Asus M2N68 Specifications

MotherboardM2N68-AM

xM2N68-AM specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU Support AMD socket AM2/AM2+ for AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom™ / Athlon™ / Sempron™ proce

xiM2N68-AM specications summaryLAN RTL8211CL Gigabit LANBIOS features 8 Mb Flash ROM, AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5Manageability Wf

xii

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

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2N68-AM motherboard!The motherboard delivers a host of new features and

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-364-bit CPU support 64-bit computing, the technology to replace 32-bit architecture, delivers advanced system performance, faster m

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introductionASUS Q-Fan technology ASUS Q-Fan technology intelligently adjusts CPU fan speeds according to system loading to

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-5C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) The C.P.R. feature of the motherboard BIOS allows automatic re-setting to the BIOS default settings in

1-6 Chapter 1: Product introductionOnboard LEDThe motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in slee

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-71.5.1 Motherboard layout1.5 Motherboard overviewM2N68-AMPCIEX16PCIEX1_1PCI2PCI1PRI_IDEFLOPPYUSB56 USB78 USB910F_PANELSPDIF_OUTAAFPC

iiCopyright © 2008 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be repro

1-8 Chapter 1: Product introductionM2N68-AMDo not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard.1.5.2 Placement directionWhen installin

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-91.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 / AM2+ socket designed for the AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom™ /

1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner w

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-111.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe AMD Phenom™ FX / Phenom™ / Athlon™ / Sempron™ processors require a specially designed heat

1-12 Chapter 1: Product introduction2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-131.7 System memory1.7.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets

1-14 Chapter 1: Product introduction• When using only one memory module, start installing the DDR2 DIMM from slot DIMM_A1 or DIMM_B1 for better overc

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-15Qualied Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR2 1066 MHz capability (for AM2+ platform only) Size Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM suppor

1-16 Chapter 1: Product introductionDDR2-667 MHz capabilitySize Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM supportA* B*256MB Kingston KVR667D2N5/256 N/A

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-17DDR2-667 MHz capabilitySize Vendor Model CL BrandSS/DSComponentDIMM supportA* B* 512MB Kingmax KLCC28F-A8KB5 N/A Kingmax SS KKEA88B4

iiiContentsNotices ... viSafety information ...

1-18 Chapter 1: Product introductionSS - Single-sided / DS - Double - sided DIMM support: • A*: Supports one module inserted into any slot as Single-

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-191.7.3 Installing a DIMM1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward.2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that th

1-20 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.8 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe th

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-21* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Sha

1-22 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.8.4 PCI slotsThe PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply w

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-231.9 Jumper1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS m

1-24 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.10 Connectors1.10.1 Rear panel connectors1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Parall

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-25Audio 2, 4, or 6-channel conguration7. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for c

1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction2. IDE connectors (40-1 pin PRI_IDE)The onboard IDE connector is for an Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-273. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA 3Gb

ivContentsChapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 2-22.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy d

1-28 Chapter 1: Product introduction4. CPU Fan connector (4-pin CPU_FAN)The fan connector supports cooling fans of 350mA~740mA (8.88W max.) or a tota

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-296. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB78, USB910, USB1112)These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of t

1-30 Chapter 1: Product introduction8. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O modul

ASUS M2N68-AM 1-319. ATX power connectors (24-pin ATX-PWRGD, 4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs from the power supp

1-32 Chapter 1: Product introduction• Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin +IDE_LED) This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD

2This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.B

2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.1 Managing and updating your BIOSThe following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-3Windows® Vista environmenta. Insert a formatted, high density 1.44 MB oppy disk to the oppy disk drive. b. Click from the Windo

2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS setupTo update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2:1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to download the latest BIOS le for the motherb

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-52.1.3 AFUDOS utilityThe AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment using a bootable oppy disk with the upd

vContents2.5.3 ACPI APIC Support ... 2-332.5.4 APM Conguration ...

2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS setupUpdating the BIOS leTo update the BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility:1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download t

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-72.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when i

2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS setupRecovering the BIOS from the support DVDTo recover the BIOS from the support DVD:1. Remove any oppy disk from the oppy dis

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-9Installing ASUS UpdateTo install ASUS Update:1. Place the support DVD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Click the

2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS setup3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next.Updating the BIOS through

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-11Updating the BIOS through a BIOS leTo update the BIOS through a BIOS le:1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows® deskt

2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.2 BIOS setup programThis motherboard supports a programmable Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) chip that you can update u

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-132.2.1 BIOS menu screen• The BIOS setup screens shown in this chapter are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match wh

2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-152.3 Main menuWhen you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system inform

