AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 User Guide Part Number: 137-41807-11
ii © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this document are provided in connection with Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (“AMD”) products. AMD makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this publication and reserves the right to discontinue or make changes to products, specifications, product descriptions, and documentation at any time without notice.
iii Important Safety Instructions Note: This product is for use only with compatible UL-listed personal computers that have installation instructions detailing user installation of this class of product. Read all instructions before beginning installation. All safety and installation instructions should be read before the product is installed or operated. Retain all instructions. Safety, installation, and operating instructions should be retained for future reference. Heed all warnings.
iv AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Contents Chapter 1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.1.1 Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
vi Chapter 7 Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 7.1 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 7.1.1 Graphics Card Installation Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1 Getting Started Before you begin installing your new AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870, please make sure you have the proper system requirements and have completed the required preinstallation tasks as outlined in this chapter. System Requirements Hardware Minimum requirements for installing a single AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870 graphics card: • Motherboard with one PCIe® ×16 lane graphics slot. • AMD Athlon™ or Intel Pentium® 4 CPU. • 1 GB RAM. • CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive for installing software.
2 Getting Started • For an up-to-date listing of certified power supplies, see ati.amd.com/ certifiedpsu. • Certified system cases with good airflow and cooling are recommended. For list of certified cases, see ati.amd.com/certifiedcases. For more information, see Chapter 5 AMD CrossFireX Technology. Recording the Serial and Part Numbers Write down the serial number and part number before installing. The serial number and 102 part number on the graphics card are required for registration and free support.
Getting Started 3 4. Turn off the system after the driver has been removed. Note: If the previously installed graphics card has any additional software installed, this software may also need to be removed before restarting the computer. For example, DVD Player or Multimedia applications. Uninstalling the Old Driver (Windows Vista®/ Windows® 7) Follow these steps to uninstall the existing graphics card driver in preparation for installation of a new card. 1.
4 Getting Started AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation This chapter details how to install your AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870 in your system. Installation Overview The installation of the card has slightly different procedures depending on whether you are replacing an existing card or installing a graphics card in a PC for the first time. This section briefly describes the high-level steps for both cases. Replacing an Existing Card If you are replacing an existing graphics card, you need to: 1.
6 Hardware Installation 2. Unplug the computer's power cord, and then disconnect all cables from the back of the computer. Caution: Wait approximately 20 seconds after unplugging the power cord before disconnecting a peripheral cable or removing a component from the motherboard to avoid possible damage to the motherboard. 3. Remove the cover to the computer's case. Note: If necessary, consult the computer manual for help in removing the cover.
Hardware Installation 7 Figure 2–1 Possible Power Connection Locations on the Graphics Card 1 Power supply 2 Graphics card 8. Fasten the graphics card securely to the back panel. 9. Make sure no internal cables are interfering with components inside the computer (for example, a cooling fan), and then replace the computer cover. 10. Reconnect any cables you have disconnected during installation, and then plug in the computer's power cord. 11. Turn on the monitor, and then the computer.
8 Hardware Installation AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chapter 3 Software Installation This chapter describes the installation of the software and drivers associated with your AMD Radeon product. ATI Drivers and Software Drivers are small but important programs that enable an operating system to communicate with a piece of hardware, such as a graphics card. When you install a new graphics card, you must also install the driver and configuration software the card requires to function properly.
10 Software Installation 2. From the menu that appears, click Software Install. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions. When prompted, select either Express or Custom . Not all software components are installed using the Express installation. Custom installation allows you to select individual software components for installation. Tip: If the installer fails to install the driver, or you have a software conflict, you can download the latest software from ati.amd.com/support/driver.html and then install it.
Chapter 4 Display Configuration This section describes how to configure the display and lists the available display connections. AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870 Connections The following figure shows the display connections available on your AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870 graphics card. Note: The baseplate may not appear exactly as depicted. Figure 4–1 AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870 Display Connections 1 Single-link DVI-D connection.
12 Display Configuration Display Configurations The following table lists options for attaching displays that are indirectly supported by the connections on your graphics card. For best graphics performance and quality, always use native connections, when available. Note: Adapters not provided with your graphics card can be purchased directly from AMD's Web site or through your local AMD resellers.
Display Configuration 13 The following table shows some examples of multiple display configurations; (A) indicates an active adapter is used and (P) indicates a passive adapter is used. Display abbreviations are mDP = Mini DisplayPort, dDVI = dual-link DVI, sDVI = single-link DVI.
14 Display Configuration Note: If you are not experiencing any troubles with the display, no adjustments are necessary. 1. Right-click on the desktop and, in the shortcut that appears, click Properties. The Display Properties dialog appears. 2. Click the Settings tab and then select the screen resolution and color depth that best suit your requirements and the display’s performance. 3. Click Advanced and then select the Monitor tab. 4. Choose a refresh rate from the drop-down list.
Chapter 5 AMD CrossFireX Technology Note: These features are only available for AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870 graphics cards with AMD CrossFireX connections. AMD CrossFireX Introduction AMD CrossFireX is a multi-GPU (graphics processing unit) performance gaming platform. It enables multiple graphics processors installed in a single computer to work together to improve system performance, creating a high-performance gaming platform.
