Creative Annihilator - If U R Not a Computer Expert Update!
Written: Jul 02 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: GPU is latest in video processing technology, extensible
Cons: No support for 3DFX Glide, hence some older, less popular games
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| defilm's Full Review: Creative Labs 3D Blaster Annihilator |
THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE PROBLEMS I INDICATED WHEN UPGRADING
TO A CREATIVE ANNIHILATOR BOARD. (See previous review).
Knowing why something fails is most of the battle.
If you are considering buying one of these Nvida GeForce 256 chip
based cards, and you have an older system, or non-Pentium XXX based system, read on....
What has changed since I wrote this Epinion:
I have been in touch with senior engineering staff at Creative Labs.
After writing a strongly worded memo, I got their attention.
The good news is, they know what the problem is, the bad news is I
still have to change Motherbaords, CPU and RAM. But you can benefit
by knowing what the issue is before you upgrade.
Often we take for granted that a company has a specific requirement
for a "Genuine" processor, or 32 bit sound board, because we often
find it will run with an AMD, or a 16 Bit sound board. Well, this
is the not case for the Creative Labs Annihilator and Annihilator PRO
boards. They REQUIRE Genuine Intel Pentium II, III, PRO chips
and most importantly, the motherboard MUST MEET INTELS SPECIFICATIONS
FOR AGP 2.0 VoLTAGE REQUIREMENTS. Note that all existing super 7
socket motherboards do not meet that requirement. The voltage is often
too low on the AGP slot. This is the number one problem.
SO, if you want to run the NVidia GeForce 256 chip in an AGP slot,
make sure that AGP slot is AGP 2.0 compliant! Many manufacturers
that make slot 1 motherboards are patching their boards to meet
this specification. One way to be sure is to use an Intel
Motherboard, and buy it with the Intel PII, or PIII installed.
(But check that Intel board also to make sure the specs say the
motherboard is AGP 2.0 compliant.).
Oh yea, BTW, the AGP 2.0 specification is not a "standard", it is
Intel's specification. But you had better meet that spec if you
wish to run a Nvidia GeForce 256 based video board in that box.
Using a non-compliant motherboard, no matter who makes it, and you
will suffer the pain I went through. (Well perhaps not. Every tech
at Creative Labs now knows about this issue.) That is what happens
when you want to be the first on the block to have one, and you buy
board version 1.0!
Regards. and happy upgrades. Full frame 1280x1024 video on a 20" monitor
is awesome
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 249.99
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Epinions.com ID:
defilm
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Location: Long Island, New York
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 7 members
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