Video Cards |
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by Bill Davis and Grady Layton |
Preface.
You may recall a game called Pong which required strong intellectual skill, two players and lots of skill…and consisted of a short, white bar and bouncing ball. Its graphics now seem prehistoric. Today's video boards are geometrically more powerful and cheaper. This is a review of four video boards with significant graphics capabilities and features. Each has the maximum RAM to test each board "to the max" in order to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each one. You, in fact, may not require the amount of color/speed that the RAM provides, but you will need to know how each one performs.
MYTH: the more RAM, the faster the board.
FACT: typically, more than two megabytes of RAM
primarily provides additional color depth rather than speed.
MYTH: you need lots of colors to provide a satisfactory color range
for most programs.
FACT: many games
and educational programs still require only 256 colors - not 16,700,000
colors.
MYTH: you need a 2D or 3D graphics/video accelerator card for most
of today's programs.
FACT: unless
specifically required, few business applications need more than 2D.
Historically, games have pushed, very hard, the video envelope. Games and
visually oriented programs do require lots and lots of video calculations.
FACT: with the increase in business applications using animated tutorials and presentations, these boards represent the wave of the future. Catch the wave.
BIG MYTH: you must upgrade to an MMX chip to really get good multimedia speed. Since MMX is basically a multimedia speed enhancement, any of these boards offers a reasonable alternative to an MMX chip.
A comment on 2D and 3D graphics. Graphics are actually "built" by a series of different sized shaped pieces (called polygons). Creating an object with many curves and turns (e.g., a ball or a car) requires lots more little polygon shapes than, for example, a file cabinet. Your CPU calculates these many little shapes. Your graphics board "paints" (called texture mapping) the surface of the shape your CPU created. But both are relatively slow to meet the current demand for multimedia. Help is on the way. Something called an "accelerated graphics port" (APG) is being developed. It provides a much wider data highway to move graphics data around your system.
A comment about these reviews. Rather than attempt an extensive technical evaluation, we have condensed a typical review, listed certain specifics about each card and created a chart that presents the test results. You can then make your own determination which board best fits your unique situation. NOTE: In addition to the following review narrative, please also refer to the text results chart accompanying this article.
Caveat emptor. Video cards tout how well they perform with certain games. And they do perform very well. However, the games a video card may include are specifically designed to take advantage of the graphic capabilities of that particular board. You may not realize the same performance using another brand of video board. Editor
Review by Grady Layton
Recently, there's been an explosion of new entries in the graphics adapter sector of the computer hardware market. More and more vendors are offering 2D/3D accelerators, designed for PCI bus Pentium-class systems running Windows 95. Here we'll be taking a look at four of these latest offers from STB Systems, Inc., Number Nine, Matrox, and ATI. All offer distinctly different features and are aimed at different users. Our test system consisted of an in-house P5-166 with 512K pipeline-burst cache, 32 MB EDO DRAM, and a 3.1 GB Western Digital Caviar Drive running Windows 95. All tests were run in 1024x768x16.7M colors (true color).
The NITRO 3D PCI is STB's latest entry in mid-range, 3D capable, 64-bit graphics adapters. With a street price of $149.99, and aimed primarily at the PC gamers market, it utilizes the S3 Virge/GX chip with an integrated digital video engine and is available in both 2 MB and 4 MB (as tested) configurations. With the 4-MB version, this card is capable of 16.7M (24-bit) colors at 800x600 resolution at refresh rates up to 120 MHz.
The NITRO 3D PCI installed effortlessly in our test system. The STB Vision 95 software installation was a little unconventional, using a help-menu style format, and offered no un-installer afterwards, but was simple none-the-less.
The NITRO 3D scored a solid Business Graphics WinMark® score of 45.5 (at 1024x768, 16.7M), and is above the mean set by the slew of cards available in this range today. This proves to be a commendable combination of desktop publishing/image editing application performance and 3D-game features. The card also excelled at video playback. With our test MPEG clip of 330 frames the playback was smooth and clean at its native resolution, dropping 0 frames, and when scaled to full-screen, there was minimal blockiness and still no frames dropped. On the 3D side, the card seemed to do its job well also. We installed the included Mechwarrior II: Mercenaries and ran it at full detail. With the card's hardware texture mapping and abundance of other 3D features, the game showed no slowing or choppiness.
All things considered, the NITRO 3D is a solid performer, worth its competitive price. STB Systems, Inc. backs the card presumably with the same lifetime warranty they offer on their other products, and support is available through their website at http://www.stb.com, the STB BBS, the STB CompuServe forum, their fax-back service, toll-free support and standard phone, fax and mail correspondence.
Specs
STB Systems, Inc.
