Page 3
Gigabyte's prior written permission. Specifications and features are subject to change without prior notice. Product Manual Classification In order to assist in the use of this product, Gigabyte has categorized the user manual in the following: For quick installation, please refer to the "Hardware Installation Guide" included with the product.
Table of Contents GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard Layout ................... 6 Block Diagram ........................ 7 Chapter 1 Hardware Installation ..................9 Considerations Prior to Installation ..............9 Feature Summary ..................10 Installation of the CPU and Fan Heat Sink ............. 12 1-3-1 Installation of the CPU ..................12 1-3-2 Installation of the Fan Heat Sink ................
2. Damage as a result of violating the conditions recommended in the user manual. 3. Damage due to improper installation. 4. Damage due to use of uncertified components. 5. Damage due to use exceeding the permitted parameters. 6. Product determined to be an unofficial Gigabyte product. - 9 - Hardware Installation...
(Note 1) Due to standard PC architecture, a certain amount of memory is reserved for system usage and therefore the actual memory size is less than the stated amount. For example, 4 GB of memory size will instead be shown as 3.xxGB memory during system startup. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 10 -...
Page 11
I/O Control IT8712F Hardware Monitor System voltage detection CPU temperature detection CPU / System fan speed detection CPU warning temperature CPU / System fan failure warning CPU smart fan control Onboard SATA RAID Onboard nForce4(-4X) chipset (S_ATA0_SB, S_ATA1_SB, S_ATA2_SB, S_ATA3_SB) supports data striping (RAID 0) or mirroring (RAID 1) function or striping + mirroring (RAID 0+1) supports data transfer rate of up to 150 MB/s...
CPU and gently press the metal lever back into its original position. Please use extra care when installing the CPU. The CPU will not fit if positioned incorrectly. Rather than applying force, please change the positioning of the CPU. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 12 -...
1-3-2 Installation of the Fan Heat Sink Fig.1 Before installing the heat sink, please first add an even layer of heat sink paste on the surface of the CPU. Install all the heat sink components (Please refer to the heat sink manual for detailed installation instructions). Fig.2 Please connect the heat sink power connector to the CPU_FAN connector located on the motherboard so that the heat sink can properly function to...
DIMM socket. Then push it down. Fig.2 Close the plastic clip at both edges of the DIMM sockets to lock the DIMM module. Reverse the installation steps when you wish to remove the DIMM module. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 14 -...
Page 15
GA-K8NF-9 supports the Dual Channel Technology. After operating the Dual Channel Technology, the bandwidth of Memory Bus will double. GA-K8NF-9 includes 4 DIMM sockets, and each Channel has two DIMM sockets as following: Channel A : DDR 1, DDR 3...
16 slot when you try to install/uninstall the VGA card. Please align the VGA card to the onboard PCI Express x 16 slot and press firmly down on the slot. Make sure your VGA card is locked by the small white-drawable bar. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 16 -...
I/O Back Panel Introduction PS/2 Keyboard and PS/2 Mouse Connector To install a PS/2 port keyboard and mouse, plug the mouse to the upper port (green) and the keyboard to the lower port (purple). Parallel Port The parallel port allows connection of a printer, scanner and other peripheral devices. SPDIF_I (SPDIF In) Use SPDIF In feature only when your device has digital output function.
Page 19
1/2) ATX_12V/ATX (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, please make sure that all components and devices are properly installed. Align the power connector with its proper location on the motherboard and connect tightly.
Page 20
Please remember to connect the power to the cooler to prevent system overheating and failure. Caution! Please remember to connect the power to the CPU fan to prevent CPU overheating and failure. Pin No. Definition +12V CPU_FAN Sense SYS_FAN GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 20 -...
Page 21
5) FDD (FDD Connector) The FDD connector is used to connect the FDD cable while the other end of the cable connects to the FDD drive. The types of FDD drives supported are: 360KB, 720KB, 1.2MB, 1.44MB and 2.88MB. Please connect the red power connector wire to the pin1 position. 6) IDE1 / IDE2 (IDE Connector) An IDE device connects to the computer via an IDE connector.
Page 22
Pin No. Definition 8) PWR_LED PWR_LED is connect with the system power indicator to indicate whether the system is on/off. It will blink when the system enters suspend mode. Pin No. Definition MPD+ MPD- MPD- GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 22 -...
9) F_PANEL (Front Panel Jumper) Please connect the power LED, PC speaker, reset switch and power switch etc. of your chassis front panel to the F_PANEL connector according to the pin assignment below. SPEAK- Speaker Connector SPEAK+ RES+ Power Switch Reset Switch RES- MSG-...
