Nvidia nForce 680I LT SLI Instructions for use

nForce 680i SLI/
nForce 680i LT SLI
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Disclaimer
We make no warranty of any kind with regard to the content of this user’s manual. The content
is subject to change without notice and we will not be responsible for any mistakes found in
this user’s manual. All the brand and product names are trademarks of their respective
companies.
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user
will be required to correct the interference at his own expense. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
CE Mark
The device is in accordance with 89/336 ECC-ENC Directive.
Ver: EG101

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
nForce 680i SLI/
nForce 680i LT SLI
nVIDIA®nForce 680i SLI MCPs/
nForce 680i LT SLI MCPs
Support Socket 775
Intel®CoreTM 2 Extreme/ CoreTM 2 Quad/ CoreTM 2 Duo/
Pentium®Extreme Edition/
Pentium®Processors
User Manual
Dimensions (ATX form-factor):
244mm x 305mm ( W x L )
Operating System:
Windows®Vista/ Windows®XP

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
Attention- Im
p
ortant Information
Follow the procedures below…
Troubleshooting Tips
Refer to other sections in this manual…
Things You Have To Know
The images and pictures in this manual are for reference only and may vary
from the product you received depending on specific hardware models, third
party components and software versions.
This mainboard contains very delicate IC chips. Always use a grounded
wrist strap when working with the system.
Do not touch any IC chip, lead, connector or other components.
Always unplug the AC power when you install or remove any device on the
mainboard or when confuguring pins and switches.
Packing List
nForce 680i SLI/ nForce 680i LT SLI Mainboard
I/O Shield
IDE Cable
SATA Cable
SLI Bridge
1394 Cable (Optional)
Cooling Fan (nForce 680i SLI only)
Mainboard Driver & User Manual CD
Mainboard Quick Installation Guide
Symbols

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. GETTING STARTED .................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................... 1
SPECIFICATION ....................................................................................................... 2
CONFIGURATION .................................................................................................... 5
Layout of nForce 680i SLI ..............................................................................5
Layout of nForce 680i LT SLI.........................................................................6
HARDWARE INSTALLATION ................................................................................... 7
CPU Processor Installation.............................................................................. 7
Memory Installation: DIMM0/1/2/3................................................................ 8
Back Panel Configuration.............................................................................. 10
Connectors ..................................................................................................... 13
Front Panel Headers: FRONTPNL................................................................ 14
EZ Control Button ......................................................................................... 15
Headers & Jumpers........................................................................................ 15
Audio Configuration...................................................................................... 17
Slots ............................................................................................................... 17
Power Supply Attachments............................................................................ 18
CHAPTER 2. BIOS SETUP ........................................................... 20
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 20
MAIN MENU ......................................................................................................... 21
CHAPTER 3: SOFTWARE SETUP................................................... 23
SOFTWARE LIST ................................................................................................... 23
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION ................................................................................... 23
CHAPTER 4: TROUBLESHOOTING................................................. 27
APPENDIX I: 8/6/4/2 CHANNEL AUDIO EFFECT SETUP......................................... 30
APPENDIX II: RAID SETUP................................................................................... 32
APPENDIX III: SLI (SCALABLE LINK INTERFACE)SETUP .................................... 70

