User Manual
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... standout in your package with the list below. 1.2 Package contents Check your motherboard package for buying an ASUS® M5A87 motherboard! It features dual-channel DDR3 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport...bus. Before you for the following items. Motherboard Cables Accessories Application DVD Documentations ASUS M5A87 motherboard 2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cables 1 x I/O shield ASUS motherboard Support DVD User Manual If any of ASUS quality motherboards! Chapter 1 Product introduction 1.1 Welcome! The motherboard delivers a host...
... standout in your package with the list below. 1.2 Package contents Check your motherboard package for buying an ASUS® M5A87 motherboard! It features dual-channel DDR3 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport...bus. Before you for the following items. Motherboard Cables Accessories Application DVD Documentations ASUS M5A87 motherboard 2 x Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s cables 1 x I/O shield ASUS motherboard Support DVD User Manual If any of ASUS quality motherboards! Chapter 1 Product introduction 1.1 Welcome! The motherboard delivers a host...
User Manual
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.... This remarkable memory rescue tool requires a mere push of the button to overclock without exiting or rebooting the OS; MemOK! ASUS Anti-Surge Protection This special design protects expensive devices and the motherboard from switching power supply unit (PSU). It allows you to...just a few clicks away. and its fast user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite II consolidates all -in TurboV provides the best O.C. ASUS M5A87 1-3 AI Suite II With its user-friendly interface makes overclock with just a simple switch. ASUS TurboV Feel the adrenaline rush of a latent AMD® CPU-...
.... This remarkable memory rescue tool requires a mere push of the button to overclock without exiting or rebooting the OS; MemOK! ASUS Anti-Surge Protection This special design protects expensive devices and the motherboard from switching power supply unit (PSU). It allows you to...just a few clicks away. and its fast user-friendly interface, ASUS AI Suite II consolidates all -in TurboV provides the best O.C. ASUS M5A87 1-3 AI Suite II With its user-friendly interface makes overclock with just a simple switch. ASUS TurboV Feel the adrenaline rush of a latent AMD® CPU-...
User Manual
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... bag that came with the component. • Before you install or remove any component, switch off the ATX power supply and detach its power cord. ASUS M5A87 1-5 1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from...
... bag that came with the component. • Before you install or remove any component, switch off the ATX power supply and detach its power cord. ASUS M5A87 1-5 1.4 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from...
User Manual
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... 34 1 1 21.3cm(8.4in) KB_USB56 CORE_UNLOCKER 02LED1 PWR_FAN ATX12V CPU_FAN 5 6 MemOK! switch 7. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-25 ASUS M5A87 1-7 SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G1~6) 1-23 1-22 9. MemOK! Power, CPU and chassis fan connectors (3-pin PWR_FAN, 4-pin CPU_FAN and 3-pin ...+ USB3_12 LAN1_USB12 30.5cm(12.0in) CHA_FAN AUDIO AAFP asmedia ASM1042 Realtek RTL8111E PCIEX1_1 ICS 9LPRS483 AMD® 870 M5A87 PCIEX16 PCIEX1_2 Super I/O PCI1 PCI2 2 EATXPWR AMD® SB850 Lithium Cell CMOS Power 16Mb BIOS SATA6G_1 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_5 ...
... 34 1 1 21.3cm(8.4in) KB_USB56 CORE_UNLOCKER 02LED1 PWR_FAN ATX12V CPU_FAN 5 6 MemOK! switch 7. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) 1-25 ASUS M5A87 1-7 SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G1~6) 1-23 1-22 9. MemOK! Power, CPU and chassis fan connectors (3-pin PWR_FAN, 4-pin CPU_FAN and 3-pin ...+ USB3_12 LAN1_USB12 30.5cm(12.0in) CHA_FAN AUDIO AAFP asmedia ASM1042 Realtek RTL8111E PCIEX1_1 ICS 9LPRS483 AMD® 870 M5A87 PCIEX16 PCIEX1_2 Super I/O PCI1 PCI2 2 EATXPWR AMD® SB850 Lithium Cell CMOS Power 16Mb BIOS SATA6G_1 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_5 ...
