Asus A55M-A Specifications

MotherboardA55M-A Series• A55M-A • A55M-A/USB3

xSpecications are subject to change without notice.ASUS unique featuresASUS USB 3.0 Boost (A55M-A/USB3 only)DIGI+ Power Control: Digital Power Design

xiPackage contentsCheck your motherboard package for the following items.A55M-A/USB3PCIEX16PCIEX1_1PCI1F_PANELSPEAKERCLRTCUSBPWFKB_USBWBUSB56USB34AAFP

xii

1.1 Special features1.1.1 Product highlightsAMD® A-series accelerated processors with AMD® Radeon™ HD 7000 series graphics This motherboard supports

1.1.3 ASUS Exclusive FeaturesASUS Network iControlWith a single-click on/off button, the application currently in use has its data and network badndw

ASUS MyLogo2™Turn your favorite photos into 256-color boot logos to personalize your system.ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 allows you to r

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

A55M-A/USB31.3 Motherboard overview1.3.1 Placement directionWhen installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correc

1.3.3 Motherboard layoutA55M-A/USB3PCIEX16PCIEX1_1PCI1F_PANELSPEAKERCLRTCUSBPWFKB_USBWBUSB56USB34AAFPSPDIF_OUTATX12VEATXPWRCPU_FAN CHA_FANBATTERYSupe

1.4 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU)This motherboard comes with an FM2 socket designed for AMD® A-series accelerated processors with AMD® Radeon™ HD

iiE7969First EditionJanuary 2013Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software

1.4.1 APU installation1432Chapter 1: Product introduction1-8

1253 41.4.2 APU heatsink and fan assembly installationApply the Thermal Interface Material to the APU heatsink and APU before you install the heatsin

To uninstall the APU heatsink and fan assembly53142Chapter 1: Product introduction1-10

1.5 System memory1.5.1 OverviewThis motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. A DDR3 module ha

1.5.2 Memory congurationsYou may install 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB unbuffered non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets.• You may install varying memor

DDR3 1600 MHz capability Vendors Part No. SizeSS/DSChip BrandChip No. Timing VoltageDIMM socket support (optional)1DIMM 2DIMMsA-DATA AM2U16BC2P1 2GB S

Vendors Part No. SizeSS/DSChip BrandChip No. Timing VoltageDIMM socket support (optional)1DIMM 2DIMMsKINGSTON KHX1600C7D3K2/4GX(XMP)4GB(2x2GB)DS - - -

DDR3 1333 MHz capability Vendors Part No. SizeSS/DSChip Brand Chip No. Timing VoltageDIMM socket support(optional)1DIMM 2DIMMsGEIL GV34GB1333C9DC4GB(2

Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sidedDIMM support:• 1 DIMM: Supports one module inserted into any slot as Single-channel memory congurati

1.5.3 Installing a DIMM123ATo remove a DIMMBAASUS A55M-A Series1-17

iiiContentsSafety information ... viAbout this guid

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

IRQ assignments for this motherboardA B C D E F G HPCIEx16_1 – – shared – – – – –PCIEx1_1 shared – – – – – – –PCI1 slot – – – – shared – – –Realtek LA

1.7 Jumpers1. 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, ti

2. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPFW)Set these jumpers to +5V to wake up the computer from S1 sleep mode (CPU stopped, DRAM refreshed, system running

1.8 Connectors1.8.1 Rear panel ports1. PS/2 Mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin po

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 11 and 12 (A55M-A/USB3 only)

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. Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA3G 1~6)These connectors are for the Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives an

4. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL)This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.• System power LED (2-pin PLED)This 2-pin conn

6. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port.The S/PDIF module is p

ivBIOS information2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 2-12.1.1 ASUS Update utility ...

8. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB34)These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then in

1.9 Software support1.9.1 Installing an operating systemThis motherboard supports Windows® XP / Vista / Windows® 7 / Windows® 8 Operating Systems (O

Chapter 1: Product introduction1-30

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-12.1 Managing and updating your BIOSSave a copy of the original motherboard BIOS le to a USB ash disk in case you nee

2-2 ASUS A55M-A SeriesUpdating from the Internet a. Select Update BIOS from the Internet, then click Next. b. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-32.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the B

2-4 ASUS A55M-A SeriesWelcome to FreeDOS (http://www.freedos.org)!C:\>d:D:\>3. When the Make Disk menu appears, select the FreeDOS command pro

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-5Updating the BIOS leTo update the BIOS le using BIOS Updater1. At the FreeDOS prompt, type bupdater /pc /g and press

2-6 ASUS A55M-A SeriesUsing the power button, reset button, or the <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> keys to force reset from a running operating s

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-7EZ ModeBy default, the EZ Mode screen appears when you enter the BIOS setup program. The EZ Mode provides you an overvi

v2.7 Boot menu ... 2-252.7.1 Fast Boot [Enabled] ...

