Info History of 3Dfx Graphics cards Vol. 1

yjfy

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History of 3Dfx Graphics cards Vol. 1
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In Mar 1994, Gary Tarolli ,Scott Sellers and Ross Smith, he created a little company called 3Dfx Interactive.On COMDEX on November 6, 1995, 3Dfx announced Voodoo Graphics.On December 15, 2000, 3dfx was acquired by Nvidia.
The 3Dfx Voodoo series of graphics cards once occupied the dominance of 3D graphics cards for five years. The glorious years of 3Dfx have to be m
1.Voodoo Graphicsemorable...
Voodoo graphics chip consists of a texture processor chip (FBI) and a pixel processor chip (TMU).Voodoo Graphics has included level-of-detail (LOD) MIP mapping, bi-linear and advanced filtering and SVGA resolution support. In addition, the chipset delivers realistic imagery through sub-pixel correction, alpha blending, and anti-aliasing.
Voodoo Graphics also supports special effects for even greater game impact. These include per-pixel effects such as fog, translucency, and transparency, texture compositing, a variety of lighting techniques, texture morphing, animated textures, and reflection mapping.
On October 3, 1996, Orchid Technology took the lead in selling Voodoo video card, followed by Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. The outstanding 3 D performance of Voodoo graphics card made it occupy 85% of the market in 1997. After more than 20 years, Voodoo graphics cards are still so attractive.
Technical specification of Voodoo Graphics (SST-1) :
Video memory capacity:4/6/8/10/12MB (2/4MB Frame Buffer, 2/4/6/8MB texture buffer.)
Bus type:EDO RAM
Bus interface: PCI
Core clock:50 MHz
Memory clock:50 MHz
Triangle processing speed/s:1M
Pixels/s:45-50M
Textels/s:45-50M
RAMDAC:110 MHz
Maximum resolution:4MB 640x480,6MB 800x600
Fab (nm):500 nm
1.1 3Dfx
3dfx.png

1.1.1 Obsidian Green version Chip Evaluation board
Obsidian SB50-2200 green graphics card is a chip evaluation board. It is the earliest and least Voodoo graphics card known by 3Dfx. PCB date 9615 weeks,There are only 4 cards in the world, which belong to the top 4 graphics card collectors. Obsidian SB50-2200 green graphics card PCB# 600-0002-04, PCB# 600-0002-01/02/03 version did not appear.It may be that none of these 3 versions work, and it is deemed that the core secrets of 3Dfx have been completely destroyed. PCB# 600-0002-04 version is basically available before it can be retained.

OBSIDIAN_650-0002.jpg

The beautiful 3Dfx Logo laser sticker on the card can easily be mistaken for the DEMO version. The 3Dfx logo and characters on the chip on the card are all sprayed silver paint, which is very three-dimensional, which is different from the usual white printing later.
Pixel Processor TMU chip number 500-0002-01 is packaged in a 208-pin PQFP, chip date 9612 weeks, The official version of the chip is 500-0004-02.


500-0002-01.jpg

Texture Processors FBI chip number 500-0001-02 is packaged in a 240-pin PQFP, chip date 9609 weeks, 240 pins. The official version of the chip is 500-0003-03.

500-0001-02.jpg

FAB No. 600-0002-04,quite early.FAB No.600-0001-01 is 3Dfx first product "Game Control Interface".

tdfx.de_jamma.jpg
From tdfx.de
 

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1.1.2 Obsidian Black version Chip Evaluation board
The picture of Obsidian Black version Chip Evaluation board is only available on the 3Dfx website. It is similar to the green version in that there are laser stickers and welding positions for square crystals.There is a resistor array at the bottom of display memory is similar to the later version. PCB# is among 600-0003 to 600-0011.
3Dfx_Obsidian.png

1.1.3 Obsidian Product Evaluation board
Obsidian Product Evaluation board PCB#600-0013-01.
1.1.3.1 Obsidian SB50-2440 Engineering sample
Obsidian SB50-2440 Engineering sample graphics card PCB date is 9619 weeks.

xs-100_ES_2.jpg

(This picture from 3dfx.cz may be the seller's picture, more than the buyer Gary's picture on the back.)

