960GM-VGS3 FX 960GM-VS3 FX User Manual Version 1.0 Published November 2012 Copyright©2012 ASRock INC. All rights reserved.
Copyright Notice: No part of this manual may be reproduced, transcribed, transmitted, or translated in any language, in any form or by any means, except duplication of documentation by the purchaser for backup purpose, without written consent of ASRock Inc. Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identification or explanation and to the owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.
Contents 1. Introduction................................................................. 5 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Package Contents...................................................................... Specifications.............................................................................. Unique Features......................................................................... Motherboard Layout (960GM-VGS3 FX / 960GM-VS3 FX) ..... I/O Panel (960GM-VGS3 FX) ........................
3. BIOS SETUP UTILITY.................................................. 33 3.1 Introduction................................................................................. 33 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.1.1 BIOS Menu Bar................................................................ 3.1.2 Navigation Keys................................................................ Main Screen...................................................................
1. Introduction Thank you for purchasing ASRock 960GM-VGS3 FX / 960GM-VS3 FX motherboard, a reliable motherboard produced under ASRock’s consistently stringent quality control. It delivers excellent performance with robust design conforming to ASRock’s commitment to quality and endurance. In this manual, chapter 1 and 2 contain introduction of the motherboard and stepby-step guide to the hardware installation. Chapter 3 and 4 contain the configuration guide to BIOS setup and information of the Support CD.
1.
- 1 x VGA Port - 4 x Ready-to-Use USB 2.0 Ports Connector BIOS Feature Support CD Hardware Monitor OS Certifications - 1 x RJ-45 LAN Port with LED (ACT/LINK LED and SPEED LED) - HD Audio Jack: Line in / Front Speaker / Microphone - 4 x SATA2 3.
WARNING Please realize that there is a certain risk involved with overclocking, including adjusting the setting in the BIOS, applying Untied Overclocking Technology, or using third-party overclocking tools. Overclocking may affect your system’s stability, or even cause damage to the components and devices of your system. It should be done at your own risk and expense. We are not responsible for possible damage caused by overclocking. CAUTION! 1.
1.3 Unique Features ASRock OC Tuner ASRock OC Tuner is a user-friendly overclocking tool which allows you to surveil your system by hardware monitor function and overclock your hardware devices to get the best system performance under Windows® environment. Please visit our website for the operation procedures of ASRock OC Tuner.
complicated flash utility. Please be noted that the USB flash drive or hard drive must use FAT32/16/12 file system. ASRock OC DNA The software name itself – OC DNA literally tells you what it is capable of. OC DNA, an exclusive utility developed by ASRock, provides a convenient way for the user to record the OC settings and share with others. It helps you to save your overclocking record under the operating system and simplifies the complicated recording process of overclocking settings.
simultaneously. Real-Time Analysis of Your Data: With the status window, you can easily recognize which data streams you are transferring currently. ASRock XFast RAM ASRock XFast RAM fully utilizes the memory space that cannot be used under Windows® OS 32-bit CPU. ASRock XFast RAM shortens the loading time of previously visited websites, making web surfing faster than ever. And it also boosts the speed of Adobe Photoshop 5 times faster.
1.4 Motherboard Layout (960GM-VGS3 FX / 960GM-VS3 FX) 1 4 1 DDR3_B1 (64 bit, 240-pin module) 21 AUDIO CODEC CMOS BATTERY 6 SATAII_4 (PORT 6) Center: FRONT Top: LINE IN Bottom: MIC IN AMD 760G Chipset ATXPWR1 VGA1 HD_AUDIO1 FSB800 DDR3 1866 USB 2.0 T: USB2 B: USB3 Support 8-Core CPU X Fast LAN SOCKET AM3b LAN 5 CPU_FAN1 DDR3_A1 (64 bit, 240-pin module) Top: RJ-45 X Fast RAM PS2 Mouse PS2 Keyboard ATX12V1 USB 2.
