ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL Double Interface Expansion Card User Guide

ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL Double Interface Expansion Card

Product Information

Specifications

• Chipset: ThunderboltTM
• External Connectors: 2 x ThunderboltTM ports (0 Gb/s bandwidth on each port), 2 x DisplayPort 1.2 IN ports, 1 x 9-pin TB header
• Data Rate: Supports ThunderboltTM interface with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport (MST) compliant; supports up to three displays of DisplayPort 1.2 monitors
• Accessories: 1 x DisplayPort cable, 1 x mini DisplayPort cable, 1 x ASUS TB_Header cable**, 1 x Support CD***
• Operating Systems Supported: Compatible with various operating systems
• Form Factor: 3.35 in. x 3.94 in. (8.5 cm x 10 cm)

Features

The ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card provides ThunderboltTM connection to other Thunderbolt-enabled devices. Use this card to quickly transfer native PCIe and DisplayPort protocols between a PC and ThunderboltTM devices.

Your ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card features two ThunderboltTM ports that support ThunderboltTM 2 technology and two DisplayPort ports that support DisplayPort 1.2 specifications. The ThunderboltTM ports provide 20 Gb/s bi- directional bandwidth and incorporate DisplayPort 1.2 support, enabling transfer and display of 4K video files simultaneously. Each of the ThunderboltTM ports allows you to connect up to six Thunderbolt-enabled devices in a daisy-chain configuration using ThunderboltTM cables.

Package Contents

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

• ASUS ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card
• 1 x DisplayPort cable*
• 1 x mini DisplayPort cable*
• 1 x ASUS TB_Header cable**
• 1 x Support CD***

Compatible ASUS Motherboard Models

Refer to the ASUS website for a list of compatible ASUS motherboard models.

Product Usage Instructions

Installing the ThunderboltEX II Driver

We highly recommend that you install the ThunderboltTM 2 driver first before installing the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card. To install the driver, place the Support DVD into the optical drive, then follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Installing the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL Card

To install the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card:

1. Shut down your PC.
2. Open the chassis.
3. Ensure that no cables or peripherals are blocking the PCIE .0 slot.
4. Align and insert the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card into a PCIE .0 slot until it is securely seated in place.

ThunderboltEX II/DUAL specifications summary

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

• Use only Thunderbolt™ technology-enabled devices that passed the Intel® validation to ensure optimum performance and compatibility with your ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card.
• Ensure your monitor complies with DisplayPort 1.2 specifications if
  you want to connect them in a daisy-chain configuration using the Thunderbolt™ 2 port.

ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card layout

1. Thunderbolt™ 2 ports 1 and 2
2. DisplayPort IN ports 1 and 2
3. PCIE 2.0 interface
4. LED indicator
5. TB_Header

Installing the ThunderboltEX II driver

We highly recommend that you install the Thunderbolt™ 2 driver first before installing the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card.

To install the driver, place the Support DVD into the optical drive then follow on-screen instructions to finish the installation.

Installing the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card

• Before installing the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card in your motherboard, ensure that you have an available PCIE 2.0 x16 slot connected to the platform controller hub (PCH). For more information on the correct PCIE 2.0 slot to use, refer to the section ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card recommended configuration of this user guide.
• The following illustrations are for reference only. The motherboard layout may vary with models, but the installation steps remain the same.

To install ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card:

1. Shut down your PC.

2. Open the chassis.
   Ensure that no cables or peripherals are blocking the PCIE 2.0 slot.

3. Align and insert the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card into a PCIE 2.0 slot until it is securely seated in place.

4. Connect the ASUS TB_Header cable to the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card (A) and to the TB_Header port on the motherboard (B).
   When the red LED on the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card is on, it indicates that a cable is disconnected. Refer to the section ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card layout of this user guide for the location of the LED indicator.

5. Connect the DisplayPort cable and the mini DisplayPort cable to the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card’s DisplayPort IN ports (A) to the DisplayPort (B) and the mini DisplayPort
   (C) on the motherboard’s I/O port.

6. Close the chassis.

7. Turn on the PC.

8. Connect the Thunderbolt™ cable from your Thunderbolt-enabled device to the Thunderbolt™ 2 port on the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card.

