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April 3

Archivübersicht

Weitere Fragezeichen stehen hinter Benchmark-Ergebnissen aus den Spielen Turok2 und Expendable. Trotz V-Sync OFF lassen sich die Ergebnisse durch ein ändern der Monitor-Refreshrate beeinflussen. Eine Erklärung könnte das Tripple Buffering sein, das diese Spiele unterstützen. Hier scheint der Treiber die VSYNC Einstellung zu ignorieren. Bei Turok2 kommen noch andauernde Festplattenzugriffe hinzu, die das Ergebniss beeinflussen. Nach meinen bisherigen Erfahrungen sind Expendable und Turok2 deshalb leider ungeeignet für Benchmarktests.

Ugh, the e-mails have begun..."how will accelerator XYZ work with Q3TEST?"

Here's a quick run down of accelerators we have tested and that we find acceptable or better for Quake3, assuming the most up to date drivers are installed (note: up to date drivers for nearly all of the following accelerators will be available when Q3TEST is released).

3Dfx Voodoo Graphics
3Dfx Voodoo2
3Dfx Voodoo2 SLI
3Dfx Voodoo3*
3Dfx Voodoo Rush (tested out of house, but supposedly stable)
3Dfx Voodoo Banshee
3DLabs Permedia 2 (ugly, some serious visual artifacts)
ATI Rage Pro (4MB and 8MB)
ATI Rage128*!&
Intel i740
Matrox G200 &
NVidia Riva128
NVidia RivaTNT*!&
NVidia RivaTNT2*!&
Rendition V2x00 (not very fast, but it works)
S3 Savage3 &

* high performance
! supports stencil volume shadows
& 32-bit rendering

We have not done significant testing on the following boards simply because they were not undergoing full shipment at the time we were wrapping up Q3TEST:

3DLabs Permedia3 Matrox G400 S3 Savage4

However we do not anticipate any problems with any of the above, since they are newer, faster, and should be real nice.

Note that ALL of the above boards are supported through a complete OpenGL implementation, NOT through minidrivers of any kind. And with the exception of Voodoo Graphics, Voodoo 2, and Voodoo Rush, all of the above accelerators are supported using the standard Win32 OpenGL ICD driver interface (because of limitations in Microsoft's WGL OpenGL specification, 3D-only cards must be supported by direct loading of their DLL instead of using the standard GDI interface).

CPUs that we have tested on and support include:

AMD K6-2 AMD K6-3 AMD K7 Intel Pentium and above

So here's the scoop: if you have a pimped out PIII/500 w/ a RivaTNT2, you're gonna be stoked with a sweet looking game running at a very fast clip. If you have an $800 AMD K6-2 w/ a 4MB ATI Rage Pro, we got you hooked up too, but it'll run slower and not look quite as good. But you'll still be able to play, and I'm not talking "it'll load up, be happy" -- you'll seriously be able to PLAY the game on a $1000 machine. Q3TEST runs fine on a first generation Voodoo Graphics w/ 4MB (remember those?), and it doesn't look half bad either.

Dig this: Intel i740 boards are available at Fry's Electronics for $49.95, which is about what a new game costs. The Intel i740 plays the game VERY well, albeit with 16-bit rendering and some other minor visual artifacts. For $59.95 there were some some white box Riva128 boards, and those play the game at VERY high performance, but look quite a bit worse than the i740. For $99.95 there was the Creative Graphics Blaster w/ RivaTNT, which has to be the best bang/buck ratio in graphics accelerators right now.

So that's three boards under $100 that run the game extremely well, for those of you looking to upgrade on a budget.

If you've bought your desktop machine in the past year, odds are that you will be able to play Q3TEST once you have up to date drivers installed.

Compatibility Issues:

We have seen a lot of problems with some AMD chipsets (specifically, ALI) and also the Intel LX chipset used with a lot of PII/333 machines.

These problems are not specific to Quake3, but are usually problems with the chipset drivers or design. They manifest themselves as just strange system hangs, and it can happen regardless of the brand accelerator installed.

V3400TNT v2.17- Win98
V3400TNT v2.17 - Windows NT4

Dank an Moritz für die News!

Wicked3D to Leave the Hardware Manufacturing Arena

Fremont, California, May 4, 1999; Today, Wicked3D, a division of Metabyte, Inc., announced a change in company direction to shift its focus back to its core competency in software development. The Wicked3D hardware product lines will be discontinued but support for current Wicked3D customers will continue.

"Wicked3D has created a very successful hardware business that resulted in tremendous exposure and brand building," says Steve Gleitsmann, former Director of Worldwide Sales and newly appointed General Manager of Wicked3D. " With our recent developments in graphics technology we have the potential to become a significant force in the industry in a very short period of time. Having said that, we feel that it would be much more beneficial for the industry and for us if we concentrate on doing what we do best - and that is to develop software technology and allow others to bring it to market. It basically came down to a decision about whether we wanted to develop technology exclusively for our own products or concentrate efforts on providing technology on a more global basis. With eighty percent of your staff being highly skilled and innovative software engineers, the decision was clear."

