The difference between Velocity and Voodoo 3 cards

[NitroX infinity]

I've been trying to figure out the difference between the velocity cards and the Voodoo 3 cards. I think I found it out now. This is for the people who still are searching for the differences.

While the Voodoo 3 cards were aimed at the desktop market (gamers and such), the Velocity's were aimed at the low end business market.
The Velocity 200 was released with a business software package; PowerPlugs: Transitions II from CrystalGraphics and Organic Art Deluxe 2.0. The Velocity 100 was also released with a business software package, consisting of samples from the previously mentioned software.

Hardware differences?
Velocity 100:
- Core: 143MHz
- Memory: 143MHz 8 megabyte SGRAM

Velocity 200:
- Core: 143MHz
- Memory: 143MHz 16 megabyte SGRAM

Voodoo 3 1000:
- Core: 125MHz
- Memory: 125MHz 16 megabyte SDRAM or SGRAM

Voodoo 3 2000:
- Core: 143MHz
- Memory: 143MHz 16 megabyte SDRAM or SGRAM

Voodoo 3 3000 (for those wondering):
- Core: 166MHz
- Memory: 166MHz 16 megabyte SDRAM or SGRAM

So which is better? The Velocity 100 or the Voodoo 3 1000?
There's really no real possibility to compare them; While the Velocity 100 is faster with it's 143MHz core/mem speed, it only has 8 megabytes of RAM compared to the 16 megabytes the V3 1000 has.

[amp_man]

The difference between a Velocity and a V3 is simple: The avenger chip (aka the VPU used on both the V3 and Velocity) has two TMUs, but one of them is disabled in software on the Velocity series. This can easily be re-enabled if you know how. As for the V3 1k vs. Velocity 100, it all depends on the game or application as to which one is better, some take more advantage of larger amounts of ram than others.

[NitroX infinity]

Hmm, I've been googling around more for that TMU thingy (found it) but I also found something else. Several articles I encountered claimed that the V3 1000 also has only one TMU enabled. is this true?

[Nightbird]

Look that  
http://support.gateway.com/support/manlib/cmponts/video/8505110/8505110.htm

or

http://support.gateway.com/s/VIDCARD/3dfx/6001206/600120611.shtml

[NitroX infinity]

Either I'm blind or those links don't say a thing about the TMU's.

[Nightbird]

You're not blind since this link is not about the 2nd TMU ; this is also a V3 1000 8 mo/143 mhz.

[NitroX infinity]

The V3 series just keeps getting more complicated

[amp_man]

Well, it's not 3dfx's fault, it's the OEMs that muck everything up

[NitroX infinity]

So what was the official speed as set by 3dfx? 125MHz or 143MHz?
And what's the official amount of memory? 8MB or 16MB?
And how many TMU's are active on the V3 1000? 1 or 2?

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

The way I see it is that the Voodoo3 1000's are available in 8MB configs and that the two TMU's are enabled and with the Velocity 100 8MB en Velocity 200 16MB there is only one TMU enabled. The Velocity 100 and 200 run at core/mem speed of 143Mhz/143Mhz and the Voodoo3 1000 8MB runs at core/mem 125Mhz/125Mhz but it does have two TMU's enabled, where it should get it's advantage aginst the 143Mhz Velocity 100 8MB

3dfx Velocity 100 AGP 8MB:



3dfx Velocity 200 AGP 16MB:



3dfx Voodoo3 1000 AGP 8MB:

[osckhar]

Hi Obi

¿How are you? I am fine but very busy!

Well, the 3Dfx Velocity 100 is yours? If is yes, tell me please the Number Bios!

Thanks
Oscar

[Maverick]

I just wanted to add this bit of information. I know the post it old.

------------------------------------------------------
Gateway Voodoo 3 1000 8MB SGRAM

Or

Voodoo 3 1000G 8MB SGRAM

AGP 2x

Core 143 MHz
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------

Compaq Voodoo 3 1000 16mb SGRAM

AGP 2x

Core 125 MHz
------------------------------------------------------
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/previousVersions?product=93633&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&os=20&softwareitem=33519

The Compaq is basically a regular Voodoo 3 1000 with a stupid sticker on the back that says Compaq on it.

http://www.partsolver.com/Product.asp?InventoryID=1229691&SubstitutePart=False&ModelManufacturer=Compaq&ModelNumber=161441-001

The below link you can get one for free all you have to do I think is pay for shipping.

http://www.codemicro.com/store/technote.cfm?part=1005%20%20%20%20VOODOO3&altpart=1005%20%20%20%20VOODOO3&comp=0&ext=1&price=%20%20%20%20%20%200%2E00&markcall=0

The Gateway card is basically a re-branded Velocity 100.


I own both cards and will have pictures soon.