Introduction
We all know that NVIDIA’s RIVA 128 is currently the most successful 3D chip on the market, but there was also some criticism about the chip. The one thing that was criticized most of the time is its resTRiction to only 4 MB of local card memory, limiting the maximal 3D resolution to only 960×720 or 800×600 if this special resolution should not be supported. NVIDIA was very busy working on the drivers of the RIVA 128, now offering a pretty fast Windows 95 ICD for OpenGL and an ICD for Windows NT close to its release, hence supporting GLQuake and Quake II. The image quality has also been improved over the last 6 months, giving the latest driver the ability to pass all the 25 important quality tests of 3D Winbench 98 that are required for the 3D Winmark, hence enabling a very high score of almost 700.
The new RIVA 128ZX is supposed to do this all even better. It allows up to 8 MB of local memory, enabling resolutions of up to 1280×1024 in 3D. The 3D image quality will be at the same level as the RIVA 128, which is pretty decent with the new drivers, although it does not reach the high levels of a Voodoo, Voodoo2, Verite 2×00 or i740.
The other new features are the support of 2x AGP mode, which currently is more or less mainly a marketing hype, since the system memory in current systems doesn’t allow this feature to make any significant performance difference over 1x mode, but this may change with the upcoming 100 MHz system memory bus. The new RIVA 128ZX will also allow a higher desktop image quality by including a 250 MHz internal RAMDAC, offering highest refresh rates even on high end monitors at resolutions of more than 1280×1024 and TRue color. The signal quality is supposed to be improved by that as well, but it will remain to be seen if cards with the RIVA 128ZX will indeed be the right choice for owners of 20, 21 or even 24 inch monitors. For the ones that like using the video out feature of a 3D accelerator card NVIDIA finally included a TV flicker filter into the RIVA 128ZX, something that seemed to be forgotten in the RIVA128, giving the card manufacturers quite a bit of a headache in the past and was only decently solved by the special card design of Canopus Total3D 128V.
The new 3D Winbench 98 score of the RIVA 128ZX is supposed to be 781, but the press release wouldn’t solve the secret of which CPU was used for the test run. We are anyway aware of the questionable significance of a 3D Winbench 98 result by now. All in all is it not more than logical though, that the RIVA 128ZX will score better than the RIVA 128, due to its larger local texture memory, which still can be accessed a lot faster than system memory through AGP or PCI.
NVIDIA has also got good news for the card manufacturers that are suffering under supply problems of the successful NVIDIA chips. So far only SGS Thompson produced NVIDIA graphic chips, hardly able to cover the demand, from now on TSMC will also produce silicon for NVIDIA, who expect to become even more successful than they are currently.
This was my personal excerpt from NVIDIA’s new three press releases, but you can of course make a picture yourself too:
Press Release 1
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NVIDIA SETS UNPRECEDENTED 3D PERFORMANCE LEVEL WITH NEW RIVA 128ZX PROCESSOR 3D Processor Company of Choice Continues to Lead the Performance MainsTReam Market SUNNYVALE, CALIF. – FEBRUARY 23, 1998 – NVIDIA Corporation today unveiled the RIVA 128ZX processor, the latest addition to the company’s award winning, indusTRy-acclaimed RIVA 128 processor family. Coupled with new enhanced ZX software drivers, the RIVA 128ZX processor offers the indusTRy’s fastest 3D processing capability with a Ziff Davis 3D WinBench 98 score of 781, extended resolution and color depth, AGP 2X support, as well as high-performance 2D, VGA and digital video capabilities. “As evidenced by our growing customer list and indusTRy awards, NVIDIA has proven it can deliver leading-edge 3D graphics technology to consumers in the PC market.” said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA. “NVIDIA is focused on delivering a stunning visual experience, and with the RIVA 128ZX, we will take consumer interactive 3D to a new level.” “Based on the results of Q4 ’97, NVIDIA has proven its ability to successfully deliver a high-performance 3D solution to the mainsTReam marketplace,” said Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Associates (Tiburon, CA). “The architecture, and initial performance numbers, of its RIVA 128ZX indicate that NVIDIA is well positioned to sTRengthen their leadership position.” “Diamond Multimedia’s partnership with NVIDIA has been successful in providing our mainsTReam customers with a high-performance 2D/3D/video processing