ASUS PRIME B365-Plus Motherboard User Manual

ASUS PRIME B365-Plus Motherboard

E16237
First Edition
March 2020

Copyright © 2020 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modified or altered, unless such repair, modification of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the product is defaced or missing.
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Offer to Provide Source Code of Certain Software
This product contains copyrighted software that is licensed under the General Public License (“GPL”), under the Lesser General Public License Version (“LGPL”) and/or other Free Open Source Software Licenses. Such software in this product is distributed without any warranty to the extent permitted by the applicable law. Copies of these licenses are included in this product.
Where the applicable license entitles you to the source code of such software and/or other additional data, you may obtain it for a period of three years after our last shipment of the product, either

1. For free by downloading it from https://www.asus.com/support/
   or

2. For the cost of reproduction and shipment, which is dependent on the preferred carrier and the location where you want to have it shipped to, by sending a request to:

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Legal Compliance Dept.
1F., No.15, Lide Rd.,
Beitou Dist., Taipei City112
Taiwan

In your request please provide the name, model number and version, as stated in the About Box of the product for which you wish to obtain the corresponding source code and your contact details so that we can coordinate the terms and cost of shipment with you.
The source code will be distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY and licensed under the same license as the corresponding binary/object code.
This offer is valid to anyone in receipt of this information.

ASUSTeK is eager to duly provide complete source code as required under various Free Open Source Software licenses. If however you encounter any problems in obtaining the full corresponding source code we would be much obliged if you give us a notification to the email address gpl@asus.com, stating the product and describing the problem (please DO NOT send large attachments such as source code archives, etc. to this email address).

Safety information

Electrical safety

• To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system.
• When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected. If possible, disconnect all power cables from the existing system before you add a device.
• Before connecting or removing signal cables from the motherboard, ensure that all power cables are unplugged.
• Seek professional assistance before using an adapter or extension cord. These devices could interrupt the grounding circuit.
• Ensure that your power supply is set to the correct voltage in your area. If you are not sure about the voltage of the electrical outlet you are using, contact your local power company.
• If the power supply is broken, do not try to fix it by yourself. Contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.

Operation safety

• Before installing the motherboard and adding components, carefully read all the manuals that came with the package.
• Before using the product, ensure all cables are correctly connected and the power cables are not damaged. If you detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from connectors, slots, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in any area where it may be exposed to moisture.
• Place the product on a stable surface.
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualified service technician or your retailer.
• Your motherboard should only be used in environments with ambient temperatures between 0°C and 40°C.

About this guide

This user guide contains the information you need when installing and configuring the motherboard.

How this guide is organized

This guide contains the following parts:

• Chapter 1: Product introduction
  This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports. It includes descriptions of the switches, jumpers, and connectors on the motherboard.

• Chapter 2: BIOS and RAID Support
  This chapter tells how to boot into the BIOS, upgrade BIOS using the EZ Flash Utility and support on RAID.

Where to find more information
Refer to the following sources for additional information and for product and software updates.

1. ASUS website
   The ASUS website provides updated information on ASUS hardware and software products. Refer to the ASUS contact information.

2. Optional documentation
   Your product package may include optional documentation, such as warranty flyers, that may have been added by your dealer. These documents are not part of the standard package.

Conventions used in this guide
To ensure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual.

DANGER/WARNING: Information to prevent injury to yourself when completing a task.
CAUTION: Information to prevent damage to the components and injuries to yourself when trying to complete a task.
IMPORTANT: Instructions that you MUST follow to complete a task.
NOTE: Tips and additional information to help you complete a task.

Typography

• Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select.

• Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.

• Keys enclosed in the less-than and greater-than sign means that you must press the enclosed key. **Example:** means that you must press the Enter or Return key.
• \+ \+ If you must press two or more keys simultaneously, the key names are linked with a plus sign (+).

Package contents

Check your motherboard package for the following items.

• Motherboard ASUS PRIME B365-PLUS motherboard

• Cables 2 x Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s cables

• Accessories: 1 x I/O Shield
  2 x M.2 Screws

• Application  Support DVD

• Documentation User manual

If any of the above items is damaged or missing, contact your retailer.

