Gigabyte GV-N98T-256H User manual

GV-N98T-512H/
GV-N98T-256H
NVIDIA® GeForceTM 9800 GTGraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 101
12MM-N98T5H-101R
Copyright
© 2009GIGABYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmay bereproducedortransmitted
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Pleasedo notremoveany labelson thisgraphicscard.Doingsomayvoidthe warrantyofthis card.
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makeacommitmenttoupdatetheinformationcontainedherein.
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Sept. 19, 2008
VGA Card
GV-N98T-512H/GV-N98T-256H
VGA Card
GV-N98T-512H/ GV-N98T-256H
Sept. 19, 2008

- 3 -
Table of Contents
1.Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4
1.1.Features ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.Minimum SystemRequirements .................................................................................... 4
2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 5
2.1.BoardLayout ................................................................................................................. 5
2.2.HardwareInstallation......................................................................................................7
3.SoftwareInstallation...................................................................................................11
3.1.Windows®XPDriverandUtilitiesInstallation ................................................................11
3.1.1. Operating System Requirements ...............................................................................11
3.1.2. DirectX Installation........................................................................................................ 12
3.1.3. Driver Installation ......................................................................................................... 13
3.1.4. GIGABYTE Gamer HUD on Driver CD..................................................................... 15
3.1.5. Taskbar Icon................................................................................................................. 17
3.1.6. Display Properties Pages........................................................................................... 18
3.1.7. nView Properties Pages (Note) ...................................................................................... 29
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 34
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 35
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 35
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTables(InWindowsXP) ................................................. 36
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 38
(Note) This item will show up when you connect two monitors.

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1. Introduction
1.1. Features
• Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM 9800 GT Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Supports PCI Express 2.0
• Integratedwith512MBGDDR3memory(For GV-N98T-512Honly)
• Integratedwith256MBGDDR3memory(For GV-N98T-256Honly)
• SupportsDirectX10
• SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable Link Interface)technology(Note)
• SupportsAV / S-Video /TV-Out
• Supports2DVI-Iconnectors
• SupportsHDMIconnector(byadapter,optionalitem)
• Supports1D-Subconnectors(byadapter,optionalitem)
• SupportsHDTVoutput(byadapter,optionalitem)
• SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Intel®Pentium®/CoreTM 2 orAMDAthlonTM /PhenomTM
- 128MBof system memory;2 GB ormore for bestperformance
- Opticaldrivefor software installation(CD-ROM orDVD-ROM drive)
- A450Watt power supplyor above isa must
•OperatingSystem
- Windows®Vista
- Windows®XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- Windows®XPProfessionalx64Edition
•SLITM Configuration
If you are planning on using this graphics card as part of an SLI system, the following
arerequired:
- AnSLIcertifiedmotherboardwithtwoPCIExpressx16slotsandcorrectchipsetdriver
- TwoGV-N98T-512H/GV-N98T-256H
- Apowersupply with 550-watt oraboveisrecommended
- AnSLIbridgeconnector
(Note) 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-N98T-512H/GV-N98T-256H) and from the same vendor (e.g. GIGABYTE
TECHNOLOGY).

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

- 6 -GV-N98T-512H/256H Graphics Accelerator/
Expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To
protectthemagainstdamagefromstaticelectricity,youshouldfollowsome
precautions whenever you work on your computer.
1. Turnoffyourcomputer and unplug powersupply.
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.Besure there are noshippingandhandlingdamages on 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.

- 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.
Step 2.
Replace the screw to fasten the card in place, and replace the
computer cover.
Afterinstallation,remembertoconnectthepowercabletoyourgraphicscard,orthesystem
willnot boot. Do nottouch the card whenit's operating toprevent system instability.
Makesurethatthegoldedgeconnectorofthegraphicscardissecurely
inserted.
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.
(Note: Only the DVI-I Connector 2 supports the DVI-I to HDMI
adapter.)
To TV/ VCR To Flat Panel Display
Connectaflatpanel
ConnectaD-SubmonitorviaDVI-ItoD-Subadapter
ConnectaHDMImonitorviaDVI-ItoHDMIadapter

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A-1.Connect theS/PDIFcableto thegraphicscard
A-2.ConnecttheS/PDIFcabletothemotherboard.
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 graph-
ics 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).
You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please refer to next
chapter for detailed instructions.

- 9 - Hardware Installation
How NVIDIA®SLITM 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)
TwoSLI-ready graphics cards of
the same type.
(Example:GV-NX88X768H-RH)

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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.)

- 11 - 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.

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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.

- 13 - 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.

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3.1.4. GIGABYTE Gamer HUD on Driver CD
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". (If D is not your CD-ROM drive, substitute D with the correct drive letter.)
Step 1. When autorun window shows up,
click the GIGABYTE Gamer HUD item.
Step 2. Choose the language for the instal-
lation and click the OK button.
Step 3. Click the Next button.
Step 5. Click the Finish button. Then the
installation of the GIGABYTE Gamer HUD is
completed.
Step 4. Click the Install button.
The system is installing the components.

- 15 - Software Installation
GIGABYTEGamerHUD
The GIGABYTE Gamer HUD allows you to adjust the voltage of your graphics card and the working
frequency of the GPU, Shader, and video memory.
Voltageadjustment(Note)
Clockadjustment(Note) Enablesmanualadjustment
ofthe voltage/frequency
Automatically
optimizesthe
voltage/frequency
Displaysthe
currentoperating
frequency Hardware
Monitor
Helppage
(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
Displaysthecurrent
operatingvoltage

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3.1.5. 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
3.1.6. 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 9800 GT Properties dialog box. Click the GeForce 9800 GT tab. (You can also click the
NVIDIA icon in the notification area and select NVIDIA Control Panel.)
Access the GeForce 9800 GT 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-N98T-512H/256H 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
AdjustImageSettings with Preview
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(Note1)
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.
MonitorTemperatureLevels
To monitor the current temperature of your
NVIDIA GPU using NVIDIA nTune utility, please
visit NVIDIA's official web site for more infor-
mation about nTune.
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.
(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.

- 20 -GV-N98T-512H/256H 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.