Motherboard Installation Guide
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... Notices...vii Safety information viii About this guide ix M2N-Plus SLI Vista Editionspecifications summary xi Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-1 1.2 Package contents 1-1 1.3 Special features 1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights 1-2 1.3.2 ASUS AI Lifestyle features 1-4 1.3.3 ASUS Special features 1-5 1.3.4 ASUS features and the supporting OS 1-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.1 Before you proceed 2-1 2.2 Motherboard overview 2-2 2.2.1 Placement direction 2-2 2.2.2 Screw holes 2-2 2.2.3 Motherboard layout 2-3 2.2.4 Layout contents 2-4 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU...
... Notices...vii Safety information viii About this guide ix M2N-Plus SLI Vista Editionspecifications summary xi Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome 1-1 1.2 Package contents 1-1 1.3 Special features 1-2 1.3.1 Product highlights 1-2 1.3.2 ASUS AI Lifestyle features 1-4 1.3.3 ASUS Special features 1-5 1.3.4 ASUS features and the supporting OS 1-6 Chapter 2: Hardware information 2.1 Before you proceed 2-1 2.2 Motherboard overview 2-2 2.2.1 Placement direction 2-2 2.2.2 Screw holes 2-2 2.2.3 Motherboard layout 2-3 2.2.4 Layout contents 2-4 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU...
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...is organized This guide contains the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on the motherboard. • Chapter 3: Powering up This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of the ...that you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on ASUS hardware and software products. Optional documentation Your product package may have to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. Refer to change...
...is organized This guide contains the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on the motherboard. • Chapter 3: Powering up This chapter describes the power up sequence and ways of the ...that you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. It includes description of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on ASUS hardware and software products. Optional documentation Your product package may have to install SLI-ready PCI Express graphics cards. Refer to change...
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... items is damaged or missing, contact your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard Cables Accessories Application CD Documentation ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2 x Serial ATA cables 1 x Serial ATA power cables for buying an ASUS® M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition motherboard! Retail version only) AI Remote (Retail version only) ASUS motherboard support CD User guide If any of ASUS quality motherboards! ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 1- 1.1 Welcome! Before you for two devices...
... items is damaged or missing, contact your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard Cables Accessories Application CD Documentation ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2 x Serial ATA cables 1 x Serial ATA power cables for buying an ASUS® M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition motherboard! Retail version only) AI Remote (Retail version only) ASUS motherboard support CD User guide If any of ASUS quality motherboards! ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 1- 1.1 Welcome! Before you for two devices...
Motherboard Installation Guide
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...the CPU performs. See page 4-24. The onboard NVIDIA nForce® 500 SLI™ MCP allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD. AMD Cool 'n' Quiet!™ Technology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool 'n' Quiet!™ Technology that supports AMD Athlon™...processor. NVIDIA® Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) The NVIDIA® Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology allows two graphics processing units (GPUs) in a single system. 1.3 Special features 1.3.1 Product highlights Latest processor technology The motherboard comes with peak bandwidths of up to 12...
...the CPU performs. See page 4-24. The onboard NVIDIA nForce® 500 SLI™ MCP allows RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, and JBOD. AMD Cool 'n' Quiet!™ Technology The motherboard supports the AMD Cool 'n' Quiet!™ Technology that supports AMD Athlon™...processor. NVIDIA® Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) The NVIDIA® Scalable Link Interface (SLI™) technology allows two graphics processing units (GPUs) in a single system. 1.3 Special features 1.3.1 Product highlights Latest processor technology The motherboard comes with peak bandwidths of up to 12...
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.... S/PDIF digital sound ready The motherboard supports the S/PDIF technology through simple, low-cost, high-bandwidth asynchronous (real-time) data interfacing between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data in packets. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 1- The IEEE 1394a interface allows ...up the PCI bus. Gigabit LAN The motherboard comes with USB 1.1. See page 2-23 and 2-27 for details. See page ...
