Gigabyte Gv-nx84g256h User manual

Jun. 19, 2007

VGA Card

GV-NX84G256H

VGA Card

Jun. 19, 2007

GV-NX84G256H

GeForce™8400 GS Graphics Accelerator

User's Manual

Rev. 201

12MD-NX84G2H-201R

* The WEEE marking on the product indicates this product must not be disposed of with user's other household waste

and must be handed over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment!!

* The WEEE marking applies only in European Union's member states.

without the expressed, written permission of GBT.

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Third-party brands and names are the property of their respective owners.

Notice

Please do not remove any labels on VGA card, this may void the warranty of this VGA card

Due to rapid change in technology, some of the specifications might be out of date before publication of this booklet.

The author assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions that may appear in this document nor does the author make a

commitment to update the information contained herein.

Macrovision corporation product notice:

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights.

Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other limited viewing

uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

GV-NX84G256H Graphics Accelerator - 2 -

English

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 3

1.1. Features ..................................................................................................... 3

1.2. Minimum System Requirements ................................................................... 3

2. Hardware Installation ........................................................................... 4

2.1. Board Layout .............................................................................................. 4

2.2. Hardware Installation ................................................................................... 6

3. Software Installation .......................................................................... 10

3.1. Windows®XP Driver and Utilities Installation ............................................... 10

3.1.1. Operating System Requirement ................................................................................. 10

3.1.2. DirectX Installation ......................................................................................................... 11

3.1.3. Driver Installation .......................................................................................................... 12

3.1.4. Taskbar Icon ................................................................................................................. 14

3.1.5. Display Properties Pages ............................................................................................ 15

3.1.6. nView Properties pages .............................................................................................. 26

3.2. Windows®2000 Driver Installation ............................................................. 31

4. Troubleshooting Tips ........................................................................ 32

5. Appendix .......................................................................................... 33

5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode ............................................... 33

5.2. Resolutions and Color Depth Table (In Windows®XP) ............................... 34

Introduction- 3 -

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1. Introduction

•Powered by NVIDIA®GeForce™8400 GS Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

•Supports the newest PCI Express x16

•Integrated with 256 MB GDDR2 memory

•Supports NVIDIA® SLITM (Scalable Link Interface) technology via the PCI

Express bus(Note)

•Supports DirectX 9.0c

•Supports AV / S-Video and HDTV output

•Provides D-Sub and DVI-I connectors

1.1. Features

•The graphics card supports NVIDIA TurboCache technology, which enhances

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. See the following table for details:

System Memory 256 MB 512 MB 1 GB or above

Onboard Graphics Memory (a) 256 MB 256 MB 256 MB

Allocated System Memory (b) 0 MB 0 MB 256 MB

Total Effective Graphics Memory (a)+(b) 256 MB 256 MB 512 MB

(Note): SLI technology requires a PCI Express motherboard with two x16 physical

connectors. Graphics cards working in an SLI configuration must be of the same

model and from the same vendor. To support SLI technology via the PCI Express

bus, the GV-NX84G256H requires driver version 158.27 or later.

1.2. Minimum System Requirements

•IBM®or 100% PC compatible with Intel Pentium®III 650MHz or AMD Athlon

650 MHz class processor or higher

•One PCI Express x16 slot

•Operating Systems Windows®2000 / Windows®XP / Windows®Vista

•256 MB system memory

•100 MB of available disk space for full installation

•CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

•A PCI Express compliant motherboard and power supply

GV-NX84G256H Graphics Accelerator - 4 -

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2. Hardware Installation

2.1. Board Layout

TV-Out

DVI-I Connector

D-Sub Monitor

Connector (15-pin)

TV-Out

D-Sub Monitor

Connector

(15-pin)

DVI-I Connector

D-Sub Output

Digital LCD Monitor

DVI Output

S-Video Output

Pb/AV Output

NTSC / PAL TV Projector

HDTV

NTSC / PAL TV Projector

Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor

or DVI-I to D-Sub

Adapter

D-Sub

Output

Analog LCD Monitor Analog Monitor

Hardware Installation- 5 -

English

Expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To

protect them against damage from static electricity, you should follow some

precautions whenever you work on your computer.

