XFX nForce 680i LT SLI User manual

User Guide
XFX nForce 680i
SLI Motherboard
Installation and Configuration

Installing and Configuring the XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
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Table of Contents
Before You Begin… ..................................................................................... xii
Parts OT in the Kit......................................................................................... xii
Intentions of the Kit ....................................................................................... xiii
Introduction to the XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard...............................1
Features ...........................................................................................................1
Engineered for Enthusiasts.............................................................................1
Ultimate Overclocking ....................................................................................1
Guaranteed FSB speeds..............................................................................1
Extreme DDR2 Speeds ...............................................................................2
Comprehensive Overclocking Tools .............................................................2
Designed for VIDIA SLI Technology..............................................................2
True 2 x16 PCI Express SLI Support............................................................2
VIDIA SLI-Ready Memory.........................................................................3
VIDIA SLI Certified Components ...............................................................3
Third PCIe Slot for Graphics Expansion ...........................................................3
DualDDR2 Memory Architecture......................................................................3
VIDIA MediaShield™ Storage .......................................................................4
Multiple Disk Setup ....................................................................................4
DiskAlert System........................................................................................4
RAID Morphing ..........................................................................................4
Bootable Multidisk Array .............................................................................4
Six SATA 3Gb/s Drives................................................................................4

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etworking with VIDIA nForce .....................................................................5
VIDIA ative Gigabit Ethernet ..................................................................5
VIDIA FirstPacket™ technology.................................................................5
VIDIA Dual et Technology .......................................................................5
High Definition Audio (HDA) ...........................................................................6
USB 2.0.........................................................................................................6
Motherboard Specifications ................................................................................7
Un acking and Parts Descri tions ...............................................................9
Unpacking.........................................................................................................9
Equipment ........................................................................................................9
XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard ....................................................................10
Hardware Installation .................................................................................13
Safety Instructions ..........................................................................................13
Preparing the Motherboard ..............................................................................14
Installing the CPU ........................................................................................14
Installing the CPU Fan..................................................................................15
Installing Memory DIMMs.............................................................................15
Installing the Motherboard ...............................................................................16
Installing the I/O Shield ...............................................................................16
Securing the Motherboard into the Chassis....................................................16
Connecting Cables and Setting Switches ...........................................................17
Power Connections ......................................................................................18
24-pin ATX Power (PWR1) ........................................................................18
8-pin ATX 12V Power (PWR2) ...................................................................19
Auxiliary Power for Graphics (PWR3) .........................................................19
Connecting IDE Hard Disk Drives ..................................................................20
Connecting Serial ATA Cables .......................................................................20
Connecting Internal Headers ........................................................................21

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Front Panel Header ..................................................................................21
IEEE 1394a (Optional)..............................................................................22
USB Headers ...........................................................................................22
Audio ..........................................................................................................24
Fan Connections ..........................................................................................25
COM1 (Optional)..........................................................................................25
COM1 (Optional)..........................................................................................26
FDD Connector ............................................................................................26
Speaker ......................................................................................................26
Expansion Slots ...........................................................................................27
PCI Slots .................................................................................................27
PCI Express x1 Slot ..................................................................................28
PCI Express x16 Slots...............................................................................28
Jumper Settings ..............................................................................................28
Clear CMOS Jumper: CLR_CMOS ..................................................................28
Configuring the BIOS ..................................................................................29
Enter BIOS Setup ............................................................................................30
Main Menu......................................................................................................30
Standard CMOS Features Menu ........................................................................33
Date and Time.............................................................................................34
IDE Channel and SATA Channel....................................................................34
Drive A........................................................................................................36
Halt On .......................................................................................................36
Memory ......................................................................................................37
Advanced BIOS Features .................................................................................38
Removable Device Priority............................................................................39
Hard Disk Boot Priority.................................................................................39

Installing and Configuring the XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
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etwork Boot Priority...................................................................................39
CPU Internal Cache......................................................................................39
Quick Power On Self Test .............................................................................40
First/Second/Third Boot Device.....................................................................40
Boot Other Device .......................................................................................40
Boot Up umLock Status..............................................................................40
Security Option............................................................................................41
APIC Mode ..................................................................................................41
MPS Version Control For OS .........................................................................41
Full Screen LOGO Show ...............................................................................41
Advanced Chipset Features ..............................................................................42
System Clocks .............................................................................................43
Frequency Settings ..................................................................................44
HT Multiplier ............................................................................................45
Spread Spectrum .....................................................................................45
FSB & Memory Config ..................................................................................46
CPU Configuration .......................................................................................50
System Voltages ..........................................................................................51
VMEM Memory Test ...................................................................................53
PCI Clocks...................................................................................................53
Load Timing/Voltage Set ..............................................................................53
Save Timing/Voltage Set ..............................................................................54
System BIOS Cacheable ...............................................................................54
HPET Function.............................................................................................54
VIDIA GPU Ex ...........................................................................................54
LinkBoost ....................................................................................................54

