Gigabyte GA-7VTXE+ User manual

The author assumes no responsibility for any errors
or omissions that may appear in this document nor
does the author make a commitment to up
date the information contained herein.
Third-party brands and names are the property of
their respective owners.
Please do not remove any labels on motherboard, this
may void the warranty of this motherboard.
Due to rapid change in technology, some of the
specifications might be out of date before pwblicution
of this booklet.
Before you install PCI cards, please remove the Dual
BIOS label from PCI slots if there is one.

USER’S MANUAL
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH
AMD Socket A Processor Motherboard
AMDAthlon™/Athlon™XP/Duron™SocketAProcessorMotherboard
Rev.1.0ThirdEdition
12ME-7VTXE-1003

4
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
Table of Content
Revision History.....................................................................................6
Item Checklist .........................................................................................6
WARNING!...............................................................................................7
Chapter 1 Introduction.............................................................................8
Summary of Features .................................................................................. 8
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard Layout ............................................10
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation Process.............................................. 11
Step 1: Install the Central Processing Unit (CPU).....................................12
Step1-1:CPUSpeedSetup ............................................................................................ 12
Step1-2:CPUInstallation ................................................................................................ 13
Step1-3:CPUHeat SinkInstallation................................................................................. 14
Step 2: Install memory modules................................................................15
Step 3: Install expension cards .................................................................17
Step 4: Connect ribbon cables, cabinet wires, and power supply ...........18
Step4-1:I/OBackPanelIntroduction ................................................................................ 18
Step4-2:ConnectorsIntroduction ..................................................................................... 20
Chapter 3 BIOS Setup ..........................................................................24
The Main Menu (For example: BIOS Ver. :F1).........................................25
Standard CMOS Features.........................................................................27
BIOS Features Setup.................................................................................30
Chipset Features Setup.............................................................................32
Power Management Setup .......................................................................36

5
Table of Content
PNP/PCI Configuration..............................................................................39
Load Fail-Safe Defaults.............................................................................41
Load Optimized Defaults...........................................................................42
Integrated Peripherals ...............................................................................43
Hardware Monitor & MISC Setup..............................................................46
Set Supervisor / User Password ................................................................47
IDE HDD Auto Detection............................................................................48
Save & Exit Setup....................................................................................... 49
Exit Without Saving ....................................................................................50
Chapter 4 Technical Reference ............................................................51
Block Diagram...........................................................................................51
Dual BIOS Introduction..............................................................................52
Four Speaker & SPDIF Introduction(For GA-7VTXH Only)......................60
@ BIOS Introduction..................................................................................64
Easy TuneIIITM Introduction .......................................................................65
Chapter 5 Appendix..............................................................................66

6
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
TheGA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXHmotherboard
IDE cable x 1/ Floppy cable x 1
CDformotherboarddriver&utility(VUCD)
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXHuser’smanual
USB Cable (only for GA-7VTXH)
Revision History
Item Checklist
Revision RevisionNote Date
1.0 InitialreleaseoftheGA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXHmotherboarduser'smanual. Sep.2001
1.0 SecondreleaseoftheGA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXHmotherboarduser'smanual. Oct.2001
1.0 ThirdreleaseoftheGA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXHmotherboarduser'smanual. Nov.2001

7
WARNING!
Computermotherboardsand expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips.To
protectthemagainstdamagefromstaticelectricity,youshouldfollowsomeprecautionswheneveryou
workonyour computer.
1. Unplugyourcomputerwhenworkingontheinside.
2. Useagroundedwriststrapbeforehandlingcomputercomponents.Ifyoudonothave
one,touchbothofyourhandstoasafelygroundedobjectortoametalobject,suchas
thepowersupplycase.
3. Holdcomponentsbythe edgesandtrynottouch theICchips,leadsor connectors,or
othercomponents.
4. Placecomponentsonagroundedantistaticpadoronthebagthatcamewiththe
componentswheneverthecomponentsareseparatedfromthesystem.
5. EnsurethattheATXpowersupply isswitchedoffbeforeyoupluginor removetheATX
powerconnectoronthemotherboard.
Ifthemotherboardhasmountingholes,buttheydon’tlineupwiththeholesonthebaseandthereare
noslotstoattachthespacers,donotbecomealarmedyoucanstillattachthespacerstothemounting
holes.Justcutthebottomportionofthespacers(thespacermaybealittlehardtocutoff,sobecareful
ofyourhands).Inthiswayyoucanstillattachthemotherboardtothebasewithoutworryingaboutshort
circuits.Sometimesyoumayneedtousetheplasticspringstoisolatethescrewfromthemotherboard
PCBsurface,becausethecircuitwiremaybenearbythehole.Becareful,don’tletthescrewcontact
anyprintedcircuitwriteorpartsonthePCBthatarenearthefixinghole,otherwiseitmaydamagethe
boardorcauseboardmalfunctioning.
Installing the motherboard to the chassis…
WARNING!