Fans of Wicked3D need not be disappointed, Wicked3D is on a very aggressive path to enable a variety of OEM partners to bring their various technologies to market.

"This is a very exciting time for us here at Wicked3D. Not only will this new direction allow us to concentrate on further enhancements of our technologies, but the consumer will greatly benefit from this change as well." says Kerry Philpott, spokesman for Wicked3D. "The availability of Wicked3D enhanced products will be more readily available to the consumer as we enable other companies to bring it to market. Just look for the 'Powered by Wicked3D' logo on the retail box of our customers products to find our technology inside." Wicked3D will be announcing partnership agreements over the coming weeks.

JC: You will soon be offering both TNT2 and Voodoo 3 in the same system. What is the technology behind that system?

Gonzalez: Yes, we will. We have the drivers in beta right now and they are working pretty well. The dilemma that hardcore gamers face is that they may want the 32-bit rendering capabilities & 2048 x 2048 texture sizes TNT2 can offer and have the flexibility to play Voodoo Glide based games on a superfast Voodoo III. Unfortunately if you want to have that combination you would have to use a Voodoo I or Voodoo II in the system which is based on older technology. We felt that we always want to offer the latest and greatest product that NVidia and 3Dfx have to offer, so we made a decision to implement a special utility within the display properties along with a switchbox that would enable a TNT2 board and a Voodoo III PCI board in the same system. We want to give the gamer the flexibility of having the best of both worlds. This again shows to the gamer that we are committed to making unique, innovative, and powerful gaming computers

Da komplette Interview gibt es hier. (Source: Rivazone)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\NVIDIA Corporation\RIVA TNT\OpenGL
EnableBufferFlipping (1) - evtl. Flackern -> dann auf 0 belassen.
EnableVBlank Wait (0)

Nun Unreal starten und im Unreal-Menü auf Options und dort auf Advanced Options gehen. Im Punkt Drivers OpenGL wählen:

Das Fenster danach mit dem X im der oberen rechten Ecke wieder schliessen. Im Unreal-Menü dann unter Audio/Video die gewünschte Auflösung einstellen - fertig. Ein Timedemo lässt sich über die Konsole aufrufen (drücken der Taste "ö"). Hier einfach "timedemo 1" eingeben und die Konsole wieder mit der gleichen Taste schliessen. Jetzt läuft ein Framecounter mit, der die Frameraten eines Durchlaufs der Anfangsscene etc. anzeigt. Dies funktioniert auch im Spiel selbst. Hier sind die Frameraten meist höher. Neben den Grafikeinstellungen sollte man aber auf jedenfall genug RAM (128MB) im Rechner stecken haben und eine grosse Windows-Auslagerungsdatei anlegen, da die meisten Ruckler im Spiel durch Festplattenzugriffe entstehen.
Weitere Informationen in der Unreal-FAQ auf Planetunreal, bei GTIs Online oder hier.

Diamond stellt die Viper V770 und Viper V770 ULTRA offiziell vor:

Viper V770 (125/150)

Das Arbeiten mit der Viper V770 macht tierischen Spaß. Wieso? Wer sonst kann mit so überzeugenden Daten und Fakten aufwarten:

• 32 MB Grafikspeicher: höhere Auflösungen und Bildwiederholraten für 2D- und 3D-Anwendungen
• AGP 4X: maximale Bandbreite zur Übertragung, Bearbeitung und Darstellung komplexer 3D-Grafiken und großer Texturen
• 32 Bit Rendering: präzise Berechnung von hochwertigen 3D-Objekten
• Hochauflösende Texturen: Viper V770 verarbeitet Texturen bis zum Format 2048x2048 Bit für eine unglaublich realistische Darstellung
• Maximale Renderleistung in dieser Klasse: auch geeignet für CAD/CAM und Animation unter DirectX™ oder OpenGL™
• AMD-K6 und Pentium III-Support: optimiert für mehr Leistung durch die neue CPU-Generation

Um Ihre Entscheidung zu erleichtern sollten Sie genau hinsehen. Nicht alle Grafiklösungen können hier vergleichbares bieten:

Multimedia ist in aller Munde – Viper V770 bringt sie ins Haus. Der serienmäßig beigefügte SoftDVD-Decoder bietet hochwertiges DVD-Playback auf Ihren PC. Über den optionalen TV-Ausgang können sie diese Qualität gemeinsam mit Freunden oder Ihrer Familie auf dem großen TV-Schirm erleben.

Viper V770 ULTRA (150/183)

Diamond hat noch mal an der Performance-Schraube gedreht. Freaks werden ihre helle Freude haben. Auf der Viper V770 Ultra schlägt das Herz des RIVA TNT-2 Ultra. Durch spezielles Diamond-Tuning erleben Sie beste 3D-Darstellungsqualität bei gleichzeitg höchsten Frameraten. Ein weiterer Leistungsschub gegenüber der bereits hervorragenden Leistung der Viper V770.

Was Sie erwartet:

• RIVA TNT-2 Ultra von Nvidia für high-speed 2D-/3D-Grafik in 128 Bit
• 32 MB ultra-schneller Grafikspeicher
• Beste Darstellungsqualität: 32 Bit Rendering & 32 Bit Z/Stencil Buffer, AGP 4X-Unterstützung, Texturen bis 2048x2048
• Optimiert für Performance-Freaks: high-speed Hardware-Layout, aktive Chip-Kühlung (Lüfter) und Treiber für 3D-Tuning
• Umfangreiches Software-Bundle mit aktuellen Games (wird noch bekanntgegeben) und Diamond InControl Tools 99 sowie Zoran SoftDVD
• Unterstützt die neueste CPU-Generation von Intel und AMD

Sind Sie bereit für eine einzigartige Leistungsklasse?

Sie finden die Viper V770 im Monat Mai 1999 bei Ihrem Fachhändler.

WinMan Suite	3D Settings 1	3D Settings 2	3D Revelator	Desktop
Bildwiederholrate	Video OUT	Video IN	Video Viewer	Video Control

Die ELSA Erazor III wird mit 16MB und 32MB erhältlich sein. Die 32MB Ausführung ist auch mit einem Video Ein- und Ausgang erhältlich.

General

• Fixed new problem in 220 where users who had performed a partial install of Unreal (with maps kept on the CD) didn't see any maps listed in the Deathmatch/BotMatch menus.
• "FOV #" command now takes effect permanently.
• Minigun and stinger sounds are now properly replicated to all clients.
• Botmatch skill bug in 220 fixed.
• Lookspring fixed.
• Kevlar vest pickup sound and dead guy in Vortex Rikers sound fixed.
• Bubbles now float properly on clients.
• Fixed projectiles not appearing on client side because local player ran into them.
• Carcasses are now simulated for smoother death animations, and all the nali and skaarj gibs are properly replicated.
• Fixed bug where quick taps of fire button didn't register in network games.
• Slightly reduced damage multiplier in Hardcore mode (150% instead of 170%), and rocket damage radius in Classic mode is back to the old value.
• Fixed razorjack sound crash problem with 3D sound.
• Fixed problem where the editor light torches were showing up in some levels in network play.
• Fixed client prediction going through portals.
• Eliminated menu bar when playing in windowed mode.
• Fixed inability to join a network game while you are running a non-dedicated server.

Video

• Fixed menu bar disappearing when switching from Glide to the software renderer.
• Fixed potential crash while taking screenshots on 3dfx.
• Works properly on Voodoo3. Voodoo3 support was broken in Unreal 209 through 220.
• Supports compressed S3TC textures (though there aren't any in Unreal 1).

OpenGL Beta Driver

• New, rewritten OpenGL driver.
• Works quite well on the Riva TNT. Important: you need the latest TNT Detonator drivers from NVidia's web site for this to work.
• Other cards are in the early testing phase now. Don't expect a lot. We can't provide support for getting Unreal OpenGL running on other cards or answer questions about them at this time.

Weitere Infos gibt es im Readme-File. Eine Liste von Donwloadsites gibt es hier.

Dank an Lars für die V3 Werte!

Introduction

The Magic TNT2 use the nVIDIA RIVA TNT2, the fastest, the only true 128 bit 2D/3D chipset supporting 2^nd generation TwiN – Texel in single pass and 32 bit color, 32 bit Z-buffer rendering, can display maximum 3D/2D resolution 2048 x 1536, and support high resolution 1,920 x 1,200@75H.

With 150Mhz, 32MB SGRAM memory, 300Mhz RAMDAC, Magic TNT2 can deliver 300Mpixel/sec fill rate, 9M million triangles/sec peak, massive 2.9GB/sec frame buffer bandwidth, and with excellent 3D Game features like 32 bit rendering, 32 bit Z-buffer, 8 bit stencil buffer, anisotropic filtering, bump mapping, it also include DVD/MPEG-2 software player, and TV out function((optional, PAL/NTSC, S-Video and Composite video output, SW-TGATNT2TV), to be a complete solution in Multimedia system.

With AGP 2x/4x interface, full sideband support, AGP texturing, Magic TNT2 can have a wide range of applications from the hottest 3D games to full screen, 30fps DVD playback.

TNT2 ULTRA in Action. Ich habe mit einer Capture Karte einen Benchmarklauf von Incoming unter 1024x768 mit 16 Bit Farbtiefe mitgeschnitten. Download als MPG File:

Incoming 1024x768-16Bit large (256x192 - 2,7MB)
Incoming 1024x768-16Bit small (160x120 - 920KB)

Die TNT2 ULTRA erreichte dabei einen Endwert von ca. 102 frames pro Sekunde. Man sieht die oberste Zahl zwischen 90 und 110 fps springen. Testsystem war ein PII 450MHz.

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