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  1.1
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  publica-
tion 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, Turion, 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  instal-
lation. 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 interfer-
ence 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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•
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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  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.
A990FXM-A USER MANUAL
Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the follow-
ing  conditions:
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This  device  may  not  cause  harmful  interference.
This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that  may  cause  undesired  operation.
This  device  is  in  conformity  with  the  following  EC/EMC  directives:
Limits  and  methods  of  mesurement  of  radio  disturbance  char-
acteristics  of  information  technology  equipment
EN 55022
EN 61000-3-2 Disturbances  in  supply  systems  caused
EN 61000-3-3 Disturbances  in  supply  systems  caused  by  household  appli-
ances  and  similar  electrical  equipment  “  Voltage  fluctuations”
Information  technology  equipment-Immunity  characteristics-
Limits  and  methods  of  measurement
Safety  for  information  technology  equipment  including  electri-
cal  business  equipment
EN 60950
EN 55024
CE marking
 page  1
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
Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
Chapter 5
Setting  Up  AMD  SB950  RAID
Configuration
Chapter 6
ATI CrossFireTM Technology
Support
Chapter 7
Trouble Shooting
Describes  features  of  the
motherboard.
Describes 
motherboard  components.
Provides  information  on  us-
ing  the  BIOS  Setup  Utility.
Describes  the  motherboard
software.
Provides  information  about
SATA  RAID  Setup
Describes  the ATI  CrossfireTM
Technology
installation  of
Provides 
shooting  tips.
basic 
 page  7
 page  23
trouble
page  61
 page  45
page  49
page  57
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A990FXM-A USER MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface
                        i
Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
1
 1
Introduction...........................................................................................1
Pakage Contents..................................................................................1
Specifications......................................................................................2
Motherboard Components................................................................4
I/O Ports...............................................................................................6
Chapter 2
  7
Installing the Motherboard                                                                             7
Safety Precautions..............................................................................7
Installing the Motherboard in a Chassis.......................................7
Checking Jumper Settings..................................................................8
Installing Hardware...........................................................................9
Installing the Processor............................................................9
Installing the CPU Cooler........................................................10
Installing Memory Modules...................................................11
Installing Add-on Cards..........................................................13
Connecting Optional Devices.................................................15
Installing a SATA Hard Drive...................................................19
Connecting Case Components........................................................20
Front Panel Header................................................................22
Chapter 3
Using BIOS
   23
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About the Setup Utility......................................................................23
The Standard Configuration........................ ...........................23
Entering the Setup Utility.......................................................23
Resetting the Default CMOS Values.....................................24
Using BIOS.........................................................................................25
BIOS Navigation Keys..............................................................25
Main Menu.............................................................................26
Advanced Menu......................................................................27
Chipset Menu..........................................................................35
M.I.B X(MB Intelligent Bios X) Menu....................................36
Boot Menu...............................................................................40
Security Menu.........................................................................41
Save & Exit Menu........................................................................42
Updating the BIOS......................................................................43
A990FXM-A USER MANUAL
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Chapter 4
Using the Motherboard Software
     45
           45
Auto-installing under Windows XP/Vista/7.................................45
Running Setup........................................................................45
Manual Installation..........................................................................47
ECS Utility Software (Intelligent EZ Utility).....................................47
Chapter 5
    49
Setting Up AMD SB950 RAID Configuration                                            49
Setting Up a Bootable RAID Array..................................................49
Chapter 6
ATI CrossFireTM Technology Support
57
                                           57
Requirements....................................................................................57
Installing CrossFireTM graphics cards.........................................57
The CatalystTM Control Center Dialog Box...................................59
To Enable CrossFireXTM..........................................................59
Chapter 7
Trouble Shooting
   61
           61
Start up problems during assembly..............................................61
Start up problems after prolong use............................................62
Maintenance and care tips..............................................................62
Basic Troubleshooting Flowchart.....................................................63
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A990FXM-A USER MANUAL
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Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
Introduction
Thank  you  for  choosing  the  A990FXM-A  motherboard.  This  motherboard  is  a  high
performance,  enhanced  function  motherboard  that  supports  socket  for  AMD
PhenomTM and later desktop processors (socket AM3+) for high-end business or per-
sonal  desktop  markets.
