This document is a BIOS Manual for ASUS PRIME / TUF GAMING Intel® 500 Series Motherboards. It provides comprehensive information on configuring and updating the BIOS, as well as details on various system settings and features.
Function Description:
The ASUS UEFI BIOS is a Unified Extensible Interface that complies with UEFI architecture. It offers a user-friendly interface that supports both keyboard and mouse input, providing a smoother experience similar to an operating system. The BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) stores critical system hardware settings, including storage device configuration, overclocking settings, advanced power management, and boot device configuration. These settings are essential for the system's startup and overall operation. The manual guides users through two primary modes: EZ Mode and Advanced Mode, each offering different levels of control and information.
Important Technical Specifications:
The manual covers a wide range of configurable parameters, including:
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CPU Configuration:
- Intel (VMX) Virtualization Technology: Enable/disable VMM utilization for additional hardware capacities provided by Vanderpool Technology.
- Active Processor Cores: Select the number of CPU cores to activate (All, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
- Hyper-Threading: Enable/disable Intel Hyper-Threading Technology for two logical processors per core.
- Intel(R) SpeedStep(tm): Enable/disable support for multiple frequency ranges.
- Intel(R) Speed Shift Technology: Enable/disable hardware-controlled P-states via CPPC v2 interface.
- Turbo Mode: Enable/disable processor Turbo Mode.
- CPU C-States: Enable/disable CPU Power Management for C-states when not fully utilized.
- Thermal Monitor: Enable/disable Thermal Monitor.
- Dual Tau Boost: Enable/disable Dual Tau Boost feature (applicable for Desktop 35/65/125W SKU).
- Tcc Offset Time Window: Specify the time window for Running Average Temperature Limit (RATL) feature (ranging from 5 ms to 448 sec).
- Hardware Prefetcher: Turn on/off MLC streamer prefetcher.
- Adjacent Cache Line Prefetch: Turn on/off prefetching of adjacent cache lines.
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DRAM Configuration (Ai Tweaker Menu):
- DRAM Frequency: Select DRAM operating frequency (Auto, DDR4-784MHz to DDR4-45907MHz).
- OC Tuner: Select mode for automatic CPU/DRAM overclocking (Keep Current Settings, OC Tuner I, OC Tuner II).
- DRAM Timing Control: Adjust primary, secondary, and third timings (CAS# Latency, RAS# to CAS# Delay, RAS# ACT Time, Command Rate, REF Cycle Time, etc.) with options for Auto and specific values.
- Memory Training Algorithms: Enable/disable various training algorithms like Early Command Training, SenseAmp Offset Training, Read MPR Training, Jedec Write Leveling, etc.
- Dimm ODT Training: Enable/disable DIMM On-Die Termination Training.
- Margin Check Limit: Configure memory margin check limits (Disabled, L1, L2, Both).
- Memory Test: Enable/disable memory test.
- MRC Fast Boot: Enable/disable fast path through the MRC.
- Delay after Train: Enable/disable DRAM delay after training for extreme overclocking.
- DRAM CLK Period: Select DRAM clock period (Auto, 1-58).
- Memory Scrambler: Enable/disable Memory Scrambler support.
- Channel A/B DIMM Control: Enable/disable DIMMs on Channel A/B.
- MCH Full Check: Enable/disable MCH Full Check for system stability or DRAM overclocking.
- Mem Over Clock Fail Count: Configure overclock fail count (Auto, 1-255).
- Training Profile: Select DIMM Training Profile (Auto, Standard Profile, ASUS User Profile).
- DLLBwEn: Set DLLBwEn value (Auto, 0-7).
- Legacy Mode: Enable/disable Legacy Mode.
- SPD Write Disable: Enable/disable SPD Write Disable.
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Voltage Control (Ai Tweaker Menu):
- CPU Load-line Calibration: Adjust load-line slope (Level 1-7, Auto).
