Which would be better: Rage 128 or Voodoo 3?

[Ketchup]

I am going to be fixing up my girfriend's computer, and am wondering which video card to go with?

When we built the computer, I gave her my ATI Rage 128 because I had just bought a Geforce 2. Since then, her sister gave up her old computer, so now she has some more RAM and a Voodoo 3 to play with. She went ahead and put in the extra memory (which is great since I will be setting up Windows XP on her machine pretty soon) but she didn't know about the video card. As much as I hated to admit it, I really couldn't tell her what to do because I don't know much about the Voodoo cards.

Any help would be appreciated. She uses the computer mainly for surfing the web and playing Spider Solitaire, so if you can, let me know how these cards compare in 2D quality as well.

 

[nick1985]

voodoo 3!!! i have one!

 

[Schadenfroh]

i have a voodoo3 here at home and use a rage 128 at school. The voodoo3 ownz the rage128

 

[SickBeast]

voodoo3 0wNz j00

 

[moogle077]

My best video card is a voodoo 3 3000 >.<

 

[jlee]

Considering my old Voodoo2 spanked my 8mb ATI Rage AGP card, I'd definitely go with the V3.

 

[Looney]

Definitely Voodoo3. Rage 128 had BAD drivers back then.

 

[Ketchup]

Originally posted by: CadetLee
Considering my old Voodoo2 spanked my 8mb ATI Rage AGP card, I'd definitely go with the V3.

This is a Rage 128 with 16 MB, so that comparison means nothing to me. The consensus seems to be that the Voodoo is faster. I did find it a couple places on line, and they seemed pretty close to each other. As I mentioned earlier, I am also interested in 2D performance, but I guess everyone here is interested in framerates.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[GT578]

2D on the voodoo3 is excellent. I had a voodoo3 3500TV back in the days....and I loved the 2D quality and speed.....I still have a voodoo3 3000 in my other computer (T-bird 1ghz). The voodoo3 would be fine for 2D use......that card runs very hot though....something you might want to consider.

 

[Soulkeeper]

i would say it depends what games yur playing, to some extent
the voodoo3 was real popular and lots of people liked it so you'll get a lot of votes on that one

i've owned a voodoo5 and a rage128 16mb

i traded my rage128 to someone awhile back for a cable modem when i got a GF2 as well
It wasn't a bad card and the drivers weren't that bad

throw them both in yur system and benchmark
that would be worth it
i'm sure we'd all love to see yur benchmarks in a few games

 

[Soulkeeper]

doesn't the voodoo3 not even do 32 bit ???
I think some of the newer games won't even work on it
any new games are crazy slow on either tho

benchmarks

 

[vss1980]

What are the Voodoo3 Windows XP drivers like out of interest? Just a consideration as XP came after 3dfx's demise.

In that respect, at least we know the Rage 128 has fully functioning XP drivers.

 

[nRollo]

"This is a Rage 128 with 16 MB, so that comparison means nothing to me"
LOL- that's what I was thinking. Voodoo=doodoo these days. What are you going to do if you have a driver issue these days? Write little Timmy and tell him you've found some problems with his homemade drivers?

Here's an idea: Use the Rage 128, I'll sell you a Voodoo 2 sli rig I have gathering dust for $15, then you'll have both.

 

[Ketchup]

Thanks guys, I think I will try both and see what happens. I am thinking about benchmarking some Quake 3 and see what happens. I have really been spoiled by 32-bit color. Since she does so much work in 2D, I may go for the ATI card if the driver support isn't there for the Voodoo and it doesn't support 32-bit color depth.

For the next month, me and my girl will be separated by 180 miles, so doubt I will be able to do anything until then. But I will post back here when I get things sorted out.

 

[Bopple]

1. 3D gaming, you can't do any real 32bit gaming with Rage128.
Actually, it's a bit ridiculous considering even its 16bit gaming is horrible compared to v3.

2. If i remember correctly, voodoo3 supports 32bit colors in 2D mode.
However, at that time, rage128 had one of the most vivid color presentation on par with matrox products, i think.
Though for sharpness, rage128 and v3 were about the same...that means none of them is good.

 

[Brian48]

The V3 really had exemptional 2d quality. This was a carry-over benefit from the original 3dfx Banshee. It could do 32bit desktop, but not 32bit in games. As an alternative, it was capable (via drivers) to display games in "psuedo 22bit" color, which was better than 16bit, but causes a slight performance hit.

Back to the original question, I would never take a Rage 128 over a V3 if the cost was the same. I just don't see any real advantages with the Rage 128 to opt for it.

 

[Schadenfroh]

i am pretty sure that the voodoo3 does 32bit color in 2d (i think that is what the PC is set at), but i dnot feel like booting it up. There are great drivers for XP for the voodoo3. they are third party drivers but i run them here and they are great. you can find the voodoo3 drivers here.

 

[spanky]

the voodoo3

 

[oldfart]

Originally posted by: Brian48
The V3 really had exemptional 2d quality. This was a carry-over benefit from the original 3dfx Banshee. It could do 32bit desktop, but not 32bit in games. As an alternative, it was capable (via drivers) to display games in "psuedo 22bit" color, which was better than 16bit, but causes a slight performance hit.

Back to the original question, I would never take a Rage 128 over a V3 if the cost was the same. I just don't see any real advantages with the Rage 128 to opt for it.

He is correct. 32 bit color in 2D works fine. 3D has "22 bit" color. A properly set up V3 3000 is a very good card. Very good 2D as well.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Voodoo3 all the way....

Man, that card has a real soft spot in my heart as it was the first "real" 3d gaming card I ever owned. Still remember the first time I ever fired up Half-Life and Rouge Spear with the Voodoo. Amazing.