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
1
Chapter 1. Getting Started
Introduction
Thanks for choosing nForce 680i SLI/ nForce 680i LT SLI mainboards. They are based on
nVIDIA®nForce 680i SLI/ 680i LT SLI Northbridge and Southbridge chipsets. The nForce 680i
SLI/ nForce 680i LT SLI support Intel®CoreTM 2 Extreme/ CoreTM 2 Quad/ CoreTM 2 Duo/
Pentium®Extreme Edition/ Pentium®Processors with FSB (Front Side Bus) frequencies up to
1333 MHz/ 1066 MHz/ 800 MHz.
The nForce 680i SLI/ nForce 680i LT SLI provide four DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Modules)
sockets allowing you to install 240-pin, unbuffered non-ECC, DDRII 800/ 667/ 533 SDRAMs.
They also support Dual Channel Technology and allow you installing a total memory capacity
of 8 GB.
These mainboards provide two PCI-E x16 slots which can be used with two identical
SLI-ready PCI-Express graphics cards, enabling SLI Technology and significantly increasing
graphics performance <See Appendix III>. Furthermore, the nForce 680i SLI also provides
one PCI-E x8 slot for use with a graphics card. There are two PCI-E x1 slots provided for use
with PCI-E x1 compatible expansion cards. Two standard PCI slots for use with standard PCI
expansion cards are also allowed.
The nForce 680i SLI/ nForce 680i LT SLI provide one floppy disk drive connector that can be
used with 360KB/720KB/ 1.2MB/1.44MB/2.88MB drives. There is also one IDE connector for
connecting two IDE hard drives supporting Ultra ATA 33/66/100/133. Moreover, these
mainboards come with Serial ATA II feature, six SATA II connectors which the interfaces can
provide the transmit rate up to 3 Gbps and also support RAID 0/ 1/ 0+1/ 5 JBOD mode <See
Appendix II>
The onboard High Definition Audio CODEC (ALC885) supports 8/6/4/2 channel audio play
<See Appendix I>. These mainboards also support the Sony/Philips Digital Interfaces (SPDIF)
output function.
The nForce 680i SLI also comes with two onboard 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN chips.
There are dual LAN ports on the back panel of your case that you can directly plug into an
Internet cable. The nForce 680i LT SLI only provides one 10/100/1000 LAN port.
There are maximal ten USB2.0/ 1.1 ports which can be set up on the nForce 680i SLI
mainboard. Eight USB2.0/ 1.1 ports are available on the nForce 680i LT SLI mainboard.
All the information (including hardware installation and software installation) in this manual are
for reference only. The contents in this manual may be updated without notice. The company
will not assume any responsibility for any errors or mistakes within.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
2
Specification
CPU
Support Socket 775
Support Intel®CoreTM 2 Extreme/ CoreTM 2 Quad/ CoreTM 2 Duo/ Pentium®Extreme
Edition/ Pentium®Processors
Support Hyper-Threading Technology
Support 1333 MHz/ 1066 MHz/ 800 MHz/ 533 MHz FSB (Front Side Bus) Frequencies
Chipset
Northbridge Chipset – nVIDIA®nForce 680i SLI SPP/ 680i LT SLI SPP
Southbridge Chipset – nVIDIA®nForce 680i SLI MCP/ 680i LT SLI MCP
I/O Controller – Winbond®W83627DHG
High Definition Audio Codec – Realtek®ALC885
LAN Controller – Marvell®88E1116
IEEE1394 Controller – TI®TSB43AB22A
Memory
Four DIMM sockets
Supports unbuffered & non-ECC DDRII 800/ 667/ 533 SDRAM
Supports a total memory capacity of up to 8 GB
Supports Dual Channel data bus
Onboard HD Audio CODEC (ALC885)
High performance CODEC with high S/N ratio (>100 db)
Compatible with Azalia 1.0 specification
Supports 8/6/4/2 channel playback capability
Supports jack sensing and re-tasking function
Microphone AEC, NS, and BF technology for voice application
Supports Sony/ Philips Digital Interfaces (S/PDIF) functionality

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
3
Slots
Five PCI-Express interface slots for graphics cards and expansion cards
1. Two PCI-E x16 slots: supports x16 mode for true dual-graphics SLI configurations
2. One PCI-E x8 slot: supports x8 mode for future GPU physics applications nForce
680i SLI only
3. Two PCI-E x1 slots: supports up to x1 mode with 250 MB/s one-way bandwidth
Two PCI interface slots for expansion cards
FDD Connector
Supports one FDD connector to set up to two floppy disk drives
Supports 360KB/ 720KB/ 1.2MB/ 1.44MB/ 2.88MB
IDE Connector
One IDE connector
Supports up to two IDE devices
Supports Ultra ATA 33/66/100/133
Supports high capacity hard disk drives
Serial ATA II Connectors
Six SATA II connectors
Supports SATA 2.0 specification with data transfer rate up to 3 Gbps
One SATA II connector can only support one SATA II HDD
Onboard LAN Chip
Supports Dual LAN nForce 680i SLI only
Supports 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN
I/O facility Connectors
Supports one PS/2 mouse port and one PS/2 keyboard port
Supports one IEEE1394 port on back panel
Supports one SPDIF OUT port on back panel
Supports one serial port (COM1) header and one IEEE1394 header with external
device connected

