�Overclock 10%�  
The following items become configurable when you set AI Tuning to �Manual�.  
CPU Frequency [200]  
Use the <+> and <-> keys or the numeric keypad to enter the desired value. The  
values range from 200 to 600.  
CPU Multiplier [Auto]  
The configuration options may vary with your CPU model.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [5x] [5.5x] [6x] [6.5x]–[9.5x] [10x] [10.5x]  
K8<->NB HT Speed [Auto]  
The configuration options may vary with your CPU model.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [200 MHz] [400 MHz] [600 MHz] [800 MHz] [1 GHz]  
4-14  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
K8<->NB HT Width [Auto]  
Configuration options: [↓  
8
↑8� �↓16 ↑16� �Auto�  
PCIE Clock [100]  
Allows you to set the PCIEX16_1/2/3 overclocking frequency. Use the <+> and  
<-> keys or the numeric keypad to enter the desired value. The values range from  
100 to 200.  
DRAM Configuration  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Memory Timing Setting  
Select Menu  
Memory Clock Frequency  
[Auto]  
Item Specific Help  
Tcl  
[Auto]  
Setting platform  
Memclock or limit  
value.  
Trcd  
[Auto]  
Trp  
[Auto]  
Tras  
[Auto]  
1T/2T Memory Timing  
Memory DCT Mode  
Memory Hole Remapping  
AI Clock Skew  
[Auto]  
[Unganged Mode]  
[Enabled]  
[Auto]  
x
x
Channel A Clock Skew  
Channel B Clock Skew  
Advanced Memory Settings  
DRAM Timing Control  
Output Driver Control  
Normal  
Normal  
Current DRAM Timing  
1066MHz-5-3-3- 6-2T  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
memory Clock Frequency �Auto�  
Allows you to set the DDR2 overclocking frequency.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2 400] [DDR2 533] [DDR2 667]  
�DDR2 800�  
A very high DRAM frequency may cause the system to become unstable! If this  
happens, revert to the default setting.  
Tcl �Auto�  
Configuration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]  
Trcd �Auto�  
Configuration options: [Auto] [�3]� �[4]� �[5�] �[6�]  
Trp �Auto�  
Configuration options: [�Auto]� [�3]� [�4]� [�5]� [�6]�  
Tras �Auto�  
Configuration options: [Auto] [5] [6]–[�18]�  
1T/2T Memory Timing �Auto�  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T]  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-15  
Memory DCT Mode �Unganged Mode�  
This item appears only when you use an AM2+ CPU.  
Configuration options: [Ganged Mode] [Unganged Mode]  
Memory Hole Remapping �Enabled�  
Allows you to enable or disable the remapping of the overlapped PCI memory  
above the total physical memory. Enable this option only when you install 64-  
bit operating system. Configuration options: [�Disabled]� �[E�nabled�]  
AI Clock Skew �Auto�  
Allows you to adjust the DRAM clock skew for both Channel A and B.  
Configuration options: [�Auto]� [�Manual]�  
The following two items become configurable when you set AI Clock Skew to  
�Manual�.  
Channel A/Channel B Clock Skew [Normal]  
Configuration options: [Advance 900ps] [�Advance 750pss�] �[Advvance 6600ps�]  
�Advance 450ps� �Advance 300ps� �Advance 150ps� �Normal� �Delay 150ps�  
�Delay 300ps� �Delay 450ps� �Delay 600ps� �Delay 750ps� �Delay 900ps�  
Advance Memory Settings  
CPU On-die Termination [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [300 ohm] [150 ohm] [75 ohm]  
Trc [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [11] [12]–[25] [26]  
Twr [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6]  
Trrd [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5]  
Trwt [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3]–[8] [9]  
Twtr [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1] [2] [3]  
Trtp [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [2/4] [3/5]  
Twrrd [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3]  
Twrwr [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1] [2] [3]  
Trdrd [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [2] [3] [4] [5]  
4-16  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
Tref [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [7.8 us] [3.9 us]  
Trfc [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4]  
Dynamic Idle Cycle Counter [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Idle Cycle Limit [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0 cycles] [4 cycles] [8 cycles] [16 cycles] [32 cycles]  
�64 cycles� �128 cycles�  
DCQ Bypass Maximum [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0x] [1x] [2x]–[14x] [15x]  
DRAM Burst Length [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [64�byte] [32�byte]  
DRAM Bank Interweaving [Enabled]  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Bank Swizzle Mode [Enabled]  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
DRAM Timing Control  
CKE Fine Delay [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [No Delay] [1/64 M�MCLK delay] [2/64 M�MCLK  
delay� �3/64 MEMCLK delay�–�30/64 MEMCLK delay� �31/64 MEMCLK delay�  
CKE Setup Time [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1/2 M�MCLK] [1 M�MCLK]  
CS/ODT Fine Delay [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [No Delay] [1/64 M�MCLK delay] [2/64 M�MCLK  
delay� �3/64 MEMCLK delay�–�30/64 MEMCLK delay� �31/64 MEMCLK delay�  
CS/ODT Setup Time [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1/2 M�MCLK] [1 M�MCLK]  
Address/Command Fine Delay [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [No Delay] [1/64 M�MCLK delay] [2/64 M�MCLK  
delay� �3/64 MEMCLK delay�–�30/64 MEMCLK delay� �31/64 MEMCLK delay�  
Address/Command Setup Time [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1/2 M�MCLK] [1 M�MCLK]  
Read DQS Timing Control [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [No Delay] [1/96 M�MCLK delay] [2/96 M�MCLK  
delay� �3/96 MEMCLK delay�–�46/96 MEMCLK delay� �47/96 MEMCLK delay�  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-17  
Write Data Timing Control [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [No Delay] [1/96 M�MCLK delay] [2/96 M�MCLK  
delay� �3/96 MEMCLK delay�–�46/96 MEMCLK delay� �47/96 MEMCLK delay�  
DQS Receiver Enable Timing [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0 ps] [50 ps] [100 ps] [150 ps]–[8650 ps] [8700 ps]  
Output Driver Control  
CKE Drive Strength [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x]  
CS/ODT Drive Strength [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x]  
Add/CMD Drive Strength [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x] [2.00x]  
MEMCLK Drive Strength [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x]  
Data Drive Strength [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x]  
DQS Drive Strength [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.75x] [1.00x] [1.25x] [1.50x]  
DRAM Drivers Weak Mode [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [Normal] [Weak]  
Current DRAM Timing  
This value is detected automatically.  
SLI-Ready Memory [Disabled]  
Allows you to select SPD profile for SLI�Ready Memory  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Optimal] [High Performance] [High Frequency]  
The following item becomes configurable when you set SLI-Ready Memory to  
options other than �disabled�.  
SLI-Ready Memory CPUOC �CPUOC 0%�  
Allows you to select CPU overclocking percentage.  
Configuration options: [CPUOC 0%] [CPUOC 1%] [CPUOC 2%]–  
�CPUOC 13%� �CPUOC 14%� �CPUOC MAX�  
Vcore Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to select the Vcore (CPU) voltage. The text color in the configuration  
field corresponds to the onboard CPU L�D color, both of which indicate voltage  
condition. Refer to page 2�1 for CPU L�D definition.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [0.7750V] [0.7875V] [0.8000V] [0.8125V]–[�1.99750V�]  
�1.9875V� �2.0000V�  
4-18  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
Refer to the CPU documentation before setting the CPU voltage. Setting a  
high voltage may damage the CPU permanently, and setting a low voltage may  
make the system unstable.  
VDDNB Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to select the VDDNB voltage.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [+100mvV] [+150mvV] [+200mvV] [+250mvV]  
�+300mvV� �+350mvV� �+450mvV�  
DDR2 Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to select the Memory voltage. The text color in the configuration field  
corresponds to the onboard Memory LED color, both of which indicate voltage  
condition. Refer to page 2�2 for Memory L�D definition.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.800V] [1.820V] [1.840V]–[3.380V] [3.400V]  
SB Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to select the Southbridge voltage. The text color in the configuration  
field corresponds to the onboard Southbridge L�D color, both of which indicate  
voltage condition. When you set the SB LED Selection item to �SB Voltage�, the  
onboard Southbridge LED displays Southbridge voltage condition. Refer to page  
2�2 for Southbridge L�D definition.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.10V] [1.12V] [1.14V] [1.16V]–[2.98V] [3.00V]  
HT Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to select the HT voltage. The text color in the configuration field  
corresponds to the onboard Southbridge LED color, both of which indicate voltage  
condition. When you set the SB LED Selection item to �HT Voltage�, the onboard  
Southbridge LED displays HT voltage condition. Refer to page 2-2 for Southbridge  
L�D definition.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.20V] [1.22V] [1.24V] [1.26V]–[2.98V] [3.00V]  
VDDA Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to select the VDDA voltage.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [2.50V] [2.62V] [2.72V] [2.82V]–[2.92V] [3.02V]  
BR Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to select the Bridge (PCIe) voltage. The text color in the configuration  
field corresponds to the onboard Bridge (PCIe) L�D color, both of which indicate  
voltage condition. Refer to page 2�2 for Bridge (PCIe) L�D definition.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [1.20V] [1.22V] [1.24V] [1.26V]–[2.98V] [3.00V]  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-19  
DDR2 Controller Ref Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to manually set the memory voltage, or you can set to �Auto� for the  
safe mode.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2_R�F] [DDR2_R�F�30mv] [DDR2_R�F�20mv]  
�DDR2_REF-10mv� �DDR2_REF+10mv� �DDR2_REF+20mv� �DDR2_REF+30mv�  
DDR2 Channel A/Channel B Ref Voltage [Auto]  
Allows you to manually set the memory voltage, or you can set to �Auto� for the  
safe mode.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR2_R�F] [DDR2_R�F�30mv] [DDR2_R�F�20mv]  
�DDR2_REF-10mv� �DDR2_REF+10mv� �DDR2_REF+20mv� �DDR2_REF+30mv�  
CPU Configuration  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Overclocking  
Select Menu  
CPU Type  
AMD Phenom(tm)8400  
Item Specific Help  
Triple-Core Processor  
2100MHz  
CPU Speed  
Cache RAM(L2)  
Cache RAM(L3)  
AMD Virtualization  
AMD Live!  
512K x3  
Enabling processor  
virtualization allows  
hardware facilitated  
capabilities for  
running several 386  
Virtual Machines  
on the system  
2048K  
[Enabled]  
[Disabled]  
AMD Cool’n’Quiet Function  
Cache Mapping Cycle  
CPU Instruction Fetch  
CPU DownCore Control  
[Disabled]  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
[Disabled]  
simultaneously.  
AMD Virtualization [�nabled]  
Enabling this functions allows hardware capabilities to run several 386 virtual  
machines on the system simultaneously.  
Configuration options: [�nabled] [�Disabled]�  
AMD Live! �Disabled�  
Enables or disables the AMD Live! technology.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Function �Disabled�  
Enables or disables the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet technology that supports P-state  
transitions in AMD processors. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled]  
Cache Mapping Cycle �Auto�  
Configuration options: [Auto] [�nabled] [Disabled]  
CPU Instruction Fetch �Auto�  
Configuration options: [Auto] [�nabled] [Disabled]  
CPU DownCore Control �Disabled�  
Configuration options: [1 Core] [2 Core] [Disabled]  
4-20  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
Spread Spectrum Control  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Spread Spectrum Control  
Select Menu  
CPU Spread Spectrum  
PCIE Spread Spectrum  
SATA Spread Spectrum  
[Disabled]  
[Disabled]  
[Down Spread]  
Item Specific Help  
CPU Spread Spectrum �Disabled�  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
PCIE Spread Spectrum �Disabled�  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Down Spread]  
SATA Spread Spectrum �Down Spread�  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Down Spread]  
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4.4  
Main menu  
When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving  
you an overview of the basic system information.  
Refer to section 4.2.1 BIOS menu screen for information on the menu screen  
items and how to navigate through them.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
System Time  
System Date  
Language  
15 : 30 : 36  
Thu, Feb 21 2008  
[English]  
Select Menu  
Item Specific Help  
Change the internal  
time.  
Legacy Diskette A:  
[1.44M, 3.5 in.]  
Primary IDE Master  
Primary IDE Slave  
SATA 1  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[None]  
[Disabled]  
SATA 2  
SATA 3  
SATA 4  
HDD SMART Monitoring  
Installed Memory  
Usable Memory  
256MB  
191MB  
System Information  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
4.4.1  
System Time [xx:xx:xx]  
Allows you to set the system time.  
4.4.2  
System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx]  
Allows you to set the system date.  
4.4.3  
Language [English]  
Allows you to choose the BIOS language version from the options.  
Configuration options: [�nglish] [French] [Deutsch] [Chinese (Trad.)]  
�Chinese (Simp.)� �Japanese�  
4.4.4  
Legacy Diskette A [1.44M, 3.5 in.]  
Sets the type of floppy drive installed.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [720K , 3.5 in.] [1.44M, 3.5 in.]  
4-22  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.4.5  
Primary IDE Master/Slave  
While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices.  
There is a separate sub-menu for each IDE device. Select a device item then  
press <Enter> to display the device information.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Main  
Primary IDE Master  
Select Menu  
PIO Mode  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
Item Specific Help  
UDMA Mode  
Set a PIO mode for the  
IDE device. Mode0  
through 4 successive  
increase in  
Primary IDE Master  
Access Mode  
[Auto]  
[Auto]  
performance.  
Capacity  
0 MB  
Cylinder  
Head  
0
0
0
Sector  
Transfer Mode  
None  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items  
(Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Sector and Transfer Mode). These values are not  
user�configurable. These items show N/A if no ID� device is installed in the  
system.  
PIO Mode [Auto]  
Sets the PIO mode for the IDE device.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [Mode 0] [Mode 1] [Mode 2] [Mode 3] [Mode 4]  
UDMA Mode [Auto]  
Disables or sets the UDMA mode. Configuration options: [Disable] [Auto]  
Primary IDE Master/Slave [Auto]  
Select �Auto� to automatically detect an IDE hard disk drive. If automatic detection  
is successful, the BIOS automatically fills in the correct values for the remaining  
fields on this sub�menu. If the hard disk was already formatted on a previous  
system, the setup BIOS may detect incorrect parameters. Select �Manual� to  
manually enter the IDE hard disk drive parameters. If no drive is installed select  
[None]. Configuration options: [None] [Auto] [Manual]  
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4-23  
 