Page 24
Pin No. Definition MIC_BIAS Power Front Audio(R) Rear Audio(R)/Return R No Pin Front Audio(L) Rear Audio(L)/Return L 11) CD_IN (CD In Connector) Connect CD-ROM or DVD-ROM audio out to the connector. Pin No. Definition CD-L CD-R GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 24 -...
Page 25
12) F_ USB1 / F_USB2 / F_USB3 (Front USB Connector) Be careful with the polarity of the front USB connector. Check the pin assignment carefully while you connect the front USB cable, incorrect connection between the cable and connector will make the device unable to work or even damage it.
Page 26
You may clear the CMOS data to its default values by this jumper. To clear CMOS, temporarily short 1-2 pin. Default doesn't include the "Shunter" to prevent from improper use this jumper. Open: Normal Short: Clear CMOS GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 26 -...
Page 27
16) BATTERY Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you want to erase CMOS... 1. Turn off the computer and unplug the power cord. 2.
BIOS needs to be reset to its original settings. If you wish to upgrade to a new BIOS, either GIGABYTE's Q-Flash or @BIOS utility can be used. Q-Flash allows the user to quickly and easily update or backup BIOS without entering the operating system.
<F12> : For Boot Menu Select boot sequence for onboard (or add-on cards) device. Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG, An Energy Star Ally Copyright (C) 1984-2005, Award Software, Inc. GA-K8NF-9 F9 <F12> For Boot Menu <DEL>:BIOS Setup/Q-Flash, <F9>: Xpress Recovery2, <F12>For Boot Menu 10/27/2005-NF-CK804-6A61FG0AC-00 Use <...
Page 31
Standard CMOS Features This setup page includes all the items in standard compatible BIOS. Advanced BIOS Features This setup page includes all the items of Award special enhanced features. Integrated Peripherals This setup page includes all onboard peripherals. Power Management Setup This setup page includes all the items of Green function features.
Allows BIOS to automatically detect IDE devices during POST(default) • None Select this if no IDE devices are used and the system will skip the automatic detection step and allow for faster system start up. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 32 -...
Page 33
Access Mode Use this to set the access mode for the hard drive. The two options are: Large/Auto(default:Auto) Capacity Capacity of currently installed hard drive. Hard drive information should be labeled on the outside drive casing. Enter the appropriate option based on this information.
This feature allows you to select the first initiation of the monitor display from which card when you install a PCI card and a PCI Express VGA card on the motherboard. Set Init display first to PCI Express VGA card. (Default value) PCI slot Set Init display first to PCI. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 34 -...
Integrated Peripherals CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Integrated Peripherals On-Chip IDE Channel0 [Enabled] Item Help On-Chip IDE Channel1 [Enabled] Menu Level IDE DMA transfer access [Enabled] On-Chip MAC Lan [Auto] On-Chip LAN BOOT ROM [Enabled] NV IDE/SATA RAID function [Disabled] x IDE Primary Master RAID Disabled...
Page 36
Enable Serial ATA 2 supported. (Default value) Disabled Disable Serial ATA 2 supported. NV SATA 2 class code (Note) 0101 Set NV SATA 2 class code to 0101. (Default value) 0104 Set NV SATA 2 class code to 0104. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 36 -...
Page 37
NV SATA 2 Primary RAID Enabled Enable 2nd SATA primary RAID function. Disabled Disable this function. (Default value) NV SATA 2 Secondary RAID Enabled Enable 2nd SATA secondary RAID function. Disabled Disable this function. (Default value) IDE Prefetch Mode Enabled Enable IDE Prefetch mode.
Page 38
Legacy (DOS) USB Mouse Enabled Enable USB mouse support in the MS-DOS environment. Disabled Disable this function. (Default value) Legacy USB storage detect Enabled Enable USB storage detect function. (Default value) Disabled Disable this function. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 38 -...
Power Management Setup CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Power Management Setup ACPI Suspend Type [S1(POS)] Item Help Soft-Off by Power button [Instant-off] Menu Level PME Event Wake Up [Disabled] Modem Ring On [Disabled] USB Resume from Suspend [Disabled] Power-On by Alarm [Disabled] x Day of Month Alarm...
Auto assign IRQ to PCI 2. (Default value) 3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,14,15 Set IRQ 3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,14,15 to PCI 2. PCI 3 IRQ Assignment Auto Auto assign IRQ to PCI 3. (Default value) 3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,14,15 Set IRQ 3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12,14,15 to PCI 3. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 40 -...
(Note) The CPU fan runs at full speed when both CPU Smart FAN Control and CPU FAN Manual Control are disabled. Whether the CPU Smart FAN Control function is supported will depend on the CPU you install. For more detailed information please check at the FAQ section on GIGABYTE's website. - 41 - BIOS Setup...
