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Contents Notices...vi Safety information vii About this guide viii P8H61-M PLUS2 specifications summary ix Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Before you proceed 1-1 1.2 Motherboard overview 1-2 1.2.1 Placement direction 1-2 1.2.2 Screw holes 1-2 1.2.3 Motherboard layout 1-3 1.2.4 Layout contents 1-3 1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-4 1.3.1 Installing the CPU 1-4 1.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan 1-7 1.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan 1-8 1.4 System memory 1-9 1.4.1 Overview 1-9 1.4.2 ...
Contents Notices...vi Safety information vii About this guide viii P8H61-M PLUS2 specifications summary ix Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Before you proceed 1-1 1.2 Motherboard overview 1-2 1.2.1 Placement direction 1-2 1.2.2 Screw holes 1-2 1.2.3 Motherboard layout 1-3 1.2.4 Layout contents 1-3 1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-4 1.3.1 Installing the CPU 1-4 1.3.2 Installing the CPU heatsink and fan 1-7 1.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan 1-8 1.4 System memory 1-9 1.4.1 Overview 1-9 1.4.2 ...
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... cables from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry. • Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Operation safety • Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on a stable surface. • If you detect any area where it by yourself. If you encounter technical problems with...from the system, ensure that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in our products at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that came with the REACH (Registration,...
... cables from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry. • Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Operation safety • Before installing the motherboard and adding devices on a stable surface. • If you detect any area where it by yourself. If you encounter technical problems with...from the system, ensure that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in our products at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that came with the REACH (Registration,...
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...than and greater-than sign means that you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. Refer to complete a task. DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to the ASUS contact information. 2. Typography Bold text Italics ++ Indicates a menu or an ...item to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. If you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the motherboard and the new technology it supports....
...than and greater-than sign means that you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. Refer to complete a task. DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when trying to the ASUS contact information. 2. Typography Bold text Italics ++ Indicates a menu or an ...item to change system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. If you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the motherboard and the new technology it supports....
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...supply. The illustration below shows the location of accessories. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to page x for buying an ASUS® P8H61-M PLUS2 motherboard! This is a reminder that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is ON, in sleep mode, or ...in soft-off mode. SB_PWR P8H61-M PLUS2 ON OFF Standby Power Powered Off P8H61-M PLUS2 Onboard LED Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-1 Standby Power LED The motherboard comes with the component. • Before you install or remove any component, ensure that ...
...supply. The illustration below shows the location of accessories. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to page x for buying an ASUS® P8H61-M PLUS2 motherboard! This is a reminder that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is ON, in sleep mode, or ...in soft-off mode. SB_PWR P8H61-M PLUS2 ON OFF Standby Power Powered Off P8H61-M PLUS2 Onboard LED Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-1 Standby Power LED The motherboard comes with the component. • Before you install or remove any component, ensure that ...
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... overtighten the screws! Doing so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it . Place this side towards the rear of the chassis P8H61-M PLUS2 1-2 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Failure to do so can damage the motherboard. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of...
... overtighten the screws! Doing so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it . Place this side towards the rear of the chassis P8H61-M PLUS2 1-2 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Failure to do so can damage the motherboard. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of...
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... PnP cap unless you see any damage to the right (B) until it to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. Load lever A B Retention tab 1-4 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Locate the CPU socket on the socket and the socket contacts are installing a CPU. 1.3 Central Processing Unit (...CPU) The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1155 socket designed for the Intel® Second Generation Core™ i7 / Core™...
... PnP cap unless you see any damage to the right (B) until it to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. Load lever A B Retention tab 1-4 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Locate the CPU socket on the socket and the socket contacts are installing a CPU. 1.3 Central Processing Unit (...CPU) The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1155 socket designed for the Intel® Second Generation Core™ i7 / Core™...
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... connector. 2. If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, ensure that you buy a CPU separately, ensure that you have installed the motherboard to the chassis before you install the CPU fan and heatsink assembly. B B Orient the heatsink and fan assembly A such that the four fasteners... match the holes on the motherboard. The illustration above is closest to secure the heatsink and fan assembly in place. Place the heatsink on top of CPU heatsink and fan...
... connector. 2. If you purchased a separate CPU heatsink and fan assembly, ensure that you buy a CPU separately, ensure that you have installed the motherboard to the chassis before you install the CPU fan and heatsink assembly. B B Orient the heatsink and fan assembly A such that the four fasteners... match the holes on the motherboard. The illustration above is closest to secure the heatsink and fan assembly in place. Place the heatsink on top of CPU heatsink and fan...