1.5 I/O Panel (960GM-VGS3 FX) 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 1 * 2 3 ** 4 5 7 PS/2 Mouse Port (Green) 6 LAN RJ-45 Port 7 Line In (Light Blue) 8 Front Speaker (Lime) 9 Microphone (Pink) 6 VGA Port (VGA1) USB 2.0 Port (USB23) USB 2.0 Ports (USB01) PS/2 Keyboard Port (Purple) * There are two LED next to the LAN port. Please refer to the table below for the LAN port LED indications.
1.6 I/O Panel (960GM-VS3 FX) 1 2 3 4 5 8 9 1 * 2 3 ** 4 5 7 PS/2 Mouse Port (Green) 6 LAN RJ-45 Port 7 Line In (Light Blue) 8 Front Speaker (Lime) 9 Microphone (Pink) 6 VGA Port (VGA1) USB 2.0 Port (USB23) USB 2.0 Ports (USB01) PS/2 Keyboard Port (Purple) * There are two LED next to the LAN port. Please refer to the table below for the LAN port LED indications.
2. Installation This is a Micro ATX form factor motherboard. Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it. Pre-installation Precautions Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the power is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply.
2.1 CPU Installation o Step 1. Unlock the socket by lifting the lever up to a 90 angle. Step 2. Position the CPU directly above the socket such that the CPU corner with the golden triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle. Step 3. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it fits in place. The CPU fits only in one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to avoid bending of the pins. Step 4.
2.3 Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM) This motherboard provides two 240-pin DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) DIMM slots, and supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. For dual channel configuration, you always need to install two identical (the same brand, speed, size and chiptype) memory modules in the DDR3 DIMM slots to activate Dual Channel Memory Technology. Otherwise, it will operate at single channel mode. 1. 2.
2.4 Expansion Slots (PCI and PCI Express Slots) There is 1 PCI slot and 1 PCI Express slot on this motherboard. PCI Slot: PCI slot is used to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit PCI interface. PCIE Slot: PCIE1 (PCIE x16 slot) is used for PCI Express x16 lane width graphics cards. Installing an expansion card Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4. Step 5. Step 6.
2.5 Multi Monitor Feature This motherboard supports multi monitor feature. With the internal VGA output support and the external add-on PCI Express VGA card, you can easily enjoy the benefits of multi monitor feature. Please refer to the following steps to set up a surround display environment: 1. Install the PCI Express VGA cards on PCIE1 slot. Please refer to page 18 for proper expansion card installation procedures for details. 2. Connect D-Sub monitor cable to VGA port on the I/O panel.
D. Click “Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor”. E. Right-click the display icon and select “Attached”, if necessary. F. Set the “Screen Resolution” and “Color Quality” as appropriate for the second monitor. Click “Apply” or “OK” to apply these new values. G. Repeat steps C through E for the diaplay icon identified by the number one, two and three.
2.6 Jumpers Setup The illustration shows how jumpers are setup. When the jumper cap is placed on pins, the jumper is “Short”. If no jumper cap is placed on pins, the jumper is “Open”. The illustration shows a 3-pin jumper whose pin1 and pin2 are “Short” when jumper cap is placed on these 2 pins. Jumper Setting Clear CMOS Jumper Description (CLRCMOS1) (see p.12, No. 18) Default Clear CMOS Note: CLRCMOS1 allows you to clear the data in CMOS.
2.7 Onboard Headers and Connectors Serial ATA2 Connectors (SATAII_1 (PORT 1): see p.12, No. 13) (SATAII_2 (PORT 2): see p.12, No. 12) SATAII_3 (PORT 5) (SATAII_4 (PORT 6): see p.12, No. 7) SATAII_2 (PORT 2) (SATAII_3 (PORT 5): see p.12, No. 10) SATAII_4 (PORT 6) Onboard headers and connectors are NOT jumpers. Do NOT place jumper caps over these headers and connectors.
