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: Patrick Grinsell who wrote (10365)	1/29/1999 1:16:00 PM
From: Stuart C Hall	Respond to of 16960

Pat, I don't think PCData includes direct OEM sales. If I'm right, saying TDFX outsold NVDA is probably wrong. I bought TDFX and Dell on the same day less than 12 months ago. Today Dell has reached a 200% return for me. TDFX, a 46% loss. By far, my worst performing investment to date. Here is a question for all: Does it make a difference when I sell TDFX for tax purposes? ie. If I sell at a loss before or after 12 months does it affect how I write off the loss the same way it would affect my tax rate on Dell for gains? Thanks in advance, Stuart

To: Patrick Grinsell who wrote (10365)	1/29/1999 8:58:00 PM
From: Joe Pirate	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 16960

>>Good point. Too bad you can't run DX6 on Voodoo2 or Banshee...right? You misunderstand the situation (maybe ?) Go back in history. 1. DirectX (API) was weak. 2. Voodoo came out, the proprietary 3D Hardware and API. 3. Gaming industry adopted the Voodoo as the killer GAME only platform. Program games using GLIDE API to access the Voodoo chip. 4. DirectX evolves, and nextGen 3D chips evolve. DX 6.0 has really cool features and new chips such at the TNT are designed to support DX 6.0. You NOW are seeing spectacular GAMING performance with a TNT and DirectX 6.0 games. (TNT is a good nextGen chip, soon others will come to market and hinder the Voodoo platform.) 5. In the past these games only had software rendering or 3DFX "ready" choices in the video options. As games and hardware evolve, you now see games with many choices such as; Software rendering OpenGL 3DFX Direct 3D (DX) 6. Further evolution (and DX 6.0), now you just see the "video primary driver" in the options screen, Primary display adapter (TNT), or Voodoo based card. I always play with the TNT and it is killer with DX6. I don't use my old VOODOO1 anymore. No need to. 7. It is not a battle of wits, I am just pointing out trends. Why program a game to use DX6 AND 3DFX GLIDE ? Since DX6 + the new nextGen chips are spectacular, why waste our time with proprietary HARDWARE (Voodoo chip) and the API (GLIDE) ? The only reason they did in the past is because there was nothing better. 8. Microsoft vs. 3DFX ! is the bottom line. That is a big Gorilla to go against. 9. DX 7.0 in development, more bells and whistles. What's in store down the road for video chips that support the evolving DX ? What will 3DFX do to make "heads" to turn away and look their way ? A serious question to ask ! 10. It is a good thing that 3DFX is making the VOODOO3, the Bashee with the dual-texel unit (found in Voodoo2), running at 180Mhz or so. (still limited to 16 bit color, boo!). This single chip 2D/3D combination is their savior as people really don't want to buy 2 video cards, 1 for 2D stuff and 1 for the "games". 11. Game Programmers need an incentive to continue use the proprietary Voodoo hardware/API. Like I was saying, why should they "code" a game for a proprietary API when they can just do it once with DX ? The reason for DX in the first place is to elminate proprietary HARDWARE (video, sound, etc.) provided that video card manufacturers (or any other hardware) develop nextGen chips that support it. Fun stuff.. Pirate