Access Mode [Auto]  
The default �Auto� allows automatic detection of an IDE hard disk drive.  
Select �CHS� for this item if you set the IDE Primary Master/Slave to �Manual�.  
Configuration options: [CHS] [LBA] [Large] [Auto]  
Before attempting to configure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the  
correct configuration information supplied by the drive manufacturer. Incorrect  
settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk.  
Capacity  
Displays the auto�detected hard disk capacity. This item is not configurable.  
Cylinder  
Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not configurable.  
Head  
Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not configurable.  
Sector  
Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not configurable.  
Transfer Mode  
Shows the Transfer mode. This item is not configurable.  
After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility,  
such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives. This is  
necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk. Make sure to  
set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.  
4-24  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
4.4.6  
SATA1–4  
While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial ATA  
devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each SATA device. Select a device item  
then press <Enter> to display the SATA device information.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Main  
SATA 1  
Select Menu  
Extended IDE Drive  
Access Mode  
[Auto]  
Item Specific Help  
[Auto]  
0 MB  
Selects the type of  
fixed disk connected to  
the system.  
Capacity  
Cylinder  
Head  
Landing Zone  
Sector  
0
0
0
0
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items  
(Capacity, Cylinder, Head, Landing Zone and Sector). These values are not user-  
configurable. These items show 0 if no SATA device is installed in the system.  
Extended IDE Drive [Auto]  
Selects the type of fixed disk connected to the system.  
Configuration options: [None] [Auto]  
Access Mode [Auto]  
Sets the sector addressing mode. Configuration options: [Large] [Auto]  
Before attempting to configure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the  
correct configuration information supplied by the drive manufacturer. Incorrect  
settings may cause the system to fail to recognize the installed hard disk.  
Capacity  
Displays the auto�detected hard disk capacity. This item is not configurable.  
Cylinder  
Shows the number of the hard disk cylinders. This item is not configurable.  
Head  
Shows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not configurable.  
Landing Zone  
Shows the number of landing zone per track. This item is not configurable.  
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Sector  
Shows the number of sectors per track. This item is not configurable.  
After entering the IDE hard disk drive information into BIOS, use a disk utility,  
such as FDISK, to partition and format new IDE hard disk drives. This is  
necessary so that you can write or read data from the hard disk. Make sure to  
set the partition of the Primary IDE hard disk drives to active.  
4.4.7  
HDD SMART Monitoring [Disabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the HDD Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting  
Technology (SMART) feature. Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
4.4.8  
Installed Memory [xxx MB]  
Shows the size of installed memory.  
4.4.9  
Usable Memory [xxx MB]  
Shows the size of usable memory.  
4.4.10  
System Information  
This menu gives you an overview of the general system specifications. The BIOS  
automatically detects the items in this menu.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Main  
System Information  
Select Menu  
BIOS Revision  
0114  
Item Specific Help  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
BIOS revision  
Displays the auto-detected BIOS version.  
4-26  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.5  
Advanced menu  
The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other  
system devices.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Select Menu  
AI NET 2  
PCIPnP  
Item Specific Help  
Onboard Device Configuration  
USB Configuration  
Press [Enter] to set.  
IDE Function Setup  
MCP Storage Config  
LCD Poster and Onboard LED Control  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
4.5.1  
AI NET2  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
AI NET 2  
Select Menu  
POST Check LAN Cable  
[Disabled]  
Item Specific Help  
Enable or Disable LAN  
cable check during  
POST.  
Pair  
Status  
Open  
Open  
Open  
Open  
Length  
N/A  
LAN1(1-2)  
LAN1(3-6)  
LAN1(4-5)  
LAN1(7-8)  
N/A  
N/A  
N/A  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
POST Check LAN Cable [Disabled]  
Enables or disables checking of the LAN cable during the Power-On Self-Test  
(POST). Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
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4-27  
 
4.5.2  
PCIPnP  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
PCIPnP  
Select Menu  
Plug & Play O/S  
[No]  
Item Specific Help  
Select Yes if you are  
using a Plug and Play  
capable operating  
system. Select No if  
you need the BIOS to  
configure non-boot  
devices.  
Resources Controlled By  
IRQ Resources  
[Auto]  
x
** PCI Express relative items **  
Maximum payload Size [4096]  
Plug & Play O/S [No]  
When set to [No], the BIOS configures all the devices in the system. When set to  
�Yes� and if you install a Plug and Play operating system, the operating system  
configures the Plug and Play devices not required for boot.  
Configuration options: [No] [Yes]  
Resources Controlled By [Auto]  
When set to [Auto], the BIOS automatically configures all the boot and Plug and  
Play compatible devices. Set to �Manual� if you want to assign the IRQ DMA and  
memory base address fields. Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual]  
The following item becomes configurable when you set Resources Controlled  
By to �Manual�.  
IRQ Resources  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
IRQ Resources  
Select Menu  
IRQ-5 assigned to  
[PCI Device]  
[PCI Device]  
[PCI Device]  
[PCI Device]  
[PCI Device]  
[PCI Device]  
Item Specific Help  
IRQ-7 assigned to  
IRQ-9 assigned to  
IRQ-10 assigned to  
IRQ-11 assigned to  
IRQ-14 assigned to  
Legacy ISA for devices  
compliant with the  
original PC AT bus  
specification, PCI/ISA PnP  
for devices  
compliant with the Plug  
and Play standard whether  
designed for PCI or ISA  
bus architecture.  
IRQ-xx assigned to  
When set to [PCI Device], the specific IRQ is free for use of PCI/PnP  
devices. When set to �Reserved�, the IRQ is reserved for legacy ISA devices.  
Configuration options: [PCI Device] [Reserved]  
Maximum Payload Size [4096]  
Sets maximum TLP payload size for the PCI �xpress devices.  
Configuration options: [128] [256] [512] [1024] [2048] [4096]  
4-28  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.5.3  
Onboard Device Configuration  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
Select Menu  
Onboard Device Configuration  
Item Specific Help  
Hybrid Support  
Disable  
[Auto]  
iGPU Frame Buffer Control  
Frame Buffer Size  
Onboard GPU  
x
128M  
[Auto]  
[PCI-E]  
Primary Display Adapter  
HD Audio  
Front Panel Support Type  
HDMI Audio  
Intergade HDA Codec  
Onboard LAN Device  
Onboard LAN2 Device  
Onboard LAN Boot ROM  
Onboard LAN2 Boot ROM  
Onboard 1394  
[Enabled]  
[HD Audio]  
[Auto]  
[HDMI]  
[Enabled]  
[Enabled]  
[Disabled]  
[Disabled]  
[Enabled]  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
Hybrid Support [Disable]  
This item becomes configurable when you install an graphics card that supports  
Hybrid SLI™ mode. Configuration options: [�nabled] [Disabled]  
iGPU Frame Buffer Control [Auto]  
Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual]  
The following item becomes configurable when you set iGPU Frame Buffer  
Control to �Manual�.  
Frame Buffer Size [64M]  
Configuration options: [64M] [128M] [256M] [512M]  
Onboard GPU [Auto]  
Set this item to �Auto� to disable onboard GPU and frame buffer if you install  
external graphics cards. Configuration options: [Auto] [Always �nable]  
Primary Display Adapter [PCI-E]  
Allows you to select the graphics controller to use as the primary boot device.  
Configuration options: [PCI] [PCI��]  
HD Audio [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the High�Definition audio function.  
Configuration options: [�nabled] [Disabled]  
Front Panel Support Type [HD Audio]  
Allows you to set the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC`97  
or high�definition audio depending on the audio standard that the front panel audio  
module supports. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio]  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-29  
 
HDMI Audio [Auto]  
Allows you to enable or disable the HDMI audio function.  
Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled]  
Intergade HDA Codec [HDMI]  
Configuration options: [HDMI] [SPDIF]  
Onboard LAN/LAN2 Device [Enabled]  
Enables or disables the onboard NVIDIA® LAN controller.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Onboard LAN/LAN2 Boot ROM [Disabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard LAN boot ROM.  
Configuration options: [�nabled] [Disabled]  
Onboard 1394 [Enabled]  
Allows you to disable or enable the onboard 1394 device support.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
4.5.4  
USB Configuration  
The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features. Select an  
item then press <�nter> to display the configuration options.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
USB Configuration  
Select Menu  
USB Controller  
USB 2.0 Controller  
USB Legacy support  
[Enabled]  
[Enabled]  
[Enabled]  
Item Specific Help  
Enable or Disable USB  
1.1 and 2.0 Controller.  
USB Controller [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the onchip USB controller.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
USB 2.0 Controller [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the USB 2.0 controller.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
USB Legacy Support [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable support for USB devices on legacy operating  
systems (OS). Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
4-30  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.5.5  
IDE Function Setup  
This sub-menu contains IDE function-related items. Select an item then press  
<Enter> to edit.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
Select Menu  
IDE Function Setup  
Item Specific Help  
OnChip IDE Channel0  
[Enabled]  
[Enabled]  
[Enabled]  
[Enabled]  
IDE DMA transfer access  
SATA Controller  
IDE Prefetch Mode  
OnChip IDE Channel0 [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the onchip IDE channel 0 controller.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
IDE DMA transfer access [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the IDE DMA transfer access.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
SATA Controller [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the SATA controller.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
IDE Prefetch Mode [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the IDE PIO read prefetch mode.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
4.5.6  
MCP Storage Config  
This sub-menu allows you to change Serial ATA settings. Select an item then press  
<Enter> to edit.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
Serial-ATA Configuration  
Select Menu  
SATA Operation Mode  
[IDE]  
Item Specific Help  
SATA Operation Mode [IDE]  
Sets the configuration for the Serial ATA connectors supported by the Southbridge  
chip. Configuration options: [ID�] [RAID] [AHCI]  
The AHCI allows the onboard storage driver to enable advanced Serial ATA  
features that increases storage performance on random workloads by allowing the  
drive to internally optimize the order of commands.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-31  
 