- CPU Current Capability: Set shut-off current limit for external voltage regulator (Auto, 100%-170%).
- CPU VRM Switching Frequency: Set VRM switching frequency (Auto, Manual, 250KHz-500KHz).
- CPU Power Duty Control: Adjust duty cycle of each VRM phase (T.Probe, Extreme).
- CPU Power Phase Control: Set power phase control (Auto, Standard, Extreme).
- CPU VRM Thermal Control: Set thermal limit of CPU VRM (Auto, Disabled, Enabled).
- CPU Core/Cache Current Limit Max: Configure current limit for frequency/power throttling (Auto, 0.00-255.75).
- Long Duration Package Power Limit: Set Intel parameter "power limit 1" (Auto, 1-4095 Watts).
- Package Power Time Window: Set how long Turbo ratio can be active when TDP is exceeded (Auto, 1-448 seconds).
- Short Duration Package Power Limit: Set Intel parameter "power limit 2" (Auto, 1-4095 Watts).
- IA AC/DC Load Line: Define AC/DC Loadline in mOhms (Auto, 0.01-62.49).
- TVB Voltage Optimizations: Control thermal-based voltage optimizations (Auto, Disabled, Enabled).
- V-Max Stress: Enable/disable frequency clipping if max voltage is too high (Auto, Disabled, Enabled).
- Overclocking TVB: Enable temperature/frequency dependencies (Auto, Disabled, Enabled, +1Boost Profile, +2Boost Profile).
- Tweaker's Paradise: Realtime Memory Timing, FCLK Frequency for Early Power On, VPPDDR Voltage, Internal/GT/Ring/System Agent/Memory Controller PLL Voltage, CPU Standby Voltage.
- CPU Core/Cache Voltage: Select voltage mode (Auto, Manual Mode, Offset Mode) and configure override/offset values.
- DRAM Voltage, CPU VCCIO Voltage, CPU System Agent Voltage, PCH VCCIN 1.8V: Configure voltages (Auto, specific values).
- DRAM REF Voltage Control: Configure DRAM REF voltage control features.
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System Agent (SA) Configuration:
- VT-d: Enable/disable VT-d function on MCH.
- Control Iommu Pre-boot Behavior: Enable/disable IOMMU in Pre-boot environment.
- Memory Remap: Enable/disable Memory Remap above 4GB.
- Primary Display: Select primary graphics device (Auto, PEG, PCIE).
- PCIEX16_1 Link Speed: Configure PCIEx16 speed for slot 1 (Auto, Gen1, Gen2, Gen3).
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PCH Configuration:
- PCIe Speed: Set PCIe speed (Auto, Gen1, Gen2, Gen3).
- SATA Controller(s): Enable/disable SATA device.
- SATA Mode Selection: Determine how SATA controller(s) operate (AHCI).
- Aggressive LPM Support: Enable/disable PCH to aggressively enter link power state.
- SMART Self Test: Enable/disable SMART monitoring for hard disks.
- SATA6G_1(~6): Change name, enable/disable, or set as Hot Pluggable for SATA ports.
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PCH-FW Configuration:
- TPM Device Selection: Select TPM device (Enable Discrete TPM, Enable Firmware TPM).
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Thunderbolt(TM) Configuration:
- Discrete Thunderbolt(TM) Support: Enable/disable Discrete Thunderbolt™ Support.
- Wake From Thunderbolt(TM) Devices: Enable/disable system wake from Thunderbolt™ devices.
- Disable PCIE Tunneling Over USB4: Enable/disable retry PCIE Tunneling Over USB4.
- Native OS security for TBT: Enable/disable Native OS security solution for Thunderbolt™ hosts.
- Discrete Thunderbolt(TM) Configuration: Thunderbolt Usb Support, Thunderbolt Boot Support, Titan Ridge Workaround for OSUP, Tbt Dynamic AC/DC L1.
- GPIO3 Force Pwr: Enable/disable GPIO3.
