Asus P9X79 WS 5.2 NVIDIA SLI technology

ASUS P9X79 WS 5-5

5.2 NVIDIA® SLI™ technology

The motherboard supports the NVIDIA® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology

that allows you to install multi-graphics processing units (GPU) graphics cards.

Follow the installation procedures in this section.

5.2.1 Requirements

• In Dual SLI mode, you should have two identical SLI-ready graphics cards

that are NVIDIA® certied.

• In Triple SLI mode, you should have three identical SLI-ready graphics cards

that are NVIDIA® certied.

• Ensure that your graphics card driver supports the NVIDIA SLI technology.

Download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website (www.nvidia.com).

• Ensure that your power supply unit (PSU) can provide at least the minimum

power required by your system.

• We recommend that you install additional chassis fans for better thermal

environment.

• The NVIDIA Triple SLI technology is supported by Windows® Vista™

operating system only.

• Visit the NVIDIA zone website at http://www.nzone.com for the latest

certied graphics card and supported 3D application list.

Contents

Main ii E6896 First Edition October 2011 Chapter 1: Product introduction Chapter 2: Hardware information Chapter 3: BIOS setup Chapter 4: Software support Chapter 5: Multiple GPU technology support Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement Canadian Department of Communications Statement REACH ASUS Recycling/Takeback Services Safety information Electrical safety Operation safety Where to nd more information About this guide How this guide is organized Conventions used in this guide Typography Italics Page Page Page Page Page Page Page 1.1 Welcome! 1.2 Package contents 1.3 Special features 1.3.1 Product highlights Intel Socket 2011 for 2nd Generation Intel Core i7 Processor Extreme Edition Intel X79 Express Chipset PCIe 3.0 Ready 1.3.2 ASUS Workstation Exclusive Features Best graphics performance for 4-Way NVIDIA GeForce SLI WS 3-color LED Built-in Dual Intel Server-Class Gigabit LAN Quad-GPU CrossFireX Support! 1.3.3 ASUS features New DIGI+ Power Control 8+2 Phase Power Design EPU ASUS SSD Caching TPU MemOK! USB 3.0 Boost USB BIOS Flashback ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution ASUS EZ DIY ASUS UEFI BIOS ASUS Q-Design ASUS Q-Shield ASUS Q-Connector 1.3.4 Other special features DTS UltraPC II DTS Connect ErP Ready Page Page 2.1 Before you proceed Page 2.2.2 Layout contents 2.2.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Page Memory congurations P9X79 WS Motherboard Qualied Vendors Lists 2.2.5 Expansion slots IRQ assignments for this motherboard Standard Interrupt assignments 2.2.6 Onboard switches Page Page 2.2.7 Onboard LEDs Page Page Q-Code table Page Page Page Page ACPI/ASL Checkpoints 2.2.8 Jumper Page 2.2.9 Internal connectors Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Page 2.3 Building your computer system 2.3.2 CPU installation B 1 2 B A 3 4 Page Page Page Page Page Page Page 2.3.8 Front I/O Connector IDE_LED 1 2 2.3.9 Rear panel connection **Audio 2, 4, 6, or 8-channel conguration * LAN port LED indications 2.3.10 Audio I/O connections Audio I/O ports Connect to Headphone and Mic Page Page 2.3.11 USB BIOS Flashback 2.4 Starting up for the rst time Page Page Chapter 3 3.1 Knowing BIOS 3.2 