Motherboard A58M-A/USB3
E9273 Second Edition March 2014 Copyright © 2014 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....................................................................................................... iv About this guide.......................................................................................................... iv Package contents........................................................................................................ vi A58M-A/USB3 specifications summary.................................................................... vi Chapter 1: 1.
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. ASUS websites The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information. 2. 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.
Package contents Check your motherboard package for the following items. Motherboard ASUS A58M-A/USB3 motherboard Cables 2 x Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s cables Accessories 1 x I/O Shield Application DVD Support DVD Documentation User Guide If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer. A58M-A/USB3 specifications summary APU AMD® FM2+ Socket for AMD® A-series/Athlon™ Series processors AMD® Turbo Core Technology 3.0 support Supports APU up to 4 cores • Refer to www.asus.
A58M-A/USB3 specifications summary Expansion slots 1 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 slot* 1 x PCIe 2.0 x1 slot 1 x PCI slot • PCIe 3.0 is supported by FM2+ processors only. Storage / RAID AMD® A58 FCH: - 6 x Serial ATA 3.0Gb/s connectors support RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 10 and JBOD configurations LAN Realtek® 8111GR PCIe Gigabit LAN controller Audio Realtek® ALC887-VD 7.1-channel High Definition Audio CODEC • Use a chassis with HD audio module in the front panel to support a 7.1-channel audio output.
A58M-A/USB3 specifications summary Back Panel I/O ports 1 x PS/2 mouse port (green) 1 x PS/2 keyboard port (purple) 1 x HDMI port 1 x DVI-D port 1 x D-Sub output port 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port 2 x USB 3.0/2.0 ports 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports 7.1-channel audio I/O ports (3-jack) 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 connectors support additional 4 USB 2.0/1.1 ports Internal I/O connectors 6 x SATA 3.
Product introduction 1.1 Before you proceed 1 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.
1.2 Motherboard overview Before you install the motherboard, study the configuration of your chassis to ensure that the motherboard fits into it. Ensure that you unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components. 1.2.1 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, ensure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation.
1.2.3 Motherboard layout 1 2 3 4 18.3cm(7.2in) KBMS CPU_FAN DIGI +VRM CHA_FAN EATXPWR LAN_USB12 ASM 1042 AUDIO 1 5 Super I/O ALC 887 AMD® A58 BATTERY PCIEX1_1 SPEAKER F_PANEL PCI1 SPDIF_OUT COM 13 64Mb BIOS TPM USB56 USB34 SATA3G_1 SATA3G_2 6 SATA3G_4 PCIEX16 SATA3G_5 SATA3G_6 A58M-A/USB3 8111 GR AAFP 22.6cm(8.
1.3 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) This motherboard comes with an FM2+ socket designed for AMD® A-series / Athlon™ series accelerated processors with AMD® Radeon™ R/HD 8000/7000 series graphics. A58M-A/USB3 A58M-A/USB3 CPU socket FM2+ Ensure that you use an APU designed for the FM2+ socket. The APU fits in only one correct orientation. DO NOT force the APU into the socket to prevent bending the pins and damaging the APU! 1.3.
3 1.3.2 4 APU heatsink and fan assembly installation Apply the Thermal Interface Material to the APU heatsink and APU before you install the heatsink and fan if necessary.
3 4 5 To uninstall the APU heatsink and fan assembly 1 4 1-6 3 2 5 Chapter 1: Product introduction
1.4 System memory 1.4.1 Overview The 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.
1.4.3 • The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value. To operate at the vendor-marked or at a higher frequency, refer to section 2.5 Ai Tweaker menu for manual memory frequency adjustment.
To remove a DIMM B A 1.5 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. 1.5.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
1.5.2 Configuring an expansion card After installing the expansion card, configure it by adjusting the software settings. 1. Turn on the system and change the necessary BIOS settings, if any. See Chapter 2 for information on BIOS setup. 2. Assign an IRQ to the card. 3. Install the software drivers for the expansion card. When using PCI cards on shared slots, ensure that the drivers support “Share IRQ” or that the cards do not need IRQ assignments.
1.6 1. Jumpers Clear RTC RAM (3-pin 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. CLRTC A58M-A/USB3 1 2 2 Normal (Default) Clear RTC 3 A58M-A/USB3 Clear RTC RAM To erase the RTC RAM: 1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
1.7 Connectors 1.7.1 Rear panel connectors 1 2 3 10 11 4 9 8 5 6 7 1. PS/2 Mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. HDMI port. This port is for a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector, and is HDCP compliant allowing playback of HD DVD, Blu-ray, and other protected content. 3. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices. 4. LAN (RJ-45) port.
