Z87-A User's Manual
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Contents Safety information...iv About this guide...iv Z87-A specifications summary vi Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Before you proceed 1-1 1.2 Motherboard overview 1-2 1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-4 1.4 System memory 1-8 1.5 Expansion slots 1-22 1.6 Onboard buttons 1-24 1.7 Onboard LEDs 1-27 1.8 Jumpers...1-29 1.9 Connectors 1-30 1.10 Software support 1-40 Chapter 2: ...
Contents Safety information...iv About this guide...iv Z87-A specifications summary vi Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Before you proceed 1-1 1.2 Motherboard overview 1-2 1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU 1-4 1.4 System memory 1-8 1.5 Expansion slots 1-22 1.6 Onboard buttons 1-24 1.7 Onboard LEDs 1-27 1.8 Jumpers...1-29 1.9 Connectors 1-30 1.10 Software support 1-40 Chapter 2: ...
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...the grounding circuit. • Ensure that all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not sure about the voltage of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. • Chapter 2: BIOS information This chapter tells how to the correct voltage in any damage,... parts: • Chapter 1: Product introduction This chapter describes the features of the electrical outlet you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are using, contact your retailer. If you are not damaged. If you detect any area where...
...the grounding circuit. • Ensure that all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not sure about the voltage of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. • Chapter 2: BIOS information This chapter tells how to the correct voltage in any damage,... parts: • Chapter 1: Product introduction This chapter describes the features of the electrical outlet you need when installing and configuring the motherboard. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are using, contact your retailer. If you are not damaged. If you detect any area where...
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... 1-1 Chapter 1 Product introduction Chapter 1: Product introduction Thank you for the list of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Before handling components,... the specification list on a grounded antistatic pad or in your motherboard package. Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it on page ix for buying an ASUS® Z87-A motherboard! If any of the items is damaged or missing, contact your...
... 1-1 Chapter 1 Product introduction Chapter 1: Product introduction Thank you for the list of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Before handling components,... the specification list on a grounded antistatic pad or in your motherboard package. Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it on page ix for buying an ASUS® Z87-A motherboard! If any of the items is damaged or missing, contact your...
Z87-A User's Manual
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... into it into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. 1.2 Motherboard overview Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.2.2 Screw holes Place eight screws into the... chassis to ensure that you place it . Doing so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis 1-2 ASUS Z87-A
... into it into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. 1.2 Motherboard overview Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of the chassis as indicated in the image below. 1.2.2 Screw holes Place eight screws into the... chassis to ensure that you place it . Doing so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis 1-2 ASUS Z87-A
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... pin SPDIF_OUT) Page 1-32 1-4 1-34 1-8 1-24 1-35 1-33 1-27 1-26 1-38 1-39 1-36 1-29 1-35 1-25 1-37 1-38 1-37 1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1150 socket designed for the 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7 / Intel® Core™ i5 / Intel® Core™... (20-8 pin PANEL) 12. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V) 2. Ensure that all power cables are unplugged before installing the CPU. 1-4 ASUS Z87-A USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB910, USB1112, USB1314) 13. 1.2.4 Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots 1.
... pin SPDIF_OUT) Page 1-32 1-4 1-34 1-8 1-24 1-35 1-33 1-27 1-26 1-38 1-39 1-36 1-29 1-35 1-25 1-37 1-38 1-37 1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1150 socket designed for the 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7 / Intel® Core™ i5 / Intel® Core™... (20-8 pin PANEL) 12. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V) 2. Ensure that all power cables are unplugged before installing the CPU. 1-4 ASUS Z87-A USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB910, USB1112, USB1314) 13. 1.2.4 Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots 1.
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...the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-5 • Ensure that the PnP cap is on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. DO NOT install a CPU designed for LGA1155 and LGA1156 sockets on the LGA1150 socket. ASUS will shoulder the cost of... the PnP cap. 1.3.1 Installing the CPU Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for LGA1150 only. DO NOT install a CPU designed for LGA155 and LGA1156 socket on the LGA1150 socket. • Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that...
...the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components. Chapter 1: Product introduction 1-5 • Ensure that the PnP cap is on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. DO NOT install a CPU designed for LGA1155 and LGA1156 sockets on the LGA1150 socket. ASUS will shoulder the cost of... the PnP cap. 1.3.1 Installing the CPU Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for LGA1150 only. DO NOT install a CPU designed for LGA155 and LGA1156 socket on the LGA1150 socket. • Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that...
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DO NOT install a DDR or DDR2 memory module to the DDR3 slot. Recommended memory configurations Install one memory module in slot A2 first as a single-channel operation. 1-8 ASUS Z87-A 1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMM) slots. A DDR3 module is notched differently from a DDR or DDR2 module.