.... S/PDIF digital sound ready The motherboard supports the S/PDIF technology through simple, low-cost, high-bandwidth asynchronous (real-time) data interfacing between devices and allows higher clockspeeds by carrying data in packets. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 1- The IEEE 1394a interface allows ...up the PCI bus. Gigabit LAN The motherboard comes with USB 1.1. See page 2-23 and 2-27 for details. See page ...
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...page 5-9 and 5-10 for details. Simply press the predefined hotkey to dissipate heat in the motherboard allows you to ensure quiet, cool, and efficient operation. ASUS motherboard's fanless concept is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. See page 4-9 for details. This ...ASUS Q-Connector The ASUS Q-Connector allows you to personalize and add style to restore corrupted BIOS data from a USB flash disk containing the BIOS file. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 1- ASUS EZ Flash 2 EZ Flash 2 is specifically created to address the thermal issues across the motherboard,...
...page 5-9 and 5-10 for details. Simply press the predefined hotkey to dissipate heat in the motherboard allows you to ensure quiet, cool, and efficient operation. ASUS motherboard's fanless concept is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. See page 4-9 for details. This ...ASUS Q-Connector The ASUS Q-Connector allows you to personalize and add style to restore corrupted BIOS data from a USB flash disk containing the BIOS file. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 1- ASUS EZ Flash 2 EZ Flash 2 is specifically created to address the thermal issues across the motherboard,...
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Chapter summary 2 2.1 Before you proceed 2-1 2.2 Motherboard overview 2-2 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU 2-6 2.4 System memory 2-11 2.5 Expansion slots 2-17 2.6 Jumper 2-20 2.7 Connectors 2-22 ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition
Chapter summary 2 2.1 Before you proceed 2-1 2.2 Motherboard overview 2-2 2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU 2-6 2.4 System memory 2-11 2.5 Expansion slots 2-17 2.6 Jumper 2-20 2.7 Connectors 2-22 ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition
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M2N-PLUS SLI ® SB_PWR ON M2N-PLUS SLI Onboard LED Standby Power OFF Powered Off ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2- 2.1 Before you proceed Take note of the onboard LED. The green LED lights up to avoid touching the ICs on them. • Whenever ...you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in soft‑off or the power cord is a reminder that you install motherboard ...
M2N-PLUS SLI ® SB_PWR ON M2N-PLUS SLI Onboard LED Standby Power OFF Powered Off ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2- 2.1 Before you proceed Take note of the onboard LED. The green LED lights up to avoid touching the ICs on them. • Whenever ...you uninstall any component, place it on a grounded antistatic pad or in soft‑off or the power cord is a reminder that you install motherboard ...
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... chassis as indicated in the correct orientation. Doing so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 2.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, make sure that you install the motherboard, study the configuration of the chassis M2N-PLUS SLI ® 2- Chapter 2: Hardware information Place this side towards the rear of your chassis to do so...
... chassis as indicated in the correct orientation. Doing so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 2.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, make sure that you install the motherboard, study the configuration of the chassis M2N-PLUS SLI ® 2- Chapter 2: Hardware information Place this side towards the rear of your chassis to do so...
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ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2- 2.2.3 Motherboard layout 24.5cm (9.6in) PS/2KBMS T: Mouse B: Keyboard KBPWR ATX12V SPDIF_O1 CPU_FAN Socket AM2 DDR2 DIMM_A1 (64 bit,240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B1 (64 bit,...,240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B2 (64 bit,240-pin module) SEC_EIDE PRI_EIDE 30.5cm (12.0in) PARALLEL PORT CPU_FAN COM1 1394_USB34 USBPW12 LAN1_USB12 USBPW34 AUDIO2 M2N-PLUS SLI EATXPWR AUDIO1 CD FP_AUDIO PCIEX16_1 SPDIF_OUT PCIEX1_1 PCIEX1_2 VIA VT6308P Super I/O PCIEX16_2 PCI1 PCI2 TPM IE1394_2 ASAP ® nForcNeV® I5D0I0ASLI™ PWR_FAN CHA_FAN CLRTC...
ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2- 2.2.3 Motherboard layout 24.5cm (9.6in) PS/2KBMS T: Mouse B: Keyboard KBPWR ATX12V SPDIF_O1 CPU_FAN Socket AM2 DDR2 DIMM_A1 (64 bit,240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B1 (64 bit,...,240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B2 (64 bit,240-pin module) SEC_EIDE PRI_EIDE 30.5cm (12.0in) PARALLEL PORT CPU_FAN COM1 1394_USB34 USBPW12 LAN1_USB12 USBPW34 AUDIO2 M2N-PLUS SLI EATXPWR AUDIO1 CD FP_AUDIO PCIEX16_1 SPDIF_OUT PCIEX1_1 PCIEX1_2 VIA VT6308P Super I/O PCIEX16_2 PCI1 PCI2 TPM IE1394_2 ASAP ® nForcNeV® I5D0I0ASLI™ PWR_FAN CHA_FAN CLRTC...
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2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket designed for the AMD Opteron processor. Locate the CPU socket on the socket and damaging the CPU! 2.3.1 Installing the CPU To install a CPU: 1. M2N-PLUS SLI ® M2N-PLUS SLI CPU Socket AM2 2. The AM2 socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed for...
2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket designed for the AMD Opteron processor. Locate the CPU socket on the socket and damaging the CPU! 2.3.1 Installing the CPU To install a CPU: 1. M2N-PLUS SLI ® M2N-PLUS SLI CPU Socket AM2 2. The AM2 socket has a different pinout from the 940-pin socket designed for...
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Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to plug this connector. • This connector is backward compatiable with old 3-pin CPU fan. 2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information CPU_FAN M2N-PLUS SLI ® M2N-PLUS SLI CPU fan connector • Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! GND CPU FAN PWR CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWM 5.
Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN. When the fan and heatsink assembly is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to plug this connector. • This connector is backward compatiable with old 3-pin CPU fan. 2-10 Chapter 2: Hardware information CPU_FAN M2N-PLUS SLI ® M2N-PLUS SLI CPU fan connector • Do not forget to connect the CPU fan connector! GND CPU FAN PWR CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWM 5.
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Populated - 2.4 System memory 2.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. Populated ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-11 A DDR2 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR DIMM but has a 240-pin ... are notched differently to the 184-pin DDR DIMM. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: M2N-PLUS SLI ® DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B2 M2N-PLUS SLI 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 2.4.2 Memory configurations You...
Populated - 2.4 System memory 2.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. Populated ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-11 A DDR2 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR DIMM but has a 240-pin ... are notched differently to the 184-pin DDR DIMM. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR2 DIMM sockets: M2N-PLUS SLI ® DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B2 M2N-PLUS SLI 240-pin DDR2 DIMM sockets Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 2.4.2 Memory configurations You...
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.... 2. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to both the motherboard and the components. To install a DIMM: 1. Do not force a DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snap back in only one direction. Remove the DIMM from the socket. 2 1 DDR2 DIMM notch ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-13 Support the DIMM lightly with extra force. 2. Align...
.... 2. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to both the motherboard and the components. To install a DIMM: 1. Do not force a DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snap back in only one direction. Remove the DIMM from the socket. 2 1 DDR2 DIMM notch ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-13 Support the DIMM lightly with extra force. 2. Align...
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... 1. Turn on the next page. 3. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-17 The following sub‑sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that you intend to the tables on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on the slot. 5. ... Make sure to install expansion cards. See Chapter 4 for the card. 2. 2.5 Expansion slots In the future, you may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 2.5.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
... 1. Turn on the next page. 3. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-17 The following sub‑sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that you intend to the tables on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on the slot. 5. ... Make sure to install expansion cards. See Chapter 4 for the card. 2. 2.5 Expansion slots In the future, you may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 2.5.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
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... PCIe x16 graphics card x8 Other PCIe devices x8, x4, x1 Two identical NVIDIA® SLI™ Edition graphics cards at x8, x8 speed ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-19 See page 2-26 for details on the NVIDIA SLI™ technology feature. PCI Express x16_1 slot (blue) PCI Express x1 slot PCI Express x1... to the chassis (CHA_FAN1) connector when using two graphics cards for the location of the slots. 2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots This motherboard supports two NVIDIA® SLI™-ready PCI Express x16 graphic cards that you provide sufficient power when running NVIDIA®...