Audio 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, or 7.1-channel configuration Headset 4.1-channel 5.1-channel 2.1-channel Light Blue (Rear panel) Line In Rear Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out Lime (Rear panel) Line Out Front Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Pink (Rear panel) Mic In Mic In Bass/Center Lime (Front panel) — — — Port 7.1-channel Rear Speaker Out Front Speaker Out Bass/Center Side Speaker Out To configure a 7.1-channel audio output: Use a chassis with HD audio module in the front panel to support a 7.1-channel audio output. 8.
2. CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, and 4-pin CHA_FAN) Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector. CHA FAN PWM CHA FAN IN CHA FAN PWR GND CHA_FAN CPU FAN PWM CPU FAN IN CPU FAN PWR GND CPU_FAN A58M-A/USB3 A58M-A/USB3 Fan connectors DO NOT forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air flow inside the system may damage the motherboard components.
4. 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.
5. Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA3G 1~6) 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.
7. System panel connector (10-1 pin PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. F_PANEL PWR_LED+ PWR_LEDPWR GND +PWR LED PWR BTN HDD_LED+ HDD_LEDGround HWRST# (NC) PIN 1 A58M-A/USB3 +HDD_LED RESET A58M-A/USB3 System panel connector • System power LED (2-pin PWR_LED) This 2-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector.
9. USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB34, USB56) 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_P4USB_P4+ GND PIN 1 USB+5V USB_P6USB_P6+ GND A58M-A/USB3 USB+5V USB_P3USB_P3+ GND NC USB34 USB+5V USB_P5USB_P5+ GND NC USB56 A58M-A/USB3 USB2.
1.8 Software support 1.8.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports 32-bit Windows® XP / 32-bit Windows® 7 / 64-bit Windows® 7/ 32-bit Windows® 8 / 64-bit Windows® 8 / 32-bit Windows® 8.1 / 64-bit Windows® 8.1 Operating Systems (OS). Always install the latest OS version and corresponding updates to maximize the features of your hardware. 1.8.2 • Motherboard settings and hardware options vary. Refer to your OS documentation for detailed information.
1-20 Chapter 1: Product introduction
2 BIOS information 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS 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 EZ Update EZ Update is a utility that allows you to automatically update your motherboard’s softwares, drivers and the BIOS version easily. With this utlity, you can also manually update the saved BIOS and select a boot logo when the system goes into POST.
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. To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 2: 2-2 1. Insert the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to the USB port. 2. Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Go to the Tool menu to select ASUS EZ Flash Utility and press to enable it. 3.
2.1.3 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility The 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 removable device into A58MAU3.CAP. • The BIOS file in the support DVD may not be the latest version.
Booting the system in DOS environment To boot the system in DOS: 1. Insert the USB flash drive with the latest BIOS file and BIOS Updater to the USB port. 2. Boot your computer then press to launch the select boot device screen. 3. When the select boot device screen appears, insert the Support DVD into the optical drive then select the optical drive as the boot device. Please select boot device: E1: ASUS DVD-E818A6T (4069MB) USB DISK 2.0 (3824MB) UEFI: (FAT) USB DISK 2.
ASUSTeK BIOS Updater for DOS V1.30 [2014/01/01] Current ROM BOARD: A58M-A/USB3 VER: 0302 (H :00 B :00) DATE: 01/20/2014 PATH: Drives panel Update ROM BOARD: Unknown VER: Unknown DATE: Unknown C:\ C: D: FORMAN~1 A58MAU3.CAP
8390656 2014-01-20 21:14:34 Files panel Note [Enter] Select or Load [Up/Down/Home/End] Move [Tab] Switch [Esc] Exit [V] Drive Info 3.2.2 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.
The default screen for entering the BIOS setup program can be changed. Refer to the Setup Mode item in section 2.8 Boot menu for details.
Back button Menu items Submenu item Menu bar Configuration fields Pop-up window General help Navigation keys Last modified settings Quick note Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: My Favorites For saving the frequently-used system settings and configuration Main For changing the basic system configuration Ai Tweaker For changing the overclocking settings Advanced For changing the advanced system settings Monitor For displaying the system temperature, pow
Back button This button appears when entering a submenu. Press or use the USB mouse to click this button to return to the previous menu screen. Submenu items A greater than sign (>) before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a submenu. To display the submenu, select the item and press . Pop-up window Select a menu item and press to display a pop-up window with the configuration options for that item.