1.1.3.2 Obsidian 100DB-4440 Engineering sample
In theory, all Obsidian graphics cards can be connected with SLI because they all reserve SLI ports. The first Obsidian SLI object is the Obsidian 100DB-4440 Engineering sample, which is connected by two Obsidian SB50-2440 Engineering sample SLI graphics cards. It is the collection of "King of Voodoo Graphics" Gary.
Obsidian 100DB-4440 Engineering sample


thedodgegarage.com_100db_ES.jpg
From the figure below, you can see that the original design of the Obsidian PCB#600-0013-01 version of the graphics card does not fully support SLI. Additional components and adjustments to the SLI circuit are required. The problem encountered by this engineering sample is that the Obsidian PCB#600-0013-02 version of the graphics card only strengthens the back SLI circuit part. It was not until the Obsidian pro graphics card specially designed for SLI that the front SLI circuit was perfected and the SLI connection was well achieved.

thedodgegarage.com_100db_ES_connector.jpg
 

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1.1.4 Obsidian
Obsidian PCB#600-0013-02 is a finalized product board. Compared with PCB#600-0013-01 and PCB#600-0013-02 version of Obsidian graphics cards, the main change is that PCB#600-0013-02 version adds P1 interface and The SLI circuit on the back is reinforced.
There are different opinions on the engineering samples of PCB#600-0013-02 Obsidian graphics cards, especially some early PCB#600-0013-02 Obsidian graphics cards are still used in arcades (Arcade), which leads to the general belief that this version does not have Engineering samples, even Qualification Sample is not recognized.
The PCB#600-0013-02 version of the Obsidian graphics card began to paste the ASSY No. label, indicating that it has officially entered the product period from the prototype period, and the PCB#600-0013-02 version is the retail version.
Orchid Righteous 3D passed FCCID certification on July 24, 1996, and did not retail until October 3,And some of the chips used in retail video cards are still engineering samples,As a result, Voodoo chip has problems such as low YIELD RATE and insufficient capacity.3dfx still takes a long time to test and adjust.So there's still Engineering sample or Qualification Sample. in the early Obsidian 02 version graphics cards.The official version of the voodoo chipset number 500-0004-02 and 500-0003-03,Early chips that are not numbered like this are actually engineering sample-level chips.
PCB#600-0013-02 version of Obsidian graphics card has only three PCB dates found, 9624/9625/9628 weeks. The Obsidian whose PCB date is 9624/9625 weeks has Engineering sample or Qualification Sample.

1.1.4.1 PCB date 9624 Weeks
Due to limited information, PCB#600-0013-02 of 9624 weeks is suspected to be the first batch of PCBs, and there are engineering samples in this batch of graphics cards. The PCB#600-0013-02 of 9624weeks has very few Obsidian graphics cards.
Probably because PCB#600-0013-02 is mature and reliable, the remaining small number of 9624 Weeks PCB boards and 500-0004-01 engineering sample chips were used in later graphics cards to produce the following Obsidian SB50-2200 graphics cards.
Obsidian SB50-2200
OBSIDIAN_500-0004-01.jpg

OBSIDIAN_500-0004-01_1.jpg

1.1.4.2 PCB date 9625 Weeks
More Obsidian graphics cards with PCB date of 9625 weeks,Using an early chipset or with a "µ test" sticker may be a qualification sample or customer sample, or even an engineering sample. "μ test" seems to be suitable for PC testing, and the tested Obsidian graphics cards are obviously not used for retail.
Obsidian SB50-2200 Qualification Sample