The  motherboard  incorporates  the  AMD  990FX  Northbridge  (NB)  and  SB950
Southbridge (SB) chipsets. The Northbridge supports the HyperTransportTM 3.0 inter-
face. The memory controller supports DDR3 memory DIMM frequencies of 2133 (OC)/
1866/1600/1333*.  It  supports  four  DDR3  slots  with  maximum  memory  size  of  128
GB*. Three PCI Express x16 slots, intended for Graphics Interface, are fully compli-
ant to the PCI Express Gen2 (version 2.0). In addition, two PCI Express x1 slots are
supported.
The  SB950  Southbridge  supports  one  PCI  slot  which  is  PCI  v2.3  compliant.  It  inte-
grates USB 2.0 interface, supporting up to ten USB 2.0 ports (six USB ports and two
USB 2.0 headers support additional four USB 2.0 ports). The Southbridge integrates
a Serial ATA host controller, supporting six SATA ports with maximum transfer rate up
to  6Gb/s  each.
In  addition,  the  mainboard  assembles  extra  USB3.0  chip,  which  supports  two  USB
3.0 ports at rear panel with high speed of 5Gb/s.
There is an advanced full set of I/O ports in the rear panel, including one PS/2 mouse
and keyboard combo connector, six USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, two LAN ports,
one optical SPDIFO port and audio jacks for microphone, line-in and 8-ch line-out.
* Due to the limitation of AMD CPU spec, please refer to Memory QVL for
more  information.
Package Contents
Your motherboard package ships with the following items:
A990FXM-A  Motherboard
Quick  Installation  Guide
User  Manual
DVD
I/O  Shield
2 SATA 6Gb/s Cables
The package contents above are for reference only, please take the actual
package  items  as  standard.
A990FXM-A  USER MANUAL
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Specifications
CPU
Socket AM3+ for AMD PhenomTM and later desktop processors
Supports  HyperTransportTM  (HT)  3.0  interface  speeds
Supports CPU up to 140W TDP
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Note: Please go to ECS website for the latest CPU support list.
Chipset
Memory
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NB: AMD 990FX   SB: SB950
Dual-channel  DDR3  memory  architecture
4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM sockets support up to 128 GB
Supports DDR3 DDR3  2133 (OC)* /1866/1600/1333SDRAM
Expansion
Slots
Storage
Audio
LAN
Rear Panel I/O
Internal I/O
Connectors &
Headers
Note: * Due to the limitation of AMD CPU spec, please refer to Memory
QVL for more information.
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3 x PCI Express x16 Gen2 slot
2 x PCI Express x1 Gen2 slot
1 x PCI slot
Supported by AMD SB950 Express Chipset
-6 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s Host Controllers
-Supports RAID 0, 1, 5 and 10
ALC892    8-Channel
- 8  Channel  High  Definiton  Audio  Codec
-  Compliant  with  HD  audio  specification
Dual  Realtek  8111E  Giga  Lan
1 x PS/2 keyboard and mouse combo port
6 x USB 2.0 ports
2 x USB 3.0 blue ports
2 x RJ45 LAN ports
1  x  Audio  port  (Line  in,  microphone  in,  line  out,  and  optical
SPDIF out)
1 x 24-pin ATX Power Supply connector
1 x 8-pin ATX12V connector
6 x Serial ATA 6Gb/s connectors
2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
1 x Front panel header
1  x  Chassis  Intrusion  Detect  header
1 x SPDIF out header
1 x Front panel audio header
1 x Buzzer
1 x CLR_COMS header
1 x 4-pin CPU_FAN connector
1 x 3-pin SYS_FAN connector
1 x 3-pin PWR_FAN connector
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A990FXM-A  USER MANUAL
System BIOS
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Form Factor
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AMI BIOS with 32Mb SPI Flash ROM
- Supports FSB adjustment, increase in a increase of 1MHz
- Supports Plug and Play, STR(S3)/STD(S4)
-  Supports  Hardware  Monitor
- Supports ACPI 3.0 version & DMI
- Supports Audio, LAN, can be disabled in BIOS
- Supports Over-Clocking
-  Supports  Dual  Display
- F7 hot key for boot up devices option
- Supports Pgup clear CMOS Hotkey (Has PS2 KB Model only)
Micro-ATX Size, 305mm x 244mm
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Motherboard Components
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