• M5A78L-M LX3 • M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS Motherboard M5A78L-M LX3 Series
E8025 Second Edition January 2013 Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
Contents Safety information....................................................................................................... vi About this guide.......................................................................................................... vi M5A78L-M LX3 Series specifications summary..................................................... viii Package contents......................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: 1.1 1.2 1.
2.2 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3................................................................. 2-3 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen........................................................................... 2-5 2.2.3 Navigation keys................................................................................ 2-5 BIOS setup program...................................................................................... 2-4 2.2.2 2.2.4 2.2.5 2.2.6 2.2.7 2.2.8 2.3 2.2.9 General help..........................
Appendices Notices...................................................................................................................... A-1 ASUS contact information.......................................................................................
Safety information Electrical safety • • • • • • To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.
Where to find more information Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 1. 2. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. Optional documentation Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package.
M5A78L-M LX3 Series specifications summary CPU AMD® Socket AM3+ for AMD® FX™ / Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series processors AMD® Cool ‘n’ Quiet™ Technology Supports AMD® AM3/AM3+ CPU up to 95W * Refer to www.asus.com for the AMD® CPU support list Chipset AMD® 760G(780L) / SB710 Front side bus Up to 5200 MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.
M5A78L-M LX3 Series specifications summary Special features 100% All high quality conductive polymer capacitors (M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS only) Back panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 Keyboard port 1 x PS/2 Mouse port 1 x COM port 1 x D-Sub port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port 4 x USB 2.0 ports 3 x Audio jacks Internal I/O connectors 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports 4 x SATA 3.
Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items.
Product introduction 1.1 Special features 1.1.1 Product highlights 1 AMD FX™ / Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series CPU support ® This motherboard supports AMD® Socket AM3+ multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dual-channel DDR3 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0-based system bus.
100% All High-quality Conductive Polymer Capacitors (M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS only) This motherboard uses all high-quality conductive polymer capacitors for durability, improved lifespan, and enhanced thermal capacity. 1.1.2 ASUS Exclusive Features Core Unlocker ASUS Core Unlocker simplifies the activation of a latent AMD® CPU-with just pressing a key. Enjoy an instant performance boost by simply unlocking the extra cores, without performing complicated BIOS changes.
1.2 Before you proceed Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings. • Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component. • Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damaging them due to static electricity. • Hold components by the edges to avoid touching the ICs on them.
1.3 Motherboard overview 1.3.1 Placement direction 1.3.2 Screw holes When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below. Place six screws into the holes indicated by circles to secure the motherboard to the chassis. DO NOT overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. Place this side towards the rear of the chassis.
1.3.3 Motherboard layout M5A78L-M LX3 Series motherboards include M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS and M5A78L-M LX3 models. The package contents vary from models. The layout illustrations in this user guide are for M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS only. 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 3 18.8cm(7.4in) KBMS CPU_FAN EPU LAN1_USB12 24.4cm(9.
1.3.4 Layout contents Connectors/Jumpers/Slots/LED Page 2. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR) 1-18 4. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN and 3-pin CHA_FAN) 1-24 1. USB device wake-up (3-pin USBPW 1-4, USBPW 5-8) 3. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) 5. AMD CPU socket 6. DDR3 DIMM slots 7. SATA 3.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA3G_1~4) 9. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL) 8. Standby power LED (SB_PWR) 1-18 1-21 1-6 1-10 1-22 1-3 1-23 10.
1.4.
1.4.2 CPU heatsink and fan assembly installation Apply the Thermal Interface Material to the CPU heatsink and CPU before you install the heatsink and fan if necessary.
To uninstall the CPU heatsink and fan assembly 1 3 2 4 5 ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series 1-9
1.5 System memory 1.5.1 Overview This motherboard comes with two Double Data Rate 3 (DDR3) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets. A DDR3 module has the same physical dimensions as a DDR2 DIMM but is notched differently to prevent installation on a DDR2 DIMM socket. DDR3 modules are developed for better performance with less power consumption.
1.5.2 Memory configurations You may install 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB unbuffered non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. • You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation. • Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency.
