®

NVIDIA Graphics Accelerator
User's Manual
Rev. 105

Copyright© 2012 GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
Copyright by GIGA-BYTE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. (“GBT”). No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed, written permission of GBT.
Trademarks
Third-party brands and names are the properties of their respective owners.
NoticePlease do not remove any labels on this graphics card. Doing so may void the warranty of this card.
Due to rapid change in technology, some of the specifications might be out of date before publication of this thismanual.The author assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions that may appear in this document nor does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.
Rovi Product Notice:This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual
property rights.Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Rovi Corporation, and is intended
for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Rovi Corporation. Reverse engineeringor disassembly is prohibited.

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................3
1.1. Minimum System Requirements .................................................................................... 3

2. Hardware Installation ...................................................................................................5
2.1. SLI Technology .............................................................................................................. 5

3. Software Installation ....................................................................................................7
3.1. Driver and Utility Installation .......................................................................................... 7
3.1.1. Driver Installation..............................................................................................................7
3.1.2. GIGABYTE OC Guru II.....................................................................................................9

3.2.
3.3.

Display Properties Pages ........................................................................................ 19
Accessing NVIDIA Control Panel ............................................................................. 20

4. Troubleshooting Tips .................................................................................................28
5. Appendix ....................................................................................................................29
5.1. Regulatory Statements ................................................................................................ 29-2-

1. Introduction
1.1. Minimum System Requirements•

Hardware-•Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD AthlonTM XP class
2GB system memory (4GB recommended)
Optical drive for software installation (CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive)

Operating System-

Windows® 8
Windows® 7
Windows® Vista-3-

Introduction

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 nothave 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 withthe components whenever the components are separated from the system.
The card contains sensitive electric components, which can be easily damaged bystatic 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 theanti-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 THE GRAPHICS CARDIS 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.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator-4-2.1. 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 themetal cover from this slot; then align your graphics cardwith the PCI Express x16 slot, and press it in firmly until the
card is fully seated.
Make sure that the gold edge connector of the graphics
card is securely inserted.

Step 2.
Replace the screw to fasten the card in place, and replace
the computer cover.

Step 3.
Connect the appropriate cable to the card and the display.

To Flat Panel Display

To D-sub Monitor

To Flat Panel Display

To HDMI Monitor

To Mini DisplayPort Monitor-5-

To Mini HDMI Monitor

To Mini DisplayPort Monitor

Hardware Installation

How NVIDIA®SLITM (Scalable Link Interface) technology works:
If you are planning on using this graphics card as part of an SLI system, the following are required:- An SLI certified motherboard with two/three PCIe x16 slots and correct chipset driver- An SLI bridge connector or 3-way SLI bridge connector
In an SLI configuration, two/three SLI-ready graphics cards of the same model and the same manufacturers
are connected together via SLI bridge connector in a system that provides two/three x16 PCI Express slots toscale graphics performance. The picture below shows that two and three graphics cards are linked in parallelin an SLI configuration.

SLI Configuration:

Two SLI-ready graphics cardsof the same type.
(Example: GV-N28-1GH-B)

SLI bridge connector(provided by motherboard manufacturer)

3-Way SLI Configuration:
Three SLI-ready graphics cardsof the same type.
(Example: GV-N28-1GH-B)

3-Way SLI bridge connector(provided by motherboard manufacturer)

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator-6-

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.)
Notice : The photos in this manual are for reference only and may not match what you exactly see on your screen

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.)
Step 1:
Click the Install Display Driver item.

Step 2:
Click the AGREE AND CONTINUE button.

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.
-7-

Software Installation

Step 3:Check the Express then click the NEXT button.

Step 4:Check the Install NVIDIA Update then click theNEXT button.

The system is installing the components.

Step 5:Click the RESTART NOW button to restart thecomputer. Then the driver installation is completed.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator-8-3.1.2. GIGABYTE OC Guru II
Step 1:
Click the GIGABYTE OC Guru II item.

Step 2:Choose the language for the installation and click the OK button.

Step 3:Choose the Typical and click the Next button

Step 4:
Click the Finish button. Then the installation of the
GIGABYTE OC Guru II is completed.

The system is installing the components.

