3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about PC 3D Graphics Accelerators
PC 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ was compiled by Blair MacIntyre with numerous contributions by others. (v1.2).
This document provides a partial -- and not comprehensive -- list of 3D graphics accelerators for PCs. In particular, I am interested in PCI-based accelerators. You can help make it more comprehensive by sending me additional information and/or updates. This information is abstracted and condensed from the posts of many different contributors. No guarantees are made regarding its accuracy.
The original motivation for this document came from a list of accelerators compiled by Chris Hinch, Management Information Systems, Dunedin City Council, PO Box 5045, Dunedin, New Zealand (chris@dcc.govt.nz)
Part I: FAQ
Q01 Are there any 3D graphics accelerators for PCs?- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: Q01 Are there any 3D graphics accelerators for PCs?
- Q02 How does the performance of these cards compare to graphics
workstations such as those produced by SGI, Sun, DEC, etc?
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: Q02 How does the performance of these cards compare to graphics workstations such as those produced by SGI, Sun, DEC, etc?
- Q03 What are all the features, anyway?
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: Q03 What are all the features, anyway?
Part II: 3D Chipsets
- CS01 3DLabs GLINT 300SX
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS01 3DLabs GLINT 300SX
- CS02 Lockheed Martin Real3D
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS02 Lockheed Martin Real3D
- CS03 S-MOS SPC1500 3D Graphics Geometry Processor
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS03 S-MOS SPC1500 3D Graphics Geometry Processor
- CS04 ARTIST Graphics 3GA Graphics Processor
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS04 ARTIST Graphics 3GA Graphics Processor
- CS05 NVidia/SGS-THOMSON NV1/STG-2000 Multimedia Accelerators
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS05 NVidia/SGS-THOMSON NV1/STG-2000 Multimedia Accelerators
- CS06 Rendition V�rit�
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS06 Rendition V�rit�
- CS07 Chromatic Research Mpact
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS07 Chromatic Research Mpact
- CS08 3DLabs Permedia
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS08 3DLabs Permedia
- CS09 3Dfx Voodoo
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS09 3Dfx Voodoo
- CS10 TriTech Pyramid3D TR25201
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS10 TriTech Pyramid3D TR25201
- CS11 VideoLogic PowerVR
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS11 VideoLogic PowerVR
- CS12 3DLabs GLINTdelta
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: CS12 3DLabs GLINTdelta
Part III: Boards using Chips in Section II
- ARTIST01 ARTIST Graphics 2000 Series
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: ARTIST01 ARTIST Graphics 2000 Series
- GLINT01 Omnicomp 3DEMON
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT01 Omnicomp 3DEMON
- GLINT02 Fujitsu Sapphire 2SX
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT02 Fujitsu Sapphire 2SX
- GLINT03 ELSA GLoria
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT03 ELSA GLoria
- GLINT04 Omnicomp 3Demon VR
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT04 Omnicomp 3Demon VR
- GLINT05 SPEA FireGL
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT05 SPEA FireGL
- GLINT06 Force Inc. 3DE-300SX
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT06 Force Inc. 3DE-300SX
- GLINT07 Densan PCI-300SX
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT07 Densan PCI-300SX
- GLINT08 Creative Labs' 3D Blaster
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT08 Creative Labs' 3D Blaster
- GLINT09 Microstep AGC-3D
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: GLINT09 Microstep AGC-3D
- NVIDIA01 Diamond Edge 3D Accelerators
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: NVIDIA01 Diamond Edge 3D Accelerators
- NVIDIA02 Jazz Multimedia 3D Magic
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: NVIDIA02 Jazz Multimedia 3D Magic
- NVIDIA03 Genoa Stratos 3D
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: NVIDIA03 Genoa Stratos 3D
Part IV: Other boards
- B01 AccelGraphics AG300 and AG500
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B01 AccelGraphics AG300 and AG500
- B02 ISC PowerGL
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B02 ISC PowerGL
- B03 Evans & Sutherland Freedom
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B03 Evans & Sutherland Freedom
- B04 Matrox Impression Plus
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B04 Matrox Impression Plus
- B05 Oki TrianGL
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B05 Oki TrianGL
- B06 Intergraph GLZ Series
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B06 Intergraph GLZ Series
- B07 Division's VPX Image Generator and ProVision Systems
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B07 Division's VPX Image Generator and ProVision Systems
- B08 Reality Simulation Systems Little Squirt
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B08 Reality Simulation Systems Little Squirt
- B09 Western Digital Tasmania 3D
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B09 Western Digital Tasmania 3D
- B10 Dynamic Pictures V192
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B10 Dynamic Pictures V192
- B11 Matrox Millenium
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B11 Matrox Millenium
- B12 APD Free Dimension
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B12 APD Free Dimension
- B13 Arcobel Imagine
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B13 Arcobel Imagine
- B14 Synthetic Images Reality Blaster
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B14 Synthetic Images Reality Blaster
- B15 S3 ViRGE and ViRGE/VX
- 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ: B15 S3 ViRGE and ViRGE/VX
The original motivation for compiling this list was to compare the features of various 3D graphics accelerators becoming available for microcomputers. In particular, I am interested in PCI-based cards which support OpenGL under Windows NT, Linux, Solaris x86 (none yet!), etc. and support stereo head mounted displays. (In fact, of the currently available boards, only one qualifies. See if you can figure out which one.
Information which falls in that category will obviously be more complete. Other information will be included if someone sends it to me, but I won't be actively researching it myself. As such, there is little or no information right now about 3D accelerators for high-end machines such as those produced by SGI, Sun, HP, DEC, etc, except as the ones listed may also work in those machines.
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