Asus M5A87 Specifications

MotherboardM5A87

xM5A87 specications summaryASUS unique features ASUS Hybrid Switch - Core Unlocker - MemOK!ASUS Power Solutions - ASUS Anti-Surge Protection

xiM5A87 specications summaryInternal I/O connectors / buttons / switches4 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 8 USB 2.0/1.1 ports 6 x SATA

xii

1.2 Package contentsCheck your motherboard package for the following items.Motherboard ASUS M5A87 motherboardCables 2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cablesAc

AMD® 870 ChipsetThe AMD® 870 Chipset is designed to support up to 5200MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and PCI Express 2.0 x16 graphi

1.3.2 Innovative ASUS featuresCore UnlockerASUS Core Unlocker simplies the activation of a latent AMD® CPU—with just a simple switch. Enjoy an insta

ASUS EZ Flash 2ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly utility that allows you to update the BIOS without using a bootable oppy disk or an OS-based utilit

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

M5A871.5 Motherboard overview1.5.1 Placement directionWhen installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orie

1.5.3 Motherboard layout1.5.4 Layout contentsConnectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page1. Power, CPU and chassis fan conne

iiCopyright © 2011 ASUSTeK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be repro

1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU)This motherboard comes with an AM3+ socket designed for FX™ / Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series processo

5. When the CPU is in place, push down the socket lever to secure the CPU. The lever clicks on the side tab to indicate that it is locked.6. Install

1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fanEnsure that you use only AMD-certied heatsink and fan assembly.To install the CPU heatsink and fan:1. Place th

3. Align the other end of the retention bracket to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place.Ensure

1.7.2 Memory congurationsYou may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB unbuffered ECC and non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.M5A87 Motherboard Qual

DDR3-1600(O.C.)MHz capabilityVendor Part No. Size SS/DSChip BrandChip NO.CL Voltage DIMM supportA* B* C*OCZ OCZ3P18004GK 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 8-8-8-27

DDR3-1333MHz capabilityVendor Part No. Size SS/ DSChip BrandChip NO.CL Voltage DIMM supportA* B* C*A-Data AD31333001GOU 1GB SS A-Data AD30908C8D-151C

Vendor Part No. Size SS/ DSChip BrandChip NO.CL Voltage DIMM supportA* B* C*OCZ OCZ3P1333LV6GK 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 7-7-7-20 1.65V • • •OCZ OCZ3X1333LV

DDR3-1066MHz capabilitySS: Single-sided / DS: Double-sided DIMM support: • A*: Supports one module inserted into any slot as single-channel memory co

1.7.3 Installing a DIMMUnplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can cause severe damage t

iiiContentsNotices ... viSafety information ...

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

1.9 Jumpers Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time

1.10 Connectors1.10.1 Rear panel ports1. PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo port (purple/green). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard or PS/2 mouse.2. Parallel

7. 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. These two 4-pin Un

2. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V)These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs from the power supply are designed to 

3. AMD® SB850 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 for Serial ATA hard dis

4. System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL)This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• System power LED (2-pin PLED)This 2-pin connec

5. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port.Ensure that the audio

7. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB78, USB910, USB1112, USB1314)These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these conn

1.11 Onboard switchOnboard switches allow you to ne-tune performance when working on a bare or open-casesystem. This is ideal for overclockers and g

ivContents1.11 Onboard switch ... 1-271.12 Onboard LEDs ...

2. MemOK! switchInstalling DIMMs that are incompatible with the motherboard may cause system boot failure, and the DRAM_LED near the MemOK! switch li

1.12 Onboard LEDs1. Standby Power LEDThe motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode,

1.13 Software support1.13.1 Installing an operating systemThis motherboard supports Windows® XP / Vista / 7 Operating Systems (OS). Always install t

ASUS M5A87 2-1Chapter 2BIOS information2.1 Managing and updating your BIOSSave a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a USB ash disk in case

2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS informationASUSTek EZ Flash 2 BIOS ROM Utility V4.14Current ROMUpdate ROMC:NotePATH: C:\ BOARD: M5A87VER: 0302 (H:00 B:01)DATE:

ASUS M5A87 2-3• This function supports USB ash disks with FAT 32/16 format and single partition only.• DO NOT shut down or reset the system while u

2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.2 BIOS setup programUse the BIOS Setup program to update the BIOS or congure its parameters. The BIOS screens inclu

ASUS M5A87 2-52.2.1 BIOS menu screen2.2.2 Menu barThe menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:Main For changing the basic sy

2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting

ASUS M5A87 2-72.3 Main menuWhen you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system informatio

vContents2.4.8 DRAM Driving Conguration ... 2-142.4.9 CPU & NB Voltage Mode [Offset]...

2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS informationLBA/Large Mode [Auto]Enables or disables the LBA mode. Setting this item to [Auto] enables the LBA mode if the device s

ASUS M5A87 2-92.3.5 System InformationThis menu gives you an overview of the general system specications. The BIOS automatically detects the items i

2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.4 Ai Tweaker menuThe Ai Tweaker menu items allow you to congure overclocking-related items.Be cautious when changi

ASUS M5A87 2-11The conguration options for the following sub-items vary depending on the CPU/DIMMs you install on the motherboard. OC From CPU Level

2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.4.3 CPU Ratio [Auto]Allows you to set the ratio between the CPU Core Clock and the FSB Frequency. Use the <+>

ASUS M5A87 2-132.4.7 DRAM Timing CongurationThe conguration options for some of the following items vary depending on the DIMMs you install on the

2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.4.8 DRAM Driving CongurationThe conguration options for some of the following items vary depending on the DIMMs y

ASUS M5A87 2-152.4.10 DRAM Voltage [Auto]Allows you to set the DRAM voltage. The values range from 1.35000V to 2.30000V with a 0.01000V interval.2.4.

2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS informationGART Error Reporting [Disabled]This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The driver developer may e

ASUS M5A87 2-17Channel Interleaving [Auto]Allows you to enable the channel memory interleaving. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Address bits 6] [Ad

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

2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS informationParallel Port IRQ [IRQ7]Conguration options: [IRQ5] [IRQ7]HDAudio Controller [Enabled]Enables or disables the high de

ASUS M5A87 2-19The following items only appear when a USB storage device is plugged in.USB Mass Storage Device CongurationUSB Mass Storage Reset Dela

2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.6 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface

ASUS M5A87 2-21Power on By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled]Enables or disables PS/2 Keyboard to generate a wake event. Conguration options: [Disabled] [Spac

2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS information2.7 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter>

ASUS M5A87 2-23Bootup Num-Lock [On]Selects the power-on state for the NumLock. Conguration options: [Off] [On]Wait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled]When th

2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS informationChange User PasswordSelect this item to set or change the user password. The User Password item on top of the screen s

ASUS M5A87 2-252.8 Tools menuThe Tools menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an item then press <Enter> to dis

2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS informationExit & Save ChangesOnce you are nished making your selections, choose this option from the Exit menu to ensure th

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

viiDO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the c

EC Declaration of Conformity We, the undersigned, Manufacturer: ASUSTek COMPUTER INC. Address, City: No. 150, LI-TE RD., PEITOU, TAIPEI 112, TAIWAN R.

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

ixM5A87 specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU AMD® Socket AM3+ for AMD® FX™ / Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series process