Gigabyte GV-NX88T512HP User manual

GV-NX88T512HP/
GV-NX88T512H/
GV-NX88G384H/
GV-NX96G384H/
GV-NX88T256H
GeForceTM 8800/9600 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 103
12MD-NX88T5HP-103R
Copyright
©2008GIGABYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmay bereproducedortransmitted
inany form withoutthe expressed, writtenpermission ofGBT.
Trademarks
Third-partybrandsandnamesarethepropertiesoftheirrespectiveowners.
Notice
Pleasedo not removeany labels onthis graphics card.Doing so mayvoid the warrantyof this card.
Duetorapidchangeintechnology,someofthespecificationsmightbeoutofdatebeforepublicationofthisthismanual.
Theauthorassumesnoresponsibilityforanyerrorsoromissionsthatmayappearinthisdocumentnordoestheauthor
makeacommitmenttoupdatetheinformationcontainedherein.
Macrovision corporation product notice:
ThisproductincorporatescopyrightprotectiontechnologythatisprotectedbyU.S.patentsandotherintellectualproperty
rights.UseofthiscopyrightprotectiontechnologymustbeauthorizedbyMacrovision,andisintendedforhomeandother
limitedviewingusesonlyunlessotherwiseauthorizedbyMacrovision.Reverseengineeringordisassemblyisprohibited.

- 2 -GV-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
Nov. 26, 2007
VGA Card
GV-NX88T512HP/GV-NX88T256H
VGA Card
GV-NX88T512HP/ GV-NX88T256H
Nov. 26, 2007

- 3 - Hardware Installation
Mar. 24, 2008
VGA Card
GV-NX88T512H
VGA Card
GV-NX88T512H
Mar. 24, 2008

- 4 -GV-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
Apr. 11, 2008
VGA Card
GV-NX88G384H/GV-NX96G384H
VGA Card
GV-NX88G384H/ GV-NX96G384H
Apr. 11, 2008

- 5 - Hardware Installation
Table of Contents
1.Introduction ................................................................................................................ 5
1.1.Features ......................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.Minimum SystemRequirements .................................................................................... 5
2.HardwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 6
2.1.BoardLayout ................................................................................................................. 6
2.2.HardwareInstallation......................................................................................................8
3.SoftwareInstallation.................................................................................................. 12
3.1.Windows®XPDriverandUtilitiesInstallation................................................................ 12
3.1.1. Operating System Requirements .............................................................................. 12
3.1.2. DirectX Installation........................................................................................................ 13
3.1.3. Driver Installation ......................................................................................................... 14
3.1.4. GIGABYTE Gamer HUD on Driver CD ..................................................................... 16
3.1.5. Taskbar Icon................................................................................................................. 18
3.1.6. Display Properties Pages........................................................................................... 19
3.1.7. nView Properties Pages (Note) ...................................................................................... 30
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 35
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 36
5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS in MS-DOS Mode.............................................................. 36
5.2.ResolutionsandColorDepthTables(InWindowsXP) ................................................. 37
RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 39
(Note) This item will show up when you connect two monitors.

- 6 -GV-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
• Powered by NVIDIA®GeForceTM 8800/9600 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Supports PCI Express 2.0
• Integratedwith 512MB GDDR3memory (For GV-NX88T512HP/512H only)
• Integratedwith 384MB GDDR3memory (ForGV-NX88G384H/GV-NX96G384Honly)
• Integratedwith256 MBGDDR3memory (ForGV-NX88T256H only)
• SupportsDirectX10
• SupportsNVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable LinkInterface)technology(Note)
• SupportsAV / S-Video /TV-Outand HDTV output
• Supports2DVI-Iconnectors
• Supports2D-Subconnectors(byadapters)
• SupportsHDTVoutput(byadapter)
• SupportsHDCP(High-BandwidthDigitalContentProtection)technology
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Intel®Pentium®4orAMDAthlonTM
- 128MBof system memory;2GB or more forbest performance
- Opticaldrivefor software installation(CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive)
- A450Watt power supplyorabove is amust
•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-NX88T512H(P)/GV-NX88G384H/GV-NX96G384H/GV-NX88T256H
- Apower supplywith1000-wattorabove isrecommended
- 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-NX88T512H(P)/GV-NX88G384H/GV-NX96G384H/GV-NX88T256H) and from the same
vendor (e.g. GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY).

- 7 - 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
TV-Out
DVI-I
Connector 1
DVI-I
Connector 2
1. GV-NX88T256H

- 8 -GV-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
2. GV-NX88T512HP/GV-NX88T512H/GV-NX88G384H/NX96G384H
HDTV Y
Pr
NTSC/PALTV Projector
or
NTSC/PALTV Projector
or
D-Sub monitor
Connector (15-pin)
DVI-I Connector
TV-Out
S-Video Output
Pb/AV Output
TV-Out
DVI-I Connector
D-Sub monitor
Connector
(15-pin)
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
D-Sub Output
Analog LCD Monitor Analog Monitor
or
Analog LCD MonitorAnalog CRT Monitor
or DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
D-Sub
Output
SLI Connector

- 9 - Hardware Installation
Expansion cards contain very delicate Integrated Circuit (IC) chips. To
protectthemagainstdamagefromstaticelectricity,youshouldfollowsome
precautions whenever you work on your computer.
1. Turnoff yourcomputer andunplugpower supply.
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. Besure there areno shippingandhandling damageson thecardbefore
proceeding.
DO NOTAPPLYPOWER 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-NX88/NX96 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 graphics card; then
turn on the computer and monitor. To connect a flat
panel directly to your graphics card, use the DVI-I
connector. To connect a D-Sub monitor to the DVI-I
connector, plug the DVI-I to D-Sub adapter into the
DVI-I connector, then plug the monitor cable into the
adapter.
After installation, remember to connect the power cable to your graphics
card, or the system will not boot. Do not touch the card when it's operating
to prevent system instability.
You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please refer to next
chapter for detailed instructions.
ToTV /VCR To Flat Panel Display
Connectaflatpanel
ConnectaD-SubmonitorviaDVI-ItoD-Subadapter

- 12 -GV-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
GIGABYTE Video Adapter
Connect to the TV-Out port on
the graphics card.
S-Video Out HDTV Component
(Y+Pr+Pb)
AV Out
(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.

- 13 - 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 cardsof
the same type.
(Example:GV-NX88X768H-RH)

- 14 -GV-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
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.)

- 15 - 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.

- 16 -GV-NX88/NX96 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-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
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.

- 19 - 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
ofthevoltage/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

- 20 -GV-NX88/NX96 Series Graphics Accelerator
3.1.5. Taskbar Icon
After installing the graphics card driver, you will find an NVIDIA icon in your system tray. 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.