Gigabyte GV-N26OC-896I User manual

GV-N26OC-896I
NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 260 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 101
12MM-N26O8I-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-N26OC-896I
June.10,2009
June.10,2009
VGA Card
GV-N26OC-896I

- 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......................................................................................................8
3.SoftwareInstallation...................................................................................................11
3.1.DriverandUtilityInstallation..........................................................................................11
3.1.1. Driver Installation ..........................................................................................................11
3.1.2. GIGABYTE Gamer HUD Lite on Driver Disk ........................................................... 13
3.2. DisplayPropertiesPages ........................................................................................ 15
3.3. Accessing NVIDIA Control Panel............................................................................ 16
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 24
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 25
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 25
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTables ............................................................................. 26
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 28

- 4 -
GV-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
•Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 260 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
•Supports PCI Express 2.0
•Integrated with 896 MB GDDR3 memory (For GV-N26OC-896I only)
•SupportsDirectX10
•SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable LinkInterface) technology(Note)
•Supports1HDMIconnector
•Supports1D-Subconnector
•Support1DVI-Iconnectors
•SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Intel®Pentium®/CoreTM 2orAMDAthlonTM/PhenomTM
- 512MB ofsystemmemory; 2GB or morefor bestperformance
- Opticaldrive forsoftwareinstallation (CD-ROMor DVD-ROMdrive)
- A500Wattsystempowersupplyspecificationoraboveisrecommended.
•OperatingSystem
- Windows®Vista
- Windows®XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- Windows®XPProfessionalx64 Edition
•SLITM Configuration
If you are planning on using this graphics card as part of an SLI system, the following
arerequired:
- AnSLIcertifiedmotherboardwithtwo/three PCIex16slotsand correctchipsetdriver
- TwoGV-N26OC-896Ifor SLIconfiguration;ThreeGV-N26OC-896Ifor3-way SLI
configuration
- Apowersupplywith 900-wattor aboveis recommended
- AnSLIbridgeconnector or3-way SLIbridge connector
(Note) SLItechnologyrequiresaPCIExpressmotherboardwithtwox16physicalconnectors.Graphicscardsworkinginan
SLIconfigurationmustbewiththesamemodelname(e.g.GV-N26OC-896I)andfromthesamevendor(e.g.GIGABYTE
TECHNOLOGY).

- 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
AnalogLCDMonitor AnalogMonitor
or
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
D-Sub
Output DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter(optional)
HDMI TV
AnalogLCDMonitor AnalogMonitor
or
HDMI Connector
D-Submonitor
Connector
(15-pin)
HDMI to DVI-I Adapter
(Optional)
Digital LCD Monitor

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GV-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
The GV-N26OC-896I graphics card is a performance optimized high-end card. Power is taken from the
PCI Express host bus as well as the two 6-pin PCI Express power connectors.
Without auxiliary power provided to the GV-N26OC-896I graphics card, an LED on the bracket goes red
and the graphics card will not boot. In addition, the connector that is not adequately powered will turn
red.
The table below outlines the different possible scenarios as well as the resulting behaviors.
6-pin PCIe Power 6-pin PCIe Power Result
Connector (upper) Connector (lower)
Connected Connected Full Power
Not Connected Connected LED light is red- graphics card will not boot
Connected Not Connected LED light is red- graphics card will not boot
Not Connected Not Connected LED light is red- graphics card will not boot
If you want to use the included 6-pin power adapters, make sure the adapter fits 12V/15A
specification. Failure to do so may jeopardize the stability of the graphics card.
Incorrect Connection
(The two 4-pin power connectors on
theadapter areconnected tothe same
system power supply cable.)
Correct Connection
(The two 4-pin power connectors on the
adapter are connected to two independent
system power supply cables.)
6-pin Power
Adapter
Configuration with External PCIe Connectors:

- 7 - Hardware Installation
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 thereareno shipping and handlingdamageson the card before
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.

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GV-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
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
Afterinstallation,remembertoconnectthepowercabletoyourgraphicscard,orthesystem
willnotboot(refertopage8toseethedetails).Donottouchthecardwhenit's operating to
prevent system instability.

- 9 - Hardware Installation
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)

- 10 -
GV-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
How NVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable Link Interface) technology works:
In an SLI configuration, two/three SLI-ready graphics cards of the same model and the same manufac-
turers are connected together via SLI bridge connector in a system that provides two/three x16 PCI
Express slots to scale graphics performance. The picture below shows that two and three graphics
cards are linked in parallel in an SLI configuration.
SLI bridge connector
(provided by motherboard manufacturer)
Two SLI-ready graphics
cards of the same type.
(Example:
GV-N28-1GH-B)
3-Way SLI bridge connector
(provided by motherboard manufacturer)
Three SLI-ready graphics
cards of the same type.
(Example:
GV-N28-1GH-B)
SLI Configuration:
3-Way SLI Configuration:

- 11 - 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-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
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.

- 13 - 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.

- 14 -
GV-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
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

- 15 - 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.

- 16 -
GV-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
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 GTX 260 Properties dialog box. Click the GeForce GTX 260 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 GTX 260 tab page, click Start the NVIDIA
Control Panel to launch the NVIDIA Control Panel.

- 17 - 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-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
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(Note2)
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.

- 19 - 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-N26SeriesGraphicsAccelerator
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.