by FastSite
04/26/1999 | 12:00 AM
A couple of days ago we managed to review a novelty: the cheapest graphics card in the 3dfx family - Voodoo3 2000. The next representative of the same family is Voodoo3 3000, which differs greatly from its fellow card. The first distinction is the working frequency - 166MHz (compare to 143MHz by Voodoo3 2000), and the second one is a chipset integrated RAMDAC equal to 350MHz (and not 300MHz as by 2000 chipset). This model is also equipped with a TV-out.<%BANNER[article]%>
Below you can see two pictures of Voodoo3 3000 and the memory chip:
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The location of the components on the card is similar to that of Voodoo3 2000. The new thing is a faster 6 ns memory and a new microchip responsible for TV-out. Besides, we would also like to mention a large radiator made of some white alloy, which is no longer stuck directly to the chipset but is fastened to the card by means of two special rivets. In addition Voodoo3 3000 has 16MB SDRAM and AGP support.
The radiator mentioned above is actually worth saying a few words about it. About three weeks ago when we saw a picture of Voodoo3 3000 with such outstanding construction for the first time we considered it to be an experimental sample. What made us think so was the radiator looking like a piece of metal torn out of some other device and fastened to the card unless they managed to design something less awkward and strange. Nevertheless, it is not a trick work but a mass product perfectly fitting for this particular card. Of course, the size of this cooling device excites us since we have never seen anything like that before that's why we may sound a bit too mocking.
Besides the card itself the package also contains three games Epic's Unreal (Tournament), Interplay's Descent 3 (for Voodoo3 only), Electronic Art's Need For Speed III.
Frankly speaking, this graphics card represents none other than a faster version of the previously reviewed Voodoo3 2000. For this reason we will focus on their performance comparison. However, the image quality in some popular games won't be left out as well.
The testing system was configured as follows:
The drivers installation didn't cause any problems and went on as easy as in case of Voodoo3 2000. The drivers version remained unchanged, i.e. it dates back to 20 March, 1999.
To set higher graphics card frequencies (in other words, to overclock the card) we utilized a new 1.40 revision of Voodoo3 Overclock Property Page by Gary Peterson, which can be accessed through a special settings page of the drivers.
If we pay a quick look to the page itself we'll be able to notice that besides chipset frequencies setting and Vsync enabling, it also allows to set the quality-performance ratio. The benefits resulting from this possibility will be considered later in this review.
All other drivers parameters are absolutely the same as it was described in Voodoo3 2000 review: there are separate setting options for Glide/OpenGL and Direct3D with a possibility of triple buffer and MIP-mapping enabling if necessary.
Let's briefly consider this card in 2D-graphics. As we have expected the speed remained on the same level compared to Voodoo3 2000 and to Banshee. The diagrams below show the results of WinBench 99 at the resolution 1024x768 with 16-bit color:
Though RAMDAC frequency increased up to 350MHz we hardly managed to notice any significant differences between Voodoo3 2000 and 3000. However, if the resolution is set 1280x1024 the image is quite clear and not tiring for your eyes at all. Unfortunately the monitor of the testing system doesn't fully support the resolution 1600x1200 that's why it's really hard to estimate 2D-quality at 1600x1200.
Nevertheless, we will repeat the verdict that Voodoo3 is an almost absolute leader in terms of quality and 2D-speed among all other analogues except Matrox G200, which is still the fastest of all.
Then we will pay attention to Voodoo3 3000 functioning in 3D-graphics, and first of all we'll dwell on speed parameters. We will compare Voodoo3 3000 performance with that of the cards based on the following chipsets:
As usual we offer you the results obtained in two types of tests. The first test was run with Pentium II frequency fixed at 450MHz for the following resolutions: from 640õ480 to 1280õ1024 with 16-bit color depth. The following three tools were utilized:
3DMark 99 MAX run for Intel Pentium III processor displayed the following results:
| 640x480 | 800x600 | 1024x768 | 1280x1024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3DMark 99 MAX | 4532 | 4528 | 4465 | 4188 |
And the second thing is measuring the speed parameters of the graphics card with the help of 3DMark 99 MAX for each Intel Pentium II CPU frequency: 450, 300 and 233MHz. These observations allow to determine the dependence of graphics card performance on CPU.