2.3 My Favorites MyFavorites is your personal space where you can easily save and access your favorite BIOS items. Adding items to My Favorites To add frequently-used BIOS items to My Favorites: 1. Use the arrow keys to select an item that you want to add. When using a mouse, hover the pointer to the item. 2. Press on your keyboard or right-click on your mouse to add the item to My Favorites page.
2.4 Main menu The Main menu screen appears when you enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS Setup program. The Main menu provides you an overview of the basic system information, and allows you to set the system date, time, language, and security settings. 2.4.1 System Language [English] Allows you to choose the BIOS language version from the options. Configuration options: [English] [Español] [Русский] [한국어] 2.4.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you to set the system date. 2.4.
Administrator Password If you have set an administrator password, we recommend that you enter the administrator password for accessing the system. Otherwise, you might be able to see or change only selected fields in the BIOS setup program. To set an administrator password: 1. Select the Administrator Password item and press . 2. From the Create New Password box, key in a password, then press . 3. Confirm the password when prompted. To change an administrator password: 1.
2.5 Ai Tweaker menu The Ai Tweaker menu items allow you to configure overclocking-related items. Be cautious when changing the settings of the Ai Tweaker menu items. Incorrect field values can cause the system to malfunction. The configuration options for this section vary depending on the CPU and DIMM model you installed on the motherboard.
Target CPU Speed : xxxxMHz Displays the current CPU speed. Target DRAM Speed : xxxxMHz Displays the current DRAM speed. 2.5.1 Memory Frequency [Auto] Allows you to set the memory operating frequency. Configuration options: [Auto] [DDR3800MHz] [DDR3-1066MHz] [DDR3-1333MHz] [DDR3-1600MHz] [DDR3-1866MHz] [DDR32133MHz] [DDR3-2400MHz] Selecting a very high memory frequency may cause the system to become unstable! If this happens, revert to the default setting. 2.5.
2.5.7 DRAM Voltage [Auto] Allows you to set the DRAM voltage. The values range from 1.350V to 1.650V with a 0.150V interval. 2.5.8 DIGI+ VRM CPU Load Line Calibration [Auto] Load-line Calibration is defined by AMD VRM specifications and affects CPU voltage. The CPU working voltage will decrease proportionally to CPU loading. Higher load-line calibration would get higher voltage and better overclocking performance, but increase the CPU and VRM thermal.
CPU Voltage Frequency [300] Switching frequency will affect the VRM transient response and component thermal. Setting a higher frequency gets faster transient response. Use the <+> and <-> keys to adjust the value. The values range from 200k Hz to 350k Hz with a 50k Hz interval. CPU Power Duty Control [T.Probe] [T.Probe] Maintains the VRM thermal balance. [Extreme] Maintains the VRM current balance. Do not remove the thermal module while changing the DIGI+VRM related parameters.
NX Mode [Enabled] Enables or disables the No-execute page protection function. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] SVM [Enabled] Enables or disables CPU virtualization. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] CPB Mode [Auto] Disables the CPB (Core Performance Boost) mode or set it to [Auto] for automatic configuration. Configuration options: [Disabled] [Auto] APM Master enable [Auto] Enables or disables APM Master.
OnChip SATA Type [AHCI] Allows you to set the SATA configuration. [IDE] Set to [IDE] when you want to use the Serial ATA hard disk drives as Parallel ATA physical storage devices. [RAID] Set to [RAID] when you want to create a RAID configuration from the SATA hard disk drives. [AHCI] Set to [AHCI] when you want the SATA hard disk drives to use the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface).
EHCI Hand-off [Disabled] [Enabled] Enables the support for operating systems without an EHCI hand‑off feature. [Disabled] Disables the function. USB Single Port Control Allows you to enable/disable individual USB ports. 2.6.4 NB Configuration IGFX Multi-Monitor [Disabled] Enables or disables the Internal Graphics Device Multi-Monitor support for add-on VGA devices. And the memory size of Internal Graphics Device will keep memory reserved.
Realtek LAN Controller [Enabled] [Enabled] Enables the Realtek LAN controller. [Disabled] Disables the controller. Realtek PXE OPROM [Disabled] This item appears only when you set the Realtek LAN Controller item to [Enabled] and allows you to enable or disable the Rom of the Realtek LAN controller. Configuration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] Asmedia USB 3.0 Controller [Enabled] [Enabled] Enables the onboard USB 3.0 controller. [Disabled] Disables the controller. Asmedia USB 3.