2-8 ASUS A55M-A SeriesAdvanced ModeThe Advanced Mode provides advanced options for experienced end-users to congure the BIOS settings. The gure belo

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-9Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main sh

2-10 ASUS A55M-A Series2.3 Main menuThe Main menu screen appears when you enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS Setup program. The Main menu provides y

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-11Administrator PasswordIf you have set an administrator password, we recommend that you enter the administrator passwor

2-12 ASUS A55M-A Series2.4 Ai Tweaker menuThe Ai Tweaker menu items allow you to congure overclocking-related items.Be cautious when changing the se

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-13Target CPU Speed : xxxxMHzDisplays the current CPU speed.Target DRAM Speed : xxxxMHzDisplays the current DRAM speed.2.

2-14 ASUS A55M-A Series2.4.6 DRAM Timing ControlThe sub-items in this menu allow you to set the DRAM timing control features. Use the <+> and &

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-152.4.10 DIGI+ VRMCPU Load Line Calibration [Auto]Load-line Calibration is dened by AMD VRM specications and affects

2-16 ASUS A55M-A SeriesBe cautious when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.2.

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-17CPB Mode [Auto]Disables the CPB (Core Performance Boost) mode or set it to [Auto] for automatic conguration. Congura

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

2-18 ASUS A55M-A Series2.5.2 SATA CongurationWhile entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. The SATA Port items

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-192.5.3 USB CongurationThe items in this menu allow you to change the USB-related features.The USB Devices item shows

2-20 ASUS A55M-A Series2.5.5 Onboard Devices CongurationHD Audio Device [Enabled][Enabled] Enables the High Denition Audio Controller.[Disabled]

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-212.5.6 APMRestore AC Power Loss [Power Off][Power On] The system goes into on state after an AC power loss.[Power Off

2-22 ASUS A55M-A Series2.5.7 Network StackNetwork Stack [Disabled]This item allows user to disable or enable the UEFI network stack. Conguration opt

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-232.6 Monitor menuThe Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you to change the fan setti

2-24 ASUS A55M-A SeriesFan Speed Low Limit [200 RPM]This item appears only when you enable the CPU Q-Fan Control feature and allows you to disable or

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-252.7 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options.Scroll down to display the following ite

2-26 ASUS A55M-A Series2.7.1 Fast Boot [Enabled]Enable or disable boot with initialization of a minimal set of devices to launch active boot option.

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-272.7.3 Post Delay Time [3 sec]Allows you to set the POST Report wait time. This conguration only functions in Normal

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

2-28 ASUS A55M-A Series2.7.10 Secure BootThis option allows you to congure the Secure Boot related parameters.OS Type [Other OS]Conguration option:

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-29KEK Management (KEK)Load KEK from FileConguration options: [Ok]Copy KEK to FileConguration options: [Ok] Delete the

2-30 ASUS A55M-A Series2.8 Tools menuThe Tools menu items allow you to congure options for special functions. Select an item then press <Enter>

Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-312.9 Exit menuThe Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal default values for the BIOS items, and save or discard

2-32 ASUS A55M-A Series

ASUS A55-M A SeriesA-1AppendicesNoticesFederal Communications Commission StatementThis device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is sub

A-2AppendicesCanadian Department of Communications StatementThis digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from d

ASUS A55-M A SeriesA-3ASUS contact informationASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.Address 15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259Telephone +886-2-2894-344

A-4AppendicesDECLARATION OF CONFORMITYPer FCC Part 2 Section 2. 1077(a) Responsible Party Name: Asus Computer International Address: 800 Corpora

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

ix(continued on the next page)A55M-A Series specications summaryAPU AMD Socket FM2 A-series/Athlon™ Series ProcessorsAMD® Turbo Core Technology 3.0 s