Amazon.com Review

Looking for a no-frills PCI graphics card that can kick your anemic 3-D games into high gear? Consider the Voodoo3 3000 PCI from 3dfx. This 16 MB graphics card supports more 3D APIs than many competing products, offers glass-smooth performance for most games, and won't break the bank.

We were a little disappointed when we opened the box, as the Voodoo3 3000 comes with no software bundle. A voucher is included for a software DVD decoder, but it would be much better if 3dfx just included the software with the device. It is immediately obvious upon looking at the card that few extra features are supported, as there are no TV input or output jacks. It's a graphics card, plain and simple.

The first thing you'll notice after installing this card and booting up a game is its speed. We tested it with over 15 popular 3-D games, from flight simulators like Jane's USAF to first-person shooters like Unreal Tournament. The results were universally impressive, with games running smooth as glass at all but the highest resolutions. The Voodoo3 3000 works particularly well with games that use 3Dfx's Glide API, like Unreal Tournament. We were used to running that game with a RIVA TNT card at a resolution of 1,024 x 768, with both the detail settings at medium. We witnessed much smoother performance from the Voodoo3 3000 at this resolution with the detail settings at high.

The caveat to all this speed is that it comes at the expense of maximum color depth. While the Voodoo3 3000 supports 32-bit color for normal 2-D acceleration (like working in Windows), it only goes as high as 16-bit for 3D-accelerated programs. This is not a big problem when it comes to games released in the last year or so, but more titles today are optimized for 32-bit color, and it's a shame this card can't handle it. It is obvious 3dfx focused on fast frame rates over all other considerations, but the fact that 3dfx's newer video card designs incorporate 32-bit color for 3-D proves the company has seen the errors of its ways.

Two other potential drawbacks had less of a performance impact than we expected. The first is that this card supports only 16 MB of video memory. Most other cards on the market ship with 32 MB, making this seem a little skimpy. In practice, you'll have nothing to worry about. Windows performance is excellent, as the card supports 24-bit color at a maximum resolution of 2,046 x 1,536 and a refresh rate of 75 Hz. These numbers represent pure overkill for any monitor smaller than 24 inches, so users with 17-inch or 19-inch displays should have no complaints about Windows performance. Since only 16-bit color is supported in 3-D mode, the 16 MB of RAM is adequate to push enormous numbers of pixels at resolutions and refresh rates that should satisfy any gamer with a 17-inch or smaller monitor. Those of you with 19-inch or larger monitors may want to look elsewhere for a gaming card that will extract maximum performance from your display.

The other reason buyers may hesitate to buy this card is that it's a PCI device. With so many computers shipping with AGP support, it makes little sense to buy a video card that uses a slower interface technology. Frankly, we didn't notice any difference. We've tested dozens of AGP cards with 16 MB of RAM, and the PCI version of the Voodoo3 3000 was able to best many of them--at least in 16-bit color. The good news is that this product is available in an AGP version, so you don't have to compromise if it really troubles you. The only real benefit we can see in using the AGP version of this card is that it will free up a PCI slot, which you can use for other devices.

Overall, if you have a 17-inch monitor and high 3-D color depths are not important, the Voodoo3 3000 PCI is a smooth operator that can really make your games come to life. If you are looking for the ultimate video card, or a card with extra features like TV output, take a pass--and prepare to shell out two to three times the amount of cash you'd spend on this product.

Pros:

• Smooth performance
• Glide compatibility
• Great Windows performance, considering memory limitations

Cons:

• No 24- or 32-bit color in 3-D
• Only 16 MB of video RAM
• No software bundle

Features

• 350 MHz RAMDAC
• Supports Glide API
• PCI interface
• Displays 7 million triangles per second
• DVD Hardware Assist

Amazon.com Review

Fast and furious, 3dfx's Voodoo3 3000 card gives you blazing 3-D for the latest and most demanding games. If you're a hard-core gamer in search of the fastest 3-D action, then you'll want to get your hands on this gem of a graphics card.

The Voodoo3 3000's extensive feature set includes 3dfx's patented single pass, single cycle multi-texturing, dual 32-bit texture rendering pipeline, alpha blending, single pass, single-cycle bump mapping, gouraud shading, DVD hardware assist, 128-bit 2-D accelerator and--if that isn't enough for you--a TV/S-Video-out connector. With a core clock rate of 166 MHz and 350-MHz RAMDAC, this card offers impressive 3-D performance.

Installing the Voodoo3 3000 was a snap as the manual walks you step by step through the process. We tested the Voodoo3 3000 on a 333-MHz Celeron system with DirectX 6.1 at a resolution of 800 x 600. The card managed an impressive 58 frames per second in our Quake II time demo--very near 3dfx's claim of 60 frames per second.

