Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-UD3H: Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

Chapter 1 Hardware Installation

1-1 Installation Precautions

The motherboard contains numerous delicate electronic circuits and components which can become

damaged as a result of electrostatic discharge (ESD). Prior to installation, carefully read the user's

manual and follow these procedures:

• Prior to installation, do not remove or break motherboard S/N (Serial Number) sticker or

warranty sticker provided by your dealer. These stickers are required for warranty validation.

• Always remove the AC power by unplugging the power cord from the power outlet before

installing or removing the motherboard or other hardware components.

• When connecting hardware components to the internal connectors on the motherboard,

make sure they are connected tightly and securely.

• When handling the motherboard, avoid touching any metal leads or connectors.

• It is best to wear an electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap when handling electronic

components such as a motherboard, CPU or memory. If you do not have an ESD wrist strap,

keep your hands dry and first touch a metal object to eliminate static electricity.

• Prior to installing the motherboard, please have it on top of an antistatic pad or within an

electrostatic shielding container.

• Before unplugging the power supply cable from the motherboard, make sure the power supply

has been turned off.

• Before turning on the power, make sure the power supply voltage has been set according to

the local voltage standard.

• Before using the product, please verify that all cables and power connectors of your hardware

components are connected.

• To prevent damage to the motherboard, do not allow screws to come in contact with the

motherboard circuit or its components.

• Make sure there are no leftover screws or metal components placed on the motherboard or

within the computer casing.

• Do not place the computer system on an uneven surface

.

• Do not place the computer system in a high-temperature environment.

• Turning on the computer power during the installation process can lead to damage to system

components as well as physical harm to the user.

• If you are uncertain about any installation steps or have a problem related to the use of the

product, please consult a certified computer technician.

Hardware Installation- 9 -

1-4 Installing the Memory

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install the memory:

• Make sure that the motherboard supports the memory. It is recommended that memory of

the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used.

(Go to GIGABYTE's website for the latest memory support list.)

• Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before

installing the memory to prevent hardware damage.

• Memory modules have a foolproof design. A memory module can be installed in only one

direction. If you are unable to insert the memory, switch the direction.

1-4-1 Dual Channel Memory Configuration

This motherboard provides four DDR2 memory sockets and supports Dual Channel

Technology. After the memory is installed, the BIOS will automatically detect the

specifications and capacity of the memory. Enabling Dual Channel memory mode

will double the original memory bandwidth.

The four DDR2 memory sockets are divided into two channels and each channel has two memory

sockets as following:

Channel 0: DDR2_1, DDR2_3

Channel 1: DDR2_2, DDR2_4

Dual Channel Memory Configurations Table

DDR2_1 DDR2_2 DDR2_3 DDR2_4

Two Modules

DS/SS DS/SS - - - -

- - - - DS/SS DS/SS

Four Modules

DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS DS/SS

(SS=Single-Sided, DS=Double-Sided, "- -"=No Memory)

If two memory modules are to be installed, it is recom-

mended that you install them in the DDR2_1 and DDR2_2

sockets.

DDR2_1

DDR2_2

DDR2_3

DDR2_4

Due to CPU limitation, read the following guidelines before installing the memory in Dual Channel mode.

1. Dual Channel mode cannot be enabled if only one DDR2 memory module is installed.

2. When enabling Dual Channel mode with two or four memory modules, it is recommended that

memory of the same capacity, brand, speed, and chips be used and installed in the same

colored DDR2 sockets for optimum performance.

GA-MA790GP-UD3H Motherboard - 16 -

1-4-2 Installing a Memory

Before installing a memory module , make sure to turn off the computer and unplug

the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the memory module.

DDR2 DIMMs are not compatible to DDR DIMMs. Be sure to install DDR2 DIMMs on

this motherboard.

Notch

DDR2 DIMM

A DDR2 memory module has a notch, so it can only fit in one direction. Follow the steps below to

correctly install your memory modules in the memory sockets.

Step 1:

Note the orientation of the memory module. Spread the retaining

clips at both ends of the memory socket. Place the memory

module on the socket. As indicated in the picture on the left,

place your fingers on the top edge of the memory, push down

on the memory and insert it vertically into the memory socket.

Step 2:

The clips at both ends of the socket will snap into place when

the memory module is securely inserted.

Hardware Installation- 17 -

1-5 Installing an Expansion Card

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion card:

• Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that

came with your expansion card.

• Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before

installing an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.

PCI Express x1 Slot

PCI Express x16 Slot

PCI Slot

Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the expansion slot.

1. Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back panel.

2. Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is fully seated in the slot.

3. Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into the slot.