PRIME B365-PLUS specifications summary

CPU| LGA1151 socket for 9th / 8th Generation Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, and Celeron® processors*
Supports 14nm CPU
Supports Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0* Refer towww.asus.com for Intel® CPU support list.
** Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 support depends on the CPU types.
---|---
Chipset| Intel® B365 Chipset
Memory| 4 x DIMM, maximum 64 GB, DDR4 2666/ 2400/ 2133MHz, non-ECC, un- buffered memory
Dual-channel memory architecture
Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP) *** The maximum memory frequency supported varies by processor.** DDR4 2666MHz and higher memory modules will run at max. 2666MHz on Intel® 8th Generation 6-core or higher processors.* Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List).
Expansion slots**|

• 1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot (at x16 mode)
• 1 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slot (max. at x4 mode) 4 x PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x1 slots

Multi-GPU support| Supports AMD® 2-Way CrossFireX™ Technology
Graphics| Integrated graphics processor – Intel® UHD Graphics support Multi-VGA output support: HDMI, DVI-D, and D-sub ports

• Supports HDMI 1.4b with max. resolution of 4096 x 2160@24Hz
• Supports DVI-D with max. resolution of 1920 x 1200@60Hz
• Supports D-sub with max. resolution of 1920 x 1200@60Hz

Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D/Quick Sync Video/Clear Video HD Technology/ Insider™

LAN| Realtek® 8111H, 1 x Gigabit LAN controller

ASUS LANGuard

Storage| Intel ® B365 Chipset with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and Intel Rapid Storage Technology support

• 1 x M.2_1 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices support (both SATA mode & PCIe x2 modes)*
• 1 x M.2_2 Socket 3 with M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices support (PCIe x4 mode)
• 6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
• Intel® Optane™ Memory Ready

***** When a device in SATA mode is installed on the M.2_1 socket, SATA_2 port cannot be used. Adjust the BIOS settings to use a SATA device.

---|---
Audio| Realtek® ALC887 8-channel* high definition audio CODEC

• Audio Shielding: Ensures precision analog/digital separation and greatly reduces multi-lateral interference
• Dedicated audio PCB layers: Separate layers for left and right channels to guard the quality of the sensitive audio signals
• Premium Japanese audio capacitors: Provide warm, natural and immersive sound with exceptional clarity and fidelity
• Supports jack-detection and front panel jack-retaking

* Use a chassis with HD audio module in the front panel to support an 8-channel audio output.

USB| Intel ® B365 Chipset:

• 8 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps) ports (4 ports at mid-board; 4 ports at the back panel)
• 6 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports (4 ports at mid-board; 2 ports at the back panel)

ASUS unique features| ASUS 5X PROTECTION III

• ASUS SafeSlot Core: Fortified PCIe with solid soldering
• ASUS ESD Guard: Enhanced ESD protection
• ASUS Overvoltage Protection: World-class circuit-protecting power design
• ASUS Stainless-Steel Back I/O: 3X corrosion-resistance for greater durability!
• ASUS DIGI+ VRM power design

AURA

• Aura Sync
• Aura RGB Headers

ASUS EPU

• EPU

ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

• ASUS Fan Xpert 2+
• Stylish Fanless Design: Heat-sink solution & MOS Heatsink

ASUS Exclusive Features

• ASUS Ai Charger
• ASUS AI Suite 3

ASUS EZ DIY

• ASUS UEFI BIOS EZ Mode
• ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
• ASUS EZ Flash 3

ASUS unique features| ASUS Q-Design

• ASUS Q-DIMM
• ASUS Q-Slot
• ASUS Q-LED (CPU, DRAM, VGA, Boot Device LED)

---|---
Back panel I/O ports|

• 1 x PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port 1 x HDMI port
• 1 x DVI-D port 1 x D-sub port
• 1 x LAN (RJ-45) port
• 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps) Type A ports (blue) 2 x USB 2.0/1.1 ports
• 3-Jack 8-Channel Audio I/O ports

Internal I/O connectors|

• 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps) connector supports additional 4 USB ports (19-pin)
• 2 x USB 2.0 connectors support additional 4 USB ports
• 1 x M.2_1 Socket 3 (for M Key, type 2242/2260/2280 devices)
• 1 x M.2_2 Socket 3 (for M Key, type 2242/2260/2280/22110 devices) 6 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s connectors (gray)
• 2 x RGB headers
• 1 x 4-pin CPU Fan connector (support DC/PWM modes)
• 3 x 4-pin Chassis Fan connectors for 3-pin (DC mode) and 4-pin (PWM mode) coolers control
• 1 x Front panel audio connector (AAFP) 1 x S/PDIF out header
• 1 x System panel connector*
• 1 x 24-pin EATX power connector
• 1 x 8-pin EATX 12V power connector
• 1 x TPM connector
• 1 x COM connector
• 1 x Clear CMOS jumper
• 1 x Mono out header

* Chassis intrusion header is built in the system panel connector.