solution,” said Ken Wirt, vice president of corporate marketing at Diamond Multimedia Systems. “The newly announced RIVA 128ZX features an extension of the RIVA 128’s success by offering greater performance and additional support for higher resolutions.” “STB’s VELOCITY 128 was the overwhelming winner in the latest round of magazine reviews and its 3D WinBench scores, driven by the NVIDIA RIVA 128, remain the best available today,” said J. Shane Long, vice president of sales and marketing for STB Systems. “We expect to extend this lead with the improved performance of the RIVA 128ZX and the addition of AGP 2X support.” RIVA 128ZX THE RIVA 128ZX is the second in the family of highly integrated products targeting the performance segment of the PC graphics market. This new offering from NVIDIA leverages the company’s graphics technology and massive gate counts to deliver rich visual quality and high frame-rate 3D. Testing shows the RIVA 128ZX outperforms Intel’s i740 on the Ziff Davis 3D WinBench 98 benchmark, scoring 781 compared to 691 respectively. The RIVA 128ZX 3D processor features an 8MB frame buffer (8 or 16Mbit SGRAM) and AGP 2X to support the storage of high-quality 3D textures and a 250MHz RAMDAC, to drive the most extreme resolutions, color depths and ergonomic refresh rates, up to 1600x1200x32bpp @ 85Hz. The RIVA 128ZX integrates advanced video processing technologies necessary to accelerate multimedia applications. Technologies such as scatter-gather DMA, color format conversion, scaling and filtering, and TV flicker-filtering enhance the playback of high-quality digital video. The RIVA 128ZX processor is optimized for both Direct3DTM and OpenGLTM. Like its predecessor, the RIVA 128ZX utilizes a 128-bit graphics pipeline to the frame buffer interface to support the computational throughput required for today’s graphically intense applications. ZX Software NVIDIA now offers enhanced software drivers to its OEM customers designed to maximize the multimedia processing performance of the RIVA 128ZX and RIVA 128 processors. Although optimized for the RIVA 128ZX, these new drivers also provide an additional increase in performance for current RIVA 128 customers. In addition, NVIDIA now offers complete support for OpenGL with an ICD (Installable Client Driver) for Windows 95 and Windows NT. Pricing and Availability The RIVA 128ZX processor will be priced at $32.00 US, in 10,000 unit quantities. Both the RIVA 128ZX and the ZX software are sampling now and will be in production in the second quarter of 1998. The RIVA 128ZX processor will be provided by new fabrication partner, TSMC (see separate release), and longtime partner, SGS-THOMSON. In addition to providing manufacturing capacity to NVIDIA, SGS-THOMSON is an architectural licensee of the architecture and will co-market and sell the RIVA 128ZX. RIVA 128 The RIVA 128 processor is the 3D technology of choice for graphics accelerator board manufacturers Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc., Canopus and STB Systems, Inc., and major OEMs, including Dell Computer, Gateway 2000, Micron ElecTRonics and NEC. The RIVA 128 processor has enabled NVIDIA’s OEMs to receive more than 40 of the indusTRy’s most prestigious awards, including PC Magazine’s Editors’ Choice and PC Computing’s Product of the Year. NVIDIA Company Information NVIDIA Corporation designs, develops, markets and sells high-performance 3D processors for personal computers. NVIDIA has been recognized as one of the hottest semiconductor companies in Upside Magazine’s December 1997 article titled “Mr. Hot Chips ’97” and was honored as The Most Respected Private Fabless Company by the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) in November 1997. NVIDIA is a privately held company with venture financing. Corporate headquarters are in California: NVIDIA Corporation, 1226 Tiros Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. (408) 617-4000. http://www.NVIDIA.com. |
Press Release 2
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NVIDIA FORMS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH TSMC World’s Largest Dedicated Semiconductor Foundry to Help Expand NVIDIA’s Manufacturing Capacity SUNNYVALE, Calif. – February 23, 1998 – NVIDIATM Corporation announced today it has formed a multi-year strategic partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) (NYSE:TSM), the first pure integrated circuit (IC) foundry company in the world. Headquartered in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, TSMC will assist in the manufacturing of all future NVIDIA products starting with the latest offering, RIVA 128ZXTM, announced today. Effective immediately, TSMC will provide NVIDIA with deep sub-micron process technology. This multi-year sTRategic partnership