1. Turn off your computer and unplug power supply.

2. Use a grounded wrist strap before handling computer components. If you do not have

one, touch both of your hands to a safely grounded object or to a metal object, such as

the power supply case.

3. Place components on a grounded antistatic pad or on the bag that came with the

components whenever the components are separated from the system.

The card contains sensitive electric components, which can be easily damaged by static

electricity, so the card should be left in its original packing until it is installed.

Unpacking and installation should be done on a grounded anti-static mat. The operator

should be wearing an anti-static wristband, grounded at the same point as the anti-static

mat.

Inspect the card carton for obvious damage. Shipping and handling may cause damage

to your card. Be sure there are no shipping and handling damages on the card before

proceeding.

DO NOT APPLY POWER TO YOUR SYSTEM IF IT HAS BEEN DAMAGED ON

THE CARD.

In order to ensure your graphics card working correctly, please use official

Gigabyte BIOS only. Use none official Gigabyte BIOS might cause problem

on the graphics card.

GV-NX84G256H Graphics Accelerator - 6 -

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2.2. Hardware Installation

Installing Your graphics card.

Now that you have prepared your computer, you are ready to install your graphics accelerator

card.

To remove the existing graphics card:

1. Power off the computer and monitor, then

disconnect the display cable from the back

of your computer.

2. Remove the computer cover. If necessary,

consult your computer's manual for help in

removing the cover.

3. Remove any existing graphics card from

your computer.

Hardware Installation- 7 -

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You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please refer

to next chapter for detailed instructions.

2. Replace the screws to fasten the card in

place, and replace the computer cover.

To install your new graphics card:

1. Locate one PCI Express x16 slot. If

necessary, remove the metal cover from the

slot; then align your graphics card with the

PCI Express x16 slot, and press it in firmly

until the card is fully seated.

* Please make sure that the gold edge

connectors of the graphics card is securely

inserted.

3. Plug the display cable into your card; then

turn on the computer and monitor. If your

graphics card came with a DVI-I connector,

you can connect a flat panel display to the

appropriate connector, as shown below.

To TV/VCR

To Flat Panel Display To D-Sub Monitor

GV-NX84G256H Graphics Accelerator - 8 -

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How to enable NVIDIA® SLITM (Scalable Link Interface) technology:

After installing two SLI-ready graphics cards of the same model on an SLI motherboard

(Figure 1), users can enable SLI mode simply through the graphics card driver (For the

GV-NX84G256H, driver version must be at least 158.27)(Note).

Figure 1

Figure 2

Step 1:After installing the graphics card driver, right-click on Desktop and select Properties.

When Display Properties dialog box appears, select the Settings tab. In Settings, click

the Advanced button.

Step 2: Click the GeForce 8400 GS tab when advanced properties dialog box appears.

Select Set SLI Configuration from the side menu and select the Enable SLI Technology

check box (Figure 2) and click Apply.

(Note):Only Windows® XP operating system supports SLI mode. Please do not enable SLI

Technology in Windows® 2000.

Step 3: Restart your system when prompted.

Hardware Installation- 9 -

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GIGABYTE Video Adapter for Nvidia Graphics Cards

(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.

Connect to the TV-Out port

on the graphics card.

S-Video Out HDTV Component

(Y+Pr+Pb)

AV Out

GV-NX84G256H Graphics Accelerator - 10 -

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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 Windows®2000 / Windows®XP 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 guides to setup your graphics card driver.

(Please follow the subsection 3.1.3 "Driver installation" to install the driver for your graphics

accelerator.)

3.1. Windows®XP Driver and Utilities Installation

3.1.1. Operating System Requirement

•When loading the graphics card drivers for the system, please make sure your system

has installed DirectX 9.0c or later version.