If you want to create a RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 or JBOD configuration from the Serial ATA  
hard disk drives, set this item to �RAID�.  
If you want to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical storage  
devices, keep the default setting �IDE�.  
If you want the Serial ATA hard disk drives to use the Advanced Host Controller  
Interface (AHCI), set this item to �AHCI�.  
Use SATA 1–4 connectors for IDE mode. SATA 5–6 connectors support AHCI  
mode and RAID mode only. Make sure to install the AHCI driver or RAID driver  
in the bundled support DVD before connecting devices to SATA 5–6 connectors.  
Otherwise, the devices will not work.  
4.5.7  
LCD Poster and Onboard LED Control  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
Select Menu  
LCD Poster and Onboard LED Control  
Item Specific Help  
ROG Logo  
[Enabled]  
Set ROG Logo Enabled/  
Disabled  
Voltiminder LED  
SB LED Selection  
LCD Poster Off  
LCD Poster Backlight  
LCD Poster Mode  
LCD Poster String  
[ON]  
[SB Voltage]  
[Enabled]  
[Disabled]  
[Current Time]  
x
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
ROG Logo [Enabled]  
If this item is set to �Enabled�, the box labeled as Republic of Gamers on the  
heatpipe assembly lights up when the system is on.  
Configuration options: [�nabled] [Disabled]  
Voltiminder LED [ON]  
Allows you to turn on/off the onboard Voltiminder LED.  
Configuration options: [ON] [OFF]  
LCD Poster Off [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the LCD Poster.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
4-32  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
LCD Poster Backlight [Disabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the LCD Poster backlight after POST.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
LCD Poster Mode [Current Time]  
Allows you to select the LCD Poster mode.  
Configuration options: [Current Time] [User String]  
The following item becomes configurable when you set LCD Poster Mode to  
�User String�.  
LCD Poster String  
Allows you to enter a string that will be displayed on the LCD Poster.  
Highlight this item and press <Enter> to enter your string with the keypad.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-33  
4.6  
Power menu  
The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced  
Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management  
(APM). Select an item then press <�nter> to display the configuration options.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Select Menu  
ACPI Suspend Type  
ACPI APIC support  
APM Configuration  
Hardware Monitor  
[S1&S3]  
Enabled  
Item Specific Help  
Select the ACPI state  
used for System  
Suspend.  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
4.6.1  
ACPI Suspend Type [S1&S3]  
Allows you to select the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) state  
to be used for system suspend.  
Configuration options: [S1 (POS)] [S3(STR)] [S1&S3]  
4.6.2  
ACPI APIC support [Enabled]  
This item is enabled by default. It enables the Advanced Configuration and Power  
Interface (ACPI) support in the Application�Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The  
ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the RSDT pointer list.  
4-34  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.6.3  
APM Configuration  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Power  
Select Menu  
APM Configuration  
Item Specific Help  
Restore on AC Power Loss  
[Power-Off]  
PWR Button < 4 secs  
Power Up On PCI/PCIE Devices  
Power On by RTC Alarm  
Date (of Month) Alarm  
Alarm Time (hh:mm)  
[Instant-Off]  
[Disabled]  
[Disabled]  
0
Press [Enter] to  
select whether or not  
to restart the system  
after AC power loss  
x
x
0 : 0 : 0  
[Enabled]  
[Disabled]  
HPET Support  
Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
Restore on AC Power Loss [Power-Off]  
Allows you to enable or disable the Restore on AC Power Loss function.  
Configuration options: [Power�Off] [Power�On] [Last State]  
PWR Button < 4 secs [Instant-Off]  
Allows you to set the event after the power button is pressed for more than 4  
seconds. Configuration options: [Suspend] [Instant�Off]  
Power Up On PCI/PCIE Devices [Disabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the PME to wake up from S5 by PCI devices & NV  
Onboard LAN. Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake event. When this item is  
set to Enabled, the items Date of Month Alarm and Time (hh:mm:ss) Alarm items  
become user�configurable with set values.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Date (of Month) Alarm [XX]  
To set the date of alarm, highlight this item and press <Enter> to display the Date  
of Month Alarm pop�up menu. Key�in a value within the specified range then press  
<�nter>. Value ‘0’ means everyday. Configuration options: [Min=0] [Max=31]  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-35  
 
Alarm Time (hh:mm) [ X: X: X]  
To set the time of alarm:  
1.  
Highlight this item and press <Enter> to display a pop-up menu for the hour  
field.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
Key-in a value (Min=0, Max=23), then press <Enter>.  
Press <TAB> to move to the minutes field then press <�nter>.  
Key-in a minute value (Min=0, Max=59), then press <Enter>.  
HPET Support [Enabled]  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Power Up By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]  
Allows you to disable the Power On by PS/2 keyboard function or set specific  
keys on the PS/2 keyboard to turn on the system. This feature requires an ATX  
power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead. Configuration options:  
�Disabled� �Space Bar� �Ctrl-ESC� �Power Key�  
4.6.4  
Hardware Monitor  
The items in this sub-menu displays the hardware monitor values automatically  
detected by the BIOS. It also allows you to change CPU Q-Fan feature-related  
parameters. Select an item then press <�nter> to display the configuration options.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Power  
Select Menu  
Hardware Monitor  
Item Specific Help  
Voltage Monitor  
Temperature Monitor  
Fan Speed Monitor  
Press [Enter] to go  
to the sub-menu.  
Fan Speed Control  
CPU Fan Connector Type  
CPU Fan Speed Warning  
[3-pin Fan]  
[ 800 RPM]  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
4-36  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
Voltage Monitor  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Power  
Select Menu  
Voltage Monitor  
Item Specific Help  
Vcore Voltage  
VDDNB Voltage  
DDR2 Voltage  
SB Voltage  
[ 1.32V]  
[ 1.52V]  
[ 1.96V]  
[ 1.26V]  
[ 1.50V]  
[ 2.46V]  
[ 1.21V]  
[ 0.99V]  
[ 2.89V]  
[ 4.66V]  
[11.64V]  
Press [Enter] to set.  
HT Voltage  
VDDA Voltage  
BR Voltage  
DDR Term Voltage  
3.3V Voltage  
5V Voltage  
12V Voltage  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
Vcore, VDDNB, DDR2, SB, HT, VDDA, BR, DDR Term, 3.3V, 5V, 12V Voltage  
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output  
through the onboard voltage regulators.  
Temperature Monitor  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Power  
Temperature Monitor  
Select Menu  
CPU Temperature  
30ºC  
47ºC  
47ºC  
35ºC  
0ºC  
Item Specific Help  
SB Temperature  
Set SB Over  
Temperature Warning  
Message  
BR Temperature  
M/B Temperature  
OPT1 Temperature  
OPT2 Temperature  
OPT3 Temperature  
SB Overheat Protection  
BR Overheat Protection  
0ºC  
0ºC  
[90]  
[90]  
OPT1 Cable Overheat Protection[90]  
OPT2 Cable Overheat Protection[90]  
OPT3 Cable Overheat Protection[90]  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
CPU, SB, BR, M/B, OPT1/2/3 Temperature  
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU,  
southbridge, PCIe bridge, motherboard, and OPT1/2/3 fan temperatures. These items  
are not user�configurable.  
SB Overheat Protection; BR Overheat Protection [90]  
The system automatically shuts down when the southbridge or PCIe bridge  
chipset is heated over the set temperature to protect it from damage.  
Configuration optitons: [Disabled] [70] [80] [90]  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-37  
OPT1/2/3 Cable Overheat Protection �90�  
Allows you to set the temperature over which the system automatically shuts  
down when any of the thermal sensor cables connected to the motherboard  
detects device overheat to protect the device from damage.  
Configuration optitons: [Disabled] [50] [60] [70] [80] [90]  
Fan Speed Monitor  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Power  
Fan Speed Monitor  
Select Menu  
CPU Fan Speed  
CHA_FAN1 Speed  
CHA_FAN2 Speed  
OPT_FAN1 Speed  
OPT_FAN2 Speed  
OPT_FAN3 Speed  
PWR FAN Speed  
CHA_FAN3 Speed  
4411 RPM  
Item Specific Help  
0 RPM  
0 RPM  
0 RPM  
0 RPM  
0 RPM  
0 RPM  
0 RPM  
CPU FAN, CHA _FAN1/2/3, PWR FAN, OPT1/2/3 FAN Speed  
The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU  
fan, chassis fan, power fan, and optional fan speed in rotations per minute  
(RPM). If any of the fans is not connected to the motherboard, the field shows  
0. These items are not user�configurable.  
Fan Speed Control  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Power  
Fan Speed Control  
Select Menu  
CPU FAN Control  
[Duty Cycle Mode]  
[100%]  
Item Specific Help  
CPU FAN Duty Cycle  
CHA_FAN3 Control  
Select Fan Control  
mode.  
[Duty Cycle Mode]  
[100%]  
CHA_FAN3 Duty Cycle  
CHA_FAN3 Q-Fan Sense  
CHA_FAN1&2 Control  
CHA_FAN1&2 Duty Cycle  
CHA_FAN1&2 Q-Fan Sense  
OPT_FAN1 Control  
x
x
x
x
x
CPU Temperature  
[Duty Cycle Mode]  
[100%]  
CPU Temperature  
[Duty Cycle Mode]  
[100%]  
OPT_FAN1 Duty Cycle  
OPT_FAN1 Target Temperature 40ºC/104ºF  
OPT_FAN2 Control  
[Duty Cycle Mode]  
[100%]  
OPT_FAN2 Duty Cycle  
OPT_FAN2 Target Temperature 40ºC/104ºF  
OPT_FAN3 Control  
[Duty Cycle Mode]  
[100%]  
OPT_FAN3 Duty Cycle  
OPT_FAN3 Target Temperature 40ºC/104ºF  
PWR_FAN3 Duty Cycle  
[100%]  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
CPU FAN Control �Duty Cycle Mode�  
Allows you to select the fan control mode.  
Configuration options: [Duty Cycle Mode] [Q�FAN Mode]  
4-38  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
CPU FAN Duty Cycle �100%�  
Allows you to set the fan duty cycle. This item becomes configurable when  
you set the CPU FAN Control item to �Duty Cycle Mode�.  
Configuration options: [60%] [70%] [80%] [90%] [100%]  
CHA_FAN3/1&2 Control �Duty Cycle Mode�  
Allows you to select the fan control mode.  
Configuration options: [Duty Cycle Mode] [Q�FAN Mode]  
CHA_FAN3/1&2 Duty Cycle �100%�  
Allows you to set the fan duty cycle. This item becomes configurable when  
you set the CHA_FAN3/1&2 Control item to �Duty Cycle Mode�.  
Configuration options: [60%] [70%] [80%] [90%] [100%]  
CHA_FAN3/1&2 Q-Fan Sense �CPU Temperature�  
Allows the Q-Fan to sense the CPU/MB temperature and to adjust the fan  
speed. This item becomes configurable when you set the CHA_FAN3/1&2  
Control item to �Q-FAN Mode�.  
Configuration options: [CPU Temperature] [MB Temperature]  
OPT FAN1/2/3 Control �Duty Cycle Mode�  
Allows you to select the fan control mode.  
Configuration options: [Duty Cycle Mode] [Q�FAN Mode]  
OPT FAN1/2/3 Duty Cycle �100%�  
Allows you to set the fan duty cycle. This item becomes configurable when  
you set the OPT FAN1/2/3 Control item to �Duty Cycle Mode�.  
Configuration options: [60%] [70%] [80%] [90%] [100%]  
OPT Fan1/2/3 Target Temperature �40ºC/104ºF�  
Allows the Q-Fan to sense the temperature of fans connected to OPT  
Fan1/2/3 and to adjust the fan speed. These items become configurable  
when the OPT FAN1/2/3 Control items are set to �Q-FAN Mode�.  
Configuration options: [10ºC/50ºF] �15ºC/59ºF� �20ºC/68ºF� �25ºC/77ºF�  
�30ºC/86ºF� �35ºC/95ºF� �40ºC/104ºF� �45ºC/113ºF� �50ºC/122ºF� �55ºC/131ºF�  
�60ºC/140ºF� �65ºC/149ºF� �70ºC/158ºF� �75ºC/167ºF� �80ºC/176ºF�  
�85ºC/185ºF�  
You need to connect the thermal sensor cables to the OPT_TEMP1/2/3  
connectors to enable this function.  
PWR_FAN Duty Cycle �100%�  
Allows you to set the fan duty cycle.  
Configuration options: [60%] [70%] [80%] [90%] [100%]  
CPU Fan Connector Type [3-pin Fan]  
Allows you to select the CPU fan connector type.  
Configuration options: [4�pin Fan] [3�pin Fan]  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-39  
CPU Fan Speed warning [800 RPM]  
Allows you to set the CPU fan warning speed function, which gives off a warning  
when the CPU fan speed is too low. If you set this item to �Disabled�, the system  
will not warn you even if no fan is installed or if the fan is not functioning properly.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [800 RPM] [1200 RPM] [1600 RPM]  
4.7  
Boot menu  
The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item  
then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Boot Device Priority  
Removable Drives  
Hard Disk Drives  
CDROM Drives  
Item Specific Help  
Select Boot Device  
Priority  
Boot Settings Configuration  
Security  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
4.7.1  
Boot Device Priority  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools  
Boot Device Priority  
Main  
Exit  
Select Menu  
1st Boot Device  
[Removable]  
[Hard Disk]  
[CDROM]  
Item Specific Help  
2nd Boot Device  
3rd Boot Device  
4th Boot Device  
Select Your Boot  
Device Priority  
[Disabled]  
1st ~ 4th Boot Device [Removable]  
These items specify the boot device priority sequence from the available devices.  
The number of device items that appears on the screen depends on the number of  
devices installed in the system.  
Configuration options: [Removable] [Hard Disk] [CDROM] [Disabled]  
4-40  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
4.7.2  
Removable Drives  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools  
Removable Drives  
1. Floppy Disks  
Main  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Item Specific Help  
Use <↑> or <↓> to  
select a device, then  
press <+> to move it  
up, or <-> to move it  
down the list. Press  
<ESC> to exit this  
menu.  
1. Floppy Disks  
Allows you to assign a removable drive attached to the system.  
4.7.3  
Hard Disk Drives  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools  
Hard Disk Drives  
1. SATA 1: XXXXXXXXX  
Main  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Item Specific Help  
Use <↑> or <↓> to  
select a device, then  
press <+> to move it  
up, or <-> to move it  
down the list. Press  
<ESC> to exit this  
menu.  
1. SATA 1: XXXXXXXXX  
Allows you to assign hard disk drives attached to the system.  
4.7.4  
CDROM Drives  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools  
CDROM Drives  
1. SATA 2: XXXXXXXXX  
Main  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Item Specific Help  
Use <↑> or <↓> to  
select a device, then  
press <+> to move it  
up, or <-> to move it  
down the list. Press  
<ESC> to exit this  
menu.  
1. SATA 2: XXXXXXXXX  
Allows you to assign optical drives attached to the system.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-41  
 