16 AMD CrossFireX Technology Caution: Remember to discharge your body’s static electricity by touching the power supply case or the metal surface of the computer chassis. 4. Remove any unneeded graphics cards from the computer. Warning: Some graphics cards can get hot while operating. Wait approximately five minutes after turning off the computer before touching the card. 5. Locate the PCIe slots on the motherboard. If necessary, also remove the corresponding back panel cover. 6.
AMD CrossFireX Technology 17 Figure 5–1 Connecting the Power Cables 1 Power supply 2 Existing card 3 New card 8. Remove protection tags from the ends of the AMD CrossFire interconnect and connect the cards. Caution: Always handle the AMD CrossFire bridge interconnect by the connector only. Do not push or pull on the flexible cable. © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
18 AMD CrossFireX Technology Figure 5–2 AMD CrossFire Bridge Interconnect Protection Tag Figure 5–3 AMD CrossFire Installation 1 AMD CrossFire graphics cards 2 Interconnect AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
AMD CrossFireX Technology 19 9. Fasten the graphics cards securely to the back panel. 10. Make sure the cables are not interfering with anything inside the computer (for example, a cooling fan) and then replace the computer cover. 11. Reconnect any cables you have disconnected and plug in the computer power cord. 12. Turn on the monitor and then the computer. AMD CrossFireX must now be enabled using Catalyst Control Center.
20 AMD CrossFireX Technology AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chapter 6 Using Catalyst Control Center Catalyst Control Center Overview The Catalyst Control Center software provides access to the display features of your AMD Radeon HD 6850/6870 product. Use the software to fine-tune graphics settings, enable or disable connected display devices, and change the orientation of the desktop. Many features display previews of the changes before they are applied.
22 Using Catalyst Control Center Accessing Catalyst Control Center Help Catalyst Control Center Help provides information on the features and concepts of your AMD Radeon product. You can also use the Catalyst Control Center Help feature to access usage information, generate a problem report, and get software version details. 1. Open Catalyst Control Center in the Advanced view. 2.
Chapter 7 Reference The following section offers troubleshooting tips and provides customer care, warranty, and compliance information. Troubleshooting Note: Some troubleshooting tips may not be applicable depending on the display options supported by and configured for your card. Graphics Card Installation Troubleshooting For more advanced troubleshooting information, contact AMD Customer Care for ATI products at ati.amd.com. The graphics card doesn't fit any of the motherboard slots.
24 Reference The computer boots up but there is no display. Verify that the monitor is connected properly to the computer and a power supply. If a DisplayPort adapter, passive dongle, or active dongle is used, visit www.amd.com/ eyefinity and make sure it appears on AMD's listing of AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Ready or AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display Verified adapters/dongles. If your motherboard has on-board graphics capabilities, you may need to disable them.
Reference 25 3D Client is Active You will not be able to start AMD CrossFireX if a 3D application, game, or video playback, such as a DVD movie, is running. Close all open 3D applications, games, and movie player applications, and then enable AMD CrossFireX. AMD CrossFireX is Currently Unavailable This error has occurred because AMD CrossFireX did not correctly detect your graphics hardware or there is a problem with the software. • Check that the graphics cards are installed correctly.
26 Reference Also, make sure that the HDTV component video adapter is properly connected. DVDs will not play in high-quality modes. For displays connected using an analog connection, playback of CSS-protected DVDs may be restricted to certain modes. For displays connected using a digital connection, playback on certain DVD players may also be restricted if HDCP (high-bandwidth content protection) cannot be enabled. This restriction also applies to displays connected using active DisplayPort adapters.
Reference 27 Service Availability Online or mail 24 hours a day Language Access English, French, Spanish http://ati.amd.com/support/ or Attention: Customer Care Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 1 Commerce Valley Drive East, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3T 7X6 Telephone US & Canada Monday to Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 English p.m. 1-877-284-1566 (toll-free) or Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 1-905-882-2626 (Canada) Note: AMD reserves the right to change hours of support.
28 Reference FCC Compliance Information (USA) This product complies with FCC Rules Part 15. Operation is subject to the following conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference. • This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
Reference 29 CISPR 24:1997/EN 55024:1998—Information Technology Equipment—Immunity Characteristics—Limits and Methods of Measurements Electrical Safety Europe: The Low Voltage Directive—2006/95/EC • EN 60950-1—Safety of Information Technology Equipment USA/Canada: • UL 60950-1 (Information Technology Equipment—Safety—Part 1: General Requirements) • CSA C22.2 No.
30 Reference VCCI Class B ITE Compliance Information (Japan) KCC Certification Information (Korea) "Class B" Equipment (Household purpose info/telecommunications equipment) As this equipment has undergone EMC registration for household purpose, this product can be used in any area including residential area. BSMI Certification Information (Taiwan) AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Reference 31 C-Tick (Australia and New Zealand) ACMA — Australian Communications and Media Authority • Radiocommunications Act 1992 (Australia) – per notices of section 182 • AS/ NZS CISPR 22: 2006 Product Environmental Compliance This product may carry a marking similar to those below that indicates its level of compliance with China RoHS standards. For information on China RoHS, EU RoHS, or EU REACH compliance, please refer to Product Environmental Compliance on the AMD Web site.
32 Reference AMD Radeon™ HD 6850/6870 © 2010 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
