Yep! I'm new here and you folks look like a great source for my 3DFX questions.

About a week ago I started thinking about some of my favorite old sims and games that were 3DFX supported. I thought it would be fun to give them a go again, but I did not want to hassle with installing on my XP system, besides my wife is working on her PhD and eats up about 80% of the new PC's use. I dug out my old Windows 98 PC, that I had stored away four or five years ago, to use as a dedicated 3DFX / D3D sim rig.

I currently have a Hercules GF3 Ti 200 as my primary display device to support my D3D sims. I have 2 Diamond Monster 3D II 12mb Voodoo cards in SLI installed.

Here is my first question: I also have a pair of Metabytes Wicked3D 12mb cards a friend gave me a few years back when he upgraded to a new computer. Additionally I have a Retail boxed Quantum 3D X-24 that I picked up a few years back when a local computer store went under. I am far from knowledgable so I am asking you all which of these cards will give me the best performance?

Second question is which drivers would be best for these cards considering it will be for 3DFX games and sims only?

Thanks for any information

wrote on 11.09.04 at 17:10:31:

Here is my first question: I also have a pair of Metabytes Wicked3D 12mb cards a friend gave me a few years back when he upgraded to a new computer. Additionally I have a Retail boxed Quantum 3D X-24 that I picked up a few years back when a local computer store went under. I am far from knowledgable so I am asking you all which of these cards will give me the best performance?

Any of the Voodoo II cards in SLI mode will perform pretty much the same, personally I'd run the regular cards if you have the open PCI slots since they won't tend to run as hot as the X-24.


Quote:

Second question is which drivers would be best for these cards considering it will be for 3DFX games and sims only?

I have always used the 3dfx reference drivers with no problems.

Thanks
...sounds like my current configuration does not need to be changed.

I was unaware of a heat problem with the X-24, but after looking at the card it makes sense. The fellow had it marked down to 60 bucks when his store went under some years back....it was basicly an impulse buy because it looked cool ( no pun intended) :).

I also assume that there is not much to be gained by overclocking, but would gain more from using the the last set of reference drivers from 3DFX.

wrote on 11.09.04 at 22:23:32:

I also assume that there is not much to be gained by overclocking, but would gain more from using the the last set of reference drivers from 3DFX.

I'm not sure if there is anything to be gained speedwise by running newer "third party drivers" aside from the Wicked3d minidriver in regards to id based games.

Third party drivers seem to be aimed more towards increased compatibilty or support for OS that were not around during 3dfx's time in business.

Overclocking maybe of some benefit depending on application, selected resolution and of course CPU speed.

Thanks for the info....

Hmm...I believe everything, including the driver disk where in both Wicked 3D boxes he gave me, but I have not had them open for over four years now....will have to take a look. Did Wicked 3D ever update their drivers and if so are they still available?

I did find their company website, but I'll be damn if I can figure out how to get to their "Wicked 3D" section they mention with driver downloads.