... PCIe x16 graphics card x8 Other PCIe devices x8, x4, x1 Two identical NVIDIA® SLI™ Edition graphics cards at x8, x8 speed ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-19 See page 2-26 for details on the NVIDIA SLI™ technology feature. PCI Express x16_1 slot (blue) PCI Express x1 slot PCI Express x1... to the chassis (CHA_FAN1) connector when using two graphics cards for the location of the slots. 2.5.6 PCI Express x16 slots This motherboard supports two NVIDIA® SLI™-ready PCI Express x16 graphic cards that you provide sufficient power when running NVIDIA®...
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...24 Chapter 2: Hardware information Connect the blue connector to the motherboard's IDE connector, then select one end of the cable to PIN 1. If any device jumper is for the provided floppy disk drive (FDD) signal cable. M2N-PLUS SLI ® FLOPPY NOTE: Orient the red markings on the ...Ultra DMA cable connector. PIN 1 M2N-PLUS SLI Floppy disk drive connector 2. Single device Two devices Drive jumper setting Cable-Select or Master ...
...24 Chapter 2: Hardware information Connect the blue connector to the motherboard's IDE connector, then select one end of the cable to PIN 1. If any device jumper is for the provided floppy disk drive (FDD) signal cable. M2N-PLUS SLI ® FLOPPY NOTE: Orient the red markings on the ...Ultra DMA cable connector. PIN 1 M2N-PLUS SLI Floppy disk drive connector 2. Single device Two devices Drive jumper setting Cable-Select or Master ...
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...! CPU_FAN GND CPU FAN PWR CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWM M2N-PLUS SLI ® PWR_FAN GND +12V Rotation CHA_FAN GND +12V Rotation M2N-PLUS SLI Fan connectors • Only the CPU_FAN and CHA_FAN connectors support the ASUS Q FAN2 feature. • If you may damage the motherboard components. Connect the right-angle side of 1 A~7 A (84 W max.) at +12V...
...! CPU_FAN GND CPU FAN PWR CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWM M2N-PLUS SLI ® PWR_FAN GND +12V Rotation CHA_FAN GND +12V Rotation M2N-PLUS SLI Fan connectors • Only the CPU_FAN and CHA_FAN connectors support the ASUS Q FAN2 feature. • If you may damage the motherboard components. Connect the right-angle side of 1 A~7 A (84 W max.) at +12V...
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...connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2) This connector is for USB 2.0 ports. M2N-PLUS SLI ® TPA2GND TPB2+12V GND TPA2+ GND TPB2+ +12V IE1394_2 1 M2N-PLUS SLI IEEE 1394a connector The IEEE 1394a module is purchased separately. 6. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-27 These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to... then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. Doing so will damage the motherboard! Connect the IEEE 1394a module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the...
...connector (10-1 pin IE1394_2) This connector is for USB 2.0 ports. M2N-PLUS SLI ® TPA2GND TPB2+12V GND TPA2+ GND TPB2+ +12V IE1394_2 1 M2N-PLUS SLI IEEE 1394a connector The IEEE 1394a module is purchased separately. 6. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 2-27 These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to... then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. Doing so will damage the motherboard! Connect the IEEE 1394a module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the...
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... optical drive. See page 5-3 for details on these utilities. The ASUS Update utility allows you to your BIOS The following utilities allow you need to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. 1. The Drivers menu appears. 2. 4.1 Managing and updating your system. Place the support CD in the future. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-
... optical drive. See page 5-3 for details on these utilities. The ASUS Update utility allows you to your BIOS The following utilities allow you need to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. 1. The Drivers menu appears. 2. 4.1 Managing and updating your system. Place the support CD in the future. ASUS M2N-Plus SLI Vista Edition 4-