650-0013-01.jpg

650-0013-01_2.jpg

1.1.4.3 PCB date 9628 Weeks
PCB date is 9628 weeks of video card is the official product, the largest number. Most of them are equipped with ASSY No. "650 -???? -??" and "USA" stickers.It is already a Quantum3D product.
Obsidian SB50-2200

OBSIDIAN_650-2200.jpg
 

yjfy

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1.1.4.4 Amethyst
Amethyst daughtercard has added a TMU chip, which is simply to make voodoo into voodoo 2, so the number of obsidians equipped with Amethyst daughtercard is very small. After all, 3dfx will continue to sell voodoo 2!It's just that Voodoo2 chip is optimized on the basis of Voodoo chip. The process is also increased from 500nm to 350nm, and the working core clock is increased from 50MHz to 90MHz, and the performance is naturally greatly improved.
The sb50-2200 model is interpreted as follows:
SB50: single card, double card is 100 DB. (50 for 50 Megapixels/Second and 100 for 100 Megapixels/Second.)
2200: the first digit is 2MB of video memory equipped with the FBI chip, up to 4MB at most; the second digit is 2MB of video memory equipped with the TMU chip, up to 4MB at most; the third digit is the video memory equipped with the TMU chip on the Amethyst daughter card, 0 represents that there is no Amethyst daughter card, with the Amethyst card, the video memory can be 2MB or 4MB; the fourth digit is 0, it is rumored that there is a daughter card that can support the third TMU chip, It's never been there.
1.1.4.4.1 PCB#600-0003-01 2MB Engineering sample
This version only has a 2MB video memory version, which is an Engineering sample, and only one piece was found, which is Gary’s green Obsidian SB50-2220 original daughter card.
Amethyst 50-0020 Engineering sample & Obsidian SB50-2200 ES
q3d_green_v1a.jpg

1.1.4.4.2 PCB#600-0014-01 2MB
Amethyst daughtercard used to print fccid number and FCC certification mark, and later used black tape to mask fccid number and FCC certification mark. 3dfx also pastes FCC certification mark on each Obsidian video card, and engineering samples are no exception. This led to the identification of the Obsidian graphics card as engineering sample and qualification sample being misled by the FCC certification mark. Because according to common sense, all FCC certified video cards are official products, and both the Obsidian video card and the Amethyst daughtercard have this FCC certification mark. Through the query of fccid: mh2amepro001, it is found that this ID number does not exist at all, and 3dfx has not passed the ID certification of FCC. Only 3dfx was queried to obtain the grant code of MH2 on April 14, 1998.
The following is a 2MB Amethyst daughtercard with the fccid number covered with black tape. The one equipped with Amethyst daughtercard is Obsidian sb50-4220.
Amethyst 50-0020 & Obsidian SB50-4200
tdfx.de_obsidian_4220_03.jpg

tdfx.de_obsidian_4220_04.jpg
 

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1.1.4.4.3 PCB#600-0014-01 4MB
Here is the Amethyst daughtercard of 4MB video memory.
Amethyst 50-0040

650-0044-02_4.jpg

Installed on the Obsidian SB50-4400 graphics card will become the Obsidian SB50-4440 graphics card, which is not much different from the 12MB Voodoo2 graphics card.
Obsidian SB50-4440

650-0044-02.jpg

650-0044-02_2.jpg

650-0044-02_3.jpg
 

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1.1.5 Obsidian Pro
Obsidian PRO is an Obsidian graphics card specially adjusted for SLI connection, taking into account the cost considerations, there are two major improvements, one is to improve the front SLI connection circuit, and the other is to remove most of the resistor array the front memory and other parts.
1.1.5.1 Obsidian PRO
Obsidian PRO graphics card FAB No.600-0013-05, PCB date is 9651 weeks, it can be seen that the completion of this SLI function is difficult, and it took six months to complete.
1.1.5.1.1 SLI Main card
The SLI connection special version is divided into main card and secondary card. The main card of Obsidian PRO SB50-2400 is as follows:
Obsidian PRO SB50-2400 Qualification sample

