Gigabyte GV-NX84S256HE User manual

GV-NX84S256HP/
GV-NX84S256HE/
GV-NX84S512HP/
GV-NX84S512H
GeForceTM 8400 GS GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 106
12MM-NX84S2HP-106R
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.
Macrovision corporation product notice:
ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbyU.S.patentsandotherintellectualproperty
rights.UseofthiscopyrightprotectiontechnologymustbeauthorizedbyMacrovision,andisintendedforhomeandother
limitedviewingusesonlyunlessotherwiseauthorizedbyMacrovision.Reverseengineeringordisassemblyisprohibited.

VGA Card
GV-NX84S256HP/ GV-NX84S256HE
Dec. 24, 2007
Dec. 24, 2007
VGA Card
GV-NX84S256HP/GV-NX84S256HE

VGA Card
GV-NX84S512HP
Jul. 31, 2008
Jul. 31, 2008
VGA Card
GV-NX84S512HP

VGA Card
GV-NX84S512H
Dec. 5, 2008
Dec. 5, 2008
VGA Card
GV-NX84S512H

- 5 -
Table of Contents
1.Introduction ................................................................................................................ 6
1.1.Features ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.2.MinimumSystemRequirements .................................................................................... 6
2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 7
2.1.BoardLayout ................................................................................................................. 7
2.2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................... 10
3.SoftwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 14
3.1.Windows®XPDriverandUtilitiesInstallation ............................................................... 14
3.1.1. Operating System Requirements .............................................................................. 14
3.1.2. DirectX Installation........................................................................................................ 15
3.1.3. Driver Installation ......................................................................................................... 16
3.1.4. Utilities on Driver CD................................................................................................... 18
3.1.5. Taskbar Icons............................................................................................................... 20
3.1.6. Display Properties Pages........................................................................................... 23
3.1.7. nView Properties Pages (Note) ...................................................................................... 33
3.2.Windows®2000DriverInstallation................................................................................ 38
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 39
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 39
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 39
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTables(InWindowsXP) ................................................. 40
5.3.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 42
(Note) This item will show up when you connect two monitors.

- 6 -GV-NX84S Series Graphics Accelerator
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
• ThegraphicscardsupportsNVIDIATurboCachetechnology,whichenhancesgraphicscard
performancebyallowingthegraphicsprocessingunit(GPU)todynamicallysharethe
availablesystemmemory.ThetotaleffectiveVGAmemory differsdependingonsystem
memory.Seethefollowingtablefordetails:
• Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM 8400 GS Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Supports PCI Express 2.0
• Integrated with 256 MB GDDR2 memory (for GV-NX84S256HP/GV-NX84S256HE only)
• Integratedwith 512MB GDDR2memory (for GV-NX84S512HP/GV-NX84S512H only)
• SupportsDirectX10
• SupportsAVoutput(forGV-NX84S256HE/GV-NX84S512H only)
• Supports1Dual-LinkDVI-Iconnector
• Supports1D-Subconnector
• SupportsAV /S-Video/TV-OutandHDTV output(by adapter)
(for GV-NX84S256HP/ GV-NX84S512HP only)
• SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Intel®Pentium®4 orAMDAthlonTM
- 128MB ofsystemmemory; 2GB or morefor bestperformance
- Opticaldrive forsoftwareinstallation (CD-ROMor DVD-ROMdrive)
- Apowersupplywith300-wattisrecommended
•OperatingSystem
- Windows®Vista
- Windows®XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- Windows®XPProfessionalx64 Edition
- Windows®2000
System Memory 256 MB 512 MB 1 GB or above
Onboard GraphicsMemory (a) 256 MB 256 MB 256 MB
AllocatedSystem Memory(b) 0 MB 0 MB 256 MB
TotalEffective GraphicsMemory (a)+(b) 256 MB 256 MB 512 MB

- 7 - Hardware Installation
2. Hardware Installation
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
Pr
Y
NTSC/PALTV Projector
HDTV
or
NTSC/PALTV Projector
or
Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor
or DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
D-Sub
Output
Analog LCD Monitor Analog Monitor
or
2.1. Board Layout
1. GV-NX84S256HP/GV-NX84S512HP
SPDIF In Connector

- 8 -GV-NX84S Series Graphics Accelerator
DVI-I Connector
D-Sub monitor
Connector (15-pin)
RCA
2. GV-NX84S256HE
3. GV-NX84S512H
DVI-I Connector
D-Sub monitor
Connector (15-pin)
RCA
RCA
DVI-I Connector
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
D-Submonitor
Connector
(15-pin)
DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
AV Output
NTSC / PAL TV Projector
or
D-Sub
Output
Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor
or
Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor
or D-Sub Output

- 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 thereare no shipping and handling damages on the cardbefore
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.

