Gigabyte GV-N480SO-15I User manual

GV-N480SO-15I
NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 480 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 101
12MM-N480SO-101R
Copyright
©2010GIGABYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmaybereproducedortransmitted
in anyform withoutthe expressed,written permissionof GBT.
Trademarks
Third-partybrandsandnamesarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
Notice
Pleasedo notremove any labels on thisgraphics card.Doing somay voidthe warrantyof thiscard.
Duetorapidchangeintechnology,someofthespecificationsmightbeoutofdatebeforepublicationofthisthismanual.
Theauthorassumesnoresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissionsthatmayappearinthisdocumentnordoestheauthor
makeacommitmenttoupdatetheinformationcontainedherein.
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ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbyU.S.patentsandotherintellectualpropertyrights.
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viewingusesonlyunlessotherwiseauthorizedbyRoviCorporation.Reverseengineeringordisassemblyisprohibited.

VGA Card
GV-N480SO-15I
Oct. 20, 2010
VGA Card
GV-N480SO-15I
Oct. 20, 2010

- 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 Extreme Dual BIOS technology..................................................15
3.2. DisplayPropertiesPages ........................................................................................ 16
3.3. Accessing NVIDIA Control Panel............................................................................ 17
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 25
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 26
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 26
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTable(InWindowsXP)................................................... 27
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 29

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1. Introduction
1.1. Features
• Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM GTX 480 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Supports PCI Express 2.0
• Integratedwith1536MB GDDR5memory
• SupportsDirectX®11
• SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (ScalableLink Interface)technology(Note1)
• Supports2Dual-LinkDVI-Iconnectors
• Supports1mini HDMIconnector
• SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- 600-wattsystempowersupplyspecificationoraboveisrecommended
- Intel®Pentium®4 orAMDAthlonTM XP class
- 2GBsystem memory(4GB recommended)
- Opticaldrive forsoftware installation(CD-ROMor DVD-ROMdrive)
•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:
- AnSLIcertifiedmotherboardwithtwo/three PCIex16slotsand correctchipsetdriver
- TwoGV-N480SO-15I forSLIconfiguration;
ThreeGV-N480SO-15Ifor3-waySLIconfiguration
- Apowersupplywith 900-wattor aboveis recommended
- AnSLIbridgeconnector or3-way SLIbridge connector
(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-N480SO-15I) and from the same vendor (e.g. GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY).

- 5 - 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 cable(optional)
SLI Connector
Mini HDMI Connector
DVI-I Connector 1
DVI-I Connector 2
Power Connectors

- 6 -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. Turnoffyour computer and unplug powersupply.
2. Useagroundedwriststrapbeforehandlingcomputercomponents.Ifyoudonot
haveone,touchbothofyourhandstoasafelygroundedobjectortoametalobject,
suchasthepowersupplycase.
3. Placecomponentsonagroundedantistaticpadoronthebagthatcamewiththe
componentswheneverthecomponentsareseparatedfromthesystem.
Thecardcontainssensitiveelectriccomponents,whichcanbeeasilydamagedbystatic
electricity,sothecardshouldbeleftinitsoriginalpackinguntilitisinstalled.
Unpackingandinstallationshouldbedoneonagroundedanti-staticmat.Theoperator
shouldbewearingananti-staticwristband,groundedatthesamepointastheanti-static
mat.
Inspectthecardcartonforobviousdamage.Shippingandhandlingmaycausedamage
toyour card. Be suretherearenoshipping and handling damagesonthecardbefore
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.

- 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.
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

- 8 -GV-N400 Series Graphics Accelerator
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:

- 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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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
Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to your system and reduce
the useful life of the system components.
Click to link to www.gigabyte.com
Hot-key setting for user profiles
Display product information
Allow users to adjust GPU/Memory voltage
Stock voltage settings
Drag the bar left/right to decrease/increase GPU/Memory voltage
Drag the bar left/right to decrease/increase fan speed
Allow users to adjust fan speed
Stock fan speed setting
Drag the bar left/right to decrease/increase GPU/Memory clock
Fiveprofiles
GIGABYTE “OC Guru” Graphics Card Smart Tuner
GIGABYTE “OC Guru” graphics card smart tuner is a utility which helps users adjust card performance and
monitor hardware information. Three modes are provided for different user needs in OC Guru: OC, Gaming,
and Green modes. All GIGABYTE Super Overclock series cards equip with OC Guru for extreme performance
boost.
OC Mode:
Under option “Manual”, users have five profiles to save preferred GPU/Memory voltage, GPU/Memory clock,
and fan speed settings. Under option “Auto”, all settings will follow stock settings. Users can set hot key for
each profile.
(Note1) Shader clock is fixed for all NVIDIA 400 Super Overclock series.
(Note2) Adjustable voltage value will vary with different models.

