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  manufac-
turer  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,  Phenom, Athlon,  Sempron  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  reasonable  protection  against  harmful  interference  in  a  residential  installa-
tion.  This  equipment  generates,  uses,  and  can  radiate  radio  frequency  energy  and,  if
not  installed  and  used  in  accordance  with  the  instructions,  may  cause  harmful  inter-
ference  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:
•
•
•
•
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  govern-
ing  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:
•
•
This device may not cause harmful interference, and
This device must accept any interference received, including interfer-
ence 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
Describes  features  of  the  motherboard.
Go to  page 1
Chapter 2
Installing the Motherboard
Describes  installation  of  motherboard
components.
Go to  page 7
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
Provides  information  on  using  the  BIOS
Setup Utility.
Go to  page 27
Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
Describes  the  motherboard  software
Go to  page 45
Chapter 5
Hybrid Graphics® Technology
Support
Describes  the  Hybrid Graphics®
Technology
Go to 
page  51
Preface
iii
Preface
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
TTTTTABLE OF CONTENTS
ABLE OF CONTENTS
ABLE OF CONTENTS
ABLE OF CONTENTS
ABLE OF CONTENTS
                      i
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
              Installing Hardware..........................................................................10
Installing the Processor.................................................................10
Installing Memory Modules..........................................................12
Expansion Slots.............................................................................16
Connecting Optional Devices........................................................18
                    Installing a Hard Disk Drive/CD-ROM/SATA Hard Drive..........21
Connecting I/O Devices......................................................................23
Connecting Case Components..........................................................24
Front Panel Header.......................................................................26
     27 27 27 27 27
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
    27
              About the Setup Utility....................................................................27
                   The Standard Configuration..........................................................27
    Entering the Setup Utility...............................................................27
     Updating the BIOS.........................................................................29
   Using BIOS..........................................................................................29
    Standard CMOS Setup..................................................................30
    Advanced Setup.............................................................................32
    Advanced Chipset Setup................................................................34
iv
                     Integrated Peripherals..................................................................35
       Power Management Setup.............................................................37
    PCI/PnP Setup...............................................................................38
    PC Health Status...........................................................................39
                     Frequency/Voltage Control............................................................41
     Load Default Settings....................................................................42
     Supervisor Password....................................................................42
   User Password..............................................................................43
                    Save & Exit Setup .........................................................................43
     Exit Without Saving.......................................................................43
     45 45 45 45 45
Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
45
             About the Software CD-ROM.........................................................45
             Auto-installing under Windows XP/Vista.....................................45
     Running Setup...............................................................................46
   Manual Installation.............................................................................50
             Utility Software Reference................................................................50
     51 51 51 51 51
Chapter 5
Hybrid Graphics® Technology  Support                                                         51
             Hybrid Graphics®  Technology.........................................................51
1
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Introduction
Thank  you  for  choosing  the A780GM-M3  motherboard. This  motherboard  is  a  high
performance,  enhanced  function  motherboard  that  supports  socket  for  AMD
PhenomTM processor  (socket  AM2+)/AthlonTM  64  X2  Dual-Core/AthlonTM  64/
SempronTM  processors  for  high-end  business  or  personal  desktop  markets.
The  motherboard  incorporates  the AMD  RS780 Northbridge  (NB)  and AMD  SB700
Southbridge  (SB)  chipsets.  The Northbridge  supports  the  HyperTransportTM 3.0  in-
terface. The  memory  controller  supports DDR2  memory DIMM  frequencies  of  1066
(AM2+)/800/667/533/400.  It  supports  two DDR2  slots  with  maximum  memory  size
of  16 GB*.  One  PCI  Express  x16  slot,  intended  for Graphics  Interface,  is  fully
compliant  to  the  PCI  Express® Generation  2.0.  In  addition,  one  PCI  Express  x1  slot
is  supported.
The  SB700  Southbridge  supports  two  PCI  slots  which  are  PCI  v2.3  compliant.  It
integrates  USB  2.0  interface.  It  implements  an  EHCI  compliant  interface  that  pro-
vides 480 Mb/s bandwidth for 8 USB 2.0 ports (4 USB ports and 2 USB 2.0 headers
support  additional  4  USB  ports). The  Southbridge  integrates  a  Serial ATA  host  con-
troller,  supporting  six  SATA  ports  with  maximum  transfer  rate  up  to  3.0 Gb/s  each.
There is an advanced full set of I/O ports in the rear panel, including PS/2 mouse and
keyboard connectors, COM, one VGA port, one DVI port, four USB ports, one LAN
port  and  audio  jacks  for  microphone,  line-in  and  6/8-ch  (optional)  line-out.
*Due to the DRAM maximum size (2 GB per dimm) at present, the memory
maximum  size  we  have  tested  is  4  GB.
Introducing the Motherboard
2
Feature
Processor
This  motherboard  uses  a  socket AM2+/AM2  that  carries  the  following  features:
•
Accommodates AMD PhenomTM processor (socket AM2+)
AMD AthlonTM 64X2 Dual-Core/AthlonTM 64/Sempron™  processors
Supports HyperTransportTM  (HT)  3.0  interface  speeds
•
HyperTransportTM Technology  is  a  point-to-point  link  between  two  devices,  it
enables  integrated  circuits  to  exchange  information  at  much  higher  speeds  than
currently  available  interconnect  technologies.
Chipset
The AMD RS780 Northbridge (NB) and SB700 Southbridge (SB) chipsets are based
on  an  innovative  and  scalable  architecture  with  proven  reliability  and  perfor-
mance.
RS780  (NB)
•
One  x4 A-Link  Express  II  interface  (PCI  Express  1.1
compliant) for connection to an AMD Southbridge
Supports  one  PCI  Express  x16  for Graphics  Interface,
fully compliant to the PCI Express Generation 2.0 (ver-
sion 2.0)
Proven RadeonTM graphics powering DirectX®10
Enhanced Digital Display integration
Fully ACPI  2.0,  OnNow,  and  IAPC  (Instantly Available
PC) power management
Single chip solution in 55nm, 1.1 V CMOS technology
Integrated ATI  Hybrid Graphics®  (support    Hybrid
CrossFireTM), ATI AvivoTM  HD1, ATI  PowerPlayTM,  Low
Power  Design,  AMD  Cool’n’QuietTM  2.0,  ATI
SurroundViewTM, AMD OverDrive and AMD RAIDXpertTM
Compliant with PCI v2.3 specification at 33 MHz
Supports six Serial ATA devices which speeds up to 3.0
Gb/s
Integrated  USB  2.0  Host  Controller  supporting  up  to
twelve USB 2.0 ports
Integrated IDE controller supports Ultra ATA 133/100/66/
33 modes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SB700 (SB)
Memory
•
Supports DDR2 1066 (AM2+)/800/667/533/400 DDR2 SDRAM with Dual-
channel  architecture
Accommodates  two  unbuffered  DIMMs
Up to 8 GB per DIMM with maximum memory size up to 16 GB*
•
•
Onboard LAN (optional)
The  onboard  LAN  controller  provides  either  of  the  following  features:
•
•
•
 •
 •
 •
Integrated 10/100/1000 Base-T Transceiver
Integrated 10/100/1000 Mbps IEEE 802.3 compliant
IEEE 802.3u Auto-Negotiation
Integrated 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Transceiver
Integrated IEEE802.3z compliant
IEEE 802.3u Auto-Negotiation
Introducing the Motherboard