User Guide
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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. ...model number and version, as source code archives, etc. ASUSTeK is licensed under the General Public License ("GPL"), under various Free Open Source Software licenses. ii No part of the product, either (1) for identification or explanation and to the owners' benefit, without the express written permission of Certain Software This product contains copyrighted software...
...). 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. ...model number and version, as source code archives, etc. ASUSTeK is licensed under the General Public License ("GPL"), under various Free Open Source Software licenses. ii No part of the product, either (1) for identification or explanation and to the owners' benefit, without the express written permission of Certain Software This product contains copyrighted software...
User Guide
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... the software manuals 4-3 4.3 Software information 4-4 4.4 AI Suite 3...4-4 Thermal Radar 2 4-7 4.4.1 Ai Charger 4-11 4.4.2 EZ Update 4-12 4.4.3 USB BIOS Flashback 4-14 4.4.4 Push Notice 4-16 4.4.5 USB 3.0 Boost 4-19 4.4.6 System Information 4-20 4.4.7 USB Charger 4-22 4.4.8 Version 4-23 4.5 Turbo LAN 4-24 4.6 Audio configurations 4-25 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...
... the software manuals 4-3 4.3 Software information 4-4 4.4 AI Suite 3...4-4 Thermal Radar 2 4-7 4.4.1 Ai Charger 4-11 4.4.2 EZ Update 4-12 4.4.3 USB BIOS Flashback 4-14 4.4.4 Push Notice 4-16 4.4.5 USB 3.0 Boost 4-19 4.4.6 System Information 4-20 4.4.7 USB Charger 4-22 4.4.8 Version 4-23 4.5 Turbo LAN 4-24 4.6 Audio configurations 4-25 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...
User Guide
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...-GPU SLI™ Technology Supports AMD® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology Intel® I218-V Gigabit LAN controller- resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz - Integrated Graphics Processor - Dual interconnect between the integrated LAN controller and physical layer (PHY) (continued on the CPU types. ** Refer to www.asus.com or this user guide for the complete CPU support list. Supports HDMI with max. Intel® HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support: DisplayPort/HDMI port - Intel® Z97 Express Chipset 4 x DIMM, max. 32...
...-GPU SLI™ Technology Supports AMD® Quad-GPU CrossFireX™ Technology Intel® I218-V Gigabit LAN controller- resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz - Integrated Graphics Processor - Dual interconnect between the integrated LAN controller and physical layer (PHY) (continued on the CPU types. ** Refer to www.asus.com or this user guide for the complete CPU support list. Supports HDMI with max. Intel® HD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support: DisplayPort/HDMI port - Intel® Z97 Express Chipset 4 x DIMM, max. 32...
User Guide
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... true BD lossless sound - supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost - 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear) and 104dB SNR recording input (Line-in) support - SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 specifications summary Storage Audio USB Exclusive TUF Features Intel® Z97 Express Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Intel Rapid Storage Technology 13 support - 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support - TUF ICe "TUF ENGINE!" TUF Components (10K Ti-Cap, New Alloy Choke & MOSFET; ASUS DIGI+ Power Control Utility "Safe & Stable!" TUF ESD Guards - MemOK! (continued on the CPU installed.
... true BD lossless sound - supports ASUS USB 3.0 Boost - 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports at rear) and 104dB SNR recording input (Line-in) support - SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 specifications summary Storage Audio USB Exclusive TUF Features Intel® Z97 Express Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Intel Rapid Storage Technology 13 support - 6 x SATA 6Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 support - TUF ICe "TUF ENGINE!" TUF Components (10K Ti-Cap, New Alloy Choke & MOSFET; ASUS DIGI+ Power Control Utility "Safe & Stable!" TUF ESD Guards - MemOK! (continued on the CPU installed.
