EVGA 122-M2-NF59-TR User manual

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
Phone: 888 / 881-EVGA - 714 / 528-4500 - Fax: 714 / 528-4501
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USER’S MANUAL
FOR
EVGA NFORCE 590 SLI
MOTHERBOARD
MODELS: 122-M2-NF59-AX
122-M2-NF59 MANUAL - REV 1.0 - REV DATE 23 AUG 2006
Notice:
Specifications and information contained in this documentation are
furnished for informational use only, and are subject to change at any
time without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by the
manufacturer.
This manual covers the following motherboards from EVGA CORP.
122-M2-NF59-AX
CPU SUPPORT
The 122-M2-NF59-AX motherboard will support the following AMD AM2 CPUs:
• Athlon 64 FX
• Athlon 64 X2 (Dual Core)
• Athlon 64
• Sempron

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
Phone: 888 / 881-EVGA - 714 / 528-4500 - Fax: 714 / 528-4501
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Introduction to nForce 590 Motherboards 4
Motherboard Features 4
Special Features of the Motherboard 5
Specifications 6
Layout Diagram and Jumper Settings 7
Jumpers, Connectors, Headers, and Sockets 8
Hardware Installation 09
Hardware Installation Steps 09
Checking The Motherboard Jumper Settings 09
Clearing the CMOS RAM 09
Keyboard Power On Function 10
USB Power On Function 10
Installing The CPU 10
Glossary of Terms 10
About AMD Athlon64 AM2 CPUs 11
Installing Memory 12
Memory Installation Diagrams 13
Expansion Cards 14
Procedure For Expansion Card Installation 15
Assigning IRQs For Expansion Cards 15
Interrupt Request Table 15
PCI-Express Slots 15
Diagram of PCI-Express Slot Locations and Functions 16
Table of Standard IRQ Assignments 16
SLI Bridge Installation For NVIDIA SLI Cards (SLI Version Only) 17
Connectors and Headers 19
Connector Locations 19
Starting Up Your Computer 28
Beep Code Table 28
BIOS 29
Introducing BIOS 29
Entering BIOS Setup 29
Standard CMOS Features 30
Advanced BIOS Features 32
Advanced Chipset Features 33
System Clocks 34
System Voltages 35
System Monitor 41
Values and Descriptions 42
Nvidia Networking Guide 43
Configuring FirstPacket 44
Enabling FirstPacket 44
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Nvidia Networking Guide (continued)
Configuring TCP/IP Acceleration 45
Configuring Teaming 46
MediaShield RAID Manager 46
Create RAID Arrays 47
Nvidia nTune 5.0 53
Starting nTune 53
Adjust Motherboard Settings 54
Adjust GPU Settings 55
Dynamic BIOS Access 56
Tune System 56
View System Information 57
Nvidia Monitor 29
Driver Installation 59
APPENDIX 1 - POST CODES 61
Quick Debug POST Codes 61
Boot Block POST Codes 62
APPENDIX 2 - TRADEMARKS AND NOTICES 64
Copyrights, Trademarks, and Notices 64
FCC Compliance Statement 64
APPENDIX 3 - CONTACTING SUPPORT AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION 65
RAID Installation

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Introduction of nForce590Motherboards
Motherboard Features
Motherboards based on NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI x16 technology support the
innovative 64-bit AMD Athlon64 FX and dual core multi-tasking Athlon64 X2
processors with HyperTransport Technology. The SLI x16 version of the
motherboard series delivers leading-edge performance with both of the benefits
from 64-bit multi-tasking dual core AMD processors and NVIDIA Scalable Link
Interface (SLI) Technology with the latest Dual PCI-Express for NVIDIA Dual
Graphic Processing Unit ready platform. Utilizing the 64-bit multi-tasking socket
AM2 solution and dual channel DDR2 800, memory size expandable to 8.0GB,
this motherboard series meets the demands of computing in the future.
The NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI chipset offers ULTRA ATA 133 and Serial ATA
RAID 0, 1, 0+1 functions to accelerate hard disk drives and guarantee data
security without failure in advanced computing applications.
The motherboard provides dual Gigabit LAN by using two NVIDIA Giga-LAN
controllers both supporting 10M/100M/1Gbps data transfer rate and full duplex
or half duplex transportation. The embedded 8-channel AC’97 CODEC is fully
compatible with Sound Blaster ProTM standards and offers you home cinema
quality and complete software compatibility.
Two 16X PCI-Express graphics slots deliver up to 4Gbyte/sec data transfer rate
at each relative direction which is fully compatible with the latest NVIDIA SLI
Technology. And, two PCI-Express x1 slots offers expandability for future PCI-
E devices at 512Mbyte/sec concurrently, over 3.5 times more bandwidth than
PCI at 133Mbyte/sec, tackling the most demanding multimedia tasks.
The embedded USB controller has the capability to support up to 10 USB 2.0
ports, delivering 480Mb/s bandwidth each and the embedded Firewire
controller allows connection and use of IEE1394 compliant devices.

