User Guide
Page 2
... of the product, either (1) for free by downloading it from https://www.asus.com/support/ or (2) for which is dependent on the preferred carrier and the location where you . Where the applicable license entitles you to the source code of shipment with you want to have...ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. 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. All Rights Reserved. Such software in obtaining the full corresponding source code...
... of the product, either (1) for free by downloading it from https://www.asus.com/support/ or (2) for which is dependent on the preferred carrier and the location where you . Where the applicable license entitles you to the source code of shipment with you want to have...ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT. 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. All Rights Reserved. Such software in obtaining the full corresponding source code...
User Guide
Page 3
... memory 1-5 1.1.5 Expansion slots 1-7 1.1.6 Onboard buttons and switches 1-9 1.1.7 Onboard LEDs 1-13 1.1.8 Jumper 1-14 1.1.9 Internal connectors 1-15 Chapter 2: Basic Installation 2.1 Building your PC system 2-1 2.1.1 CPU installation 2-1 2.1.2 Cooling system installation 2-3 2.1.3 Motherboard installation 2-5 2.1.4 DIMM installation 2-6 2.1.5 ATX power connection 2-7 2.1.6 SATA device connection 2-7 2.1.7 Front I/O connector 2-8 2.1.8 Expansion card installation 2-9 2.1.9 M.2 installation 2-10 2.1.10 Wi-Fi antenna installation 2-11 2.2 BIOS update utility...
... memory 1-5 1.1.5 Expansion slots 1-7 1.1.6 Onboard buttons and switches 1-9 1.1.7 Onboard LEDs 1-13 1.1.8 Jumper 1-14 1.1.9 Internal connectors 1-15 Chapter 2: Basic Installation 2.1 Building your PC system 2-1 2.1.1 CPU installation 2-1 2.1.2 Cooling system installation 2-3 2.1.3 Motherboard installation 2-5 2.1.4 DIMM installation 2-6 2.1.5 ATX power connection 2-7 2.1.6 SATA device connection 2-7 2.1.7 Front I/O connector 2-8 2.1.8 Expansion card installation 2-9 2.1.9 M.2 installation 2-10 2.1.10 Wi-Fi antenna installation 2-11 2.2 BIOS update utility...
User Guide
Page 9
... this card under BIOS settings. ** The PCIe x4_3 slot shares bandwidth with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 3.0 x4 mode_M.2_2)** - 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports - Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology*** * When the M.2_1 Socket 3 is operating in PCIe 3.0 x4 mode, SATA ports 5 and 6 will work depending on the CPU installed. (continued on the CPU type. ROG MAXIMUS X CODE specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Expansion slots Graphic Multi-GPU support Storage Intel® Socket 1151 for details. New 8th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots...
... this card under BIOS settings. ** The PCIe x4_3 slot shares bandwidth with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 (supports PCIe 3.0 x4 mode_M.2_2)** - 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports - Supports Intel® Smart Response Technology*** * When the M.2_1 Socket 3 is operating in PCIe 3.0 x4 mode, SATA ports 5 and 6 will work depending on the CPU installed. (continued on the CPU type. ROG MAXIMUS X CODE specifications summary CPU Chipset Memory Expansion slots Graphic Multi-GPU support Storage Intel® Socket 1151 for details. New 8th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors 2 x PCIe 3.0 x16 slots...
User Guide
Page 11
... - ROG SSD Secure Erase - Power On UEFI BIOS features: - Aura effects (LOGO) - 2 x Aura RGB headers - 2 x Aura addressable RGB headers Start Button Reset Button Safe Boot Button ReTry Button BIOS Flashback Button Clear CMOS Button MemOK! Button LN2 Mode ROG RAMDisk ROG CloneDrive ROG RAMCache II KeyBot II - Profile - Clr CMOS - NexFET MOSFETs - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors ROG Armor Pre-mounted I/O Shield ROG Aura - Graphics Card Information Preview (continued on the next page) xi board [black]) ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller - 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector...
... - ROG SSD Secure Erase - Power On UEFI BIOS features: - Aura effects (LOGO) - 2 x Aura RGB headers - 2 x Aura addressable RGB headers Start Button Reset Button Safe Boot Button ReTry Button BIOS Flashback Button Clear CMOS Button MemOK! Button LN2 Mode ROG RAMDisk ROG CloneDrive ROG RAMCache II KeyBot II - Profile - Clr CMOS - NexFET MOSFETs - 10K Black Metallic Capacitors ROG Armor Pre-mounted I/O Shield ROG Aura - Graphics Card Information Preview (continued on the next page) xi board [black]) ASMedia® USB 3.1 controller - 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector...