4.7.5  
Boot Settings Configuration  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools  
Boot Settings Configuration  
Main  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Case Open Warning  
[Enabled]  
[Enabled]  
[Disabled]  
[On]  
Item Specific Help  
Quick Boot  
Press [Enter] to  
enable or disable.  
Boot Up Floppy Seek  
Bootup Num-Lock  
Typematic Rate Setting  
[Disabled]  
x
x
Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) 6  
Typematic Delay (Msec)  
250  
OS Select For DRAM > 64MB [Non-OS2]  
Full Screen LOGO  
BIOS Wallpaper  
Halt On  
[Enabled]  
[00%]  
[All Errors]  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
Case Open Warning [Enabled]  
Enables or disables the chassis open status feature. Setting to Enabled, clears the  
chassis open status. Refer to section “2.8.2 Internal connectors” for setting details.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Quick Boot [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the system quick boot feature. When Enabled, the  
system skips certain tests while booting.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Boot Up Floppy Seek [Disabled]  
Enables or disables the chassis open status feature. Setting to Enabled, clears the  
chassis open status. Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Bootup Num-Lock [On]  
Allows you to select the power-on state for the NumLock.  
Configuration options: [Off] [On]  
Typematic Rate Setting [Disabled]  
Allows you to set the keystroke rate. �nable this item to configure the Typematic  
Rate (Chars/Sec) and the Typematic Delay (Msec).  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
The following two items Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and Typematic Delay  
(Msec) become configurable when the Typematic Rate Setting is enabled.  
Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) [6]  
Allows you to select the rate at which a character repeats when you hold a key.  
Configuration options: [6] [8] [10] [12] [15] [20] [24] [30]  
4-42  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
Typematic Delay (Msec) [250]  
Allows you to set the delay before keystrokes begin to repeat.  
Configuration options: [250] [500] [750] [1000]  
OS Select for DRAM > 64MB [Non-OS2]  
Set this item to OS2 only when you are running on an OS/2 operating system with  
an installed RAM of greater than 64 MB. Configuration options: [Non�OS2] [OS2]  
Full Screen LOGO [Enabled]  
Allows you to enable or disable the full screen logo display feature.  
Configuration options: [Disabled] [�nabled]  
Make sure that the above item is set to �Enabled� if you want to use the ASUS  
MyLogo 3™ feature.  
BIOS Wallpaper [00%]  
Allows you to select the transparency of the BIOS wallpaper.  
Configuration options: [00%] [25%] [50%] [75%]  
Halt On [All Errors]  
Allows you to set the error report type.  
Configuration options: [All �rrors] [No �rrors] [All, But Keyboard] [All, But Diskette]  
�All, But Disk/Key�  
4.7.6  
Security  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Main  
Extreme Tweaker  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Security  
Select Menu  
Supervisor Password  
User Password  
Password Check  
Clear  
Item Specific Help  
Clear  
Supervisor password  
controls full access,  
<Enter> to change  
password.  
[Setup]  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-43  
 
Supervisor Password  
User Password  
These fields allow you to set passwords:  
To set a password:  
1.  
2.  
Select an item then press <Enter>.  
Type in a password using a combination of a maximum of eight (8)  
alpha-numeric characters, then press <Enter>.  
3.  
When prompted, confirm the password by typing the exact characters again,  
then press <�nter>. The password field setting is changed to Set.  
To clear the password:  
1.  
Select the password field and press <�nter> twice. The following message  
appears:  
PASSWORD DISABLED !!!  
Press any key to continue...  
2.  
Press any key to continue. The password field setting is changed to Clear.  
A note about passwords  
The Supervisor password is required to enter the BIOS Setup program  
preventing unauthorized access. The User password is required to boot the  
system preventing unauthorized use.  
Forgot your password?  
If you forget your password, you can clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time  
Clock (RTC) RAM. The RAM data containing the password information is  
powered by the onboard button cell battery. If you need to erase the CMOS  
RAM, refer to section “2.6 Jumper” for instructions.  
Password Check  
This field requires you to enter the password before entering the BIOS setup or the  
system. Select �Setup� to require the password before entering the BIOS Setup.  
Select �System� to require the password before entering the system.  
Configuration options: [Setup] [System]  
4-44  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
4.8  
Tools menu  
The Tools menu items allow you to configure options for special functions. Select  
an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Select Menu  
ASUS O.C. Profile  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
Item Specific Help  
Press [Enter] to  
select  
F1:Help  
ESC: Exit  
↑↓ : Select Item  
→←: Select Menu  
-/+: Change Value  
Enter: Select SubMenu  
F5: Setup Defaults  
F10: Save and Exit  
4.8.1  
ASUS O.C. Profile  
Phoenix-AwardBIOSCMOSSetupUtility
Main  
Extreme Tweaker  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Select Menu  
ASUS BIOS Profile  
Item Specific Help  
Load BIOS Profile  
Save BIOS Profile  
Press [Enter] to  
select  
Load BIOS Profile  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools  
Load BIOS Profile  
Main  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Item Specific Help  
Load from Profile 1  
Load from Profile 2  
Load from File  
Load BIOS Profile from  
Profile 1.  
Load from Profile 1/2  
Allows you to load the previous BIOS settings saved in the BIOS Flash.  
Press <�nter> to load the file.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-45  
 
Load from File  
Allows you to load the previous BIOS file saved in the hard disk/floppy disk/  
USB flash disk with the FAT32/16/12 format. Follow the instructions below to  
load the BIOS file.  
1. Insert the storage devices that contains the “xxx.CMO” file.  
2. Turn on the system.  
3. Enter BIOS setup program. Go to the “Tools” menu to select “Load from  
File.” Press <Enter> then the setup screen will appear.  
4. Press <Tab> to switch between drives before the correct “xxx.CMO” file  
is found. Then press <�nter> to load the file.  
5. A pop�up message will inform you when the loading process finishes.  
•
•
Suggest only to update the BIOS file coming from the same memory/CPU  
configuration and BIOS version.  
Only the “xxx.CMO” file can be loaded.  
Save BIOS Profile  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools  
Save BIOS Profile  
Main  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Save to Profile 1  
Save to Profile 2  
Save to File  
Item Specific Help  
Save current BIOS  
Profile to Profile 1.  
Save to Profle 1/2  
Allows you to save the current BIOS file to the BIOS Flash. Press <�nter> to  
save the file.  
Save to File  
Allows you to save the current BIOS file to the hard disk/floppy disk/USB  
flash disk with FAT32/16/12 format. Follow the instructions below to save the  
BIOS file.  
1. Insert the storage devices with enough space.  
2. Turn on the system.  
3. Enter the BIOS setup program. Go to the “Tools” menu to select “Save to  
File.” Press <Enter> then the setup screen will appear.  
4. Press <Tab> to switch between the drives. Press hot-key <S> to save  
the file.  
5. Key in the file name. Then press <�nter>.  
6. A pop�up message will inform you when the saving process finishes.  
4-46  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
ASUSTek O.C. Profile Utility B327  
Current CMOS  
Update CMOS  
BOARD: CROSSHAIR II FORMULA  
BOARD: Unknown  
VER: Unknown  
DATE: Unknown  
VER: 0114  
DATE: 02/27/2008  
PATH: A:\  
A:  
CMOS backup is done! Press any key to Exit.  
Note  
[Enter] Select  
[S] Save  
[ESC]: Exit  
[Tab] Switch  
[Up/Down/Home/End] Move  
The BIOS file will be saved as “xxx.CMO“.  
4.8.3  
ASUS EZ Flash 2  
Allows you to run ASUS �Z Flash 2. When you press <�nter>, a confirmation  
message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between �Yes� or �No�,  
then press <�nter> to confirm your choice.  
ASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility B327  
FLASH TYPE: MXIC MX25L8005 8Mb SPI  
Current ROM  
BOARD: crosshair II FORMULA  
VER: 0114  
Update ROM  
BOARD: Unknown  
VER: Unknown  
DATE: 02/27/2008  
DATE: Unknown  
PATH: A:\  
A:  
Note  
[Enter] Select  
[S] Save  
[ESC] Exit  
[Tab] Switch  
[Up/Down/Home/End] Move  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
4-47  
 
4.9  
Exit menu  
The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values for the  
BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Extreme Tweaker  
Main  
Advanced  
Power  
Boot  
Tools  
Exit  
Select Menu  
Exit & Save Changes  
Exit & Discard Changes  
Load Setup Default  
Discard Changes  
Item Specific Help  
This option save data  
to CMOS and exiting  
the setup menu.  
Pressing <Esc> does not immediately exit this menu. Select one of the options  
from this menu or <F10> from the legend bar to exit.  
Exit & Save Changes  
Once you are finished making your selections, choose this option from the �xit  
menu to ensure the values you selected are saved to the CMOS RAM. An onboard  
backup battery sustains the CMOS RAM so it stays on even when the PC is turned  
off. When you select this option, a confirmation window appears. Select Y�S to  
save changes and exit.  
If you attempt to exit the Setup program without saving your changes, the  
program prompts you with a message asking if you want to save your changes  
before exiting. Press <Enter> to save the changes while exiting.  
Exit & Discard Changes  
Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the  
Setup program. If you made changes to fields other than System Date, System  
Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a confirmation before exiting.  
Load Setup Default  
This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the  
Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press <F5>, a confirmation  
window appears. Select YES to load default values. Select Exit & Save Changes  
or make other changes before saving the values to the non-volatile RAM.  
Discard Changes  
This option allows you to discard the selections you made and restore the  
previously saved values. After selecting this option, a confirmation appears. Select  
YES to discard any changes and load the previously saved values.  
4-48  
Chapter 4: BIOS setup  
 
This chapter describes the contents of  
the support DVD that comes with the  
motherboard package.  
Chapter 5: Software  
5
support  
 
Chapter summary  
5
5.1  
5.2  
5.3  
5.4  
5.5  
Installing an operating system ................................................... 5-1  
Support DVD information............................................................ 5-1  
Software information ................................................................... 5-9  
RAID configurations .................................................................. 5-34  
Creating a RAID driver disk....................................................... 5-42  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
5.1  
Installing an operating system  
This motherboard supports Windows® XP/64-bit XP/Vista/64-bit Vista operating  
systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to  
maximize the features of your hardware.  
•
Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Use the setup  
procedures presented in this chapter for reference only. Refer to your OS  
documentation for detailed information.  
•
Make sure that you install Windows® 2000 Service Pack 4 or the Windows®  
XP Service Pack2 or later versions before installing the drivers for better  
compatibility and system stability.  
5.2  
Support DVD information  
The support DVD that came with the motherboard package contains the drivers,  
software applications, and utilities that you can install to avail all motherboard  
features.  
The contents of the support DVD are subject to change at any time without  
notice. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) for updates.  
5.2.1  
Running the support DVD  
Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The DVD automatically displays the  
Drivers menu if Autorun is enabled in your computer.  
Click an icon to  
display support  
DVD/motherboard  
information  
Click an item to install  
If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support  
DVD to locate the file ASS�TUP.�X� from the BIN folder. Double�click the  
ASSETUP.EXE to run the DVD.  
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5-1  
 
