Gigabyte GV-N250-1GI User manual

GV-N250-1GI
NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTS 250 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 101
12MM-N250GI-101R
Copyright
©2009GIGABYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmay bereproducedortransmitted
inany formwithout theexpressed, writtenpermission ofGBT.
Trademarks
Third-partybrandsandnamesarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
Notice
Pleasedo notremove any labels on this graphics card. Doing so may void the warranty of this card.
Duetorapidchangeintechnology,someofthespecificationsmightbeoutofdatebeforepublicationofthisthismanual.
Theauthorassumesnoresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissionsthatmayappearinthisdocumentnordoestheauthor
makeacommitmenttoupdatetheinformationcontainedherein.
Macrovision corporation product notice:
ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbyU.S.patentsandotherintellectualproperty
rights.UseofthiscopyrightprotectiontechnologymustbeauthorizedbyMacrovision,andisintendedforhomeandother
limitedviewingusesonlyunlessotherwiseauthorizedbyMacrovision.Reverseengineeringordisassemblyisprohibited.
Copyright
©2009GIGABYTETECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmay bereproducedortransmitted
inany formwithout theexpressed, writtenpermission ofGBT.
Trademarks
Third-partybrandsandnamesarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
Notice
Pleasedo notremove any labels on this graphics card. Doing so may void the warranty of this card.
Duetorapidchangeintechnology,someofthespecificationsmightbeoutofdatebeforepublicationofthisthismanual.
Theauthorassumesnoresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissionsthatmayappearinthisdocumentnordoestheauthor
makeacommitmenttoupdatetheinformationcontainedherein.
Macrovision corporation product notice:
ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbyU.S.patentsandotherintellectualproperty
rights.UseofthiscopyrightprotectiontechnologymustbeauthorizedbyMacrovision,andisintendedforhomeandother
limitedviewingusesonlyunlessotherwiseauthorizedbyMacrovision.Reverseengineeringordisassemblyisprohibited.

VGA Card
GV-N250-1GI
Dec.03,2009
Dec.03,2009
VGA Card
GV-N250-1GI

- 3 -
Table of Contents
1.Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4
1.1.Features ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.MinimumSystemRequirements .................................................................................... 4
2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 5
2.1.BoardLayout ................................................................................................................. 5
2.2.HardwareInstallation......................................................................................................7
3.SoftwareInstallation.................................................................................................... 9
3.1.DriverandUtilityInstallation........................................................................................... 9
3.1.1. Driver Installation ........................................................................................................... 9
3.1.2. GIGABYTE Gamer HUD Lite on Driver Disk ............................................................11
3.2. DisplayPropertiesPages ........................................................................................ 13
3.3. Accessing NVIDIA Control Panel............................................................................ 14
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 22
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 23
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 23
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTables ............................................................................. 24
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 26

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
•Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTS 250 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
•Supports PCI Express 2.0
•Integratedwith 1 GBGDDR3 memory(For GV-N250-1GIonly)
•SupportsDirectX10
•SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable LinkInterface) technology(Note)
•Supports1HDMIconnector
•Supports1D-Subconnector
•Supports1DVI-Iconnectors
•SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Intel®Pentium®/CoreTM 2orAMDAthlonTM/PhenomTM
- 128MB ofsystemmemory; 2GB or morefor bestperformance
- Opticaldrive forsoftwareinstallation (CD-ROMor DVD-ROMdrive)
- A450Wattpowersupplyspecificationoraboveisrecommended
•OperatingSystem
- Windows®7
- Windows®Vista
- Windows®XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- Windows®XPProfessionalx64 Edition

- 5 - Hardware Installation
2. Hardware Installation
2.1. Board Layout
DVI-I Connector
D-Sub monitor Connector
(15-pin)
HDMI Connector
SLI Connector
DVI-I
Connector
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
HDMI TV
AnalogLCDMonitor AnalogMonitor
or
HDMI Connector
D-Submonitor
Connector
(15-pin)

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
Expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To
protectthemagainstdamagefromstaticelectricity,youshouldfollowsome
precautions whenever you work on your computer.
1. Turnoffyour computer and unplug power supply.
2. Useagroundedwriststrapbeforehandlingcomputercomponents.Ifyoudonot
haveone,touchbothofyourhandstoasafelygroundedobjectortoametalobject,
suchasthepowersupply case.
3. Placecomponentsonagroundedantistaticpadoronthebagthatcamewiththe
componentswheneverthecomponentsareseparatedfromthesystem.
Thecardcontainssensitiveelectriccomponents,whichcanbeeasilydamagedbystatic
electricity,sothecardshouldbeleftinitsoriginalpackinguntilitisinstalled.
Unpackingandinstallationshouldbedoneonagroundedanti-staticmat.Theoperator
shouldbewearingananti-staticwristband,groundedatthesamepointastheanti-static
mat.
Inspectthecardcartonforobviousdamage.Shippingandhandlingmaycausedamage
toyour card. Be sure therearenoshippingand handling damages on thecardbefore
proceeding.
DO NOTAPPLY POWER TO YOUR SYSTEM IF THE GRAPHICS CARD IS
DAMAGED.
In order to ensure that your graphics card can work correctly, please use
official GIGABYTE BIOS only. Using non-official GIGABYTE BIOS might
cause problem(s) on the graphics card.