Power On By PS/2 Mouse [Disabled] [Disabled] Disables the Power On by a PS/2 mouse. [Enabled] Enables the Power On by a PS/2 mouse. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead. Power On By PME [Disabled] [Disabled] Disables the PME to wake up by PCI/PCIE devices. [Enabled] Allows you to turn on the system through a PCI/PCIE LAN or modem card. This feature requires an ATX power supply that provides at least 1A on the +5VSB lead.
2.7 Monitor menu The Monitor menu displays the system temperature/power status, and allows you to change the fan settings.
2.7.1 CPU Temperature / MB Temperature [xxxºC/xxxºF] The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU and motherboard temperatures. Select Ignore if you do not wish to display the detected temperatures. 2.7.2 CPU / Chassis Fan Speed [xxxx RPM] / [N/A] The onboard hardware monitor automatically detects and displays the CPU / chassis fan speeds in rotations per minute (RPM). If the fan is not connected to the motherboard, the field shows N/A. 2.7.
2.7.4 Chassis Q-Fan Control [Enabled] [Disabled] Disables the Chassis1 Q-Fan control feature. [Enabled] Enables the Chassis1 Q-Fan control feature. Fan Speed Low Limit [600 RPM] This item appears only when you enable the Chassis1 Q-Fan Control feature and allows you to disable or set the chassis1 fan warning speed.
2.8 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options.
2.8.1 Fast Boot [Enabled] [Enabled] Select to accelerate the boot speed. [Disabled] Select to go back to normal boot. The following five items appear when you set Fast Boot to [Enabled]. SATA Support [All Devices] [All Devices] All devices connected to SATA ports will be available during POST. This process will extend the POST time. [Hard Drive Only] Only hard drives connected to SATA ports will be detected during POST. Any hardware change will disable fast boot.
2.8.2 Boot Logo Display [Enabled] Boot Logo Display [Auto] [Auto] Adjust automatically for Windows® requrement. [Full Screen] Maximize the boot logo size. [Disabled] Hide the logo during POST. POST Delay Time [3 sec] This item appears only when you set Boot Logo Display to [Enabled]. This item allows you to select the desired additional POST waiting time to easily enter the BIOS setup. You can only execute the POST delay time during Normal Boot. The values range from 0 to 10 seconds.
2.8.8 CSM (Compatibility Support Module) Allows you to configure the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) items to fully support the various VGA, bootable devices and add-on devices for better compatibility. Launch CSM [Enabled] [Auto] The system automatically detects the bootable devices and the add-on devices. [Enabled] For better compatibility, enable the CSM to fully support the non-UEFI driver add-on devices or the Windows® UEFI mode.
The following item appears when OS Type is set to [Windows UEFI mode]. Key Management This item appears only when you set Secure Boot Mode to [Custom]. It allows you to manage the Secure Boot keys. Clear Secure Boot keys This item appears only when you load the default Secure Boot keys. This item allows you to clear all default Secure Boot keys. Save Secure Boot keys This item appears only when you load the default Secure Boot keys. This item allows you to save all default Secure Boot keys.
DB Management The db (Authorized Signature database) lists the signers or images of UEFI applications, operating system loaders, and UEFI drivers that you can load on the single computer. Delete the db Allows you to delete the db file from your system. Configuration options: [Yes] [No] Load db from File Allows you to load the downloaded db from a USB storage device. Append db from file Allows you to load the additional db from a storage device so that more images can be loaded securely.
2.9 Tools menu The Tools menu items allow you to configure options for special functions. Select an item then press to display the submenu. 2.9.1 ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility Allows you to run ASUS EZ Flash 2. Press [Enter] to launch the ASUS EZ Flash 2 screen. For more details, see section 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash 2. 2.9.2 ASUS SPD Information DIMM Slot Number [DIMM_A1] Displays the Serial Presence Detect (SPD) information of the DIMM module installed on the selected slot.
2.10 Exit menu The Exit menu items allow you to load the optimal default values for the BIOS items, and save or discard your changes to the BIOS items. You can access the EZ Mode from the Exit menu. Load Optimized Defaults This option allows you to load the default values for each of the parameters on the Setup menus. When you select this option or if you press , a confirmation window appears. Select Yes to load the default values.
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 15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259 Telephone +886-2-2894-3447 Fax +886-2-2890-7798 E-mail info@asus.com.tw Web site http://www.asus.com Technical Support Telephone Fax Online support +86-21-3842-9911 +86-21-5866-8722 ext. 9101# http://support.asus.com/techserv/techserv.
A-4 Appendices (510)739-3777/(510)608-4555 800 Corporate Way, Fremont, CA 94539. Asus Computer International Date : Signature : Representative Person’s Name : Feb. 26, 2014 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.