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.
nVIDIA is a registered trademark of nVIDIA 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 45
Preface
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Preface
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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...................................................................................12
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..............................................................20
Connecting Optional Devices......................................................22
Connecting I/O Devices..........................................................................24
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.........................................................32
iv
Integrated Peripherals.................................................................34
Power Management Setup...........................................................38
PNP/PCI Configurations.............................................................40
PC Health Status..........................................................................41
Load Fail-Safe Defaults................................................................42
Load Optimized Defaults.............................................................42
Set Supervisor/User Password....................................................42
Save & Exit Setup Option.............................................................43
Exit Without Saving......................................................................43
Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
45 45 45 45 45
45
About the Software CD-ROM................................................................45
Auto-installing under Windows 98/ME/2000/XP................................45
Running Setup..............................................................................46
Manual Installation..................................................................................48
Utility Software Reference.......................................................................48
Multi-Language Translation
1
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the NFORCE4-A754 motherboard. This motherboard is a high
performance, enhanced function motherboard that supports Socket 754 AMD Athlon 64
and Sempron CPUs for high-end business or personal desktop markets.
The NFORCE4-A754 motherboard is based on NVIDIA® nForce4-4X media and commu-
nications processor (MCP) for best desktop platform solution. “nForce4-4X” is a single-
chip, highly integrated, high performance HyperTransport peripheral controller, unmatched
by any other single chip-device controller. This motherboard supports up to 2GB of system
memory with PC3200/2700/2100/1600 DDR DIMMs, high resolution graphics via an PCI
Express x16 slot, Giga LAN, USB 2.0, 6-channel audio, and SATA support with RAID
function.
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 304 mm x 220 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 Athlon 64 and Sempron CPUs
Supports high-performance HyperTransport CPU interface
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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 NVIDIA® nForce4-4X is a single-chip with proven reliability and performance.
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HyperTransport x16 up and down links at up to 1.0 GHz to the AMD Athlon 64
and Sempron CPUs
PCI 2.3 interface, supporting up to five PCI slots
Two separate SATA controllers with integrated PHYs, each supporting two
drives in master mode
IEEE 802.3 NVIDIA MAC for 1000BASE-T/100BASE-T/10BASE-T Gigabit/
Fsat Ethernet/Ethernet
USB 2.0 EHCI and USB 1.1 OHCI, supporting up to ten ports
Fast ATA-133 IDE controller
AC’97 2.3 interface, supporting S/PDIF pass-through function and standard,
enhanced audio functionality
Memory
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Three 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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16-bit Stereo full-duplex CODEC with 48MHz sampling rate
Compliant with AC’97 2.3 specifications
Supports double sampling rate (96KHz) of DVD audio playback
Direct Sound 3D compatible
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Onboard LAN (optional)
The onboard LAN provides the following features:
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10/100/1000BASE-T IEEE 802.3 compliant
Supports GMII, TBI, reduced pin count GMII (RGMII), reduced pin count TBI
(RTBI), and serial GMII (SGMII) interfaces
IEEE 802.3u compliant Auto-Negotiation
Prevents outgoing packets with spoofed IP source addresses and pro-
vides logging/configuration capabilities
Introducing the Motherboard