Rampage II GENE

Motherboard
E4504 First Edition February 2009
Copyright 2009 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (ASUS). Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.
ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE), EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT. Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners benefit, without intent to infringe.

Contents

Contents... iii Notices.... viii Safety information.... ix About this guide... x
Rampage II GENE specifications summary.. xii

Chapter 1:

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 1.3.4 Product highlights.. 1-2 ROG Intelligent Performance & Overclocking features. 1-3. ROG unique features.. 1-4 ASUS special features... 1-5

Product introduction

Chapter 2:

2.1 2.2

Before you proceed... 2-1 Motherboard overview... 2-6 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3 2.2.4 2.3.1 2.3.2 2.3.3 2.4.1 2.4.2 2.4.3 2.4.4 2.5.1 2.5.2 2.5.3 2.5.4 Motherboard layout... 2-6 Layout contents... 2-7. Placement direction.. 2-8 Screw holes... 2-8 Installing the CPU... 2-10 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan. 2-13 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan. 2-14 Overview.. 2-15 Memory configurations.. 2-16. Installing a DIMM... 2-22 Removing a DIMM.. 2-22 Installing an expansion card.. 2-23 Configuring an expansion card.. 2-23 Interrupt assignments.. 2-24 PCI slot... 2-25

Hardware information

Central Processing Unit (CPU).. 2-9

System memory... 2-15

Expansion slots... 2-23.
2.5.5 2.6 2.7 2.5.6 PCI Express x4 slot.. 2-25. PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots... 2-25 Jumper.... 2-27 Connectors.... 2-28 2.7.1 2.7.2 2.7.3 2.8 2.9 2.7.4 Rear panel connectors... 2-28 Internal connectors... 2-30 Onboard switches... 2-40 Installing I/O shield and LCD Poster.. 2-42

DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products. DO NOT throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal waste.
Place the product on a stable surface.

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: This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. 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. This chapter tells how to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided. This chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package and the software. This chapter describes how to install and configure multiple ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI graphics cards. The Appendix lists the debug code table for the LCD Poster. Appendix: Debug code table Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support Chapter 4: Software support Chapter 3: BIOS setup Chapter 2: Hardware information Chapter 1: Product introduction
Where to find more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. 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. Optional documentation ASUS websites
Conventions used in this guide
To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components when trying to complete a task. IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task. NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.

Typography

Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select. Used to emphasize a word or a phrase. Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign means that you must press the enclosed key. Example: <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>

Installing the CPU

To install a CPU: Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.
Before installing the CPU, ensure that the cam box is facing towards you and the load lever is on your left.
Press the load lever with your thumb (A), then move it to the left (B) until it is released from the retention tab.
To prevent damage to the socket pins, do not remove the PnP cap unless you are installing a CPU.

Retention tab A

B Load lever
Lift the load lever in the direction of the arrow to a 135 angle. Lift the load plate with your thumb and forefinger to a 100 angle.

Load plate 4

Remove the PnP cap from the CPU socket.

PnP cap

Position the CPU over the socket, ensuring that the gold triangle is on the bottomleft corner of the socket, and then fit the socket alignment key into the CPU notch.
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!

Gold triangle mark

CPU notch Alignment key
Apply several drops of thermal paste to the exposed area of the CPU that the heatsink will be in contact with, ensuring that it is spread in an even thin layer.
Some heatsinks come with preapplied thermal paste. If so, skip this step. The thermal paste is toxic and inedible. If it gets into your eyes or touches your skin, ensure to wash it off immediately and seek professional medical help. To prevent contaminating the paste, DO NOT spread the paste with your finger directly.
Close the load plate (A), and then push the load lever (B) until it snaps into the retention tab.
Installing the CPU heatsink and fan
The Intel LGA1366 processor requires a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance.
When you buy a boxed Intel processor, the package includes the CPU fan and heatsink assembly. If you buy a CPU separately, ensure that you use only Intelcertified multidirectional heatsink and fan. Your Intel LGA1366 heatsink and fan assembly comes in a push-pin design and requires no tool to install.

Due to Intel CPU spec definition, the system will not boot if only one DIMM is installed in DIMM slot A2, B2, or C2. Follow the table above for recommended memory configuration.

