Gigabyte GV-N295-18I-B User manual

GV-N295-18I-B/
GV-N295-18I-B rev 2.0
NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 295 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 201
12MM-N295GB-201R
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.
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ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbyU.S.patentsandotherintellectualproperty
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VGA Card
GV-N295-18I-B
Jan. 8, 2009
Jan. 8, 2009
VGA Card
GV-N295-18I-B

VGA Card
GV-N295-18I-B rev 2.0
June. 8, 2009
June. 8, 2009
VGA Card
GV-N295-18I-B rev 2.0

- 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.................................................................................................. 12
3.1.Windows®XPDriverandUtilitiesInstallation .............................................................. 12
3.1.1. Operating System Requirements .............................................................................. 12
3.1.2. DirectX Installation........................................................................................................ 13
3.1.3. Driver Installation ......................................................................................................... 14
3.1.4. Taskbar Icon................................................................................................................. 16
3.1.5. Display Properties Pages........................................................................................... 17
3.1.6. nView Properties Pages (Note) ................................................................................. 26
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 31
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 32
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 32
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTable(InWindowsXP) ................................................... 33
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 35
(Note) This item will show up when you connect two monitors.

- 5 - Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
• Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 295 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Supports PCI Express 2.0
• Integratedwith1792MB GDDR3memory
• SupportsDirectX10
• SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (ScalableLink Interface)technology(Note1)
• Supports1HDMI connector(GV-N295-18I-Bonly)
• Supports2DVI-Iconnectors
• SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Minimum680Wpower supplyspecification andwith bothan 8-pin anda 6-pinPCI
Express supplementary power connector is recommended.
- IntelPentium®4,AMDAthlonTM XPclassprocessoror higher
- 1 GB of system memory (2 GB recommended)
- 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 PCIex16slotsand correctchipsetdriver
- TwoGV-N295-18I-B/GV-N295-18I-B rev2.0for SLIconfiguration;
- AnSLIbridgeconnector
(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-N295-18I-B/GV-N295-18I-B rev 2.0) and from the same vendor (e.g. GIGABYTE
TECHNOLOGY).
(Note 2) The minimum system power requirement recommended here is based on a PC configured
with an Intel Core i7 3.2 GHz processor.

- 6 -GV-N295 Series Graphics Accelerator
SLI Connector
2. Hardware Installation
2.1. Board Layout
DVI-I Connector 1
DVI-I Connector 2
DVI-I
Connector 1
DVI-I
Connector 2
AnalogLCDMonitor AnalogMonitor
or DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
D-Sub
Output
DVI-I to HDMI Adapter (optional)
HDMI TV
HDMI
Connector
HDMI TV
HDMI Connector
1. GV-N295-18I-B

- 7 - Hardware Installation
SLI Connector
DVI-I Connector 1
DVI-I Connector 2
DVI-I
Connector 1
DVI-I
Connector 2
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
DVI-I to HDMI Adapter (optional)
HDMI TV
2. GV-N295-18I-B rev 2.0
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output

- 8 -GV-N295 Series Graphics Accelerator
The GV-N295-18I-B/GV-N295-18I-B rev 2.0 graphics card is a performance optimized high-end card.
Power is taken from the PCI Express host bus as well as the 8-pin and 6-pin PCI Express power
connectors.
Without auxiliary power provided to the GV-N295-18I-B/GV-N295-18I-B rev 2.0 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.
8-pin PCIe Power 6-pin PCIe Power Result
Connector Connector
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
We suggest you using a power supply that provides a 8-pin PCI Express power cable instead
of using the included 8-pin power adapter. If you want to use the included 8-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.)
8-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 TOYOUR 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-N295 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).Donottouchthecardwhenit's operating to
prevent system instability.
Step 3.
This graphics card provides two DVI-I digital connectors. You
can connect a monitor that supports DVI-I function. To connect
an HDMI monitor to your graphics card, use the HDMI connector.
(GV-N295-18I-B only)
To Flat Panel Display Connectaflatpanel
ConnectaD-SubmonitorviaDVI-ItoD-Subadapter
ConnectanHDMImonitor
ToHDMIMonitor

- 11 - Hardware Installation
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)
You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please refer to next
chapter for detailed instructions.
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)
SLI Configuration:

- 12 -GV-N295 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.)

- 13 - 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.

- 14 -GV-N295 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.

- 15 - 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.

- 16 -GV-N295 Series Graphics Accelerator
3.1.4. Taskbar Icon
After installing the graphics card driver, you will find an NVIDIA icon in the 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.

- 17 - Software Installation
3.1.5. Display Properties Pages
To access Display Properties pages, right-click on desktop and then select Properties. The Display
Properties dialog box shows the information of display adapter, color, the range of display area, and
the refresh rate.
Settings (Resolutions and Color Quality for Windows)
You may adjust the screen resolution and color quality settings in this dialog box.
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
NVIDIA Control Panel
After pressing the Advanced button in Settings, you'll see the Plug and Play Monitor and NVIDIA
GeForce GTX 295 Properties dialog box. Click the GeForce GTX 295 tab. (You can also click the
NVIDIA icon in the notification area and select NVIDIA Control Panel.)
Access the GeForce GTX 295 tab page to launch the NVIDIA
Control Panel.
All of the NVIDIA control panels have been consolidated
into a single application, the NVIDIA Control Panel. Click
the Start the NVIDIA Control Panel button to open the
NVIDIA Control Panel.

- 18 -GV-N295 Series Graphics Accelerator
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
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
(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.
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.
SetMulti-GPU Configuration(Note2)
Multi-GPU technology allows you to use two
or more GPUs together. This results in signifi-
cant improvements in rendering performance
and image quality.
Note:
It is recommended that you set to Multi-GPU mode
to enhance the graphics card's performance.

- 20 -GV-N295 Series Graphics Accelerator
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:
• Run display optimization wizard
• Move CRT screen position
• Change resolution
• Adjust desktop color settings
• Rotate display
• Manage custom resolutions(Note 1)
• Run multiple display wizard(Note 2)
• Set up multiple displays
(Note 1) This item is present only in Advanced view mode.
(Note 2) This item will show up when you connect two monitors.
RunDisplayOptimizationWizard
This wizard helps you adjust your displays
for optimal viewing and repersentation of
colors.