4. Secure the card's metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw.

5. After installing all expansion cards, replace the chassis cover(s).

6. Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for

your expansion card(s).

7. Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating system.

Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card:

• Installing a Graphics Card:

Gently push down on the top edge of the card

until it is fully inserted into the PCI Express slot.

Make sure the card is securely seated in the

slot and does not rock.

• Removing the Card:

Press the white latch at the end of the PCI Express slot to release the card

and then pull the card straight up from the slot.

GA-MA790GP-UD3H Motherboard - 18 -

TM

1-6 Enabling the ATI Hybrid CrossFireX

Function

Combining the onboard GPU with a discrete graphics card, ATI Hybrid CrossFireX can provide

significantly advanced display performance for AMD platform. This section give instructions on config-

uring an ATI Hybrid CrossFireX system.

A. Before you begin--

1. Supported Operating Systems:

Windows Vista and Windows XP*.

2. BIOS Setup:

Enter BIOS Setup to set the following items under the Advanced BIOS Features menu:

• Set Internal Graphics Mode to UMA+SidePort.

• Set UMA Frame Buffer Size to 256MB.

• Set Surround View to Disabled.

• Set Init Display First to Onboard.

3. Graphics Card Requirement:

An ATI Hybrid CrossFireX-supported graphics card.

B. ATI Hybrid CrossFireX Driver Installation and Setup

Insert the motherboard driver disk and select Installing Chipset Drivers. Click Xpress Install for

installation. Restart your system when completed. Follow the steps below to enable ATI Hybrid

CrossFireX.

Step 1:

Step 2:

The ATI icon appears in the system tray

Enter the CrossFire menu and select the En-

after the system restarts. Right-click the icon to

able CrossFire checkbox.

enter the Catalyst Control Center.

• You do not have to install the graphics card driver if the motherboard chipset driver has been

installed.

• To change the Internal Graphic Mode or UMA Frame Buffer Size setting in BIOS Setup,

be sure to disable the CrossFire function in the operating system first.

* For Windows XP, you must install AMD chipset driver version 8.51 or later.

Hardware Installation- 19 -

TM

1-7 Setup of ATI CrossFireX

Configuration

A. System Requirements

- Windows Vista or Windows XP operating system

- A CrossFireX-supported motherboard with two PCI Express x16 slots and correct driver

- Two CrossFireX-ready graphics cards of identical brand and chip and correct driver

(Note)

- Two CrossFire bridge connectors

- A power supply with sufficient power is recommended (Refer to the manual of your graphics

cards for the power requirement)

B. Connecting the Graphics Cards

Step 1:

Observe the steps in "1-5 Installing an Expansion Card" and install two CrossFireX graphics cards on

the PCI Express x16 slots.

(Note)

Step 2:

Insert the CrossFire bridges in the CrossFireX gold edge connectors on top of the two cards.

Step 3:

Plug the display cable into the graphics card on the PCIEX16_1 slot.

C. Configuring the Graphics Card Driver

After installing the graphics card driver in the operating

system, go to the ATI Catalyst Control Center. Browse

TM

to the CrossFireX menu and ensure Enable CrossFireX

check box is selected.

(Note) The bridges may be needed or not depending on your graphics cards.

Procedure and driver screen for enabling CrossFireX technology may differ by graphics

cards. Refer to the manual that came with your graphics cards for more information about

enabling CrossFireX technology.

GA-MA790GP-UD3H Motherboard - 20 -

1-8 Back Panel Connectors

PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Port

Use the upper port (green) to connect a PS/2 mouse and the lower port (purple) to connect a PS/2

keyboard.

D-Sub Port

The D-Sub port supports a 15-pin D-Sub connector. Connect a monitor that supports D-Sub

connection to this port.

DVI-D Port

The DVI-D port supports DVI-D specifictation. Connect a monitor that supports DVI-D connection to

this port.

HDMI Port

The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) provides an all-digital audio/video interface to

transmit the uncompressed audio/video signals and is HDCP compliant. Connect the HDMI audio/

video device to this port. The HDMI Technology can support a maximum resolution of 1920x1080

but the actual resolutions supported depend on the monitor being used.

• After installing the HDMI device, make sure the default device for sound playback is the

HDMI device. (The item name may differ by operating system. Refer the figures below

for details.), and enter BIOS Setup, then set Onboard VGA output connect to D-SUB/

HDMI or Auto under Advanced BIOS Features.

• Please note the HDMI audio output only supports AC3, DTS and 2-channel-LPCM

formats. (AC3 and DTS require the use of an external decoder for decoding.)