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Dragthebarleft/righttodecrease/increaseGPU/Memoryclock
StockGPU/Memoryclock setting
Press “Apply” to apply preferred GPU/Memory clock
Screenshotoutputdirectory
Dragthebarleft/righttodecrease/increasedisplaybrightness,contract,andGammavalue
Screenshothot-keysetting
Ingamereal-timeOn-Screen-Displayhot-keysetting
Stock display setting
Press “Apply” to apply preferred display settings
Gaming Mode:
Extreme 3D gaming mode for enthusiastic users. Users can set preferred GPU/Memory clock and
adjust screen brightness, contract value, and Gamma value under Gaming mode. Through
GIGABYTE software On-Screen-Display (OSD), users can monitor hardware information in games
and adjust display settings in real time. In addition, Gaming mode provides users with screenshots
by hot-key.

- 13 - Software Installation
Green Mode:
The best 2D and 3D power saving setting to avoid unnecessary power consumption. Under Green mode,
users can choose PWM working frequency to lower power consumption and monitor current GPU power
consumption. In addition, Green mode provides information of power saved through this mode.
Powersaving mode ofPWM working frequency
CurrentGPUpower consumption
Meter/Totalmodeswitch:
Metermode:power saved inagiven periodof time
Totalmode: powersaved sinceOC GURU first activated
Reset Meter mode fromstart
StandardPWM working frequency

- 14 -GV-N400 Series Graphics Accelerator
Graphicscardpower phasestatus
Realtimemonitor:
•GPU/Memory clock
•GPUtemperature
•GPUvoltage
•GPUcurrent
•Fan speed andGPU usage
Record/Pausehardwaremonitorinformation Exporthardwaremonitorrecordinformation
Hardware Monitor:
Through GIGABYTE hardware monitor, users can easily monitor GPU/Memory clock, GPU temperature, GPU
voltage, GPU current, Fan speed, and GPU usage. Moreover, users can easily record hardware information
and export the data.

- 15 - Software Installation
As opposed to the traditional concept of dual BIOS chips where one is a main BIOS and
the other one is a backup BIOS,GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology contains two
different BIOS chips designed for separate purposes. GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS
technology supports one-touch dual BIOS switching button to shift between two BIOSes,
SOC (Super Overclock Series) Default BIOS and LN2 BIOS. SOC Default BIOS allows
gamers to build their dream machines to conquer digital battles on the web. LN2BIOS is
especially designed for overclockers to avoid potential cold bug issues at extremely low
temperatures. This feature equips selective GIGABYTE Super Overclock Series for
extreme overclockability to break world records at any competitions.
How to use?
An Extreme Dual BIOS switch is meant to prevent “cold-bug” boot errors when using
extreme cooling techniques such as liquid nitrogen, liquid helium and dry ice, etc.
GIGABYTE ExtremeDual BIOS switch is available on certainGIGABYTE Super Overclock
series graphics cards.
SOC Default BIOS. The factory default BIOS setting for Extreme-Dual-BIOS-ready SOC
graphics card is SOC Default when graphics card hits the shelf (indicated by blue LED
light, switch button pressed down).
LN2BIOS. For attempts of extreme overclocking, press button to switch from default
BIOS to the alternative LN2 BIOS (indicated by red LED light, switch button up). Reboot
system to apply new BIOS settings.
*The “cold bug” is an issue occurred when a processor ceases functioning or
overclocking at a low (usually sub zero) temperature, preventing the use of extreme
cooling methods such as dry ice or liquid nitrogen.
Warning: Before start of extreme benching with LN2 BIOS, make sure extreme overclocking
cooling accessories are ready.
Troubleshooting
If LN2 BIOS is damaged during extreme benching, press switch button again go back to
factory default BIOS before rebooting system. SOC Default BIOS will serve as backup
BIOS.
*For system safety and stability, using SOCDefault BIOS setting is highly recommended.
3.1.2. GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology

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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.

- 17 - Software Installation
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 GTX480 Properties dialog box. Click the GeForce GTX 480 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 GTX480 tab page, click Start the NVIDIA
Control Panel to launch the NVIDIA Control Panel.

- 18 -GV-N400 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
In the NVIDIA Control Panel, change a view if you
want.
The supported modes are:
Standard
Advanced
Custom

- 19 - Software Installation
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.
(Note 1) This item is present only in Advanced view mode.
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.
Set PhysX confiquration
NVIDIA®PhysX®is a powerful physics engine
that can utilize GPU acceleration to provide
amazing real-time physics effects.

- 20 -GV-N400 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:
• Move CRT screen position
• Change resolution
• Adjust desktop color settings
• Rotate display
• Manage custom resolutions(Note)
• Set up multiple displays
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.