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| Diamond ExpertTalk - Information compiled by Diamond's Hotline |
IMPORTANT: Please also refer to help files for system/software/driver installation and configuration as well as driver sources  - Questions - Hardware / Software / Installation-Configuration / Games Hardware
1-1
: Is the RIVA chip used on the Viper compatible with programs and games
which support the (Monster 3D) 3DFX chip?
1-2
: Is there a special Viper programming interface (like Glide for
Monster 3D)?
1-3
: Is the Viper V330's memory extendable?
1-4
: How much does Viper V330 cost and where can I get it?
1-5
: What do I need to consider as regards monitor configuration?
1-6
: Notes for Diamond Viper V330 with integrated TV output
Software
2-1
: Screen adapter version is incorrectly displayed
2-2
: No gamma correction with 256 color display
Installation-Configuration
3-1
: Problems while installing the board under Windows 95
3-2
: Notes for Windows NT installation
3-3
: During installation Microsoft's DirectX Setup is being displayed
Games
4-1
: Notes for DirectX3 games
- Answers - Hardware1-1 : Is the RIVA chip used on the Viper compatible with programs and games which support the (Monster 3D) 3DFX chip?  Viper V330 only supports DirectX / Direct 3D software and is a bit faster with this interface than Monster 3D. Monster 3D additionally supports DirectX/3D and all Glide 3DFX games. As a lot of game developers also program for the faster Glide interface, the Monster 3D as a special add-on card is a performance alternative for games at the moment. 1-2 : Is there a special Viper programming interface (like Glide for Monster 3D)? The RIVA chip set has been optimized for DirectX as regards the interface. This means that, just like there were special game patches for particular hardware in the past, a similar Viper V330 patch would be customized to meet the original DirectX structure. Consequently all DirectX applications in accordance with the specifications are already optimized for Viper V330. 1-3 : Is the Viper V330's memory extendable? Viper comes with a 4MB SGRAM. Memory extension is not planned. 1-4 : How much does Viper V330 cost and where can I get it? Sale is exclusively done by distributors and dealers. The recommended price is 399,- DM at the moment (Oct.97) including games - without additional TV output. Important note: The card currently comes in two versions - with and without additional TV output! Online orders are not possible. 1-5 : What do I need to consider as regards monitor configuration? As regards the specifications, the graphic monitor you use should have a performance similar to Viper V330, so that the graphics card's functionality can be optimally used. Only use settings which are supported by your monitor. Should the monitor be used with settings which are beyond its specifications (max. refresh rate) for a certain period of time, long term damage to the monitor cannot be excluded. Whenever monitors are changed the parameter settings need to be compared and adjusted if necessary. 1-6 : Notes for Diamond Viper V330 with integrated TV output: - You cannot use TV and PC monitor simultaneously. If you have both devices connected, only the computer monitor can be used. If you want to use the TV output, you need to disconnect the PC monitor. - If you want to use the TV output, we recommend 16 or 32 bit color depth, only then will the flicker filter which guarantees improved image display be effective. Software2-1 : Screen adapter version is incorrectly displayed. When you start DXSETUP.EXE (part of Microsoft's DirectX programs), the version number of the primary screen adapter is incorrectly displayed as 0.00.00.0000. This is a problem of the DXSETUP program. In order to have the correct version displayed, please start DXINFO.EXE from the SuperCD which you will find in the following directory:\Directx5\directx\dxinfo.exe. 2-2 : No gamma correction with 256 color display Gamma correction does not work with 8 bit color depth. Installation-Configuration3-1 : Problems while installing the board under Windows 95 The NVidia Riva 128 graphics chip on the Diamond Viper V330 requires an interupt on the PCI slot. If no interrupt has been assigned in the computer's BIOS, the following problems may occur: - PC does not boot correctly or image display takes extremely long - Manually assign an interrupt to the board's PCI slot in the computer's BIOS and ask the manufacturer of your motherboard for the latest BIOS. 3-2 : Notes for Windows NT installation Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 require an installed MS Service Pack3! 3-3 : During installation Microsoft's DirectX Setup is being displayed Please select: Reinstall DirectX. Games4-1 : Notes for DirectX3 games If you have acquired a version of Viper with games, please refrain from additionally installing the DirectX3 driver, as the DirectX5 version already gets installed with the graphics card's drivers. eof |
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