User Guide EVGA X79 DARK Motherboard 1
Table of Contents Before You Begin… ...................................................................................................................... 4 Parts NOT in the Kit .................................................................................................................... 5 Intentions of the Kit...................................................................................................................... 5 Motherboard Specifications .............................................
PCI-E x4 Slots ..............................................................................................................................24 PCI-E x16/x8 Slots .....................................................................................................................24 Onboard Buttons .........................................................................................................................25 Clear CMOS Button .......................................................................
Before You Begin… The true next generation motherboards have arrived with the EVGA X79 motherboards! This product packs in the latest technologies to give you an uncompromised experience: Uncompromised Performance – Unparalleled memory bandwidth with true quad channel DDR3 memory support, and Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 gives you intelligent computing by optimizing performance on the fly! NVIDIA SLI® and PhysX give you the expansion you need to maximize your graphics performance.
Parts NOT in the Kit This kit contains all the hardware necessary to install and connect your new EVGA X79 Dark Motherboard. However, it does not contain the following items that must be purchased separately to make the motherboard functional. Intel Socket 2011 Processor DDR3 System Memory CPU Cooling Device PCI Express Graphics Card Power Supply EVGA assumes you have purchased all the necessary parts needed to allow for proper system functionality.
EVGA X79 Motherboard Motherboard Specifications Size: EATX form factor of 12 inches x 10.3 inches Microprocessor support: Intel Socket 2011 Processor Operating systems: Supports Windows 8 / 7 / Vista / XP Contains Intel X79 chipset: System Memory support: Supports Quad channel DDR3-2400MHz+. Officially supports up to 64GB of DDR3 memory. USB 2.0 Ports: 10x from Intel X79 PCH Supports hot plug Supports wake-up from S1 and S3 mode Supports USB 2.
SATA Ports: Intel X79 PCH Controller 4x SATA 2 Ports up to 3G (300 MB/s) data transfer rate 2x SATA 3 Ports up to 6G (600 MB/s) data transfer rate - Support for RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1, RAID 5, AND RAID 10 *If 6G ports are used in the same array as 3G ports, the SATA 3 6G ports will adjust down to SATA 2 3G speeds.
Unpacking and Parts Descriptions Equipment The following accessories are included with the EVGA X79 Dark Motherboard: The EVGA X79 Dark Motherboard This PCI-E motherboard contains the Intel X79 chipset and is SLI® -ready. Visual Guide Helps to quickly and visually guide you through the hardware installation of the motherboard.
SATA 3G 3G/6G Data Cables Used to support the SATA protocol and each one connects a single drive to the motherboard. 4-way way SLI® Bridge Bridges four graphics cards together which allows for 4-way way SLI®. 3-way way SLI® Bridge Bridges three graphics cards together which allows for 3-way way SLI®. 2-way way SLI® Bridge Bridges two graphics cards together which allows for 2-way way SLI®. Optional 1366 Backplate Allows use of a socket 1366 cooler. This backplate is optional.
Hardware Installation This section will guide you through the installation of the motherboard. The topics covered in this section are: Preparing the motherboard Installing the CPU Installing the Cooling Device Installing the memory Installing the motherboard Connecting cables Safety Instructions To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock and injury, always follow basic safety precautions.
Intel X79 Chipset Motherboard The EVGA X79 Dark Motherboard with the Intel X79 and PCH Chipset is a SLI-ready motherboard. Figure 1 shows the motherboard and Figure 2 shows the back panel connectors FIGURE 1.
1. CPU Socket 2011 13. Debug LED 25. PCI-E Slot 4x 2. Intel X79 Southbridge 14. USB 2.0 Headers 26. Front Panel Audio Connector 3. CPU Fan Header 15. USB 3.0 Headers 27. S/PDIF Out 4. DDR3 Memory DIMM Slots 1-8 16. CMOS Battery 28. EVGauge 5. 24-pin ATX power connector 17. Unused 29. Back Panel Connectors (Figure 2) 6. Fan Headers 18. CMOS Reset Button 30. 8 pin EPS Connector 7. PCI-E Disable Dipswitches 19. Power Button 31. Supplemental PCI-E 6pin Power 8. Intel Sata 6G/3G Ports 20.