OBSIDIAN_PRO_50-2400_A.jpg

OBSIDIAN_PRO_50-2400_A_2.jpg

1.1.5.1.2 SLI Secondary card
The Obsidian PRO SB50-2400 Secondary card is the same as the main card, except that the components that are not used for SLI connection are eliminated, see the following figure.
Obsidian PRO SB50-2400 Qualification sample
OBSIDIAN_PRO_50-2400_B.jpg

OBSIDIAN_PRO_50-2400_B_2.jpg

1.1.5.1.3 SLI Cable
SLI ribbon Cable PCB#600-0015-01, dated 9624 weeks.
SLI ribbon Cable

SLI_cable.jpg
 

yjfy

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1.1.5.2 Amethyst pro
The Amethyst pro daughter card is the original game daughter card of Obsidian PRO. Compared with the Amethyst daughter card, it mainly reduces the resistor array under the front video memory and 4MB video memory. PCB date is 9651 weeks. PCB# 600-0014-03.

The Amethyst pro 50-0040 daughtercard is shown in the figure below. The upper side is the back side and the lower side is the front side.
Amethyst pro 50-0040 Qualification sample

AMETHYST_PRO.jpg


1.1.5.3 Obsidian 100DB-4440 Qualification Sample

Two Obsidian PRO graphics cards installed with Amethyst pro daughter cards are connected by SLI cable to form Obsidian 100DB, also called Obsidian XS100.That is, the SLI connection of two Obsidian pro SB50-2440 graphics cards is the Obsidian 100DB-2440 graphics card. It is called Obsidian 100DB-4440 because it displays Obsidian 100DB-4440 after loading the driver.
Obsidian 100DB-4440 Qualification Sample


OBSIDIAN_100DB_4440.jpg

OBSIDIAN_100DB_4440_1.jpg

I/ITSEC, ORLANDO, Fl., December 2, 1996 -- 3Dfx Interactive, Inc., along with several of its OEM, VAR, and System Integrator partners, today demonstrated the Obsidian XS-100. Based on an advanced configuration of 3Dfx Interactive's Voodoo Graphics chipset, the Obsidian XS-100 represents the high-end of 3Dfx Interactive's Obsidian family of professional realtime 3D graphics accelerators for PCs. With its 100 Megapixel/second, tri-linear-filtered, texture-mapping performance and $2,500 MSRP, the Obsidian XS-100 enables military and civilian visual simulation application developers and location-based-entertainment (LBE) system integrators to deploy PC-based systems, thereby replacing proprietary image generator (IG) and workstation solutions which typically are ten times the cost of equivalent levels of 3D performance. Current PCI-based 3D graphics products deliver less than one third of the tri-linear fill rate performance of the Obsidian XS-100. The Obsidian XS-100 will be sold through visual simulation and LBE system integrators, VARs, and OEMs this month.
The above passage comes from the 3Dfx website, which shows that Obsidian 100DB graphics card is a 3Dfx development project. In fact, 3Dfx will not be able to sell Obsidian 100DB as scheduled.
The performance of Obsidian's 100DB graphics card is close to Voodoo2 graphics card SLI connection. After SLI connection, the graphics card resolution supports 1024X768, which improves the performance by about 50%.
 

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1.1.6 Obsidian GE
There are several reference boards for Voodoo graphics cards. This Obsidian GE is a relatively late Reference board, PCB#600-0012-05, PCB date 9723weeks.
Obsidian_GE.jpgObsidian_GE_1.jpg
 

yjfy

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1.2 Quantum3D
31 March 1997, Founded by 3dfx, Gemini Technology and SGI co-founders, along with former Intel and Sun Microsystems employees including Ross Q. Smith, John Archdeacon, Charles "Herb" Kuta, Dan Downum, Phil Huelson, and Dale Stimson.Separated from 3Dfx on April 8, 1997, took the Obsidian brand and continued to develop 3dfx related products.
The establishment of Quantum3D is essentially the 3Dfx coveted the lucrative profits of the mid-to-high-end Voodoo card market. After Quantum3D was separated from 3Dfx, it participated in the development and production of Obsidian graphics cards for 3Dfx for a long period of time. Finally, it was also sold under the name Quantum3D. After cultivating a good team and accumulating a certain strength, Quantum3D took away the Obsidian brand and Obsidian-related assets, truly independent, and independently developed products.