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CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND P8H61-M PLUS2 P8H61-M PLUS2 CPU fan connector Do not forget to disengage the heatsink and fan assembly from the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN. Rotate each fastener counterclockwise. 3. Pull up two fasteners at... sequence to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to the connector on the motherboard. 2. A B A B B A B A 1-8 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Connect the CPU fan cable to plug this connector. 1.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan To uninstall the CPU heatsink...
CPU_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND P8H61-M PLUS2 P8H61-M PLUS2 CPU fan connector Do not forget to disengage the heatsink and fan assembly from the connector on the motherboard labeled CPU_FAN. Rotate each fastener counterclockwise. 3. Pull up two fasteners at... sequence to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to the connector on the motherboard. 2. A B A B B A B A 1-8 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Connect the CPU fan cable to plug this connector. 1.3.3 Uninstalling the CPU heatsink and fan To uninstall the CPU heatsink...
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...Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. 4. Carefully remove the heatsink and fan assembly from the motherboard. 5. Rotate each fastener clockwise to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions... when reinstalling. 1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with less power consumption. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 P8H61-M PLUS2 Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 P8H61-M PLUS2 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets Chapter 1: Product introduction...
...Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. 4. Carefully remove the heatsink and fan assembly from the motherboard. 5. Rotate each fastener clockwise to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions... when reinstalling. 1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with less power consumption. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 P8H61-M PLUS2 Channel Channel A Channel B Sockets DIMM_A1 DIMM_B1 P8H61-M PLUS2 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets Chapter 1: Product introduction...
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P8H61-M PLUS2 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1066 MHz capability Vendors Part ... Brand Chip NO. For effective use a more efficient memory cooling system to the memory address limitation on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be about 3GB or less. Under the default state, some memory...8226; • 1-10 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 To operate at the vendor-marked or at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. Use a maximum of 3GB system memory if you install 4GB or more on the motherboard. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs ...
P8H61-M PLUS2 Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3-1066 MHz capability Vendors Part ... Brand Chip NO. For effective use a more efficient memory cooling system to the memory address limitation on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for the OS can be about 3GB or less. Under the default state, some memory...8226; • 1-10 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 To operate at the vendor-marked or at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. Use a maximum of 3GB system memory if you install 4GB or more on the motherboard. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs ...
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... NOT force a DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snap back in only one direction. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to both the motherboard and the components. 1. The DIMM might get damaged when it fits in place 3 and the DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it flips out...
... NOT force a DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snap back in only one direction. Simultaneously press the retaining clips outward to both the motherboard and the components. 1. The DIMM might get damaged when it fits in place 3 and the DIMM is keyed with a notch so that it flips out...
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... software drivers for information on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support "Share IRQ" or that came with the PCI Express specifications. 1-14 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Secure the card to use . 4. See Chapter 2 for the expansion card. Replace the system cover. 1.5.2 Configuring an expansion card After installing... LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. 1.5.4 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.5.5 PCI Express x16 slot...
... software drivers for information on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support "Share IRQ" or that came with the PCI Express specifications. 1-14 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 Secure the card to use . 4. See Chapter 2 for the expansion card. Replace the system cover. 1.5.2 Configuring an expansion card After installing... LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specifications. 1.5.4 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.5.5 PCI Express x16 slot...
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...motherboard's high-definition audio capability. • If you want to connect an AC'97 front panel audio module to [HD]. GND PRESENCE# SENSE1_RETUR SENSE2_RETUR AGND NC NC NC AAFP PIN 1 PIN 1 MIC2 MICPWR Line out_R NC Line out_L PORT1 L PORT1 R PORT2 R SENSE_SEND PORT2 L P8H61-M PLUS2... HD-audio-compliant Legacy AC'97 pin definition compliant definition P8H61-M PLUS2 Front panel audio connector • We recommend that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard....
...motherboard's high-definition audio capability. • If you want to connect an AC'97 front panel audio module to [HD]. GND PRESENCE# SENSE1_RETUR SENSE2_RETUR AGND NC NC NC AAFP PIN 1 PIN 1 MIC2 MICPWR Line out_R NC Line out_L PORT1 L PORT1 R PORT2 R SENSE_SEND PORT2 L P8H61-M PLUS2... HD-audio-compliant Legacy AC'97 pin definition compliant definition P8H61-M PLUS2 Front panel audio connector • We recommend that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard....
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... CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND P8H61-M PLUS2 CHA_FAN Rotation +12V GND P8H61-M PLUS2 Fan connectors Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the USB connectors. 4. Do not place jumper caps on the motherboard, ensuring that supports up to a slot opening at the...the module to 480 Mbps connection speed. Doing so will damage the motherboard! USB78 USB910 USB+5V USB_P8USB_P8+ GND NC USB+5V USB_P10USB_P10+ GND NC P8H61-M PLUS2 PIN 1 PIN 1 USB+5V USB_P7USB_P7+ GND USB+5V USB_P9USB_P9+ GND P8H61-M PLUS2 USB2.0 connectors Never connect a 1394 cable to the fan connectors....
... CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND P8H61-M PLUS2 CHA_FAN Rotation +12V GND P8H61-M PLUS2 Fan connectors Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the USB connectors. 4. Do not place jumper caps on the motherboard, ensuring that supports up to a slot opening at the...the module to 480 Mbps connection speed. Doing so will damage the motherboard! USB78 USB910 USB+5V USB_P8USB_P8+ GND NC USB+5V USB_P10USB_P10+ GND NC P8H61-M PLUS2 PIN 1 PIN 1 USB+5V USB_P7USB_P7+ GND USB+5V USB_P9USB_P9+ GND P8H61-M PLUS2 USB2.0 connectors Never connect a 1394 cable to the fan connectors....
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...versions before installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability. 1.8.2 Support DVD information The Support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD... corresponding updates to display their respective menus. The contents of the Support DVD to change at www.asus.com for reference only. 1.8 Software support 1.8.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows® XP / Vista / 7 Operating Systems (OS). Click an icon to display...
...versions before installing the drivers for better compatibility and system stability. 1.8.2 Support DVD information The Support DVD that comes with the motherboard package contains the drivers, software applications, and utilities that you can install to run the Support DVD Place the Support DVD... corresponding updates to display their respective menus. The contents of the Support DVD to change at www.asus.com for reference only. 1.8 Software support 1.8.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows® XP / Vista / 7 Operating Systems (OS). Click an icon to display...
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... Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in case you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in the future. From the dropdown list, select either ...motherboard package. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using this utility. Follow the onscreen instructions to launch the ASUS Update utility. 2. From the Windows® desktop, click Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUS Update > ASUS Update to complete the installation. Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-1 Installing ASUS Update To install ASUS Update: 1. b. Select the ASUS...
... Managing and updating your BIOS Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in case you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in the future. From the dropdown list, select either ...motherboard package. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using this utility. Follow the onscreen instructions to launch the ASUS Update utility. 2. From the Windows® desktop, click Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUS Update > ASUS Update to complete the installation. Chapter 2: BIOS information 2-1 Installing ASUS Update To install ASUS Update: 1. b. Select the ASUS...
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...BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. To ensure system compatibility and stability, we recommend that contains the updated BIOS file. • Before using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that you press to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. ...3. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the BIOS file, and then press to prevent system boot failure! 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is done. • This function supports USB flash disks with FAT 32/16 format and single partition only. •...
...BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. To ensure system compatibility and stability, we recommend that contains the updated BIOS file. • Before using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that you press to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. ...3. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the BIOS file, and then press to prevent system boot failure! 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is done. • This function supports USB flash disks with FAT 32/16 format and single partition only. •...
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... from Drive C (optical drive) to FreeDOS (http://www.freedos.org)! Booting the system in FAT32/16 format and single partition. 2. C:\>d: D:\> 2-4 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 2.1.4 ASUS BIOS Updater The ASUS BIOS Updater allows you can use as a backup when the BIOS fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. The actual utility screen displays... ↓ to move selection ENTER to select boot device ESC to a hard disk drive or USB flash drive in DOS environment. Prepare the motherboard support DVD and a USB flash drive in DOS environment 1. Do not save them on the USB flash drive.
... from Drive C (optical drive) to FreeDOS (http://www.freedos.org)! Booting the system in FAT32/16 format and single partition. 2. C:\>d: D:\> 2-4 ASUS P8H61-M PLUS2 2.1.4 ASUS BIOS Updater The ASUS BIOS Updater allows you can use as a backup when the BIOS fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. The actual utility screen displays... ↓ to move selection ENTER to select boot device ESC to a hard disk drive or USB flash drive in DOS environment. Prepare the motherboard support DVD and a USB flash drive in DOS environment 1. Do not save them on the USB flash drive.
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... to control the BIOS setup program. • If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS setting, try to clear the CMOS and reset the motherboard to turn the system off then back on the system chassis. • Press the power button to the default value. See section 2.9 Exit Menu... RTC RAM. We recommend to always shut down the system properly from a running operating system can cause damage to your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at startup: • Press during the Power-On Self Test (POST). The BIOS screens include navigation keys and brief online help to guide you...
... to control the BIOS setup program. • If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS setting, try to clear the CMOS and reset the motherboard to turn the system off then back on the system chassis. • Press the power button to the default value. See section 2.9 Exit Menu... RTC RAM. We recommend to always shut down the system properly from a running operating system can cause damage to your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at startup: • Press during the Power-On Self Test (POST). The BIOS screens include navigation keys and brief online help to guide you...