-9-

Software Installation

OC GURU II: Profiles
Users have 5 Profiles, 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5 , to set different profiles.
By clicking 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5, users can switch around these profiles

This page indicates where users can set up MONITORING、GPU CLOCK、MEMORY CLOCK、FAN、
MINIMUM VOLTAGE、POWER TARGET、OSD、ONLINE SUPPORT.
Function: When it’s locked, GPU CLOCK/MEMORY CLOCK/MINIMUM VOLTAGE/POWER TARGET can not be changed.
Function: When it’s unlocked, GPU CLOCK/MEMORY CLOCK/MINIMUM VOLTAGE/
POWER TARGET can be adjusted.

Function: Apply to what has just been setup.

Function: Return to the previous applied setup.

Function: Restore the default setup.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 10 -MONITORING:

Show real time GPU Clock/MEMORY Clock

Click MORE to MONITORING PANELMONITORING PANEL:

Function: Monitoring Panel Settings.
Function: Start recording.
Function: Stop recording.

- 11 -

Software Installation

Monitoring panel settings:

Function: Show the chosen items on the MONITORING PANEL.

Function: Set up a folder to save the recorded files.
Function: Return to MONITORING Page.

Function: Save the settings.

Function: Restore the default setup.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 12 -GPU CLOCK
Under nVIDIA new structure, there are BASE and BOOST CLOCK under GPU Clock.
BASE CLOCK is the combination of DEFAULT BASEC LOCK and OFFSET.
BOOST CLOCK is the combination of DEFAULT BOOST CLOCK and OFFSET.
Under most cases, BASE CLOCK is smaller/ equal to BOOST CLOCK.

When changing DEFAULT CLOCK,

represents PLUS andrepresents MINUS.

Show GPU OFFSET, users can enter numbers directly to change GPU OFFSET.

MEMORY CLOCK:MEMORY CLOCK is the combination of DEFAULT CLOCK and OFFSET.

When changing MEMORY CLOCK,

represents PLUS andrepresents MINUS.

Show MEMORY OFFSET, users can enter numbers directly to change MEMORY OFFSET.

- 13 -

Software Installation

FANShow real time fan speed and fan mode

SPEED: shows real time fan speed, it will show 0% if using a passive graphics card.
MODE: shows Auto mode or Manual mode, users can set up in SETTINGSSETTINGS:

AUTO mode, fans will be controlled automatically.

MANUAL mode, users can adjust fan behavior by adjusting the blue point on the fan graph.

Return to PROFILES page.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 14 -MINIMUM VOLTAGE

Show and set up MINIMUM VOLTAGE

When changing MINIMUM VOLTAGE,

represents PLUS andrepresents MINUS.

Users can enter numbers directly to change MINIMUM VOLTAGE.

POWER TARGETShow and set up POWER TARGET

When changing POWER TARGET,

represents PLUS andrepresents MINUS.

Show OSD HOT KEY and OSD location
Click SETTINGS to OSD settings- 15 -

Software Installation

OSD settings:

Function: Return to SETTINGS Page.

Function: Set up where OSD will show during games through clicking on one of the 9 squares.

Function: Setup a shortcut key for SOFTWARE On-Screen Display (OSD).

Function: Setup shortcut keys and a folder to save screenshots.

The settings can be adjusted by clicking on
NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator

or by dragging the scrollbar.

- 16 -ONLINE SUPPORTClick to enter ONLINE SUPPORTONLINE SUPPORT:

1.Update BIOS:
The BIOS version of your VGA is shown in the page. By clicking theitem while you are connected to the internet, the software detects if
there is an updated BIOS version available. You can download the updated BIOS version and it installs automatically.

2.Update Driver
The DRIVER version of your VGA is shown in the page.
By clicking the item while you are connected to the internet, the software
detects if there is an updated DRIVER version available. You can download the updated DRIVER version and it installs automatically.

- 17 -

Software Installation

3.Update OC GURUThe OC GURU version of your VGA is shown in the page.
By clicking the item while you are connected to the internet, the software detects if there is an updated OC GURU version available. You
can download the updated OC GURU version and it installs automatically.

4.PRODUCT INFOWhen you are connected to the internet, clicking the item will link to theofficial GIGABYTE product page.

5.CONTECT US

When you are connected to the internet, clicking the item will link to theofficial GIGABYTE CONTECT US page.

6.FAQ

When you are connected to the internet, clicking the item will link to theofficial GIGABYTE product FAQ page.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 18 -

3.2.

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.

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.

- 19 -

Software Installation

3.3.

Accessing NVIDIA Control Panel

After installation of the display driver, right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
The NVIDIA Control Panel is used to configure all your graphics card settings.

Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.