Figure 2. Chassis Rear Panel Connectors 1. Bluetooth 4. CMOS Reset Switch 7. eSata Ports 2. USB 2.0 5. Optical S/DIF Out 8. NIC 3. USB 3.0 6. EVBot Connecter 9. Analog Audio Output Jacks Analog Audio Port Breakdown 2/2.1 Channel Blue Line in Green Line Out/ Speaker Out Pink Mic In Black Orange 4.0/4.1 Channel 5.1 (6 Channel) 7.
Preparing the Motherboard Installing the CPU Be very careful when handling the CPU. Hold the processor only by the edges and do not touch the bottom of the processor. Use the following procedure to install the CPU onto the motherboard: Unhook the left socket lever by pushing down and away from the socket. Unhook the right socket lever by pushing down and away from the socket. Gently press the left socket lever and the load plate will lift from the socket.
Align the notches on the CPU to the notches in the socket. Lower the processor straight down into the socket. Note: Make sure the CPU is fully seated and level in the socket. Lower the load plate so it is resting on the CPU. Press the right socket lever down to lock into place. Carefully lock the lever back into place. Installing the Cooling Device There are many different cooling devices that can be used with this motherboard.
Installing System Memory (DIMMs) Your new motherboard has eight 240-pin slots for DDR3 memory. These slots support 2GB, 4GB and 8GB DDR3 DIMMs. There must be at least one memory slot populated to ensure normal operation. The Intel X79 chipset supports quad channel memory; it is required to populate slots 1,3,5,7 first. Board will not boot if slots 2,4,6,8 populated without 1,3,5,7. Use the following procedure to install DIMMs. Note that there is only one gap near the center of the DIMM slots.
Installing the Motherboard The sequence of installing the motherboard into a system case depends on the chassis you are using and if you are replacing an existing motherboard or working with an empty system case. Determine if it would be easier to make all the connections prior to this step or to secure the motherboard and then make all the connections. It is normally easier to secure the motherboard first. Use the following procedure to install the I/O shield and secure the motherboard into the chassis.
Securing the Motherboard into a System Case Most system cases have a base with mounting holes you thread standoffs onto to allow the motherboard to be secured to the chassis and help to prevent short circuits. If there are studs that do not align with a mounting hole on the motherboard, it is recommended that you remove that standoff to prevent the possibility of a short circuit. Carefully place the motherboard onto the stand offs located inside the chassis.
24pin ATX Power (PW1) is the main power supply connector located along the right edge of the board. Make sure that the power supply cable and pins are properly aligned with the connector on the motherboard. Firmly plug the power supply cable into the connector and make sure it is secure. The 24pin Power Connector may be standard or right angled depending on your motherboard model. PW1 Right Angled 24pin Power Connector Connector 24 12 Pin 13 1 Signal Pin Signal 1 +3.3V 13 +3.3V 2 +3.
8-pin ATX 12V Power (PW12-1 & PW12-2) PW12-1 & PW12-2, the 8-pin ATX 12V power connections, are used to provide power to the CPU. Align the pins to the connector and press firmly until seated. The secondary is optional for improved overclocking. +12V GND BIOS Select Switch The BIOS Select Switch is located directly on the bottom edge of the motherboard. This jumper controls which of physical BIOS chips are to be used when the system is powered on.
LED indicates the system’s status. When the system is powered on, the LED will be on. Note: Some system cases may not have all four cables. Be sure to match the name on the connectors to the corresponding pins. PWRSW Attach the power button cable from the case to these two pins. Pressing the power button on the front panel turns the system on and off rather than using the onboard button. HD_LED Attach the hard disk drive indicator LED cable to these two pins.
Secure the bracket to either the front or rear panel of your chassis (not all chassis are equipped with the front panel option). Connect the two ends of the cables to the USB 2.0 or 3.0 headers on the motherboard. Connector USB 2.
Audio The audio connector supports HD audio standard and provides two kinds of audio output choices: the Front Audio and the Rear Audio.
PCI-E x4 Slot There are PCI-E x4 slots that are designed to accommodate less bandwidthintensive cards, such as a sound or network card. PCI-E x16/x8 Slots These PCI-E slots are reserved for Graphics Cards and PCI-E x1, x4, x8 and x16 devices. The design of this motherboard supports multiple Graphics Card technologies such as SLI® or CrossFire. When installing a PCI-E Graphics Card, be sure the retention clip snaps and locks the card into place.