1.2.1 3Dfx licensed products
1.2.1.1 Obsidian 100DB-4440
Because of the high positioning of Obsidian 100DB-4440 graphics card, the production is very small, and not many people know it, so that when you mention SLI, everyone will think that Voodoo2 graphics card is the ancestor of SLI. Obsidian 100DB-4440 was mainly used in sensitive areas and was destroyed after use. As a result, the remaining amount is extremely low, and only 7 pairs have been collected. The Obsidian 100DB-4440 graphics card, like the green Obsidian SB50-2200 graphics card, is the bellwether card of the Voodoo graphics card that is extremely difficult to collect.
Obsidian 100DB-4440
thedodgegarage.com_100db.jpg

1.2.1.2 Obsidian SB50 series
The "Quantum3D installation guide" of the boxed Obsidian SB50-4440 graphics card is the first edition on August 29, 1997 (9735 week). This shows that Obsidian SB50 is mainly for professional users and avoids retail.
Obsidian SB50-4400

edmundoab.jpg

(From edmundoab)
The following Obsidian Pro SB50-2200 graphics cards are produced and sold after Quantum3D is completely free from 3Dfx. Quantum3D uses the more compact Obsidian pro board type.

worthpoint.com_Q3d_SB50-2200.jpg

(From worthpoint.com)
 

CP5670

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Great blast from the past. The Voodoo 2 was the first video card I ever bought. Quantum3D made several unique products back then, like that card with two Voodoo2s in SLI on a single card, and the Mercury system that could take 4 of these cards (8 Voodoo2s) in SLI.
 

aigomorla

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lol i felt so entitled back in the days when i was running SLI on Voodoo2.
 

yjfy

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1.2.2 Self-Developed products
Quantum3D self-research products are all marked with its own logo.
Quantum3D.jpg


1.2.2.1 Obsidian SB50-4400TV
The Obsidian SB50-4400TV designed by Quantum3D has a video output and the Amethyst daughtercard is eliminated.
Obsidian SB50-4400TVthedodgegarage.com_50sb_4400tv.jpg

1.2.2.2 Obsidian 100SB-4440
Obsidian 100SB-4440 puts the two-card SLI Obsidian 100DB-4440 mentioned above on one card SLI. This design is very Niubility.
Obsidian 100SB-4440
100SB-4440.jpg

100SB-4440_2.jpg

100SB-4440_3.jpg
 

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1.3 Orchid Technology
Nov. 6, 1995 Orchid Technology announced the development of a 3D game board for consumers based on Voodoo graphics.
March 20, 1996 Micronics Computers, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Orchid Technology, today announced a strategic alliance with 3Dfx Interactive, Inc. to develop an integrated system solution for the arcade game industry and peripheral products for the personal computer market. Orchid Technology will develop its "Righteous 3D" TM graphics accelerator card based on the 3Dfx Voodoo chipset and Glide API.
October 3,1996 Righteous 3D ships to direct sales customers. (NEWS from www.orchid.com
1.3.1 Righteous 3D BIOS version Engineering sample
Orchid as the earliest partner of 3DFX. When March 20, 1996 (9612 weeks) announced the development of Righteous 3D graphics cards, the earliest Obsidian green version of our 3DFX collection graphics cards (9615 weeks) had not yet been finalized. Righteous 3D's FCCID: DDS7EFF06964M3DFX was approved on July 24, 1996 (9630 weeks). The general FCCID certification takes about three weeks, so it seems that Righteous 3D is 9626 weeks finalized, which is almost the same as 9625 weeks of 3DFX finalization date. The Righteous 3D promotional image below is the one that has passed FCCID certification. It can be seen that Righteous 3D was originally designed with BIOS.
home_banner.png

The following Righteous 3D BIOS version graphics card PCB date is 9626 weeks, which is the earliest non-3Dfx original engineering sample graphics card. This version of the Righteous 3D graphics card ended up not retailing.