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
4
Universal Serial Bus
Six onboard USB 2.0/ 1.1 ports nForce 680i SLI only
Two front USB headers come with this mainboard for additional four USB ports
Support a maximum of ten USB ports to connect USB compatible devices 
nForce 680i SLI only
BIOS
Phoenix-Award™ BIOS
Support APM 1.2
Support ACPI 2.0 power management
Green Function
Supports ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)
Supports Phoenix-Award™ BIOS power management function
Supports S0 (normal), S1 (power on suspend), S3 (suspend to RAM), S4 (suspend to
disk – depends on OS), and S5 (soft – off).
Shadow RAM
Integrated memory controller provides shadow RAM functionality and supports ROM
BIOS
Flash Memory
Supports flash memory functionality
Supports ESCD functionality
Hardware Monitor Function
Monitors CPU/ Northbridge/ Chassis Fan Speed
Monitors CPU temperature
Monitors CPU/ Memory/ System voltages

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
5
Configuration
Layout of nForce 680i SLI

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
6
Layout of nForce 680i LT SLI

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
7
Hardware Installation
This section will assist you in quickly installing your system hardware. Wear a wrist ground
strap before handling components. Electrostatic discharge may damage the system’s
components.
CPU Processor Installation
These mainboards support Intel®CoreTM 2 Extreme/ CoreTM 2 Quad/ CoreTM 2 Duo/ Pentium®
Extreme Edition/ Pentium®Processors using a Socket 775. Before building your system, we
suggest you to visit the Intel website and review the processor installation procedures.
http://www.intel.com
CPU Socket 775 Configuration Steps:
1. Locate the CPU socket 775 on
your mainboard and nudge the
lever away from the socket as
shown. Then lift the lever to a
140-degree angle (A). Next, lift up
the iron cover (B).
2. There are 2 distinctive marks
located near the corners of the
socket on the same side as the
lever as shown (C). Match these
marks with the marks on the CPU
and carefully lower the CPU down
onto the socket (D).
3. Replace the iron cover and then
lower the lever until it snaps back
into position (E). This will lock
down the CPU (F).
4. Smear thermal grease on the top of the CPU. Lower the
CPU fan onto the CPU/CPU socket and secure it using the
attachments or screws provided on the fan. Finally, attach
the fan power cord to the CPUFAN header.
A
B
D
C
F
E
A
ttention
DO NOT touch the CPU pins in case they are damaged. Also, make sure
that you have completed all installation steps before powered on the
system. Finally, double-check that the cooling fan is properly installed and
the CPU fan power cord is securely attached, in case your CPU and other
sensitive com
p
onents are dama
g
ed because of hi
g
h tem
p
eratures.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
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FAN Headers: CPU FAN, NFORCE FAN
There are several fan headers available for cooling fans on the mainboard. Here describes the
two important ones only. The cooling fans play an important role in maintaining ambient
temperatures in your system. The CPUFAN header is attached with a CPU cooling fan. The
NFORCE FAN header is attached with the nForce SPP fan.
Pin Assignment
1 Control
2 Sense
3 PWR
1
CPU FAN
4 GND
Pin Assignment
1 Sense
2 +12V
1
NFORCE FAN 3 GND
Memory Installation: DIMM0/1/2/3
The nForce 680i SLI/ nForce 680i LT SLI mainboards provide four DIMM (Dual In-Line
Memory Modules) sockets which allow you to install 240-pin, unbuffered non-ECC, DDRII 800/
667/ 533 SDRAMs. They also support Dual Channel Technology and allow you to install a
total memory capacity of 8 GB.
DIMM on the nForce 680i SLI
Attention
It is recommended that to install memories which are identical
specifications (same timing specifications and same DDR II
speed) to achieve the best effects. It may cause the failure of
power-on or lower memory speed if installing different type,
SPD (series presence detects)
memories
.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
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DIMM on the nForce 680i LT SLI
How to enable Dual-Channel DDRII:
1. These mainboards provide Dual-Channel functionality for the four DIMM sockets.
Enabling Dual-Channel will significantly increase your data access rate than the before.
DIMM0 and DIMM1 share one channel, and DIMM2 and DIMM3 share another channel.
2. To enable Dual-Channel, you need to install memories in different channels of DIMM
sockets. According to the definition by Intel, once one channel of the memory capacity is
the same with the other channel, the Dual-Channel will be enabled then.
For example, if you install one 256 MB memory in DIMM0 and another in DIMM1 (256MB x 2
= 512MB), you must install a total of 512 MB memory in DIMM2 or DIMM3, so that the
Dual-Channel can be enabled.
3. If you only need to install one memory, it is recommended to install it in DIMM0 or DIMM1.
Memory Installation Steps:
1. Pull the white plastic tabs at both ends of the slot away from the slot.
2. Match the notch on the RAM module with the corresponding pattern in the DIMM slot.
This will ensure that the module will be inserted with the proper orientation.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
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3. Lower the RAM module into the DIMM Slot and press firmly using both thumbs until the
module snaps into place.
4. Repeat steps 1, 2 & 3 for the remaining RAM modules.
Back Panel Configuration
Back Panel of the nForce 680i SLI
 The pictures above are for reference only. Your actual
installation may vary slightly from the pictures.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
11
Back Panel of the nForce 680i LT SLI
PS/2 Mouse & PS/2 Keyboard Ports: KB/MS
These mainboards provide a standard PS/2 mouse port and a PS/2 keyboard port.
S/PDIF OUT Port: SPDIF Out
The S/PDIF output is capable of providing digital audio to external speakers or compressed
AC3 data to an external Dolby digital decoder. Use this feature only when your stereo system
has digital input function.
IEEE1394 Port: IEEE1394
There is one IEEE1394 port on the back panel of your case that allows you to attach
compatible device is also available.
USB Ports/LAN Ports: USB1, USB/LAN1, USB/LAN2
There are six onboard USB 2.0/ 1.1 ports on the back panel. These USB ports are used to
attach with USB devices, such as keyboard, mice and other USB supported devices. There
are also dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN ports available for you to attach an Internet
cable. 《nForce 680i LT SLI supports four onboard USB 2.0/1.1 ports and one LAN
port.》