Page 42
60 C, CPU fan runs with parameter 80. Temp of full FAN Speed (Default temperature: 70 When the CPU temperature exceeds the value set in this option, the CPU fan runs at full speed. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 42 -...
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) HT Frequency ratio [Auto] Item Help CPU Frequency [200] Menu Level K8 CPU Clock Ratio [Default] Current DDR speed CPU Spread Spectrum [Center Spread] PCIE Clock [100Mhz] Robust Graphics Booster [Auto] CPU Voltage Control...
Windows XP, but works smoothly with Windows NT. Therefore, if your system is not perform enough, the reliability or stability problem will appear sometimes, and we will recommend you disabling the option to avoid the problem as mentioned above. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 44 -...
Load Optimized Defaults CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Top Performance Advanced BIOS Features Load Optimized Defaults Integrated Peripherals Set Supervisor Password Power Management Setup Set User Password Load Optimized Defaults (Y/N)? N PnP/PCI Configurations Save & Exit Setup PC Health Status Exit Without Saving MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.)
MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) ESC: Quit : Select Item F8: Q-Flash F10: Save & Exit Setup Abandon all Data Type "Y" will quit the Setup Utility without saving to RTC CMOS. Type "N" will return to Setup Utility. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 46 -...
Chapter 3 Drivers Installation Pictures below are shown in Windows XP. Insert the driver CD-title that came with your motherboard into your CD-ROM drive, the driver CD-title will auto start and show the installation guide. If not, please double click the CD-ROM device icon in "My computer", and execute the Setup.exe.
Software Application This page displays all the tools that GIGABYTE developed and some free software. You can click an item to install it. Software Information This page lists the contents of software and drivers in this CD-title. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 48 -...
Hardware Information This page lists all device you have for this motherboard. Contact Us Please see the last page for details. - 49 - Drivers Installation...
Toggles between Easy and Advance Mode Display screen Display panel of CPU frequency Function display LEDs Shows the current functions status GIGABYTE Logo Log on to GIGABYTE website Help button Display EasyTune 5 Help file Exit or Minimize button Quit or Minimize EasyTune...
2. System storage capacity and the reading/writing speed of the hard disk will affect the data backup speed. 3. It is recommended that Xpress Recovery2 be immediately installed once you com- plete installations of OS and all required drivers as well as software. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 52 -...
Page 53
(As this is a BIOS-related issue, it can be solved by BIOS update) GA-K8NXP-9 GA-8N-SLI Royal GA-K8U GA-K8N Ultra-9 GA-8N-SLI Pro GA-K8U-9 GA-8N-SLI GA-K8NF-9 (PCB Ver. 1.0) GA-K8NXP-SLI GA-K8NE (PCB Ver. 1.0) GA-K8N Ultra-SLI GA-K8NMF-9 GA-K8N Pro-SLI - 53 - Appendix...
Updating BIOS with Q-Flash Utility on Dual BIOS Motherboards. Some of Gigabyte motherboards are equipped with dual BIOS. In the BIOS menu of the motherboards supporting Q-Flash and Dual BIOS, the Q-Flash utility and Dual BIOS utility are combined in the same screen.
Page 55
Entering the Q-Flash utility: Step1: To use Q-Flash utility, you must press Del in the boot screen to enter BIOS menu. CMOS Setup Utility-Copyright (C) 1984-2004 Award Software Standard CMOS Features Select Language Advanced BIOS Features Load Fail-Safe Defaults Integrated Peripherals Load Optimized Defaults Power Management Setup Set Supervisor Password...
Page 56
Save Main BIOS to Floppy Save Backup BIOS to Floppy Enter : Run :Move ESC:Reset F10:Power Off After BIOS file is read, you'll see a confirmation dialog box asking you "Are you sure to update BIOS?" GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 56 -...
Page 57
3. Press Y button on your keyboard after you are sure to update BIOS. Then it will begin to update BIOS. The progress of updating BIOS will be displayed. Please do not take out the floppy disk when it begins flashing BIOS. 4.
PnP/PCI Configurations Set User Password PC Health Status Save & Exit Setup MB Intelligent Tweaker(M.I.T.) Exit Without Saving ESC: Quit F3: Change Language F8: Q-Flash F10: Save & Exit Setup Time, Date, Hard Disk Type... GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 58 -...
Page 59
Exploring the Q-Flash utility screen The Q-FlashBIOS utility screen consists of the following key components. Q-Flash utility bar Q-Flash Utility V1.30 Flash Type/Size.........SST 49LF003A 256K Keep DMI Data Enable Task menu for Update BIOS from Floppy Q-Flash utility Save BIOS to Floppy Action bar Enter : Run :Move...