- 7 - Hardware Installation
2.2. Hardware Installation
Now that you have prepared your computer, you are ready to install your graphics card.
Step 1.
Locate the PCI Express x16 slot. If necessary, remove the
metal cover from this slot; then align your graphics card with
the PCI Express x16 slot, and press it in firmly until the card is
fully seated.
Step 2.
Replace the screw to fasten the card in place, and replace the
computer cover.
Makesurethatthegoldedgeconnectorofthegraphicscardissecurely
inserted.
Step 3.
Plug the display cable into your card; then turn on the computer
and monitor. To connect a D-Sub monitor to your graphics card,
use the D-Sub connector. To connect a flat panel display to your
graphics card, use the DVI-I connector. To connect an HDMI
monitor to your graphics card, use the HDMI connector.
Connecta flat panel display
ConnectaD-Submonitor
ConnectanHDMImonitor
To Flat Panel DisplayToD-SubMonitorToHDMIMonitor

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please refer to next
chapter for detailed instructions.
Step 4.
To connect an HDMI TV, follow the steps below to enable the S/PDIF in function for the graphics card.
1.
Connect the provided S/PDIF cable to the graphics
card.
2.
Connect the S/PDIF cable to the motherboard.
(the red wire connects to the S/PDIF out pin and
the black to the Ground pin)

- 9 - Software Installation
3. Software Installation
Notice the following guidelines before installing the drivers:
1. First make sure your system has installed DirectX 9 or later version.
2. Make sure your system has installed the appropriate motherboard drivers (for the motherboard
drivers, please contact the motherboard manufacturer.)
3.1. Driver and Utility Installation
3.1.1. Driver Installation
After installing the operating system, insert the driver disk into your optical drive. The driver Autorun
screen is automatically displayed which looks like that shown in the screen shot below. (If the driver
Autorun screen does not appear automatically, go to My Computer, double-click the optical drive and
execute the setup.exe program.)
For software MPEG support in Windows XP, you must install DirectX first. Users who run
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or above do not need to install DirectX separately.
Step 1:
Click the Install Display Driver item.
Step 2:
Click the Next button.

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
The system is installing the components.
Step 4:
Click the Finish button to restart the computer.
Then the driver installation is completed.
Step 3:
Click the Yes button.

- 11 - Software Installation
3.1.2. GIGABYTE Gamer HUD Lite on Driver Disk
Step 1:
Click the GIGABYTE Gamer HUD Lite item.
Step 2:
Choose the language for the installation and click the OK button.
Step 3:
Click the Next button. Step 4: Click the Install button.
The system is installing the components. Step 5:
Click the Finish button. Then the installation of
the GIGABYTE Gamer HUD Lite is completed.

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
GIGABYTEGamerHUD Lite
The GIGABYTE Gamer HUD Lite allows you to adjust the voltage of your graphics card and the working
frequency of the GPU, Shader, and video memory.
(Note) This item is configurable only if 2D/3D Auto-Optimized is set to Disable.
Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to your system and reduce
the useful life of the system components.
Button Function
Default(Note) Allows you to load the default settings
Apply(Note) Allows you to save the values you adjust
Enable Lets the utility optimize the voltage and GPU/Shader/memory frequency
settings
Disable Allows you to manually configure the voltage and GPU/Shader/Memory
frequency settings
Hardware Monitor Displays the GPU usage and temperature, the GPU usage/thermal curve,
and your graphics card information
? Opens Help page
Clockadjustment(Note)
Enablesmanualadjustment
ofthevoltage/frequency
Automatically
optimizesthe
voltage/frequency
Displaysthe
currentoperating
frequency Hardware
Monitor
Helppage

- 13 - Software Installation
You can move the slider to change the resolution.
You can click the item to change the color quality.
Click the Advanced button for advanced settings.
3.2. Display Properties Pages
Display Settings (Resolutions and Color Quality for Windows)
To access Display Settings page, right-click on desktop and select Personalize, then the Personalization
windows will show up. Select Display Settings to adjust the screen resolution and color quality settings.

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
Or you can right-click on the desktop and select Personalize, and then the Control Panel\Appearance
Personalization\Personalization window will show up. Select Display Settings. When the Display
Settings dialog box appears, click Advanced Settings.
After clicking the Advanced Settings button in Display Settings, you'll see the Generic PnP
Monitor and NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 Properties dialog box. Click the GeForce GTS 250 tab to
access the NVIDIA Control Panel.
3.3. Accessing NVIDIA Control Panel
After installation of the display driver, right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel. The
NVIDIA Control Panel is used to configure all your graphics card settings.
Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
On the GeForce GTS 250 tab page, click Start the NVIDIA
Control Panel to launch the NVIDIA Control Panel.