expands capacity beyond the agreement NVIDIA currently shares with fabrication partner SGS-THOMSON. “Our relationship with TSMC gives us the manufacturing muscle to meet the growing demand for performance 3D processors,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, NVIDIA president and CEO. “In a short period of time, NVIDIA has moved to the forefront of the indusTRy through OEM partnerships with Dell, Gateway, Micron, NEC, STB and Diamond Multimedia. Today’s announcements, of the TSMC relationship and the launch of the RIVA 128ZX, signal our ability to further strengthen our leadership in providing high-performance, affordable 3D processors to the mass market.” Since the company’s founding, TSMC has been dedicated to providing manufacturing services for advanced IC’s. TSMC serves more than 300 customers, ranging from IC design houses, to vertically integrated IC firms and system companies. “NVIDIA is a strong customer and partner and we are pleased to establish this relationship” said Dr. Morris Chang, TSMC’s chairman and president. “The combination of our experience in volume semiconductor manufacturing, process technology and NVIDIA’s silicon design expertise will help to meet the increasing demand for NVIDIA’s growing range of 3D processors.” About TSMC TSMC is the world’s largest dedicated integrated circuit (IC) foundry and offers a comprehensive set of IC fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture CMOS logic, mixed-mode, volatile and non-volatile memory BiCMOS chips. Currently, TSMC operates two 6-inch wafer fabs (Fab 1 and 2), and three 8-inch wafer fabs (Fab 3, 4 and 5), all located in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan. In mid-1996, TSMC commenced construction on its first U.S. foundry, WaferTech – a $1.2 billion joint venture with Altera, Analog Devices and Integrated Silicon Solutions Inc. Production at WaferTech is scheduled to commence in 1998. The company plans to spend approximately NT$98.5 billion (US$3.5 billion) during the period from 1997 through 1999 for bringing Fabs 3, 4 and 5 into full production and the consTRuction of Fabs 6 and 7. Fabs 6 and 7 are expected to be located in the new Tainan Park. Corporate headquarters are in Taiwan: TSMC, Park Ave III, Hsin-Chu Science-Based Industrial Park, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan (886) 3-578-0221. http:www.tsmc.com. NVIDIA Company Information NVIDIA Corporation designs, develops, markets and sells high-performance 3D processors for personal computers. NVIDIA has been recognized as one of the hottest semiconductor companies in Upside Magazine’s December 1997 article titled “Mr. Hot Chips ’97” and was honored as The Most Respected Private Fabless Company by the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) in November 1997. NVIDIA is a privately held company with venture financing. Corporate headquarters are in California: NVIDIA Corporation, 1226 Tiros Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. (408) 617-4000. http://www.NVIDIA.com. |
Press Release 3
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NVIDIA’S AWARD-WINNING 3D TECHNOLOGY EMBRACED BY PREMIER GAME DEVELOPERS RIVA 128 Enables Software Developers to Maximize Direct 3D Features from Design to Release SUNNYVALE, Calif. – February 23, 1998 – NVIDIATM Corporation announced today that software developers, such as Acclaim, Activision, Psygnosis and Sega, are embracing the RIVA 128TM processor to develop, test and bring to market their latest software titles. Leveraging the high-performance and functionality of NVIDIA’s product line, leading 3D software developers are developing MicrosoftТ Direct 3DTM software optimized for the RIVA family, including the new RIVA 128ZXTM processor (see separate release), which is software compatible with the RIVA 128. “By enabling developers to create rich content with the confidence that a high percentage of end-users will realize the potential of their hard work, the RIVA 128 processor family has become the platform of choice for the development community,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA. “These developers recognize that, for the first time in this industry, NVIDIA’s technology is starting to bridge the gap between the visual experience of the end-user and the creativity of the developer.” “We value the contribution that NVIDIA has made to maximize Direct 3D,” said Shinobu Toyoda, Chairman and CEO of Sega Entertainment, Inc. “The API coupled with the RIVA 128 processor provides the performance and 3D experience that the mainstream consumer wants.” “The RIVA 128 processor gives us the high performance and features that are required for the development of our next generation 3D game titles,” said Stuart Denman, vice president and technical