Andy's New Video Card - Update

[JLR2000]

Saw this over at the Ultimarc board:

Posted by Andy Warne (192.39.93.106) on December 30, 2002 at 03:53:13:

The new card is not far away, probably towards the end of Jan. I was originally going to launch with XP drivers only, but now it will be XP and 98 (and DOS without drivers of course).
One reason for the slight delay is some headscratching because of some MAME "issues". I was considering approaching the MAME team to get these looked into before lauching but decided to go ahead anyway as they are not serious issues, and also anyone trying to fix them would need a card to work with. They are as follows (all Windows issues):

When a mode of a horizontal resolution of 320 X 256 is set up, MAME switches into double-scan mode and therefore only displays the top half of the screen. Workaround: I have built in a mode of 321 X 256 instead.

The "auto" resolution setting in MAME is very flaky and often picks the wrong resolution. For resolutions at or below 256 horiz, it does not work at all, and just runs at the desktop resolution. Workaround: The user will need to manually select a the correct res. for each game the first time it is run.

In XP, resolutions of less than 256 Horiz. do not work at all in MAME, they are never invoked and the game runs at the desktop resolution. Workaround: run at 256 horizontal. Not a problem as very few games have less than 256 H, and are mainly verticals so a border is not a problem.

I think all these issues would be easily fixed in MAME, it's just that they have never been revealed before.

There is one more issue which I am waiting for ATI to re-open after the holidays for: auto-pan mode (ie desktop size greater than actual monitor resolution) does not work in Windows 98. This might be unfixable without ATI involvement but is not a huge issue and does not affect gaming at all.

I am not taking any pre-orders as I don't think it's right to take peoples money without having a product ready (and is against credit card regulations).
The price will probably be $95.


I can't wait for this to come out....I think it will make my next project soooo much easier.  My problem is that the PC I had earmarked for this project doesn't have AGP (PIII 700), I hate Compaq crap.  I either have to find a new MB, or just get a new system....anyone have recommendations for an inexpensive MB with AGP for a PIII 700?  Thanks.

[Spectrum]

My advice for a Mobo would be to check pricewatch.  I can help you take a look if you need.  First thing you need to know is what type of PIII you have.  Is it a socket 370 (small square) or an SECC2 (long and has a slot that looks like an expansion card)  Intel was kind enough to make it in both flavors.  Also if you want to use your existing RAM you need to make sure the board accepts it.  Need to know whether you have SDRAM (most likely PC100 or PC133) or DDR (doubtful).  The last thing you need to decide on would be a chipset.  Intel chipset would be the best, but that usually raises the price a touch.  2nd best IMO would be a VIA chipset.  I try to stay away from SIS and others.  After all of that it's down to a MB manufacturer lol.  Intel of course works fine but price goes up.  ASUS, SOYO, and ABIT have good track records.  I have been running an MSI board in my current primary rig and have had no problems.  I have heard some complaints about MSI before though so YMMV

Robert

[JLR2000]

Thanks, I hadn't considered all of that.  I have a Socket 370, SDRAM PC100(Compaq!).  I'll take a look at pricewatch, I use it all the time but didn't know what to search for re: MBs, thanks again for those details.  I have a couple of BareBones systems that have the "K7SEM" motherboards in them, I think that *may* be SIS....I've had good luck with them, using one in my Upright Cabinet.

Thanks again.

[Cowboy Mac]

is this card going to be of any use to those with a VGA 31khz monitor capable of plugging directly into a video card output?

[tom61]

is this card going to be of any use to those with a VGA 31khz monitor capable of plugging directly into a video card output?

Umm... No. It'd even probably damage a standard VGA monitor.