8
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
FormFactor 30.4cm x 20.5cmATX size form factor, 4 layers PCB.
Motherboard GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXHMotherboard
CPU Socket Aprocessor
AMD AthlonTM/AthlonTM XP/ DuronTM (K7)
128KL1& 256K/64K L2cacheondie
200/266MHz FSB and DDR bus speeds (PCI 33MHz)
Supports1.4GHzandfaster
Chipset VIAKT266AMemory/AGP/PCI Controller (PAC)
VIAVT8233IntegratedPeripheralController(PSIPC)
Memory 3184-pinDDRsockets
SupportsDDR DRAM PC1600/PC2100
Supportsupto3.0GB DDR (Max)
Supports only 2.5V DDR DIMM
I/OControl IT8705
Slots 1AGPslotsupports4X/2Xmode&AGP2.0 Compliant
5 PCI slots supports 33MHz & PCI 2.2 compliant
On-BoardIDE 2IDEbusmaster(ATA66/ATA100)IDE portsforupto4
ATAPI devices
SupportsPIOmode3,4(/ATA66/ATA100)IDE &ATAPI
CD-ROM
On-BoardPeripherals 1 Floppy port supports 2 FDDwith360K,720K,1.2M,1.44M
and 2.88M bytes.
1Parallelportsupports Normal/EPP/ECP mode
1 Serial port (COMA & COMB)
4 USB ports (Rear USB x 2, Front USB x 2)
1IrDA connectorforIR
HardwareMonitor CPU/SystemFanRevolutiondetect
CPU/Systemtemperaturedetect
SystemVoltageDetect
Chapter 1 Introduction
tobecontinued......
Summary of Features

9
Introduction
Pleasesetthe CPUhostfrequency inaccordancewithyour processor’s specifications.
Wedon’t recommendyoutosetthe systembusfrequencyovertheCPU’sspecification
becausethesespecificbusfrequenciesarenotthestandardspecificationsforCPU,
chipsetandmostoftheperipherals.Whetheryoursystemcanrununder thesespecific
busfrequenciesproperlywilldepend onyourhardwareconfigurations,includingCPU,
Chipsets,SDRAM,Cards….etc.
On-Board Sound CreativeCT5880 SoundChip*
AC97 CODEC
LineIn/Line Out/Mic In/CD In/Game Port
On-Board LAN BuildinRTL8100LChipset*
PS/2Connector PS/2 KeyboardinterfaceandPS/2Mouseinterace
BIOS Licensed AMI BIOS, 2M bit Flash ROM
SupportDualBIOS
AdditionalFeatures STR(Suspend-To-RAM)
Wake on LAN**
AC Recovery
USB KB/Mouse wake up from S3
Supports @BIOSTM
SupportsEasyTuneIIITM
"*"Only for GA-7VTXH.
"**"Onlyfor GA-7VTXE.

10
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard Layout
"*"Only for GA-7VTXH.
"**"Onlyfor GA-7VTXE.
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH
MS_KB
CK_RATIO*
COMA
LPT
GAME
LINE_OUT
MIC_IN USB
IT8705
AC97
CT5880*
F_PANEL
BATTERY
Backup
BIOS
SYS
FAN
VT8233
KT266A
SOCKETA
CPU
FAN
ATX
FLOPPY
IDE1
IDE2
PCI1
PCI2
PCI3
RTL8100*
PCI4
DDR1
AGP
CLK_JP
USB1
LINE_IN
LAN*
COMB
CD_IN
PCI5
IR
MAIN
BIOS
DDR2 DDR3
WOL**

11
Hardware Installation Process
Tosetupyourcomputer,youmustcompletethefollowingsetups:
Step1-SetDipSwitch(CK_RATIO)*andsystemJumper(CLK_JP)
Step2-InstalltheCentralProcessingUnit(CPU)
Step3-Installmemorymodules
Step4-Installexpansioncards
Step5-Connect ribboncables,cabinet wires,andpowersupply
Step6-SetupBIOSsoftware
Step7-Installsupportingsoftwaretools
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation Process
"*"Only for GA-7VTXH.
Step 5
Step 1*
Step 4
Step 5
Step 5
Step 5
Step 1
Step 2 Step 3

