Gigabyte GV-N285-1GH-B User manual

GV-N285-1GH-B/
GV-N285UD-1GH
NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 285 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 102
12MM-N285GB-102R
Copyright
© 2009 GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmay bereproducedortransmitted
inanyformwithouttheexpressed,writtenpermissionofGBT.
Trademarks
Third-partybrandsandnamesarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
Notice
Pleasedonotremoveanylabelsonthisgraphicscard.Doingsomayvoidthewarrantyofthiscard.
Duetorapidchangeintechnology,someofthespecificationsmightbeoutofdatebeforepublicationofthisthismanual.
Theauthorassumesnoresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissionsthatmayappearinthisdocumentnordoestheauthor
makeacommitmenttoupdatetheinformationcontainedherein.
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VGA Card
GV-N285-1GH-B
Jan. 08, 2009
VGA Card
GV-N285-1GH-B
Jan. 08, 2009

VGA Card
GV-N285UD-1GH
Apr.16, 2009
VGA Card
GV-N285UD-1GH
Apr. 16, 2009

- 4 -
Table of Contents
1.Introduction ................................................................................................................ 5
1.1.Features ......................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.MinimumSystemRequirements .................................................................................... 5
2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 6
2.1.BoardLayout ................................................................................................................. 6
2.2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................... 10
3.SoftwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 14
3.1.Windows®XPDriverandUtilitiesInstallation .............................................................. 14
3.1.1. Operating System Requirements .............................................................................. 14
3.1.2. DirectX Installation........................................................................................................ 15
3.1.3. Driver Installation ......................................................................................................... 16
3.1.4. GIGABYTE Gamer HUD Lite on Driver Disk ........................................................... 18
3.1.5. Taskbar Icon................................................................................................................. 20
3.1.6. Display Properties Pages........................................................................................... 21
3.1.7 nView Properties Pages (Note) ................................................................................. 32
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 37
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 38
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 38
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTable(InWindowsXP)................................................... 39
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 41
(Note) This item will show up when you connect two monitors.

- 5 - Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
• Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 285 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Supports PCI Express 2.0
• Integratedwith 1GBGDDR3 memory
• SupportsDirectX10
• SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable LinkInterface) technology(Note1)
• Supports2Dual-LinkDVI-Iconnectors
• Supports1HDMIconnector(byoptionaladapter)
• Supports1D-Subconnectors(byadapter)
• SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- 550-wattsystempowersupplyspecificationoraboveisrecommended.
- Intel®Pentium®4 orAMDAthlonTM XP class
- 1GB ofsystem memory;2GB ormore forbest performance
- Opticaldrive forsoftwareinstallation (CD-ROMor DVD-ROMdrive)
•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 PCIex16slotsandcorrectchipsetdriver
- Two GV-N285-1GH-B/GV-N285UD-1GH forSLIconfiguration;
ThreeGV-N285-1GH-B/GV-N285UD-1GHfor 3-waySLIconfiguration
- Apowersupplywith 900-wattoraboveisrecommended
- AnSLIbridgeconnector or3-waySLIbridgeconnector
(Note 1) SLI technology requires a PCI Express motherboard with two/three x16 physical connectors.
Graphics cards working in an SLI configuration must be with the same model name
(e.g. GV-N285-1GH-B/GV-N285UD-1GH) and from the same vendor (e.g. GIGABYTE
TECHNOLOGY).

- 6 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
SLI Connector
2. Hardware Installation
2.1. Board Layout
TV-Out
DVI-I
Connector 1
DVI-I
Connector 2
AnalogLCDMonitor AnalogMonitor
or DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
HDTV
NTSC/PALTV Projector
NTSC/PALTV Projector
or
or
Pr
Pb/AV Output
S-Video Output
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
DVI-I to HDMI Adapter
D-Sub
Output
HDMI TV
Y
TV-Out
DVI-I Connector 1
DVI-I Connector 2
1. GV-N285-1GH-B
(optional)

- 7 - Hardware Installation
SLI Connector
TV-Out
DVI-I
Connector 1
DVI-I
Connector 2
AnalogLCDMonitor AnalogMonitor
or DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
HDTV
NTSC/PALTV Projector
NTSC/PALTV Projector
or
or
Pr
Pb/AV Output
S-Video Output
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
DVI-I to HDMI Adapter
D-Sub
Output
HDMI TV
Y
TV-Out
DVI-I Connector 1
DVI-I Connector 2
2. GV-N285UD-1GH
(optional)
(optional)

- 8 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
The GV-N285-1GH-B/GV-N285UD-1GH 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-N285-1GH-B/GV-N285UD-1GH 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
theadapterareconnected to the 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:

- 9 - 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 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.

