Info History of ATi Graphics cards Vol. 1

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History of ATi Graphics cards Vol. 1
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On August 20, 1985, Lee Ka Lau, P. H. Lau, Kwok Yuen Ho, and Benny Lau from Hong Kong, China founded ATI as Array Technology Inc. in Canada.On December 18, 1985, it was renamed ATI Technologies Inc.

On June 24, 2006, AMD announced the acquisition of ATi for US$5.4 billion and completed the acquisition on October 25, 2006.

In the past 21 years, ATI has dedicated many beautiful graphics cards, even ATI cannot sort out the graphics card information. Many articles related to the history of ATI graphics cards are too superficial, which is not very helpful for computer hardware collectors. As a collector of computer hardware, the author writes a history of ATI graphics cards from the perspective of collection identification, focusing on introducing early ATI graphics cards and engineering sample graphics cards to create a collection guide for ATI graphics cards. In order to fully display the ATi graphics card, this article uses many pictures from collectors and websites. Thank you very much!

1.Graphics Solution series

At the beginning of its establishment, Working primarily in the OEM field, ATI produced integrated graphics cards for PC manufacturers such as IBM and Commodore.

ATI’s early graphics cards have very little information. Fortunately, almost all of them have passed the FCC ID certification, which is an important way to understand ATI graphics card models.

ATI's first product is Color Emulation Card. The card came equipped with a minimum of 16KB of memory. It was used for outputting text to a TTL monitor via a 9-pin DE-9 connector. I have never seen the Color Emulation Card, even the pictures are not left, maybe it is not a standard ISA interface card.

Graphics Solution series graphics cards are the earliest ATI graphics cards and the earliest ATI graphics cards that can be collected. The main chips and components of Ati's early graphics cards were not all developed by itself, but they were keen to put on the logo to declare the brand.

Graphics Solution series graphics cards have four models.

1.1 Graphics Solution

Graphics Solution is based on the UM6845E CRT controller, with the use of Central chip CW16800-A (ATI used ASIC technology to develop the first chip in October 1985), manufactured 8-bit ISA interface graphics card. This card uses the 64KB DRAM,supports Hercules Graphics Card mode and extended 132x25 / 132x44 text-modes on TTL Monochrome monitors,以及All CGA modes on both CGA/EGA and TTL Monochrome monitors。Composite output is available on an internal 3-pin connector (no support for colors, Works only in the 40x25 text-mode or 320x200 graphics modes)

Graphics Solution graphics cards have 3 revisions. Most of the ones that can be seen and collected are the REV 3 version, the REV 2 version is very rare, and the REV 1 or REV 0 version is only seen in the promotional pictures of ATi.

1.1.1 Graphics Solution REV 1

Graphics_Solution_rev1.jpg

The Graphics Solution graphics card in the picture is from ATI's official announcement picture, which is undoubtedly an engineering sample. It may be REV 1 or even REV 0 . The display chip is Hitachi HD460505SP-1, not UM6845 commonly used by ATI.
 

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9. 3D Rage Pro series

September 18, 1996。ATI Technologies Inc., announced the 3D PRO, the newest member of its high-performance 3D, 2D and video accelerator family.

The 3D Rage Pro chip has a new triangle setting engine, and the perspective correction algorithm has also been improved. At the same time, distance blur and transparency effects have been enhanced; reflective highlight effects and enhanced video playback functions have also been added, especially DVD playback. The 3D Rage Pro chip supports AGP 2X, making MPEG-2 acceleration performance even further. 3D Rage Pro supports up to 8MB SGRAM or 16MB WRAM.

9.1 Xpert@ Play

May 19, 1997 ATI Technologies Inc announced the Xpert@Play , the graphics accelerator add-in board that will set new standards for gaming, multimedia and mainstream graphics acceleration applications. Xpert@Play provides 3D, 2D and DVD video acceleration and connects to a large screen TV, monitor or VCR.

Xpert@ Play that cancels the video output of ImpacTV2 is Xpert@ Work.

The following takes the PCI interface as an example to introduce Xpert@Play graphics card.

9.1.1 Engineering Sample?

PN 109-41900-00A

The PN 109-41900-00A of this card, 00A of which looks like an engineering sample, is actually an early product, which is an error in the production process.

RAGE_PRO_109-4900-00A.jpg

RAGE_PRO_109-4900-00A_1.jpg
 
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9.2 Xpert@ Work

May 26, 1997 ATI Technologies Inc. announced the Xpert@Work, the graphics accelerator that sets the new standard for Windows NT and Windows 95 performance and productivity. With superior 2D, 3D and video acceleration.

The Xpert@Work Based on ATI's new 3D RAGE PRO component, a powerful 230MHz DAC and up to 8MB memory, the Xpert@Work offers flicker-free 85Hz refresh rates at 1600x1200.

The following takes the AGP interface as an example to show the Xpert@Work graphics card, which also reproduces the development process of the ATI graphics card more completely.