- 15 - Software Installation
Select the view of the NVIDIA Control Panel that is
most appropriate for you.
Standard Settings
Advanced Settings
The following pages provide details on configuring
advanced settings.
In the NVIDIA Control Panel, select a category to
alter specific NVIDIA display settings.
The categories are:
3D Settings
Display
Video & Television
In the NVIDIA Control Panel, change a view if you
want.
The supported modes are:
Standard
Advanced
Custom

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
AdjustImage SettingswithPreview
If you are unfamiliar with 3D technology or not
an advanced graphics user, use the Adjust
Image Settings with Preview page to preview
any changes you make for improved image
quality and rendering.
Manage3DSettings(Note 1)
The Manage 3D Settings page enables you to
establish default 3D settings to use for all your
Direct3D or OpenGL applications and to estab-
lish a unique set of 3D settings for a particular
game or application.
SetSLIConfiguration(Note 2)
SLI technology allows you to use two or more
GPUs together. This results in significant im-
provements in rendering performance and
image quality.
Note:
It is recommended that you set to Enable SLI
technology to enhance the graphics card's
performance.
(Note 1) This item is present only in Advanced view mode.
(Note 2) This item will show up when you install two graphics cards with the same model name and
from the same vendor.
3D Settings
Tasks in the 3D Settings pages allow you to do the following:
• Change the image and rendering settings of your 3D applications and games that utilize Direct3D and
OpenGL technology.
• Override the shipped clocked frequencies of your GPU and GPU memory to increase your GPU
performance.
• Assign specific 3D settings to a game so that these settings automatically load when a game is
launched.

- 17 - Software Installation
Display
A variety of display features enable you to further manipulate and configure your display settings to
optimize the use of your displays. Tasks in the Display pages allow you to do the following:
• Move CRT screen position
• Change resolution
• Adjust desktop color settings
• Rotate display
• Manage custom resolutions(Note)
• Set up multiple displays
(Note) This item is present only in Advanced view mode.
Move CRT Screen Position
You can use your mouse (by clicking on the
arrow keys on this page) or the arrow keys
on your keyboard to adjust the position of your
desktop to better fit your display. This is a
useful alternative to using the controls (buttons)
on your actual physical display.
ChangeResolution
Using the Change Resolution controls, you
can change the color setting, reduce screen
flickering, or adjust the amount of information
appearing on your display.

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
AdjustDesktopColorSettings
Use this page to set the contrast, sharpness,
and color depth (Digital Vibrance) of the im-
ages on your desktop. These changes will
not affect any video playback. To change video
color settings, go to Adjust Video Color Set-
tings under the Video and TV section from the
Start page.
RotateDisplay
The NVIDIA Rotate features enable you to
changetheorientation ofyour desktopto portrait,
landscape, and inverted modes. This is use-
ful if you have rotated your physical display
and need to rotate the desktop to match the
orientation of your display.
ManageCustomResolutions(Note)
If you are an advanced user, you can create
custom timing modes with the width, height,
bit-color depth, and the refresh rate etc. The
Advanced Timing page enables you to adjust
timings for your graphics card in order to sup-
port a variety of different display timings for
ultimate flexibility for analog CRT and DVI
connections. You can use the advanced
Change Resolution Attributes page to view
custom display modes you have saved in
the Create Custom Resolutions page.
(Note) This item is present only in Advanced view mode.

- 19 - Software Installation
Set Up Multiple Displays
NVIDIA nView technology enables you to view
your desktop in one of several multi-display
modes to make the best use of the displays
(monitors) that are connected to your computer.
Dual-Monitor Setup
You can set the display to output from two monitors on the Set Up Multiple Displays page.
Select your preferred nView display modes here.
• Only use one display (Single)
• The same on both display (Clone)
• Configured independently from each other
(Dualview)
• As one large horizontal desktop (Horizontal span)(Note)
• As one large vertical desktop (Vertical span)(Note)
(1) The same on both display (Clone)
Clone mode indicates that both displays in the
display pair show images of the same desktop.
Clone Mode
(Note) This item is present only in Windows XP.
(2) Configured independently from each other
(Dualview)
Dualview mode indicates that both displays in the
display pair function as one virtual desktop. Unlike
Horizontal Span or Vertical Span mode, Dualview
treats each display as a separate device. This
means that the taskbar will not be stretched across
displays and 3D applications are not accelerated
as efficiently as when the application spans
displays.
Dualview Mode

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GV-N250SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
(4) As one large vertical desktop
(Vertical span)(Note 1)
Vertical Span mode indicates that both displays in
the display pair function as one tall virtual desktop.
The height of each display is half the height of the
total virtual desktop height.
Vertical Span Mode
(3) As one large horizontal desktop
(Horizontal span)(Note 1)
Horizontal Span mode indicates that both displays
in the display pair function as one wide virtual
desktop. The width of each display is half the
width of the total virtual desktop width.
Horizontal Span Mode
(Note 1) This item is present only in Windows XP.
(Note 2) By an HDMI-to-DVI adapter.
(Note 3) By a DVI-to-D-Sub adapter.
Display
Matrix Model GV-N250-1GI CRT+HDMI Yes
CRT+DVI Yes
DVI+HDMI Yes
DVI+HDMI+CRT No
DVI+DVI(Note2) Yes
CRT+CRT(Note 3) Yes