Memory configurations

You may install 1GB, 2GB and 4GB unbuffered nonECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.
You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A, Channel B and Channel C. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel or triple-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation. Due to Intel spec definition, X.M.P. DIMMs and DDR3-1600 are supported for one DIMM per channel only. According to Intel CPU spec, DIMMs with voltage requirement over 1.65V may damage the CPU permanently. We recommend you install the DIMMs with the voltage requirement below 1.65V. Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimum compatibility, we recommend that you obtain memory modules from the same vendor. Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows OS, when you install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be about 3GB or less. For effective use of memory, we recommend that you install a 64-bit Windows OS when having 4GB or more memory installed on the motherboard. This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 256 megabit (Mb) chips or less. The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its SPD. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. To operate at the vendor-marked or at a higher frequency, see section 3.3 Extreme Tweaker menu for manual memory frequency adjustment. For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (6 DIMMs) or overclocking condition.
Rampage II GENE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-2000MHz capability
Vendor Part No. Size SS/ DS SS SS SS SS SS SS Chip Brand N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Chip NO. Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Timing Dimm(Bios) 9-9-9-28 9-9-9-28 (1333-9-9-9-24) 9-9-9-28 (1333-9-9-9-24) 9-9-9-28 (1333-9-9-9-24) 9-9-9-24 (2000-9-9-9-24) 8 Voltage DIMM socket support (Optional) A* B*
Crucial Crucial Crucial Crucial G.SKILL OCZ
BL12864BE2009.8SFB1(EPP) BL12864BE2009.8SFB3(EPP) BL12864BE2009-8SFB3(EPP) BL12864BE2009.8SFB3(EPP) F3-16000CL9T-3GBDI-B(XMP) OCZ3FXT20002GK
1GB 1GB 1GB 2GB 3GB (Kit of 3) 2GB (Kit of 2)

1.9 2.2 1.65 1.9

Rampage II GENE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1800MHz capability
Vendor Part No. Size SS/ DS SS DS SS SS SS SS Chip Brand N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Chip NO. Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package (1333-9-9-9-24) 8 Timing DIMM (BIOS) 7 8-8-8-24 1.80 1.9 1.9 1.65 Voltage DIMM socket support (Optional) A* B*

CORSAIR CORSAIR KINGSTON KINGSTON KINGSTON Transcend
CM3X1024-1800C7DIN(XMP) BoxP/N:TW3X4G1800C8DF (CM3X2G1800C8D)Ver4.1 KHX14400D3/1G KHX14400D3K2/2GN(EPP) KHX14400D3K3/3GX(XMP) TX1800KLU-2GK(XMP)
1GB 4GB (Kit of 2) 1GB 2GB (Kit of 2) 3GB (Kit of 3) 2GB (Kit of 2)
Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided DIMM support: A*: Supports two (2) modules inserted into slot A1 and B1 as one pair of Dual-channel memory configuration. B*: Supports three (3) modules inserted into the orange slots (A1, B1 and C1) as one set of Triple-channel memory configuration. ASUS exclusively provides hyper DIMM support function. Hyper DIMM support is subject to the physical characteristics of individual CPUs. Visit the ASUS website for the latest QVL.
Rampage II GENE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1600MHz capability
Vendor Part No. Size 3GB (Kit of 3) 6GB (Kit of 3) 2GB (Kit of 2) 3GB (Kit of 3) 3GB (Kit of 3) 4GB (Kit of 2) 4GB (Kit of 2) 6GB (Kit of 3) 6GB (Kit of 3) 1GB 2GB (Kit of 2) 2GB (Kit of 2) 4GB (Kit of 2) 6GB (Kit of 3) 6GB (Kit of 3) 3GB (Kit of 3) 4GB (Kit of 2) 6GB (Kit of 3) 1GB 2GB (Kit of 2) 3GB (Kit of 3) 4GB (Kit of 2) 4GB (Kit of 2) 6GB (Kit of 3) 1GB 2GB SS/ DS SS DS SS SS SS DS DS DS DS SS SS SS DS DS DS SS SS DS SS SS SS DS DS DS SS DS Chip Chip NO. Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Timing Dimm(Bios) 8-8-8-24 (1333-9-9-9-24) 7-7-7-20 (1333-9-9-9-24) 7-7-7-20 (1333-9-9-9-24) 8-8-8-24 (1601-8-8-8-24) 9-9-9-24 (1601-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9--9-24) (1601-7-7-7-20) 8-8-8-24 (1601-8-8-8-24) 9-9-9-24 (1333-9-9-9-24) (1601-8-8-8-24) (1601-7-7-7-18) (1333-9-9-9-24) 7-7-7-18 (1333-9-9-9-24) 8-8-8-21 (1333-8-8-8-21) 9-9-9-24 (1601-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) (1066-7-7-7-20) 1600-8-8-8-20 7-6-6-24 (1333-7-7-7-20) (1601-8-8-8-28) 8-8-8 (1066-7-7-7-20) 7-7-7 (1333-7-7-7-20) 7-7-6 (1333-7-7-7-20) 8-8-8 (1066-7-7-7-20) (1601-9-9-9-28) (1601-9-9-9-28) 1.65 1.9 1.8 1.65 Voltage 1.651.85 1.751.85 1.80 1.65 1.65 1.80 1.90 1.65 1.65 1.8 1.9 1.6 1.9 1.61.65 1.5-1.6 1.65 1.9 1.65 DIMM socket support (Optional) A* B* C* D*
A-DATA A-DATA CORSAIR CORSAIR CORSAIR CORSAIR CORSAIR CORSAIR CORSAIR Crucial G.SKILL G.SKILL G.SKILL G.Skill G.SKILL KINGSTON KINGSTON KINGSTON OCZ OCZ OCZ OCZ OCZ OCZ Aeneon Aeneon