12
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
Step 1: Install the Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Step1-1: CPU Speed Setup
"*" CK_RATIO only for GA-7VTXH.
Theclockratio canbeswitchedby CK_RATIOandrefer to below table.
1
1CLK_JP
RATIO 1 2 3 4 5
AUTO(Default) X X X X O
5x O O X O X
5.5x X O X O X
6x O X X O X
6.5x X X X O X
7x O O O X X
7.5x X O O X X
8x O X O X X
8.5x X X O X X
9x O O X X X
9.5x X O X X X
10x O X X X X
10.5x X X X X X
11x O O O O X
11.5x X O O O X
12x O X O O X
>=12.5x X X O O X
O: ON / X :OFF
CPU AGP PCI
100 66 33 2-3close
133 66 33 1-2close
1
ON
234
CK_RATIO*
5
Thesystembusfrequencycanbeswitchedat100/
133MHzby adjusting system jumper (CLK_JP).
(TheinternalfrequencydependonCPU.)

13
Hardware Installation Process
Step1-2: CPU Installation
CPU Top View CPU Bottom View
Socket Actuation Lever
1. Pull up the CPU socket level
andupto90-degreeangle.
Pin1 indicator
2. LocatePin1inthesocketandlook
fora(golden)cutedgeontheCPU
uppercorner.TheninserttheCPU
intothesocket.
Please make sure the CPU type is supported by the motherboard.
If you do not match the CPU socket Pin 1 and CPU cut edge well, it will cause
improper installation. Please change the insert orientation.

14
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
Step1-3:CPU Heat Sink Installation
3. Fastentheheatsinksupporting-base
ontothe CPUsocketonthemain-
board.
2. Usequalified fan approved by AMD.
4. Make sure the CPU fan is
pluggedtotheCPUfan connector,
thaninstallcomplete.
1. Press down the CPU socket
leverand finishCPUinstallation.
Please use AMD approved cooling fan.
We recommend you to apply the thermal paste to provide better heat
conduction between your CPU and heatsink.
Make sure the CPU fan power cable is plugged in to the CPU fan connector,
this completes the installation.
Please refer to CPU heat sink user’s manual for more detail installation
procedure.

15
Hardware Installation Process
Step 2: Install memory modules
Themotherboardhas3dualinlinememorymodule(DIMM)sockets.TheBIOSwillautomatically
detectsmemorytypeandsize.Toinstallthememorymodule,justpushitverticallyintotheDIMMSlot.
TheDIMMmodule can only fit in one direction dueto thenotch. Memory sizecan varybetween
sockets.
Total Memory Sizes With Registered DDRDIMM
Devices used on DIMM 1 DIMMx64/x72 2 DIMMsx64/x72 3 DIMMsx64/x72
64 Mbit (4Mx4x4 banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
64 Mbit (2Mx8x4 banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
64 Mbit(1Mx16x4 banks) 64 MBytes 128 MBytes 192 MBytes
128 Mbit(8Mx4x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
128 Mbit(4Mx8x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
128Mbit(2Mx16x4banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
256Mbit(16Mx4x4banks) 1 GBytes 2 GBytes 3 GBytes
256 Mbit(8Mx8x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
256Mbit(4Mx16x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
512Mbit(16Mx8x4banks) 1 GBytes 2 GBytes 3 GBytes
512Mbit(8Mx16x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
Total Memory Sizes With UnbufferedDDRDIMM
Devices used on DIMM 1 DIMMx64/x72 2 DIMMsx64/x72 3 DIMMsx64/x72
64 Mbit (2Mx8x4 banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
64 Mbit(1Mx16x4 banks) 64 MBytes 128 MBytes 192 MBytes
128 Mbit(4Mx8x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
128Mbit(2Mx16x4banks) 128 MBytes 256 MBytes 384 MBytes
256 Mbit(8Mx8x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes
256Mbit(4Mx16x4banks) 256 MBytes 512 MBytes 768 MBytes
512Mbit(16Mx8x4banks) 1 GBytes 2 GBytes 3 GBytes
512Mbit(8Mx16x4banks) 512 MBytes 1 GBytes 1.5 GBytes

