CompuServe Thread

Diamond Stealth 64 VRAM

21 messages in this thread
#175139From: Cyber Sim.Jun 13, 1995 10:55 AM
I just purchased a new video card for my computer to use with 3D Studio version 4. I purchased the Diamond Stealth 64 VRAM 2MB card. I was wandering what setup I should use to get the fastest video throughput for 3D Studio? Should I use the vibrant driver? Should I use the driver that was provided by Diamond? Any suggestions appreciated. Jay P.S. As far a picking the driver from the vibrant drivers, I have to choose the Diamond Stealth VRAM driver. There is also a Diamond Stealth 64 driver, but will not work. Any suggestions on this? THANKS!
#175199From: Ted BoardmanJun 13, 1995 4:07 PM
The latest version of Vibrant does not support the Stealth 64 in true color. Someone posted a message a while ago that they got true color by using VESA, but it was slower. I haven't tried that yet, I'll run that machine in 256 mode until Diamond gets it fixed. Good luck TedB -Ted Boardman !^NavFont01F0007MGHHGE4FA4D
#176146From: Jon A. BellJun 19, 1995 10:32 PM
Ted, I've been using a Diamond Stealth 64 (w/4M RAM) for months, with 3DS and Photoshop, and it most certainly does support 24-bit color. I've had no problem with the Vibrant drivers. — Jon
#176201From: Ted BoardmanJun 20, 1995 5:00 AM
>> certainly does support 24-bit color << Jon, Diamond has "updated"<g> something in the newer Stealth 64 and the Vibrant drivers no longer work. If your board is more than a couple of months ago, then it will work with Vibrant. Progress! TedB -Ted Boardman !^NavFont01F000DMGJHGiMGkHGCA9B23
#175218From: Nik Grant [adesk]Jun 13, 1995 5:43 PM
Have you tried the VIB3DS.ZIP file that is up here? It has later drivers than those which ship with 3DS. The description you gave of your card looks like you have a new card, since the closest choices for you are below. Let us know if the Stealth 64 works (including Truecolor). Thanks. Diamond Stealth 64: 640 x480 16 320 x200 256 640 x480 256 800 x600 256 1024×768 256 1280×1024 256 ,2Mg 640 x480 65536 800 x600 65536 1024×768 65536 ,2Mg 640 x480 16777216 800 x600 16777216 ,2Mg 1024×768 16777216 ,4Mg 1600×1200 256 Diamond Stealth VRAM: 640 x480 16 800 x600 16 1024×768 16 1280×960 16 1280×1024 16 320 x200 256 640 x480 256 800 x600 256 1024×768 256
#175234From: Jeffrey HeftJun 13, 1995 6:32 PM
PMJI, FWIW, I use a Stealth V64 4M. I have no major problems using the Vibrant inline 1.0.5P1 dated 10/7/94. I set the board choice for the 3 displays at S3 864/964 and the Flic playback to Vesa compatibles. Main Display: 1280 x 1024 x 256; Materials Display & Render Display: 1024 x 768 x 16777216.
#175339From: Nik Grant [adesk]Jun 14, 1995 10:25 AM
Thanks for this information. Got it.
#175384From: Mark ChambersJun 14, 1995 4:16 PM
Nik- I have the Stealth 64 VRAM 2MG and have d/l'd the latest drivers. The ONLY modes I can get to work are 1024x768x256 and 1024x768x65586. It's pretty frustrating and I would HIGHLY recommend 3DSers stay away from this card until the problem is resolved. BTW, All Vesa modes work fine, but SLOOOW. and the display works fine with TrueColor in windows programs like Photoshop, Painter, etc. Hope Vibrant can get this fixed soon.
#175501From: Nik Grant [adesk]Jun 15, 1995 9:06 AM
I've forwarded your message to see if Vibrant can help resolve this. Thanks for your patience.
