4.1Managing and updating your BIOS

The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup.

1.ASUS Update (Updates the BIOS in Windows® environment.)

2.ASUS EZ Flash 2 (Updates the BIOS in DOS using a floppy disk or a USB flash disk.)

3.Award BIOS Flash Utility (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a bootable floppy disk.)

Refer to the corresponding sections for details on these utilities.

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a bootable floppy disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update or Award BIOS Flash utilities.

4.1.1ASUS Update utility

The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. The ASUS Update utility allows you to:

Save the current BIOS file

Download the latest BIOS file from the Internet

Update the BIOS from an updated BIOS file

Update the BIOS directly from the Internet, and

View the BIOS version information.

This utility is available in the support DVD that comes with the motherboard package.

ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Installing ASUS Update

To install ASUS Update:

1.Place the support DVD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears.

2.Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update VX.XX.XX. See page 5-3 for the Utilities screen menu.

3.The ASUS Update utility is copied to your system.

ASUS Striker Extreme

4-

Page 75
Image 75
Asus Striker Extreme manual Managing and updating your Bios, Asus Update utility, Installing Asus Update

Striker Extreme specifications

The Asus Striker Extreme is a high-performance motherboard designed primarily for enthusiasts and gamers who demand the best from their systems. Released as part of the Republic of Gamers (ROG) line-up, this motherboard is built around the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI chipset, enabling exceptional performance in multi-GPU setups.

One of the standout features of the Striker Extreme is its support for NVIDIA SLI technology, allowing users to install multiple graphics cards to achieve higher frame rates and improved visual performance in games and applications. With its 5 PCI Express x16 slots, the motherboard facilitates extensive expandability options, making it an ideal choice for users looking to build a robust gaming rig.

The Striker Extreme also comes with advanced overclocking capabilities. The motherboard features the exclusive Asus AI Suite, which allows users to easily tweak various system settings, including voltage, FSB, and memory timings, directly from the Windows interface. This makes it accessible for both novice and experienced overclockers to fine-tune their systems for maximum performance without the need to dive into the BIOS frequently.

In terms of connectivity, the Striker Extreme offers an impressive set of features. It includes six SATA II ports for high-speed storage, supporting RAID configurations for enhanced data protection and performance. Additionally, the Realtek ALC882M sound chip provides excellent audio quality, along with support for 8-channel HD audio, creating a rich audio environment for gaming and multimedia applications.

For those who prioritize aesthetics, the Striker Extreme is adorned with striking LED lights and a sleek, black PCB design that complements any high-end build. Moreover, the motherboard features an LCD poster for easy troubleshooting, providing users with real-time status updates on boot processes and system health.

The Asus Striker Extreme also supports cutting-edge technologies such as DDR2 memory, allowing up to 8GB of RAM to be installed, which is crucial for modern gaming and multitasking. With an emphasis on performance, expandability, and ease of use, the Asus Striker Extreme is an excellent choice for gamers and PC enthusiasts looking to create a powerful and stylish desktop environment. Its rich feature set and robust design truly embody the capabilities expected from a top-tier motherboard in the gaming community.