Yes, that is one thing i forgot about the Matrox Millenium drivers as
well. Though it is a great card that works quite well, they seem to
update there drivers quite frequently because of problems and also the
most important fix I've noticed is with their BIOS drivers. Very
important to update those as well.
Steve
> The only problem I have had with a 4 MB Millennium (non-II) and
> Monster3D is a signal degradation when the signal goes through
> the Monster3D. (The image is not so sharp any longer.) But this
> is noticeable only if you are using 1600x1200 resolution and
> highish refresh rates... Lowering the refresh rate helps. Best
> would be to buy some cheap separate monitor for the 3d card.
> --tml
Steve
I would not call this a problem, as not many people would want to run at
1600 x 1200, I notice no degradation at 1024 x 768 at all, and I am fairly
picky as I do a lot of Photo work.
As for the Orchid some of us like to run at a clock rate of 57, shame the
orchid can't do as well. ;-)
well too bad. I'm also seriously considering a 3D add-on to my
good ol' Millenium, and almost bought Monster 3D since pcmag
rated it higher. another option is Matrox's own m3D, the same
sort of thing, but based on another 3D chip (not Voodoo). So if
you go buy m3D, there shouldn't be any problem with your Millenium
II :-) It will accelerate all D3D based games, but Monster 3D
will also accelerate all voodoo-specific games. This could be
a big deal since 3Dfx has such a long title list at their site.
Another thing I haven't figured out is what's the difference
between Monster 3D and 3Dfx's own Voodoo Graphics? VG's discription
is very similiar to that of Monster 3D (a 3D add-on to a 2D
card, and won't work without the 2D card, etc). Is the monster
just a stripped down version of VG?
Like you, I sent questions to Diamond and Matrox. but according to
you experience I should not be expecting much.
Monster 3D/m3D/Voodoo Graphics users please advice!
Thanks,
Hansong
> I've been considering buying a Diamond Monster 3d add-on card to my Matrox
> Millenium II 2d card, but have heard of people having problems with this
> combo. Neither Diamond nor Matrox will respond to my e-mails, so any help
> would be appreciated.
> Thanks
> Monki24
> Monki24's Jeff Gordon Pit Stop
> www.geocities.com/motorcity/2281
There is a reason: Matrox did take the first step to 3D buy
incorporating Gouraud shading, double buffering and Z buffering
in their chip, which was quite a big deal when Millenium first
came out. What it lacks is texture mapping (essential for games).
Mystique is supposed to be a game-oriented (instead of
CAD-oriented) Millenium, but fell short of today's standards
(point-sampled textures etc).
I have a Millenium but never got the chance to utilize its
3D except through the Asymetric(?) 3d F/X software, where its
performance is pretty impressive. Anyway, normal users can
think of Millenium/Millenium II as pure 2D. Actually, the matrox
web site has *significantly* changed tones since I bought the
Millenium. Then they boast of 3D (I cannot find that page any more,
or it will make interesting comparison), now they say "top-notch 2D"
(for M2)
Hansong
> matrox likes to call their cards 2d/3d cards for some unknown reason. i
> dont know about the millenium II but i have the millenium (original )
> and it says on the box that has 3d support. but it does not, it says it
> has 3dfx support but all it has is Asymetrix 3df/x which is not 3d
> support. what it is for is to make 3d logos and titles in windows 95.
> big deal, not any good for games.
> their new card looks like it is for 3d graphics in windows for logos and
> design as well, not for *** i dont beleive.
> steve
: Another thing I haven't figured out is what's the difference
: between Monster 3D and 3Dfx's own Voodoo Graphics? VG's discription
: is very similiar to that of Monster 3D (a 3D add-on to a 2D
: card, and won't work without the 2D card, etc). Is the monster
: just a stripped down version of VG?
You misunderstand something. Diamond Monster 3D add-on is a card which
uses the Voodoo Graphics chipset from 3Dfx. 3Dfx itself don't produce any
card. It makes chips only. There are many cards in the market which uses
Voodoo Graphics chipset.
Bernard Shum
> Does anyone know for sure whether there is a problem with combining
> the Matrox Millenium (original) card with the Diamond Monster 3D card?
> I am thinking about adding the 3D F/X card (Monster) to my current
> card (Millenium 1), but of course would be very interested to know of
> any problems there may be with this combination.
> Thanks in advance.
> Rob.
Monster 3D, Righteous 3D and most 3Dfx Voodoo card comes with 2M
framebuffer and 2M texture. Pure 3D comes with 2M framebuffer and 4MB
texture memory.
> well too bad. I'm also seriously considering a 3D add-on to my
> good ol' Millenium, and almost bought Monster 3D since pcmag
> rated it higher. another option is Matrox's own m3D, the same
> sort of thing, but based on another 3D chip (not Voodoo). So if
> you go buy m3D, there shouldn't be any problem with your Millenium
> II :-) It will accelerate all D3D based games, but Monster 3D
> will also accelerate all voodoo-specific games. This could be
> a big deal since 3Dfx has such a long title list at their site.
> Another thing I haven't figured out is what's the difference
> between Monster 3D and 3Dfx's own Voodoo Graphics? VG's discription
> is very similiar to that of Monster 3D (a 3D add-on to a 2D
> card, and won't work without the 2D card, etc). Is the monster
> just a stripped down version of VG?
> Like you, I sent questions to Diamond and Matrox. but according to
> you experience I should not be expecting much.
> Monster 3D/m3D/Voodoo Graphics users please advice!
> Thanks,
> Hansong
If you're looking to get a 3D accelerator than I would highly recommend
a 3Dfx Voodoo-based accelerator, specifically Canopus 3D. It comes with
2MB of texture memory MORE than my Monster 3D, which I can tell helps
when you're playing games with lots of textures like multiplayer Quake
and Quake2.