AD31600E001GMU(XMP) AD31600F002GMU(XMP) BoxP/N:TWIN3X2048-1600C7DHXIN (CM3X1024-1600C7DHXIN)(XMP)Ver3.1 TR3X3G1600C8D(XMP)Ver2.1 TR3X3G1600C9(XMP)Ver1.1 BoxP/N:TW3X4G1600C9DHXNV (CM3X2G1600C9DHXNV)Ver4.1 BoxP/N:TWIN3X4096-1600C7DHXIN (CM3X2048-1600C7DHXIN)Ver3.1 TR3X6G1600C8D(XMP)Ver2.1 TR3X6G1600C9(XMP)Ver2.1 BL12864BA1608.8SFB(XMP) F3-12800CL7D-2GBHZ F3-12800CL9D-2GBNQ F3-12800CL7D-4GBPI F3-12800CL8T-6GBHK(XMP) F3-12800CL9T-6GBNQ KHX12800D3LLK3/3GX(XMP) KHX12800D3K2/4G KHX12800D3LLK/6GX(XMP) OCZ3P1600EB1G OCZ3T1600XM2GK(XMP) OCZ3G1600LV3GK OCZ3P16004GK OCZ3P1600EB4GK OCZ3G1600LV6GK AXH760UD10-16H AXH860UD20-16H
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Rampage II GENE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1600MHz capability (continued)
Vendor Part No. Size 2GB (Kit of 2) 2GB 4GB (Kit of 2) 3GB (Kit of 3) 4GB (Kit of 2) 6GB (Kit of 3) 6GB (Kit of 3) SS/ DS DS DS DS SS DS DS DS Chip Chip NO. Heat-Sink Package N2CB1G80ANDG Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Heat-Sink Package Timing Dimm(Bios) 7-7-7-14 (1066-7-7-7-20) 9 (1333-9-9-9-28) 7-7-7-20 9-9-9-24 (1066-7-7-7-20) 7-7-7-20 (1066-7-7-7-20) 9-9-9-24 (1066-7-7-7-20) 9-9-9-24 (1600-7-7-7-20) 1.65 2.0 1.65 1.65 Voltage DIMM socket support (Optional) A* B* C* D*
Cell Shock Elixier Mushkin Patriot Patriot Patriot Patriot
CS322271 M2F2G64CB8HA4N-DG 996657 PVT33G1600ELK PVS34G1600LLKN PVT36G1600ELK PVT36G1600ELK
N/A Elixir N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

