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Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.
Welcome! ..................1-1 Package contents ................. 1-1 Special features ................1-1 1.3.1 Product highlights ............1-1 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ..........1-3 Before you proceed ..............1-6 Motherboard overview ..............1-6 1.5.1 Placement direction ............1-6 1.5.2 Screw holes ..............1-6 1.5.3...
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Chapter 2: BIOS information Managing and updating your BIOS ..........2-1 2.1.1 ASUS Update utility ............2-1 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ............2-2 2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS ........... 2-3 2.1.4 ASUS BIOS Updater ............2-4 BIOS setup program ..............2-7 2.2.1...
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Boot Device Priority ............2-26 2.7.2 Boot Settings Configuration .......... 2-26 2.7.3 Security ................. 2-27 Tools menu ................. 2-28 2.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 ............2-28 2.8.2 Express Gate ..............2-29 2.8.3 AI NET 2................ 2-29 Exit menu ..................2-30...
Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our products at ASUS REACH website at http://green.asus.com/english/REACH.htm. DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling.
Safety information Electrical safety • To prevent electric shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electric 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.
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates. 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.
* AMD AM3 100 and 200 series CPU support up to DDR3 ® 1066MHz. ** Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List). *** When you install a total memory of 4GB or more, Windows ® 32-bit operating system may only recognize less than 3GB.
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8111E Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2 ® ASUS special ASUS Xtreme Design features ASUS Hybrid Processor - TurboV EVO Auto Tuning, TurboV, CPU Level UP, and GPU Boost ASUS Hybrid Switch Core Unlocker Turbo Key II ASUS Hybrid OS - Express Gate...
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ACPI2.0a, SM BIOS 2.5 Manageability WOL by PME, WOR by PME, WOR by Ring, PXE Support DVD Drivers ASUS Utilities ASUS Update Anti-virus software (OEM version) Form factor MicroATX form factor: 9.6 in x 9.6 in (24.4 cm x 24.4 cm)
® The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another standout in the long line of ASUS quality motherboards! Before you start installing the motherboard, and hardware devices on it, check the items in your package with the list below.
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880G Chipset ® The AMD 880G Chipset is designed to support up to 5200MT/s ® HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and PCI Express 2.0 x16 graphics. It is optimized with AMD’s latest AM3 multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities. DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1333/1066 support This motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 2000(O.C.)/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth...
1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features Core Unlocker ASUS Core Unlocker simplifies the activation of a latent AMD® CPU— with just a simple switch. Enjoy an instant performance boost by simply unlocking the extra cores, without performing complicated BIOS changes. Turbo Key II Enjoy superb performance by auto-tuning your processor to an extreme yet stable state.
Windows ® • ASUS Express Gate supports installation on SATA HDDs, USB HDDs and flash drives with at least 1.2GB free disk space. When installing it on USB HDDs or flash drives, connect the drives to the motherboard USB port before turning on the computer.
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ASUS EZ Flash 2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly utility that allows you to update the BIOS without using a bootable floppy disk or an OS-based utility. ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto-recovery tool that allows you to restore a corrupted BIOS file using the bundled support DVD or a USB flash disk that contains the BIOS file.
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.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) This motherboard comes with an AM3 socket designed for Phenom™ II / Athlon™ II / Sempron™ 100 series processors. The AM3 socket has a different pinout from the AM2+/AM2 socket. Ensure that you use a CPU designed for the AM3 socket. The CPU fits in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force the CPU into the socket to prevent bending the pins and damaging the CPU! 1.6.1 Installing the CPU...
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Connect the CPU fan cable to the CPU_FAN connector on the motherboard. DO NOT forget to connect the CPU fan connector! Hardware monitoring errors can occur if you fail to plug this connector. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO...
1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan Ensure that you use only AMD-certified heatsink and fan assembly. To install the CPU heatsink and fan: Place the heatsink on top of the installed CPU, ensuring that the heatsink fits properly on the retention module base. •...
DDR2 DIMM socket. DDR3 modules are developed for better performance with less power consumption. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR3 DIMM sockets: Channel Sockets Channel A DIMM_A1 and DIMM_A2 Channel B DIMM_B1 and DIMM_B2 ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-11...