•If you install the graphics card drivers for the motherboard, which consist of SIS or VIA

chipsets, please install the appropriate driver program for that motherboard. Or please

contact your motherboard nearest dealer for motherboard driver.

Software Installation- 11 -

English

3.1.2. DirectX Installation

Install Microsoft DirectX to enable 3D hardware acceleration support for Windows®2000 or

Windows®XP to achieve better 3D performance.

0Note: For software MPEG support in Windows®2000 or 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 autorun window show 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.

Step 4. Click Finish to restart computer.

Then the DirectX 9 installation is completed.

Installing the components.

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3.1.3. Driver Installation

A. New hardware found

After the graphics card is inserted into your computer at the first time, the windows will

automatically detect a new hardware in the system and pop out a "New Hardware Found"

message. The following is the step-by-step installation guide.

Step 1: Found new hardware wizard: Video controller (VGA Compatible)

Click the "Next" button to install the driver. (There

is a driver CD disk that came with your graphics

accelerator, please insert it now.)

Or click the "Cancel" button to install the driver

from 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.

Software Installation- 13 -

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B. Driver installation (Autorun Window)

Insert the driver CD disk into your CD-ROM, and then you can see the AUTORUN window.

If it does not show up, please run "D:\setup.exe".

Step 1. When autorun window show up,

click Install Display Driver item.

Step 2. Click "Next" button.

Step 3. Click "Finish" button to restart computer.

Then the driver installation is completed.

Windows installings the components.

GV-NX84G256H Graphics Accelerator - 14 -

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After installation of the display drivers, you will find a NVIDIA icon on the taskbar's status

area. Click this icon to open the control panel.

3.1.4. Taskbar Icon

Right click the icon.

You can adjust the properties of

the graphics accelerator from

here.

Software Installation- 15 -

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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 depth for Windows)

You may adjust the screen resolution and color quality settings in this dialog box.

You can click the item to change the color quality.

Click the Advanced button for adapter and setting.

Access the GeForce 8400 GS 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.

To access more advanced options, click the Advanced button.

NVIDIA Control Panel

After pressing the Advanced button in Settings, you'll see the Plug and Play Monitor and NVIDIA

GeForce 8400 GS Properties dialog box. Click the GeForce 8400 GS tab. (You can also click the

NVIDIA icon on the taskbar and select NVIDIA Control Panel.)

You can move the slider to change the resolution.

GV-NX84G256H Graphics Accelerator - 16 -

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In the NVIDIA Control Panel, select a category to

alter specific NVIDIA display settings.

The categories are:

3D Settings

Display

Video & Television

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.

In the NVIDIA Control Panel, change a view if

you want.

The supported modes are:

Standard

Advanced

Custom

Select the view of the NVIDIA Control Panel that

is most appropriate for you.

Standard Settings

Advanced Settings

This follow pages provide details on configuring

Advanced Settings.

Software Installation- 17 -

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Manage 3D Settings (Note)

The Manage 3D Settings page enables you to

establish default 3D settings to use for all your

Direct3D or OpenGL applications and to establish

a unique set of 3D settings for a particular game

or application.

Adjust Image Settings 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.

(Note) This item is present only in Advanced view mode.

Set SLI Configuration

To enable SLI mode, select the Enable SLI

Technology check box and click Apply after

installation of two GV-NX84G256H graphics

cards on an SLI-capable motherboard. Then

restart your system when prompted.

"*" Only Windows® XP operating system

supports the SLI mode. Please do not enable

SLI Technology in Windows® 2000.

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MonitorTemperature Levels

To monitor the current temperature of your

NVIDIA GPU using NVIDIA nTune utility, please

visit NVIDIA's official web site for more

information about nTune.

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

Run Display Optimization Wizard

This wizard helps you adjust your displays for

optimal viewing and repersentation of colors.

(Note 1) This item is present only in Advanced view mode.

(Note 2) This item will show up when you connect two monitors.

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Gigabyte GV-NX84G256H User manual

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