Contents

Notices vi

 

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

vii

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

viii

P9X79 PRO specifications summary.........................................................................

x

Chapter 1:Product introduction

 

1.1

Welcome!

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

1-1

1.2

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

1-1

1.3

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

1-2

 

1.3.1

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

1-2

 

1.3.2

Dual Intelligent Processors 3 with New DIGI+ Power Control.....

1-3

 

1.3.3

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

1-4

 

1.3.4

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution.....................................................

1-5

 

1.3.5

ASUS EZ DIY..............................................................................

1-6

 

1.3.6

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

1-7

Chapter 2:Hardware information

 

2.1

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

2-1

2.2

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

2-2

 

2.2.1

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

2-2

 

2.2.2

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

2-4

 

2.2.3

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

2-5

 

2.2.4

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

2-14

 

2.2.5

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

2-16

 

2.2.6

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

2-20

 

2.2.7

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

2-26

2.3

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

2-36

 

2.3.1

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

2-36

 

2.3.2

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

2-37

 

2.3.3

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

2-39

 

2.3.4

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

2-40

 

2.3.5

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

2-41

 

2.3.6

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

2-43

 

2.3.7

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

2-44

 

2.3.8

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

2-45

 

2.3.9

Expansion Card installation.......................................................

2-46

 

2.3.10

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

2-47

 

2.3.11

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

2-48

 

2.3.12

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

2-50

2.4

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

2-52

iii