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Integrated Peripherals Menu ............................................................................55
IDE Function Setup......................................................................................56
RAID Config ................................................................................................57
USB Config..................................................................................................57
MAC Config .................................................................................................58
IEEE1394 controller .....................................................................................58
HD Audio ....................................................................................................58
IDE HDD Block Mode ...................................................................................58
Onboard FDC Controller ...............................................................................58
Onboard Serial Port 1...................................................................................58
Power Management Setup Menu ......................................................................59
ACPI Function..............................................................................................59
ACPI Suspend Type .....................................................................................59
Soft-Off by PB T .........................................................................................60
WOL(PME#) From Soft-Off...........................................................................60
Power On by Alarm......................................................................................60
POWER O Function....................................................................................60
PnP/PCI Configuration Menu ............................................................................61
Init Display First ..........................................................................................62
Reset Configuration Data .............................................................................62
Resources Controlled By...............................................................................62
IRQ Resources.............................................................................................63
PCI/VGA Palette Snoop ................................................................................63
Maximum Payload Size.................................................................................63
System Monitor Menu ......................................................................................64
Dynamic Fan Control....................................................................................65

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Software Installation ..................................................................................67
Windows XP Drivers Install ..............................................................................68
Using the NVIDIA Software .......................................................................69
VIDIA Monitor...............................................................................................70
VIDIA nTune 5.0 ...........................................................................................71
Manual Tuning ............................................................................................72
Adjust Motherboard Settings.....................................................................72
System Voltages ......................................................................................74
System Fans ............................................................................................74
Memory Timing........................................................................................75
Adjust GPU Settings .................................................................................77
Dynamic BIOS Access ..................................................................................78
Available BIOS Pages ...............................................................................79
General Settings ......................................................................................79
Advanced Settings ...................................................................................79
Boot up Setting........................................................................................80
Automatic Tuning ........................................................................................81
Management ...............................................................................................83
View System Information..........................................................................83
Adjust Custom Rules ................................................................................85
System Stability ..............................................................................................86
Perform Stability Test...................................................................................86
Storage...........................................................................................................87
Health.........................................................................................................88
View Storage Configuration ......................................................................88
Management ...............................................................................................89
Delete Array ............................................................................................89
Rebuild Array...........................................................................................91

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Migrating Array ........................................................................................93
Synchronize Array ....................................................................................95
VIDIA etworking .........................................................................................97
Performance................................................................................................98
First Packet..............................................................................................98
TCP/IP Acceleration ...................................................................................100
Teaming ................................................................................................... 102
System Update.............................................................................................. 104
Motherboard Updates ................................................................................105
Manage Your System BIOS ..................................................................... 106
BIOS Backup .........................................................................................106
BIOS Flash Options ................................................................................106
Installing Gra hics Cards in an SLI Configuration...................................107
Building an SLI System .................................................................................. 107
Determine Component and Operating System eeds ................................... 107
Install Your VIDIA SLI-Ready Parts...........................................................109
Install VIDIA SLI Software ....................................................................... 112
Enable VIDIA SLI.....................................................................................113
Index .........................................................................................................115

Installing and Configuring the XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
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List of Figures
Figure 1. XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard Layout...........................................11
Figure 2. Chassis Backpanel Connectors ...........................................................12
Figure 3. PWR1 Motherboard Connector...........................................................18
Figure 4. Expansion Slots ................................................................................27
Figure 5. BIOS CMOS Setup Utility Main Menu ..................................................31
Figure 6. Standard CMOS Features Menu .........................................................33
Figure 7. Advanced BIOS Features Menu..........................................................38
Figure 8. Advanced Chipset Features ...............................................................42
Figure 9. System Clocks Menu .........................................................................43
Figure 10. FSB & Memory Config Menu ..........................................................46
Figure 11. CPU Configuration Menu................................................................50
Figure 12. System Voltages Menu ..................................................................51
Figure 13. Integrated Peripherals Menu..........................................................55
Figure 14. Power Management Setup Menu....................................................59
Figure 15. PnP/PCI Configuration Menu..........................................................61
Figure 16. System Monitor Menu....................................................................64
Figure 17. VIDIA Control Panel, Select a Category ........................................70
Figure 18. Performance Control Panel Categories (nTune) ...............................71
Figure 19. Adjust Motherboard Settings (nTune).............................................73
Figure 20. Adjust GPU Settings (nTune) .........................................................77
Figure 21. Dynamic BIOS Access (nTune).......................................................78
Figure 22. Tune System Menu (nTune) ..........................................................82
Figure 23. View System Information (nTune)..................................................83

