Asus M2N4-SLI Specifications

MotherboardM2N4-SLI

xConventions used in this guideTo make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.Ty

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-434.7 Tools menuThe Tools menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display

4-44 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upPhoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Select MenuItem Specic HelpTh

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-45Load Setup Defaults This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus. When you select

5Software supportThis chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package.

ASUS M2N4-SLIChapter summary5.1 Installing an operating system ... 5-15.2 Support CD information ...

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-1If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support CD to locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder.

5-2 Chapter 5: Software support5.2.2 Drivers menuThe drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-35.2.3 Utilities menuThe Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS PC Probe IIThis

5-4 Chapter 5: Software support5.2.4 Manuals menuThe Manuals menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to open the folder of

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-55.2.5 ASUS Contact informationClick the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also nd this information on th

xiM2N4-SLI specications summary(continued on the next page)CPU Socket AM2 for AMD Athlon™ 64 FX/AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 /AMD Athlon 64™/AMD Sempron™ pr

5-6 Chapter 5: Software supportBrowse this CDDisplays the support CD contents in graphical format.Technical support FormDisplays the ASUS Technical Su

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-7FilelistDisplays the contents of the support CD and a brief description of each in text format.

5-8 Chapter 5: Software support5.3.1 Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ TechnologyThe motherboard supports the AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ Technology that dynamically and aut

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-9• The AMD Cool ‘n’ Quiet!™ technology feature works only with the AMD heatsink and fan assembly with monitor chip• If you purchased a

5-10 Chapter 5: Software support5.3.2 ASUS PC Probe IIPC Probe II is a utility that monitors the computer’s vital components, and detects and alerts

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-11 Button Function Opens the Conguration window Opens the Report window Opens the Desktop Management Interface

5-12 Chapter 5: Software supportChanging the monitor panels positionTo change the position of the monitor panels in the desktop, click the arrow down

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-13Monitoring sensor alertThe monitor panel turns red when a component value exceeds or is lower than the threshold value. Refer to the

5-14 Chapter 5: Software supportPCI browserClick to display the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) browser. This browser provides information o

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-15Memory usageThe Memory tab shows both used and available physical memory. The pie chart at the bottom of the window represents the u

xiiM2N4-SLI specications summarySpecial features ASUS EZ DIY: - Q-Connector - ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 - ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS Q-Fan 2 ASUS MyLo

5-16 Chapter 5: Software support5.4 RAID congurationsThe motherboard comes with the NVIDIA® SLI Southbridge RAID controllers that allow you to cong

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-175.4.1 Installing hard disksThe motherboard supports Ultra DMA /133/100/66 and Serial ATA hard disk drives. For optimal performance,

5-18 Chapter 5: Software support5.4.2 NVIDIA® RAID configurationsThe motherboard includes a high performance IDE RAID controller integrated in the NV

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-19Entering the NVIDIA® RAID utilityTo enter the NVIDIA® RAID utility:1. Boot up your computer. 2. During POST, press <F10> t

5-20 Chapter 5: Software supportTIP: For server systems, we recommend using a lower array block size. For multimedia computer systems used mainly for

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-21Rebuilding a RAID arrayTo rebuild a RAID array:1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array th

5-22 Chapter 5: Software support A new set of navigation keys is displayed on the bottom of the screen. 2. Press <R> to rebuild a RAID array.

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-23Deleting a RAID arrayTo delete a RAID array:1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID array then

5-24 Chapter 5: Software supportClearing a disk dataTo clear disk data:1. From the Array List menu, use the up or down arrow keys to select a RAID ar

ASUS M2N4-SLI 5-255.5 Creating a RAID driver diskA oppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows® 2000/XP operating system on a

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

5-26 Chapter 5: Software support

6This chapter tells how to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support

ASUS M2N4-SLIChapter summary6.1 Overview ... 6-16.2 Dual graphics cards

ASUS M2N4-SLI 6-16.1 OverviewThe motherboard supports the NVIDIA® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology that allows you to install two identical

6-2 Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support6.2.1 Installing SLI-ready graphics cardsGoldngersInstall only identical SLI-ready graphics cards that

ASUS M2N4-SLI 6-34. Insert the second graphics card into the black slot labeled PCIEX16_2. Make sure that the card is properly seated on the slot.If

6-4 Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support7. Connect a VGA cable or a DVI-I cable to the graphics card installed on the blue PCI Express slot. 5

ASUS M2N4-SLI 6-5Make sure that your PCI Express graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI technology. Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA

6-6 Chapter 6: NVIDIA® SLI™ technology support7. Click the slider to display the following screen, then select the SLI multi-GPU item.Slider5. From

ASUS M2N4-SLIChapter summary1.1 Welcome! ... 1-11.2 Package contents ...

