Cirrus Logic GD5420 \ VOGONS

Cirrus Logic GD5420

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First post, by mcfly

Posted on 2018-08-23, 08:22

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I am looking for some ISA VGA for my 386DX-40 build (not overpriced like TSENG ET4000). Found some Cirrus Logic GD5420 with 512K. Considering DOS only gaming on 386 would that amount of memory be enough? Unfortunately I am very limited in options and availability on the local market. For slighly cheaper I could get OCTEC WD90C-00-JK with the same amount of RAM. I have very little experience regarding pre original Pentium gaming. Thanks in advance.

Reply 1 of 13, by root42

Posted on 2018-08-23, 08:38

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512K is plenty. For standard VGA (or EGA/CGA) games 256 is even enough, since the original VGA did not come with more memory. The extra memory you have got will only come into play when running SVGA games, i.e. ones with 640x480 at 256 colors. Maybe Links386 would be such a case. Or if you were running Windows 3.0/3.1.

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Reply 2 of 13, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2018-08-23, 08:40

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would that amount of memory be enough?

512kb = 800x600 8-bit color.

WD90C-00-JK

Very slow card, don't bother.

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Reply 3 of 13, by mcfly

Posted on 2018-08-23, 09:07

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The Serpent Rider wrote:
512kb = 800x600 8-bit color. […]
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would that amount of memory be enough?

512kb = 800x600 8-bit color.

WD90C-00-JK

Very slow card, don't bother.

I am assuming that 800x600 and 256 colors would be enough for 386 DOS gaming?

Thanks for the tip on WDC, I will probably go with Cirrus.

Reply 4 of 13, by root42

Posted on 2018-08-23, 09:58

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mcfly wrote:

I am assuming that 800x600 and 256 colors would be enough for 386 DOS gaming?

Thanks for the tip on WDC, I will probably go with Cirrus.

90% of DOS games that run on a 386 will be 320x200 pixels. Some will be 640x480 at 16 colors (Incredible Machine, Legend adventure games), some will be 640x480 at 256 colors (Links386, Shannara(?)). There will be almost none that run at 800x600.

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Reply 5 of 13, by dondiego

Posted on 2018-08-23, 10:26

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I had that same cirrus card on my 486 but with 1 MB of ram, it's overkill for a 386. Certainly not the fastest isa card but it was fast and even supported 24 bit color with enough ram.

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Reply 6 of 13, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2018-08-23, 19:24

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5420 is only slightly slower than Trident 8900D or Western Digital WD90C31A-LR, which are the fastest ISA cards for DOS.

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Reply 7 of 13, by mcfly

Posted on 2018-08-23, 20:24

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The Serpent Rider wrote:
5420 is only slightly slower than Trident 8900D or Western Digital WD90C31A-LR, which are the fastest ISA cards for DOS.

I've ended on 8900D, found it cheap on the web & ordered today, 1MB version, cheaper than WDC and Cirrus 😀 Thanks for all valuable input.

Reply 8 of 13, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2018-08-24, 09:24

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Do you own a CRT monitor? 8900D can't properly work with modern LCD screens.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 9 of 13, by root42

Posted on 2018-08-24, 10:09

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The Serpent Rider wrote:
Do you own a CRT monitor? 8900D can't properly work with modern LCD screens.

Care to elaborate? I have a bunch of 8900 and 9000 Tridents and haven't yet found any problems...? Apart from usual image quality issues due to caps, RAMDAC or whatever.

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Reply 10 of 13, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2018-08-24, 12:03

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Apart from usual image quality

Vertical lines in 320x200 mode.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 11 of 13, by mcfly

Posted on 2018-08-24, 18:02

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The Serpent Rider wrote:
Do you own a CRT monitor? 8900D can't properly work with modern LCD screens.

I think I can find one in the attic. The LCD I own is some >10yo LG TFT 17". Everything is connected via KVM switch as I have multiple retro systems 😀. I will check when I got it running.

Reply 12 of 13, by mcfly

Posted on 2018-09-02, 15:18

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The Serpent Rider wrote:
Apart from usual image quality

Vertical lines in 320x200 mode.

Confirmed. Vertical lines on low resolution modes (< 640x480). Oh well, welcome to the old tech 😀

Reply 13 of 13, by The Serpent Rider

Posted on 2018-09-02, 16:38

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Vertical lines on low resolution modes

Not exactly, only anamorphic modes. 320x240, 400x300, etc will work fine.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

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