1.7-1.9

Rampage II GENE Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1333MHz capability
Vendor Part No. Size 6GB (Kit of 3) 1GB 1GB 2GB 2GB 3GB (Kit of 3) 1GB 2GB (Kit of 2) 6GB (Kit of 3) 1GB 1GB 2GB 1GB 1GB 2GB 2GB (Kit of 2) 2GB (Kit of 2) SS/ DS DS SS SS DS DS SS DS DS DS SS SS DS SS DS DS SS SS Chip Brand N/A ELPIDA ELPIDA ELPIDA ELPIDA N/A N/A N/A N/A MICRON MICRON MICRON ELPIDA ELPIDA ELPIDA N/A N/A Chip NO. Timing DIMM (BIOS) 7-7-7-20 (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) 9-9-9-24 (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) 9-9-9-24 (1066-7-7-7-20) 9-9-9-24 (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) 9 (1333-9-9-9-24) (1333-9-9-9-24) 9 (1333-9-9-9-24) (1337-7-7-7-18) (1337-8-8-8-22) 1.65 1.65 1.5 1.1 1.70 1.5 Voltage 1.651.85 DIMM socket support (Optional) A* B* C* D*
A-DATA Apacer Apacer Apacer Apacer CORSAIR CORSAIR CORSAIR CORSAIR Crucial Crucial Crucial ELPIDA ELPIDA ELPIDA G.SKILL G.SKILL

The following item appears only when you set Ai Overclock Tuner to [ROG Memory Profile].
R.O.G. Memory Profile [Speedy] Allows you to select the memory profile mode supported by your memory module. Configuration options: [Speedy] [Flying] [Lightning]

CPU Ratio Setting [Auto]

Allows you to adjust the ratio between CPU Core Clock and BCLK Frequency. Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value. The valid value ranges differently according to your CPU model.

CPU Configuration

The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically detects. Refer to section 3.5.1 for details.
The following two items appear only when you set the Ai Overclock Tuner item to [Manual] or [X.M.P.].

BCLK Frequency [XXX]

Allows you to adjust the Internal Base Clock (BCLK). Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value. You can also type the desired value using the numeric keypad. The values range from 100 to 500.

PCIE Frequency [XXX]

Allows you to set the PCI Express frequency. Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the PCIE frequency. You can also type the desired value using the numeric keypad. The values range from 100 to 200.

DRAM Frequency [Auto]

Allows you to set the DDR3 operating frequency. Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR3-800MHz] [DDR3-1066MHz] [DDR3-1333MHz] [DDR3-1600MHz] [DDR3-1866MHz] [DDR3-2133MHz]
The DRAM Frequency configuration options vary with the BCLK Frequency item settings. A very high DRAM frequency may cause the system to become unstable! If this happens, revert to the default setting.

DRAM Timing Control

The configuration options for some of the following items vary depending on the DIMMs you install on the motherboard.
The items in this menu allow you to set the DRAM timing control features.
1st Information: 6-6-6-15-4-36-6-3-16-4 (These values are auto-detected)
DRAM CAS# Latency [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [3 DRAM Clock] [11 DRAM Clock]
DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [3 DRAM Clock] [10 DRAM Clock] DRAM RAS# PRE Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [3 DRAM Clock] [10 DRAM Clock] DRAM RAS# ACT Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [3 DRAM Clock] [31 DRAM Clock] DRAM RAS# to RAS# Delay [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1 DRAM Clock] [7 DRAM Clock] DRAM REF Cycle Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [30 DRAM Clock] [36 DRAM Clock] [48 DRAM Clock] [60 DRAM Clock] [72 DRAM Clock] [82 DRAM Clock] [88 DRAM Clock] [90 DRAM Clock] [100 DRAM Clock] [110 DRAM Clock] DRAM WRITE Recovery Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1 DRAM Clock] [15 DRAM Clock] DRAM READ to PRE Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [3 DRAM Clock] [15 DRAM Clock]