DO NOT install a DDR or DDR2 memory module to the DDR3 slot. Recommended memory configurations Install one memory module in slot A2 first as a single-channel operation. 1-8 ASUS Z87-A 1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMM) slots. A DDR3 module is notched differently from a DDR or DDR2 module.
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... a full memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition. • Memory modules with the same CAS latency. com/kb/929605/en-us. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 512Mb (64MB) chips or less (Memory chip capacity counts in Channel A and Channel B. To operate at the vendor...details, refer to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows® OS, when you install memory modules of the memory modules depend on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for single-channel operation. • According to Intel® CPU spec, DIMM voltage below 1.65V is not the JEDEC...
... a full memory load (4 DIMMs) or overclocking condition. • Memory modules with the same CAS latency. com/kb/929605/en-us. • This motherboard does not support DIMMs made up of 512Mb (64MB) chips or less (Memory chip capacity counts in Channel A and Channel B. To operate at the vendor...details, refer to the memory address limitation on 32-bit Windows® OS, when you install memory modules of the memory modules depend on the motherboard, the actual usable memory for single-channel operation. • According to Intel® CPU spec, DIMM voltage below 1.65V is not the JEDEC...
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Z87-A Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 2800(O.C.) MHz capability Vendors Part No. Size APACER 78.BAGFF.AFC0C APACER 78.CAGFF.AFD0C CORSAIR CMD16GX3M4A2666C11 G.SKILL F3-2666C11Q-... NO. G.SKILL F3-20000CL10Q-16GBZHD(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - Timing 10-11-11-31 Voltage 1.65 DIMM socket support (Optional) 1 24 • •• 1-10 ASUS Z87-A SS DS DS DS DS DS SS DS DS - - 12-13-13-35 - 12-13-13-35 - 11-13-13-35 - 11-13-13-35...
Z87-A Motherboard Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) DDR3 2800(O.C.) MHz capability Vendors Part No. Size APACER 78.BAGFF.AFC0C APACER 78.CAGFF.AFD0C CORSAIR CMD16GX3M4A2666C11 G.SKILL F3-2666C11Q-... NO. G.SKILL F3-20000CL10Q-16GBZHD(XMP) 16GB (4x4GB) DS - - Timing 10-11-11-31 Voltage 1.65 DIMM socket support (Optional) 1 24 • •• 1-10 ASUS Z87-A SS DS DS DS DS DS SS DS DS - - 12-13-13-35 - 12-13-13-35 - 11-13-13-35 - 11-13-13-35...
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...removed earlier. 6. Keep the screw for the card. 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on the slot. 5. Replace the system cover. 1-22 ASUS Z87-A Remove the bracket opposite the slot that they support. To remove a DIMM 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: ...
...removed earlier. 6. Keep the screw for the card. 2. Remove the system unit cover (if your motherboard is completely seated on the slot. 5. Replace the system cover. 1-22 ASUS Z87-A Remove the bracket opposite the slot that they support. To remove a DIMM 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: ...
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.... 3. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable. 1.5.3 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.5.4 PCI Express x16 slot This... motherboard has a PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Turn on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support "...
.... 3. Otherwise, conflicts will arise between the two PCI groups, making the system unstable and the card inoperable. 1.5.3 PCI Express x1 slot This motherboard supports PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications. 1.5.4 PCI Express x16 slot This... motherboard has a PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot that the cards do not need IRQ assignments. Turn on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support "...
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...- - shared - - shared - - - - shared - - - - MemOK! button Installing DIMMs that are not compatible with the motherboard may cause system boot failure, and the DRAM_LED near the MemOK! shared - - - - shared - - - - - - PCI2...- - - - shared - - - PCIE x16_3 - ASMedia 1083 - - XHCI - - - - - Intel PCH SATA controller #1 - - - shared - - - - - This is ideal for successful boot. 1-24 ASUS Z87-A switch lights continuously. IRQ assignments for this motherboard A B C D E F G H Intel PCH SATA controller #0 - - -
...- - shared - - shared - - - - shared - - - - MemOK! button Installing DIMMs that are not compatible with the motherboard may cause system boot failure, and the DRAM_LED near the MemOK! shared - - - - shared - - - - - - PCI2...- - - - shared - - - PCIE x16_3 - ASMedia 1083 - - XHCI - - - - - Intel PCH SATA controller #1 - - - shared - - - - - This is ideal for successful boot. 1-24 ASUS Z87-A switch lights continuously. IRQ assignments for this motherboard A B C D E F G H Intel PCH SATA controller #0 - - -
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... that the CPU fan is securely installed to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN; 4-pin CPU_OPT; 4-pin CHA_FAN1-3) Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors ... fan connector. • The CPU_FAN connector supports the CPU fan of maximum 1A (12 W) fan power. • The CPU_FAN connector and CHA_FAN connectors support the ASUS FAN Xpert 2 feature. 1-34 ASUS Z87-A 3.