16
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
DDR
When STR/DIMM LED is ON, do not install/remove DDR from socket.
1. TheDIMM slot hasanotch,so the
DIMMmemorymodule can onlyfitinone direction.
2. InserttheDIMMmemorymoduleverticallyintothe
DIMMslot.Thenpushitdown.
3. ClosetheplasticclipatbothedgesoftheDIMMslots
tolocktheDIMMmodule.
Reversetheinstallationsteps when youwishto
removetheDIMMmodule.
EstablishedontheexistingSDRAMindustryinfrastructure,DDR(DoubleDataRate)memoryisa
highperformanceandcost-effectivesolutionthatallowseasyadoptionformemoryvendors,OEMsand
systemintegrators.
DDR memory is a sensible evolutionary solution for the PC industry that builds on the existing
SDRAMinfrastructure,yetmakesawesomeadvancesinsolvingthesystemperformancebottleneckby
doublingthememorybandwidth.DDRSDRAMwill offer a superior solution and migration pathfrom
existing SDRAM designs due to its availability, pricing and overall market support. PC2100 DDR
memory(DDR266)doublesthedataratethroughreadingandwritingatboththerisingandfallingedgeof
theclock,achievingdatabandwidth2XgreaterthanPC133whenrunningwiththesameDRAMclock
frequency.Withpeakbandwidthof 2.1GB per second, DDRmemoryenablessystemOEMsto build
highperformanceandlowlatencyDRAMsubsystemsthataresuitableforservers,workstations,high-
end PC's and value desktop SMAsystems. With a core voltage of only 2.5 Volts compared to
conventionalSDRAM's3.3volts,DDRmemoryisacompellingsolutionforsmallformfactordesktops
andnotebookapplications.
DDR Introduction

17
Hardware Installation Process
Step 3: Install expension cards
1. Readtherelatedexpansioncard’sinstructiondocumentbeforeinstalltheexpansioncardinto
thecomputer.
2. Removeyourcomputer’schassiscover,necessaryscrewsandslotbracketfromthecomputer.
3. Presstheexpansioncardfirmlyintoexpansionslotinmotherboard.
4. Besurethemetalcontactsonthecardareindeedseatedintheslot.
5. Replacethescrewtosecuretheslotbracketoftheexpansioncard.
6. Replaceyourcomputer’schassiscover.
7. Poweron the computer, if necessary, setupBIOSutilityofexpansioncardfrom BIOS.
8. Installrelateddriverfromtheoperatingsystem.

18
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
Step 4: Connect ribbon cables, cabinet wires, and power
supply
Step4-1:I/O Back Panel Introduction
PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Connector
ThisconnectorsupportsstandardPS/2keyboard
andPS/2mouse.


USB & LAN Connector Beforeyouconnectyourdevice(s)intoUSB
connector(s),pleasemakesureyourdevice(s)
suchas USB keyboard,mouse, scanner, zip,
speaker..etc.HaveastandardUSBinterface.Also
makesureyourOS(Win95withUSBsupplement,
Win98,Windows 2000, Windows ME, Win NT
with SP 6) supports USB controller. If your OS
doesnotsupportUSBcontroller,pleasecontact
OSvendorforpossiblepatchordriverupgrade.
FormoreinformationpleasecontactyourOSor
device(s)vendors.
USB 0
USB 1
LAN*
PS/2MouseConnector
(6pinFemale)
PS/2KeyboardConnector
(6pinFemale)
"*"Only for GA-7VTXH.

19
Hardware Installation Process
Game /MIDI Ports
Audio Connectors
Thisconnectorsupportsjoystick,MIDIkeyboard
andotherrelateaudiodevices.
Afterinstallonboard audio driver, youmay
connectspeakertoLineOutjack,microphoneto
MICInjack.DevicelikeCD-ROM,walkman etc
canbeconnectedtoLine-Injack.
LineIn
MIC In
LineOut
Parallel Port , Serial Ports (COMA / COMB)
Thisconnectorsupports2standardCOM ports
,1Parallelport.Devicelike printercanbe con
nectedtoParallelport;mouseandmodemetc
canbeconnectedtoSerialports.
Joystick/MIDI (15 pin Female)
ParallelPort
(25pinFemale)
COMA
SerialPort (9pinMale)
COMB

20
GA-7VTXE/GA-7VTXH Motherboard
Step4-2: Connectors Introduction
"**"Onlyfor GA-7VTXE.
A) CPUFAN F) F_Panel
B) SYS FAN G) USB1
C) ATX H) WOL**
D) Floppy/IDE1/IDE2 I) IR
E) Battery J) CD_IN
AB
C
D
E
J
F
G
H**
I