Sign in Subscribe
Computer peripherals industry

The Rise of Voodoo2 Graphics Cards: Accelerating Gaming Performance

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Voodoo2 graphics card has become a must-have addition for PC gamers, offering a dramatic acceleration of 3-D game play and enhanced graphics experience. Initially introduced in late 1996, the Monster 3-D card gained popularity among hard-core gamers, but it wasn't until the announcement of the Voodoo2 chip that the market saw a surge in demand. Today, over a dozen vendors are selling Voodoo2 cards, including Diamond Multimedia and Creative Labs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Voodoo2 chip set, developed by 3Dfx Interactive, accelerates 3-D game play and enhances graphics appearance.
  • Over a dozen vendors are now selling Voodoo2 cards, including Diamond Multimedia and Creative Labs.
  • Game software developers are increasingly including support for the 3Dfx chips in their titles, making Voodoo2 cards a must-have for PC gamers.
  • To enjoy a Voodoo2-based card, users need a fairly powerful machine, recommending at least a 166-megahertz Pentium system with 32 megabytes of memory.
  • The Pure 3D II, from Canopus Corp., features a TV-out connection, allowing users to connect their PC to a big-screen television for an immersive experience.
  • The 3D Blaster Voodoo2, from Creative Labs, is a more affordable option at $250, but lacks some software features and does not have a TV-out connection.
  • The Canopus Pure 3D II is slightly faster than the Creative Labs 3D Blaster Voodoo2, but the difference is not significant, making the Creative Labs card a better buy for most gamers.

Statistics:

  • 12 megabytes of video memory is a common feature among Voodoo2 cards.
  • 3Dfx Interactive has developed a second generation of the chip, the Voodoo2 chip set.
  • Over a dozen vendors are selling Voodoo2 cards as of the writing.
  • A 166-megahertz Pentium system with 32 megabytes of memory is recommended for enjoying a Voodoo2-based card.
  • The Pure 3D II comes with 12 megabytes of video memory.

Sources:

  • Canopus Corp.
  • 3Dfx Interactive
  • Activision
  • Creative Labs
  • Diamond Multimedia
  • Gaming software developers
  • PC hardware manufacturers

Read more