... that the CPU fan is securely installed to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! CPU, chassis, and optional fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN; 4-pin CPU_OPT; 4-pin CHA_FAN1-3) Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors ... fan connector. • The CPU_FAN connector supports the CPU fan of maximum 1A (12 W) fan power. • The CPU_FAN connector and CHA_FAN connectors support the ASUS FAN Xpert 2 feature. 1-34 ASUS Z87-A 3.
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...; These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to fully use the USB 2.0 ports under Windows® 7. 1-36 ASUS Z87-A 6. You can connect the front panel USB cable to the ASUS Q-Connector (USB, blue) first, and then install the Q-Connector (USB) to the USB connector onboard if your chassis supports front... the module to the USB connectors. Never connect a 1394 cable to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. Doing so will damage the motherboard! USB1112;
...; These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to fully use the USB 2.0 ports under Windows® 7. 1-36 ASUS Z87-A 6. You can connect the front panel USB cable to the ASUS Q-Connector (USB, blue) first, and then install the Q-Connector (USB) to the USB connector onboard if your chassis supports front... the module to the USB connectors. Never connect a 1394 cable to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. Doing so will damage the motherboard! USB1112;
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... DRCT) This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I /O module cable to this connector on the motherboard. Refer to the technical documentation that supports the DirectKey function. Connect one end of the motherboard's high-definition audio capability. • If you want to connect a high-definition or an AC'97 front panel... cable that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) This connector is for details. 1-38 ASUS Z87-A
... DRCT) This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I /O module cable to this connector on the motherboard. Refer to the technical documentation that supports the DirectKey function. Connect one end of the motherboard's high-definition audio capability. • If you want to connect a high-definition or an AC'97 front panel... cable that supports either HD Audio or legacy AC`97 audio standard. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) This connector is for details. 1-38 ASUS Z87-A
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...without notice. The Manual menu contains the list of the support DVD are subject to run the DVD. 1-40 ASUS Z87-A Click an icon to display DVD/ motherboard information Click an item to install If Autorun is enabled in your computer. The Drivers menu shows the available ...Install the necessary drivers to open the folder of the support DVD to avail all motherboard features. The Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that you want to display the ASUS contact information. Click an item to use the devices. Use the setup procedures presented...
...without notice. The Manual menu contains the list of the support DVD are subject to run the DVD. 1-40 ASUS Z87-A Click an icon to display DVD/ motherboard information Click an item to install If Autorun is enabled in your computer. The Drivers menu shows the available ...Install the necessary drivers to open the folder of the support DVD to avail all motherboard features. The Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that you want to display the ASUS contact information. Click an item to use the devices. Use the setup procedures presented...
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...EZ Update: Updates the BIOS in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package. Carefully follow the instructions of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS. ASUS EZ Flash 2: Updates the BIOS using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive when the BIOS file fails or...gets corrupted. 4. Chapter 2: BIOS information Chapter 2 BIOS information 2.1 Updating BIOS The ASUS website publishes the latest BIOS versions to download the latest BIOS file for this chapter to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. • EZ Update requires an Internet connection either ...
...EZ Update: Updates the BIOS in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package. Carefully follow the instructions of BIOS, DO NOT manually update the BIOS. ASUS EZ Flash 2: Updates the BIOS using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive when the BIOS file fails or...gets corrupted. 4. Chapter 2: BIOS information Chapter 2 BIOS information 2.1 Updating BIOS The ASUS website publishes the latest BIOS versions to download the latest BIOS file for this chapter to update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. • EZ Update requires an Internet connection either ...
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...in the removable device into Z87A.CAP. • The BIOS file in the motherboard support DVD may be older than the BIOS file published on the system. 2. Turn on the ASUS official website. 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to enter BIOS Setup... To ensure system compatibility and stability, we recommend that you want to the USB port. 3. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file to use the newer BIOS file, download the file at support...
...in the removable device into Z87A.CAP. • The BIOS file in the motherboard support DVD may be older than the BIOS file published on the system. 2. Turn on the ASUS official website. 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to enter BIOS Setup... To ensure system compatibility and stability, we recommend that you want to the USB port. 3. Doing so can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file to use the newer BIOS file, download the file at support...