3D Accelerator Help

I've been considering getting a 3d Graphics Accelerator, but there's one problem, I know absolutley nothing about them! I have a few questions and if anyone could answer them, it would be greatly appreciated. 1. Is it just a card you add to your PC or do you have to replace your whole video card? I've already got a Matrox Millenium II card with 4MB of VRAM, and it's a damned good card, but it apparently doesn't have any 3D features. 2. My card says it has accelerated graphics features, is this the same as 3D? 3. Are all types of cards compatible? If not, what's the best kind? 4. How much does one cost? 5. Are they difficult to install? Thanks. Monki24 Monki24's Jeff Gordon Pit Stop http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/2281

Yes, the MMII has no 3d features. You can get a card like the Matrox M3D that has a combination of 2D and 3D capabilities which is cheaper than the MMII and actually better for games. Or you can get a 3dfx dedicated card like the Diamond Monster or the Orchid Righteous. A large number of new action games has been written specifically for the 3dfx chip which provides substantially better performance (graphics and speed wise) than a 2d/3d all in one card. That card is added on and connected to your existing 2d or 2d/3d card. Your Matrox Millenium in NOT a 3D card. Although I understand it is good for stuff like AutoCad. AutoCad is a 3D application isn't it? Right. But it won't do Jack for Tomb Raider, CART, etc. No, the MMII doesn't accomodate the dozen or so features typical in a good 3dfx card. Get yourself an Orchid Righteous or Diamond Monster if you're in a hurry. Either one can be added on to your existing card. The new generation of 3dfx cards (Voodoo II) should be out in a couple of months. The existing cards cost $180 to $200--that is the Orchid or Diamond. Nope. Dan P. _______________ Remove 99 in my address to reply

Plain and simple. Buy a Voodoo based card. It is an add-on card, maeaning you will not have to give up your Millenium. Anyways, Voodoo based 3D cards are the fastest cards out there for the money. If I were you, I would wait until the Voodoo2 cards come out early next year. The Voodoo2 is touted as being at least twice as fast as the Voodoo. This card is compatible with everything game based except for Rendition based games, but many of those games are being ported for use with the Voodoo based cards. You can pick up a Voodoo card for around $150 and the prices so far for the Voodoo2 are around $250. These cards are the easiest to install because they are an add-on. They use a pass through cable from your Millenium.

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> I've been considering getting a 3d Graphics Accelerator, but there's one > problem, I know absolutley nothing about them! I have a few questions and > if anyone could answer them, it would be greatly appreciated. > 1. Is it just a card you add to your PC or do you have to replace your > whole video card? I've already got a Matrox Millenium II card with 4MB of > VRAM, and it's a damned good card, but it apparently doesn't have any 3D > features. > 2. My card says it has accelerated graphics features, is this the same as > 3D? > 3. Are all types of cards compatible? If not, what's the best kind? > 4. How much does one cost? > 5. Are they difficult to install? > Thanks. > Monki24 > Monki24's Jeff Gordon Pit Stop > http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/2281

-- GTIracer

> >3. Are all types of cards compatible? If not, what's the best kind? > Get yourself an Orchid Righteous or Diamond Monster if you're in a > hurry. Either one can be added on to your existing card. The new > generation of 3dfx cards (Voodoo II) should be out in a couple of > months. I'd say if your gunna get a 3D card now then go for the Canopus Pure 3D. It's the best/fastest around at the moment and has TV out :)

says...

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>>I've been considering getting a 3d Graphics Accelerator, but there's one >>problem, I know absolutley nothing about them! I have a few questions and >>if anyone could answer them, it would be greatly appreciated. >>1. Is it just a card you add to your PC or do you have to replace your >>whole video card? I've already got a Matrox Millenium II card with 4MB of >>VRAM, and it's a damned good card, but it apparently doesn't have any 3D >>features. >Yes, the MMII has no 3d features. You can get a card like the Matrox >M3D that has a combination of 2D and 3D capabilities which is cheaper >than the MMII and actually better for games. Or you can get a 3dfx >dedicated card like the Diamond Monster or the Orchid Righteous. A >large number of new action games has been written specifically for the >3dfx chip which provides substantially better performance (graphics >and speed wise) than a 2d/3d all in one card. That card is added on >and connected to your existing 2d or 2d/3d card.

I think you're confusing the Matrox Mystique and the M3D card. The M3D card from Matrox is a PoverVR 3D accelerator that is an add on to your 2D card. If you want good acceleration you should buy either this or a 3dfx card. The PowerVR seems to be technically better, but the 3dfx has better support (ie more games that run on it). Brian

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>>I've been considering getting a 3d Graphics Accelerator, but there's one >>problem, I know absolutley nothing about them! I have a few questions and >>if anyone could answer them, it would be greatly appreciated. >>1. Is it just a card you add to your PC or do you have to replace your >>whole video card? I've already got a Matrox Millenium II card with 4MB of >>VRAM, and it's a damned good card, but it apparently doesn't have any 3D >>features. >Yes, the MMII has no 3d features. You can get a card like the Matrox >M3D that has a combination of 2D and 3D capabilities which is cheaper >than the MMII and actually better for games. Or you can get a 3dfx >dedicated card like the Diamond Monster or the Orchid Righteous. A >large number of new action games has been written specifically for the >3dfx chip which provides substantially better performance (graphics >and speed wise) than a 2d/3d all in one card. That card is added on >and connected to your existing 2d or 2d/3d card.

The matrox M3D does NOT do 2D. It's purely a 3D accelerator. And not that great a one at that. It performs as well as a 3Dfx, but only when running on a P2-300. The M3D is an add-on card to your existing 2D card. Do yourself a favour and buy a Diamond Monster 3D (about $170) or if you can stretch the budget, a Canopus Pure 3D Easy to install, easy to run, plug it in, connect th cable, away you go