User Manual
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... you fail to indicate that comes with the heatsink package. When the CPU is locked. 6. CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND ASUS M5A87 1-9 CPU_FAN M5A87 M5A87 CPU fan connector DO NOT forget to section 1.6.2 Installing heatsink and fan for instructions. 7. Connect the CPU fan cable to the CPU_FAN connector on...
... you fail to indicate that comes with the heatsink package. When the CPU is locked. 6. CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND ASUS M5A87 1-9 CPU_FAN M5A87 M5A87 CPU fan connector DO NOT forget to section 1.6.2 Installing heatsink and fan for instructions. 7. Connect the CPU fan cable to the CPU_FAN connector on...
User Manual
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Align the other end of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_B2 Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 M5A87 M5A87 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets ASUS M5A87 1-11 A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to prevent installation...
Align the other end of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 DIMM_B2 Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 M5A87 M5A87 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets ASUS M5A87 1-11 A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is in place, connect the CPU fan cable to prevent installation...
User Manual
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... into a socket in the wrong direction to both the motherboard and the components. 1. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to unlock a DIMM socket. 2. DIMM notch ASUS M5A87 1-17 The DIMM might get damaged when it fits in place 3 and the DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it flips out with your...
... into a socket in the wrong direction to both the motherboard and the components. 1. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to unlock a DIMM socket. 2. DIMM notch ASUS M5A87 1-17 The DIMM might get damaged when it fits in place 3 and the DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it flips out with your...
User Manual
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... reboot the system so the BIOS can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. ASUS M5A87 1-19 1.9 Jumpers Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to pins 1-2. 3. Keep the cap on CLRTC jumper default position. The onboard button cell ...battery and move the cap back to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords. M5A87 M5A87 Clear RTC RAM CLRTC 12 23 Normal (Default) Clear RTC To erase the RTC RAM: 1. Shut down the key during the boot process and enter...
... reboot the system so the BIOS can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. ASUS M5A87 1-19 1.9 Jumpers Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to pins 1-2. 3. Keep the cap on CLRTC jumper default position. The onboard button cell ...battery and move the cap back to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords. M5A87 M5A87 Clear RTC RAM CLRTC 12 23 Normal (Default) Clear RTC To erase the RTC RAM: 1. Shut down the key during the boot process and enter...
User Manual
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... 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are not jumpers! Serial port. This 9-pin COM1 port is for USB 2.0/1.1 devices. 1.10.2 Internal connectors 1. ASUS M5A87 1-21 Power, CPU and chassis fan connectors (3-pin PWR FAN, 4-pin CPU_FAN and 3-pin CHA_FAN) Connect the fan cables to support 8-channel audio output. ...7. PWR_FAN CPU_FAN Rotation +12V GND CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND CHA_FAN M5A87 GND +12V Rotation M5A87 Fan connectors DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. These are for USB 3.0 devices. 9. DO NOT...
... 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are not jumpers! Serial port. This 9-pin COM1 port is for USB 2.0/1.1 devices. 1.10.2 Internal connectors 1. ASUS M5A87 1-21 Power, CPU and chassis fan connectors (3-pin PWR FAN, 4-pin CPU_FAN and 3-pin CHA_FAN) Connect the fan cables to support 8-channel audio output. ...7. PWR_FAN CPU_FAN Rotation +12V GND CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND CHA_FAN M5A87 GND +12V Rotation M5A87 Fan connectors DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. These are for USB 3.0 devices. 9. DO NOT...
User Manual
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AMD® SB850 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G 1~6) These connectors are set to [RAID]. SATA6G_1 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_4 SATA6G_6 M5A87 M5A87 SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors • These connectors are for the Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives and optical disc drives. The ... intend to [AHCI]. See section 2.3.4 SATA Configuration for details. • You must install Windows® XP Service Pack 3 or later version before using these connectors. ASUS M5A87 1-23
AMD® SB850 Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G 1~6) These connectors are set to [RAID]. SATA6G_1 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_4 SATA6G_6 M5A87 M5A87 SATA 6.0Gb/s connectors • These connectors are for the Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives and optical disc drives. The ... intend to [AHCI]. See section 2.3.4 SATA Configuration for details. • You must install Windows® XP Service Pack 3 or later version before using these connectors. ASUS M5A87 1-23
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...> Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Sound Playback to this connector. Connect one end of Sound playback is purchased separately. 6. ASUS M5A87 1-25 Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port. +5V SPDIFOUT GND... M5A87 SPDIF_OUT M5A87 Digital audio connector Ensure that the audio device of the front panel audio I /O module that you connect a high-definition front...
...> Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Sound Playback to this connector. Connect one end of Sound playback is purchased separately. 6. ASUS M5A87 1-25 Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port. +5V SPDIFOUT GND... M5A87 SPDIF_OUT M5A87 Digital audio connector Ensure that the audio device of the front panel audio I /O module that you connect a high-definition front...
User Manual
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... Core Unlocker switch This switch allows you to fine-tune performance when working on a bare or open-case system. M5A87 M5A87 Core Unlocker switch • The O2LED1 LED near the Core Unlocker switch lights when the switch setting is turned to...; The system will use the last setting you have made. • If you load the BIOS setup defaults, the ASUS Core Unlocker item in the BIOS menu follows the current setting of the Core Unlocker switch. • If you clear ...12 Onboard LEDs for overclockers and gamers who continually change settings to enhance system performance. 1. ASUS M5A87 1-27
... Core Unlocker switch This switch allows you to fine-tune performance when working on a bare or open-case system. M5A87 M5A87 Core Unlocker switch • The O2LED1 LED near the Core Unlocker switch lights when the switch setting is turned to...; The system will use the last setting you have made. • If you load the BIOS setup defaults, the ASUS Core Unlocker item in the BIOS menu follows the current setting of the Core Unlocker switch. • If you clear ...12 Onboard LEDs for overclockers and gamers who continually change settings to enhance system performance. 1. ASUS M5A87 1-27
User Manual
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... LED ON OFF Standby Power Powered Off 2. If an error is set to Enable. DRAM LED M5A87 M5A87 DRAM LED 3. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LED. DRAM LED DRAM LED checks the DRAM in any motherboard component. This is a ... an intuitional way to the error device will continue lighting until the problem is turned to [Disabled]. 1-29 O2LED1 M5A87 M5A87 Core Unlocker LED ASUS M5A87 The Core Unlocker LED keeps on lighting even though the ASUS Core Unlocker item in soft-off mode. Standby Power LED The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that...
... LED ON OFF Standby Power Powered Off 2. If an error is set to Enable. DRAM LED M5A87 M5A87 DRAM LED 3. The illustration below shows the location of the onboard LED. DRAM LED DRAM LED checks the DRAM in any motherboard component. This is a ... an intuitional way to the error device will continue lighting until the problem is turned to [Disabled]. 1-29 O2LED1 M5A87 M5A87 Core Unlocker LED ASUS M5A87 The Core Unlocker LED keeps on lighting even though the ASUS Core Unlocker item in soft-off mode. Standby Power LED The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that...
User Manual
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...Internet a. Updating the BIOS To update the BIOS: 1. Click Update button from the Quick Bar, and then click ASUS Update from the Internet, then click Next. b. ASUS M5A87 2-1 Copy the original motherboard BIOS using this utility. Place the support DVD in the support DVD that comes with ...Suite II X.XX.XX to complete the installation. The ASUS Update main screen appears. Click the Utilities tab, then click AI Suite II. 3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you update the BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 2.1.1 ASUS Update The ASUS Update is a utility that you to manage, save...
...Internet a. Updating the BIOS To update the BIOS: 1. Click Update button from the Quick Bar, and then click ASUS Update from the Internet, then click Next. b. ASUS M5A87 2-1 Copy the original motherboard BIOS using this utility. Place the support DVD in the support DVD that comes with ...Suite II X.XX.XX to complete the installation. The ASUS Update main screen appears. Click the Utilities tab, then click AI Suite II. 3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you update the BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 2.1.1 ASUS Update The ASUS Update is a utility that you to manage, save...
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...updating process and turn on the system. 2. The utility automatically checks the devices for details. Refer to section 2.9 Exit menu for the BIOS file. ASUS M5A87 2-3 Insert the support DVD to the optical drive or the removable device that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets... corrupted during the updating process. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that contains the BIOS file to the USB port or to the floppy disk drive, if ...