User Guide
Page 13
...) xiii ROG MAXIMUS X CODE specifications summary Internal I/O Ports 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports 1 x USB 2.0 header supports additional 2 USB 2.0 ports 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIe 3.0 mode) 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (PCIe 3.0 mode) 1 x 4-Pin CPU fan connector 1 x 4-Pin CPU_OPT fan connector 3 x 4-Pin Chassis fan connectors 1 x EXT_Fan header 1 x 4-Pin W_PUMP+ connector...
...) xiii ROG MAXIMUS X CODE specifications summary Internal I/O Ports 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 front panel connector 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports 1 x USB 2.0 header supports additional 2 USB 2.0 ports 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (both SATA & PCIe 3.0 mode) 1 x M.2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (PCIe 3.0 mode) 1 x 4-Pin CPU fan connector 1 x 4-Pin CPU_OPT fan connector 3 x 4-Pin Chassis fan connectors 1 x EXT_Fan header 1 x 4-Pin W_PUMP+ connector...
User Guide
Page 35
...+; 4-pin AIO_PUMP; 4-pin CHA_FAN1-3) Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on water cooling device. Current 1A 1A 1A 1A 1A 1A 3A 3A Max. ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 1-19 These are not jumpers! Header CPU_FAN CPU_OPT CHA_FAN1 CHA_FAN2 CHA_FAN3 AIO_PUMP W_PUMP+ H_AMP Max. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. Power 12W 12W 12W 12W 12W 12W 36W 36W Default Speed Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Full Speed Full Speed Q-Fan Controlled Shared Control...
...+; 4-pin AIO_PUMP; 4-pin CHA_FAN1-3) Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on water cooling device. Current 1A 1A 1A 1A 1A 1A 3A 3A Max. ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 1-19 These are not jumpers! Header CPU_FAN CPU_OPT CHA_FAN1 CHA_FAN2 CHA_FAN3 AIO_PUMP W_PUMP+ H_AMP Max. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. Power 12W 12W 12W 12W 12W 12W 36W 36W Default Speed Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Q-Fan Controlled Full Speed Full Speed Q-Fan Controlled Shared Control...
User Guide
Page 53
Chapter 2 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 2-11 2.1.10 Wi-Fi antenna installation Installing the ASUS 2x2 dual band W-Fi antenna Connect the bundled ASUS 2x2 dual band Wi-Fi antenna connector to the Wi-Fi ports at the back of the chassis. • Ensure that the ASUS 2x2 dual band Wi-Fi antenna is securely installed to the Wi-Fi ports. • Ensure that the antenna is at least 20 cm away from all models. The I/O port layout may vary with models, but the Wi-Fi antenna installation procedure is for all persons. The illustration above is the same for reference only.
Chapter 2 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 2-11 2.1.10 Wi-Fi antenna installation Installing the ASUS 2x2 dual band W-Fi antenna Connect the bundled ASUS 2x2 dual band Wi-Fi antenna connector to the Wi-Fi ports at the back of the chassis. • Ensure that the ASUS 2x2 dual band Wi-Fi antenna is securely installed to the Wi-Fi ports. • Ensure that the antenna is at least 20 cm away from all models. The I/O port layout may vary with models, but the Wi-Fi antenna installation procedure is for all persons. The illustration above is the same for reference only.
User Guide
Page 61
... installed a new system component that you change the default BIOS settings except in the following circumstances: • An error message appears on the screen during the system bootup and requests you to the latest BIOS version for settings and options. DO NOT change the BIOS settings only with the help of a trained service personnel. • When downloading or updating the BIOS file, rename it as M10C.CAP for this user manual...
... installed a new system component that you change the default BIOS settings except in the following circumstances: • An error message appears on the screen during the system bootup and requests you to the latest BIOS version for settings and options. DO NOT change the BIOS settings only with the help of a trained service personnel. • When downloading or updating the BIOS file, rename it as M10C.CAP for this user manual...
User Guide
Page 65
... the BIOS setup program. Configuration fields These fields show a QR code, scan this QR code on your mobile device to connect to the BIOS FAQ web page of options. Use the navigation keys to display a list of the ASUS support website. General help At the bottom of the field opposite the item. Last Modified button This button shows the items that you can change the value of the menu screen...
... the BIOS setup program. Configuration fields These fields show a QR code, scan this QR code on your mobile device to connect to the BIOS FAQ web page of options. Use the navigation keys to display a list of the ASUS support website. General help At the bottom of the field opposite the item. Last Modified button This button shows the items that you can change the value of the menu screen...
User Guide
Page 77
... an error occurs in this menu allow you to configure the PCI Express slots. Self Test S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is installed to the corresponding SATA port. Configuration options: [On] [Off] Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 3-17 SATA Controller(s) This item allows you want the SATA hard disk drives to use the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface). Set to [Intel RST Premium With Intel Optane System Acceleration(RAID)] when you to enable or disable the SATA Device. 3.6.2 Platform Misc Configuration The...
