Asus A78M-A User Manual Page 1

MotherboardA78M-A

1-2Chapter 1: Product introductionA78M-APlace this side towards the rear of the chassis1.2 Motherboard overviewBefore you install the motherboard, st

ASUS A78M-A1-31.2.3 Motherboard layoutA78M-APCIEX16PCIEX1_1PCI1F_PANELSPEAKERUSBPWFCOMCLRTCKB_USBWBUSB56 USB34AAFPSPDIF_OUTATX12VEATXPWRCPU_FANCHA_FA

1-4Chapter 1: Product introduction1.2.4 Layout contentsA78M-AA78M-A CPU socket FM2+1.3 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU)This motherboard comes with

ASUS A78M-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 A78M-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 A78M-A1-9• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing infor

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

ASUS A78M-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.

iiE8865First EditionDecember 2013Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and softwar

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 A78M-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 jumpe

1-14Chapter 1: Product introduction1.7 Connectors1.7.1 Rear panel connectors35 6479 81112101. PS/2 mouse port. This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. HD

ASUS A78M-A1-158. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB 2.0/1.1 devices.9. USB 3.0 ports 1 and 2. Thes

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 A78M-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 ar

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 A78M-A1-194. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL)This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• System power LED (2-pin PWR_L

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

ASUS A78M-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 conn

iiiContentsSafety information ... ivAbout this guide ...

1-22Chapter 1: Product introductionA78M-AA78M-A Serial port connectorsPIN 1COMDCDTXDGNDRTSRIRXDDTRDSRCTS10. Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM)This

ASUS A78M-A1-231.8.2 Support DVD informationThe Support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and

1-24Chapter 1: Product introduction

ASUS A78M-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 ne

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 A78M-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 A78M-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 <Ent

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 A78M-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 when

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 A78M-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 b

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 A78M-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 Jump

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 A78M-A 2-13Target CPU Speed : xxxxMHzDisplays the current CPU speed.Target DRAM Speed : xxxxMHzDisplays the current DRAM speed.2.5.1 Ai Overcloc

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 A78M-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. The

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 A78M-A 2-17CPB Mode [Auto]Disables the CPB (Core Performance Boost) mode or set it to [Auto] for automatic conguration. Conguration options: [D

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 informationOnChip SATA MAX Speed [SATA 6.0Gb/s]For better HDD compatibility, set the SATA Speed to [SATA 3.0Gb/s] to support SATA

ASUS A78M-A 2-19The USB Devices item shows the auto-detected values. If no USB device is detected, the item shows None.USB Device Enable [Enabled]Allo

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS informationRealtek LAN Controller [Enabled][Enabled] Enables the Realtek LAN controller.[Disabled] Disables the controller.Real

ASUS A78M-A 2-21Power On By RTC [Disabled][Disabled] Disables RTC to generate a wake event.[Enabled] When set to [Enabled], the items RTC Alarm Date

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.7 Monitor menuThe Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you to change the fan setti

ASUS A78M-A 2-232.7.1 CPU Temperature / MB Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF]The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU and mothe

2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.7.4 Chassis Q-Fan Control [Enabled][Disabled] Disables the Chassis1 Q-Fan control feature.[Enabled] Enables the C

ASUS A78M-A 2-252.8 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options.Scroll down to display the following items:

2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.8.1 Fast Boot [Enabled][Enabled] Select to accelerate the boot speed.[Disabled] Select to go back to normal boot.

ASUS A78M-A 2-272.8.2 Boot Logo Display [Enabled][Auto] Auto adjustment for Windows requirements.[Disabled] Hide the logo during POST.[Full Screen]

vi(continued on the next page)Package contentsCheck your motherboard package for the following items.Motherboard ASUS A78M-A motherboardCables 2 x Ser

2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.8.8 CSM (Compatibility Support Module)Allows you to congure the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) items to fully

ASUS A78M-A 2-292.8.9 Secure BootAllows you to congure the Windows® Secure Boot settings and manage its keys to protect the system from unauthorized

2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS informationKEK ManagementThe KEK (Key-exchange Key or Key Enrollment Key) manages the Signature database (db) and Revoked Signatu

ASUS A78M-A 2-31The DBX le must be formatted as a UEFI variable structure with time-based authenticated variable.2.8.10 Boot Option PrioritiesThese

2-32 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 A78M-A 2-332.10 Exit menuThe Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal default values for the BIOS items, and save or discard your changes t

2-34 Chapter 2: BIOS information

ASUS A78M-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 A78M-AA-3ASUS contact informationASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.Address 15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259Telephone +886-2-2894-3447Fax

vii(continued on the next page)Storage AMD® A78 FCH:- 6 x Serial ATA 6 Gb/s connectors with RAID 0, RAID 1,RAID 5,RAID 10 and JBOD supportLANRealtek®

A-4AppendicesEC Declaration of Conformity We, the undersigned, Manufacturer: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. Address, City: 4F, No. 150, LI-TE Rd., PEITOU, TAIP

viiiA78M-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 H

ASUS A78M-A1-1Product introduction11.1 Before you proceedTake note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change a