5.2.2  
Drivers menu  
The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed  
devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices.  
ASUS InstAll - Installation Wizard for Drivers  
Launches the ASUS InstAll driver installation wizard.  
AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet Driver  
Installs the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ technology driver.  
NVIDIA Chipset Driver Program  
Installs the NVIDIA® chipset drivers for the NVIDIA® nForce® 780a SLI™ chipset.  
SoundMAX ADI Audio Driver  
Installs the SoundMAX® ADI audio driver and application.  
NVIDIA HDMI Audio Driver  
Installs the NVIDIA® HDMI audio driver.  
Marvell Yukon Gigabit Ethernet Driver  
Installs the Marvell® Yukon Gigabit Ethernet driver.  
USB 2.0 Driver  
Installs the Universal Serial Bus 2.0 (USB 2.0) driver.  
5-2  
Chapter 5: Software support  
 
5.2.3  
Utilities menu  
The Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard  
supports.  
Click to display  
the next screen  
Click to display  
the previous  
screen  
ASUS InstAll-Installation Wizard for Utilities  
Installs all of the utilities through the Installation Wizard.  
Marvell Yukon VCT Application  
Installs the Marvell® Yukon VCT application.  
ASUS PC Probe II  
This smart utility monitors the fan speed, CPU temperature, and system voltages,  
and alerts you of any detected problems. This utility helps you keep your computer  
in healthy operating condition.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
5-3  
 
ASUS AI Suite  
Installs the ASUS AI Suite.  
ASUS Update  
The ASUS Update utility allows you to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows®  
environment. This utility requires an Internet connection either through a network  
or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).  
ASUS Cool ‘n’ Quiet Utility  
Installs the ASUS Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ software.  
Adobe Acrobat Reader V7.0  
Installs the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader that allows you to open, view, and print  
documents in Portable Document Format (PDF).  
Microsoft DirectX 9.0c  
Installs the Microsoft® DirectX 9.0c driver. The Microsoft DirectX® 9.0c is a  
multimedia technology that enhances computer graphics and sound. DirectX®  
improves the multimedia features of you computer so you can enjoy watching  
TV and movies, capturing videos, or playing games in your computer. Visit the  
Microsoft website (www.microsoft.com) for updates.  
Anti-Virus Utility  
The anti�virus application scans, identifies, and removes computer viruses. View  
the online help for detailed information.  
3DMark06 Software  
Installs the 3Dmark06 software.  
WinDVD Copy5 Trial  
Installs the WinDVD Copy5 Trial version.  
InterVideo MediaOne Gallary  
Installs the InterVideo Media One Gallary software.  
Ulead PhotoImpact 12 SE  
Installs the Ulead PhotoImpact 12 SE software.  
CyberLink PowerBackup  
Installs the CyberLink Powerbackup software.  
Corel Snapfire Plus SE  
Installs the Corel Snapfire Plus S� software.  
5-4  
Chapter 5: Software support  
5.2.4  
Make Disk menu  
The Make Disk menu contains items to create the NVIDIA® nForce® 780a SLI™  
SATA/RAID/AHCI driver disk.  
Click to display  
the next screen  
Click to display  
the previous  
screen  
NVIDIA 32/64 bit XP/Vista SATA/RAID/AHCI Driver  
Allows you to create a NVIDIA® 32/64 bit XP/Vista™ SATA/RAID/AHCI driver disk.  
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5-5  
 
5.2.5  
Manuals menu  
The Manuals menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to  
open the folder of the user manual.  
Most user manual files are in Portable Document Format (PDF). Install the  
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader from the Utilities menu before opening a user manual  
file.  
5.2.6  
Video menu  
Click the Video tab to display a list of video clips. Click the Extreme OC Clip item  
to watch how an overclocking guru breaks 3DMark world record with an ROG  
motherboard.  
5-6  
Chapter 5: Software support  
 
5.2.7  
ASUS Contact information  
Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also find  
this information on the inside front cover of this user guide.  
5.2.8  
Other information  
The icons on the top right corner of the screen give additional information on the  
motherboard and the contents of the support DVD. Click an icon to display the  
specified information.  
Motherboard Info  
Displays the general specifications of the motherboard.  
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5-7  
 
Browse this DVD  
Displays the support DVD contents in graphical format.  
Technical support form  
Displays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to fill out when  
requesting technical support.  
Filelist  
Displays the contents of the support DVD and a brief description of each in text  
format.  
5-8  
Chapter 5: Software support  
5.3  
Software information  
Most of the applications in the support DVD have wizards that will conveniently  
guide you through the installation. View the online help or readme file that came  
with the software application for more information.  
5.3.1  
ASUS MyLogo3™  
The ASUS MyLogo3™ utility lets you customize the boot logo. The boot logo is the  
image that appears on screen during the Power-On Self-Tests (POST). The ASUS  
MyLogo3™ is automatically installed when you install the ASUS Update utility from  
the support DVD. See section “5.2.3 Utilities menu” for details.  
•
•
Before using the ASUS MyLogo3™, use the AWARD BIOS Flash utility to  
make a copy of your original BIOS file, or obtain the latest BIOS version  
from the ASUS website. See section 4.1.3 Updating the BIOS.  
Make sure that the BIOS item Full Screen Logo is set to �Enabled� if  
you wish to use ASUS MyLogo3™. See section 4.7.5 Boot Settings  
Configuration.  
•
•
You can create your own boot logo image in GIF, or BMP file formats.  
The file size should be smaller than 150 K.  
To launch the ASUS MyLogo3™:  
1.  
Launch the ASUS Update utility. Refer to section “4.1.1 ASUS Update utility”  
for details.  
2.  
3.  
Select Options from the drop down menu, then click Next.  
Check the option Launch MyLogo to replace system boot logo before  
flashing BIOS, then click Next.  
4.  
5.  
Select Update BIOS from a file from the drop down menu, then click Next.  
When prompted, locate the new  
BIOS file, then click Next. The ASUS  
MyLogo window appears.  
6.  
From the left window pane, select the  
folder that contains the image you  
intend to use as your boot logo.  
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5-9  
 
7.  
When the logo images appear on the  
right window pane, select an image to  
enlarge by clicking on it.  
8.  
Adjust the boot image to your desired  
size by selecting a value on the Ratio  
box.  
9.  
When the screen returns to the ASUS Update utility, flash the original BIOS to  
load the new boot logo.  
10. After flashing the BIOS, restart the computer to display the new boot logo  
during POST.  
5-10  
Chapter 5: Software support  
5.3.2  
AI NET 2  
The AI NET 2 features the Marvell® Virtual Cable Tester™ (VCT). VCT is a cable  
diagnostic utility that reports LAN cable faults and shorts using the Time Domain  
Reflectometry (TDR) technology. The VCT detects and reports open and shorted  
cables, impedance mismatches, pair swaps, pair polarity problems, and pair skew  
problems of up to 64 ns at one meter accuracy.  
The VCT feature reduces networking and support costs through a highly  
manageable and controlled network system. This utility can be incorporated  
in the network systems sofware for ideal field support as well as development  
diagnostics.  
Using the Virtual Cable Tester™  
To use the the Marvell® Virtual Cable Tester™ utility:  
1.  
2.  
Launch the VCT utility from the Windows® desktop by clicking Start > All  
Programs > Marvell > Virtual Cable Tester.  
Click Virtual Cable Tester from the menu to display the screen below.  
3.  
Click the Run button to perform a cable test.  
•
The VCT only runs on systems with Windows® XP or Windows® Vista™  
operating systems.  
•
•
The VCT utility only tests Ethernet cables connected to Gigabit LAN port(s).  
The Run button on the Virtual Cable Tester™ main window is disabled if no  
problem is detected on the LAN cable(s) connected to the LAN port(s).  
•
If you want the system to check the status of the LAN cable before entering  
the OS, enable the item Post Check LAN Cable in the BIOS Setup.  
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5-11  
 
5.3.3  
AI Audio 2 (SoundMAX® High Definition Audio utility)  
The ADI AD1988 High Definition Audio COD�C provides 8�channel audio  
capability through the SoundMAX® audio utility with AudioESP™ software to  
deliver the ultimate audio experience on your PC. The software implements high  
quality audio synthesis/rendering, 3D sound positioning, and advanced voice-input  
technologies.  
Follow the installation wizard to install the ADI AD1988 Audio Driver from the  
support DVD that comes with the motherboard package to activate the  
SoundMAX® audio utility.  
You must use 4-channel, 6-channel or 8-channel speakers for this setup.  
If the SoundMAX® audio utility is correctly installed,  
you will find the SoundMAX®/ SoundMAX®  
BlackHawk icon on the taskbar.  
5-12  
Chapter 5: Software support  
 
A.  
SoundMAX BlackHawk (AI Audio 2)  
If you are using Windows Vista™ operating system, from the taskbar, double-click  
on the SoundMAX® BlackHawk icon to display the SoundMAX® control panel.  
Enabling AI Audio 2  
Click the power button  
to activate digital signal processing. AI Audio 2,  
with the new SoundMAX® BlackHawk by Sonic Focus, brings you more multi-  
media enjoyment.  
Fidelity Compensation  
After you click the power button, the utility will compensate for the fidelity lost in the  
compression process and make the audio output quasi-original when reverting the  
compressed audio streams back to the uncompressed condition.  
Sound Field Expansion  
AI Audio 2 also expands the stereophonic sound field to a multi�channel one with  
realistic front and rear environment.  
Surround Virtualization  
Activating this function virtualizes surround sound with the vocal clarity added for  
use with stereo speakers or headphones.  
SoundMAX BlackHawk (AI Audio2) is available only under the Windows®  
Vista™ operating system.  
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5-13  
Playback Settings  
To configure the playback settings, click the Playback button on the control  
panel. You can adjust the volume of the Speakers and SPDIF Interface or  
mute the audio.  
Preset settings  
Click and expand the drop-down menu  
to select your preferred Digital Signal  
Processing (DSP) preset. Move the sliders  
to customize the values of Voice Clarity,  
Dynamics, Brilliance, and Deep Bass  
of each preset. Click Save to save the  
changes to the current preset. Or, click  
Reset to discard the changes and restore  
the preset to the factory defaults.  
Surround settings  
Allows you to change the settings of the  
stereo speakers. Move the sliders to  
change the listener position or adjust the  
center channel volume. Press the Test  
Speakers button to perform speaker test.  
Port settings  
Click this port settings tab to display the rear panel ports configuration for the  
speakers or rear panel digital port configuration for the SPDIF interface.  
5-14  
Chapter 5: Software support  
Recording Settings  
To change the recording settings, click the Recording button on the control  
panel. You can adjust the speaker delay of Microphone or Line In by moving  
the slider rightward or leftward.  
Record testing  
Port settings  
Click the tab to perform test recording  
and play the test sample through the  
speakers or the SPDIF interface.  
Click the tab to display the rear panel  
ports for Microphone or Line In.  
ANDREA settings  
Allows you to select an enhanced  
microphone input features, including  
No Filtering, Speakerphone, Voice  
Recording, and Directional Beam.  
More Settings  
Click  
for the further configurations.  
Equalizer  
Allows you to  
configure and  
customize all  
the DSP presets  
frequencies.  
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5-15  
Speakers  
Allows you to adjust the Speaker Trim and Speaker Delay.  
Bass  
Allows you to do the Bass management.  
Preferences  
Displays the preference options for this utility, version information, AudioESP, etc.  
5-16  
Chapter 5: Software support  
B.  
SoundMAX  
If you are using Windows XP operating system, from the taskbar, double-click on  
the SoundMAX® icon to display the SoundMAX® Control Panel.  
Audio Setup Wizard  
By clicking the  
icon from the SoundMAX® control panel, you can  
easily configure your audio settings. Simply follow the succeeding screen  
instructions and begin enjoying High Definition Audio.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
5-17  
Jack configuration  
Adjust speaker volume  
This screen helps you adjust  
speaker volume. Click the Test  
button to hear the changes you  
have made.  
This screen helps you configure  
your computer’s audio ports,  
depending on the audio devices  
you have installed.  
Adjust microphone volume  
This screen helps you adjust microphone volume. You will be asked to read  
pre�written text to allow the AudioWizard to adjust the volume as you speak.  
5-18  
Chapter 5: Software support  
Audio preferences  
Click the  
icon to go to the Preferences page. This page allows you to  
change various audio settings.  
General options  
Click the General tab to choose your playback and recording devices, enable/  
disable the AudioESP™ feature, and enable/disable digital output.  
Listening Environment options  
Click the Listening Environment tab to set up your speaker, acoustic  
environment, and enable/disable the Virtual Theater Surround function.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
5-19  
Microphone options  
Click the Microphone tab allows you to optimize your microphone input  
settings.  
5-20  
Chapter 5: Software support  
5.3.4  
ASUS PC Probe II  
PC Probe II is a utility that monitors the computer’s vital components, and detects  
and alerts you of any problem with these components. PC Probe II senses fan  
rotations, CPU temperature, and system voltages, among others. Because PC  
Probe II is software-based, you can start monitoring your computer the moment  
you turn it on. With this utility, you are assured that your computer is always at a  
healthy operating condition.  
Installing PC Probe II  
To install PC Probe II on your computer:  
1.  
Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The Drivers installation tab  
appears if your computer has an enabled Autorun feature.  
If Autorun is not enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support  
DVD to locate the setup.exe file from the ASUS PC Probe II folder. Double�click  
the setup.exe file to start installation.  
2.  
3.  
Click the Utilities tab, then click ASUS PC Probe II.  
Follow the screen instructions to complete installation.  
Launching PC Probe II  
You can launch the PC Probe II right after installation or anytime from the  
Windows® desktop.  
To launch the PC Probe II from the Windows® desktop, click Start > All Programs  
> ASUS > PC Probe II > PC Probe II v1.xx.xx. The PC Probe II main window  
appears.  
After launching the application, the PC Probe II icon appears in the Windows®  
taskbar. Click this icon to close or restore the application.  
Using PC Probe II  
Main window  
The PC Probe II main window  
allows you to view the current  
status of your system and change  
the utility configuration. By  
default, the main window displays  
the Preference section. You can  
close or restore the Preference  
section by clicking on the triangle on the main window right handle.  
Click to close the  
Preference panel  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
5-21  
 