BIOS features| 128 Mb Flash ROM, UEFI AMI BIOS, PnP, SM BIOS 3.1, ACPI 6.1, Multi- language BIOS, ASUS EZ Flash 3, Crash Free BIOS 3, F11 EZ Tuning Wizard, F6 Qfan Control, F3 My Favorites, Last Modified log, F12 Print Screen, and ASUS DRAM SPD (Serial Presence Detect) memory information
Manageability| WfM 2.0, DMI 3.0, WOL by PME, PXE
Support DVD| Drivers ASUS utilities
ASUS EZ Update
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
Operating system support| Windows® 10 (64-bit)
Frm factor| ATX form factor: 12.0 in. x 8.7 in. (30.5 cm x 22.1 cm)

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Product introduction

Before you proceed

Take note of the following precautions before you install motherboard components or change any motherboard settings.

• Unplug the power cord from the wall socket before touching any component.
• Before handling components, use a grounded wrist strap or touch a safely grounded object or a metal object, such as the power supply case, to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.
• Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

Motherboard overview

Unplug the power cord before installing or removing the motherboard. Failure to do so can cause you physical injury and damage motherboard components.

Layout contents

ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 8-pin EATX12V)
Correctly orient the ATX power supply plugs into these connectors and push down firmly until the connectors completely fit.

• For a fully configured system, we recommend that you use a power supply unit (PSU) that complies with ATX 12 V Specification 2.0 (or later version) and provides a minimum power of 350 W. This PSU type has 24-pin and 8-pin power plugs.
• DO NOT forget to connect the 8-pin EATX +12V power plug. Otherwise, the system will not boot up.
• We recommend that you use a PSU with higher power output when configuring a system with more power-consuming devices or when you intend to install additional devices. The system may become unstable or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.

CPU and chassis fan connectors (4-pin CPU_FAN, 4-pin CHA_FAN1~3)
Connect the fan cables to the fan connectors on the motherboard, ensuring that the black wire of each cable matches the ground pin of the connector.

Do not forget to connect the fan cables to the fan connectors. Insufficient air low inside the system may damage the motherboard components. These are not jumpers! Do not place jumper caps on the fan connectors! The CPU_FAN connector supports a CPU fan of maximum 1A (12 W) fan power.

Intel® LGA1151 CPU socket
Install Intel® LGA1151 CPU into this surface mount LGA1151 socket, which is designed for 9th / 8th Generation Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, and Celeron® processors.

For more details, refer to Central Processing Unit (CPU).

RGB headers (4-pin RGB_HEADER1, RGB_HEADER2)
These headers are for RGB LED strips.

The RGB header supports 5050 RGB multi-color LED strips (12V/G/R/B), with a maximum power rating of 3A (12V), and no longer than 3m.

Before you install or remove any component, ensure that the ATX power supply is switched off or the power cord is detached from the power supply. Failure to do so may cause severe damage to the motherboard, peripherals, or components.

• Actual lighting and color will vary with LED strip.
• If your LED strip does not light up, check if the RGB LED extension cable and the RGB LED strip is connected in the correct orientation, and the 12V connector is aligned with the 12V header on the motherboard.
• The LED strip will only light up when the system is operating.
• The LED strips are purchased separately.

DDR4 DIMM slots
Install 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB unbuffered non-ECC DDR4 DIMMs into these DIMM sockets.

For more details, refer to System memory.

USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps) connectors (20-1 pin U31G1_12, U31G1_56)
Connect a USB 3.1 Gen 1 module to any of these connectors for additional USB 3.1 Gen 1 front or rear panel ports. These connectors comply with USB 3.1 Gen 1 specifications and provide faster data transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps, faster charging time for USB-chargeable devices, optimized power efficiency, and backward compatibility with USB 2.0.

2 socket 3
These sockets allow you to install M.2 (NGFF) SSD modules.

