Motherboard headers questions

[tamethegamer]

Hello,
I have some questions about some things on my motherboard which it's manual doesn't explain or identify.

1. What is the "IB Header"?
2. There is a switch that says "EPU" under it? Is this like a quick way to get to your bios without restarting the pc?
3. What is the "TPM" header for?
4.What is the TPU switch for?
5. What is the CPU opt header for?
6. What is the "bios-FLBK" button for?
7. What is the "MemOK" button for? (obviously RAM related)

[ASUS Z87-Plus motherboard]
I know these features aren't exclusive to this board so if you do know one or two, please let me know

Sorry, I know this is a lot but now I have built my PC I can get to know my motherboard better and all of its good features.
Thanks

 

[volcanoscout]

Most of this information can be found here: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Z87PLUS/overview/

1. What is the "IB Header"? It's actually "TB" and is the Thunderbolt header (https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/ThunderboltEX_II/)

2. There is a switch that says "EPU" under it? Is this like a quick way to get to your bios without restarting the pc? No, there is a little black button labeled DirectKey that will take you to the BIOS. See #4. You can also do this with a desktop shortcut using the Asus Boot Setting software on your support CD.

3. What is the "TPM" header for? The TPM header is for a Trusted Platform Module - it works with software like BitLocker for additional data security. I haven't seen anyone use this feature outside of government work. I'm sure lots of people are, but it's not needed for your average personal computer.

4.What is the TPU switch for? The TPU switch is for automatically overclocking your hardware. The EPU switch is to change setting automatically to be more energy efficient. Don't use both of them at the same time...in fact, I don't recommend using these switches at all. You can enable the EPU function through the BIOS, and if you're going to overclock you should do that in BIOS also. Again, not at the same time

5. What is the CPU opt header for? The CPU_Opt header is a PWM fan header that is slaved to the CPU_Fan header. It's intended for CPU coolers that use two fans so you don't have to use a splitter. There are other ways to use this header, but again that's what it was designed for.

6. What is the "bios-FLBK" button for? This enables you to update to new motherboard UEFI BIOS versions even without a CPU or DRAM installed. This is used in conjunction with a USB drive and the flashback USB port on you rear I/O panel.

7. What is the "MemOK" button for? If a problem with your RAM is preventing booting pressing this button is supposed to automatically load failsafe settings to enable basic functionality.

 

[tamethegamer]

OH MY GOD!

Thank you so much!!

 

[volcanoscout]

OH MY GOD!

Thank you so much!!

De nada. Love your avatar - so appropriate for so many of us!

 

[tamethegamer]

De nada. Love your avatar - so appropriate for so many of us![/quotemsg]

I knew it was perfect for me haha!
Researching for endless hours about computer parts, how to builds, what to buys etc. I can only thank everyone on THW for all the help.
Glad it paid off because my first PC is a beaut 😉

 

[Ibwaheemi]

answer helped me give that man a cookie