DRAM FOUR ACT WIN Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1 DRAM Clock] [63 DRAM Clock] DRAM Back-To-Back CAS# Delay [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [4 DRAM Clock] [32 DRAM Clock]
2nd Information: 1N-66-0-0 (These values are auto-detected)
DRAM Timing Mode [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1N] [2N] [3N]
DRAM Round Trip Latency on CHA/B/C [Auto] [Auto] [Advance 15 Clock][Advance 1 Clock] [Normal] [Delay 1 Clock] [Delay 15 Clock]
3rd Information: 6-6-13-9-9-9-7-6-4-7-7-4 (These values are auto-detected)
DRAM WRITE to READ Delay(DD) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1 DRAM Clock] [8 DRAM Clock] DRAM WRITE to READ Delay(DR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1 DRAM Clock] [8 DRAM Clock] DRAM WRITE to READ Delay(SR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [10 DRAM Clock] [22 DRAM Clock] DRAM READ to WRITE Delay(DD) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 DRAM Clock] [14 DRAM Clock] DRAM READ to WRITE Delay(DR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 DRAM Clock] [14 DRAM Clock] DRAM READ to WRITE Delay(SR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 DRAM Clock] [14 DRAM Clock] DRAM READ to READ Delay(DD) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 DRAM Clock] [9 DRAM Clock] DRAM READ to READ Delay(DR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 DRAM Clock] [9 DRAM Clock] DRAM READ to READ Delay(SR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [4 DRAM Clock] [6 DRAM Clock] DRAM WRITE to WRITE Delay(DD) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 DRAM Clock] [9 DRAM Clock] DRAM WRITE to WRITE Delay(DR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [2 DRAM Clock] [9 DRAM Clock] DRAM WRITE to WRITE Delay(SR) [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [4 DRAM Clock] [6 DRAM Clock]
EPU II Phase Control [Full Phase]
Configuration options: [Auto] [Normal] [Full Phase]

3.3.10

CPU Load-Line Calibration [Auto]
Allows you to select the CPU Load-Line mode. Set to [Disabled] to follow Intel specifications, or to [Enabled] to improve CPU VDroop directly. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled]

3.3.11

QPI Load-Line Calibration [Disabled]

When set to [Disabled], the CPU runs at its default speed. When set to [Enabled], the CPU speed is controlled by the operating system. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
*Intel(R) TurboMode tech [Enabled] Intel(R) C-STATE Tech [Disabled]
Turbo mode allows processor cores to run faster than marked frequency in specific condition. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Allows you enable or disable the Intel C-STATE Technology. When enabled, the CPU idle is set to C2/C3/C4. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
The following item appears only when you set Intel(R) C-STATE Tech to [Enabled].
C State package limit setting [Auto]
Allows you to select the C State package limit setting. Configuration options: [Auto] [C1] [C3] [C6] [C7]

Chipset

The Chipset menu allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu.
BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced Advanced Chipset Settings WARMING: Setting wrong values in below sections may cause system to malfunction. Intel VT-d Configuration

Intel VT-d Configuration

BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced Intel VT-d Configuration Intel VT-d [Disabled] Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O.
Intel VT-d [Disabled] Allows you to enable or disable the Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Onboard Device Configuration
BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced Get your best overclocking record! Onboard Device is to disable all the unnecessary devices when you want to reach you best overclocking record. But it will keep 1 lan port alive to submit your score.
Onboard Device Configuration Onboard Device High Definition Audio Front Panel Type J-Micron eSATA/PATA Controller Controller Mode Realtek LAN LAN Boot ROM Onboard 1394 Controller [Standard] [Enabled] [HD Audio] [Enabled] [IDE] [Enabled] [Disabled] [Enabled]
Onboard Device [Standard]
Allows you to disable all the onboard device controllers except the LAN controller. Configuration options: [Standard] [Disabled]
High Definition Audio [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the High Definition Audio Controller. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Front Panel Type [HD Audio] Allows you to set the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC97 or high-definition audio depending on the audio standard that the front panel audio module supports. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio]
J-Micron eSATA/PATA Controller [Enabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the onboard JMicron eSATA/PATA controller. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled]
Controller Mode [IDE] This item appears only when you enable the previous item. Configuration options: [IDE] [AHCI]

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 RTC Alarm Date (Days) / System Time will become user-configurable with set values. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power On By PCI Devices [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the PME to wake up from S5 by PCI devices. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power On By PCIE Devices [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the PCIE devices to generate a wake event. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled]
Power On By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]
Allows you to enable or disable the Power On by PS/2 keyboard function. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead. Configuration options: [Disabled] [ Enabled ]

Hardware Monitor

BIOS SETUP UTILITY Power Voltage Monitor
Hardware Monitor Voltage Monitor Temperature Monitor Fan Speed Monitor Fan Speed Control