NITRO 3D Multimedia Accelerator
4 megs of EDO DRAM
Win95 Plug and Play
S3 ViRGE/GX chipset - 2D/3D controller
Max - 1600x1200x256 at 60MHz refresh
SVGA - 800x600x16M at 120MHz refresh
Main control menu - basic + virtual desktop setting
Display color calibration - none provided
Additional software - Hyperblade, Mechwarrior2: Mercenaries, Spycraft: The Great Game, Interstate '76, Simply 3D (limited edition) by Micrograpfx, and a web broswer plug-in WIRL's sample VRML.
Other features - special 3D features for better shading, Z-buffering, MIP-Mapping and Video Mapping to enhance textures and associated.
System features - API support for Direct3D, DirectDraw, and DirectVideo + NT and 3.x drivers
Contact: http://www.stb.com
Number Nine's Imagine 128 Series 2 is one of the few 128-bit PCI boards available today. It features a fast 250 MHz RAMDAC, 4 or 8 MB of H-VRAM, and like the NITRO has a built in digital video engine. With its support of resolutions up to 1920x1200 at 65K colors, and a suggested resell price of $699.99, its target tends to be higher end image editing and desktop publishing applications. While the Series 2 offers 3D features, they are primarily Gouraud shading, Z-buffering and OpenGL support under Windows NT 4.0, and it does not include hardware texture mapping and similar features found in common 3D "game" accelerators.
Like the NITRO, the Imagine PCI installed without a hitch. The included Hawkeye 95 software offers quick resolution changes, color adjustments, zoom, pan, and virtual desktops up to 3200x1200. After a simple installation procedure the Hawkeye 95 icon is placed in the system tray, allowing access to the Hawkeye control panel. Unlike the STB Vision 95 software, the Hawkeye 95 utility includes an uninstaller.
Even after installing the optimized Windows 95 drivers obtained from Number Nine's website, we were only able to obtain a Business Graphics WinMark® score of 44.7 (1024x768, 16.7M), which is less than desired from a card in this price range. When playing our test mpeg clip the Imagine Series 2 played smoothly at both native and full-screen resolutions with 0 frames dropped and minimal pixilation. Since this card does not support hardware texture mapping, or other common 3D acceleration, we did not test the card on any 3D games or applications. Its features are geared more towards NT 4.0 platform modeling and rendering applications using OpenGL.
Although the Imagine Series 2's WinMark® scores were not as anticipated, the card seemed speedy in most applications and might be remedied with some of Number Nine's extensive tech support. Number Nine offers a 5 year warranty and support through their website at www.nine.com, ftp site, the Number Nine BBS, the Number Nine CompuServe forum, fax on demand and standard toll support.
Specs
Number Nine Visual Technology, Inc.
Imagine 128 Series 2, 128-Bit Graphics Accelerator
8 megs of H-VRAM
and 250MHz RAMDAC
Win95 Plug and Play
Max - 1920x1080x16.7M at 83MHz (depends on monitor) or 1600x1200x16M at
150 Hz
SVGA - 800x600x16M at 105MHz
Main control menu - extensive control over display environment with "HawkEye" display control utility
Display color calibration - none provided
Additional software - none
Other features - 128-bit graphics accelerator, VESA DPMS compliant, Windows NT and 3.x, multiple board/monitor support under NT, 32-bit Z-buffering and Gouraud shading,
System features - Support for OpenGL (NT) and API support Direct X and Microsoft Active Movie for .AVI, .MPG, .DAT and .MOV formats. Zero wait-state PCI local bus interface (transfer speed)
The next card in our test series is the Matrox MGA Millennium. This card features Matrox's own MGA-2064W 64-bit processor, incorporating 3D rendering and digital video. It also has a 220 MHz RAMDAC for resolutions to 1600x1200 at 85 Hz refresh rates, and 2 or 4 MB of WRAM. The card we tested had the 4 MB upgrade installed, bringing the card up to 8 MB total. Like the Imagine, the 3D features are more basic like Gouraud shading, Z buffering and OpenGL support under NT 4.0. With a street price around $249.99 for the 4-MB version this is a nicely equipped card at a reasonable price.
The Matrox was one of the least user-friendly installations in our test group, requiring the user to manually change the settings. Once installed, the MGA Powerdesk icon is placed in the system tray and integrates well with the display properties dialog box. Powerdesk offers virtual desktops, color adjustments, and a variety of other features. Like the STB, there is an un-installer available.
The Millennium scored rather modestly in our Business Graphics WinMark® test with a score of 34.6 (1024x768x16.7M). The card's video playback abilities were only mediocre. Our test clip played smoothly at native resolution, but when scaled to full-screen the display became blurry, though no frames were dropped. We did not test this card with any 3D applications.
