Contents

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

vi

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

viii

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

ix

P9X79-E WS specifications summary.......................................................................

xi

Chapter 1:

Product Introduction

 

1.1

Welcome!

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

1-3

1.2

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

1-3

1.3

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

1-4

 

1.3.1

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

1-4

 

1.3.2

ASUS Workstation Exclusive Features........................................

1-5

 

1.3.3

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

1-6

 

1.3.4

Other special features..................................................................

1-9

Chapter 2:

Hardware Information

 

2.1

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

2-3

2.2

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

2-4

 

2.2.1

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

2-4

 

2.2.2

Layout contents...........................................................................

2-5

 

2.2.3

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

2-6

 

2.2.4

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

2-7

 

2.2.5

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

2-9

 

2.2.6

Onboard switches......................................................................

2-11

 

2.2.7

Onboard LEDs...........................................................................

2-15

 

2.2.8

Jumper.......................................................................................

2-24

 

2.2.9

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

2-26

2.3

Building your computer system..............................................................

2-37

 

2.3.1

Additional tools and components to build a PC system.............

2-37

 

2.3.2

CPU installation.........................................................................

2-38

 

2.3.3

CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation..............................

2-40

 

2.3.4

DIMM installation.......................................................................

2-41

 

2.3.5

Motherboard installation............................................................

2-42

 

2.3.6

ATX Power connection..............................................................

2-44

 

2.3.7

SATA device connection............................................................

2-45

 

2.3.8

Front I/O Connector...................................................................

2-46

 

2.3.9

Rear panel connection...............................................................

2-47

 

2.3.10

Audio I/O connections................................................................

2-48

 

2.3.11

USB BIOS Flashback................................................................

2-51

2.4

Starting up for the first time....................................................................

2-52

iii