User Guide
Page 2
... DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. Offer to the source code of such software and/or other Free Open Source Software Licenses. or (2) the serial number of these licenses are used only for the cost of this email address). ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN...
... DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. Offer to the source code of such software and/or other Free Open Source Software Licenses. or (2) the serial number of these licenses are used only for the cost of this email address). ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN...
User Guide
Page 4
... the power supply is set to the correct voltage in any damage, contact your dealer immediately. • To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from the motherboard, ensure that all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you add a device. • Before connecting or removing signal cables from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry...
... the power supply is set to the correct voltage in any damage, contact your dealer immediately. • To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from the motherboard, ensure that all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you add a device. • Before connecting or removing signal cables from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry...
User Guide
Page 6
... list. resolution of 1920x1600@60Hz - Maximum shared memory of 2560x1600@60Hz - A78M-E specifications summary APU Chipset Memory Graphics Expansion slots AMD® FM2+ socket for AMD® A-Series/Athlon™ series processors Supports CPU up to 4096x2160 resolution display via HDMI port. 1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot* 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot 1 x PCI slot * Only FM2+ processors can support up to the physical characteristics of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Supports D-Sub with max. Supports Dual...
... list. resolution of 1920x1600@60Hz - Maximum shared memory of 2560x1600@60Hz - A78M-E specifications summary APU Chipset Memory Graphics Expansion slots AMD® FM2+ socket for AMD® A-Series/Athlon™ series processors Supports CPU up to 4096x2160 resolution display via HDMI port. 1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot* 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x1 slot 1 x PCI slot * Only FM2+ processors can support up to the physical characteristics of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Supports D-Sub with max. Supports Dual...
User Guide
Page 8
... Fan connector 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP) 1 x S/PDIF out header 1 x 24-pin EATX power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x COM connector 1 x TPM connector 1 x Clear CMOS jumper 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified Log, F12 PrintScreen function, F3 Shortcut functions, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information Drivers ASUS utilities ASUS Update Anti-virus software (OEM version) Windows® 8.1/ 8.1 64-bit...
... Fan connector 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP) 1 x S/PDIF out header 1 x 24-pin EATX power connector 1 x 4-pin ATX 12V power connector 1 x COM connector 1 x TPM connector 1 x Clear CMOS jumper 64 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI 2.0, WfM 2.0, SM BIOS 2.7, ACPI 2.0a, Multi-language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3, My Favorites, Quick Note, Last Modified Log, F12 PrintScreen function, F3 Shortcut functions, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information Drivers ASUS utilities ASUS Update Anti-virus software (OEM version) Windows® 8.1/ 8.1 64-bit...
User Guide
Page 16
... memory modules. • Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows® OS, when you do any of the same version or date code (D/C) from the higher-sized channel is notched differently to prevent installation on the motherboard. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 A78M-E A78M-E 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets 1.4.2 Memory configurations You may install...
... memory modules. • Due to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows® OS, when you do any of the same version or date code (D/C) from the higher-sized channel is notched differently to prevent installation on the motherboard. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 A78M-E A78M-E 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets 1.4.2 Memory configurations You may install...
User Guide
Page 18
... the drivers support "Share IRQ" or that came with it by adjusting the software settings. 1. Install the software drivers for information on the slot. 5. To remove a DIMM B A A 1.5 Expansion slots In the future, you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.5.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1. Align the card connector with the screw you intend to install expansion cards. When using PCI cards on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if...
... the drivers support "Share IRQ" or that came with it by adjusting the software settings. 1. Install the software drivers for information on the slot. 5. To remove a DIMM B A A 1.5 Expansion slots In the future, you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.5.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1. Align the card connector with the screw you intend to install expansion cards. When using PCI cards on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if...
User Guide
Page 19
HD audio shared - - - - - - - shared - - - - - - ASUS A78M-E 1-11 PCI1 slot - - - - SATA controller - - - OnChip USB EHCI 1/2/3 - shared - - - - - shared - - - - - shared - - - - - - IRQ assignments for this motherboard A B C D E FG H PCIEx16_1 - - shared - - - - - shared - - - shared - - - - - Realtek LAN controller - - PCIEx1_1 shared - - - - - - - OnChip USB OHCI - - shared - - - - OnChip XHCI controller2 - OnChip XHCI controller1 - - 1.5.3 PCI slot The PCI slot supports cards ...
