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| DATE | Sep 20, 1998 |
| TICKET | #319572 |
| STATUS | Closed |
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Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> graphix cards/PCcard
No Wonder User - Sep 20, 1998 - 5:48 pm
Knowledge Level: Beginner
Problem: Combination
Computer Type: Apple
Model: PowerMac 6500
RAM: 65+
RAM Enhancer: None
OS Version: MacOS 8.1
Description:
Can you please provide me with the answers to the following five questions?:
1) When considering purchasing 2D/3D graphics cards, I believe I understand the difference between the monitor resolution and the rendering resolution. What I donıt know is whether the rendering resolution depends on the cardıs ability or the programıs ability to render.
2) Would a video/graphics card such as ATIıs Xclaim VR, or IXmicroıs Pro Rez, help any considerable amount in the performance of my PC emulation programs?
3) Does your expertise say whether Orange Microıs new OrangePC620 is an adequate board to run high end PC animation programs such as Lightwave? (Provided if enough memory is added to it.)
4) Are the advantages of a dual processor more than just being able to process more, or do I have it wrong?
5) Does Apple, or anybody else, make Macs or boards for Macs that provide dual processor use on a home unit?
Send Attachments? Yes
Problem: Combination
Computer Type: Apple
Model: PowerMac 6500
RAM: 65+
RAM Enhancer: None
OS Version: MacOS 8.1
Description:
Can you please provide me with the answers to the following five questions?:
1) When considering purchasing 2D/3D graphics cards, I believe I understand the difference between the monitor resolution and the rendering resolution. What I donıt know is whether the rendering resolution depends on the cardıs ability or the programıs ability to render.
2) Would a video/graphics card such as ATIıs Xclaim VR, or IXmicroıs Pro Rez, help any considerable amount in the performance of my PC emulation programs?
3) Does your expertise say whether Orange Microıs new OrangePC620 is an adequate board to run high end PC animation programs such as Lightwave? (Provided if enough memory is added to it.)
4) Are the advantages of a dual processor more than just being able to process more, or do I have it wrong?
5) Does Apple, or anybody else, make Macs or boards for Macs that provide dual processor use on a home unit?
Send Attachments? Yes
No Wonder Tech - Sep 21, 1998 - 2:12 am
Dear Tony,
I have answers to four out of your five questions. The first, about the difference between monitor and rendering resolution, I am not sure I understand. Monitor resolution describes the number of pixels which can be displayed on the screen. It is not clear to me what you mean by rendering resolution; any three-dimensional object will be rendered and textured to the level requested by the application in which it is created. A graphics card makes a difference only in the amount of time it takes to perform the rendering. Sometimes an object may not be textured or may be line-doubled if the graphics card being used does not have sufficient VRAM to display the object, but an 8 MB card should be sufficient for almost anything.
For your second question, ATI's XClaim VR will benefit PC emulation programs only if you install the PC drivers for it in the operating system you are emulating. Some cards, like ixMicro's, have only Mac drivers, and will therefore not help PC apps. For games, a 3Dfx card like the GameWizard or the Power3D is necessary, along with appropriate PC drivers.
Third, Lightwave and other 3D-rendering programs push the limits even of the most powerful personal computers, Mac or PC. The OrangePC620 is a very low-end chip, only a 200 Mhz Pentium, and while it will do the job, it will be slow. It will, however, be much, much faster than software emulation.
Fourth, dual processors simply increase processing power in applications that are multithreaded for dual processor support (very few are).
Fifth, currently only 604e chips are available in dual or quad configurations. Certain 9600s shipped with two processors, and a number of third parties make dual processor boards. Since most apps don't support multiprocessing, however, it really makes little difference to have two processors.
Hope these answers help.
Wayne Jones
I have answers to four out of your five questions. The first, about the difference between monitor and rendering resolution, I am not sure I understand. Monitor resolution describes the number of pixels which can be displayed on the screen. It is not clear to me what you mean by rendering resolution; any three-dimensional object will be rendered and textured to the level requested by the application in which it is created. A graphics card makes a difference only in the amount of time it takes to perform the rendering. Sometimes an object may not be textured or may be line-doubled if the graphics card being used does not have sufficient VRAM to display the object, but an 8 MB card should be sufficient for almost anything.
For your second question, ATI's XClaim VR will benefit PC emulation programs only if you install the PC drivers for it in the operating system you are emulating. Some cards, like ixMicro's, have only Mac drivers, and will therefore not help PC apps. For games, a 3Dfx card like the GameWizard or the Power3D is necessary, along with appropriate PC drivers.
Third, Lightwave and other 3D-rendering programs push the limits even of the most powerful personal computers, Mac or PC. The OrangePC620 is a very low-end chip, only a 200 Mhz Pentium, and while it will do the job, it will be slow. It will, however, be much, much faster than software emulation.
Fourth, dual processors simply increase processing power in applications that are multithreaded for dual processor support (very few are).
Fifth, currently only 604e chips are available in dual or quad configurations. Certain 9600s shipped with two processors, and a number of third parties make dual processor boards. Since most apps don't support multiprocessing, however, it really makes little difference to have two processors.
Hope these answers help.
Wayne Jones
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