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SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT. Such software in this...
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT. Such software in this...
User Guide
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...manuals 4-2 4.3 Software information 4-3 4.4 AI Suite 3...4-3 4.5 Dual Intelligent Processors 5 4-6 4.6 ROG Audio features 4-22 4.7 Sonic Radar II 4-29 4.8 GameFirst III 4-31 4.9 KeyBot II...4-34 4.10 ASUS Media Streamer 4-36 4.11 RAMDisk...4-38 4.12 MemTweakIt 4-41 4.13 ROG CPU-Z 4-43 4.14 RAMCache 4-44 Chapter 5: RAID Support 5.1 RAID configurations 5-1 5.1.1 RAID definitions 5-1 5.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks 5-2 5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS 5-2 5.1.4 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility 5-3 5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk...
...manuals 4-2 4.3 Software information 4-3 4.4 AI Suite 3...4-3 4.5 Dual Intelligent Processors 5 4-6 4.6 ROG Audio features 4-22 4.7 Sonic Radar II 4-29 4.8 GameFirst III 4-31 4.9 KeyBot II...4-34 4.10 ASUS Media Streamer 4-36 4.11 RAMDisk...4-38 4.12 MemTweakIt 4-41 4.13 ROG CPU-Z 4-43 4.14 RAMCache 4-44 Chapter 5: RAID Support 5.1 RAID configurations 5-1 5.1.1 RAID definitions 5-1 5.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks 5-2 5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS 5-2 5.1.4 Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility 5-3 5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk...
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...-ECC, un-buffered memory Dual channel memory architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) * Hyper DIMM support is operating in SATA mode, SATA ports 1,2 will be disabled. (continued on the next page) ix Intel® HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort - Supports HDMI with max. MAXIMUS VIII HERO specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Expansion slots Graphic Multi-GPU support Storage LGA1151 socket for 6th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors Supports 14 nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0* * *Intel® Turbo...
...-ECC, un-buffered memory Dual channel memory architecture Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) * Hyper DIMM support is operating in SATA mode, SATA ports 1,2 will be disabled. (continued on the next page) ix Intel® HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort - Supports HDMI with max. MAXIMUS VIII HERO specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Expansion slots Graphic Multi-GPU support Storage LGA1151 socket for 6th Generation Intel® Core™ Processors Supports 14 nm CPU Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0* * *Intel® Turbo...
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... bandwidth and stability. Intel® Z170 Express Chipset The Intel® Z170 Express Chipset is the PCIe bus standard that supports socket LGA1151 6th Gen Intel® Core™ processors. It provides improved performance by utilizing serial point-to join in competitions. SLI®/CrossFire™ On-Demand This motherboard supports multi-GPU SLI®/CrossFireX™ graphics cards for faster data retrieval. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 1-1 We offer the best hardware...
... bandwidth and stability. Intel® Z170 Express Chipset The Intel® Z170 Express Chipset is the PCIe bus standard that supports socket LGA1151 6th Gen Intel® Core™ processors. It provides improved performance by utilizing serial point-to join in competitions. SLI®/CrossFire™ On-Demand This motherboard supports multi-GPU SLI®/CrossFireX™ graphics cards for faster data retrieval. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 1-1 We offer the best hardware...
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..., or netbook. Install a USB storage device containing the BIOS file, press the BIOS Flashback button for your gaming experiences even more epic! DAEMON Tools Pro organizes data, music, video, and photo collections on advanced anti virus technologies. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 1-5 It also allows you 're part of your system's current information with the virtual copies. and all formats and quality levels, DTS Connect combines two enabling technologies, DTS Neo...
..., or netbook. Install a USB storage device containing the BIOS file, press the BIOS Flashback button for your gaming experiences even more epic! DAEMON Tools Pro organizes data, music, video, and photo collections on advanced anti virus technologies. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 1-5 It also allows you 're part of your system's current information with the virtual copies. and all formats and quality levels, DTS Connect combines two enabling technologies, DTS Neo...