HD audio shared - - - - - - - shared - - - - - - ASUS A78M-E 1-11 PCI1 slot - - - - SATA controller - - - OnChip USB EHCI 1/2/3 - shared - - - - - shared - - - - - shared - - - - - - IRQ assignments for this motherboard A B C D E FG H PCIEx16_1 - - shared - - - - - shared - - - shared - - - - - Realtek LAN controller - - PCIEx1_1 shared - - - - - - - OnChip USB OHCI - - shared - - - - OnChip XHCI controller2 - OnChip XHCI controller1 - - 1.5.3 PCI slot The PCI slot supports cards ...
User Guide
Page 23
... jumper caps on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of maximum 2A (24W) fan power. • Only the 4-pin CPU fan and 4-pin chassis fan support the ASUS Fan Xpert feature. 2. CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND A78M-E CHA_FAN CHA FAN PWM CHA FAN IN CHA FAN PWR GND A78M-E Fan connectors DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the fan connectors. • The CPU_FAN connector supports a CPU fan of the connector...
... jumper caps on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of maximum 2A (24W) fan power. • Only the 4-pin CPU fan and 4-pin chassis fan support the ASUS Fan Xpert feature. 2. CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND A78M-E CHA_FAN CHA FAN PWM CHA FAN IN CHA FAN PWR GND A78M-E Fan connectors DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the fan connectors. • The CPU_FAN connector supports a CPU fan of the connector...
User Guide
Page 29
..., the DVD automatically displays the Specials screen. Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to avail all motherboard features. Click Drivers, Utilities, Make Disk, Manual, and Contact tabs to change at www.asus.com for reference only. The contents of the Support DVD to install If Autorun is for updates. To run the DVD. ASUS A78M-E 1-21 Click an icon to display Support DVD/motherboard information Click an item to locate the file ASSETUP...
..., the DVD automatically displays the Specials screen. Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to avail all motherboard features. Click Drivers, Utilities, Make Disk, Manual, and Contact tabs to change at www.asus.com for reference only. The contents of the Support DVD to install If Autorun is for updates. To run the DVD. ASUS A78M-E 1-21 Click an icon to display Support DVD/motherboard information Click an item to locate the file ASSETUP...
User Guide
Page 31
... 3 main menu bar. With this utlity, you need to restore the BIOS in case you can also manually update the saved BIOS and select a boot logo when the system goes into POST. Click to automatically update your motherboard's softwares, drivers and the BIOS version easily. ASUS A78M-E 2-1 BIOS information 2 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 2.1.1 EZ Update EZ Update is a utility...
... 3 main menu bar. With this utlity, you need to restore the BIOS in case you can also manually update the saved BIOS and select a boot logo when the system goes into POST. Click to automatically update your motherboard's softwares, drivers and the BIOS version easily. ASUS A78M-E 2-1 BIOS information 2 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 2.1.1 EZ Update EZ Update is a utility...
User Guide
Page 32
... the BIOS file, and then press to the USB port. 2. Press to switch to enable it. 3. Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to perform the BIOS update process. To update the BIOS using this utility, download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. Go to the Tool menu to select ASUS EZ Flash Utility and...
... the BIOS file, and then press to the USB port. 2. Press to switch to enable it. 3. Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to perform the BIOS update process. To update the BIOS using this utility, download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. Go to the Tool menu to select ASUS EZ Flash Utility and...
User Guide
Page 33
... BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the updated BIOS file. • Before using FAT32/16 on the system. 2. Before updating BIOS 1. 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is not supported under DOS environment. Turn off the computer and disconnect all SATA hard disk drives (optional). Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. To ensure system compatibility and stability, we recommend that you press to load default BIOS values. The actual utility screen displays may...
... BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the updated BIOS file. • Before using FAT32/16 on the system. 2. Before updating BIOS 1. 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is not supported under DOS environment. Turn off the computer and disconnect all SATA hard disk drives (optional). Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com. To ensure system compatibility and stability, we recommend that you press to load default BIOS values. The actual utility screen displays may...