Page 60
Press Del to enter BIOS menu after system reboots and "Load BIOS Fail-Safe Defaults". See how to Load BIOS Fail-Safe Defaults, please kindly refer to Step 6 to 7 in Part One. Congratulation!! You have updated BIOS successfully!! GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 60 -...
Page 61
Windows. Just select the desired @BIOS server to download the latest version of BIOS. Fig 1. Installing the @BIOS utility Fig 2. Installation complete and run @BIOS Click Start/ All Programs/ Gigabyte/@BIOS Select @BIOS item. Fig 3. The @BIOS utility Fig 4. Select the desired @BIOS server Click "...
Page 62
Otherwise, your system won't boot. III. In method I, if the BIOS file you need cannot be found in @BIOS server, please go onto Gigabyte's website for downloading and updating it according to method II. IV. Please note that any interruption during updating will cause system unbooted.
4-1-4 Serial ATA BIOS Setting Utility Introduction RAID Levels RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a method of combining two hard disk drives into one logical unit. The advantage of an Array is to provide better performance or data fault tolerance. Fault tolerance is achieved through data redundant operation, where if one drives fails, a mirrored copy of the data can be found on another drive.
Page 64
6) Complete RAID utility installation. More information on steps 4 and 5 is provided. (For more detailed setup information, please visit our website at http:\\www.gigabyte.com.tw to read or download the information you need.) Configuring the NVIDIA RAID BIOS The NVRAID BIOS setup lets you choose the RAID array type and which hard drives you want to make part of the array.
Page 65
Using the "Define a New Array" Window If necessary, press the tab key to move from field to field until the appropriate field is highlighted. Selecting the RAID Mode By default, this is set to Mirroring. To change to a different RAID mode, press the down arrow key until the mode that you want appears in the RAID Mode box - either Mirroring, Striping, Spanning, or Stripe Mirroring.
Page 66
B to specify the array as bootable. NVIDIA RAID Utility Nov 5 2004 - Array List - Boot Status Vendor Array Model Name Healthy NVIDIA MIRROR 111.79G [Ctrl-X] Exit ] Select [B] Set Boot [N] New Array [ENTER] Detail GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 66 -...
Page 67
Press Enter to view and verify details. The Array Detail screen appears. The Array Detail screen shows various information about the array that you selected, such as Striping Block used, RAID Mode, Striping Width, Disk Model Name, and disk capacity. Array 2 : NVIDIA MIRROR 111.79G - Array Detail - RAID Mode: Mirroring...
Page 68
Windows once for that hard drive. After that, the driver will not have to be installed.) (Note 1) For users without a startup disk. Use an alternative system and insert the GIGABYTE motherboard drive CD-ROM. From the CD-ROM drive (example: D:\) double click the MENU.exe file in the BootDrv folder. A command prompt window will open similar to that in Fig.
4-1-5 2- / 4- / 6- / 8- Channel Audio Function Introduction This motherboard provides 6 audio connectors. You are able to use 2-/4-/6-/8-channnels audio feature by audio software selection. Introduction of audio connectors: You may connect CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, walkman or others audio input to Line In.
Page 70
Click the icon to select the function. STEP 3: Click "Speaker Configuration" then click on the left selection bar and select "4CH Speaker" to complete 4 channel audio configuration. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 70 -...
Page 71
6 Channel Audio Setup STEP 1 : Connect the front channels to "Front Speaker Out", Front Speaker Out the rear channels to "Rear Speaker Out", and the Center/Subwoofer channels to "Center/Subwoofer Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out". Speaker Out Rear Speaker Out STEP 2: Following installation of the audio driver, you'll find a Sound Effect icon on the lower right hand...
Page 72
Click "Speaker Configuration" then click on the left selection bar and select "8CH Speaker" to complete 8 channel audio configuration. Sound Effect Configuration: At the sound effect menu, users can adjust sound option settings as desired. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 72 -...
Page 73
Jack-Sensing Introduction Jack-Sensing provides audio connectors error-detection function. (Note) Install Microsoft DirectX8.1 or later version before to enable Jack-Sensing support for Windows 2000. Jack-Sensing includes 2 parts: AUTO and MANUAL. Following pictures are in Windows XP: Introduction of audio connectors You may connect CDROM, Walkman or others audio input devices to Line In jack, speakers, earphone or others output devices to Line Out jack, and micro-...
Page 74
If you set wrong with the connectors, the warning message will come out as right picture. Manual setting: If the device picture shows different from what you set, please press "Manual Selection" to set. GA-K8NF-9 Motherboard - 74 -...
Below is a collection of general asked questions. To check general asked questions based on a specific motherboard model, please log on to http://www.gigabyte.com.tw Question 1: I cannot see some options that were included in previous BIOS after updating BIOS. Why? Answer: Some advanced options are hidden in new BIOS version.