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Figure 24. Adjust Custom Rules (nTune) ........................................................85
Figure 25. Perform Stability Test....................................................................86
Figure 26. Storage Control Panel Categories (MediaShield) ..............................87
Figure 27. View Storage Configuration (MediaShield) ......................................88
Figure 28. etworking Control Panel Categories..............................................98
Figure 29. System Update Application on the VIDIA Control Panel ............... 104
Figure 30. Managing Your System Bios Screen..............................................105

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Before You Begin…
Parts OT in the Kit
This kit contains all the hardware necessary to install and connect your new
XFX nForce® 680i SLI motherboard. Howe er, it does not contain the
following items that must be purchased separately to make the motherboard
functional.
 Intel microprocessor:
Intel Core 2 Extreme, Intel Core 2 Duo Pentium EE, Pentium
 Cooling fan for the microprocessor
 System memory support:
Supports dual channel DDR2 533/667/800, and up to 1200 MHz SLI-
Ready Memory. Supports up to 8 GBs DDR2 memory.
 Graphics Card
This motherboard is capable of using the NVIDIA SLI technology. To
utilize this technology requires an SLI Kit from NVIDIA and two SLI-
capable graphics cards. When ordering a graphics card, be sure it is a PCI
Express card. The kit does contain the SLI connector used to connect the
two graphics cards. See Installing Graphics Cards in an
SLI Configuration on page 107.
 Power Supply
The power supply requirement is dependent upon the power and the
number of the GPUs you install. If you are going to SLI two graphics cards,
you are going to require more power. As a rule, for one GPU you need a
minimum of a 300 W power supply. If you ha e two GPUs in an SLI
configuration, you will need a minimum of a 500 W power supply. To
calculate the power you are going to require for your specific configuration,
go to www.slizone.com.
These instructions tell you how to install each of the parts listed so you can
ha e a functioning motherboard. As you go through the installation
instructions, we are assuming you ha e purchased the necessary parts.

Introduction
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Intentions of the Kit
This kit pro ides you with the motherboard and all connecting cables necessary
to install the motherboard into a PC cabinet. If you are building a PC, you will
use most of the cables pro ided in the kit. If howe er, you are replacing a
motherboard, you will not need many of the cables.
When replacing a motherboard in a PC cabinet, you will need to reinstall an
operating system e en though the current dri es ha e an operating system.

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Introduction to the
XFX nForce 680i
SLI Motherboard
Thank you for buying the XFX nForce® 680i SLI Motherboard. This
motherboard offers the tools and performance PC enthusiast’s demand. When
combined with two SLI-Ready NVIDIA GeForce® graphics cards, you get
inno ati e NVIDIA® SLI™ Technology for enhanced system performance.
Features
Engineered for Enthusiasts
NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI media and communications processors (MCPs)
deli er the tools and performance PC enthusiasts demand. When combined
with two NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards, you get inno ati e NVIDIA SLI
technology for enhanced system performance. With select SLI-Ready memory
you get automatic access to special memory performance. Be ready for system
o erclocking and greater data throughput.
Ultimate Overclocking
Unleash the underlying hardware. With comprehensi e o erclocking tools to
push the limits on front side bus (FSB) speed and support for higher memory
speeds, the NVIDIA nForce 680i MCPs were designed for o erclocking.
Guaranteed FSB speeds
The front side bus (FSB) in the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP is specified to
run at 1333MHz to support existing and future FSB speeds. Through

Installing and Configuring the XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
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o erclocking, howe er, the NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP can deli er FSB
speeds well beyond specification. Get the headroom today for o erclocking
and/or future FSB speeds.
Note: While NVIDIA technology is capable of higher FSB, the processor must be
capable of the higher speed as well.
Extreme DDR2 Speeds
NVIDIA nForce 680i MCPs support high-speed SLI-Ready memory up to
DDR2-1200 to keep pace with o erclocked system components.
Comprehensive Overclocking Tools
Award-winning NVIDIA o erclocking tools pro ide a complete kit of tools
gi ing e eryone from the most eteran enthusiast to the no ice o erclocker the
ability to unleash the hardware in their PC.
 NVIDIA nTune
™
Utility
NVIDIA nTune is a Windows-based utility that has added access to more
settings. You can adjust CPU and memory speeds without rebooting and
access most BIOS settings from inside Windows without ha ing to go into
the BIOS. Sa e and automatically load profiles for each application you run.
 NV BIOS
NV BIOS deli ers easy-to-use tuning to let you ha e full control o er your
hardware including processor oltage tables and memory dri e strengths.
Designed for VIDIA SLI Technology
NVIDIA SLI technology is a re olutionary platform inno ation that allows
users to intelligently scale graphics performance by combining multiple
NVIDIA graphics solutions in a single system with an NVIDIA nForce SLI
MCP.
True 2 x16 PCI Express SLI Support
Two full-bandwidth, 16-lane PCI Express links ensure maximum graphics
performance for next-generation GPUs and games. True 2 x16 PCI Express
SLI Support offers twice the PCI Express bandwidth of x8 SLI solutions.

