S3 ViRGE

ID: S3-VIRGE

RELEASED 1995

PRICE

DISCONTINUED 1998

UNITS SOLD Millions

I/O PORTS

VGAPCI

System Analysis

The "3D Decelerator". Marketed as the first 3D accelerator for the masses, but 3D performance was often slower than software rendering. Excellent 2D though.

Processor

55 MHz

ViRGE

First S3 chip with 3D capabilities.

Audio Subsystem

None

N/A

Memory

EDO DRAM

2 MB

Expandable to 4 MB

Storage

N/A

Graphics Architecture

ViRGE (86C325)

Palette: 24-bit Color

1280x1024 (2D)
640x480 (3D)

Hardware Tricks

▹ Texture mapping
▹ Gouraud shading

Did You Know?

? Quake ran SLOWER with 3D acceleration enabled than in software mode.
? The ViRGE/DX and /GX improved performance but never matched dedicated 3D cards.
? Still shipped in millions of OEM PCs because of its great 2D and low cost.