In the NVIDIA Control Panel, select a category to alterspecific NVIDIA display settings.
 3D settings
 Display Stereoscopic 3D
 Video

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 20 -

3D Settings
Tasks in the 3D Settings pages allow you to do the following:• Change the image and rendering settings of your 3D applications and games that utilize Direct3D and
OpenGL technology.
• Override the shipped clocked frequencies of your GPU and GPU memory to increase your GPU performance.
• Assign specific 3D settings to a game so that these settings automatically load when a game is launched.

 Adjust Image Settings with Preview
If you are unfamiliar with 3D technology or not
an advanced graphics user, use the Adjust Image Settings with Preview page to preview anychanges you make for improved image quality
and rendering.

 Manage 3D Settings
The Manage 3D Settings page enables you toestablish default 3D settings to use for all yourDirect3D or OpenGL applications and to establish a unique set of 3D settings for a particular
game or application.

 Set PhysX confiquration
NVIDIA® PhysX® is a powerful physics engine
that can utilize GPU acceleration to provide
amazing real-time physics effects.

- 21 -

Software Installation

Display
A variety of display features enable you to further manipulate and configure your display settings to optimize
the use of your displays. Tasks in the Display pages allow you to do the following:• Move CRT screen position• Change resolution• Adjust desktop color settings• Rotate display• Manage custom resolutions• Set up multiple displays

 Change Resolution
Using the Change Resolution controls, you
can change the color setting, reduce screen
flickering, or adjust the amount of information
appearing on your display.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 22 -

 Adjust Desktop Color Settings
Use this page to set the contrast, sharpness,and color depth (Digital Vibrance) of the images
on your desktop. These changes will not affectany video playback. To change video color settings, go to Adjust Video Color Settings under
the Video and TV section from the Start page.

 Rotate Display
The NVIDIA Rotate features enable you tochange the orientation of your desktop to portrait,
landscape, and inverted modes. This is useful if
you have rotated your physical display and needto rotate the desktop to match the orientation ofyour display.

 View HDCP status
Use this page to check if your system is HDCPcapable.

- 23 -

Software Installation Adjust Desktop Size and Position
You can adjust desktop size and position for yourdisplays.

 Set Up Multiple Displays
NVIDIA nView technology enables you to view
your desktop in one of several multi-display
modes to make the best use of the displays(monitors) that are connected to your computer.

Dual-Monitor Setup
You can set the display to output from two monitors on the Set Up Multiple Displays page.
Select your preferred nView display modes here.
• Only use one display (Single)• The same on both display (Clone)• Configured independently from each other(Dualview)• As one large horizontal desktop (Horizontal span)• As one large vertical desktop (Vertical span)

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 24 -

(1) The same on both display (Clone)
Clone mode indicates that both displays in the display
pair show images of the same desktop.

Clone Mode
(2) Configured independently from eachother (Dualview)
Dualview mode indicates that both displays in thedisplay pair function as one virtual desktop. Unlike
Horizontal Span or Vertical Span mode, Dualview
treats each display as a separate device. This meansthat the taskbar will not be stretched across displays
and 3D applications are not accelerated as efficiently
as when the application spans displays.

Dualview Mode

(3) As one large horizontal desktop(Horizontal span)
Horizontal Span mode indicates that both displays inthe display pair function as one wide virtual desktop.
The width of each display is half the width of the total
virtual desktop width.
Horizontal Span Mode

(4) As one large vertical desktop(Vertical span)
Vertical Span mode indicates that both displays in thedisplay pair function as one tall virtual desktop. The
height of each display is half the height of the total
virtual desktop height.

Vertical Span Mode

- 25 -

Software Installation

Stereoscopic 3D
Tasks in the Stereoscopic 3D pages allow you to do the following:• Set up stereoscopic 3D• View compatibility with games Set Up Stereoscopic 3D
You can enable stereoscopic 3D, set depth, andset your 3D displays and 3D glasses. (To enable stereoscopic 3D function, you will need 3D
displays and glasses. The details: http://www.
nvidia.com/object/3d-vision-main.html)

 View Compatibility With GamesYou can view stereoscopic 3D compatibility with
games.

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 26 -

Video & Television
Video and television features are similar to those for analog for optimal viewing. Tasks in the Video & Television pages allow you to do the following:• Adjust your television picture quality and video color settings for the best possible viewing in its
environment.
• Change the position and size of the desktop video to best fit your television screen.

 Adjust Video Color Settings
Use the controls on this page to fine tune thecolor settings for video content on your display.
Select one of the test images to monitor yourchanges. For best results, play a video while you
make adjustment to view the changes as they
happen.

