Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : 3DFX -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Eric Howard who wrote (7974)	10/7/1998 5:19:00 PM
From: Chip Anderson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16960

Eric, I'm not sure _I've_ read my posts for that long! The points you bring up are good ones, but unrelated to what Tom should be providing - an objective review of the hardware out there. Tom's benchmarks and charts show that Voodoo2 SLI still provides the fastest 3D gaming experience available today at resolutions up to 1024x768. Framerate and low ping are the two most important factors to hardcore gamers, resolution is a distant third. Tom does a disservice to the hardcore community (and those just joining it) by implying that TNT provides a satisfying experience at those lower framerates. Concerning your 4 groups, they are certainly one valid way of slicing up the marketplace. Another is to focus on the categories of "use." Then you come up with something similar to: 1.) Hardcore gamers - play Quake/Quake2/Unreal more than once a day. Play multiplayer more than single-player. 2.) Casual gamers/Computer Geeks - play single-player 3D games 2+ times a week. Likes to demo Unreal to friends. Plays online infrequently. 3.) Average Computer User - uses whatever video card came with the computer. Plays games that came with the machine. 4.) Business User - doesn't play 3D games (while the boss is watching) Voodoo2 is squarely aimed at 1 & 2. Banshee is primarily aimed at 3 & 4 via the OEM channel. Banshee's appeal to 1 & 2 is a secondary priority, which is unfortunate because of the lack of OEM announcements so far. I think TNT is in a tough spot as it is trying to be all things to all people but it will never be able to run Glide games. I agree that it is mildly faster than Banshee but doesn't come close to V2SLI. When I look at your 4 groups, I immediately ask the question "Why are the upgrading/buying a new system?" That has much more bearing on which card to get IMHO, thus my categories. Chip

To: Eric Howard who wrote (7974)	10/7/1998 5:36:00 PM
From: Scott Garee	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16960

1) Those who currently do not have any 3d acceleration in their current PC and want to upgrade These can choose TnT, Banshee or Voodoo2. 2) Those who will be buying a new PC Whatever is in it. Only time will tell. 3) Those who currently have 1 Voodoo2 card Buy a TnT and throw away a 6 month old $200 card? I expect a lot of these to buy another V2, if anything. 4) Those who already have Voodoo2 SLI Probably won't buy anything until they can get a new TDFX board. $180 just for better 2D? Probably not. How many SLI owners do you think aren't happy with TDFX? They absolutely love TDFX.