1.7.2 Memory configurations You may install 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB unbuffered ECC and 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.
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4096MB(Kit of 2) 7-7-7-20 1.95V • • • Mushkin 998659(XMP) 6144MB(Kit of 3) 9-9-9-24 1.5~1.6V • • Mushkin 998659(XMP) 6144MB(Kit of 3) 9-9-9-24 - • • • PATRIOT PGS34G1600LLKA 4096MB(Kit of 2) 7-7-7-20 1.7V • • • ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-13...
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DDR3-1333MHz capability DIMM socket support Chip Vendor Part No. Size Chip NO. Timing Voltage (Optional) Brand AD30908C8D-151C A-Data AD31333001GOU 1024MB A-Data • • • E0906 A-Data AD31333G001GOU 3072MB(Kit of 3) SS 8-8-8-24 1.65-1.85V • • • AD30908C8D-151C A-Data AD31333002GOU 2048MB A-Data •...
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• C*: Supports two pairs of modules inserted into both the blue slots and the black slots as two pairs of dual-channel memory configuration. Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com for the latest QVL. 1-16 Chapter 1: Product introduction...
DIMM. Support the DIMM lightly with your fingers when pressing the retaining clips. The DIMM might get damaged when it flips out with extra force. DIMM notch Remove the DIMM from the socket. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-17...
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.
• You do not need to clear the RTC when the system hangs due to overclocking. For system failure due to overclocking, use the CPU Parameter Recall (C.P.R) feature. Shut down and reboot the system so the BIOS can automatically reset parameter settings to default values. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-19...
1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel ports PS/2 Keyboard port (purple). This port is for a PS/2 keyboard. Optical S/PDIF_OUT port. This port connects to an external audio output device via an optical S/PDIF cable. VGA port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4.
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Supported Not supported DVI + D-Sub • DVI + HDMI • HDMI + D-Sub • • During POST, only the monitor connected to the D-Sub port has display. The dual display function works only under Windows. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-21...
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Playback of Blu-ray discs • For better playback quality, we recommend that you follow the system requirements listed below. Suggested list Phenom™ II x4 805 ® DIMM DDR3 1333 2G x 2 BIOS setup Frame Buffer Size – 256MB or higher Best resolution File format Windows...
The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate. • If you are uncertain about the minimum power supply requirement for your system, refer to the Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator at http://support.asus. com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.aspx?SLanguage=en-us for details. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO...
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IDE connector (40-1 pin PRI_EIDE) The onboard IDE connector is for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable. There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray. Connect the blue connector to the motherboard’s IDE connector, then select one of the following modes to configure your devices: Drive jumper setting Mode of device(s)
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[AHCI]. See section 2.3.4 SATA Configuration for details. LPT connector (26-1 pin LPT) The LPT (Line Printing Terminal) connector supports devices such as a printer. LPT is standardized as IEEE 1284, which is the parallel port interface on IBM PC-compatible computers. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-25...
System panel connector (20-8 pin PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. • 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. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.
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The connector is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to the connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. The serial port module is purchased separately. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-27...
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Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT) This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port. Ensure that the audio device of Sound playback is Realtek High Definition Audio (the name may be different based on the OS). Go to Start > Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices >...
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These are not jumpers! DO NOT place jumper caps on the fan connectors. Only the 4-pin CPU fan and chassis fan supports the ASUS FanXpert feature. IEEE 1394a port connector (10-1 pin IE1394_1) This connector is for an IEEE 1394a port.
• The system will use the last setting you have made. • If you clear the CMOS or load the BIOS setup defaults, the ASUS Core Unlocker item in the BIOS menu follows the current setting of the Core Unlocker switch.
If the installed DIMMs still fail to boot after the whole tuning process, the DRAM_LED lights continuously. Replace the DIMMs with ones recommended in the Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) in this user manual or on the ASUS website at www.asus.com.
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Turbo Key II switch This switch allows you to auto-tune your CPU to enhance the system performance. To ensure system performance, turn the switch setting to Enable when the system is powered off. • The O2LED2 LED near the Turbo Key II switch lights when the switch setting is turned to Enable.
