<< bigshooter, $400 US IS $600 Canadian...even at $300 US thats $450 Canadian + Taxes puts it at $500+. Thats where we get this idea that Nvidia cards are going to be $500+. >>
I don't see a point mentioning this! Its not Nvidia's fault that the Canadian dollar is worth so little($.65), and definately not for the Canadian taxes (15% where I live). However, the American dollar is worth more(therefore buying alot more as well), you can't compare the dollar for dollar value and blame a Nvidia for it, we might as well compain to every American company then!
<< Btw I bought my Voodoo card for $250 Canadian. >>
Well, you can buy a Geforce 2 MX for $180 CDN! Doesn't mean squat.
I can't see how your saying a 3dfx product is more superior in 2D performance. I'm in the computer graphics industry and I can't rave more about Nvidia products! The Quadro series(although may seem expensive), its actually very CHEAP compared to its competitors, and is excellent for 2D and 3D graphic rendering. OXYGEN and FIRE GL have far more expensive, yet only comparable 3D rendering cards than Nvidia. I have no idea what your talking about Blackhawk2.
I can't see this 3dfx takeover as a bad thing. 3dfx hasn't been a very contributive competitor for more than a year. Their products were always delayed. Products were reduced to making SMP PCB boards to increase graphic speeds(instead of creating new chips & architecture). They definately had good technology under their sleeves with Gigapixel and FSAA, however it takes money to make money. 3dfx no longer had the capital to carry on their company, hence why they sold it. They went downhill since they purchased STB and pissed off Creative(their best reseller).
What I can see in the future is that there will always be competition. If a company falls, others will rise to replace them. Its called "business".