In Windows XP, select Start>Control Panel>Sounds

In Windows Vista, select Start>Control Panel>

and Audio Devices>Audio, set the Default device for

Sound, select Realtek HDMI Output and then click

sound playback to Realtek HDA HDMI Out.

Set Default.

Hardware Installation- 21 -

A. Dual Display Configurations:

This motherboard provides three ports for video output: DVI-D, HDMI and D-Sub. The table below

shows the supported dual display configurations.

Dual

Combination Supported or Not

Display

DVI-D + D-Sub Yes

DVI-D + HDMI No

HDMI + D-Sub Yes

B. Playback of HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs:

In order to get better playback quality, when playing the HD DVD or Blu-ray discs, refer to the

recommended system requirements (or better) below.

TM

• CPU: AMD Athlon

64 X2 Dual-Core processor (4200+ or above)

• Memory: Two 1 GB DDR2 800 memory modules with dual channel mode enabled

• BIOS Setup: At least 256 MB of UMA Frame Buffer Size (refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup,"

"Advanced BIOS Features," for more information)

• Playback software: CyberLink PowerDVD 8.0 or later (Note: Please ensure Hardware

Acceleration is enabled )

File Format Suitable Resolution

Windows XP Windows Vista

Non-protected contents

1920 x 1080p 1920 x 1080p

HD-DVD 1920 x 1080p 1920 x 1080p

Blu-ray

1920 x 1080p 1920 x 1080p

Optical S/PDIF Out Connector

This connector provides digital audio out to an external audio system that supports digital optical

audio. Before using this feature, ensure that your audio system provides an optical digital audio in

connector.

IEEE 1394a Port

The IEEE 1394 port supports the IEEE 1394a specification, featuring high speed, high bandwidth

and hotplug capabilities. Use this port for an IEEE 1394a device.

USB Port

The USB port supports the USB 2.0/1.1 specification. Use this port for USB devices such as a USB

keyboard/mouse, USB printer, USB flash drive and etc.

RJ-45 LAN Port

The Gigabit Ethernet LAN port provides Internet connection at up to 1 Gbps data rate. The following

describes the states of the LAN port LEDs.

Connection/

Speed LED

Activity LED

Connection/Speed LED:

Activity LED:

State Description

State Description

Orange 1 Gbps data rate

Blinking Data transmission or receiving is occurring

Green 100 Mbps data rate

Off No data transmission or receiving is occurring

Off 10 Mbps data rate

LAN Port

GA-MA790GP-UD3H Motherboard - 22 -

Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out Jack (Orange)

Use this audio jack to connect center/subwoofer speakers in a 5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

Rear Speaker Out Jack (Black)

Use this audio jack to connect rear speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

Side Speaker Out Jack (Gray)

Use this audio jack to connect side speakers in a 7.1-channel audio configuration.

Line In Jack (Blue)

The default line in jack. Use this audio jack for line in devices such as an optical drive, walkman, etc.

Line Out Jack (Green)

The default line out jack. Use this audio jack for a headphone or 2-channel speaker. This jack can

be used to connect front speakers in a 4/5.1/7.1-channel audio configuration.

Mic In Jack (Pink)

The default Mic in jack. Microphones must be connected to this jack.

In addition to the default speakers settings, the ~ audio jacks can be reconfigured to

perform different functions via the audio software. Only microphones still MUST be

connected to the default Mic in jack ( ). Refer to the instructions on setting up a 2/4/5.1/

7.1-channel audio configuration in Chapter 5, "Configuring 2/4/5.1/7.1-Channel Audio."

• When removing the cable connected to a back panel connector, first remove the cable

from your device and then remove it from the motherboard.

• When removing the cable, pull it straight out from the connector. Do not rock it side to side

to prevent an electrical short inside the cable connector.

Hardware Installation- 23 -

1-9 Internal Connectors

1

3

2

6

7

13

11

14

4

16

15

20

9

8

1718 19

5

10

12

1) ATX_12V_2X4

11) BATTERY

2) ATX

12) F_PANEL

3) CPU_FAN

13) F_AUDIO

4) SYS_FAN1

14) CD_IN

5) SYS_FAN2

15) SPDIF_IO

6) PWR_FAN

16) F_USB1 / F_USB2 / F_USB3 / F_USB4

7) IDE

17) F_1394_1 / F_1394_2

8) FDD

18) COM

9) SATA2_0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

19) CI

10) PWR_LED

20) CLR_CMOS

Read the following guidelines before connecting external devices:

• First make sure your devices are compliant with the connectors you wish to connect.

• Before installing the devices, be sure to turn off the devices and your computer. Unplug the

power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the devices.

• After installing the device and before turning on the computer, make sure the device cable

has been securely attached to the connector on the motherboard.