DRAM LED checks the DRAM in sequence during motherboard booting process. If an error is found , the LED next to the error device will continue lighting until the problem is solved. This user-friendly design provides an intuitional way to locate the root problem within a second. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 1-33...
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Core Unlocker LED The Core Unlocker LED lights when the Core Unclocker switch is turned to Enable. The Core Unlocker LED keeps on lighting even though the ASUS Core Unlocker item in the BIOS menu is set to [Disabled]. 1-34...
Place the Support DVD into the optical drive. If Autorun is enabled in your computer, the DVD automatically displays the Specials screen which contains the unique features of ASUS motherboard. Click Drivers, Utilities, Make Disk, Manual, and Contact tabs to display their respective menus.
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. ®...
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the updating process. 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2 The ASUS EZ Flash 2 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS-based utility. Before you start using this utility, download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com.
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 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 removable device that contains the updated BIOS file.
2.1.4 ASUS BIOS Updater The ASUS BIOS Updater allows you to update BIOS in DOS environment. This utility also allows you to copy the current BIOS file that you can use as a backup when the BIOS fails or gets corrupted during the updating process.
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ASUSTek BIOS Updater for DOS V1.12 [09/11/19] Current ROM Update ROM BOARD: M4A88TD-M EVO BOARD: Unknown VER: 0303 (H:00 B:06) VER: Unknown DATE: 02/23/2010 DATE: Unknown PATH: BIOS backup is done! Press any key to continue. Note Saving BIOS: ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO...
Updating the BIOS file To update the BIOS file using BIOS Updater At the FreeDOS prompt, type bupdater /pc /g and press <Enter>. D:\>bupdater /pc /g The BIOS Updater screen appears as below. ASUSTek BIOS Updater for DOS V1.12 [09/11/19] Current ROM Update ROM BOARD:...
• The BIOS setup screens in this chapter are for reference only. They may not exactly match what you see on your screen. • Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO...
2.2.1 BIOS menu screen Menu items Menu bar Configuration fields General help BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Ai Tweaker Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Main Settings Use [ENTER], [TAB] System Time [19:34:30] or [SHIFT-TAB] to System Date [Tue 01/01/2002] select a field. SATA1 :[Not Detected] Use [+] or [-] to...
<Down> arrow keys or <Page Up> /<Page Pop-up window Scroll bar Down> keys to display the other items on the screen. 2.2.9 General help At the top right corner of the menu screen is a brief description of the selected item. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO...
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. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Ai Tweaker...
OS environment or during POST. • For Windows XP OS, you have to install the AHCI driver, so that you could use the ® SATA connectors 1–6 in AHCI mode under the OS environment. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-11...
SATA Port5 - Port6 [IDE] Setting this item to [IDE] instead of [RAID] or [AHCI] allows the system to recognize the optical dirves connected to the SATA connectors 5 or 6 when installing OS. If you use a SATA optical drive to run the OS installation disk, we strongly recommend that you install the optical dirve to the SATA connectors 5/6 and set them to [IDE] mode.
CPU Overclocking to [Manual] after selecting a CPU level. Configuration options: [Auto] [Phenom II-955] [Phenom II-3.4G] [Phenom II-3.6G] • The configuration options vary depending on the CPU model you install on the motherboard. • The CPU Level UP function support depends on CPU types. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-13...
2.4.2 CPU OverClocking [Auto] Allows you to select the CPU overclocking options to achieve the desired CPU internal frequency. Select any of these preset overclocking configuration options: Manual Allows you to individually set overclocking parameters. Auto Loads the optimal settings for the system. Allows you to select a DRAM O.C.
The configuration options for some of the following items vary depending on the DIMMs you install on the motherboard. DRAM CAS# Latency [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [4 CLK] – [12 CLK] DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [5 CLK] – [12 CLK] ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-15...
DRAM RAS# PRE Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [5 CLK] – [12 CLK] DRAM RAS# ACT Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [15 CLK] – [30 CLK] DRAM READ to PRE Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [4 CLK] [5 CLK] [6 CLK] [7 CLK] DRAM Row Cycle Time [Auto] Configuration options: [Auto] [11 CLK] –...