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Special Features of the Motherboard
CPU Thermal Throttling Technology
To prevent increasing heat from damaging the CPU or causing accidental
shutdown while under high workloads, the CPU Thermal Throttling Technology
will force the CPU to enter an idle mode from 87.5% to 12.5% according to
preset CPU operating temperatures in the BIOS (from 40○to 90○). When the
system senses the CPU operating temperature reaching the preset value, the
CPU operating bandwidth will be decreased to the preset idle percentage
allowing the processor to cool down. When in throttling mode, a beeper sound
can be optionally selected to indicate it has reduced the CPU performance. (for
detailed settings, please read the BIOS PDF located on the CD)
Debug Port
The embedded Hardware Debug Port offers you a real-time visual system for
monitoring of your hardware. The embedded Debug Port will turn you into a
well trained hardware professional, allowing you to diagnose many hardware
issues. (For details please refer to Appendix A)
CPU Smart Fan
It’s never been a good idea to improve system performance by sacrificing
acoustics. The CPU Smart Fan Noise Management System is the answer to
control those noise levels. The system will automatically increase the fan speed
when the CPU operating load is high, and after the CPU returns to normal
operating condition, the system will slow the fan speed down to allow for a
silent operating environment.

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Spec Description
Design ATX form factor 6 layers PCB size: 30.5 x 24.4cm
Chipset NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI X16 Technology
CPU Socket AM2
Supports 64bit AMD Athlon64 Socket AM2 processors
Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64/ and AM2 Sempron
Memory Sockets Four 240-pin DIMM slots
Support Dual-Channel DDR2 533/667/800
Supports up to 8GB DDR2 memory
Expansion Slots PCI-Express x16 slot x 2
PCI-Express x1 slot x 1
PCI-Express x4 slot x 1
32 bit PCI slots x 2
Integrated IDE and
Serial ATA RAID
One PCI IDE controller support PCI Bus Mastering, ATA PIO/DMA and the
ULTRA DMA 33/66/100/133 functions that deliver the data transfer rate up to
133 MB/s; Six Serial ATA ports provide 300 MB/sec data transfer rate for six
Serial ATA Devices and offer RAID 0, 1, 0+1 functions
LAN Integrated dual 10Mb/100Mb/ 1Gb /s NVIDIA LAN’s
8CH-Audio 8-channel AC’97 Digital HD Audio controller integrated
SPDIF-In/ SPDIF-Out Optical support
BIOS Award 4MB Flash ROM
Multi I/O PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 mouse connectors
Serial port x1
USB2.0 port x 6
Audio connector (Line-in, Line-out, MIC/ 8CH Audio)
IEEE 1394a/b Firewire Support
S/PDIF Out 1x Optical
Specifications

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Layout Diagram & Jumper Settings
1. PS/2 Mouse Port
This port is used to connect a PS/2 mouse
2. PS/2 Keyboard Port
This port is used to connect a PS/2 keyboard
3. IEEE1394b Port
This port is used to connect a 1394b device
4. USB 2.0 Ports
The six ports are used to connect USB 2.0 devices
5. LAN Ports
The left LED is no function (always off).
The right LED function sees below table
1
2
4
3
5

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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JUMPERS, CONNECTORS, HEADERS, AND SOCKETS

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Hardware Installation
Hardware Installation Steps
Before using your computer, please complete the following steps:
1. Check motherboard jumper settings
2. Install CPU and Fan
3. Install System Memory (DIMM)
4. Install Expansion cards
5. Connect IDE and Floppy cables, Front /Back Panel cables
6. Connect ATX Power cable
7. Power-On and Load Standard Default BIOS Settings
8. Reboot
9. Install Operating System
10. Install Motherboard Drivers and Utilities
Checking the Motherboard’s Jumper Settings
CMOS RAM Clear (3-pin) : JBAT
A battery must be used to retain the motherboard configuration in CMOS RAM
short 1-2 pins of JBAT to store the CMOS data.
To clear the CMOS, follow the procedure below:
1. Turn off the system and unplug the AC power
2. Remove the ATX power cable from the ATX power connector
3. Locate JBAT and short pins 2-3 for a few seconds
4. Return JBAT to its normal setting by shorting pins 1-2
5. Connect the ATX power cable back to the ATX power connector
CMOS RAM Clear Setting
2-3 closed Clear CMOS
JBAT
13
JBAT
13
1-2 closed Normal

