🚀 go-pugleaf

Despite the 3D rendering limitations of my otherwise wonderful Millenium 4
MB 2D video card, I've been patiently waiting (and barely holding myself
back) for dust to settle before buying a 3D card.  However, my patience is
running out. Yet, my view in terms of acquiring the best (bang for a
reasonable buck) 3D card remains unclear.  

I realize that 3DFX cards are a sure bet for playing today's games in the
most visually delightful way, along with great software (D3D) support. 
However, PowerVR PCX2 cards (with higher resolution support, more texture
dedicated RAM, no need for dangling external cable, greater processor
scalability) appears to be the way of the future albeit with Videologic
having some OpenGL driver problems.  

Surely, other more expensive, more powerful cards are available or in the
works (e.g., Riva 128), but PowerVR and 3DFX appear to be the best bargain
for my current set up.  I had brought to life a frankenstein consisting of
an IWill P55TV motherboard (with 512 kb cache), Matrox Millenium 4 MB video
board, 32 megs  EDO RAM, and 133 Mhz Pentium CPU.   

Currently, I'm leaning towards a Power VR card (either an Apalcalypse 3Dx
or a Matrox M3d).  However, I am unsure if I can obtain decent game (e.g.,
Quake) fps (at least 25 fps) with my 133 Mhz Pentium CPU (which happens to
be the minimum CPU requirements for a Power VR PCX2 card).   Of course, I
could always wait towards Christmas and buy a Pentium 200 Mhz MMX at sub
$200 but that would seriously strain my economic resources as I am a bum
and am unwilling to go back into prostitution.    On the other hand, were I
to opt for an 3DFX card, I would have to choose between an Orchid Righteous
3D or a Diamond Monster 3D.  I have heard about slower rated RAM in the
Orchid card causing some problems.  But these RAM were supposed to be
replaced with faster versions.  Concerning the Diamond card, a while back,
I heard some rumors concerning slightly more game incompatibility problems
when compared to the Orchid card.

What I need is informative feedback concerning the pros and the cons and
user experience of both the 3DFX boards and the PowerVR PCX2 cards.  Also,
just how many fps would I lose in Quake if I opted to get a K6 200 MHz MMX
CPU over a Pentium 200 MHz MMX CPU using either a 3DFX card or a PowerVR
PCX2 card?  From what I understand, the K6 is supposed to faster (except
for the fpu due to motherboards and programs designed to use Intel Pentium
fpu) and cheaper than the Pentium version.  Moreover, should I simply wait
till the next generation cards come out (e.g., Banshee).  I heard that the
future cards will only be 2D/3D cards (with only AGP motherboards being
able to take advantage of its speed improvements) and I don't want to give
up my trusty old Millie (Millenium 4Mb video card) nor my IWILL
motherboard.  

Oh, if only choosing a 3D video card was as easy and painless as pulling
out one's own impacted wisdom teeth.


Lugy
lugy@loop.com