• The M.2_1 socket supports M Key and type 2242/2260/2280 storage devices.
• The M.2_2 socket supports M Key and type 2242/2260/2280/22110 storage devices.
• Both sockets can support Intel® Optane™ Memory.
• The M.2_1 socket supports data transfer speed up to 16Gb/s.
• The M.2_2 socket supports data transfer speed up to 32Gb/s.
• Only the M.2_1 socket can support SATA mode storage devices. When a device in SATA mode is installed on the M.2_1 socket, SATA_2 is disabled.

Intel® B365 Serial ATA 6.0Gb/s connectors (7-pin SATA6G_1~6)
These connectors connect to Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s hard disk drives via Serial ATA 6.0 Gb/s signal cables.

Clear RTC RAM (2-pin CLRTC)
This header allows you to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data of the system setup information such as date, time, and system passwords.

To erase the RTC RAM:

1. Turn OFF the computer and unplug the power cord.
2. Use a metal object such as a screwdriver to short the two pins.
3. Plug the power cord and turn ON the computer.
4. Hold down the key during the boot process and enter BIOS setup to re-enter data.

If the steps above do not help, remove the onboard battery and short the two pins again to clear the CMOS RTC RAM data. After clearing the CMOS, reinstall the battery.

System panel connector (20-3 pin F_PANEL)
This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions.

• System power LED (4-pin +PWR_LED-)
  This 4-pin connector is for the system power LED. Connect the chassis power LED cable to this connector. The system power LED lights up when you turn on the system power, and blinks when the system is in sleep mode.

• Hard disk drive activity LED (2-pin +HDD_LED-)
  This 2-pin connector is for the HDD Activity LED. Connect the HDD Activity LED cable to this connector. The HDD LED lights up or flashes when data is read from or written to the HDD.

• System warning speaker (4-pin SPEAKER)
  This 4-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted system warning speaker. The speaker allows you to hear system beeps and warnings.

• ATX power button/soft-off button (2-pin PWR_SW)
  This connector is for the system power button. Pressing the power button turns the system on or puts the system in sleep or soft-off mode depending on the operating system settings. Pressing the power switch for more than four seconds while the system is ON turns the system OFF.

• Reset button (2-pin RESET)
  This 2-pin connector is for the chassis-mounted reset button for system reboot without turning off the system power.

• Chassis intrusion header (2-pin CHASSIS)
  This connector is for a chassis-mounted intrusion detection sensor or switch. Connect one end of the chassis intrusion sensor or switch cable to this connector. The chassis intrusion sensor or switch sends a high-level signal to this connector when a chassis component is removed or replaced. The signal is then generated as a chassis intrusion event.

USB 2.0 connectors (10-1 pin USB1112, USB1314)
Connect a USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis. These USB connectors comply with USB 2.0 specifications and supports up to 480Mbps connection speed.

TPM connector (14-1 pin TPM)
This connector supports a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) system, which can securely store keys, digital certificates, passwords, and data. A TPM system also helps enhance network security, protects digital identities, and ensures platform integrity.

Serial port connector (10-1 pin COM)
This connector is for a serial (COM) port. Connect the serial port module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

Mono out header (2-pin MONO_OUT)
This internal mono out header allows connection to an internal, low power speaker for basic system sound capability. The subsystem is capable of driving a speaker load of 4 Ohms at 2 Watts (rms).

Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP)
This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports HD audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector.

• We recommend that you connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector to avail of the motherboard’s high-definition audio capability.
• If you want to connect a high-definition front panel audio module to this connector, set the Front Panel Type item in the BIOS setup to [HD Audio]. By default, this connector is set to [HD Audio].

Digital audio connector (4-1 pin SPDIF_OUT)
This connector is for an additional Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) port. Connect the S/PDIF Out module cable to this connector, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.

PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x1 slots
This motherboard has two PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x1 slots that support PCI Express x1 network cards, SCSI cards, and other cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications.

PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 slots
This motherboard supports two PCI Express 3.0/2.0 x16 graphic cards that comply with the PCI Express specifications.

VGA configuration

| PCI Express operating mode
---|---
PCIe 3.0 x16_1 (gray)| PCIe 3.0 x16_2
Single VGA/PCIe card| x16 (Recommended for single N/A VGA card)
Dual VGA/PCIe cards| x16      x4

• In single VGA card mode, use the PCIe 3.0 x16_1 slot (gray) for a PCI Express x16 graphics card to get better performance.
• We recommend that you provide sufficient power when running CrossFireX™ mode.
• Connect a chassis fan to the motherboard connector labeled CHA_FAN1/2/3 when using multiple graphics cards for better thermal environment.