We would love to see 3dfx support 32-bit color at some point in the future, especially since Quake III will support true-color textures. Additionally, 3dfx's Voodoo cards only support a 256 x 256 texture size, which will experience a decrease in image quality once game manufacturers begin supporting 2,048 x 2,048 texture sizes. However, 3dfx's advantage at this point lies in its proprietary Glide API (application program interface) and its clout within the 3-D graphics card arena--two good reasons why Voodoo3 3000 is a number one choice for those seeking the most intense gaming experience.

Pros:

• Superb image quality
• Impressive frame rate
• Extensive game support
• Glide API support

Cons:

• No 32-bit output
• Maximum memory of 16 MB
• Limited by 256 x 256 texture size

Features

• DirectX, Glide, and OpenGL support
• 16-MB SDRAM
• 7-million triangles per second, 333-megatexels per second
• TV/S-Video out
• DVD Hardware Assist

Amazon.com Product Description

Based on the acclaimed Voodoo3 graphics accelerator technology, the Voodoo3 3500 TV combines the industry's most powerful 3D and 2D graphics with complete TV tuner and multimedia functionality in a single AGP or PCI board. Featuring support for MPEG 2, DVD, FM stereo with dbx(tm), and high-resolution displays, the new board includes the most feature-filled entertainment card for hard-core game enthusiasts and cutting-edge multimedia entertainment consumers. ... Read more

Features

• Voodoo3 integrated 128-bit 2-D/3-D video accelerator
• Real-time MPEG-2 video and audio capture
• Intelligent TV--tuner, digital VCR, and FM tuner
• 183 MHz core clock speed
• Peak processing of 8 million polygons per second

Amazon.com Product Description

The Voodoo5 5500 PCI graphics accelerator is the next stage in theevolution of ultra-high-resolution gaming. Utilizing a revolutionary scalablearchitecture, the 3dfx Voodoo5 5500 PCI features dual VSA-100 chips for more 3-Dhorsepower. Working in parallel, these processors produce over 667 megatexelsper second to create extraordinary 3-D worlds in vivid 32-bit color. Otherfeatures include: state-of-the-art, real-time, full-scene hardware anti- aliasing; 64 MB of graphics memory for top performance; and support for 2-Dresolutions as high as 2,048 x 1,536 dpi.

The dual VSA-100 chips support3dfx's T-buffer Digital Cinematic Effects Engine, which brings immersivecinematic special effects to your PC. Motion blur exaggerates movement, whiledepth-of-field blur renders a scene as if you were viewing it through a reallens by blurring everything but main focal points. Soft shadows adds gentleedges to shadows to give them a much more realistic appearance. The softreflections effect enables realistic mirror images from semigloss surfaces likepolished wood or stone and stainless steel.

With its unique chipset, flashyrefresh rate, and cinematic special effects, the Voodoo5 5500 PCI gives today'sPC gamers the raw 3-D power and premium 2-D performance they crave. 3dfx backsthe Voodoo5 5500 PCI with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor. ... Read more

Features

• Fully integrated 128-bit 2-D/3-D/video accelerator
• 64 MB of graphics memory
• Over 667-megatexels-per-second fill rate
• 32-bit rendering supports the highest possible image quality for the latest titles
• Real-time, full-scene hardware anti-aliasing

Amazon.com Product Description

The Voodoo5 5500 AGP from 3dfx is the next stage in the evolution of ultrahigh-resolution gaming. Utilizing a revolutionary scalable architecture, the Voodoo5 5500 AGP features dual 3dfx VSA-100 chips for more 3-D horsepower. Working in parallel, these processors produce over 667 megatexels per second to create extraordinary 3-D worlds in vivid 32-bit color. Boasting state-of-the-art, real-time, full-scene hardware antialiasing; the exclusive T-Buffer digital cinematic effects engine; 64 MB of graphics memory for top performance; and support for 2-D resolutions as high as 2,048 x 1,536, the Voodoo5 5500 AGP gives today's PC gamers the raw 3-D power and premium 2-D performance they crave. ... Read more

Features

• Fully integrated 128-bit 2-D/3-D/video accelerator
• 64 MB of graphics memory
• Over 667 megatexels per second fill rate
• 32-bit rendering supports the highest possible image quality for the latest titles
• Real-time, full-scene hardware antialiasing