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

2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.3.4 IDE CongurationThe items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the IDE devices installed in

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-172.3.5 Primary IDE Master/SlaveWhile entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of IDE devices. There is a separate

2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS setupBlock (Multi-Sector Transfer) M [Auto]Enables or disables data multi-sectors transfers. When set to Auto, the data transfer

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-192.3.6 SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, and SATA4While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. There is a s

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS setupDMA Mode [Auto]Selects the DMA mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [SWDMA0] [SWDMA1] [SWDMA2] [MWDMA0] [MWDMA1] [MWDMA2] [UDM

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-212.4 Advanced menuThe Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices.Take caution when ch

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS setupCPU Frequency (MHz) [200.0]Allows you to select the target CPU frequency. Conguration options: [200.0][201.0] [202.0]~[300

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-23Memclock Value [200 MHz]Allows you to set the Memclock value. Conguration options: [200 MHz] [266 MHz] [333 MHz] [400 MHz] [533 MHz

2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4.2 CPU CongurationGART Error Reporting [Disabled]This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The drive

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-25NorthBridge Chipset Conguration Memory Conguration ECC CongurationNorthBridge Conguration2.4.3 ChipsetThe Chipset menu allows

viiSafety informationElectrical safety• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating th

2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setupBank Interleaving [Disabled]Allows you to enable the bank memory interleaving. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Auto]Chann

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-27ECC Mode [Disabled]Enables or disables the DRAM ECC that allows the hardware to report and correct memory errors automatically. Con

2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS setupSouthBridge Chipset CongurationPrimary Graphics Adapter [PCIE-> PCI -> IGP]iGPU Frame Buffer Detect [Auto]iGPU Fram

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-292.4.4 Onboard Devices CongurationCongure ITE8712 Super IO ChipsetSerial Port1 Address [3F8/IRQ4]Parallel Port Address [378]Para

2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.4.5 PCI PnPThe PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP devices. The menu includes settin

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-31IRQ-xx assigned to [PCI Device]When set to [PCI Device], the specic IRQ is free for use of PCI/PnP devices. When set to [Reserved],

2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS setupLegacy USB Support [Auto]Allows you to enable or disable support for Legacy USB storage devices, including USB ash drives a

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-332.5 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (ACPI) and th

2-34 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.5.4 APM CongurationAPM CongurationRestore on AC Power Loss [Power Off]Power On By PCI (-E) Device [Disabled] Po

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-352.5.5 Hardware MonitorHardware MonitorCPU Temperature [39ºC/102ºF]MB Temperature [34ºC/93ºF]CPU Fan Speed [3245R

viiiAbout this guideThis user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the motherboard.How this guide is organizedThis m

2-36 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.6 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to di

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-372.6.2 Boot Settings Conguration Select Screen Select Item+- Change OptionF1 General HelpF10 Save and ExitESC ExitBoo

2-38 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.6.3 SecurityThe Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings. Select an item then press <Enter

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-39User Access Level [Full Access]This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items. Conguration options: [No A

2-40 Chapter 2: BIOS setup2.7 Tools menuASUS EZ Flash 2 AI NET 22.7.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <Ok>, a

ASUS M2N68-AM 2-412.7.2 AI NET 2AI NET 2 Pair Status LengthCheck Realtek Phy LAN cable [Disabled]Check Realtek Phy LAN cable during POST

2-42 Chapter 2: BIOS setupExit & Discard ChangesSelect this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program

3Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package.

3-2 Chapter 3: Software support3.1 Installing an operating systemThis motherboard supports Windows® 32-bit XP / 32-bit Vista / 64-bit XP / 64-bit Vis

3-3ASUS M2N68-AM ASUS InstAll - Installation Wizard for Anti-Virus and Drivers UtilityLaunches the ASUS InstallAll driver installation wizard. Norton

ixConventions used in this guideTo ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.

3-4 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS I

3-5ASUS M2N68-AM Ulead PhotoImpact 12 SEInstalls the Ulead PhotoImpact 12 SE.CyberLink PowerBackupInstalls the CyberLink PowerBackup.WinZip 11Installs

3-6 Chapter 3: Software support3.2.4 Make Disk menuThe Make Disk menu allows you to make a RAID driver disk.NVIDIA 32bit XP/Vista AHCI DriverAllows y

3-7ASUS M2N68-AM 3.2.5 Manual menuThe Manual menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to open the folder of the user manual.

3-8 Chapter 3: Software supportBrowse this DVDDisplays the support DVD contents in graphical format.3.2.7 Other informationThe icons on the top right

3-9ASUS M2N68-AM Technical support FormDisplays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to ll out when requesting technical support.Fil

3-10 Chapter 3: Software support