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Install CPU
Glossary
Chipset (or core logic) - one or more integrated circuits which control the
interfaces between the system processor, RAM, I/O devises, and adapter
cards.
Processor slot/socket - the slot or socket used to mount the system processor
on the motherboard.
Slot (PCI-E, PCI, RAM) - the slots used to mount adapter cards and system
RAM.
PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect - a high speed interface for video
cards, sound cards, network interface cards, and modems; runs at 33MHz.
PCI-Express- Peripheral Component Interconnect Express- a high speed
interface for video cards, sound cards, network interface cards, and modems.
Serial Port - a low speed interface typically used for mouse and external
modems.
Parallel Port - a low speed interface typically used for printers.
PS/2 - a low speed interface used for mouse and keyboards.
USB - Universal Serial Bus - a medium speed interface typically used for
mouse, keyboards, scanners, and some digital cameras.
Sound (interface) - the interface between the sound card or integrated sound
connectors and speakers, MIC, game controllers, and MIDI sound devices.
LAN (interface) - Local Area Network - the interface to your local area network.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) - the program logic used to boot up a
computer and establish the relationship between the various components.
Driver - software, which defines the characteristics of a device for use
by another device or other software.
Processor - the "central processing unit" (CPU); the principal integrated circuit
used for doing the "computing" in "personal computer"
Front Side Bus Frequency - the working frequency of the motherboard, which
is generated by the clock generator for CPU, DRAM and PCI BUS.
CPU L2 Cache - the flash memory inside the CPU, normal it depend on CPU
type.
About AMD Athlon64 AM2 CPUs
This motherboard provides an AM2 socket surface mount, Zero Insertion Force
(ZIF) socket, referred to as the mPGA940 socket supporting AMD Athlon64
processors in the AM2 package utilizing Flip-Chip Pin Grid Array technology.

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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The CPU that you use with the motherboard should have a cooling FAN
attached to prevent overheating. If this is not the case, then purchase the
correct cooling FAN before you turn on your system. To install a CPU, locate
the ZIF socket and open it by first pulling the lever sideways away from the
socket then upward to a 90-degree angle. Insert the CPU with the correct
orientation as shown on the previous page. The notched corner should point
toward the end of the lever. Because the CPU has a corner pin for two of the
four corners, the CPU will only fit in the orientation as shown.
When you put the CPU into the ZIF socket. No force is required to insert the
CPU. Press the lever to Locate position slightly without any extra force.
Install Memory
This motherboard provides four 240-pin DDR2 DUAL INLINE MEMORY
MODULES (DIMM) slots for DDR2 memory expansion available from minimum
memory size of 256MB to maximum memory size of 8.0GB DDR SDRAM.
Valid Memory Configurations
Generally, installing DDR2 SDRAM modules to your motherboard is very
easy, you can refer to the following page to see what a 240-Pin DDR2 module
looks like.
CPU ZIF mPGAB Socket
Golden Arrow
Socket AM2
WARNING! Be sure that there is sufficient air circulation across
the processor’s heatsink and CPU cooling FAN is
working correctly, otherwise it may cause the
processor and motherboard to overheat and
damage your system, you may install an auxiliary
cooling FAN, if necessary.

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Bank 184-Pin DIMM PCS Total Memory
Bank 0, 1 (DIMM1) DDR2 533/667/800
DDR2 SDRAM Module X1 256MB~2.0GB
Bank 2, 3 (DIMM2) DDR2 533/667/800
DDR2 SDRAM Module X1 256MB~2.0GB
Bank 4, 5 (DIMM3) DDR2 533/667/800
DDR2 SDRAM Module X1 256MB~2.0GB
Bank 6,7 (DIMM4) DDR2 533/667/800
DDR2 SDRAM Module X1 256MB~2.0GB
Total System Memory (Max. 8.0GB) 4 256MB~2.0GB
For Dual Channel Memory
Dual channel only operates when 2 DIMM Modules are plugged into either
DIMM1 & DIMM3 or DIMM2 & DIMM4, or four DIMM Modules are
plugged into DIMM1~DIMM4.
DIMM1 & DIMM3, or DIMM2 & DIMM4 must be the same type, same size, and
same frequency for dual channel to function.
Note: Place Memory DIMM’s into matching color slots for Dual Channel.
Computer will not boot if RAM is in 3 and 4 only.

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Expansion Cards
WARNING! Turn off your system power when adding or removing
expansion cards or other system components. Failure
to do so may cause severe damage to both your
motherboard and expansion cards.
Procedure For Expansion Card Installation
Read the documentation for your expansion card and make any necessary
hardware or software setting for your expansion card such as jumpers.
Remove your computer’s cover and the bracket plate on the slot you intend to
use.
• Align the card’s connectors and press firmly.
• Secure the card on the slot with the screen you remove above.
• Replace the computer system’s cover.
• Set up the BIOS if necessary.
• Install the necessary software driver for your expansion card.
Assigning IRQs For Expansion Card
Some expansion cards need an IRQ to operate. Generally, an IRQ must be
exclusively assigned. In a standard design, there are 16 IRQs available but
most of them are already in use. The following table will show you the default
assignment of IRQs.
If should be noted that in most modern Plug and Play Operating Systems, that
IRQ assignment is handled by the computer itself automatically. This automatic
assignment is generally very effective and you should only have to resort to
manual assignment in the most extreme cases.