DDR3-1600MHz capability Vendors Part No. Size SS/ DS Chip Brand Chip NO.
DDR3-1333 MHz capability Vendors Part No. Size SS/ DS Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage G.SKILL 3GB(3 x 1GB) SS - - 7-7-7-18 1.5~1.6V • • 4GB(2 x 2GB) DS - - 8-8-8-8-24 XMP 1.35V • • 6GB(3 x 2GB) DS - - 7-7-7-18 1.5~1.6V • • G.SKILL F3-10666CL7T-3GBPK (XMP) F3-10666CL8D4GBECO(XMP) F3-10666CL7T-6GBPK (XMP) F3-10666CL7D-8GBRH (XMP) DIMM socket support (Optional) 1 DIMM* 2 DIMMs* 8GB(2 x 4GB) DS - - 7-7-7-21 1.5V • • GEIL GET316GB1333C9QC DS - - 9-9-9-24 1.
DDR3-1066 MHz capability 1.35V(low voltage) 1.35V(low voltage) DIMM socket support (Optional) 1 DIMM* 2 DIMMs* • • • • • • • • J1108BFSE-DJ-F 7 1.5V • • J1108BDSE-DJ-F 7 H5TQ2G83AFR 7 9GF22D9KPT 7 1.5V 1.5V - • • • • • • 9HF22D9KPT - • • Vendors Part No. Size SS/DS Chip Brand Chip NO. Timing Voltage Crucial Crucial ELPIDA ELPIDA CT12864BA1067.8FF CT25664BA1067.
1.5.
1.6 Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub‑sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. Unplug the power cord before adding or removing expansion cards. Failure to do so may cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.6.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
1.7 1. Jumpers Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data. The onboard button cell battery powers the RAM data in CMOS, which include system setup information such as system passwords. To erase the RTC RAM: CLRTC 1 2 2 Normal (Default) Clear RTC 3 M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS Clear RTC RAM 1.
2. Keyboard power (3-pin KBPWR) This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up feature. When you set this jumper to pins 2–3 (+5VSB), you can wake up the computer by pressing a key on the keyboard. This feature requires an ATX power supply that can supply at least 1A on the +5VSB lead, and a corresponding setting in the BIOS. 1 2 2 3 KBPWR +5V (Default) +5VSB M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS Keyboard power setting 3.
1.8 Connectors 1.8.1 Rear panel ports 1 2 10 9 8 7 3 4 6 5 1. PS/2 Mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. LAN port LED indications Activity/Link LED Status Description OFF No link ORANGE Linked BLINKING Data activity Speed LED Status Description OFF 10Mbps connection ORANGE 100Mbps connection GREEN 1Gbps connection ACT/LINK SPEED LED LED LAN port 3.
6. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB 2.0/1.1 devices. 7. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB USB 2.0/1.1 devices. 8. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices. 9. COM port. This port is for pointing devices or other serial devices. 10. PS/2 Keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard. 1.8.
2. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin ATX12V) These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs from the power supply are designed to fit these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.
Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA3G_1~4) These connectors are for the Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s signal cables for Serial ATA hard disk drives and optical disc drives. If you installed Serial ATA hard disk drives, you can create a RAID 0, RAID 1, or RAID 10 configuration through the onboard controller.
4. System panel connector (10-1 pin F_PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. PWRBTN PLED+ PLEDPWR GND PLED F_PANEL HD_LED+ HD_LEDGround Reset PIN 1 M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS +HDLED RESET M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS System panel connector • • • • 5. System power LED (2-pin PLED) This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector.
USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specification that supports up to 480Mbps connection speed. PIN 1 USB+5V USB_P7USB_P7+ GND PIN 1 M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS USB+5V USB_P6USB_P6+ GND NC USB56 USB+5V USB_P8USB_P8+ GND NC USB78 USB+5V USB_P5USB_P5+ GND 6. M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS USB2.
1.9 Software support 1.9.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows® XP / Vista / 7 Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware. 1.9.2 • Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information.
