Contents

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

vi

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

vii

SABERTOOTH Z77 specifications summary............................................................

ix

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

“Ultimate COOL!” Thermal Solutions...........................................

1-3

 

1.3.3

“TUF ENGINE!” Power Design....................................................

1-4

 

1.3.4

“Safe & Stable!” Guardian Angel..................................................

1-4

 

1.3.5

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

1-5

 

1.3.6

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

1-5

 

1.3.7

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

1-6

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

2-12

 

2.2.5

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

2-14

 

2.2.6

Onboard switch..........................................................................

2-15

 

2.2.7

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

2-16

 

2.2.8

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

2-17

2.3

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

2-26

 

2.3.1

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

2-26

 

2.3.2

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

2-27

 

2.3.3

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

2-29

 

2.3.4

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

2-30

 

2.3.5

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

2-31

 

2.3.6

Thermal Armor for ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77..........................

2-33

 

2.3.7

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

2-36

 

2.3.8

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

2-37

 

2.3.9

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

2-38

 

2.3.10

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

2-39

 

2.3.11

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

2-41

 

2.3.12

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

2-43

iii