ASUS M2N4-SLI 1-11.1 Welcome!Thank you for buying an ASUS® M2N4-SLI motherboard!The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologi

1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3 Special features1.3.1 Product highlightsLatest processor technology The motherboard comes with a 940-

ASUS M2N4-SLI 1-3Serial ATA 3Gb/s RAID The motherboard supports the next-generation Serial ATA hard drives based on the SATA 3Gb/s storage specicat

1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction1.3.2 ASUS Special featuresASUS Two-slot thermal designThe motherboard is designed with two PCI Express x1 slots p

2Hardware informationThis chapter lists the hardware setup procedures that you have to perform when installing system components. It includes descript

iiCopyright © 2006 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be repro

ASUS M2N4-SLIChapter summary2.1 Before you proceed ... 2-12.2 Motherboard overview ...

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-1Onboard LEDThe motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in sof

2-2 Chapter 2: Hardware informationRM2N4-SLI2.2 Motherboard overviewBefore you install the motherboard, study the conguration of your chassis to ens

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-32.2.3 Motherboard layoutSocket AM2Super I/ORM2N4-SLICR2032 3VSB_PWRLithium CellCMOS PowerATX12VKBPWR23.0cm (9.0in)30.5cm (12.0in)PAN

2-4 Chapter 2: Hardware informationInternal connectors Page1. Floppy disk drive connector (34-1 pin FLOPPY) 2-232. Primary/Secondary IDE

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-52.3.1 Installing the CPUTo install a CPU:1. Locate the CPU socket on the motherboard.Make sure that the socket lever is lifted up t

2-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner wit

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-72.3.2 Installing the heatsink and fanThe the AMD Athlon™ FX, AMD Athlon 64™, AMD Sempron™ or AMD Athlon™ X2 processor require a spe

2-8 Chapter 2: Hardware information2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base.3. Align the other end of the retention b

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-95. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN.Do

iiiContentsNotices ...viiSafety information ...

2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information2.4 System memory2.4.1 OverviewThe motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modu

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-11Important notice on installing Windows® XP 32-bit versionIf you install Windows® XP 32-bit version Operating System (OS), the limita

2-12 Chapter 2: Hardware informationQualied Vendors List DDR2-533 DD R2 Si zeVe ndor Mo del Side(s) Co mponentDI MM socket su pport A* B* C*256MB K

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-13Qualied Vendors List DDR2-667 DD R2 Si zeVe ndor Mo del Side(s) Co mponentDI MM socket su pport A* B* C*512MB KINGSTON E5108AE-6

2-14 Chapter 2: Hardware informationQualied Vendors List DDR2-800 DD R2 Si zeVe ndor Mo del Side(s) Co mponentDI MM socket su pport A* B* C*Side(s):

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-152.4.3 Installing a DIMMUnplug the power supply before adding or removing DIMMs or other system components. Failure to do so can cau

2-16 Chapter 2: Hardware information2.5 Expansion slotsIn the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe th

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-172.5.3 Interrupt assignmentsStandard interrupt assignments* These IRQs are usually available for ISA or PCI devices.IRQ Priority Sta

2-18 Chapter 2: Hardware information• In single card mode, we recommend that you use the blue PCI Express x16 (PCIEX16_1) slot.• Due to chipset limi

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-192.6 Jumpers1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC)This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS

ivContents2.6 Jumpers ... 2-192.7 Connectors ...

2-20 Chapter 2: Hardware information2. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPW12, USBPW34, USBPW56, USBPW78, USBPW910)Set these jumpers to +5V to wake up the

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-213. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR)This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up feature. Set this jumper to pins 2-

2-22 Chapter 2: Hardware information2.7 Connectors2.7.1 Rear panel connectors1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse.2. Parallel

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-237. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices.8. USB 2.0

2-24 Chapter 2: Hardware information2. IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_IDE, SEC_IDE)The onboard IDE connector is for the Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cabl

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-253. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2, SATA3, SATA4)These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Ser

2-26 Chapter 2: Hardware information4. CPU, Chassis, and Power fan connectors (3-pin CPU_FAN, 3-pin PWR_FAN, 3-pin CHA_FAN)The fan connectors support

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-27Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard!5. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78, US

2-28 Chapter 2: Hardware informationRM2N4-SLIM2N4-SLI ATX Power Connector+12V DCGND+12V DCGNDATX12V+3 Volts+3 VoltsGround+5 Volts+5 VoltsGroundGroundP

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-297. Internal audio connectors (4-pin CD, AUX)These connectors allow you to receive stereo audio input from sound sources such as a

vContents4.3.8 Installed Memory ... 4-194.4 Advanced menu ...

2-30 Chapter 2: Hardware information9. System panel connector (20-pin PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.RM2N4-SLIM2N4

ASUS M2N4-SLI 2-31Q-Connector (System panel)ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily to connect the chassis front panel cables to the motherboard. Perfor

3Powering upThis chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of shutting down the system.

ASUS M2N4-SLIChapter summary33.1 Startingupforthersttime ... 3-13.2 Powering off the comp

ASUS M2N4-SLI 3-13.1 Starting up for the rst time1. After making all the connections, replace the system case cover. 2. Be sure that all switches

3-2 Chapter 3: Powering up3.2 Powering off the computer3.2.1 Using the OS shut down functionIf you are using Windows® 2000:1. Click the Start butt

4BIOS setupThis chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also

ASUS M2N4-SLIChapter summary4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ... 4-14.2 BIOS setup program ...