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
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Audio Ports: SOUND
This mainboard provides six HD Audio ports for 8/6/4/2 channel playback capability. With jack
sensing, auto detecting and adjusting, the device will make it easier to Plug and Play for you.
Line-In (blue)
This port is for audio input and connects to external audio devices such as CD player, tape
player or other audio devices when the 8/6/4/2 channel audio effects driver is enabled.
Line-Out/Front Speaker-out (green)
This port is an output audio port used for connecting to speakers or a headset. A dual channel
audio system is to provide basic audio functionality. When the 8/6/4/2 channel audio system is
enabled, this port will output audio for the front speakers.
Mic-In (pink)
This port is for connecting to a microphone. When the 8/6/4/2 channel audio system is
enabled, this port will be the input of your microphone.
Center/ Subwoofer（orange）
This port connects with the center/ subwoofer speakers. It will be functional when the 8/6
channel audio system is driven for center/ subwoofer output.
Rear Speaker Out（black）
This port is only functional for the output of the surround sound rear speakers when the 8/6/4/2
channel audio driver is installed and enabled.
Side Speaker Out（gray）
This port will be effective for the output of side surround speakers when the 8 channel audio
system is set.
This mainboard supports multi-channel audio system which allows you to
transform your 2 speaker audio system into 8/ 6/ 4 speaker audio system.
See Appendix I for more information.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
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Connectors
Floppy Disk Drive Connector: FLOPPY
These mainboards provide a standard floppy disk drive connector (FDD) that supports 360KB/
720KB/ 1.2MB/ 1.44MB/ 2.88 MB floppy disk drives using a FDD ribbon cable.
Hard Disk Drive Connectors: IDE
These mainboards provide one IDE connector that supports Ultra ATA 33/66/100/133 IDE
devices. You can attach a maximum of two IDE devices, such as hard disk drive (HDD),
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. using an IDE ribbon cable.
In general, two IDE devices can be attached onto one IDE connector. If you attach two IDE
HDDs, you must configure one drive as the master and the other one as the slave. In this case,
one optical device i.e., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM…etc. should be attached to this connector as
well.
SATA II Connector: SATA A0/A1/B0/B1/C0/C1
The six SATA II connectors support 3 Gbps transmit rate, and one SATA connector only can
attach one SATA HDD of each time using SATA cables.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 GND 2 TX+
3 TX- 4 GND
5RX+ 6 RX-
1
SATA A0/ A1/ B0/
B1/ C0/ C1
7 GND
Attention
The FDD/ IDE cable is designed and should be attached with a
specific direction. One edge of the cable will usually in color such
as red, to indicate that should line up with the header pin-1.
This mainboard supports RAID 0/ 1/ 0+1/ 5/ JBOD mode; refer
Appendix II for more information.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
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Front Panel Headers: FRONTPNL
FRONTPNL
Pin Assignment Function Pin Assignment Function
1 HD_PWR (+) 2 HDR_BLNK_GRN
3 HAD#
Hard Disk LED
(HD_LED) 4 HDR_BLNK_YEL
Front Panel Light
(PWRLED)
5 GND 6 SWITCH_ON#
7 FP_RESET#
Reset Switch
(RESET) 8 GND
Power Switch
(PWRSW)
9 N/C 10 Key
Hard Disk LED Header (Orange): HD_LED
If your case front panel has a hard drive LED cable, attach it to this header. The LED will
flicker when there is hard disk drive activity.
Reset Switch Header (Blue): RESET
This header can be attached to a momentary SPST switch (reset button) cable on your case
front panel. The switch is normally left open. When the switch closed, it will cause the
mainboard to reset and run the POST (Power-On Self Test).
Power LED Header (Green): PWRLED
These mainboards provide a 2-pin power LED header. If there is a 2-pin power LED cord on
your case front panel, you can attach it to the 2-pin power LED header. Then the power LED
will illuminate while the system is powered on.
Power Switch Header (Red): PWRSW
This header can be attached to a power switch cable on your case front panel. You can turn
your system on or off by pressing the button attached to this power switch cable.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
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CASE OPEN
COM1
EZ Control Button
Onboard Buttons: POWER, RESET
These mainboard provide one Power Switch and one Reset Switch
buttons for your convenience to turn on or restart your system. If
pressing one of them, then you can start your computer easily before
the mainboard is set into the case.
Headers & Jumpers
Case Open Warning Header: CASE OPEN
This header is used to warn the user when the computer case has been
previously opened. Please connect the header with a cable to your case
directly. (Make sure that your computer case provides this “case open”
cable.)
Serial Interface Header: COM1
These mainboards provide one COM1 header for you to connect an
external serial connector on the back panel of your case. Attaching the
serial connector by a cable (Optional) onto this header, then you can
use the serial connector to attach with a mic, modem or other
peripheral device.
Front USB Headers: USB6/7, USB8/9
These mainboards provide six (or four) onboard USB 1.1/2.0 ports on the back panel that
attach to USB devices. There are two additional USB headers that can be connected by
cables to four more USB ports on the front panel of your case giving you a possible ten (or
eight) USB ports.《nForce 680i LT SLI supports four onboard USB 2.0/1.1 ports on
the back panel.》
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 5V_Dual 2 5V_Dual
3 D- 4 D-
5 D+ 6 D+
7 GND 8 GND
USB6/7/8/9
9 Key 10 N/C
Attention
If you are using a USB 2.0 device with Windows®XP, you will need to
install the USB 2.0 driver from the Microsoft®website. If you are using
Service pack 1 (or higher) for WindowsXP, you will not have to install the
driver.