User Guide
Page 43
...-2400MHz] Selecting a very high memory frequency may cause the system to [Manual]. If this happens, revert to the default setting. 2.5.3 APU Multiplier [Auto] Allows you set the Ai Overclock Tuner item to become unstable! Configuration options: [Auto] [Light Power Saving Mode] [Medium Power Saving Mode] [Max Power Saving Mode] ASUS A78M-E 2-13 You can also key in the desired value using the numeric keypad. 2.5.5 EPU Power Saving Mode [Disabled] Allows you to set power saving mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] EPU Setting [Auto] This item appears...
...-2400MHz] Selecting a very high memory frequency may cause the system to [Manual]. If this happens, revert to the default setting. 2.5.3 APU Multiplier [Auto] Allows you set the Ai Overclock Tuner item to become unstable! Configuration options: [Auto] [Light Power Saving Mode] [Medium Power Saving Mode] [Max Power Saving Mode] ASUS A78M-E 2-13 You can also key in the desired value using the numeric keypad. 2.5.5 EPU Power Saving Mode [Disabled] Allows you to set power saving mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] EPU Setting [Auto] This item appears...
User Guide
Page 47
... Mode [Auto] Disables the CPB (Core Performance Boost) mode or set it to the corresponding SATA port. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] IOMMU [Disabled] Set this menu show IOMMU Mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] APM Master enable [Auto] Enables or disables APM Master. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Channel Interleaving [Enabled] Enables or disables the channel memory interleaving. Configuration options: [Automatic mode] [One core per processor] [One Compute Unit] [One core per Compute Unit] 2.6.2 SATA Configuration While entering Setup, the BIOS...
... Mode [Auto] Disables the CPB (Core Performance Boost) mode or set it to the corresponding SATA port. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] IOMMU [Disabled] Set this menu show IOMMU Mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] APM Master enable [Auto] Enables or disables APM Master. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Channel Interleaving [Enabled] Enables or disables the channel memory interleaving. Configuration options: [Automatic mode] [One core per processor] [One Compute Unit] [One core per Compute Unit] 2.6.2 SATA Configuration While entering Setup, the BIOS...
User Guide
Page 48
... be used under Windows® OS with the requested drivers installed. Set to [IDE] instead of [AHCI] to access devices on random workloads by allowing the drive to internally optimize the order of your hard disk errors occur, this feature allows the hard disk to report warning messages during the POST. OnChip SATA Type [AHCI] Allows you to set the SATA Speed to [SATA 3.0Gb/s] to support SATA 3.0Gb/s HDDs or [SATA 6.0Gb/s] to support SATA 6.0Gb/s HDDs. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS information Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled...
... be used under Windows® OS with the requested drivers installed. Set to [IDE] instead of [AHCI] to access devices on random workloads by allowing the drive to internally optimize the order of your hard disk errors occur, this feature allows the hard disk to report warning messages during the POST. OnChip SATA Type [AHCI] Allows you to set the SATA Speed to [SATA 3.0Gb/s] to support SATA 3.0Gb/s HDDs or [SATA 6.0Gb/s] to support SATA 6.0Gb/s HDDs. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS information Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled...
User Guide
Page 49
Configuration options: [IGFX Video] [PCIE / PCI Video] Integrated Graphics [Auto] Enables the integrated graphics controller. ASUS A78M-E 2-19 Legacy USB Support [Enabled] [Enabled] Enables the support for USB devices on VGA devices. USB Single Port Control Allows you to [Auto]. Configuration options: [Auto] [Force] UMA Frame Buffer Size [Auto] This item appears only when you set the Integrated Graphics item to enable/disable individual USB ports. 2.6.4 NB Configuration IGFX Multi-Monitor [Disabled] Enables or disables the Internal Graphics Device Multi-Monitor support for ...
Configuration options: [IGFX Video] [PCIE / PCI Video] Integrated Graphics [Auto] Enables the integrated graphics controller. ASUS A78M-E 2-19 Legacy USB Support [Enabled] [Enabled] Enables the support for USB devices on VGA devices. USB Single Port Control Allows you to [Auto]. Configuration options: [Auto] [Force] UMA Frame Buffer Size [Auto] This item appears only when you set the Integrated Graphics item to enable/disable individual USB ports. 2.6.4 NB Configuration IGFX Multi-Monitor [Disabled] Enables or disables the Internal Graphics Device Multi-Monitor support for ...
