Chapter 1: Introduction

Thank you for purchasing ASRock E3C204-4L / E3C204 / E3C204-V4L

/E3C204-V+motherboard, a reliable motherboard produced under AS-

Rock’s consistently stringent quality control. It delivers excellent perfor- mance with robust design conforming to ASRock’s commitment to quality and endurance.

In this manual, chapter 1 and 2 contains the introduction of the mother- board and step-by-step hardware installation guide. Chapter 3 and 4 con- tains the configuration guide of BIOS setup and information of the Support

CD.

Because the motherboard specifications and the BIOS software might be updated, the content of this manual will be subject to change without notice. In case any modifications of this manual occur, the updated version will be available on ASRock’s web- site without further notice. You may find the latest VGA cards and CPU support list on ASRock’s website as well. ASRock website http://www.asrock.com

If you require technical support related to this motherboard, please visit our website for specific information about the model you are using.

www.asrock.com/support/index.asp

1.1 Package Contents

ASRock E3C204-4L / E3C204 / E3C204-V4L / E3C204-V+ Motherboard (ATX Form Factor: 12.0-in x 9.6-in, 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm)

ASRock E3C204-4L / E3C204 / E3C204-V4L / E3C204-V+ Quick Installa- tion Guide

ASRock E3C204-4L / E3C204 / E3C204-V4L / E3C204-V+ Support CD 8 x Serial ATA (SATA) Data Cables (Optional)

1 x I/O Panel Shield

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ASRock E3C204 manual Introduction, Package Contents

E3C204 specifications

The ASRock E3C204 motherboard is an enterprise-grade solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses, featuring an LGA 1151 socket that supports the Intel Xeon E3-1200 v6/v5 and 8th/9th generation Core processors. This motherboard provides a robust platform for various applications, including data centers, file servers, and workstations.

One of its standout features is the dual-channel DDR4 memory architecture, supporting up to 64GB of ECC (Error-Correcting Code) memory. This capability ensures enhanced reliability and stability critical for enterprise operations, minimizing the risk of memory errors and data corruption. The E3C204 also boasts four DIMM slots, allowing for flexible memory configurations tailored to specific workload demands.

The ASRock E3C204 comes equipped with multiple expansion slots, including one PCIe 3.0 x16 slot and several PCIe x4 slots, providing ample opportunities for customization and upgradeability. These slots make it easy to integrate high-performance graphics cards, RAID controllers, or other expansion cards, catering to diverse needs such as virtualization or high-performance computing.

For connectivity, the motherboard features eight SATA III ports, enabling users to configure a reliable storage solution. RAID support (0, 1, 5, 10) further enhances data protection and performance by leveraging multiple drives to create redundant arrays. Additionally, the integrated Intel i210 Gigabit Ethernet controller ensures fast and reliable network connectivity, making it suitable for demanding network environments.

ASRock has also prioritized security with the E3C204 by incorporating Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support, offering advanced data encryption and protection features. This is particularly crucial for businesses that handle sensitive information and are focused on compliance with various security standards.

On the technological front, the E3C204 motherboard leverages ASRock's proprietary software and features such as ASRock's Instant Flash for BIOS updates and ASRock Cloud for remote management capabilities. These tools simplify system maintenance and ensure that administrators can keep their environments up-to-date and secure efficiently.

In summary, the ASRock E3C204 motherboard represents a well-rounded and versatile platform for enterprise applications, combining powerful processing capabilities, extensive memory support, flexible expansion options, and strong security features. Ideal for businesses looking for performance, reliability, and value in their server infrastructure, the E3C204 is a compelling choice for modern computing demands.