World`s fastest PC graphics card arrives in SA

The fastest commercially-available graphics card in the world is now available in SA. Local distributor Axiz has announced the arrival of Gainward`s CARDEXpert GeForce3 PowerPack!!! "Golden Sample", featuring NVIDIA`s 256-bit NVIDIA GeForce3 chipset, 64MB of ultra-fast DDR memory, TV-out and video in/out.

"The GeForce 3 engine provides a powerful, balanced PC platform that enables extremely high polygon count scenes," says Graeme Frielick, graphics product manager at Axiz. "The card offers better real-world 3D performance for higher resolutions even at 32-bit colour depth, making this product perfect for power graphics users and games enthusiasts."

GeForce3`s nfiniteFX engine includes hardware support for the vertex and pixel shading technology recently licensed to Microsoft for DirectX 8. This technology will change the visual quality and performance of Microsoft-based PC and console platforms. The integrated 350 MHz RAMDAC delivers refresh rates up to 240Hz and true colour (32bpp) up to 2048 x 1536 at 85Hz refresh rate.

"The CARDEXpert GeForce3 PowerPack!!! `Golden Sample` achieves four pixels per clock dual- textured and delivers up to 2.0 billion texels per second," says Frielick. "It delivers 3D quality rendered at speeds greater than 30 million polygons per second, a 3D performance never seen before on the PC platform."

The GeForce3 GPU`s nfiniteFX engine gives developers the ability to program a virtually infinite number of special effects and custom looks. Instead of every developer choosing from the same hard-coded palette of capabilities and ending up with a generic look and feel, application developers can specify personalised combinations of graphics operations and create an unlimited list of their own effects. Two architectural advancements enable the nfiniteFX engine`s programmability and its multitude of effects: Vertex Shaders and Pixel Shaders.

Vertex Shaders inject personality into characters and environments. The vertex processing capabilities allow characters to move and show facial emotion, materials to stretch, and the scene to come alive. By customizing the skinning and motion, developers can create an appropriate personality, intensifying the impact of the visualization or animation.

Pixel Shaders create ambiance with materials and surfaces that mimic reality. Amazingly realistic material effects replace the artificial, computerised look with high-impact organic surfaces. Characters now have facial hair and blemishes, golf balls have dimples, a red chair gains a subtle leather look, and wood exhibits texture and grain. By altering the lighting and surface effects, artists are able to manipulate colours, textures, or shapes and generate complex, realistic scenes.

Gainward has also included XPERToolTM, its performance-tuning utility that allows the end user the choice to either run the board at default settings or at enhanced settings.

The CARDEXpert GeForce3 PowerPack!!! "Golden Sample"TM also supports all major OS and software standards including Microsoft Windows 95/98/Me/2000/NT4.0, Open GL ICD, and DirectX 8.0. The CARDEXpert GeForce3 PowerPack!!!"Golden Sample" is also backed by continuously updated free driver update support through the internet (www.gainward.com/ www.gainward.com.tw).

With offices in the US, Germany, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, in addition to the home office in Taipei and the latest office in France as of Q2 1999, Gainward delivers quality service worldwide. In January 1997, building on an already solid financial base, Gainward merged with the TNC group, thus securing a stronger position within the industry and promising even greater strides in research and development, product quality, overall value, and customer service.