Mainboard nForce 680i SLI/
Mainboard nForce 680i LT SLI
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IEEE1394 Header: IEEE1394
These mainboards provide one onboard IEEE1394 port on the back panel of your case. One
additional IEEE1394 header on the mainboard for one more port on the front panel is allowed.
Please connect the header by a cable for use with compatible devices.
Pin Assignment Pin Assignment
1 TPA+ 2 TPA-
3 GND 4 GND
5 TPB+ 6 TPB-
7 +12V 8 +12V
IEEE1394
9 Key 10 GND
Clear CMOS Jumper: CLR_CMOS
The “Clear CMOS” function is used when you are unable boot your system and need to reset
the BIOS settings (CMOS settings) back to the manufacturer’s original settings. This is also a
way to reset the system password if you have forgotten it.
CLR_CMOS Assignment
Pin 1-2 Closed Clear CMOS Data
Pin 2-3 Closed Normal (Default)
Note: Close stands for putting a jumper cap onto two header pins.
1. Turn off your system and disconnect the AC power cable.
2. Set CLR_CMOS header to OFF (1-2 Closed).
3. Wait several seconds.
4. Set CLR_CMOS header to ON (2-3 closed).
5. Connect the AC power cable and turn on your system.
6. Reset your new password.
The following steps explain how to reset your CMOS
configurations when you forgot a system password.