Button  
Function  
Opens the Configuration window  
Opens the Report window  
Opens the Desktop Management Interface window  
Opens the Peripheral Component Interconnect window  
Opens the Windows Management Instrumentation window  
Opens the hard disk drive, memory, CPU usage window  
Shows/Hides the Preference section  
Minimizes the application  
Closes the application  
Sensor alert  
When a system sensor detects a problem, the main window right handle  
turns red, as the illustrations below show.  
When displayed, the monitor panel for that sensor also turns red. Refer to the  
Monitor panels section for details.  
Preferences  
You can customize the application using  
the Preference section in the main window.  
Click the box before each preference to  
activate or deactivate.  
5-22  
Chapter 5: Software support  
Hardware monitor panels  
The hardware monitor panels display the current value of a system sensor such as  
fan rotation, CPU temperature, and voltages.  
The hardware monitor panels come in two display modes: hexagonal (large) and  
rectangular (small). When you check the Enable Monitoring Panel option from the  
Preference section, the monitor panels appear on your computer’s desktop.  
Small display  
Large display  
Changing the monitor panels position  
To change the position of the monitor panels in the desktop,  
click the arrow down button of the Scheme options, then select  
another position from the list box. Click OK when finished.  
Moving the monitor panels  
All monitor panels move together using a magnetic effect. If  
you want to detach a monitor panel from  
the group, click the horseshoe magnet  
icon. You can now move or reposition the  
panel independently.  
Adjusting the sensor threshold value  
You can adjust the sensor threshold  
value in the monitor panel by  
clicking the or buttons. You can  
also adjust the threshold values  
Click to  
increase  
value  
using the Config window.  
Click to  
You cannot adjust the sensor  
threshold values in a small  
monitoring panel.  
decrease  
value  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
5-23  
Monitoring sensor alert  
The monitor panel turns red when a component value exceeds or is lower  
than the threshold value. Refer to the illustrations below.  
Small display  
Large display  
WMI browser  
Click to display the  
WMI (Windows Management  
Instrumentation) browser. This  
browser displays various Windows®  
management information. Click an  
item from the left panel to display on  
the right panel. Click the plus sign (+)  
before WMI Information to display the  
available information.  
You can enlarge or reduce the browser size by dragging the bottom right corner  
of the browser.  
DMI browser  
Click to display the DMI  
(Desktop Management Interface)  
browser. This browser displays various  
desktop and system information.  
Click the plus sign (+) before DMI  
Information to display the available  
information.  
5-24  
Chapter 5: Software support  
PCI browser  
Click  
to display the PCI  
(Peripheral Component Interconnect)  
browser. This browser provides  
information on the PCI devices installed  
on your system. Click the plus sign  
(+) before the PCI Information item to  
display available information.  
Usage  
The Usage browser displays real-time information on the CPU, hard disk drive  
space, and memory usage. Click  
to display the Usage browser.  
CPU usage  
The CPU tab displays real-  
time CPU usage in line graph  
representation. If the CPU has  
an enabled Hyper-Threading,  
two separate line graphs display  
the operation of the two logical  
processors.  
Hard disk drive space usage  
The Hard Disk tab displays the  
used and available hard disk  
drive space. The left panel of the  
tab lists all logical drives. Click  
a hard disk drive to display the  
information on the right panel.  
The pie chart at the bottom of  
the window represents the used  
(blue) and the available HDD  
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5-25  
Memory usage  
The Memory tab shows both  
used and available physical  
memory. The pie chart at the  
bottom of the window represents  
the used (blue) and the available  
physical memory.  
Configuring PC Probe II  
Click  
to view and adjust the sensor threshold values.  
The Config window has two tabs: Sensor/Threshold and Preference. The Sensor/  
Threshold tab enables you to activate the sensors or to adjust the sensor threshold  
values. The Preference tab allows you to customize sensor alerts, or change the  
temperature scale.  
Loads the default  
Loads your saved  
configuration  
threshold values for  
each sensor  
Cancels or  
ignores your  
changes  
Applies your  
changes  
Saves your  
configuration  
5-26  
Chapter 5: Software support  
5.3.5  
ASUS AI Suite  
ASUS AI Suite allows you to launch AI Gear 2, AI Booster 2, CPU Level Up, Q-Fan  
Plus, AI N.O.S., and AI Nap utilities easily.  
Installing AI Suite  
To install AI Suite on your computer:  
1.  
Place the support DVD to the optical drive. The Drivers installation tab  
appears if your computer has an enabled Autorun feature.  
2.  
3.  
Click the Utilities tab, then click AI Suite.  
Follow the screen instructions to complete installation.  
Launching AI Suite  
You can launch AI Suite right after installation or anytime from the Windows®  
desktop.  
To launch AI Suite from the Windows® desktop, click Start > All Programs >  
ASUS > AI Suite > AI Suite v1.xx.xx. The AI Suite main window appears.  
After launching the application, the AI Suite icon appears in the Windows® taskbar.  
Click this icon to close or restore the application.  
Using AI Suite  
Click the AI Gear 2, AI Booster 2, CPU Level Up, Q-Fan Plus, AI N.O.S., and AI  
Nap icon to launch the utility, or click the Normal icon to restore the system to  
normal state.  
Press to restore to normal  
Press to launch AI Nap  
Press to launch AI Gear 2  
Press to launch AI Booster 2  
Press to launch AI N.O.S.  
Press to launch Q-Fan Plus  
Press to launch CPU Level Up  
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5-27  
 
Other feature buttons  
Click on right corner of the main window to open the monitor window.  
Displays the CPU/  
system temperature,  
CPU/memory/PCIE  
voltage, and CPU/  
chassis fan speed  
Displays the FSB/CPU  
frequency  
Click  
on right corner of the expanded window to switch the temperature from  
degrees Centigrade to degrees Fahrenheit.  
5-28  
Chapter 5: Software support  
5.3.6  
ASUS AI Gear 2  
ASUS AI Gear 2 provides four system performance options that allows you to  
select the best performance setting for your computing needs. This easy-to-use  
utility adjusts the processor frequency and vCore voltage to minimize system noise  
and power consumption.  
After installing AI Suite from the bundled support DVD, you can launch AI Gear 2  
by double-clicking the AI Suite icon on your Windows® taskbar and then click the  
AI Gear 2 button on the AI Suite main window.  
Shift the gear to the performance setting that you like.  
Maximum  
Medium  
Performance  
Performance  
High  
Maximum  
Performance  
Power Saving  
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5-29  
 
5.3.7  
ASUS AI Nap  
This feature allows you to minimize the power consumption of your computer  
whenever you are away. Enable this feature for minimum power consumption and  
a quieter system operation.  
After installing AI Suite from the bundled Support DVD, launch the utility by double-  
clicking the AI Suite icon on the Windows® taskbar and click the AI Nap button on  
the AI Suite main window.  
Click Yes on the confirmation screen.  
To exit AI Nap mode, press the system power or mouse button then click Yes on  
the confirmation screen.  
To switch the power button functions from AI Nap to shutting down, just right  
click the AI Suite icon on the OS taskbar, select AI Nap and click Use power  
button. Unclick the the item to switch the function back.  
5-30  
Chapter 5: Software support  
 
5.3.8  
ASUS Q-Fan Plus  
The ASUS Q-Fan Plus feature allows you to set the appropriate performance level  
of the CPU/chassis/optional/power fans for more efficient system operation.  
After installing AI Suite from the bundled Support DVD, launch the utility by double-  
clicking the AI Suite icon on the Windows® taskbar and click the Q-Fan Plus button  
on the AI Suite main window.  
Click the Fan Name drop-down list button to display the fans and select a fan from  
the list.  
Drop-down  
list button  
Select a fan  
Click the Fan Control drop-down list button to select a fan control mode:  
•
•
Duty-Cycle Mode: You can determine the duty cycle percentage for each fan.  
Q-FAN Mode: The fans will automatically adjust their speeds according to  
component temperature.  
Power fan is supported by Duty-Cycle Mode only.  
Select a  
fan control  
mode  
Select a fan  
duty cycle  
Click Apply at the bottom to save the setup.  
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5-31  
 
5.3.9  
ASUS AI Booster 2  
The ASUS AI Booster 2 application allows you to overclock the CPU speed in  
WIndows® environment without the hassle of booting the BIOS.  
After installing AI Suite from the bundled Support DVD, launch the utility by double-  
clicking the AI Suite icon on the Windows® taskbar and click the AI Booster 2 button  
on the AI Suite main window.  
The options on the taskbar allow you to apply the default settings or adjust system  
overclocking performance and CPU frequency/ratio. You can also create an  
overclocking profile.  
5-32  
Chapter 5: Software support  
 
5.3.10  
CPU Level Up  
The CPU Level Up application allows you to overclock immediately with OC  
profile presets in WIndows® environment without the hassle of entering BIOS. This  
application provides comprehensive and detailed tuning to frequencies, voltagies,  
and even timings to create a real professional level of overclocking configurations.  
After installing AI Suite from the bundled Support DVD, launch the utility by double-  
clicking the AI Suite icon on the Windows® OS taskbar and click the CPU Level Up  
button on the AI Suite main window.  
The options on the taskbar allow you to select the CPU level and adjust CPU  
frequency/ratio. You can also create an overclocking profile.  
The items you are allowed to adjust in the may vary, depending on your  
motherboard features.  
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5-33  
 
5.4  
RAID configurations  
The motherboard comes with the NVIDIA® nForce® 780a SLI™ Southbridge RAID  
controller that allows you to configure ID� and Serial ATA hard disk drives as RAID  
sets.  
5.4.1  
RAID definitions  
RAID 0 (Data striping) optimizes two identical hard disk drives to read and write data  
in parallel, interleaved stacks. Two hard disks perform the same work as a single  
drive but at a sustained data transfer rate, double that of a single disk alone, thus  
improving data access and storage. Use of two new identical hard disk drives is  
required for this setup.  
RAID 1 (Data mirroring) copies and maintains an identical image of data from one  
drive to a second drive. If one drive fails, the disk array management software directs  
all applications to the surviving drive as it contains a complete copy of the data in  
the other drive. This RAID configuration provides data protection and increases fault  
tolerance to the entire system. Use two new drives or use an existing drive and a  
new drive for this setup. The new drive must be of the same size or larger than the  
existing drive.  
RAID 0+1 is data striping and data mirroring combined without parity (redundancy  
data) having to be calculated and written. With the RAID 0+1 configuration you get  
all the benefits of both RAID 0 and RAID 1 configurations. Use four new hard disk  
drives or use an existing drive and three new drives for this setup.  
RAID 5 stripes both data and parity information across three or more hard disk drives.  
Among the advantages of RAID 5 configuration include better HDD performance,  
fault tolerance, and higher storage capacity. The RAID 5 configuration is best suited  
for transaction processing, relational database applications, enterprise resource  
planning, and other business systems. Use a minimum of three identical hard disk  
drives for this setup.  
JBOD (Spanning) stands for Just a Bunch of Disks and refers to hard disk drives  
that are not yet configured as a RAID set. This configuration stores the same data  
redundantly on multiple disks that appear as a single disk on the operating system.  
Spanning does not deliver any advantage over using separate disks independently  
and does not provide fault tolerance or other RAID performance benefits.  
If you want to boot the system from a hard disk drive included in a created RAID  
set, copy first the RAID driver from the support DVD to a floppy disk/USB device  
before you install an operating system to the selected hard disk drive. Refer to  
section 5.5 Creating a RAID driver disk for details.  
5-34  
Chapter 5: Software support  
 
