Gigabyte GV-R687SO-1GD User manual

GV-R687SO-1GD
AMD RadeonTM HD6870 GraphicsAccelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 101
12MM-R6870SO-101R
Copyright
©2011GIGABYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD
CopyrightbyGIGA-BYTETECHNOLOGYCO.,LTD.("GBT").Nopartofthismanualmaybereproducedortransmitted
in anyform withoutthe expressed,written permissionof GBT.
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Notice
Pleasedo notremove anylabels onthis graphicscard. Doingsomay voidthe warrantyof thiscard.
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Feb. 09, 2011
VGA Card
GV-R687SO-1GD
VGA Card
GV-R687SO-1GD
Feb. 09, 2011

- 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.................................................................................................... 9
3.1.DriverandUtilityInstallation........................................................................................... 9
3.1.1. Driver Installation ........................................................................................................... 9
3.2. TaskbarIcon............................................................................................................. 15
3.3. DisplayPropertiesPages ........................................................................................ 17
4.TroubleshootingTips................................................................................................ 32
5.Appendix ................................................................................................................. 33
5.1.ResolutionsandColorDepthTables ............................................................................. 33
5.2.RegulatoryStatements ................................................................................................. 34

- 4 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
1. Introduction
1.1. Features
•Powered by AMD RadeonTM HD 6870 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
•Supports PCI Express 2.1
•Integratedwith1 GB GDDR5 memory
•SupportsDirectX11
•SupportsCrossFireXTM
• Supports DVI-I / DVI-D / HDMI / mini Display portx2
• SupportsDual-LinkDVI-Iconnector
• SupportsD-Subconnectors(byadapter)
• SupportsHDMIconnector
• SupportsminiDisplay portx2
1.2. Minimum System Requirements
•Hardware
- Intel®Pentium®4/CoreTM 2 or AMD AthlonTM /PhenomTM
- 1 GB or more of system memory for best performance
- Optical drive for software installation (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive)
- A power supply that provides at least 500-watt and with two 75w 2x3-pin PCIe power
connector is required. The power supply should be with a known brand and certified to
conform to safety regulations. (For the list of certified power supplies, go to
http://ati.amd.com/certifiedpsu.)
•OperatingSystem
- Windows®7
- Windows®Vista
- Windows®XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)
- Windows®XP Professional x64 Edition
•CrossFireXTM Configuration
If you are planning on using this graphics card as part of a CrossFireX system, the following
is required:
- A CrossFireX certified motherboard with two PCI Express x16 slots and correct chipset driver
- Two GV-R687SO-1GD
- A power supply that provides at least 600-watt and with four 2x3-pin PCIe power
connectors is required. The power supply should be with a known brand and certified to
conform to safety regulations. (For the list of certified power supplies, go to
http://ati.amd.com/certifiedpsu.)
- One CrossFire bridge interconnect cables

- 5 - Hardware Installation
2. Hardware Installation
2.1. Board Layout
Mini DisplayPort Connector
HDMI Connector
DVI-I Connector
DVI-D
Connector
AnalogLCDMonitor AnalogMonitor
or DVI-I to D-Sub
Adapter
Digital LCD Monitor
DVI Output
D-Sub
Output
HDMI TV
HDMI
Connector
Digital LCD Monitor
MiniDisplayPort
Connector
HDMI TV
CrossFire Connector
Mini DisplayPort Connector
MiniDisplayPort
Connector
DVI-D Connector
DVI-I
Connector

- 6 -GV-R687 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,
suchasthe power supply case.
3. Placecomponentsonagroundedantistaticpadoronthebagthatcamewiththe
componentswheneverthecomponentsareseparatedfromthesystem.
Thecardcontainssensitiveelectriccomponents,whichcanbeeasilydamagedbystatic
electricity,sothecardshouldbeleftinitsoriginalpackinguntilitisinstalled.
Unpackingandinstallationshouldbedoneonagroundedanti-staticmat.Theoperator
shouldbewearingananti-staticwristband,groundedatthesamepointastheanti-static
mat.
Inspectthecardcartonforobviousdamage.Shippingandhandlingmaycausedamage
toyour card. Be surethere are no shippingand handling damages onthe 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.
The entire Radeon HD 6870 series support HDMI output which can handle both audio and
video signals. However, audio output from the onboard audio controller or the external
sound card will be disabled when HDMI output is activated.
If no need for HDMI output function, set the onboard audio controller or the external sound
card to be the default Sound Playback device to obtain audio output from your system.

- 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.
Makesurethatthegoldedgeconnectorofthegraphicscardissecurely
inserted.
Step 3.
Plug the display cable into your card; then turn on the computer
and monitor. To connect a flat panel display to your graphics
card, use the DVI-I connector. To connect an HDMI monitor to
your graphics card, use the HDMI connector. To connect a
DisplayPort monitor to your graphics card, use the DisplayPort
connector.
You are now ready to proceed with the installation of the graphics card driver. Please refer to next
chapter for detailed instructions.
Connecta flatpanel display
ConnectanHDMImonitor
To Flat Panel Display
ToHDMIMonitor
ConnectaDisplayPortmonitor
To MiniDisplayPortMonitor
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.

