I have tested some VLB cards in system with a Am5x86 @160MHz for DOS apps. […]
Show full quote
I have tested some VLB cards in system with a Am5x86 @160MHz for DOS apps.
In general the following accelerators can get a recommondation in DOS and Windows:
S3 864 / S3 868 / S3 968 / S3 Trio64 / S3 Trio64 V+ (all with 2MB DRAM or 2/4 MB VRAM)
ATI Mach32 2Mb VRAM / ATI Mach 64 2/4 MB VRAM
Trident TGUI 9440 2MB DRAM
ALG 2228 2MB DRAM
Cirrus Logic GD5434 2MB DRAM
In any case (for the cards above) make sure, you have 2MB RAM for 64Bit memory access or Memory interleave (Mach32) - only important for windows. For windows use make sure you have a (>)135MHz Hi- or Truecolor DAC. With Trio64 and TGUI9440 i observed spaghettized pictures on TFT screens. The best affordable, fastest card would be one with S3 864 like @kixs recommends. The S3 cards with DRAM are faster in DOS than the VRAM variants. In Windows the S3 VRAM cards are faster. With ATI cards the VRAM cards are equal to DRAM cards in DOS and faster in Windows.
The S3 Vision cards: 864/868 (DRAM) and 964/968 (VRAM) and Trio64 are 64Bit.
The older S3 cards 805 (DRAM) and 928(VRAM) and Trio32 are 32Bit, while the 805i has memory interleave with 2MB DRAM.
The S3 868/968 are nearly identical to the 864/964 with some additional video acceleration and zooming features.
The Trio64 hat the 864 core with integrated 135MHz RAM DAC.
For 1600x1200 @8bit with 60Hz or higher you need a 4MB card with 175MHz (or higher) RAM DAC. So you should look for: ATI Mach64 +Memory Upgrade, Diamond Stealth 64 (Video) VRAM +Memory Upgrade (was available with S3 964 and 135MHz DAC and as „Video“ with S3 968 and 220MHz DAC), ELSA Winner 2000 4MB version (was available with S3 928 and 964).
All of these cards are nearly unobtainalble. The best chance for you is to ask the user Madao, he developed a own S3 968 4MB VRAM card.