Asus Crosshair III Formula User Manual

MotherboardCrosshair III Formula

xOperation safety• Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on it, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package.• Before us

3-26 Chapter 3: BIOS setupDRAM SCRUB REDIRECT [Disabled][Enabled] Allows the system to correct the DRAM ECC errors immediately when

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-27BIOS SETUP UTILITY AdvancedRD790 Conguration PCI Express CongurationPCI Ex

3-28 Chapter 3: BIOS setup Onboard Lan [Standard]Allows you to enable or disable the LAN controller. 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-29The USB Devices Enabled item shows the auto-detected values. If no USB device is detected, the item shows None.USB Suppo

3-30 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.5.5 PCI PnPThe PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP devices. Take caution when changi

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-313.5.6 LCD Poster and LED ControlLCD Poster Backlight [Turn Off]Allows you to turn on/off the LCD Poster backlight when

3-32 Chapter 3: BIOS setupCPU LED Selection [CPU]Allows you to switch the onboard CPU LED display between CPU voltage [CPU], CPU/NB voltage [CPU/NB] a

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-333.6 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an

3-34 Chapter 3: BIOS setup Restore On AC Power Loss [Power Off][Power Off] The system goes into off state after an AC power l

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-35Power On By PME [Disabled]Allows you to enable or disable the PCI/PCIE onboard LAN devices to generate a wake event. [Di

xiRefer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.1. ASUS websitesThe ASU

3-36 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.6.6 Hardware MonitorVoltage Monitor 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-37CPU Q-Fan Control [Disabled]Allows you to enable or disable the CPU fan controller.[Disabled] Disables the CPU Q-fan c

3-38 Chapter 3: BIOS setupChassis Q-Fan Mode [Silent]Allows you to set the appropriate performance level of the ASUS Q-Fan.    

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-393.7 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> t

3-40 Chapter 3: BIOS setup Quick Boot [Enabled]Allows you to enable or disable the Quick Boot function.[Disabled] Wh

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-41Change Supervisor PasswordSelect this item to set or change the supervisor password. The Supervisor Password item on top

3-42 Chapter 3: BIOS setupUser Access Level [Full Access]This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items. 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-433.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2message appears. Use the

3-44 Chapter 3: BIOS setup This item allows you to store or load multiple BIOS settings. 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-45 

xii DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to complete a task. CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the

3-46 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.8.4 AI NET 2Check Realtek LAN cable [Disabled]Enables or disables checking of the LAN cable during the Power-On Self-Test

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-473.9 Exit menuThe Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values for the BIOS items, and save

3-48 Chapter 3: BIOS setup

4Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package and the software.

ROG Crosshair III FormulaChapter summary44.1 Installing an operating system ... 4-14.2 Support DVD i

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-1If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support 

4-2 Chapter 4: Software support4.2.2 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-34.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports.ASUS Upda

4-4 Chapter 4: Software supportASUS AI Direct Linkcompared to tradition

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-54.2.4 Make disk menuThe Make disk menu contains items to create the ATI RAID driver disk. ATI RAID/AHCI 32/64 bit WinXP

xiiiCrosshair III Formula specications summaryCPU AMD socket AM3 Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 Series processors Supports 45nm CPU AMD®

4-6 Chapter 4: Software support4.2.7 ASUS Contact informationthis inf

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-74.2.8 Other informationThe icons on the top right corner of the screen give additional information on the motherboard an

4-8 Chapter 4: Software supportFilelistDisplays the contents of the support DVD and a brief description of each in text format.Technical support form

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-94.3 Software information

4-10 Chapter 4: Software support load the new boot logo. 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-114.3.2 Sound Blaster X-Fi audio utilityWith the SupremeFX X-Fi technology supported, you will be able to enjoy excellent

4-12 Chapter 4: Software supportMain PanelThe Main Panel displays all the features and functions the SupremeFX X-Fi 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-13EAX Effects Panel This panel contains environment effects that you can select to obtain a sense of realism during intera

4-14 Chapter 4: Software supportSmart Volume Management Panel Click to switch o

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-154.3.3 ASUS PC Probe IIand alerts yo

xivUSB max. 12 USB 2.0 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at back panel)back panel)ROG Exclusive Overclocking FeaturesMemOK! Extreme Tweaker Powe