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... IDE Enable SCSI initialization is started SCSI Reset SCSI Detect SCSI Enable Setup Verifying Password Start of Setup Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Setup Input Wait Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Ready To Boot event Legacy Boot event Exit Boot Services event Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP Begin Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP End Legacy Option ROM Initialization System Reset USB hot plug PCI bus hot plug (continued on the next page) ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO...
... IDE Enable SCSI initialization is started SCSI Reset SCSI Detect SCSI Enable Setup Verifying Password Start of Setup Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Setup Input Wait Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Ready To Boot event Legacy Boot event Exit Boot Services event Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP Begin Runtime Set Virtual Address MAP End Legacy Option ROM Initialization System Reset USB hot plug PCI bus hot plug (continued on the next page) ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO...
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... Legacy Option ROM No Console Output Devices are found Invalid password Error loading Boot Option (LoadImage returned error) Boot Option is failed (StartImage returned error) Flash update is failed Reset protocol is not available ACPI/ASL Checkpoints Code 0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04 0x05 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0xAC 0xAA Description System is entering S1 sleep state System is entering S2 sleep state System is entering S3 sleep state System is entering S4 sleep state System is entering...
... Legacy Option ROM No Console Output Devices are found Invalid password Error loading Boot Option (LoadImage returned error) Boot Option is failed (StartImage returned error) Flash update is failed Reset protocol is not available ACPI/ASL Checkpoints Code 0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04 0x05 0x10 0x20 0x30 0x40 0xAC 0xAA Description System is entering S1 sleep state System is entering S2 sleep state System is entering S3 sleep state System is entering S4 sleep state System is entering...
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Chapter 1 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 1-31 LN2 Mode jumper (3-pin LN2_MODE) With LN2 mode activated, the ROG motherboard is optimized to remedy the cold-boot bug during POST and help the system boot successfully. 1.2.8 Jumper 1.
Chapter 1 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 1-31 LN2 Mode jumper (3-pin LN2_MODE) With LN2 mode activated, the ROG motherboard is optimized to remedy the cold-boot bug during POST and help the system boot successfully. 1.2.8 Jumper 1.
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... an installed USB 3.0 module, you to install the related driver to 5 Gbps, faster charging time for additional USB 3.0 front or rear panel ports. We recommend you can enjoy all the benefits of USB 3.0 including faster data transfer speeds of up to fully use the USB 3.0 ports under Windows® 7, Windows® 8, and Windows® 8.1. • The plugged USB 3.0 device may run on xHCI or EHCI mode depending on xHCI specification. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO...
... an installed USB 3.0 module, you to install the related driver to 5 Gbps, faster charging time for additional USB 3.0 front or rear panel ports. We recommend you can enjoy all the benefits of USB 3.0 including faster data transfer speeds of up to fully use the USB 3.0 ports under Windows® 7, Windows® 8, and Windows® 8.1. • The plugged USB 3.0 device may run on xHCI or EHCI mode depending on xHCI specification. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO...
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... the selected mode. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-3 Refer to the Setup Mode item in section Boot menu for entering the BIOS setup program can be changed. Displays the CPU/motherboard temperature, CPU voltage output, CPU/chassis/power fan speed, and SATA information Displays the system properties of the BIOS setup program Creates storage RAID and configures system overclocking Chapter 3 Enables or disables the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Displays the CPU Fan's speed. Click the button to manually tune the fans Loads optimized default settings Saves the changes and resets the system...
... the selected mode. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-3 Refer to the Setup Mode item in section Boot menu for entering the BIOS setup program can be changed. Displays the CPU/motherboard temperature, CPU voltage output, CPU/chassis/power fan speed, and SATA information Displays the system properties of the BIOS setup program Creates storage RAID and configures system overclocking Chapter 3 Enables or disables the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Displays the CPU Fan's speed. Click the button to manually tune the fans Loads optimized default settings Saves the changes and resets the system...
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... SATA Mode Selection is designed for LPM (link power management) support with a better energy saving conditions. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Aggressive LPM Support [Disabled] This item is set to [Enabled], the hot plug function of commands. [RAID] Set to [RAID] when you want the SATA hard disk drives to SATA for RAID Remapping. SATA6G_6(Gray) SATA6G_1(Gray) - Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Chapter 3 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-31 The following item appears only when you to enable or disable PCIE port to use the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller...
