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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: spihunter on January 15, 2008, 01:53:55 AM

Title: S3 Virge -vs- Voodoo 3 in a Mediator
Post by: spihunter on January 15, 2008, 01:53:55 AM

Hey Folks,

I just gave in and bought a Mediator SX for my A1200T.

I have a S3 Virge DX 4MB card that is supported by the Mediator but I was wondering if it would be worth it to shell out bucks for a Voodoo 3 card?

All I want is nice big screen modes for my a audio apps. I dont really want to play 3D games or anything?

Will the S3 card be sluggish on my 060 if I want to have multiple apps open and do basic Aminet downloading?

(I also have a supported SB 128 & Dlink 100MB card)

Title: Re: S3 Virge -vs- Voodoo 3 in a Mediator
Post by: adolescent on January 15, 2008, 03:21:52 AM

I doubt the S3 will be sluggish, especially compared to AGA.  But, if you need a Voodoo3 I have an extra you can have cheap (or trade).  Send me a PM.  

Title: Re: S3 Virge -vs- Voodoo 3 in a Mediator
Post by: Vulture on January 15, 2008, 08:33:52 AM

Since you're after nice big screen modes, virge's 4mb might prove too small an amount to handle more than a couple of screens, you should seriously condsider getting a Voodoo, they're not expensive and their 16mb are just right for the job.

Title: Re: S3 Virge -vs- Voodoo 3 in a Mediator
Post by: smf on January 15, 2008, 09:45:22 AM

i never tested the s3 virge drivers for mediator but i think they are very slow, i wonder if they even have hw acceleration?

Title: Re: S3 Virge -vs- Voodoo 3 in a Mediator
Post by: Crumb on January 15, 2008, 10:38:16 AM

@spihunter

Voodoo3 should be quite faster :-)

Title: Re: S3 Virge -vs- Voodoo 3 in a Mediator
Post by: spihunter on January 15, 2008, 12:43:25 PM

@adolescent,

Thanks man! PM sent!

@Everyone else,

Thanks for the tips!. I figured it would be an improvement over AGA but wasnt sure how much.

If I got a Voodoo 3 as well would it be possible to run both cards at once?

Title: Re: S3 Virge -vs- Voodoo 3 in a Mediator
Post by: derringer3 on January 15, 2008, 12:59:21 PM

Probably you can, but there will be no sense:

-you must use a monitor switcher, there will be no dualhead etc, mode so just one program one monitor state.
-all the dma of the card go trought the  memory of the vga card of the 1st pci slot. So if you use voodoo on 1st slot, s3 use voodoos memory, and vica versa.