From: saswlb@spruce.unx.sas.com (Bill Brideson)
Subject: Accellerated 24-bit 1024x768 Graphics Cards
Originator: saswlb@spruce.unx.sas.com
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 23:55:59 GMT
Organization: SAS Institute Inc.


   It's getting to be time to migrate away from the internal video of a
IIci.  The monitor will continue to be the 13-inch High-Res RGB for
awhile, but that will change eventually, too.  For that reason I'm very
reluctant to go with a board that's limited to 640x480.  This IIci is
running System 7.0.1 with both tune-ups and will be upgraded to 7.1 in
the foreseeable future.

   Below is some information I've gleaned from material I've received
from the manufacturers.  I'd like to get any opinions any of you have
about these three boards, and any recommendations you might have for
other boards I haven't considered.  I am not aware of any problems any
of these boards have with System 7; are any of you?  (He said, recalling
the Apple 8.24GC horror stories.)

SuperMac Spectrum 24/Series III
   SuperMac claims 900% acceleration while Radius and RasterOps claim
   600%.  Is there *really* a difference (I know how easy it is to get
   one processor to appear to be both faster and slower than another
   processor by choosing different problems)?  Radius and RasterOPs both
   say their acceleration comes from using an ASIC but SuperMac doesn't
   say how they do theirs.  Do any of you know if SuperMac uses an ASIC
   or some other kind of "processor"?

   What is "SuperMatch System Software"?  The info I have looks like this
   has something to do with "color fidelity".

   A "display management utility" is included, which I assume allows one
   to turn acceleration on and off(?).  Power consumption is 18.75 watts
   (voltage(s) unspecified).  I don't see a warranty period.  FCC
   approval is class A.

RasterOps Paintboard/Li
   RasterOps claims that this board is compatible with their CorrectColor
   Calibrator system, which sounds like a very handy capability to have
   *once in awhile*.  Have any of you used that?  Did you find it an
   improvement over "eyeballing"?

   Control panel for controlling acceleration is supplied.  Power
   consumption is 15 watts (5 volts at 3 amps).  Warranty is 3 years.
   FCC approval is class A.

Radius 24XK
   This appears to be the only board that will drive the Radius Color
   Pivot in both portrait and landscape modes (with switch-on-the-fly),
   but I don't think that will be much of an issue in this case.  I
   thought Radius had some kind of color calibration system, but I see
   no mention of it in the literature I have.  Do any of you know if
   this board supports such a thing?

   My information doesn't say how (or whether) acceleration can be turned
   on and off, nor does it give power consumption, warranty, or FCC
   approval information.  I'm sure it's "competitive", but do any of
   you have such information on this board?


   I'm gravitating toward the RasterOps, unless the SuperMac is really
faster and its color calibration capability is on a par with the
RasterOps.  Any nudges and/or enlightenment are appreciated.  I'll
post a summary of any e-mail responses.  Thanks in advance!

-- 
Bill Brideson, saswlb@unx.sas.com, 919-677-8000
SAS Institute, Inc.,  SAS Campus Drive,  Cary,  NC  27513
"There are people who think that everything one does with
a serious face is sensible." (18th cent.)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.pc.hardware,comp.sys.mac.hardware