... SATA Mode Selection is designed for LPM (link power management) support with a better energy saving conditions. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Aggressive LPM Support [Disabled] This item is set to [Enabled], the hot plug function of commands. [RAID] Set to [RAID] when you want the SATA hard disk drives to SATA for RAID Remapping. SATA6G_6(Gray) SATA6G_1(Gray) - Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Chapter 3 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-31 The following item appears only when you to enable or disable PCIE port to use the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller...
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Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power On By RTC [Disabled] [Disabled] Disables RTC to get the system ready for the onboard LAN controller or other PME options will be switched off some power at S4+S5 or S5 to generate a wake event. [Enabled] Generates a wake event and configure the real-time clock (RTC) alarm date. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled(S4+S5] [Enabled(S5)] Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off] [Power Off] The system goes into OFF state after an...
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Power On By RTC [Disabled] [Disabled] Disables RTC to get the system ready for the onboard LAN controller or other PME options will be switched off some power at S4+S5 or S5 to generate a wake event. [Enabled] Generates a wake event and configure the real-time clock (RTC) alarm date. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled(S4+S5] [Enabled(S5)] Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off] [Power Off] The system goes into OFF state after an...
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...during POST. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Network Stack Driver Support [Disabled] [Disabled] Select to skip the network stack driver from loading during POST. [Enabled] Select to normal boot on the next boot after an AC power loss. For a faster POST time, only USB ports with keyboard and mouse connections will be available until is pressed. Next Boot after AC Power Loss [Normal Boot] [Normal Boot] Returns to load the network stack driver during normal boot. Boot Logo Display [Auto] [Auto] Auto adjustments for a fastest POST time. All USB devices...
...during POST. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Network Stack Driver Support [Disabled] [Disabled] Select to skip the network stack driver from loading during POST. [Enabled] Select to normal boot on the next boot after an AC power loss. For a faster POST time, only USB ports with keyboard and mouse connections will be available until is pressed. Next Boot after AC Power Loss [Normal Boot] [Normal Boot] Returns to load the network stack driver during normal boot. Boot Logo Display [Auto] [Auto] Auto adjustments for a fastest POST time. All USB devices...
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... only when you to configure the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) items to [Enabled]. Above 4G Decoding [Disabled] This item enables or disables 64-bit capable devices to be shown during legacy boot. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Option ROM Messages [Enabled] [Enabled] The Option ROM Messages will be shown during the POST. [Disabled] Only the ASUS logo will be decoded in above 4G address space if your system supports 64-bit PCI Decoding. Configuration options: [Legacy only] [UEFI driver first] [Ignore] Chapter 3 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-45
... only when you to configure the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) items to [Enabled]. Above 4G Decoding [Disabled] This item enables or disables 64-bit capable devices to be shown during legacy boot. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Option ROM Messages [Enabled] [Enabled] The Option ROM Messages will be shown during the POST. [Disabled] Only the ASUS logo will be decoded in above 4G address space if your system supports 64-bit PCI Decoding. Configuration options: [Legacy only] [UEFI driver first] [Ignore] Chapter 3 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-45
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... support DVD and a USB flash disk drive. 3.11.1 EZ Update The EZ Update is a utility that comes with the motherboard package. EZ Update: Updates the BIOS in this motherboard. The following utilities allow you to boot. ASUS BIOS Updater: Updates the BIOS in DOS environment using the current version of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS. Chapter 3 3-54 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Inappropriate BIOS updating may result to system's failure to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. • EZ Update requires an Internet connection either through a network...
... support DVD and a USB flash disk drive. 3.11.1 EZ Update The EZ Update is a utility that comes with the motherboard package. EZ Update: Updates the BIOS in this motherboard. The following utilities allow you to boot. ASUS BIOS Updater: Updates the BIOS in DOS environment using the current version of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS. Chapter 3 3-54 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Inappropriate BIOS updating may result to system's failure to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. • EZ Update requires an Internet connection either through a network...
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... BIOS file. • This function can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! Doing so can cause system boot failure! Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to the USB port. 3. When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and enters the ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility automatically. 4. Recovering the BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. Chapter 3 3-56 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup...
