Contents

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

vi

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

vii

P5B-VM 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............................................................

1-4

 

1.3.2

Innovative ASUS features ...............................................

1-4

1.4

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

1-6

1.5

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

1-7

 

1.5.1

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

1-7

 

1.5.2

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

1-7

 

1.5.3

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

1-8

1.6

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

1-11

 

1.6.1

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

1-11

 

1.6.2

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

1-12

 

1.6.3

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

1-14

1.7

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

1-18

 

1.7.1

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

1-18

 

1.7.2

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

1-18

 

1.7.3

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

1-22

 

1.7.4

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

1-22

1.8

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

1-23

 

1.8.1

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

1-23

 

1.8.2

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

1-23

 

1.8.3

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

1-25

 

1.8.4

PCI Express x4 slot.......................................................

1-25

 

1.8.5

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

1-25

1.9

Jumpers

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

1-26

1.10

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

1-28

 

1.10.1

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

1-28

 

1.10.2

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

1-30

iii