Voltage Monitor

CPU Voltage; CPU PLL Voltage; QPI/DRAM Core Voltage; IOH Voltage; IOH PCIE Voltage; ICH Voltage; ICH PCIE Voltage; DRAM Bus Voltage; 3.3V Voltage; 5V Voltage; 12V Voltage The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. CPU Temperature; MB Temperature; NB Temperature; SB Temperature; OPT FAN1/2 Temperature [xxxC/xxxF] The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU, northbridge, southbridge, motherboard, power, and the assigned devices temperatures. Select [Ignored] if you do not wish to display the detected temperatures. NB overheat protection; SB overheat protection [90C] The system automatically shuts down when the northbridge or southbridge chipset is heated over the set temperature to protect it from damage. Configuration optitons: [Disabled] [70C] [80C] [90C] [100C] OPT FAN1/2 overheat protection [90C] 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 options: [Disabled] [70C] [80C] [90C] [100C]

Motherboard Info

Displays the general specifications of the motherboard.

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.

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.

ASUS MyLogo3

The ASUS MyLogo3 utility lets you customize the boot logo. The boot logo is the image that appears on screen during the PowerOn Self-Tests (POST). The ASUS MyLogo3 is automatically installed when you install the ASUS Update utility from the support DVD. See section 4.2.3 Utilities menu for details.
Before using the ASUS MyLogo3, use the ASUS Update utility to make a copy of your original BIOS file, or obtain the latest BIOS version from the ASUS website. See section 3.1.1 ASUS Update utility. Ensure that the BIOS item Full Screen Logo is set to [Enabled] if you wish to use ASUS MyLogo3. See section 3.7.2 Boot Settings Configuration. You can create your own boot logo image in GIF file formats.
To launch the ASUS MyLogo3 : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Launch the ASUS Update utility. Refer to section 3.1.1 ASUS Update utility for details. Check the option Launch MyLogo to replace system boot logo before flashing BIOS, then click Next. When prompted, locate the new BIOS file, then click Next. The ASUS MyLogo window appears. Select Options from the drop down menu, then click Next.
Select Update BIOS from a file from the drop down menu, then click Next.
From the left window pane, select the folder that contains the image you intend to use as your boot logo.
When the logo images appear on the right window pane, select an image to enlarge by clicking on it.
Adjust the boot image to your desired size by selecting a value on the Ratio box.
10. After flashing the BIOS, restart the computer to display the new boot logo during POST.

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.

ASUS Fan Xpert

Asus Fan Xpert intelligently allows you to adjust both the CPU and chassis fan speeds according to different ambient temperatures caused by different climate conditions in different geographic regions and your PCs system loading. The built-in variety of useful profiles offer flexible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment. Install AI Suite from the bundled support DVD. To launch the ASUS Fan Xpert utility, double-click the AI Suite icon on the Windows notification bar and click the Fan Xpert button on the AI Suite main window. Click the dropdown list button and display the fan types. Select CPU Fan or Chassis Fan.
Click to open the Calibration wiondow

Dropdown list button

Click to display the dropdown list and select a fan profile mode
Click to display the current CPU temperature and the fan speed ratio

Click to save the setup

Click to cancel the Fan Xpert utility

Fan profile modes

Disable: Select this mode to disable the Fan Xpert function. Standard: This mode makes the fan adjust speed in moderate pattern. Silent: This mode minimizes fan speed for quiet fan operation. Turbo: his mode boosts the fan to achieve maximal fan speed for the best T cooling effect. Intelligent: his mode automatically adjusts the CPU fan speed with the T ambient temperature.
Stable: his mode keeps the CPU fan at the same speed to avoid noise T caused by the unsteady fan rotation. However, the fan will speed up when the temperature exceeds 70C. User: his mode allows you to change the CPU fan profile under certain T limitation.
For Chassis Fan, only Disable/Standard/Silent/Turbo modes could be selected.
Click to close the Calibration window
Click to get the calibration between the fan rotation and fan speed ratio
The CPU Level Up allows you to overclock immediately with OC profile presets in WIndows environment without the hassle of entering BIOS. After installing AI Suite from the bundled Support DVD, launch the utility by doubleclicking the AI Suite icon on the Windows OS taskbar and click the CPU Level Up button on the AI Suite main window.

