Asus A88XM-A User Manual Page 1

MotherboardA88XM-A

1-2Chapter 1: Product introductionA88XM-APlace this side towards the rear of the chassis1.2 Motherboard overviewBefore you install the motherboard, s

ASUS A88XM-A1-31.2.3 Motherboard layoutA88XM-APCIEX16PCIEX1_1PCI1AAFPEATXPWRCPU_FANBATTERYSuperI/OALC887KBMSDVI_VGA64MbBIOSSB_PWRCLRTC20.8cm(8.2in)AM

1-4Chapter 1: Product introduction1.2.4 Layout contentsA88XM-AA88XM-A CPU socket FM2+1.3 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU)This motherboard comes wit

ASUS A88XM-A1-51.3.1 APU installation1432

1-6Chapter 1: Product introduction1253 41.3.2 APU heatsink and fan assembly installationApply the Thermal Interface Material to the APU heatsink and

ASUS A88XM-A1-7To uninstall the APU heatsink and fan assembly53142

1-8Chapter 1: Product introduction1.4.2 Memory congurationsYou may install 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB unbuffered non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM socket

ASUS A88XM-A1-9• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing info

1-10Chapter 1: Product introduction1.5 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the

ASUS A88XM-A1-111.5.3 PCI slotThe PCI slot supports cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specications

iiE8512First EditionJuly 2013Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software de

1-12Chapter 1: Product introduction1.6 Jumpers1. Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. Y

ASUS A88XM-A1-132. Keyboard wake-up (3-pin KB_USBPWB)This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up feature. When you set this jump

1-14Chapter 1: Product introduction1.7 Connectors1.7.1 Rear panel connectors4 5368 711129101. PS/2 mouse port. This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Vi

ASUS A88XM-A1-157. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB 2.0/1.1 devices.8. USB 3.0 ports 1 and 2. The

1-16Chapter 1: Product introduction1.7.2 Internal connectors1. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, and 4-pin CHA_FAN)Connect the fan cabl

ASUS A88XM-A1-172. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs from the power supply a

1-18Chapter 1: Product introduction3. Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G 1~6)These connectors are for the Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables

ASUS A88XM-A1-194. System panel connector (10-1 pin PANEL)This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• System power LED (2-pin PLED)T

1-20Chapter 1: Product introduction6. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (

ASUS A88XM-A1-218. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB34, USB56)These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these con

iiiContentsSafety information ... ivAbout this guide ...

1-22Chapter 1: Product introductionA88XM-AA88XM-A Serial port connectorsPIN 1COMDCDDXTDNGSTRIRDXRRTDRSDSTC10. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM)Thi

ASUS A88XM-A1-231.8 Software support1.8.1 Installing an operating systemThis motherboard supports Windows® XP / Windows® Vista / 64-bit Windows® Vis

1-24Chapter 1: Product introduction

ASUS A88XM-A 2-1BIOS information22.1 Managing and updating your BIOSSave a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a USB ash disk in case you n

2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS-based utility.Befor

ASUS A88XM-A 2-32.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when it

2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS informationBooting the system to a DOS environment1. Insert the USB ash drive with the latest BIOS le and BIOS Updater to the U

ASUS A88XM-A 2-53. Press <Tab> to switch between screen elds and use the <Up/Down/Home/End> keys to select the BIOS le and press <En

2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS informationUsing the power button, reset button, or the <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> keys to force reset from a running op

ASUS A88XM-A 2-7• The boot device options vary depending on the devices you installed to the system.• The Boot Menu(F8) button is available only whe

ivSafety informationElectrical safetyTo prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the s

2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS informationMenu barThe menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:My Favorites For saving the frequently-used syst

ASUS A88XM-A 2-9Pop-up windowSelect a menu item and press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the conguration options for that item.Scroll

2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.4 Main menuThe Main menu screen appears when you enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS Setup program. The Main menu p

ASUS A88XM-A 2-11• If you have forgotten your BIOS password, erase the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM to clear the BIOS password. See section 1.6 Jum

2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.5 Ai Tweaker menuThe Ai Tweaker menu items allow you to congure overclocking-related items.Be cautious when changi

ASUS A88XM-A 2-13Target CPU Speed : xxxxMHzDisplays the current CPU speed.Target DRAM Speed : xxxxMHzDisplays the current DRAM speed.2.5.1 Ai Overclo

2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.5.6 DRAM Timing ControlThe sub-items in this menu allow you to set the DRAM timing control features. Use the <+&

ASUS A88XM-A 2-152.5.10 DIGI+ VRMCPU Load Line Calibration [Auto]Load-line Calibration is dened by AMD VRM specications and affects CPU voltage. Th

2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS informationCPU Power Duty Control [T.Probe][T.Probe] Maintains the VRM thermal balance.[Extreme] Maintains the VRM current bala

ASUS A88XM-A 2-17CPB Mode [Auto]Disables the CPB (Core Performance Boost) mode or set it to [Auto] for automatic conguration. Conguration options: [

vWhere to nd more informationRefer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.1. ASUS websitesThe ASUS

2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS informationS.M.A.R.T. Status Check [Enabled]S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a monitor system.

ASUS A88XM-A 2-192.6.4 NB CongurationIGFX Multi-Monitor [Disabled]Enables or disables the Internal Graphics Device Multi-Monitor support for add-on

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS informationRealtek PXE OPROM [Disabled]This item appears only when you set the Realtek LAN Controller item to [Enabled] and allow

ASUS A88XM-A 2-21RTC Alarm Date (Days)This item appears only when you set the previous item to [Enabled] and allows you to select RTC alarm time (days

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.7.1 CPU Temperature / MB Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays t

ASUS A88XM-A 2-23Q-Fan Lower Temperature [20]Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the lower limit of the CPU temperature. The values range f

2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.7.5 CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V VoltageThe onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltag

ASUS A88XM-A 2-252.8.2 Boot Logo Display [Enabled][Enabled] Display the boot logo during POST.[Disabled] Hide the logo during POST.Set this item to

2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS informationPOST Delay Time [3 sec]This item appears only when you set Full Screen Logo to [Enabled]. This item allows you to sele

ASUS A88XM-A 2-27The following four items appear when you set Launch CSM to [Enabled].Boot Device Control [UEFI and Legacy OpROM]Allows you to select

vi(continued on the next page)Package contentsCheck your motherboard package for the following items.Motherboard ASUS A88XM-A motherboardCables 2 x Se

2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS informationSave Secure Boot keysThis item appears only when you load the default Secure Boot keys. This item allows you to save a

ASUS A88XM-A 2-29The DB le must be formatted as a UEFI variable structure with time-based authenticated variable.DBX ManagementThe dbx (Revoked Signa

2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.9 Tools menuThe Tools menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an item then press <

ASUS A88XM-A 2-312.10 Exit menuThe Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal default values for the BIOS items, and save or discard your changes

2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS information

ASUS A88XM-AA-1AppendicesNoticesFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to

A-2AppendicesREACHComplying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published

ASUS A88XM-AA-3ASUS contact informationASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.Address 15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259Telephone +886-2-2894-3447Fax

A-4Appendices

vii(continued on the next page)Storage AMD® A88X FCH:- 6 x Serial ATA 6 Gb/s connectors with RAID 0, RAID 1,RAID 5,RAID 10 and JBOD supportLANRealtek

viiiA88XM-A specications summarySpecications are subject to change without notice.Back panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard port1 x PS/2 mouse port1 x

ASUS A88XM-A1-1Product introduction11.1 Before you proceedTake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change