1-26 Chapter 1: Product introduction
BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS 2 Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update utility. 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility The ASUS Update is a utility that allows you to manage, save, and update the motherboard BIOS in Windows® environment. • ASUS Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Updating from the Internet a. Select Update BIOS from the Internet, then click Next. b. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network traffic, then click Next. c. From the FTP site, select the BIOS version that you wish to download then click Next. The ASUS Update utility is capable of updating itself through the Internet. Always update the utility to avail all its features. Updating from a BIOS file 3. a. Select Update BIOS from file, then click Next. b.
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the updated BIOS file. • Before using this utility, rename the BIOS file in the USB flash drive into MA78LLX3.ROM (for M5A78L-M LX3) or MA78LL3P.ROM (for M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS).
2.2 BIOS setup program Use the BIOS Setup program to update the BIOS or configure its parameters. The BIOS screens include navigation keys and brief online help to guide you in using the BIOS Setup program. Entering BIOS Setup at startup To enter BIOS Setup at startup: • Press during the Power-On Self-Test (POST). If you do not press , POST continues with its routines. Entering BIOS Setup after POST To enter BIOS Setup after POST: • Press ++ simultaneously.
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields General help M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS BIOS Setup Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Version 0305 Main Settings System Time [19:34:30] System Date [Thu 12/29/2011] SATA3G_1 SATA3G_2 SATA3G_3 SATA3G_4 SATA Configuration :[Not :[Not :[Not :[Not Detected] Detected] Detected] Detected] Use [ENTER], [TAB] or [SHIFT-TAB] to select a field. Use [+] or [-] to configure system Time.
2.2.4 Menu items 2.2.5 Submenu items 2.2.6 Configuration fields 2.2.7 Pop-up window The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specific items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items. The other items (Advanced, Power, Boot, Tools, and Exit) on the menu bar have their respective menu items. A solid triangle before each item on a menu screen means that the item has a submenu. To display the submenu, select the item and press .
2.3 Main menu When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information. Refer to section 2.2.1 BIOS menu screen for information on the menu screen items and how to navigate through them.
PIO Mode [Auto] Selects the PIO mode. Configuration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] DMA Mode [Auto] Selects the DMA mode. Configuration options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] 32Bit Data Transfer [Enabled] Enables or disables 32-bit data transfer. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.3.
2.4 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS BIOS Setup Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Advanced Settings Version 0302 Adjust System Frequency/Voltage etc.
PCIE Overclocking [Auto] Configures the PCIE overclocking. Configuration options: [Auto] [Manual] The following item only appears when you set PCIE Overclocking to [Manual]. PCIE Clock [100] Sets the PCIE Clock. Use <+> / <-> keys to adjust the ratio or input a number between 100 and 150. CPU Ratio [Auto] Sets the CPU ratio. Configuration options:[Auto] [x4.0 800MHz] [x4.5 900MHz] [x5.0 1000MHz] [x5.5 1100MHz] [x6.0 1200MHz] [x6.5 1300MHz] [x7 1400MHz] [x7.5 1500MHz] [x8.0 1600MHz] [x8.
DRAM Timing Configuration The configuration options for some of the following items vary depending on the DIMMs you install on the motherboard.
2.4.2 CPU Configuration The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically detects. GART Error Reporting [Disabled] This option should remain disabled for the normal operation. The driver developer may enable it for testing purpose. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] Microcode Updation [Enabled] Enables or disables Microcode Updation.
Value (Core 0) / (Core 1) / (Core 2) / (Core 3) [-2%] These items only appear when you set Advanced Clock Calibration to [Per Core] and allow you to set the overclocking percentage for each process core separately. Configuration options: [0%] [+2%] [+4%] [+6%] [+8%] [+10%] [+12%] [-2%] [-4%] [-6%] [-8%] [-10%] [-12%] 2.4.3 Chipset NorthBridge Configuration DRAM Controller Configuration Bank Interleaving [Auto] Allows you to enable the bank memory interleaving.