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-14.1 Managing and updating your BIOSThe following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System

4-2 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upc. Click Start, then select Run.d. From the Open eld, type D:\bootdisk\makeboot a: assuming that D: is your optical dr

viContents5.4.1 Installing hard disks ... 5-175.4.2 NVIDIA® RAID congurations ...

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-36. Type the BIOS le name in the File Name to Program eld, then press <Enter>.7. Press <N> when the utility prompts yo

4-4 Chapter 4: BIOS se t up3. Type a lename for the current BIOS le in the Save current BIOS as eld, then press <Enter>.4. The utility save

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-54.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utilityThe ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when i

4-6 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upThe recovered BIOS may not be the latest BIOS version for this motherboard. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) to downlo

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-7To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2:1. Go to the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS le for your motherboard.2

4-8 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upInstalling ASUS UpdateTo install ASUS Update:1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. C

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-93. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next.Updating the BIOS through the Inte

4-10 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upUpdating the BIOS through a BIOS fileTo update the BIOS through a BIOS le:1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Win

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-114.2 BIOS setup programThis motherboard supports a programmable Low-Pin Count (LPC) chip that you can update using the provided util

4-12 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upF1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Ente

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

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-134.2.4 Menu itemsThe highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows t

4-14 Chapter 4: BIOS se t up4.2.7 Pop-up windowSelect a menu item then press <Enter> to display a pop-up window with the conguration options f

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-15F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select Su

4-16 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upBefore attempting to congure a hard disk drive, make sure you have the correct conguration information supplied by the d

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-17CapacityDisplays the auto-detected hard disk capacity. This item is not congurable. CylinderShows the number of the hard disk cylin

4-18 Chapter 4: BIOS se t up4.3.6 SATA 1, 2, 3, 4While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of Serial ATA devices. There is a

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-19HeadShows the number of the hard disk read/write heads. This item is not congurable. Landing ZoneShows the number of landing zone p

4-20 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upPhoenix-Award BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Advanced Power Boot Exit Select MenuItem Specic HelpPress Enter t

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-21Overclock Profile [Auto]Allows selection of CPU overclocking options to achieve desired CPU internal frequency. Select either one of

4-22 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upCPU Voltage [Auto]Sets the operating CPU voltage. The conguration options vary depending on the model of processor instal

viiiThe symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-23F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu Enter: Select

4-24 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upTrcd[Auto]Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] Trp[Auto]Conguration options: [Auto] [3] [4] [5] [6] Tras[Auto]Con

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-25Trfc[Auto]Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3]DQS Signal Timing Training Control[Perform DQS]Conguration Options: [Skip DQS

4-26 Chapter 4: BIOS se t up4.4.5 Onboard Device ConfigurationIDE Function SetupThis item in this sub-menu allows you to enable or disable IDE functi

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-27SATA Port 1, 2[Enabled]Allows to disable or enable OnChip SATA(Port 1, Port 2) Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] SATA DMA t

4-28 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upNVRAID ConfigurationThis item in this sub-menu allows you to set up RAID feature.F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+:

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-29USB Controller[enabled] Enables or disables USB 1.1 and 2.0 Controller Conguration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] USB ConfigurationT

4-30 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upUSB 2.0 Legacy support[enabled] Enables or disables USB legacy device (USB keyboard and USB mouse) support. Conguration o

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-314.4.6 SLI ConfigurationAI-Selector[Auto]Allows selection of the Scalable Link Interface mode. When set to Auto, BIOS detects the se

4-32 Chapter 4: BIOS se t up4.5 Power menuThe Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Conguration and Power Interface (AC

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

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-334.5.3 APM ConfigurationF1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Selec

4-34 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upPower On By RTC Alarm [Disabled]Allows you to enable or disable RTC to generate a wake event. When this item is set to Ena

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-354.5.4 Hardware MonitorThe items in this sub-menu displays the hardware monitor values automatically detected by the BIOS. It also a

4-36 Chapter 4: BIOS se t up12V Voltage[11.96V] Allows you to set or ignore the 12V voltage. Conguration options: [11.96V] [Ignore]CPU Temperature, M

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-374.6 Boot menuThe Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display th

4-38 Chapter 4: BIOS se t up4.6.2 Removable Drives1. Floppy DisksAllows you to assign a removable drive attached to the system.F1:Help ↑↓ : S

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-394.6.4 Boot Settings Configuration F1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit

4-40 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upThe items Typematic Rate (Chars/Sec) and Typematic Delay (Msec) becomes user-congurable only when the item Typematic Rate

ASUS M2N4-SLI 4-414.6.6 SecurityF1:Help ↑↓ : Select Item -/+: Change Value F5: Setup Defaults ESC: Exit →←: Select Menu

4-42 Chapter 4: BIOS se t upA note about passwordsThe Supervisor password is required to enter the BIOS Setup program preventing unauthorized access.