Amazon.com Product Description

From 3dfx Interactive, the Voodoo3 2000 AGP is a 3-D accelerator card for your PC. Fusing the world's fastest 2-D with a dual 32-bit pipeline, the 3dfx Interactive Voodoo3 2000 AGP pumps out over 100 billion operations per second to bring you resolutions as high as 2,046 x 1,536 and speeds of up to 60 frames per second. Generating 6 million triangles per second to bring to life 500 of the hottest titles, the Voodoo3 2000 AGP's patented single-pass, single-cycle multitexturing delivers the brilliant color and amazing clarity that has made it the standard in PC entertainment. ... Read more

Features

• Based on Voodoo3 graphics processor
• Dual 32-bit pipeline
• 100 billion operations per second
• Patented single-pass, single-cycle multitexturing delivers color and clarity
• Easy to install

Amazon.com Review

This ultraslick Voodoo3 2000 card will have you battling it out in a multiplayer Quake II game or tearing around the dusty landscape of Tatooine in Star Wars Racer with the most thrilling 3-D effects on the planet. Whatever your gaming addiction is, the Voodoo3 2000 will elevate the experience to the ultimate in 3-D graphics and speed.

The Voodoo3 2000's notable feature set includes 3dfx's patented single pass, single cycle multi-texturing, dual 32-bit texture-rendering pipeline, alpha blending, single pass, single cycle bump mapping, gouraud shading, DVD hardware assist, and a 128-bit 2-D accelerator. With a core clock rate of 143 MHz and 300 MHz RAMDAC, this card offers impressive 3D performance.

Installing the Voodoo3 2000 was a snap as the manual walks you step by step through the process. We tested the Voodoo3 2000 on a 333-MHz Celeron system with DirectX 6.1 at resolutions of 640 x 480 and 800 x 600. (Our 14-inch monitor couldn't handle much more). The card managed an impressive 47.3 frames per second at 800 x 600 in our Quake II time demo, and 51.4 frames per second at 640 x 480--very near 3dfx's claim of 60 frames per second.

We would love to see 3dfx support 32-bit color at some point in the future, especially since Quake III will support true-color textures. Additionally, 3dfx's Voodoo cards only support a 256 x 256 texture size, which will result in a decrease in image quality once game manufacturers begin supporting 2,048 x 2,048 texture sizes. However, 3dfx's advantage at this point lies in its proprietary Glide API (application program interface) and clout within the 3-D graphics-card arena. These factors are enough to make the Voodoo3 2000 card a number one choice for those seeking the most intense gaming experience around.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Impressive frame rates
• Extensive game support
• Glide API support
• Superb graphics quality

Cons:

• No 32-bit output
• Maximum memory of 16 MB
• Limited by 256 x 256 texture size

Features

• DirectX, Glide, and OpenGL support
• 16 MB SDRAM
• 143 MHz core clock speed
• 300 MHz RAMDAC
• Supports resolutions up to 2,048 x 1,536

Amazon.com Review

As the reigning leader in 3-D graphics accelerators for games, 3dfx consistently produces amazing 3-D acceleration at unbeatable prices. Still selling like wildfire, the V2 1000 is a veteran graphics card boasting respectable 3-D performance with 3 million triangles per second, 12-MB of EDO DRAM (4-MB frame buffer and 8-MB texture memory), and a core clock of 90 MHz.

Newer 3dfx cards offer both 2-D and 3-D acceleration, eliminating the need for a separate 2-D card, but the V2 1000 needs to connect to your existing video card, making installation slightly trickier. However, the easy-to-follow manual walks you effortlessly through the process, with quick troubleshooting tips and a toll-free tech support number in case you encounter problems.

As the predecessor to the newer Voodoo3 models, the V2 1000 offers all the basics of an accelerator card without the frills of later versions. Although the performance is still top-notch, there are only two reasons why you would purchase this card.The first is if you have another accelerator, based on a non-3dfx chipset, and want to run Glide applications--3dfx's proprietary API. The second reason is if you already have a V2 1000 card, and want to connect the two V2 1000 cards in SLI mode to achieve resolutions as high as 1,024 x 768.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Can attach two V2 boards in SLI mode for increased performance
• Glide API support

Cons:

• Trickier installation
• Lower resolution support
• Outdated by newer boards

Features

• Plays Direct3D and Glide games
• Install two V21000 cards in SLI mode for double the 3-D performance
• 3 million triangles per second
• 12-MB EDO DRAM
• 4-MB frame buffer memory and 8-MB texture processing buffer

Features

• 128-bit 2-D, 3-D, and video processor
• Voodoo3 graphics processor
• Peak fill rate of 250 megatexels per second
• Supports DirectX, Glide, and OpenGL
• Easy to install