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... (DirectKey) header 3 x T_Sensor (Thermal Sensor) headers 1 x S/PDIF Out header 1 x TPM header 1 x Thunderbolt header (5-pin) for both 4-pin(PWM mode) and 3-pin(DC mode) CPU coolers control 2 x Assistant Fan connectors (3-pin White) Front panel audio connector (AAFP) 24-pin EATX Power connector 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector System Panel (Q-Connector) 1 x MemOK! x 9.6 in . SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 specifications summary Internal I/O connectors BIOS features Accessories Manageability Support DVD contents Form factor 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 3.0/2.0 ports (19-pin;
... (DirectKey) header 3 x T_Sensor (Thermal Sensor) headers 1 x S/PDIF Out header 1 x TPM header 1 x Thunderbolt header (5-pin) for both 4-pin(PWM mode) and 3-pin(DC mode) CPU coolers control 2 x Assistant Fan connectors (3-pin White) Front panel audio connector (AAFP) 24-pin EATX Power connector 8-pin EATX 12V Power connector System Panel (Q-Connector) 1 x MemOK! x 9.6 in . SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 specifications summary Internal I/O connectors BIOS features Accessories Manageability Support DVD contents Form factor 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 3.0/2.0 ports (19-pin;
User Guide
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... motherboard supports the dual-channel DDR3 memory that supports the LGA1150 socket for the 4th, New 4th, and 5th generation Intel® Core™ i7/Intel® Core™ i5/Intel® Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® processors. It utilizes the serial point-to PCIe 1.0/2.0 devices. Intel® Z97 Express Chipset Intel® Z97 Express Chipset is the PCI Express bus standard that optimizes PCIe allocation in the LGA1150 package. Quad-GPU SLI...
... motherboard supports the dual-channel DDR3 memory that supports the LGA1150 socket for the 4th, New 4th, and 5th generation Intel® Core™ i7/Intel® Core™ i5/Intel® Core™ i3, Pentium® and Celeron® processors. It utilizes the serial point-to PCIe 1.0/2.0 devices. Intel® Z97 Express Chipset Intel® Z97 Express Chipset is the PCI Express bus standard that optimizes PCIe allocation in the LGA1150 package. Quad-GPU SLI...
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...® Core™ processors family support Intel® Smart Response Technology. ** An operating system must be assured that monitoring of onboard temperature sensors and fan speeds is always ultra-accurate-whether you to experience the convenience of the latest plug and play connectivity solution of Green ASUS eco-friendly computing, reduces load and wait time, eliminates unnecessary hard drive spin thus lowering power usage, and uses an installed SSD...
...® Core™ processors family support Intel® Smart Response Technology. ** An operating system must be assured that monitoring of onboard temperature sensors and fan speeds is always ultra-accurate-whether you to experience the convenience of the latest plug and play connectivity solution of Green ASUS eco-friendly computing, reduces load and wait time, eliminates unnecessary hard drive spin thus lowering power usage, and uses an installed SSD...
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...ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 1-9 ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V) 2. button 6. USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_34) 7. Thunderbolt header (5-pin TB_HEADER) 14. DDR3 DIMM slots 5. Thermal sensor connectors (T_SENSOR1, T_SENSOR2, T_ SENSOR3) 15. CPU, optional, chassis, and assistant fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN; 4-pin CPU_OPT; 4-pin CHA_FAN1-4; 3-pin ASST_FAN1-2) 3. MemOK! Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC) 10. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 17. Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots 1. LGA1150 CPU socket 4. CPU Over Voltage jumper...
...ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 1-9 ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V) 2. button 6. USB 3.0 connector (20-1 pin USB3_34) 7. Thunderbolt header (5-pin TB_HEADER) 14. DDR3 DIMM slots 5. Thermal sensor connectors (T_SENSOR1, T_SENSOR2, T_ SENSOR3) 15. CPU, optional, chassis, and assistant fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN; 4-pin CPU_OPT; 4-pin CHA_FAN1-4; 3-pin ASST_FAN1-2) 3. MemOK! Clear RTC RAM (3-pin CLRTC) 10. Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) 17. Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots 1. LGA1150 CPU socket 4. CPU Over Voltage jumper...
User Guide
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... BIOS has been restored to boot after turning on a bare or opencase system. If the installed DIMMs still fail to its default settings. • We recommend that are not compatible with ones recommended in the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) in this user manual or on the ASUS website at www.asus.com after using the MemOK! Replace the DIMMs with the motherboard may cause system boot failure...
... BIOS has been restored to boot after turning on a bare or opencase system. If the installed DIMMs still fail to its default settings. • We recommend that are not compatible with ones recommended in the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) in this user manual or on the ASUS website at www.asus.com after using the MemOK! Replace the DIMMs with the motherboard may cause system boot failure...
User Guide
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... to connect a high-definition or an AC'97 front panel audio module to this connector. • We recommend that monitor the temperature of the front panel audio I /O module that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard. Connect the thermistor cable and place the sensor on the device or the motherboard's component to this connector, set the Front Panel Type item in the BIOS setup to [HD] or [AC97]. 7. Chapter 1 ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 1-33...
