VOGONS


First post, by 0kool

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Not necessarily thinking top of the line. Also I might have to go for ISA at first, if having trouble finding good VLB cards.
I know that in general it's better to stay off Trident/WD/OAK/Realtek with video. Goldstar doesn't sounds quite right for a controller as well (and I'm starting to develop an allergy for UMC).

What comes to mind:

VLB/ISA VGA:
TSENG
ATI Mach
Cirrus Logic
S3

How much video memory do I need for DX33/66? Will one meg be enough (DOS, Win3.1 with 1024*768 at most, likely 800*600)? I have an MMX to do the heavy lifting when it's absolutely required.

Multi controller:
probably something Winbond based, as long and with as many components on it as I can find.

I'm curious if VLB makes much difference for the I/O speed, though I'll strive to get one regardless.

I'll be grateful if you can list the cards you have in your machines (or had some experience with) and how it's working out for you. Feel welcome to add, suggest or critique anything.

Reply 1 of 3, by Matth79

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1MB can do 256 colour at 1024x768, 64k colour at 800x600, 16M (24 bit) at 640x480 … 2MB allows 64k colour at 1024x768 and 16M at 800x600 (24 or 32 bit, but not sure if they did 32 bit in those days - 32 bit is just word aligned with 8 bits waste)
My 486 had a Cirrus Logic 5428 - can't remember what the I/O was, but it was VLB - ended up replacing it with a different card when it started playing up

Reply 2 of 3, by SW-SSG

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0kool wrote:

... Goldstar doesn't sounds quite right for a controller as well ...

Why's that? Goldstar Prime 2 and Prime 2C ISA I/O cards are a common sight in old 386/486 machines. They may not be the absolute fastest but I've never really had or have heard of major problems, either.

That said, they are typically ISA-only. There do exist some VLB cards (like the one pictured here) that include a Promise controller for IDE alongside a Prime 2C handling the other I/O ports.

Reply 3 of 3, by The Serpent Rider

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How much video memory do I need for DX33/66?

Even 512kb should suffice, but VLB cards are usually 1mb.

if having trouble finding good VLB cards.

Look for Cirrus Logic CL5426/5428/5429. Those cards are the easiest to find. Best option would be something like S3 Trio 64 VLB.

in general it's better to stay off Trident

Trident 9400/9440 VLB are more or less common too and performance should be adequate for 33-66mhz 486.

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