- 10 -GV-NX84S Series Graphics Accelerator
2.2. Hardware Installation
Now that you have prepared your computer, you are ready to install your graphics card.
To remove the existing graphics card:
Step 1.
Power off the computer and monitor, then disconnect
the display cable from the back of your computer.
Step 2.
Remove the computer cover. If necessary, consult
your computer's manual for help in removing the
cover.
Step 3.
Remove any existing graphics card from your
computer.

- 11 - Hardware Installation
To install your new graphics card:
Step 1.
Locate the PCI Express x16 slot. If necessary, re-
move 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.
* Please make sure that the gold edge connector of
the graphics card is securely inserted.
Step 2.
Replace the screw to fasten the card in place, and
replace the computer cover.
Step 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.
You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please refer to next
chapter for detailed instructions.
ToTV/VCRTo Flat Panel Display ToD-SubMonitorToTV/VCR
(forGV-NX84S256HE/
GV-NX84S512Honly)

- 12 -GV-NX84S Series Graphics Accelerator
GIGABYTE VideoAdapter (for GV-NX84S256HP/ GV-NX84S512HP only)
(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

- 13 - Hardware Installation
GIGABYTE Thermal Solution Guidelines:
1. GIGABYTE established the use of silent pipes on graphics card's thermal solution, and has been
the leading company for silent thermal solution. GIGABYTE's passive thermal solution allows
system to work perfectly in chassis with 40~50 degrees Celsius through the air flow of the system.
Please beware of the other excess component or insufficient system thermal design that may
cause high system temperature. Excess high temperature will affect the passive thermal design
and thus compromising system stability.
2. GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY's passive thermal design effectively implemented heat exchange,
radiation and convection to improve stability of the system. Please maintain passive thermal sink
at a normal and clean environment. Extra dust on heatsink may decrease the effectiveness of the
thermal design.
Silent Thermal Technology Passive Thermal Design

- 14 -GV-NX84S Series Graphics Accelerator
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 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.)

- 15 - Software Installation
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.
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 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.

- 16 -GV-NX84S 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.

- 17 - 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.

- 18 -GV-NX84S Series Graphics Accelerator
3.1.4. Utilities on Driver CD
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 shows up,
please click the GIGABYTE Utility item. Step 2. Click the Next button.
Step 4. Click the Finish button to restart
computer. Then the utilities installation is
completed..
Step 3. Click the Install button.

- 19 - Software Installation
V-Tuner 3
V-Tuner 3 lets you adjust the working frequency of the graphic engine and video memory (Core Clock
and Memory Clock).
Displays 2D/3D core clock status Displays memory clock status
Adjust2Dcore
clock
Adjustmemory clock
Adjust3D core clock
HardwareMonitor
Auto-Optimized
core/memoryclock
Fixed Clock
Button Function
DEFAULT You may click this button to restore to the default setting
SAVE You may click this button to save the frequency you wanted
LOAD After saving the specific value, you may click this button to load the
frequency you saved last time
Auto-Optimized The V-Tuner3 clock configuration utility will determine the recommended
GPU and memory clock setting your system. If the utility should hang,
restart your system and then enter "Auto-Optimized" mode
Fixed Clock The V-Tuner3 clock configuration utility will lock the GPU and memory
clock you choose, whether you restart your system or not. To rechange
clock, uncheck the "Fixed Clock" mode and then adjust
Hardware Monitor If your card have Hardware Monitor function, you will see the extend
window. The window will display the GPU temperature and show the
thermal curve. Besides, you can move the slider to adjust the
frequency-time temperature of GPU, and you will see the change of
thermal curve from now on.
HELP Opens Help page

- 20 -GV-NX84S Series Graphics Accelerator
3.1.5. Taskbar Icons
After installation of the display drivers, you will find a GIGABYTE icon on the taskbar's status area.
Right-clicking this icon opens the GIGABYTE control panel, showing a menu composed of shortcut of
the graphics card's enhanced and other functions.
You may click the Display Properties item, and then click Settings. Click Advanced after clicking
Settings. Click the appropriate tab to change your display settings.
Right click the icon.
Click the Color Correction and
VGA Information items to open
the "Color Adjust" and "VGA Info"
tabs.
You can link to GIGABYTE website for up-
dated information about the graphics
accelerator, latest drivers, and other
information.