CompuServe Thread

#Weitek 9000 vs

13 messages in this thread
#163445From: Philippe DesmaraisApr 7, 1995 7:33 AM
Hello, I am presently trying to figure out what will give me the most bang for my buck: the OLD Viper 2M VRAM, or the NEW Viper 2M VRAM. I believe the only differences are that Weitek component and the price. I could buy a brand new Viper with Wtk 9100 for $350. But someone is offering me a Viper 2M VRAM with the Wtk 9000 for $125. Which one do I go for? I'm into 3D Animation, and I need raw power… Thanks!
#163942From: Nik Grant [adesk]Apr 10, 1995 1:56 PM
None of us in Product Support have direct experience with the Viper cards, so hopefully someone will jump in with some thoughts. Have you asked the same question in the Diamond forum?
#164094From: Philippe DesmaraisApr 11, 1995 8:05 AM
Actually, Mr Grant, I have. I find it strange that a Weitek 9000 card could come down to $150, but the Weitek 9100 stays at a steady $350! There has got to be a difference!
#164206From: DAVID CAMPApr 11, 1995 5:17 PM
I ran 3D Studio on a 2meg VRAM W9000 Viper. I thought it was great…. until I got a 2meg VRAM Stealth 64. If you want "Raw Power" then you should get the latest technology you can afford. Things change so rapidly in the computer universe that something that was "King of the mountain" 2 years ago, is now entry level. The Diamond Viper P9000 served me well but it is yesterdays technology. (You can now get a 3 – 4 year old , top of the line, Silicone Graphics computer for 10 -20 % of the original selling price, that does not make it a great bargain. If Raw power is really what you're after, the go for broke (even it breaks you <g> )
#164492From: Ryan C. PattersonApr 13, 1995 1:05 AM
You should see the matrox series. Especially the matrox max package – not cheap though and you need an EISA. Ryan IMI
#164661From: DAVID CAMPApr 13, 1995 8:22 PM
>You should see the matrox series. Especially the matrox max package – I've seen it and it is great. I must say that I'm very happy with the Stealth 64. It seems to be fast in both DOS and Windows, with many cards, you have to choose an application for the first priority and settle for lackluster performance with the other application. The fact that the Max series requires an EISA bus is a bit of a drawback. If I were to get an EISA computer, it would be for a TARGA 2000, if anything. Bye David
#164701From: Ryan C. PattersonApr 14, 1995 1:19 AM
Targa 2000, Got one, got an eisa, got a Maxtox max. If you have the means I highly recommend getting all the above. Ryan @IMI
#164759From: DAVID CAMPApr 14, 1995 12:53 PM
>Targa 2000, Got one, got an eisa, got a Maxtox max. >If you have the means I highly recommend getting all the above. It's a bit beyond my present means, but only the shadow knows what the future will bring. Thanks David
#166127From: Ryan C. PattersonApr 21, 1995 8:56 PM
Well, hopefully the price will drop for these items soon. I had one client that needed these capabilities and was able to purchase them. This doesn't happen often. Ryan @IMI
#166183From: DAVID CAMPApr 22, 1995 10:38 AM
> I had one client that needed these capabilities and was able to >purchase them. >This doesn't happen often. It happens all the time ( every time I fall asleep, <g>) Bye….you lucky guy, you David
#164761From: Zac RymlandApr 14, 1995 12:54 PM
Philippe; I have a Viper P9000 w/ 2Mb VRAM on a 486-66Lb and I also have a Viper P9100 w/ 4Mb VRAM on a P5-90PCI. I know these are completely different base computers, but the P9100 kicks but. It is by far the fastest video I have ever seen on a PC. Just by two cents, for what it's worth. Zac (AZ-TECH) Berkeley -Zac Rymland (AZ-TECH)
#164895From: Philippe DesmaraisApr 15, 1995 11:21 AM
Thanks for the info. So you're telling me that a P9000 sort of sucks? That's what is being shipped to me for a mezely $120. By the way, do you know about the effects Video RAM can have on rendering time? Is a 4 Megger far better than a 2 Megger when it comes to 3D rendering? I need to know this sort of stuff because the price difference is drastic… Thanks!
#164955From: Zac RymlandApr 15, 1995 6:33 PM
Philippe; >>>Thanks for the info. So you're telling me that a P9000 sort of sucks? That's what is being shipped to me for a mezely $120. By the way, do you know about the effects Video RAM can have on rendering time? Is a 4 Megger far better than a 2 Megger when it comes to 3D rendering? I need to know this sort of stuff because the price difference is drastic…<<< The P9000 does not suck, it is a very fast, stable chip. I think you will be happy with it and that sounds like a good price. What I was saying is that the P9100 chip is much faster and worth the extra cash. In regards to render time; you will be happy to know that the video RAM play no role in the render time of 3DS. 3DS's render time is almost exclusively reliant on the CPU speed and quantity of MotherBoard RAM (Not video RAM). Video RAM effects to major components: The first being the speed at which the screen is updated (not refresh). For instance the VRAM video cards can spin a shaded object in one of the newer IPASs or redraw the screen much faster then a DRAM video card. Second, 4 Mb of RAM can display more colors at a higher resolution the 2Mb. I hope this clears thing up. Have fun with your new card. Zac (AZ-TECH) Berkeley -Zac Rymland (AZ-TECH)