5.4.2  
NVIDIA® RAID configurations  
The motherboard includes a high performance SATA RAID controller integrated in  
the NVIDIA® southbridge chipset. It supports RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5  
and JBOD for six independent Serial ATA channels.  
Installing Serial ATA (SATA) hard disks  
The motherboard supports Ultra DMA 133/100/66 and Serial ATA hard disk drives.  
For optimal performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity  
when creating a disk array.  
To install the SATA hard disks for a RAID configuration:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays.  
Connect the SATA signal cables.  
Connect a SATA power cable to the power connector on each drive.  
Refer to the RAID controllers user manual in the motherboard support DVD for  
detailed information on RAID configurations. See section 5.2.5 Manuals menu.  
Setting the BIOS RAID items  
After installing the hard disk drives, make sure to set the necessary RAID items in  
the BIOS before setting your RAID configuration.  
To set the BIOS RAID items:  
1.  
Boot the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to  
enter the BIOS Setup Utility.  
2.  
3.  
Go to Advanced > MCP Storage Config.  
Set the SATA Operation Mode item to �RAID�. See section “4.5.6 MCP  
Storage Config” for details.  
4.  
Save your changes and Exit Setup.  
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5-35  
 
Make sure to re�enter your NVRAID settings after the CMOS is cleared;  
otherwise, the system will not recognize your RAID setup.  
For detailed descriptions on the NVIDIA® RAID configuration, refer to the  
NVIDIA RAID User Guide found in your motherboard support DVD.  
Entering the NVIDIA® RAID utility  
To enter the NVIDIA® RAID utility:  
1.  
2.  
Boot up your computer.  
During POST, press <F10> to display the main menu of the utility.  
The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only, and  
may not exactly match the items on your screen.  
NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004  
- Define a New Array -  
RAID Mode: Striping  
Free Disks  
Striping Block:  
Array Disks  
Optimal  
Loc  
Disk Model Name  
Loc  
Disk Model Name  
1.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
1.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
2.0.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
2.1.M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
[→] Add  
[←] Del  
[F6] Back [F7] Finish [TAB] Navigate [↑↓] Select [ENTER] Popup  
At the bottom of the screen are the navigation keys. These keys allow you to move  
through and select menu options.  
5-36  
Chapter 5: Software support  
Creating a RAID Volume  
To create a RAID volume:  
1.  
From the NVIDIA® RAID utility Define a New Array menu, select RAID Mode  
then press <Enter>. The following submenu appears.  
Use the up or down arrow keys to select a  
RAID mode then press <Enter>.  
Mirroring  
Striping  
Stripe Mirroring  
Spanning  
2.  
Press <TAB> select the Striping  
Block then press <Enter>. The  
following submenu appears:  
8K  
↑
16K  
32K  
64K  
128K  
Optim↓  
If you selected Striping or Stripe Mirroring, use the up or down arrow keys to  
select the stripe size for your RAID 0 array then press <�nter>.The available  
values range from 8 KB to 128 KB. The default selection is 128 KB. The strip  
value should be chosen based on the planned drive usage.  
• 8 /16 KB - low disk usage  
• 64 KB - typical disk usage  
• 128 KB - performance disk usage  
TIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For  
multimedia computer systems used mainly for audio and video editing, we  
recommend a higher array block size for optimum performance.  
3.` Press <TAB> to select the Free Disks area. Use the left or right arrow keys to  
assign the array disks.  
4.  
Press <F7> to create RAID set. The following message box appears.  
Clear disk data?  
[Y] YES  
[N] NO  
5.  
Press <Y> to clear the selected disks or <N> to proceed without clearing the  
disks. The following screen appears.  
Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!  
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NVIDIA RAID Utility Oct 5 2004  
- Array List -  
Boot  
No  
Id Status  
Healthy  
Vendor  
NVIDIA  
Array Model Name  
MIRROR XXX.XXG  
4
[Ctrl-X]Exit [↑↓]Select [B]Set Boot [N]New Array [ENTER]Detail  
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.  
Press <Ctrl+X> to save settings and exit.  
6.  
Rebuilding a RAID array  
To rebuild a RAID array:  
1.  
From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID  
array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.  
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG  
- Array Detail -  
RAID Mode: Mirroring  
Striping Width: 1  
Striping Block: 64K  
Adapt Channel M/S  
Index Disk Model Name  
Capacity  
2
1
1
0
Master  
Master  
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXX.XXGB  
XXX.XXGB  
[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return  
5-38  
Chapter 5: Software support  
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.  
Press <R> to rebuild a RAID array. The following screen appears.  
2.  
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG  
- Select Disk Inside Array -  
RAID Mode: Mirroring  
Striping Width: 1  
Striping Block: 64K  
Adapt Channel M/S  
Index Disk Model Name  
Capacity  
2
1
1
0
Master  
Master  
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXX.XXGB  
XXX.XXGB  
[↑↓] Select [F6] Back [F7] Finish  
3.  
Use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array to rebuild, then press  
<F7>. The following confirmation message appears.  
Rebuild array?  
[ENTER] OK [ESC] Cancel  
4.  
5.  
Press <Enter> to start rebuilding array or press <Esc> to cancel.  
After the rebuild process, the Array list menu appears.  
You will need to enter Window® XP and run the NVIDIA utility in order to  
complete the rebuilt process.  
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5-39  
Deleting a RAID array  
To delete a RAID array:  
1.  
From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID  
array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.  
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG  
- Array Detail -  
RAID Mode: Mirroring  
Striping Width: 1  
Striping Block: 64K  
Adapt Channel M/S  
Index Disk Model Name  
Capacity  
2
1
1
0
Master  
Master  
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXX.XXGB  
XXX.XXGB  
[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return  
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.  
2.  
Press <D> to delete a RAID array. The following confirmation message  
appears.  
Delete this array?  
[Y] YES [N] No  
3.  
Press <Y> to delete array or press <N> to cancel.  
Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!  
4.  
If you selected Yes, the Define a New Array menu appears.  
5-40  
Chapter 5: Software support  
Clearing a disk data  
To clear disk data:  
1.  
From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID  
array then press <Enter>. The RAID Array details appear.  
Array 1 : NVIDIA MIRROR XXX.XXG  
- Array Detail -  
RAID Mode: Mirroring  
Striping Width: 1  
Striping Block: 64K  
Adapt Channel M/S  
Index Disk Model Name  
Capacity  
2
1
1
0
Master  
Master  
0
1
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX  
XXX.XXGB  
XXX.XXGB  
[R] Rebuild [D] Delete [C] Clear Disk [ENTER] Return  
A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen.  
2.  
Press <C> to clear disk. The following confirmation message appears.  
Clear disk data?  
[Y] YES  
[N]  
5.  
Press <Y> to clear the disk data or press <N> to cancel.  
Take caution in using this option. All data on the RAID drives will be lost!  
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5-41  
5.5  
Creating a RAID driver disk  
A floppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows® XP  
operating system on a hard disk drive that is included in a RAID set. For Windows®  
Vista™ operating system, use either a floppy disk or a USB device with the RAID  
driver.  
5.5.1  
Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS  
To create a RAID/SATA driver disk without entering the OS:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
5.  
6.  
Boot your computer.  
Press <Del> during POST to enter the BIOS setup utility.  
Set the optical drive as the primary boot device.  
Insert the support DVD into the optical drive.  
Save changes and exit BIOS.  
Press any key when the system prompts “Press any key to boot from the  
optical drive.”  
7.  
8.  
9.  
When the menu appears, press <1> to create a RAID driver disk.  
Insert a formatted floppy disk into the floppy drive then press <�nter>.  
Follow succeeding screen instructions to complete the process.  
5.5.2  
Creating a RAID/SATA driver disk in Windows®  
To create a RAID driver disk in Windows®:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
Start Windows®.  
Place the motherboard support DVD into the optical drive.  
Go to the Make Disk menu, then click NVIDIA 32/64 bit XP/Vista SATA RAID  
Driver to create a NVIDIA® 32/64 bit XP/Vista™ SATA RAID driver disk.  
4.  
Insert a floppy disk/USB device into the floppy disk drive/USB port.  
5.  
Follow succeeding screen instructions to complete the process.  
Write�protect the floppy disk to avoid computer virus infection.  
To install the RAID driver in Windows® XP:  
1.  
2.  
3.  
During the OS installation, the system prompts you to press the F6 key to install  
third-party SCSI or RAID driver.  
Press <F6> then insert the floppy disk with RAID driver into the floppy disk  
drive.  
Follow the succeeding screen instructions to complete the installation.  
5-42  
Chapter 5: Software support  
 
To install the RAID driver in Windows® Vista™:  
1.  
Insert the floppy disk/USB device with RAID driver into the floppy disk drive/USB  
port.  
2.  
Follow the succeeding screen instructions to complete the installation.  
Due to chipset limitation, the Serial ATA ports supported by the NVIDIA chipset  
does not support Serial Optical Disk Drives (Serial ODD) under DOS.  
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5-44  
Chapter 5: Software support  
This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready  
PCI Express graphics cards and how to use  
the SLI™ and Hybrid SLI® features.  
pter 6: NVIDIA®technology  
6
support  
 
Chapter summary  
6.1  
6.2  
NVIDIA® SLI™ technology............................................................. 6-1  
NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® technology................................................. 6-9  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
6.1  
NVIDIA® SLI™ technology  
The motherboard supports the NVIDIA® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology  
that allows you to install up to three identical PCI Express™ x16 graphics cards.  
Follow the installation procedures in this section.  
6.1.1  
Requirements  
•
•
•
•
In Dual SLI mode, you should have two identical SLI-ready graphics cards  
that are NVIDIA® certified.  
In 3-way SLI mode, you should have three identical SLI-ready graphics cards  
that are NVIDIA® certified.  
Make sure that your graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI technology.  
Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.com).  
Make sure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide the minimum power  
required by your system. See page 2-35 for details.  
•
The NVIDIA 3-way SLI technology is supported by Windows® Vista™  
operating system only.  
•
Visit the NVIDIA zone website (http://www.nzone.com) for the latest certified  
graphics card and the supported 3D application list.  
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6-1  
 
6.1.2  
Graphics card setup  
Installing three SLI-ready graphics cards  
•
•
Install only identical SLI-ready graphics cards that are NVIDIA®�certified.  
Different types of graphics cards will not work together properly.  
The following pictures are for reference only. The graphics cards and the  
motherboard layout may vary with models, but the installation steps remain  
the same.  
To install the graphics cards:  
1.  
Prepare three graphics cards. �ach graphics card should have goldfingers for  
the 3-way SLI connector.  
Goldfingers  
6-2  
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support  
 
2.  
Insert the first graphics card into the PCI�X16_1 slot (blue), the second into  
the PCIEX16_2 slot (white), and the third into the PCIEX16_3 slot (blue).  
Make sure that the cards are properly seated on the slots.  
3.  
Align and firmly insert the 3�way SLI bridge connector to the goldfingers on  
each graphics card. Make sure that the connector is firmly in place.  
3-way SLI bridge connector  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
6-3  
4.  
Connect auxiliary power source from the power supply to the three graphics  
cards separately.  
5.  
Connect a VGA or a DVI cable to the graphics card/s.  
We recommend that you install an additional chassis fan for better thermal  
environment.  
6-4  
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support  
Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards  
1.  
Insert one graphics card into the PCIEX16_1 slot (blue) and the other into the  
PCIEX16_3 slot (blue). Make sure that the cards are properly seated on the  
slots.  
2.  
3.  
4.  
Align and insert the SLI connector to the goldfingers on each graphics card.  
Make sure that the connector is firmly in place.  
Connect auxiliary power source from the power supply to the two graphics  
cards separately.  
Connect a VGA or a DVI cable to the graphics card/s.  
We recommend that you install an additional chassis fan for better thermal  
environment.  
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6-5  
6.1.3  
Installing the device drivers  
Refer to the documentation that came with your graphics card package to install  
the device drivers.  
•
Make sure that your PCI Express graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA  
® SLI™ technology. Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website  
(www.nvidia.com).  
•
If you want to create a 3�way SLI configuration, make sure you install  
the 3-way SLI driver under Windows® Vista OS. The NVIDIA 3-way SLI  
technology is supported by Windows® Vista only.  
6.1.4  
Enabling the NVIDIA® SLI™ technology in Windows®  
After installing your graphics cards and the device drivers, enable the SLI feature  
through NVIDIA® Control Panel under the Windows® Vista™ operating system.  
Launching the NVIDIA Control Panel  
You can launch the NVIDIA Control Panel by the following two methods.  
A.  
Right click on the empty space of the Windows®  
desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.  
The NVIDIA Control Panel window appears (see  
Step B5 on page 6-8).  
B1. If you do not see the NVIDIA Control Panel item in  
Step A, select Personalize.  
6-6  
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support  
 
