Graphics - Compaq Deskpro AP500 Supplementary Manual

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HITE APER
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AGP promises to enable photo-realistic 3D rendering and other high-performance 3D graphics
capabilities. The cutting edge graphics performance of AGP will benefit 3D content providers
by enabling a much wider market for their products.
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R A P H I C S
Two graphics solutions are available for the Compaq Professional Workstation AP500. Both are
AGP controllers, which take advantage of main memory for texture mapping operations. All
controllers have been tested to ensure optimum compatibility and reliability.
For 2D and entry 3D applications, the Compaq Professional Workstation AP500
includes the ELSA GLoria Synergy+ (AGP). The ELSA GLoria Synergy+ (AGP)
comes standard with 4 MB of SGRAM and is upgradeable to 8 MB. It provides fast 2D
windowing and is a great low-cost 3D solution for CAD and DCC applications. For
multiple display requirements, additional ELSA GLoria Synergy+ (PCI) controllers
may be added.
For mid-range 3D applications, the Compaq PowerStorm 300 (AGP) provides a
competitive high-performance solution. The Compaq PowerStorm 300 (AGP) is a 3D
graphics solution for users working in demanding, true color environments. Standard
on certain models of the Compaq Professional Workstation AP500, the Compaq
PowerStorm 300 (AGP) has 15 MB of 3D-RAM frame buffer memory and 16 MB of
texture memory. Dual display capability is achieved using an additional Compaq
PowerStorm 300 (PCI) controller.
Compaq Graphics Driver Compatibility
All controllers are high-performance graphics solutions, optimized for Microsoft Windows NT
applications that require up to 16.7 million color processing and high resolutions. The drivers
for each are developed by their respective manufacturers and have been thoroughly tested by
Compaq to ensure compatibility with existing applications.
ELSA GLoria Synergy+ (AGP) Graphics Controller
The ELSA GLoria Synergy+ (AGP) graphics controller in the Compaq Professional
Workstation AP500 is a low-cost, high-performance leader in the 2D/entry 3D segment. Users
requiring fast windowing and menu level performance, as well as robust 3D rendering
capabilities, use 2D/3D graphics.
Requirements for the 2D/3D graphics segment include exceptional 2D/3D-vector performance,
3D shading and lighting, and texture mapping support. These features, used by mainstream
OpenGL- and Heidi-based applications, typically offer great price and performance without
sacrificing required functionality. This combination is important for mainstream CAD
applications, such as AutoCAD, Microstation, and SolidWorks, which have recently integrated
3D techniques into their environment. It is also useful in DCC where 2D and 3D animation
applications are used in the same environment. Financial analysis and trading environments
can benefit from the 2D performance provided by these solutions. Graphics controllers in this
segment also provide investment protection as financial analysis application developers add 3D
modeling to their environment in FY98.
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Compaq Workstations - Key Techn ologies