- Wait time in ms after applying Force Pwr: Set wait time after Force Pwr assertion (1-5000ms).
- GPIO filter: Enable/disable GPIO filter for PCH GPIOs during hotplug of 12V USB devices.
- DTBT Controller 0 Configuration: DTBT Controller 0, DTbt Root Port Type, TBT Host Router, Extra Bus Reserved, Reserved Memory, Memory Alignment, Reserved PMemory, PMemory Alignment, Reserved I/O.
- Thunderbolt(TM) OS select: Windows 10 Thunderbolt support (Enable + RTD3, Disabled).
-
PCI Subsystem Settings:
- Above 4G Decoding: Enable/disable 64-bit capable devices to be decoded in Above 4G Address Space.
- Re-Size BAR Support: Enable/disable Resizable BAR Support.
- SR-IOV Support: Enable/disable Single Root IO Virtualization Support.
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USB Configuration:
- Legacy USB Support: Enable/disable Legacy USB support.
- XHCI Hand-off: Enable/disable XHCI hand-off support.
- Mass Storage Devices: Generic-SD/MMC: Set emulation types for mass storage devices (Auto, Floppy, Forced FDD, Hard Disk, CD-ROM).
- USB Single Port Control: Enable/disable individual USB ports.
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Network Stack Configuration:
- Network Stack: Enable/disable UEFI network stack.
- IPv4/IPv6 PXE Support: Enable/disable IPv4/IPv6 PXE Boot Support.
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NVMe Configuration: Displays SMART information of connected NVMe devices.
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Onboard Devices Configuration:
- PCIe Bandwidth Bifurcation Configuration: Configure PCIe lanes (Auto, X8/X8, PCIe RAID mode).
- HD Audio: Enable/disable HD-Audio device.
- Intel LAN: Enable/disable Intel LAN.
- Intel LAN PXE Option ROM: Enable/disable Intel LAN PXE OPROM.
- USB power delivery in Soft Off state (S5): Disable USB power in S5 state.
- Connectivity mode (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth): Enable/disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module.
- LED lighting: Configure RGB LED lighting effect (All On, Stealth Mode, Aura Only, Aura Off) for working, sleep, hibernate, or soft off states.
- M.2_2 Configuration: Configure M.2_2 device mode (Auto, SATA, PCIE).
- M.2_3 & SATA6G_56 switch: Configure M.2_3 and SATA6G_56 bandwidth sharing.
- Serial Port Configuration: Set parameters of serial port.
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APM Configuration:
- Restore AC Power Loss: Select AC power state when power is re-applied (Power On, Power Off, Last State).
- CEC Ready: Enable/disable CEC (California Energy Commission) regulations.
- Energy Star Ready: Enable/disable Energy Star.
- ErP Ready: Enable/disable ErP support.
- Power On By PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse: Enable/disable power-on by PS/2 keyboard/mouse.
- Power On By PCI-E: Enable/disable wake-on-LAN.
- Power On By RTC: Enable/disable Real-Time Clock (RTC) to generate a wake event and configure RTC alarm date/time.
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HDD/SSD SMART Information: Displays SMART information of connected devices.
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Monitor Menu:
- Temperature Monitor: Displays CPU, CPU package, motherboard, VRM, and chipset temperatures.
- Fan Speed Monitor: Displays CPU fan, CPU optional fan, chassis fan, and AIO pump fan speeds.
- Voltage Monitor: Displays CPU Core, 12V, 5V, 3.3V, DRAM, CPU VCCIO, and PCH VCCIO 1.8V voltages.
- Q-Fan Configuration: Set fan profiles (Auto Detect, DC Mode, PWM Mode) and manually configure fan speeds and temperature sources.
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Boot Menu:
- CSM (Compatibility Support Module): Enable/disable CSM for VGA, bootable devices, and add-on devices.
- Secure Boot: Select Secure Boot mode (Standard, Custom) and manage keys (PK, KEK, DB, DBX).