Allows you to set the CPU VDDA voltage. The values range from 2.50V to 2.80V with a 0.10V interval. 2.4.13 DRAM Voltage [Auto] Allows you to set the DRAM voltage. The values range from 1.20000V to 2.44500V with a 0.01500V interval. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-17...
2.4.14 HT Voltage [Auto] Allows you to set the HyperTransport voltage. The values range from 1.20000V to 1.40000V with a 0.01000V interval. 2.4.15 NB Voltage [Auto] Allows you to set the Northbridge voltage. The values range from 1.10000V to 1.50000V with a 0.01000V interval.
Enables or disables the building of ACPI SRAT table. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] ASUS Core Unlocker [Disabled] Enables the ASUS Core Unlocker to get the full computing power of the processor. Select [Disabled] to disable this function. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO...
C1E Configuration [Disabled] Enables or disables the CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E) function, a CPU power-saving function in system halt state. When this item is enabled, the CPU core frequency and voltage will be reduced during the system halt state to decrease power consumption. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] 2.5.2 Chipset...
Selects the Parallel Port mode. Configuration options: [Normal] [EPP] [ECP] [EPP + ECP] Parallel Port IRQ [IRQ7] Allows BIOS to select the Parallel Port IRQ. Configuration options: [IRQ5] [IRQ7] HDAudio Controller [Enabled] Enables or disables the high definition audio controller. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-21...
Front Panel Select [HD Audio] Selects the front panel type. Configuration options: [AC97] [HD Audio] OnBoard LAN Controller [Enabled] Enables or disables the onboard LAN controller. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] OnBoard LAN Boot ROM [Disabled] Enables or disables the Onboard LAN Boot ROM. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] OnBoard IDE Controller [Enabled] Enables or disables the onboard IDE controller.
Enables or disables the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support in the Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (APIC). When this item is set to [Enabled], the ACPI APIC table pointer is included in the RSDT pointer list. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-23...
2.6.4 APM Configuration Restore on AC Power Loss [Power Off] When this item set to [Always Off], the system goes into off state after an AC power loss. When this item set to [Always On], the system goes on after an AC power loss. When this item set to [Last State], the system goes into either off or on state, whatever the system state was before the AC power loss.
Allows BIOS to switch off some power at S5 state to get system ready for the EuP requirement. When set to [Enabled], power for WOL, WO_USB, audio and onboard LEDs will be switched off at S5 state. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-25...
Configuration options: [Removable Dev.] [Hard Drive] [ATAPI CD-ROM] [Disabled] • To select the boot device during system startup, press <F8> when ASUS Logo appears. • To access Windows OS in Safe Mode, do any of the following: ®...
View Only allows access but does not allow change to any field. Limited allows changes only to selected fields, such as Date and Time. Full Access allows viewing and changing all the fields in the Setup utility. ASUS M4A88TD-M EVO 2-27...
(C)Copyright 1985-2010, American Megatrends, Inc. 2.8.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. When you press <Enter>, a confirmation message appears. Use the left/right arrow key to select between [Yes] or [No], then press <Enter> to confirm your choice.
2.8.2 Express Gate [Auto] Enables or disables the ASUS Express Gate feature. ASUS Express Gate is a unique instant-on environment that provides quick access to the Internet and Skype. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto] Enter OS Timer [10 Seconds] Sets countdown duration that the system waits at the Express Gate’s first screen before starting Windows or other installed OS.
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. BIOS SETUP UTILITY Main Advanced Power Boot Tools Exit Exit Options Exit system setup Exit system setup after saving the...
+1-510-739-3777 +1-510-608-4555 Web site usa.asus.com Technical Support Telephone +1-812-282-2787 Support fax +1-812-284-0883 Online support support.asus.com ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany and Austria) Address Harkort Str. 21-23, D-40880 Ratingen, Germany +49-2102-959911 Web site www.asus.de Online contact www.asus.de/sales Technical Support Telephone (Component) +49-1805-010923*...