... an error occurs in this menu allow you to configure the PCI Express slots. Self Test S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) is installed to the corresponding SATA port. Configuration options: [On] [Off] Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 3-17 SATA Controller(s) This item allows you want the SATA hard disk drives to use the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface). Set to [Intel RST Premium With Intel Optane System Acceleration(RAID)] when you to enable or disable the SATA Device. 3.6.2 Platform Misc Configuration The...
User Guide
Page 78
... port. HD Audio Controller This item allows you to use the Azalia High Definition Audio Controller Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] M.2_1 Configuration: [Auto][SATA mode][PCIE mode] [Auto] Auto-detects the M.2 device mode. If a SATA device is set to [AHCI] and allows you to enable or disable SATA Hot Plug Support. Chapter 3 3-18 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Onboard LED This item allows you to enable all the onboard LEDs. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Q-Code LED Function [Auto] Automatically display POST (Power-On Self-Test) code and CPU temperature on Q-Code...
... port. HD Audio Controller This item allows you to use the Azalia High Definition Audio Controller Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] M.2_1 Configuration: [Auto][SATA mode][PCIE mode] [Auto] Auto-detects the M.2 device mode. If a SATA device is set to [AHCI] and allows you to enable or disable SATA Hot Plug Support. Chapter 3 3-18 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Onboard LED This item allows you to enable all the onboard LEDs. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Q-Code LED Function [Auto] Automatically display POST (Power-On Self-Test) code and CPU temperature on Q-Code...
User Guide
Page 80
... to change the system boot options. AIO PUMP/W_PUMP+ Control [Disabled] Disable the Water Pump control feature. [Auto] Detects the type of the USB ports. 3.7 Monitor menu The Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you to change the USB-related features. The following items appear only when you to section 1.1.2 Motherboard layout for the location of water pump installed and automatically switches the control modes. [DC mode] Enable the Water Pump control in DC mode for 3-pin chassis fan. [PWM mode] Enable...
... to change the system boot options. AIO PUMP/W_PUMP+ Control [Disabled] Disable the Water Pump control feature. [Auto] Detects the type of the USB ports. 3.7 Monitor menu The Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you to change the USB-related features. The following items appear only when you to section 1.1.2 Motherboard layout for the location of water pump installed and automatically switches the control modes. [DC mode] Enable the Water Pump control in DC mode for 3-pin chassis fan. [PWM mode] Enable...
User Guide
Page 81
...; UEFI mode. Configuration options: [Ignore] [Legacy only] [UEFI driver first] Boot from Network Devices This item allows you to select the type of network devices that you want to launch. Configuration options: [UEFI and Legacy OPROM] [Legacy OPROM only] [UEFI only] Boot from Storage Devices This item allows you to select the type of storage devices that you want to launch. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 3-21 Launch CSM [Auto] [Enabled] [Disabled] The system automatically detects the bootable devices and the addon devices. Configuration options: [Legacy only] [UEFI driver...
...; UEFI mode. Configuration options: [Ignore] [Legacy only] [UEFI driver first] Boot from Network Devices This item allows you to select the type of network devices that you want to launch. Configuration options: [UEFI and Legacy OPROM] [Legacy OPROM only] [UEFI only] Boot from Storage Devices This item allows you to select the type of storage devices that you want to launch. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 3-21 Launch CSM [Auto] [Enabled] [Disabled] The system automatically detects the bootable devices and the addon devices. Configuration options: [Legacy only] [UEFI driver...
User Guide
Page 82
... an item to run ASUS EZ Flash 3. When you to start booting from the available devices. Ensure to set the SATA mode to factory performance levels. Click Advanced > PCH Storage Configuration > SATA Mode Selection > AHCI. The number of devices installed in the system. • To access Windows® OS in AHCI mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility This item allows you press , a confirmation message appears. Chapter 3 3-22 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Setup Animator This item allows you...
... an item to run ASUS EZ Flash 3. When you to start booting from the available devices. Ensure to set the SATA mode to factory performance levels. Click Advanced > PCH Storage Configuration > SATA Mode Selection > AHCI. The number of devices installed in the system. • To access Windows® OS in AHCI mode. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 3.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility This item allows you press , a confirmation message appears. Chapter 3 3-22 Chapter 3: BIOS Setup Setup Animator This item allows you...
User Guide
Page 87
... the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to use a bootable floppy disk or an OS‑based utility. Select via Storage Devices(s). 4. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 3-27 Press to switch to perform the BIOS update process. Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the BIOS file, and then press to the Folder Info field. 7. To update the BIOS by USB: 1. 3.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 3 ASUS EZ Flash 3 allows...