BIOS setup program 3.2.1 EZ Mode 3.2.2 Advanced Mode Menu bar Page ASUS P9X79 WS 3-5 3.3 Main menu Security The Security menu items allow you to change the system security settings. Administrator Password User Password Page Ai Overclock Tuner [Auto] BCLK Frequency [XXX] CPU Strap [Auto] ClockGen Full Reset [Enabled] Page Page Page Page Page Page DRAM RTL (CHA D1 R1) [Auto] DRAM IOL (CHA D1 R1) [Auto] DRAM RTL (CHB D0 R0) [Auto] DRAM IOL (CHB D0 R0) [Auto] DRAM RTL (CHB D0 R1) [Auto] DRAM IOL (CHB D1 R0) [Auto] DRAM RTL (CHB D1 R1) [Auto] DRAM IOL (CHB D1 R1) [Auto] DRAM RTL (CHC D0 R0) [Auto] DRAM IOL (CHC D0 R0) [Auto] DRAM RTL (CHC D1 R0) [Auto] DRAM IOL (CHC D1 R0) [Auto] DRAM RTL (CHC D1 R1) [Auto] DRAM IOL (CHC D1 R1) [Auto] DRAM RTL (CHD D0 R0) [Auto] Page Page 3-20 Chapter 3: BIOS setup 3.4.1 CPU Load-Line Calibration [Auto] The actual performance boost may vary depending on your CPU speciation. CPU Current Capability [Auto] Page CPU Power Duty Control [T.Probe] CPU Power Phase Control [Auto] Manual Adjustment [Regular] DRAM-AB Current Capability [100%] DRAM-AB Voltage Frequency [Auto] Page 3.4.2 CPU Performance Settings CPU Ratio [Auto] CPU Core Current Limit Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology [Enabled] Turbo Mode [Enabled] Turbo Mode Parameters Long Duration Power Limit [Auto] Long Duration Maintained [Auto] Short Duration Power Limit [Auto] Offset Mode Sign [+] CPU VCORE Offset Voltage [Auto] CPU VCCSA Voltage [Offset Mode] CPU VCCSA Manual Voltage [Auto] Offset Mode Sign [+] CPU VCCSA Offset Voltage [Auto] DRAM Voltage (CHA, CHB) [Auto] DRAM Voltage (CHC, CHD) [Auto] Page Page ASUS P9X79 WS 3-29 3.5 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. 3.5.1 CPU Conguration Intel Adaptive Thermal Monitor [Enabled] Hyper-threading [Enabled] Active Processor Cores [All] Limit CPUID Maximum [Disabled] 3.5.2 CPU Power Management Conguration CPU Ratio [Auto] 3.5.3 System Agent Conguration ASUS P9X79 WS 3-33 3.5.4 PCH Conguration High Precision Timer [Enabled] 3.5.5 SATA Conguration PCIEX16_3/5 Link speed [GEN3] Allows you to select the target link speed. Conguration options: [GEN1] [GEN2] [GEN3] Page Serial-ATA Controller 0 [Enhanced] Serial-ATA Controller 1 [Enhanced] S.M.A.R.T. Status Check [Enabled] SATA6G_5 (Blue) Hot Plug [Disabled] SATA6G_6 (Blue) Hot Plug [Disabled] 3.5.6 USB Conguration Legacy USB Support [Enabled] Legacy USB3.0 Support [Enabled] EHCI Hand-off [Disabled] 3.5.7 Onboard Devices Conguraton Azalia HD Audio [Enabled] Front Panel Type [HD] SPDIF Out Type [SPDIF] Serial Port [Enabled] Change Settings [IO=3F8h; IRQ=4] Restore AC Power Loss [Power Off] Power On By Keyboard [Disabled] Power On By Mouse [Disabled] 3.5.8 APM 3-40 Chapter 3: BIOS setup 3.6 Monitor menu Scroll down to display the following items: CPU Temperature / MB Temperature [xxxC/xxxF][xxxC/xxxF] CPU Q-Fan Control [Enabled] CPU Fan Speed Low Limit [600 RPM] CPU Fan Profile [Standard] Chassis 1/2/3/4 Q-Fan Control [Enabled] Chassis 1/2/3/4 Fan Speed Low Limit [600 RPM] Chassis 1/2/3/4 Fan Profile [Standard] CPU Voltage, 3.3V Voltage, 5V Voltage, 12V Voltage Anti Surge Support [Enabled] 3.7 Boot menu Bootup NumLock State [On] Full Screen Logo [Enabled] Wait For F1 If Error [Enabled] Post Report [5 sec] 3.8 Tools menu Option ROM Messages [Force BIOS] Setup Mode [EZ Mode] Boot Option Priorities Boot Override 3.