... BIOS file. • This function can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure! Doing so can cause system boot failure! Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to the USB port. 3. When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and enters the ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility automatically. 4. Recovering the BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. Chapter 3 3-56 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup...
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...; Ensure that your USB flash drive. Please select boot device: E1: ASUS DVD-E818A6T (4069MB) USB DISK 2.0 (3824MB) UEFI: (FAT) USB DISK 2.0 (3824MB) Enter Setup and to move selection ENTER to select boot device ESC to the USB port. 2. Insert the USB flash drive with the latest BIOS file and BIOS Updater to boot using defaults Chapter 3 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-57 Boot your computer screen. 3.11.4 ASUS BIOS Updater ASUS BIOS Updater allows you to launch the select boot device screen. 3. Ensure that your computer has a DVD optical drive. Booting the system in...
...; Ensure that your USB flash drive. Please select boot device: E1: ASUS DVD-E818A6T (4069MB) USB DISK 2.0 (3824MB) UEFI: (FAT) USB DISK 2.0 (3824MB) Enter Setup and to move selection ENTER to select boot device ESC to the USB port. 2. Insert the USB flash drive with the latest BIOS file and BIOS Updater to boot using defaults Chapter 3 ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 3-57 Boot your computer screen. 3.11.4 ASUS BIOS Updater ASUS BIOS Updater allows you to launch the select boot device screen. 3. Ensure that your computer has a DVD optical drive. Booting the system in...
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... motherboard supports Serial ATA hard disk drives. For optimal performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity when creating a disk array. Refer to Chapter 3 for a RAID configuration: 1. Go to the power connector on entering and navigating through the BIOS Setup Due to chipset limitation, when SATA ports are set to [RAID Mode]. 4. Enter the BIOS Setup during POST. 2. To install the SATA hard disks for details on each drive. 5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS You must enable the RAID function in the BIOS Setup before creating RAID sets using SATA HDDs...
... motherboard supports Serial ATA hard disk drives. For optimal performance, install identical drives of the same model and capacity when creating a disk array. Refer to Chapter 3 for a RAID configuration: 1. Go to the power connector on entering and navigating through the BIOS Setup Due to chipset limitation, when SATA ports are set to [RAID Mode]. 4. Enter the BIOS Setup during POST. 2. To install the SATA hard disks for details on each drive. 5.1.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS You must enable the RAID function in the BIOS Setup before creating RAID sets using SATA HDDs...
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...formatted floppy disk into the optical drive. 5. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to use a USB floppy disk drive when creating a SATA RAID driver disk. 5.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS To create a RAID driver disk without entering the OS: 1. Boot your computer. 2. Save changes and exit BIOS. 6. You have to complete the process. Insert the support DVD into the USB floppy disk drive, then press . 8. From the utility main menu, select 5. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 5-7 Chapter 5 Exiting the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility...
...formatted floppy disk into the optical drive. 5. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to use a USB floppy disk drive when creating a SATA RAID driver disk. 5.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS To create a RAID driver disk without entering the OS: 1. Boot your computer. 2. Save changes and exit BIOS. 6. You have to complete the process. Insert the support DVD into the USB floppy disk drive, then press . 8. From the utility main menu, select 5. ASUS MAXIMUS VIII HERO 5-7 Chapter 5 Exiting the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility...
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... a RAID driver disk in Windows® To create a RAID driver disk in Windows®: 1. Place the motherboard support DVD into the optical drive, and then click Browse. 3. Select USB floppy disk drive as the destination disk. 6. Go to the Make Disk menu, and then click Intel AHCI/RAID Driver Disk to complete the process. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to create a RAID driver disk. 5. During the OS installation, click Load Driver to allow you have to use another computer to copy the RAID driver...
... a RAID driver disk in Windows® To create a RAID driver disk in Windows®: 1. Place the motherboard support DVD into the optical drive, and then click Browse. 3. Select USB floppy disk drive as the destination disk. 6. Go to the Make Disk menu, and then click Intel AHCI/RAID Driver Disk to complete the process. Follow the succeeding screen instructions to create a RAID driver disk. 5. During the OS installation, click Load Driver to allow you have to use another computer to copy the RAID driver...