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Interrupt Request Table For This Motherboard
Interrupt requests are shared as shown in the table below:
INT A INT B INT C INT D INT E INT F INT G INT H
Slot 1 X
Slot 2 X
Slot 3 X
Onboard USB 1 X
Onboard USB 2 X
AC97/MC97 X
IMPORTANT! If using PCI cards on shared slots, make sure that
the drivers support “Shared IRQ” or that the cards
don’t need IRQ assignments. Conflicts will arise
between the two PCI groups that will make the
system unstable or cards inoperable.
PCI-Express Slots
This motherboard provides two PCI-Express slots intended for Graphics (Two
symmetrical PCI-Express x16 graphics slots deliver up to 4Gbyte/sec data
transfer rate at each relative direction which is fully compatible with the latest
NVIDIA SLI Technology [SLI version only]. There is also a x1 PCI-Express slot
and a x4 PCI-Express slot. Fully compliant to the PCI-Express Base Specifica-
tion revision 1.0a , supporting PCI-Express VGA cards, and other PCI-Express
devices.
FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
16x PCI-E
1x PCI-E
4x PCI-E
16x PCI-E

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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Standard Interrupt Assignments
IRQ Priority Standard function
0 N/A System Timer
1 N/A Keyboard Controller
2 N/A Programmable Interrupt
3 * 8 Communications Port (COM2)
4 * 9 Communications Port (COM1)
5 * 6 Sound Card (sometimes LPT2)
6 * 11 Floppy Disk Controller
7 * 7 Printer Port (LPT1)
8 N/A System CMOS/Real Time Clock
9 * 10 ACPI Mode when enabled
10 * 3 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11 * 2 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
12 * 4 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 N/A Numeric Data Processor
14 * 5 Primary IDE Channel
15 * 1 Secondary IDE Channel
* These IRQs are usually available for PCI devices.

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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SLI Bridge for NVIDIA SLI Supported VGA Cards
In order to activate the NVIDIA SLI technology (SLI version only), you have to
install the included SLI Bridge for your NVIDIA SLI Supported VGA Cards
before you can activate the advanced multi-GPU functions.
STEP 1 - Install your NVIDIA SLI Supported VGA Cards in the PCI-E x8 slots
located on the left and right, leaving the center PCI-E slot vacant.
STEP 2 - Prepare to install the SLI Bridge with your NVIDIA SLI Supported
VGA Cards

EVGA Corporation 2900 Saturn St. Suite B, Brea, CA 92821
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STEP 3 - Be careful with the pins as to not damage the adapter or graphics
cards during installation.
STEP 4 - Plug the SLI Bridge adapter onto both of the NVIDIA SLI Supported
VGA Cards

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Connectors and Headers
Connectors
Power Connector (24-pin block) : ATXPWR
ATX Power Supply connector. This is a newly defined 24-pin connector that
usually comes with an ATX case. The ATX Power Supply allows you to use soft
power on momentary switch that connects from the front panel switch to 2-pins
Power On jumper pole on the motherboard. When the power switch on the
back of the ATX power supply is turned on, the full power will not come into the
system board until the front panel switch is momentarily pressed. Press this
switch again to turn off the power to the system board.
We recommend that you use an ATX 12V Specification 2.0-compliant power
supply unit (PSU) with a minimum of 350W power rating. This type has both 24-
pin and the 4-pin power plugs needed.
If you intend to use a PSU with 20-pin and 4-pin power plugs, make sure that
the 20-pin power plug can provide at least 15A on +12V and the power supply
unit has a minimum power rating of 350W. The system may become unstable
or may not boot up if the power is inadequate.
PIN ROW1 ROW2
1 3.3V 3.3V
2 3.3V -12V
3 GND GND
4 5V Soft Power On
5 GND GND
6 5V GND
7 GND GND
8 Power OK -5V
9 +5V (for Soft Logic) +5V
10 +12V +5V
11 +12V +5V
12 +3V GND

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ATX 12V Power Connector (8-pin block) : ATX12V
This is a newly defined 8-pin connector that usually comes with the ATX Power
Supply. The ATX Power Supply which fully supports the extra 12V voltage to
maintain system power consumption. Without this connector the system will
become unstable because the power supply can not provide sufficient current
for all the system components
PS/2 Mouse & PS/2 Keyboard Connector: KB
The connectors for PS/2 keyboard and PS/2 Mouse.
LAN Port connector: UL1
This connector is standard RJ45 connector for Ethernet connections.