Gigabyte GV-N550OC-1GI

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Overview

Function Description
Important Technical Specifications
Usage Features
Maintenance Features

This document is a user manual for the GV-N550OC-1GI NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Graphics Accelerator.

Function Description:

The GV-N550OC-1GI is a graphics accelerator card designed to enhance the visual performance of a computer system. It is powered by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and supports PCI Express 2.0. This card is capable of rendering high-quality 3D graphics for applications and games that utilize Direct3D and OpenGL technology. It also supports NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology, allowing two compatible graphics cards to work together to scale graphics performance. The card is equipped with multiple display connectors, enabling connection to various monitor types and supporting multi-display configurations. It also incorporates HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) technology for secure content playback.

Important Technical Specifications:

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti Graphics Processing Unit
Bus Interface: PCI Express 2.0
Memory: Integrated with 1GB GDDR5 memory
DirectX Support: Supports DirectX 11
SLI Support: Supports NVIDIA SLI (Scalable Link Interface) technology. Requires a PCI Express motherboard with two x16 physical connectors, two GV-N550OC-1GI cards, a 600-watt or above power supply, and an SLI bridge connector. Graphics cards in an SLI configuration must have the same model name and be from the same vendor.
Display Connectors:
- 2 Dual-Link DVI-I connectors
- 1 mini HDMI connector
HDCP Support: Yes
Minimum System Requirements:
- Power Supply: 400-watt or above (600-watt or above recommended for SLI configuration)
- Processor: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon XP class processor or higher
- System Memory: 1GB (2GB recommended)
- Optical Drive: CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive for software installation
- Operating System: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
Display Matrix (GV-N550OC-1GI):
- CRT+HDMI: Yes
- CRT+DVI (via DVI-to-D-Sub adapter): Yes
- DVI+HDMI: Yes
- DVI+HDMI+CRT: No
- DVI+DVI: Yes
- CRT+CRT (via DVI-to-D-Sub adapter): Yes
Resolutions and Color Depth (In Windows XP): Supports a wide range of resolutions from 320x200 up to 2560x1600 (Dual-Link) with refresh rates typically between 60-240 Hz, and color depths of 8bpp (256 color), 16bpp (65K color), and 32bpp (16.7M True mode). Specific support varies by resolution and refresh rate.

Usage Features:

Hardware Installation:
- Locate and firmly seat the graphics card into a PCI Express x16 slot.
- Secure the card with a screw.
- Connect monitors to the DVI-I or mini HDMI connectors. A mini HDMI to HDMI adapter may be required for HDMI monitors.
Software Installation:
- Insert the driver disk; the Autorun screen should appear automatically. If not, manually run setup.exe.
- Install DirectX 9 (if not already installed, especially for Windows XP users without Service Pack 2 or above).
- Install the display driver by following the on-screen prompts (Next, Yes, Finish).
Display Configuration (NVIDIA Control Panel):
- Access the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "NVIDIA Control Panel" or by going through "Personalize" -> "Display Settings" -> "Advanced Settings" -> "GeForce GTX 550 Ti" tab.
- 3D Settings: Adjust image and rendering settings for 3D applications, override GPU/memory clock frequencies for performance, and assign specific 3D settings to games. Features include "Adjust Image Settings with Preview," "Manage 3D Settings," and "Set PhysX configuration."
- Display Settings: Manipulate and configure display settings. Features include:
  - Change Resolution: Adjust screen resolution, color depth, and refresh rate.
  - Adjust Desktop Color Settings: Set contrast, sharpness, and digital vibrance for desktop images.
  - Adjust Desktop Size and Position: Configure desktop size and position for analog displays or flat panel scaling for digital displays.
  - Rotate Display: Change desktop orientation to portrait, landscape, or inverted modes.
  - Manage Custom Resolutions: (Advanced view mode only)
  - Set Up Multiple Displays (NVIDIA nView technology): Configure multi-display modes:
Only use one display (Single)
The same on both display (Clone): Both displays show the same desktop image.
Configured independently from each other (Dualview): Both displays function as one virtual desktop, but are treated as separate devices (taskbar not stretched, 3D applications not accelerated as efficiently as Horizontal Span).
As one large horizontal desktop (Horizontal span): (Windows XP only) Both displays function as one wide virtual desktop, each display being half the total width.
As one large vertical desktop (Vertical span): (Windows XP only) Both displays function as one tall virtual desktop, each display being half the total height. * Video & Television Settings:
- Adjust Video Color Settings: Fine-tune color settings for video content.
- Adjust Video Image Settings: Adjust image settings for video content, including inverse telecine, edge sharpness, and noise filtering.

Maintenance Features:

Troubleshooting Tips:
- Verify the card is properly seated in the PCI Express x16 slot.
- Ensure the display cable is securely fastened.
- Confirm monitor and computer are receiving power.
- Disable any built-in graphics capabilities on the motherboard if necessary.
- Ensure the correct display device and graphics card are selected during driver installation.
- Restart the computer.
- Boot into Safe Mode (F8) and check the graphics card driver in Device Manager.
- Consult Windows Help or the computer manufacturer's troubleshooting guide for further assistance.
- Adjust monitor settings (focus, crispness, sharpness) using the monitor's adjust panel if desired.
BIOS Reflashing (MS-DOS Mode):
- Extract the downloaded BIOS Zip file.
- Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode (may require a startup disk).
- Change the command prompt to A:>.
- Back up the current BIOS using [BIOS flash utility name] -s [BIOS file name].
- Flash the new BIOS using [BIOS flash utility name] -p [BIOS file name].
- Restart the computer after completion.
Static Electricity Precautions:
- Turn off the computer and unplug the power supply before handling components.
- Use a grounded wrist strap or touch a grounded metal object to discharge static electricity.
- Place components on a grounded antistatic pad or in their original antistatic bag when separated from the system.
- Do not apply power if the graphics card is damaged.
- Use only official GIGABYTE BIOS to ensure correct operation and maintain warranty.
Environmental Compliance:
- RoHS (Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances): GIGABYTE products are designed to be free from hazardous substances like Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr+6, PBDE, and PBB.
- WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Directive: Used equipment must be marked, collected separately, and disposed of properly through waste collection centers for treatment, collection, recycling, and disposal.
- China Restriction of Hazardous Substances (China RoHS): The manual includes a table detailing the presence of hazardous substances in various components, indicating compliance with Chinese regulations.
- Recycling: Users are encouraged to recycle packaging, used batteries, and "end of life" products responsibly to conserve natural resources and minimize environmental impact.