Righteous_3D_ES.jpg

Righteous_3D_ES_1.jpg

1.3.2 Righteous 3D Triode version
Righteous 3D is commercialized in the Triode version.
RIGHTEOUS_3D_9648.jpg

RIGHTEOUS_3D_9648_1.jpg


1.3.3 Righteous 3D later version
Triode for Righteous 3D graphics cards was later cancelled.
Righteous_3D_9751.jpg

Another feature of the Righteous 3D graphics card is the use of 2 Relay switch. It is said that 2 Relay switch were canceled in the end. I have not seen the real thing.
 
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yjfy

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1.4 Diamond Multimedia
August 6, 1996 -- Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. at the Siggraph trade show announced it will begin offering its new Monster 3D™ graphics subsystem to OEMs looking to create high-performance PC gaming machines. Monster 3D is expected to begin shipping to OEMs this month, a retail version is planned for this Fall.

The release date of Diamond Monster 3D is later than October 3, 1996 of Orchid Righteous 3D.
1.4.1 Monster 3D BIOS version
Monster 3D was originally designed as BIOS version like righteous 3D, but it is commercialized.

1.4.1.1 Monster 3D Engineering sample
The following official image of Monster 3D is an engineering sample.
Monster 3D Engineering sample
3Dfx.cz.png

(From 3Dfx.cz)

1.4.1.2 Monster 3D Review sample
The FCCID of the Monster 3D graphics card: FTUPCI2184M, the time of passing the certification after inquiries is 08/26/1996 , 9635weeks. The official announcement date is August 6, which is 9632 weeks. The card below is a Monster 3D review version graphics card with a PCB date of 9630, which will be finalized before the official announcement. The date of the stamp on the PCB is 9634 weeks, indicating that this time has been made. On October 3, 1996 (9640 weeks), Orchid officially released the Voodoo card for the first time, and Diamond was later than this date.This card is a pre release version of Review Sample.
The two chips on this card are early silver paint, not ordinary white paint.
Monster 3D Review sample
Monster_3D_9630.jpg

Monster_3D_9630_1.jpg


1.4.1.3 Monster 3D 1996 version
The officially released Monster 3D 1996 version cancels the BIOS chip.
Monster 3D
Monster_3D_REV_A_9630.jpg

Monster_3D_REV_A_9630_1.jpg
 

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1.4.2 Monster 3D Triode version
Like orchid, diamond also developed the monster 3D triode version, but in the end, it abandoned the triode and simplified it to the monster 3D 1997 version. .
Monster 3D Engineering sample
voodoo1.jpg

(From 3Dfx.cz)
1.4.3 Monster 3D 1997 version
Monster 3D 1997 version sold more.
Monster 3D
MONSTER_3D_1997_A.jpg

MONSTER_3D_1997_A_1.jpg
 

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1.5 Skywell Technology

1.5.1 Magic 3D Plus
The graphics card that directly uses the 3Dfx Obsidian board type may only be Skywell except Quantum3D. Magic 3D Plus graphics card uses Obsidian pro with a simple design and 8MB video memory. There are very few Voodoo cards with 8MB of video memory. The most common ones are 4MB of video memory. There are not many cards with 6MB of video memory.
Magic_3D_Plus_9827.jpg