We tested Voodoo3 3000 operating not only at the nominal frequency (166MHz) but also at the frequency overclocked up to 195MHz (frankly speaking, it's workable even at 198MHz but it is always best to err on the safer side). The screenshot above from the overclocking program shows the mentioned frequency - 195MHz. Taking into account the reliability of Voodoo3 3000 in this case (and we've been testing it for quite a considerable while, however, with additional external cooling), our conclusions will definitely include the results of overclocking.
And what can be said about Voodoo3 3000 working rates? Actually, almost the same thing we said about Voodoo3 2000 some time ago: the speed is impressive, and with 195MHz frequency you will not find its peer now (even if you compare it to ASUS Riva TNT2 graphics card, which has undergone some benchmarks earlier). However, Voodoo3 3000 concedes a bit to ASUS V3800 (on Riva TNT2 chipset, with chipset and memory frequencies - 140/150MHz correspondingly) in Incoming, which serves to check the graphics card work in Direct3D. In all the other benchmarks Voodoo3 3000 is the indisputable leader even in the nominal regime. But we would like to stress it once again that this card demonstrates a tangible speed rise only with very fast CPUs (starting from 450MHz) and at very high resolutions (starting from 1024x768 and up). On the other hand, it (as well as Voodoo3 2000) doesn't allow Voodoo2 SLI to forge into the lead even in case the CPU is not that cool. That's why as far as speed parameters are concerned both Voodoo3 graphics cards can be regarded as a suitable replacement for Voodoo2 SLI. Moreover, the difference between Voodoo3 2000 and 3000 is so insignificant that the 2000 fellow appears to its best advantage.
The conclusion will sound as follows: while the price of the card is close to $200 (it's the approximate price of Riva TNT2-based graphics cards) the Voodoo3 3000 is not so steady on its legs as Voodoo 3 2000 in its market. The speed of 3000 model no longer provides an absolute superiority over its competitors. Of course, in overclocking Voodoo3 3000 is still unattainable but on the other hand we don't know the overclocking limits of Riva TNT2-based cards, and besides, overclocking is not beloved by some users because of either hampered cooling of the card or their personal principals and convictions.
And now a bit more about 3D-graphics quality. We will reveal some essential details partially because a new version of Voodoo3 Overclocker utility has come out, which promises a cool way to improve image quality provided by the graphics card, and partially because a number of new patches for popular games have recently appeared.
It is rather well-timed to mention the following thing here. The package of Voodoo3 3000 contains those two games (Unreal and Need For Speed III), which failed on Voodoo3 2000. These seemed to be the newer versions adjusted especially for Voodoo3. And we were right! They were exactly it! Unreal version is 2.22r and as for Need For Speed III unfortunately we failed to get its version number. However, the mere fact that Voodoo3 is in the list of the graphics cards supporting this game, makes us think that the newer version is meant. So, if you are a true fan of these games we strongly recommend Voodoo3 Retail versions for you. It will save you time and trouble with the patches you are usually impelled to look for.
Start with Voodoo3 Overclocker utility (version 1.40). The screenshot of its settings page is given above. As many of you have already noticed, besides changing the graphics card frequency it allows you to set image quality to its maximum though causing speed reduction, or vice versa.
To our disappointment, we didn't succeed in our attempts to get the maximal quality neither through the drivers nor through Voodoo3 Overclocker utility. The image seems to have remained absolutely unchanged. And presuming from the variables occurring in Registry there should have appeared anti-aliasing effect as soon as the maximum was set. For example, on Voodoo2 SLI (drivers from Metabyte v. 1.15) it works perfectly! Below you can see a scene from Unreal together with its two fragments illustrating the anti-aliasing effect of Voodoo2 SLI and maximal quality regime of Voodoo3 correspondingly.