User Guide
Page 50
... panel audio module supports. [HD] Sets the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to high definition audio. [AC97] Sets the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC'97. SPDIF Out Type [SPDIF] [SPDIF] Sets to [SPDIF] for SPDIF audio output. [HDMI] Sets to [Enabled] and allows you set the serial port configuration. Realtek LAN Controller [Enabled] [Enabled] Enables the Realtek LAN controller. [Disabled] Disables the controller. Serial Port [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the serial port (COM).Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Change Settings [Auto...
... panel audio module supports. [HD] Sets the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to high definition audio. [AC97] Sets the front panel audio connector (AAFP) mode to legacy AC'97. SPDIF Out Type [SPDIF] [SPDIF] Sets to [SPDIF] for SPDIF audio output. [HDMI] Sets to [Enabled] and allows you set the serial port configuration. Realtek LAN Controller [Enabled] [Enabled] Enables the Realtek LAN controller. [Disabled] Disables the controller. Serial Port [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the serial port (COM).Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Change Settings [Auto...
User Guide
Page 54
...] Use the and keys to enable or disable the Anti Surge function. 2.7.4 [Disabled] [Enabled] Chassis Q-Fan Control [Enabled] Disables the Chassis1 Q-Fan control feature. When the chassis temperature is under 40ºC, the chassis fan will operate at the minimum duty cycle. 2.7.5 CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. Select Ignore if you do not want to detect this item. 2.7.6 Anti Surge Support [Auto...
...] Use the and keys to enable or disable the Anti Surge function. 2.7.4 [Disabled] [Enabled] Chassis Q-Fan Control [Enabled] Disables the Chassis1 Q-Fan control feature. When the chassis temperature is under 40ºC, the chassis fan will operate at the minimum duty cycle. 2.7.5 CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects the voltage output through the onboard voltage regulators. Select Ignore if you do not want to detect this item. 2.7.6 Anti Surge Support [Auto...
User Guide
Page 56
.... 2.8.1 [Enabled] [Disabled] Fast Boot [Enabled] Select to load the network stack driver during POST. SATA Support [All Devices] [All Devices] All devices connected to SATA ports will be available during POST. [Hard Drive Only] Only hard drives connected to SATA ports will be detected during POST. [Boot Drive Only] Only boot drives connected to normal boot on the next boot after AC power loss. [Fast Boot] Accelerates the boot speed on the next boot after AC Power Loss [Normal Boot] [Normal Boot] Returns to SATA ports will not be detected during POST. These settings...
.... 2.8.1 [Enabled] [Disabled] Fast Boot [Enabled] Select to load the network stack driver during POST. SATA Support [All Devices] [All Devices] All devices connected to SATA ports will be available during POST. [Hard Drive Only] Only hard drives connected to SATA ports will be detected during POST. [Boot Drive Only] Only boot drives connected to normal boot on the next boot after AC power loss. [Fast Boot] Accelerates the boot speed on the next boot after AC Power Loss [Normal Boot] [Normal Boot] Returns to SATA ports will not be detected during POST. These settings...
User Guide
Page 58
... type of PCIe/PCI expansion devices that you set to fully support the Windows® Security Update and Security Boot. The following four items appear when you want to launch. Configuration options: [UEFI and Legacy OpROM] [Legacy OpROM only] [UEFI only] Boot from PCIe/PCI Expansion Devices [Legacy OpROM first] Allows you to select the type of network devices that you want to launch. OS Type [Windows UEFI mode] Allows you want to select your installed operating system. [Windows UEFI mode...
... type of PCIe/PCI expansion devices that you set to fully support the Windows® Security Update and Security Boot. The following four items appear when you want to launch. Configuration options: [UEFI and Legacy OpROM] [Legacy OpROM only] [UEFI only] Boot from PCIe/PCI Expansion Devices [Legacy OpROM first] Allows you to select the type of network devices that you want to launch. OS Type [Windows UEFI mode] Allows you want to select your installed operating system. [Windows UEFI mode...