Magic_3D_Plus_9827_1.jpg

1.5.2 Magic 3D Plus1
The Magic 3D plus1 designed by skywell technology for 8MB video memory is also powerful.
3Dfx_Aslinger.jpg
(From 3Dfx_Aslinger)
 

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1.6 Village Tronic
1.6.1 3D Overdrive
Very alternative design, this Dual plane design may be inspired by Voodoo rush.
tdfx.de_3doverdrive_07.jpg
tdfx.de_3doverdrive_01.jpg
tdfx.de_3doverdrive_02.jpg



1.6.2 Mac Magic
MAC version of voodoo video card with 8MB video memory.
MAC_VOODOO_9844_1.jpg

MAC_VOODOO_9844.jpg
 

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1.7 Canopus
6MB video memory, with video output and cooling fan, pure 3D is popular.
PURE 3D
PURE3D_98-01_FAN.jpg

PURE3D_98-01_FAN_1.jpg

1.8 Viewtop
The voodoo card with 6MB video memory is worth collecting.
3D Vulcan G
VulcanG.jpg

1.9 InnoVision
There are not many voodoo cards with video output in 4MB.
3DX5000TV

3DX5000TV_9801.jpg

3DX5000TV_9801_1.jpg
 

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2.Voodoo Rush

COMDEX, Las Vegas, November 18, 1996 - 3Dfx Interactive announced Voodoo Rush, the next-generation of its critically-acclaimed Voodoo Graphics 3D technology. The product is a low-cost, 3D graphics solution which allows a seamless interface between the Voodoo Graphics chipset and Alliance Semiconductor's ProMotion-AT3D PC multimedia accelerator. In addition, Trident Microsystems, Inc., Macronix America, Inc., and Media Reality Technologies, Inc. have also announced their intention to strike strategic partnerships with 3Dfx similar to the current successful relationship with Alliance.

Voodoo Rush incorporates critical 3D features, such as triangle setup, Gouraud shading, bilinear and advanced filtering, Z-buffering, alpha-blending, level-of-detail MIP mapping, and perspective-correct texture mapping, which are essential for visually realistic texture-mapped entertainment and authoring applications. Moreover, Voodoo Rush simultaneously delivers these features with the triangle and fill-rate performance necessary to achieve 30-plus frames per second.

In addition to its core 3D capabilities, Voodoo Rush also supports unique special effects including texture compositing and morphing, sub-pixel correction, texture animation, and per-pixel MIP mapping and atmospheric effects such as transparency, fog, and haze. animation sequences.

January 6, 1997-3Dfx Interactive announced that Voodoo Rush will first be used by Hercules Computer Technology, Inc. to make Stingray 128/3D graphics cards.Other partners include Acclaim Entertainment, Diamond Multimedia, Hewlett-Packard Company, Falcon Northwest, Interactive Light, NEC Technologies, Micron, Orchid Technologies and Williams-Atari-Bally-Midway.

Voodoo Rush surpasses Voodoo in resolution, with a maximum resolution of 1600x1200. Due to the poor compatibility of the Rush chip, the 2D performance is mediocre. At the same time, there are some compatibility issues with the software in the 3D part. However, as 3Dfx's first graphics card that can work independently, the production volume that year was far less than Voodoo, still has a good collection value.

Pixel Processor TMU chip number 500-0004-02, 208 pins, still use Voodoo chip. Texture Processors changed from Voodoo's FBI to FJR, the chip number was changed from 500-0003-03 to 500-0005-04, and the number of pins was changed from 240 to 208.

Technical specification of Voodoo rush(SST-96):
Video memory capacity: 4/6/8MB (2/4MB Frame Buffer, 2/4MB texture buffer.)
Bus type:EDO RAM
Bus interface: PCI
Core clock:50 MHz
Memory clock:50 MHz
Triangle processing speed/s:0.8-1M
Pixels/s:45-50M
Textels/s:45-50M
Ramdac 180 MHz
Maximum resolution:1600x1200
Fab (nm):500 nm

2. 1 Dfx
The 2D Graphics chip of Voodoo rush is provided by Alliance Semiconductor and MXIC.

