Contents

Notices.........................................................................................................

vi

Safety information......................................................................................

vii

M2A-MVP specifications summary.............................................................

x

Chapter 1: Product introduction

1.1

Welcome!.......................................................................................

1-2

1.2

Package contents.........................................................................

1-2

1.3

Special features............................................................................

1-2

 

1.3.1

Product highlights............................................................

1-2

 

1.3.2

ASUS features.................................................................

1-5

1.4

Before you proceed......................................................................

1-6

1.5

Motherboard overview.................................................................

1-7

 

1.5.1

Placement direction.........................................................

1-7

 

1.5.2

Screw holes.....................................................................

1-7

 

1.5.3

Motherboard layout..........................................................

1-8

1.6

Central Processing Unit (CPU)....................................................

1-9

 

1.6.1

Installing the CPU............................................................

1-9

 

1.6.2

Installing the CPU heatsink and fan...............................

1-11

1.7

System memory..........................................................................

1-14

 

1.7.1

Overview........................................................................

1-14

 

1.7.2

Memory configurations..................................................

1-15

 

1.7.3

Installing a DIMM...........................................................

1-19

 

1.7.4

Removing a DIMM.........................................................

1-19

1.8

Expansion slots..........................................................................

1-20

 

1.8.1

Installing an expansion card..........................................

1-20

 

1.8.2

Configuring an expansion card......................................

1-20

 

1.8.3

Interrupt assignments....................................................

1-21

 

1.8.4

Two PCI slots.................................................................

1-22

 

1.8.5

Two PCI Express x1 slot................................................

1-22

 

1.8.6

Two PCI Express x16 slot..............................................

1-22

1.9

Jumpers

.......................................................................................

1-24

1.10

Connectors..................................................................................

1-26

 

1.10.1

Rear panel connectors..................................................

1-26

 

1.10.2

Internal connectors........................................................

1-28

iii