UMA Frame Buffer Size [Auto] Selects the UMA frame buffer size. Configuration options: [Auto] [32MB] [64MB] [128MB] [256MB] [512MB] [1GB] • The [512MB] option only appears when you install 1GB system memory or more. • The [1GB] option only appears when you install 2GB system memory or more. Surround View [Auto] Disables or enables the Surround View function. Configuration options: [Auto] [Disabled] [Enabled] This item becomes user-configurable when you install an ATI graphics card into the PCIe x16 slot.
2.4.6 USB Configuration The items in this menu allows you to change the USB-related features. Select an item then press to display the configuration options. The Module Version and USB Devices Enabled items show the auto-detected values. If no USB device is detected, the item shows None. USB Functions [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the USB functions. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] The following items appear only when you set USB Functions to [Enabled]. USB 2.
2.5 Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press to display the configuration options. M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS BIOS Setup Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Power Settings Suspend Mode [Auto] ACPI 2.
Power on By PS/2 Keyboard [Disabled] Enables or disables PS/2 Keyboard to generate a wake event. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Space Bar] [Power Key] [Ctrl-Esc] Power on From S5 By RTC Alarm [Disabled] Enables or disables RTC to generate a wake event. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.5.
CPU Fan Max. Duty Cycle(%) [100%] Allows you to select the maximum CPU fan duty cycle. When the CPU temperature reaches the upper limit, the CPU fan will operate at the maximum duty cycle. Configuration options: [20%] [30%] [40%] [50%] [60%] [70%] [80%] [90%] [100%]. CPU Lower Temperature [20oC/68oF] Displays the lower limit of the CPU temperature. CPU Fan Min. Duty Cycle(%) [20%] Allows you to select the minimum CPU fan duty cycle.
2.6 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press to display the submenu. M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS BIOS Setup Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Boot Settings Boot Device Priority Boot Settings Configuration Security Version 0302 Specifies the Boot Device Priority sequence. A virtual floppy disk drive (Floppy Drive B:) may appear when you set the CD-ROM drive as the first boot device.
AddOn ROM Display Mode [Force BIOS] Sets the display mode for option ROM. Configuration options: [Force BIOS] [Keep Current] Bootup Num-Lock [On] Selects the power-on state for the NumLock. Configuration options: [Off] [On] Wait for ‘F1’ If Error [Enabled] When this item is set to [Enabled], the system waits for the F1 key to be pressed when error occurs.
After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings. User Access Level [Full Access] This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items. Configuration options: [No Access] [View Only] [Limited] [Full Access] No Access prevents user access to the Setup utility. View Only allows access but does not allow change to any field. Limited allows changes only to selected fields, such as Date and Time.
2.7 Tools menu The Tools menu items allow you to configure options for special functions. Select an item then press to display the sub-menu. M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS BIOS Setup Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Tools Settings ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS O.C. Profile Version 0302 Press ENTER to run the utility to select and update BIOS. This utility supports: 1.FAT 12/16/32 (r/w) 2.NTFS (read only) 3.
2.8 Exit menu The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal or failsafe default values for the BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items. M5A78L-M LX3 PLUS BIOS Setup Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Exit Options Exit & Save Changes Exit & Discard Changes Discard Changes Load Setup Defaults Version 0302 Exit system setup after saving the cahnges. F10 key can be used for this operation. Pressing does not immediately exit this menu.
2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS information
Appendices Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • • This device may not cause harmful interference. This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Canadian Department of Communications Statement This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications. This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
ASUS contact information ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. Address Telephone Fax E-mail Web site Technical Support Telephone Online support 15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259 +886-2-2894-3447 +886-2-2890-7798 info@asus.com.tw www.asus.com.tw +86-21-38429911 support.asus.
A-4 Appendices (510)739-3777/(510)608-4555 800 Corporate Way, Fremont, CA 94539. Asus Computer International Signature : Date : Representative Person’s Name : Jan. 12, 2012 Steve Chang / President This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
ASUS M5A78L-M LX3 Series A-5 (510)739-3777/(510)608-4555 800 Corporate Way, Fremont, CA 94539. Asus Computer International Signature : Date : Representative Person’s Name : Jun. 29, 2012 Steve Chang / President This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