9.2.1 Engineering Sample

PN 109-40200-00B

Xpert@Work Engineering Sample
3D_RAGE_PRO_00B.jpg

3D_RAGE_PRO_00B_1.jpg
 

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9.3 Xpert 98

Rage Pro Turbo

Xpert 98 is the ultimate gaming experience in Windows 98.

Some Xpert 98 graphics cards are Xpert@Play /Xpert@Work graphics cards that cancel the video memory expansion slot.

9.3.1 PCI

PCI, PQFP

PN 109-41900-10

rage+turbo.jpg
 

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9.6 Nexus GA

July 28, 1997 ATI announces Nexus GA for Apple computers.

NEXUS GA has 8/16MB WRAM, is a high-performance 2D and 3D graphics board developed with the professional graphics designer in mind. can noticeably improve the graphics disPlay capabilities. Featuring leading 2D performance, including true color at highest resolutions, plus 3D functionality.

PN 109-42600-00

NEXUS_GA.jpg

PN 109-42700-00

Graphics memory daughter card

NEXUS_GA_2.jpg
 

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9.7 3D Charger

ATI's 3D CHARGER graphics board provides low cost solutions for OEMs and System Integrators (this is not a retail product).

The chips are 3D Rage Pro PCI, 3D Rage II + DVD, these two chips can be used in the same board, PCI interface. There is also RAGE IIC chip.

9.7.1 3D Rage II+ DVD

PN 109-38800-00

rageII+DVD.jpg
 

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9.7.3 Rage IIC

January 12, 1998

ATI Technologies Inc. announced the RAGE IIC AGP graphics accelerator, a low-cost 2D, 3D and video chip, ideal for cost-sensitive AGP corporate systems. RAGE IIC AGP is pin-compatible with ATIís performance-leading and market-leading RAGE PRO components

9.7.3 1 AGP

PN 109-48300-00
rageIIc.jpg
 

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9.9 XCLAIM 3D PLUS

3D RAGE LT PRO,8 MB SDRAM

Xclaim 3D PLUS features all the powerful 2D and 3D graphics acceleration of Xclaim 3D, plus, it is the first to bring the cutting edge Digital Flat Panel (DFP) disPlays to PCI Mac.

9.9.1 Engineering Sample

PN 109-54100-00A
RAGE_LT_PRO_PCI_ES.jpg

RAGE_LT_PRO_PCI_ES_1.jpg
 

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9.10 Xpert XL


January 11, 1999 ATI Technologies Inc.announced the RAGE XL and RAGE XC general purpose graphic accelerator chips. The two new .25 micron graphics chips,full AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 2X acceleration.

The RAGE XL is the world's first volume graphics chip . RAGE XL support for TFT panels extends to 1280x1024 resolution, and use of Ratiometric expansion technology ensures that images can be scaled to any screen size.

The RAGE XL and RAGE XC are software compatible with all RAGE PRO designs, and pin compatible with RAGE 128 chip.

PN 109-66700-01

XPERT_XL_Palcal.jpg

(From Palcal on vgamuseum.info)
 

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10. Rage 128 series

In 1998, the battle for 3D graphics cards intensified this year. At this time, NVIDIA, 3DFX, MATROX, S3 and other manufacturers have launched a series of excellent products. ATI’s Rage 128 competitors are VOODOO 2 and TNT. ATI’s goal is to surpass the latter two in terms of performance. At that time, ATI seemed to have done it, especially in terms of image quality.

Rage 128 Release Date August 1st, 1998, is ATI's first 128bit 3D chip, supporting AGP 4X interface and hardware MPEG-2 acceleration. One of the major selling points of this product is that it is specifically designed for 32bit colors. The performance drop from 16bit color to 32bit color is less than 5%, which was quite amazing at the time. In terms of performance, the RAGE 128 launched by ATI was not the top at the time, but the RAGE 128 wins in all performance indicators are very average. Not only does it still have an advantage in DVD dynamic interpolation compensation, it also supports VIVO and ALL-IN-Wonder graphics card versions, which are very powerful multimedia graphics cards. Rage 128 is also divided into high and low models Rage 128 GL and Rage 128 VR (64bit) to face different user groups.

10.1 Rage Fury

It was first released in November 1998 and went on sale around the beginning of 1999.

Up to 32MB frame buffer for realistic 3D gamePlay with massive textures and high resolutions Powered by ATI RAGE 128 GL, a true 128-bit graphics engine 32-bit true color 3D acceleration (16.7 million colors) and up to 1920x1200 without significant drop in game frame rates.

10.1.1 Engineering Sample

PN 109-51900-00A

The official announcement picture of Rage Fury is an engineering sample.

Rage_Fury_ES.jpg
 

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10.1.2 Official product

PN 109-51900-01

Entering the era of Rage 128, with the improvement of performance, the chip generates a lot of heat and begins to use heat sink.
RAGE128_51900-01.jpg