24-bit PCI frame buffers [long]
2007-12-25 11:32:00
for their replys. Responses are listed below.
Jerry Kemp
Responses:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sun has a PGX32 with does 24 and 8 at the same time. This costs
about $300 (see sunexpress). This is not based on the ATI chipset,
but claims PGX24 compatibility.
I have an Xpert97 (8M) card here which I got for $40, which the AXi
drives fine with the 3.10.8 OpenProms. I have it in 1280x1024 mode
with little troubles (though my cursor leaves droppings every once
in a while). Note that in 24 (32) bit, it is not the fastest card
in the world.
> On a higher end is the Sun Elite 3d card which is a great card
> but has a cost of $1200 to 1500 for this card.
is gruesome costwise.
> Above is the 24 bit PCI frame buffer situation as I understand
> it from approx. 1 year ago. Has the situation changed any.
just a little. The PGX32 is on sun's web page. Other than that and
the the PC ATI cards DO work in an AXi machine, not much have changed
as far as I can tell.
> and I did see mention of a newer PGX card called the PGX24 which will
> do a max 24 bit resolution of 1152x900x76 so there is at least
> one update to what I have written above. I am still asking
> to find out what other options, if any, are available.
Note: SUN's PGX (m64) driver works with 8/24 (which is really 32).
It supports a bunch of resolutions (pending on your card configuration) -
seem m64config for details).
You also have the non-PCI Creator cards....
One other note is that you probably need 2.6 or later to have reasonable
success with these boards.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sun's PGX32 card is indeed a remarketed TechSource Raptor,
equivalent to a Diamond FireGL Pro 1000 (or any other 8MB PCI card
based on 3DLabs' Permedia2 chip). Not a bad card (albeit at $250
or so somewhat overpriced in comparison to it's PC brethren, which
now sell for well under $100), and since Sun now sells it directly
they also support it directly. Unlike the PGX24 ATI based card, the
Permedia2 supports 8-bit overlays, so you can have both 8- and 24-
bit windows on the screen without any colormap flashing as you move
between windows. Certainly more than fast enough for most 2D apps.
Unfortunately, you can't use an off-the-shelf Permedia2 card due to
their lack of OpenBoot Prom support, but I've found it to be a
reasonable alternative to the Elite cards, whose 3D speeds we
simply don't need.
Incidentally, Sun X servers use 32 bits of info for 24-bit
displays rather than packing the pixels like some PC drivers do;
that's why you're limited to 1152x900 for the 4MB ATI Rage II cards
- speed would be somewhat slower if Sun supported the packed pixel
mode. The old PGX8 cards were based on the same ATI family but
with 2MB; they were the ones that only supported 800x600 at 24 bits.
The Permedia2s can support 1600x1200 at 8 bit, but 1280x1024@76 Hz
with both 24- and 8-bit windows (single-buffered).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You are probably looking for the PGX32. List price $295.00. (Sorry, I
don't have the option number with me. My price guide is at the office.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
original question:
> I have not seen this question thrown out in the ring for about
> 9-12 months so I am going to ask it again.
>
> I have/use a Sun AXi 300mhz system here in my home but I face
> the same issue at work on Sun Ultra 5 and Ultra 10 systems
> I maintain at work. My question is what is available for PCI.
>
> On the low end (this is where I am at in most places) there is the
> PGX card. It is my understanding that this is an ATI 4mb video
> card that Sun has written drivers for. This card will do 24bit
> video at 800x600 but anything above that and it is 8 bit video
> (256 colors)
>
> On a higher end is the Sun Elite 3d card which is a great card
> but has a cost of $1200 to 1500 for this card.
>
> In the middle of all of this is the Raptor card which will do
> 24 bit video but requires you to replace your Xsun binary. Not
> a good thing when you need to apply patches. I will qualify this
> with the fact that it has been 1.5 years since I looked at the
> Raptor video card and the situation may have changes. I am
> sure someone will tell me if it has.
>
> I was also told that Sun has come out with a video card called
> the raptor (if for nothing else to confuse the issue of the
> above paragraph). I have no details on this card other that
> "a rumor that I heard".
>
> Above is the 24 bit PCI frame buffer situation as I understand
> it from approx. 1 year ago. Has the situation changed any.
>
> Before posting this note, I did review the Sun Frame Buffer FAQ at
> http://bul.eecs.umich.edu/~crowej/sunfaq/FrameBuffer.html
>
> and I did see mention of a newer PGX card called the PGX24 which will
> do a max 24 bit resolution of 1152x900x76 so there is at least
> one update to what I have written above. I am still asking
> to find out what other options, if any, are available.
>
> I will summarize when completed.
>
> Thank you for any input.
>
> Jerry Kemp
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