B2. From the Personalization window,  
select Display Settings.  
B3. From the Display Settings dialog box,  
click Advanced Settings.  
B4. Select the NVIDIA GeForce tab, and  
then click Start the NVIDIA Control  
Panel.  
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6-7  
B5. The NVIDIA Control Panel window  
appears.  
Enabling SLI configuration  
When installing two graphics gards:  
From the NVIDIA Control Panel window,  
select Set SLI Configuration. Click Enable  
SLI and set the display for viewing SLI  
rendered content. When done, click Apply.  
When installing three graphics gards:  
1.  
From the NVIDIA Control Panel  
window, select Set SLI Configuration,  
and then click Enable 3-way NVIDIA  
SLI. When done, click Apply.  
Click the 3D Settings tab and enable  
the Show SLI Visual Indicators  
item.  
2.  
When you launch a 3D demonstration,  
a green bar will appear on the left of  
the screen to indicate the 3-way SLI  
status.  
6-8  
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support  
6.2  
NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® Technology  
The motherboard supports the NVIDIA® Hybrid SLI® technology that includes two  
primary features: GeForce® Boost and HybridPower™. GeForce® Boost enhances  
the performance of NVIDIA discrete Graphics Process Units (dGPU) when they  
work with the onboard motherboard GPU (mGPU). HybridPower™ unleashes the  
graphics performance of the dGPU and enables low-power operation when the  
performance of the dGPU is not needed. You can switch from the dGPU(s) to the  
mGPU for a quiet, power-saving computer environment.  
•
•
Hybrid SLI technology is supported by Windows® Vista™ only.  
GeForce Boost supports up to two displays simultaneously (both connected  
to either the mGPU or the dGPU).  
•
When two or more displays are connected to both the mGPU and the  
dGPU, the Hybrid SLI mode is disabled and the multi-display mode is  
enabled. In the multi-display mode, up to four displays can be connected  
(two displays driven by the mGPU and two displays by the dGPU).  
•
•
HybridPower requires displays to be connected to the mGPU. HybridPower  
cannot be enabled when displays are driven through the dGPU.  
HybridPower and GeForce Boost are supported by certain set of dGPUs.  
Go to www.nvidia.com/hybridsli to learn the supported GPUs.  
6.2.1  
System requirements  
Before using Hybrid SLI, make sure if your system meets the following  
requirements:  
For best GeForce Boost performance  
•
•
•
•
AMD Phenom 9600 CPU (operating at 1800Mhz or higher)  
2 x 1024MB of DDR2-800 DRAM  
Discrete GPU recommended for GeForce Boost  
At least 256MB of Frame Buffer carve out for the motherboard GPU  
For best HybridPower benefits  
•
•
•
•
AMD Athlon X2 3800+ CPU (operating at 1800Mhz or higher)  
2 x 1024MB of DDR2-667 DRAM  
Discrete GPU recommended for HybridPower  
At least 256MB of Frame Buffer carve out for the motherboard GPU  
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6-9  
 
6.2.2  
Enabling GeForce® Boost and HybridPower™  
•
Before enabling GeForce Boost and HybridPower, make sure that you have  
installed a dGPU recommended for GeForce Boost on your motherboard.  
•
Make sure that you have connected your display to the dGPU. Otherwise, the  
motherboard cannot detect your display and no image appears.  
To enable GeForce Boost  
1.  
Turn on the system and press <Del> during the Power-On Self-Test (POST)  
to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.  
2.  
Go to Advanced > Onboard Device Configuration and set the  
Hybrid Support item to �Enabled�. See section 4.5.3 Onboard Device  
Configuration for details.  
•
•
The Hybrid Support item appears only when a minimum of 2GB memory  
is detected.  
The Hybrid Support item becomes user�configurable only when a dGPU is  
detected. Make sure that your dGPU is properly installed.  
Phoenix-AwardBIOS CMOS Setup Utility  
Advanced  
Select Menu  
Onboard Device Configuration  
Item Specific Help  
Hybrid Support  
Enabled  
[Auto]  
iGPU Frame Buffer Control  
Frame Buffer Size  
Onboard GPU  
x
128M  
[Auto]  
Primary Display Adapter  
HD Audio  
Front Panel Support Type  
HDMI Audio  
[PCI-E]  
[Enabled]  
[HD Audio]  
[Auto]  
3.  
4.  
Save your changes and Exit Setup.  
Turn off the system, disconnect your display from the dGPU, and connect  
your display to the onboard VGA port at the rear panel.  
5.  
6.  
Turn on the system. From the Windows® desktop, go to Start > Control  
Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety to turn off User Account  
Control.  
Place the motherboard support DVD into the optical drive, and go to the  
Drivers menu to install the NVIDIA Chipset Driver Program.  
7.  
Restart the system.  
8.  
If the driver is correctly installed, you will find  
the Hybrid SLI icon on the taskbar.  
The Hybrid SLI icon indicates that the system is  
in Performance mode and that GeForce Boost  
is enabled. The onboard GPU will share the  
rendering load with the dGPU and boost the  
performance of the dGPU.  
6-10  
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support  
 
To enable HybridPower  
1.  
Follow Step 1 to 7 on the previous page to complete the hardware and driver  
installation.  
2.  
If the driver is correctly installed, you will find the  
Hybrid SLI icon on the taskbar.  
The Hybrid SLI icon indicates that the system is in Performance mode and  
that rendering is being done by the dGPU. The mGPU is being used only to  
drive the display.  
3.  
4.  
Click the Hybrid SLI icon and select Save  
Power.  
The icon will change state (from  
to ) to  
indicate that the system is in Power Saving  
mode, which means that the dGPU is turned off  
and the mGPU is both rendering and displaying.  
5.  
When the Power Saving mode is enabled, the dGPU does not show in the  
Windows® Device Manager.  
Power Saving mode is disabled.  
When the Power Saving mode is enabled, the  
dGPU is turned off and does not appear in the  
Device Manager.  
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6-11  
6-12  
Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support  
The Appendix includes the debug code  
table for the LCD Poster.  
Appendix:  
Debug code  
A
table  
 
Chapter summary  
A
A.1  
Debug Code Table........................................................................A-1  
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A.1  
Debug code table  
Code  
Description  
CPU INIT  
DET CPU  
CPU Initiation  
Test CMOS R/W functionality.  
�arly chipset initialization:  
-Disable shadow RAM  
-Disable L2 cache  
CHIPINIT  
-Program basic chipset registers  
Detect memory  
DET DRAM  
DC FCODE  
�Auto�detection of DRAM size, type and �CC.  
-Auto-detection of L2 cache  
Expand compressed BIOS code to DRAM  
EFSHADOW Call chipset hook to copy BIOS back to E000 & F000 shadow RAM.  
INIT IO  
Initialize IO devices.  
INIT HWM  
Initialize Hardware Monitor.  
1. Blank out screen  
2. Clear CMOS error flag  
CLR SCRN  
INIT8042  
1. Clear 8042 interface  
2. Initialize 8042 self�test  
1. Test special keyboard controller for Super I/O chips.  
2. Enable keyboard interface.  
ENABLEKB  
1. Disable PS/2 mouse interface (optional).  
2. Auto detect ports for keyboard & mouse followed by a port & interface  
swap (optional).  
DIS MS  
3. Reset keyboard for Super I/O chips.  
Test F000h segment shadow to see whether it is R/W-able or not. If test  
fails, keep beeping the speaker.  
R/W FSEG  
DET FLASH  
TESTCMOS  
Auto detect flash type to load appropriate flash R/W codes into the run time  
area in F000 for ESCD & DMI support.  
Use walking 1’s algorithm to check out interface in CMOS circuitry. Also set  
real-time clock power status, and then check for override.  
PRG CHIP  
INIT CLK  
Program chipset default values into chipset.  
Initialize clock generator.  
CHECKCPU Detect CPU information including brand, type and CPU level (586 or 686).  
INTRINIT  
INITINT9  
Initial interrupts vector table.  
Initialize INT 09 buffer  
1. Program CPU internal MTRR (Pentium class CPU) for 0-640K memory  
address.  
2. Initialize the APIC for Pentium class CPU.  
CPUSPEED 3. Program early chipset according to CMOS setup. Example: onboard IDE  
controller.  
4. Measure CPU speed.  
5. Invoke video BIOS.  
VGA BIOS  
Initialize VGA BIOS  
1. Initialize multi�language  
TESTVRAM 2. Put information on screen display, including BIOS logo, CPU type, CPU  
speed .  
RESET KB  
Reset keyboard.  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
A-1  
 
8254TEST  
8259MSK1  
8259MSK2  
8259TEST  
Test 8254  
Test 8259 interrupt mask bits for channel 1.  
Test 8259 interrupt mask bits for channel 2.  
Test 8259 functionality.  
COUNTMEM Calculate total memory by testing the last double word of each 64K page.  
1. Program MTRR of M1 CPU  
2. Initialize L2 cache for P6 class CPU & program CPU with proper  
cacheable range.  
MP INIT  
3. Initialize the APIC for P6 class CPU.  
4. On MP platform, adjust the cacheable range to smaller one in case the  
cacheable ranges between each CPU are not identical.  
USB INIT  
Initialize USB  
TEST MEM  
SHOW MP  
PNP LOGO  
ONBD IO  
Test all memory (clear all extended memory to 0)  
Display number of processors (multi-processor platform)  
Display PnP logo  
Initialize Onboard IO devices.  
EN SETUP  
MSINSTAL  
CHK ACPI  
EN CACHE  
Okay to enter Setup utility.  
Initialize PS/2 Mouse  
Prepare memory size information for function call: INT 15h ax=�820h  
Turn on L2 cache  
Program chipset registers according to items described in Setup & Auto-  
configuration table.  
SET CHIP  
AUTO CFG  
INIT FDC  
Assign resources to devices.  
1. Initialize floppy controller  
2. Set up floppy related fields in 40:hardware.  
DET IDE  
Detect & install all IDE devices: HDD, LS120, ZIP, CDROM.  
Detect serial ports & parallel ports.  
Detect & install co-processor  
New CPU installed  
COM/LPT  
DET FPU  
CPU CHG  
EZ FLASH  
CPR FAIL  
FAN FAIL  
Execute EZ Flash  
CPR error  
Fan error  
UCODEERR UCODE error  
FLOPYERR Floppy error  
KB ERROR  
HD ERR  
Keyboard error  
HDD error  
CMOS ERR  
MS ERROR  
CMOS error  
Mouse error  
SMARTERR HDD smart function error  
HM ERROR Hard monitor error  
AINETERR  
CASEOPEN Case open  
Clear �PA or customization logo.  
AI NET error  
1. Call chipset power management hook.  
2. Recover the text fond used by EPA logo (not for full screen logo)  
3. If password is set, ask for password.  
PASSWORD  
A-2  
Appendix: Debug Code Table  
Initialize PnP boot devices  
1. USB final Initialization  
2. NET PC: Build SYSID structure  
3. Switch screen back to text mode  
4. Set up ACPI table at top of memory.  
5. Invoke ISA adapter ROMs  
6. Assign IRQs to PCI devices  
7. Initialize APM  
USB FINAL  
8. Clear noise of IRQs.  
INIT ROM  
Initialize device option ROMs.  
1. Program daylight saving  
2. Update keyboard LED & typematic rate  
NUM LOCK  
1. Build MP table  
2. Build & update ESCD  
UPDT DMI  
INT 19H  
3. Set CMOS century to 20h or 19h  
4. Load CMOS time into DOS timer tick  
5. Build MSIRQ routing table.  
Boot attempt (INT 19h)  
ASUS Crosshair II Formula  
A-3  
A-4  
Appendix: Debug Code Table  

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