2.1.1 Alliance Semiconductor version
The earliest Voodoo rush graphics card was a Dual plane architecture with a 2D main card and Voodoo rush daughter card. The 2D main card uses Alliance Semiconductor Promotion AT3D/AT25 chip.

2.1.1.1 Dual plane
Voodoo Rush 4 MB prototype- Lower 2D PCB (manufactured by Alliance Semiconductor) with Alliance AT3D chip dated 9629weeks, upper PCB with Voodoo Rush chipset dated 9649weeks,PCB#600-0018-03.
proto_rush_9629.jpg

2.1.1.2 Single plane
The PCB date of this Voodoo Rush Single plane is 9725weeks. Voodoo rush graphics cards mostly use Single plane architecture.

proto_rush_single_plane.jpg

2.1.2 MXIC version
This Voodoo rush reference board is co-developed by Macronix International Co. Using the MX86251FC chip, the PCB date is 9732weeks. Voodoo rush using MXIC Graphics chip is less than using Alliance Semiconductor Graphics chip.
proto_rush_mxic.jpg
 

yjfy

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2.2 Hercules Computer Technology
Hercules Computer Technology, Inc. first cooperated with 3Dfx.

2.2.1 Stingray 128/3D Dual plane version
Stingray 128/3D Dual plane made some adjustments on the 3Dfx reference board. In April 1997, Stingray 128/3D released.
Stingray_128-3D.jpg

2.2.1 Stingray 128/3D Single plane version
This board type is developed independently. Mainly sold Voodoo rush graphics products.

Stingray_128-3D_9752.jpg

Stingray_128-3D_9752_1.jpg
 

yjfy

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2.3 Orchid Technology
Orchid Technology was involved in the research and development of Voodoo rush very early, but the product failed to achieve the expected purpose and gave up retail.
Orchid_Rush.jpg

Orchid_Rush_1.jpg


2.4 Diamond Multimedia
Diamond Multimedia also developed a Voodoo rush graphics card with its own characteristics very early, but gave up due to many problems.
Diamond_rush.jpg

The above two unreleased and unsold Voodoo rush graphics cards are from the G1nX collection. G1nX is a top computer hardware collector and also has the earliest Obsidian green graphics card.
 

yjfy

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2.5 ViewTOP

2.5.1 Vulcan B3D-FX1
The main card is designed independently, and the daughter card adopts 3Dfx's reference design PCB#600-0018-03.
vulcanx_01_tdfx.de.jpg

vulcanx_07_tdfx.de.jpg

vulcanx_08_tdfx.de.jpg

vulcanx_02_tdfx.de.jpg

From tdfx.de

2.5.2 Vulcan B3D-FX2

2.5.2.1 Engineering sample
Vulcan_B3D-FX2_ES.jpg

2.5.2.2 Official product
Vulcan_B3D-FX2.jpg
 

yjfy

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2.6 Quantum3D
Quantum3D Ventana graphics card has an expansion interface, you can install a VOODOO TMU daughter card (SHADE), which seems to be a Voodoo2 graphics card with 2D output.
Ventana.jpg
 

yjfy

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2.7 IO Data Equipment
Due to many problems with Voodoo Rush, there are very few independently designed Voodoo Rush graphics cards.
2.7.1 GA-ATVR4/PCI
GA-ATVR4/PCI is the research and development code, Engineering sample, and the date on the BIOS is September 16, 1997 (9738 week), which is the Voodoo rush that appeared later.
GA-ATVR4/PCI Engineering sample
GA-ATVR4_PCI.jpg

GA-ATVR4_PCI_1.jpg

2.7.2 GA-RUSH6/PCI
GA-RUSH6/PCI is the official product model.
GA-RUSH6_PCI_4.350027.jpg

GA-RUSH6_PCI_4.350027_1.jpg