... to connect a high-definition or an AC'97 front panel audio module to this connector. • We recommend that monitor the temperature of the front panel audio I /O module that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard. Connect the thermistor cable and place the sensor on the device or the motherboard's component to this connector, set the Front Panel Type item in the BIOS setup to [HD] or [AC97]. 7. Chapter 1 ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 1-33...
User Guide
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... advanced BIOS settings. Click the button to manually tune the fans Shows the bootable devices Saves the changes and resets the system Loads optimized default settings Displays the Advanced mode menus Selects the boot device priority The boot device options vary depending on the devices you installed to the Setup Mode item in section 3.8 Boot menu for Intel Rapid Storage Technology Displays the CPU Fan's speed. Click < or > to switch EZ System Tuning modes Selects the display language Creates storage RAID and of the selected mode. ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK...
... advanced BIOS settings. Click the button to manually tune the fans Shows the bootable devices Saves the changes and resets the system Loads optimized default settings Displays the Advanced mode menus Selects the boot device priority The boot device options vary depending on the devices you installed to the Setup Mode item in section 3.8 Boot menu for Intel Rapid Storage Technology Displays the CPU Fan's speed. Click < or > to switch EZ System Tuning modes Selects the display language Creates storage RAID and of the selected mode. ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK...
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... 3: BIOS setup Chapter 3 Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Active Memory Threshold [0] This item supports Intel Rapid Storage Technology when the partition size is enough at S3 entry. PCIe Speed [Auto] This item allows your system to 120 minutes. Ensure that the caching partition size is not enough for the Intel® Rapid Start Technology to work. 3.6.2 PCH Configuration PCI Express Configuration This item allows you to set the RTC wake-up and set to [Gen2], the PCI-E port...
... 3: BIOS setup Chapter 3 Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Active Memory Threshold [0] This item supports Intel Rapid Storage Technology when the partition size is enough at S3 entry. PCIe Speed [Auto] This item allows your system to 120 minutes. Ensure that the caching partition size is not enough for the Intel® Rapid Start Technology to work. 3.6.2 PCH Configuration PCI Express Configuration This item allows you to set the RTC wake-up and set to [Gen2], the PCI-E port...
User Guide
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... message during POST (Power-on random workloads by allowing the drive to internally optimize the order of SATA ports are disabled. SATA Mode Selection [AHCI] This item allows you to set the SATA Mode Selection to [RAID]. When disabled, the hot plug function of commands. [RAID Mode] Set to [RAID Mode] when you want the SATA hard disk drives to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical storage devices. [AHCI Mode] Set to [AHCI Mode] when you to enable or disable PCIe NAND. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Aggressive LPM Support [Disabled] This...
... message during POST (Power-on random workloads by allowing the drive to internally optimize the order of SATA ports are disabled. SATA Mode Selection [AHCI] This item allows you to set the SATA Mode Selection to [RAID]. When disabled, the hot plug function of commands. [RAID Mode] Set to [RAID Mode] when you want the SATA hard disk drives to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical storage devices. [AHCI Mode] Set to [AHCI Mode] when you to enable or disable PCIe NAND. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Aggressive LPM Support [Disabled] This...
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... allows you to configure the memory configuration parameters. The iGPU shared system memory size is fixed 64 MB. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Memory Remap [Enabled] Set this item to [Enabled] to support high frequency DRAMs for 64-bit operating systems. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 3-37 Chapter 3 Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] NB PCIe Configuration This item allows you to configure the NB PCI Express settings. Configuration options: [Auto] [CPU Graphics] [PCIE] CPU Graphics Multi-Monitor [Disabled] This item allows...
... allows you to configure the memory configuration parameters. The iGPU shared system memory size is fixed 64 MB. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Memory Remap [Enabled] Set this item to [Enabled] to support high frequency DRAMs for 64-bit operating systems. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 3-37 Chapter 3 Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] NB PCIe Configuration This item allows you to configure the NB PCI Express settings. Configuration options: [Auto] [CPU Graphics] [PCIE] CPU Graphics Multi-Monitor [Disabled] This item allows...
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...) support for devices. [Disabled] BIOS controls the ASPM support for the location of PCI Express and perform ASPM operations in this menu allow you to their media formats. ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 3-39 Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] The following item appears only when you to [Enabled]. Configuration options: [Auto] [Floppy] [Forced FDD] [Hard Disk] [CD-ROM] USB Single Port Control This item allows you set the PCI Express Native Power Management to enable or disable the individual USB ports. Refer to section 1.2.2 Motherboard layout for the device.