... the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to use a bootable floppy disk or an OS‑based utility. Select via Storage Devices(s). 4. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE 3-27 Press to switch to perform the BIOS update process. Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the BIOS file, and then press to the Folder Info field. 7. To update the BIOS by USB: 1. 3.11.2 ASUS EZ Flash 3 ASUS EZ Flash 3 allows...
User Guide
Page 89
... ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it to a USB flash drive. The utility automatically checks the devices for the BIOS file. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that you press to load default BIOS values. You can cause system boot failure! DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Recovering the BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE...
... ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it to a USB flash drive. The utility automatically checks the devices for the BIOS file. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that you press to load default BIOS values. You can cause system boot failure! DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Recovering the BIOS To recover the BIOS: 1. Chapter 3 ROG MAXIMUS X CODE...
User Guide
Page 92
... Intel® Rapid Storage Technology in UEFI BIOS: 1. Connect the SATA signal cables. 3. Chapter 4 4-2 Chapter 4: RAID Support Go to [Disabled]. 5. Go to the Boot menu > CSM (Compatibility Support Module) > Launch CSM, then set to Chapter 3 for a RAID configuration: 1. 4.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks The motherboard supports Serial ATA hard disk drives. Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays. 2. Connect a SATA power cable to the power connector on entering and navigating through the BIOS Setup Due to chipset limitation, when SATA ports are set the item to...
... Intel® Rapid Storage Technology in UEFI BIOS: 1. Connect the SATA signal cables. 3. Chapter 4 4-2 Chapter 4: RAID Support Go to [Disabled]. 5. Go to the Boot menu > CSM (Compatibility Support Module) > Launch CSM, then set to Chapter 3 for a RAID configuration: 1. 4.1.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks The motherboard supports Serial ATA hard disk drives. Install the SATA hard disks into the drive bays. 2. Connect a SATA power cable to the power connector on entering and navigating through the BIOS Setup Due to chipset limitation, when SATA ports are set the item to...
User Guide
Page 100
... Storage Technology Option ROM utility To exit the utility: 1. The following warning message appears: [CONFIRM EXIT] Are you sure you to load the UEFI driver for Windows® OS: 1. Insert the support USB drive with RAID driver into the USB port, and then click Browse. 3. Press to exit or press to return to exit? (Y/N): 2. During the OS installation, click Load Driver to allow you want to the utility main menu. 4.2 Creating a RAID driver disk 4.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows...
... Storage Technology Option ROM utility To exit the utility: 1. The following warning message appears: [CONFIRM EXIT] Are you sure you to load the UEFI driver for Windows® OS: 1. Insert the support USB drive with RAID driver into the USB port, and then click Browse. 3. Press to exit or press to return to exit? (Y/N): 2. During the OS installation, click Load Driver to allow you want to the utility main menu. 4.2 Creating a RAID driver disk 4.2.1 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows...
User Guide
Page 103
... B2 B3 Description Boot Device Selection (BDS) phase is started Driver connecting is started PCI Bus initialization is started PCI Bus Hot Plug Controller Initialization PCI Bus Enumeration PCI Bus Request Resources PCI Bus Assign Resources Console Output devices connect Console input devices connect Super IO Initialization USB initialization is started USB Reset USB Detect USB Enable Reserved for future AMI codes IDE initialization is started IDE Reset IDE Detect IDE Enable SCSI initialization is started SCSI Reset SCSI Detect SCSI Enable Setup Verifying Password Start of Setup Reserved for...
... B2 B3 Description Boot Device Selection (BDS) phase is started Driver connecting is started PCI Bus initialization is started PCI Bus Hot Plug Controller Initialization PCI Bus Enumeration PCI Bus Request Resources PCI Bus Assign Resources Console Output devices connect Console input devices connect Super IO Initialization USB initialization is started USB Reset USB Detect USB Enable Reserved for future AMI codes IDE initialization is started IDE Reset IDE Detect IDE Enable SCSI initialization is started SCSI Reset SCSI Detect SCSI Enable Setup Verifying Password Start of Setup Reserved for...
User Guide
Page 104
... DB DC Description USB hot plug PCI bus hot plug Clean-up of NVRAM Configuration Reset (reset of NVRAM settings) Reserved for future AMI codes CPU initialization error System Agent initialization error PCH initialization error Some of Resources No Space for 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...
... DB DC Description USB hot plug PCI bus hot plug Clean-up of NVRAM Configuration Reset (reset of NVRAM settings) Reserved for future AMI codes CPU initialization error System Agent initialization error PCH initialization error Some of Resources No Space for 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...