9. The Thunderbolt™ cable is not bundled with the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL package. Use the Thunderbolt™ cable that came with your Thunderbolt-enabled device when connecting to the Thunderbolt™ 2 port on your ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card.

10. The two Thunderbolt™ 2 port of the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card is backward compatible with the previous Thunderbolt™ technology.

11. For the recommended daisy-chain configurations or connections, refer to the section Connecting to external devices of this user guide.

ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card recommended configuration

Update the BIOS of your motherboard and the VGA driver to the latest version. Go to www.asus.com for more information.

If you install an add-on VGA card, ensure to set the BIOS item iGPU Multi Monitor to Enable. Refer to the chapter BIOS setup of your motherboard’s user guide for more information.

Connecting to external devices

Before connecting any Thunderbolt-enabled devices in a daisy-chain configuration, ensure that it is equipped with one Thunderbolt™ IN port and one Thunderbolt™ OUT port.

Single-port configuration
You can refer to the following recommended daisy-chain connections for a single-port configuration.

You can use either of the Thunderbolt™ 2 port on the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card for the following connections.

Notices

Federal Communications Commission Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• 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. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference 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:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to 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.

The use of shielded cables for connection of the monitor to the graphics card
is required to assure compliance with FCC regulations. Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

IC: Canadian Compliance Statement

Complies with the Canadian ICES-003 Class B specifications. This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada. This Class B device meets all the requirements of the Canadian interference-causing equipment regulations.
This device complies with Industry Canada license exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Canadian Department of Communications Statement

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

REACH

Complying with the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulatory framework, we published the chemical substances in our products at ASUS REACH website at http://csr.asus.com/english/REACH.htm.

DO NOT throw the motherboard in municipal waste. This product has been designed to enable proper reuse of parts and recycling. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product (electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.

DO NOT throw the mercury-containing button cell battery in municipal waste. This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the battery should not be placed in municipal waste.

ASUS Recycling/Takeback Services

ASUS recycling and takeback programs come from our commitment to the highest standards for protecting our environment. We believe in providing solutions for you to be able to responsibly recycle our products, batteries, other components as well as the packaging materials. Please go to http://csr.asus.com/english/Takeback.htm for detailed recycling information in different regions.

ASUS contact information

ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.

Address 15 Li-Te Road, Peitou, Taipei, Taiwan 11259
Telephone +886-2-2894-3447
Fax +886-2-2890-7798
E-mail info@asus.com.tw
Web site http://www.asus.com
Technical Support
Telephone +86-21-3842-9911
Fax +86-21-5866-8722, ext. 9101#
Online support http://support.asus.com/techserv/techserv.aspx

ASUS COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL (America)

Address 800 Corporate Way, Fremont, CA 94539, USA
Telephone +1-510-739-3777
Fax +1-510-608-4555
Web site http://usa.asus.com
Technical Support
Telephone +1-812-284-0883
Support fax +1-812-282-2787
Online support http://support.asus.com/techserv/techserv.aspx

ASUS COMPUTER GmbH (Germany and Austria)

Address Harkort Str. 21-23, 40880 Ratingen, Germany
Fax +49-2102-959931
Web site http://www.asus.com/de
Online contact http://eu-rma.asus.com/sales

Technical Support

Telephone +49-2102-5789555
Support Fax +49-2102-959911
Online support http://support.asus.com/techserv/techserv.aspx

EC Declaration of Conformity

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the purpose of the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card?

A: The ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card provides ThunderboltTM connection to other Thunderbolt-enabled devices and allows for quick transfer of native PCIe and DisplayPort protocols between a PC and ThunderboltTM devices.

Q: How many ThunderboltTM devices can I connect using the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card?

A: Each ThunderboltTM port on the card allows you to connect up to six Thunderbolt-enabled devices in a daisy-chain configuration.

Q: What is the maximum resolution supported by the ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card?

A: The ThunderboltEX II/DUAL card supports a maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz or 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz for DisplayPort 1.2 monitors.

Q: How do I install the ThunderboltEX II driver?

A: The ThunderboltEX II driver can be installed by placing the Support DVD into the optical drive and following the on-screen instructions.

References

• Global Take Back Service | Resource Regeneration | Circular Economy | ASUS ESG website, ASUS ESG goal
• ASUS Global
• ASUS Deutschland
• Manual-Hub.com – Free PDF manuals!

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