Use the 780i NVIDIA control panel to set the BIOS.
The NVIDIA nForce 780i chipset with Single Link Interface came on the market under several Intel licensed brand names in early 2008. Using DDR2 rather than the faster DDR3 RAM base, the 780i wasn't nearly as impressive as its considerably more expensive big brother, the 790i. However, what it lacked in speed and scalability it made up for in economies of scale. The 780i was very reasonably priced considering its level of features and its overclocking capabilities, allowing BIOS setting control that more than justified its moderate cost.
Factory BIOS Settings
The North Bridge NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI chipset arrived out of the box with an "Enthusiast BIOS Enhanced" clear onboard CMOS. This allowed user setting adjustments immediately as the motherboard related to FSB timing, CPU core speed, temperature, voltage and the selection of the video card. The double and triple SLI bridges that accompanied the mother board made any number of single, double or triple card selections possible. NVIDIA supplied a control panel and system monitor allowing users to optimize all system settings without leaving the operating system GUI. Resetting CPU and overall BIOS settings to factory default levels could be accomplished from the control panel with the click of a single button allowing for a significant degree of user adjustment and experimentation.
Overclocking the BIOS
The 780i onboard clear CMOS control panel made shutting down any unnecessary functionality such as network interfaces, onboard modems, and unused SATA, ATA or sound controllers relatively simple. The 780i MB had no onboard video card, placing all video control interfaces in the operating system GUI. Setting CPU clock speed and voltage, along with increasing memory speed and access were performed on the BIOS settings dialog box in the operating system window using the NVIDIA control panel.
Issues
The original 780i BIOS settings allowed for voltage increase options that had the potential to damage motherboard components if misused. This was addressed in three separate BIOS upgrades. Issues also arose in the revised BIOS settings relating to several new video board settings. These were resolved for the most part in the last set of BIOS upgrades.
Optimizing Performance
Reading related forums when setting up the 780i board can be very useful when it comes to optimizing BIOS performance and avoiding the pitfalls inherent in overclocking. Given the liberal level of available settings, it's advisable to thoroughly read the recommended factory settings for the CPU and BIOS chip being used. Some setting combinations may cause serious damage not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Overclocking damage voids any warranty. Don't try it unless knowledgeable about motherboard temperatures, voltage limits and tolerances.
Tags: control panel, BIOS settings, operating system, 780i chipset, 780i onboard, BIOS upgrades, double triple