Rear panel connectors

1. PS/2 keyboard/mouse combo port. This port is for a PS/2 mouse or keyboard.
2. Video Graphics Adapter (VGA) port. This 15-pin port is for a VGA monitor or other VGA-compatible devices.

3. LAN (RJ-45) port. This port allows Gigabit connection to a Local Area Network (LAN) through a network hub. Refer to the table below for the LAN port LED indications. LAN port LED indications
   Activity/Link LED Speed LED

   Status| Description| Status| Description
   Off| No link| OFF| 10Mbps connection
   Orange| Linked| ORANGE| 100Mbps connection
   Orange (Blinking)| Data activity| GREEN| 1Gbps connection
   Orange (Blinking then steady)| Ready to wake up from S5 mode| |

4. Line In port (light blue). This port connects the tape, CD, DVD player, or other audio sources.
5. Line Out port (lime). This port connects a headphone or a speaker. In 4.1-channel, 5.1-channel, and 7.1-channel configurations, the function of this port becomes Front Speaker Out.
6. Microphone port (pink). This port connects a microphone.
   Refer to the audio configuration table on the next page for the function of the audio ports in 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, or 7.1-channel configuration.
   Audio 2.1, 4.1, 5.1 or 7.1-channel configuration

Port| Headset 2.1-channel| 4.1-channel| 5.1-channel| 7.1-channel
---|---|---|---|---
Light Blue (Rear panel)| Line In| Rear Speaker Out| Rear Speaker Out| Rear Speaker Out
Lime (Rear panel)| Line Out| Front Speaker Out| Front Speaker Out| Front Speaker Out
Pink (Rear panel)| Mic In| Mic In| Bass/Center| Bass/Center
Lime (Front panel)| —| —| —| Side Speaker Out

To configure a 7.1-channel audio output:
Use a chassis with HD audio module in the front panel to support a 7.1-channel audio output.

7. USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gbps) ports. These 9-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports connect to USB 3.1 Gen 1 devices.

   • USB 3.1 Gen 1 devices can only be used for data storage.
   • Due to the design of the Intel® 300 series chipset, all USB devices connected to the USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports are controlled by the xHCI controller. Some legacy USB devices must update their firmware for better compatibility.
   • We strongly recommend that you connect USB 3.1 Gen 1 devices to USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports for faster and better performance from your USB 3.1 Gen 1 devices.

8. HDMI port. This port is for a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector, and is HDCP compliant allowing playback of HD DVD, Blu-ray, and other protected content.

9. DVI-D port. This port is for any DVI-D compatible device.
   DVI-D can not be converted to output from RGB Signal to CRT and is not compatible with DVI-I.

10. USB 2.0 ports These 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are for USB 2.0/1.1 devices.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

This motherboard comes with a surface mount LGA1151 socket designed for the 9th / 8th Generation Intel® Core™, Pentium® Gold, and Celeron® processors.

Unplug all power cables before installing the CPU.

• Ensure that you install the correct CPU designed for the LGA1200 socket only. DO NOT install a CPU designed for LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155 and LGA1156 sockets on the LGA1200 socket.

• Upon purchase of the motherboard, ensure that the PnP cap is on the socket and the socket contacts are not bent. Contact your retailer immediately if the PnP cap
  is missing, or if you see any damage to the PnP cap/socket contacts/motherboard components.

• Keep the cap after installing the motherboard. ASUS will process Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) requests only if the motherboard comes with the cap on the LGA1200 socket.

• The product warranty does not cover damage to the socket contacts resulting from incorrect CPU installation/removal, or misplacement/loss/incorrect removal of the PnP cap.

Installing the CPU

Apply the Thermal Interface Material to the CPU heatsink and CPU before you install the heatsink and fan if necessary.