 Adjust Video Image Settings
Use the controls on this page to fine tune theimage settings for video content on your display.
You can choose to use inverse telecine, adjustedge sharpness, or apply noise filtering. For best
results, play a video while you make adjustment
to view the changes as they happen.
Note:
Support for some features under Windows Vista isin development and may not be available with yourForceWare graphics driver version. Consult the release notes for updated information on
supported features.

- 27 -

Software Installation

4. Troubleshooting Tips
The following troubleshooting tips may help if you experience problems. Contact your dealer or GIGABYTE for more advanced troubleshooting information.
■
■
■
■

■
■

■
■

Check that the card is seated properly in the PCI Express x16 slot.
Ensure that the display cable is securely fastened to the card's display connector.
Make sure that the monitor and computer are plugged in and receiving power.
If necessary, disable any built-in graphics capabilities on your motherboard. For more
information, consult your computer's manual or manufacturer.
(NOTE: Some manufacturers do not allow the built-in graphics to be disabled or to become thesecondary display.)
Make sure you selected the appropriate display device and graphics card when you install
the graphics driver.
Restart your computer.
Press <F8> on your keyboard after system starts up. When the Windows Advanced Options
Menu appears, select Safe Mode and press <Enter>.
After getting into Safe Mode, in Device Manager check whether the driver for the graphics cardis correct.
For more assistance, use the Troubleshooting Guide located in the Windows Help or contact
your computer manufacturer.
If you are not able to find the desired monitor color/resolution settings:
The color and screen resolution options available for selection depend on the graphics card
being installed.
If necessary, adjust your monitor's setting using monitor's adjust panel to make the screen lookfocused, crisp, and sharp. (Please refer to the monitor's manual.)

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 28 -

5.1. Regulatory Statements
Regulatory Notices
This document must not be copied without our written permission, and the contents there of must not be
imparted to a third party nor be used for any unauthorized purpose. Contravention will be prosecuted.
We believe that the information contained herein was accurate in all respects at the time of printing. GIGABYTE cannot, however, assume any responsibility for errors or omissions in this text. Also note thatthe information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as acommitment by GIGABYTE.

Our Commitment to Preserving the Environment
In addition to high-efficiency performance, all GIGABYTE VGA Card fulfill European Union regulations
for RoHS (Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and
WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) environmental directives, as well as most major
worldwide safety requirements. To prevent releases of harmful substances into the environment and to
maximize the use of our natural resources, GIGABYTE provides the following information on how you
can responsibly recycle or reuse most of the materials in your "end of life" product.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive Statement
GIGABYTE products have not intended to add and safe from hazardous substances (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr+6,
PBDE and PBB). The parts and components have been carefully selected to meet RoHS requirement.
Moreover, we at GIGABYTE are continuing our efforts to develop products that do not use internationally banned toxic chemicals.

Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive Statement
GIGABYTE will fulfill the national laws as interpreted from the 2002/96/EC WEEE (Waste Electrical andElectronic Equipment) directive. The WEEE Directive specifies the treatment, collection, recycling anddisposal of electric and electronic devices and their components. Under the Directive, used equipment
must be marked, collected separately, and disposed of properly.

WEEE Symbol Statement
The symbol shown below is on the product or on its packaging, which indicates that thisproduct must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, the device should be taken to
the waste collection centers for activation of the treatment, collection, recycling and disposal procedure. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the timeof disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more information about where you can drop off
your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local government office, your household waste
disposal service or where you purchased the product for details of environmentally safe recycling.
 When your electrical or electronic equipment is no longer useful to you, "take it back" to your local orregional waste collection administration for recycling.
 If you need further assistance in recycling, reusing in your "end of life" product, you may contact us at
the Customer Care number listed in your product's user's manual and we will be glad to help you withyour effort.

- 29 -

Troubleshooting Tips

Finally, we suggest that you practice other environmentally friendly actions by understanding and using theenergy-saving features of this product (where applicable), recycling the inner and outer packaging (including
shipping containers) this product was delivered in, and by disposing of or recycling used batteries properly.
With your help, we can reduce the amount of natural resources needed to produce electrical and electronicequipment, minimize the use of landfills for the disposal of "end of life" products, and generally improve ourquality of life by ensuring that potentially hazardous substances are not released into the environment andare disposed of properly.

China Restriction of Hazardous Substances Table
The following table is supplied in compliance with China's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (China
RoHS) requirements:

NVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 30 -

- 31 -

AppendixNVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 32 -

- 33 -

AppendixNVIDIA Series Graphics Accelerator- 34 -