Contents

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

vi

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

vii

Z97I-PLUS specifications summary..........................................................................

ix

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

xiii

Installation tools and components..........................................................................

xiv

Chapter 1:

Product Introduction

 

1.1

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

1-1

 

1.1.1

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

1-1

 

1.1.2

5X Protection...............................................................................

1-2

 

1.1.3

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

1-2

 

1.1.4

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

1-4

 

1.1.5

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

1-4

 

1.1.6

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

1-4

1.2

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

1-6

 

1.2.1

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

1-6

 

1.2.2

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

1-7

 

1.2.3

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

1-8

 

1.2.4

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

1-9

 

1.2.5

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

1-11

 

1.2.6

Headers.....................................................................................

1-12

 

1.2.7

Onboard buttons and switches..................................................

1-13

 

1.2.8

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

1-14

 

1.2.9

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

1-15

Chapter 2:

Basic installation

 

2.1

Building your PC system...........................................................................

2-1

 

2.1.1

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

2-1

 

2.1.2

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

2-5

 

2.1.3

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

2-6

 

2.1.4

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

2-8

 

2.1.5

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

2-9

 

2.1.6

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

2-10

 

2.1.7

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

2-11

 

2.1.8

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

2-12

2.2

Motherboard rear and audio connections..............................................

2-13

 

2.2.1

Rear I/O connection...................................................................

2-13

 

2.2.2

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

2-15

2.3

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

2-17

2.4

Turning off the computer.........................................................................

2-17

iii