- 8 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
How to enable the ATI CrossFireXTM technology?
Step 1:
Install two CrossFireX graphics cards of the same chipset on a CrossFireX-supported motherboard and
connect the graphics cards via two CrossFire bridge interconnect cables (Figure 1). Then users can
enable the CrossFireX technology through the graphics card driver.
Two CrossFire bridge
interconnect cables. TwoCrossFire graphics cards ofthe same type.
(Example: GV-RX195P256D-RH)
Figure 1
Step 2:
After installing graphics card driver in operating system, when an ATI CrossFireX configuration is
detected for the first time by the ATI Catalyst display driver, ATI CrossFireX support is automatically
enabled, and the best possible GPU combination is selected based on the hardware configuration.
IfATI CrossFireX is not enabled, access the ATI Catalyst Control Center (please refer to Page 14). From
theATI Catalyst Control Center, enter the CrossFire menu and assure to select the Enable CrossFireXTM
check box (Figure 2).
Figure 2

- 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:
Select the displayed language and then click Next.
Step 3:
Click the Install button.

- 10 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
Setp 4:
Click the Express or Custom icon and then
click Next.
Step 5:
Click the Accept button.
The system is installing the components. Step 6:
Click the Finish button to restart the computer.
Then the driver installation is completed.

- 11 - Software Installation
Incorrectly doing overclock/overvoltage may result in damage to your system and reduce
the 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 not fixed for all AMD series models.
(Note2) Adjustable voltage value will vary with different models.

- 12 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
Dragthebarleft/righttodecrease/increaseGPU/Memoryclock
StockGPU/Memory clocksetting
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 modeofPWM working frequency
CurrentGPUpower consumption
Meter/Total modeswitch:
Metermode: power savedina givenperiodof time
Total mode:power savedsince OCGURU first activated
Reset Meter mode fromstart
StandardPWM working frequency

- 14 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
Graphicscard powerphasestatus
Realtimemonitor:
•GPU/Memory clock
•GPUtemperature
•GPU voltage
•GPUcurrent
•Fan speedand GPUusage
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
3.2. Taskbar Icon
After installation of the display driver, you will find an ATI icon in the notification area. Right-click the
icon to enter the ATI Catalyst Control Center. The ATI Catalyst Control Center is used to configure
all your graphics card settings.
Right-click the ATI icon to enter the ATI Catalyst Control Center.
Or you can right-click on the desktop and select Catalyst(TM) Control Center.

- 16 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
Configuring Audio Output
Configure the default audio output device based upon your needs.
Step 1:
Go to Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Manage audio devices.
Using the picture to the left as the example, to set HDMI audio to be
the default Sound Playback device, select Digital Output Device
(HDMI). Otherwise, select Digital Output Device (SPDIF), which
is the onboard audio controller.
Step 2:
In the Manage audio devices dialog box, click the Playback tab.
Figure 1 Figure 2
Figure 3

- 17 - Software Installation
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.
3.3. 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.
(Note) By a DVI-to-D-Sub adapter.
Model GV-R687SO-1GD
DVI+mini DP
HDMI+DVI
HDMI+mini DP
CRT(Note)+HDMI
CRT(Note)+mini DP
DVI+DVI+mini DP
HDMI+DVI+mini DP
CRT(Note)+HDMI+mini DP
CRT(Note)+DVI+mini DP
DVI+HDMI+miniDP+miniDP
DVI+DVI+mini DP+mini DP
CRT(Note)+DVI+mini DP+mini DP
CRT(Note)+HDMI+DVI+mini DP+mini DP
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Display
Matrix

- 18 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
ATI Catalyst®Control Center Basic View :
The Basic View is the default view when ATI Catalyst Control Center is launched for the first time. This
interface provides access to the basic settings and advanced features of your ATI graphics products.
You can switch between Basic View and Advanced View at any time.
To access more settings in Basic View, click Basic,
and then click Next.
Easy Setup Wizards:
Choose a wizard from the central list and click Go for step-by-step assistance.


Avivo Video Converter
This wizard assists you to convert videos from one file format to another.
Step 1:
Select Avivo Video Converter, then click Go.Step 2: Select the video file to be converted.
Step 3:
In the Output Folder area, select the destination folder where the new file will be located. Click Next.

- 19 - Software Installation
Step 4:
In the Output Video Format list, select a file
format for the new file. If you wish to change the
name of the new file, enter the new name in the
Output File area. Finally, click Next to start
file conversion.
The video file has been successfully converted.


Setup my display configuration
This wizard allows you to configure display
setting for desktop viewing.


HydraVision Configuration Settings
This wizard will take you to set up the HydraVision
Configuration based on your own preference.

- 20 -GV-R687 Series Graphics Accelerator
Quick Settings:
The Quick Settings page provides access to three main settings.


3D Quality
3D Performance and Quality Settings allows your
3D games and applications to get faster perfor-
mance and better quality with a more balanced
setting.


Video Playback
Use this option to optimize video playback in
different room environment or to select how
video playback appears on the second display.


Display Setup
This option allows you to configure your desktop,
including changing desktop resolution and desk-
top mode, setting up extended desktop (requires
more than one display), and rotating desktop
image to match new display orientation.
Information Center:
The Information Center page in Basic and Advanced View provides hardware and software information
about the installed graphics card.


Graphics Software
Provides software information including driver
version, CATALYST version, Direct 3D version
and so on.


GraphicsHardware
Provides hardware information including graph-
ics chipset, BIOS version, memory size, core
clock and so on.