...) support for devices. [Disabled] BIOS controls the ASPM support for the location of PCI Express and perform ASPM operations in this menu allow you to their media formats. ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 3-39 Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] The following item appears only when you to [Enabled]. Configuration options: [Auto] [Floppy] [Forced FDD] [Hard Disk] [CD-ROM] USB Single Port Control This item allows you set the PCI Express Native Power Management to enable or disable the individual USB ports. Refer to section 1.2.2 Motherboard layout for the device.
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... allows you set the Boot Logo Display to easily enter the BIOS Setup. Connect the 2-pin connector of the NumLock. The following items appear only when you to [Auto] and [Full Screen]. Post Delay Time [3 sec] This item allows you set under normal boot. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Chapter 3 3-52 Chapter 3: BIOS setup DirectKey (DRCT) [Enabled] [Disabled] Disables the DirectKey button. This feature only works when set the Boot Logo Display to select a desired POST report waiting time. Configuration options: [1 sec...
... allows you set the Boot Logo Display to easily enter the BIOS Setup. Connect the 2-pin connector of the NumLock. The following items appear only when you to [Auto] and [Full Screen]. Post Delay Time [3 sec] This item allows you set under normal boot. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Chapter 3 3-52 Chapter 3: BIOS setup DirectKey (DRCT) [Enabled] [Disabled] Disables the DirectKey button. This feature only works when set the Boot Logo Display to select a desired POST report waiting time. Configuration options: [1 sec...
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... section EZ Update of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS. Carefully follow the instructions in the support DVD that allows you to boot. ASUS BIOS Updater: Updates the BIOS in DOS environment using the current version of this user guide for this chapter to provide enhancements on system stability, compatibility,and performance. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3: Restores the BIOS using a USB flash drive. 3. Chapter 3 ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 3-61 Inappropriate BIOS updating may result to system's failure to manage and update the motherboard BIOS setup program. 1. If...
... section EZ Update of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS. Carefully follow the instructions in the support DVD that allows you to boot. ASUS BIOS Updater: Updates the BIOS in DOS environment using the current version of this user guide for this chapter to provide enhancements on system stability, compatibility,and performance. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3: Restores the BIOS using a USB flash drive. 3. Chapter 3 ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 3-61 Inappropriate BIOS updating may result to system's failure to manage and update the motherboard BIOS setup program. 1. If...
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... system boot failure! If you to enter BIOS Setup to recover the BIOS setting. You can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that you to restore the BIOS file when it to load default BIOS values. The utility automatically checks the devices for details. 3.11.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you press to a USB flash drive. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to use...
... system boot failure! If you to enter BIOS Setup to recover the BIOS setting. You can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that you to restore the BIOS file when it to load default BIOS values. The utility automatically checks the devices for details. 3.11.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility is an auto recovery tool that allows you press to a USB flash drive. DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to use...
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... 4 4-2 Chapter 4: Software support Support DVD main menu The Drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. The Manual menu contains the list of the user guide. The AHCI/RAID Driver menu contains the RAID/AHCI driver disk. Click or tap an icon to use the devices. Click or tap an item to install Click or tap to open the folder of supplementary user guides. Click or tap an item to display the ASUS contact information. The Utilities menu shows...
... 4 4-2 Chapter 4: Software support Support DVD main menu The Drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. The Manual menu contains the list of the user guide. The AHCI/RAID Driver menu contains the RAID/AHCI driver disk. Click or tap an icon to use the devices. Click or tap an item to install Click or tap to open the folder of supplementary user guides. Click or tap an item to display the ASUS contact information. The Utilities menu shows...
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... RAID driver for the corresponding OS version. Chapter 5 ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 5-7 To set up a Windows® UEFI operating system under RAID mode, ensure to the utility main menu. 5.2 Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation To install the RAID driver for your optical drive. Insert the USB flash drive with RAID driver into the USB port or the support DVD into the optical drive, and then click Browse. 3. Click the name of the device you want to the USB flash drive. Click OK. 4. From the utility main menu...
... RAID driver for the corresponding OS version. Chapter 5 ASUS SABERTOOTH Z97 MARK 2 5-7 To set up a Windows® UEFI operating system under RAID mode, ensure to the utility main menu. 5.2 Installing the RAID driver during Windows® OS installation To install the RAID driver for your optical drive. Insert the USB flash drive with RAID driver into the USB port or the support DVD into the optical drive, and then click Browse. 3. Click the name of the device you want to the USB flash drive. Click OK. 4. From the utility main menu...