While the Matrox Millennium is an above average performer, its score fell below what was expected from a card with 8 MB of RAM and the features this card incorporates. Matrox also backs their card with a 3-year warranty and support through their website at HYPERLINK http://www.matrox.com/mga and ftp site, the Matrox BBS, a CompuServe forum, a fax support service and their normal toll-support service.
Specs
Matrox Graphics, Inc.
Millennium Graphics Accelerator
8 Megs of WRAM and 220MHz RAMDAC
Win 95 Plug and Play
MGA-2064W 64-bit graphic chip (proprietary graphics engine),
Max - 1600x1200x16M at 80 MHz
SVGA - 800x600x16M at 200 MHz
Main control menu - "MGA PowerDesk" is comprehensive and provides extensive display environment controls
Display color calibration - Colorific by Kodak (software and color template)
Additional software - Netscape Navigator 2.0, SoftPEG (software .MPG player), Asymetrix 3DF/X (limited version, upgrade available) and NASCAR Racing.
Other features - 3D Gouraud shading and Z-buffering, support for Win 3.x, NT and OS/2, drivers for AutoCAD and Microstation and multiple board/monitor support under NT.
System features - Support for OpenGL (NT), API support for Direct X2 (does not provide full support for 3D texture mapping) and Microsoft Active Movie for .AVI and .MPG formats.
Contact: http://www.matrox.com/mga
The final card in our test group is the 3D Pro Turbo PC2TV by ATI. The 3D Pro Turbo is based on ATI's 3D Rage II chip set. With well rounded 3D features, an incorporated video engine and 8 MB of SGRAM, this card also has a unique feature in this group with both composite and S-VHS outputs to display video on your TV, monitor, or both. It supports resolutions up to 1600x1200 for VGA output and 800x600 for TV output.
The 3D Pro Turbo installed easily and was infact the most automated and user-friendly installation in the group. With sparse hard-copy documentation the on-line help is well organized and much needed. After the ATI icon is place in the system tray, it provides easy access to display and system properties, trouble-shooting help and other useful items. The ATI software also registers with Windows un-installer for removal if necessary.
In our Business Graphics WinMark® test, the 3D Pro Turbo scored the lowest marks in the group with a 31.8 (1024x768x16.7M). This card also provided the worst video playback. When scaled above native resolution the video was noticeably blurred, and was unable to complete most of WinBench's own video tests dropping numerous frames. Again we installed Mechwarrior II: Mercenaries and the card performed well at full detail. The TV output worked flawlessly by simply plugging in the included composite cable and enabling it in the display properties box. This also provides adjustments for sizing, centering, gamma correction, and contrast and color adjustment for the TV display. Once set, the display will be enabled even after rebooting or shutting down to MS-DOS mode.
If you're not looking for top notch 2D acceleration or video playback, the 3D Pro Turbo PC2TV is a good choice for 3D game performance and normal windows productivity. With its TV output it makes for great big screen game play or presentations. ATI backs the card with a 5-year limited warranty and provides support through their BBS, ftp site and at their web site.
Specs
ATI Technologies, Inc.
3D Pro Turbo PC2TV
8 Megs of SGRAM and 200MHz RAMDAC
Win95 Plug and Play
3D RAGE II graphics/video chip (proprietary engine)
Max - 1600x1200x65K at 75MHz
SVGA - 800x600x16M at 160MHz
Main control menu - Fairly extensive set of controls for display environment + ATI Help Wizards
Display color calibration - Colorific by Kodak (software and color template)
Additional software - 3Dvision, mgi's PhotoSuite, and VIRL's VRML web browser plug-in sample and Extreme 3D (limited edition) by Macromedia.
Other features - S-Video or composite video connector for TV/VCR out (cabling included) (Max - 800x600), drivers for Win 3.x, 95, NT (+ OpenGL), OS/2 and AutoCAD. 3D graphic support in hardware for Z-buffering, both texturing and perspective correction mapping.
System features - API support for DirectX, Direct3D and DirectDraw - may provide accelerated support for most any 3D Library with support for both Renderware and HEDI.
Contact: http://www.atitech.com.ca
Conclusion: Although these are four moderately different display adapters, they are still comparable in some features. If a best had to be picked it would be the STB NITRO 3D 4MB. With its abundance of 3D features, smooth video playback and dominance in the Business Graphics WinMark® test, this card is an excellent value with a street price around $150. However, the remainder of the cards all have their distinguishing features and deserve consideration when shopping for a new display adapter.
Bill Davis, a HAL-PC member, is owner of Billy D's Pro Services which provides both graphic design services and graphic computer systems integration.
NOTE: The Magazine would like to especially thank Mr. Davis' Director of Technical Services, Grady Layton, for the inordinate time and effort to install/uninstall four video boards, associated software, test each one and for the above review. Editor
E-mail me at webmaster@hal-pc.org with any comments you have and tell me what you want to see here.
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