iii
Contents
Safety information .....................................................................................................vii
About this guide .......................................................................................................viii
SABERTOOTH 990FX/GEN3 R2.0 specications summary ....................................x
Package contents .....................................................................................................xiii
Installation tools and components .........................................................................xiv

Chapter 1: Product Introduction 1-1

1.1 Special features..........................................................................................1-1
1.1.1 Product highlights........................................................................1-1
1.1.2 “Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solution ............................................1-2
1.1.3 “TUF ENGINE!” Power Design....................................................1-2
1.1.4 “Safe & Stable!” Guardian Angel .................................................1-3
1.1.5 ASUS EZ DIY ..............................................................................1-3
1.1.6 Other special features .................................................................1-4
1.2 Motherboard overview ...............................................................................1-5
1.2.1 Before you proceed .....................................................................1-5
1.2.2 Motherboard layout .....................................................................1-6
1.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...................................................1-8
1.2.4 System memory ..........................................................................1-9
1.2.5 Expansion slots .........................................................................1-23
1.2.6 Onboard buttons .......................................................................1-25
1.2.7 Jumpers ....................................................................................1-27
1.2.8 Onboard LEDs ..........................................................................1-28
1.2.9 Internal connectors....................................................................1-29

Chapter 2: Basic Installation 2-1

2.1 Building your PC system...........................................................................2-1
2.1.1 Motherboard installation ..............................................................2-1
2.1.2 CPU installation...........................................................................2-4
2.1.3 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation ...............................2-5
2.1.4 DIMM installation.........................................................................2-7
2.1.5 ATX Power connection ................................................................2-8
2.1.6 SATA device connection ..............................................................2-9
2.1.7 Front I/O Connector ..................................................................2-10
2.1.8 Expansion Card installation.......................................................2-11
2.2 BIOS update utility ...................................................................................2-12
2.3 Motherboard rear and audio connections .............................................2-13