Front Panel Audio Header (9-pin HD_AUDIO1) (see p.12 No. 22) GND PRESENCE# MIC_RET OUT_RET 1 This is an interface for the front panel audio cable that allows convenient connection and control of audio devices. OUT2_L J_SENSE OUT2_R MIC2_R MIC2_L 1. High Definition Audio supports Jack Sensing, but the panel wire on the chassis must support HDA to function correctly. Please follow the instruction in our manual and chassis manual to install your system. 2.
LED is on when the system is operating. The LED keeps blinking when the sys-tem is in S1 sleep state. The LED is off when the system is in S3/S4 sleep state or powered off (S5). HDLED (Hard Drive Activity LED): Connect to the hard drive activity LED on the chassis front panel. The LED is on when the hard drive is reading or writing data. The front panel design may differ by chassis. A front panel module mainly consists of power switch, reset switch, power LED, hard drive activity LED, speaker and etc.
Though this motherboard provides 24-pin ATX power connector, it can still work if you adopt a traditional 20-pin ATX power supply. To use the 20-pin ATX power supply, please plug your power supply along with Pin 1 and Pin 13. 20-Pin ATX Power Supply Installation ATX 12V Power Connector (4-pin ATX12V1) 12 24 1 13 Please connect an ATX 12V power supply to this connector. (see p.12 No. 1) Chassis Intrusion Header (2-pin CI1) (see p.12 No.
2.8 Serial ATA2 (SATA2) Hard Disks Installation This motherboard adopts AMD SB710 chipset that supports Serial ATA2 (SATA2) hard disks and RAID (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10 and JBOD) functions. You may install SATA2 hard disks on this motherboard for internal storage devices. This section will guide you to install the SATA2 hard disks. STEP 1: Install the SATA2 hard disks into the drive bays of your chassis. STEP 2: Connect the SATA power cable to the SATA2 hard disk.
2.10 SATA2 HDD Hot Plug Feature and Operation Guide This motherboard supports Hot Plug feature for SATA2 HDD in RAID / AHCI mode. Please read below operation guide of Hot Plug feature carefully. Before you process the SATA2 HDD Hot Plug, please check below cable accessories from the motherboard gift box pack. A. 7-pin SATA data cable B. SATA power cable with SATA 15-pin power connector interface A. SATA data cable (Red) SATA 7-pin connector B.
How to Hot Plug a SATA2 HDD: Points of attention, before you process the Hot Plug: Please do follow below instruction sequence to process the Hot Plug, improper procedure will cause the SATA2 HDD damage and data loss. Step 1 Please connect SATA power cable 1x4-pin Step 2 Connect SATA data cable to end (White) to the power supply 1x4-pin the motherboard’s SATA2 cable. connector. SATA power cable 1x4-pin power connector (White) Step 3 Connect SATA 15-pin power cable connector (Black) end to SATA2 HDD.
2.11 Driver Installation Guide To install the drivers to your system, please insert the support CD to your optical drive first. Then, the drivers compatible to your system can be auto-detected and listed on the support CD driver page. Please follow the order from up to bottom side to install those required drivers. Therefore, the drivers you install can work properly. 2.
STEP 3: Use “RAID Installation Guide” to set RAID configuration. Before you start to configure RAID function, you need to check the RAID installation guide in the Support CD for proper configuration. Please refer to the BIOS RAID installation guide part of the document in the following path in the Support CD: .. \ RAID Installation Guide STEP 4: Install Windows® XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system. After step 1, 2, 3, you can start to install Windows® XP / XP 64-bit OS on your system.
2.13 Installing Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit Without RAID Functions If you want to install Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit / XP / XP 64-bit OS on your SATA / SATA2 HDDs without RAID functions, please follow below procedures according to the OS you install. 2.13.
2.13.2 Installing Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit Without RAID Functions If you want to install Windows® 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit on your SATA / SATA2 HDDs without RAID functions, please follow below steps. Using SATA / SATA2 HDDs with NCQ and Hot Plug functions (AHCI mode) STEP 1: Set up BIOS. A. Enter BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced screen Storage Configuration. B. Set the “SATA Operation Mode” option to [AHCI].