- 10 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
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.
Makesurethatthegoldedgeconnectorofthegraphicscardissecurely
inserted.
Step 2.
Replace the screw to fasten the card in place, and replace the
computer cover.
Afterinstallation,remembertoconnectthepowercabletoyourgraphicscard,orthesystem
willnotboot(refertopage6toseethedetails).Donottouchthe cardwhenit'soperatingto
prevent system instability.
Step 3.
This graphics card provides two DVI-I digital connectors. You
can connect a monitor that supports DVI-I function or use the
DVI-I to D-Sub adapter to connect a 15-pin D-Sub monitor. Or
use the DVI-I to HDMI adapter to connect an HDMI monitor.
To TV /VCR To Flat Panel Display
Connectaflatpanel
ConnectaD-SubmonitorviaDVI-ItoD-Subadapter
ConnectaHDMImonitorviaDVI-ItoHDMIadapter

- 11 - Hardware Installation
Step 4.
To connect an HDMI TV, use either Method A or Method B below (depending on your motherboard
design) to enable the S/PDIF in function for the graphics card. It is recommended Method A be used on
motherboards that have a free S/PDIF header.
Method A (via the S/PDIF out header):
Connect the provided S/PDIF cable to the graphics card and the S/PDIF out header on your motherboard
(the red wire connects to the S/PDIF out pin and the black to the Ground pin).
A-1.
ConnecttheS/PDIFcabletothe graphicscard A-2. ConnecttheS/PDIFcabletothemotherboard.

- 12 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
GIGABYTE Video Adapter (optional item)
Connect to the TV-Out port on
the graphics card.
S-Video Out HDTV Component
(Y+Pr+Pb)
AV Out
(1) Connecting HDTV
Connect your HDTV cables to the video adapter according to
the corresponding color.
(Y= Green, Pr= Red, Pb= Blue)
(2) Connecting S-Video
If your TV has a S-Video connection, connect the S-Video
cable from your TV to the S-Video Out port on the adapter.
(3) Connecting AV Output
If your TV has a Composite video connection, you can connect
the RCA cable from your TV to the AV Out port on the adapter.

- 13 - Hardware Installation
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:

- 14 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
3. Software Installation
In this manual, we assume that your CD-ROM drive letter to be Drive D:
The installation of drivers is very simple. When you insert the driver CD into your CD-ROM drive, you
can see the autorun window (if it does not show up, run "D:\setup.exe"). Then you can follow the
instructions to setup your graphics card driver. (Please follow the subsection "3.1.3 Driver Installation"
to install the driver for your graphics card.)
3.1. Windows®XP Driver and Utilities Installation
3.1.1. Operating System Requirements
Notice the following guidelines before installing the drivers:
1. First make sure your system has installed DirectX 9.0c or later version.
2. Make sure your system has installed the appropriate motherboard drivers (for the motherboard
drivers, please contact the motherboard manufacturer.)

- 15 - Software Installation
3.1.2. DirectX Installation
Install Microsoft DirectX to enable 3D hardware acceleration support for Windows XP to achieve better
3D performance.
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.
When the autorun window shows up, click the
Install DirectX 9 item.
Step 2. Choose I accept the agreement
and click the Next button. Step 3. Click the Next button.
The system is installing the components. Step 4. Click Finish to restart computer.
Then the DirectX 9 installation is completed.

- 16 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
3.1.3. Driver Installation
A. New Hardware Found
When the graphics card is inserted into your computer for the first time, the operating system will detect
the graphics card automatically and display a New Hardware Found message. The following are step-
by-step installation instructions.
Step 1: Found New Hardware Wizard: Video Controller (VGA Compatible)
Click the Next button to install the driver. (Insert the
driver CD-ROM that came with your graphics card.)
Or click the Cancel button to install the driver from
the autorun window.
Step 2: Found New Hardware Wizard: Searching and Installing
The wizard will search for the driver and install it automatically.
Step 3: Found New Hardware Wizard: Finish
Click the Finish button to finish the installation.

- 17 - Software Installation
B. Driver Installation (Autorun Window)
Insert the driver CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive. The autorun window will appear. If it does not show
up, please run "D:\setup.exe".
Step 1.
When the autorun window shows up, click the
Install Display Driver item.
Step 2. Click the Next button. The system is installing the components.
Step 3. Click the Finish button to restart the computer.
Then the driver installation is completed.

- 18 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
3.1.4. 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.
(for GV-N285UD-1GH)

- 19 - Software Installation
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.
(Note2) 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 2) Allows you to load the default settings
Apply(Note 2) 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(Note2)
Enablesmanualadjustment
ofthe voltage/frequency
Automatically
optimizesthe
voltage/frequency
Displaysthe
currentoperating
frequency Hardware
Monitor
Helppage
(Note1)
(Note1) For GV-N285UD-1GH only

- 20 -GV-N285 Series Graphics Accelerator
3.1.5. Taskbar Icon
After installing the graphics card driver, you will find an NVIDIA icon in your notification area. Click
this icon to open the control panel.
Right click the NVIDIA icon to enter the NVIDIA Control Center.
You can adjust the properties of the graphics card here.