Gigabyte GV-N450TC-1GI User manual

GV-N450TC-1GI/
GV-N450-1GI/
GV-N450-512I
NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTS 450 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 103
12MM-N450GI-103ER
Copyright
©2011GIGABYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmaybereproducedortransmitted
in anyform withoutthe expressed,written permissionof GBT.
Trademarks
Third-partybrandsandnamesarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
Notice
Pleasedo notremove anylabels onthis graphicscard. Doingsomay voidthe warrantyof thiscard.
Duetorapidchangeintechnology,someofthespecificationsmightbeoutofdatebeforepublicationofthisthismanual.
Theauthorassumesnoresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissionsthatmayappearinthisdocumentnordoestheauthor
makeacommitmenttoupdatetheinformationcontainedherein.
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ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbyU.S.patentsandotherintellectualpropertyrights.
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VGA Card
GV-N450-1GI
August. 23, 2010
VGA Card
GV-N450-1GI
August. 23, 2010

VGA Card
GV-N450-512I
Nov. 12, 2010
VGA Card
GV-N450-512I
Nov. 12, 2010

VGA Card
GV-N450TC-1GI
Mar. 18, 2011
VGA Card
GV-N450TC-1GI
Mar. 18, 2011

- 5 -
Table of Contents
1.Introduction ................................................................................................................ 6
1.1.Features ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.2.Minimum SystemRequirements .................................................................................... 6
2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 7
2.1.BoardLayout ................................................................................................................. 7
2.2.HardwareInstallation......................................................................................................9
3.SoftwareInstallation...................................................................................................11
3.1.DriverandUtilityInstallation..........................................................................................11
3.1.1. Driver Installation ..........................................................................................................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.ResolutionsandColorDepthTable(InWindowsXP)................................................... 24
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 26

- 6 -GV-N400 Series Graphics Accelerator
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
• Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTS 450 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Supports PCI Express 2.0
• Integratedwith1GB GDDR5 memory (forGV-N450-1GI only)
• Integratedwith512MBGDDR5 memory (forGV-N450-512Ionly)
• GV-N450TC-1GIsupports NVIDIATurboCache technology which enables graphics card
performance by allowing the graphics processing unit (GPU) to dynamically share the
available system memory.The total effective VGA memory differs depending on system
memory.
• SupportsDirectX®11
• SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (ScalableLinkInterface) technology(Note1)
• Supports2Dual-LinkDVI-Iconnectors
• Supports1miniHDMIconnector
• SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- 400-wattsystempowersupplyspecificationoraboveisrecommended
- Intel®Pentium®4 orAMDAthlonTM XPclassprocessoror higher
- 1GBsystemmemory (2GB recommended)
- Opticaldrivefor software installation(CD-ROM orDVD-ROM drive)
•OperatingSystem
- Windows®7
- Windows®Vista
- Windows®XP
•SLITM Configuration
If you are planning on using this graphics card as part of an SLI system, the following
arerequired:
- AnSLIcertifiedmotherboardwithtwoPCIe x16 slots and correct chipset driver
- TwoGV-N450TC-1GI / GV-N450-1GI/ GV-N450-512Ifor SLIconfiguration;
- Apowersupplywith 600-watt or aboveisrecommended
- AnSLIbridgeconnector
(Note 1) SLI technology requires a PCI Express motherboard with two x16 physical connectors.
Graphics cards working in an SLI configuration must be with the same model name
(e.g. GV-N450TC-1GI / GV-N450-1GI /GV-N450-512I)and from the same vendor
(e.g. GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY).

- 7 - Hardware Installation
2. Hardware Installation
2.1. Board Layout
Mini HDMI
Connector
DVI-I
Connector 1
DVI-I
Connector 2
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
HDMI TV
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
mini HDMI to HDMI adapter(optional)
SLI Connector
Mini HDMI Connector
DVI-I Connector 1
DVI-I Connector 2
Power Connectors

- 8 -GV-N400 Series Graphics Accelerator
Expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To
protectthemagainstdamagefromstaticelectricity,youshouldfollowsome
precautions whenever you work on your computer.
1. Turnoffyourcomputer and unplugpowersupply.
2. Useagroundedwriststrapbeforehandlingcomputercomponents.Ifyoudonot
haveone,touchbothofyourhandstoasafelygroundedobjectortoametalobject,
suchasthepowersupply case.
3. Placecomponentsonagroundedantistaticpadoronthebagthatcamewiththe
componentswheneverthecomponentsareseparatedfromthesystem.
Thecardcontainssensitiveelectriccomponents,whichcanbeeasilydamagedbystatic
electricity,sothecardshouldbeleftinitsoriginalpackinguntilitisinstalled.
Unpackingandinstallationshouldbedoneonagroundedanti-staticmat.Theoperator
shouldbewearingananti-staticwristband,groundedatthesamepointastheanti-static
mat.
Inspectthecardcartonforobviousdamage.Shippingandhandlingmaycausedamage
toyourcard.Be sure there arenoshippingand handling damages onthecardbefore
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.

- 9 - 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.
Makesurethatthegoldedgeconnectorofthegraphicscardissecurely
inserted.
Step 2.
Replace the screw to fasten the card in place, and replace the
computer cover.
Step 3.
This graphics card provides two DVI-I digital connectors and
one mini HDMI connector. You can connect a monitor that sup-
ports DVI-I function. To connect a HDMI monitor,you need a
cable or adapter to connect from the mini-HDMI connector to a
HDMI monitor.
To Flat Panel Display
Connectaflatpanel
ConnectaHDMImonitor
ToHDMIMonitor

- 10 -GV-N400 Series Graphics Accelerator
How NVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable Link Interface) technology works:
In an SLI configuration, two SLI-ready graphics cards of the same model and the same manufacturers
are connected together via SLI bridge connector in a system that provides two x16 PCI Express slots
to scale graphics performance. The picture below shows that two 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: