Online Gaming Accelerators
S3(R) Incorporated the world's largest supplier of graphics, video, online gaming PC and multimedia accelerators, recently announced its highest performing 3D multimedia accelerators -- the ViRGE/DX(TM) and ViRGE/GX(TM). Providing a 3X increase in performance and full 30 frames per second, the DRAM-based ViRGE/DX and SDRAM /SGRAM-based ViRGE/GX are designed to deliver the next level of acceleration required by advanced gaming and emerging business desktop applications.
“S3 has experienced much success with its first ViRGE part, which has outshipped its nearest competitor by 3:l,” said the president and CEO of S3. “With the ViRGE/DX and ViRGE/GX, we intend to extend our leadership in the games market and also add architectural enhancements that will drive 3D capabilities to the business desktop. Already, a significant number of S3's add-in card customers have committed to incorporating ViRGE DX/GX in future designs.”
“S3 is clearly leading the 3D market. Our research indicates the company has shipped more 3D accelerators than all of its competitors combined,” said the President of JPA Associates (Tiburon, CA). “They've got system manufacturers, motherboard manufacturers, add-in-card vendors and software developers on board the ViRGE platform -- and with the ViRGE/DX and ViRGE/GX, they're extending the product line to maintain that position.”
Based on the S3d(TM) architecture, the ViRGE/DX and the ViRGE/GX accelerators implement key architectural innovations which significantly increase the performance of S3's 3D platform. These features -- found only in the ViRGE(TM) family -- include Smart Filter technology for higher performance and higher quality texture mapping; and a parallel processing perspective engine for increased throughput. When combined with the following ViRGE capabilities, the ViRGE DX/GX are designed to deliver software and hardware customers with the next level of 3D acceleration for gaming applications: * MIP mapping and tri-linear filtering to deliver images that are free of annoying visual artifacts such as “sparkle” and “jaggies.” * Transparency to enable realistic rendering of glass, water and plastic objects. * Atmospheric effects such as fog and depth cueing to enable the rendering of real-world environments. * Z-buffering to speed the removal of hidden surfaces for improved performance and visual quality. Driving the Development of Business Applications In addition to enabling the next level of gaming applications, ViRGE GX/DX are designed to deliver the 3D platform required by emerging business desktop applications. These applications include data visualization, accelerated VRML, 3D presentations and spreadsheets, among others. In the past, development of these applications has been limited by existing 3D performance, image quality, price, and hardware/software compatibility. Through new architectural features, the ViRGE GX/DX are designed to deliver the performance and image quality required on the business desktop -- at a mainstream price point. In addition, the ViRGE/DX and ViRGE/GX provide an easy upgrade path from S3's widely accepted ViRGE accelerator, which offers a complete suite of software tools and drivers. S3's ViRGE 3D family has been adopted by industry leaders such as AST, Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Packard Bell, Toshiba, and Micron. Add-in card manufacturers include Diamond Multimedia, Number Nine, STB Systems, Hercules, Orchid, Leadtek, Canopus, Data Expert, miro and ELSA. Additionally, more than 70 software developers are creating ViRGE-based gaming titles, many of which will be available for this year's holiday buying season.
Gaming PC
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