eShop USA > Electronics > 3dfx Voodoo3 3000 PCI 2D/3D Graphics Accelerator
3dfx Voodoo3 3000 PCI 2D/3D Graphics Accelerator
Binding: Electronics
Brand: 3dfx
EAN: 0745162013696
Graphics Memory Size: 16 MB
Label: 3DFX
Manufacturer: 3DFX
Model: V33316
MPN: V33316
Publisher: 3DFX
Studio: 3DFX
Features:- 350 MHz RAMDAC
- Supports Glide API
- PCI interface
- Displays 7 million triangles per second
- DVD Hardware Assist
Accessories:
Editorial Review:
Checking in at over 100 billion operations per second, the Voodoo3 3000 PCI pushes the limits of the ultra high-resolution gaming. Delivering liquid smooth frame rates of over 60 frames per second, the Voodoo3 3000 PCI combines the world's fastest 2D with a dual 32-bit pipeline to provide a mind-altering gaming experience. Unleashing an unrivaled 7 million triangles a second, the Voodoo3 3000's Patented Single-Pass, Single Cycle Multi-Texturing provides breathtaking visual effects at resolutions as high as 2046x1536. Designed to enhance the latest generation of computer hardware, the Voodoo3 3000 PCI provides DVD hardware assist to ensure DVD playback at 30 frames per second without framedrop. Coupling all the power, speed and performance gamers have come to expect from 3dfx, the Voodoo3 3000 PCI is the ideal 2D/3D solution for every computer user.
Looking for a no-frills PCI graphics card that can kick your anemic 3-D games into high gear? Consider the Voodoo3 3000 PCI from 3dfx. This 16 MB graphics card supports more 3D APIs than many competing products, offers glass-smooth performance for most games, and won't break the bank.
We were a little disappointed when we opened the box, as the Voodoo3 3000 comes with no software bundle. A voucher is included for a software DVD decoder, but it would be much better if 3dfx just included the software with the device. It is immediately obvious upon looking at the card that few extra features are supported, as there are no TV input or output jacks. It's a graphics card, plain and simple.
The first thing you'll notice after installing this card and booting up a game is its speed. We tested it with over 15 popular 3-D games, from flight simulators like Jane's USAF to first-person shooters like Unreal Tournament. The results were universally impressive, with games running smooth as glass at all but the highest resolutions. The Voodoo3 3000 works particularly well with games that use 3Dfx's Glide API, like Unreal Tournament. We were used to running that game with a RIVA TNT card at a resolution of 1,024 x 768, with both the detail settings at medium. We witnessed much smoother performance from the Voodoo3 3000 at this resolution with the detail settings at high.
The caveat to all this speed is that it comes at the expense of maximum color depth. While the Voodoo3 3000 supports 32-bit color for normal 2-D acceleration (like working in Windows), it only goes as high as 16-bit for 3D-accelerated programs. This is not a big problem when it comes to games released in the last year or so, but more titles today are optimized for 32-bit color, and it's a shame this card can't handle it. It is obvious 3dfx focused on fast frame rates over all other considerations, but the fact that 3dfx's newer video card designs incorporate 32-bit color for 3-D proves the company has seen the errors of its ways.
Two other potential drawbacks had less of a performance impact than we expected. The first is that this card supports only 16 MB of video memory. Most other cards on the market ship with 32 MB, making this seem a little skimpy. In practice, you'll have nothing to worry about. Windows performance is excellent, as the card supports 24-bit color at a maximum resolution of 2,046 x 1,536 and a refresh rate of 75 Hz. These numbers represent pure overkill for any monitor smaller than 24 inches, so users with 17-inch or 19-inch displays should have no complaints about Windows performance. Since only 16-bit color is supported in 3-D mode, the 16 MB of RAM is adequate to push enormous numbers of pixels at resolutions and refresh rates that should satisfy any gamer with a 17-inch or smaller monitor. Those of you with 19-inch or larger monitors may want to look elsewhere for a gaming card that will extract maximum performance from your display.
The other reason buyers may hesitate to buy this card is that it's a PCI device. With so many computers shipping with AGP support, it makes little sense to buy a video card that uses a slower interface technology. Frankly, we didn't notice any difference. We've tested dozens of AGP cards with 16 MB of RAM, and the PCI version of the Voodoo3 3000 was able to best many of them--at least in 16-bit color. The good news is that this product is available in an AGP version, so you don't have to compromise if it really troubles you. The only real benefit we can see in using the AGP version of this card is that it will free up a PCI slot, which you can use for other devices.
Overall, if you have a 17-inch monitor and high 3-D color depths are not important, the Voodoo3 3000 PCI is a smooth operator that can really make your games come to life. If you are looking for the ultimate video card, or a card with extra features like TV output, take a pass--and prepare to shell out two to three times the amount of cash you'd spend on this product.
Pros:
- Smooth performance
- Glide compatibility
- Great Windows performance, considering memory limitations
Cons:
- No 24- or 32-bit color in 3-D
- Only 16 MB of video RAM
- No software bundle
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - HIghly recommened for older systems, excellent card!!!!
This was a state of the art graphics card back in 1998 or so when it came out. I owned the Voodoo3 2000pci and the Voodoo3 3500tv agp. They did come out with 5000,5500 and 6000 series right before Nvidia purchased the company. This video card was fast, flawless graphics, and at the time the "big dog" with 16mb of memory and a 183mhz clocked core. Now a days, this is very outdated, but still good for anyone who has old systems and craves to see games like need for speed hot pursuit, doom, nascar ... Read More
Rating:  - shame on you, shame i have to pick 1 star for this junk
shame on you for charging $100 for a box of dog crap...how can you even fathom this video card is worth more then the S&H it costs to send it to the noob you sell it to? i would suggest you go buy a clue...this card is older then my grandma, i would take the $100 and instead of buying this card i would suggest you get a geforce FX 5700LE..this card is 10000000000000 times faster and better..thank you and good nite
Rating:  - Dont Bother with it
This was a great card when I bought it 2 years ago, unfortunately it is no longer compatible with new games. Voodoo went out of business and drivers are no longer available to update it. Games like Jedi Knight:Outcast take much too long to load saved games and the graphics have other problems when the game is running. Spend a little more money and get something that isn't already antiquidated.
Rating: - Strong but old
I've had this card for two years now and have had it in two computers. If your looking for a cheaper 3d card this one runs great. my first computer was a 200 pentium mx and after putting in the card i was running a game that listed minnimum requirerment as a pentium 360 and insisted on a 3dfx accelerater. the game play was slow but that it ran at all amazed me. on games where you meat system requirments it runs buitiful. on a slow system like my 200 youll even notice a improvment of system speed on ... Read More
Rating: - Not Compatible
This card has compatibility issues with everything! Ghost recon, some Need for Speed games, and others don't comply with this graphics card.
If I were you, I'd settle for something a little more reliable, unless you are never going to use your computer for gaming.
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