GA-MA790GP-UD3H Motherboard - 24 -

1/2) ATX_12V_2X4/ATX (2x4 12V Power Connector and 2x12 Main Power Connector)

With the use of the power connector, the power supply can supply enough stable power to all the

components on the motherboard. Before connecting the power connector, first make sure the

power supply is turned off and all devices are properly installed. The power connector possesses

a foolproof design. Connect the power supply cable to the power connector in the correct orientation.

The 12V power connector mainly supplies power to the CPU. If the 12V power connector is not

connected, the computer will not start.

• To meet expansion requirements, it is recommended that a power supply that can withstand

high power consumption be used (500W or greater). If a power supply is used that does not

provide the required power, the result can lead to an unstable or unbootable system.

• The power connectors are compatible with power supplies with 2x2 12V and 2x10 power

connectors. When using a power supply providing a 2x4 12V and a 2x12 power connector,

remove the protective covers from the 12V power connector and the main power connector on

the motherboard. Do not insert the power supply cables into pins under the protective covers

when using a power supply providing a 2x2 12V and a 2x10 power connector.

ATX_12V_2X4:

Pin No. Definition

58

1 GND (Only for 2x4 pin 12V)

2 GND (Only for 2x4 pin 12V)

3 GND

14

4 GND

ATX_12V_2X4

5 +12V (Only for 2x4 pin 12V)

6 +12V (Only for 2x4 pin 12V)

7 +12V

8 +12V

ATX :

13 1

Pin No. Definition

Pin No. Definition

1 3.3V

13 3.3V

2 3.3V

14 -12V

3 GND

15 GND

4 +5V

16 PS_ON(soft On/Off)

5 GND

17 GND

6 +5V

18 GND

7 GND

19 GND

8 Power Good

20 -5V

9 5V SB(stand by +5V)

21 +5V

10 +12V

22 +5V

11 +12V (Only for 2x12 pin ATX)

23 +5V (Only for 2x12 pin ATX)

24 12

12 3.3V (Only for 2x12 pin ATX)

24 GND (Only for 2x12 pin ATX)

ATX

Hardware Installation- 25 -

17) F_1394_1/F_1394_2 (IEEE 1394a Header, Gray)

The headers conform to IEEE 1394a specification. Each IEEE 1394a header can provide one IEEE

1394a port via an optional IEEE 1394a bracket. For purchasing the optional IEEE 1394a bracket,

please contact the local dealer.

Pin No. Definition

1TPA+

2TPA-

3 GND

9

1

4 GND

10

2

5 TPB+

6 TPB-

7 Power (12V)

8 Power (12V)

9 No Pin

10 GND

• Do not plug the USB bracket cable into the IEEE 1394a header.

• Prior to installing the IEEE 1394a bracket, be sure to turn off your computer and unplug

the power cord from the power outlet to prevent damage to the IEEE 1394a bracket.

• To connect an IEEE 1394a device, attach one end of the device cable to your computer

and then attach the other end of the cable to the IEEE 1394a device. Ensure that the cable

is securely connected.

18) COM (Serial Port Header)

The COM header can provide one serial port via an optional COM port cable. For purchasing the

optional COM port cable, please contact the local dealer.

Pin No. Definition

1 NDCD -

2 NSIN

9

1

3 NSOUT

4 NDTR -

5 GND

10

2

6 NDSR -

7 NRTS -

8 NCTS -

9 NRI -

10 No Pin

GA-MA790GP-UD3H Motherboard - 32 -

19) CI (Chassis Intrusion Header)

This motherboard provides a chassis detection feature that detects if the chassis cover has been

removed. This function requires a chassis with chassis intrusion detection design.

Pin No. Definition

1

1 Signal

2 GND

20) CLR_CMOS (Clearing CMOS Jumper)

Use this jumper to clear the CMOS values (e.g. date information and BIOS configurations) and

reset the CMOS values to factory defaults. To clear the CMOS values, place a jumper cap on the

two pins to temporarily short the two pins or use a metal object like a screwdriver to touch the two

pins for a few seconds.

Open: Normal

Short: Clear CMOS Values

• Always turn off your computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before

clearing the CMOS values.

• After clearing the CMOS values and before turning on your computer, be sure to remove

the jumper cap from the jumper. Failure to do so may cause damage to the motherboard.

• After system restart, go to BIOS Setup to load factory defaults (select Load Optimized

Defaults) or manually configure the BIOS settings (refer to Chapter 2, "BIOS Setup," for

BIOS configurations).

Hardware Installation- 33 -

GA-MA790GP-UD3H Motherboard - 34 -