...updating process and turn on the system. 2. The utility automatically checks the devices for details. Refer to section 2.9 Exit menu for the BIOS file. ASUS M5A87 2-3 Insert the support DVD to the optical drive or the removable device that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets... corrupted during the updating process. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that contains the BIOS file to the USB port or to the floppy disk drive, if ...
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2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields Main Ai Tweaker M5A87 BIOS Setup Advanced Power Boot Main Settings System Time [16:34:30] System Date [Tue 01/11/2011] SATA6G_1 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_4 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_6 SATA ... right or left arrow key on top of the navigation keys differ from one screen to select items in the menu and change the settings. ASUS M5A87 2-5 Select Screen Select Item +- Use the navigation keys to another.
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields Main Ai Tweaker M5A87 BIOS Setup Advanced Power Boot Main Settings System Time [16:34:30] System Date [Tue 01/11/2011] SATA6G_1 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_4 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_6 SATA ... right or left arrow key on top of the navigation keys differ from one screen to select items in the menu and change the settings. ASUS M5A87 2-5 Select Screen Select Item +- Use the navigation keys to another.
User Manual
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..., Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and SMART monitoring). Select [CDROM] if you are not user-configurable. ASUS M5A87 2-7 These values are specifically configuring a CD-ROM drive. Type [Auto] Selects the type of SATA drive. Refer to section 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen for... time. 2.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you an overview of the basic system information. Main Ai Tweaker Main Settings M5A87 BIOS Setup Advanced Power Boot System Time [16:34:30] System Date [Tue 01/11/2011] SATA6G_1 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_4 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_6 SATA...
..., Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and SMART monitoring). Select [CDROM] if you are not user-configurable. ASUS M5A87 2-7 These values are specifically configuring a CD-ROM drive. Type [Auto] Selects the type of SATA drive. Refer to section 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen for... time. 2.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you an overview of the basic system information. Main Ai Tweaker Main Settings M5A87 BIOS Setup Advanced Power Boot System Time [16:34:30] System Date [Tue 01/11/2011] SATA6G_1 SATA6G_2 SATA6G_3 SATA6G_4 SATA6G_5 SATA6G_6 SATA...
User Manual
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... the items in this item to the SATA connectors 5 or 6 when installing OS. Port6 [IDE] Setting this menu. Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification. ASUS M5A87 2-9 SATA Port5 - If you use a SATA optical drive to run the OS installation disk, we strongly recommend that you install the optical dirve to the...
... the items in this item to the SATA connectors 5 or 6 when installing OS. Port6 [IDE] Setting this menu. Processor Displays the auto-detected CPU specification. ASUS M5A87 2-9 SATA Port5 - If you use a SATA optical drive to run the OS installation disk, we strongly recommend that you install the optical dirve to the...
User Manual
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... only when you set the CPU OverClocking item to [D.O.C.P.] and allows you to individually set overclocking parameters. Configuration options: [Auto] [Overclock 2%] [Overclock 5%] [Overclock 8%] [Overclock 10%] ASUS M5A87 2-11 Select any of these preset overclocking configuration options: Manual Auto D.O.C.P CPU Level UP Overclock Profile TestMode Allows you to select a DRAM O.C. Use the and...
... only when you set the CPU OverClocking item to [D.O.C.P.] and allows you to individually set overclocking parameters. Configuration options: [Auto] [Overclock 2%] [Overclock 5%] [Overclock 8%] [Overclock 10%] ASUS M5A87 2-11 Select any of these preset overclocking configuration options: Manual Auto D.O.C.P CPU Level UP Overclock Profile TestMode Allows you to select a DRAM O.C. Use the and...
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...] [90ns] [110ns] [160ns] [300ns] [350ns] DRAM Refresh Rate [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [Every 7.8ms] [Every 3.9ms] DRAM Command Rate [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T] ASUS M5A87 2-13 2.4.7 DRAM Timing Configuration The configuration options for some of the following items vary depending on the DIMMs you install on the motherboard.
...] [90ns] [110ns] [160ns] [300ns] [350ns] DRAM Refresh Rate [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [Every 7.8ms] [Every 3.9ms] DRAM Command Rate [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [1T] [2T] ASUS M5A87 2-13 2.4.7 DRAM Timing Configuration The configuration options for some of the following items vary depending on the DIMMs you install on the motherboard.