Turn Off hard disks: Turns off hard disk drives when they are not accessed after a certain time. CPU Loadline: Sets up the CPU loadline to manage CPU power saving. Light: Saves CPU power to the minimum level. Heavy: Saves CPU power to the highest level. Medium: Saves CPU power to the medium level.
Chipset Voltage Downgrade: Turns on/off chipset voltage.
Fan Control: Adjusts fan speeds to reduce noise and save system power. Quiet: Lowers CPU fan speed and shuts off two chassis fans. Slow: Lowers CPU fan and two chassis fan speeds.
AI Nap Idle Time: Enters AI Nap mode after a certain time during system idle process.
Refer to the following table for the configuration options in each mode.
Configuration options CPU Frequency vCore Voltage Downgrade Chipset Voltage Downgrade Turn Off hard disks CPU Loadline Fan Control AI Nap Idle Time Turbo Mode High Performance Mode N/A N/A N/A Medium Power Saving Mode Downclocking -1% to -50% Small/Medium/ High On/Off Maximum Power Saving Mode Downclocking -1% to -50% Small/Medium/ High On/Off
Overclocking +1% to +30% N/A N/A
Never/After 3 minsAfter 5 hours N/A N/A Never/After 3 minsAfter 5 hours
Never/After 3 minsAfter 5 hours Light/Medium/ Heavy Keep Bios Setting/Slow Never/After 3 minsAfter 5 hours
Never/After 3 minsAfter 5 hours Light/Medium/ Heavy Keep Bios Setting/Quiet Never/After 3 minsAfter 5 hours
The TweakIt function is disabled when 6-Engine is set to Auto Mode. To enable TweakIt function, set 6-Engine to other mode option. Or, you may click the TweakIt icon on the Windows notification area and click Unlock to enable the TweakIt function. Ensure that youve installed TweakIt driver from the bundled Support DVD.
ASUS TurboV allows you to overclock the CPU frequency, CPU voltage, QPI/ Memory controller voltage, and DRAM voltage in WIndows environment and takes effect in real-time without exiting and rebooting the OS.
Refer to the CPU documentation before adjusting CPU voltage settings. Setting a high voltage may damage the CPU permanently, and setting a low voltage may make the system unstable. For system stability, all changes made in ASUS TurboV will not be saved to BIOS settings and will not be kept on the next system boot. Use the Save Profile function to save your customized overclocking settings and manually load the profile after Windows starts. For system stability, set ASUS EPU 6-Engine to High Performance Mode while using ASUS TurboV.

25 February 2009
By: Traian Teglet, Technology News Editor
ASUS Officially Unleashes the Rampage II Gene Motherboard
Core i7 support within a smaller form factor
After it has been leaked on the Internet two weeks ago, it appears that the mATX RoG GENE motherboard has just been officially launched by ASUS. As expected, the board has been designed to provide computer and gaming enthusiasts with a high-end motherboard that can provide the necessary support for Intel's highest-performance computer processor to date, the LGA 1366 Core i7. The board also expands ASUS Rampage motherboard series, consequently providing the company's fans with yet another high-end board that will be put through some overclocking practices. &nbsp; According to ASUS, its new Rampage II GENE motherboard has been designed to be "GENEtically superior." This translates into a board that can deliver the necessary support for all the latest high-end hardware components on the market. With the new board, users will be able to take advantage of the latest Core i7 processors and triple channel DDR3 memory for a maximum of performance in a smaller form factor compared to typical ATX boards. &nbsp; Additionally, ASUS has featured the new board with an onboard SupremeFX X-FI technology, which will provide desktop PC users with a high-quality sound system, without them being required to purchase a separate high-end sound card. The integrated solution will likely benefit gamers and multimedia enthusiasts as it will provide them with an enhanced audio quality. The MemOK! functionality is another plus of the new Rampage board, allowing users to fix any potential memory problems with a simple push of a button. &nbsp; Other features that have been enabled on the new board include support for both NVIDIA SLI and ATI CrossFireX multi-GPU technologies, up to 24GB of DDR(O.C.) memory, 7 SATA 3.0GB/s ports, with one eSATA 3.0GB/s and one UltraDMA 133. The board also provides 12 USB 2.0 ports, two 1394a ports and 5 fan connectors, all within an mATX form factor.
Rampage II Gene motherboard officially launched ASUS
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