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 3dfx Voodoo2 SLI |  3dfx Voodoo3 3000 |
Having compared both screenshots we arrive at the conclusion that anti-aliasing of Voodoo2 SLI has a very salutary effect on the image quality. You will definitely agree that a smooth picture is a much more pleasant sight for sore eyes, won't you? Though the image is a bit too washed out. Unfortunately, we have to note that Voodoo3 software developers haven't yet reached the same level. Let's see if they will later.
Then it is also worth mentioning that though the developers of Glide-games do their best to readjust their products for other APIs there is still room for improvement since some drawbacks crop up and are rather evident. To illustrate the statement we would like to offer you two screenshots of the same scene from Unreal rendered through different APIs.
 Glide |  DirectX |
Have a closer look at the chandelier in the middle of the hall. The pictures below represent a scaled-up fragment of the same chandelier from Unreal v. 2.20 Direct3D (on the right) and Unreal v. 2.22r Glide (on the left):
 Glide |  DirectX |
Well, in our opinion, the difference is more than evident: there is simply no chandelier in Direct3D! Only the lights independently hanging in the air. The screenshot of Direct3D version was obtained at the Creative Graphics Blaster Riva TNT graphics board. This example beautifully shows the main D3D-version drawback, which proved evident though pretty rare.
Then we are posting a screenshot showing Voodoo3 functioning in Need For Speed III Glide-version supplied together with the graphics card.
And to please those, who are willing to see Voodoo3 in OpenGL (miniGL-driver version 1.47) there is a screen shot of Daikatana demo from ION Software:
And one more thing we want to add here. We personally give our preferences to graphics cards on Riva TNT or Rage 128 even in 16-bit color depth. As you can clearly see on the below the colors in 3D are much more vivid and intensive than those provided by 3dfx offspring. Besides, Voodoo3 doesn't allow any rendering in 32-bit color. Two pairs of screenshots from Rage Dawning demo given below illustrate our words. Those on the left were made on Voodoo3, and the right ones - on Riva TNT. Of course, both were taken in 16-bit color regime:
  3dfx Voodoo3 3000 |   nVidia Riva TNT |
Anyway, it's up to you to decide, but we like the pics on the right more. Pay attention to the halo shape of the first big light. The one by Riva TNT looks more natural than that by Voodoo3, which seems rather far-fetched.
Now it's time for conclusions concerning 3D quality. As we have already mentioned in Voodoo3 2000 review the 3D image quality of the whole Voodoo3 family is identical to that of earlier Voodoo2 and Banshee cards, which provided excessively washed out images. Moreover, it was remarkable that the games developed for their own 3dfx API - Glide - demonstrate the highest quality of all.
Before passing over to the conclusions we would like to say a few words about the additional feature of Voodoo3 3000 - a TV-out. When you are adjusting the drivers to enable output for TV you'd better use a special page of the display properties.
When shifting to TV-out regime the monitor resolution is automatically set to 800x600 with 60Hz frequency and the output is transferred to TV. The picture below is a screenshot obtained when we videotaped the TV screen (Unreal is on here):
The quality is quite satisfactory if we compare it to some other cards, which can boast a good TV-out. And as for the blueness, the graphics card is not to blame: it is the shooting conditions that influenced the color-grade.
The properties allow you to choose the signal type transmitted to TV-out and to disable the output for the monitor.
In conclusion we would like to note that in case of additional cooling Voodoo3 3000 graphics card can perform perfectly in terms of speed and with usury replace Voodoo2 SLI for almost any contemporaneous CPU (if there are no special requirements for 2D speed and quality). However, this graphics card lacks some more advantageous features, which could help win back the hearts of Riva TNT or Rage 128 fans. As we have already mentioned, while the price of Voodoo3 is almost the same as that of Riva TNT2-based cards (not to mention Savage4 Pro), this card doesn't support 3D 32-bit color, AGP and larger textures. But nevertheless, the large-scale mass production of games, which have a 32-bit Z-buffer and require larger textures support (over 256x256) hasn't yet started. And for Voodoo3 graphics cards and the like it means a relatively high demand and popularity because are universal, i.e. they support all the existing gaming API.