4-16 Chapter 4: Software supportButton FunctionOpens the Report windowOpens the Desktop Management Interface windowOpens

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-17Changing the monitor panels positionTo change the position of the monitor panels in the desktop, click the arrow down bu

4-18 Chapter 4: Software supportMonitoring sensor alertThe monitor panel turns red when a component value exceeds or is lower than the threshold value

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-19PCI browserClick to display the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) browser. This browser provides information on

4-20 Chapter 4: Software supportMemory usageThe Memory tab shows both used and available physical memory. The pie chart at the bottom of the window re

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-214.3.4 ASUS AI SuiteASUS AI Suite allows you to launch EPU, TurboV, CPU Level Up, and Q-Fan 2Q-Fan 2 utilities easily.

4-22 Chapter 4: Software supportOther feature buttonsClick on right corner of the main window to open the monitor window. Click on right corner of

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-234.3.5 ASUS Q-Fan 2This ASUS Q-Fan 2 Control feature allows you to set the appropriate performance 

4-24 Chapter 4: Software support4.3.6 CPU Level UpWIndows® environment

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-254.3.7 ASUS TurboVASUS TurboV allows you to overclock the CPU frequency, CPU voltage, QPI/Memory controller voltage, and

xvInternal I/O Connectors 3 x USB 2.0 connectors supports additional 6 USB 2.0 ports 1 x IDE connector for two devices 5 x SATA connectors (Blue) 8

4-26 Chapter 4: Software supportAdvanced settings menuClick More Settingoptions for CPU/

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-274.4 RAID congurationsSerial ATA hard disk

4-28 Chapter 4: Software support4.4.4 AMD® Option ROM Utility®To enter the AMD® Option ROM utility® 1. Boot up your computer.2. During POST, press

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-29The RAID BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference only and may not exactly match the items on your scr

4-30 Chapter 4: Software support To continue, press <Ctrl> + <Y> to erase MBR and all data on the selected drives. To cancel, press any o

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-31Take caution when deleting a RAID volume. You will lose all data on the hard disk drives whe

4-32 Chapter 4: Software support4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk® operating sys

ROG Crosshair III Formula 4-333. When prompted to select the SCSI adapter to install, ensure that you select SB 750.4. Follow the succeeding screen

4-34 Chapter 4: Software support5. Browse the contents of the txtsetup.oem. appe

5 ATI® CrossFireX™ technology supportThis chapter describes how to install and ® CrossFireX™ graphics cards.

xvi

ROG Crosshair III FormulaChapter summary55.1 ATI® CrossFireX™ technology ... 5-1

ROG Crosshair III Formula 5-15.1 ATI® CrossFireX™ technologyThe motherboard supports the ATI® CrossFireX™ technology that allows you to install multi

5-2 Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support5. Connect two independent auxiliary power sources from the power supply to the two graphics cards sep

ROG Crosshair III Formula 5-35.1.4 Installing the device driversRefer to the documentation that came with your graphics card package to install the d

5-4 Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology supportEnabling CrossFireX settings1. In the Catalyst Control Center window, click Graphics Settings > 

AAppendix: Debug code tableThe Appendix lists the debug code table for the LCD Poster.

ROG Crosshair III FormulaChapter summaryADebug code table ...A-1

ROG Crosshair III Formula A-1Code DescriptionCPU INITCPU InitiationDET CPUTest CMOS R/W functionality.CHIPINIT -Disable s

A-2 Appendix: Debug code tableCode Description8254TESTTest 82548259MSK1Test 8259 interrupt mask bits for channel 1.8259MSK2Test 8259 interrupt mask bi

ROG Crosshair III Formula A-3Code DescriptionPASSWORD 1. Call chipset power management hook. 2. Recover the text fond

1Chapter 1: Product introductionThis chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports.