#175581From: Mark ChambersJun 15, 1995 2:38 PM
Thanks Nik. I'll look forward to seeing what Vibrant comes up with. -Mark
#176152From: CCJun 19, 1995 11:30 PM
actually the stealth 64 works perfectly in 3ds with all versions of vibrant especially the latest, including 24bit. and the Vesa drivers in the display mode redraw at leat 20% faster than the vibrant drivers in display. try a redraw with 50 pman in vibrant mode and vesa mode. vesa mode has less overhead and draws quicker. we have built some 200+ Triton pentium machines based on the s64 , and it works flawlessly in NT\DOS\ WINWDOWS\95\ and OS2. few cards do that !! if someone has trouble with using it in 3ds, they got a cheap MB, and have another conflict in their system. most people do not realize what differences a quality mb like ASUS\ SM triton boards have, until they start to get conflicts especialy VIDEO. thought i would clear up any misinfo about the s64, it works great Cameron CyberImage
#175680From: T-Spect LeJun 16, 1995 3:31 AM
Stealth 64 VRAM problems w/ Vibrant drivers: Yeap, I still have the same problem as of yours. Luckily I returned and get another brand.
#175391From: Cyber Sim.Jun 14, 1995 5:06 PM
THANKS! Thanks for the reply, I am using the Diamond Stealth VRAM at 1024 x 768 256. It works very well. Just dont think it is taking full advantage of the video cards speed. Guess I will waitand see what Vibrant does. 🙂 Jay
#175502From: Nik Grant [adesk]Jun 15, 1995 9:07 AM
Jay, I've forwarded your comments to see if Vibrant can work on whether or not this is a bug. Thanks.
#175676From: David StinnettJun 16, 1995 2:31 AM
I think there's some confusion as to what cards are being used. I have a Diamond stealth 64 VRAM 4 meg card and it works fine, but Diamond has replaced this card with the newer Stealth 64 'Video' VRAM card that uses the new S3 968 chip (as opposed to the older 964 chip). I don't believe the Vibrant drivers support the 968 based Video VRAM card yet. I do hope they release a new driver soon though, as we have several of these cards on order… (I hate the ATI's we're using now). I'd also love to see how the #9 128 card performs when it's supported by vibrant. Any idea when an update will be released? David
#175803From: MARTIN G FOSTERJun 16, 1995 4:04 PM
David, >> but Diamond has replaced this card with the newer Stealth 64 'Video' VRAM card that uses the new S3 968 chip (as opposed to the older 964 chip). I don't believe the Vibrant drivers support the 968 based Video VRAM card yet. << I believe I have a Stealth 64 'Video' 4mb VRAM and it works fine with 3ds4c1 and vibrant drivers 1.0.5.P1 using the Diamond Stealth 64 setting. No problems to report except the card seems to get hot in the evening when the a/c goes off and you start to see tiny white 'snow' at high resolutions – I run the main-display at 1600×1200.
#175878From: David StinnettJun 17, 1995 3:08 AM
>> I run the main-display at 1600×1200. Yikes. Does running at this res slow the display down much? We have some new Microns coming in a week or two with the new Steaths (at least I think they will be the new ones…) I hope they work without the problems some people seem to be having with them, because I can't wait to dump the ATI's we're running now. BTW, how is the vid going? David
#176074From: MARTIN G FOSTERJun 19, 1995 1:21 PM
David, >> Does running at this res slow the display down much? << haven't noticed any perceptible slow-down, but I'm not really working with complex scenes at the moment. Also, I'm pretty good at optimizing my scene to avoid long redraws. I don't use liquid speed and feel good "geometry management" can negate the need for it.
#176193From: David StinnettJun 20, 1995 2:31 AM
I've got Liquid speed at home, but I haven't felt the need to bring it down to the studio and run it at work. I'm sure I will though…. when I wind up buried in a complex project. David
#176271From: MARTIN G FOSTERJun 20, 1995 1:07 PM
David, >> Liquid speed … run it at work… when I wind up buried in a complex project. << could be a good idea. Although, I've had scenes with 1 million faces and found ways around long redraws. That's why I've never felt the need, plus the price just seems outrageous.
#176456From: David StinnettJun 21, 1995 12:18 PM
>> the price just seems outrageous. I got lucky in that regard. I was a registered user of Vibrant's Pro-res 3ds drivers from R2, so when R3 and LS came out, I was able to get it for the special price of $99 (I think). If I had to pay the full $295 or whatever, I doubt I would've ever gotten it. David