- Boot Configuration: Fast Boot, Boot Logo Display, POST Delay Time, Bootup NumLock State, Wait For 'F1' If Error, AMI Native NVMe Driver Support, Option ROM Messages, Interrupt 19 Capture.
- Setup Mode: Select default setup mode (Advanced Mode, EZ Mode).
- Boot Sector (MBR/GPT) Recovery Policy: Select recovery policy (Auto Recovery, Local User Control) and next boot action (Skip, Recovery).
- Boot Option Priorities: Specify boot device priority sequence.
- Boot Override: Select a device to boot from.
-
Tool Menu:
- ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility: Update BIOS.
- BIOS Image Rollback Support: Enable/disable BIOS rollback.
- Publish HII Resources: Enable/disable HII resources.
- ASUS Secure Erase: Securely erase SSDs and restore factory default settings.
- ASUS User Profile: Store/load multiple BIOS settings profiles.
- ASUS SPD Information: View DRAM SPD information.
- ASUS Armoury Crate: Enable/disable download and install Armoury Crate app.
- MyASUS: Enable/disable download and install MyASUS service & app.
Usage Features:
- BIOS Setup Program Access: Enter BIOS Setup at startup by pressing
<Delete> or <F2> during POST. Alternatively, after POST, press <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Delete>, the reset button, or power cycle the system.
- Navigation: The BIOS screens include navigation keys and onscreen help. In UEFI BIOS, a mouse can also be used for navigation.
- EZ Mode: Provides a basic overview of system information, allowing selection of display language, system performance mode, and boot device priority.
- Advanced Mode: Offers detailed configuration options for experienced users. Switch between modes using
Advanced Mode(F7) button or <F7> hotkey.
- My Favorites (F3): Personal space to save and quickly access frequently used BIOS items.
- Q-Fan Control (F6): Manually configure CPU and chassis fan speeds and profiles.
- Search (F9): Search for BIOS items by name.
- AURA (F4): Turn RGB LED lighting or functional LED on/off.
- ReSize BAR: Turn Re-Size BAR Support on/off.
- Hotkeys: Various hotkeys for quick access to functions (e.g.,
<F5> for Load Optimized Defaults, <F10> for Save Changes & Reset).
- Password Protection: Set Administrator and User Passwords to restrict access to BIOS settings.
- BIOS Update: Use ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility to update the BIOS from a USB flash drive. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 helps recover from corrupted BIOS files.
- System Stability: Recommendations to load default settings (
Load Optimized Defaults) if the system becomes unstable after changing BIOS settings.
- CMOS Clear: Instructions to clear CMOS and reset motherboard to default values if the system fails to boot.
Maintenance Features:
- BIOS Update: Regular BIOS updates are crucial for system stability, compatibility, and performance enhancements. The manual provides detailed steps for updating the BIOS using a USB flash drive via ASUS EZ Flash 3.
- BIOS Recovery: ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is a utility designed to restore a corrupted BIOS file from a USB flash drive, ensuring system bootability even after a failed update.
- Secure Erase: For SSD maintenance, the ASUS Secure Erase feature allows users to completely clean their SSDs and restore them to factory default settings, which can help improve performance over time.
- User Profiles: The ASUS User Profile feature allows users to save and load multiple BIOS settings configurations. This is useful for experimenting with different settings or quickly reverting to a known stable configuration.
- Monitoring: The Monitor menu provides real-time information on system temperatures, fan speeds, and voltages, allowing users to keep track of system health and identify potential issues.
- Warning Messages: The manual includes important warnings about inappropriate BIOS settings that can lead to instability or boot failure, emphasizing the need for caution and recommending trained service personnel for complex changes.
- Documentation: The manual itself serves as a key maintenance tool, providing detailed explanations and troubleshooting tips for various BIOS settings. It also directs users to the ASUS support website for compatible SSD lists and the latest BIOS versions.
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