A-4 Appendix: Debug code table

ROG Crosshair III FormulaChapter summary11.1 Welcome! ... 1-11.2

ROG Crosshair III Formula 1-11.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying an ROG Crosshair III Formula motherboard!The motherboard delivers a host of new feature

iiE4839Second Edition June 2009Copyright © 2009 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software

1-2 Chapter 1: Product Introduction1.3 Special features1.3.1 Product highlightsRepublic of Gamers The Republic of Gamers consists only the best of

ROG Crosshair III Formula 1-3DDR3 1600 (O.C.) supportThis motherboard supports DDR3 1600(O.C.) that provides faster data transfer 

1-4 Chapter 1: Product IntroductionMemOK! Any memory is A-OK! Memory compatibility is among the top concerns when it comes to computer upgrades. Worr

ROG Crosshair III Formula 1-51.3.3 ROG unique featuresSupremeFX X-Fi features Listen with absolute HD  

1-6 Chapter 1: Product IntroductionKaspersky® Anti-VirusThe best protection from viruses and spyware Kaspersky® Anti-Virus Personal offers premium ant

ROG Crosshair III Formula 1-7TurboV

1-8 Chapter 1: Product Introduction

2Chapter 2: Hardware informationThis chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It inclu

ROG Crosshair III FormulaChapter summary22.1 Before you proceed ... 2-12.2 Motherb

2.1 Before you proceedTake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.• Unplug t

iiiContentsNotices ... viiiSafety information ...

Onboard LEDsThe motherboard comes with LEDs that indicate the voltage conditions of CPU, memory, northbridge, and southbridge. You may adju

2. Northbridge/Southbridge LEDs The northbridge and southbridge LEDs each have two different voltage displays. The northbridge LED displays either t

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 d

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

2.2 Motherboard overview2.2.1 Motherboard layout2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information

2.2.3 Layout contentsConnectors/Jumpers/Switches/Slots Page   

Place this side towards the rear of the chassis2.2.4 Placement directionWhen installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassi

2.3.1 Installing the CPUTo install a CPU:1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU)The motherboard comes with an

3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle.4. Carefully in

2.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe AMD socket AM3 Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 Series processors requires a specially designed heatsi

ivContents2.5.5 PCI Express x1 slots ... 2-232.5.6 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slots ...

2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention bracket to the retention module base

5. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.• DO NOT forget

2.4 System memory2.4.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.A DDR3 module has

One DIMM:You may install one memory module in any slot as a single-channel operation.Two DIMMs (dual-channel operation

 You may install 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB and 4 GB unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. 

Crosshair III Formula Motherboard  3-1600MHz capability-1600MHz capabilityVendor Part No. Size SS/D

Crosshair III Formula Motherboard  3-1333MHz capability-1333MHz capabilityCrucial CT12864BA1339.8SF

Patriot PDC32G1333LLK 1024MB SS PATRIOT Heat-Sink Package 7(1337-7-7-7-20) 1.7 • •Patriot PVT33G1333ELK 3072MB (Kit of 3)SS N/A Heat-Sink Package 9-9-

2.5.4 Removing a DIMMTo remove a DIMM1. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to unlock the DIMM.

2.5 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that

vContents3.3.5 CPU Ratio [Auto] ... 3-10  ...

2.5.3 Interrupt assignmentsStandard interrupt assignments* These IRQs are usually available for PCI devices.IRQ Priority Standard function0 1 System

2.5.4 PCI slotThe PCI slot supports cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other 

 Express x16 graphics card to get better performance.• In CrossFireX™ mode, use

2.6 JumperClear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC_SW)This jumper allows you to enable the clr CMOS switch on the back I/O. You can clear the CMOS memory and syste

2.7 I/O shield, LCD Poster and Audio card Installation1. Install the I/O shield to the chassis by snapping it in place from inside.2.7.1 I/O shie

2.7.2 Audio card Installation1. Take out the Audio card from the package.2. Locate the audio slot on the motherboard.3. Align the card connector w

2.8 Connectors2.8.1 Rear panel connectorsRear panel connectors1. PS/2 keyboard port (purple) 6. IEEE 1394a port2. LAN (RJ-45) port* 7. External

* LAN port LED indicationsActivity/LinkSpeed LEDDescriptionOFF OFF Soft-off ModeYellow Blinking OFF During Power ON/OFFYellow Blinking ORANGE 100 Mbps

2.7.2 Internal connectors1. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)The onboard IDE connector is for the Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There are three

2. AMD® SB750 Southbridge Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1–5)These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk and opt

viContents  ... 3-28  ...

3. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB78; USB910; USB1112)These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, t

4. IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2)This connector is for an IEEE 1394a port. Connect the IEEE 1394a module cable to this connector, then

6. GP connector (8-pin GP) This connector is for ASUS OC Station connection only. Connect one endConnect one end of the supplied data cable to the G

7. CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 4-pin PWR_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN1–3, 4-pin OPT_FAN1–3)The fan connectors support cooling fan

8. Thermal sensor cable connectors (2-pin OPT_TEMP1/2/3)These connectors are for temperature monitoring. Connect the thermal sensor cables to these c

9. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)These connectors are for ATX power supply plugs. The power supply plugs 

• 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 pow

11. Audio connectors Optical drive audio connector: This connector allows you to receive stereoThis connector allows you to receive stereoallows you

12. ASUS Q-Connector (system panel)Use the ASUS Q-Connector to connect/disconnect the chassis front panel cables.To install the ASUS Q-Connector:1.

2.8.3 Onboard switchesor open-case system. This is ideal for overclockers a

viiContents4.3.1 ASUS MyLogo3™ ... 4-94.3.2 Sound Blaster X-Fi audio utility ...

3. MemOK! switch Press the MemOK! switch to load failsafe settings for memory compatibility and improving system boot success.2-42 Chapter 2: Hardwa

2.9 Starting up for the rst time1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover. 2. Be sure that all switches are off.3. Conne

2.10 Turning off the computer2.10.1 Using the OS shut down functionIf you are using Windows® Vista™:1. Click the Start button then select Shut Dow

3BIOS setupThis chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also pr

Chapter summary3ROG Crosshair III Formula3.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 3-13.2 BIOS setup program

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-13.1 Managing and updating your BIOSThe following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Ou

3-2 Chapter 3: BIOS setupQuit all Windows® applications before you update the BIOS using this utility.3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-31. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Win

3-4 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utilityThe ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to use a DOS-based uti

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-53.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you to 

viiiNoticesFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two co

3-6 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.2 BIOS setup programusing the provided utilit

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-73.2.2 Menu barThe menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:Extreme Tweaker For changing the overclock

3-8 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.2.4 Menu itemsexample, selecting Main s

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-93.3 Extreme Tweaker menuitems.Take caution whe

3-10 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.3.1 CPU Level Up [Auto]Allows you to select a CPU level, and the related parameters will be automatically adjusted accord

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-113.3.9 CPU/NB Frequency [Auto]Sets the ratio between northbridge (in CPU) and the FSB frequency. 

3-12 Chapter 3: BIOS setupMemory Hole Remapping [Enabled] (M3A)[Enabled] Enables memory remapping around memory hole.[Disabled] Disables this functi

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-13DRAM Command Rate [Auto]Allows you to adjust the DRAM performance. DRAM 1st Inform

3-14 Chapter 3: BIOS setupDRAM 2nd Information: 5-2-4-3-3-90-0The values vary depending on your settings of the following sub-items:TRWTTO [Auto]

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-153.3.13 Extreme OV [Disabled][Enabled] Enables the Extreme OV function.[Disabled] Disables this function.3.3.14 CPU L

ixSafety informationElectrical safety electrical outlet before relocating th

3-16 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.3.20 NB Voltage [Auto]Allows you to set the NB voltage. The values range from 1.11300V to 2.00075V 

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-173.3.24 DRAM REF Voltagesv02.61 (C)Copyright 1985-2009, American Megatrends, Inc.BIOS SETUP UTILITYExtreme Tweaker Min =

3-18 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.4 Main menuWhen you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic syste

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-193.4.4 Primary IDE Master/Slave; SATA 1–5; ESATAWhile entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Ser

3-20 Chapter 3: BIOS setupBlock (Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto]Enables or disables data multi-sectors transfers. [Auto] When set to [Auto], the data

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-21OnChip SATA Channel [Enabled]OnChip SATA Type [IDE]

3-22 Chapter 3: BIOS setup3.4.6 System Informationautomatically detects

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-233.5 Advanced menuThe Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. 

3-24 Chapter 3: BIOS setupGART Error Reporting [Disabled][Enabled] This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The driver developer

ROG Crosshair III Formula 3-253.5.2 ChipsetThe Chipset menu allows you to change the advanced chipset settings. Select an item then press <Enter&g