System memory

This motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 4 (DDR4) Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) sockets. The figure illustrates the location of the DDR4 DIMM sockets:

• You may install varying memory sizes in Channel A and Channel B. The system maps the total size of the lower-sized channel for the dual-channel configuration. Any excess memory from the higher-sized channel is then mapped for single-channel operation.
• Always install DIMMs with the same CAS latency. For optimal compatibility, we recommend that you install memory modules of the same version or date code (D/C) from the same vendor. Check with the retailer to get the correct memory modules.
• For 10th Gen Intel® processors, only Core™ i9/i7 CPUs support 2933/2800/2666/2400/2133 natively, others will run at the maximum transfer rate of DDR4 2666MHz.
• The default memory operation frequency is dependent on its Serial Presence Detect (SPD), which is the standard way of accessing information from a memory module. Under the default state, some memory modules for overclocking may operate at a lower frequency than the vendor-marked value.
• For system stability, use a more efficient memory cooling system to support a full memory load (4 DIMMs).
• Refer to www.asus.com for the latest Memory QVL (Qualified Vendors List)..

Recommended memory configurations

Installing a DIMM

To remove a DIMM

BIOS information

Managing and updating your BIOS

Save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS file to a USB flash disk in case you need to restore the BIOS in the future. Copy the original motherboard BIOS using the ASUS Update utility.

EZ Update
EZ Update is a utility that allows you to automatically update your motherboard’s software’s, drivers and the BIOS version easily. With this utility, you can also manually update the saved BIOS and select a boot logo when the system goes into POST.

To launch EZ Update, click EZ Update on the AI Suite 3 main menu bar.

EZ Update requires an Internet connection either through a network or an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

ASUS EZ Flash 3
The ASUS EZ Flash 3 feature allows you to update the BIOS without using an OS‑based utility.

• Ensure that you load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit menu. See section 2.3 Exit Menu for details.
• Check your Internet connection before updating the BIOS via the Internet.

To update the BIOS using EZ Flash 3:

1. Enter the Advanced Mode of the BIOS setup program. Go to the Tool menu to select ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility and press to enable it.

2. Follow the steps below to update the BIOS via a storage device or Internet.
   Via Storage Device

   • Insert the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS file to the USB port, then select via Storage Device.

   • Press to switch to the Drive field.

   • Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the USB flash disk that contains the latest BIOS, and then press .

   • Press to switch to the Folder Info field.

   • Press the Up/Down arrow keys to find the BIOS file, and then press to perform the BIOS update process.
     Via Internet

   • Select via Internet.

   • Press the Left/Right arrow keys to select an Internet connection method, and then press .

   • Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update.

3. Reboot the system when the update process is done.

   • ASUS EZ Flash 3 supports USB devices, such as a USB flash disk, with FAT 32/16 format and single partition only.
   • DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure!

ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 utility
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS file when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can restore a corrupted BIOS file using the motherboard support DVD or a USB flash drive that contains the updated BIOS file.

• Before using this utility, rename the BIOS file in the removable device into PB365PS.CAP.
• The BIOS file in the support DVD may not be the latest version. Download the latest BIOS file from the ASUS website at www.asus.com.

Recovering the BIOS
To recover the BIOS:

1. Turn on the system.
2. Insert the support DVD to the optical drive or the USB flash drive that contains the BIOS file to the USB port.
3. The utility automatically checks the devices for the BIOS file. When found, the utility reads the BIOS file and enters ASUS EZ Flash 3 utility automatically.
4. The system requires you to enter BIOS Setup to recover BIOS settings. To ensure system compatibility and stability, we recommend that you press to load default BIOS values.
   DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS! Doing so can cause system boot failure!

ASUS BIOS Updater
ASUS BIOS Updater allows you to update the BIOS in DOS environment.

The screen captures used in this section are for reference only and may not be exactly the same as actually shown on your computer screen.

Before updating BIOS

• Prepare the motherboard support DVD and a USB flash drive.

• Download the latest BIOS file and BIOS Updater from http://support.asus.com and save them in your USB flash drive.
  NTFS is not supported under Free DOS environment. Ensure that your USB flash drive is in single partition and in FAT32/16 format.

• Turn off the computer.

• Ensure that your computer has a DVD optical drive.

Booting the system in DOS environment
To boot the system in DOS:

1. Insert the USB flash drive with the latest BIOS file and BIOS Updater to the USB port.
2. Boot your computer then press to launch the select boot device screen.
3. When the select boot device screen appears, insert the Support DVD into the optical drive then select the optical drive as the boot device.
4. When the booting message appears, press within five (5) seconds to enter Free DOS prompt.
5. On the Free DOS prompt, type d: then press to switch the disk from Drive C (optical drive) to Drive D (USB flash drive).

