Asus M3A78 PRO - Chapter 1: Product Introduction

iii
Contents
Notices ......................................................................................................... vi
Safety information ..................................................................................... vii
About this guide ....................................................................................... viii
M3A78 PRO specications summary ........................................................ x
Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.1 Welcome! ...................................................................................... 1-2
1.2 Package contents ......................................................................... 1-2
1.3 Special features ............................................................................ 1-3
1.3.1 Product highlights ........................................................... 1-3
1.3.2 ASUS unique features .................................................... 1-5
1.3.3 ASUS intelligent performance and
overclocking features ...................................................... 1-7
1.4 Before you proceed ..................................................................... 1-8
1.5 Motherboard overview ................................................................. 1-9
1.5.1 Motherboard layout ......................................................... 1-9
1.5.2 Placement direction ...................................................... 1-10
1.5.3 Screw holes .................................................................. 1-10
1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) ................................................. 1-11
1.6.1 Installing the CPU ..........................................................1-11
1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan ...................................... 1-13
1.7 System memory ......................................................................... 1-15
1.7.1 Overview ....................................................................... 1-15
1.7.2 Memory congurations .................................................. 1-15
1.7.3 Installing a DIMM .......................................................... 1-23
1.7.4 Removing a DIMM ........................................................ 1-23
1.8 Expansion slots .......................................................................... 1-24
1.8.1 Installing an expansion card ......................................... 1-24
1.8.2 Conguring an expansion card ..................................... 1-24
1.8.3 PCI slots ........................................................................ 1-26
1.8.4 PCI Express x1 slots ..................................................... 1-26
1.8.5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot ............................................... 1-26
1.9 Jumpers ...................................................................................... 1-27
1.10 Connectors ................................................................................. 1-29
1.10.1 Rear panel connectors .................................................. 1-29
1.10.2 Internal connectors ....................................................... 1-32