If you like gaming, you need this video card!
Written: Jan 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Dual 2D/3D with a 32-bit pipeline and 16MB SDRAM memory
Cons: Might be difficult to install
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| spacepup's Full Review: 3Dfx Voodoo3 3000 |
Last summer my friends talked me into trying out Everquest (read my other review for my opinion on that irritating game) and decided it was time to get a new 3dfx video card. I promptly ran out and got the 3dfx Voodoo3 PCI video card (my computer doesn't handle AGP) and installed it into my computer. Much to my consternation, my computer would not recognize the video card and I had to format my hard drive from scratch to get rid of whatever glitch in windows was keeping my computer from finding the new hardware (ah well, my computer need a complete wipe anyway).
First of all, here is what I got with the card: 100 billion operations per second, frame rates of over 60 frames per second, 2D with a dual 32-bit pipeline, 7 million triangles a second, resolutions as high as 2046x1536, and DVD playback at 30 frames per second without framedrop. In addition, the GUI controls are easy to use and, when your computer does finally recognize the card, it is truly easy to install.
The graphic quality output of the card in astounding and it supports DirectX, Glide and OpenGL. With 16MB high-speed SDRAM memory and video at 166 megapixels per second, there is very little chance of the video card failing to provide you with a perfect video picture for any game. Of course, the only drawback I have experienced with the Voodoo3 is that my tired old computer (P-200 MMX) is incapable of keeping up with the video stream.
I belive that the Voodoo4 and Voodoo5 will be available this Spring. But to be honest, I am completely satisfied with my Voodoo3 card and don't think I will be looking to upgrade for some time.
I give this card a near-perfect rating, the only blemish being the fact that (and I don't know if I should blame the card or the operating system) I had to completely wipe my hard drive in order to recognize the card.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
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Epinions.com ID: spacepup
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Member: Brian Kramer
Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 65 members
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