User manual AOPEN AX4GE

[. . . ] Overview Troubleshooting & Technical Support Hardware Installation Drivers & Utilities AWARD BIOS Setup Glossary Online Manual DOC. NO. : AX4GEN-OL-E0208A AX4GE / AX4GE-N AX4GE / AX4GE-N 1 AX4GE / AX4GE-N What's in this manual Online Manual AX4GE / AX4GE-N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What's in this manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 You Must Notice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Before You Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] This motherboard is with switching regulator onboard supporting CPU over-current protection; in conjunction with 3. 3V/5V/12V power supply provide the full line over-current protection. 3. 3V (Protected by power supply) ATX Switching Power Supply 5V (Protected by power supply) 12V (Protected by power supply) Onboard Power Regulator Over-Current Protection Circuit CPU Core Voltage Note: Although we have implemented protection circuit and tried to prevent any human operating mistake, certain risks might still happen when CPU, memory, HDD or add-on cards installed on this motherboard is damaged due to component failure, human operating error or other unknown natural reasons. AOpen cannot guarantee that the protection circuit will always work perfectly. 60 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Hardware Monitoring Online Manual This motherboard implements a hardware monitoring system. As you turn on your system, this smart design will monitor your system's working voltage, fan status and CPU temperature. If any of those systems' status goes wrong, there will be an alarm through the chassis external speaker or buzzer of motherboard (if having this function and enabled) to warn the user. Fan Fan Speed CPU CPU Temperature CPU Voltage Detection Circuit AOpen H/W Monitoring Utility Power System Voltage 61 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Resetable Fuse Online Manual Traditional motherboard uses fuses to prevent Keyboard and USB port from over-current or shortage. These fuses are soldered onboard that when it is broken (function to protect motherboard), user cannot replace them and result in malfunction of motherboard. With expensive Resetable Fuse, the motherboard can be resumed back to normal function even after the fuse had done its protection job. Resettable Fuse 62 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Low ESR Capacitor Online Manual The quality of low ESR capacitor (Low Equivalent Series Resistance) during high frequency operation is very important for the stability of CPU power. The idea of where to put these capacitors is another know-how that requires experience and detail calculation. Not only that, AX4GE / AX4GE-N implements 2200F capacitors, which is much larger than normal capacitor (1000 & 1500F) and it provides better stability for CPU power. 63 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Online Manual The power circuit of the CPU core voltage must be checked to ensure system stability for high speed CPUs (such as the new Pentium III, or when overclocking). A typical CPU core voltage is 2. 0V, so a good design should control voltage between 1. 860V and 2. 140V. That is, the transient must be below 280mV. Below is a timing diagram captured by a Digital Storage Scope, it shows the voltage transient is only 143mv even when maximum 60A current is applied. Note: This diagram for example only, it may not be exactly the same as the motherboard you purchased. 64 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Layout (Frequency Isolation Wall) Online Manual For high frequency operation, especially when overclocking, layout is the most important factor to make sure both chipset and CPU are working in stable condition. The layout of this motherboard implements AOpen's unique design called "Frequency Isolation Wall". Separating each critical portion of motherboard into regions, where each region operates in a same or similar frequency range, we can avoid cross talk and frequency interference between each region's operations and condition. The trace length and route must be calculated carefully. For example, the clock trace must be equal to length (not necessarily as short as possible) so that clock skew will be controlled within few a pico second (1/1012 Sec) Note: This diagram for example only, it may not look exactly the same as the motherboard you purchased. 65 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Enlarged Aluminum Heatsink Online Manual Cool down CPU and Chipset are important for system reliability. Enlarged aluminum heat sink provides better heat consumption especially when you are trying to over-clock the CPU. 66 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Vivid BIOS technology Online Manual Have you been fed up with the conservative and immutable POST screen?Let's rule out the tradition idea that POST screen are stiff and frigid, and let AOpen show you the newly developed VividBIOS to experience the lively vivid colourful POST screen!Unlike earlier graphic POST screen which could occupy the whole screen and mask text information during POST, AOpen VividBIOS deals with graphics and texts separately, and makes them running simultaneously during POST. With this innovative design, VividBios now brings you a beautiful and sleek 256 colours screen without missing any important information shown on POST screen. In addition, the limited space of BIOS ROM is another big issue. [. . . ] You can find this bar code label on the outside packing, on ISA/CPU slot or on component side of PCB. For example: Part No. Serial No. Part No. P/N: 91. 88110. 201 is part number, S/N: 91949378KN73 is serial number. 114 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Model name and BIOS version Online Manual Model name and BIOS version can be found on upper left corner of first boot screen (POST screen). For example: AX4GE-N R1. 20 Aug. 01. 2002 AOpen Inc. Award Plug and Play BIOS Extension v1. 0A Copyright © 2002, Award Software, Inc. AX4GE-N is model name of motherboard; R1. 20 is BIOS version. 115 AX4GE / AX4GE-N Online Manual Product Registration Thank you for choosing AOpen product. [. . . ]