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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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
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Chapter 1
Introducing the Motherboard
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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
23
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
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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.
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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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