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility 3.8.2 ASUS DRAM SPD Information 3.8.3 ASUS O.C. Prole Label Save to Prole Load from Prole 3.8.4 ASUS Drive Xpert Drive Xpert Mode SATA6G _E1/ E2 (Navy Blue) Drive Xpert Device(s) List: 3.9 Exit menu 3.10 Updating BIOS 3.10.1 ASUS Update utility Updating the BIOS through the Internet Updating the BIOS through a BIOS le 3.10.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility 3.10.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility Recovering the BIOS Booting the system in DOS environment 3.10.4 ASUS BIOS Updater Before updating BIOS Backing up the current BIOS Updating the BIOS le 4.1 Installing an operating system 4.2 Support DVD information 4.2.1 Running the support DVD Chapter 4 4.2.2 Obtaining the software manuals 4.3 Software information 4.3.1 AI Suite II Installing AI Suite II Using AI Suite II 4.3.2 TurboV EVO TurboV Page Auto Tuning Using Fast Tuning Using Extreme Tuning 4.3.3 DIGI+ Power Control CPU Power DRAM Power 4.3.4 EPU Launching EPU 4.3.5 FAN Xpert+ Launching FAN Xpert+ Fan setting Using FAN Xpert+ 4.3.6 Probe II Launching Probe II Conguring Probe II 4.3.7 Sensor Recorder Launching Sensor Recorder Using Sensor Recorder Using History Record 4.3.8 USB 3.0 Boost Launching USB 3.0 Boost Conguring USB 3.0 Boost 4.3.9 ASUS SSD Caching Launching ASUS SSD Caching Conguring ASUS SSD Caching 4.3.10 ASUS Update Using ASUS Update 4.3.11 MyLogo2 Using MyLogo Page 4.3.12 Audio congurations 4.4 RAID congurations 4.4.1 RAID denitions 4.4.2 Installing Serial ATA hard disks 4.4.3 Setting the RAID item in BIOS 4.4.4 Intel Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility Creating a RAID set Page Deleting a RAID set Exiting the Intel Rapid Storage Technology Option ROM utility ASUS P9X79 WS 4-25 4.4.5 Marvell RAID utility Create a RAID Array Page ASUS P9X79 WS 4-27 Delete an existing RAID Array 1. Select the RAID array to delete and press <Enter>. Select Delete and press <Enter>. Page 4.5 Creating a RAID driver disk 4.5.1 Creating a RAID driver disk without entering the OS 4.5.2 Creating a RAID driver disk in Windows 4.5.3 Installing the RAID driver during Windows OS installation 4.5.4 Using a USB oppy disk drive Page Page Page 5.1 ATI CrossFireX technology 5.1.1 Requirements 5.1.2 Before you begin 5.1.3 Installing CrossFireX graphics cards 5.1.4 Installing the device drivers 5.1.5 Enabling the ATI CrossFireX technology Launching the ATI Catalyst Control Center Page 5.2 NVIDIA SLI technology 5.2.1 Requirements 5.2.2 Installing two SLI-ready graphics cards 5.2.3 Installing three SLI-ready graphics cards 5.2.4 Installing four SLI-ready graphics cards 5.2.5 Installing the device drivers 5.2.6 Enabling the NVIDIA SLI technology Launching the NVIDIA Control Panel Page Enabling Dual SLI settings Enabling Triple SLI settings 5.3 NVIDIA CUDA technology 5.3.1 Requirements 5.3.2 Installing CUDA-ready graphics cards Page Page ASUS contact information ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. ASUS COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL (America) ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany and Austria) EC Declaration of Conformity DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY Asus Computer International , CA 94539.