Introduction
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VIDIA SLI-Ready Memory
NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI MCP automatically increases bandwidth when select
SLI Certified memory modules are detected.
VIDIA SLI Certified Components
Look for other components including NVIDIA® GeForce® GPUs and system
memory that ha e been certified by NVIDIA to deli er unmatched
performance with XFX nForce 680i SLI motherboards. For more information
on SLI Certified components, isit www.SLIZone.com\nForce .
Third PCIe Slot for Graphics Expansion
Make sure your rig is ready for the future. The third PCIe slot can be used for
GPU Physics, any new three GPU applications, or a PCI Express card of your
choice.
DualDDR2 Memory Architecture
A state-of-the-art DualDDR2 memory controller allows high bandwidth and
low latency data access to the CPU and GPU. Ensures data and information are
relayed through the system as quickly as possible for incredible performance.

Installing and Configuring the XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
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VIDIA MediaShield™ Storage
NVIDIA MediaShield is a suite of features that safeguards your most important
digital media assets; always reliable, scalable, and accessible. MediaShield
includes RAID and SATA dri e support.
Multiple Disk Setup
Through a simple wizard-based interface, you can effortlessly set up your dri es
for better data protection, faster disk access or maximum storage capacity.
MediaShield automatically selects a configuration, RAID 0, 1, 0+1 or 5,
according to your needs. Ad anced users can access RAID options directly.
DiskAlert System
The e ent of a disk failure, MediaShield users see an image that highlights which
disk has failed to make it easier to identify, replace, and reco er.
RAID Morphing
MediaShield allows users to change their current RAID set-up to another
configuration in a one-step process called morphing. This eliminates the need
to back up data and follow multiple steps in the process.
Bootable Multidisk Array
MediaShield storage fully supports the use of multi-disk array for loading the
operating system at power-up.
Six SATA 3Gb/s Drives
Combine up to six SATA dri es into one olume for bigger, faster RAID. More
dri es mean more configuration options such as six RAID 0 (striped) dri es for
maximum throughput, or Dual RAID 5 arrays. Take ad antage of the latest
SATA-2, 3Gb/s hard disk dri es with full support for nati e and tagged
command queuing and hot plug. Nati e command queuing pro ides higher disk
performance in a multi-threaded en ironment by performing out-of-order disk
accesses.

Introduction
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etworking with VIDIA nForce
NVIDIA networking deli ers the highest network throughput at the lowest
CPU utilization. The manageable and stable NVIDIA networking solution
results in better networking management and a lower total cost of ownership.
Only NVIDIA integrates this le el of networking features to allow you to take
your online experience to the next le el.
VIDIA ative Gigabit Ethernet
The industry’s fastest Gigabit Ethernet performance eliminates network
bottlenecks and impro es o erall system efficiency and performance.
VIDIA FirstPacket™ technology
Be the ‘King of Ping’ with NVIDIA FirstPacket technology. Get the crystal-
clear phone con ersations and online gaming performance you expect.
NVIDIA FirstPacket technology assures your game data, VoIP con ersations,
and large file transfers are deli ered according to preferences set by you in an
intuiti e wizard.
VIDIA Dual et Technology
NVIDIA DualNet® technology pro ides Double-Barrel Gigabit Ethernet with
two integrated networking connections on your NVIDIA nForce 680i MCP.
 Dual Gigabit Ethernet with Teaming
Teaming allows the two connections to work together to pro ide up to twice
the Ethernet bandwidth for transferring large amounts of data from home
file ser ers to other PCs. It also pro ides network redundancy through fail-
o er capability
 TCP/IP Accelerati n
TCP/IP Acceleration deli ers the highest system performance by offloading
CPU-intensi e packet filtering tasks in hardware, pro iding users with a PC
networking en ironment that is faster.

Installing and Configuring the XFX nForce 680i SLI Motherboard
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High Definition Audio (HDA)
High definition audio brings consumer electronics quality sound to the PC
deli ering high quality sound from multiple channels. Using HDA, systems can
deli er 192 kHz/32-bit quality for eight channels, supporting new audio
formats.
USB 2.0
USB 2.0 is standard plug-and-play interface that pro ides easy-to-use
connecti ity for USB de ices.