Gigabyte Gv-rx155256d-rh User manual

GV-RX155256D-RH

RadeonTM X1550 Graphics Accelerator

User's Manual

Rev. 201

12MD-RX1552DR-201R

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

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

without the expressed, written permission of GBT.

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Due to rapid change in technology, some of the specifications might be out of date before publication of this booklet.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

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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.

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

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 .......................................................................... 11

3.1. Windows®XP Driver and Utilities Installation ................................................11

3.1.1. Operating System Requirement .................................................................................. 11

3.1.2. DirectX Installation ........................................................................................................ 12

3.1.3. Driver Installation .......................................................................................................... 13

3.1.4. Utilities on Driver CD ................................................................................................... 15

3.1.5. Taskbar Icon ................................................................................................................. 18

3.1.6. Display Properties pages ............................................................................................ 21

3.2. Windows®2000 Driver Installation ............................................................. 38

4. Troubleshooting Tips ........................................................................ 39

5. Appendix .......................................................................................... 40

5.1. How to Reflash the BIOS ........................................................................... 40

5.1.1. Reflash BIOS in MS-DOS mode ................................................................................. 40

5.1.2. Reflash BIOS in Windows mode ................................................................................ 40

5.2. Resolutions and Color Depth Table (In Windows®XP) ............................... 41

Introduction- 3 -

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1. Introduction

1.1. Features

•Powered by ATi RadeonTM X1550 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

•Supports PCI Express x16

•Integrated with 256 MB GDDR2 memory

•Supports DirectX 9.0c

•Supports software CrossFireTM

•Supports AV / S-Video / TV-Out and HDTV output

•Supports 1 Dual-Link DVI-I connector

•Supports 1 D-sub connector

1.2. Minimum System Requirements

•Hardware

- Intel®Pentium®4 or AMD AthlonTM

- 512 MB of system memory ; 1 GB or more for best performance

- Optical drive for software installation (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive)

•Operating System

- Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2)

- Windows®XP Professional x64 Edition

- Windows®2000

•CrossFireTM Configuration

If you are planning on using this graphics card as part of a CrossFireTM system, the

following is required:

- A CrossFireTM certified motherboard with two PCI Express x16 slots and

correct PCIe chipset driver

- Two X1550 cards

- A power supply with 450-watt or above

- Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Windows®XP Professional

x64 Edition

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

2. Hardware Installation

2.1. Board Layout

TV-Out

DVI-I Connector

VGA Monitor Connector

(15-pin)

TV-Out

VGA Monitor

Connector

(15-pin)

DVI-I Connector

Analog LCD Monitor Analog Monitor

OR VGA Output

Digital LCD Monitor

DVI Output

S-Video Output

Pb/AV Output

NTSC / PAL TV Projector

HDTV

NTSC / PAL TV Projector

VGA Output

Analog LCD Monitor Analog CRT Monitor

Or DVI-I to D-Sub

Adapter

Hardware Installation

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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.

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

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.

Or, if your computer has any on-board

graphics capability, you may need to disable

it on the motherboard. For more information,

please see you computer documentation.

Hardware Installation

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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 screw to fasten the card in place,

and replace the computer cover.

To install your new graphics card:

1. Locate a 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 VGA Monitor To Flat Panel Display

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

GIGABYTE Component Video Adapter for ATI Graphics Cards

(1) Connecting HDTV

Connect your HDTV cables to the component 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 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

Hardware Installation

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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

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

Step 1: After installing graphics card driver in operating system, access the ATI CATALYST

Control Center (please refer to Page 20). From the ATI CATALYST Control Center, enter the

CrossFire menu and assure to select the Enable CrossFire checkbox (Figure 2).

Step 2: When the next confirmation dialog box appears (Figure 3), click Yes to complete the

CrossFire configurations.

How to enable the ATI CrossFireTM technology:

After installing two CrossFire graphics cards of the same chipset (Figure 1) on a CrossFire-

supported motherboard, users can enable the CrossFire technology simply through the

graphics card driver .

Figure 2

Figure 1

Figure 3

(Note): The CrossFireTM technology can operate in Windows XP operating system only.

Please do not enable CrossFire in Windows 2000.

Software Installation- 11 -

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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 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.

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

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.

Click the Install DirectX 9 item.

Software Installation- 13 -

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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.

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

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".

Click the Install Display Drivers (Radeon

X1550 Series) item.

Step 1. When autorun window show up, click the

Install Display Drivers (Radeon X1550 Series)

item.

Step 2. Click Next button. Step 3. Click Yes button.

Setp 4. Click Express or Custom icon.

Step 5. Click the Finish button to restart computer.

Then the driver installation is completed.

Windows installings the components.

Software Installation- 15 -

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Step 3. Enter your name and company.

Step 4. Click the Finish button to restart computer.

Then the V-Tuner 3 installation is completed.

Step 2. Click the Next button.

Click the GIGABYTE Utility item.

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".

zInstall GIGABYTE Utility (V-Tuner 3):

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

zInstall Hydravision :

Step 2. Click the Next button.

Click the Hydravision Install item.

Step 3. Click the Yes button.

Step 4. Click the Next button. Windows installings the components.

Step 6. Click the Finish button to restart computer.

Then the Hydravision Install is completed.

Step 5. Click the Next button.

Software Installation- 17 -

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V-Tuner 3

V-Tuner 3 lets you adjust the working frequency of the graphic engine and video memory

(Core Clock and Memory 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

HELP Opens Help page

Displays 2D/3D core clock status Displays memory clock status

Adjust 2D/3D

core clock

Adjust memory clock

Auto-Optimized

core / memory clock

Fixed Clock

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

3.1.5. Taskbar Icon

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.

You can link to GIGABYTE website for updated information about the

graphics accelerator, latest drivers, and other information.

Click the VGA Information

item into the "VGA Info" and

"Color Adjust" tabs.

Software Installation- 19 -

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VGA Information

VGA Info lists the relevant information about your card.

Color Adjust

Color Adjust allows you to make color adjustments, such as brightness, contrast and

gamma values for each or all of RGB colors.

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GV-RX155256D-RH Graphics Accelerator

ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center:

After installation of the display drivers, you will find an ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center icon on

the taskbar's status area. The ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center is used to configure all your graphics

card settings. Right-click the icon to enter the ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center (refer to Fig. 1). Or

you can right-click on the desktop to select Properties>Settings>Advanced>ATI CATALYST Control

Center tab and press ATI CATALYST(tm) Control Center button (refer to Fig. 2).

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

HYDRAVISIONTM :

HYDRAVISION has everything you need to manage increased amounts of information across your

computer desktop. It allows you to quickly and easily tailor your computer desktop to the way you

work. You can:

• arrange and rearrange monitors. • assign Hot Key shortcuts.

• create up to 9 virtual desktops. • add special effects to windows and menus.

You can right-click on ATI CATALYSTTM Control Center icon to select HYDRAVISIONTM>

HYDRAVISIONTM Properties to set the HYDRAVISION (refer to Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Table of contents

Gigabyte GV-RX155256D-RH User manual

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