3. BIOS SETUP UTILITY 3.1 Introduction This section explains how to use the BIOS SETUP UTILITY to configure your system. The SPI Memory on the motherboard stores the BIOS SETUP UTILITY. You may run the BIOS SETUP UTILITY when you start up the computer. Please press or during the Power-On-Self-Test (POST) to enter the BIOS SETUP UTILITY, otherwise, POST will continue with its test routines.
3.1.2 Navigation Keys Please check the following table for the function description of each navigation key.
960GM-VS3 FX OC Tweaker Main BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced H/W Monitor Boot Security Exit System Overview System Time System Date [17:00:09] [Wed 11/14/2012] : 960GM-VS3 FX P1.
3.3 OC Tweaker Screen In the OC Tweaker screen, you can set up overclocking features.
Processor Maximum Frequency It will display Processor Maximum Frequency for reference. North Bridge Maximum Frequency It will display North Bridge Maximum Frequency for reference. Processor Maximum Voltage It will display Processor Maximum Voltage for reference. Multiplier/Voltage Change This item is set to [Auto] by default. If it is set to [Manual], you may adjust the value of Processor Frequency and Processor Voltage. However, it is recommended to keep the default value for system stability.
Memory Configuration Memory Clock This item can be set by the code using [Auto]. You can set one of the standard values as listed: [400MHz DDR3_800], [533MHz DDR3_1066], [667MHz DDR3_1333] and [800MHz DDR3_1600]. DRAM Frequency If [Auto] is selected, the motherboard will detect the memory module(s) inserted and assigns appropriate frequency automatically.
Command Rate Use this item to change Command Rate Auto/Manual setting. The default is [Auto]. TRC Use this item to change TRC Auto/Manual setting. The default is [Auto]. TWR Use this item to change TWR Auto/Manual setting. The default is [Auto]. TRFC Use this item to change TRFC Auto/Manual setting. The default is [Auto]. TRRD Use this item to change TRRD Auto/Manual setting. The default is [Auto]. TWTR Use this item to change TWTR Auto/Manual setting.
3.4 Advanced Screen In this section, you may set the configurations for the following items: CPU Configuration, Chipset Configuration, ACPI Configuration, Storage Configuration, PCIPnP Configuration, Super IO Configuration and USB Configuration. Main BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot OC Tweaker Advanced H/W Monitor Advanced Settings Security Exit Options for CPU WARNING : Setting wrong values in below sections may cause system to malfunction.
3.4.1 CPU Configuration BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced CPU Configuration Cool' n' Quiet Secure Virtual Machine Enhanced Halt State(C1E) CPU Thermal Throttle [Enabled] [Enabled] [Disabled] [Auto] +F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change Option General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.54 (C) Copyright 1985-2003, American Megatrends, Inc. Cool ‘n’ Quiet Use this item to enable or disable AMD’s Cool ‘n’ QuietTM technology. The default value is [Enabled].
3.4.2 Chipset Configuration BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced Chipset Settings Onboard HD Audio Front Panel Onboard Lan Primary Graphics Adapter [Auto] [Auto] [Enabled] [PCI] Internal Graphics Mode Share Memory Surround View [UMA] [Auto] [Auto] +F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change Option General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.54 (C) Copyright 1985-2003, American Megatrends, Inc. Onboard HD Audio Select [Auto], [Enabled] or [Disabled] for the onboard HD Audio feature.
3.4.3 ACPI Configuration BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced ACPI Settings Suspend To RAM Check Ready Bit Away Mode Support [Auto] [Auto] [Disabled] Restore on AC / Power Loss Ring-In Power On PCI Devices Power On PS / 2 Keyboard Power On RTC Alarm Power On [Power Off] [Disabled] [Disabled] [Disabled] [By OS] ACPI HPET Table [Enabled] Select auto-detect or disable the STR feature. +F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change Option General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.
