Preface
Copyright
This publication, including all photographs, illustrations and software, is protected under
international copyright laws, with all rights reserved. Neither this manual, nor any of the
material contained herein, may be reproduced without written consent of the author.
Version 1.0
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. The manufacturer
makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and specifically
disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
The manufacturer reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from
time to time in the content hereof without obligation of the manufacturer to notify any
person of such revision or changes.
Trademark Recognition
Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
AMD, Athlon, and Duron are registered trademarks of AMD Corporation.
Other product names used in this manual are the properties of their respective owners and
are acknowledged.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
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. These limits are designed to provide reason-
able protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
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Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
Connect the equipment onto an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Shielded interconnect cables and a shielded AC power cable must be employed with this
equipment to ensure compliance with the pertinent RF emission limits governing this
device. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the system’s manufacturer
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Preface
ii
Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following
conditions:
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This device may not cause harmful interference, and
This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Canadian Department of Communications
This class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-causing
Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement sur le
matériel brouilieur du Canada.
About the Manual
The manual consists of the following:
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Chapter 2
Installing the Motherboard
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
Describes features of the motherboard.
Go to page 1
Describes installation of motherboard
components.
Go to page 7
Provides information on using the BIOS
Setup Utility.
Go to page 25
Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
Describes the motherboard software
Go to page 47
Preface
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Preface
i
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
1
1
Introduction................................................................................................1
Features.......................................................................................................2
Motherboard Components.......................................................................4
7 7 7 7 7
Chapter 2
Installing the Motherboard 7
Safety Precautions......................................................................................7
Choosing a Computer Case.......................................................................7
Installing the Motherboard in a Case......................................................7
Checking Jumper Settings.........................................................................8
Setting Jumpers..............................................................................8
Checking Jumper Settings..............................................................9
Jumper Settings..............................................................................9
Connecting Case Components...............................................................10
Front Panel Header.....................................................................12
Installing Hardware...................................................................................13
Installing the Processor...............................................................13
Installing Memory Modules.........................................................14
Installing a Hard Disk Drive/CD-ROM/SATA Hard Drive........17
Installing a Floppy Diskette Drive...............................................19
Installing Add-on Cards..............................................................19
Connecting Optional Devices......................................................21
Connecting I/O Devices..........................................................................23
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
25 25 25 25 25
25
About the Setup Utility............................................................................25
The Standard Configuration........................................................25
Entering the Setup Utility..............................................................25
Updating the BIOS.......................................................................27
Using BIOS................................................................................................27
Standard CMOS Features...........................................................28
Advanced BIOS Features.............................................................30
Advanced Chipset Features.........................................................33
iv
Integrated Peripherals.................................................................35
Power Management Setup...........................................................40
PNP/PCI Configurations.............................................................41
PC Health Status..........................................................................42
Voltage Control............................................................................43
Load Optimized Defaults.............................................................44
Set Supervisor/User Password....................................................44
Save & Exit Setup Option.............................................................45
Exit Without Saving......................................................................45
Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
47 47 47 47 47
47
About the Software CD-ROM................................................................47
Auto-installing under Windows 98/ME/2000/XP................................47
Running Setup..............................................................................48
Manual Installation..................................................................................50
Utility Software Reference.......................................................................50
1
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the NFORCE3-A motherboard. This motherboard is a high perfor-
mance, enhanced function motherboard that supports Socket 754 AMD K8 processors for
high-end business or personal desktop markets.
The NFORCE3-A motherboard is based on NVIDIA™ NFORCE®3 250, which is a single-
chip, highly integrated, high performance HyperTransport peripheral controller, un-
matched by any other single chip-device controller. This motherboard supports two DDR
modules at 400/333/266/200 MHz operation with up to 2GB of system memory, high
resolution graphics via an 5 PCI slots, one AGP 8X slot, 10/100 LAN, USB 2.0, and 6-
channel audio.
There is an advanced full set of I/O ports in the rear panel, including PS/2 mouse and
keyboard connectors, COM1, LPT1, four USB ports, one optional LAN port, and audio
jacks for microphone, line-in, and line-out. This motherboard is designed in an ATX form
factor using a four-layer printed circuit board and measures 295 mm x 205 mm.
™
Introducing the Motherboard
2
Feature
Processor
This motherboard uses a 754-pin socket that carries the following features:
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Accommodates AMD K8 processors
Supports HyperTransport interface for AMD K8 processors
T M
T M
HyperTransport Technology is a point-to-point link between two devices, it enables
integrated circuits to exchange information at much higher speeds than currently avail-
able interconnect technologies.
Chipset
The nForce®3 250 is a single-chip with proven reliability and performance.
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HyperTransport link to the AMD Athlon 64/Athlon 64 FX CPU
AGP3.0 8X interface at 533 MT/s
PCI 2.3 interface, supporting up to six PCI slots
Two separate SATA controllers with integrated PHYs, each supporting two
drives in master mode
IEEE 802.3 NVIDIA MAC for 100BASE-TX/10BASE-T Fast Ethernet/Ethernet
Single USB 2.0 EHCI and Dual USB 1.1 OHCI, supporting up to eight ports
Dual Fast ATA-133 IDE controllers
AC’97 2.3 interface, supporting S/PDIF pass-through function
Memory
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2 x 184-pin, 2.5V, DDR SDRAM DIMM sockets support up to 2GB
Support DDR400/333/266/200 unbuffered DDR SDRAM
AC’97 Audio CODEC
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Compliant with the AC’97 v2.3 CODEC
Supports 6-channel audio CODEC designed for PC multimedia systems
Provides three analog line-level inputs with 5-bit volume control: Line-in, CD,
AUX
Supports S/PDIF output function
Expansion Options
The motherboard comes with the following expansion options:
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One AGP 8X slot
Five 32-bit PCI slots
Two IDE headers which support four IDE devices
One floppy disk drive interface
Two 7-pin SATA connectors
This motherboard supports UltraDMA bus mastering with transfer rates of 133/100/66
MB/s.
Introducing the Motherboard