Onboard Buttons These onboard buttons include RESET, POWER and Clear CMOS. These functions allow you to easily reset the system, turn on/off the system, or clear the CMOS. Clear CMOS Button The motherboard uses the CMOS RAM to store all the set parameters. The CMOS can be cleared by pressing the Clear CMOS button either onboard or on the external I/O Panel. External Clear CMOS Button RESET and POWER Button These onboard buttons allow you to easily turn on/off the system.
Post Debug LED and LED Status Indicators Post Port Debug LED Provides two-digit POST codes to show why the system may be failing to boot. It is useful during troubleshooting situations. This Debug LED will also display current CPU socket temperatures after the system has fully booted into the Operating System. Debug LED with CPU Temperature Monitor LED Status Indicators Theses LEDs indicate the system’s status and are located near the 24pin connector.
Installing Drivers and Software Note: It is important to remember that before installing the driver CD that is shipped in the kit, you need to load your operating system. The motherboard supports 32bit and 64bit versions of Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP. The kit comes with a CD that contains utilities, drivers, and additional software.
POST Codes This section provides the AMI POST Codes for the EVGA X79 Dark Motherboard during system boot up. The POST Codes are displayed on the Debug LED readout located directly onboard the motherboard. This Debug LED will also display current CPU temperatures after the system has fully booted into the Operating System. Debug LED with CPU Temperature Monitor AMI POST Codes 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C-0D 0E 0F 10 11-14 15-18 19-1C 1D-2A 2B 2C Power on. Reset type detection (soft/hard).
2D 2E 2F 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37-3A 3B-3E 3F-4E 4F 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 5A 5B 5C-5F E0 E1 E2 E3 E4-E7 E8-EB Memory initialization. Programming memory timing information Memory initialization. Configuring memory Memory initialization (other). Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Memory Installed CPU post-memory initialization is started CPU post-memory initialization. Cache initialization CPU post-memory initialization.
EC-EF F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5-F7 F8 F9 FA FB–FF 60 61 62 63-67 68 69 6A 6B-6F 70 71 72 73-77 78 79 7A–7F 80–8F 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 9A Reserved for future AMI error codes Recovery condition triggered by firmware (Auto recovery) Recovery condition triggered by user (Forced recovery) Recovery process started Recovery firmware image is found Recovery firmware image is loaded Reserved for future AMI progress codes Recovery PPI is not available Recovery capsule is not found Invalid recovery capsule Reserved
9B 9C 9D 9E–9F A0 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 AA AB AC AD AE AF B0 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8-BF C0–CF D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 USB Reset USB Detect USB Enable Reserved for future AMI codes IDE initialization is started IDE Reset IDE Detect IDE Enable SCSI initialization is started SCSI Reset SCSI Detect SCSI Enable Setup Verifying Password Start of Setup Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Setup Input Wait Reserved for ASL (see ASL Status Codes section below) Ready To Boot event Legacy Boo
D9 DA Error loading Boot Option (LoadImage returned error) Boot Option is failed (StartImage returned error) EVGA Glossary of Terms AC – Alternating Current ACPI - Advanced Configuration and Power Interface AFR – Alternate Frame Rendering APIC - Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller ACPI – Advanced Configuration and Power Interface BCLK – Base Clock (or operating frequency of base system bus) BIOS - Basic Input Output System CMOS - Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor CPU – Central Processing Uni
HDMI - High-Definition Multimedia Interface HDR – High Dynamic Range Lighting HPET - High Precision Event Timer HT – Hyper-Threading HSF - Heat Sink Fan I/O - Input/ Output IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers IGP - Integrated Graphics Processors IMC – Integrated memory controller IRQ - Interrupt Request JBOD - Just a Bunch of Disks JEDEC - Joint Electron Device Engineering Council LAN - Local Area Network LCD - Liquid Crystal Display LGA – Land Grid Array LN2 – Liquid Nitrogen Cooling M
PLL – Phase Locked Loop POST – Power on Self Test PWM – Pulse Width Modulation QDR - Quad Data Rate QPI – Quick Path Interconnect RAID - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks RAM – Random Access Memory ROM – Read Only Memory RGB - Red Green Blue SATA - Serial Advanced Technology Attachment SAS – Serial Attached SCSI SB - Southbridge SCSI - Small Computer System Interface SFR – Split Frame Rendering SLI - Scalable Link Interface SPD - Serial Presence Detect S/PDIF - Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format SP
This device complies with FCC Rules Part 15. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. 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.
