Elite Quality Delivers Amazing Graphics!
Written: May 04 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lightning Fast Graphics Processor; 32MB RAM (32MB DDR RAM in Pro version); Driver Support & Enhancements
Cons: Price; Rate at which Technology Improves
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| Jedi617's Full Review: Creative Labs 3D Blaster Annihilator |
GeForce 256 or 3Dfx?!?
This is one of the hottest arguments in the realm of computer hardware, or at least it was one of the hottest arguments until the results of the new GeForce 256 chipset were witnessed. NVidia, who manufactures the GeForce 256 chipset, was a strong contender to the graphics throne previously, now they are the undisputed king! The GeForce 256 chipset has proven to provide blazing speeds with stunning graphic quality. The newest 3Dfx chipsets, while quite strong, still do not keep pace with the GeForce 256 for speed or 3D effects enhancements.
Why the Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro?
In terms of graphics cards on the market today, the Creative Labs Annihilator/Annihilator Pro stands out as a clear leader. Designed with the NVidia GeForce 256 chipset these cards offer an amazing quality of graphics output. The maximum 2D and 3D resolutions offered by these cards is 2048x1536, with high end refresh rates.
The Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro is designed with four independent pixel pipelines. To keep it technically simple, let me summarize that these four independent pipelines allow four graphic processes to occur simultaneously. By allowing four independent graphics calculations to occur during a single clock cycle the Annihilator/Annihilator Pro achieves more complex effects in a single CPU clock cycle. As a result, the GeForce 256 graphic processing speed is twice that of any previous PC graphics accelerator.
The 32 megabytes of RAM on the Annihilator/Annihilator Pro offer the graphics card ample memory to utilize when rendering an aggressive graphics display. By packing 32 megabytes onto the graphics card directly, more memory from the Creative Labs Annihilator/Annihilator Pro itself is used for the graphic processing functions, freeing up more system RAM for use by the computer processor. The Creative Labs Annihilator comes with 32MB of standard SDRAM, while the Annihilator Pro comes with 32MB of the newer and faster DDR style RAM. DDR RAM stands for Double Data Rate RAM. The functionality of this new DDR style of RAM, in layman's terms, allows the memory to process in a double capacity which allows the 32MB to achieve the performance level of 64MB of standard SDRAM. The addition of 32MB of DDR RAM on the Annihilator Pro has made this the premier choice of computer gamers!
The Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro also offers a whole slew of other graphics capabilities and enhancements; features such as full motion DirectShow support, MPEG1 video acceleration, MPEG2 video acceleration, full-screen anti-aliasing, multi-texturing using textures as large as 2048x2048, full 32-bit color rendering, dot-product and embossed bump-mapping, and stencil buffering. The Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro has been engineered to become a Graphics Processing Unit, not just a graphics accelerator. The card is designed to handled the whole range of graphics functions which can be demanded of your system by today's advanced programming. Overall, by increasing the demand on the Annihilator/Annihilator Pro graphic processor, this frees the computer processor to handle more complex operations and overall increases the response of your system.
So, what is the downside?!?
There are basically two downsides to the Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro, neither of which I would consider significant.
The first is a concern for compatibility. The Creative Labs Annihilator/Annihilator Pro graphics cards are based upon the new GeForce 256 chipset designed by NVidia. For several years past the strongest and most common 3D chipsets were based upon 3Dfx. Obviously, most graphic intensive software written during those years was engineered with an eye for 3Dfx programming. The Creative Labs Annihilator/Annihilator Pro does not officially support 3Dfx graphic compatibility.
There are three points, however, which significantly offset this drawback. The first relates to the fact that the NVidia GeForce 256 chipset has clearly taken the leadership role in the graphics market. Just as graphic intensive software was written for the 3Dfx chipsets during the time that it was the more advanced technology, so too are new softwares being written with a dedication to the new GeForce 256 chipset.
The next point to overcoming the compatibility drawback also relates to graphic chipsets. In addition to the more advanced 3D-specific chipsets which are created, there also has been a software programming technique developed which is far more common. This software programming approach is Direct3D, developed and distributed by the Microsoft Corporation. Direct3D, or D3D as it is seen on many "Requirement" labels of software, has been distributed to virtually all computers operating a Microsoft operating system. Subsequently, Direct3D has been improved and upgraded on a continuous basis, to the point that now it is full featured in regards to graphic processing, rating second only to a 3D-specific chipset. Most any software which was written to 3Dfx specifications was also written to include D3D support. The Creative Labs Annihilator/Annihilator Pro has full Direct3D and OpenGL acceleration, with comprehensive driver support for these features. The number of softwares requiring 3Dfx support, while not offering D3D support, is rather limited.
The third point that cancels out the compatibility concern is slightly more "off the cuff". Recently Creative Labs released a new version of their graphics cards' driver which included full 3Dfx support. By applying this version of the driver you could run 3Dfx specific software on their graphics card with full compatibility. Unfortunately, due to legal concerns, Creative Labs removed that graphics driver from distribution and replaced it with a driver without 3Dfx support. So, although it is unsupported by Creative Labs and is harder to find on the World Wide Web, there is a driver in existence which will offer full compatibility with the Creative Labs product and compatibility with all 3Dfx Glide driver requirements. Compatibility is no longer the challenge it once was.
The other concern with the Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro is the price tag, these graphics cards are more expensive than most others in the retail graphics card market. Simply, if you are not willing to spend the extra dollars then the Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro is not for you. As with any technology, if it is the cutting edge technology or the market leading technology then the price is at a premium. The Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator/Annihilator Pro fills both categories, as an obvious result, the price is higher.
If, however, you are looking to put the best graphics processor into your computer, then you should already expect to pay the premium. Also, although it may cost a few dollars more today, it may save you a few dollars in the longer run. The Creative Labs Annihilator/Annihilator Pro is so powerful and full featured that you will not need to run out and upgrade your graphics card for potentially a very long time.
Okay, so what's the bottom line?!?
The choice of a new graphics card is reasonably easy if you are looking to play today's newest games, the Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator and Annihilator Pro are clear stand-outs in the graphics card market. Both are lightning fast, with a graphics quality which others are trying to compete with. Both have a generous amount of memory which is more than sufficient for the average computer user, although the Creative Labs Annihilator Pro definitely has the advantage for a more serious game player. The Creative Labs GeForce 256 Annihilator and Annihilator Pro are both best buys, at least until their next version manages somehow to surpass them!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Jedi617
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Member: Kenneth Clark
Location: Mansfield, MA
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 15 members
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