Updating the BIOS file
To update the BIOS file:

1. On the FreeDOS prompt, type bupdater /g and press .

2. On the BIOS Updater screen, press to switch from Files panel to Drives panel then select D:.

3. Press to switch from Drives panel to Files panel then press <Up/Down or Home/End> keys to select the BIOS file and press .

4. After the BIOS Updater checks the selected BIOS file, select Yes to confirm the BIOS update.
   The BIOS Backup feature is not supported due to security regulations.

5. Press any key to reboot the system to automatically launch EZ Flash 3. Wait until the BIOS update is completed.
   DO NOT shut down or reset the system while updating the BIOS to prevent system boot failure.
   Ensure to load the BIOS default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit BIOS menu.

BIOS setup program

Use the BIOS Setup program to update the BIOS or configure its parameters. The BIOS screens include navigation keys and brief online help to guide you in using the BIOS Setup program.

Entering BIOS Setup at startup
To enter BIOS Setup at startup:

• Press ++ simultaneously.
• Press the reset button on the system chassis.
• Press the power button to turn the system off then back on. Do this option only if you failed to enter BIOS Setup using the first two options.

Using the power button, reset button, or the ++ keys to force reset from a running operating system can cause damage to your data or system. We recommend you always shut down the system properly from the operating system.

• The BIOS setup screens shown in this section are for reference purposes only, and may not exactly match what you see on your screen.
• Visit the ASUS website at www.asus.com to download the latest BIOS file for this motherboard.
• Ensure that a USB mouse is connected to your motherboard if you want to use the mouse to control the BIOS setup program.
• If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS setting, load the default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability. Select the Load Optimized Defaults item under the Exit menu or press hotkey .
• If the system fails to boot after changing any BIOS setting, try to clear the CMOS and reset the motherboard to the default value. See section 1.2.1 Layout contents for information on how to erase the RTC RAM

BIOS menu screen
The BIOS setup program can be used under two modes: EZ Mode and Advanced Mode. You can change modes from the Exit menu or from the Exit/Advanced Mode button in the EZ Mode/Advanced Mode screen.

EZ Mode
By default, the EZ Mode screen appears when you enter the BIOS setup program. The EZ Mode provides you an overview of the basic system information, and allows you to select the display language, system performance mode and boot device priority. To access the Advanced Mode, click Advanced Mode or press for the advanced BIOS settings.

The default screen for entering the BIOS setup program can be changed.

The boot device options vary depending on the devices you installed to the system.

Advanced Mode
The Advanced Mode provides advanced options for experienced end‑users to configure the BIOS settings. The figure below shows an example of the Advanced Mode. Refer to the following sections for the detailed configurations.

To access the EZ Mode, click EZ Mode(F7) or press .

Menu bar
The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items:

My Favorites| For saving the frequently‑used system settings and configuration
---|---
Main| For changing the basic system configuration
Ai Tweaker| For changing the overclocking settings
Advanced| For changing the advanced system settings
Monitor| For displaying the system temperature, power status, and changing the fan settings
Boot| For changing the system boot configuration
Tool| For configuring options for special functions
Exit| For selecting the exit options and loading default settings

Menu items
The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specific items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items.
The other items (My Favorites, Ai Tweaker, Advanced, Monitor, Boot, Tool, and Exit) on the menu bar have their respective menu items.

Submenu items
A greater than sign (>) before each item on any menu screen means that the item has a submenu. To display the submenu, select the item and press .

Language
This button above the menu bar contains the languages that you can select for your BIOS. Click this button to select the language that you want to display in your BIOS screen.

MyFavorites (F3)
This button above the menu bar shows all BIOS items in a Tree Map setup. Select frequently‑ used BIOS settings and save it to My Favorites menu.

Q-Fan Control (F6)
This button above the menu bar displays the current settings of your fans. Use this button to manually tweak the fans to your desired settings.

EZ Tuning Wizard (F11)
This button above the menu bar allows you to view and tweak the overclocking settings of your system. It also allows you to change the motherboard’s SATA mode from AHCI to RAID mode.

Hot keys
This button above the menu bar contains the navigation keys for the BIOS setup program. Use the navigation keys to select items in the menu and change the settings.

Search on FAQ
Move your mouse over this button to show a QR code. Scan this QR code with your mobile device to connect to the ASUS BIOS FAQ web page. You can also scan the QR code below.

Scroll bar
A scroll bar appears on the right side of a menu screen when there are items that do not fit on the screen. Press the Up/Down arrow keys or /