I wasn't planning to elaborate, but here goes :)
Now, here's a suggestion for 3dfx... why stick to 32 bit color, when you could make a card with 128 Bit color, and 4 TMU's :) Now, before you all think I'm crazy, think of doing all your matrix math using Multi-texturing in 3-4 cycles. Or maybe 2 Parallel V3's , with each supplying half bit's, providing true 30 bit color, by adding a little external circuitry
A 3dfx texturing stage is very similar to a standard multiply-add instruction. If you increase the precision from 8 bit per channel input->5 bit per channel output, to 32 bit per channel (hence 128 bit) input -> 32 bit output, you can perform a multi-stage multiply-add using the texture combine units. In effect, you can fill the texture stages with matrix data, and perform a full multiply on the entire array. This may not be optimum use of silicon, but is an interesting approach to the geometry issue. I must honestly say that it probably isn't practical right now.
As for doing 32 bit color by doubling the chipset, it's pretty simple, though it does require some software changes (if you leave the basic chipset alone). It is possible to use 32 bit textures even today on the V2, through combining different textures on the 2 TMU's. This obviously slows things down, and we still have the 32-16 bit filtering in the end. Now, let's add 2 banshee (or v3 for that matter) chipsets on the same card. Add an external dac/glue logic to (optionally) combine the 2 chip's outputs, so the full 30/32 bits are driving the external dac's in some modes. Only 1 chipset would handle vsync/hsync. Both chipsets are fed the same geometry, but the textures that you send are made up of the 2 halves. It would require some software changes, but would not result in a slow-down. The 32-16 bit filter would have to be disabled, of course.
If the circuitry is still there, SLI might also still be possible, though no additional circuitry is needed for the above hack.
Personally, I'll be buying a V3 in feb. (if it is available then, of course), and am looking forward to getting Rampage. A new chipset done right is much better than attempting to hack yet another patch to the Voodoo chipset. Let's let 3dfx do their jobs, they haven't disappointed yet.
Finally, I DON'T CARE if my graphic chipset has 32 bit color. Given the choice between running 1024x768 at 32 bit at 30 fps, or 1600x1200, 16 bit at 30 fps, I will choose 1600x1200 everytime.
Full scene anti-aliasing is NOT important if you run at high resolution. If your card can run above your screens resolution, your screen will do the anti-aliasing for you. Many people still think that their console games look better on their TV than on their PC. It's NOT because the console does anti-aliasing.
OT: SBLive rules. What an awesome sound card, I can honestly tell the difference between it and my awe64. No more distortion playing high-volume MP3's, play numerous sound channels simultaneously, and its DISTORTION FREE (at least I can't hear any) on my stereo.
I'd have recommended it sooner, but its been crashing my NT system for almost 2 months until the newest drivers :) Welcome to the days of the driver of the month club. |