director of Surreal Software, a Seattle 3D game developer. “Plus, cool features like 3D in a window and excellent 2D support are reasons why all our development systems have the RIVA 128 on board.” The full-featured RIVA 128 provides one source for multimedia processing when developers are designing models and artwork, developing scenes and levels, programming, testing and marketing a new title. In addition, the growing installed base of NVIDIA-enabled users presents a burgeoning market opportunity. As a result, many of the hottest game titles from winter `97/’98 have been optimized and designed with the RIVA 128 processor. Among the titles that have been optimized for the RIVA 128 processor are; Turok Dinosaur Hunter from Acclaim, I76 and Battlezone from Activision, O Zone from Pixel Multimedia, G-Police from Psygnosis and Redline Racer from Ubisoft. Other titles which were developed with the RIVA 128 processor include; Forsaken from Acclaim, Confirmed Kill from EIDOS, Hard Core 4X4 from Gremlin Interactive, Flight Simulator 98, Baseball 3D and Monster Truck Madness from Microsoft, Incoming from Rage, Tonic Trouble from Ubisoft, and Virtua Fighter 2 from Sega. (See compatibility list on page 4) NVIDIA’s Developer Program NVIDIA’s developer program is designed to provide software developers with the tools and support they need to create compelling software titles that truly take advantage of NVIDIA’s hardware functionality. This program is being expanded to reach more developers in the entertainment market and to foster the adoption of 3D into new consumer and business applications. Within a few short months NVIDIA has shipped millions of RIVA 128 processors to consumers through its OEM and board manufacturer relationships and NVIDIA has been working closely with developers to assure their customers, using NVIDIA products, have a great visual experience. “Our close relationships with our developer partners will provide a high-quality `out-of-box’ experience for the end-user,” said Kevin Schuh, manager of developer relations for NVIDIA. “We believe our hardware offers the best feature set and performance to enable developers to bring quality titles to a broad market of end-users. This functionality coupled with NVIDIA’s focus on Direct3D provides the ideal platform for the developer community.” RIVA Family Announced today, the RIVA 128ZX is the second in the family of highly integrated products targeting the performance segment of the PC graphics market. This new offering from NVIDIA leverages the company’s graphics technology and massive gate counts to deliver intense realism and high frame-rate 3D setting a new bar for 3D performance. The RIVA 128ZX 3D processor features an 8MB frame buffer (8 or 16Mbit SGRAM) and a 250MHz RAMDAC to support the storage of high-quality 3D textures, as well as the most extreme resolutions and color depths, up to 1600x1200x24bpp. If applications need to grow beyond the available local frame buffer memory, the processor supports 2X AGP, allowing for transfer of data from the system memory to the graphics subsystem. The RIVA 128ZX processor is Direct3D and OpenGL compliant. The RIVA family of processors offers a 128-bit pipeline to the frame buffer to support the computational throughput required for today’s graphically intense applications. The RIVA 128 processor family is the 3D technology of choice for graphics accelerator board manufacturers Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc., Canopus and STB Systems, Inc., and major OEMs, including Dell Computer, Gateway 2000, Micron ElecTRonics and NEC. The RIVA 128 processor has enabled NVIDIA’s OEMs to receive more than 40 of the indusTRy’s most prestigious awards, including PC Magazine’s Editor’s Choice and PC Computing’s Product of the Year. NVIDIA Company Information NVIDIA Corporation designs, develops, markets and sells high-performance 3D processors for personal computers. NVIDIA has been recognized as one of the hottest semiconductor companies in Upside Magazine’s December 1997 article titled “Mr. Hot Chips ’97” and was honored as The Most Respected Private Fabless Company by the Fabless Semiconductor Association (FSA) in November 1997. NVIDIA is a privately held company with venture financing. Corporate headquarters are in California: NVIDIA Corporation, 1226 Tiros Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. (408) 617-4000. http://www.NVIDIA.com. Although all Direct3D software titles are compatible with the RIVA 128 processor, below is a sampling of some of the hot titles from Winter `97/’98 that NVIDIA has been working closely with to guarantee compatibility and a great end-user experience. NVIDIA’s RIVA 128 Winter `97/’98 Title Support Sample:
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