| Q1: |
What is RAGE FURY MAXX? |
| A1: |
RAGE FURY MAXX is ATI's first multiple chip parallel processing
board based on two ATI RAGE 128 PRO GL processors for maximum 3D gaming.
RAGE FURY MAXX utilizes ATI's MAXX (Multiple Accelerator) technology that
effectively increases fill rates required for high resolution, high frame
rate at true color (32-bit) 3D game play. RAGE FURY MAXX has 64MB, fits
in an AGP slot and supports both OpenGL and Direct3D.
|
| Q2: |
Which graphics engine powers RAGE FURY
MAXX? |
| A2: |
Dual ATI RAGE 128 PRO graphics engines power RAGE FURY
MAXX.
|
| Q3: |
What is ATI's MAXX technology? |
| A3: |
MAXX technology (patent pending) allows the graphics card
to determine which frame is next in line for screen display and instructs
how the chips work independently from one another. Part of this implementation
is Alternate Frame Rendering (AFR) technology.
|
| Q4: |
What is Alternate Frame Rendering (AFR)
technology? |
| A4: |
ATI has developed a multiple chip parallel processing
technique that works within MAXX implementation called Alternate Frame Rendering
or AFR. In the AFR process, one chip renders even frames while the other
chip renders odd frames. Each chip processes triangle setup for its own
frame without waiting for the other chip making AFR the more efficient multiple
chip processing technique.
|
| Q5: |
How many other multiple chip techniques
are out in the market and how does AFR compare to them? |
| A5: |
There are 2 other techniques for multiple chip parallel
processing:
3Dfx's SLI - Scan Line Interleave, and
Metabyte/Wicked 3D's Parallel Graphics Configuration.
3Dfx's SLI's technique: One chip draws out even lines of an image and the
other chip draws out the odd lines of the image. This technique is inefficient
because both chips process triangle set up on one frame.
Unlike SLI, AFR processes separate frames.
Metabyte/Wicked 3D's PGC technique: Both chips work on different section
of a frame. That is, one chip renders the top half of the screen, while
the other chip renders on the bottom half of the screen. This technique
has potential for the render loads to be unbalanced between the two chips.
One half of the screen can have fewer polygons to render than the other.
For instance, a scene with a sky can pose obvious load unbalancing because
the sky requires less rendering than what the bottom half would potentially
render. Further image tearing, difficulties in DAC calibration also poses
inherent problems with this technique.
In ATI's AFR technology, load unbalancing does not occur since each chip
processes separate and complete frames. The render load from frame to frame
is reasonably balanced unlike the wide variance found within the complexities
of a frame.
|
| Q6: |
Does dual chip or AFR work with 2D
applications? |
| A6: |
AFR technology currently works with full screen 3D applications
only. AFR automatically detects 2D applications and decouples the dual chip
to work in single chip implementation.
|
| Q7: |
How much memory is on RAGE FURY MAXX? |
| A7: |
RAGE FURY MAXX has a total of 64MB of local memory (SDRAM).
The 64MB frame buffer is 32MB exclusive to each chip.
|
| Q8: |
Can the on-board memory be upgraded? |
| A8: |
RAGE FURY MAXX is not memory upgradable
|
| Q9: |
Is there a PCI version of RAGE FURY
MAXX? |
| A9: |
No. RAGE FURY MAXX is shipping with an AGP Universal Bus
that supports systems with AGP 2X or AGP 2X/4X universal slot.
|
| Q10: |
What is the DAC speed of the RAGE
FURY MAXX? |
| A10: |
The DAC frequency is 300 MHz.
|
| Q11: |
When is the ship date? |
| A11: |
RAGE FURY MAXX will be on retail shelves in January 2000
|
| Q12: |
What is it going to cost? |
| A12: |
RAGE FURY MAXX will be $299 US estimated street price.
|
| Q13: |
What package is the RAGE FURY MAXX
offered in? |
| A13: |
The RAGE FURY MAXX is offered in a retail package or through
resellers and distributors in bulk packs
|
| Q14: |
Does RAGE FURY MAXX support ATI TV-WONDER? |
| A14: |
Yes. RAGE FURY MAXX supports ATI's TV-WONDER.
|
| Q15: |
Will the RAGE FURY MAXX work with
the ATI-TV (PCI), ATI-TV Fm, ATI-TV (ISA)? |
| A15: |
RAGE FURY MAXX does not have a VIP or an AMC connector,
and thus will not work with the ATI-TV. ATI has a trade up program to the
ATI-TV WONDER for ATI-TV owners who want to purchase this product and still
wish to have TV Tuner functionality. Please see our web site for details.
|
| Q16: |
What operating systems are supported
by RAGE FURY MAXX? |
| A16: |
RAGE FURY MAXX currently only supports Windows 98 operating
system. RAGE FURY MAXX is being introduced in phases, the initial phase
targets the hardcore gamer, for whom the product was designed. As the majority
of the gaming market plays in a Windows 98 environment, RAGE FURY MAXX has
been designed only for Windows 98 support.
|
| Q17: |
Will RAGE FURY MAXX support Windows
NT? |
| A17: |
RAGE FURY MAXX targets the hardcore gamer - as Windows
NT isn't a widespread operating system for gaming, RAGE FURY MAXX does not
support this operating system.
|
| Q18: |
Does RAGE FURY MAXX support AGP? |
| A18: |
RAGE FURY MAXX works in systems with AGP 2X or AGP 2X/4X
universal slots. Since AGP is a point-to-point port designed for only one
graphics chip, the RAGE FURY MAXX provides only baseline support for AGP
2X which enables RAGE FURY MAXX's unique multiple chip design to work within
the constraints of the AGP spec and deliver superior performance.
If your questions aren't answered here or you would like more information
or even just to make a comment about our exciting new products please click
here to determine the correct contact at ATI. |