ACPI HPET table Use this item to enable or disable ACPI HPET Table. The default value is [Enabled]. Please set this option to [Enabled] if you plan to use this motherboard to submit Windows® certification.
3.4.4 Storage Configuration BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced Configure onboard serial ATA controller. Storage Configuration Onboard SATA Controller SATA Operation Mode SATA IDE Combined Mode SATAII_1 SATAII_2 SATAII_3 SATAII_4 [Enabled] [AHCI] [Enabled] [Hard Disk] [Not Detected] [Not Detected] [Not Detected] +F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change Option General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.54 (C) Copyright 1985-2003, American Megatrends, Inc.
3.4.5 PCIPnP Configuration BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced Value in units of PCI clocks for PCI device latency timer register. Advanced PCI / PnP Settings PCI Latency Timer PCI IDE BusMaster [32] [Enabled] +F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change Option General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.54 (C) Copyright 1985-2003, American Megatrends, Inc. Setting wrong values in this section may cause the system to malfunction. PCI Latency Timer The default value is 32.
3.4.6 Super IO Configuration BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced Configure Super IO Chipset Serial Port Address Infrared Port Address Parallel Port Address Parallel Port Mode EPP Version ECP Mode UMA Channel Parallel Port IRQ Allow BIOS to Enable or Disable Floppy Controller. [3F8 / IRQ4] [Disabled] [378] [ECP+EPP] [1.9] [DMA3] [IRQ7] +F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change Option General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.54 (C) Copyright 1985-2003, American Megatrends, Inc.
3.4.7 USB Configuration BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced USB Configuration USB Controller USB 2.0 Support Legacy USB Support [Enabled] [Enabled] [Enabled] USB Keyboard/Remote Power On USB Mouse Power On [Disabled] [Disabled] To enable or disable the onboard USB controllers. +F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change Option General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.54 (C) Copyright 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc.
3.5 Hardware Health Event Monitoring Screen In this section, it allows you to monitor the status of the hardware on your system, including the parameters of the CPU temperature, motherboard temperature, CPU fan speed, chassis fan speed, and the critical voltage. Main OC Tweaker BIOS SETUP UTILITY Boot Advanced H/W Monitor Hardware Health Event Monitoring CPU Temperature M / B Temperature : 37 C / 98 F : 27 C / 80 F CPU Fan Speed Chassis Fan Speed : 4722 RPM : N/A Vcore + 3.30V + 5.00V + 12.
3.6 Boot Screen In this section, it will display the available devices on your system for you to configure the boot settings and the boot priority. Main OC Tweaker BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced H/W Monitor Boot Boot Settings Exit Configure Settings during System Boot.
3.7 Security Screen In this section, you may set or change the supervisor/user password for the system. For the user password, you may also clear it. Main OC Tweaker BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced H/W Monitor Boot Security Settings Supervisor Password User Password Security Exit Install or Change the password. : Not Installed : Not Installed Change Supervisor Password Change User Password Enter F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Change General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.
3.8 Exit Screen Main OC Tweaker BIOS SETUP UTILITY Advanced H/W Monitor Boot Exit Options Security Exit Exit system setup after saving the changes. Save Changes and Exit Discard Changes and Exit Discard Changes F10 key can be used for this operation. Load BIOS Defaults Load Performance Setup Default Load Power Saving Setup Default Enter F1 F9 F10 ESC Select Screen Select Item Go to Sub Screen General Help Load Defaults Save and Exit Exit v02.54 (C) Copyright 1985-2005, American Megatrends, Inc.
4. Software Support 4.1 Install Operating System This motherboard supports various Microsoft® Windows® operating systems: 8 / 8 64-bit / 7 / 7 64-bit / VistaTM / VistaTM 64-bit / XP / XP Media Center / XP 64-bit. Because motherboard settings and hardware options vary, use the setup procedures in this chapter for general reference only. Refer to your OS documentation for more information. 4.
