Contents

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

vi

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

vii

About this guide........................................................................................

viii

M3A78-EM 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 unique features.....................................................

1-6

 

1.3.3

ASUS stylish features......................................................

1-8

 

1.3.4

ASUS intelligent overclocking features............................

1-8

1.4

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

1-9

1.5

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

1-10

 

1.5.1

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

1-10

 

1.5.2

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

1-11

 

1.5.3

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

1-11

1.6

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

1-12

 

1.6.1

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

1-12

 

1.6.2

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

1-14

1.7

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

1-16

 

1.7.1

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

1-16

 

1.7.2

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

1-16

 

1.7.3

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

1-20

 

1.7.4

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

1-20

1.8

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

1-21

 

1.8.1

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

1-21

 

1.8.2

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

1-21

 

1.8.3

PCI slots........................................................................

1-24

 

1.8.4

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

1-24

 

1.8.5

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

1-24

1.9

Jumpers

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

1-25

1.10

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

1-26

 

1.10.1

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

1-26

 

1.10.2

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

1-29

iii