Graphics cards that allow users to set custom frequencies in DOS \ VOGONS

Graphics cards that allow users to set custom frequencies in DOS

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First post, by retardware

Posted on 2019-03-03, 00:59

retardware Offline

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I have bought a nice 17" late Trinitron multisync monitor for making the retro gaming feeling a little bit more authentic.
As the "new" monitor supports up to 70kHz horizontal, now I am trying to remember which graphics cards allowed me to set custom frequencies in DOS, to avoid flicker.
If I remember correctly, this was common with the Spea V7 cards, these had such an utility which allowed you to adjust and memorize the frequencies for all text+graphics modes. It looked very similar to Suse Linux' sax utility.

So my question:
Which graphics cards/chipsets offer drivers/utilities to manually set the refresh frequencies for the graphics cards modes in DOS?

Reply 1 of 5, by elianda

Posted on 2019-03-04, 09:50

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Actually nearly all of them.
CL -> CLMODE
S3 -> S3REFRSH
Trident -> VMODE
...

VBE3 -> integrated in standard

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Reply 2 of 5, by keenmaster486

Posted on 2019-03-04, 13:24

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I have a very similar monitor and I was wondering the same thing.

On this same note I wonder how many DOS programs and/or games have the option to set the refresh rate without needing an external tool. I honestly don't remember ever seeing one.

World's foremost 486 enjoyer.

Reply 3 of 5, by elianda

Posted on 2019-03-04, 14:01

elianda Offline

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The reason is that for all cards before VBE30 support the refresh rate enforcement is a proprietary feature.

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Reply 4 of 5, by Scali

Posted on 2019-03-04, 14:07

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elianda wrote:
The reason is that for all cards before VBE30 support the refresh rate enforcement is a proprietary feature.

Yup, and VBE 3.0 was released in late 1998, by which time Win9x had taken over, so VBE 3.0 was too little, too late.

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Reply 5 of 5, by elianda

Posted on 2019-03-04, 16:27

elianda Offline

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Also notable is that some more professional graphics cards, like Spea Mercury run higher frequencys by default for certain modes, like 640x480 at 85 Hz. If you want to use those with a 60 Hz TFT in these modes you have to force them to do so by the tool or your TFT will not sync. Also some do not support 60 Hz for some low res modes at all as it was considered obsolete for professional usage.

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